Wearing:  Sweater.  Necklace.  “Whirl” Lip Liner.  “Brave” Lipstick.  “Black Honey” Almost Lipstick.

Products Mentioned:  Shampoo.  Finishing Spray.  Cleanser.  Biossance.  Primer.  Eyeshadow Palette.  “Golden Sun” Blush.  Lipstick.  Lip Gloss.  Body Cream.  Perfume.  HRH Collection.

HRH Bracelets:  Metallic Coco in Polished Gold Chain/Black Leather.  La Dauphine in Cotton Candy – Light Sky Blue.  Micro Dauphine in Mint Opal Glow.  Micro Dauphine in AB Glow.

Thank you so much for watching!! All products are linked above and I’ve included everything that I could down below in the photo slide. Click the arrows to scroll through the photos and when you see something you like, simply click on the photo to shop.

If you’re interested in more beauty-related posts, click the “Beauty” tab under the Categories section at the top of my website to see more. I’m so excited to blog throughout the holiday season with you… Keep coming back for holiday styling ideas and gift guides!!

Large Agenda.  Lace Dress.  Cosmetic Case.

With the Sephora VIB First Access Sale Friday, November 6th – Monday, November 9th and the Lilly Gifts with Purchase Saturday, November 7th – Sunday, November 8th it is a good weekend for shopping, people. (Perhaps not the best weekend for our bank accounts, but… The holidays are around the corner and I know I’m not the only one in the Christmas spirit!!)

In typical Lilly Pulitzer fashion, they are offering some adorable gifts with purchase in honor of Lilly Pulitzer’s birthday. This time, the selection includes a gold keychain, glass candle, cosmetic bag, beach blanket, and a carryon suitcase. And… I love when Lilly offers gifts with any spend limit. I’m able to get a head start on my holiday shopping (okay, maybe an item or two for myself… I can’t lie this close to Christmas) and I can use any Lilly gifts as stocking stuffers.

I used to stock up on Lilly solely for vacation wear and to add some brights to my spring and summer wardrobe. But Lilly has really stepped up their game in terms of warmer layers as well… Adorable puffer vests, cozy sweaters, and sleek jeans all made my favorites list below.

I’m always impressed with the quality and longevity of Lilly Pulitzer items. I’ve had most of my Lilly pieces for years and they continue to stand the tests of time and use. Trust me when I say Lilly agendas, phone cases, cosmetic bags, jewelry, and scarves are all perfect gift ideas for the bright and bubbly women in your life. And… If you’re shopping for little women, click here to shop the Lilly Pulitzer girls’ collection.

Brush Set.  Naked Smoky Palette.  Drybar “Dirty Martini” Kit.  Skincare Set.  Eyeshadow Palette.  Philosophy Pink Marshmallow.

One of my favorite sales of the year is here!! Sephora‘s VIB Rouge First Access Event, with 20% off all purchases Friday, November 6th through Monday, November 9th at 11:59 PM using code ROUGE20 at checkout.

I always use this sale to get a head start on Christmas gifts for my beauty-loving family and friends. Some ideas?? A complete skincare kit for your man. Luxe bubble bath for that friend of yours who spends her Sunday nights in the tub. A mask set to pamper your mother. And maybe a fragrance sampler for yourself to find a new scent for 2016.

I’ve divided my favorite picks down below… Just click on the arrows to scroll through the images and when you find one you like, simply click to shop. Remember to get your entries in for the Chloé giveaway as well… The winner will be drawn this weekend!!

Hair

Skincare

Makeup

Body

Day Look:  Blazer.  Dress.  Necklace.  Ring.  Pumps.  Tote (Similar Here).

Night Look:  Jacket (Similar Here and Here).  Dress.  Necklace (Similar Here).  Ring.  Booties.  Handbag.

James L. Jones Photography

First of all, let me just say this is easily one of the most flattering dresses you will find. My new favorite brand Kora Rae makes this dress with beautifully high-quality fabrics, and the black panels down the side slim and visually whittle waist and hips in half. The stretchy panels are forgiving but also hug curves and allow for comfortable movement throughout the day. This dress has become a favorite of mine… One that will be worn to everything from church and family events to weddings and special meetings.

Working primarily from home, my wardrobe is able to be much more flexible than it used to be (as in yoga pants). But during college and after law school I worked in traditional office settings that required me to be in professional clothes. The frustrating part was trying to figure out how I would transition my professional wardrobe to date nights, evening events, or happy hour/dinner with friends that occurred immediately after the workday… And how to make more conservative work dresses look appropriate for social events so I could double their wear potential.

By starting with the right basics and using a few strategic accessories to transition from day to night, you can easily look evening-appropriate without making a trip home first or packing an extra outfit.

