5 Luxury Items to Add to YOUR Wardrobe

The devil's in the details, right? That statement is true for just about any area of your life- work, home, and of course your fashion. The details of your attire are what separate you from the crowd, so a sure-fire way to stand out is to incorporate small details that make your outfit unique. A basic LBD is brought to a new level with an exceptional pair of high heels. An otherwise dull workplace outfit can become your own version of the "power suit" with the right scarf, jewelry or handbag.

We can't all afford to dress in head-to-toe designer duds, in fact, the majority of us can't do that. I'm sure many of you are like me- I try to find solid "basics" at a good price. I try to find classic pieces that fit me well and that I know I'll get to wear over and over. If I find a great basic, I might splurge a little, but for the most part, a lot of my clothing comes from stores like Target, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ann Taylor Loft, the Gap, etc. I certainly don't have a closet full of pieces from Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's, because my checking account won't allow for it.

Despite my budget wardrobe, I like to think that I can put together an expensive-looking outfit by the simple addition of luxurious accessories. In fact, I have NO problem wearing a necklace or a pair of earrings that cost as much or even a whole lot more than the clothing I'm wearing. An inexpensive dress can easily be transformed by a silk scarf around my waist or neck. It adds a pop of color and the high quality fabric adds a richness to my outfit.

Think about the outfits you have hanging in your closet and what it would take to bring them to a new level. I can think of at least 5 accessories that would be worth splurging on because of how much depth and dimension they can bring to your wardrobe.

1.) Leather or Suede handbag- Whether you buy it new, or find a used one in great shape, a well-made leather or suede handbag will not only last you for years to come, it will instantly elevate your outfit. Avoid trends when investing in this piece- find something classic and neutral.

My "Ashley" satchel from Coach was a wise investment. This gorgeous, black leather handbag has already logged plenty of miles on my arm and I plan to have her around for many more years to come.

2.) Luxury scarf- whether it's cashmere or silk, find a beautiful, classic scarf that will work with lots of outfits. A print will always look more luxurious and add visual interest. You can tie the scarf around your handbag handle, or drape it over your shoulders, or thread it through your belt loops- the possibilities are literally endless. 

I lucked into a vintage Schiaparelli scarf a couple of years ago- I've used it in a number of different outfits and it never fails to earn compliments. 

3.) High quality shoes- they don't have to be heels to be fabulous; flats can be stunning fashion statements, too! 

Whether you score an expensive pair at a bargain price, or happen upon a really well-executed knock-off, or you have the dough to splurge on a real pair of Louboutins or Jimmy Choos, do yourself a favor and get an amazing pair of shoes. 

4.) Statement jewelry- even though it seems awfully trendy right now, statement jewelry is something that can always work to add visual interest and luxury to an outfit. Whether it's vintage costume jewelry, or something you found a Lord & Taylor last week, a unique necklace, ring, bracelet or earring can really elevate an otherwise hum-drum look. 

I'm no stranger to statement necklaces and this one by Stella & Dot has adorned many an outfit of mine for both work and play! 

5.) An awesome overcoat- A black cashmere wool coat, a camel-colored classic Burberry trench, a vintage fur wrap- whatever suits your style, invest in a truly beautiful overcoat. Your entrance will always turn heads with an incredible coat- everyone will be thinking, "with a coat like that, I can't wait to see what she has on underneath!" 

I am still as in love with this coat as the day I bought it. It was a bargain at $75- the fox fur collar and brocade fabric turn heads like you wouldn't believe. 

So, there you have it- a short list of pieces that will help add luxury and visual interest to your daily wardrobe. Don't try to force certain pieces into your wardrobe- keep an open mind while you're out shopping and you will be amazed at what falls into your lap. Sometimes the most exciting finds are the ones you aren't expecting! 

Rate My Look: Peter Pan Necklace

Remember earlier this week when I showed you the awesome Peter Pan Collar Necklace that I made? Well, I figured I'd share the rest of the outfit for your stylish viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Dress: Zara

Cardigan: Old Navy

Boots: Charlotte Russe

Earrings: Stella and Dot

Necklace: ME! 

I also mentioned earlier this week that I think my make-up looked particularly good this day. I tried a few of the makeup techniques that I learned from my visit to Joya Beauty and I must admit to being extremely pleased with the results. 

Seriously- I'm kind of a babe! 

So, what do you think of my outfit? Love it? Hate it? Wish I'd used a little color at least? Well, whatever your opinion, leave me a comment! And have an awesome day! 

Blue Jeans Birthday... Or Not...

