It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Last Friday night, I went out on a ‘date’ with my parents. We went to a fantastic Mexican restaurant in a nearby town and then drove around for hours looking at Christmas lights and all the decorated houses. If I was looking for a reason to be in the Christmas mood, I sure found it. I thought I would show you some of the fun pictures of the holiday lights from our excursion.

We went to a number of different houses, but the one I'm going to share with you is one that would put Clark Griswold to shame. I don’t even know how to describe it, so I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.      Just remember this is all ONE house.

Isn’t this house crazy! It takes the family three months to get all the lights and decorations up. Once they’re all on, they open up their home to the community and let everyone, literally, walk their driveway looking at the lights and decorations. Moreover, it’s all free! There were so many families and couples enjoying the lights and holiday spirit together. Sorry to be so sentimental, but I think that this is such a wonderful and generous gift that this family has given to my community.

Below is the house next door to house with all the lights.

So, I hope that these photos have helped put you in the holiday mood, too.

December Decorating by "A"

Here's a wonderful Holiday post by my lovely friend, "A" -

Deck the Halls!

So, the Holidays are definitely one of my favorite times of the year! I got off the airplane from Maui on Thanksgiving night (I had a lovely airplane food dinner – yum!) and went from tropical vacation mode to Christmas craziness immediately. I wanted to share some of my favorite things about December:

1.  Waking up on Christmas morning - My family’s home still fills me with warm, magical joy that takes me back.
2. Cooking Cornish Game Hens – They are so much more flavorful & fancy than Turkey – Try it this year because they are delish!
3. Engaging in Christmas shopping - This special year, I have planned a weekend trip with a bestie to visit Manhattan because where else would we do our Christmas shopping?!
4. Baking all month long - spritz cookies, cranberry pistachio biscotti, orange molasses and spice cookies
5. And lastly Decorating -

… I couldn’t wait to go get a tree, breakout the decorations from my storage unit to “festivise” my abode. With football on the tube, a glowing fire, a mug of apple cider, and my mini dachshund watching curiously from the couch, I began this yuletide transformation.

1. The Tree – As you can see from this picture, I love it because it is done in a silver and gold motif. These colors were chosen after our Alma Mater, The University of Idaho. Go Vandals!

2. The Mantel – This is also aimed to be fancy and whimsical. I love the frosted pine cones and silver ribbon. I need a new camera to capture the true colors, but it’s a perfect counterpart to the tree.

Thanks for joining in my holiday spirit! Please share your favorite parts about the holidays – we love hearing from you!

Pencil Skirt Monday - My First Lookbook!

All right, I did it! I followed through with my promise, and here it is ladies and gentleman, my first-ever, lookbook! I’m a little nervous about this, so please bear with me.

Turtleneck: Banana Republic Black Cotton Cashmere – Similar Here

Skirt: Banana Republic Black Lace Pencil Skirt (Winter 2008) – Similar Here

Tights: Assets by Sarah Blakely Women’s Terrific Tights – Here

Shoes: Cole Haan Fiona Black Calf Mid-Air Pump – Here

Necklace: Ann Taylor Long Pearl Pavé Necklace – Here

Since this is my first time doing this, I wanted to show something that symbolized my personal style. Although simple, this ensemble illustrates the effortless, classic look that I strive for in my outfits. It incorporates so many of my favorite things – pencil skirts, pearls, turtlenecks and tights. I just can’t seem to go wrong.

Originally, I wore it to my in-office holiday party last year, but it has become my one of my favorite day-to-night ensembles during the holidays and wintertime. Pairing the lace pencil skirt with a turtleneck makes the outfit completely office appropriate, and by adding the necklace or changing up the top, I can easily make this outfit suitable for a night on the town.

Pencil skirts with lace or patterns, like this one, are an easy and fun way to dress up during the holidays. When choosing a top for this type of skirt, there are many options. Depending on the event and time of day, long-sleeves could easily be traded in for some type of sleeve-less top. Do keep in mind that solid colored tops may be your best bet, as they will help to draw attention to the detailing of the skirt. When choosing jewelry, make sure it complements, not overwhelms the skirt you’re wearing. However, I’m a big fan of adding things with sparkles and such this time of year as it can help elevate your outfit from boring to brilliant.

Hope you enjoyed my first lookbook.

Where Would Women be Without Women?

Here is a beautiful post from my dear friend, M, who's also the author of other items on my blog, such as The Jean Process I & II and The Best Accessories. Enjoy.

Over the past few months I have watched beautiful women struggle through very ugly situations. My dearest friends have dealt with heartbreak, disappointment, job uncertainty, financial hardship, and changes they had not prepared for. I have not been free of these challenges myself. The past year of my life has been riddled with failed relationships, insecurities, growth, and a simple sadness. After long evenings with the phone in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, I have realized that none of these hardships are unique or singular. Though we often feel alone, we actually have more company than we realize.

