January Sales 2011: Starting with River Island

Hi guys,

I hope you all had magnificent Christmases! I've just returned to London with a bump: noone to look after me and a distinct lack of nightly roast dinners (thanks mum!) Still, at least I can munch on Quality Streets whilst I write this and pretend i'm still allowed to be festive!

The first thing I did when I got back to London was pop to Brent Cross to check out the River Island sale: always one of my faves. I wasn't particularly impressed, but there were some highlights, and I found a stack of things I wanted to take into the changing rooms. Here are the bits I tried on:

I keep trying on these wet look/leather look leggings but they never look good: I think I just need to accept that my chunky legs don't need highlighting in that way. These ones were reduced to £12. I did like the bird print chiffon blouse though which would look great cinched in with a belt: reduced to £15. I also really liked the hanky hem grey summer dress below (also £15):

Everything was between 50-70% off, and I would say definitely worth a look if you need shoes or winter boots (some big discounts to be had) but the clothes in the Brent Cross branch at least weren't that impressive. And boy was it busy! The queues for the changing room were nothing compared to the queues to pay. I left empty handed.

By the time i'd exhausted the RI sale I was exhausted myself, and came home, leaving the other sales for later in the week: they're not going anywhere and I don't really need anything, so I don't need to tire myself out chasing through the crowds for them this year! Have you bought anything from the sales this year? Are there any shops I really should check out?

Love, Tor xx

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you're all having a wonderful, fabulous, very Merry Christmas!

The picture of the tree is from the Galleries Lafayette in Paris, which was the best tree I saw all year (Until I came home and saw my mums, of course!) It has been a wonderful Christmas so far and, just to seal the magic, we saw a sprinkle of snow too!

Now it's time for turkey, mince pies, a large glass of Baileys, and lying in a food coma on the sofa...

Love, Tor xx

Sparkle Into the New Year

The new year is just around the corner, so we decided to take a little break from all of our Christmas posting to focus on the party of the year. New Years Eve is a big event, whether you like to party out in Times Square, host a dinner party, or snuggle up in front of the fireplace. If you plan on going out, then you have to wear at least a little sparkle and even if you're not going out, it can't hurt to get a glitzy... it is New Years after all. So here are some ideas on how to sparkle and shine this New Years Eve:

This dress by Eva Franco makes us wish we had fancy New Years plans that involved more than playing guitar hero and drinking sparkling apple cider. It's a gorgeous velvet v-neck dress with layers of gold and silver stripes that will make you you look wonderfully festive. We would love to see this dress with some flashy jewelry and magenta peep toe pumps... let's make it happen.

A sexy black sequined top may not be for everyone, but we think it would look great with a pair of dark jeans and boots (or pumps if you're headed to da club). The wonderful thing about a basic tank is that you can dress it up or down as you see fit. Just don't go overboard with the jewelry; your shirt will shine enough without giant chandelier earrings. And when in doubt, add red lipstick!

If you really want to shine, pair the sequined top from Express with this sequined skirt from Anthropologie! The full tulle skirt reminds us of Black Swan, except in a fun, non-psychotic way. This would also look great with a cap sleeve blouse, a scarf, and some cute ballet flats.

A bolder skirt option is this blue and black sequined skirt from Forever 21. It would look great with black tights and booties or a slim fitting blazer. Sure, you may only wear this skirt once in your whole life, but it's only $20 and you're only young once!

Dress up your eyes this New Years Eve with the Glitter Eyes palette from Sephora. It provides all the tools you need to get sparkly, sultry eyes that are sure to get all the boys swooning. The best part is that it comes with a little instruction booklet, so even if you lack skills in the makeup department, you can still come out looking like a rockstar.

A more casual option that we can see ourselves wearing is this loose fitted sequined top from Top Shop. It's a bit more modest than our other suggestions, except for sexy racer back.  It will definitely be more comfortable than a sequined skirt, and you can wear it with dark jeans and flats for a comfortable but chic night out.

A small sequin bag that can store your lipstick, cell phone, cash, and Tide-to-go is just the thing you need if you plan on party hopping on the 31st. It has a dainty little strap and will go with almost any outfit. Plus, you can reuse it for the next wedding you have to go to.

