Category: Personal Style
Chi Chi London Dresses for Fall
Update: Get 30% off at Asos through 11/28 with code EPIC30!
I’m writing this post about one of my favorite formal dress brands, Chi Chi London. This post isn’t sponsored-I just seriously love this brand and get a lot of questions about it-but I have used some affiliate links within the post.
I like that you can’t find these styles in any store in the U.S. When you wear one of these dresses you’re sure to stand out. The styles I own are a bit springlike, but the fall line of dresses has red, black and navy dresses that would look great for Thanksgiving, a holiday party or even New Year’s.
For an ultra feminine, modest and classic style, this is my go-to brand.
Here are the three dresses I’ve worn, my thoughts about each one, and where you can get them. Keep reading for my tips on how to get the best deals on Chi Chi London too!
Chi Chi London Amber dress
I was inspired to get this after seeing it on another blogger. The pleats in the waist give most of the brand’s dresses a poufed, 1950s style look and this one is no exception. This dress is very structured. Even though it is gorgeous in person, I didn’t end up wearing it because the structured silhouette kind of dwarfed me. There are petite sizes, however, which I might try in the future. Currently, the floral Amber dress is on sale in limited sizes at ChiChiClothing.com and at Dorothy Perkins in regular and and petite.
Chi Chi London lace dresses
I love lace so it was an easy choice for me to invest in the lace collection. I wore this to a wedding. The Daisie dress pictured here is also available on sale in limited sizes at ChiChiClothing.com.
The blue Rhiannon dress is one of the brand’s most classic and iconic styles. For more pictures, see how I wore it here. A similar style is on sale at Asos.
You can also see photos of these dress on my Instagram.
Things to know before ordering from Chi Chi London
Based on the name, it’s not a big surprise that the brand is based in the UK. If you’re in the U.S. there are a few options. You can order directly from the brand’s site, which has the lowest prices especially when items are on sale. But if it doesn’t fit you’ll have to pay return shipping to Great Britain and last time I checked, it would cost over $33 to return a Chi Chi London dress from the US. And that was the cheapest option through USPS. FedEx and UPS were even more. That seriously eats into the amount you might save. In my case, I ended up selling the dress I wanted to return on Poshmark, which worked out well and I got more money back than I would have returning it.
Alternatively, you can order through Asos or through Modcloth. These sites offer free shipping and returns. So even though you’ll pay more for the dress itself, you might save in the long run. Modcloth tends to charge more for the brand, so you can often save by ordering through Asos which is my recommendation for finding the best deal on Chi Chi London.
Another thing to know is that the sizing is all UK sizes, so order carefully!
Let me know if you have any questions about anything related to this brand. I’m always happy to talk about finding the perfect dress!
Stay Warm with Fall Layering
Thanks Cuddl Duds and Bon-Ton for sponsoring this post.
Fall fun
Like any lifestyle blogger, I love fall! Pumpkin spice! Pumpkin patches! Harvesting raspberries and pumpkins from my own garden! But ya gotta be warm while you do all that fun fall stuff.
As a native Minnesotan, I’ve learned how to layer to stay warm. And believe me, when it’s 20 below zero degrees Fahrenheit, the goal is to STAY WARM. (But also to look somewhat cute and be comfortable while staying warm.)
Live in Layers
Ways to layer up this fall!
- Throw a soft, plushy vest over a turtleneck or sweater
- Don’t forget a scarf! Worn draped over your shoulders like I’ve done here, it’s like bringing a little blanket around wherever you go!
- Use soft, stretchy leggings like Cuddl Duds (available at Bon-Ton and online) under jeans or pants for extra warmth
- Add a base layer like Cuddl Duds cowl neck under sweaters (thumb holes give extra hand warmth)
- Tie all the layers together visually with a fun decorative pin. This adds a flair of personality and dresses up your layers. I got this pheasant pin practically free at a rummage sale.
Layering with Cuddl Duds
Layering with Cuddl DudsI am a big, big fan of Cuddl Duds leggings. The waistband is so comfortable, you guys. You don’t even notice it! They’re made with modal and spandex so they’re soooo stretchy. When winter comes, they’ve got you covered in every way. Wear them to bed, under a dress or tunic, and as long underwear under pants.
I went basic for this post, but the brand also has patterned leggings for a pop of fun! I wore a patterned pair in California and got tons of compliments even at the super upscale Stanford Shopping Center.
And now I tried for the first time a Cuddl Duds top, which has a cowl neck and flattering cut. Remember to layer! Throw on a fuzzy vest, a cardigan, another pair of pants over the leggings when it gets REALLY cold.
Have you done any fall things like picking pumpkins yet?
