Merry Christmas!!

Sorry I've been absent for a while from the blogsophere.  I did almost ALL of my Christmas shopping at the last minute this year, and the last several days have been a whirlwind of hectic shopping trips, frantic gift wrapping, and oodles of cookie baking.

Presents for five kids wrapped and ripped open and two Christmas dinners down, I am finally enjoying some relaxation!  The holidays can be super stressful, but thankfully, it's mostly a positive stress.

The magic of Christmas is alive with this one!!

I loved watching the excitement on my kids' faces as they opened up their gifts.  I loved seeing five generations of my family together for the holidays. I loved spending time with my honey wrapping presents, laughing at how awful he is at this task, and commiserating over our aching feet.

As much as I've been going the last few days, Christmas is often the one time of year that I truly stop and enjoy my family.  It's so easy to get caught up with the stressors of work and day-to-day life that we often don't get that chance to step back and appreciate, listen, and engage with our families and friends.

I just love sharing in the magic of Christmas with my kids, especially my youngest, Savanna, who is such a true believer in Santa and so enthusiastically appreciative of each and every aspect of the holiday.

The motley crew - at 3 am after Santa had arrived!!

I'm not a very religious person, but I tend to see all religions as teaching very similar ideals and values.  The values of peace, love, sharing, compassion, forgiveness, and hope that the winter holidays bring help warm the heart and the home.  I grew up with Christmas as a cultural tradition, so it's still an important part of my life.  And, I love sharing these traditions and passing them along to my family.

To those of you who celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter and warm moments. 

Thank you to all of who read and follow my blog, and as we wrap up 2014, I wish you a safe and happy new year! 

Holiday Double Feature - Casual Cocktails

Happy Friday, everyone!! 

Skirt:  Torrid (Available here)

Today, Irene and I are wrapping up our holiday double feature.  Hope you've gotten some ideas from our posts on red and green, office parties, sparkle and shine, and tuxedos. 

We're wrapping up our series today with a look for what we're calling "casual cocktails." 

Sweater:  New York & Company (Available here)

Boots:  Target

Going to a more casual holiday event?  Whether it's a house party, a low-key bar, or holiday happy hour, some events of the season are simply more casual.

Photo provided by HollieWould PIX

You could go with jeans and a sparkly sweater (which would be perfectly cute), but I love the idea of elevating even your casual looks for the holiday season.

Ring:  LOFT

This look has a cool French girl vibe that I reaallllly dig.  It feels ultra sexy without looking like you tried too hard.  

The off-the-shoulder sweater and peek-a-boo lace on the skirt add visual interest to this simple monochromatic look.  Wanting to preserve the sophisticated simplicity of this outfit, I chose minimal but statement-making extras, my Dior-inspired pearl studs and a red clutch, to complete the look.

Earrings:  Target

Clutch:  Vintage

Irene went more casual, but kept her look interesting and festive with special touches like her tuxedo stripe trousers and a lace color blocked blouse.

Irene of Petite Plus, Meow!

To see more of Irene's look, head over to Petite Plus, Meow! or check her out on Facebook!

Hope you enjoyed our holiday collab and were inspired to try out a new look for one of your holiday events!!

For my skirt in another look, see here.

Holiday Black & White

Happy Monday!!

Jumpsuit:  Torrid (Available here; Similar here)

My holiday collaboration with the lovely Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! starts next week, but I've been having fun playing around with holiday looks, and I came up with a few extras, including this one.

Blazer:  LOFT Petites

Heels:  Target

I wanted to create a holiday look that had a laid-back feel, but that also felt dressy enough for a party.

The first thing I thought of was my black jumpsuit!  I added an ivory floral jacquard blazer and basic pumps. 

Necklace:  New York & Company

Then, I finished the look off with some major accessories - a long lariat necklace, beaded ear cuffs, and a bold clutch.

Lariat:  New York & Company

Ear cuffs:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

Clutch:  The Limited

Would you wear this look for a holiday event?  Where to?

For the jumpsuit in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.
For the blazer in another look, see here.

Texture & Shine

I always love mixing patterns, textures, and various materials, but I especially love doing it with all black looks.

Dress:  Ann Taylor

Blazer:  New York & Company

I paired my black slip dress with a velvet blazer, patterned tights, and glitter heels.  I added a blingy necklace and red satin ruffle clutch to complete the look.

Necklace:  LOFT
Earrings:  Target

Clutch:  Hollywould for Target (purchased from eBay)

I'm doing a holiday outfit collaboration series later in December and decided not to include this look, but it would definitely be perfect for the holidays!  I'd love this for a more formal Christmas party or New Year's Eve event. 

Bracelets (left arm):  LOFT

Bracelet (right arm):  Wet Seal

In lieu of the velvet blazer, you could add a faux fur cropped jacket for a slightly more glam look.

Tights:  Merona for Target (old)

Heels:  Payless (old)

What's your favorite color to wear?  How do you keep monochromatic looks interesting? 

