My Holiday Lookbook

Hi Stylislers!

Well we have definitely settled into the holiday season. Winter is my favorite season (I mean hey, I was born in the dead of Winter-February!) and the holidays are one of my favorite times of the year. A time for family, friends, food, faith, fun outings, tinsel, snowfall, hot cocoa and snuggling with the one you love :0)

I decided to put together a holiday lookbook of outfits that range from casual to dressy for all the holiday activities you may have planned. Click below to view the lookbook and I hope you glean some inspiration for how you can sparkle this holiday. 

However, and whatever, you celebrate...be comfortable, be stylish and most importantly be YOU!

All the information on my outfits are in the video.

Animal Prints

Leopard, zebra, cheetah, crocodile...animal prints are a huge trend again this fall and winter. I've never really been into animal prints but I admire those who can rock the trend. More recently, I've been anxious to get my feet wet by incorporating some of these patterns into my wardrobe. There are a couple of things to keep in mind if you want to rock this look successfully:

1. Find a print that compliments your skin tone. If you're extremely pale, perhaps stark black and white zebra is not the way to go. If you're of a darker complexion, brown leopards or cheetah may not stand out enough. You can go bold with zebra and snakeskin.

2. Find the right size print. If you are full figured, look for smaller prints if you're doing a head-to-toe look or look for prints that are strategically placed in order to draw the eye upward (or wherever you want to highlight your best assets). If you have a smaller physique, go for larger, all over, prints.

3. Accents. If you're not very adventurous with your style or your apprehensive about trying animal prints, test the waters with some accent pieces first. Start slow with a purse, flats or earrings to see how you can work them into your existing outfits.

About 5 months ago I bought my first pair of cheetah print crop pants as my first step into the animal kingdom :-) I liked these because the print was small and in a darker tone. I also, went a little metaphoric and paired this look with lion-face earrings. The shirt is a simple mustard colored tee from H&M that picks up the subtle hints of orange in the pants. To finish the look, I added a matching mustard knit scarf, my fav metallic belt for texture and classic gray pumps. 

T-shirt: H&M, Pants: DeJanero (NYC), Metallic Belt: H&M, Scarf: H&M, Pumps: Nine West, Earrings: Essence of Beauty (essenceob.com),

Cozy AND Cute

Baby it's cold outside!! Time for gloves scarfs and tights. It can be a challenge to dress appropriately during the winter months and still be stylish, but just keep a few things in mind while putting your looks together and you'll stay cozy AND cute:

 

1. Texture: the fall/winter months are perfect for mixing textures. When else can you get away with combining wool, cashmere, leather and fur? Create visual interest by mixing it up!

 

2. Layer up: layer a collared button down under a cardigan and throw a blazer on top; put on a long sleeved v-neck and wear your sheaths all year long.

3. Outerwear extension: coats, capes and jackets are the first, and sometimes only, thing people see. Don't just throw on any old thing, consider what you put on over your outfit, as an extension of your outfit. Don't be afraid to accessorize your outerwear too! Pin a blingy broach on the lapel or throw a belt on...yes a belt!

4. Give 'Em the Boot: boots are essential to any fall/winter wardrobe. There are many varieties to choose from...booties, knee boots, over-the-knee boots, ankle boots, uggs. 

Of course go for function and practicality also...don't be COLD tryna be CUTE lol With these few tips in mind you can be COZY and CUTE!

Sweater: H&M, Skirt: Forever21, Studs: H&M, Booties: Bakers (correction in previous posts), Necklace: H&M