Top Ten: Holiday Party Dresses

With Christmas less than three weeks away (yeah, less than three weeks away), I'm sure most of us have at least one (probably more like two or three) Christmas parties to attend. I find a Christmas or Holiday party a great excuse to go dress shopping, don't you? Below are 10 dresses I would be happy to wear to any upcoming party. Some could even be carried over to your NYE Party. 

01. Peplum Dot Jacquard Dress (Ann Taylor $248)

02. Colorblocked Jacquard Sleeveless Dress (LOFT $89.50)

03. V-Neck Ponte Dress with Faux Leather (Mossimo $27.99)

04. L'Wren Scott Collection Sweetheart Dress (BR $140)

05. L'Wren Scott Collection Jacquard Shift Dress (BR $140)

06. Multi Sequin Dress (Karen Kane $74.50 - on sale!)

07. Piped Corset Dress (BR $130)

08. Lace Sheath Dress (Banana Republic $165)

09. Eclat Dress (Anthropologie $228)

10. Crochet Front Body-Conscious Dress (ASOS $41.72)

Steep and Cheap: Trimmed Blazer

I was simultaneous browsing J Crew Factory Outlet and Old Navy when I cam across two different blazers that looked {almost - pretty dang close} identical, but one was over $100 more! I couldn't believe it and had to share. 

STEEP

Factory Wool Herringbone Professor Blazer

$178

CHEAP:

Old Navy Jersey Fleece Blazer 

$35

Sponsor Spotlight: Modcloth

Modcloth is the perfect place for all of your retro and vintage inspired needs! It's also perfect for all of the neon and neutral needs I have been craving recently. I don't know what it is, but this trend of neon and neutral has me obsessed. So here are a few of my favorite pieces to meet those needs!

Neutral Shift Dress, Guest Roomy Bag, Kickball Wizard Top, Sherbet Punch Sandal

Squeak Heel, Tidal Crave Necklace, Just Bright Skirt in Sunray

Daily Threads: Breaking Rules

{Gap Colorblock Tee, similar cardigan, similar skinny jeans, UO Suede Pump}

I recently heard Tim Gunn say under no circumstance should anyone ever wear cropped pants. He went on to explain that no matter what you look like (short or long legs) they will always make your legs look short and cut you off. If there's one person throwing out rules related to fashion that I'm going to listen to, it's going to be Tim Gunn. Stacy and Clinton are good, great really, but some of their rules, I just can't abide. Tim - he's the real deal. What he says goes. 


Obviously I didn't listen to him today. Comfort beats all fashion rules. It was hot, so I cuffed my skinny jeans - I cuffed them to the point of looking cropped. And now, looking at the pictures, Tim was right. My sometimes awkwardly long legs look short and cut off. I don't like it. Next time I'm hot, my ankles will just have to suffer. End of story. 


I've recorded my tutorial, so hopefully it should be up soon!

Now That I Can Shop!

{via}

So I ultimately failed at posting my first look following the 30 for 30 challenge... my bad. I do have a good reason - I've been busy out and about doing Christmas shopping. Also it's extremely windy today and if you've read my blog for the past month you know my tripod and the wind do not get along.

In keeping with the 30 for 30 challenge theme, and since I can now shop to my heart's content, I thought I would share the ongoing shopping list I kept during this challenge. I found myself visiting several new blogs throughout these past 30 or so days and I came across several pieces I saw on others that I thought I could use and could definitely remix within my wardrobe.

Here they are:

A black/white or blue/white gingham button up

A pair of black and/or cognac oxford booties

A black and/or cognac leather jacket

Black, polka-dotted tights

Mustard colored cardigan/mustard colored anything

Kelly green cardigan

Black/white or blue/white small-striped shirt

Leopard pint skinny waist belt.

Over-the-knee socks


edit: totally forgot: A BLAZER (or two)
I really need and want a blazer

Obviously I'm not going out to purchase all these things at once. My budget and I are incapable of doing that. This is an ongoing list. A list that will continually receive cross-throughs and new additions (only key items, of course).

What was your first purchase after the challenge? What pieces have you realized you need in your closet?