Summer of Cars
Sponsored post – thanks to Cars.com for supporting The Pink Paperdoll
I’ve never been super interested in cars. I still drive my first-ever car, my Pontiac that I’ve driven since 2007! But this summer I lived with not one but three car engineers, which was an education to say the least. There were plenty of fancy cars around the driveway (and one unfancy Mazda that I learned to drive a stick on). Here’s what I learned about each car.
It’s Electric!
The Model S is the second car built by Tesla, you can tell it is a Tesla at a glance because of the silver windows. I rode in one once and it has a beautiful interior, a sun roof, and it accelerates from zero to 60 in 2.4 seconds. That’s nuts. It’s wrong. But 100,000 have been sold so generally people seem to disagree with me. It’s jokingly referred to as the Palo Alto Prius because so many people in the area drive them. You can barely go a block without seeing one! It also has the highest crash rating of any car tested which I suppose makes me feel a little better about the acceleration bit.
Toyota MR2 and Mazda Miata
At less than 10,000 dollars for a sports car, If you’re in your quarter life crisis one of these might be for you. The MR2 is the first pic in the post, and the Miata is shown below. Here’s how to best describe the difference: the Miata is Starbucks-sipping basic, while the MR2 is the car equivalent of that girl you know who monograms everything.
Mazda 3
This car is as if the MR2 or Miada grew up and started a family. It’s full of storage space which I can attest to because I filled it up with fabric samples on a regular basis. It fits a dog kennel, groceries, a cooler, and all the reusable shopping bags I sometimes (okay, rarely) remember to bring into a store with me.
How to find the right car
Car shopping may not be as fun as shopping the Lilly Pulitzer sale, but using technology can make it easier! Using resources to do research ahead of time is key to the process. It’s important to compare prices, specs and reviews just as you would do with any online shopping. As you start your search, a great deal of information is available at Cars.com where you can look for cars for sale, find a dealer, leave reviews, or view videos and reviews that tell it straight (and as any shopper will tell you, honest reviews are so important!).
What’s your dream car?! Let me know in the comments!
Shop the Look
Summer in Jacksonville, Oregon
Visiting Jacksonville Oregon
On the great Road Trip 2017, the last stop we made before California was visiting Jacksonville Oregon. It’s a small town in the Southern part of the state with cute main street with shops. I actually found Jacksonville on a suggested list of ghost towns to visit in Oregon. It’s far from a ghost town, but it is quaint and full of historical buildings. It’s definitely worth a visit!
Where to Eat in Jacksonville Oregon
For lunch, I chose a little cafe called The Cheesemonger’s Wife. They had a cheese plate for only $11 that came well stocked with plenty of cheeses, olives, crackers and jam. The restaurant was gluten free friendly and many of the ingredients were local. They made delightful sandwiches and coffee too.
What to wear when visiting Jacksonville Oregon
I found Jacksonville to be an Instagrammer’s paradise. The historical details I mentioned earlier include brick facades, antique murals painted on walls, and pretty flower gardens. So put on your best outfits, bloggers! Shop Lilly Pulitzer dresses like the one in these pics here.
Do you have a favorite small town to visit in the summer? Tell me about it in the comments! I’d love to add more destinations to my travel wishlist.
The App That Lets You Be a Paper Doll
This post is sponsored by Styled by Trendage, the app that inspired this article.
Trying and sharing new products are one of the things I enjoy about blogging. Today I’m doing my first review on an app! Remember in the movie Clueless, Cher virtually tried on outfits using Polaroids? Well fast forward 20 years (was Clueless actually that long ago? Yikes) and we have a very similar capability available on our iPhones with the Styled app.
I like the concept behind this app for several reasons:
- It lets you become a virtual paper doll.
- It’s a free way to expand your wardrobe, even if it’s only imaginary!
- Potentially it could save you from buying clothes that aren’t flattering or your style, because you can get a preview of how certain colors and styles might look prior to purchasing something online.
Styled by Trendage App Review
To start the process, I uploaded my headshot. My photo then appeared on a little digital paper doll. Neat! You can also take a selfie with the app, but I had better luck using an existing photo. Next the app prompted me to choose a hairstyle and a body shape. I chose the hairstyle that made me look the most like me, but you can also have fun experimenting with what you’d look like with totally different hair.
Then your virtual self can try on clothes. The app will give you look after virtual look to “try on.” If you like a look, save it for future browsing. If you like it, you can save it. It’s something I can see teens and 20-somethings enjoying.
The app runs a bit slow for me at times, but I’m still on iOS9. If your phone is newer than mine (and 99% of you probably have a newer phone than me, let’s be honest. Note to self, go to Apple store ASAP) it will probably run great. And iPhone users, this app is only for you. I hope the company will expand beyond Apple to reach a greater audience in the future.
If you’re looking for a new way to virtually try on a new wardrobe, either for practical purposes or to keep yourself occupied on public transportation, Styled by Trendage is a fun addition to your iOS apps.
