Winter Basics

More often than not, having nothing to wear effects the lives of many women. While our closets and drawers are stuffed full of clothes, we cannot find a single thing to wear in the morning, especially when we are in a hurry. Everything always seems to just not fit right or is something we feel we just wore, whatever the reason, this is a conflict that must be resolved.
Going through my own closet, I've noticed that I am really lacking basics. It seems almost everything I buy has some sort of pattern or design, that will be noticeable if I wore them multiple times within a couple of weeks. Investing in basics will help cut down on the "I have nothing to wear" moments because of their immense versatility. Basics are like building blocks for your wardrobe, look for pieces that can be layered, dressed up, dressed down, or just thrown on on the way out the door.
The first piece I recommend investing in for winter is a pull over sweater in a neutral tone. This piece will go with anything and will look really chic paired with any statement colors or textures. Choose a neckline and fit that suits you best, anything from a drapey style to a form fitting v-neck will do. You can layer a button down under a sweater or throw an embellished or printed scarf over it to give it life. Also, if solid colors really aren't your thing, opt for a color-blocked style or even stripes, just make sure the colors remain neutral so that it will go with virtually anything.

Ann Taylor

Piperlime

Old Navy

Pull over sweaters are so versatile and essential to all wardrobes. The countless ways to style pieces such as these will allow you to get numerous wears out of them and they will definitely be worth every penny you spent.
For your bottom half, a must have basic is a black pant. I'm sure almost everyone owns black bottoms of some sort, but it is still an essential item. You can find many different styles of black pants, from leggings, to ponte, to denim, anything you choose will be able to transform into your style. Rather than choosing a plain black, try something different, maybe some leather detailed leggings, or black ponte pants with a white or grey stripe down the leg. These subtle details will make your basic look not so basic, but still allow you to pair your bottoms with any top or any accessory. Whether its a night out with friends, a day at work, or a first date, you can do no wrong in a black pant.

Francesca's

BCBG

Zara

No matter your style investing in basics is so important. Next time you feel that you don't have anything to wear, check for basic pieces and try to build from them. If you feel you don't have enough basics in your wardrobe, now is the time to invest. Spend your money wisely this winter and it will help you save money in the future, a few of these versatile pieces will take you a long way and you will have a great beginning to a fabulous winter wardrobe!

Holiday Party Dressing

About three weeks ago I was asked to start planning our office holiday party. I was really excited and thought that I was finally going to be doing something I enjoyed and looked forward to. After I picked a gorgeous venue and created amazing e-vites, the lack of enthusiasm about the party really put a damper on planning. I didn't blame anyone for not being excited, I didn't really want to attend myself. The party has no-w come and gone, and as it turns out that despite everyone's negativity, it was a huge success and they all enjoyed themselves.
It's that time of year, when you'll be attending numerous holiday events, whether you want to or not, it seems almost unavoidable. Make your holiday party obligations worthwhile with the most fabulous ensemble that will make you feel great and will give you something to look forward to. especially if you're not interested in the party itself.
This season, sequined dresses are always a hit, but one in a metallic or pastel will be a breath of fresh air in a room full of reds and greens. Dare to try something new and different. A blush or nude dress with your choice of how much sparkle will look so spectacular this time of year. Pair your sparkly dress with a faux fur vest or coat or accessorize with a furry or feather bag. Mixing sparkle with faux fur will combine different textures and make your evening wear more luxurious. Below is some inspiration for your upcoming holiday parties.
 

ASOS

Express

Tobi

If you are not excited about wearing yet another dress this holiday season, change things up by wearing a chic jumpsuit. These are a major trend right now and are so versatile, they can be easily dressed up for the fanciest and most sophisticated parties. Trade your little black dress for a black jumpsuit and dress it up with the right statement accessories. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, opt for jewel tones like reds or sapphires.

BCBGMaxAzria

White House Black Market

Anthropologie

Whether you choose to go with a dress or a jumpsuit, you will definitely be the most fashionable person at the party. Remember to accessorize based on the amount of sparkle in the piece you chose. If the dress is covered in sequins, keep shoes neutral, if there is little to no sparkle, add some with an embellished clutch or shoes. Whatever you decide, you'll at least have something to be excited about if you're not looking forward to the party, and then who knows, you may have a great time after all.

Layering Necessity

It's Monday morning and you think you're all ready for work, you grab your purse and catch a glimpse of your outfit in the mirror. You pause, something is missing. You're wearing a cute printed blouse and you know that a cardigan will just cover it up, but without a layering piece your outfit just falls flat. The solution you may be looking for is a vest. Vests are perfect for layering and they will give your outfit the extra dimension it might be lacking without covering up too much of your top half.
For more "dressed up" looks, faux fur is a great option. It will add a chic element to your outfit. It also is a pretty effortless way to elevate your most basic look and give it a more luxurious touch. Another great thing about faux fur is that it will add a different texture to your ensemble, there are also many different color and texture options. You can choose more natural looking faux fur of blacks, browns, whites, and greys, or you can opt for reds, blues, greens, or even a print. Choose one that you love and wear it the next time you go to work, out to dinner, or to a holiday party, you will definitely be making a statement of luxury no matter where you are.

Nordstrom

Tobi

Macy's

 
Another type of vest that makes a great layering piece this time of year is a puffer vest. Puffer vests have been around for a long time, but styling them with a little more effort, rather than throwing it on on your way out the door will give this layering piece a more elevated look. Put together a cozy outfit with jeans, boots, and chunky cable knit sweater, and you'll look like you're ready for a nice casual, relaxing day. Add a printed puffer and you'll look just as cozy but even more chic. Adding a layer to any outfit will give it more depth and make you look instantly more stylish. A solid puffer over a printed flannel top will also look fabulous. Add a statement necklace or a scarf to pull everything together. Below are some examples of puffer vests that will be more than just an afterthought in your wardrobe. Wear them open or closed, they will be the perfect accent to your already cozy outfit.

Juicy Couture

Old Navy

J. Crew

The best part about vests is that you can find one that will suit virtually any budget! For more inspiration on how to style a vest follow me on Poylvore @sararamani