30 for 30: Comfy and Cozy

I ventured outside of our little community today to snap pictures of my outfit. I was on the top of a hill, which felt isolated, until I looked down at the round-about to see cars going noticeably slow. I turned back to the camera and continued striking a pose. It's day four and I think I'm over the watchers. That's exciting, people!

An outfit like this is most definitely a favorite of mine. It's comfortable, layered, and colorful without being too much. It also involves boots, leggings, and a loose top - definite staples for this girl. Since I have things to do around the house today - you know, fun stuff like washing clothes, folding clothes, loading the dishwasher, running the dishwasher, unloading the dishwasher, loading the dishwasher again, cleaning our bathroom, fun stuff like that - this works. If I wear this with a different scarf, belt, and boots does that count as a repeat? (:

Tunic: NY&Co.

Tights: NY&Co.

Socks: We Love Color

Boots: Steve Madden

Pashmina: gifted

Belt: Old Navy

Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson

30for30: Three on Three

 

  

I'm kind of in love with the combination of these three colors. The purple adds color, but doesn't make the outfit too bright. Kind of gloomy and perfect for fall, in my opinion. I don't have much to do today, but I am going to make a trip to Target and Publix and I am willing to bet I will get some looks. Many fashion bloggers will understand this: small towns aren't always as accepting of fashion and they let you know by staring. I just smile back.

EDIT// Just got home from Target and Publix and wanted to confirm the weird looks and stares. 

On to a completely different subject, the weather here in central AL is lame. High 70's until Saturday. I picked my 30 with layering and warmth in mind. The tights today were completely unnecessary, but I like them with this outfit. So dear weather, you can't beat me. I will wear whatever I want.

Top: Banana Republic
Skirt: NY&Co.
Tights: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden

  

  

Maybe you noticed, but probably not. This skirt was not part of my original 30. After some thinking and evaluating, I decided my 30 could use another skirt - as I only had one. So I made a swap: this skirt for my black NY&Co. Stirrup pants. My logic for swapping was that I haven't worn them yet. That's ok, right? I think I can do without them. We will see...

30for30: Two on Tuesday

When I first started editing these pictures I hated most of them. As I continued editing, I started loving them all. I've posted a lot of pictures today. Sorry. However, I originally had 15 picture on here. Yeah, I know, excessive. I even think six is pushing it. Oops. Sorry. (in Gilly's voice - SNL?)

I love this ensemble. It's simple, but it's interesting. The lady who lives above us was outside smoking a cig when I started snapping photos. It was awkward for both of us.

Dress: BB Dakota via TJ Maxx

Belt: Banana Republic

Scarf: was mom's

Shoes: Vera Wang via Kohls

 

30for30: In the Beginning

This is number one, y'all. Ever since I gather and finalized my 30 item this outfit has been on my mind. I would say it falls under the category of "chicly casual" and to be honest, that's my favorite type of attire. I really love this outfit and it's actually the first time I've ever worn these pants. Looks like they have a promising future in my wardrobe. Their only downfall is that the second I move around in them, they become one size too big. Yeah, they are those kind of pants. 

{Pants: TJ Maxx, Top: Target, Cardigan: Target, Necklace: boutique in Pawleys Island, SC, Shoes: Sperry}

One outfit down, 29 more to go.

Cool Weather Staples

Just when Fall starts rolling around and the weather is verging on cool, I like to sport the shorts and long sleeve look. This look definitely falls into my favorites category. Something about pairing shorts with long sleeves is nautical and fresh, and straight out of a Spring LL Bean ad - I love it.

We were in Gap over the weekend and they were having a sale on striped and solid colored SuperSoft Long Sleeve T-shirts. I picked up four - two solids and two stripes (I never ever follow that shopping rule that states, don't buy several colors of the same piece. my rule is, if it works, it works, so stock up.). They are perfect. And don't let the "t-shirt" label through you off - they are exceptionally thick and warm. So you can be sure that I will be wearing my shorts/long sleeve look until I need some warmth around my chicken legs.

These shirts are also a great buy not only because they were on sale, but because of their versatility. They can be paired with skinny jeans, a blazer, and boots; they can be dressed up with a colorful scarf, ,chunky necklace, or long pendant necklace; and they can be tucked into a skirt for an even dressier look.

It's always a good idea to invest in basics.