Ringing in 2012 with Leather, Leopard & Fur

Not sure how this happened but I am wearing all my favorite trends for 2011 in one outfit - leather, leopard & fur.

LEATHER: Whether on panels, pockets, trims, lapels or cuffs, a little leather can make a big sartorial statement. This sassy fitted skirt has leather panel inserts right down the middle, which not only gives you that sophisticated look but a slimming effect as well.  

LEOPARD: From shoes and handbags to dresses and pants, you can’t go wrong with this look. My favorite of all are leopard shoes. Animal printed shoes work with just about any outfit whether it is flats or heels. They are the perfect print and color combination for that LBD or a simple day-to-day ensemble.

FUR: A splendidly fitting faux fur jacket or coat is a classic and always in style, I've had this one since my college days. There is just something gloriously retro about fur that makes it stand the test of time. It’s one of those magical pieces that’s chic, elegant and lady like, yet fun and edgy.

I hope these 3 trends will continue to be in style in 2012; but even if they don't, I will probably be sporting them on my blog anyways =) Thank you for sticking with me this year, friends. Here's to another year of blog friendships!

I just created a Facebook, "Like" my page for blog updates and sales deals that I find!

[Outfit]

Jacket :: Guess

Shoes :: Aldo Nolton

Skirt :: Xoxo via Macy's

 Earrings :: Swapped

Thanks for reading and have a great New Year! 

Thankful

Many of you ladies had asked me what I wore in our family photo HERE with Old St. Nick and here it is. I kept everything nice and simple. This dress that I am wearing is from H&M and is actually the same cut as the mod dress that I wore HERE. Because it is black with a white collar contrast it looks more subtle than the houndstooth print.

It wasn't until recently that I love turquoise jewelry because I thought it was just too bright, but now it is my go-to choice to spice up any outfit, especially black and white. The great thing about it is that it can work with so many different outfits - it can be delicate and girly with long layered necklaces, or mixed with rhinestones to edge up an ensemble. Turquoise jewelry offers a tropical flavor that will add a fresh dimension to your wardrobe.

I want to dedicate this post to cocobloggers who has extended the Liebster Award to me. The origin of this award is obscure, but it's probably German and translates into "most favorite blog". This award is given to blogs that have less than 200 followers as a means of getting connected to other bloggers and their followers. This is the second time that I have received this award and although I now have more than 200 followers, I was still ecstatic to receive this. I am so amazed with the friendship that I've made and truly feel bless to be a part of this community. So, thank you cocobloggers for extending this award to me and to all of you ladies who take the time to visit my blog on a daily basis and leave such sweet and inspiring comments.

In addition Kat from katattack2000 also did an interview on me recently, please check it out HERE. Thank you Kat for asking me to take part in your Interview series, I thoroughly enjoyed answering all the questions!

[Outfit]

Dress :: H&M

Shoes :: Aldo

Tights :: DKNY via Macy's

 Necklace :: Swapped

Bracelet & Ring :: eBay

 Bag :: LV Artsy

Thanks for reading!

The Angela Tote by Sharp Hill Designs

As many of you ladies may know I am a major shoe-fanatic but prior to that I was also a handbag addict until I started Law School. It's really tough finding a chic and sturdy bag that can fit my work files, laptop, textbook, lunch and all the other knick-knacks that I normally carry; therefore I had to resort to a boring old book-bag. You see, a handbag says a lot about you and it can be hard to find one for both work, school and play. That's why today I want to introduce you to my new love: the Angela Tote by Sharp Hill Designs.

This is not your average canvas bag, it is multifunctional for everyday use but with its beautiful navy stripes and chic side bow it is also elegant and stylish as well. The bag is made of 100% cotton canvas, fully lined with sturdy shoulder straps. I especially LOVE the interior with 6 side pockets (one of which is a zipper) and it has a visible key fob so you will never lose your keys at the bottom of your bag again! I can't rave enough about the quality of this bag. I've had it for a little less than a week now but my kids have been dragging it all over the place. Charlotte says it's her "weekender" and she toted it to grandma's today filled with her Christmas toys. Even with all this activity, not a single peck of dirt was found on the bag. Definitely a working mom/student type of tote. I can already envision us carrying this to the beach in the summer and to ski resorts in the next couple of weeks - that's how versatile it is!

