Black Swan, Anyone?

So Saturday night brought around one of my favorite events of the year....The Annual Enterprise Rent-A-Car Winter Gala. When I used to work for ERAC, I would dress a bit more conservatively, as I would be rubbing elbows with my bosses and co-workers. But as soon as I left the company, that timidness went out the window. (Since Thompy still works for the company, I still get to attend) Last year, I made my husband super-nervous when I told him I would be wearing sequined shorts. But he got over it, and the shorts got a ton of compliments. So I knew this year I really had to go big. Now if sequined shorts made Thompy nervous last year, imagine the heart-attack he was having this year when I told him about this.  I found this awesome Feather Skirt DIY from one of my favorite blogs, ...loveMaegan. As soon as I saw it, I knew that this was what I would be wearing to the Gala (because honestly, where else could I wear it!?!?) I followed Maegan's instructions to a tee and the result was............AMAZING!!!!

**Side Note- I was too busy catching up with old friends to take any pictures. So on Sunday morning, I put the outfit back on and made Thompy snap a pic. I originally wore the skirt with black tights....and didn't have a retched, bedtime up-do happening either. Just focus on the skirt, and not my pasty legs or terrible hair or missing make-up** 

Anyone notice my Gehry cuff from Jewelmint? Love it!

So if you have a gala coming up...or really any other occasion that would require a feather skirt, make it yourself! In the end, it was much easier to put together than I though it would be. It held up the whole night and people loved it! 

50 Under $50? Thanks, Piperlime!

I love sales. Love them. There is no feeling more exhilarating than buying something amazing for a reduced price. And when one of my tried-and-true websites has everything organized neatly for me, (so that I can peruse sales while watching morning talk shows) it makes the feeling that much better. 

Enter Piperlime's 50 under $50 Sale! 50 dresses, 50 sweaters, 50 coats, and 50 pairs of boots all under 50 bucks. Not too shabby! Check out some of my favorite steals.

I love this dress for a party, or belted with leggings, boots, and a chunky cardigan for day time.

{Aryn K. Bronze Sequins Dress, $49}

Faux Fur for only $50? Fantastic!

{Tinley Road Faux Fur Jacket, $49}

I love the Military-meets-Anorak look of this jacket

{Aryn K. Zipper Jacket $49}

I want to wear this right now. I love the uneven hem and the flattering piping. 

{LA Made Randi Sweater, $32}

Wear with tights or skinny jeans. You'll look sexy either way ;)

{Kenneth Cole Reaction Rise N Shine, $49}

Visit Piperlime for all of their awesome sales right now. Happy Shopping!!

Golden Globe Godesses

The one thing that I love most about these awards shows is, obvi, compiling my own list of "Best Dressed" celebs. And what's even more fun? Seeing how my list compares and contrasts to the so-called professionals (i.e.; the panels on various fashion television programs). Fashion is so subjective and what one person may see as a total bomb, another may see as the best of the best. Love it. Here, in no particular order, is my list of top eleven best-dressed ladies at last night's Golden Globes. Let the debating begin!

In love with this sexy, futuristic fashion robot meets Dynasty look

{Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive}

OBSESSED. I physically gasped when I saw this last night. Did I mention I was OBSESSED?

{Olivia Wilde-my girl crush- in Marchesa}

Love all the girly-glam things about this. The color, the ruffle, the train! So cute.

{Lea Michelle in Oscar de la Renta}

I'm still applauding this risky, beaded boho style. And let's talk about those BANGS!

{Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham}

Balancing sexy AND sophisticated can be tough. Emma writes the book on it in this gown.

{Emma Stone in Calvin Klein Collection}

Sorry Natalie Portman. I love you and all, but THIS is how you dress a baby bump!

{Jane Krakowski in Badgley Mischka}

CZJ shows us a magnificently textured take on a classic awards show silhouette

{Catherine Zeta Jones in Monique Lhuillier}

Knowing how to dress your body is half the battle. Christina nailed it!

{Christina Hendricks in Romona Keveza}

Mila wears the PERFECT color for her skin and hair, proving you can be red-hot in emerald.

{Mila Kunis in Vera Wang}

Love navy blue. Love laser-cut details....love this look, natch.

