My Favorite B-Words: Brides, Baskets, Bridesmaids, Bling (not necessarily in that order.)

Being a bridesmaid is a big freakin' deal.
For those of you who've never taken on that responsibility, you don't know what I'm talkin' about. So I'll start out, by toasting to bridesmaids everywhere.

Your day will come, my sisters in the struggle.

Until that day, it's all about your friend. Yeah, her. The bride.

There's a reason why brides turn all 'Bridezilla' status, and go apeshit over ridiculous things like little napkins with their names on them, and what color of chocolate covered almonds to throw in tiny little paper boxes that nobody really opens (unless they're truly bored to tears, or the food sucks.) (Face it, the only bitch who notices the shit on the table is your pesky Aunt Imogene who has not had a date since 1972.) But try and convince a bride of that, and you'll be gettin' dirty looks for weeks.

Still, we all admit that planning a wedding? It can be a real bitch.
(That's the b-word that nobody wants to use.)

I attended the Phoenix Suns game this weekend, and also, happened to make it to the 'Brides and Baskets' festival that was celebrated at US Airways Center. My friend, Rebecca, needed moral support and a friend to accompany her, so she could check out more wedding vendors, and so I joined her.

Even though I'm not getting married right now, I had the best time, and got to visit with vendors from L'Auberge Sedona Resort and Hotel/Spa, Maggiano's Restaurant, Sandals Resorts, and all the local venues that host weddings. The Wedding Chronicle was also one of the sponsors, and I got to express my unbridled love for the magazine, and explain to the publisher exactly why I run to AJ's every time a new issue is released on the newsstands. The Wedding Chronicle is to LC, what Playboy is to Tiger Woods.

Now, if only Robin Lopez would ask me to marry him at a Phoenix Suns game. That would make it all worthwhile.

Robin, I did cheer for you, honey. Good game. By the way, I'm available, and I already have wedding vendors alllll picked out. All I need is the ring. That's the only finger without any bling, and frankly, it's feeling a little neglected, Lopez.

If you're getting married, or, always a bridesmaid, never a bride, check out The Wedding Chronicle for the creme de la creme on valley weddings and wedding vendors. It is a fabulous little magazine, and basically, my version of porn.

The Lady in Lace

Initially, I bought the black lacy top below because I intended to throw on a nude colored cami I had purchased at Nordstrom and layer this top over it, and then add a fitted, tailored, sleek black blazer from White House Black Market over that, and wear it with black tailored Theory pants to work.

Since I am on medical leave, and since I work in a small town where I get little to no appreciation for my sense of style, I figured I'd pair it with a lovely black bra I bought at Victoria's Secret recently, a pair of jeans or a black leather mini, and wear it to go have a drink (or two, or three) with my friends, or on a date. (Yes, I said 'date.' And no, hell is not freezing over.)

Kristin Cavallari, I understand we both have a penchant for starting fights with annoying, needy and pathetic, and somewhat dim-witted girls (like Audrina Patridge, for instance) "stealing" other people's boyfriends, and Stephen Colletti (well, you seem to have left him in the dust, but my love for Stephen is still goin' strong) but did you have to go and wear a similar top, too? I mean, you have all day to spend in the gym. Me? Not so much.

Even still, I will rock this lacy top & still hope for the day when I, like Kristin, can steal Brody Jenner away from a Playboy playmate (Jayde Nicole) who looks like a cross-eyed freak of nature. Talk about a butter face. (As in, 'Everything's good, but-her-FACE!)

Again, a girl can dream.

To buy your own version of this top, visit www.bebe.com or Bebe stores nationwide, or you can pick up a similar and still very cute version at Express stores, or online at www.expressfashion.com.