Coat of Arms

This is a post I have been wanting to write forever...it's all about COATS!! I view coats as another extension of my personality as much as I do with my clothes. My best friend says I'm ridiculous with the amount of coats I have, but I prefer to think of it as a passion lol. I mean there are so many styles/fabrics out there: pea coats, trench coats, puffer coats, bombers, capes, wool, leather, cashmere...okay maybe I do have slight problem BUT I love the way coats and jackets can compliment, and sometimes make, your outfit. You can even throw a belt over them...whew and as much as I love belts (you'll come to see this about me), the possibilities are endless.

Below I've selected a few coats (this was VERY difficult) that I feel every woman should have in their closet. Okay maybe not EVERY one of the nine I've selected but you get the idea...there are a few staples that should be included in any well-armed stylista's arsenal.

1. The Trench Coat: The trench coat is definitely a staple coat that every woman should own. It's classic, polished and sophisticated and comes in many shapes and patterns. I have selected both a patterned trench and thin puffer trench. (Patterned Trench: Macy's, Puffer Trench: Steve Madden)

2. The Winter White: Nothing is hotter than a nice crisp white coat. I'm definitely getting my "Olivia Pope" on here. Albeit nothing in my closet can hold a candle to that white Burberry number Kerry Washington wore in the season 3 premiere of Scandal but I still feel like a gladiator in my own right ;-)

3. The Pea Coat: There's just something so classic about a pea coat. Men and women alike can, and should, rock this slimming option for outerwear.

4. The Dress Coat: You'll need something dressy for those fancy occasions. I've styled this coat with the plum fur stole I received for Christmas for a little added glamor. (H&M)

5. The Lumberjack: I have no idea why I selected this coat lol There's just something about it I love. It's a cross between a pea coat and fur. I like the subtle tartan print and zipper details. (DKNY)

6. The Bomber: This urban chic option should be the in the wardrobe of any self-respecting city girl. It's edgy and instantly ups the cool factor of the wearer. 

7. The Leather Jacket: A leather jacket is a must have investment piece. It goes with absolutely everything,  applies major style points and is quite possibly the definition of cool and edgy. (H&M)

8. The Colored Crop Coat: I'm a big advocate for color in my outfits and surprisingly only have one colored coat in my collection (Shameful! Everyone should have at least two). This cute crop jacket has a cropped hemline as well as three quarter length sleeves and it's pink...I mean could it be any more girly?

Stole Sunday

Happy Sunday!

I've been dying to "get my life" and incorporate some fur into my wardrobe. So when my mom gave me this deep burgundy faux fur stole for Christmas, I was ecstatic and have been waiting for the right moment to bust it out lol. 

This stole is seriously the warmest and softest thing I've ever felt and never want to take it off. I also wore it over the collar of my coat for a little outerwear glam. I've also been itching to wear this cream lace top that my coworker gave me for Christmas (I mean people were spot on with the style gifts this year lol). I thought the two would make an interesting combination and ended up being a winning match...one of my friends told me that I looked like a million bucks ;-) I paired it with a dark floral pencil skirt and simple black pumps. But that fur did it...I felt fabuloso!!! 

Shirt: Joe Fresh, Stole: Gifted, Skirt&Belt: Strawberry (NYC), Shoes: Jessica Simpson

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