Even if you're just staying in, you can still dress up (a little) by throwing on some sparkle nail polish! That way your nails will dazzle, even if the rest of you is covered in flannel, Rufus Humphrey Style.

 We think the gold nail polish would look great with this fitted, spandex dress from American Apparel with hold embroidery. It has just a touch of sparkle, which is great for those of us who tend to shy away from shiny things. Be sure to wear it with gold hoop earrings, plenty of attitude, and a pair of Spanx.

 We're huge fans of this sequined vest from Victoria's Secret. It would look great with a casual tank (pictured above) skinny jeans, and ankle booties. Add a long necklace, some loose curls, and you're ready for a sexy and fun night on the town.



All that glitters IS gold!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira

The Twelfth Day of Christmas Winner!

On the Twelfth (and final!) Day of Christmas PDR gave to Sheryl...a totally awesome set of letter tile coasters from Yard Sale Press.

Sheryl will receive this fantastic L-O-V-E  set of letter tile coasters. Sure, you could also choose to say that it is a "V-O-L-E" or "L-E-V-O" set, but we think L-O-V-E is just a little bit more our style. You could even make it say "O-L-E" by leaving out the "V" or, if you'd like, you can use this as a base set and order other letters to create even more words and eventually your dining room table can be like a game board!  

Bryan, at Yardsale Press, has his Bachelor's degree from Rowan University and currently works as a printer.  He loves his work and will gladly take on any challenges that come his way from t-shirts, to logos, to wedding invitations, and more.  Although we are not sure where this idea to make these coasters stemmed from, we're so excited that he is making them as they are so clever and fun.  Even though it's hard work (Bryan individually cuts, sands, and carefully prints letter (and points!) before putting the finishing touches on them)  we think it will certainly pay off because they are a seriously cool item to have around your house.  In fact, Jen has a few of these coasters and can personally attest to the quality and level of fun it brings to your space.  But, there can only be one winner.  So, if you are not Sheryl, never fear, you can still order your own set of coasters by contacting Bryan at yardsalepress@gmail.com.  Also, be sure to check out his website for additional information!

Thanks, Bryan, for helping to make our giveaway successful.  

We appreciate your support and wish you continued success. 

Keep up the great work!

That completes our 12 Days of Christmas and our 2010!  We hope you all enjoyed this gift giveaway as much as we have and we hope to be able to do it again next year.  Congratulations to Sheryl and to all you winners! And, for all of you who haven't won, there's always next time!

Have a Merry Christmas, a safe and happy New Years, and we'll see you again in 2011.  

XOXO

Jen & Saira

The Eleventh Day of Christmas Winner!

On the 11th Day of Christmas PDR gave to Kasey... a unique owl locket from Gypsy Warrior and a beautiful collage etching by Kate Van Vliet! 

Kasey will receive this amazing silver and gold heart locket from Gypsy Warrior.  Gypsy Warrior is a collaborative effort from two very stylish dolls, Nicla and Michel (who went to college with us!) The ladies combined their eclectic personal styles to create a website that provides unique and vintage clothing and accessories to women everywhere who want to stand out from the crowd.  Their selections are strongly influenced by retro 60s and 70s style, and have a bohemian edge. While Gypsy Warrior is a fairly new business, they are wildly popular and their items have been selling out like crazy! Be sure to check out their Etsy and Ebay page for the latest fashion deals, and follow them on Facebook as well!

It is definitely Kasey's lucky day. In addition to the amazing owl heart locket, Kasey will also receive this gorgeous etching by Kate Van Vliet. What we really love about Kate's art is that it reflects a beautiful contrast between masculine and feminine. Working with wood, metal, and fire (traditionally thought of as very "masculine" elements) Kate creates art with traditional "feminine" subject matters, such as birth control, compacts, doilies, etc. Kasey will receive a beautiful, framed drawing of a hot air balloon drifting away from a lovely castle. Jen in particular loves this item, as her husband proposed to her on a hot air balloon! But even if you don't have this romantic sentiment to draw you in, we're sure you'll enjoy Kate's delicate and unique style that makes her work so eye catching. Check out Kate's website to view all of her collections, and check out her Etsy page to see what's in stock!

