This month’s Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by the talented DIY’er, SewPetiteGal. Please be sure to check out her post for links to all the participant’s outfits.
H&M; tunic dress, J.Crew belt, Adia Kibur necklace (from a friend), Summer face: Stila bronzer shade #1 (lasts me for years), Revlon “Coral Reef” lip gloss
Before I got around to closing my eyes and letting the candy gods pick my PFC fate, I peered into my bag of Starburst and noticed how starkly familiar the colors were. They were a perfect match for a new dress and necklace lying around, both of which I have been very eager to wear.
I fell in love with this tunic dress online back in March, but was too late. With H&M;, the good, affordable stuff tend to sell out in a matter of days, so I was ecstatic to find this lone dress hanging on the clearance rack for $10, three months later, in my size nonetheless. A quick look told me that the dress had been abused…holes from being run over repeatedly by rolling racks, sash belt torn off, and seams coming apart like it had been stretched out then returned. I got another 10% off for the damages, and brought the poor thing home for some TLC. 
The fit of this tunic dress is extremely similar to my other H&M; shift pre-alterations, but even longer. It’s very “nightgown” on me as-is, but I knew it was intended to be worn with it’s (missing) belt. For this brightly-colored outfit,
I decided to use matte gold as my “neutral.” I cinched the shapeless waist and pulled up some of the length using an old gold belt, protected my eyes with gold-rimmed aviators, and finished the look with some barely-there flat gold flat sandals – my summer staple (similar here).
This challenge brought back some interesting memories for me. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve had a huge sweet tooth for fruity candy. Unfortunately, candy during my childhood was saved away for rare, special occasions. I remember waiting patiently until my parents fell asleep, before tip-toeing into the kitchen, climbing onto bar stools and counters, and finding the secret stash that was being saved from last Halloween. I would gingerly slip back into bed, clutching onto my Twizzler stick or DumDum pop, and savor it like it was my last meal on earth before slipping into “sweet” dreams.
The next morning, I would wake up to Dad’s stern face peering at me in bed. “Did you steal candy again??” “N…n..no! Of course not!” I’d stammer groggily. Dad: “Then what’s this lollipop stick doing glued to the side of your head?” To this day, my parents never fail to remind me of those stories.
This was the perfect weekend outfit for strolling around town and enjoying al-fresco drinks. Just as I thought the day couldn’t get more relaxing, we got drenched to the bones in a torrential downpour. On the bright side, it was a free “cleaning” for this dress, and I got to warm up afterwards with yummy pho : ) 
Amazing outfit as always!! Love the color choices 🙂
Absolutely in love with the look! great vivid colors!
have a nice weekend!
xox
borka
http://chicfashionworld.blogspot.com/
Love your dress. It is so colorful. I especially love the price you paid for it. It never hurts to ask for a discount.
You must be such a cute kind! I love your necklace with that dress. Such a fun combo!
i love the outfit and the story! this was just such a great blogpost!
Jenn
A Petite Treat
About your childhood story:
1) HAHA at saving last Halloween's candy for next Halloween. I can't SMH too hard because my Asian parents were the same way.
2) Wish I knew you when I was younger and gotten tips on sneaking around the house. Wood floor creaks like craaaazy. I couldn't even make it down the hallway without stepping on the wrong plank 🙁
Been loving all your bright and colorful ensembles lately. Keep 'em coming, Jean!
lovely colours on you. I saw the dress at H&M; and tried it on – but did not like the fit. I am not even that petite and you could get 2-3 sophies in it!;-) I should look into developing an alterations support team.
Beautiful dress and necklace. I tried this dress on but didn't think to belt and pull the top out. Too much of a nightgown fit for me. I will bring a belt into the dressing room the next time I see one of these dresses.
Wow what a lovely H&M; find despite it being abused. Haha love your candy story 😛
Lovely color choice, you look beautiful in that dress. And you're always so good at fixing damaged/imperfect items, I would have probably left it on the rack 😉 I love the change of scenery too. It's a nice contrast of the pretty dress with the rugged train tracks. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
This dress was the perfect dress for this challenge. Jean, you never cease to amaze me with your ability. I need to take lesson from you.
I absolutely love your necklace choice – it's so bold but matches perfectly.
There's a magenta version of the bag I posted here: http://notyouraveragebeachbum.blogspot.com/2012/06/debby-not-downer.html that would have been perfect in case you went shopping on your stroll around town!
