Oh holiday sweaters, how I love thee! No, not the ugly sweater kind. Although, those are always fun for a night. But the adorable holiday sweaters with endearing embellishments. Give me all the pompoms, wraparound Christmas lights, cuddly winter animals, and sparkles. These sweaters are usually 3D, meaning there’s something puffy or soft that’s totally touchable on them. Why are they so dang cute? Because they’re doing double duty keeping you warm and getting you into the holiday spirit.
Sweater, Hat, Jeans: c/o Boden
This adorable fair isle sweater has got little pompom hats on it that match with the pompom hat I’m wearing. If that doesn’t make you go aww, then you may not have a heart.
Shop Cute Holiday Sweaters
If you love holiday sweaters as much as I do, here are some of my favorite ones right now. They’ll keep you festive and cheery throughout the season.
And now that you’ve got your holiday sweater ready to go, here’s some great ideas for holiday gifts and holiday dresses you’ll love.
The holiday party season is all about glitz and glamour. Whether you have a company gala or an intimate dinner party, you want to look your best. I’m sharing my favorite holiday party dresses from Boden all styled at the beautiful new Angad Arts Hotel, one of the classiest spots in St. Louis. These dresses will get you in the holiday spirit, and of course, on the dance floor. So put on your dancing shoes, or stylish boots you love, and get ready for a night on the town.
A garden party print, fluttery kimono sleeves, and an adorable bow tied waist add the prettiest details to the flattering midi silhouette of the Emilie Midi dress. I love the adjustable tie waist so there’s more room for later. You can easily stuff your face without worrying about how much you eat.
And of course you won’t want to forget this cozy faux fur jacket. It’s so luxe, you might not want to take it off until the dancing starts.
Shop this Holiday Look
The Rebecca Satin dress is amazing. I didn’t expect it to be as flattering as it was. Satin skirts and dresses are hot right now. Style it with a little extra bling like shimmery shoulder dusting earrings and a slim jewel embellished belt. Alternatively, I’d also pair this dress with animal print accessories for bold pops of print. You’ll look ravishing in this dress whether you’re headed to an elegant cocktail party or gala.
Shop this Holiday Look
The Angad Arts Hotel
Located in the Grand Center Arts District of St. Louis, Angad Arts Hotel offers a first of its kind hospitality experience. Guests may choose a room based on the emotion of color: red for passion, blue for tranquility, yellow for happiness, or green for rejuvenation.
The hotel boasts one of the most unique lobby experiences in St. Louis. The lobby is located on the 12th floor where guests first step into the Chameleon Lounge. This room features white and gold touches and is anchored by a giant lamp with an immersive 360-degree video art experience. Off to the left is a purple playroom where you can enjoy your favorite instrument or game. Take the stairs up to the Rainbow Terrace where you can hang in their indoor rooftop lounge or take in sweeping city views on the balcony outside.
And of course the brand new Grand Tavern restaurant by Chef David Burke is now open. Whimsically titled classic American fare like emotional lobster dumplings or a cheesecake lollipop tree will leave you wanting more. I’ll be sharing my dining experience later this month on the blog.
Holiday Party Dresses You’ll Love
If you’re looking for the perfect party dress this holiday season or to wear out to this fancy new hotel, here are some more of my favorites to twirl the night away in.
Photographs by Kate Sanders. Visit her at katesandersphoto.com for more information or to book a session.
The biggest sale day of the year is here. While many people are out scoring televisions or doorbusters, I’m all about deeply discounted boots. I’ve listed some of the best Black Friday deals on boots you won’t want to miss at Nordstrom’s Black Friday sale. Some of the priciest boots are usually over the knee boots. If you’re looking for the perfect pair to try or a few dressy ankle boots to boot (no pun intended) you’ve come to the right place. And don’t forget to check out my winter boots guide for style inspiration.
Are you excited for boot season because I am! I recently swapped out my sandals and slides with winter boots. Now my shoe closet is prepared for what’s gearing up to be a very cold winter. Naturalizer gifted me 5 of their hottest winter boots. I love Naturalizer shoes because they’re comfortable from the first step. But these shoes certainly don’t forfeit style for comfort. Here are 5 super stylish winter boots under $200 that will keep you looking fresh for every occasion.
Naturalizer Danica Boots
Dress: J.Crew / Headband: Old Navy (similar) / Shoes: c/o Naturalizer / Tights: Banana Republic (similar) / Clutch: Target
The Danica Boot: A Navy bootie is a wardrobe must. This particular shade of navy has a punch to it. So these booties will stand out from the rest of their blue brethren. They’re practical, functional, yet still fun.
How to Style: Pair with patterned tights and a printed dress or skirt for a whimsical look. Or try different shades of all blue to celebrate their beautiful inky hue.
The Aster Boot: When you’re cold and need to trudge around wintry streets, the Aster boot is what you want. Smooth black leather, a lug sole, and a wraparound buckle round out this classic boot style.
How to Style: This casual, yet sleek boot goes perfectly with jeans or leggings. Mug of hot chocolate optional.