Thanks again, to Gypsy Warrior (big shout out to Michel!) and Kate Van Vliet for their wonderful contributions!  Keep up the amazing work, and have a safe and happy holiday season!

Congratulations to today's winner, Kasey!  Please send us an email with your contact information so we can ship out your prizes asap! Also, tune in tomorrow for the last day of our 12 Days of Christmas (last chance to win a prize if you haven't done so already) and our last post before we go on a Christmas hiatus!

XOXO

Jen & Saira

The Tenth Day of Christmas Winner!

On the 10th day of Christmas, PDR gave to Kate... a custom button necklace by Land and Laboratory!

Kate will receive a custom button necklace designed by Jen of Land and Laboratory.  Jen has a B.F.A. in painting and a Masters in art history, and incorporated her love for the arts in her jewelry making.  While she began making her button necklaces and earrings as a way of relieving stress during graduate school, her hobby quickly became a passion.  As her friends and family began demanding more and more jewelry, Jen's stress relief quickly became a favorite accessory among her social circle and beyond. We love Land and Laboratory's unique style, which is reflective of Jen's own unique personality.  The pieces have a wonderful sense of color and style that stand out from other designers. The necklace pictured above is one of our favorites, and we also love the mother of pearl earrings that are available on her site.  Kate will be able to have a necklace custom designed for her. May we suggest shades of purple and mauve? Or canary yellow and cream? Or perhaps wooden buttons for a more earthy look? The possibilities are endless!

Thank you Land and Laboratory for your generous donation!  Dolls, be sure to check out Jen's etsy page so you can add her collection to your wish list.

And congratulations to you, Kate!  Please contact us with your email address and we'll be sure to put you in touch with Jen to get started on your custom necklace!

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Dreaming of a White Christmas

Here in NJ it is rare but, on occasion, we are lucky enough to wake up Christmas morning to a soft dusting of snow.  A white Christmas is something we always dream of and it certainly helps to add to the magic of Christmas. We're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, so it's only appropriate that our last color day before the holiday represent just that! Glistening tree tops, sleigh bells ringing and fluffy, white, blankets of snow are part of what makes this season so beautiful. You can go with cool white and silver for an icy mix or warm white and gold for a fire-side glow.  This board shows a little bit of both worlds with a mix of cool and warm whites that captures the essence of candle lit, cozy snowy evening.  

Winter White Christmas Wedding Inspiration Board

Images from: The Wedding Decorator, Chandra Keel, Wedding Wire, Style Me Pretty, One Wed, skimbaco lifestyle, Artessen, Be Different Act Normal, Enchanted Dream Weddings,  Kelly Hicks Design, Wedding Paper Divas



May all your Christmases be white.



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Daily wear: Snow day slobbery

Hi guys,
I haven't written a daily wear post for ages, which is largely due to the fact that the cold weather means I have spent my days slobbing around in layers and very large cardigans. Not much has changed but I wanted to share my outfits with you, so here is what I wore when the snow came down yet again: and yes, it involves layers and cardigans!

Skull vest: Topshop, Chunky knit cardigan: TKMaxx, Cowboy boots: TKMaxx, Fut hat: Urban outfitters sample sale, Scarf: H&M, Bag: Joy.

Although i'm not wearing my coat, thats because i'm about to jump in the car and pop to an indoor shopping centre (not because i'm crazy!) and underneath my layers i'm wearing tights, leggings, a long sleeved thinsulate top, and a long line vest. How have you been protecting yourself from the chill? Are you still glamming up for your Christmas parties or have you taken to wearing nothing but super-warm cardigans like me?

Love, Tor x

The Ninth Day of Christmas Winner!

On the 9th day of Christmas, PDR gave to Rebecca...a custom "One Eyed Girl" piece by artist Kasey Tararuj.

