FU Winter!!

For my last post of 2008, I decided to not go with the typical New Year Resolutions list, or to reflect thoughtfully on the year past. Eerily enough, 2008 was exactly as my Chinese horoscope had predicted: lots of changes (graduation, new job, new home), travel (Vegas, S.E. Asia), and emotional upheavals (new friendships, losing old friendships and general relationship turmoils). I can only hope that 2009 will be a bit more peaceful and harmonious! Anyways, my point was that this post is not about reflection, but about sticking it to my last memories of 2008, which are of the overabundance of winter weather atypical to my little world. Frankly I'm tired of wearing practical footwear designed to keep out slush and prevent untimely spills! I'm tired of muddy brown snow and irregular bus routes!! I'm tired of static-y hair mashed down by merciless toques!!! Enough is enough, and so, inspired by a pair of rather avant-garde shoes I saw in the local mall during Boxing Day, I went on the hunt for shoes that one way or another give the finger to winter practicality. Screw you Old Man Winter!!

Loeffler Randall Berry double-cross platform pump, $315

The first piece de resistance are these Loeffler Randall pumps. The platform and chunky heel gives one height and haughtiness, while the criss-cross straps and buckles evoke a slight S&M feel that I find... pleasurable.

Rock & Republic Rika round toe pump. $418

Though these R&R shoes cost more than most R&R jeans, they are still desirable for their sheer devilish nature. These sleek patent pumps feature adjustable straps and a 4" heel balanced by a deceivingly demure rounded toe - perfect for stalking prey during those dark winter nights.

LAMB Layard pump, $223

Now, not all the picks here can be utterly bad-ass! The grey and black tones of these lady-like pumps are nicely suited to winter's sombreness and the buckles are a trendy touch, without going overboard. You could pair these pumps with anything from straight-leg wool pants, to a comfy sweater dress with tights. Though the 5" heel is quite daunting, it's really only 4" as there is a hidden 1" platform that also serves to keep your feet above rainy day puddles.

Aldo Tavira, $90

Last but not least, is the cheapest of the picks by Aldo. Metallic toned shoes with exposed zippers are super trendy and add a bit of glam to the everyday. These great shoes may be worn year-round, but puts a sophisticated touch to winter outfits when paired with opaque black tights. Also available in black.

How would you wear these shoes?

See you all in 2009!

Lust of the Week: Alexander McQueen Hologram belt sweater dress

If I lived in New York City as a take-no-prisoners business woman, or alternatively as a chic, intelligent fashion writer for a top fashion and style magazine, this is what I would wear to the office. The cowl neck is cozy while still being fashionable for cold winters, and I like how you can pull the cowl neck to one shoulder to make it an asymmetrical neckline. Also, it doesn't get much more luxurious than 100% cashmere - it's comparable in terms of pleasure as eating chocolate cake is for your tongue! The dress also features a detachable hologram belt, which adds edginess and also value since you could reuse this belt in at least 100 different ways! Net-a-Porter pairs this dress with a hot pink clutch and high-heeled ankle boots and I could not agree more with their suggestions. This dress is sexy, it is classic, and it would make me feel powerful. Alexander McQueen Hologram belt sweater dress available for $1955.

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all have a great holiday and eat tons and tons of food!

Links à la Mode - better late than never!

My apologies readers and IFB members for my very late posting of this week's link roundup. Due to weatherly interventions (i.e. snow, and lots of it) I was distracted and forgot to post the links!!! I can only hope that everyone will be in a forgiving mood from being stuffed with Christmas goodies; I know I'm well on my way as the first thing I did when I got home was stuff a handful of sugar cookies into my mouth! So grab some stuffing, get comfy and get reading!

