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12.28.2012

Holiday Style Series: At the Ranch

My family does Christmas every year out at the Evanito Camp on the King Ranch. It's been a tradition since I was teeny tiny and it's one of my favorite places to be! I grew up spending lots of time out there. I learned how to drive, hunt, fish, throw a football...all the important things in life a TX girl should know :)

I also drove a military-style Hummer through a pond, got a few ticks, bites and rashes, crashed a few four wheelers going too fast, had a massive buck T-bone & ultimately total my Volkswagen Jetta, and got married there...so it's got serious sentimental value, obvs. Anywho. During the holiday, there's usually around 25 of us piled into seven bedrooms, and, each year our family tends to grow a little, so this year a few of us got shoved into an RV camper for sleeping quarters. Let me just mention, an RV is not the place you want to be when the heater goes out and nighttime temps drop below 35 degrees. I think I woke up with frostbite one morning.

The ranch is always such a fun time of playing football, ladder golf, cards, dominoes, sitting around a fire, baking, eating, riding four-wheelers, nighttime hunting, shooting skeet, and fellowship and fun mingling with our loved ones! 

Though I always pack a few cute items, I end up living in my tights, tennis shoes, baseball cap and Columbia pullovers for the majority of the holiday. It's really a good look for me. The little kid in me that likes to play can't help it. This year I decided to be a little more adult and put on cute clothes at least once, but I couldn't stray far from my ranch roots. Leggings, a massive cable knit and some brown combat boots were about as far as I could venture away from my usual getup. I still had to be comfortable, guys. We WERE at the ranch. So, I snagged a few pics of the gorgeous camp and of my holiday ranch attire.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!











Sweater: Gap; Tights: Under Armour; Scarf: Gap; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff; Socks: Steve Madden; Boots: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Ray-ban


12.22.2012

Holiday Style Series: Christmassy

I'm usually not a huge fan of the traditional Christmas getup that rolls around this time of year. I think wearing red and green together seems a little cliche so I typically tend to stray from that combo. However, I'm a big big BIG supporter of all things plaid and/or flannel, and for some reason this white button-down was screaming my name. Just in case anyone is on the fence about wearing this pattern, DON'T BE! I'm a firm believer that anyone and everyone can rock it and I love the look! I love the laid-back, casual, cozy feel it tends to create and I definitely encourage both guys and girls to own at least one plaid or flannel shirt this season. 

I paired the top with a few more pops of red to enhance my favorite color of the season and make it a little more bold/holiday-esque. Since I decided to pair my slouchy boyfriend jeans with the baggy shirt, I put a dainty shoe with it to add a touch of femininity and daintiness to the otherwise semi-disheveled look. 

Speaking of these shoes.. Totally encompassing the bold color, cap-toe metallic trends of this year...I meannnnn..BRAVO, Target. Bra.vo.





Jacket: F21; Top: Old Navy; Denim: Gap; Shoes: Target; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff; Watch: Michael Kors; Bracelet: Madewell; Necklace: Chloe and Isabel

12.19.2012

Holiday Style Series: Subtle Sequins & Some Vintage


I'm a firm believer that every girl should mix some sequins up in her attire now and then. You don't have to get all Vanna White with it and go head-to-toe in the glimmery look, but a mild pop of sparkle has never hurt anyone! 

It can be intimidating trying to wear something as bold as sequins, but there's no need to fear. There are ways to wear the look without feeling like a giant disco ball. Unless that's the look you're going for, in which case, all the more power to you. Rock it.

Wearing a thin tank under a blazer or leather cropped jacket is a great way to be subtle with the trend but still squeeze a little bit of glam into your look. There are also some fab sequined minis in all of our favorite stores right now that look amazing with a chunky knit sweater and some booties! I love a good pop of girly sparkle!

A friend and I found this blazer stashed on a $1 rack at a hole-in-the-wall thrift store in Providence, RI, when I was living up there two years ago. Steeeeeeeal! We were pumped. Though it's a few sizes too big for me and is still equipped with those shoulder pads circa 1984, I love the feel of the vintage frock. I paired it with this purple sequined top and some leather shorts to create a fun, glamorous look for a night on the town!

What are some of your favorite ways to wear those vintage pieces? Some of the best coats, blazers and sequined pieces I've seen around have been hand-me-downs from mothers, aunts or grandmothers! When all else fails, raid the women in your lives closets...for real.




