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Showing posts with label Holiday 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday 2012. Show all posts

Thursday, January 3, 2013

A New Year, A Chance for a New You (And Me)

I hope everyone had a great holiday week! You might have noticed that I did not post a blog last week. Usually, I pretend not to work when I leave town. This time, I kept my resolve and really didn't except for some emergency FedEx mishaps that needed to be dealt with. Instead, I enjoyed the last week of Max's first year with us and spent quality time with family. Sorry to all of the friends I did not call!


I'm not usually a New Year's resolution list kind of girl, but I was inspired by the lessons I've learned this last year, my first as a Mom. My first blog of 2012 questioned whether or not I would be able to practice what I'd been preaching to my Mom clients for years, not to forget to take care of themselves along the way. So before the resolutions for this year come the lessons learned from this past one.

7 Lessons Learned (In my first year as a Mom)

  1. I now know it is ludicrous to tell my Mom clients to put themselves first. Instead, I work with them to make beauty and style (a big frustration for those with no time or sleep!) easy peasy!
  2. Prioritize your sanity over the environment for the first few years. Don't take 10 months to be okay with paper plates, as I did. You were right, Mom!
  3. If the takeout is good enough, no one cares if you didn't cook. Especially if you add a salad with homemade dressing and an exotic ingredient, such as pomegranate seeds. Luckily, I live across the street from 2 Amy's, the best Neapolitan pizza in DC!
  4. Being able to walk out the door with wet hair and still look like you spent half an hour blow drying it is priceless. Spend the time and money on Keratin treatments and a good haircut. 
  5. Keep shopping. Don't decide you'll buy new clothes "when you've lost the weight." Buy a new top that fits and makes you feel cute once a month as your size continually changes. It could cost $15 at H&M but inspires you to schedule a much needed night out. 
  6. Don't forget about your husband! Ok, easier said than done, but a subscription to a theatre series ensures that we have a date night at least once in a while and exercise our baby brains with a little culture. 
  7. Putting on concealer actually makes me feel less tired. Bright lipstick adds another hour of sleep to your face. See my beauty obsessions blog here.
Now for the Resolutions...
A New Year's Resolution List (Suggested)

1. Get a pedicure and a massage at least once a quarter. See my new favorite polish! Like Ruby Slippers for your toes...
2. Remember that I deserve the above
3. Keep spending a lot of money on my hair
4. No yoga pants unless I'm actually doing yoga
5. Do more yoga. Looking for cute yoga pants? See blog on what every girl in yoga class is wearing.
6. Spend money on important things (like the world's most expensive 1st birthday cake!)
7. Spend less money at Whole Foods by going to Trader Joe's instead
8. Accept all invitations for fun activities, regardless of how tired I am or how much work I have
9. Wear more red lipstick. Tom Ford lipstick is perfection!
10. Last but not least: Be grateful every minute for my beautiful family and the ability to live a life doing what I love, empowering women to feel good about themselves through fashion and style

And a bonus resolution: 
Be kind to yourself when you deviate from your list!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

More Holiday Party Looks

The Holiday Season isn't over yet! Don't get stuck with nothing to wear! There are still so many more parties to attend and celebrations to have. But for those of you who think you've already worn your entire wardrobe in front of family and friends, get inspired by these six color stories. From cocktail to formal or business casual, these colors will make your holiday outfits stand out from the crowd!

Oxblood is the color of Fall/Winter 2012. Burgundy is Oxblood's cheerier cousin and a perfect wintertime color story. This daytime outfit shows you how easy it is to use colorblocking so that you don't end up looking like a blob of burgundy. 



Pantone has announced that emerald will be the color of 2013. Didn't we predict it here first, dear readers? See my previous blog on emerald. Get a head start and go for green this holiday party season. And green isn't just for the clothes--accessorize with a green clutch and cocktail ring! 



Midnight Blue brings the va va voom to black-tie dressing. This velvet dress is rich and warm from the color alone, so you don't have to complicate it with accessories. See how inexpensive this dress is!
Adrianna Papell Draped One Shoulder Velvet Blouson Gown $168
Frieda and Nellie Blue Braided Earrings $238
Badgley Mischka Vita Pump $215



When you're letting a color inspire your look, you don't have to stick to one shade. In this outfit, the inspiration is purple, but I use all different shades to make a complex layered look.




Black is a color too, no? Black, AKA the signature color of New York City, never gets tired if you do it right. It's flattering, chic, and sophisticated. When you add different materials and patterns--like on these tights--you create a fun, interesting black outfit that works from day-to-night. 



The combination of black and gold is classic. The gold really makes this outfit pop like champagne on New Year's Eve! The velvet floral jeans make this outfit casual but cool. 