Rebecca will receive a custom "One Eyed Girl" painting of her favorite character, or, if she prefers, she may choose one from Kasey's extensive collection.  Kasey is a young and extremely talented artist from Hamilton, NJ who has always had a passion for art.  In 2008 she received her BFA from The College of New Jersey and since graduating she hasn't stopped painting and creating unique and beautiful pieces.  What makes them so unique?  Well, unlike most other artists, at the age of 14 Kasey suffered from a spinal cord injury that has left her partially paralyzed.  Despite her "handicap", Kasey is always with a smile on her face and has not let her injury stop her from pursuing her goals. She attributes her success and creativity as an artist much to her injury and channels her feelings of frustration, confusion, and passion into her art to creates pieces that really help you feel and understand a little bit of what she's feeling. Kasey has shown a variety of pieces in exhibits all around the country and you can even see some of her pieces on display this holiday season. While you're out finishing up your shopping, check out Kasey's Kaotic Kritter series at the Red Horse Gallery on the second floor of the Freehold Mall from now until January 21st.

Thanks, Kasey, for your generous donation!  Dolls, you can follow Kasey on her blog for art and life updates or visit her website to see the rest of her wonderful 1EG series and other paintings, drawings, and more.

Congratulations, Rebecca!  Please contact us with your email address and we'll be sure to put you in touch with Kasey to get started on your new painting!

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Dr. Martens S/S11: Things get girly!

Hi guys,
Over the past twelve months, I have become addicted to my brogues. They were shoes that had to grow on me; at first I was worried they would make my calves look chunky. But now I couldn't live without them: they're my go-to weekend shoes, they match everything, I can walk in them for hours...

For next year, I think my evolution of the brogue trend will be these clumpy, stompy, but infinitely feminine Dr Martens shoes. Now I know the pleasure of a flat sturdy shoe i'm never going back:



I love the black and grey patent ones for wearing to work (perfect with slim hareem pants and a shrunken blazer) and the sugared almond coloured ones and floral ones for play. The floral ones look so vintage, especially teamed with the cream lace tights, and would look amazing teamed with clashing floral dresses when spring and summer finally come around again.

It's difficult to think about next years wardrobe when Christmas is just five days away, but the blue ditzy floral shoes will definitely be on my hit list once the festive season is over and I can start obsessing solely about fashion again....bliss!!

Love, Tor x

The Eighth Day of Christmas

On the 8th Day of Christmas PDR gave to Hillary (Yes, again!  That's what happens when you comment a lot!)... some adorable cards from Kathryn Kelly and some homemade soy candles by Jane Szumowski!

Hillary will receive these two great greeting cards from Kathryn Kelly.  Kathryn Kelly, based out of Philadelphia, PA, makes a variety of adorable paper goods.  From pretty greeting cards to handmade notebooks, her designs are youthful and fresh. We particularly had been eyeing up the "We've got great chemistry" card and were thrilled when she included this in her giveaway.  Kathryn hand makes and screen prints her cards, journals, gift tags, and more in bold and bright colors and fun patterns.  We think her creativity and simple, but beautiful, designs make her cards really something to desire and we really appreciate her contributing to our giveaway. Be sure to check out her shop and see her lovely nature inspired pieces in her Flora and Fauna sections -- definitely some lovely pieces to add to your stationary collection.

In addition to those great cards, Hillary will also receive some clean burning, soy candles made by Jen's sister-in-law, Jane.  Jane's candles are made with essential oils and smell good enough to eat so you can enjoy things like Cotton Candy and Blue Berry Cobbler without having to worry about the calories.  And, not only do these candles smell amazing, but these are a great example of making the most out of your centerpieces and repurposing glassware as the larger candle is made using a jar from Jen's wedding. These particular jar candles will burn for hours and leave your home smelling like a bakery or candy shop.  Jane currently does not have a shop of her own, but if you would like more information about her candles or would like to special order some please send us an email and we'll be sure to let her know.

Thanks again, to Jane and Kathryn Kelly for their contributions to our gift giveaway.  We wish you success and happiness and a safe and healthy holiday season.

Congratulations, once again, to our lucky lady Hillary.  We hope you enjoy your prizes and we thank you for being such an ardent supporter of Paper Doll Romance.

