For the Holiday Party Goer

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Present wrapping, festive cookies, holiday parties! Spread good cheer with holiday attire that is just right! With so many different directions you can go, make sure you are the perfect part goer this season! Here are a few options that are sure to get you noticed!

A one shoulder dress is not only flattering, but sexy! It shows off your shoulders while still looking sophisticated. Because of this neckline, it allows your to dazzle with a bold pair of earrings to complete the look.

Going from work to play? A fitted sheath dress will transition beautifully from day to night. Try a gold or shimmery skinny belt to add definition and finish it off with a statement necklace. A sheath looks amazing with boots or pumps.

Want a fashion forward option? The peplum has been a dear friend this season! It is not only playful, but super stylish as well! Try a peplum top over a skirt or black pants. We're seeing the peplum show up in all colors and materials! Choose a holiday hue or stand-out sequins! The peplum dress is also a great option to be paired with tights (make the textured if you are wearing a solid color and no prints).

Sequins are always a holiday favorite. Depending on your event, you can keep the sequins simple or be daring with colored sequins! I'm a fan of black sequins because you can't go wrong. The color is complementary on everyone, it won't wash you out and it's the ultimate when it comes to evening attire. If you choose color sequins, I suggest a deeper or muted color. Jewel tones are amazing for the season! They offer slightly deeper hues that are appropriate for chilly weather and aren't over-doing the trend. You also don't want to outshine the hostess of the party, so keep in mind her attire.

Happy party hoping and happy holidays!

Cozy Chic

It's officially that time of year where we sip on peppermint lattes, admire lights and decorations, and officially have brought our outerwear from the closet. One essential piece to your winter wardrobe is the scarf! They come in all colors, shapes, materials and sizes and are sure to dress up or down all attire. Whether a night at the theater or a Saturday shopping date....There is a scarf for every occasion!

If you want to go the casual route, bigger is better. This allows you to wrap up over a a comfy sweater, while adding laced boots or your flat riding boots over jeans. There's also nothing easier than to forget all the tying and twisting and simply drape the scarf over your neck for a relaxed look. this is also great when wearing a necklace that you still want to be seen. For a lighter weight scarf, don't hesitate to tie a simple knot lower on your neck for an easy fix. If you are worried it's too simple, go with a vibrant color or fun print.

Many scarves are transitional and can be worn with an unfussy outfit or your LBD. To dazzle a little more than you would at afternoon coffee, select something with metallic or shimmer in the scarf. I go for something a little more light-weight so you don't overpower your head-to-toe look. To amp up your glitz, go for a sequined skinny scarf that you simple drape over your dress or blouse. Try the loop through or button hole tie when layering the scarf under a pea coat or overcoat. The only time I would suggest shying away from the scarf as an accessory is when you are wearing fur. It can become overkill.

Whatever look you are going for, the scarf is an essential piece that needs to be added to your wardrobe for the chilly days and nights ahead!

Monrow

In 2007, a highly regarded designer in one of Sweden's major clothing companies, together with two ambitious colleagues  of hers, took off and created a new brand in young women's fashion. Since that day, the brand has rapidly moved in and established itself on the Scandinavian fashion scene! Monrow considers the brand as clothes for, an by, people who cherish life. For work, leisure and fun!

The Monrow brand is inspired by the idea to let some insanity enter you life, treat every day as if it was your last, and let your hair down and your spirit fly. You might just find it a refreshing way of looking at life. The spirit of Monrow is deeply rooted in a fast moving urban culture. The key words are attitude and consciousness. Monrow believes influences may come from any place at any time!

The brand is both stylish and comfortable, which are two words all women love!  They offer everything from your off the shoulder cozy sweater and your favorite sweats, to lace tops for a night on the town! Fall in love with their prints as well as perfect use of color throughout their garments. Anna & Alice has tons of new arrivals from Monrow and more to come!

Trail Blazing

The blazer: not just for your boyfriend any longer! Blazers have joined the ranks of tees and skinny jeans as style staples. This trend used to only be reserved for the workplace, but is now everywhere! True to their name, they have come blazing back into the fashion realm. Don't think of the blazer as masculine, there are many different ways to wear it, as well as many styles to select from! Shopping with girlfriends, a client lunch meeting or an evening social event, the blazer is one of the season's newest loves!

Knowing how to dress for you body type is key! (A fashion rule to live and die by!)  If you have an athletic build or broader shoulders, a cropped blazer will work well for you. A new style that creates a feminine touch as well is the cropped in the back and has the diagonal cut in the front. This adds shape to the waist and hips. Go for a look with minimal structure so you can avoid the boxy look.

Anyone who is pear shaped should avoid a crop and go for something that falls just below the hips. A lighter lapel or embellishment will also draw the eye upward and add the illusion of width to your shoulders for a more balanced look.

If you are petite, don't fret! Forget the idea that you will get lost in this over-sized jacket. Go for a more fitted style to show off your shape. You can also button the blazer to pull in at the waist.