Tips for making day-to-night work for you:

1. Start with a knee-length dress:  Embrace the fact that not all your date-night pieces will work for work. That dress you wear out dancing with the girls probably won’t double for meetings and presentations with your boss. Start with a knee-length dress like mine above… Bonus points for a conservative neckline.
2. Top your dress with a sleek blazer:  My favorite (that’s now on sale) is this all-black blazer in a year-round light wool fabric. It adds a professional feel to any dress or silky blouse, making many of your pieces more work-appropriate.
3. Invest in a quality tote bag:  Aside from being a carry-all for your work papers and laptop and a great travel tote, a quality tote bag will become a place to store your work accessories when you head out for the evening.
4. Switch to a leather jacket:  Make the switch to a leather jacket to add a bit of edge to your dress for evening. I’m wearing this one I’ve had for years but I really like the seam details on this one and the friendly price point on this one.
5. Carry a handbag with detail:  Carry a small-to-medium handbag with detail that transitions into evening well and adds interest to your outfit. If you have enough room, you can even tuck it into your tote bag during the day.
6. Pair your dress with boots or booties:  An easy way to make a dress look edgy and perfect for a night out is to add chic boots or booties. My favorites that would pair well with work dresses? Check here and here.
7. Spice up your evening jewelry:  Try adding a pop of color with a bright necklace or adding movement with some chain-detail earrings that accent your face and hair.

Look through my favorite day-to-night pieces by clicking through the arrows down below. When you see an image you like, click to shop. And be sure to enter our Chloé Marcie bag giveaway… We decided to extend it a week and the winner will be chosen this weekend!!

Fur Vest.  Bow Blouse.  Jeans.  Boots – Wide-Calf or Regular.  Fragrance.

I love feminine, silky blouses… They’re one of my closet staples. I find myself always reaching for one of these and pairing it with a fur vest, jeans, and boots. But this season’s bow blouses take the femininity and whimsy up a step. Pair them with a big bun and large, bright earrings and the bow blouse becomes a bit quirky. Hair down to showcase chandelier earrings and the bow blouse becomes glam.

In the look above, I paired my black bow blouse with last year’s fur vest, some straight-leg jeans, and my favorite boots (available in both wide-calf and regular). I’ve linked my favorite bow blouses down below in the slide, including lower price points and plus size styles. Just click the arrows to scroll through the photos and when you see one you like just click to shop.

Don’t forget… A few fellow bloggers and I are hosting a Chloé Marcie bag giveaway that ends on Saturday October 31st, so be sure to enter if you haven’t!! I’m crossing my fingers for one of my readers to win!!

Sweater. Tank. Jeans. Boots – Wide Calf or Regular. Fragrance.

This weekend J needed to be in South Dakota for work, so we jumped at the chance to relax at the ranch. If you’ve been a reader for long, you know how special this place is to me and my family… And now J too. The Black Hills are a stunning, spiritual place for many and I always feel a special kind of peace while I’m there, taking in the picturesque views and listening to the wind blow through the pines.

This year, I took a DNA test through National Geographic’s Genographic Project and discovered that I have Native American genes in my DNA. My parents and I have been fascinated by Native American art and culture for a long time, so it’s interesting to think perhaps there’s a deeper reason for that connection we feel. Anyway, whenever I’m in South Dakota I wonder a little if it’s where my ancestors could have lived long ago.

I wanted to show you this sweater I’ve recently fallen in love with. It’s cozy and snuggly with a flowy, soft neckline and hem that keep it light and feminine. I’m trying to pretend I don’t know know there are three more color options or that the price point is under $70. Because it’s rare to find a sweater that is cozy without adding bulk, delicate while remaining functional. I usually pair this sweater with my favorite simple tank in white or gray underneath.

Here’s to fall leaves, warm coffee, your favorite pair of boots, and maybe even a new fragrance on your bathroom counter. And don’t forget… Only a few days left to enter the Chloé Marcie Bag Giveaway!! I can’t wait to see who wins!!

Fur Vest (old – similar here).  Leather Jacket.  Fringe Top.  Jeans.  Boots.  Earrings (old – similar here).  Bag (sold out – similar here).  Please see below for similar options at various price points.

Photography by Noah Berg Photography

It’s been rainy and cloudy in Denver the past few days and I’ve been loving it. We typically have pleasant weather, lots of sunshine, and very few rainy days. After leaving an event the other night, J and I both noticed we weren’t feeling so well… Accepting the first cold/flu of the season has been the perfect excuse to stay near the fireplace in the evenings.

I really love the fringe trend this fall… When I saw this beautiful (MARSALA!!) suede fringe top I couldn’t resist it. I paired it with some fringe earrings I had to accentuate the movement. I’ve linked some of my favorite fringe tops down below for you.

