Paisley's Pick: Tommy Bahama

This week for Paisley's Pick, Paisley is showing off her latest bargain buys from Petsmart. The Tommy Bahama brand is exactly as it sounds; tropical! At first I was a little hesitant to get hibiscus printed dresses in the middle of winter but each of these outfits have cold weather characteristics and are super cute. Paisley thought a little hibiscus was just what we needed in the midst of all these snow storms!

For Paisley's first look, she chose the Tommy Bahama Stripe Dress. I love it because the stripes are monochrome and it reminded me of a rugby tee. She paired it with her matching red bows. Since they're her tiny bows, she can wear two! The website shows the dress is $11.99, but our Petsmart had it marked down to $5! How lucky!

For Paisley's second look, she chose the Tommy Bahama Green Dress. I really love this dress because it has such a sporty, cute look. I love the green, navy, and beige color palette. And the hood has THE cutest pattern of hibiscus flowers and acoustic guitars in it! She paired it with her blue and green polka dot bow. We got this dress at Petsmart for only $5!

For Paisley's third look, she chose the Tommy Bahama Floral Dress. This was my favorite one when we picked them out at the store. This dress also has the cute little hood detail. I love the color palette and the pineapple detail on the back! The hibiscus flower pattern on the skirt and in the hood gives it such a cute, girly look. Paisley paired it with her pink bow. This dress was also only $5 at Petsmart!

A lot of these dog clothes are expensive, so I was happy to leave with 3 dresses for only $15! It was Paisley's birthday gift!

Celebrate Valentine's Day Without a Boyfriend

be well with Arielle by theclosetbychristie on Polyvore

Don't have a beau for Valentine's Day? That's ok! The true meaning of Valentine's Day- from my perspective, at least- is remembering those that you love, whether it be a significant other, family, or friends. But why not dedicate the day to loving yourself? This isn't some crazy be-a-loner idea, but rather taking a moment out of a busy day to remind yourself that you're worth it.

I recently stumbled upon a new blog, be well with Arielle! The website is centered around living a healthy lifestyle, where Arielle shares recipes and advice to help you attain good health and in turn, feel good. One aspect of her site that really caught my attention was her shop. She designs iloveme jeWELLry, which is heart-shaped jewelry that stands for the same cause. Each piece has the phrase 'i love me' engraved inside it to remind women to love themselves and treat their bodies well. 

I love this! I'm all about self-love and acceptance, so this is a cause I can really get behind. What better gift to buy for yourself this Valentine's Day than this? It's a little expensive, but the quality is fine. My favorite piece is the rose gold i love me ring, pictured above. The cut-out heart gives it a unique look when worn.

It is 14k rose gold, energized with reiki (a healing energy), and has a freshwater organic pearl accent.

What are you doing to celebrate yourself this Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Guide to Accessories

Don't have a significant other for Valentine's Day? That's ok; I don't either! But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the holiday. Accessories are THE thing to add a little Valentine's splash to your everyday look. Think hearts, bows, and everything girly to the max. 

Here's my Valentine's Guide to Accessories! 

1- Lip Clutch: Diane Von Furstenburg seems to be the leader of this trend, but it's truly taking the handbag world by storm! I personally love DVF's version because the lip is elongated and designed in such a classy way. I love how she incorporates it as the metal clasp in each piece. It makes it beautiful, not cheesy.

2- Heart Scarf: I love this Burberry heart scarf! The deep hues makes it elegant, instead of child-like. It would look stunning paired with winter white gloves!

3- Scalloped Ballet Flats: This trend has such a feminine, romantic look. Scallop hems make everything look so whimsical and the color, nude, certainly adds to that. I absolutely love the Chloe brand because most of their products have that style. 

4- Heart Studs: Every girl loves a heart stud! This hot pink pair is really fun, in typical Kate Spade style.  There's so many options out there for heart studs right now. I personally have a pair of pink diamond Juicy Couture heart studs from many years ago.

5- Heart Gloves: These Burberry heart gloves are just as amazing as the scarf, so I had to include them!

6- Essie Nail Lacquer: Of course, for any holiday you need festive nail lacquer! I like Essie's Shearling Darling and Pink Works for Valentine's Day. A heart glitter nail polish would look amazing as a top coat! Nicole by OPI has some glitter heart options, but the reviews don't look so great. I'll let you know if I find a good one!

2014 Grammy's: Best Dressed, Taylor Swift!

Last night was the 56th Annual Grammy Awards! Award season is in full swing and it always seems to revolve around the fashion. We look forward to seeing what our favorite celebrities are going to be wearing! We analyze who was best-dressed, worst-dressed, and who took chances. I don't normally like to focus on the worst-dressed, but I wasn't completely impressed with the majority of the looks featured on E!'s Red Carpet coverage. I was definitely disappointed!