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Like shoes, a great handbag can cost a fortune, and the really elegant ones will also be innocuous until closely inspected. But if you don't fancy spending big bucks on a purse then Sharp Hill Designs is the brand for you; they offer gorgeous handbags and accessories at an affordable price. But don't just take my word for it - visit their website today and check out all the elegant accessories. Plus sign up for their newsletter HERE and get a 20% off coupon. Follow them on Twitter for updates on sales and new products and like them on Facebook for give-aways and reviews! I know what I will be using my coupon on - the matching Grace clutch below:

Chunky Oversized Watch

These days, bigger is better when it comes to women's timepieces, which do a lot more than give you the time of day. The most multi-functional of accessories, watches give you the time and sometimes the date, all while making a blinged out fashion statement. I love the look of a big, chunky men's watch on a small dainty, feminine wrist like my own. And that is exactly what I got for Christmas this year.

Originally I wanted to get the Michael Kor's Runway style but the band was a lot thicker than I expected, so I gave up on the search due to my Finals schedule. Lo and behold, Hubby decided to take matters into his own hands to seek out the perfect watch for me. One week before Christmas while I was pulling my hair out from studying for Finals he brought this out to cheer me up =)

I have had a soft spot for rose gold since it hit the market; the pink tone is so feminine and chic. The watch is perfectly girly with the surrounding diamonds yet still has the masculine look with the proportional chunky band. I also adore the wide circular shape of the face too. It helps me see what time it is easier because some of the smaller face watches are so tiny I can hardly make out the numbers on it.

The watch you wear makes a statement about your style. An oversized watch is such a statement piece that you can easily get by with minimal other jewelry. Here I decided to stay neutral with a beige crochet sweater, camel wool skirt and my trusty fur boots. This outfit has been winterized with a thermal long sleeve shirt on the inside and a vibrant red scarf on the outside.

A watch is a way to show off your personality. It is a piece of art on your wrist, and it represents something about you whether you choose leather, metal or plastic; bright and bold or basic black. In addition, watches can also commemorate a special time in someone's life, from a wedding to an anniversary to the birth of a child. It's sentimental, so every time you look at your wrist, it will not only tell you what time it is, but also take you back to a special time in your life. Thank you Hubby for a wonderful present on our 12th Christmas together!

[Outfit]

Watch :: DKNY

Sweater :: Old Navy

Long-sleeve Top :: Gap

Skirt :: H&M

Leggings :: Hue via Macy's

Scarf :: Banana Republic

Boots :: Aldo

Thanks for reading! 

Happy Holidays!

 

"Christmas… that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance -- a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved."

by Augusta E. Rundel

Here's wishing everyone a magical holiday. I hope you get everything on your wish list plus more =)

 Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

With Love, 

Bloggers Rock the Colors of Christmas :: Silver Sparkles

Here is my "oh-so-late" entry to the gorgeous Collete's "Bloggers Rock the Colors of Christmas" post. My color of choice for the holiday is: silver sparkles. In the midst of this joyful season, I couldn't help but pull out my favorite sparkly dress to spice up my holiday attire.

This holiday season is all about glitz and glam, and sequins are back. We're talking about a subtle and elegant dash of glitter and shimmer that gives you just the right amount of edge to any outfit. Whether it be a full sequined blazer, glitz on a stiletto, or a touch of shimmer to your eyelids or nails, this bedazzling touch can be added to anything!

I love pairing grays and beiges with sparkles as it allows the sequins to shine on its own for that subtle edgy look. Please excuse the rain boots - due to the misty rain I had to improvise. Take note that not all sequin silhouettes are investment worthy, make sure to seek for quality items that will not fall off in the wash. And as always, when picking a trend to be the main statement of the look, be sure to keep your accessories simple. Or in my case none at all, unless you count the fur embellishment which is a must for the winter season!

 While sparkle is always appropriate for a special event, now you can feel free to sparkle in the day time too! Sequins are ready for their day-time debut when paired with a contrasting piece in a casual fabric such as denim or knits. For a causal look pair an over-sized comfy sweater with a sequin mini or a denim button down with sequin shorts. The possibilities are endless so spice up your holiday wardrobe, whether day or night, by adding that touch of shimmer today!

Please stop by and check out all the other fabulous bloggers who wore their Holiday outfit on time by clicking the button above =)

[Outfit]

Top :: Gap

Vest :: H&M

Dress :: XOXO via Macy's

Headband :: Macy's

Boots :: Hunter

Thanks for reading! 

The Bow Blouse

While the bow blouse is one of the hottest trend this season, it is in fact an old-timer in the world of fashion. Bow blouses are also known as "pussy" bow blouses which originated from the pictures of cats in children's books where aristocrats tied fancy ribbons around their pussy's necks.

These days women are updating their look this fall with the quintessential must have blouse. Be it a printed silk, a soft chiffon or a solid basic, a tie at the neckline is top notch with wide-leg slacks or skinny jeans. You can also look polished, prim and proper at work by pairing it with a pencil skirt. This trend can be worn with practically everything!

