I do not know how it is possible that I haven't posted this Polyvore outfit here on the blog, because it is one of my only original images that gets consistently repinned on Pinterest. But since it is 42 degrees in Chicago today and I'm heading out to see my friend in a musical tonight, this seems appropriate.

I am a huge fan of glitzy tanks because 1. they are generally inexpensive and 2. they make a big impact with very little effort. Jeans keep the look casual while the blazer (which does not necessarily have to be tweed) adds structure so that you are showing off your best silhouette possible. Of course, don't forget a pop of color in the shoe, especially if you are keeping the rest of color palette fairly neutral. If you want to accessorize, add a sparkly stud earring or a bangle bracelet, but you don't have to. The sparkly tank makes the statement so you can look fab with minimal effort.

When the weather warms up, you can still wear this outfit, either by ditching the blazer completely or by swapping it out for a version in linen or another lightweight fabric. If you decide to skip the blazer altogether, add a bracelet or two, a statement watch, or an oversized clutch in a bold pattern.

Happy Friday!

It's Saturday night and you have plans to meet up with a few friends to see your favorite musician/band play at a local bar. What do you wear?

The outfit to the left is what I call "evening casual." It's a good starting off point when you want to look nice to go out, but the event itself is somewhat casual. Start with a pair of dark denim in your favorite fit. When choosing dark denim for evening, choose a blue with some grey in it. Brighter blues work best for day. 

Next, add a statement piece. A sequin tank is an easy option because you can skip the jewelry and still have some sparkle. Apply a nail polish in the same hue as your top to add a pop to your fingers.

To avoid looking like a disco ball, layer on a tailored blazer. Wear unbuttoned and roll up the cuffs to maintain the relaxed vibe of your outfit. While a cardigan may feel more casual than a blazer, evening is all about great structured pieces that create your optimal silhouette. 

Add a great wedge or ankle bootie and throw on a cross- body bag so that your hands are free to hold your drink and to clap. I chose brown accessories to contrast against the black blazer because mixing dark neutrals creates an unexpected, but still sophisticated palette.

Happy New Year's Eve! This is the final installment of the 12 Days of Holiday Parties outfit series. To see the entire collection of looks, click here. I hope you have enjoyed the daily inspiration. Be sure to leave a comment letting me know which outfit was your favorite!

The outfit:
A purple ombre, silk dress paired with a very glitzy crystal necklace and metallic pumps.

Where to wear it:
To your New Year's Eve celebration! This is the ultimate party outfit and since there are limited occasions to get dressed to the nines, we should take full advantage of the ones we have!

Why it works:
It never hurts to wear sparkly jewelry when you are trying to create a WOW outfit. The design of this dress creates a flattering shape and the ombre effect adds visual interest without using a bold pattern or texture. A party dress is hard to style badly so pull your favorite one out of the back of your closet and celebrate the new year!

Merry Christmas! Need to catch up on the 12 Days of Holiday Parties outfit series? Past posts can be found here. New outfits will be posted daily until New Year's Eve to inspire all of your seasonal party looks!

The outfit:
As I mentioned last December, while I was working in retail I noticed a trend that around Thanksgiving many women would start coming into the store looking for a red, wool skirt suit to wear as a "Christmas suit." However, I think it is a bit boring to wear the same outfit every year on the same holiday and very impractical to buy a new version of it nearly every year. So I paired trousers in a deep plum with a cardigan in a matching deep plum color and added some great holiday sparkle with a glitzy top.

Where to wear it:
From church to dinner, this works for all your official Christmas activities!

Why it works:
The holiday season is all about deep, rich colors and fun sparkle so this outfit combines them. By finding separates that match instead of a traditional suit, you also ensure that you will be the only one rocking your look!