Dress Code

Wearing: The Reformation dress- in store, J.Crew sweater- on sale w/ JINGLE, Stuart Weitzman boots, Kacey K choker c/o, Sloane Ranger bracelet c/o, Wanderlust & Co bracelet

Let's face the facts here. Sequins dazzle on the dance floor and can be a conversation starter, but the real shining star? Neutrals. 

Yep, you heard me right. Over the next few weeks of holiday swaying and sashaying, the masses will be sporting their shiniest duds, and if your game plan is to be the life of the party, go the counter-example of preferred sartorial holiday choices. Break the dress code and dress down to dress up. Similar to what I said a few weeks ago, wear simplistic pieces- this sweater/t-shirt mash up dress is a great example- pop on some great bling, or slip on some wicked shoes, and you, my friend are good to go.

If you aren't feeling the camel, try some velvet or lamé in a monochromatic shade. You'll still get the glitz and the glam, but sans the dancing disco ball. 

Party rules 101. 

Photos by Emily Malan

On the Wild Side

Wearing: Rachel Zoe booties, The Reformation sweater- in store (similar), Current & Elliott jeans, Urban Outfitters ear cuff, Larsson & Jennings watch

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!! I haven't been this excited for a pair of shoes since these Lanvin snakeskin loafers. Um, sensing a cohesive theme of jungle does designer here. 

As I am not one to reach for animal print at first glance- except for a leopard cardigan circa 2006... wore the life out of the poor sweater. Yet I can handle the wild world of animal print in small doses- similar to my liking of pop music, for instance.

Around my birthday, I bookmarked these Miu Miu booties (on sale now) that are accompanied by a hefty price tag and for this chick, "All I see is $$$", isn't the correct way to describe my bank account (meh blame the holidays). Instead, I found these Rachel Zoe pair that do the trick just as well. You know that you've aced an animal print piece when The Real Housewives' wardrobes isn't the first thing you think of. Plus, at last another pair of booties that is not black. Is my black cat persona finally changing into a leopard? Not really sure how I feel about that.

Alas, don't forget the golden rule about animal prints: One. At. A. Time.

Please. For everyone's eyes and sanity (including your own).

Photos by Emily Malan

Shop more boots below:

3 Turtlenecks, 3 Ways :: Video

Excitement levels for today's post... pretty damn high, might I say. 

One of my goals for 2014 was to incorporate lots of video content into the blog. Well, I kinda failed at that whole "lots of" aspect, as in two videos isn't exactly a whooping lot. 

I tried, I swear. There was going to be some sailing content, but that sunk- literally- so long GoPro, and some travel snippets, but alas, that has disappeared into a deep dark hole known as my computer.

On the bright side, we have a new video. As you could tell, turtlenecks are one of my cold-weather essentials. They can be worn in a street style ready fashion, or in my case, under two Patagonia fleeces when getting your Christmas tree- 20 days!

Here are the three players (click to the links, to see other ways to wear 'em):

big and red, #camelcrew, and your classic navy lady killer.

A few cashmere sweaters will also save your cold hearted self in the depths of winter, and like the playsuit, a turtleneck is easy as one-two-three.

Turtlenecks for one, turtlenecks for all.

{Don't forget to enter my #SantaSailor giveaway}

Shop the video...

Dressed Down

Wearing: Mango pants (similar, similar), Ralph Lauren sweater (old, Equipment option-on sale!), 

Dolce Vita heels, Chanel bag, Hermes bracelet

Of course I love a nice fancy-shmancy party dress, or a killer LBD- my #1- but for the more causal holiday parties, a statement pant and some cashmere will become your savior. The holiday season is the perfect chance to be a little risky when it comes to dressing. My advice, dress down to make a statement but make sure you still have some statement piece. Got that?

And for a change, I am choosing heels over flats... shocked? Surprisingly these don't kill your feet after a night of dancing- test-runned by yours truly.

So shimmy shimmy, party hardy this month!

Psst.. its Cyber Monday! 