This dress was practically MADE for this challenge. So many colours, yet they all complement each other very well. My parents used to hide candy from my siblings and I when we were younger too! They would lay out a piece each for us in the mornings to take to school.. It's a little embarrassing to say that they stopped when we all reached high school!
http://www.xjole.com
Super colours and super photos —> great combo!
Wow, this outfit is fantastic. That's such a beautiful necklace!
http://www.highheelstosneakers.com
You look gorgeous as always! I have this same dress, the colors are just so fun. LOVE your necklace. 🙂
xo, Yi-chia
GORGEOUS dress! And yummy pho too 🙂
http://petitepromises.blogspot.co.uk
I love this on you Jean! The dress is gorgeous, and I can't get over your stunning necklace!
such a pretty color combo. beautiful dress!! follow each other?? xxo!
lovely dress ^^
fashionparade-fanny.blogspot.com
Just gorgeous as usual and really love your dress!
Love your outfit. I would not have necessarily thought of adding such a busy necklace to a printed dress but I see it looks amazing! Great styling and awesome entry. -I went a little crazy with this challenge, thinking we were to chose 3-4 candies, I chose 4 and added a neutral.
I hope you check out my entry and if you do please leave me your thoughts on it!
A Preponderance of Fashion
that's it? 10% off? that's a dollar! I woulda asked for the manager's discount. at least 30%. HAHAHHA. <
I would love to see it altered and in that up & down shapeless tunic style one of these days. but I could probably only see that if it was shorter, but then it would take away from the print. so nvm.
anyhoo, one of my fave outfits! sometimes I really appreciate seeing a more practical outfit, other than always seeing bloggers in heels.
This dress screams "SUMMER!" and I love it. That necklace looks lovely!
octoberchic.com
At first I thought it was the Trina Turk for Banana Republic dress. Amazing dress for $10! I always love how you find ways to make something work.
Helen
Oh! I love that you used Starburst! 🙂 I agree with SPG…love hearing the childhood story!
Glad you found your dress…and such a great price! And your hair looks great like this!!
And…love the pic on Twitter that you posted for Ping and me. 🙂 I will have some to share soon. 🙂
As fabulous as they come. Excellent outfit, Jean! The dress is amazing along with the earrings and the sandals.
johnbmarine.blogspot.com
That necklace is gorgeous! (The Mojito ain't so bad lookin' either!!)
Your childhood anecdote is HILARIOUS! I'm really loving the bits of humor in your recent posts 🙂 The necklace and dress (glad you were able to find it) are perfect for the challenge and look gorgeous on you!
Thats a gorgeous dress and awesome candy color combos!
I LOVE this outfit! It's got to be one of my favorite outfits of yours. I think Zara has one that's similar so I think I might have to go snag one up.
You have such a knack for making something inexpensive look like hundreds of dollars. Kudos!
Love this! I did see that dress at H&M; but i wasn't sure about the material on me. Great look belted! Love the sandals!
super cute and loving all the colors! =D
The other day I saw this dress and I almost buy it, feeling regret right now, it looks so great on you! the color is amazing!
This is such a cute challenge! I love your necklace! You look great in that dress, couldn't tell that it was abused =)
xoxo,
Suzie Q
http://www.StyleCueBySuzieQ.com
I really love this! That tunic dress fits you so well! It must have been meant to be with you and dress, considering you found it in your size at such a great price!
I love how even with the PFC's, your posts tell a story, about the clothes and about yourself. Those colors look so fun and bright on you– the perfect summer outfit!
amazing on how you stylize bright pieces like these!
http://blowarainbow.blogspot.com/
Great outfit! the colors are so vibrant! great for summer wear. I think I'm usually scared where lots of bright colors, but you make it seem so easy!
the necklace matches perfectly!
are you using a bump-it in these pictures?
you look great with your hair up!
Jean, I swear you could rock a brown paper bag! You look gorgeous as usual! 🙂
You look beautiful and the pho looks amazing!
This is beautiful! I loveee that necklace. It really looks like candy.
such a pretty dress! you look fabulous!
~ Tinacious.Me ~
You've done a beautiful job with this challenge and the post. 🙂
xoxo
~Natasha Fatah~
~Natasha Fatah~
Looking cool as always, Jean 😀
Gorgeous! And that's what I call candy-coloured. 🙂
Your posts are always so inspring 🙂 I wish I had your skills to give broken or abused clothing some love :p The drinks look good and so does the pho! 🙂
Very pretty as always, Jean 🙂