• 39th and Broadway: What really happens to Project Runway alumni and why we are sick of hearing, "You should go on Project Runway"!
• A Few Goody Gumdrops gets Bright for the Holidays with her new Orange Louis Vuitton Tote!
• AllChic: Christmas Jewels
• Alysia Marie: This Month's Celebrity Hair Trend; Ponytails!
• Caged Lilies: Pretty and CHEAP gifts for friends. everything under $20.
• Capitola Girl: Chasing the winter blues away by shopping handmade...
• Clutch22: Stylish gift giving on a budget - there's still time to do your holiday shopping!
• Consume or Consumed: Consumed by Coats
• Couture Allure shows how to dress up your shoes for a touch of evening glamour.
• Debutante Clothing: A Tribute to Bettie Page: 5 Reasons We Loved Bettie Page
• Decline Designs: Petticoat tutorial - so your vintage skirts can have the look they deserve!
• Dirty Laundry: How-To: Boyfriend Jeans
• Dress Me Up Dollie: A little DIY chases the winter doldrums away.
• Fashion Birdcage: Of Cabbages & Kings Spring/Summer 09 Collection
• Fashion Fille: Fashion Fille spreads the cheer around through boosting fashionistas to enter the wardrobe contest.
• Fashion in my Eyes: Beauty&The Beast with Drew Barrymore
• Fashion Pulse Daily gives tips on how to get the biker chic look without having to jump on a Harley.
• Fashion Therapist: Where to find the perfect ugly sweaters for all your holiday themed parties:
• Fasshonaburu: A shopping gift guide for the self-proclaimed "hipster" on your list this holiday season!
• Grey strawberrys: whats in your make up box?
• Hot Beauty Health: The Smurfs enters beauty world with a Smurfette Collection
• I Want to Wear It: Manicurist Yuna Park puts fashion in the fingers of the hottest models for the freshest magazines.
• In Life and in Fashion: Easy Holiday Dressing Tips
• Iole in Fashion: Red fashion tree
• Logical Harmony: How To Find Deals at Thrift Stores : Beyond The Basics
• Mademoiselle Robot: Interview with fashion photographer and club promoter Pavla Kopecna.
• Mischief My Dear: Alternative Uses for Fur
• Nico Assatly: Hot Holiday/Silver bells! cute look for the holidays !
• Noiretro: Limi Yamamoto Spring 2009 collection & DIY Martin Margiela Sandal Booties
• Or False Glitter: Going grunge with Sonic Youth
• Pony Ryder: exclusive interview with TOPMODEL Iris Strubegger!
• Retro Chick: Comfy Christmas Glamour
• Shopping and Info loves what Jennifer Aniston wore to the Marley & Me Premiere.
• Style Amor: Alice In Wonderland Fashion + Movie Frenzy for 2010, Johnny Depp and Mad Hatter Fashion. Yes be ready ;)
• Style Discovery: Confession of a jewellery addict and bringing an order and clarity to a pile of necklaces.
• Style Symmetry: Eyeliah finds inspiration in the Wardrobe Remix Pool!
• Summershoes: 11 steps to a perfect homemade manicure
• Sweety P Style Files: My return to the mall in over three months and how I found a dress to wear to a big local fashion show.
• The Bare Skinny gives you the scoop on the unmentionables: Undergarments
• The Coveted: Last minute gifts that pamper and relax

Product Review: Panpuri Beyond Self Nourishing Hand Cream

Despite my love of all beauty products, I'd never been very into hand creams. Usually I made do with my twice daily slathering of body lotion first thing in the morning and last thing at night, with additional doses when needed, but ever since I received this lovely tube of hand cream from my sister for my birthday, I AM HOOKED.

Available in the most convenient 0.9oz size, this tiny tube is packed with moisturizing super agents like Ylang-ylang, beeswax, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil. A teeny dab of this thick lotion (and I love thick lotions) is enough to cover your hands completely. It is so thick that post-application, your hands feel like you've slathered them in butter. However, once this gorgeously fragrant stuff has absorbed fully, your hands will feel like velvet. In fact, my hands felt so protected, they didn't even need gloves! Of course, this was while the temperatures were hovering around 10 degrees Celsius, but still, the point is that this stuff works.

All Panpuri products are made in Thailand and from all natural ingredients according to Panpuri's commitment to organic ingredients and holistic philosophy. I only wish I had known of this line while I was in Thailand because sadly they aren't sold in Canada! Luckily for my American readers, they are available in Origins stores across the country and in various locations across Europe. I will definitely be looking for more of this lotion next time I cross the border!