I often hear people saying they don’t know how to wear a certain item of clothing… Or they don’t know what to pair it with. I wanted to point out how I layered this outfit because the top is bold and more of a statement piece, but it blends beautifully when paired with more classic pieces and together they make a really fun outfit with lots of texture.

TIP:  Sometimes all it takes is a little layering to make an outfit feel more comfortable for various settings. I used this top like any other tank or tee and layered on my favorite leather jacket followed by a fur vest on top. I would wear this to dinner, but if I switched out my heeled boots to casual booties or flat boots I think this outfit could be appropriate for shopping dates, out to lunch, or daytime events… Imagine this top paired with a big, cozy “grandpa” cardigan or knee-length duster?! So casual and cute.

Scroll through the items I’ve linked below to see similar options at various price points. Just click on the arrows to scroll through the images and if you see one you like, click on it to shop.

Jacket.  Similar Necklace.  Jeans.  Boots.  Similar Bag.  Lashes.

Photo Credit:  Noah Berg Photography

I miss my family like crazy, but I’m happy to be back in Denver and getting back into a normal routine. Which includes frequenting some local coffee shops to blog and work on home decor. Because with no travel in the foreseeable future, my current goal is to tackle some of the half-started projects around our house. Houzz and Pinterest have been constants on my phone and computer lately.

Another current favorite of mine is Kora Rae, a contemporary luxury clothing line I recently discovered. The line gets its name from Kora, a rescued tiger the designer sponsors. I love to celebrate various philanthropic causes on my Facebook page and I adore animals, so when I began reading about this brand I felt an instant connection!!

Each item in the Kora Rae line is sophisticated and feminine. And all the pieces are versatile… They could be incorporated into a work wardrobe, date night outfit, or more casual looks. I was elated with this gorgeous jacket… The quality of the fabric is fantastic, the cut is tailored and polished, and the elbow pads and zip-off side panels add edge.

Be sure to check out Kora Rae’s Instagram for some styling inspo and while you’re at it, take a look at the flirty-meets-girl-next-door line called Kittenish Jessie James Decker designed with Kora Rae.

Tips For Adding Edge:

1.  I think every woman needs an edgy necklace like this one in her jewelry arsenal, as they can take an outfit from day to date or completely change the vibe of a simple black dress.
2. Tough moto-inspired bags like this one really amp up an outfit and when they’re nice and roomy they can hold tablets or computers when you’re traveling or just on the go.
3. Last but not least, there’s nothing edgier than this season’s over-the-knee boots!! I’ve been living in mine lately, but I’ve included my favorites at various price points down below in the slide. Just click the arrows to scroll through the photos and when you see an item you like, simply click on the photo to shop.

Don’t forget to enter my Chloe Marcie bag giveaway!!! A group of style bloggers and I are hosting it… And the winner will be drawn on Halloween!! I would love to see one of my readers win that gorgeous bag!!

Earrings.  Tassel Necklace.  Plaid Flannel (Old – Similar Linked in Slide Below).  Faux Shearling Vest.  Jeans.  Booties.  Tassel Bag.

Photography by James L. Jones PhotographyContinue Reading

Earrings.  Tassel Necklace.  Plaid Flannel (Old – Similar Linked in Slide Below).  Faux Shearling Vest.  Jeans.  Booties.  Tassel Bag.

Photography by James L. Jones Photography

Co-hosting my friend Sarah’s baby shower had an added bonus… I was able to see my family in Iowa after the shower.  Luckily, my uncle is a photographer and was willing to snap photos of some new fall pieces I was wearing at my family’s farm in Iowa. I love fall in the Midwest. The leaves are just beginning to change and there is a crispness to the air. Why can’t fall last 6 months?!

I’ve been wearing my lip look I showed you how to get in my Bridal Lip Tutorial so often this fall. I love the rose tones in the lip color and find that it complements the fall shades in my wardrobe perfectly.

I went on a bit of a jewelry binge last week… Snapping up this gorgeous ear crawler set I’m sporting and an emerald tassel necklace. If you haven’t seen Olivia Palermo’s collection for BaubleBar, you need to check it out. I have my eye on this necklace from her collection as well… Vintage-inspired pieces get me every time.

I found the vest, bag, and boots at Nordstrom and was really happy with the quality and price of all three. They’re easy pieces to work into your casual fall wardrobe and give it a bit of an update. These jeans were an emergency purchase since I forgot all my jeans drying in Denver!! But… I really like how comfortable and slimming they are. I would order a size down as they are very stretchy.

Not wanting to leave my family and these gorgeous Iowa fall days!! But I have a bit of excitement to look forward to… I’ll be co-hosting a fun giveaway coming up with some fellow bloggers. If you’re a fashionista or handbag collector, you won’t want to miss it, so stay tuned!!