The true stand-out for the night was by far- Taylor Swift! The lovely Ms. Swift never disappoints, as she always looks stunning for any red carpet event. Last night was no different, as she wore a beautifully elegant gold Gucci gown with a "crystal mesh overlay." It was 100% her signature style, as it was modest yet fun and flirty. She looked truly magnificent!

The entire gown was made of a sparkling, gold material so she was literally eye-catching. I loved how the chest and shoulder area was sheer but was well-blended with the rest of the piece. The back had a fun slit, making it youthful. The combination of the sheer material and slit made it sexy, but the silhouette and fabric made it more elegant than anything else.

Stills from Youtube Video,
Taylor Swift Performance All Too Well Grammy's 2014

Taylor also performed "All Too Well" from her hit album Red. It's a pretty song and her performance was amazing! She wore another lovely gold gown (did I mention that color really flatters her?) that fell nicely on the stage behind her. I've never seen anyone rock out on a piano quite like this! She gives such an emotional performance!

Who was your best-dressed at the Grammy's? What were your favorite moments?

What I Wore: Cobalt Blazer

I've been completely in love with cobalt for years now! What started out as a trend is now a color obsession as fashion designers keep producing and consumers continue buying. The truth is, cobalt looks amazing on everyone no matter the skin type, hair color, etc. It's just plain flattering! Who can say 'no' to that? So I have cobalt dresses, flip flops, and nail polish- but I've been lacking a cobalt blazer and very much wanting one. When I stumbled upon this Dana Buchman solid ribbed blazer on the sale rack at Kohl's, I simply couldn't resist!

There's a ton of things about this blazer that I just love! It's collarless, which is so very chic and modern. The detailing is amazing from the ribbed texture to the zippered pockets to the cut-out design near the neckline. It has princess seams, which creates a flattering shape. And the most important detail- it is made of a polyester/spandex blend, which makes for a very comfortable piece and it's machine washable. No need to bring it to the dry cleaner! 

Love my look? You can get it, too!

1- Gingham No Iron Top: Chaps by Kohl's, $39.00

2- Mixed Media Pencil Skirt: Simply Vera Wang by Kohl's, $34.00

3- Solid Ribbed Cobalt Blazer: Dana Buchman by Kohl's, $32.00

4- Crystal Jewel Earrings: The Limited, Gift

5- Opague Tights: Simply Vera Wang by Kohl's, $7.99

6- Stud Embellished Ankle Boots: Call It Spring, $32.00

His & Her Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Her and Him by theclosetbychristie featuring Michael Kors

It may feel like it was just the new year, but time is flying and before we know it- it will be Valentine's Day! This holiday is all about romance and love. If you have a significant other in your life, now is the time to start thinking about that special gift. And if you haven't started brainstorming yet, don't worry- I've got you covered! 

Here's my His & Her Valentine's Day Gift Guide!

1- Leather Bags: 

For her, a designer handbag is the way to go. She will feel special that you noticed the gorgeous leather bag she was lusting over and it's something she can enjoy for years and years to come! I don't know any woman that wouldn't jump to the moon upon receiving her favorite designer handbag.

For him, a monogrammed briefcase is sure to impress. You can ensure your honey looks fashionable, of course in the most manly way possible, and it's necessary to own one if he works in an office.

2- Fragrances:

For her, a brand new perfume is a nice touch. If you're not sure about her preferences, or if she doesn't already have a signature scent, a variety gift set is perfect. This way she can change up her scent each day and find out what she prefers, or if she just likes variety.

For him, try a new cologne. Believe it or not, men care about grooming too. And this is your perfect opportunity to either restock his old cologne collection or introduce him to your favorite scent.

3- Jewelry:

For her, nice jewelry is the one of the most heartfelt gifts you can get. What woman doesn't love jewelry! I recommend a necklace or bracelet; stay away from rings if possible. You may accidentally send the wrong message! A great jewelry idea is a Pandora charm bracelet. It's the gift that keeps giving, as you can give her a new charm for any occasion!

For him, men's jewelry is a great gift too! Try a beautiful designer watch, or cuff links to match his personality. Or combine the two ideas by getting him working watch cuff links from Neiman Marcus!

One-Year BLOGaversary + Giveaway!

One-Year BLOGaversary by theclosetbychristie on Polyvore

Today I have a very special announcement! Last week marked my one-year BLOGaversary! It's hard to believe it's already been a year- but looking back at the many achievements and milestones I've reached as a blogger and how my content has grown, it proves that hard work and time had to have been present. 

Within these short 365 days, I have / have been: 

- Remodeled the aesthetics

- Befriended wonderful fellow bloggers

- Developed skills I didn't know I had

- Learned important things about myself

- Gained knowledge on trends, terminology, and all things fashion- along with you!

- Attended LuckyFABB, hosted by Lucky Magazine, in NYC (I was hand-selected!)