The Harlowe Boot: Every woman needs a tall black suede boot. When you want to wear a dress, but it’s too cold to wear heels, the Harlowe boot will keep you warm and chic.
How to Style: Wear with black tights and a killer dress for a sleek silhouette.
The Blair Boot: A brown ankle boot is a classic wardrobe staple. These boots instantly elevate any look whether you wear them with jeans, slacks, or a skirt.
The Hollace Boot: A slouchy white ankle bootie is one of the coolest winter boots to wear right now. I love the way a pop of white transforms a look. This particular bootie has a bit of a playful 80s vibe.
How to Style: Complement your midi skirt with these bold white booties. These Hollace booties will instantly make your look stand out.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this winter boots guide. I’m set this season with the perfect winter boots for every winter occasion. And I can’t recommend them enough for comfortable, affordable shoe style. Which of these winter boots is your favorite?
When it comes to shopping designer collaborations, I look for quality over quantity (i.e. how much I can snag). Is the piece something I’ll wear often? Or will it become dated once the collaboration dies down? I recently shopped the Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific collaboration and wanted almost everything. But I knew there was one item that would get the most traction in my wardrobe: the double breasted wool pink blazer. It’s a classic and versatile piece that I can style multiple ways. Here are 3 of my favorite pink blazer outfits inspired by the collection.
Look 1: The Dainty Statement Blouse
This Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Bow Front Pleated Blouse was one of the collaboration’s most popular items. Dainty details peppered the collection. Three velvet bows adorn this pleated blouse with big beautiful pearls in between. I dressed down the elegant top with jeans and contrasted all that pink with leopard print flats.
Where to Wear: Sunday brunch with your crew
Statement Blouses to Pair with a Pink Blazer
Look 2: The Pink Midi Dress
The flattering silhouette of the Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Stretch Ponte Dress immediately caught my eye. I adore the way it slims my figure. The dress is cut so well that you end up looking like a million bucks.
To be honest, I just wanted an excuse to wear the uber chic wide belt. I don’t think this dress would look as good without it. But I probably would’ve bought this dress anyway since I’m a huge fan of pink dresses.
Although the dress doesn’t come in petite, I find that high heels do the trick. Drape the classic pink blazer over your shoulders and the look is complete.
Where to Wear: When you want to impress new clients at work
Pink Midi Dresses to Pair with a Pink Blazer
Look 3: The Lightweight Sweater
This wool pink blazer is a bit heavy. If you want to layer a sweater underneath, choose something lightweight.
Rainbow sweaters are having a moment right now and this Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Shimmer Stripe Sweater has a fun hint of glitter. Metallic thread complements the pink blazer’s gold buttons perfectly.
Where to Wear: Job interview at a creative company (when a full business suit is too stuffy)
Lightweight Sweaters to Pair with a Pink Blazer
How I Learned to Avoid Designer Collaboration Burnout
There’s no surprise that the Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific collection was a popular one. Some of the pieces sold out quickly, but are now available again. I woke up early to shop online, effort I hadn’t put into a designer collaboration since 2011 with Missoni for Target.
I still remember the excitement from Missoni for Target. I woke up at an ungodly hour with my well researched list of items to add to my cart. When the sale began, there was such a frenzy that I made a mad rush to get every item whether I needed it or not. Perhaps the dash was what I enjoyed most because you better believe I returned at least half of it.
In the end I learned that there’s only so much chevron a person can handle. And that your choices for such a popular collaboration should be strategic.
Ask yourself 1) Can it be worn more than one season? (i.e. is it too trendy?) 2) Do you love it? (i.e. can you live without it?) If the answers to these questions are both yes, then add it to your cart without guilt because you shouldn’t need therapy for your retail therapy. Am I right?
My favorite piece from the collection was the pink blazer. What’s yours? Were you disappointed on missing out on anything that sold out?
From snakeskin to leopard, I’m wild about animal prints. While I’ve already highlighted some of my favorite leopard print fashions this season, today I’m focusing strictly on the finishing touches — accessories! Even if you’re print shy, a pop of animal print is a great way to take baby steps with your wardrobe. And since these prints can act as a neutral, animal print accessories usually go with everything.
Snake Print Accessories
Snake print is the new black! From boots to bags, this print is making its way across the style spectrum. I’m partial to the classic black and white look. But I also love when they color block the print with other hues.
Boots: c/o Soft Surroundings / Bag: Zara / Hat: Eugenia Kim (similar) / Jeans: c/o Express
Tiger Print Accessories
When you think of animal print accessories, you probably don’t think tiger first. But don’t dismiss this surprisingly chic motif. You’ll definitely stand out in this print when everyone else is wearing leopard or snakeskin.
Leopard Print Accessories
Probably the most popular of the bunch, leopard is currently one of the hottest prints this season. There are plenty of options to choose from with this classic print. Don’t be afraid to choose a colorful version for a bolder look.
