Plan on going to Neiman's any time soon? Need an excuse to blow some cash on some designer fashions? Been waiting to buy the entire Tory Burch collection? Maybe now is the perfect time. When you shop at Neiman Marcus now through May 2nd and make a $40 donation to Feeding America you get a 30% off coupon to use in Contemporary Sportswear, Sport Shop, Dress Collections and Men's Contemporary Sportswear. Just think, if you spend $250 buying cute Juicy Couture separates for summer, you'll save $75 (totally offsetting your donation).

I just found a look I love. Let me tell you all about it! I’m a big fan of Club Monaco. While they don’t have a huge collection of merchandise, they usually have some very provocative, well-tailored pieces that define fashionable.

Their new pieces for spring and summer are feminine, flirty and not at all like the obnoxious fluorescents I’ve been seeing in the retail chains. They seem to realize that today’s looks need to be versatile, fresh and no-nonsense classics. Using traditional lines, ruffles and few polka dots, Club Monaco has created some inspiring looks for the next few months. Check it out.

This adorable skirt-shirt combo is simple and chic. All of the pieces, the skirt, shirt and sash, are versatile and able to be worn with hundreds of other items in your closet. While you may splurge for the entire look up front, the options are literally endless. In today’s economy, flexibility and usefulness are huge selling points. The same applies to the no-nonsense work look below.

And look what else I stumbled across: the perfect dress. Great for work. Great for brunch. Great for cocktails. You can do it all flawlessly in this ladylike number.

Click here to look at the entire Club Monaco collection. There are several other outfits worth your while.

Last night I was feeling like a small fish in a big, bad pond. I felt like everything in the world was spiraling out of control around me (and all I really wanted was new pair of skinny jeans). So I decided to write an open letter to the universe…just to get a few things off my chest.

Dear Universe,

Stop sulking. Why do I know you’re sulking? Because when I sulk, I make it my point to make everyone in my presence absolutely miserable. You seem to be doing that right now. Let’s clear a few things up, girl-to-girl, so I can get on with my life and you can go about yours.

First off, the swine flu is not going to cure anyone’s problems. Why don’t you just put this to rest? A pandemic is not the answer. I have enough to worry about right now—like wondering how the hell I’m going to retire. Spare me the drama of dealing with a possible plague. Oh, and try not to tarnish the reputations of piglets while you’re at it. I love Charlotte’s Web.

Secondly, please fix the economy so I won’t feel like a bad person when I buy shoes. I’ve been feeling very remorseful after my purchases lately. It’s just consumerism. It doesn’t make me a bad person. Lighten up. Throw some jobs into the world so people can sleep at night. Let’s all be happy like we were in the nineties. Remember the nineties?

Also, men are still confusing. I keep thinking that you’re going to work on this—you know, get the kinks out of the male species. I’ve seen little to no progress and I’m disappointed with your advancement in this area. Maybe we should just do lunch one day and chat about this more?

Listen, I’m generally a happy person. I’m just a very honest communicator so I think it’s best to keep the line between you and I open. Let’s grab a Starbucks and chat more—preferably in the afternoon.

Cheerio,
Emily

First off, I’d like to think Kelly Kapoor from The Office for providing a catch phrase that I’ve said oh…only about a hundred times since Friday. You see, Friday was Fashion Show Friday. My friends and I got dressed up and whisked ourselves off to Minneapolis Fashion week. We attended a fashion show that showcased some local designers—all of whom have a lot of talent. I took a few things from the evening.

#1 Parasols Should Definitely Come Back
I think Rihanna was on the brink of a major trend when she released her song Umbrella (ella, ella, eh, eh, eh). Several pieces from Emily Weich, a local Minneapolis designer, featured ladylike umbrellas that set the tone for a feminine summer look.

#2 Sunglass At Night is a Song, Not a Fashion Statement
I love sunglasses. I wear them a lot—every time there’s a glare or a hint of sunshine outside. When you’re in a venue with extremely dim lighting and black walls at 10 p.m. you should not, under any circumstances, wear sunglasses. This might be one of the best ways to draw attention to yourself in a very negative way (and pairing your sunglasses with a headband made of rope doesn't help your case). See my paparazzi shot below:

#3 Dancing is Always in Style
After a fashion-filled evening with oohs and ahhs it was time to make our own fun, so my friends and I headed out dancing. Even though we were the only people on the dance floor for about an hour, there’s something to be said for being confident, smiling and having fun. When you feel good, you look good and you light up the room! And sometimes you just can’t put a price tag on that type of healthy, radiant glow!

