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style resolutions for 2015

12/31/2014

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The holidays are almost over and now is the time to ponder resolutions for the new year. Since I have spent the better part of December wrangling my closet into some semblance of order, it seems like a good idea to make resolutions regarding my ever-expanding collection of clothes.
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I resolve to wear the clothes I already own. This means that before I buy new pieces, I need to shop in my own closet. I know I have lots of great things stuck in the back corners so making that my first stop will hopefully help with my current space shortage. 

On a related note, I resolve to think outside the box to wear the pieces I own in new and interesting ways. Pinterest has made it so easy to find outfit inspiration and I am always happier when I choose a look that feels fresh and unexpected.

I resolve to only buy (and keep) shoes that meet a high standard of comfort. My feet do not need to suffer for fashion. If I follow this resolution, it will also help me buy fewer pieces because cute and comfortable shoes at a reasonable price require a bit of luck and patience.

I resolve to find the fun in fashion. There will always be times that clothes fit my body differently or that I feel like I have nothing to wear. But what we wear can also make us feel fantastic and I want to focus on and embrace those positive feelings.
I resolve to institute a "cooling off" period before buying new pieces. I'm not including a set amount of time, but rather a commitment to stop, step back, and reassess before making new purchases. This could be as simple as putting items on hold at a store while I go eat lunch or saving the items in my online shopping cart until I've had a night or two to sleep on it. If I don't still love it once I've had a little bit of space, then I really don't need to add it to my closet. 

Do you have style resolutions? Share them in the comments and be sure to send all your fashion questions to me so that you can start the New Year on a stylish foot! See you all in 2015!
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guide to elegance: coats

12/17/2014

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I can't believe that it has been almost two months since I last wrote a Guide To Elegance post! In the new year I will try to get this series back onto a weekly (or more realistically, a bi-weekly) schedule since there are some great chapters ahead. For those of you who may be new to the blog, these posts review chapters from Genevieve Antoine Dariaux's book, A Guide to Elegance, to determine if the old fashion rules still apply. The full introduction to this series of posts can be found here and previous posts can be read here. This week's topic is coats:
"The smartest coats are also the simplest ones, whose elegance resides principally in the quality of the material, in the colour, and in the refinement of their basic lines." (pgs. 22-23)
A well-designed coat is worth the extra time and money because it will last you several seasons and you will actually want to wear it for that length of time. However, this does not mean that you have to choose a bland style. For classic silhouettes in modern prints and fun colors, I am currently obsessed with Boden, but a trip to your local department store will also give you a variety of options.

Madame Dariaux suggests that there are four styles of coats that every woman needs to have in her wardrobe: a warm winter coat, a mid-weight wool coat, a raincoat, and a silk coat for evening. The only one of these that I think many women would find themselves lacking is the silk coat. In my opinion, more important than the fabric is the overall style of your evening coat. I had a black and gold jacquard evening coat that I wore for many years and absolutely adored. The best part of it was that it matched the formality of even my fanciest dresses so I never felt like my outerwear was ruining my overall look.
"[I]t is the bright coats which add a note of gaiety to a city scene and bring a flush of pleasure to your face when you catch a glimpse of your reflection as you pass in front of a shop window." (pg. 24)
It is rare that I so whole-heartedly agree with Madame Dariaux, but a great color (or pattern) really can improve your mood. For wool coats I tend to choose a solid color, but my raincoats nearly always sport a bold pattern. The one exception to a brightly colored coat is when you are choosing a puffy, down coat. I used to have a bright coral down coat for winter but the bold color combined with the extreme puff of the coat made me look significantly larger than I am so when it was time for a change, I opted for boring black. But even if you choose a neutral color, you should still add on cheery winter accessories.
"I wish we never had to take them off." (pg. 24)
This should be your reaction to any new coat purchase. After all, coats are a more costly investment than many other pieces in your closet, so it should be practical and you should love it. What appeals to you in a coat may be something small, like a contrast lining in a fun color or pattern, detailed buttons, or even just a silhouette that makes you feel like a million bucks. 

Do your favorite coats fit in with Madame Dariaux's rules? Let me know in the comments!


Dariaux, Genevieve Antoine. A Guide to Elegance. New York: William Morrow, 2003. Print.
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link roundup: holiday party outfits

12/15/2014

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It's ten days until Christmas and holiday party season is in full swing! That means that you need an arsenal of killer outfits in your wardrobe. Check out the links below for inspiration so that this year you love all your holiday looks!