So what’s the difference between cheetah and leopard print? Cheetah print features solid black spots while leopard print has a brown background with black shapes that resemble a horseshoe or circle. Even retailers get it wrong, often labeling cheetah print as leopard. But you can’t go wrong with either.
Zebra Print Accessories
I like to think of zebra as the wild child of the bunch. The contrast of the print and color is stark. If you like to rock zebra print, chances are you’re not shy about your style. Zebra is such a fun print and as an accessory it can add such an unexpected element to any look.
While you’ll always find tortoise shell eyewear, lately I’ve been seeing a ton of tortoise shell box clutches. They’re an affordable and stylish option. Plus it’s a classic clutch that will go with everything. I love matching my accessories in the same color or print family, like the earrings and clutch above. It’s a great way to turn an animal print into a neutral.
I’m a classic girl so I adore leopard for my animal print accessories. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of that print. What’s your favorite animal print to rock?
I’m all about leopard print – as a bold statement print (seen here), to accessorize with (seen here), and especially mixed with other prints like polka dots or stripes (seen here). In fact this natural print makes a fabulous neutral, with its various hues of browns and blacks that are simple to style around.
Leopard print really never goes out of style, but it does ebb and flow in popularity. This fall, you’re going to see a lot more animal print, especially leopard, in stores. Need help narrowing down the best affordable options? I’ve shared a few flattering leopard items below you’ll love, including this $30 asymmetrical skirt by Who What Wear I’ve styled here.
How to Style this Leopard Print Skirt Multiple Ways
If you’re wondering when to pull out your graphic tees, a bold print like leopard is the perfect time! Make this $30 skirt go a long way by also styling it with a black camisole, an oversized cream sweater, or even a polka dot button down. That’s what makes fashion fun – the endless possibilities!
10 Leopard Print Pieces that You’ll Want for Fall
Get your leopard print wardrobe for fall started with these timeless pieces you’ll wear again and again, starting at only $22.
I’m always on the hunt for flattering pieces that I know I’ll look good in. My simple style formula involves a stand-out color or print, a feminine detail, and a great fit. I’ve shared a few affordable jumpsuits below that follow this formula. While finding jumpsuits that fit can be tricky, these options will help flatter your figure due to one simple feature they all share. Read on to find out!
Jumpsuit: Old Navy / Headband: c/o J. Jill / Bag: c/o Boden (similar) / Sandals: c/o Boden
Selecting Jumpsuits that Fit Well
When planning an outfit, the less pieces you have to assemble, the easier it is to craft a look. That’s why jumpsuits are always such a cinch.
1. Speaking of a cinch, I always look for ones that have some sort of waist-defining moment to create that hourglass figure. That could mean a belt, a stretchy center, or simple stitching that separates the top from the bottom. This way you’re not left with one of those jumpsuits that’s overly long and baggy in the torso.
2. In case you wind up with a jumpsuit that lacks shape in the middle, you can improvise by wrapping a shirt or sweater around your waist as shown here. That way you’ll also have a cover up if it gets cold later.
3. And if you prefer jumpsuits with long torsos, try choosing one that is elasticized below the chest like this one. It will make you appear taller by emphasizing the length of your legs. Plus it makes your chest look great!
I also look for a jumpsuit with pockets because why not? I love having somewhere to put my hands!
8 Affordable Jumpsuits to Try
All of these options are fitted at the waist either with a belt or a cinched elasticized waist to guarantee a better fit. These jumpsuits range from only $20 to $70, some with an extra sale discount. STYLE TIP: Try restyling your jumpsuit’s belt on other outfits or even as a headband.
Summer is winding down soon. As I look back at this season, there were some fashionable high notes. Most of my favorite summer dresses this year were surprisingly floral. What can I say? I love a feminine print.
The Fit and Flare Midi
Fit and flare dresses are an easy way to flatter your figure by defining your waist. Easily one of my favorite summer dresses, this one is a steal for under $18.
The Linen Dress
Linen is that perfect summer fabric — lightweight, laid back, and still elegant. Pair this neutral halter dress with a pop of color.
The Punchy Yellow Florals
A bold and bright hue always puts a smile on my face. It’s no surprise I wore a lot of yellow this summer. This blue and yellow floral dress was perfect for a patio lunch at Vicia.
The next dress, currently on sale under $20, is a slightly warmer shade of yellow. Small structural details like the tie waist and tiered hem add fun.
The Ruffle Sleeve Dress
If you love ruffle sleeves, this dress has such dainty ones. It’s on sale for only $22.
The Palm Print Dress
Summer is synonymous with tropical prints, especially the palm leaf. Get an elegant rendition of the leafy print with this tie waist halter dress that will draw all the praise.
The Blush Pink Floral Dress
If you’re a sucker for all things blush pink, this dress is for you. And it’s an extra 50% off today.
The Embroidered Dress
Embroidery adds a little texture and a lot of character. This gorgeous white boho dress with pops of red and pink is now 20% off.
This summer was a colorful one for sure! Although the season may be coming to an end, I’ll definitely be wearing my favorite summer dresses through this warm September.
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