Imagine me screaming, shouting and jumping up and down. No. I didn’t win the lottery. I discovered the most amazing pair of shoes known to man...which could be comparable to winning the lottery.

I’ve been a lifelong fan of Top-siders. I grew up boating and my Dad and Grandpa were regularly spotted around town rocking a nicely worn pair of Sperry Top-siders. There’s something authentic, rugged and traditional about a good pair of Top-siders...something that makes you want to be on a boat. I currently have a white pair and a light pink pair. But these. Wow. These shoes are unlike anything I’ve laid eyes on. I can’t wait to get them and wear them all summer long. It’s like Barbie does boating.

Ah. I’m in love. To shop the complete collection of Sperry’s Top-siders, click here. The assortment is nearly endless. They're sure to have a nautical shoe just for you.

I’m not a very “earthy” person but today the sun is shining, the temperature is mild and I’m actually diggin’ good ole’ Mother Nature. In light of the love in my heart I’ve decided to devote today’s blog posting to Earth-friendly goods that are still edgy, fun and fashionable.

In The Bag
I’m forgetful. Some mornings I completely forget to put on eye make-up. Sometimes I leave the house without my Blackberry. It’s no surprise that the last thing on my mind before I go shopping is grabbing a reusable shopping bag to take along. However, if I had this bag by Kenneth Cole I might actually make the extra effort to grab it before heading to the store.

The blunt, thought-provoking message is attention grabbing. It makes a statement. And just like it says, you can use it over and over and over again! Click here to get yours and explore the rest of Kenneth Cole’s “Awearness” collection—fashion that helps make a difference.

Vintage Viola!
I’m not big on the “sustainable clothing” movement (insert boo here). A lot of the organic clothing being made actually looks organic. Which would be fine if I wanted to wear breathable cotton tank tops in shades of olive green and off white everyday…but I don’t (I’m much more eccentric). So here’s my Earth-friendly suggestion: recycle. Take a good, hard look at the items in your closet. Think about how you might be able to wear them differently or with updated accessories to bring them back into fashion. If you want to get rid of any clothing, take your unwanted goods to a consignment store or donate them to charity. And the next time you need a shopping fix, take a peek inside your local vintage shop. Some of my favorite finds have been vintage.

Purge Your Plastic
No. Do not throw away your credit cards. That’s not what I mean. Plus, that would be quite tragic. Just cut back on the amount of plastic water bottles you use. I know how easy it is to run into a convenience store and pick up a bottle of water to quench your thirst. But you’d use less plastic, take up less landfill space and look WAY cuter if you started using one of these adorable reusable bottles for water.

This earth-friendly water bottle by Sigg is way cute. And if you drink from it everyday, the PPW (well, Price Per Drink in this case) is very low.

I can't save the world alone. I can, however, feel a little bit better about my carbon footprint (which just so happens to form the outline of a very expensive stiletto) by making some small changes. Happy Earth Day!

In college, I earned a reputation. No, not that kind of reputation. Get your head out of the gutter. I made a name for myself because of my slight obsession with Burberry. In fact, many of my pals now call me "Burb." My bag for class was a huge nova check tote bag and I was regularly spotted with a Burberry scarf tied around my neck. I had several Burberry polos that made appearances each spring and summer, and even a bucket hat and a belt (among other things). I’ve always loved Burberry—the clean lines and classic, conservative plaids have always felt very traditional and warm to me. Oh, I even dressed up as “Burberry Barbie” once for a party.

Today I broke out my Burberry skirt. It looked so sad just hanging there in the closet all by itself. It needed to be worn. So I slipped it on with a black turtleneck and a chunky black belt. Paired with black heels it’s one perfectly preppy outfit for a breezy spring day. And because the skirt is a classic and the pattern never goes out of style (it's almost five years old), the PPW is actually quite low. Making it a sturdy staple in my closet.

Here are some of my favorite Burberry finds for this year!

