All That Glitters

With my holiday collab with Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! starting Monday, my mind has steadily been on holiday fashion.  Wearing sparkly sequins is fun no matter what time of year it is, but it feels most appropriate around the winter holidays.

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here)
Tank:  The Limited

With five kids, it is nearly impossible to find a babysitter for New Year's, so we usually stay in or doing something out with the kids.

I don't usually have the chance to get glammed up for New Year's, but it's fun to play around with options, and when I find one I like - it can always work for date night!

I recently had an awesome photo shoot with photographer Hollie of HollieWould PIX.  She helped shoot several of the pics for my upcoming holiday series, and she also provided these photos.  If you're in the St. Louis area, I highly recommend you check out her work and give her a try!! 

Blazer:  LOFT Petites
Clutch:  Target

It was my first photo shoot with a photographer since my senior high school pics!  I'm so used to my kids taking pictures that I felt my usual awkward self at first, but by the end of the photo shoot, I was so much more comfortable.  Makes me want to have more photo shoots of the like!!

So, onto the outfit that Hollie snapped...

Today's look combines a blush sequin tank with black velvet skinnies and an ivory blazer.  I love that the look has a softness to it, but it also has a very rock-n-roll feel.

Necklace:  The Limited
Ear cuff:  Torrid (Similar here)

The faux diamond ear cuff and statement necklace add more shine to this look.  I also played around quite a bit with texture and pattern - combining the velvet and sequins with the jacquard blazer and satin/faux leather floral heels.

This look would be great for a New Year's party or holiday get-together  As I said, I would also wear this look for a date night with my crazy other half!  :-D

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target (Available on eBay here)

Stay tuned tomorrow, and all next week, for more holiday fashion ideas - and more photography from HollieWould PIX!!

Do you tend to stay in for New Year's or go out?  What will you be wearing this New Year's?

For these pants in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
For this top in other looks, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here and here.

Romance is in the Air!!

I hope you have been enjoying the evening looks I've featured this week (see here, here, here, and here).

Blouse:  LOFT Petites (Sold out on-line; see here)
Pants:  The Limited (No longer available; see here)

I love the romantic mix of textures on today's look.  I mixed a lace peplum top with a lace clutch, black velvet skinnies, and patent leather heels.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

I would wear this look for a lot of different occasions, but I especially like it for a dinner date.

Clutch:  Jason Wu for Target

Earrings:  The Limited

What would you wear for a romantic date?

Like me on Facebook and upload your favorite romantic evening looks!

For these velvet pants styled differently, see here, here, here, here, and here.

To see this blouse styled differently, click here and here.

Anchors Away

Hope you all had a great day!  Unfortunately, I'm feeling under the weather today, so my pics are a bit limited.
I paired my burgundy velvet pants with a striped tank and anchor cardigan for a fun nautical theme look.

I usually reserve nautical prints and themes for spring and summer, but I loved the mix of colors of this outfit.  The layers and fabrics were enough to keep me warm this chilly day. 

Cardigan:  Torrid (Similar here)
Tank:  Old Navy Petites
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  The Limited (Available here)
Boots:  Payless (old)
Anchor earrings:  Gift (Similar here)

Would you wear an anchor print?  How would you style this cardigan?

Winter Sparkle

It feels weird giving this post the title "Winter Sparkle" as we had a high in the 70s today!  Crazy!

Today's outfit was consistent with the season, if not the weather.

Cardigan:  LOFT (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT (no longer available on-line)

Loving the luxe look of velvet, I paired my burgundy velvet pants with my rhinestone collar cardigan.

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Heels:  Target

The look feels "holiday" - the pants and color palette remind me a bit of Santa's suit.  The white top and rhinestone collar make me think of snow and snowflakes.

Bow earrings (Available in-store at Target)

This outfit would work well for a casual holiday party.  In fact, I may wear something similar to this for Christmas as we don't get very dressed up for holidays in my family.

Bow ring:  The Limited (old)

I do think that the flowy, lightweight top was a poor choice with velvet.  Next time, I would pick a more substantial fabric for a more consistent look.

Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

Do you add more sparkle to your look during the holidays?

November Budget Wrap-Up and December Wish List

Hope you all had a great month!

I'm planning my December shopping list.  This month, I'm looking for some festive holiday pieces.  I am hunting for some cozy sweaters and thinking about getting some colored denim.  My search for a mint green blouse continues.  I also have my eye on this adorable striped bow blouse from LOFT.

The Limited ivory tuxedo blazer

The Limited sequin tee

The Limited Art Deco Fan earrings

Forenza by The Limited sweater

LOFT striped bow blouse

Target skinny jeans

Now for what I did with my November budget:

I received some additional birthday money this month.  I also received a $70 rewards card through the Lucky Rewards program (see here for more discussion of this rewards program and other ways of saving money on fashion).  My budget this month jumped from $150 to $270.  I stayed within budget this month, but obviously, it was a bit of a "cheat" month since I received unexpected bonus money.

I got a couple items off my November Wish List.  I tried all three of the dresses from Target that I had my eyes on; however, none of them had a flattering fit for me.

Here's what I got this month: 

The Limited embellished neck blouse

The Limited Cassidy Fit velvet pants

The Limited dress (no longer available on-line)

The Limited tweed cardigan jacket

LOFT blouse (no longer available on-line)

LOFT ring

Target MaryJane heels

Target leopard print heels

The Limited flat-collar jacket 

LOFT jeweled collar cardigan

  
First Row:  Pants $31, Blouse $28
Second Row: Jacket and Dress $71
Third Row:  Blouse and Ring $31
Fourth Row:  Shoes  $40
Fifth Row:  Cardigan $32, Jacket $37
 Did you get any great finds last month? Planning any gifts for yourself this December?

Velvet Ingenue

Happy Tuesday!!!

Cardigan:  LOFT (Available here)
Pants:  The Limited (Available here)

Today, I wanted a comfortable outfit because I had errands to run after work.  I also wanted a slightly festive look since it was my last day at work before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Tank:  Target
Flats:  Target

I chose my black velvet pants and this pretty embellished cardigan.  I paired the outfit with flats to keep the look more comfortable, which also makes the outfit more casual, in my opinion.  

If I were to wear this outfit to a holiday party, I would add more sparkly jewelry, a pair of heels, and a fun clutch.

Purse:  New York & Company (Similar here)

The ballet flats and faux-Peter Pan collar add sweet touches that give this look a slight ingenue quality.

Bow Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

If you are interested in this cardigan, I would suggest going down a size or two.  I personally found this cardigan to run large.  I went down a size, and I still think it was a bit too big.Hope you all had a great day!!