On Thursday I wore what I thought was a fabulous outfit. All day I got comment after comment on how cute my dress and jewelry looked together. I was beaming. After all, there’s nothing like a series of gushingly sweet compliments to kick your self-confidence into high gear and put a smile on your face.

Even the security guard at my office stopped me to say, “nice outfit.” Since he’s someone who generally only musters up a very bland “hello” when I walk by (on a good day), I knew my outfit had to be show stopping.

This wasn’t the first time I had worn this outfit. Last summer I paired the exact same combination together for my brother’s graduation ceremony…and a boy told me I looked like a leprechaun. Wearing it again was a big leap of faith, but I believed in the outfit. I knew it was a winner.

After a long workday on Thursday, I headed to get take-out at a Thai restaurant I wanted to try. I headed off to pick up my food, wearing the same outfit. While en route, I was going through a green light when a thugged-out teen and his girlfriend decided to walk across the street at the speed of turtles with broken legs. I halted to a slow crawl and got closer and closer to them as they slothed across the street and my light changed from green to yellow. Then, the thugged-out teen boy turned around, looked at me, formed his hand into the shape of a gun and did a very dramatic, “pow, pow” while aiming his pointer finger at my head. Kids these days.

After getting over the fact that I had theoretically just been shot by a teenage gangster, I continued to my destination. When I got there, I found a rock star parking spot about 30 feet from the restaurant. I parallel parked my car, got out and started walking towards the door. The only problem was, I had to pass a bus stop on my way inside.

There were three characters sitting at the bus stop: a woman in her forties and two older men. When they got sight of me, all hope was lost. In what I can only describe as a total massacre of my ego, these three started ripping on me as loudly as they could as I shuffled by the bus stop with my head down. They hooted. Hollered. Said I looked stuck up. Then they said I looked like a prostitute. Then they laughed hysterically.

By the time I got inside the restaurant door to pick my food up, I was a bright shade of red. I seriously considered eating my food there, at a table, all by myself, so I didn’t have to walk back by the bus stop and subject myself to those three. But I got my food and left. And as soon as I stepped outside the madness started back up. Laughing. Pointing. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

I could have said a few choice things about those three, too (like the fact that they all looked like runaways from the circus). But because my shirt dress didn’t have pockets, I didn’t have my jackknife handy and didn’t want to set myself up for a rumble.

So I came to the conclusion that even though my Thursday outfit was terrific, it’s cursed. That outfit brings out the best in others—whether the best of them is a smile and compliment or the best of them is a pretend drive-by shooting. And sometimes, when your outfits are more interesting it makes life a little bit more interesting to live.

THIS SALE HAS EXPIRED, but don't worry, there will be others!

Lord and Taylor has a fabulous selection of sale merchandise at an extra 20% off! Click here to shop now!

A few great things I found include this adorable Cole Haan wallet at a sale price of UNDER $100.

And then there's this adorable pair of Armani Exchange shades for around $42.50! How cool is that?

Have a look around the site by clicking here and shopping the amazing selection of sale items! Don't forget to enter the coupon code BIG! Happy savings!

Diamonds and men. How could you go wrong? Well, when the men go wrong...keep the diamonds.

“I never hated a man enough to give him his diamonds back.”

~Zsa Zsa Gabor, on the little things she's got out of her relationships.

I’m a huge Tory Burch fan. I especially love her designs for the summertime. In fact, I recently realized that Tory’s signature logo (which is on just about every piece of her clothing I own) is two ornate T’s reflecting each other (get it…T for Tory). Yeah, it took me a while.

One of my favorite purchases from the past year is my Tory Burch flip-flops. After all, flip-flops are a summer must have—you polish up your toes, slip on your flippy-floppies and hit the town. It’s easy. Effortless. Distinctly summer.

My Thora Logo Thong Sandals are a staple in my summer wardrobe. They’re sleek, versatile, lightweight and of course, glamorous. While they will set you back around $115.00 my Price Per Wear (PPW) Theory tells me they’re well worth it. Plus, I believe in mixing designer pieces (like these sandals) with key basics. These flip-flops are a ridiculously versatile accessory that can be mixed and match with from everything from summer dresses to polos and shorts. Plus, the gold detailing and sleek leather will instantly add chic to any outfit. You could even wear them to the beach with a great swimsuit (maybe even one of those adorable suits we talked about during swimsuit week).