Final Verdict: Luscious soft baby hands are ahead when you use this one. A definite must-buy!

MizzJ gets her groove on

Striped dress, Pena House (Thailand)
Tights, H&M
Fiorino Boots, Aldo
Necklace, Guess

Now in Vancouver, it is often deplored by local fashionistas the lack of clothes worn by girls in the club. In this city, less is definitely more and it's pretty interesting to watch how girls push, cinch, stuff, and shake all that their mama's gave them. Now I love to party at the club and the best part of hitting the club is getting dressed. Some girls hate the whole primping involved, but I'd be happy to do it every night if I could. Dressing sexy without looking whorish can be a tricky balance. Just look at the models with booty on ANTM - they're always accused of looking porno rather than sexy! The key here is to remember to give them a peek, but not the whole show. I'm all for showing a little leg, or a little cleavage, and maybe even some of both, but if you can't bend over without flashing some body part, then you've gone too far.

Today's outfit for the club skims curves, and tights keep legs warm in cold nights. Also, pairing black tights with black boots creates a lean line that elongates your legs. Previously, I said that this dress would look great for daytime with tights and boots, yet I wore this ensemble to the club, so what do you think? OK for daytime or keep it to the night?

Lust of the Week: Missoni Filicudi long kaftan

The weather outside is frightful, in a way unusual for the moderate rain forest climate typical of Vancouver. Our winters are wet, not cold, yet lately we have been hit by Arctic weather in the form of snow, dipping temperatures, and icy sidewalks. As you can see in the picture below, it is quite romantic and picturesque, but as soon as I saw this Missoni Filicudi long kaftan, I instantly longed for the moist heat of a tropical clime. Simply imagine yourself wearing this gorgeous kaftan, while walking along the turquoise shores, the fragrant jasmine-scented breeze in your hair, and the sun warm on your back. As you gaze along the cream colored sands, at times a golden tanned shoulder will slip out of your kaftan, only to be readjusted by your carefree hands. Sigh. That beach is as far away from me, as the $1650 price tag is from being in my financial grasp. Oh how I long for Santa to come for me, or barring that, at least a sugar daddy.

The view from my apartment this morning

How to wear scarves without looking like an emo kid

This style question comes courtesy of long-time BHMnB reader, Mr. Denim. Deploring the lack of male oriented posts, he sent me a great style task of finding stylish, colorful scarves that won't break the bank. Now, being familiar with Mr. Denim's style, I know that he is one well-dressed dude, but that his fashion leanings are more metro than emo. However, I quickly learned that those emo-hipsters have that scarf market cornered and the reason why is that they are quick to embrace styles that are quirky and unique. For men, sometimes just exploring colors other than khaki and blue is considered quirky, so you can appreciate the open mindedness of Mr. Denim! To avoid looking hipster, just pair your manly scarf with prepster looks, like a simple crisp button-down, or a comfy sweater vest, and some sleek shoes. Alternately, pair your scarf with a classic men's watch and blazer and you'll look money.

Here are some options for unique scarves that step away from plain old ordinary:

The Plaid scarf by Rubber Duck, $30

What makes a scarf feminine or masculine? OK, so maybe excessive tassels or pom-poms are a good indicator, but often scarf designs are very unisex. Take for instance, this Rubber Duck unisex scarf: featuring a laid back plaid pattern that is so typically male, this scarf is for the trendy man who wasn't afraid to rock a pink shirt a few years ago and who scoffs at balking at wearing a purple scarf.

The Ilse scarf by Accessories by WeSC, $28.99

The graphic color combination of this scarf by WeSC is what makes this option work. Each of the colors in the scarf are easily matchable to whatever clothes you have, while providing a subtle splash of color that's sure to bring eyes to your face. Great for the cautious male who wants to look sharp without taking risks.

