How to Accessorize for Your Holiday Parties

Last week we brought you The Perfect Little Black Dress for your holiday parties. This week we bring you all of the accessories to go with your LBD! The idea behind the perfect LBD is that you can dress it up or down, depending upon the occasion. Therefore, we bring you complete outfits for three different holiday party scenarios; the formal holiday party, the less formal holiday cocktail, and dinner at home with friends and family.

The Formal Holiday Party

Go for glamour here! Add a fur stole (faux or real) to your long sleeve dress to have the best of both worlds, warmth and beauty. Read this blog post for more ideas about how to wear a fur stole. To keep the all-black outfit interesting, add patterned tights and a touch of emerald with your accessories. The icing on the cake? These gorgeous gold Valentino heels will have your toes looking like little presents. Or if you decide to keep it simple, stick with the black pumps that you already own.

Tibi Jacquard-Paneled Stretch-Ponte Dress, $395

Pologeorgis Small Pleated Rabbit Fur Stole, $495 

Spanx Sheer Fashion Pantyhose in Swiss Dot, $28

Oscar de la Renta Gold Plated Cabochon Necklace, $690

Moyna Beaded Clutch, $108

Valentino Metallic Nappa Couture Bow Pump, $695

Cole Haan Chelsea Pump, $298

The Holiday Cocktail

This outfit is guaranteed to dazzle your fellow cocktail guests. The sequined blazer is not only the perfect statement piece, it's the perfect price! Go for color with a bold statement earring and matching shoes or stick with modern metallic. I received these fabulous Jeweliq blue vintage deco drops as a birthday gift last week. I'll have to get my wear of them in the next few weeks because I don't think they will match the nursing pajamas I will be sporting 24/7 for the month of December! The LBD in this look is stretch cotton, leaving lots of room for holiday treats...And is this not the BEST holiday party clutch EVER?

Helmut Lang Cocoon Stretch-Cotton Dress, $210

Anne Klein Sequin Blazer, $179

Kate Spade New York All That Glitters Frame Clutch, $328

Jeweliq Sapphire Vintage Deco Drops, $20

MICHAEL Michael Kors Flex Suede Kitten Pumps, $99

BaubleBar Crystal Holly Necklace, $38

J.Crew Martina Metallic Wedges, $238

The Holiday Dinner at Home

When you're eating Thanksgiving dinner, you're going to want a comfortable dress with lots of stretch! Add a cashmere cardigan and gold necklace for an easy but put-together look. The ABS By Allen Schwartz evening bag is a great value for your money. A client of mine has already worn it to a recent black tie event. It looks really expensive in person! Add a heel or a comfy boot, your choice.

Theory Chloh Textured Stretch-Knit Dress, $415

Spanx Tight-End Tights in Black Opaque, $28

J.Crew Cashmere Cardigan, $94.50

Bauble Bar Gold Multi Mini Triad Pendant, $24

ABS By Allen Schwartz Pyramid Minaudiere Evening Bag, $60

J.Crew Suede Field Boots, $328

LK Bennett Doris Bootie, $236.98

Happy Holidays! May you look and feel fabulous this year and always!

A Quest: The Perfect Chocolate Boot

This season's frustration has one word: chocolate. Between a few different clients looking for a good chocolate pant, another looking for a blazer, and most looking for boots, we at Real Life Style have spent a lot of time on the quest for chocolate this season. The problem? Chocolate seems to have fallen out of favor with many designers for some reason. Although I'm still looking for those pants and a blazer, I have had much better luck with the boot hunt. Whether you are looking for a heel, a flat riding boot or a short bootie to wear with jeans, we've done all the work for you! Enjoy!

Heeled Boots

Frye Marissa Tall Back Zip, $388

Stuart Weitzman Chicboot, $695

Sam Edelman Kayla Over-the-Knee Boot, $274.95

If you're looking for heeled boots that you can wear to work everyday, these Aetrex comfort boots will be your best friend.

Aetrex Alexis Boot, $219.95

Donald J. Pliner Yazi Stretch Suede Boot, $275

Flat Boots

Corso Como Sutton, $149.99

Stuart Weitzman Reserve Boot, $598

Rain or snow, these Aquatalia boots are completely weather-proof.

Aquatalia by Marvin K. Orion Boot, $298.80

J.Crew Suede Field Boots, $268

Frye Paige Tall Riding Boot, $378

Delman Meg Stretch Tall Boot, $598

Frye Melissa Button Back Zip Extended Boot, $368

Booties

Isaac Mizrahi New York Julian Bootie, $178.95

Donald J. Pliner Briona Signature Luxe Suede Bootie, $495

Frye Melissa Button Zip Short Boot, $298

Delman Mason Flat Bootie, $398

Madewell Hadley Boot, $268

Cole Haan Allen Bootie, $258

The RLS Guide to Picking Pastels for Fall

Fall is just about here and it's time to break out the pastels! Huh? Pastels, particularly pink...for fall?! I know, I know. It sounds crazy to everyone but true fashion folk, who love anything they haven't seen before.

The look on the runways for Fall Winter 2013/14 favored head-to-toe lilac, mint, baby blue, and the aforementioned pink. Too much for real life? Here are some tips to pick your pastels.

Step 1. Choose how far you are going to go with the trend: small, medium or large. 

Step 2. The easy part: pick your favorite pastel! Let's say you decide to go big or go home. The other hot fashion story on the runway is the voluminous coat. Imagine a pale pink coat over a monochromatic charcoal or black look, probably already hanging in your closet. Très chic, non?

Rochas Oversized Wool-Blend Coat, $1,870

Ted Baker London Wool Blend Peplum Hem Coat, $525

Eileen Fisher Boiled Wool Coat, $235

Theysken's Theory Belted Wool-Blend Coat, $995

Does it scare you to buy an investment piece, such as a fall coat, in such an improbable fall color? Then take it a step back and grab a fall bag in your pastel color of choice. Just like the coat example, mix it with the dark colors you already own. Imagine a baby blue bag next to a cozy chocolate brown sweater...

Vince Leather Trim Blanket Sweater, $290.98

Giorgio Armani Medium East West Tote, $1850

Alexander Wang Rockie Textured Leather Tote, $795

Topshop Large Leather Padlock Bag, $190

J.Crew Mini Edie Purse in Python, $795

For those of you still wincing, how about a pastel pump or ladylike clutch with a little black dress to your next cocktail party? Minimal investment, maximum impact.

H&M Sleeveless dress, $49.95

Topshop Gwenda Pointed Courts, $95

Betsey Johnson Dance Glitter Flats, $79

Repetto Camille Bicolor Patent Leather Ballerina Pumps, $285

Cole Haan Chelsea Pointy High Pump, $169.95

Almama Handbag, $415

Moda-Luxe Envelope Clutch, $24.99

Topshop Chain Handle Clutch, $40

Post on my Facebook page to show us which colors you pick and how you choose to wear them!