I drove down to South Coast Plaza; it’s my favorite mall. They have a great exchange rate at their currency travel store and I needed to get some Euros for Italia! Well, of course, I couldn’t go to the mall and not shop. That would be impossible for a fashionista!

I wore Marc Jacobs jean shorts, a tan vintage V-neck shirt and this GREAT gold necklace. The necklace looks like it’s modeled after ancient Roman jewelry and it totally makes the outfit! I dressed simple so that I could try on lots of clothes.

Now, there are two things I LOVE about online shopping (eh-um, 365hangers.com anyone?) and window-shopping: NO ONE BUGS YOU! There’s nothing I dislike more than walking into a store and getting more than a “hello” or “welcome.”

I’d stopped in the DKNY store to check out the material of this great printed dress I’d seen in the window. I quietly made my way over when a woman came, literally, running from the back: “HELLO! HOW ARE YOU? ISN’T THAT SO GREAT? ISN’T THAT SO CUTE? IT’S JUST SO CUTE!” Please! Let me shop in peace and let the creativity of outfit-imagining flow.

I love the Zara windows. And, especially, the men’s clothes they carry; so classy and so sexy with great prices. Banana Republic had a great green dress just inside the door that made me walk inside. It was floor-length with braided straps and it had a Grecian style to it.

Oh. My. Goodness. In the Max & Co. window there was the most beautiful dress! It was a burnt red, light cotton, pleated A-line skirt with a fitted top half. It was gorgeous and I could visualize myself sitting on a bench in Florence writing in my journal. I had to see it up close.

I walked in and was greeted kindly, but not overburdened with advice and commentary from the salesgirl.  I touched the dress, first. The material was so lovely; I definitely had to try it on. It fit like a jewel! It had just enough flow over my hips, which was perfect for my curvier body, and the fitted top accentuated my smaller waist. The color radiated passion and I already know where I’m going to wear it. Don’t you love it when you find those jewel dresses?

I’m looking forward to tomorrow. My friends and I are going out to eat and then hitting up a new club in Long Beach. Maybe I will give that dress a trial run—I think it will get me some attention!