I read on a website that December 5th is considered the "birthday of blue jeans." I made a mental note to write a blog post about jeans for that date. In preparing for the post, I did a little more research and learned that according to Levi's, the official birth date of blue jeans is May 20, 1873 because that is the day the patent was received for the design he created with a tailor by the name of Jacob Davis.

So, whether the birthday of blue jeans is in December or May, I've decided not to care and to just continue with my blog post anyway.

It was recently brought to my attention that I have never written a blog post about how to find the perfect pair of jeans. I've worn jeans in plenty of "Rate My Look" posts, but I've never done one of those "how-to" guides that you often see in fashion magazines. To be honest, I don't think I ever will. Here's why:

1.) There are literally millions of jeans to choose from and I just don't have the time or resources to research them all thoroughly and summarize my findings for you.

And

2.) The kind of jeans you like is so personal a choice, I wouldn't presume to tell you what to wear without knowing you.

I know plenty of people who love to wear low-rise skinny jeans. I HATE wearing them. I prefer a rise that's a little higher and boot cut is my favorite silhouette. Old Navy makes a jean called the "Sweetheart." It has a slightly higher rise, is available in a dark wash and comes in boot cut. I own at least six pair in various lengths as well as one white pair.

That is essentially my blue jean advice for you: keep looking until you find the pair that fits you the best. Then buy a LOT of them.

The Sweetheart Boot Cut Jean, Old Navy, $29.50

Are there better jeans out there than these from Old Navy? Most likely. But at $29.50, I can get a pair of jeans that fit my body perfectly, so I've stopped looking. Sometimes Old Navy even has a sale and sells all their jeans for just $19! That's usually the time that I stock up. You just can't beat the price, so why try? 

Yes, I have other jeans by other designers. I have a great pair of skinnies from Ralph Lauren that I found at TJ Maxx, as well as a few pair from the Gap, but nothing compares to the Old Navy Sweethearts. I buy them in two lengths- "Regular" which are the perfect length to wear with heels and "Short" which are the perfect length to wear with flats. I firmly believe in buying two lengths of your favorite jeans so that no matter what shoe you wear, you'll always be in your favorite jeans. It just makes good sense to me. 

What is your go-to pair of jeans? Do you have a specific brand you always buy, or are you still on the hunt for that elusive "perfect pair"? I'd love to know! You know how to comment, so do it! 

Shoesday Tuesday: Ankle Strap Pumps

I don't know about you, but I am in LOVE with this new ankle-strap trend. It can be tough to pull off if you don't have nice legs, so I'll be honest with you that it isn't for everyone. What makes it tough is that it cuts across your leg and can be unflattering as a result. Try this trend if you have shapely legs with small ankles. OR strangely enough, this trend can help a girl who doesn't have much shape to her legs by giving them some definition at the ankle. My advice: try on lots of styles- thick strap, thin strap, open toe, closed toe, wedge, heel, bootie, etc. Try lots of different versions of this trend and see what works on YOU!

Here are some of my faves:

Zigi Soho Radar Pump, DSW, $49.95

These would be great for the office- not too tall, sensible closed toe, conservative color and just a little detail of a trend in the ankle strap. Am I right? Of course I am. 

Envy Iris Wedge Pump, DSW, $59.95

I adore the rich teal color and suede texture of these pumps. I think they would be another great choice for the office, especially due to their dainty wedge. 

Bandolino Gillian Pump, DSW, $59.94

Can we talk about the amazing, rich, gorgeous color of these shoes? I'm in love! 

Nine West Ivorie Pumps, DSW, $74.95

If the bold color in addition to the high platform and super thick strap are too much, try them in a different color. They're also available in black. 

What do you think of this trend? Love it? Hate it? Let me know what you think in the comments! 

Stuff I Made: Peter Pan Necklace

I found a fabulous dress at Marshalls that I plan to wear to the company holiday party next weekend. If you remember this post from a few weeks ago, you know I was looking for something sparkly and great for dancing. I was originally looking for something with black sequins, but I ended up finding an adorable dress at a bargain price that was entirely silver sequins. They aren't the super-shiny sequins, so don't stress- I won't look like a disco ball.

The dress only cost $24.99, and it fit perfectly without needing any alterations. The only drawback is that I'm not in love with the neckline. It's just nothing special, you know? It's just a simple scoop neckline, but it's really high. Not quite Amish-high, but up there. I was telling the girls at work about it and we were brainstorming different ways to accessorize the dress that sort of de-emphasize the neckline. Suddenly, it hit me! The key is not to de-emphasize the neckline, but rather to emphasize it by changing it.

