#100

Post # 100...wow, who knew we had that much to say about fashion??!!

But....as all good things come to an end....
We both find ourselves so busy with other life events that the blog has become less of a priority - and we don't want to keep you readers out there waiting & hoping for the next post.
This is not to say that we will never be back.....as we all know, life sends us in different directions at different times & who's to say that it won't bring us back.
...but for now, THANKS to all of you who have supported us & consistently followed & shared in our thoughts and opinions about all things fashion - we have appreciated it!

AND.... one of us will still be blogging!!  You can find ONEfireyfashionista at her NEW site, which includes a blog as well!  Check out what she is up to and follow her blog....who knows what this new adventure will bring??!!

So for now, bookmark her new site, she hopes to continue blogging and posting on a weekly basis!!  Check it out here:

www.marastylist.com

Cheers to 2013

Cheers to a new year: 2013!

....just a few words to end 2012 & move forward into 2013 with.

...and my FAVORITE:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Emerald

According to Pantone, the "world-renowned authority on color," THE color for 2013 will be EMERALD. 

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty 

that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

I am excited to see how this plays out in the fashion world. I believe that Emerald will be a color we will see a lot of next year, especially in the fall & winter seasons. 

This past year's color chosen by Pantone was Tangerine Tango, and although we perhaps saw more of the oxblood color in stores, tangerine was still out there, especially as an accent color.

What do you think of Pantone's past color choices and for 2013? Will you be adding any Emerald to your wardrobe?  ....as a redhead, I love any shade of green, especially those of the deeper Emerald tones! 

Here are just a few Emerald looks I'm loving.

Holiday Lists...

With the holidays come oh so many "lists"....

...from "to do" lists, "shopping" lists, "wish" lists, and perhaps "bucket" lists?!  I am a lover of lists.  I love the creating of the list almost as much as I love checking things off the list!

I thought I'd share some of my lists with you....and perhaps inspire you to create some of your own?!!

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.

Thanksgiving & Black Friday

I have been travelling over Thanksgiving for the last 2 years, thus I'm a bit out of the loop with the whole Black Friday shopping....I'm honestly slightly disappointed in how many shops/stores are opening earlier and earlier ON Thanksgiving Day -WHAT??!!  Isn't this a time to be thankful for what you HAVE, not race around & fight crowds to buy even more?

So, first & foremost, 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

I am SO thankful for my wonderful husband and the greatest family & friends anyone could ask for!

This year I will be celebrating up North in Duluth and the only plan I have for Black Friday is hitting up the Smartwool sale for some fabulous wool socks & possibly a pair of slippers or if I'm lucky enough a warm sweater for my hubby.

I just can't imagine dealing with the crazy crowds just to "score some deals" -which are often not even all that great....  My suggestion is to check out what's happening ONLINE, as many sales are starting NOW, and then support your LOCAL boutiques on Small Business Saturday!

There are a TON of "sales" and deals happening, and I completely understand how great it is to SAVE $$ on anything....especially as we approach "the season of giving." Thus, here are a few of the sales that I might checkout at some point in the next few days:

One of my favorite local boutiques, Houndstooth, will be having a FABULOUS sale on Black Friday -one that you really don't want to miss....2 locations, one in Savage & one in Eden Prairie.

Nelle handbags has FREE shipping & 20% off her gorgeous handbags from November 22-26, use code: HOLIDAY

Hot Mama = 15% off EVERYTHING storewide NOW until November 25 (in stores & online)

Shopbop is offering up to 35% off with code: BIGEVENT12

25% off & free ship on everything at Madewell code: TREAT

Get 25% off your purchase at J. Crew with code: COLOR25

J.Crew Factory- 40% off of everything! Plus 15% off when you spend $100 or more!  

Club Monaco has an extra 30% off sale items

Up to 50% off at Nordstrom (Um, hello sale on Equipment blouses!)

Bloomingdales- Up to 50% off and $25 off every $200 you spend

30% off sale items at DVF with code: HOLIDAYSALE

Last Call by Neiman Marcus- extra 40% off everything including clearance!

Steve Madden- 25% off plus free shipping with code: GIVE25

Happy Shopping!  ....and of course, enjoy the time spent with family & friends! 

GIVE THANKS for all you have!

