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2014 halloween costume guide: repurposing a bridesmaid dress

10/16/2014

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Zombie makeup tutorials via Beautylish

DIY sash via Something Turquoise
Tiara via Charming Charlie
Fake roses via Michael's in red or white

DIY fairy wings via A Little of This, A Little of That
DIY fairy wand via Love, Play, Learn or The Craft Train
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evening wear separates for fall

10/14/2014

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Fall fashion is the time to embrace rich colors and luxurious textures. Although it may be tempting to wear only dark neutrals, especially in the evening, there are many stylish ways to make your look a little more interesting. This color palette of black, grey, silver, and deep red is sophisticated and the sequins on the sweater add a hint of fun.

A dress may seem like the obvious choice for an evening out, but I often prefer wearing a skirt. You can switch up the look by choosing tops in different colors. In this outfit I paired black with the floral skirt, but it would look equally great with silver, deep red, or blush pink.

During the summer I suggest wearing silk tops with skirts for evening, but in the cooler months a sweater is a great option both for its warmth and for the texture it adds to the ensemble. Even a skirt you buy for cooler weather may be able to transition to spring or early summer with the right accessories and a top in a seasonal fabric. Don't forget to add nail polish in a coordinating color!
floral & sequin evening wear

floral & sequin evening wear by practicallystylishblog featuring a heart pump
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loving leopard and lace (in moderation)

10/12/2014

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What is it about the cool weather that makes everyone run for animal prints and lace? There are leopard pants and sweaters, lace skirts and dresses, and sometimes they are even mixed together! However, these trends seem to have cooled slightly since last fall, probably just in time for you to have finally acclimated to them. But don't worry--you can still embrace the trends without turning your cool weather wardrobe into a collection of leopard and lace statement pieces. Use these tips to make practical choices that will keep you looking stylish:

1. Accessories add a big statement for a low price. Look for an animal print skinny belt or a scarf with lace detailing. These can be mixed with classic pieces for a seasonal update or mixed with flashy costume jewelry to create a trendy night-out look. 

2. The pieces don't have to be entirely lace or leopard. If you head to the mall, chances are you will be able to find t-shirts with lace detailing on the shoulders or a lace yoke. The formality of the lace is tempered by the casual fabric and style of the tee which makes it a more wearable item. 

3. A leopard print sweater is surprisingly versatile because it can be worn with a skirt and heels for work as well as with jeans and boots for the weekend. Look for one in a limited color palette so that it can be office appropriate. I am partial to a white and black snow leopard print.

4. Lace dresses are always popular, but a lace pencil skirt is often underrated. They can be dressed up with a silk blouse or dressed down with a striped tee. If you only want one lace piece in your wardrobe, this one will give you more bang for your buck.

How do you incorporate lace and animal prints into your fall wardrobe? Share your favorite pieces & outfits in the comments!
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guide to elegance: budget

10/9/2014

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It's time for another date with Genevieve Antoine Dariaux! This is part of a weekly series where I review the fashion advice from her book, A Guide To Elegance. Previous posts can be found here and for the complete description of this series, check out the intro post here. Today we will be discussing budget. 
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Although some of the sections in this book are rather outdated, I love the ideas in this one (even though not all the specifics translate to the year 2014). Long time readers of this blog will find many of the points she makes familiar. The first one I tried to drive home just a couple days ago in my post regarding the importance of a well-rounded wardrobe:
"But you must take the time and trouble to shop around for the ideal accessory and the perfect dress in a number of different stores and not be satisfied to dash out one Saturday afternoon at the height of the rush hour to buy the first article you lay your hands on." (pg. 18)
The best way to create a stylish wardrobe on a budget is with patience. It takes time to find pieces that you need and also like at prices that won't break the bank. Madame Dariaux outlines the basics one needs for each season and suggests using accessories to add new life to old pieces. Her shopping list is not practical for most people reading this blog (how many of us would actually wear a light wool suit on a regular basis in the summertime?), but the principle is sound. If you are looking for what pieces you should invest in, check out my post about how 10 basic pieces in your wardrobe can create 26 outfits. 
"No woman has ever lacked elegance because of an excess of simplicity but always because of an accumulation of elaborate details or of ensembles that are badly co-ordinated or ill-adapted to the hour and the occasion." (pgs. 18-19)
A budget conscious wardrobe doesn't mean that you should only buy inexpensive pieces. A bargain is determined both by price and by usage. Classic styles that fit well are going to cost more, but they will also last many seasons and are a good foundation to build off of. To look seasonal or trendy, you will only need to add a few inexpensive items into the mix.


Dariaux, Genevieve Antoine. A Guide to Elegance. New York: William Morrow, 2003. Print.
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bread & flowers is moving!

10/7/2014

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I have decided to move my lifestyle blog, bread & flowers, onto the same site with practically stylish. In the upcoming months practically stylish will be moving to its new address at www.practicallystyli.sh and I would like both blogs to be hosted there. All of the past bread & flowers posts are now available at www.practicallystylish.weebly.com/bread-and-flowers and that will be the exclusive home for new posts (until the move to practicallystyli.sh). I apologize for the disruption, however my hope is that by doing this transition while bread & flowers is still relatively new, I will be able to minimize any confusion.

Thank you for all your support!
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