Holiday

I truly enjoy the holiday season--for a plethora of reasons [including celebrating, giving, decorating, baking...], but I also truly revel in the fact that people tend to get sparkly for the holidays. It's like the last couple weeks of the year ignite this sense to shine. 

Baubles, beads, sequins, shimmer.

As a girl with a thing for sparkle, I say these items have their place for every season of the year. 

Don't pack away your "occasion pieces" as you take down your holiday trimmings this year!

Mix It Up Monday: LBD

Ah, the iconic Little Black Dress--an endless source of style, variety, and class.
This dress has been there for winter weddings [Angela!], semi-formal dinners, Christmas parties, etc etc.
As Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor so aptly stated, "When the little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place." 

Back to the heart of this post, I made this dress what it is today.
Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic.
Maybe not.
Anyway, it originally had hot pink details throughout--including pink tulle extending from the bottom of the skirt. I thought it to be too young of a look, and because the dress overall is flattering & timeless, I got rid of that tulle and now have a perfect blank canvas of an LBD.

To avoid playing it too safe, an LBD begs to be paired with bold--audacious, even?--accessories.

So find a Little Black Dress and some major heels. Or jewelry. Or a clutch.

And enjoy!

I have a thing for broaches. They can re-invent just about any item! 

Adding a belt to your narrowest part makes your torso appear tinier, your legs appear longer, and by extension, your overall frame is more flattered! [How's that for some positive alliteration?]

For me, this combination evokes thoughts of winter--the icy blue cardigan, the snowflake necklace, and the crystal buttons all contribute to a cool [but still soft] statement. 

That crystal snowflake necklace is my mom's from childhood!

Fiber for fiber, cashmere is the warmest of all fabrics. It feels luxurious and comforting, but comes at quite a cost. Fortunately, there are also many lower priced options that are a cashmere blend [cashmere + cotton/nylon, for example] that give you the perks without the price.
I've skinny-belted this cardigan so the silhouette of the dress is not lost. 

Two-way necklace

Isn't that fun?

A bit of a retro plaid lends a punch of kooky without being crazy. 

Little black dress with a single strand of pearls.
[What could be more quintessential?] 

A longer strand of pearls keeps the elegance, adds some drama.

Remember, the reason the simple garment is so enduring is because it understands the essence of style: to step back and let the woman shine. So shine.

-Nina Garcia

Celebrity Stylist

Just a little over three years ago [Wow! Could that much time really have passed?!] I met Clinton Kelly [of TLC's What Not To Wear] in Chicago. It was Monday, December 8, 2008. I was a junior in college with finals upon me to finish up the semester and had discovered that Clinton would be making an appearance in the Michigan Avenue Borders to host a discussion and book signing of his [then] newly-released Freakin' Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better Than Everyone Else. 

I had to be there!
I wore a light pink shell, turquoise argyle cardigan, dark wash boot cut jeans, and heels. 

I remember Clinton being witty and charming, his spot-on assessments of current trends, and a few signature snarky remarks. However, by far the highlight of the evening for me was reaching the front of the line to talk to him myself. 

A night I will remember forever: when Clinton Kelly complimented my outfit.

Clinton [amused & pleased]: Did you wear argyle just for me?
Me [ecstatic]: Yes!
Clinton [proud & approving]: Adorable!

There was a bit more to our conversation than that, but that exchange alone was worth walking a mile in cute heels through snow, ice & salt-covered sidewalks, waiting in line for an hour, and neglecting the library to do some much-needed studying for my Greek final [I passed, if you're wondering!]. 

The front of my book, now signed.

Mix It Up Monday: Pinstriped Vest

This pinstriped vest was a Valentine's Day gift from Derek a few years ago. It has served me wonderfully as a "completer piece." When I make an outfit with a few basics, adding a vest creates a finished look. 
Also, I am thrilled to introduce a new addition this week--each outfit is on a mannequin [thanks to Aubrey!] that allows the clothes to be displayed more realistically. 

pinstriped vest [American Eagle]

royal blue wrap dress [Ralph Lauren]
white fitted blazer [Ann Taylor]
opalescent medallion necklace [gift from Mom]

lilac v-neck superfine sweater [Gap]
white lace trimmed cami [Elle]
charcoal grey pencil skirt [H&M]
flower pendant necklace [gift from Vicki]

white collared shirt [Ann Taylor]
dark wash straight jeans [Gap]
mauve pearl & ribbon necklace [Ann Taylor]

light orange v-neck [Old Navy]
khaki A-line skirt [Old Navy]
brown shell trio of bracelets [gift from Mom]

            

light grey v-neck tshirt [Gap]
purple cardigan [Gap]
         black boot cut pants [The Limited]
                          black beaded necklace [gift from Africa from Kyle & Nadine]
                  layered glass charm on necklace [gift from Mom]

Down Time

Here's an outfit that I wore for an entirely casual day of grocery & Christmas shopping, but I still felt put together. I understand that it's not always reasonable to dress UP, but there is a way to dress down and still look polished. To that end, I recommend blending a few different textures/materials with dimensional items [e.g. leather + tweed + cotton + buckles + crystals + pinstripes + beading + buttons + sequins] to achieve a look that says, "I'm casual, but in case of an impromptu lunch date, I won't look like I was just roused from a nap on the couch in my sweats to participate!"