Before you run out to the mall to pick up an ensemble, read about the essential pieces you need so you can look festive without buying a ton of new clothes: http://bit.ly/1DLR6XV

If you aren't in the mood to look glitzy this season, here are some ideas for outfits that skip the sequins: http://bit.ly/1Gyq5LY

Be prepared for any dress code or event with inspiration from the 12 Days of Holiday Parties series: http://bit.ly/1kKi7nP

After you perfect your outfit, don't forget to pick up an equally perfect hostess gift: http://bit.ly/1ylLLDG
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3 ways to look stylish while staying warm

12/8/2014

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The current season requires us to be bundled up in warm coats and cozy accessories, but until we get another polar vortex or a foot of snow on the ground, your winter attire can, and should, still look stylish. These three items will improve your look without sacrificing warmth or comfort:
1. Great Pair of Ankle Boots
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Pikolinos Brighton Boot $205
Snow boots are great for the snow, but the rest of the time a leather ankle boot will be your best friend. They look equally great with pants, skirts, and dresses and come in colors and patterns that are sure to brighten up even the dreariest December days. This is the perfect footwear option to complement your holiday social calendar because it will keep your feet protected from the elements (unlike pumps or ballet flats) and garner you tons of compliments!
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Boden Chic Ankle Boot $178
2. Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves
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J. Crew Tech Gloves $98
Leather gloves add a polished touch to any outfit and with a cashmere lining you will never want to take them off. While there are plenty of leather gloves available in black or brown, I prefer a bolder color to add a pop to your outfit especially if your winter coat is a dark, neutral color. The nice thing about your outerwear accessories is that they don't have to coordinate with every outfit that you own; they only have to look good with your visible clothing. So as long as your coat, hat, scarf, and gloves look good together, you will look great. If you aren't feeling very color confident this season, choose grey instead of black. Both styles featured here are available in grey.
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Lands' End Leather Gloves $69
3. Patterned Scarf
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Boden Skye Scarf $58
Of all your outerwear pieces, your scarf is the most likely item to end up in photographs. With a prime location next to your face, it will be visible while ice skating, caroling, or just taking a stroll through the snow. Choose a color that you love with a bit of pattern. Remember that your coat will cover up most of the scarf so you can go with a bold choice without overwhelming your look. I prefer an oversized scarf so that if I get caught outside without a hat, I can wrap it around my head and keep my ears from freezing off. This is especially helpful when going to holiday parties where it can be easy to lose track of your cold weather accessories.
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Banana Republic Diamond Knit Scarf $79.50
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under $20 holiday gift guide + how to personalize a generic gift

12/5/2014

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Holiday gift shopping is in full swing and chances are that you have people on your list that you are not looking forward to shopping for. Not because you don't like them, but because you have absolutely no clue what to get them and every idea seems way too generic. Well, have no fear. Today I will be suggesting gift ideas for under $20 along with ways to make a generic gift feel more personal. (Spoiler alert: it is all about what you write on the gift tag.) So whether you need a gift for a niece you haven't see in a couple years,  your new daughter-in-law who lives halfway across the country, or the coworker you've barely spoken to but managed to get in the Secret Santa drawing, I will help you look like a gift-giving pro.

The first thing on the agenda is to adjust your expectations by reminding yourself that the gift doesn't have to be perfect. You want to get them something that they will actually enjoy, but if you don't know much about them, that can be a tall order. So instead ask yourself the following two questions: 