I love this ruffle collar polo (above)! I’m personally a big fan of popped collars (on the right people, of course) and this is a fun new way to wear a collar with attitude!

I also adore these classic, preppy Bermuda shorts for summer! Prefect paired with a polo for a day at the course or dressed up with heels for an evening out.

This dress is simply adorable: the perfect hemline in a girly meets urban shape. Plus, how cool is the zoomed-in nova check pattern in burgundy? Love it!

Shop the Burberry collection at Nordstrom by clicking here.

*Photos courtesy of Nordstrom.

This weekend I ended up buying another pair of high heels. No, not the Jessica Simpson pumps from below, but a very chic black pair of peep-toe slingbacks. You see, I can't technically wear flats. For one, they make my legs look short and stumpy. And then there's the logistical reason-- I have unusually high arches in my feet. You see, every spring when I try to make the switch to flat shoes, my tendons can't take the pressure and they rip from my bones causing an excruciating pain to jolt through my feet. I have to get cortisone injections in my feet. I'm a loser. But really, this means I should just wear heels all the time.

"All I want are high heels, high heels. If I was a girl, I'd wear a lot of high heels. High, stiletto heels."

~Isaac Mizrahi, who clearly sees eye-to-eye with yours truly.

I want to go shopping today! All this nice spring weather has me restless. I’m feeling frisky—like I need to buy a couple fun spring dresses.

My first stop is Banana Republic. I’m a huge Banana fan, except when it comes to their jeans. Everything else they make is great. After surfing the Banana Republic website I found some super cute things that I need to check out in person. Like this adorable white sheath dress that is amazingly versatile. Seriously, you could wear this everyday (not that you would want to, people might start to talk).

And then there’s this little yellow number that looks like it has a fabulously feminine and flattering shape.

I’m hoping I can find this black dress on the sale rack! It’s very cute…and very “me.”

If you don't feel like leaving your house, you can click here to view all of Banana Republic's dresses from the comfort of your computer.

Just when I thought a great dress was all I needed to feed my appetite for spring fashion, I started thinking about shoes. A printed pump would be a fantastic way to celebrate spring with a little flair. Yes. I’ll need a pair of those, too.

These fun, floral Jessica Simpson pumps could add just the right amount of spring to your favorite little black dress.

Ladies, the time has come to go forth and spend! It’s time to hit the mall for a few hours. I’ll let you know what I find!

Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t name my blog “Pretty and Pathetic” because honestly, something absolutely pathetic happens to me every single day. Yesterday I left work 10 minutes early—a really big win for me. I jumped in my car, opened my sunroof and cruised off listening to Britney Spears. I stopped by the store to run a quick errand. I came out with a few bags of goodies, popped open my trunk, threw the bags in and nonchalantly reached up to shut my trunk. Only it didn’t shut. So I pushed it down a little harder. And it still didn’t shut. So I slammed it. No luck.

An hour later (and after slamming it at least 100 times), I still couldn’t shut it. It was locked in the upright position. So I stood by my trunk in the store parking lot, calling, twittering and texting people to stay busy until my help arrived. Lucky for me I’d purchased a bag of Laffy Taffy in the store. Amazing how lame jokes can help pass the time.

Q:What did the crop say to the farmer?
A: Why are you always picking on me?

Nothing like an agriculture joke from a nine year old in Baton Rouge to make time fly.

The entire time, gentleman passed by me in the parking lot. They all looked super-spiffy in their business casual attire, but not ONE guy stopped to ask me if something was wrong. I even had this great line planned in case someone did stop—I was going to make a joke about all the “junk in my trunk.” But no one stopped. Rude. And yes chivalry really is dead. But hey, I guess it’s commonplace to see a girl sitting in her trunk, frantically typing on a pink blackberry and laughing out loud to herself.

Although the situation ruined my evening, I managed to escape with only one regret. I should have cranked some tunes, rolled my windows down and had a dance party.

All this talk about diamonds has me in the mood to keep celebrating bling! This quote from Mae West speaks clearly to how I feel (most of the time).

“I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.”

~Mae West, who was apparently a very smart lady!

Everyday I have really poignant conversations with my friends. We talk about things like work, guys and other girls. We think we’re hilarious. We’re convinced that if our life was a movie (which sometimes we think it is), it would be one of those sidesplitting comedies with witty twists of fate and serendipitous moments of awe. Today one of my friends said something that made me laugh. And it got my selfish and indulgent wheels turning.

