Holiday Look #1 - Casual

Top: Ann Taylor Loft; Jeans: Gap Maternity; Shoes: Steve Madden Luxe; Earrings: Shoe Girl Designs; Ring: Kate Spade

This past weekend was holiday party number one of three and as promised, I am documenting my looks based on the three part series I blogged about last week. My wardrobe choices are a little more limited this season, but I think I’m making the most of it and I think things are coming together as planned. 

This weekend I paired my dark skinny jeans with an embellished top for a little flash. Sparkle is needed during the holidays and the epaulettes on this top were perfect. I added dainty black crystal earrings and my fun cocktail ring purchased earlier this year. The shoes were new as of this weekend! A great holiday shoe that can be worn year round and are really comfy. I wore them for five hours and never thought of removing them. 

What are you thoughts? Did I hit the mark or miss it completely? 

My Holiday Creations

Look One:

Look Two:

A Blushing End

Sweater: Anthropologie; Tank: Ann Taylor; Jeans: Joe’s Jeans; Boots: Sam Edelman; Cross Necklace: Harold’s; Encrusted Crystal Necklace: Silpada; Coat: Tulle

I’ve been wearing a lot of darker color this week so with today being my Friday for the week, I wanted to brighten up my look. I tend to purchase darker colors for winter so finding something in a lighter shade was a little difficult this morning. I received this sweater last year for Christmas, after getting the same one in fuchsia for my birthday, I thought it would be perfect! The blush color, a color that is not really a part of my wardrobe, is so soft and a blank palette for a variety of shoes. Today I paired mine with jeans and my Sam Edelman gray booties. With something so detailed, the ruffles are amazing, you don’t need much as far as accessories go so I added dainty necklaces and small dangle earrings in crystal. A blushing end to a dark week.

On a side note, my first holiday party is taking place this weekend. Stay tuned for the ensemble I created! I’m pretty excited to see if it truly comes together.

The Search Is Over!

Coat: Banana Republic; Sweater: J.Crew; Button Down: Banana Republic Mens; Pants: JCPenney Maternity; Shoes: Steve Madden; Handbag: Louis Vuitton; Beret/Gloves: Target; Necklaces: Silpada

I finally found brown maternity pants and they came in longs! Thank you JC Penney!!! I just got them back from alterations, they were so long I had to get them hemmed, and wore them for the first time yesterday. I paired them with a t-neck sweater and button down I wore several weeks ago but changed up the jewelry and shoes. I loved the look so much the first time and love it even more with the brown pants. The shoes didn’t turn out well in the photo but I’ve added the link. (Just click on the word shoes.) I love them! Perfect for browns, camels and jeans and the added bonus is that they are a year round shoe.

Winter has hit the Midwest so overcoats are a must! I got this gem a couple of years ago at Banana Republic and find that its a go to coat every year. A camel coat is another piece every woman should have in her closet. I was afraid the beret was too “Monica” but got over it quickly! The contrast between the dark teal and camel is so rich. Try adding color to your accessories to jazz up your coats. Winter is long and you need something to keep it interesting!

Informal Holiday Parties

Its day three of the holiday party creations and today I am focusing on informal holiday parties. My holiday parties are generally on the informal side. I want my guests to eat, drink and be merry and not worry about getting all gussied up for the affair! With that being said, you can still dress up denim! I have created two looks with one pair of dark, skinny jeans and I would wear either of them. The looks aren’t limited to parties either. Dinners out, jeans day Fridays and possibly New Year’s, depending on the locale. For work, change out the clutch for an every day bag and maybe make the jewels a little less dressy.

Informal Holiday Parties

Look One:

When I think holidays, I think shimmer! I love a little sparkle during this festive time of year and this look doesn’t disappoint! I paired dark, skinny jeans with a black, t-neck body suit but a fitted t-neck would work just fine. I added the charcoal gray shrug for the feel of a sweater but it won’t create as much bulk. This shrug would also look great with black or gray pants. I liked the nude booty versus a plain black heel. The booty keeps the look casual and keeps the focus on the shrug. Add a hint of color with a purple clutch but keep the jewels in the silver tone of the shrug. I loved the look of the multi-bangles and diamond hop earring. Again, it’s dressy without being too formal and I call it Holiday Shimmer!