Click here to check out the Thora Logo Thong Sandal and get your very own pair to flip-flop around in.

Many of the swimsuits I've been featuring can be purchased at Neiman Marcus. As it turns out, they're having a swimwear sale for the next 24 hours. See something you like? Get it at 30% off! Plus, get free shipping by entering the code MAYNM! Click here to make a splash!

Sometimes you want to appear a little more voluptuous than you really are, especially if you’re baring it all for a day at the beach. Luckily, some very clever swimwear designers created pieces that actually make you look more curvy than you already are. Whether it’s enhancing a barely-there bust or boosting your booty, these suits will add shape in all the right places.

When you’re looking for a swimsuit to help create that timeless hourglass figure, it’s important to look for pieces with interesting shapes versus straight lines. The cutout swimsuits that have gained popularity over the past couple years are great for creating curves.

This number, from Victoria’s Secret, is shaped just like an hourglass. When it’s on it enhances the bust and the hips, making you appear curvier. And let’s be honest, it has every bit as much attitude as a bikini.

Think about the smooth, subtly curvy lines of a guitar. Then think about wearing a guitar. This swimsuit by Red Carter shows that finding a swimsuit with just the right graphics, pattern or cut-out could definitely play up the figure.

If you look back at pictures of ladies from years ago relaxing by the seashore, you might notice that they were experts of playing up curvaceous shapes. Naturally, swimsuits with vintage shapes help emphasize and accentuate curves. Check out this throwback number that’s cute, girly and seriously sexy.

As a general rule of thumb, if you want to appear curvier, find things that have curvy shapes. Swimsuits with straight lines won’t do you any justice. This last bikini from Victoria’s secret emphasizes the bust with an extreme sweetheart neckline and has all the right smooth, curvy lines to help you look va-va-voom.

With a little help from me and some very creatively cut swimsuits, the phrase "Dangerous Curves Ahead" will be a very big part of your summer.

For even more swimsuit solutions, check out swimwear from Swimsuits For All. Click here to take a look.

Being bigger on top can present an even bigger challenge when swimsuit shopping. Ties, ribbons, ruffles and unlined swimsuits don’t quite make the cut. For those a bit more busty certain precautions have to be taken. After all, a wardrobe malfunction can end a fun day in the sun.

The key to finding the perfect swimsuit to support both you and your friends is to find options that offer support. This doesn’t mean that your suit has to be your mom’s swimsuit. This means you need to look for the right designs, tailoring and fabrics when choosing a swimsuit—especially when it comes to the top.

Get the vision of a triangle-top string bikini out of your head. In just won’t work. In fact, a triangle-top bikini will only make you look frumpy. You can still wear a bikini, but you’ll need to search for one with wider cups and straps. This will give you the ultimate amount of support whether you’re lounging in the sun or learning to surf.

This Burberry bikini has widely cut cups and thicker straps that tie around the neck. It’ll support your chest, give you some cleavage and keep everything exactly where it should be. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love Burberry?

If you want to go a little wilder, this glamorous, yellow bikini by Melissa Odabash has the same wide cups and thick straps going around the neck. Plus, it has a nice, sturdy ring in the middle. This option is sexier than the more modest Burberry bikini (above) while still providing the support you need to keep you from looking like a complete mess.

Things that you should definitely avoid are swimsuits with thin straps, as they won’t offer proper support. Bandeau tops should also be swept to the wayside—with nothing to hold you up these will restrict your range of movement and look bad after a few hours of slowly sliding down. Plus, a bandeau top won’t enhance your cleavage.

This last bikini, from Michael Kors, is sassy while still being perfect for the heavier on top. And it’s zebra print. Enough said.

You've probably been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing. I've spent nearly an entire week neglecting my blog. The truth is, I MOVED over the weekend. Same city. New pad. When you have as many shoes and handbags as I have, moving becomes a really big pain. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though. Last night I organized my closet by color-- and that signifies progress. So I'm back in the game! We'll continue swimsuit week right where we left off with a new post this afternoon!