:: Check out Shopbop for some amazing deals- use the code GOBIG2014. ::

:: Asos is offering another 30% off- use the code ILOVEMONDAYS ::

:: Topshop still have a bunch of great pieces available for 30% off (no code) ::

Photos by Emily Malan

Trot to Turkey

Wearing: Zara sweater (last worn here), New Look skirt- great deal!, Stuart Weitzman boots 

(budget-friendly option), Ray-Ban sunglasses, 

Thanksgiving is this week. And Christmas is in about month. 

Let that sink in for a minute... wasn't just September? Time flies when you're having fun, eh?

As for when Thursday rolls around, this mini plaid skirt won't exactly cut it, considering food is a main factor of the day- and a intense game of Clue. Whilst this sweater- which also has a makeshift hood- is #1 winner. Or a jumpsuit. Perhaps a onesie? (#yolo?) 

Any who, returning to the schoolgirl look once again. 

Photos by Emily Malan, Edited by me

Superhero, Superpowers

Wearing: Y.A.S. leather leggings, Asos button down, T by Alexander Wang stripe t-shirt (see all looks with it...), Seavees slip ons c/o, Mango coat (similar), 

As I've been able to tame my sneaker addiction down, we have another problem (... Houston). Leather. The equation has turned into 4 jackets, 3 pairs of shorts, 2 skirts, 3 tops and now 2 pairs leggings- and this dress is soon to be in transit. 

I can't help myself. 

As I will tell my support group- AKA the world wide web- it has come to the point where leather (or "pleather" in this case), has replaced my tried & true denim. 

On Monday, I presented you with the tamer duds of the two- the martial of choice is only on the front- which is my suggestion if you only want to dip a toe in and not go full-on dominatrix. These shiny black pair have the ability to take an outfit from a one to a ten, plus they are leggings. When it comes to leather, I have two guidelines. 1) It should get better with age. 2) When you slip those pants on (or jacket), it makes you feel like a bada$$. 

If that is not a superhero piece, then I'm beat.

(Sidenote: I've worn this stripe tee in three posts in one week.... another superhero piece)

Photos by Emily Malan

Round Two

Wearing: Ralph Lauren poncho, The Reformation jeans (worn here, and here), Lanvin loafers (last worn here), Chanel bag

Round two of shades of gray. 

Taking a different route from yesterday's darker look. White boyfriend jeans- which are a saving grace- and python skin loafers. A cashmere poncho is a top notch alternative to vest or lightweight topper. Like my logic from earlier,  it's also killing the "wearable blanket" game. 

Photos by Emily Malan

Logical

Wearing: Acne Studios blazer (last worn here), Orvis turtleneck, Mother jeans, Seavees slip ons c/o, Saint Laurent bag,  Larson & Jennings watch

Bordeaux and caramel (scandi) candy hues are the perfect companion to my top of the totem pole jeans. As camel/caramel does happen to be the "it" color of the season, isn't that inherently stating that "black is the new black"? Never the less, at least these colors help avoid the black cat territory I enter, come the dead of winter. 

Perhaps one of the best steals of my life was this Acne Studios blazer, yes indeed it is one size too big, but size smhize. To put it in simpler logic, the bigger size; the closer it is to a blanket. Just be careful not to veer into the slightly frightening 80s lane of shoulder pads. 

Photos by Emily Malan

So Good, So Bad

Wearing: Asos shorts, Stuart Weitzman boots, Reformation top, Mango blazer, Loro Piana scarf

Thigh high boots and little plaid short shorts.... dare I say it almost sounds bad? I kid though, with a good heart because the real star here is my blanket- erm, scratch that one- scarf. And once again, I'm taking damn notes from the Parisians and their ability to make fringe not resemble a costume from Blazing Saddles. Yet you see, I cannot give the French full credit for this one. In true throwback Thursday fashion, I present you with a post from April with yours truly, professing their love for the detail of the moment. Talk the talk, blog the blog... making sense?

Any who... security blanket and all, a great pair of plaid shorts will do you quite good (and not to mention, it really hits the nail on the prep school boy vibe). Aha, the trickery of words gets me every time.

Photography by Emily Malan, Edited by me