Thrifting

We did a little thrifting in Austin yesterday and I got two fun dresses from Buffalo Exchange.  Either one would make a perfect New Years dress.  I love thrift shopping because you can find really unique pieces at really cheap prices, one of these was $8 and the other was $11; you can't beat that!  I'll be sure to show you how I style them up when I wear them. 

Thakoon at Target

If you don't know about Thakoon, he debuted his first collection only four years ago and quickly exploded on the fashion scene.  He has received award nominations from the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) and is now distributed at Barney's and Jeffrey's in New York.

Michelle is already a fan.  She wore this printed Thakoon dress at the DNC.

And now Thakoon's line for Target has arrived in stores!  Get excited.  I checked it out yesterday and here are some of my favorite pieces.  I found that the pictures online don't really do it justice, it looks better in person.

Austin Style

I'm usually pretty laid back in Austin.  

-Old Navy shirt

-$10 sunnies from BP Nordstrom

-Citizens of Humanity jeans

-Elliott Lucca bag

-Steve Madden flops

-My nephew, Jacob

Shopping at one of my fav shops in Austin, Francesca's.  They have a great collection of unique accessories and gifts and a small selection of clothing all at very reasonable prices.

Fellow Blogger

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  I'm spending it down in Austin with my family.  I just wanted to share another blog that I recently discovered and am totally addicted to.  This girl has the most amazing style and the most enviable designer wardrobe.  And her mom is stylish too.  I'm supposed to be writing an article right now (deadline today) and I keep getting distracted by wanting to peruse through all her old posts.  Here are just a few of her pics that I love.

Outfit Inspiration: Jewel Tones and Florals

-Lily White top from BP Nordstrom

-BCBGeneration cardy

-Scarf picked up at Marshall's

-Forever 21 jeans

-Bandolino boots

-Tank from Target

-BCBGeneration cardy and skirt

-Nordstrom hose

-BP shoes from Nordstrom

I know this is kind of an awkward picture but I wanted to give y'all an up close of my hose.  For some reason, hose and tights are something I truly have difficulty with (I blame it on growing up in Texas where bare legs are always acceptable) but I'm a big fan of these that I recently discovered.  I hate plain nude panty hose but these nude ones with the diamonds give you the flexibility of nude hose (you can wear them with anything) yet are much more interesting and stylish than plain nude.

Wish List: Chic Little Bags with Chain Straps

I'm not usually a huge Kate Spade fan but I love this bag for some reason.  The picture doesn't even do it justice, it looks great in person.

This chic little bag by Hobo International is on sale at Nordstrom right now.  It's not available online though.  I love this color.

Of course I have to acknowledge the original chain strap bag.  Even though I won't actually be purchasing a Chanel, these two are adorable.

Meet Cathy Begun

Instantly, you know she will be fabulous because her name is Cathy and then you catch a glimpse of her beautiful customized beaded jewelry and you know there's more to her than that.  These earrings are one of my favorites on her website.

Cathy has so graciously shared some of her jewelry expertise with us today so read on and learn tips from the expert!

Layer, Stack and Mix!

 

Layer, Stack and Mix have been some of my favorite buzz words for many years – long before the economy took a fall. 

Those three little words have been my personal mantra for many seasons both in my clothing wardrobe, in my own jewelry collections and for TheElegantBead.com Jewelry Collections I design!

I love to shop in my own closet and revisit old favorites – (you liked them when you purchased them, right?) especially after being inspired by reading my monthly fashion guides of InStyle, Lucky,  J.Crew catalogs and TheLittle Black Book of Style, by Nina Garcia of Project Runway. I get extremely excited by their creative ensembles and then I am inspired as to how I can tailor my closet of all my favorites and put my own individual spin on them to make these ideas work for me.  One of the easiest ways to make an outfit your own is to peruse through your existing jewelry box.   I am creatively inspired by everything around me and I have an extensive jewelry collection, both originals from TheElegantBead.com and sentimental pieces from family. They all have a time and place.  I love to mix them all up as it gives the outfit, be it a work event, date night or just because, an entire new look!