I just read the most disgusting article in People Magazine. I’m fairly even-tempered and I rarely read stuff that gets me visibly fired up. But this article really got under my skin. And, I think the subject matter of this article corresponds nicely to Pretty and Poor’s coverage of swimsuits because it has everything to do with body image.

The article was People’s cover story for their May 18th issue. It was about Kirstie Alley. Apparently she’s gained weight. Again. Big surprise. In fact, she’s gained 83 pounds in just two years according to People, who along with other publications has chronicled Alley’s relationship with weight for most of the decade. I think we can all agree that drastic weight gains and losses are no laughing matter—they’re unhealthy and can have a negative impact on your body. However, the outrageous things that Alley said in the article were downright shocking and disheartening. No wonder girls in America have a hard time accepting their bodies.

“When I look at myself, I go, ‘Ugh, I’m this huge loser who has let all these people down!’” Says Alley in the People spread.

Why Alley actually feels like a huge loser is unbeknownst to me. For one, Alley is 58 years old. I’m not sure if she got the memo from the throngs of female baby boomers in the “normal” American population, but the body does some pretty quirky things during the aging process. And let’s be honest, Alley (who barely has a wrinkle on her face) looks pretty damn good for someone who’s pushing 60. And if Alley’s not letting herself down, what’s the problem? Doesn’t she ultimately need to make herself happy?

Alley also chronicled the different weights she’s had over the years. At 148, she says she was fat. At 170, she was fat. Now, at 228, she also says she’s fat. You get the idea. At 5’8” tall, 148 pounds is by no means “fat.” Alley’s problem is deeper than weight—is this someone who has never truly been happy with how she looks?

Shame on People magazine for giving someone with so many negative things to say about body image so much press. Alley got SEVEN whole pages to rant about how dissatisfied she has always been with the amount she weighs. Seven pages. It’s sad to think that an easily-influenced 13-year-old girl will open this magazine, see a headline reading “I weighed 148—was fat” and start setting unrealistic standards for herself.

Stories like this one create an unhealthy cycle of self-critiquing. I believe in being healthy and making good decisions when it comes to eating and exercising but ladies, this has to stop. I’ve seen too many beautiful, amazing girls damage their confidence because someone (who didn’t even matter) told them they could stand to lose a pound or two.

There’s things about your body you may not love, and that’s natural. We’ll always compare ourselves to others. But flaunt what you’ve got, make yourself happy and learn to truly love who you are (even in that dreaded swimsuit).

“From the looks of it…my hips were baking muffins all winter.”

That’s an actual quote from an actual friend of mine. She said it just the other day as we were deep in conversation about swimwear. I know she’s not the only girl who feels this way about her lower half. But if you’re bottom conscious, don’t fret. There are plenty of swimsuits out there that flatter you and decrease the attention you draw to your backside. And most of it has to do with some good, old fashioned trickery.

The secret to downplaying your hips and rear is to carefully play-up other areas of your body. Let’s be honest, you’ve got other stuff you’d be more comfortable flaunting.

Take a look at this swimsuit from Anthropolgie. The dark, solid color is a classic way to slim your entire silhouette—including your hips. The geometric design on the top adds curves to your upper half and discretely draws eyes up to your chest and face.

This very playful suit from Anthropolgie in a funky print also helps me make my point. The very dramatic ruffle around the top of the swimsuit moves and attracts attention while the bottom half provides coverage.

One problem I’ve encountered is that many women who are uncomfortable with their hips and butt automatically reach for a skirted swimsuit. This isn’t always the best option because a skirted suit can shorten the legs and create a very distinct horizontal line around the widest part of your body—making your hips look bigger and your legs look practically non existent. Instead of a skirt, opt for a regular bikini bottom that has a slightly higher rise than the ultra low-rise bikini options. Plus, if the bikini bottoms you choose have thicker sides (without being chunky) it will create the illusion that your hips are actually smaller. Streamlining your bottom without a skirt. Viola!

This bikini has bottoms that are still hip, without being hip-py. They're wider on the sides, not too dainty and have clean, straight lines.