Blazer: Vintage Ralph Lauren; Tank: Dillard's; Shorts: Guess; Belt: Nordstrom; Pumps: Steve Madden; Bag: Thrifted; Watch: Michael Kors; Necklace: Express

12.17.2012

Holiday Style Series: On a Dime


During the holidays it can daunting trying to find an outfit for those office parties, family get togethers or dinner with friends. After spending big bucks on all those perfect gifts you've gotten your loved ones, there tends to be little room in the budget to pick up that dress you've been drooling over at Saks for the last month. Bum.mer. I know.

When I find myself on a budget and unable to find something to wear that I feel like I've already worn 1,000 times in the last month (what girl doesn't feel this way even with a closet full of unworn clothes?!), I tend to take a step back and take a look at my favorite pieces. It's always a bonus when you can use items that are already in your closet and save a little cash!

If you're a lover of all things layers like me, then there's ALWAYS a way to reuse those items that you love so that you can create the perfect look for that event this weekend!

Dresses are a great place to start. While you can wear them in their true form and spruce them up with some great accessories, sometimes that look can feel a little exhausted. So, if you're in the mood for a comfy, cozy look that you can dress up with a great pair of heels or booties, then grab that dress, but change it up a little. Throw your favorite slouchy sweater over it, so the dress instantly becomes more of a skirt and you can have a fun new look, with items that you've worn a thousand times a thousand other ways.

That's what I did with this look. I have this fun jewel-toned printed shift dress that has a fun, summery, 70s feel to it. I've worn it by itself, wrapped a belt around it to give it some shape, thrown a cardigan around it and now, I've worn it as a skirt. I love the layered up look it creates, so comfy and so easy!

This look is so much fun for a happy hour with the girlfriends or a last minute shopping trip!

And, finding a great outfit for an event didn't cost me an extra penny! YIPPEE! 

So utilize those dresses + sweaters you have lying around, ladies! No need to break the Christmas gift budget this year. You may never have even thought to combine the two for an unexpected, cool look that you can take anywhere!






Sweater: F21; Dress worn as skirt: H&M; Scarf: F21; Boots; Target; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff; Watch: Michael Kors

12.12.2012

Holiday Style Series: Winter White


I think it goes without saying that the rules of fashion have changed over the years.  Several of the biggest trends of 2012 have broken the laws and changed the way that women get dressed every morning. Don't mix brown and black. Don't wear green with yellow. Denim doesn't go with denim. And, for the sake of this post, "don't wear white after Labor Day."

Well, my friends, I'm here to tell ya that this season I'm totally rocking the winter white. Sue me.

White is such a crisp, clean and classic look and, in my unimportant opinion, should not be constrained into our wardrobe for six months of the year. There are ways to make the neutral shade appropriate and fitting for your holiday ensemble! Hooray!
A neutral look like the one I'm wearing here is a great way to don the trend and still stay warm, cozy and winter-esque. 

Pair your white pieces with warmer hues like jewel tones, browns and blacks to create a chic look. Eggshell or ivory tones in your pants or in a skirt look great with a tailored top or chunky sweater! Classic white cable knit sweaters look cozy with leggings or flared denim and a bright scarf around your neck! On your feet, leather riding boots, suede pumps or chunky booties are all great accessories to compliment the white garments.

Be creative, ladies! There's SO many ways to confidently wear white this season without feeling like you're headed to the beach! Or maybe that's what you want to feel like....I don't blame you.

Here's to dressing for a Christmas party and wishing we were in Jamaica instead.







Sweater: Old Navy; Skirt: Express (old, similar here, here); Fur Collar: Target; Boots: Steve Madden: Bag: Michael Kors (old style, similar here); Earrings, Ring: Chloe + Isabel (earrings no longer available, ring available here); Sunglasses: Ray-ban

12.10.2012

Urban







Denim Jacket: Zara (no longer available, similar here); Sweater: Old Navy; Tank: Victoria's Secret; Pants: Zara; Sneakers: F21 (newer version here, similar here, here); Hat: Target

12.03.2012

Stripes


I've said it before, I'll say it again. A girl can never go wrong with stripes. It's a staple. A go-to. At least for me. I decided to pair one of my favorite tees with a striped tweed skirt for one big explosion of stripes for an event I went to this weekend. Let me just tell you...I loved every minute. Was it a liiiittle loud? Yes. But who cares?

I love a skirt with tights and boots. It's a fun way to dress up your flat equestrian boots. If you want to spruce up your skirt a little for nighttime outings, swap the boots for a chunky pump or bootie for the same casual feel but with a little pizzazz.






Top: Old Navy (recently on clearance); Skirt: Target; Tights: Hue; Boots: DSW; Necklace: Chloe + Isabel; Watch: Michael Kors; Sunglasses: Ray-ban; Bag: Deux Lux