It's All About Layers

 Jacket: Levi's; Dress: LOFT; T-Neck: JCPenney; Tights: Target; Booties: Me Too;

Belt: Ann Taylor; Gloves: Target; Necklace: Banana Republic; Lip Color: MAC Dark Side

So far December has been beyond freezing! It's bone chillin' cold, but apparently that's when I decide to wear nothing but skirts and dresses. To be honest, I find tights warmer than pants. Especially jeans. Have you ever noticed how the wind seems to cut right through denim? 

I had drinks with the girls from work last night and I needed a look that would get me through day and evening. It also needed to keep me warm as I walked from car to building to car to restaurant and until the car warmed up, which happened as soon as I arrived at almost every destination! A wool sweater dress was the best option. I added a gray t-neck sweater which actually made it look like it was part of the dress! I added the denim jacket at the last minute and so glad I did! It really pulled everything together.

The Dress: Before and After

 

Collegiate Sophistication

Cape: Ann Taylor (gift); T-Neck: Ann Taylor; Jeans: LOFT; Boots: Sole Society (c/o);

Scarf: Gift; Gloves: Target; Hat: Target; Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; 

Lip Color: NARS Shanghai Express

 Saturday was one was of those days that was filled to the brim! And, most of the activities were somewhat outside. It was a lot of in and out of the car, and on days like that, I can't stand to wear an actual coat. In lieu of a coat, I opted for a cape. Warm layers like a scarf, gloves, and fancy hat kept me warm comfortable all day! I mean, how can you truly stay warm when the temp is only 20! 

Honestly, I had this look planned in my head before we ever left the house. Saturday afternoon, MU played in the SEC Championship football game and I wanted to wear school colors, but I didn't want to look too collegiate. Because our colors are black and gold, you can obviously see I took care of black! Gold came in accents like the chain on the hat and the jewels I wore. I consider this collegiate sophistication! And, even though MU lost, I feel this is a winning look!

 The Cape: Before and After

 

 

What do you wear when the temps plunge and you spend the day in and out of the car? Do you still go all coat or by-pass it like me?

Happy Monday!

Dream to Reality - New Brown Boots

I didn't realize how ancient my brown boots were until I saw them "on film" in yesterday's look! I've had them for years, but I think it might be time to retire them. They pointy toe shows their age in trend and the scuffs are beyond buffing. So I made it my personal goal yesterday to find the perfect brown replacement boot. Do you know how hard it is to find the right brown boot? Black boots are plentiful in their design, heel height, and length. In brown, I felt like I was limited in the actual color of brown. Turns out, cognac is the preferred choice of which I own four pairs....

While searching for the perfect brown boot, I found these amazing MICHAEL Michael Kors boots. And apparently, the entire boot loving nation loves them as well because they were completely sold out in my size. I was finally able to locate them at Dillard's, but I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger. What makes them perfect? The fact that they're flat. I don't own a flat brown boot, not chocolate brown, and the buttons that run up the side are such amazing detail! I'm thinking by winters end they will be mine!

These are the boots I ended up ordering and yes, the ones below are black. I wasn't able to download the brown version from the site in which I actually purchased them. (Thank you Zappos for the photo!) I got mine from Macy's. They were on super sale, and I was able to use a coupon, so I got an even more amazing deal. What makes these perfect? The brown is super rich, the toe and heel appear timeless, and I love the length. I'm planning to wear them with skirts, dresses, and over skinny jeans. Now, I just hope they fit!

 What makes a boot perfect for you? What criteria do you look for in a boot? My issue is that I love all boots. And I mean, all boots!

XOXO

Happy Friday!

Snake Skin

Jacket: Levi's; T-Neck: French Connection; Skirt: J.Crew (gift); Tights: Target;

Boots: Nine West; Necklace: Gorjana (gift)/Gift; Bracelets: J.Crew (gift)/Ralph Lauren;

Lip Color: MAC Dark Side

You know how much I hate indoor photos, but life gets busy and sometimes you just have to make do. This is one of my favorite skirts, but one of those pieces that's hard to style. However, I love styling challenges as you know, so I'm hoping it keeps me on my toes this season.

Speaking of toes, I made the realization that  I am in need of new brown boots! The are starting to show their age, in trend and scuffs, and I think I found the perfect pair. They are on order so here's hoping they fit!