Nordstrom Stripe Alpaca scarf, $49.50

Really really afraid of adventure? Then this navy striped scarf from Nordstrom's is for you. Made from baby alpaca hair, this scarf is naturally hypoallergenic and warmer than sheep's wool. Fringe on the ends provide visual contrast, as do the discreet striping. Blue is a color that flatters most skin tones and is said to be the most soothing color - isn't that just perfect for cold winter days?

Façonnable Plaid Scarf at Nordstrom's, $56.90

I love this scarf. If I saw a man wearing this scarf, I would think he had great classic style. Made of wool and angora, this scarf feels as good as it looks. The preppy plaid features a cool color palette of blues, golds, and greys that is universally flattering. Excellent for the urban intellectual, try pairing this one with a black v-neck sweater, designer denim, and a cool leather bomber jacket.

Gucci "Mirren" scarf, $150

OK, so this scarf is hardly cheap, but it's Gucci and it's 40% off! Made of 90% wool and silk, this scarf is a piece of luxury straight out of Italy and features a signature stripe and softly fringed ends. True metrosexuals love luxury and you can't go much more luxe than Gucci. If you enjoy the finer things in life, then this is an utterly justifiable splurge for you.


Got a style question or a shopping dilemma? Send it all to me, you know I've got nothing better to do anyways: mizzjblog at gmail.com

Mario Kart Love Song

What else can I say? It's Mario Kart put to the tune of a sensitive indie song. Plus this guy's voice is pretty good and underneath that mustache he looks like a cutie. Heart! Less than 3! Ok, enough geeking out. Enjoy, and thanks to F.L for this one.

Links à la Mode: IFB weekly roundup

• A Few Goody Gumdrops is cuffing her wrists with the Red Crocodile Bracelets from Nancy Gonzalez!
• Alysia Marie: Trend Guide this Season =)
• Caged Lilies: Feeling Russian. Chanel pre-fall 09 review
• Capitola Girl: I'm having a girl moment...
• Couture Allure takes a look at fashion photography of Hiro from 1966.
• Daisy Fairbanks Vintage: Pinkaholism. Love pink? Hate it? Find out more....
• Debutante Clothing: Vintage Dress Silhouettes Over the Decades
• Diary of a Style Addict: Is telling you how to get 10 smackeroos for your designer shopping this holiday season
• Dirty Laundry: Red: The first of a week long monochromatic experiment.
• Dog Mom's Dish: Up close and personal with Tokidoki creator Simone Legno
• Fashion Birdcage: MATERIALBYPRODUCT Template Spring Summer 09 Collection
• Fashion Fille adds some OOOMPH! to an other boooring jacket with none other than gold detailing!
• Fashion in my Eyes: Coco in motion
• Fashion Pulse's runway look of the day is none other than Rodarte's Grecian goddess gowns - check out what we think about it!
• Fasshonaburu: Why should the mortgage companies and auto industry get all the breaks? A fashion industry bailout proposal.
• At Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy diamonds are a girl's best friend!
• IFB: Traffic School: SEO a go go
• In Life and In Fashion: Hibernation Helper: How to stay stylishly warm when it is c-c-c-cold outside! Brrrr!
• Iole in Fashion: E'tempo di
• La Boudoir: Perfect Party Picks - Dresses to wear to that upcoming holiday party
• Little Black Book: The guide to online clothes shopping and where to look.
• Mademoiselle Robot: Stylish gift ideas for your favourite sister (see also mum, grandma etc)
• Mischief, My Dear: Bringing Back Burlesque - As a follow-up to Blood Rhinestone's productions post on 15 Tips for being a Burlesque Superstar, I've explored ways for the average girl to incorporate the glamour and glitz of Burlesque in to her wardrobe.
• Petite Bourgeoisie: Fashion Blog Design - The Options
• O.M.O. Writes: FASHION ICON: International Stylist, Catherine Baba. Hailed the "most stylish woman in Paris," she epitomizes glamour and gaudiness!
• Or False Glitter: Style crisis! Do we choose our style or does it choose us?
• Retro Chick: Last Minute Gifts for disorganised Retro Chicks
• Shopping and Info has the scoop on Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian wearing Rozae Nichols
• Shop Diary: finds some fantastic deals on cosmetics and fragrances at Costco, of all places!
• Shop Fair: A guide to succesful color matching. Find the right colors for your skintone and create colorful outfits.
• Style Discovery: Introducing young designers from the West Australian Institute of Fashion and Textile. Style Discovery's show coverage, interviews and more.
• Style Symmetry: I Love London! Do you?
• SwanDiamondRose: Mandy aka Yarnageddon is co-author of the upcoming Yarnbombing book.
• Summershoes: Tips and Tricks and Beauty Secrets: Easy to make Papaya Mask
• Technology Starlet: The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Digital Clutch Is Finally Here
• The Coveted: DIY old sweaters into lovely opera gloves.
• The Sassy Peach Holiday Gift Guide! 20 gifts under $50!
• The Sub Adult Years: My fabulous sample sale example with Canadian designer Lucian Matis
• Tierra M. Wilson: Fashion Gives Back In Arizona
• Your Style Star: Hot Lip Tips

