Outfit Of The Yesterdays (Get Your Gold, Girl)

Just a super quick post for today with two recent outfits--enjoy.

Blazer: Nordstrom's junior brand (similar here + take 20% off with code "SNOWDAY") (similar here for $40) (similar here for $40)

Top: GAP (similar at Ann Taylor) (similar at Shopbop) (similar at ASOS)

Pants: J Crew Bi-Stretch Wool Minis in Warm Redwood (buy them here) (similar here for $30) (similar at Old Navy)

Belt: ASOS (buy it here)

Shoes: J Crew Perfectly Patent Pumps (similar here) (similar here in light pink patent, under $100) (similar here in suede)

Ring: F21 (similar here)

Bag: DVF Harper Bon Bon (similar here) (similar here) (similar here, under $100)

Polish: Nars Polish in Versailles (buy it here)
♫: Doomsday - Elvis Perkins

Jacket: Rachel Zoe Military Jacket (buy it here) (similar here + take 50% off) (similar at Forever 21)
Blouse: Urban Outfitters (buy it here + take 20% off with code "SNOWDAYS") (similar at ASOS + take 10% off with code "LATE10") (similar here for $35)
Skirt: J Crew Vintage Violet Classic Mini in Felted Wool  (buy it here) (similar here)
Belt: J Crew (similar at Banana Republic)
Watch: Michael Kors Oversized Watch in Rosegold (buy it here) (similar for $195) (similar for $115)
Rosegold Bangles: Seasonal Whispers Crystal & Metal Bracelets in Rosegold (buy them here) (similar by Vince Camuto) (similar under $20)
 Cuff Bracelet: GAP (similar here)
Vine Ring: Gorjana (buy it here)
Necklace: Auden Devon Crystal Necklace (buy it here)
Flats: Lanvin Python flats (buy them here) (similar by Steve Madden in "gold snake") (& similar here) 
♫: Doomsday - Elvis Perkins

Happy Holidays (Outfit Of The Friday + Photo Collage Time!)

Merry Christmas, you guys!  Did ya get anything good? ♥

Christmas for us was fairly low-key and comfy this year. We celebrated with Husband's side of the family and dined on a huge feast of goodies which included turkey, baked mac & cheese, bread with garlic cilantro butter, bacon brown sugar ice cream, lemon-basil cherry pie, garlic mashed potatoes, some sort of sweet potato soup, and 'mystery myan cookies'--which looked all enticing and chocolatey and sweet on the outside but inside had a mean, vicious blast of pepper. Ow.

Husband's brother did almost all of the cooking, with the aid of his 13-year old daughter (my niece), and oh my goodness. It was insane. Since I know that they also sometimes read my blog: it was so good, you guys!  And our offer still stands on having ya'll over to our place next year for frozen chicken nuggets (we'll even be festive and do dinosaur shaped) and Husband's Famous As Long As Chloe Doesn't Sneakily Eat All Of The Ice Cream First Like She Always Does Chocolate Malts™.

(I might even re-tell the one awkward Chuck Norris joke I know too, if you're lucky, but you'll just have to wait and see! A good hostess never gives her secrets away EVEN IF they include dressing a chihuahua up to look like Christopher Walken playing a Drunk Mall Santa Claus for pure entertainment, ahem.)

Moving on. Below is a little photo montage of some pictures that I recently snapped. Some are old outfits I have yet to post, and others I took while Husband and I were bumming around at home this weekend.  You can click on any picture below to get a larger/full snapshot, too! I'm getting fancy:

1. A funny little sign courtesy of my parents.

2. Christmas tree!

3. Nothing gets between a chihuahua and her stogie, er, chewie stick.

4. Happiness is a warm sunspot and a chewie.

5.Well, someone likes her Christmas gift.

6. A few pretty, sparkly hostess gifts to give!

7. A very pretty new gray lace skirt courtesy of H&M (retails for $35) pairs well with hot pink + camel shoes.

8. A festive manicure.

9. I miss warm weather days.

10. This doormat makes me laugh every time.

11. On my way to Martha Stewart-ing  the shiznit out of my wrappings (wrapping gifts is one of my favorite things to do!)