1. Is this something they won't mind getting? 
2. Is there some way to connect this item back to something they like?

Obviously you would like the answer to both questions to be yes. The second question may seem difficult to answer, but with the hints that follow in this post you will be connect pretty much any generic gift back to what little you know about the person. With only a little bit of effort, you will be able to make a generic gift seem thoughtful.
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LAQA & Co. Lil' Lip Duo $16
The first item on this year's gift guide is the LAQA & Co. Lil' Lip Duo gift set. I have it in the Bossy Boots & Ring of Fire color option, but I think either would work equally well. While nailpolish and fancy bath products are often used for generic gifts, few people give makeup. This may be because it can seem like a very personal preference, but I think a fun lip color can be appreciated by a wide range of women. The key is in how you frame the gift and that is where your note on the gift tag comes in. Try to tie the lipstick to a fun event that you know the recipient has planned. For a co-worker that has been talking about her New Year's Eve plans, you can write, "Hope this helps you feel extra glamorous during the holiday season! Can't wait to see photos of your New Year's Eve outfit!" 
With a couple sentences on the gift tag, you have transformed a generic gift into something that feels relevant to the person. It also helps to alleviate any confusion of why you gave someone the gift. If you don't know someone well, they may read a different meaning into the gift than you had intended. Writing more than just names on the gift tag will make it clear why you chose that item and help to prevent any hurt feelings.
Gift sets are popular around the holidays and what could be easier than a tea or coffee basket? I like this one from Stash Tea because all you need to do is add water. It's great for college students or coworkers because they can use it in their dorm room or cubicle without any extra effort. Personally I love tea and I also love collecting mugs more than the average person, so I would be pretty thrilled to receive this set even without a personalized note attached. However, since not everyone shares my enthusiasm, it may seem a little generic. The first thing is to ensure that the recipient actually likes tea (or coffee or whatever food and beverage related gift set you decide to go with). Once that has been ascertained, try to connect it to a specific event in that person's life. If your neighbor is hosting a lot of family during the holidays, your note might read, "Open this when you need a break from entertaining this season." For your child's teacher you might write, "To help you stay warm and relaxed on a snowy day." 
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Stash Tea Fiesta Gift Pack $16.95
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At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson (paperback) $15.95
Books can be difficult to buy for people you don't know very well, so I wavered on whether or not to include this. What finally swayed me is that recently I have found that there are lots of people who have not heard of this absolutely amazing book. This is the perfect winter book because you are spending a lot of time indoors and this book is all about the interesting things that make our homes the way they are. There are stories about historical figures, inventions (both lauded and not), and events that all have affected how our homes look and how we live in them. It may seem like this book is only a good option for your friend who is super competitive at trivia night, but I think this fascinating read should be on everyone's bookshelf. 

If you are looking for a gift for someone who recently bought a house (or even just moved into a new apartment), you can add a gift tag to this book that says, "Enjoy your new home! Hopefully this book will help you look at it from a new perspective." For a more all-purpose sentiment, this can be used: "What better time to read a book about homes than when the cold weather keeps you stuck inside? Hope this helps to keep your cabin fever at bay." Of the gift ideas in this post, At Home is the best option if you are participating in a blind gift swap. It is relevant to most everyone so you don't have to take personal tastes into account.
Journals are often a go-to gift and Paperblanks makes ones that are absolutely gorgeous. Since this gift can be very generic, it is best when you can connect it back to one of the recipient's interests. Many hobbies require some amount of writing or note taking, so this can be a way to show that you've been paying attention to them without struggling to find something that is actually related to their interests. 

For example, the gift tag for an aspiring writer might read, "Even the rough draft of your novel should have a beautiful cover." If your friend loves to cook and is always dreaming up new creations, you could say, "For all the recipes you love and the ones that you haven't yet created." Perhaps your coworker is planning a fabulous trip so you can frame this as a travel log: "I hope you'll keep track of your fun adventures in Europe so that you can tell me all about them when you get home!" By giving the journal a purpose, it feels personalized instead of just blank pages and a pretty cover.
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Paperblanks Journal $19.95
While my focus here has been to personalize gifts, it is also handy to have a couple generic items on hand for when you unexpectedly need a gift. Pre-wrap all the gifts, add a blank gift tag, and use a sticky note to label each item. Then if someone drops by with a gift, all you have to do is write their name on the gift tag and you'll be able to reciprocate. It won't be as personalized, but at least you won't be empty-handed.
I'm sure that some of you are still fretting about whether these gifts (even with thoughtfully written gift tags) are too generic. To make you feel a little better about this, I want to tell you a quick story about how gifts that are too specific can go wrong. I was at a holiday party that included a blind gift swap and the general premise of these is that all the wrapped gifts go in the center and everyone can pick a gift (and often this includes a period where gifts can be "stolen" and switched among the attendees). Most of the gifts were baskets of bath products or small jewelry, but there was one very large present. That present turned out to be a case of Fresca soda. It was brought with a specific recipient in mind, but due to the rules of the swap, that person did not end up with it (and there was a little bit of bitterness on the part of the person who did end up with it). So if you aren't sure that a unique gift will be a hit or you can't guarantee who will actually receive the gift, I think that it is better to go generic.

What are your favorite gifts to give people you don't know very well? Share your thoughts in comments!
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