Monday, December 30, 2013

New Year's Eve - What to Wear

Tomorrow is the big night. New Year's Eve! Back in the day, we planned outings with our friends to ring in the New Year and they varied from year to year. Over the past two years, we've been to dinner with my parents and McKinley, spent it with friends and their other children, or had dinner as just the two of us. Tomorrow, we plan to stay in and do absolutely nothing. I'm looking forward to a quiet evening, but miss the idea of getting dressed up. 

If you are heading out for the big night, what are you planning to wear? I thought I would dig into the archives of past posts and provide some inspirational looks. Most may have been daily looks, but can be worn for a night out too. Check out my favs below.




 
 


I hope this provides some inspiration! Now I really wish we were going out. Maybe I will get dressed up for the heck of it. One can look glamorous while laying around the house, no? Bling and heels I say!


Monday, December 23, 2013

The Christmas Sweater

Does anyone remember a time where a Christmas sweater was worn with pride? You wore them to work, to dinner, to a party (and not a "Tacky Christmas Sweater" party) and you weren't ashamed. I remember said time because I was the QUEEN of the Christmas sweater! I prided myself on the fact that I could go the last two weeks of the year and wear something Christmasy! And, to be honest, I still own several. I don't wear them proudly or to tacky parties. I keep them in a plastic tub under the bed just in case they ever come back into fashion.

So today, on this Christmas Eve Eve, I take you back to the mid 90s and showcase for you my Christmas sweater collection!

This was one of my favorites! My aunt gave it to me and my grandmother gave me a matching scarf. I loved it because you could wear it post holidays because of the navy and white.


This was another favorite! How cute are these Santa's? They are so jolly and they're giving out presents. Perfection!


 This sweater was my mom's and I happily stole borrowed it from her and never gave it back. What I loved was the old world Santa in such peaceful colors. The tag indicates it was part of the Christmas Collection of 1995.
 

I think this was one of the last sweaters added to my collection. Can you tell that I love Santa? 


And here I am sporting a few of my favorites. Sorry about the quality. But you get the idea! This was a Christmas family photo. Check out my mom's sweater in the background!



Did you own, still own, a Christmas sweater? I'm not sure I will ever part with mine. "Memories, like the corner of my mind...."

Merry Early Christmas!


Thursday, December 19, 2013

DIY - Holiday Nail Art

I wish I had time to do more nail art because I love it! I'm not much of an artist, and freehand isn't my thing, but I've had fun playing around with glitter and other small details. With the holidays around the corner, I really wanted to do something cute. I thought about a Christmas tree with colorful ornaments. That so didn't work! But some other things did. Here is a little photo tutorial for you. I wish I could have taken photos of actually painting the nails, but I didn't have Joel (or a third hand) so you get before and after and a few tips...no pun intended!

Here is what you will need. A ton of nail polishes to play around with, a few paint brushes, polish remover, and a steady hand.


Because I want the art to be the focus, I opted to paint that nail a very neutral color. Essie's Ballet Slippers is the perfect color! Also great for a classic mani. (I only painted the nails I was going to experiment with.)


I started with a Santa hat. I used OPI Red. It's pretty much the perfect Christmas red, don't you think? I used a thin paint brush to make a triangle and then filled it in using the same brush. 


Below is the brush I used. It's pretty thin.


I used Revlon's Night and Degas for the ball and fur on the hat. I used the actual brush that came with the polish. You don't need to load the brush full of polish. Just use a small amount and build up the volume you want.


Next up, I decided a little snowman would be fun for later in the winter. Using the same Revlon white polish, I made three circles one larger than the other. Like an actual snowman! I used Essie's Butler Please for the scarf and I used the same thin brush as before. Just brush on the polish to resemble a scarf. Next time, I won't use the black to make eyes. I don't think they are needed. Now, this where the polish remover comes into play. I poured a small amount into the cap to clean the brush between paintings. 


 Lastly, I made a little holly. I used Essie's Mojito Madness and OPI Red. I thought it turned out pretty well, but I will definitely add a little more red to make it a little darker and a little more defined. I used the thin paint brush for both the leaves and the berries.


After all was said and done, I went with the Santa hat. It looked the most natural and perfect for the season at hand...again no pun intended! I can't wait to experiment more with nail art. I'm not sure I could ever move beyond my left ring finger. I can barely paint my right hand, let alone try to doll it up! Maybe something to try and accomplish in 2014.


What do you think? Are you into the nail art trend? If so, would you attempt this at home or pay the pros? To be honest, I don't know a salon in town that does this so if you do, pass it along! I would love to know who you trust.

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

My Five Go-Tos

Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors; T-Neck: J.C.Penney; Skirt: Ann Taylor;
Booties: Rebecca Minkoff; Scarf: Gift; Shades: Tom Ford; Earrings: Silpada
Lip Color: MAC Dark Side

What makes a great outfit? For me, it's all about go-to pieces. And, it just so happens that I have on all five of my go-to pieces in one look! What are they you ask? Well I'll tell you. One, my moto jacket. This jacket gives any look a little edge. Who doesn't need an edge every now and then? Two, a scarf. Scarves are a great way to add a little something extra when you can't find the right necklace. Three, a comfy skirt. This one is just like wearing sweats, but it's a skirt. Love that! Four, ankle booties. I am having a love affair with my Rebecca Minkoff pair! They literally go with  everything. Five, a top knot! This is a way of doing your hair when you don't want to do your hair. Make sense? It's so much more chic than a ponytail. Put them all together and you have one must-have look, no?


 

The Skirt and Jacket: Before and After

http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/2013/10/heart-and-soul.html
  
 

 


Monday, December 16, 2013

A New Friend


Sweater: T.J. Maxx; Cords: LOFT; Boots: Sole Society (c/o); Scarf: Gift;
Earrings: Silpada: Shades: Prada

 Meet my new friend! I am in love with this cream wool sweater! Is it weird to refer to a sweater as a new friend? I didn't think so. I purchased it a couple of weeks ago at T.J. Maxx while my mom and I were shopping for a tree topper and tree skirt. I love when I find unexpected things while shopping for something else. And, I will be honest, I never have any luck at T.J. Maxx. I'm so happy we met!
 
 

The Pants: Before and After
 
http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/2013/10/all-things-fall.html

 

  


Thursday, December 12, 2013

No Longer on Rotation


Dress: LOFT; Belt: Ann Taylor; Tights: Target; Booties: Tory Burch; Scarf: Gift

I think it might be time to retire this dress. Yes, it's a super warm sweater dress, but the fit is a little snug. That's the thing about sweaters. They can be bulky, but comfy. They can hug your body in all the right places. Or they, can hug in all the wrong places! It's not really a flattering look for me and the color definitely washes me out. Yep, I'm pretty sure this one is no longer on rotation!




The Dress: Before and After

http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/2011/11/out-on-limb.html


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Holiday Hootenanny


Sweater: Macy's; Pants: J.Crew; Pumps: Joan & David; Scarf: Target;
Gloves: Land's End; Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: MAC Dark Side  

 Yesterday was our Holiday Hootenanny at work which consisted of lunch and a White Elephant gift exchange. I knew I wanted to look festive, but not overly holiday. Red pants scream holiday, in my opinion, and when paired with a bird scarf (my version of a partridge in a pair tree) all is merry and bright!



The Pants: Before and After

http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/2013/02/faux-sure.html

Check out others ways I've worn the pants, t-neck and scarf!