Everyday should be a spiffy day!
We’ve got a tiny tot making our Christmas merry and bright this year!
I’m going to take some time off from the blog to enjoy the season with those guys and all the other cousins that were born into our family this year!
You all have the merriest Christmas and the happiest New Year.
:)
The reason for the sporadic posting this week, is due to the fact that I’ve still got a Christmas gift list with items that haven’t been crossed out. It seems every time I go out to shop, the entire town decides to accompany me and getting any where is slowed to a crawl.
Last night, I missed buying three gifts by a matter of seconds as the couple who made it to the product table before I did grabbed the last of what I needed. Oh well.
There’s no good reason to get upset about it, everything will get done. And sitting in traffic just allows me to enjoy the Christmas lights and songs on the radio longer. Since I didn’t shop as long as planned last night, I did come home and wrap what I do have done. Never in the history of ever has their been wrapped presents under my tree before Christmas Eve, so I’m enjoying the juice out of that!
If you’ve still got shopping to do, if you have someone on your list you still don’t have ideas for (raises hand – I’ve got one of those), or if you’re done and already wondering how to spend those impending gift cards, take a look at the gifts I’ve scoured West Town Mall for…
Formula X Nail Kit from Sephora
Williams Sonoma Kitchen Essentials Kit
The Art of Shaving Peppermint Shaving Cream
I’ve already got a New Year’s Resolution on the docket…wear these pants more often.
My thinking up until about 30 minutes ago has been that because they sparkle they should be reserved for December. But really, these pants could elevate so many outfits throughout the year and are a great alternative to a skirt or LBD. Honestly, I could pair these with a gray t-shirt in the summer and I’d have myself a playfully fancy night out ootd.
Done.
Meanwhile, here is one more way to style this bejeweled sweater. (See ways one and two here and here).
Once again, a sweater like this means you don’t have to buy/wear accessories. Just a great bracelet, some studs and you are out the door. If you plan on wearing your hair down, make sure one side is brushed back so people can fully appreciate the jeweled detailing. A half up style like this one would be perfect.
When your entire pants sparkle, you really don’t need much else. Easy breezy.
I hope this series has helped inspire you to style something you own multiple ways! I plan on doing this more often on the blog, as creating multiple outfits from one piece is smack dab in the center of my alley ;)
Merry Christmas!
I’m a firm believer in the old adage, “Dress for the job you want.” Sure, it might be more comfortable to wear jeans and a sweatshirt to the office, but staying comfortable doesn’t elevate you and your career. Staying comfortable means staying in the same place, and I want to go higher! *Fist in the air
That whole diatribe popped in my head because today I’m showing you how to style this sweater for a “Business Casual” party. This dress code calls for something you’d be comfortable wearing to the office.
The office I work in is pretty relaxed. In fact, if I were to wear this outfit people would wonder what spiffy event I was going to. Our clients are scattered all over the country, so we don’t “entertain” them in the office. This translates to a wide range of office attire – everything from sweatshirts to button downs.
I will admit there are days when I’m very thankful I can wear jeans or go in a little more relaxed, but for the most part I like to dress up. It elevates your thinking, how you carry yourself and how you are perceived.
When going to a party, I always err on the side of fancy. (Unless it’s at someone’s house, then my top priority is to be able to move around in the outfit without looking uncomfortable since I’ll be getting up and down from the couch, squeezing past people for the bathroom, etc). I like going a little fancier though, because even if you show up as the dressiest person there, it just looks like you’ve either come from or are going to another event. Fancy pants.
I fancied up this sweater by adding this great black, white and gray knit skirt from The Limited, and booties I practically stole at Ross for $20.
If you want to instantly elevate an outfit, carry a clutch. This great big silver clutch is from Express. I love this one because it fits all my stuff.
See how to style this outfit for a dressy casual party here, then check in on Friday to see it styled for a “festive” dress code!
Sometimes I wish we lived in the Lucille Ball days.
Those days the men sported suits and hats more commonly. And the women got dolled up in dresses with swirly skirts, putting on dainty gloves and hats before walking out the door.
Gosh it would be so glamorous. But realistically, it would be a nightmare.
Dry cleaning would be a constant thing with the suits and the dresses and then the suits again. We’d be running around in heels all the time. We’d miss pants.
My biggest nightmare? The fact that it would be harder to get multiple uses out of the dresses. In this day and age I can buy a sweater and wear it with so many outfits, but a dress! Unless you do this…you can only wear it the one way.
Let’s be thankful we live in a more casual society and talk about this sweater and how it can work at your every holiday party…
The beautiful thing about this sweater from The Loft is the fact that it’s already bejeweled at the top, so if you don’t have time to accessorize you’re not going to look blank.
Dressy Casual is a fun way to go (although I imagine I’ll say that about all of them by the end of the week). With this dress code you get to balance your dressier pieces with more casual things, which usually translates to looking good and being comfortable. (And all the women said Hallelujah).
I layered the sweater with a long white tee to bring the fancier sweater down a notch and let it more smoothly transition to the boyfriend jeans. Then I balanced the jeans and the white layer with some nice black heels and added a touch of red with a bold lip.
No dry cleaning in the future, just enjoying the evening in pants ;)
Check back in the rest of the week to see what else I pair the sweater with!