{Amy Adams in Marchesa}

So much color at this year's awards- and this eggplant stunner on Mr. Schue's crazy ex is no exception!

{Jessalyn Gilsig in David Meister}

Who got your votes for best dressed?

Nasty Weather? Sassy Footwear!

Tonight's winter weather really left me longing for a new pair of boots....ones that are both fashionable, waterproof, and able to keep my tootsies warm! (Currently, I'm rockin' a pair of Uggs that are certainly not waterproof, and frankly make my feet look 2 sizes bigger and flatter...don't know if that qualifies as fashionable). Winter boots are one thing (out of a few) that I don't feel badly spending a little bit more money on, because when it's 7am and I'm scraping the snow off my windshield, I want to be sure my feet aren't as miserable as the rest of me is. 

This pair makes me want to tromp through a snowy, English field...maybe on some kind of quail hunt

{BCBGMaxAzria Willis boot, $150, on Zappos}

This navy blue boot seems so fresh!

{Boston Waterproof Rubber and Suede Lace-Up Boots, $79- on sale!- Lord & Taylor}

The Sorel Caribou.....a classic. 

{Sorel Caribou boot, $85, on Endless}

In true love with the Pocahontas vibe of this pair

{North Face Janey boot, $155, Zappos}

Wear folded down, or laced up like this season's trend

{10" Shearling-Lined Bean Boot, $150, LL Bean}

Boots fit for an Arctic Princess

{Columbia Sierra Summette, $85, from Zappos}

Love the cool, classic rock 70's feel of this ankle pair

{Outdoor Insulated 8"Zip Pull-On Boots, $70, Cabela's}

While it may be the priciest pair, it's definitely the sexiest pair

{Sorel Cate the Great boots, $200, from Zappos}

Your Jaw Will Drop for JewelMint!

As much as I love jewelry and accessories, I will admit that I'm more likely to spend my money on actual clothing instead of bling and baubles. Until I stumbled across JewelMint, that is! Movie star Kate Bosworth  and fashion stylist Cher Coulter have teamed up to design gorgeous and unique pieces of jewelry that they offer to website members for up to 70% off! 

So how does it work? Members sign up on the JewelMint website and take a style quiz. JewelMint determines your style profile and then each month makes suggestions about which pieces of their amazing jewelry works for your style.  A new piece of stunning jewelry every month? Yes please!

And the absolute best part? While these pieces are designed to sell for around $200 in stores, Kate and Cher offer each piece to members for only $30, with free shipping! And unlike some other 'membership websites', you can opt to skip any month and you won't be charged. You only pay when you actually order something...which seams logical :-)

This month, I'm trying to decide between these amazing Piet Earrings or the beautiful Gehry Cuff. Both are so gorgeous and earthy, without being crunchy, and right on-trend with the Minimalist movement right now. Which one should I chose?????

Like what you see? Visit JewelMint here and sign up!

You Can Throw It Over Your Shoulder...

I love handbags. Anyone who knows me is aware of this {and they also know that I don't like to work 'purse'...just saying it bothers me}. I tend to favor a satchel or tote on most days, but lately I've been coveting something a little bit more functional, that will leave me with two free hands. Enter the Cross-Body Bag. Totally practical, but with styles like these, you aren't missing out on the fashionable aspect either!

Love the chain strap on Reese's style

{Reese Witherspoon with a Rebecca Minkoff cross-body bag, image from InStyle}

{MATT & NAT Gala Bag, $165, from Shopbop}

{Aldo Louden Bag, $45}

SJP's smaller size is so chic!

{SJP carrying a Jerome Dreyfuss Twee-Mini, image via People}

{Petite Ecole Messenger Bag, $158, from Anthropologie, no longer available-sad!}

{Jesslyn Blake Across Body Bag, $39 on sale!, South Moon Under}

Taylor sports a perfectly classic saddle bag

{Taylor Swift with her Ralph Lauren Larchmont Cross-Body, Image from People}

 {Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Phoenix Small Cross-Body Bag, $275, from ShopBop}

{Grey Stripe Canvas Lady Bag, $55, from Top Shop}

What's your Cross-Body Style?