How To: Subdued Sequins

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Looking ahead to party season, nothing screams the holidays like a little sparkle. Incorporating sequins into your wardrobe can be troublesome. Too many times sequin pieces end up looking more Vegas Showgirl or Dancing with the Stars. The easiest way to wear sequins is to dress it down. With a little subtly, sequins can be both daytime and nighttime friendly.

The recipe is simple: Add one part sequin to one part casual wear. Weather you choose a sequin bottom or top, temper the pizzazz with a piece of casual wear.

Casual Wear: Tops: Tanks, Tees, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Button-downs. Bottoms: Jeans, Cargo Pants, Leggings, Shorts.

Sequins is a great way to command attention at a holiday soiree. With the right layers and accessories, this look can work all year long.

Rag and Bone ~ Sandra Pullover: $350.00

Old Navy ~ Vintage – Style V-Neck Tees: $7.50

Alexander Wang ~ T by Alexander Wang – Classic Tank: $77.00

Zoe Karssen ~ Paris Can Wait Tee: $77.78

Michael Kors ~ Sequin Maxi Skirt: $150.00

Distressed Denim: Rag & Bone The Skinny Jean

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The Skinny Jean by Rag & Bone combines an effortlessly casual style with a hint of sophistication. The distressed detail on these jeans is very subtle and wearable. Placed perfectly at the knees, they are incredibly comfortable and have just the right amount of “give.”

These jeans marry well with just about anything – from oversized knits and boots to beaded blazers and pumps. While distressed denim is an easy DIY project, (How To – HERE) brands like Rag and Bone have taken the time to perfect placement, size and amout of distress in their pieces. The jeans will never look sloppy or overdone. Wear and tear your denim this season with Rag & Bone – The Skinny Jean.

The Classics: Denim Shirt

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A perfect foundation to any outfit, the denim shirt is a timeless attribute to have in your collection.

Just like a trusty pair of jeans, the shirt is available in many washes and styles: dark wash, light wash, deconstructed, western style, classic style.

The denim shirt provides the perfect juxtaposition to this season’s floral dresses and skirts. It can be worn as a jacket/cover-up over these items or tucked-in for a more classic look. A great way to “casual-ize” an outfit is to pair this shirt with your favorite leather shorts or pants for a great daytime look. Or dress it up by adding a blazer or tuxedo jacket. Lastly, throw on over your bikini – for an easy summer cover-up.

The versatile denim shirt is a classic. An item that will never go out-of-style. Find one that suits your style.

Madewell ~ Wayward Jean Shirt: $88.00

Boy. by Band of Outsiders ~ Cotton-Chambray Shirt: $305.00

J.Crew ~ Denim Western Shirt: $118.00

Mango ~ Long Sleeves Denim Shirt: $54.99

Fashion & Function: Bleulab Reversible Denim

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Having a hard time committing to new denim trends? Try reversible. Bleulab has created a new breed of denim that is the perfect combination of fashion and function.

Bleulab’s founder and inventor Carl Jones discovered a double-faced fabric during a trip to China in 2009 and brought it back to the U.S. to begin testing various washes and treatments. The jeans’ design uses a double-headed tack button and a reversible zipper with five pockets featured on either side to achieve two distinctive looks per pair.

Built for today’s woman “an adventurer who is constantly in motion” the styles are named with that in mind: shortcut, paved, curve, rotate, detour and interhoodie.

Great for travel, reversible jeans mean more suitcase space and spending money. These jeans will take you from day-to-night with “superman-like” abilities. And lastly, I love how one is able to dive into a new trend (i.e. colored denim, coated denim, printed denim) without bellyflopping. The reversible side is always a neutral more mainstream style, wearable for years.

Double your outfit options with Bleulab.

Valentine’s Day: Free People Breakfast in Bed Romper

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Valentine’s Day is a church sanctioned holiday deemed February 14 since 498 A.D. The exact origins of the celebration are somewhat unclear. It is still uncertain exactly who the celebrated saint of love really was.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl * who may have been his jailor’s daughter * who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.

However celebrated, I recommend breakfast in bed. A simple gesture that instantly makes one feel spoiled and loved.

This adorable romper by Free People will keep you cozy and in the mood to be pampered. The material is thin enough to layer and comfortable enough to want to wear all day. So if you do decide to get out of bed (not recommended), throw on some jeans and you are ready to go.

❤Happy Valentine’s Day!❤

Give the Gifts that Give Back…

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Tis’ the season of giving. Let’s not forget what this time of year is really about. Give the gifts that give back, locally and around the world. Companies make charitable-giving easy with wonderful gift options, suitable for anyone.

✳  Tory Burch: 100 % of all profits from the purchase of these adorable cosmetic cases benefit the Tory Burch Foundation, a cause committed to providing economic opportunities to women and their families in the United States.

✳  Paul Mitchell: A portion of all gift set purchases benefit Amnesty International, an organization that protects human rights worldwide.

✳  JBrand: Purchase a pair of JBrand Jeans in one of these exclusive colors and 100% of all proceeds are donated to City Year, a non-profit organization that fights the national high school drop-out crisis.

✳  Clarins: With the purchase of a Clarins FEED 25 Bag, 25 meals will be provided through the (WFP) United Nations World Food Programme.

✳  TOMS: With every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.

Wish List: Rag & Bone Capri Skinnies Coated Black

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Rag & Bone Capri Coated

Rag & Bone Capri Skinnies are at the top of my Christmas Wish List this year.

Unlike the faux-leather legging of the past, these beauties are simply coated denim. They fit like denim, can be washed like denim, but look like leather.

Comfortable and perfectly constructed, the Rag & Bone Skinnies are incredibly flattering (unlike most faux-leather leggings that make legs look like stuffed-sausages). They can be worn all year, paired with chunky cable-knit sweaters or free-flowing tanks, ankle boots or Converse sneakers. Invest in a pair of Rag & Bone’s this season, you will not regret it.

Denim Expedition: Seven For All Mankind

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California Coast Classic Straight Leg Jeans

Shopping for jeans is an exhausting experience. Hauling 15 pairs of denim into the dressing room, hoping that at least one is the perfect fit, style and color.

Seven For All Mankind Classic Straight Leg in California Coast is my current blue ribbon-winner. Wanting to test-drive a new style and vear away from the skinny jean, I went looking for a pair of jeans I could live-in. Don’t get me wrong I do love the skinny, however, sometimes I want jeans to look like jeans and not second skin.

The Classic Straight Leg is exactly that…classic. Form-fitting in all the right areas to accentuate the body, but leaves room for comfort, detail and style. These jeans are soft and comfortable and have an amazing stretch. The dark inky-blue wash is my favorite for everyday jeans, polished and perfectly worn-in.