A hot look is the boyfriend blazer! This style looks fabulous on most body types. It can be worn a variety of ways and can balance a pear shape, elongate a short torso, or provide stylish coverage to your mid-section.

Now that you have decided which will fit your body type best, time to put it all together. I truly believe the blazer can be worn with almost anything! From distressed jeans for an every day look or go with a metallic blazer over your LBD for a festive party! A long necklace looks great with a longer blazer or throw on a statement necklace with your cropped blazer. I'm a huge fan of throwing on a sequin top under a simple black blazer. It adds a fun element to a sophisticated garment.  However you choose to wear this wardrobe staple, have fun and feel confident!

Shine On

What better way to show off your holiday spirit than with sequins! Not just reserved for a black tie affair, sequins can be dressy or casual and not to mention, who can be in a bad mood when you are glittering? Here are a few tips on wearing sequins this season!

If you have slight sequin-phobia, don't worry your pretty self! Start small and incorporate accessories before you jump head first into this trend. A sequin clutch, headband or statement necklace can all serve as baby steps for the novice.

Let's begin with an every day look. You can still look casual chic and wear sequins. The trick is to pair your sequins with more casual and subtle pieces. An example is a sequin blazer with a simple black or white tee underneath and a pair of jeans. Or go the opposite way and take a solid cardigan and put it over a sequin tank or top. This will dress down the sparkle a little, but you are sure to look sassy without going overboard. For somewhere in between casual and cocktail, pair a statement sequin top with a pair of black pants. This can be great for an after work get-together or a dinner date.

Stun at your holiday cocktail party or girl's night out in all over sequins. There is a plethora of sequins out there in all colors and styles. You can't get much more glam than with a sequin dress. Go with an emerald green if color is your thing, or stick to black sequins. Keep in mind your skin tone. If you are fair, stay away from rose gold and go for a darker sequin color. The trick to this look not being over the top, is to keep in mind the length of your dress. Don't go too short! The same rule applies for a sequin skirt, which is another great party option! Dress down the sequins by adding tights. Keep accessories to a minimum and don't mix your sequins. You don't need a gold sequin purse to accompany your shining sequin attire! There is such thing as too much!

Shine on!  

Fancy in Fur

You don't have to be royalty to make an entrance in fur! While I can't argue with the fact that fur is a statement piece, it's made a comeback this season. With so many faux options out there, you won't have to max out your credit card to look like a celebrity. We're seeing fur everywhere; vest, jacket, gloves, hats, scarves. Start small or go glam! Make a lasting impression and stay warm all season!

The fur vest is the most popular, especially for this time of year. It's chilly, but not so cold that you need your long coat quite yet. Turn a simple outfit into spectacular by just throwing on the vest! From pairing with your every day jeans to over your LBD, the look embodies chic! I recommend steering clear of the cropped fur vest to avoid looking a stumpy look. Go slightly longer because this will allow you to throw it on with more attire such as a mini skirt, leggings or leather pants! Leather and fur often go together and their combination is very trendy. Choose a black fur if you wear dressier attire, and go for a mix of brown or grey if you tend to go more casual.

For a feminine look, you don't have to invest in a whole fur item, you can either go for a coat or jacket with fur trim. If you have fully embraced the trend, try the trendy cropped jacket. Be advised that to cropped version looks best with a pant. Go for the more traditional longer version for a versatile look. A mid-rise jacket complements a skirt or tighter fitted pant. The long version of the fur coat transcends on more formal attire and is definitely a top pick for date night or a black tie event!

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't! If you aren't ready to take the plunge, start with fur trimmed gloves or a cozy fur scarf. No matter what fur accessories you choose, with a big smile, you are sure to look fabulous!

Good Big or Go Home

One thing most women can all agree on is that bigger is always better! Not to mention, when it comes to fashion bigger, is also more forgiving. Lucky for us the over-sized look is in! Two tops that your fall wardrobe must accommodate are the dolman sweater and tunic top. My personal fav is the dolman sweater. Because of the banded or tighter fitted waist, it still accentuates your best assets without making you look frumpy. Initially this creates the idea of a casual look, but there are ways to dress this up for an evening out!

Going for the unfussy look is simple and the easiest way to wear these over-sized tops. No matter how you pair them, make sure what you don on bottom is more snug than loose fitting. You don't want your attire to give the illusion of a giant trash bag. Go casual with a skinny jean or legging under the top. Boots or a smoking slipper will look knock-out with trying hard! Throw on a felt hat with messy hair for a more urban feel.

Going elegant is easier than you think with these tops. For an uptown feel choose heavy fabrics or opt for sequins or metallics. Lace is also super feminine and gives your outfit a certain charm. You can't go wrong with these festive and fun alternatives to your basic cotton tee for the Holidays. These tops transcend well with a black crop or ponte pant. (A ponte pant is similar to a legging, but with heavier material to look a step up from the casual black legging) If you dare, leather leggings are completely fearless and beyond hot! Zippers will spice up any pant as well!

Go big or go home ladies, because this is a must have look of the season!