“I'm currently enjoying a Ring Pop. Closest thing to a ring I’ll be getting for awhile,” she said matter-of-factly.

First I thought, that’s hilarious, my friends and I should go on a comedy tour. Then I thought, no…the ring pop…that’s sad. Then I thought, no…that’s me. Then my eyebrows started to lower as I found myself deep in thought.

The truth of it is, a Pretty and Poor girl doesn’t bank on a guy to buy her a diamond. If a Pretty and Poor girl wants a diamond, she gets one for herself. And if she can’t quite afford a real diamond (because she just spent $1400 on a new Marc Jacobs bag, or something like that) then she buys a simulated diamond and convinces everyone that it’s real. And if she really wanted to, she could even make up a fabulous story about how a guy gave it to her as a gift.

So here are a couple of my favorite fake-diamond finds. I can’t reveal all my secrets (because some of my bling is real and some of it is fake…and the good news is, you’ll never know the difference).

This necklace and earring set from Target is a stellar find. The diamond studs are huge and I wear them a lot (I occasionally wear the necklace, but the earrings are the main event). Big giveaway, I know. But, let’s be honest…suckers like this would sell for well over $15,000. Plus, I learned about losing nice diamonds the hard way several years ago. In fact, one of my real bad-boys is sitting on the bottom of a lake in northern Ontario.

Silpada makes some of the most artsy, tasteful jewelry around. It’s extremely durable and very unique. It commands attention. This stackable ring set is blingtastic and a personal favorite of yours truly. It has all the sparkle and shine of a real diamond, without the price.

While ring pops are delicious and always make me giggle, you best take my advice and take charge of your diamond destiny! Adorn your finger with something sweeter than candy: a big fat rock.

Last night, after creating my pink and black extravaganza (shown below) on Polyvore, I couldn't stop thinking about those awesome hot pink Yves Saint Laurent heels. So I decided to start the day with a Pretty Proclamation from none other than the man behind those heels.

"Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it."

~Yves Saint Laurent, fashion designer and icon, reminds us that fashion isn't just about clothing-- it's about personality, feeling and attitude. It's about confidence.

You’re going to be so busy at work today. Why? Because I’m about to tell you about the most fun, time-consuming website I’ve played on in a while. Not only has it succeeded in keeping me busy for hours, it’s allowed me to channel my inner fashion diva and unleash a stylish side of me I’ve never seen before. In fact, I'm feeling a lot like Meryl Streep's character in The Devil Wears Prada. Polyvore.com is a website where you can create your own “sets” of fashionable items! That’s right. You can choose from thousands of high style clothes, shoes and accessories to construct your very own fashion layouts just like you'd see paging through your favorite magazine. Just take a look at the masterpiece I made earlier.

I call this little creation "Paparazzi Glam." And yes, I would wear everything in that picture...all at once (and it would be fabulous).

So go get distracted! Play for hours and feel free to share your work in the comments section—I’d love to see what you come up with. Click here to visit the website, or simply type www.polyvore.com into your web browser! That's all.

It’s a tradition for families who celebrate Easter to hide eggs and have children find them. When I was a kid, I just found plain old dyed eggs in my backyard. However, in today’s age, kids find plastic eggs with candy, treats and even cold hard cash hidden inside them.

I’d love for someone to come hide Easter eggs with me. However, I do have a few stipulations. Forget the candy. Stash the cash. When a Pretty and Poor girl hides eggs, she wants to find things of epic proportions hidden inside. Here’s a list of what I’d like to find inside an Easter egg:

1) Diamonds: loose or set in something nice (like a band to go around my finger). They’ll have a little shake to them and sparkle when you pop open the egg! This 14 karat whopper from Tiffany and Co. would be enough to make any bunny hop!

2) Hermes Silk Twilly: this small, thin silk scarf would fit perfectly inside of an Easter egg. Tie it around whatever you’d like to breathe some life into any old outfit. Click here to look at the entire collection.

3) A Bright Watch: this Michael Kors watch is a great accessory for spring. Available in a host of colors, it’s a great conversation piece and a perfect addition to an already-hip outfit.

