Four "Recessionista" Dresses and One Splurge

I wear dresses all the time - to work, over jeans, out to dinner, etc. - and am so glad they've been such a major fashion focus over the past few seasons. I bought several this week; four from Target.com and one from yellowcake's boutique on Etsy.com (the orange plaid strapless). All were under $30 except for the Etsy splurge, which I envision wearing to one of the various upcoming social occasions I have on my calendar.

Ask Diane

I watch The City. And I watched The Hills and Laguna Beach too. And, ok, those shows have evolved so far away from "reality" that it's hard to view them any differently than any other soap.

BUT I DON'T CARE. WHITNEY GETTING LOVE ADVICE FROM DIANE VON FREAKIN FURSTENBERG HAS TO BE THE COOLEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO ANY GIRL, ANYWHERE, EVER.

Have you ever done this?

So, I bought a pair of shoes recently - round-toe black patent pumps with a "ruffled" T-strap - and loved them immediately and so. much. and recognized that These Shoes were the kind of enduringly stylish shoes that I will miss in a year when I've worn them into the ground, so I went out and bought an identical pair that I can save in my closet.

Am I crazy or brilliant?

Missives

Ok, so. ohmygodwork. Hot mess.

However:

• I really, really dislike the new cage heels that are so popular this spring. You will not be finding them on my shopping list any time soon. Of course, that's what I said about leggings in 2006.

What is on my shopping list? I'm so glad you asked:

• Dark-wash denim (two pairs; one bootcut, one skinny. Bt-dubs, I also said I'd never wear skinny jeans)
• Fitted leather jacket
• Petite Spring-y heels
• Glam sunglasses
• A "signature" necklace in gold
• White layering tees (the one I bought at Target last night is not up to snuff)

What I did love at Target, however, was the Alexander McQueen capsule collection. I got these SUPER leggings with tiny zippers (while my circa 2006 self judged me from her haughty, legging-discriminate pedestal) and an cute edgy little scarf that I'll wear with jeans and tanks. And maybe LEGGINGS.