Lust of the Week: Burberry Metallic Snowboots

Winter is coming and with it snow! While Vancouver is not like the rest of Canada, we do get the occasional snow-in and we certainly get snow on our local mountains! So, for those times when the white stuff does decide to visit our fair city, one needs the proper footwear to make it through those slippery, slushy days. Burberry is the epitome of classic English style and they offer a variety of stylish and practical footwear options. Take for instance, these Burberry Metallic Snowboots: featuring patent leather trim, a thick rubber sole, and that characteristic Burberry plaid, these snow boots are so much nicer than your regular Walmart pair! Almost makes me wish for a snow day. Available for $350.

How to wear vests part 1: how the ladies rock it

Vests are a classic staple in any one's wardrobe, along with the LBD, a white button-down shirt, stilettos, and a gorgeous designer handbag. Vests are renowned for their versatility and subversive masculine nature. Originally created for King Charles II in order to subvert French fashion influence in England, the vest has undergone various incarnations, but has always been worn as the perfect layering piece for all seasons. Vests may be worn over top of anything from tank tops in summer, to sweaters in winter, to the classic white shirt and vest combo. The same vest may be preppy chic, or rocker style all dependent upon its accompanying accessories and clothing items. It is literally throw on and wear! Do you need any more reasons to incorporate vests into your wardrobe?

Topshop's Rib waistcoat, $26.13

A great casual vest is perfect for the everyday. Now you can incorporate your summer tees into winter by throwing on this comfy cotton vest. Try wearing this one with a pair of black skinny jeans, leather boots, and a bright colored tee paired with some chunky bangles for a boho rocker look. Rocker boyfriend optional.

*NYC Boutique's The Blass vest, $26.95

Vests are a sexy alternative to the typical club dress when going out. Use a more fitted vest like this one in a luxe fabric like satin and dare to wear bare underneath! You know how your boyfriends always thought it so sexy when you would wear their old tees? Well, the same principle applies when you take men's wear and put your sexy self in it, especially when that item has great details like the over sized bow on this one! Rawr.

Gentle Fawn's The Dane vest, $58

I love the graphic contrast of black and greys on this tweed plaid vest. The vest is both austere and funky with its no nonsense buttons and stiff lines. This vest is just dying to be let loose by pairing it with some dark denim or a great puffy chiffon skirt.

BB Dakota's The Modernism sequined vest, $24.95

Rid yourself of grandma illusions: the sweater vest is hot. Sweater vests will get you through those lukewarm days in between seasons feeling comfortable and stylish. It's all about details with vests, whether it be in the form of fancy buttons, darts, hemlines, bows, or in this case, sequins. A small splattering of sequins like in this vest, are a hot way to be on trend without going overboard. Also, the fitted lines of this vest show off your curves; this is not the time to be shy and buy over sized, vests need to be fitted, or else you'll just look frumpy.


What's your favourite way to wear vests?
Stay tuned for part 2: how the men rock it!