4) Bobby Pins: but not your “average” bobby pins! These Juicy Couture accessories will fit perfectly inside an Easter egg and look adorable in your hair!

5) Eye Shadow: MAC’s intense colors will fit perfectly inside an Easter egg. In fun, spring colors like Da Bling or Crème de Violet you’ll look as fresh as a flower.

There’s no doubt that one day, I’ll find a magical Easter Bunny (in the form of a sugar daddy) to hide all these wonderful things in eggs for me. If not, I’ll just have to do it myself.

I've been on a shoe kick lately. After yesterday's blog post, the previous story about my Prada shoes, and the very involved conversation I had about Christian Louboutin just yesterday, I've had shoes whizzing around in my head.

“It's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes. That's why you sometimes need really special shoes!”

~Carrie Bradshaw, our favorite shopaholic from Sex and the City sums up why shoes are so important (for some of us). This also means it might be totally appropriate for you to buy these.

Today, for the first time in months, I can see my toes. No, I wasn’t preggers or fighting an abnormally large beer gut. I just so happen to live in a place where it needs to hover around zero degrees six months out of the year. But today, after hearing that temperatures were supposed to rise up to the mid 50’s or 60’s I did the seemingly unthinkable: I broke out the peep-toe stilettos.

Last week I thought that something like this might happen. Call it optimism. Wishful thinking. Anyway, I was thinking so positively that I polished my toenails in hopes this day would soon arrive.

Today, my freshly-polished phalanges feel liberated. In the car, I couldn’t stop looking at them pressing against the gas pedal. At my desk, I couldn’t take my eyes off of them tapping on the floor. In the hallway, I nearly bumped into someone as I watched my toes take steps of freedom.

On behalf of my toes and their friends all over the world, it’s time to rip off your stuffy cotton socks, perk up your toes with some polish and slip them into a pair of shoes where you can show them off. Don’t get too excited. Flip-flops or sandals probably aren’t appropriate in 60-degree weather. But the perfect pair of peep-toes will add a little spring to your step.

And yes, those are my real feet. I'm currently rocking OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark polish on my toenails (if there's one thing I hate, it's a pair of fugly, unpolished toenails). And plus, I think this really shows off my hard-core punk side.

Leave it to Carson Kressley, from Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, to sum up one of my beliefs. It's a Pretty Proclamation at it's best.

"You always have to look your best, even at home, because you never know when a striking Jehovah's Wittness is going to come to your door."

~Carson Kressley, because hey, opportunity knocks whenever it wants!

I hate losing a shoe. It’s like losing a member of my (very extended) family. And when I say “losing” I don’t actually mean “misplacing.” I use “losing” as a euphemism for when a shoe bites the dust, you know...kicks the can…dies.

In the past year I’ve lost a couple good friends along this little journey they call life. I’m still not over that leopard print stiletto with the oh-so-delicate heel that split in half while I was crossing a major street in Minneapolis (think of J.Lo in The Wedding Planner but much less glamorous and with no Matthew McConaughey to run and jump on me). And I’m currently grieving the loss of the boot I blogged about here—a crack in the heel means I can’t really do “everything” in these anymore (just a few low-impact activities, like sitting). But no experience was as traumatic as the day I thought one of my oldest, closest friends was a goner.

It was my first year working full time and I made every effort (as I do now) to dress the part of a first-rate professional. One of the most exciting things about working full time was that I’d get to dress up for work. Heels. Skirts. Dresses. Scarves. All those things that were too dressy for class everyday could now be mine! I was more than ecstatic to break out my Prada pumps. One of my most coveted pairs of shoes, the Pradas were a present I bought myself during my freshman year of college. I saw them in an ad, fell in love with them, and ended up snagging them at Neiman Marcus months later. You can imagine they didn’t get much wear, after all, for the last four years they were reserved for formals, luncheons and sorority events. Plus, four-inch pumps with black, lime green and blue geometric patterns don’t exactly say “versatile.” All that changed when I started working—those precious pumps were introduced to the big, bad world.

