Dress of the Day - La Femme 15027 Flowing Chiffon

Simple, elegant, flowing chiffon gown by La Femme. This style comes in fresh, feminine colors like white, light pink and aqua. White is actually a very popular color for prom and looks great on lots of skin tones. Also, it's a great dress for informal weddings, graduations, winter formals and more. Pretty gathers and sparkling beads give it the perfect finishing touch. Subtle, but unique, I'm a fan!

La Femme 15027

Money Saving Tips For Prom

Last week's post featured some great, affordable prom dresses, but let's take it one step further to save some big bucks for prom! Here are some tips:

1. Shop budget designers that give you a great look without the label you pay for with other brands. Dave & Johnny is a great example! There are plenty of gorgeous gowns out there for less than $200.

2. Look for bargains on last season's styles. Most stores mark down the previous season's dresses to make room for the newest styles. If the sales aren't obvious (aka: a rack in the back room), sometimes all you have to do is ask!

3. Be season savvy. If you shop in the height of prom season, for a current style, you'll have little flexibility on pricing. Instead, shop for next year's dress at the end of this year's season. By June, most stores are making last attempts to sell their remaining stock. Take advantage of this and ask for a discount!

4. Shop online for sales year round. Some stores sell their overstocks online, at a discount, 365 days a year. Styles, sizes and colors will be limited, but if you shop hard enough, there are amazing dresses (and deals) to be had!

5. Shoes can be worn again - if you choose wisely. Prom shoes have come a long way from dyed-to-match baby pink pumps, and there are a lot of options out there that can easily be worn with jeans or for a night out. Think metallic thongs, vinyl platforms, or simple strappy sandals.

6. Mix & match with jewelry. Use accessories as a way to own your look, with jewelry you already own! Buy a few key "prom" pieces along with your dress, then go home and dig through your jewelry box. Mix in some fun bangles or rings of your own and have fun with it!

Designer Spotlight - Sherri Hill

Sherri Hill broke into the prom dress scene a couple years ago after a stunning career as a pageant gown designer. Her prom dresses have been wildly popular and the 2010 collection does not disappoint! It's hard to choose favorites from such a beautiful dress line, but here is my best shot:

1043:

1212:

2220:

2226:

 2223:

Dress of the Day - Mignon REC-36 Simple & Unique

This simple dress by Mignon, style REC-36, has detailing that makes it truly unique. I think it's a beautiful dress with just the right touch to make it so elegant and so perfect for so many events. Classic black jersey gives it a flattering, comfortable fit. The beaded halter is a classy, funky, regal touch! I could see this as a great dress to wear again to another formal event.

Making Prom Affordable

Prom shopping is a fun experience, but can be a huge stress for some. Pressure to spend big on a designer dress is common and many just don't have the budget for it. Not to worry though! There ARE affordable options out there. Here are a few cheap prom dresses featured on TJ Formal that are all priced under $200.

Dave and Johnny 4906
$170

Cire by Landa Designs P103
$118

Studio 17 12113

$198

Dave & Johnny 5770

$140

Dave & Johnny 5572

$186

Check back soon for more money saving tops for prom!

Dress of the Day - Blush S008 - Simple in Satin

Sometimes something simple is just right. This beautiful gown by Blush, is a simple satin silhouette, but has just enough detailing to make it really special. I especially love the v-neck halter with ruched bodice. You can't go wrong with and A-line skirt - excellent fit for all sizes - and the front slit adds a bit of sass. It's a tough choice between the bright red and cobalt!

Blush prom dress S008

Dress of the Day - Faviana 6216 Short & Inexpensive

Sometimes the budget means everything, right?! So, maybe you can't have the dress of your dreams because of it's hefty price tag, but that doesn't mean you can't have something beautiful. Faviana is a designer that keeps prices reasonable while designing dresses that are elegant and celebrity inspired. A great little number, 6216, is a classy short dress inspired by the dress worn by Emily Osmet. You can get it in the same shade of red worn by Emily, or in a few other options.

With the simplicity of this dress, I would highly recommend spicing it up with some bold shoes and accessories to create a formal look appropriate for prom. For under $160, you can't go wrong!