Comfy cuteness

White tank: RW&Co
Grey cable-knit sweater hoodie: Gap
Brown cordoroy mini-skirt: The Barn
Pink tights: Urban Outfitters
Cream flats: from Thailand

It was a clear, sunny day for this outfit. While I'm normally a summer person, I do love crisp winter days where the sky is clear and the sky is that perfect pure blue. This day was even warm enough that I didn't even need a jacket, but simply wore this thick sweater hoodie instead. However, once night time rolled around and I had to speed walk home because I was shivering, I rued my optimistic morning self.

Links à la Mode: IFB weekly roundup

• 39th and Broadway: The nitty, gritty, down and dirty, details of working in the fashion industry that nobody prepares you for!
• A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away two to-die-for Katherine Kwei ever so chic handbags!Enter to Win!
• Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog: Which came first...the button or the button-hole?
• Clutch 22 cut up a dress to create DIY Studded Oxfords:
• Couture Allure Vintage Fashion: How to party like it's 1959! Vintage looks for a 50th birthday gala.
• Daisy Fairbanks Vintage: Bringing out your inner Betty Draper, channeling the glamour of the early 60s with Mad Men fashion.
• Debutante Clothing: Vintage Fashion History - What's Wrong with Bows and Zippers?
• Fashion in my eyes: Word on the street with Sasha Pivovarova
• Fashion Pulse finds ways to get all gussied up for holiday parties via Target for under $20!
• Fashion on the Go...Fabulous Iphone Apps.
• Fasshonaburu Fashion and Shopping: Gift Guide for shopping for the label-obsessed, Gossip Girl watching teen during these economic hard times.
• Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy is loving these effortless-looking, chic looks! Yay for black! It always works!
• IFB: How to write the perfect holiday gift guide
• If Wishes Were Clothes Horses: My exclusive interview with eccentric stylist, editor, notorious club personality and club night host JACK MITCHELL. He doesn't mince his words, check it out...
• In Life and in Fashion: Handbag Heaven or Hell? A perfectly organized handbag!
• Iole in Fashion: Cruising
  
• Mademoiselle Robot: My crush on Claire Fisher from Six Feet Under.
• Mischief My Dear: An interview with Xenia of Lime Crime Makeup (and Doe Deere Blogazine) about her new make-up line.
• My Fashion Frenzy: My FIRST 'Black Friday' experience. "The phrase “crazy holiday shoppers” is an understatement!"
• Nothing Elegant: Artist Gustave Klimt and his lifelong partner Emile Floge were influential fashion reformers, and their work is still inspiring designers today.
• Or False Glitter: Advertising perfume: the mystery behind a physical representation of smell
• Pencil: sd looks at how some bloggers use what they already have to create a completely unique and one-of-a-kind look.
• Petite Bourgeoisie: John Caplan - The Man Behind Ford Models
• Respectfully Yours: stylish gentleman: Daniel Craig as James Bond.
• Smart Geezer: Girls! 10 Tips For Men’s Clothes Shopping!
• Shopping and Info has the info on what Demi Lovato wore at the Twilight Premiere.
• Style Discovery: Who's liking to my blog? Style Discovery's 3rd blogging tip post.
• Style Symmetry: Stop by and Celebrate our One Year Blogaversary!
• Stylish Thought: The Good Side of Sequins
• The Coveted: Lucky 13 Vintage Holiday Dresses
• The Style PA: Going gaga for Lady Gaga. How one women is changing my mind about eighties fashion...
• The Technology Starlet chicBuds Holiday Gift Giveaway
• We Wear Things goes Masked Avengers!

Lust of the Week: unamed purple blouse from Fine Finds

Apologies for the anonymous nature of this week's Lust. Wednesday night I went to a special holiday shopathon event at local Vancouver boutique Fine Finds as sponsored by local style blog, Style Spy! Featured on the boutique's website was this rich, amethyst ruffle neck blouse. Purple is the color of royalty, and this blouse would certainly make one feel luxurious with its exuberant color, silky material, and unique ruffle details. At the time of writing this post (Wednesday pre-Fine Finds) I do not know the details of this lovely item, but fear not I will find out and update!

