Outfit Of The Day (Take Your Cause And Pass It Around...)

Are you guys getting pumped for Christmas? I know I am--my holiday cards are finally ready to mail out, my kitchen is stocked full of ingredients for cut-out cookies and homemade cinnamon ice cream, and my stacks of holiday catalogs have been poured over so thoroughly it'd put the 9-year old Chloe with her 500-page JC Penney Wish Book to shame. Shame!

(I lived for those catalogs when I was little--anyone else? Yet no matter how hard I actually wished, I never did receive the Lady Lovely Locks Magic Castle, Talking Alf, Rock Tumbler, Ninja Pajamas with Matching Perfectly Fluffed Yet Horrifically Bad 80's Hair, or "The Calling Card" with a Backup Battery System and Confidential Access Code, UGH) (Greetings from Wrangler and Moss Creek Trader, indeed.)

But even though I'm ready for Christmas, there are still a lot of people that aren't. And I'm not talking about those freaky people that get some sort of weird rush out of shopping for presents at Walgreens on December 24th at 11:59pm my dad, oh no.

I am talking about those that are in need and may not be able to afford to give a sort of holiday celebration that they think their family deserves--or any holiday celebration at all.

No matter what holiday you celebrate this December, it is the season of giving--and one of my favorite things to do is to take a moment to remember those that are less fortunate and do something to help out. Here are three quick tips & ideas in case you're looking to get in on the charity-action, too:

1. Toys for Tots - Run by the Marines, this charity exists in nearly every major US City and is almost always in need. They set up donation bins at several locations which makes it easy to donate; head here to search and find one close to you!
2. We are all familiar with "wish trees"; they used to set one up in the mall every year when I lived in South Dakota, full of children's names and requests for toys.  But did you know that many nursing homes are beginning to do this for their residents, too? A good, personal friend recently tipped me off to this (thanks Cindi!), and they work much in the same way as the regular wish trees. The requests range from actual gifts (like socks, blankets) to simple things like a hug or a smile. Just make sure to give the local retirement home a call first before you head out, since I think this might be a fairly new (but brilliant) trend.
3. Want to give to a local charity but unsure if they are actually legit? Make sure to hit sites like Charity Navigator before you open up your wallet; it provides ratings and transparency to thousands of organizations.  They also have a fascinating "top ten list" section, which includes lists like "10 Charities Worth Watching", "10 Celebrity-Related Charities", and "10 Highly Paid CEOs at Low-Rated Charities" (oh snap!).
4. Or check out the website of any local news station. They will often do the grunt-work (and charity background checks!) for you and feature legit, local organizations that need the most help this season.

So! Go forth and do some good, readers.  ♥

That prattling aside, it is outfit time. I grabbed this Isabel Lu lace blouse for a steal last month during a sale on Hautelook (I even documented it over on Facebook, I was so smitten) and when the blouse finally arrived, I wasn't let down. Something about the scalloped trim, slim fit, and black-lace-on-nude reminds me of something very pretty; something very Valentino-esque.  

While I paired it with slightly androgynous pants below, I can't wait to pair this puppy with full skirts, too.  I will never get sick of a pretty blouse:

Jacket: Rory Beca Moss Jacket (buy it here) (similar here at LOFT) (similar at Forever 21)

Top: Isabel Lu (similar here) (similar at nordstrom for $88) (similar at ASOS for $34) (similar at ASOS) (similar at F21 for $19.80)

Pants: ASOS (buy them here)

Necklace: ALDO Accessories (similar here)

Shoes: J Crew Perfect Patent Pumps (similar here) (similar by Nine West) (another option by Nine West)

Bag: Kooba Josie Clutch (similar at Topshop) (similar here)

Lips: Nars Dolce Vita + Fantasia Lip Liner (buy it here) (and here)

Nails: NCLA Nail Stickers in Pink Rainbow (buy them here)

 ♫: Beat The Horse (Pomplamoose Cover) - Science for Girls

While I have been slightly obsessed with this pretty coat ever since it first popped up on Forever 21, the product picture made me do a bit of a shifty side-eye.

It just looked so pretty. Too pretty, in fact, for Forever 21.

Forever 21 has been selling quite a few things this season at slighty higher price points, and while I am typically not keen on plopping down $42 for a coat from Forever 21, this coat is worth it. I think it might even be the best thing I've found at that store this year. It is well made, fits nicely through the bust (so many of their coats have been running big in that area lately),and the sleeves are nicely shaped without being costumey. 

It also has a handy belt  (which makes it wearable for almost all shapes and sizes) and while it won't keep me warm on a subzero day, it is weighty enough to throw over dresses this winter as long as the temps don't dip too much below freezing.

I love this coat so much that I have even purchased it to give to someone as a gift, woohoo:

Coat: Forever 21 (buy it here) (similar at Target) (similar at Banana Republic)

Blouse: J Crew Lucinda Silk Blouse (similar here) (similar here) (similar by Free People, on sale)

Skirt: J Crew Jardin Skirt (similar here) (similar at American Apparel)

Belt: J Crew Factory (similar at GAP in "gravel")

Necklace: Old Ann Taylor (similar here by MBMJ) (similar here + take 40% off w/ "GET40")

Ring: Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ring in Aqua (buy it here) (similar by Amrita Singh)

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Uliepe Pumps (similar by Kate Spade) (similar by Casadei) (similar here, under $20)

Bag: Chanel Crackled Patent Camel Classic Flap (similar here) (and here by DKNY) (and here for under $100)

 ♫: Beat The Horse (Pomplamoose Cover) - Science for Girls