Thursday, December 6, 2012

Neiman Marcus + Target + 24 Awesome Designers = The Best Hi-Lo Collaboration Ever

On Dec 1st, a beautiful thing happened. Target and Neiman Marcus partnered to launch the Holiday 24. If you have read my blog loyally, you know that I have a big weakness for a good partnership, and an even bigger weakness for telling you about great deals! This partnership was perfectly timed and perfectly executed. Basically, 24 amazing designers created one or more exclusive pieces of clothing for adults and kids, housewares, luggage, and so much more! Many items are already sold out online already, but you can probably still find them in store at Target and Neiman Marcus. Here's a look at what the Holiday 24 has to offer:

These Altuzarra glasses and shaker look vintage but are brand new and beautiful. What a great gift for your holiday host and hostess!
Joseph Altuzarra Cocktail Shaker ($50) & Double Old-Fashioned Glasses ($50)



Traveling over the holidays? This suitcase is small enough to carry-on, and the neon detailing makes for a chic airport look. 
Alice+Olivia Rolling Luggage $180


Who knew that Band of Outsiders made Cookie Cutters?! They would definitely make your holiday baking a little more entertaining. 
Band of Outsiders Cookie Cutter & Stamper Set $30



Like I said in last week's Holiday Outfit Must-Haves post, a sparkly clutch is necessary this holiday season. If you don't do sequins, go for a metallic/shimmery clutch like one of these by Marc Jacobs. 
Marc Jacobs Metallic Zip Clutch Bag $70



This is the yoga mat I tweeted about. DVF, Lululemon, and a good yoga flow... what more do you need?
Diane von Furstenberg Yoga Mat $50



Is this not a fabulous party top? Balance its shape with skinny black pants and spiked heel booties. 
Tracy Reese Sequined Blouse $80



Sometimes when you're wearing black-tie attire, it's hard to find a coat that doesn't ruin the look. This lightly sequined cape would solve the problem and look awesome with denim, too! Also, this is a lot more affordable than the exquisite $5,000 cape I tried on this week at the Etro store on Madison Avenue... 
Prabal Gurung Sequined Cape $80



It wouldn't be the holidays without a proper party dress! The colors, floral pattern, and shape make this Lela Rose dress super feminine and sophisticated. 
Lela Rose Watercolor High-Low Dress $100



Don't you wish this came in adult size?? This Marchesa dress is angelic without being cheesy. Adorable!
Marchesa Girls' Hand-Beaded Dress $100



Studded leather for boots, jackets, and now gloves. At only $50, these long Brian Atwood gloves are a steal!
Brian Atwood Studded Leather Gloves $50



There is even something for men. The retro-looking white piping detail on this Thom Browne blazer makes it a little more formal. If you know how much Thom Browne usually costs, you know what a great deal this is!
Thom Browne Rib-Trimmed Blazer $150






Monday, November 26, 2012

Holiday Outfit Must-Haves & Cyber-Monday Deals!


After our inspiring brunch and shopping day, Rosa from Rosa Loves... and I decided to partner this week for a post about the pieces that would make killer holiday outfits. We both chose our favorite things, and I am so totally into Rosa's sparkly bobby pins! Yes, there is a lot of shimmer and glitter in our choices, but could you imagine dressing for New Year's Eve without any?

Don't wait too long to click through to your favorite items, the sales are happening today!


My Picks:

I am beyond obsessed with this Alexis Bittar necklace! It's big and practically has an entire story happening inside... talk about a statement necklace! (And if you visit Charm & Chain to purchase today, Cyber Monday, enter the code LOVEIT for 35% off sitewide!)

A sequined blazer is an easy, fun, comfortable way to make your outfit instantly festive. 

For a holiday party or New Year's Eve, carry a glittery clutch. This whole season has been about over-the-top bedazzling and whimsical, bold shapes, so a glitter box-clutch hits every trend. (On Cyber Monday, 30% off orders of $100+. Use code CYBER12 at henribendel.com.)

Rosa's Picks: 

Don't stop with a glittery clutch... add some glittery flats! Pair these with black denim and a velvet blazer for a casual but festive holiday look. (Visit madewell.com on Cyber Monday and use code TREAT for 25% off and free shipping!)

From wild-colored nails to crazy hair accessories, this season has found love in all of the details. Put in fun bobby pins for a quick way to spice up an outfit. 

Nothing tops off a holiday outfit like a sparkly ring. When you're holding a glass of champagne, why not give everyone something sparkly to stare at? (For 25% off and free shipping Cyber Monday only at jcrew.com, use code MONDAY!)

Fabulous graphics by Rosa!