My Rent the Runway Experience!

You guize.

I just ordered two dresses from Rent the Runway and I am now madly in love with that service. Whoever though to rent out designer gowns to normal gals like me is a freaking genius. Genius, I say!

I couldn't decide which dress to order for my husband's Welcome Home Party, so I spent almost three days trying to find the perfect dress. Seriously, three days (which is pretty typical if you know the way I roll). I finally decided on a purple Herve Leger and a cream and silver Slate & Willow. 

I didn't decide which dress I was wearing until about 15 minutes before we were set to leave. My hubs voted for the purple, but I fell in love with the delicate lace on the Slate & Willow. 

Ultimately, I went with the Herve, and here's why...

1) I felt like a freakin' BOMBSHELL in it. It sucks in everything, while still accentuating all your curves. I've been eating clean and working hard on that bod bod, so I really wanted to show it off. 

2. It was comfortable. The material was so stretchy that I felt like I was wearing a tank top and yoga pants all night. I could dance and walk around with ease, no pulling down or worrying my booty was showing.

3. The color was gorg. It was this rich, purple jewel tone that looked amazing with my spray-on tan. 

4. Did I mention that I felt like a bombshell?! Well, I did.

Don't get me wrong; I looooved the Slate & Willow, but there were a couple things I just couldn't get past:

1) The nude lining under the first layer kept riding up every time I walked, so I was pulling the dress down every 30 seconds or so. I would have been doing that all. night. long. and that's exhausting.

2) It was short. So short that had I lifted my arms up doing the Macarena (and yes, we did the Macarena), my tanned butt cheeks would have taken center stage.

3) There was ZERO support for my two lady friends. Granted, I don't need much support, I still like some shape and to not feel "floppy" if ya catch my drift. The stick bra that I bought would have shown (it had flaps on the sides), so that was out, and I wasn't about to go gaspbralessgasp. Not my style. 

But, in its defense, the dress is beautiful, and I'm happy I snapped some pics to remember how awesome I felt in it. 

Ain't she purrrrrty though?!

As far as Rent the Runway goes, I cannot say enough wonderful things about them. My dresses (and that Kate Spade book clutch I got for $10) were delivered straight to my door the day before the event, and I was even able to get two sizes in the Slate & Willow for no extra charge. There wasn't a size up in the Herve, so I just hoped and prayed the size small would fit. They also offer to overnight you a different size or a totally different dress if your choices don't fit. And you don't have to pay to send your rentals back-they include a prepaid envelope to put everything in-all you have to do is drop it off at a UPS Store, easy peasy!

I will FOR SURE be renting from them again, I'm already planning a family photo shoot and will be dressing everyone else around ME this time. So get ready, RTR, you're about to get a lot more of my money. 

P.S. If you're interested in renting, I'd love it if you used my referral code; we'll both get a $20 credit (yours will come after your first rental):
http://www.renttherunway.com/referral/carrie.leaders

18 days...

Spring's first official day is March 20th, which is 18 days away. Now, that doesn't mean no more snow or subzero temperatures, but at least we're one day closer to summer, right?

I can't wait for gauzy crop tops, breezy scarves, and FLATS! No more winter slush soaking through my boots and drenching my wool sucks (grossest feeling ever, btw), I cannot wait.

The Farmer's Almanac calls for an "unseasonably warm patch" in April, but it will unfortunately be short lived, as we can expect another massive snowstorm to quickly follow on its heels. Colder temperatures will continue into May, but the good news is that it should be warm enough for a light jacket by Memorial Day. Yay (sarcasm?). 

Anyways, this isn't a weather blog, and now that I've probably caused you severe depression, take a look at these pretty little things I've discovered just for you. Lots of pastels, polka dots, flowers, and even some lips. It's never too early to start thinking about tulips and Easter baskets, so read on (and grab your debit card because you're gonna need it)!

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That daisy clutch is going right in my shopping card, along with both pairs of those sunglasses, and the metallic kitten heels. There's absolutely nothing drab about springtime, amIright?

oscar-mania!

It's one of my favorite days of the year-Oscar Sunday! It is my ultimate dream in life to walk the Oscars red carpet, and I love spending half the day drooling over gowns, jewels, and manicures. Plus, seeing some of those Hollywood dudes in tuxes ain't half bad either. 

The thought of picking out what I'd wear if I were ever lucky enough to attend makes me break out in hives, and choosing my favorite gown from year's past is nearly impossible (but I'll try for you). 

Check out this illustration of what each Best Actress winner wore to Oscars' past...

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I mean...come on. Does it get any more classic than Grace Kelly?! And I'm just obsessed with that Dior on Reese. So gorgeous (and can we talk about "Walk the Line"...ummm, wow).

I looooooved Jessica Rabbit Chastain last year, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow from 2012

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That cape. I die.

Just for kicks, I threw together some boards on Polyvore, which one is your favorite? I'm obsessed with all of them, but have always said I'd wear Marchesa if I ever got the chance. Although that Elie Saab has a cape, and we know by now how I feel about those...

This gown is a little edgy, and I love that. B&W is a huge trend this season, and I'm totally in love with those Nicholas Kirkwood pumps. 

I think this is the gown I'd choose, because, well, who wouldn't want to feel like Cinderella on their big night? Marchesa is great with dreamy gowns made of tulle and lace (remember that Olivia Wilde dress? No? Let me refresh your memory)...

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This was my first introduction to the world of Marchesa and I've been in love ever since. Can you blame me?!

This look reminded me of Grace Kelly. I love the powdery blue and pink together, it's just so 1950's Parisian to me (at least what I dream it would be). The silhouette of that gown is just plain gorgeous too.

There's nothing NOT sexy about this ensemble. Look at those cutouts! Look at those heels! Even the clutch oozes sex. 

I don't need to say much about this one, besides the fact that it's my Little Red Riding Hood-Cinderella hybrid. Don't those shoes look like a more goth version of the infamous glass slippers? And we all know you can't go wrong with red soles. You just...can't.

So, if you were attending the Oscars today, who would you be outfitted in? Prada? Zac? Stella? Oscar? Share your choices with me, and let me know who rocked your all-time favorite look!

Keep up with Carlea Jane on Facebook too, I'll be live commenting on the red carpet looks (from my little townhouse in Upstate NY)!