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Girls

OK, OK, so not all of us have had time to go out shopping for gifts or think about ordering them online ahead of time. Some of us have been busy blogging. But, it's time to get serious because, with only a few days left until Christmas, time is running out! In case you're like us and may have been slacking just a little, we've put together a few last minute gift ideas for the ladies in your life from Grandma to Mom and beyond. So, put on your armor, get out your shield, and prepare to battle long lines, crazy drivers, the lady who took the last size small, and more as you venture out to grab these before it's too late!

Moms are always on the go, so when they're home, their feet deserve to be pampered in these fur trimmed booties available at the Gap. Super soft and warm, they are perfect for cold winter mornings when Dad refuses to turn the thermostat up.  If your in a time crunch and can't find these at The Gap we're sure you can find similar ones at Macy's, Kohls, Target, etc.

Now, we know we said we like our mugs to be personal.  So, if you know the person you're buying for like your sister, bff, or coworker really enjoys a movie/book/tv show, why not get them some merch to go along with it.  This "So the lion fell in love with the lamb" mug would be perfect for any Twilight fan.  Or, if you can't get it shipped in time, check out some local stores like Borders, Barnes and Noble, Hot Topic, or movie stores like FYE to see if they have any available.  We recently spotted some Twilight items in a Borders near us, so there's hope for you yet!

Stores like New York and Company are having great sales that include up to 40% off your final purchase.  Still haven't found something perfect for Grandma? What about a nice and cozy, cowl neck sweater that is sure to keep her warm on those snowy days?  Spruce it up with a pretty little pair of silver earrings and you'll be good to go!

Does your sister have so many hair curling and straightening devices than you know what to do with?  Help her simplify her life with one fantastic tool that can do both!  You've probably seen these in the mall somewhere and yes, they actually work.  Straighten your hair or curl it using use one stroke - we didn't believe it either but we've seen it happen.  Check out this Conair one on Amazon (you can still order from Amazon in time for Christmas!) or just run out to your local Target, Kohls, or Walmart and you're bound to find a similar product.

The ladies in your life are busy, stressed, and maybe even a little frazzled at times so what better gift to give than a relaxing afternoon at the spa?  Massages, pedicures, facials, and more - she is sure to enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating day all to herself, or, to make it even more special, go with her and enjoy a little quality girl time together.

Show tickets!  These are not just great gifts for guys, but also for girls!  Plan a girls day out and get your Mom, Grandma, Sister, or friend a ticket to see a show or ballet that you've both been looking forward to.  Maybe it's Wicked, or Jersey Boys, or the Lion King -- anything you decide on is bound to be a spectacular experience to remember for a lifetime.

Buying for a tech geek or avid reader?  The Barnes and Noble Nook is a great gift for anyone who loves reading.  Sure, we prefer to hold books in our hands and feel the pages, but there's no denying the convenience of a product like this and the ability to have thousands of books literally at your fingertips.  Now, if only they would make them in "old book" scents... sigh.



Anyway, there's just a few days left so, while we hope that helped to give you some ideas for some quality and thoughtful last minute gift items, we've got to run out and pick up some things ourselves!  Happy shopping and be sure to stay tuned as we finish the last few days of the 12 Days of Christmas and wrap up 2010 this week.



XOXO

Jen & Saira

The Seventh Day of Christmas Winner!

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, PDR gave to Lynette ... a lovely handmade portrait made from dried flowers by Saira's mom, Rana! 

Lynette will receive this beautiful handmade dried flower portrait set in an ornate golden frame.  All of Rana's portraits are individual and one-of-a-kind. She takes flowers from her everyday life and presses by them hand to create beautiful, unique works of art. While this frame features a simple arrangement of dried alpine flowers, she also creates images and patterns using dried flowers, leaves, herbs, or adding some paint to create depth and layers to the flowers. For a personal touch, she adds a quote written in pencil to all of her creations. These vary from phrases celebrating the season to sharing words of love. This particular frame is made from Swiss alpine flowers that Rana picked while vacationing in the Alps. It contains a little piece of summer and quotes "Summer's Breeze", so if the chilly winter wind is getting you down, just look to your new, handmade artwork and you'll feel all warm and summery inside.