Throughout these challenges there has been one constant variable, friendship. When a boss, boyfriend, or any other scenario has come up short, our girlfriends have consistently been there. They have provided us the company that we craved, the reassurance that we needed, and the confidence to remind us that things do and will get better. I write this with the fortune of having had that experience myself.

So my question to all women is, “Where would women be without women?” Where would I be without the women who have shaped my life? Our mothers, grandmothers, sister and aunts have given us traits and ideals to emulate, admire, and appreciate. It’s the relationships with other women that are often more surprisingly important. The woman at work whose sorrow we can almost touch, as she deals with the loss of a child. Or the woman whose presence causes the feeling of jealousy and makes us reflect on our own insecurities. Good or bad, these women all have an impact on our lives just as we do theirs. Therefore, more strongly than I ever, I think women should be advocates for other women. I encourage us to find the positive, the beautiful, dynamic and intelligent sides of each other.

Think of your friends and consider why you love them? Those great qualities like humor, compassion, ambition, sensitivity, and the ability to continue developing into a better woman are not traits copyrighted by only friends, they are traits that all women possess in some way or form. My challenge to myself and to you is to find something to appreciate about the women you encounter. Next time you’re standing in line for the bathroom, tell her you like her shoes, or her hair, or her smile (I know we can find something). Compliment a woman at work for a job well done. Or, simply smile at a woman you pass on the sidewalk. The surprising, small gestures of kindness and appreciation are often the most touching. If we begin to be our own cheerleaders, I believe there will be less lonely nights ahead of us.

The Holidays are Here and What Should I Wear?

I’m back! Sorry I haven’t posted for awhile. I thought I was going to have time to while I was in Iowa, but then fiancé and I got busy running errands, cooking Thanksgiving, shopping and just hanging out together. Hence, although my intent was to sit down and write out a lovely Thanksgiving Tribute and to get ahead on some posts for the month of December, I, in fact, did not get any of that done. Then, yesterday, I intended to finish a great post for Pencil Skirt Monday, but with it being month-end, and my supervisor’s first day out on maternity leave, I was too overwhelmed to think of anything but numbers and getting my reports finished. After work, I was planning on heading home and sitting in front of the fire with a cup of tea and my lap top, but M called and asked if I wanted to go out for sushi with some other friends, and since I hadn’t seen her for an entire week, I couldn’t resist saying yes. As you can see, my post writing is a little behind now. But don’t fret because I’ve got some great things planned for the month of December, including - some of my favorite holiday recipes, a holiday gift exchange, and if I can pull it together (cross your fingers) my first lookbook featuring some of my holiday outfits for the parties I’m attending this year. Anyway, I’ve got some good things in the works, and if I can stay focused I may actually pull them off.

In the mean time, I need your help. Actually, I need a bit of fashion advice. I know, I know, most of the time I’m the one answering questions and giving advice, but let me explain myself a bit, and then, please, tell me what you think.

I’m the first to admit, that sometimes my classic style can be a bit simple, and by simple I mean safe. It’s hard for me to go outside my comfort zone, and although I’d love to try wearing leather leggings or over-the-knee boots, or dare I say it, even harem pants, I wear things that I’m comfortable in, know will look good on me, and are plain safe. For instance – I’ve owned a leather mini skirt for almost 6 years now. For Halloween this year, I thought that the leather mini would be a great addition to my cat outfit, as I explain in Homecoming & Halloween. I decided to wear it with a turtleneck and tights, very simple and very conservative (see picture to the right, sorry for the blurriness). However, in my head, I had doubts. Wearing a mini skirt is something I don’t’ do very often, and knowing that it was leather, made me even more nervous. Sometimes, I can be such a plain Jane. So, before I actually put on the leather mini, M had to sit me down, and convince me, that despite my reservations, the skirt was actually fashionable, fun and looked good on me. I know, crazy, right?! Guess what, her predictions were correct! I seriously do not know why I don’t wear the thing more.

Anyway, the point of this story is that often times I’m afraid to go outside my comfort zone and wear things, that would look good on me, but I convince myself they won’t. They’re not even outrageous or out of control, but I just seem to talk myself out of wearing them.

