Winter White

With the holidays fast approaching, and for us in MN the inevitable large amounts of SNOW, you may find yourself searching for that perfect outfit for a date nite, or perhaps a festive holiday party.  

What I love about my close group of girlfriends is that we've decided to always have a "theme" for our annual holiday party. 
This will only be the third year with a theme, but it has made getting dressed SO much simpler!  I wish there were more parties/events that had a theme for "dressing up"....it's SO much fun, and again, easier to know what you will be wearing!

Our first "theme" was, of course, the "ugly sweater" party. It was fun, and we even "voted" on the ugliest sweater & the winner received a fun "door prize!" Last year's theme was SPARKLE! Everyone layered on the sparkle, sequins, glitter & bling!  So fun! 




This year we have decided on "Winter White." I am very excited about this year's choice, as lace, ivory, white, and cream are so so fun to layer & then pile on the jewels of course!  


I purchased a pair of MiH velvet ivory skinnies (from houndstooth) that I'm very excited to wear....now it's just down to finding that perfect top, or sweater, or combination of the two to complete the look!  I do have several choices to choose from in my closet, it's just a matter of creating that look I've imagined in my head....we'll see how it goes! 

It's always fun to see how others take a "theme" and create their own look within that same idea! Everyone always adds their own personal style & touch to what they put together!  

Here are a few of my favorite items & looks that fit into our theme, Winter White.

Halloween

Halloween is probably my favorite "holiday" of the year.....

I LOVE the crisp fall evenings, the colorful leaves, a fire in the fireplace, carving pumpkins, and of course-dressing up!!!

Now that I am "too old" to trick-or-treat, I have yet to be invited to a Halloween party, but as a teacher I can dress up for the day (school appropriately of course)! I also love just staying home to answer the door & see all the costumes the kids from the neighborhood are wearing.
Pinterest has made the idea of dressing up even easier, as it's so simple to find costume ideas-whether it's just for yourself, for you + one, or a group costume idea!

Here are just a few of my favorites I've seen or heard about this year:
(all of the following photos/pictures were taken from Pinterest)

Any of the Harry Potter characters is always fun....this could be a single costume, a couples' costume, or a group costume!!

I've recently seen friends dress up as Paul Bunyon & Babe the blue ox! ...maybe just a common costume for those of us in the Midwest/state of MN??!!

Here's another fun costume for couples: Marilyn Monroe & Joe DiMaggio!

I'll always be a fan of the "zoot suit + flapper" costume idea as well...who doesn't love dressing from the '20s??!!

There are SO many adorable costumes for kids....especially now with etsy as a great site to find handmade costumes and/or props or even just another place to peruse for ideas!

Love this one (mouse trap):

Fabulous scarecrow:

...and of course, a "mini-Audrey":

Check out this LINK with 10 "last minute" costumes....some fun ideas!


Check out my costumes Pinterest page for more fabulous costume ideas HERE!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Always Overdress

If I've learned anything from my father working in the high-end retail business, and having his own great personal style, it's that it's always better to be overdressed.

No matter where it is you are headed, once you get there, you'd much rather be turning heads because you look fabulous and not because you are the worst dressed person in the room!

Thus "when in doubt, overdress," ~always!

I think this is especially important when considering what to wear to a wedding. At every wedding there will always be two people who are dressed in their best as they say their vows...and if nothing else, it's better to be the next best dressed at the party!

I would never recommend wearing jeans to a wedding, except in a few rare occasions, and only if you are a male. Women should never wear jeans to a wedding, ever!  Guys can pull off the look if it's a beach, or perhaps barn, wedding, the denim is very dark in color (with no holes of course), and is paired with a dress shirt, jacket & tie! Then, and only then, can it work.

Ladies--pull out that fabulous dress you haven't worn in a year, put on your favorite heels, and grab a fun clutch--why not?  I think there are far too few events these days where we can really get all dressed up! So take advantage!

....I would have loved to live back in the 1920s....they always had excuses for parties & dressing up in fabulous gowns with gorgeous jewels!!

I also believe very much in this:

I think that showing up to an event or party dressed up shows the host/hostess that you cared enough about the party to put on your best! And again, if you have an excuse to go out, why wouldn't you choose to wear something fun & exciting that you don't normally get to wear on a regular basis?!?  Seems like a "no-brainer" to me!

Traveling is another "event" that I think people tend to under-dress for. I don't quite understand the people that basically wear their pajamas on an airplane....aren't you going someplace new? Isn't that exciting and worth putting some effort into your appearance for?   I am a firm believer that comfort doesn't have to come in a velour jumpsuit, but clearly many people feel otherwise.

I do believe that whatever you put on each morning, no matter where you are headed, should at least tell the world a little about you: who you are or maybe who you feel like being that day....if nothing else, have fun with your style and when in doubt, 

ALWAYS OVERDRESS!!