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

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

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

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

Summer Lace & Fall Nights

Enter: The white lace dress. We all had one over the summer, let's be honest. They were a hot item and trend and every girl made it a point to rock the look over the course of the hot months. I think I have two of them. And a skirt. I couldn't get enough....shocker.

Now that the warm months are gone, these little white lace garments are typically deemed a big no-no and stashed away with the bikinis and flip-flops until next summer rolls around.

However, don't shove it to the back of your closet just yet! Lucky for me, and many of you out there, there are ways to hold on to the fab look and transition it in your wardrobe so that you can still wear it during those winter months.

Score, score aaaaand score!

In my case, I have this wonderful long-sleeved backless dress that I adore and am not quite ready to say goodbye to it. So, I brought some fall colors into it. I threw some black opaque tights on underneath and a pair of brown boots. Since it's chilly outside, I also layered it with a more masculine military trend jacket to dress down the girly lace. I love a good mix of girly + masculine pieces.

This is such an easy way to transition your favorite summer dress - lace or not - into the fall/winter months! No sense in breaking the bank for that fall wardrobe when you can use some items you already have!

Dress: Urban Outfitters (old); Jacket: Forever 21; Tights: Target; Boots: Gianni Bini (old); Clutch: Express (old); Sunglasses: Ray-ban; Watch: Michael Kors; Belt: Nordstrom Rack; Bracelets & Cocktail Ring: Chloe + Isabel

Red + Camel

I have been stupidly busy lately. I don't know what it is in the water, but I feel like I've been going 90 mph for three weeks.

Whether I'm working, traveling, running errands or going out, my go-to is a slouchy sweater and fun mini. Luckily, it's finally feeling like fall around here so it gives me another excuse to throw on some leggings and comfy boots to keep my gams warm.

This is one of my favorite color combinations - something about it is crisp and classic. If a bright red knit sweater isn't in your collection, I highly recommend you make it a point to add it. It can be styled so many ways and is a staple for the holiday season in my wardrobe! The same goes for a wool camel skirt or peacoat - it's timeless!

I also love a good leopard printed piece for looks like this because it's a great way to bring together those browns, tans and blacks in your outfit!

Sweater: Express; Skirt: Gap; Boots: DSW; Clutch: Express; Necklace: F21; Bracelets: Chloe + Isabel

Full Tilt Austin

OK. Here's the dealio. As some of you may or may not know, the first Formula 1 US Grand Prix track is opening its doors and tracks on November 16. What's cool about this you say? Well, this monster of a track/venue is located right here in good ole Austin, Texas, so it's a HUGE weekend in ATX. The city is expecting 300,000+ international visitors in town for opening weekend! It's craaaazy. And probably going to be a nightmare for locals trying to go about their daily lives. But it'll be an exciting one. 

In honor of the F1 kickoff, there are several events around town to provide VIP entertainment for those venturing to Tejas for a little European flair. 

One of these events is the Full Tilt Fashion Show and yours truly is assisting an amazing local stylist in styling the runways (70+ looks, yikes!) for the world class event!

YAY! So excited. But that's neither here nor there.

The show is happenining at the always amazing W Hotel Austin and is going to be full of gorgeous fashion, glamourous runways, music, lights, drinks, brunch, VIP guests...the whole shebang.

HOW. GREAT. DOES. THAT. SOUND?

I know. You're overwhelmed and can't find tickets fast enough.

Guys, if you're in the Austin area, come check it out! It really is going to be such an amazing event and I'm so beyond thrilled to be apart of it!

Contact me if you're interested in attending - proceeds will benefit The Center for Child Protection!

Check it.

For more info visit the Full Tilt Fashion Show website here.