(Look closely and you'll see the infamous shoes, pictured here in the Fall 2003 Prada Runway Show)

One day I wore them to my agency with a black dress. Simple, with a punch of pizzazz. I walked to the CEO’s office to watch a YouTube video he had been raving about earlier. As I was standing behind his desk laughing at a couple busting out a dance to Baby Got Back at their wedding reception, I felt a pop in my right foot. Suddenly a jolt shot up my leg and I found myself standing lopsidedly. My smile suddenly turned to a glassy-eyed frown. Not wanting to cause I scene and trying to hold myself together, I commented on the video and gracefully limped out of he office. As soon as I got back to my chair I plopped down, took off my shoe and stared in horror. The heel had broken off. The gorgeous silk heel had just fallen off. Just like that.

Without another pair of shoes to get me through the day, I spent my lunch hour frantically calling cobblers to assess the situation and find a quick solution. Some were booked solid—couldn’t even get me in. Others heard my problem and told me it was no use. My problem sounded bigger than their skills. Then, I stumbled upon a shoe repair shop that told me to come in for an assessment. I hopped in my car and drove 20 minutes away in hopes of saving my shoe.

Striding through the repair shop door that day felt like busting through the emergency room doors of a hospital. I was hopeless. Frantic. Every minute mattered and I needed to know if my shoe could be saved. People were looking me and my shoes. Even broken, they were still turning heads. I decided that I was going to have to work my magic. Tell these people how much my shoe meant to me. They had to fix it.

I stepped up to the counter and showed the cobbler the damage. He winced. Gulped. Held the shoe to his face. At this point in the game a knot was starting to form in my throat. I started to squeeze my butt cheeks together…because everyone knows that if you squeeze your butt cheeks together you won’t cry.

“I think we can fix this,” he said. “These are really nice shoes, though, and some of the silk could get damaged. But I think it’s possible to repair.”

I nearly jumped for joy as my mood took a drastic swing. I could deal with a little silk damage. I would consider it a scar. And everyone knows that scars give you character. I picked the shoes up the day after and they only had minimal damage—it was like nothing had happened.

And that’s why I believe in miracles.

Some people just speak the language of the Pretty and the Poor. And that's what I call a Pretty Proclamation.

"If she likes the baby, she should see the Mama. But that’s at the vault.”

~Jill, from The Real Housewives of New York, on her diamonds.

Most women think of eyebrow waxing as painful and jarring. I, on the contrary, find it to be relaxing and soothing. I secretly wish it would last longer. This may be a testament to how chaotic and crazy my life actually is, but when done correctly, getting my brows waxed is something I look forward to every month. I understand brow waxing is something many women refuse to do because of the pain, the money or the principle. If you’re against it—listen up! If you’re for it, join me on my mission to rid America of fuzzy brows!

Skip surgery. Many people think of eyebrows as excess hair that should be trimmed and tame so that it doesn’t look gross. But your brows are so much more! Brows shape your face. Correctly shaped brows with just the right amount of arch instantly lift your eyes and emphasize your check bones, making you look younger and fresher. A trained professional, who knows about facial build and structure, can help you find the perfect shape for your face. Like my esthetician Tracy said just last night, “It’s a $20 eye lift.” True story.

Go to the source. Everyone knows the most efficient way to “get” something is to go straight to the source. Well, the most efficient way to get rid of unwanted hair is to rip it out by the root. Duh. Waxing does this in a quick, effective manner. No nerve-bending, one-by-one hair pulling that makes your eyes water with every pinch of the tweezers. Plus, if you shave your eyebrows (which I am strongly opposed to) or trim them, then your hair is never fully gone and stubble will be noticeable. Waxing over time even reduces the amount of hair in a particular area, meaning that one day you’ll have much less than you started with.

Physics, or something like that. If you’re plucking the hairs above one eye, chances are that eye is closed or your hand is obstructing your view. That means you can’t fully see what you’re doing to your face. This is the easiest way to mess up your eyebrows and look like a complete weirdo. A trained professional has a perfectly clear view of your face and can focus on making your brows perfectly symmetrical. Most women have made an eyebrow mistake in their lifetime and know how annoying it can be to doctor.

Take a Load Off. You do nothing but lay on a nicely padded bed surrounded my aromatherapy scents and soothing music. Now tell me that doesn’t sound fantastic after a busy day at the office?

Up Close and Personal. If you’re a true Pretty and Poor girl, you’re probably used to guys really, really close to your face gazing at you. The last thing they want to see is brows the size of their grandpa’s. Major turnoff.

