Day 21: Plan Ahead for Holiday Fashion

The holiday season is just around the corner.  Why not go ahead and get a head start on your outfits for those Christmas parties you have coming up?  Another way to get ahead, let me help you with your Christmas cards...

Here are some fun red tops to wear with skinny black pants or jeans.  Add some gold accessories and fun shoes are you are set...
Click on the pictures to go to the retailer...

Sleeveless Tops by T Tahari
Longsleeve Tops by Victoria's Secret

Want to be a bit different this season.  What about some red pants?  Pair them with a black, cream or camel top and you will be the hit of the party

Casual Pants by Plein Sud Jeans
Wide Leg Pants by Express

Need something a bit dressier...

Black Dresses by Express
Bridal Dresses by Express

Another option...  Pop just a little red with a necklace, belt, scarf bracelet or watch...

Earrings by TreVero
Watches by Titanium

Necklaces by Blu Bijoux
Maternity Clothes by Old Navy

Day 20: Black and Brown Together!

For some of you this may be a no-brainer, but I know for some it is not.  It is OK to wear black and brown together (gray and brown too)!  I have even had clients ask me if I would please post this on my blog, so they would feel more confident wearing the combo.

Here are a few examples of me wearing black with brown and gray with brown.

Now try to imagine these same outfits with black shoes, and you can see that the brown creates a much more interesting look and less "matchy match."  When doing black with brown, choose a brown that is lighter, closer to a cognac or a camel, so there is more contrast.  Think of that brown as just another color, not as a neutral.

If you embrace this idea, you can see why flat brown boots, are a wardrobe essential.

Need more convincing?  I created a black and brown Pinterest board.  I think once you see these amazing looks, you will feel fully confident wearing black and brown together.

What about you?  Have you tried this, or seen others trying this?

Day 19: Discount Shopping

image from google

Many people that I hear from are intimidated of discount shopping.  When referring to “discount shopping”  I am mainly talking about discount stores such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, Stein Mart, etc…

Here are some of the benefits:

1. Less Expensive, so you can buy more
2. Typically, no pushy sales people putting pressure on you to buy things you don’t need
3. Liberal return policies
4. Many types of items in the same place (womens, mens, shoes, housewares, toys)

Here are some of my tips for shopping at discount stores:

1. Take your time:  You may not be able to run in and out to get something like you would at a smaller boutique.  But just a little extra time can be extremely worthwhile.
2. Shop often:  These types of stores get new inventory all the time.
3. Know the layout of the store:  These stores are actually fairly organized and well-labeled.  Inside of each department (Mens, Ladies, Juniors, Womens/Plus Size) there are sections of sweaters, blouses, dresses, pants, capris, etc).  Take a moment to learn your way around and you will do much better.
4. Know what is good at each store: 

Here are my favorites:  Ross- dresses and shoes

                                                        Marshalls- shoes, sweaters and tops, kids toys

                                                        TJ Maxx- Juniors tops, purses, beauty products

                                                        Stein Mart- Work-type separates and accessories

5. Just have fun and consider it an adventure:  don’t get stressed out and overwhelmed, and practice makes perfect.  Once you get the hang of it you will not want to go back to high priced boutiques.
6. A note about quality:  Some are concerned about the quality of the items at these stores.  For the most part, if you are buying in the ladies section, you can be confident that the quality is VERY good, especially at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  Just look at the brands, they are very often the same you are seeing at Macys, Dillards, and even higher end stores. 

What questions you still have about discount shopping? 

Day 18: Which Jeans?

My embarrassingly large pile of jeans


Skinny, Flared, Bootcut, Straight, Cropped, Long, Colored. Sometimes it can be difficult to know which jeans to wear when. Here are my personal opinions...


With flats, I really think a skinny jean looks best.  A bootcut jean makes the legs look bigger and more planted into the ground. 

Flared jeans are great to wear with tops that are tucked in and slim.  

Let the jeans be the focal point of the outfit.

Wear a skinny jean with a flowy top, and shoes that you want to show off.

Day 17: Fall Sweaters

As the weather finally begins to cool a bit here, I get excited about sweaters.  There is NOTHING easier in the fall and winter than throwing a great sweater on with jeans and boots. 
Here are some fun fall sweaters to get excited about...

Cardigans by Nordstrom
V-Neck Sweaters by Old Navy