12. Some of the great gifties from my side of the family.

13. Somebody has a favorite human.

14. Hi-five, go us!

I took the holiday pictures above mostly to share with my family, as we were separated by 300 to 600 miles this Christmas....but also for things like the super entertaining snippet of Facebook commentary below that thus ensued:

So clearly my gramma has been accidentally eating bunny-shaped dog biscuits thinking they're Christmas cookies again (just kidding gramma!) (love you!) (even if I did totally catch you accidentally doing that one year!) and I just bet you can't guess which one is my dad. This little crab-apple doesn't fall far from her tree; I love bunny-shaped dog biscuits my family and missed having them around this year. ♥
 

And last but certainly not least, here's a quick outfit. I wore this out Friday for a wild & crazy date night in downtown Denver. I love a good, slightly puffy skirt and so when I saw this one by Full Circle it was super-love at first sight. Better yet? It's made out of a really heavy fabric, meaning no having to worry about it blowing up in the winter wind. It also has pockets, as all good skirts should, and the wider waistband adds just the right shape to keep it slimming and flattering on the wearer. It does run extremely small, though, so if you're interested size up! I usually wear a size 2 in pants and I'm wearing a US6 below--I couldn't even get the US4 zipped up.

I also snapped these pictures as we were racing out the door and into the sad, murky darkness of a wintery 4:30pm, so I apologize that they look a little off.  It's bettuh than nothin':

Jacket (not pictured): Rachel Zoe Military Jacket (buy it here) (similar here + take 50% off) (similar at Forever 21) 
Top: Isabel Lu Lace Top (similar here) (similar by Tibi) (similar at ASOS) (similar at Free People) (similar at Forever 21 + ships for free, 12/26 only)

Skirt: Full Circle Skirt (buy it here, on sale!) (similar here for $34.99 ) (and a version in a longer length, too)

Watch: Michael Michael Kors Oversized watch in Rosegold (buy it here) (similar for $195) (similar for $115)
Rosegold Bangles: Seasonal Whispers Crystal & Metal Bracelets in Rosegold (buy them at Nordstrom)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Neo Mars Kitten Heels (buy them here) (and an option from Kate Spade, too)

Bag: Lanvin Happy Mini Pop in Gold Python (buy it here) (similar here) (similar under $200) (similar under $100)

♫: Gold On The Ceiling - The Black Keys

Outfit Of The Yesterdays (It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Something)

Oh, it's been a busy past few weeks around my parts again, and I am just (kind of) going on auto-pilot until Sunday morning rolls around. Sunday morning is caramel-roll-time! And puppy-time. And Vince Guaraldi-time, presents-time, and staying in our jammies ALL DAY TIME YES.

I am playing catch up again with some outfits here, so let's get to it. Colorado finally got a hard blast of winter this week, but before that it was warm enough to be outside sans jacket. Colorado, in fact, is the only place I know where you can often see people shoveling snow while only wearing t-shirts.

(And sitting in their cars for 72 hours up I-70 in December just to go skiing.)

(And, um...willingly electing fuzzy house pets as their serious government officials.)

I digress. One of my favorite parts of the holidays is having friends & family in town, and I picked up the skirt that I am wearing below for $10 at Forever 21 during one of our many Christmas Gift Shopping Expeditions. 

I will admit that when I first saw neon colors popping up on the runways and in magazines I gave them a hearty roll of my eyeballs, but I think when done in carefully measured doses they can actually be...fun?  Maybe not a let's-keep-our-lipglosses-in-our-purses-while-going-through-airport-security-to-see-if-they-find-them-cuz-they-never-do! sort of fun, but more of a let's-go-to-Disney-Land-and-take-pictures-of-us-high-fiving-Chip-and-Dale-because-everyone-always-forgets-about-them sort of fun. Right? Exactly.

So what is the best way to wear eyeball-burningly-bright pieces? Neon pieces, I feel, are best paired with neutral hues. Think camel, grays, taupes, olives, and rusts--they really let brighter colors pop.

I am also tightless in the outfit below mostly because I hate wearing them; I've always been okay with being bare-legged. It must be my hearty south-dakotan-lefse-and-butter-fueled-blood. Delicious.

Ta ta ta:

Coat: Old Navy (buy it here) (similar here) (similar at ASOS, on sale!) (love this at Topshop, too)

Sweater: Madewell (similar here) (similar at Forever 21) (similar at Piperlime for $31.99)

Skirt: Forever 21 (buy it here) (and a longer length version here)

Belt: J Crew Factory (similar here) (similar at Topshop in peach)

Shoes: J crew (similar here) (similar here)

Bag: Marc Jacobs Cooper in nude (buy it here) (similar, under $150) (similar at Topshop)

Watch: Michael Michael Kors Oversized watch in Rosegold (buy it here) (similar for $195) (similar for $115)
 ♫: White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes

I also picked up this little beaded pouch from Urban Outfitters last week, and while I am using it as a pseudo gift bag for a Christmas gift, it's a fantastic little bag for only $50. It also proves that pretty handbags don't always need to cost thousands, right?

