The holidays are officially here and with all of the social gatherings coming up, outfit preparation is a must! That being said, sometimes the focus is so much on the ensemble, accessories can be forgotten. Not to worry, I’ve rounded up a few festive bags that will help take any look to the next level and add that extra bit of sparkle you may be missing. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and until next time!
As much as I love the holiday season, I find that sometimes the more lowkey celebrations end up being the best and most memorable. For instance, living in a major city, I find that there is so much hype that comes with preparing for Christmas and New Years that sometimes it can just be an overpriced, under-whelming experience. That being said, I decided to scale things back and style a look perfectly fit for a house party or any type of otherwise “mild” festivities. This year in particular, turtlenecks have really become a staple in my wardrobe so I couldn’t head into 2019 without showcasing this neon green number. I’ve honestly been sitting on this piece for a while as I wasn’t sure if it was too trendy, or if I could pull it off without looking like I was trying too hard. Per usual, I just followed my gut and created a look that I felt comfortable and confident in (which is all that really matters). I recently went to a sample sale and I don’t know about you guys, but for me, those can be some of the most overwhelming environments imaginable. Though I love finding a good deal, the time and effort it takes to sift through the racks while racing to find the “best” pieces before someone else can come and snatch them from your hands, really adds a pressure that I could live without. All in all I survived, and ended up leaving with a chic pair of high-waisted kick flare jeans featuring a 6 button closure and contrast white stitching. Because I wasn’t working with the traditional holiday colors, I wanted to add a bit of sparkle to really bring out that festive undertone. Another trend I’ve been experimenting with a lot more this season is socks paired with heels. I really find this to be such a cute and subtle accent that can easily bring interest to a look that is simple or plain. Funny enough, I didn’t even realize that the socks I decided to wear coordinated perfectly with the white buttons on my trousers. I chose to layer them under a pair of satin heeled sandals which I felt highlighted the sleekness of the look, while the bow detail tied in the overall holiday theme. Lastly, I came across an iridescent beaded bag that I didn’t even know I needed, but totally helped bring all of the elements of my outfit together in the most beautiful way. The variety of colors in this tiny accessory helped to compliment the boldness of my top, while also playing off of the shiny metallic texture of the socks. For the most part I’m definitely planning on keeping things casual this year (though anything can happen, lol). Comment below if you enjoy elaborate holiday celebrations or smaller, more understated gatherings. Happy holidays to you all, & until next time!
Outfit Details & Links:
Top- Zara
Jeans- Ulla Johnson
Socks- H&M
Heels- Mango
Bag- Free People
Still need gift ideas? Not to worry, I too am a last minute holiday shopper and would love to be of service! Below I’ve rounded up a few ideas for the men, women, and acquaintances in your life that you may need to shop for this season. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and remember, presents aren’t what make the holidays special, it’s the quality time shared between loved ones that makes it all worthwhile. Until next time!
FOR HIM:
FOR HER:
NEUTRAL:
Tis’ the season to be cozy! Though I am a person who loves all 4 seasons (some more than others), during the Winter months, I enjoy taking full advantage of all of the cute accessories that are both practical and stylish. Below I’ve rounded up a few essential pieces that I currently own and are my go-tos when trying to survive the frigid temperatures. Let me know which is your favorite in the comments, and until next time!
I draw inspiration from so many different things when creating my looks, I honestly think it would be impossible to run out of ideas! For instance, with Christmas right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to style a look inspired by jolly ol’ St. Nick! What’s funny is that I really didn’t have this idea in mind until I started collecting the pieces. I saw this burgundy pinstriped blazer a few weeks ago and, though I didn’t purchase it initially, I couldn’t get it out of my head so it didn’t take me long to decide to go back for it. Everything from the rich color, to the belted detail and buttons truly had me swooning! I thought it would be the perfect addition to my tailored collection, as well as make a great statement piece for a sophisticated and chic holiday look. On an unrelated shopping outing, I had been on the hunt for a pair of leather gloves. For the past few Winter seasons I’ve wanted a new pair but always end up waiting too long and missing out. Luckily, this year I decided to jump on the bandwagon early and I’m so happy I did! In the midst of creating content, holiday shopping, and my regular 9-5, I also moved into a new apartment and suffered a minor injury in the process– and thus, the Santa look was born! Because I wanted to keep my wounded finger covered, the gloves were a no-brainer and everything else just seemed to fall into place. While the blazer did come with a matching pair of trousers, I was set on keeping things a bit more casual and styled it with a pair of jeans I had recently bought instead. To further stick with my theme, I figured a black bootie would suffice for footwear; and the lace-up pair I found with mesh detailing really helped to pull everything together. To compliment this accent, I also wore a sheer bodysuit to give my look a consistent edgy vibe. Lastly, in efforts to soften the look a bit, I added a pair of statement earrings to complete my modern Mrs. Clause vision! I’d like to think this is how I would look if I were to deliver gifts around NYC. Instead of reindeer I had my row of cabs and though they don’t fly, they certainly speed through traffic like no other, lol! In all seriousness, I really enjoyed shooting this outfit and would be interested in challenging myself to create more looks inspired by holiday characters. Let me know what you guys think of this idea in the comments below. Until next time!