Any holiday plans for which you plan to get glitzed up?

For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Holiday Fashion Shopping Guide - 16 Picks to Get You Through All the Festivities

Are you ready for the holiday season?

The winter holidays bring with them so many fun dress-up occasions. With these events brings the challenge of what to wear!

Whether you need a look for an office holiday party, a cocktail party, New Year's Eve, or casual holiday get-togethers, I've rounded up some amazing holiday options in every size for your consideration! I found some great options from Ann Taylor, Roamons, and Torrid (just to name a few)!  Enjoy!

Office Holiday Party:
For holiday office parties, you want a look that is festive, but also conservative. That means minimal to no cleavage, nothing too short, and no over-the-top bling. Think subtle shine and extra trimmings. Think special fabrics in shapes you would normally wear for work.

Torrid – Ruched Sleeve Lace Blazer
Available in plus sizes 0-5X

The Limited – High-Waist Midi Skirt
Available in straight sizes petite, average and tall

Ann Taylor – Sequin Jacket

Available in straight sizes petite and average XXS-XL

I kind of NEED that sequin jacket - just waiting for the right sale!

New Year's Eve:

New Year's Eve is the time to add more flair to your holiday looks. Lots of sparkle and shine. Shorter hemlines work for party time

Wet Seal – Gold Rush Metallic Surplice Romper
Available in juniors plus size 1X-3X

Roamans – Sequin Peplum Tank
Available in plus sizes S-5X (12-40) in black (as shows), boysenberry and marine blue

 

Custom Fit:
All of these pieces can be customized for your body and your preferred length, sleeve length, etc. There's nothing like having a piece made just for you.

Smart Glamour is available in sizes XXS-6X, is fully customizable, and is always made in the USA! EShakti boasts a size range of 0-36W and has an impressive selection of holiday options this season!

eShakti – Baroque Brocade Short Trench Coat

Smart Glamour – Dewitt Lace Dress
Available in six different lace options and five lining colors

 

Cocktail Party:

Holiday cocktail parties call for looks that are sophisticated and have subtle sex appeal. I love the idea of a jumpsuit for a cocktail party as an alternative to a dress.

If you're in the market for a new dress, I'd go with a dress in a simple shape that lets your body stand out but doesn't overpower you. You want people to see YOU, not focus on what you're wearing (though they will be noticing)!

Ann Taylor – Tuxedo Jumpsuit
Available in straight sizes average 00-18, petite 00-16, and tall 0-18

Torrid – Envelope Bodycon Dress
Available in plus sizes 1X-5X

 

Full-On Glamour Girl:

Do you have a glamorous event to attend?

I am really loving velvet dresses this season! They are simple to wear and look so fancy! Channel your inner Jessica Rabbit in a sumptuous fabric, rich color, and maybe even a sexy thigh high slit!

Eloquii – Studio Collection Velvet Gown
Available in plus sizes 14-24 in cabernet (shown) and black

Roamans – Velvety Wrap Dress
Available in plus sizes 14W-34W in boysenberry (shown) and black

Casual:

Have a casual house party or get together to attend? A cozy sweatshirt or sweater is a great choice. Add fun embellishments or metallic detail or opt for an "ugly" holiday sweater that is actually cute!

LOFT – Fair Isle Embellished Sweatshirt
Available in straight sizes average XXS-XXL and petites XXS-XL

Wet Seal – Keep Calm and Bite Me sweater
Available in straight sizes S-L

The Icing:
Don't forget the accessories? Nothing spruces up that LBD in your closet like some sparkly new accessories.

Try an on-trend ear cuff or statement ring. 

BaubleBar – Hermes Ear Cuff Earrings

The Limited – Starburst Statement Ring

Boohoo – Lily Glitter Box Clutch

See anything you love?

Hope this round up helps inspire some ideas for your holiday events. 

I wish I had more dress up opportunities! I just love the luxe fabrics, rich colors, and elegant vibe of so many holiday fashions!

Do you have any fun holiday plans?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

Source:  Fanpop.com

To those who celebrate, I'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas!  I hope your day was filled with love, laughter, and family. 

For those of you who don't celebrate, happy holidays or happy Hump Day!! 

I've had a wonderful day, and I've used the last few days off work to set a web re-design into motion.  I hope to have a new site design live around the beginning of the year!  New year - new look! :-D

Back tomorrow with more NewYear's Eve fashion ideas!

12 Days of Holiday: Candy Cane Casual

Happy Holidays!

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)
Scarf:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Today's casual look is a holiday-inspired outfit I wore this past weekend to an ornament exchange party.  The party was casual, but I wanted an outfit that felt a little bit festive.

Blazer:  Torrid

I started with this red and white striped scarf that always reminds me of candy canes and added a black and white striped blazer for a fun mixed striped effect. 

Camisole:  LOFT (Available here)
Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Available in navy here)
Bracelets:  The Limited
Earrings:  The Limited (old)

The green purse adds to the holiday color theme.

For these jeans in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, and here.