While Rana's does not have her own page at this time, her work is available at local craft fairs. If you're interested in her work please contact PDR for more information. Also, when her Etsy site is up and running, we'll be sure to share it on our blog!  

Thank you to Rana for your generous donation.  We wish you much success and, of course, the happiest of holidays. Congratulations to Lynette on winning this beautiful gift -- please email us with your shipping address so that we can ship it out to you.

XOXO

Jen & Saira

The Sixth Day of Christmas Winner!

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, PDR gave to Jacky... some all natural, earth friendly goodies from Mary of Heaven and Earth, LLC.

Jacky will receive an assortment of all natural items from Heaven and Earth which includes all homemade, natural, healthy items: homemade citrus bath salts made with dead sea salts, essential oils, and orange zest wrapped in a reusable muslin sack, homemade citrus soap wrapped in eco-chic post-consumer and recyclable materials, and a hand crocheted cotton washcloth.  Heaven and Earth is a family owned and operated business, based out of NJ, that is committed to doing their part to help the environment and live a sustainable lifestyle. They utilize recycled materials for packaging and their products are all earth friendly, vegan, chemical-free and dye-free making them perfect for healthy living. Plus, their soaps smell great, look like yummy little desserts, and often include ingredients like coconut, oatmeal, and poppy seeds that act like a natural exfoliator.  

Be sure to check out the other items from Heaven and Earth on their website, follow Mary and the Heaven and Earth team on their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle on their blog, or become a fan of Heaven and Earth, LLC on Facebook for earth friendly updates and info on their great products.

Thank you to Mary andHeaven and Earth for their generous donation.  We wish you much success and, of course, the happiest of holidays. Congratulations to Jacky on winning this fantastic gift set - please email us with your shipping address so that we may let Heaven and Earth know to ship it out to you.

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Behold: The wedding shoes from Dior

Hi guys,

So , as I mentioned on Thursday, Mike and I had a pre-pre Christmas dinner Yesterday (we like to call it fake Christmas) We ate a Christmas dinner, opened our presents, played board games and Singstar, and watched Christmas films. It was the best day.

What I didn't mention is that I already knew what my main present was going to be, and i'm super-excited to finally be able to share them with you: these are the shoes for my wedding which we got from the Dior outlet store at Bicester village:-

I didn't want a cream satin pump I was never going to wear again, but I didn't want something that would clash with my dress either. These shoes are perfect: nude slingbacks will go with all my fancy summer dresses, and the gold leather sole and heel is a little bit showy. They're versatile, wearable after the event and all-round perfect wedding shoes. I sigh a little with love every time I look at them, and I can't stop trying them on!

I was also treated to some Nina Ricci perfume, lots of Hello Kitty goodies, choccies, and a much-needed new umberella! Lucky me!!

Love, Tor xx

Primark SS11: Why do they make it so hard?!

Hi guys,
Why do Primark make themselves so hard to resist?! I've been trying to focus on buying better, more long lasting pieces and having a solid reliable wardrobe. I've build up a wardrobe of key sensible pieces (black dresses, straight fitting blazers) and i'm splurging on better quality pieces less regularly, rather than having weekly Primark binges. I was a Primark addict attempting to go into recovery. Then I see pictures like this, and all I want to do is hit the shops:



All of these beautiful things are due in store between the end of January and the end of April, and are from Primarks new SS11 collection. I'm hoping that the midi dress and pallazzo pants look so incredible because of clever styling and photography, rather than because they are just really that lovely, otherwise my mission to save for high quality black pallazzo pants for my honeymoon could go to ruin and the money could be wasted on a Primark splurge instead!! There isn't an outfit above I wouldn't wear.

Love, Tor x

The Fifth Day of Christmas Winner!

On the fifth day of Christmas, PDR gave to Jen (Making it in Madison)... a fun and funky pair of earrings by Heidi Roland.