Look Two:

I created another shimmering outfit using the same skinny jeans as the look above. Sequined tanks are huge right now and I love the look of silver against dark denim. I added tall, gray suede boots to the look to keep the look casual. You could add black or nude heels, but it would dress up the look just a touch. Again, I added color to the look by carrying a teal clutch that’s so pretty with its swirls of ruffles. The chained cuff toughens up the look but the diamond studs add a little femininity. If you wanted to wear this look to work, again carry an every day handbag and add a black blazer. Remove the blazer for dinner and drinks after work. So simple yet so chic and I call the look Silver Bells.

I have had a blast creating these looks and I can’t wait to see what you all put together for the holiday season. I will post pics of my outfits as I attend several parties this season as well. Seasons Greetings!

A Little Tribal

Sweater: Kloz Kloset Boutique; T-neck: Target: Jeans: A Pea in a Pod; Boots: Steve Madden; Gloves/Scarf: Gift

I have had this outfit planned all week and couldn’t wait for Friday to get here! I stumbled upon this sweater last weekend, while looking for something else, and I knew it would be a great outfit to finish the week. This blanket sweater, which I find a little tribal, would be perfect for a weekend afternoon of errands. With the scarf and gloves and you don’t really need a coat, unless of course the temps are below freezing! Layering possibilities are endless as well. In addition to the cream t-neck, you could wear chocolate or gray and change out the shoes. I think these Steve Maddens are perfect for all three. Now, if only I wasn’t stuck at work with such a cute outfit! 

Have a great weekend!

Holiday Cocktail Parties

Today is day two of my holiday party creations and I’m exploring the wonderful world of cocktail parties. Cocktail party attire can run the gamut, however, I tend to go a little dressier. I like the iconic imagine of a typical 1950s couple attending a party of their neighbors dressed in their finery for the occasion. I tend to wear black because it’s a blank canvas. I can dress it up or down with either jewelry or sassy shoes. Again, I’ve pulled together two looks.

Holiday Cocktail Parties

Look One:

This dress screams iconic 1950s with a modern twist. The draping of the fabric on the skirt is more modern than your standard A-Line and I love the exaggerated bow at the waist and plunging neckline. This dress is so dramatic that you don’t need a lot of accessories. I went for velvet, burgundy heels, stacked crystal bracelets, simple diamond studs and a classic clutch. This would be a great New Years outfit as well. This look brings me such joy and I call it 50s Chic.

Look Two:

There is nothing better than the LBD, Little Black Dress, and every woman should own one. The most classic little black dress is a sheath. Debuted by Coco Chanel in 1926 within the pages of Vogue, the LBD has never gone out of style. Here, I paired this simple sheath with nude, wedge heels. Another item every woman should own. A nude heel, worn with bare legs, will lengthen the legs appearance and who doesn’t want supermodel legs! I added a crystal bib necklace, another item that’s been popular for a couple of seasons, and fun, gray fur clutch. That’s all you need! This look isn’t just for the holidays either. It is perfect for a night at the theater, dinner, New Years or even a wedding. I call it Sophistication!

Holiday Office Parties

With the holidays rapidly approaching, I’ve started to assemble some party outfits in my mind! Putting them down on paper is so much easier than putting them on and loving the look immediately! I usually make minor changes or I’ll change the outfit completely. So, as I was thinking about my own dressing dilemmas, I thought you might like to see some ideas I put together to help us all dress festively for the holidays. Each day I will provide a holiday party scenario and my thoughts around the perfect ensemble!

Office Holiday Parties

Look One:

It’s hard to dress for an office party. You want to look professional and dress accordingly, but you also want to look like your heading to a party. I paired basic black pants with a cream and gold blouse that is pretty but professional. I love the gathered material. This will help create the illusion of a waist, something we all want defined. I kept the shoes neutral. You want the top to be the focal point of the outfit. I did, however, go with a more detailed handbag. I couldn’t resist the feather clutch. Feathers are so in right now so I wanted to pull that into the look. I love the bronze, crystal earrings and wrap bracelet. Those muted tones won’t compete with the gold within the blouse. I call this look Polished.

Look Two:

I love this look and would wear it to more than just an office holiday party. Winter white is one my favorite colors to wear in the winter and paired with gray pants the look is so chic. I love the lace dolman top. It’s dressy without being over the top. To add color to the look, I paired it with burgundy, suede pumps that I think I might purchase for myself. The metallic gray clutch ties in well with the gray pants but adds just a little sparkle. I liked the idea of pearls but I didn’t want something too cliche. I opted for pearl drop earrings and a chunky, pearl bracelet. This look is tough but feminine and I call it Leather and Lace.