All the extra goodies

It's getting to be that time of year where you may already have your prom dress. If so, way to go, yay!!

But, the fun doesn't stop there! You've still got a mission to find the perfectly coordinating shoes, jewelry and accessories. These little touches can literally make or break your look - so don't take this part lightly. ;)

Shoes are #1 after the dress, because, let's face it - you can't go barefoot (all night)! A few shoe designers I love are: Alisha Hill, Touch Ups, Coloriffics and Helen's Heart. All of these have a range of styles from super sexy to subdued elegance. My fav online store carries all of these brands, so go shopping!

PS - Platforms are big for 2010 and are a great way to get some extra height if you need it.

Dress of the Day - Terani 1676P

It's a shame when the back of a dress is just an afterthought. That is NOT the case with Terani's 1676P. Check out this gorgeous T-back with beading! Completely stunning! And, this dress doesn't leave the front boring either, as the beading continues around to the bodice. It comes in a big range of colors too, so you can choose the perfect one for you.

Perfect prom look worth pursuing

StyleLatest Hollywood events serve as inspiration for this year’s hottest evening gowns
BY HEATHER WARLICK-MOORE Published: April 8, 2010
A snippit of this article that highlights some of this year's trends:

High school girls across the state are gearing up for what often is one of the most anticipated events of their high school days: the prom. Most proms are this month, so droves of teen girls are flocking to department and specialty stores hoping to find the perfect dress.

Many of this season’s prom styles are inspired by Hollywood’s red carpet. With the usual string of awards shows right before prom season, it’s no surprise that many teens are looking to the styles worn by their favorite actresses and musicians to find their prom style.

To start your search, experts recommend making a list of the qualities you’re looking for in a prom dress. Are you searching for an old Hollywood-style dress a la Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe or Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis?

Maybe you want a dress as flirty and outspoken as you are. Or are you looking for a long and flowing romantic number?

Designers are featuring boisterous prints such as those worn by Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams to the 2010 Academy Awards. Taylor Swift’s short strapless mini from the People’s Choice Awards is a hot look, as is the romantic strapless champagne gown Cameron Diaz wore to the Oscars. Beyonce’s fiery red, barely-there minidress from the MTV Video Music Awards in September could be an inspiration for many of today’s prom minidresses.

Read more: http://www.newsok.com/perfect-prom-look-worth-pursuing/article/3452085?custom_click=masthead_topten#ixzz0kTI6LsuP

Dress of the Day - Jovani B14748

Bohemian is big for prom this year. There are so many casual chic styles, it's hard to choose any one that is my favorite. This one by Jovani has a trendy edge that I like, and a heavily beaded high halter. It's a super flattering style for just about any body type, which is a bonus. If you're looking for something that's more mellow and less cutesy, bohemian may be the look for you.

Jovani Prom Dress B14748

Prints - The dresses pt. 3

Round 3 for some more fabulous printed prom dresses for this spring! The perfect way to get a unique, bold, fun look... love 'em!

Alisha Hill A73601

Tony Bowls Evenings 11043

Alyce Black Label 5309

Cire by Landa Designs P101

Alyce Designs 6472

Jovani 14256

Atelier Satin Rouge 3383

Sherri Hill 2260

Terani 95119Y

Tiffany Designs 16548

Prints - The dresses pt. 2

Another round of some amazing printed prom dresses from some more great designers. Let me know which are your favorites!

Night Moves 5800

Riva 7407

Wow 1068

Evenings by Allure A308

Hannah S. 27554

Blush 9010

Atelier Satin Rouge 3383

Studio 17 12144

And YES, there is even more to come... stay tuned. I love prints!!

Prints - The dresses pt. 1

There are SO many amazing print dresses for prom 2010 I couldn't possibly fit them all into one blog. Here's a few of my favorites. Check back soon for more!

Panoply 14321

Nika 3801

Tony Bowls Shorts 110582

Paris Prom 110709

Le Gala 110563

Tiffany Designs Prints 36601

Mori Lee Paparazzi 8516

Mori Lee Prom 8409

Me Too Prom BT1572

Dave & Johnny 5610

Faviana 6508, 6509, 6510