If your bottom has you down, don’t sweat it. Just remember to find a swimsuit with drama on the top or a suit with modest cut bottoms. Each person is different and there are definitely exceptions to the rules, however, these suggestions offer a good place to start.

It’s the time of year when every girl starts to cringe a little bit. When she looks in the mirror and gets that pit in her stomach while the little thing she’s come to know as self-esteem slowly fades away. Break out the Ben and Jerry’s and turn up Elton John’s “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.” It’s swimsuit season.

This year, I’m no exception to the self-loathing. I might have to be wrangled into a swimsuit against my own freewill. Usually, I would willingly bust into a bikini. But after the longest winter of my life, the insulation I’ve packed on to stay warm and the fact that I’ve now been a member of the workforce for a quite a while (I sit in meetings and at a desk for most of the day), I don’t have that normal level of unabashed confidence needed to strut my stuff while wearing a few strategically placed pieces of Lycra.

That’s why this year I’m going to rely on some amazing swimsuits to help me conceal, distract, enhance and boost. And I’m sharing my secrets. Each day this week I’ll be profiling different body types and sharing secrets and information to help you pick a swimsuit that gives you (and your shape) the sass you need for ultimate fun in the sun.

When’s the last time you had a few drinks and made some bad decisions? Maybe you had a few glasses of wine at dinner and found yourself in a situation where you needed to sober up in the shoe department of Macy’s. Perhaps you had a lonely Monday drinking at home and got sloppy ordering clothes on the Internet.

Last week I had a conversation with my friends about the times we’ve ended up shopping after one too many drinks. Turns out it happens all the time.

My personal tale was from last year. After meeting friends after work for happy hour at a restaurant attached to the mall, I stood up to realize I’d consumed a bit more vodka than I thought. Not wanting to risk my life (or anyone else’s) I ventured to Macy’s to walk around, drink some bottled water and see if I needed to buy anything. Turns out I needed six pairs of shoes. Woops.

One of my friends got a little tipsy one night and ordered a monogrammed Ralph Lauren polo shirt online. Only he didn’t put the monogram where it was traditionally supposed to go. And that little Ralph Lauren horse normally placed on the left chest? That ended up in the bottom, right corner of the shirt.

I think all us shopaholics have been there at some point. We lose our inhibitions and buy something that we may not have purchased under normal circumstances. But at the end of the day, it’s just money. And that’s much easier to regain than dignity.

Today's Pretty Proclamation comes from a card my fabulous friend sent me.

"She said, 'That's a lot of money to spend on a purse,' and I knew we could never be friends."

~Hallmark Card, reminding us that the people we surround ourselves with are actually a lot like us. And that we should never, ever judge someone for splurging on a handbag!

What’s better than a bunch of daisies hanging from your neck? Nothing. Well, maybe a bucket of diamonds. But as I’m finding out, a bucket of diamonds can be hard to find. In the meantime, how adorable is this necklace from Kate Spade? It’s girly. It’s summery. It’s got vintage flair. And in my book, it’s an instant classic.

From far away it makes a statement (just like me).

Up close it’s delicate and whimsical (probably not at all like me).

And if you’re really into daisies you can get the ring, the cuff bracelet and the brooch to match. Click here to shop the entire collection.

And check out your local vintage store for similar designs using simple flowers from the 1950s and 60s. This look from Kate Spade is nothing new—it’s daisies redone.

I'm starting to miss Project Runway. And since Bravo's new show called The Fashion Show premiers tonight I thought I'd celebrate by adding a little bit of Christian (my favorite Project Runway designer of all time) to today's Pretty Proclamation.

"My outfit's pretty fierce."

~Christian Siriano from Project Runway telling us what we should be saying when we look in the mirror! It's short. It's sweet. But if you give yourself a wink and big thumbs up while you say it you're guaranteed to have a fierce day.

Apparently my friends over at redtagcrazy.com like me just about as much as I adore them! Check out their amazing review of Pretty and Poor by clicking here. It's basically perfect.