- Featured by Polyvore as a "Brilliant Blogger" five times!

So, in true blogger style- here's a giveaway (co-hosted by my friend Tara of Penniless Socialite) to honor you, the reader! Thank you so very much for all of your lovely comments and support... and of course, for following along! Enter below for your chance to win a $25 iTunes Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Paisley's Pick: Large Flower Clips

Today is Paisley's birthday! I can't believe my little girl is two-years-old already! Since it's her special day, we've decided to do another Paisley's Pick post (see previous post: Paisley's Pick: Tweed Coat). 

Big bows and flower clips are a current children's wear trend that seems like it's here to stay. What can I say? Little girls just look adorable in big bows! So, why not for dogs? Paisley wears a bow almost every day. We usually buy the clip bows from Petsmart, opposed to the rubber band bows at Petco. They're always updating the bow styles, but after a while they all start to look the same. So lately we've been thinking outside of the box when it comes to Paisley's bows! 

My cousin, Danielle, gave me the idea to get the flower clips meant for people. They're pretty reasonably priced at Claire's, an accessory store at the mall. This purple flower that Paisley's wearing was actually given to me from my mom. It came with something she bought and she immediately thought of Paisley. It looks adorable and Paisley loves it! It's easy to get on and off, it's comfortable for her, and it stays in.

from Red Carpet to Everyday: Golden Globes Edition

from Red Carpet to Everyday by theclosetbychristie

It's award's season and as each show airs, the public lusts after one thing more than any other; the fashion. That's right, skip the recognition and acceptance speeches. The real award is "best dressed" on the red carpet. As a society, we're so obsessed with celebrities and what they're wearing but what is our take-away? Taylor Swift won my best dressed award at the Golden Globes over the weekend, but I can't exactly run out to the store and pick-up that gorgeous Carolina Herrera color block gown. The truth is, celebrities inspire us. They draw in our attention and ignite ideas.

Let's take a glance at Ms. Swift's look. It demonstrates that color blocking can be elegant. Whereas, my previous perception of color blocking was fun, modern, and geometric. Taylor's look demonstrates that color blocking can be subtle and beautiful. 

I styled my look with this Carolina Herrera gown in mind, so I can rock Taylor Swift's look for an event or even for the office. I paired a red Dolce & Gabbana high-waisted lace skirt with a black Yves Saint Laurent ruched strapless blouse. This appears like a color blocked dress and I love the mixed textures. It makes for a really sophisticated look! I accessorized with red Fendi pumps and a Tory Burch gold-detailed box clutch. This is the perfect elegant look for an event, like a wedding, or throw on a black cropped blazer to wear it to the office. 

What was your favorite look at the Golden Globes?

Graphic Sweaters & French Braid Fishtail Hair

A major staple for the Winter season is the sweater. It was especially crucial for this season because it has been so brutally cold! Last week here in NJ we hit a low of three degrees with a wind chill of -10, so I've really been getting a lot of use out of my sweaters. Anyone knows that there's a wide range in types of sweaters; cable-knit, oversized, turtleneck- just to name a few! But this season, it's all about the graphic sweater.

So, how are sweaters going graphic? Just like your favorite graphic tees, I've seen sweaters with cool typography, animals, patterns, and pretty much anything else you can think of. I'm wearing a LC Lauren Conrad graphic heart sweater from Kohl's. It was a great buy because it was only $30 and it has a fuzzy texture, so it's soft and warm. 

LC Lauren Conrad Sweater (no longer available, try this one: Heart Lurex Sweater), 

Simply Vera Wang Skirt, Simply Vera Wang Tights, White House Black Market Python Flats, 

Crystal Drop Earrings (c/o Julie Vos), Baublebar Rope Necklace

I styled my hair in a french braid fishtail! I absolutely love fancy braids, so I always mix and match styles to create something new. I like to switch it up and keep things fun for myself! This is a quick, easy 'do for long hair. If you're a braid-pro, it should only take five minutes and the impression it leaves is unforgettable. I always get a ton of attention when I wear my hair like this because it looks difficult.

If you don't know how to french braid hair, you can stick with just the fishtail braid. It's nothing more than layering pieces of hair! You just split the hair in two and take turns passing small pieces of hair to each side. The hardest part about this braid is that when I wear it in a higher ponytail like this, my arms get tired while styling it! 

Favorite Fashion Friday Link-Up with Penniless Socialite

My favorite look from last week's Favorite Fashion Friday Link-Up by Penniless Socialite was submitted by... Laura of I do deClaire! It's such a lovely way to transition a beautiful Spring/Summer dress to a Fall/Winter look! I especially love the layering and knee-high socks under the boots. It's such a creative take on a preppy style. Nice job, Laura!