It’s time to face up. If you pluck, it’s annoying. If you shave, we know already. If you don’t do anything, we wish you would. Call an esthetician TODAY to schedule an eyebrow wax—your face will be a fan!

*If you live in the Minneapolis metro area, click here to schedule an appointment with Tracy. She gets us.

I rarely blog about politics-- that’s not the purpose of this blog. Sometimes, however, I throw my notion of right and left to the wind to comment on political figures and what they’re wearing. That’s fun.

For the past week, I’ve been sitting back, observing and taking in the media frenzy surrounding Michelle Obama’s wardrobe. She’s causing a stir. My father, someone who could care less about the runway, even commented on her style last night, saying that he wasn’t sure a it was a good fit for her. I however, disagree with Pops (like I do on a lot of things, including date etiquette). Michelle Obama’s sassy and sophisticated wardrobe could make even the most conservative of conservatives stop to say, “great shoes.”

Michelle Obama’s style profile has even morphed since the election. During the campaign, I was less-than-impressed with her choices. I saw way too many ill-fitting dresses and interesting flower accessories. The things for which she did garner positive attention (that infamous black and white, flowered Donna Ricco dress) were safe choices—but nothing to make a true fashionista flop.

The past several weeks, however, Ms. Obama has been taking risks, getting noticed and channeling her inner style diva. Here’s what I’ve noticed, and what I like:

1) She’s Bringing Sheaths Back: I think the sheath dress is one of the most timeless, flattering styles for a woman’s body. Michelle Obama agrees with me and flaunts the sheath dress like she made it famous. Jackie O, another famous first lady, also loved the sheath dress. While Ms. Obama’s overall approach to style is very different than Jackie’s, they do share a love of the sheath. I’m very curious to see how many women turn to the shift dress after seeing it on Ms. Obama.

2) Pearls: My sorority days taught me that pearls are a girl’s second best friend (right behind diamonds of course). One of Michelle Obama’s favorite accessories is her double strand pearl necklace. Just like the sheath dresses, the pearls are classy, elegant, ageless and work with a variety of looks.

3) Do Rock Designers: I love that the first lady actually recognizes hip, modern designers who create style rather than follow it. From her many modern pieces by Thakoon to her funky, fun things by Moschino, Michelle Obama knows what names to turn to for appropriate, fashion forward clothing.

I hope this first lady keeps putting her best fashion forward during the next four years. And while she may not be "right," Michelle Obama's fashion choices are most definitely not wrong!

I've always wanted to make PETA really mad. This has been a secret desire of mine for at least several years now. It's not because I hate animals, it's because I think most of the scare tactics used by PETA are completely irrelevant...and I really DO like prime rib and shoes made from crocodile (heartless, I know). Today, I was reading my own blog (duh) and this series of ads popped up to my right (no, these are not real ads, just a picture of the ads-- go ahead, read them):

Gator this. Croco that. Stingray Boots? PETA would be so proud! Which is why I've been inspired to create my own organization, similar to PETA but with different intentions. Meet PEWA: People Ethically Wearing Animals.

I try not to think about how much the recession sucks. After all, I think a lot of the problem is psychological (I’m not saying there isn’t a problem, trust me, I know there’s a problem). Even though many of us aren’t directly affected, we change our habits to accommodate the “what if” that lurks in the back of our minds. While nothing major has changed in my world besides the virtual depletion of my mutual funds (I still have a job), the truth is, I’ve changed many of my habits due to the fear that bounces around in my brain. Here’s where I’ve cut corners—think of it as “Emily’s Guide To Surviving The Recession”:

1) Coffee Couture No More: I used to buy “designer coffee” and spend a lot of money on it. That’s probably because to me, coffee is a simple pleasure I can indulge in every day. Shockingly, I’ve recently cut my visits to Starbucks by nearly 70% and I’ve started purchasing coffee from (gasp!) the grocery store—even exploring brands like Folgers and Dunkin’ Donuts.

2) Full Prices of the Past: Stores are doing a lot of promotions right now and there are tons of opportunities for you to save. I’m really trying not to buy anything unless it’s on sale. The last several purchases I’ve made included NO full-price items—most of my finds were over 50% off. I still got exactly what I wanted, I just made sure it was on sale.