Madewell

...is FINALLY here in the Twin Cities!

What is Madewell you ask?  

Madewell is J. Crew’s sister store. It started out as a denim brand but has grown into a full fashion collection in its own right—similar to J. Crew, but more casual and perhaps more youthful. 

The Twin Cities' (& Minnesota's) first store recently opened (Nov. 14 to be exact) at Southdale Mall in Edina. It's located on the first floor just outside of the newly renovated Herbergers.

I had a chance to quickly peruse the store this past week and was not disappointed. There were several items I could've easily taken home with me! The sweaters were fabulous, and reasonably priced, as were the blouses & scarves. The jewels were unique & the store was neat & spacious. 

I'm excited to continue to check out what's in store as I do love to shop online, but am always unsure about fit/sizes....I just hate the hassle of returns due to items that don't quite fit right!!

Here are a few items that caught my eye this first time through the store:

As I said, it was a quick perusal before a movie just to check things out, and I will definitely be back... and perhaps just might be adding a few of these items to a certain fashionista's Christmas list!!

If you haven't yet made it to Southdale, I'd highly recommend a stop....not only is Madewell worth the trip, but the mall itself is really starting to come together with its new "updated look" and renovation!

Boutique Critique: Houndstooth

If you are looking for a place to find fashion-forward, unique quality pieces to add to your wardrobe, houndstooth is the place.

Amber, the owner, has created a fabulous collection of chic items - fabulous adds to anyone's closet. 

I love the tagline on her website: 

Style can't be purchased but amazing clothes can!

SO true!!  Amber has great style & exquisite taste herself, and it shows through both the "look" of her boutique and the goods she sells!




She carries lines such as DVF, Alice & Olivia, Joie (one of my personal favorites), MiH (a fantastic denim line), Hudson, RED Valentino, Clover Canyon, and SO many more - including the jewels of our favorite local jewelry designer realiabyjen!!!



She started out in Savage in 2008 and has expanded to include two locations now: Eden Prairie and recently moved to a "new" location in Savage.

582 Prairie Center Drive #223
Eden Prairie MN 55344
Tel: 952-994-4444
8310 Egan Drive
Savage MN 55378
Tel: 952-440-1100

To get a look at what specific pieces she has in store checkout her website or LIKE Houndstooth's Facebook page for daily photos of what's new in the shop - she's constantly sharing photos of what she's ordered & what's now available in the store!

Just one of the many pieces I'm loving right now is this "snow leopard" blouse from Joie. 

I HIGHLY recommend a visit to this boutique...whether it's to find that perfect holiday ensemble or just to add another quality item to your wardrobe. You won't be disappointed!!!

Style

Just thought I'd share some of my favorite quotes & items that I'm loving right now!

LOVE this:

J.Crew does it again...SO in love:

...loving this double initial necklace, AND it's shown in MY initials! Fabulous!

This neutral ombre mani is so fun:

LOVE both of these too:

For more Style Love check out "my STYLE" board HERE on Pinterest!

Fall Fashion: MINT

Mint is no longer a color that is solely reserved for spring/summer. I'm seeing it more and more in stores' fall collections and I'm loving it! 

Blair Ritchey

This gorgeous clutch by Blair Ritchey is one that if I was lucky enough to own, I'd never "put it away for the season"...I think it's a rich enough color to use all year round.




JCrew continues to amaze me, as always. 

The fall collection has several mint hues....from the classic mint-heathered v-neck sweater to the gorgeous print shift dress and the fabulous baubles for your wrist! 
LOVE it all!

Jade = mint's darker version - is also a great way to wear this color into fall....love this silk JCrew blouse! (pictured right)


You can also easily pair 2 shades of mint together without looking too crazy...love this denim + blouse combo! Just make sure that your accessories are neutral & that the 2 mint shades are different enough in color that it doesn't look as though you were trying to match & miserably failed!

Another fashion/style blogger, J of J's Everyday Fashion shares her love for mint + camel in a somewhat recent post....which I couldn't agree more with--LOVE this color combination! Here are a few of her outfits where she pairs these 2 colors together....often with just her accessories adding that pop of color. 

As I've blogged before, I am a total sucker for MINT....and love that I can continue to wear what I have (& possibly find more fabulous pieces) all fall+ winter long!