When going cheap I stay away from faux leather handbags, as they almost always look slightly fake and plastic-y, but since fabric bags lack that element they can oftentimes look a lot more expensive than they actually are. This little bag even has iridescent sequins that give it a bit of shimmer without being over-the-top sparkly, woo hoo hoo:

Pouch: Kimchi Blue (buy it here + take 10% off with code "seeyousoon")

Are you guys rocking neon colors this winter? Share in the comments!

Currently Loving (December 2011)

I am making a list, checking it twice: it's that awesome monthly feature where I pretend like I've never heard of Pinterest, oh-yes oh-yes oh-yes. Here are 11 little things that I am loving this snowy month of December...

1. Printed Dress (zara.com) - pretty dress, pretty print, very pretty price.

2. Kara Ross Sidra Shoulder Bag (neimanmarcus.com) - combines everything I love in one very pretty package.

3. Lanvin Python Minaudiere (neimanmarcus.com) - I am definitely having a snakey-little-moment, and Lanvin always does it right. This gorgeous minaudiere even comes with a chain so you don't have to fumble with it all night long, hooray.

4. Stolen Girlfriend's Club Printed Maxi Skirt (asos.com) - this skirt is perfect for anyone that likes showing off their legs but hates the over-exposed vulnerability of a true mini skirt.

5.Tom Ford Calgary Oversized Sunglasses (nordstrom.com) - colorful sunglasses are just one of the many trends on tap for Spring 2012; these frames have a subtle touch of color mirroring pretty, neutral stripes and a cool, oversized shape.

6. Seamed Detail Waist-Tie Coat (reissonline.com) - Reiss is a relative newcomer to the world of fashion (at least for us girls, as their womenswear line launched in 2000) but oh, how I love them so. This UK-based retailer is stuffed full of sleek, pretty, and polished items--this coat is no exception.

7. Devon Crystal Necklace & Devon Crystal Bracelet (audendesign.com) - I love unique pieces of jewelry, and this NYC-based jeweler combines funky mixes of metal, swarovski crystals, and semi-precious stones to create seriously stunning pieces.

8. Cut Glass Candle in Goji Tarocco Orange (goji berry at anthropologie.com) -  I typically dislike 'fruity' home fragrances, but the mix of goji berry and tarocco orange smells tangy, clean, and not over-sweet. I picked it up for myself at Anthropologie yesterday and have been burning it ever since!

9. Short Chevron Faux Fur Gilet (topshop.com) - a faux fur vest is a must for winter, and I love that this gilet is slim fitting with a soft and swanky print.

10. Butter 3 Free London Nail Lacquer in 'Macbeth' (zappos.com) - I am currently rebelling against the dark hues normally associated with winter, and this orangey coral is the perfect way to do it! I like it paired with turquoise, yellow gold, rose gold, and burgundy (see here!).

11. Pebble Dinnerware (zgallerie.com) - I spotted this yesterday in-store and it was hard to not bring it home with me! While the entire set can be a bit much, the pebble pattern looks beautiful as a charger sitting under white, asymmetrical gold-rimmed dishes (like these at west elm!)

I've shared mine, so now share yours: what's currently on your Christmas wishlist?  Share away in the comments! ♥

Outfit Of The Day (Colors On Black)

{we finally put our christmas tree up!}

Really super quick post for today: while I am not always a huge fan of the color black, I was pretty excited at how this colorful dress looked against the dark hue. It really makes the colors pop, hm?

Vest: Jennifer Lopez Kohls (similar here) (similar at LOFT) (similar at F21)
Dress: Lulus (buy it here) (similar here) (a pretty printed dress here) (and by Tibi) (and at Shop Ruche)
Bracelet: J  Crew (similar here) (and at F21 for $7.80)
Ring: Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ring in Aqua (buy it here) (similar by Amrita Singh - 40% off, today only)
Booties: Christian Dior Serpent Booties (similar by Lanvin) (similar by Kate Spade)
Bag: Diane Von Furstenberg Harper Bon Bon Satchel (similar here) (similar at Endless) (similar at Topshop for $50)

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

 ♫: Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye

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