The Skirt: Before and After

Sparkles, Shorts, and Sixty Degrees

Jacket: Levi's; Top: LOFT; Shorts: Zara; Tights: We Love Colors; Booties: Rebecca Minkoff;

Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: MAC Dark Side

 

I believe yesterday was the last day of warm weather for the season and I wanted to style it with a bang! I will probably wear these shorts over the winter, with heavier sweaters and possibly tall boots (not Pretty Woman boots), because honestly, I am in love with them! And apparently, I can't wear this top unless it's with shorts! Tomorrow, it's back to wool.... 

 

 

 

The Top: Before and After

 

 

 

Better in Your Head - A Stying Tip

 

Dress: Ann Taylor; Booties: Steven by Steve Madden; Necklace: Ann Taylor;

Tights: We Love Colors; Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs: Lip Color: MAC Dark Side

 

I remember the last time I wore this dress I searched high and low for my nude fishnets, but opted for black tights because I couldn't find them. Well, yesterday was much the same. I finally found them, but once on, they were so wrong! Sometimes it looks better in your head.

 

The shoes I originally tried, darling Kate Spade's that I had completely forgotten about, didn't work either so I went with booties. Booties are truly my new favorite shoe right now and I'm loving them with dresses and skirts. 

 

Styling Tip: A bootie, unlike a pump, takes something dressy down a notch extending the life of the piece! This gives you more options when wearing those skirts and dresses.

 

 

 

 The Dress: Before and After

 

 

 

 



Holiday Gift Giving - The Gift Set

I would say that as of today, the holiday's are in full swing! Our house is mostly decorated, most of my gifts have been purchased, and holiday cards are almost complete! I didn't do any Black Friday shopping. I never do! After working years in retail, I can't bring myself to go shopping when I know those poor people had to be up hours ago and didn't really get to spend time with their familys. But the biggest reason is that I'm not willing to fight all those crowds when I can just click away on Cyber-Monday!

 

I still have a few things on my shopping list. I'm not even sure if some these things are on sale. I just know I want to get them for the gals in my life. I'm a huge fan of gift sets! Sets are all the rage during the holidays. It's the perfect time to test things you wouldn't normally buy, but have to because they are a part of a set. Lip colors, lotions, candles, and perfumes. All there, in tiny bottles, compacts, and votives for me (and others) to play around with, to experiment with!

 

I've been poking around and found some of my favorites that I want to share with all of you. Get that mouse ready! You might just find something for someone on your shopping list and you might need to buy it today!

 

L'Occitane is a line of hand creams that I've always wanted to try. And, when you get one large tub for $12.00, it only makes sense to try five small ones for $42.00. That way, you can find the scent you love the most and then splurge on it at a later date!

 

 

I love Deborah Lippman nail polish! Her colors are rich in tone, the polish lasts forever, and the names are awesome! Bitches Brew! Who doesn't love applying a color called Bitches Brew to your nails! One bottle of polish is $17.00 so when you can get twelve bottles for $78.00 (normally a $144 for twelve) go for it! Your nails will thank you! 

 

 

This is one of the BEST gifts I've ever received! A friend of mine gave me this a couple of years ago and I used every single scent! There are 14 samples of some of the most popular scents all in one tiny box! After you've tested all the scents in the box, take the certificate into Sephora and get your favorite scent for free! Gotta love that! This is a $65 value and totally worth it!!

 

 

Stila is one of my favorite lines of cosmetics. They have the cutest packaging and all of their products are great! Side note, I love their concealer. This package of nine lip glosses is awesome! It's $29, a normal value of $124! I love the colors.

 

Who doesn't love candles? I have so many that I never get around to burning them all! However, no matter how many you have, you can always use more! This set from Voluspa would be a great hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or something because you need them for the holidays! You get six mini votives that sound like amazing scents. It's a $50 value. And, when one candle alone is $24, I say $50 is perfect!

 

Lastly, I'm a huge fan of Philosophy lotions and body wash. They are thick and rich and smell devine! The Gingerbread House collection sounds delish, but the Snow Angel (which smells of newly fallen snow) sounds so...angelic! I don't think you could go wrong with either!

 

 

What do you think of the selections? Have any been on your wish list in the past? Any going to make your list for friends or family or maybe just yourself?

 

Happy Holiday Shopping!