Dear Mommy Fashionista

I need help finding a dress for my 4-year old daughter to wear in our town fair's pageant. My daughter has fair skin, blue eyes, and blond hair. I am hoping to find a pretty shade of blue (periwinkle or dephinium), but nothing too light or too dark, as she will look washed out. The dress needs to be dressy, but please--no national pageant or lil' dolly styles.

Thanks for your help!

Texas Mommy

Dear Texas Mommy,

What a fun quest you have sent me on! You did not mention a desired price, but since you are writing to me, I will assume you're on a budget. Let's see what I can dig up...

• Blue Bow Dress - Could this dress be any sweeter?? This dress is listed on ebay by the seller ForALittleAngel (bids starting at $9.99, buy it now for $13.99). This seller got great feedback, but I still worry about the quality because the price is so extremely low for a new formal dress.
  

• Rosebud dress - From pinkprincess, this dress is a bit more whimsical, and still cutesie ($34.99). This blue may be a bit lighter than you were looking for. I must say, it's much easier to find beautiful pink dresses--shades of blue are tough!

• Elisa - This crinkle tafetta bubble dress is an incredible shade of turquoise and will be sure to make your daughter be bell of the ball (or town fair!). This dress is also sold at pink princess ($64.99).

• My last recommendation is once again on my favorite website: http://www.etsy.com/. Although I do not see a dress that fits this description, there are many dress makers that sell their goods on this site. Etsy provides an option to open an Alchemy request to describe the item you are looking for and the amount you are willing to pay for it. Custom dressmakers will then place bids to make the dress you are looking for. You will be given the option to accept or reject each bid until you find something that is just perfect for your lil' one.

Best of luck and please share pictures of your little beauty on her big day!