I don’t always do things last minute. But that is how the cards fall for me most of the time. As I try to change my tune and decrease the level of stress in my life, I’m starting to get things on my calendar a little earlier than usual. For example, Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Now might be a good time to start thinking about my gift of choice for my mamasita. Check out my suggestions below for every (eh, I hate this word) budget:

I Don’t Believe In Budgets: Well, aren’t you lucky? I only have one suggestion for you. Three words that’ll guarantee your spot as the family favorite: bucket of diamonds.

$50-100: Your mom’s a classic and she deserves to be treated like one! You might as well give her one of the classics—something that’s highly functional, looks chic and goes with lots. A coach wristlet is the perfect present. And, in a variety of colors, patterns and shapes at many styles with prices ranging from $50-100, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make her say “I always loved you more than your brother.” Because what’s the best the men folk can do? Flowers? Over it.

You can do so much with a Coach wristlet. This large, pink wristlet for $98 could be used for an evening out or a day of sightseeing.

This small, black signature wristlet could be hooked onto an existing purse, used for change or for quick trips to the store or gym. Visit the Coach website to explore Coach's entire collection.

$25-50: Mother’s Day always marks the beginning of the sunny season. Give mom a reason to have it made in the shade this summer. Get her a floppy sun hat and good book to promote many relaxing afternoons on the deck or patio.

This hat from Land's End is a good, basic choice that mom can use throughout the summer months. Plus, you can always add mom's favorite flower to make it unique to her (and a little more girly).

0-25$: Looks like you’d rather spend money on yourself than Mom this year. I guess that’s alright. Until you take a look at the tabs you racked up at your local establishments over the weekend and start to feel a little guilty. It’s okay. I won’t tell. In fact, a low budget gift idea doesn’t have to be lame (mostly because it will be drenched in sentiment). Get her a copy of my favorite book. It's inspiring. It's bright. It's fresh. And it makes any woman think she can rule the world (and since you're mom already does, she'll totally understand).

"She" by Kobi Yamada is the best coffee table book I've ever read. And the cover is really pretty, too. Click here to get your own copy.

I’d tell you what I got my mom, but she’s a loyal fan of Pretty and Poor and that just might spoil the surprise.

I have a new favorite website. It’s called redtagcrazy.com and it’s a fabulous little piece of online love. Redtagcrazy.com is an online shopping site featuring designer clothing at deep discounts (just like dozens of other designer clothing sites). On the flip side, there’s something refreshingly different about redtagcrazy.com.

Redtagcrazy.com only features one item per hour in limited quantities. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. But the prices are unbelievable so you’ll want to snag it while it’s hot.

You’re probably wondering how in the world a girl’s supposed to keep tabs on an ever-changing list of sale items. Elementary my dear. To solve this problem the team at redtagcrazy.com has developed a series of alerts to keep you up-to-date on the hottest tickets. My notification of choice is the Firefox browser alerts. During most of my work day I’m on the internet. Whenever a new product is up for sale a small box pops up in the bottom of my browser screen telling me the details. It’s helpful, it’s quick and it’s completely non-intrusive. Nothing telling me about a good sale could ever be intrusive. You can pick your own alerts, from email and Facebook to Twitter and more.

From designer denim to chic dresses and cotton tops, redtagcrazy.com has a variety of worthwhile finds. Take a look at one the recent items I’ve been drooling over.

These J-Brand pencil leg jeans were on sale today. Originally $209.00, they were on sale at redtagcrazy.com for $47.99.

Log on to redtagcrazy.com right now (don’t wait…seriously…this is a matter of time, ladies) to see what’s on sale. Check back often to keeps tabs on the merch!

*Photo courtesy of redtagcrazy.com.

I like to break rules. It’s part of my life. No, I don’t do terrible illegal things. But I do push the envelope when possible. Sometimes I nearly shred the envelope when it comes to fashion. That’s probably the reason I have a fluorescent yellow sport coat hanging in my closet and multiple pairs of magenta shoes. This weekend I played around with the notion of an age-old fashion rule.

Black and brown. Do you mix them? Can you wear them together? Two weeks ago I would have said, “absolutely not, don’t even think about it. PS: Are you crazy?” However, a little fashion faux pas on Friday night worked out in my favor and taught me a lesson I needed to learn.