Jen will receive this fantastic pair of 4 inch, dangly and elegant earrings by jewelry and accessory designer, Heidi Roland.  This ultra light pair of earrings features small pieces of white leather, a delicate gold chain, and small, very real, white feathers. Based out of Philadelphia, PA,  Heidi Roland creates gorgeous earrings for women who dare to be bold and who aren't afraid to express themselves. Using feathers, leather, gold and other natural materials, Heidi creates a look that is truly one of a kind and certainly one that makes a statement. In addition to these winter white feather earrings, we are loving her simple, yet high impact, leather horseshoe earrings that dangle at a dramatic 5 inches and also her long and lovely feather and leather fringe necklaces.  Her expertly crafted earrings are inspired by art, fashion, and free spirited women in a way that is perfectly Pocahontas meets Park Avenue.



Thank you, Heidi, for contributing this gorgeous pair of earrings to our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway and congratulations, Jen, on winning these!



Never fear, dolls!  While this pair of earrings will be on its way to Wisconsin shortly, you can check out Heidi's shop on Etsy for her whole collection and purchase some other great items for yourself, your friends, family, or other bold women in your life.



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Holiday Style: Office Holiday Party

Tis the season of presents, snow flakes, mittens, and office holiday parties! Depending on your office, the holiday party can be very simple (takes place during lunch on the day before Christmas Eve) or extravagant (takes place at the Empire Hotel where all your clients are invited). You know your office style best, so when dressing up for the office holiday party, carefully consider the timing of the event, the guest list, and the venue. Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling:

If you're office is fairly casual, you can easily get away with a simple, festive cardigan.  This one, from New York and Company, has just the right amount of sparkle to spread some Christmas cheer.  Pair it with a nice grey skirt like in the photo and some black tights and heels and you'll be comfortable and stylish all throughout your work day.

Need something just slightly less casual but still polished and professional?  Add a little pizzazz to your otherwise boring office attire and go for ruffles, metallics, and varying patterns this holiday season. The combination of textures adds a level of luxury and the warm winter white and gold creates a luxurious and sophisticated holiday look.

Want to be a little more cozy? This tweed, cowl neck dress from MANGO is wonderfully versatile. How you wear it depends on your office style and your personal flair. Wear it casual with an oversized belt and booties with hoop earrings,  or dress it up black pumps and tights and silver bangles. Either way, you're sure to look chic and warm.

 If your holiday office party takes place right after work, leaving you no room to do a wardrobe change, then pick an outfit that is work appropriate but is still dressy enough for an after-work gathering. This tweed, cowl neck dress from Mod Cloth is a perfect choice. It's modest and sensibly cut, so you can definitely wear it to work with flats and a cardigan without feeling over done. Then after work, throw on some heels, ditch the cardigan, and add some jewelry and you're ready for whatever the night brings!

Another great dress option is this silk petal dress from Banana Republic. Depending on where you work, you could wear this dress during the day with a blazer with your hair throw up in a messy bun, and then take down your hair (literally) for the office party. We really like how this dress looks with black tights (as shown on the model), but you can also wear it with high boots to make it more casual. We also suggest adding some red accessories to get into the Christmas spirit!

Ditch your pencil skirt and go for something a bit more casual this holiday season. This high waisted, paneled skirt from Zara is the perfect length for an office party, showing just the right amount of leg. The basic black makes it safe to wear in the office, but the fullness of the skirt makes it softer and more feminine. Pair the skirt with a simple blouse or a brightly colored cardigan and look perfectly sweet under the mistletoe. 

If you work in a more conservative office, this sleek sleeveless top from The Limited may be a good choice. It comes in a number of different colors,  depending on how bold you want to be. If your office has a stricter dress code, then wear it with a pencil skirt and a blazer. Otherwise, we think this would look really great with the paneled skirt from Zara, pictured above. Just top it off with a red cardigan, and you're all set!

And then for some the holiday party is a lavish cocktail party and time to let loose and cut a rug.  For an occasion like this you'll surely need a fancy and flirty little frock.  We love this LBD because it is fitted and and sexy without being inappropriate. Plus, let's face it, it isn't really Christmas unless there is velvet involved.



Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!



XOXO

Jen & Saira