New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve!  Time to celebrate the start of a new year and say goodbye to 2012. 

So, what to wear to your gathering tonight?  Being very pragmatic, I say shop your closet for this evening.   We know you have something black in there. Take that black skirt, black pant or the fav LBD and add sparkle.   You can add sparkle with tons of bangle jewelry, necklace or that sequin tank you bought last season.  If you don't have a sequin tank just add a white shirt with all of your sparkle. 

Here are some of our picks for sparkle for the evening.  

Nordstrom $33

Nordstrom $24
This collar would love great on a plain T shirt

                          We hope you have liked our picks!                                
Nordstrom $24

Bright Color (but not too bright!)

                                                                       

Today, let's talk about another huge trend for 2013: COLOR, COLOR AND COLOR! 

If you are one of the many that still fall back on your favorite black "uniform", stop now, please!  Think about it: most uniforms for salons, restaurants, Target, etc. include black.  I saw a friend at Target who was wearing a red/black combo.  It was so busy that someone actually took a second look to see if she was an employee.

I hear you saying, "OK, but how do I wear color?"

First, let's show you what to avoid.  This neon, or as my son says "highlighter" dress, is from one of my favorite designers, Nanette Lepore.  Although I like the style of the dress, the color is not right for women above the age of 28. So please, leave the highlighter clothes for the teenagers and one day they can say, "remember when.....?"







Below is our example of wearing color well: 

This is an outfit from one of our favorite retailers, J. Crew.   The use of color is very refined with a classic sweater and skirt combo.  If you are a little color shy, try a neutral like camel or navy with a color.  The other difference for this fall is the use of color in the shoes.  This is a pair of satin heels with a polka dot motif.  I swear, I didn't notice the shoes until after I cut the picture, but once again I pick out a polka dot.  Color is not going away for the spring.

So...while you are shopping the after Christmas sales look for anything blue....more to come about the color blue for spring. Talk to you tomorrow!

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A Cropped Pant for All

It is way too cold, too dark and too blustery for pictures so we are going in a different direction today.   Our muse about the cropped pant.   We have shown several pictures of the cropped pant throughout the year.. this pant should be on your list of what to purchase next.   We want to make sure we clear a few things up about what exactly is a cropped pant?  So, let's clear up the difference between the cropped pant and capri pant.  Oh, you thought they were one in the same....please don't make that mistake.  By interchanging the capri and crop pant you will go from elegant to elephant leg in less than 5 seconds.  Here are some examples of the cropped pant of the season. 






Notice this cute pair of cropped pants hits right above the ankle.  This is also on trend with the patterned pants that are shown as of lately.   I have never met a polka dot that I didn't like so I had to post this picture.  (picture courtesy of pinterest)






So, here is one example of the capri pant.  Notice how this pant has an identity crisis.  Am I a long pant? or am I a short pant? Or wait let me just cut your calf in half at the largest part of your calf to give the look of stumpy leg.   Have we made our point clear yet?  Don't spend your money on a capri pant.  We are all about investing your money in things that will last the test of what was the must have list last month only to be dropped the next.  I am a huge fan of well dressed women who always look very classic, my favorite is Audrey Hepburn.  Audrey Hepburn was always rocking the cropped pant. 

Have a great Holiday break and spend your Christmas money wisely.

...Happy 2013

This will probably be my last post until 2013. I could say it is because I will be super busy with visiting family and friends, but the truth is our visiting family really only want to see the kids, not me and Rob. And we have no friends visiting from out of town. But, if the real truth be told, it's because I hate cold rain which is what is predicted for next week. 

So...with the kids out of school 1) I won't have a reason to even get dressed and 2) I will not subject myself to going outside in the cold rain. Plus it would be getting photographed in sweats, which is no fun for you guys. Thus, we bid you a 

Happy Holiday and Safe New Year! - Julie & Donna

Pants - J. Crew

Blazer - Gap

Striped Shirt - Banana Republic

Belt - J. Crew

Shoes - J. Crew

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Shop 2013's Must-Have Items
1) Green 2) Tuxedo Jacket 3) Leather & Lace 4) Bright Leather 5) Wide Stripes 6) Baggy Bermudas 7) Crazy Sunnies 8) Drop-waist dresses 9) Flirty Flats 10) Chokers

Five Days of Christmas

The countdown has begun: only 5 days until Christmas! And you know what that means...5 outfits must be put together. ASAP.

So in honor of the 5 days of Christmas and our pocketbooks, I have compiled a list of the top five holiday looks, all under $100!
 Lace, Brocade, Red, Metallic and Sequins

Which festive attire will wear for your holiday celebrations?

Mad for Plaid

As if 2012 hasn't been a great fashion year already with my favorite patterns, polka dots and stripes, it just got better! We are now seeing lots of plaid for winter. And I am over the moon for plaid! Or "ooh la la" as my kids would say.

Plaid is usually worn casually but with this year's mixing and matching, you will want to wear it with a more sophisticated, sleek outfit. For instance, I paired my J. Crew plaid shirt with a bubble dress, kitten heels and chunky jewelry for a chic look. But yet I look casually put together, yes? 

What about you? Are you mad for plaid?

Plaid Shirt - J. Crew

Bubble Skirt Dress - J. Crew (similar)

Heels - J. Crew

Chunky Pearl Necklace - Nordstrom (similar)

Turquoise Chandelier Necklace - J. Crew

Ring - Banana Republic (similar)

Bag - gift with purchase

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Shop for Plaid

Tuxedo Pants

I have never been a big fan of "men's wear" for women, but I do like certain elements of it. The tuxedo pant has caught my eye this season. Not only is it a classic alternative to the cocktail dress, but is a fun, new way to continue with the color blocking trend for the day. And since tuxedo pants are historically black, it makes sense that they, too, are resurrected at the same time the color black is making a comeback.

