Three Outfits to Buy Now- On Sale!

Do you know about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? Once a year, to motivate us all to get a head start on our fall shopping, Nordstrom holds a crazy amazing sale on new fall merchandise. This year the sale is until August 4th. RLS has gathered a few shopping ideas for you in case the options are too overwhelming. Happy Shopping!

Ok, full disclosure. We selected this Theory suit in the awesome Dark Merlot color, then realized that only the black and charcoal suiting were part of the sale. We think you should start saving to buy the Dark Merlot suit for your Fall wardrobe anyway! Need well-fitting, modern pieces for your work wardrobe? Theory, check. Need a perfect work pump? Cole Haan, check. With top notes of blueberry and mandarin, and base notes of licorice blackwood and sandalwood, I am dying to try ME, the new fragrance from Lanvin. 

1. Theory Gabe B. 2 Jacket in Black and Charcoal, $263.90 (from $395)

2. Theory Emery 2 Trousers in Black and Charcoal, $183.90 (from $275)

3. M.A.C Look in a Box- All About Beige Kit, $49.50 ($101 value)

4. See by Chloe Harriet Hobo, $290.90 (from $435)

5. Nordstrom Stone Stud Earrings, $19.90 (from $32)

6. Lanvin ME Eau de Parfum Duo, $102 (from $159)

7. Cole Haan Bethany Patent Leather Pumps, $165.90 (from $248)

Nothing says cool and casual like this butter soft leather jacket from Marc New York. Haven't tried the slip-on sneaker trend yet? This is a great opportunity. Love these Vince suede slip-on sneakers. A lucite necklace from Alexis Bittar is an unexpected twist on the statement necklace. Have you heard about the renaissance at Coach? Read more here. I'm loving the fresh line by new designer Stuart Vevers.

1. Marc New York Front Zip Leather Jacket, $265.90 (from $398)

2. Citizens of Humanity Avedon Ultra Skinny Jeans, $119.90 (from $178)

3. Alexis Bittar Lucite Lace Bib Necklace, $263.90 (from $395)

4. COACH Grommet Leather Duffle Bag, $265.90 (from $398)

5. kate spade new york le pavillion iPhone case, $25.90 (from $40)

6. Julep Nail Color & Treatment Trio, $25 (from $46)

7. Vince Bowen Suede Slip-On Sneaker, $149.90 (from $225)

Fur! Glorious fur! LOVE this fur collar from Pologeorgis. Buy one and wear it with everything, as seen in this blog post from a winter past. This quilted Burberry coat (more merlot!) is an investment worth making for the future health of your fall wardrobe. Looking for a comfy, tall boot in which you can pound the pavement while looking totally chic? Ugg has you covered with their Dree Suede Harness Boot.

1. Pologeorgis Genuine Dyed Lamb Fur Collar, $219 (from $365)

2. Burberry Brit Starkford Belted Quilted Jacket, $459.90 (from $695)

3. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, $38 ($52.50 Value)

4. Karen Kane Faux Suede Leggings, $65.90 (from $99)

5. Loeffler Randall Work Tote, $398.90 (from $625)

6. UGG Dree Suede Harness Boot, $199.90 (from $274.95)

Happy Shopping and don't forget to let me know what you've bought! Take a picture and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #RLSNordstromSale. You can find us at @LaniInlander. 

Your New Year's Eve Style Guide

The perfect Kate Spade purse for ringing in the New Year! ($328)

While most of our holiday events have come and gone, there is still one more party this year. New Year's Eve is always a fantastic excuse to wear an exciting and daring new outfit. The perfect New Year's Eve party outfit contains a touch a glamour topped with a heaping dose of sparkle, and is always sure to turn heads. For those still looking for an outfit, Real Life Style has got you covered! Check out these blog posts for lots of ideas you can still find in-store or online.

The Perfect LBD For Your Holiday Parties

How to Accessorize For Your Holiday Parties

Accessories To Get Excited About

And of course, our Holiday Outfit Pinterest board!

On our Pinterest page you'll find clothes and accessories to make you look and feel fabulous this New Year's Eve, as well as some images of how to wear them! And a reminder to all of you on how to use our Pinterest boards: simply click on the image of the product you love, opening the "pin." Click through again to reach the website where you can purchase the item!

Happy New Year!

Ten Cheerful Gifts for the Holiday Host or Hostess

Looking for just the right thing to bring to your boss’s annual holiday shindig, or your 20-something sister-in-law’s first ever holiday cocktail party? We have something special for every event this season. Happy Holidays!

Nate Berkus for Target Stoneware Vase, $12.99 

So many parties this season, too many hostess gifts to buy? Get Nate Berkus’s name and style at a great price. Fill this vase with freshly trimmed branches and garnish with a bow for a fancy gift without a fancy price tag.

BeachHouseLiving Vintage Hand-Stamped Cheese or Jam Spreaders, $48 

Etsy is THE place to look for adorable gifts with a personal touch. Your host can spread these knives around a communal cheese plate and serve with after dinner drinks. Order a set now and have them ready to gift for that last minute invite to a sophisticated soiree. I dare you not to buy a set for yourself!