Outfit Details & Links:
Blazer- & Other Stories
Bodysuit- Zara
Jeans- Levis
Booties- Zara
Earrings- Aldo
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year; well, at least in my opinion. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I am probably my happiest as soon as the holidays come around. I am all about getting into the spirit of giving and spending quality time while making lasting memories with those I cherish. So, to kick off my holiday content, I was thrilled when I was contacted for the second time by a notable brand I had the pleasure of working with in the past, Daniel Wellington. Because they are so well known for their timelessly chic watches, I was beyond excited when I was given the opportunity to participate in their holiday campaign! This season they decided to showcase their new Holiday Bundle Box which (for women) consists of the watch of your choice as well as a matching DW cuff bracelet. Though I am usually pretty basic when it comes to my accessories, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and go for the rose gold option. Now I know this may not seem like a big deal to some, but I tend to keep it simple with either traditional silver or gold pieces. Since I was feeling daring however, I chose to reflect that in my ensemble as well. I had recently been on the hunt for a cozy off the shoulder sweater so when I stumbled across this neutral oatmeal colored option, I knew it had to be mine! At this point, I wasn’t working with much and still needed to find a piece that complimented the watch so, my search continued. Luckily, it didn’t take long before I found a multicolored striped skirt that captured my attention the second I laid eyes on it. Initially I thought this piece was a bit too flashy for my taste, but then I figured, “It’s the holiday season, go for it!”– and so I did. As I looked closer, I was inspired by the variety of metallic shades incorporated in this garment and chose to do a bit of metal mixing myself. Instead of keeping with the rose gold theme, I decided to switch things up and add a pair of silver strappy sandals to the mix. In efforts to stay weather appropriate while adding another layer of interest, I also chose a cute pair of socks to wear with my heels. This is a style I’ve seen become increasingly popular over the last few years and I have quickly become a fan! I mean, with this trend there’s no need to put your Summer footwear in storage for half of the year; so what’s not to love?! I was quite pleased with how this look turned out and it definitely made me want to dive into the festivities even more! So with that being said, please feel free to use my code: ASTYLEDMIND15 for 15% off when you order on www.danielwellington.com! This order is valid through 2/28/19 so you have more than enough time to browse the site and check out some goodies for that special person in your life! Happy holidays, and until next time!
Outfit Details & Links:
Sweater- H&M
Skirt- Topshop
Socks- Zara
Heels- Zara
Holiday Bundle Box- Daniel Wellington
Every season has it’s stand out print. We typically associate floral with Spring & Summer and plaid with Fall & Winter. Recently I’ve become interested in other patterns that are slightly different from the norm, yet still compliment the specific time of year in a familiar way. Houndstooth is a perfect example of this and it’s increased popularity among retailers has really begun to make an impact. Check out some of the pieces I’ve rounded up below and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks. Until next time!
The time has come, and now that our bellies are full and thanks has been given, we can dive into these sales and indulge in the insane shopping we wait all year for! Below I’ve rounded up direct links to some of my favorite shops that are offering discounts this weekend in store and online. Don’t forget to click the highlighted links to shop! Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
Growing up in the North East, I’ve truly come to appreciate each and every season. From the wardrobe changes and nostalgic feelings that come with them, it seems like there’s always something to look forward to. Now that we’re on the cusp on Winter, it is prime time to bring out all of those cozy textures that keep us warm and looking chic! Over the years faux furs have become a Fall/Winter staple and, aside from being just another fashionable piece, are now crafted to look and feel just as good if not better than the real thing! This year, I was determined to add a new coat to my collection that was still for the most part, practical, functional, and eye-catching. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a fur, but when I saw this one I knew it I had to at least try it on. To my surprise, upon doing so, I fell in love with the color, fit, and weight of the outerwear garment and knew it had to be mine! Because this was such a statement making piece, I wanted to be strategic with how I styled it. While I knew I wanted to incorporate neutral tones, I didn’t want to play it too safe by styling an all black/cream outfit. On another shopping trip shortly thereafter, I found this amazing houndstooth midi skirt that had just enough detail to keep the look interesting and dimensional, without taking away from or clashing with the coat. Since faux fur pieces can definitely be a little bulky for some, I made sure to keep the other items of the ensemble sleek and form fitting, including a textured short sleeved mock-neck t-shirt I found. To finish off the look, I decided to add a pop of color with an old pair of orange sock booties, and gold hoops for some extra sass. I know for a fact I’ll be layering this coat over almost anything this season from the most casual to festive and formal outfits. Let me know in the comments your go-to faux fur garments or accessories and how you like to style them for this time of year. Until next time!
Outfit Details & Links:
Coat- H&M
Top- & Other Stories
Skirt- Zara
Boots- Zara
Earrings- & Other Stories
There are certain fabrics that just scream “chic elegance,” and I’d have to say silk is one of them. As I’ve gotten older and begun to pay more attention to the quality of garments instead of just how trendy they are, I’ve come across this material quite often definitely see why it is worth investing in. Below I’ve rounded up a few shirts that I wouldn’t mind adding to my personal collection. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks; until next time!
