mom

Today is a day to honor our amazing mothers for all that they do. From loving me unconditionally to sharing my passion for late night coffee runs, art museums, and New York City, she's not only an incredible mom, but a great friend as well. I hope that you have a great mother's day, mama. You deserve it.

I love you.

Dress Up

Remember this post? Well, with all of the re-booting going on here, we are going to re-start these "Fashion Friday" posts. With the idea being posting a new dress that I am desiring every Friday to kick off everyone's fabulous weekends, here is the dress for this week. This great little dress in a robin's-egg blue by DiKSi is interesting in so many ways. Aside from it's great color, it has the perfect mix of a sort of Western-y feel with the fringe and sweetness with the accordion pleats and little bow. With a pair or nude patent leather pumps and gold accessories, this dress would be perfect for any occasion that required a little sprucing up.

Happy Friday, everyone! 

An Apology

Between finals, getting sick, packing up and moving out of my dorm, and completing my freshman year of college, saying that I was busy is an understatement. However, I hope that you know how much I really do value this blog. Knowing that it has been a month (!) since I posted last, expect for me to definitely ramp up the pace on these posts. I have to admit, not only time shortage has kept me from here. Much too often had I wanted nothing more than to blog. However, I was short on ideas. Fret no more though, readers! I have been building up ideas to share with all of you, and am hoping that you will like them just as much as I am hoping you will too. So, don't leave just quite yet. 85 Dresses is going to be back and moving just like she used to.
Love,
Leah

Summer Lovin' Inspiration

{bathing suits, balloons, great outfit, statement necklace}

With summer less than a month away, I can't help but begin to dream up great outfits that are both breezy and cool for the hot hot heat and decked out with statement accessory pieces and makeup such as bright lipstick...my newest favorite pick-me-up. With neutral colors and pops of coral, yellow, oranges, and pinks, there is bound to be the perfect combination to make your outfit amazing. 

The Mullet Skirt

        {top: bebe, skirt: bought at francesca's, watch: michael kors, shoes: steve madden, nail polish: essie, lipstick: chanel}

I have long admired the mullet style (the hi-low) for clothes but never felt that I could pull it off. When I found this skirt at Francesca's, (you can find it here, too) I thought I would give it a try just for the heck of it. Sure enough, I fell in love. I don't know if it's that I'm a sucker for anything polka dotted and navy, or that I just got in the shopping mood but I definitely love it. Paired with this delicate sort of shell top from Bebe and amped up with some bright fuchsia lipstick ( I told you I've been digging this color lately) and some heavy duty wedges, this is definitely an outfit that I am going to revisit for this summer. 

My dad even joined in on pictures for a bit, as he was fancily dressed--with a pocket square, too!

So, the moral of the story is to try something new. Whether it be a mullet skirt or mullet hairstyle (gosh I hope not), go for it. Here are a few other great "mullet style" pieces that I would love to sample out:

{1, 2, 3, 4}

Yellow Rose of Texas

{Michael Kors watch, unknown Alpha Gamma Delta bracelet, Forever 21 dress, Jessica Simpson heels, Chanel lipstick}

Yellow is a color that I have always loved for it's cheery quality, brightness, and overall fun color to wear. Though I usually don't think of it when shopping or getting dressed, a yellow piece of anything always stands out and catches my attention. This dress that I picked up from Forever 21 combined many of my favorite qualities in a piece of clothing: lace, a classic and flattering cut, and a great color. With summer coming up faster than I'm ready for, a bright yellow dress to mimic the soon to be summer sun was just perfect. And, paired with my current favorite bright fuchsia lipstick, completed the look to a T.

{This Alpha Gam bracelet was a gift from my Aunt Karri--A fellow Alpha Gam}

                    But more on that later...

What are your favorite colors or cuts to wear? I have many, but yellow is quickly becoming a go-to for a bright and unexpected look.

Happy Passover/Easter everyone!

Friends + Fried Fruity Pebbles: Rodeo 2012 Part 2

{me and leanna}

Being in college, I have made many great friends and amazing people. There is, though, something special about getting to see the people that I had spent my seven years throughout middle and high school with. When we get together, sometimes it's almost as if we never left.

{Julie and Laura}

{Michelle, Leanna, and Dani on The Superman}

{Me and Michelle}

So, while I won't be seeing these ladies until basically November for Thanksgiving break as we all have our various summer plans with everything from internships to international travel, I know that when the air starts to get it's crispness back into it here in Syracuse, that it will soon be time that we can all be reunited again. And, let me tell you, I am looking forward to it.

{Leanna, Michelle, and me}