My company’s Holiday party is this weekend (I’m taking my little brother as my date since fiancé is obviously out of town). I have this full, cocktail length, black organza skirt that I bought from Banana Republic’s holiday line in 2006. I’ve only worn it once, but I absolutely adore it. It’s always been a little big, and I finally got it altered last winter, but not in time to wear it during the holidays. Originally, I wore it with a fitted cream top, some pearls and a pair of black flats. Very simple, very classic. I wanted to spice it up a little more this year, and so I was looking for something fun, with a little bit of sparkle, etc. I told myself to look outside my comfort zone and try something different. And so, a few weeks ago, I fell upon this top from Ann Taylor. I was skeptical at first because I kind of think the bib-necklace thing, especially when it’s just an decoration on a shirt, might be a short-lived trend. Anyway, when I put it on, I was shocked at how much I actually liked it. It was fitted enough to complement the fullness of the skirt, and the embellishment gave it that little something extra I was looking for. Additionally, I think I could wear it during the winter months after the holidays to work or out on a Friday evening.

Here’s where I need your help. I need to know what you think. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Do you have suggestion for something else? Because even though I’ve owned the shirt for 2 weeks now, tried it on with skirt and listed all the positive things about it, it’s still outside my comfort zone. I know, you must think I’m crazy because literally it’s just a sweater with some beading, but the bib-necklace thing wasn’t a trend that I ever thought I could do, and now here I am jumping on the bandwagon. So please, let me know what you think. I only have 4 days to convince myself or come up with something else, so please help me. Thanks in advance.

Off to Iowa

Hello my loveley friends! Just wanted to let you know that I'm currently in Iowa seeing fiance for the first time in 3.5 months. It's so exciting since I've missed him so much. We plan on making a delicious Thanksgiving meal for ourselves and a few of fiance's medical school friends. Should be a wonderful time. I'll try to post again sometime this week, so make sure to check back. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

Pencil Skirt Monday - A Thanksgiving Outfit - The Sweater Dress

Dressing up for the holidays is something I look forward to all year. My family has never been one to take any type of celebration lightly, and have grown up with the mantra “Better to be over dressed than under dressed”. Thanksgiving is no exception. While, me may get to tone it down a bit, considering will be gorging ourselves on luscious carbohydrates and filling our bellies with copious amounts of alcohol, getting dressed up for this holiday event isn’t any different than any other.

Don’t get me wrong, we don’t get over-the-top dressed up for Thanksgiving, we simply like to look nice at dinner. Typically, I wear something that’s comfortable yet classy, like a nice sweater dress.

As you know, most things in my wardrobe have to fit two criteria – practical and fashionable. Fortunately, for me, sweater dresses do just this, especially on Thanksgiving. From a practical standpoint, sweater dresses are a simple and comfortable item to wear on Thanksgiving. Most of the sweater dresses, I own, with the exception of one or two, are a-line or straight up and down. For me, wearing a sweater dress on thanksgiving not only feels physically comfortable but also mentally comfortable. Not only am I wrapped up in a delightfully cozy sweater, but I don’t feel restricted or self conscious especially after my second helping of mashed potatoes washed down with another glass of champagne.

Untitled by _Greta_ featuring Antik Batik

From a fashionable standpoint, sweater dresses are an easy way to look good while also staying comfortable. Sweater dresses require little effort, and when paired with the right accessories can go from simple to spectacular. The shape, style and material of your sweater dress will determine what types of accessories you should pair with it. Most of the sweater dresses I own are easily worn some type of tights or leggings. For me, this is the more appropriate addition, since I rarely go bare legged after October. Shoes are more of a personal thing, but I typically wear some kind of boot whether tall or ankle length. If the style of the dress is loose-fitting, a belt may be added to define the waist. However, the belt option may be skipped on Thanksgiving depending on how much you plan to eat. Jewelry with a sweater dress can be really fun, especially if you’re wearing a simple silhouette or color, as it provides a canvas for a dramatic piece, whether necklace or earring. Long necklaces seem to be more popular with sweater dresses, but this is subject to the type of neckline. A hoop or dramatic stud earring can also be a pleasant addition to the ensemble. I’m also a fan of wearing large bangles or cocktail rings with a simple dress. Scarves whether draped or tied around the neck are also another nice piece to add to a sweater dress outfit. Of course, not all of these accessory options are meant to be worn together, remember less is always more, except when it comes to food on Thanksgiving. Adding accessories to the simple sweater dress can make for a fun and stylish outfit, that’s also comfortable and forgiving, too.

Bon iver by Miss Wallflower featuring Givenchy shoes

Getting dressed up for holidays and special events, isn’t something that I think everyone should do. However, if your family is anything like mine, then it’s a tradition you just can’t seem to kick. Which is why, on Thanksgiving, when my family feels the need to look nice at the dinner table, although we’re about to sit down and consume 4,500, sweater dresses make perfect sense.

Winter Style by Natasha11 featuring MINT Jodi Arnold dresses

What will you be wearing this Thanksgiving?