How to wear your NYE sequins

Option 1: Running around like a crazy person trying to get ready for the evening's festivities!

This DVF Gracie sweater is from Neiman Marcus, and I love the graphic sequin print!  Theory leather leggings... definitely an investment piece, but also a must-have edition for my wardrobe (these are on sale at Neiman Marcus).  Rebecca Minkoff suede Selina pumps, the rose gold detail on the heel makes them extra fun.  These little rock stud earrings are only $19 on gilt.com!

Option 2: NYE dinner party

Whether you're hosting or attending this outfit will look chic and be comfortable!  These grey jeans and sequined shirt are from J Crew Factory (for a steal)!  The polka dot blouse by Joie, and can be found at Neiman Marcus.  The earring are by Indulgems and the bracelet is by Panacea and both can be found at Neiman Marcus Last Call.  The shoes (now sold out) were purchased on gilt.com and have just a 3 inch heel, so standing around and chatting won't be too painful!

Option 3: A night out on the town

This outfit will look chic as well as keep you warm as you hop around town to all the best parties.
The green fur popover is from Ann Taylor Loft.  The awesome sequined dress is on Sale at Zara for $59.99.  The green snakeskin belt is from Ann Taylor and came out to only $10!  The angle wing earrings are from T and J designs and add a little bit of rock and roll to any outfit.  This tassle key ring will help make sure your DD doesn't misplace the keys.  I love this Valentino emerald green silk rosier tote. Classic!  And what is not to love about some super sparkly Jimmy Choo's?  These are the same Theory leather leggings featured in the first option - makes it super easy to get ready, basically just throwing on a new top and some fresh accessories!

Sometimes, you just want to be casual!

I was off on Sunday, and running around trying to get ready to host NYE dinner at my apartment.  I needed to throw something on (without looking crazy) but not spend a ton of time getting ready.  This was perfect!

1)  I love this sweater, and actually saw it on another blogger, Emily, from The Sweetest Thing.  I grabbed it on sale for just $23.  Make sure to sign in with your facebook account to get your extra 20% off!  It is actually super comfy and surprisingly well made for the price.  Don't order it the week before you plan on wearing it though, because it WILL take at least 2 weeks to receive it...

2)  I have 2 of these J Crew tissue weight turtle necks.  They are so so comfy and thin (great for layering without adding bulk!)  And, for only $14.99 (during a sale), they are worth EVERY penny!

3)  I've had this Michael Kors watch for nearly 3 years now, and I still want to wear it all the time.  It was a great buy, and you can get it now on Amazon for only $150!

4)   These grey skinny jeans from J Crew Factory are perfect!  I feel so much more put together wearing grey jeans than blue jeans these days.  They are also very flattering (unlike some skinny jeans that make me look/feel like a sausage!)... but the best part?  They only cost $31.50 before any extra discount the store is offering that day!  Score.

5)  This bag is another one of my Zara sale finds.  It's really more of a zippy wallet with a strap - perfect for running errands without weighing yourself down!

6)  My pink loafers are super old and from nine west, but these are super cute with the tassles and are from the Ruche's website... I love tassles!

JCP clearance sale

A co-worker of mine recently turned me on to MNG by Mango at JC Penney.  I haven't shopped there since my mom used to drag my brother and I kicking and screaming to buy new school clothes in Elementary. Yikes.  It was so refreshing to see a brand I love (Mango) doing great inexpensive pieces for JCP.  I found some great buys!

These cream pants will be great going into spring!  For know, I'd style them with a chunky cable knit sweater in the same color and black suede pointy toe pumps.  As it warms up, they'll look great with a bright pop of color, or a soft blush!  Best part?  They  were $19.99.

How great is this belt?  It came to $9.34 - what's not to love!?!  I got a small so that I can wear it at my true waist over a dress or cardigan.

I stumbled across this sequined fringe skirt by a brand called Joe Fresh (never heard of it before), but for $16.99 I figured it was worth a shot!

These are two that I am going to keep my eye on:

This one is a sequined leopard print, and is adorable (it's still $40, not on sale) but I decided to wait since I ordered the one pictured above.  I firmly believe in sequins for daily wear, but am trying to not go CRAZY here!