3) Ladies Who Lunch…At Their Desks: Food, beverage and entertainment costs are a big part of my life. I regularly meet friends for dinner and often partake in weekend adventures involving vodka. This can be an expensive habit. If I eat out, lunch can cost me upwards of $40 per week (on the low side). I recently decided that if I want to keep shoes in my life, I needed to cut back on my lunch expenditures. Now I’ve started bringing in leftovers from dinners out and cooking more delicious meals at home (so I have good stuff to bring the next day).

There’s hope for you, too. These little changes I’ve made in my life have given me a newfound sense of responsibility. I feel kind of….old. And accountable. And I kind of like it (for this week, at least).

I’m big on customer service. I like being pampered. And call me crazy, but I believe that if you’re giving someone your hard earned money you should at least get a little bit of respect.

Last night I had every intention of stimulating the economy. I stopped by Bloomingdale's on my way to meet friends for dinner. I went inside to pay my bill. I like to actually go to the store because it gives me an excuse to look around and see new products. Sure, I could mail my bill or pay it online. But where’s the fun in that?

I stopped in the jewelry department and stumbled across three pairs of earrings that I couldn’t live without. The best part? They were all on sale. Half off.

I grabbed my purchases and headed to the jewelry counter…only to be completely ignored. I patiently waited, got my wallet out and looked around at the Michael Kors watches (all very cute if I must say so) for several moments. There was a lady behind the counter standing roughly two feet away from me. She refused to make eye contact with me and she began helping another lady. A lady with a sweater-wearing Yorkie. Not only did she have her puppy with her, she was also accompanied by her 12-year old skank. Let’s just make this very clear: if I ever have a 12-year old daughter she will never have two-inch long acrylic fingernails that are painted blue. As a mother, that’s where I would draw the line.

This super-classy lady and her entourage were pretending to be interested in the Betsy Johnson jewelry. They were making the sales lady drape necklaces around mannequins, match up bracelets with earrings and try on different combinations. I bet they didn’t even buy anything…

But I didn’t stick around long enough to find out. After 12 minutes (that's right, 12 minutes) of huffing, puffing, smiling obnoxiously and tapping my finger I decided I wasn’t willing to pay quite THAT price for fashionable earrings. Instead, I’d go to Nordstrom, pay double, and at least be acknowledged.

The sales woman could have said, “Just one moment, I’ll be right with you.” She could have told Skanks and Co., “I’m sorry, I’m just going to ring this lady up and then I’ll help you.” But she didn’t. She didn’t even try to make the situation okay. So I stomped off to a register in the men’s department where a sales lady told me, “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to help you right now.” It was not my day.

So maybe that's what's wrong with our economy. Maybe a lack of professional service is making purchases harder than anyone ever thought possible. My solution? Just put a self-checkout in Bloomies. Seriously, I tried to buy something and I physically couldn't. It's mind blowing.

And I hope that Skanky Skankerson and her daughter are at home right now rolling in their buckets of Betsy Johnson jewelry.

In elementary school, my entire grade learned a song about reading.

“We love reading,
we do it every day.
At home and school and everywhere,
yes, reading’s here to stay.”

My friends and I were creative and spunky, so we decided to replace the word “reading” with a whole slew of other words ending in “ing” to make the song much more laughable. “Reading” was so PG. I’ll let you use your imagination to decipher what some of those words actually were.

Despite the fact that we destroyed a song with perfectly admirable intentions, I will never forget the tune or the words. In fact, I think the song may have rubbed off on me a little bit (the version containing the word “reading,” that is). I love reading and I’ve been doing quite a bit of it lately. In fact, I recently finished one book that I couldn’t put down. I think you would enjoy this book, too!

Chelsea Handler’s Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea was a laugh-out-loud funny collection of stories from a young woman. It was a book with big personality and hardly believable tales that I could easily relate to. If you enjoy inappropriateness, have a dysfunctional family or have ever thought your love life was going absolutely nowhere, you’ll enjoy this book, too. Most girls read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume when they're young. That book preps them for a whole host of girly issues. This book should be a must-read for 20-somethings...to provide insight into a whole new realm of girly issues.

Get your own copy or learn more by clicking here.