 

(Please follow all the rules.  If you don't we'll have to delete your post from the link up...and we really don't want to have to do that)

1. Follow your hosts

Follow your hosts via GFC or Bloglovin' and leave us a comment letting us know so that we can return the favor! 

2. Grab a button

<a border="0" href="http://pennilesssocialite.blogspot.com/search/label/Favorite%20Fashion%20Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag84/Penniless_S/FavoriteFashionButton_zps3d308d81.jpg" height="200" width="200"/></a>

Grab a button, put it at the bottom of your post, on your sidebar or in your linky list.  (or a text link works fine too!)

3. Link up

Link up your favorite outfit post of the week.  Please only link up outfit posts from the current week.  Posts that don't fit these guidelines (such as giveaways or old posts) will be deleted from the link up.

4. Comment & Hop Around

Comment on your host's blog and on at least one other linked up post.  Visit as many of the lovely blogs that are linked up. Comment and let them know you found them from Favorite Fashion Friday!

 

Tara @ Penniless Socialite

Christie @ The Closet by Christie

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette: A Review for the Average Woman

Recently, I received exciting news- I won a giveaway hosted by Simply Stine, a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle blog! And what was the big prize, you ask? The Urban Decay Naked 3 color palette! I was super excited to learn this news because the new color palette was something I really wanted and I hardly ever win anything! It's great to be a winner!

I am by no means a make-up expert, so this is my Ultimate Review for the Average Woman! 

I wear make-up everyday, like I'm sure most of you do! I usually go for a more natural look so this is the perfect palette for me or anyone else that loves to appear au naturale. There's such a wide array of shades that are sure to complement any skin tone. I especially love that there's a combination of sparkly and matte shades. One of my favorite aspects of the Urban Decay brand is that they have a ton of colors and products that contain sparkles! But this palette has a nice variety because it just doesn't make sense to have everything glammed out. 

The first five shades- Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, and Buzz- are the lighter shades on the palette. These are the colors that I've been using for my everyday look, especially for work. I really like these shades because there's a nice combination of beige and rosy colors. It gives me that natural look, while still making my eyes pop. 

The last six shades- Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, and Blackheart- are the darker shades on the palette. These shades are all perfect for an evening look. It has a nice combination of tan, brown, and black hues.

The palette also came with a sample of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Believe it or not, I've never actually owned primer. I have been thinking about getting it lately, so I was really happy about trying out the samples. It came with four different types: Original, Anti-Aging, Sin, and Eden. The original is nude and dries invisible; this is the one that I've been using so far. Sin has a champagne shimmer and Eden has a nude matte finish. It really does make a big difference in keeping my eyeshadow in place and making it last longer! As soon as I run out of the samples, I'm definitely going to buy some.

It also came with this fabulous make-up brush! One side is perfect for brushing on anything and everything, while the other side is ideal for the crease and contours. And if that's not enough- all of Urban Decay's brushes are vegan!

Overall, this palette gets an A+ from me! It's a great quality product, it included more than I expected, and it has given me the opportunity to explore and be excited about make-up. 

Outfit of the Day: Pantone's Radiant Orchid

Pantone announced Radiant Orchid as their Color of the Year for 2014 and the excitement continues! Yesterday, I walked you through the basics of styling orchid lipstick (see previous post: How-To Style Guide: Radiant Orchid Lips). Today, as my look of the day post, I'm going to show you another way to style orchid beauty products and how I did so in my real life with items in my closet. 

As we discussed in yesterday's post, the key to styling a radiant orchid lip is to use a neutral color palette, a classic silhouette, and timeless pieces. These are the absolute best tips to follow, especially if this trend is out of your comfort zone.

For my look, I decided to go with a very feminine aesthetic and a combination of a neutral and monochromatic color palette. The palette includes soft white, gray, radiant orchid, periwinkle, and lavender. 

I was a little less daring by going with a subtle orchid shimmer for my lips. I used Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fuchsia Fusion with a Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Sugar Violet. The fuchsia lipstick gave my lip a lovely mix of purple and pink hues, while the lip gloss added a nice radiant orchid shimmer. This gave me that bright color pop I was looking for without stepping too far out of my comfort zone. It's the perfect way to embrace this trend at the office!

I styled my hair in a nice french braid sock bun. The french braiding is my signature style! I love doing different types of funky braids in my hair. Once you know how to do a basic french braid, it's really easy but has a real 'wow' effect! Trust me, it's easier than it looks. For the sock bun, I used a wonderful tutorial by Carylee of More Pieces of Me. She showed me that teasing your hair makes all the difference when creating a big, full sock bun. Check out her tutorial: The Bun by More Pieces of Me.

1- Elle Pleated Blouse from Kohl's, 2- Elle Rose Skirt from Kohl's, 3- White House Black Market Gold Rose Pendant, 4- The Limited Rhinestone Jewel Earrings, 5- Cole Haan Gray Pumps