Update as of Dec. 9: Sadly dear readers, I did not find this gorgeous blouse! Looks like someone already snatched it up by the time I arrived. However, I did buy the last one of a great unique purple wool coat! Pictures of said coat are pending ;)

Casual Wednesdays

Blue tee, Song
Black tunic, from Taiwan
Jeans, Garage
Black lace heels, Dunville Shoes

There is nothing particularly interesting about this outfit. All the elements are rather basic, with the slight exception of the black tunic I purchased while in Taiwan this past summer/fall, which features a subtle embroidered detailing along the straps and neckline. So why post this one at all? Well firstly, I think this is a great example of a throw-yourself-together-at-the-last-minute type of outfit (my specialty). On those notorious "hump days" where I literally flop out of bed onto the floor, I do not have the mental capacity to think of an elaborately stylish outfit. Here is the thought process I went through in creating this outfit:

1. "Feel like being slob" = jeans
2. "Need color" = bright blue shirt to offset my tired face
3. "Need layers" = pulling on the tunic because I haven't gotten to wear it much, and it will keep me warm without being overly warm in a stuffy office
4. "Socks... no" = sometimes it's just too much effort to pull on socks. Plus, this outfit with my regular street sneakers would look a little too elementary school, so slipping on these low heels instantly made me look more pulled-together

So there you have it, an easy look that manages to look much chicer than the typical amoeba-like outfit one would normally think of when feeling schlubby. What's your go-to look when you're too tired to dress?

Holiday Jewellry for every price range

Holiday season is full of parties and chances to dress up. However, buying a new holiday party dress can be quite expensive and fill your closet with dresses that you only wear once a year. Instead of splurging this year on yet another fancy Christmas and NYE dress, why not spruce up one of your go-to dresses with some new jewellery? Accessorizing is the classic way to revamp that old LBD, or to glam-up semi-formal clothes into something special. Since Christmas parties tend to be more formal affairs, keep your jewellery classic. Choose warm materials like golds, pearls, or rich jewel tones for an elegant, lady-like look. However, one can still go trendy with interesting shapes, and youthful details. Here are some samples of great holiday jewellery options for every price range:


Cheap:

Gimigliano necklace, Aldo, $15

First up is this delicately pretty necklace from Aldo. The warm gold colours look great on everyone and this piece is very unique with its multi-colored beads and dragonfly pendants. Pair with a deep-v black top to draw attention to your neck and collarbone.

Hackwell cuff, Aldo for $15

I love how this cuff is such a statement piece: the chunky varying sizes of the stones and its multi-colored shine really draws the eye and adds pizazz. Perfectly coordinate this dress with a deep purple dress or top to feel like royalty.

Splurge:

"Heart to Heart" gold vermeil earrings, FNUE for $95

Finally, a piece for the girly girls. These 18K gold vermeil earrings from FNUE would sweetly accent a high-collared black lace outfit. This new jewellery line by New York designer Halley Barney, FNUE (From Now Until Eternity) is a line of intricately handcrafted pieces made from sterling silver, 14Kt gold, gold vermeil, rose gold vermeil, and precious gemstones, making it well worth the price.

New Year earrings, Anthropologie for $126.25

If all you've got to wear is black, then wear jewellery that will maximize the drama. These coolly elegant teardrop earrings from Anthropologie are made from vintage resin, gold-plated brass, and Swarovski crystals. Nothing could be more elegant!

Super splurge:

Early Gleam earrings, Anthropologie for $152.01

These teardrop gold and clear resin earrings are totally reminiscent of cool icicles dripping from a snowy rooftop. Like icicles, there is a frosty beauty in these earrings that charms. Be sophisticated and on trend by wearing these earrings with anything gold and sequined.

"He loves me" ring, FNUE for $485

And for those lucky enough to have money to burn, this delicately wrought sterling silver ring features actual moving daisies, providing a unique distraction for your fingers during boring Christmas party speeches. This ring is a great match for most colours and styles, and is also a great piece for the everyday!


Whatever you decide to wear this holiday season, be sure to consider things beyond just clothing - think of jewellery too next time you want to look beautiful and luxurious!