Office Party Take Two

Jacket: Gift; T-neck: Target; Jeans: Joe’s Jeans; Shoes: Moschino Cheap and Chic; Necklace: Gift

Last Friday was the last of my office festivities and it consisted of a potluck lunch with the whole department. Friday’s are jeans days around here and I wanted to look festive but casual. I found this boiled-wool jacket at the bottom of my sweater box and thought it was perfect for the occasion. The fur collar lends itself to holiday but the jeans helped keep it low-key. I added a plain cream t-neck and I love how the two-toned shoes keep the whole look neutral. The necklace was a gift and I don’t feel like it competed with the fur collar. If anything, it blended into the whole outfit. I need to remember this little jacket for future looks. It would be perfect with chocolate pants for a business casual look.

My New Favorite

I am in love with my new handbag! This is my new BCBG MaxAzaria East-West Hobo that I ordered from Gilt Groupe and it is the perfect shape and size! Sometimes you don’t know what things will look like when ordering online, much like the last BCBG bag I ordered, but this wasn’t the case. The leather is so soft but I love how the side zippers and small fringe on the handle make the bag look tough. It’s motorcycle inspired, in my opinion, and this bag will be around for while! 

If you haven’t checked out Gilt Groupe, you should! Much like Rue La La, there are different boutiques every day, however, these are a little more upscale with high-end designers. It’s fun just to browse. Window shopping without leaving your home…www.gilt.com!

All American Male

Sweater: Harold Powell; Shirt: Ralph Lauren; Jeans: Levi’s; Shoes: Cole Haan

I am often asked by my male readers to blog about mens fashion, but to be honest I don’t feel like I have enough knowledge to take on that side of the house. However, I had to take a photo of my husband yesterday because he was sporting one of my favorite looks! He has been given the luxury to wear jeans to work daily and at times he finds it challenging not to look too casual. Not the case yesterday. The look is rugged with the lug sole, leather shoe but still work appropriate with the button down and wool sweater. This ensemble also looks great with khakis if he wanted that business casual feel. He was a little worried about the differences in denim, but the sweater breaks it up. Isn’t he adorable!

Hair Care Secret

I am all about sharing beauty secrets and this one is a beaut! No pun intended! After reading a segment on hot rollers in November’s issue of InStyle, I was inspired to pull mine out of the depths of my linen closet. Most of the time those segments lean towards those with long, flowing locks unlike my shoulder length, layered, naturally curly mess. With that being said, I was attending a holiday party and I intended to make it work!

After washing my hair, I applied a straightening product to help reduce frizz while air drying. I wanted to avoid my hair dryer as long as possible since the heat output infuses more frizz than air. Once my hair was about 90% dry, I ran the dryer over it to take out the remaining moisture. From there, I started applying the hot rollers. I sectioned off my hair, starting from the bottom up, and rolled at horizontal levels. I only used the large and medium size rollers for extra body. Also, I wound about two inch sections around each roller. After the rollers were cool, I removed from where I started, finger combed the curls and tossed my hair around to get rid of that “just rolled” look. They were a little tight for the party but relaxed by the end of the night. 

I know you’re saying, so what’s the big deal you hot rolled your hair! The big deal is that my hair has lasted for FOUR days! That’s right, four days! I woke up late yesterday morning and just knew that a shampoo was a must. Boy was I wrong! All I needed was a little dry shampoo and I was good to go. That’s the big beauty secret, ladies, dry shampoo! It’s amazing! It takes the oil out of your hair allowing you to go that extra day without shampooing. I’ve been using it for a little over a year and I swear by it. 

If you don’t believe that yesterday was day four of hot rolled hair, check out the posts below. Please note that I never brushed my hair during any of the process. I just ran my fingers through my hair. Nothing more. Also, I did not post anything from Sunday as that was casual day! No shower was taken, no make up applied. No need to be photographed. No one wants to see that!

Holiday Look #1 -Casual Wrapped in Warmth Snug as a Bug Office Party Take One

Office Party Take One

Jacket: Shoshanna; T-neck: J.Crew; Pants: Liz Lange Maternity; Shoes: Guess; Fishnets: Hue; Earrings/Ring: Hope Faith Miracles

Today is the first of two holiday “parties” here at work and I am trying to be as festive as possible. Today’s party involves a lunch of finger foods, goodies and a White Elephant exchange. Since this is an on premise chin-dig, I thought I would go for business casual with a little holiday thrown in. I scoured my closet last night looking for anything that I thought might work with my growing belly and chest. (I hate the latter part of that statement!) What I found was this NY sample sale find from Shoshanna. Never been worn, this darling 60s inspired Bolero-esque jacket seemed perfect for the occasion. I love how the material resembles an old chairs fabric with its metallic gold threads and patterned design. It might have come straight from Elvis’s home in Memphis! 

Unsure of what to pair with my jacket, I decided on a cream cashmere t-neck. I like the blend of textures and the warmth I get from the cashmere. Since I don’t have winter white pants, which might have been overkill, I opted for basic black but went for nude peep toe pumps. I accented the look with gold jewels from Kristian Alfonso’s line Hope, Faith, Miracles. The earrings are her Roman Dangles in Gold Clad and the ring is a simple cigar band also in gold. Holiday look number two is coming your way on Friday!

My Holiday Creation

Office Party:

Snug as a Bug

Overcoat: JC Penney; Sweater Coat: Boutique at local Holiday Mart; T-Neck; Ann Taylor Loft; Pants: Liz Lange Maternity; Boots: J.Crew; Gloves: Target; Earrings: Silpada

With the temps hovering around 30 today, I still felt the need to bundle up. I hate winter but this is one of my favorite times of the year ONLY because I love sweaters so much. I found this sweater coat at a boutique during the Junior League Holiday Mart about four years ago and I can’t bring myself to part with it. Every time I wear it, I feel like I’m wrapped in a cozy blanket and I needed that feeling today. 

I was originally going to pair this sweater with skinny jeans and my waxy Steve Madden boots but remembered I can’t get the boots off without Joel’s assistance. Since we’re heading to the gym after work, I can’t really invite him in the girls locker room! So, I might be repeating this sweater over the weekend since we will be out and about shopping. Anyway, I decided to wear my straight leg black pants and black boots. Not as much pizzazz as I was going for originally, but the sweater is now the focal point of the outfit, as it should be! Stay tuned for the repeat look!

Wrapped in Warmth

Sweater: Theory via Rue La La; T-neck: Target; Pants: Gap Maternity; Shoes: Tory Burch; Earrings: Silpada; Bracelets: Silpada and Tiffany

With it being around 8 degrees this morning, I decided to have my morning photo shoot indoors. Over the course of the winter, I will test out different areas of my house instead of hitting the great outdoors. I think my husband, the on sight photographer, will appreciate that as well! 

I purchased this sweater coat a couple of weeks via Rue La La and couldn’t wait for the first frigid day to wear it. I’ve mentioned Rue La La before, and if you haven’t signed up, you need to. I have purchased some great items over the past couple of years and love that they are at discounted prices! Just like this sweater! Paired with charcoal gray pants and a black t-neck, I feel wrapped in warmth on this terribly cold day. I added black heels with gold accents to play up the gold in the sweater. This will also look great with jeans and tall black or gray boots for a more casual look. Trust me, this sweater will come in handy over the next few months!

To brace myself against the temps, I wore my long black coat, a charcoal gray bucket hat with patent leather piping and teal leather gloves. Gotta find fun ways to stay warm!