Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that you all get to enjoy a day filled with family, friends and food. Thank you for reading this blog and supporting my goal of making style practical and accessible. Without you this would not exist!

Thankfully yours,
Alice



Need last minute help dressing for the holiday?

What to wear to Thanksgiving
What to wear to post-Thanksgiving brunch
Black Friday shopping tips
Stay warm outside

Black Friday is just a few days away and retailers are already promoting their big sales. With large crowds at the mall, it is important to have a plan before heading into the chaos. The fitting room lines will be quite long, so Black Friday is a great day to stock up on basics that you already know will fit you. Actually in my opinion the best strategy is to go to the stores early in the week, try on everything you are interested in and then just order it online to avoid the mall altogether. But to get great deals on items that you won't regret, stick to the things that every closet needs and shop for less practical items on a calm day.

One week until Thanksgiving! For many of us, Thanksgiving involves dressing up, gathering with friends and family, and enjoying copious amounts of food. Fancy clothes are often too constricting to be able to completely enjoy such a large meal, but that doesn't mean that we have to wear sweatpants in order to indulge in a second (or third) slice of pie.

When choosing a Thanksgiving ensemble, look for soft, stretchy fabrics in styles that won't require constant adjustments. I also suggest avoiding items with lots of fasteners; buttons, zippers, and snaps can be irritating when you are sitting for long periods of time. If your family spends lots of time sitting around the table chatting after the meal, buttons on the cuff of your sleeve or bracelets will start to dig in if you rest your wrists on the table. Although I am usually a huge proponent of accessorizing, they can be a little cumbersome during an extended dinner. After all, you don't want the ends of your scarf trailing through the gravy boat! Instead, add visual interest with fun patterns and bright colors. Just stay away from white shirts unless you want cranberry sauce stains to be the statement piece of your look.

The first option for a Thanksgiving outfit is a knit or ponte dress that flares out at the waist. This creates a flattering hourglass figure and since it is not form fitting, you can leave the shapewear at home. A ponte dress is almost as comfortable as yoga pants and way more stylish. Accessorize with a bright shoe and fun piece of jewelry or a scarf. A skinny belt around the waist is always a great addition, but be prepared to let it out a notch after dinner.

A bright ponte pencil skirt is another comfortable way to add holiday cheer to your look. Pair with a lightweight merino wool sweater and a pair of textured tights. I love a great pattern like dots or chevron. I love a bright color in the skirt because the rest of your outfit can be neutral. If you feel more comfortable in a black or grey skirt, then add your pop of color in the sweater. Add a simple necklace and a great pair of shoes to finish off your look.

If you don't want to wear a sweater or other form fitting top, look for a silky tunic with a great design.   Either tuck it into a pencil skirt or leave it untucked over a pair of slim fitting pants. Add a cardigan to cover your arms for warmth.

Although bright reds, emerald greens, and rich purples are great holiday colors, don't feel limited to them. Choose a color that you love even if it isn't a traditional choice for the season, such as teal.

If you decide to wear pants on Thanksgiving, my main piece of advice is to look for a pair that is side-zip since that will minimize zipper discomfort after eating a large meal. I love an ankle pant paired back to a cozy sweater and a fun pair of heels. A subtle pattern is also a great way to add pizzazz to the your holiday outfit.

To add structure to your look, add a blazer or jacket instead of a cardigan. Leave it open to show off the layers underneath and to frame a fun pendant necklace.

The best part of Thanksgiving is being able to spend the day with friends and family so it is important that what you wear provides all day comfort. Skip the starched shirts and add some stretch to your holiday wear. You'll be comfortable for all the activities the day has to offer, from watching the Thanksgiving Day parade and football game on television to the last bite of pie.

What are you planning to wear to your Thanksgiving dinner and festivities? Share your holiday inspiration in the comments!

Just a few weeks ago, a friend joked that only the technologically un-savvy still wear watches. When I pushed up my sleeve to show off the watch I wear everyday, I was met with astonishment. Then the inevitable question: "Why don't you just use your phone to tell the time?"

1. People are less offended when you glance at your watch than when you pull out your phone. Even if you're only checking the time, the phone can feel like a barrier to conversation. The other person can't see your screen so for all they know, you are reading a quick email or surfing the web. Plus, with the movement to ban smartphones from social occasions such as weddings and dinners out, you don't want to be left wondering if it's 8pm or 1am.

2. A watch is one of the most practical accessories. It can double as a bracelet without making you feel overdressed. Since I wear a watch everyday, I rarely wear bracelets because I am already rocking a statement piece on my wrist. My watches are among my most complimented accessories.

3. You get to show off a piece of your personality. A watch says a lot about your style. Are you classic, sporty or trendy? The options are almost endless.

I got my first watch in elementary school, a Timex with a very thin, black leather band. A few years later when my classmates were wearing the oversized Baby G watches in bright colors, I still gravitated towards narrow bands and classic, clean lines. That first watch had a huge impact on my style for almost twenty years! So when I was given the opportunity to review a watch for Timex, I decided to try out something new.

This is the Timex Dress Chronograph in gold. I love that this design is classic and can be worn for many seasons, but that it also embraces the current trend of larger, more masculine watches for women.

After wearing small watches for so many years, I was a little worried that a larger watch would be cumbersome. Instead, I was surprised by how light it felt on my wrist. Although I normally wear silver jewelry, I love that the gold tone can really warm up an outfit. And the best part of a great watch is that it works with all of your outfits, from casual to work to dress! You might finding yourself cuffing or scrunching up your sleeves just to show off your timepiece!

For me, one of the most important factors in choosing a watch is that it will stand up to everyday life. My past experience with Timex watches has been very favorable in that regard. Their motto is "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking®" and that is what makes their product not just stylish, but practically stylish. Features like an Indiglo light and the date on the watch face also help make this fashion statement more than just a pretty face.

What is your wristwatch style? Let me know in the comments. And if you don't have a watch you love yet, check out some favorites from Timex.