 

OMG.  I LOVE this jacket.  First, teal is my favorite color.  Second, gold is the only accent metal I wear these days.  Third, the shape is super cute and feminine.  BUT... they were sold out online!  I am seriously thinking about making the trek to Pearland where they say that it is in stock (which is SO not like me because I hate to drive more than 5 mins anywhere!)  It's only $23.99!!!!!!!

My picks from the Zara sale!

The Zara Sale is one of my favorite times of year.  They have great fashion forward clothes that are SO reasonably priced - at sale time, they are downright cheap!!

I love this chunky charcoal sweater!  It's not too heavy for Houston, and it's super snuggly.  Great paired with skinny jeans or leather leggings.  I'd also wear it with my leather mini skirt and pointy toe flats when the weather warms up. Just went down to $49.99!

This top is SO fun with a slim cut trouser for work or wax coated jean for date night.  Its a nice dense material, so it will hold its slightly puffy shape and will look best with a slim silhouette on bottom.

What a great piece for layering with a blazer or cardigan!  This piece would be so versatile and can easily be dressed up or down.  It would work with a dramatic wide leg trouser just as well as with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans rolled up at the ankle!

This little dress is super fun in person.  It's got great black and ivory detailing with a beaded neckline.  I wore it belted with a cardigan and opaque black tights and knee high black boots for work.  It's really a great transitional dress, and will look good worn with strappy heels for spring.

I am going to HAVE to go back and buy this dress.  The way it is structured reminds me of the awesome Balenciaga dresses Jennifer Connelley used to wear.  And the best part?  It's only $39.99!

This dress is sequined all over, and perfect for a night out!  It dips low in the back adding a little somethin' somethin' if you know what I mean!! It could be worn with a blazer to make it a little more professional.  Anything I buy has to be versatile!

The outfit I can't wait to wear!

Most of these pieces were ordered online, and I can't WAIT for them to come in!  The black and white sweater with sequined shoulders is from Ann Taylor Loft, and is currently sold out, but keep checking back!

 

Saks outlet sale, extra 40% off at Loft continues, and up to 50% off at Bloomingdales

The Saks Off Fifth outlet sale is going on now with 40-50% off their sale prices!  I love to look at shoes, jewelry, and accessories at the outlet. 

These black suede d'Orsay pumps by Rachel Zoe are AMAZING for $141.  They are perfect to pair with jeans, leather leggings, and pencil skirts.  They also have a great little gold detailing on the back, and you know I love GOLD!  The pointy toe pump has made a come back in a big way, and it is definitely an easy way to update your look.

 

 

Ann Taylor Loft is one of my favorite places to find comfy chic pieces, and today is the last day of their 40% off everything sale. 

I told Santa that this keychain simply HAS to be in my stocking. Wink, wink Jimmy!  What a great unexpected accessory.  Tassels are definitely a hot item right now. 

 

 

And this neck warmer is so cozy (since we have been getting more than our share of cool weather this year!) I LOVE the green!  I have a grey cape that will look fabulous with this.

These T Tahari faux leather panel leggings are at Bloomingdale's for just $35.  Great deal, and so versatile!  They can be worn well in to spring with light weight flowy tops and strappy sandals.  They would also look great with the Rachel Zoe pumps pictured first in this post or booties.

Holiday gift wrap tradition

Every year in the recent past I have picked out a theme for our holiday gift wrap. It's a new tradition that I just LOVE. It makes the simplest of gifts seem extra special, and it makes a beautiful statement under the tree!

This year I went with fuschia, pink and silver. Since our apartment is small, I decided to forego the typical tree and use a small white feathered one (with gold glitter tips) I picked up at Z Gallerie last year on sale. It sits in the middle of our dining table as a centerpiece with the gifts arranged around it. (This works for us since we use the table mostly for get-togethers, not daily meals.)

I also did less bows-they are generally smooshed in the transportation back home-in lieu of more creative  and interesting ribbon. 

I used an old Adrienne Vittadini scarf as my "tree skirt." You can see it right when you come in the door, and it gives us the festive feeling of holiday decorating without giving up any floor space! 

All of the gift wrap and ribbon were purchased at Target.