I realized that the key to making this dress perfectly adorable is to add a sparkly black Peter Pan collar necklace to it. I immediately starting searching all over the internet. Despite the current popularity of this style necklace, I was not able to find something that I love. Or, if I did find it, the price was way beyond what I want to spend. No worries! It's a simple style and with my basic sewing and crafting skills, I knew I could make a perfect one at a fraction of the price.

After work, I hopped on over to the craft supply store and spent just about $20 on a piece of rich, black suede, a little over a yard of black satin ribbon, and about 400 black rhinestones in various sizes. Originally, I'd planned to make the base of the necklace with a piece of black felt, but when I saw the black suede, I just had to upgrade. I wish I'd been able to find a nice double-faced black satin ribbon, but all that was available was a single- face. It's a minor detail that I'm willing to concede for now.

Once I got home, I got right to work. I cut out the pattern shape for the collar and did a trial run using the black felt:

I cut out the felt and laid it on my neck to make sure the proportion and shape worked on my neckline. Once I knew it was going to work, I used the felt as a guide to cut out the shape on the suede: 

The suede was an excellent choice- the weight helped the collar to lie really nicely against my neckline, and the color was far richer than the felt could ever hope to be.

The next step was sewing the ribbon to the ends of the collar. This is where I discovered a happy accident. I unintentionally made the end of the collar the exact same width as the ribbon, so I was able to sew the ribbon on without having to ruche it or manipulate it in any way! Accidental genius moves like that are the BEST!

The final (and most time-consuming) stage of creating the necklace was adding all the rhinestones. I like to think of myself as a professional be-dazzler. Back in my AMT days, I could bedazzle the cr*p out of any given costume in no time flat. I made good time on this project, but I've definitely slowed down a little without consistent practice.

I used the top of a shoe box to hold the necklace and all my supplies. It worked great, particularly in terms of keeping all those tiny little stones from falling all over the place. I did most of the bedazzling while on a Skype date with the Professor. He didn't seem to mind that I was preoccupied during our date. He's a good sport.

Gluing on the large and medium sized stones was easy, but it was the little ones that made it such a pain. I used a pin and a simple method: I dipped the tip of the pin into the glue, then used the glue to pick up a tiny rhinestone. Then, I carefully placed the stone onto the collar. I held the stone with one finger while slowly pulling the pin out from under the stone. Not easy, but worth the effort. The end result is great:

Is that awesome or what? I love EVERYTHING about this necklace! I of course wore it to work the very next day because I just HAD to show off my handiwork to all my coworkers. Let's just say, the necklace was a big hit! 

I made sure to wear my hair up that day so I could be sure to feature the lovely bow in the back. Let's all just say it together: A-dor-a-ble! 

On a side note: does anyone care to notice how fabulous my make-up looks in the picture? I tried some new techniques from my lesson with Joya Beauty and I LOVE the result! 

OK, back on topic: what do you think of my home-made Peter Pan collar necklace? 

Total cost: $20.04

Total time to make: about 2.5 hours

Feel free to pin any of these photos to Pinterest- I know all you crafters out there won't be able to help yourselves!

Note: Thanks to coworker Leslie for the great photos of me in my new fabulous necklace! Check back later in the week to see my full outfit! 

Stylish Co-Worker: Kristin

One of the best things about my job is that nearly everyone I work with is really into fashion, which means that I get style inspiration from my coworkers pretty much every single day. On Friday, I fell in love with Kristin's outfit:

Is she a babe or what? You may recognize her boots from this post a few weeks ago. We both wear them almost every day! 

Leave a comment to tell Kristin how fabulous she looks! 

Accessories Anonymous: McGlovin'

I am NOT a fan of mittens. I hate how my fingers aren't able to function individually when I'm wearing mittens. I've always been this way- even as a kid. I can remember having to wear mittens to play outside and just hating it.

I have a few go-to pairs of gloves that I wear almost every day in the winter, but I also have a couple of sets that are just a little out-of-the ordinary, a little more fun. I think it's a great way to make your outerwear look just a little more funky and out there.

Check out these fabulous gloves that I found around the interwebs:

Contrast Leather Suede Bow Gloves, Mango, $49.99

Handshake It Up Gloves, Modcloth, $74.99

Daisy Eyelet Gloves, Anthropologie, $78

Pin Stud Leather Gloves, TopShop, $48

How do you feel about gloves as a fashion accessory? Are they another fun detail to add to an outfit, or are they strictly utilitarian? Leave a comment and as always, thanks for reading!