As essential as a basic wardrobe of clothing is, so is a basic jewelry wardrobe! Your personal jewelry wardrobe should include these pieces – Hoops in many variations and sizes, both in sterling silver and gold, classic and chic to funky; Earrings, Chandelier style glam  great for daytime as well as evening, shorter earrings 1” -2” range; Pearls, pearls, pearls many shapes and colors available – mix with your classic pearls ala Coco Chanel; Long necklaces with chains, crystals, and other textures at least 36” or longer for doubling and layering will help you create your own statement look and more; Bracelets, stack’em on! Mix chunky textures with sparkly crystals with pearls to create a unique look.  From there you can add trendy pieces or special occasion pieces as your budget allows. Now is the fun time to Layer, Stack and Mix!

Conservative fashionistas mix your classic pearls with a longer pearl necklace in a similar shade and give yourself bit of unexpected glam in a smaller version of a Chandelier earring or wear a fabulous statement necklace and complimentary studs. Pearls are always chic – mix with a crystal necklace doubled up and earrings 1” -2” in length.

Creative fashionistas, have fun with all colors, and your unique spin!

Mom fashionistas, earrings, always! -- A little glitz and glam goes a long way. Throw on a necklace and / or bracelet and you will feel like a new person even if it’s only to the grocery store! Who says because you are a domestic engineer you can’t be chic?

When wearing a statement piece such as Chandelier earrings, skip the necklace and layer the arm candy; A Statement necklace calls for fabulous studs and maybe a bracelet that’s in balance. You will know if it‘s too much.

You can also wear great necklaces with scarves – just go for longer necklaces or a stunning earring!

After “shopping” in your closet and jewelry box, take pictures of the outfits and jewelry ideas paired together so you’re not scrambling when getting ready.  You’ll feel like a new person for taking the time to revisit your favorites as you will have many new outfits both in clothing and jewelry!  Look to TheElegantBead.com when you’re ready to Layer, Stack and Mix more in for additional looks!

 “may you shine and sparkle!”

Trend??: Yellow Pants

So, I keep seeing women all over DC wearing yellow pants.  My first thought was that they must be on sale at J. Crew but the women I'm seeing aren't really wearing them in a Martha's Vinyard/J. Crew kind of way.  It's more of a Theory/BCBG style that I'm seeing.  Although it is getting better, DC is not a particularly fashion forward city so, to see a trend start here that I've never seen anywhere else is an interesting phenomenon.  I didn't have any trouble finding an array of yellow pants on jcrew.com, evidenced by the adjacent picture, but it seems like these women are onto something more.  January's InStyle Magazine did predict that canary yellow will be big for the spring.  Are the women of the District onto something or is it just a fluke?

Affordable Party Dresses

Lucky Magazine put together a list of party dresses under $50, $100 and $150 on their website.  It's worth checking out if you need a dress for a holiday party or New Years.  Here are my favs:

$65 by Necessary Objects available at fredflare.com  This dress would be HOT for New Years!

$128 by Max and Cleo available at Dillards.com I love everything about this dress, the sleeves, the structure, the color, the pockets!

$96.60 by BCBGeneration available at dillards.com  Lovin' the print on this dress.

$98 at express.com  You know I'm loving my florals these days.

$103.60 by BCBGeneration available at dillards.com  I absolutely adore this dress, so chic and sophisticated.  It would be great for a work holiday party.  The detail at the top is fabulous and I love anything with a waist right now, no more baby doll styles please.

Wish List

Check out my new Wish List application to the right (scroll down).  It's so cold outside, currently 27 degrees, that I'm craving fur lined gloves, a puffy down coat and those cute pink ear muffs!

Today's Outfit

This is the first time I have worn hose with peep toes.  What do we think?