While today's outfit is perfect for work or cocktails, I am thinking that I like these pants so much that I want to come up with a more laid-back look for running around town. Stay tuned to see what I come up with!

Tuxedo Pants - The Limited (similar)

Quilted Jacket - Vince Camuto (similar)

Silk Blouse - Banana Republic

Color-Block Boots - ShoeMint (similar & less than $50!)

Patent Bag - The Limited (similar)

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Shop Men's Wear

Holiday Reds

I am still crushing on dark red this season which is also perfect for the holidays. I just love a deep, rich color mixed with a print and sleek accessories. And, of course, there is nothing like a red peplum top paired with an animal print pencil skirt. It's classic, feminine and polished. So for some great holiday style this week, add a bit of red or cranberry or wine or oxblood or whatever the heck it is we are calling it this week!

Cranberry Peplum Top - Forever 21 (similar but with sequins!)

Quilted Jacket - Vince Camuto (similar)

Pencil Skirt - Banana Republic (similar in floral!)

Oxblood Booties - Vince Camuto

Bag - Mischka Badgley (similar)

Red for the Holidays

                                                      
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Shine On

I love holiday wear! It's all so fun and festive. This year anything goes - sequins, rhinestones, metallics, and even lace. You can find it all in the stores right now. My problem is that I don't really have many places to wear it. For the last few years very few people, including myself, have thrown parties due to the economic downturn. It's so depressing. On the bright side, I did get invited to one party this year so I had a reason to buy some holiday duds (do I really need a reason?).

As you can see above, I chose metallic jacquard pants from Zara  for under $100. I got a lot of compliments on them so I thought I would help you find great holiday pieces for under $100 every day until Christmas. Just check out my blog daily and click on anything that catches your eye in the virtual boutique at the bottom of each my posts.

E-mail me a pic of your outfit. I would love to see what you put together!

Pants - Zara (similar)

Blouse - Banana Republic

Faux Fur Vest - Kensie

Clutch - Forever 21 (similar)

Pumps - Piperlime

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                                    Shop Sequins for under $100

Is this fur real?

Last week I went to an estate sale with a friend. The house was extremely large and beautiful. Everything in it was for sale which was sad. All of the furniture and accessories were really high-end.  Too expensive for me to buy even at a faction of the original cost. 

What caught my eye though was a rack full of fur coats and stoles. Real ones! The most expensive one was only $250. A steal I'm sure and so, so tempting! But my practical side got the better of me. It is Christmas after all, so how could I justify such a large expenditure on myself? Well, I probably could, but more than anything I was afraid PETA would follow me around and throw rotten produce at me. So I will settle on my faux fur pieces and sleep well knowing that I passed up a good deal for the greater good.

Peasant Blouse - Belk (similar)

Vest - Kensi

Leather Skirt - the Limited (similar for only $17 at JCPenny!)

Bucket Tote - Zara (similar)

Bracelets - Kate Spade, Target, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Jessica Simpson, Lucky

Booties - Vince Camuto

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Is this fur real?

Green with envy

 

I love the holiday season. Oh, what fun! The lights, the decorations, the parties, the anticipation, and the shopping. For myself. Why is that? If I buy one thing for someone else I end up buying at least two things for myself. It's a disease, I say! I need a support group - Shoppers Anonymous has a nice ring. The problem is that if I were to get into a group like that and see other shopaholics with really nice things I would probably get jealous and go buy what they have. I'm doomed...but at least I'll have nice stuff!

 

Ankle Pants - J. Crew

Lace Sweatshirt - J. Crew

Pink Blouse - J. Crew Factory

Clutch - J. Crew

Green Pumps - J. Crew

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Be the Envy in Green

Rainy Day Snoog

It's Monday. It's raining. It's cold. Finally. And so that means I finally get to wear my infinity scarf, aka my snoog. What, you don't know what a "snoog" is? Heaven forbid! It's the knitted gray thing around my neck. I thought it was just a scarf knitted with no ends, making it a big circle you sling around your neck as many times as you can stand it. But I have since found out that it is a snoog. Who would've thunk it?

Pants - J. Crew

Striped Top - J. Crew

Denim Vest - J. Crew

Satchel - Banana Republic

Shoes - J. Crew

Snoog - Handmade via Etsy (similar)

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Shop for a Snoog

Fit to be tied

I am really getting into the bow-tie blouses these days. They were supposed to be really hot this fall but I've noticed the trend didn't last mostly, in part, because the stores didn't offer very many. I only snagged two but I am glad I did. They are really cute under a sweater, taking the place of a bulky scarf and adding a sophisticated, ladylike look to it. Now if only the designers agreed with me...

Bow-tie Blouse - J. Crew (similar)

Sweater - Gap (similar)

Blazer - Tommy Hilfiger (similar)

Jeans - Lucky Brand

Structured Bag - Zara (similar)

Tassel Loafers - J. Crew

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Cozy Cashmere

I am loving all of the cashmere sweaters this winter. Not only are they warm and cozy, they aren't itchy like wool. Plus there are tons of colors to choose from as well as stripes, color-blocked, waffle texture, polka dot, herringbone, cable knit, etc. I highly suggest checking out J. Crew's selection of Italian cashmere. It's well worth the luxury of a warm, fashionable sweater for the upcoming winter months. 

Sweater - J. Crew Factory

Pants - J. Crew

T-shirt - Gap

Loafers - Cole Haan

Bag - Badgley Mischka

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Shop J. Crew Cashmere