Kate Spade New York Coaster Set, $35 

What 20-something girl doesn’t love an extra touch of glitter in her household? These coasters would look beautiful under champagne glasses at a New Year’s Eve party. My regular readers, and my clients, will recognize these coasters as matching my glitter iPad case!

Palmette Scented Candle Jar in Gift Box, $40 

This candle smells amazing and your host will want to keep the jar on his or her desk as a small stash spot after they burn through the wax.

Wishbone Bottle Opener, $12 

The ideal addition to any holiday bar cart! Gift this bottle opener with a case of fever tree tonic water. I like to bring a case of their ginger beer, a bottle of grenadine and a jar of good maraschino cherries to parties for a fun non-alcoholic option. Thanks to my friend Jim for that idea!

Dear Coco Christmas Collection Chocolate Truffles, $25.20 for 12 pieces 

These locally-made chocolate truffles are seriously incredible. The Christmas flavors are Bavarian Gingerbread and Austrian Linzer Torte, but there are also Chanukah flavors and addictive around-the-world toffee bars. Their November holiday collection was my go-to Thanksgiving party hostess gift this year.

Damien Hirst Anamorphic Cup and Saucer Set, $125

 For the extravagant art lover…Don’t know what to bring to your hedge fund friend’s formal Christmas dinner? These gorgeous Damien Hirst prints reflect off the silver tea cups and are a steal at this price.

 Mark and Graham Linen Satin Stitch Coasters, $35 

Stand out among your colleagues with this practical but charming host/hostess gift at the boss’s annual holiday party. Be sure to order ahead of time!

Jonathan Adler Tortoise and Hare Bottle Stopper Set, $48 

Slow and steady wins the cutest bottle stoppers! Give these stoppers with vintage bottles to serve water and homemade sodas.

Anthropologie Twilight Serving Spoons, $28 

What perennial hostess wouldn't appreciate a fresh pair of shiny serving spoons to brighten the holiday table?

Happy hostess shopping!

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!

Accessories to Get Excited About

It all started at the Washingtonian Magazine Style Setters event. First, I noticed that a lot of girls had on super fabulous statement necklaces, the most fabulous of which was the one on Megan Pollard. I was a bit intimidated to approach her about her fab necklace, but I needn't have been. Not only was she super sweet and flattered that I loved her necklace so much, but I discovered that she is a mother of two and a partner in Events In The City, a special events planning and design firm in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (see picture below). Very impressive!

Megan Pollard of Events In The City, Necklace by BaubleBar

Other fab accessories on the Style Setters of Washington? Interesting clutches (I should have gotten a picture of the one that said I Love Lebanon!) and vintage-look earrings also made a significant appearance. It was a little early for fur stoles and Saint Laurent Paris inspired floppy hats, but I'm sure these other faves of mine will make an appearance as the season wears on!

Here are some of my favorite (and pretty reasonably priced, I might say!) accessories for Fall 2013.

Statement Necklaces

Adia Kibur Pink Galactic Gem Bib, $85

BaubleBar Fire Opal Collar, $36

Kate Spade Microfacet Bib Necklace, $198

J. Crew Geometric Floral Necklace, $165

J.Crew Spiky Rope Necklace, $128

I borrowed a pair of vintage earrings from a friend for a wedding over Labor Day. I could not believe how many compliments I got on them! Me, I never have luck finding good "real" vintage earrings. After a crazy search for my wedding, I gave up when I found the perfect pair of "vintage-look" earrings at J. Crew. Now that is my first stop for this sort of thing!

Vintage-Inspired Earrings

BaubleBar Jet Marquee Triad Studs, $18

J.Crew Crystal Shimmer Earrings, $58

Lulu Frost for J.Crew North Star Earrings, $118

I am so hankering for a new, fun clutch! I think it will have to be Kate Spade, based on how many of her clutches I have pinned lately!

Interesting Clutches

Kate Spade Cinema City Samira, $298

Kate Spade Saturday Half-Circle Clutch in Leather, $130

Dune Black Feather Clutch Bag, $110

Forever 21 Structured Faux Leather Clutch, $24.80

Moyna Tribal Beaded Clutch, $146.06

ASOS Zip Top Clutch Bag in Rose and Check, $42.19

I'm obsessed with super cool head bands after finding a spectacular green feathered one for the aforementioned wedding. It really dresses up basic maternity black! Now why didn't I wear that to the Style Setters event? This is what happens when you try to get dressed in 10 minutes while feeding the baby dinner...

Headbands and Hair Accessories

Forever 21 Sparkling Beaded Headband, $10.80

Rock and Rose Iona Halo Headband, $81

Sugarpova Pony, $28

I purchased a faux fur collar a few season ago and have worn it to death. Over a coat, a cardigan, a sweater, a dress...The fur collar doubles the look of everything you own. I MUST have the pink ASOS one below as my pastel accessory this season! 

Faux Fur Collars

Blanche in the Brambles Cream Faux Fur Collar, $143

ASOS Faux Fur Lapel Collar, $40.50

ASOS Faux Fur Lapel Collar, $40.50

And finally, the floppy hat. This accessory will make you feel like a cool Parisian, I promise!

Wide-Brimmed Hats

Gucci Wool-Felt Wide Brimmed Hat, $525

Nasty Gal Chelsea Wool Hat, $40