On Friday after work I bought an adorable navy blue dress from Club Monaco. After blogging about the amazing looks at Club Monaco last week I had to make a trip to my local store. While a lot of the new styles I wrote about weren’t on the sales floor yet (I'm very cutting edge), they did have a rack of adorable dresses on sale. Naturally, I found one that was just my style.

I took my navy dress home, styled it up with some gold jewelry, brown pumps and a brown leather jacket to protect me from the rapidly plunging temperatures and add an edge to my look.

I arrived downtown to celebrate Friday night with my friends and quickly slipped into the party scene. A few moments later, a girl approached me and said, “I’ve never seen anyone mix black and brown like that but your outfit is absolutely adorable.”

I wanted to say, “duh. I’m adorable. I know.” But what actually came out was an irrational and slightly irked reply of, “this dress isn’t black, it’s navy!” To prove my point, I grabbed the closest guy wearing a black button down (not hard to locate) and showed her the subtle differences between my navy blue dress and the color black. It was a close call. I definitely could have passed for mixing black and brown.

So I just embraced it. I thought to myself, “who cares if this is actually black or blue? I still look amazing.” Despite my frayed nerves (nothing irks me like a fashion callout), I ended up getting tons more compliments on my outfit that night. Like, at least six.

The deep black and caramel color work together in this Michael Kors number because of the simplicity and clean lines of the look. Plus, both colors have enough contrast to be differentiated between. That's what saved my Friday night look-- differentiation between the brown of my accesories and darkness of my blue (er, black) dress.

This morning I remembered that I had a black and brown patterned dress from French Connection in my closet. And since I’m a new fan of mixing black and brown I pulled it out, threw on some black pumps and gold jewelry and headed to my office. And I never looked back.

Yesterday while I was surfing around on the Neiman Marcus website looking for the perfect pair of shoes to include in my "Confessions of a Shoe Snob" post, I realized something. Manolo Blahnik makes amazing shoes. A-maz-ing. His spring collection alone contains a pair of exquisite shoes in nearly every color of the rainbow. So I did the only logical thing left to do--organize the shoes in rainbow-like fashion. This goes out to all the shoe lovers.

I basically like every single pair of shoes displayed above (although those yellow pumps are really eating away at my subconscious). Check out the entire collection by clicking here. Just make sure all your major credit cards are well out of reach.

Yesterday I had a realization. I am a shoe snob. I generally try to think of myself as open minded and a lover of all things cute and fun and girly. Not true. It’s all a front. Things need to be cute and fun and girly AND impeccably well-made for me to give them the time of day.

Case and point. Last week I found an adorable pair of Jessica Simpson patent leather wedges. They were super tall with a retro vibe—perfect for dancing. I tried them on, they fit and they made my calves look way toned. I had to get them. After wearing them for a night out, however, I discovered there was one little problem: they were painful.

After investigating WHY they might hurt my feet (shoes never hurt my feet) I came to a realization. They were painful because they were made entirely of plastic. Most of the shoes I buy aren’t necessarily “cheap.” Most are made of soft leathers and completely natural materials. Let me tell you something. The supple, Italian leathers make a difference. So while Jess has some cute styles, she needs to up the quality factor.

I'm sure these Manolo's-- with their fine materials and expert craftsmanship-- could never hurt my tootsies!

I started thinking back to all the cheap shoes I’d ever purchased. And the answer was consistent. I’d never kept a cheap pair of shoes for longer than a year. Was it because they hurt my feet? Probably. When shoes are cute and well-made, they’re keepers. When too much plastic and poly-whatever are thrown into the mix, blisters abound.

And that, my friends, is how I’m going to start justifying my frivolous, designer shoe purchases. Hi. I’m Emily. And I’m a shoe snob.

Funny how I can be so philanthropic one minute and so insensitive the next.

"I have serious issues. And more than enough clothes to last a small African country a lifetime. And maybe I will send them all to a small African country, where rhinestones and plunging necklines just so happen to be in fashion."

~Me, talking to a friend about my surplus of clothing and my shopping addiction.And I promise that I actually contribute to the well-being of the entire world.