-Free People tank

-BCBG cardy

-Max Studio skirt

-DKNY hose

-Anne Klein New York shoes

Gifts for Guys

I was in the Cole Haan store yesterday and that had a lot of great gifts for the men in your life.

This travel kit is enclosed in an all leather case, so classy.

This wine tote holds two bottles of wine.

This leather card case also has a notepad and pencil for scorekeeping.

How stylish, yet manly, is this computer sleeve?

Holiday Style

I love this as inspiration for a holiday party outfit seen in December's Vogue.  The satin is so chic right now, green is festive but not as obvious as, say, red, and of course I love the statement necklace.

Dinner and Drinks

This evening's outfit:

-Tank and sweater from Target

-Ann Taylor Loft scarf

-Random costume pearls

-Citizens of Humanity jeans

-BP shoes

Style is About More Than Just Clothes

My sister and brother-in-law are walking Apple ads and apparently they have rubbed off on me.  My Mac and iPhone make fab accessories.

Outfit:

-BP turtleneck

-Random scarf

-Citizens of Humanity jeans

-Nine West boots

Orange is the New Red

Love it!

Bag by Michael Michael Kors

Trend: Statement Necklace

At the shopping party last week we were discussing accessory trends.  I've talked about it before but statement jewelry is still the big trend, especially earrings and necklaces.  And the look we're seeing lately for evening is one over-the-top statement piece and literally no other jewelry.  The bigger and bolder, the better.  Do take it over the top, cross that line just a little bit.  This necklace is gorgeous and a great example of this trend.    This one is by Miriam Haskell, available at Nordstrom for $750.  Pricey, yes but take it as inspiration.  Stunning.

Color Block

-James Perse tee

-HIP cardy (from BP Nordstrom)

-Forever 21 purple jeans

-Bandolino boots

CityShopGirl

Do you guys know about CityShopGirl? It is a regular email (it seems to come a few times a week so it's not too overwhelming)that alerts us shoppers to deals and discounts around the city at boutiques, spas, restaurants, etc. I always sign up for these things and then end up unsubscribing because they come too often and I can't keep up or because the content isn't relevant to me but I'm really a fan of this one. The deals are always places I already go or places I would like to try. It's by city, of course, and there are a few others besides DC so check it out!

LBD Party at Current Boutique

Here are a few pictures from last night's Little Black Dress Club party at Current Boutique. We talked about body type and hot trends for the holidays, sipped wine, shopped, and had tons of fun. I enjoyed meeting everyone who came out and look forward to seeing you at future events!

With the girls of Current.

With my sister, Sandy.

Doing my thang.

-Free People dress

-Ideology cardy

-DKNY hose (the only brand I will wear - they are amazing)

-Bandolino boots

Tavi - Style Rookie

This little girl freaks me out, her blog is better than mine. Please watch the video of her rapping about shopping for the Commes de Garcon line at H&M that she posted on Nov 14. She is too much.

Wish List: Fur

Fur has a reputation of being somewhat matronly and of course wearing it, you always run the risk of being attacked by someone who believes that "fur is murder". But I'm finding it to be very fresh and edgy right now and still ultimately luxurious. This faux fur topper at Nordstrom would be really fun on a cold night out or at a holiday party.

Inspiration: Sex and the City: The Movie. The girls were wearing a lot of fur in the movie and they looked fabulous. There was also a scene in which Carrie was wearing a fur scarf that I loved for its subtly.

Wish List: Cape

I want a cape. How fab would that look on top of an evening dress or layered over a sweater and jeans. Love it! Let me know if anyone knows of a good one out there since it might be difficult for me to get this one from Marni's 2006 Fall runway show.

Loungewear Fun

How adorable are these slippers? And they are only $18! I almost bought them at Nordstrom today but they didn't have my size. I just might have to order them.

Never underestimate the importance of feeling fabulous even when you are lounging around the house. I promise, it will make you smile to look down and see something like that on your feet.