As the holidays roll around it is a time for nostalgia and family traditions, it is also time for the retail bonanza designed to play on your heartstrings and your pocketbook. Every year I find myself hitting the holiday sales the way fat people hit the bogo event at Dunkin’ Doughnuts. Along with the traditional holiday gifts, my holiday searches always lead me to finding the perfect holiday dress for the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s festive blitzkrieg. As any self-respecting shopper will tell you, the perfect holiday cocktail dress transcends fabric and embellishments. It is a symbol of the past year and daring glimpse of the bounty of a new beginning. It is a time to branch out and wear something outside of the box, to be flirty instead of frigid, to be a tiger instead of tame. This year, I have definitely found the one in Anthropolgie’s “Spirited Away Dress” which retails for an affordable $128.00.

The yummy eggplant color is a departure from traditional black and the v-cut back will ensure that people watch you both coming and going. This dress is not only perfect for the holidays, but can transition into a year round ensemble that is perfect for summer weddings. Flattering on a variety of shapes it literally allows you to have your cake and eat it too.

Rating: 3 carats. Retail never smelled so good.