On another note, let me say that I really appreciate a great pair of jeans-- but in a way that allows me to explore other options for pants and come back to jeans with a fresh outlook! Even though I love them, I get bored of my jeans after a while. There are so many options for pants, so I like to have fun with the variety and I always come back to my faithful dark-washed denim with a cleansed style palate. 

cropped leather jacket [American Rag]
coral v-neck [Gap]
navy sequined cami [Old Navy]
striped wide leg trousers [Gap]
pointed toe bronze heels [$7 at WalMart!!]

I still can't get over that it's December and roses are in full bloom, the sun still feels warm, and I almost got too hot in that jacket! Ah, welcome to California!

Enjoying my wonderfully wear-able outfit.

14K gold hearts [gift from Pixlers]
Swarovski crystal french wires [gift from Mom & Dad] 

The jacket picks up the tones in the button detail
from the pants. Coral acts as the pop of color.

A hint of sequins provides subtle sparkle--also
goes perfectly with the multi-colored earrings.

Mix It Up Monday: Black Pencil Skirt

It may seem obvious, but a black pencil skirt will pay dividends in your wardrobe. This version is satin, a material I'm particularly fond of for its sheen and ability to make an outfit "night-out ready." 

Black Satin Pencil Skirt [Ann Taylor]

I wore this to teach one morning during Advent.
 Festive, no?
Strapless black & white plaid top [The Limited]
Ruby cardigan [JJ Basics]
Rhinestone broach [gift from Mom]

Crinkled pink top [NY & Co]
Pearls [Ann Taylor]
Sash tied into a bow [came with the skirt]

Ruffle-front button down [Gap]
Embellished grey cashmere cardigan [Gap]
Crimson purse [Coach]

Color swirled halter [The Limited]
Kiwi cardigan [Ann Taylor]

Berry shell [Ann Taylor]
Patterned cardigan [LOFT]

Lace trimmed cami [Old Navy]
Argyle cardigan [Cherokee]

Teal diamond patterned cami [gift from Derek]
White fitted blazer [Ann Taylor]
Lilac opalescent flat pearls [gift from Mom]

Toffee shimmer/rouched top [gift from Vicki]
I call the necklace my "Jasmine Necklace" [gift from Mom;
I kept stealing borrowing hers, so she bought me my own!]

The necklace contains black and gold,
making it the glue that holds a shimmery
brown-tone top & black skirt together. 

Tailor Made

There are times I try on an item in the store and despite my initial attraction to it on the hanger, I know that alterations would be necessary to make it the best it could be. It is then that I'm faced with a dilemma: 

Do I purchase a fixer-upper?

My answer to this question has been a nearly unfaltering "YES" because my mom is a wonderful seamstress. She has hand-made, personalized,  & customized a good portion of my life's wardrobe. Now that I live some 2,400 miles from her, I have to think a bit more critically when making the call on a potential "project piece." 


The point? Sometimes it's worth it to invest in an item of clothing that can be modified to suit you. You don't always have to accept things as they are off-the-rack. Still, maintain a discerning eye. If you have to entirely restructure your clothes, it won't be worth the headache. Minor adjustments make all the difference! A few examples...

I feel like Jackie O in this coat; it is a
classic, streamlined cut that doesn't
sacrifice elegance for practicality.
However, I went to college in Chicago--
therefore, I knew that wearing this around the
city would be frustrating because the bottom of it
would flap open in the wind.
Enter Mom.

My Mom sewed these invisible buttons to the flap
so that it stays secure while maintaining the original
style of the coat. Genius!
We got those buttons for about $2 at JoAnn's.

I bought this dress with the intent of
wearing it for Valentine's Day. It had
such a deep V neckline that I knew
I'd need a cami to go underneath, but
 it interfered with the design of the
back. My mom not only sewed a black
panel into the front to provide better coverage,
but she hand-stitched a row of pearls
to the top of it in keeping with the detail of the broach!

She also rushed to mail it to me from home so
I would have it in time for Valentine's Day in Chicago.
It arrived Valentine's morning.
Incidentally, I was also wearing this dress the night
I got engaged.

When I first bought this dress,
it had a butterfly hem [see above] that I felt
was a bit much. Mom hemmed it right off,
so it is now flow-y and summer-y but with less volume.

This top came with an attached belt.
When I tried it on, there was a puckering
effect. Mom removed the 6 loops and now
my top lays smoothly [sans belt]!

Thank you for catering to all my requests, mom! I love you!
[PS: When I come home for Christmas, I'll be bringing you a few "projects..." :)]

PPS: My mom also made this dress for my cousin
to wear as my flower girl! It has a sweetheart
neckline to mimic my dress, coral in the exact
shade of my bridesmaids and groomsmen, and
pearls along the bottom edge of coral to give a bit
of weight to the sheer overlay & coordinate with the  jewelry all my girls wore!