Here I decided to winterize my look with a crochet sweater and leather panel jeans for a more casual and relaxed look. I love the feminine and effortlessly chic factor of these blouses, definitely a must-have in your wardrobe. If you want to be trendy but don't want to buy a bow blouse, that's OK too, take a classic shirt, tie a scarf under its collar and voila...instant glam in seconds!

Below are some additional ways I would suggest wearing these versatile blouses. The color and style options are endless, so you can easily find one that fits your personal style vibes.

The best part is, for the ladies that are constantly struggling to stay in-trend in a professional setting, as long as it's not sheer, a pussy blouse is 100% work-appropriate!  So don't be a pussy, put a bow on it =)

[Outfit]

Blouse :: H&M

Sweater :: Rampage via Macy's

Bracelet & Earrings :: Gift

Thanks for reading! 



Allison Izu Winner :: Mini-Me's Holiday Outfit

I can finally close the chapter of my last Fall semester in law school and was ecstatic to find out that holiday hours are in effect. The family excitedly got dressed up to take pictures with Santa and here we have Lil' Charlotte posing for the camera while we waited in line.

 

I would like to sincerely thank everyone for participating in my first giveaway and a big thanks to ALLISON as well for her generosity!

And the winner is...Jasmine from AdamAlexMommy. Congratulations Jasmine, please email me the style and size of your choice as well as your address to justtututiny at gmail dot com =)

 For those who did not win, fret not as you can still take advantage of the exclusive promotion. Use code PETITEHOLIDAY (good till Dec 12/24) and get 20% off all purchases $98 or more, which includes FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURN on first orders. Please head on over to her website HERE and take a look at her amazing collection of premium jeans. Finding the perfect pair has never been so easy and you still have 6 more days till Christmas to shop so hurry on over!

[Charlotte's Outfit]

Dress :: Jona Michelle via Macy's

Necklace :: Gift

Shoes :: Old Navy

Thanks for reading!

The Lace Dress

I had these photos archived for a while because I wanted to experiment with some holiday party looks. Not that I should be thinking about parties since I still have 2 papers to write but I just can't help it!

How beautiful is this lace dress? I have been falling head-over-heels with lace since I purchased my lace shorts as seen HERE and HERE. The ultimate balance of lace is to be romantic but not over-girly; sensual but not over-suggestive. Lace isn't an added detail of a garment, it is the garment.

Lace, often times, can be associated with matrimonial attires so to get away from that reach for dresses with streamlined silhouettes and above-the-knee hemlines. These days, lace can be classy, super versatile and a basic piece of garment that's good enough for every day wear. And best of all: it's totally up to you on how you style it!

 

 Try pairing lace with unexpected accents such as: leopard prints, red accessories, or statement jewelries to give it a more modern look. Here I chose a black dress with minimal underpinnings to modernize the virginal aspect of the look and added leopard pumps to give it an edgy twist. This elegant material can be mixed and matched with anything you can possibly think of to create a unique and fashionable look. Whichever way you go, you can be sure that all eyes will be on you at the next Holiday party...and you can thank your beautiful lace dress for this =)

[Outfit]

Dress :: H&M

Shoes :: Aldo Nolton

Ring :: eBay

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY! CLICK ON BUTTON BELOW:

Thanks for reading!  

Winterizing :: Mini-me

Remember this camel coat that I told you about HERE? Well, a couple months back I was at H&M and I found a similar one for kids in the little girls section. Charlotte was ecstatic!

She's like her mother already, stroking her apparel so dearly =) I love it when I find matching clothes for my mini-me and especially the ones that she adores too!

I can't say enough good things about a camel coat. The color is so neutral and goes with just about everything in my wardrobe.

This winter season I am thinking about adding some more camel and neutral color items to my wardrobe as I expect we will be getting lots of chills in New England. As a petite I love coats that have some type of belting or fur embellishments. It takes the eyes away from the mid-section and creates a slimmer silhouette. In addition, faux fur adds a touch of glam to just about anything and gives you that little bit of warmth as well.

How are you ladies winterizing yourself this season?

[My Outfit]

Coat :: Banana Republic

Leggings :: DKNY via Macy's

Shoes :: Jessica Simpson via Macy's

[Charlotte's Outfit]

Coat :: H&M

Leggings :: Gap Kids

Shoes :: Payless

HAVE YOU ENTERED MY GIVE-AWAY YET? IF NOT CLICK ON BUTTON BELOW:

Thanks for reading!