Holiday Sparkle and Shine

The holidays are in the air everywhere you look! Whether it's store front windows, decorated front yards, or the holiday party invites that are rolling in, it is literally the holiday season. And I for one am glad. I love the holidays. Always have. Christmas is by far my favorite holiday! The decorations, the cookie baking, shopping for gifts for your loved ones, and waiting with anticipation for what Santa will bring you are all the things that make this truly the most wonderful time of the year!

We have a couple of holiday parties coming up this weekend and I am putting party looks together. We don't get dressed up that much anymore so it's especially special this time of year. I haven't been shopping for anything new in what feels like ages, so I'm browsing the internet for inspirational pieces that I might find in my own closet. And if I can't recreate them, maybe I can take something away from the color palette. 

I'm obsessed with the accordion pleat trend and love the gold, even though I own the black. I can't wear a crop top like the one below, but love the two piece look. The green dress is stunning and the black Art-Deco dress makes a statement. Each piece brings its own sparkle and shine to any holiday party! Check out my picks.

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Aren't they all simply lovely? Just FYI, the Adriana Papell dress is sold out in green! Everyone must have had the same idea. The color is gorgeous! The perfect Christmas green. Honestly, I would wear each and everyone of these on some occasion outside the holidays. And, even though the Aidan Maddox two piece look has a crop top, I could style the skirt several different ways!

What are you thinking of wearing to your holiday parties this season? Will it be a casual look or something on the dressier side? Let's chat!

Happy Monday, all! 

A Day of Sparkle

Top: LOFT; Shorts: H&M;

Belt: ?; Tights: We Love Color;

Shoes: Chie Mihara; Ring: Silpada;

Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs

My love of stripes and sequins has finally become one! This top from LOFT will definitely be in constant rotation as I've about worn out my original seen here, here and here! I love that you can make it casual or dressy, and paired with shorts and tights, its a little bit of both! 

The key to wearing shorts, or minis, in the winter is to pair them with super opaque tights and shoes that are almost an exact match. It will make your legs look endless!

 

The Shorts: Before and After

Anna Karenina

On my list of 40 before 40 stands Anna Karenina. She is number 34 on the list and I haven't a clue if I will actually finish. I am on page 17, of 817, so only 800 to go! And let me tell you, those 17 pages have taken me forever. I find that I re-read several sentences just to make sure I understood what he wrote. A friend and I were talking about it just this morning. She's tried to read it a couple of times and gave up for this very reason. I told her I didn't think I was smart enough to read the book but she told me "sure you are" but to keep in mind "that those writers wrote in almost a different language and for people who were used to imagining everything (no tvs), so they tend to be long winded." Long winded indeed!

However, my take away from the book will be the fashion. Have you heard they are making a movie starring Keira Knightley? Apparently the clothing will take center stage. And to prove it, Banana Republic has designed a collection in honor of the movie/book. There are some simply beautiful pieces and some that are equally dramatic. Worth browsing to buy. Just see the window displays below!

As it turns out, I've been channeling the likes of Anna Karenina for years! Fur is my fav, I love lace, I own tons of sparkle and simple sheath is a closet staple! Here is a look back on my take of the 19th Century.

  

Have you read the book? If so, how long did it take you to complete? And, was it worth it?

Sparkle and Inspiration

Jacket: BD Dakota/Piperlime; Top: Ann Taylor; 

Pants: H&M (similar); Belt: Ann Taylor; 

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik (gift);

Bracelets: DIY/Gift; Earrings: DIY;

 Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs

My inspiration behind this outfit was from the Ann Taylor Fall Look Book. I knew I wanted to wear these hot pink pants into the fall, and with 80 degree temps this week, it was a perfect opportunity. As I pondered over how to pair them, I found the look below! 

Now, I have so many options for these pants and I'm pretty sure I can wear them in the dead of winter! This is just one of many looks I hope to incorporate over the next several months so stay tuned! Oh, and the sparkle portion of this post is brought to you by sequins! Sequins on a Tuesday? Get outta here!

 

 

 

The Pant: Before and After