Whether it's chrome effect nail polish, a gilded maxi dress or some kind of accessory, there's just something so appealing about shiny things. Whether the shine is ironic, like on a casual item, or brings something feminine to a more glamorous level, shiny objects are just satisfying to wear and almost always upgrade an outfit. 

Enter these dreamy Nike Liquid Metal kicks. I've been a little opposed to wedge sneakers since their beginning, just because to me it doesn't make sense to make something that's usually comfortable more uncomfortable, but these quickly changed my tune. I saw many nights out in both winter and summer swapping these out for my usual heels. They're a unique spin on a nearly tired trend, and even though they're sneakers, they're a little dressier. The metallic laces and element tile for gold and silver respectively on the tongue are just the icing on the footwear cake. These pair easily with dresses, shorts and jeans alike. 

At $200, they're no discount deal, but they're also not totally unreasonable. Especially compared to myfirst chrome love. Now to choose which color...

Available to buy at NYC's 21 Mercer. Unfortunately, I've been unable to find another outlet that sells at this point.

Happy December! It's that time of year that we consider it winter, commercial holiday season is in full force, but, though it's cold enough, it's not quite actual winter yet. There's something to embracing the feel of the holiday season, but holding back a little bit and savoring the last of fall. The holiday season may be over by January 1, and we still have to endure about three more months of winter weather after the excitement is over. This girl has mastered that not much talked about fall-to-winter transitional time pretty perfectly. The loose-fitting sweater with cuffed jeans and flat booties are so simple, casual and perfectly fitting for fall. Add the soft plaid scarf and heavy oversized tweed coat and this outfit is almost-winter ready. This outfit is also great because it's comfortable and versatile. It works for fall family time in the suburbs as well as a coffee date in the city. It seems so basic, but each piece comes together perfectly for an outfit you can't quite look away from.

what it is: the ear cuff
why I love it: I've always wanted to have a cartilage piercing, but never wanted to make the commitment or surrender to the pain. Enter: ear cuffs. When these first came around, they were a little confusing to me and sometimes distracting. But I've seen so many people wear these in creative ways that now I want to copy and get a few of my own. They range from a deceptive fake cartilage hoop to a full ear adornment, and there are a ton of cool ones out there. It's a cheap way to stay on trend, elevate your accessories game and fake a cool piercing. 
where to get it: Urban Outfitters, Mr. Kate and ASOS have good ones that are decently priced (see above), but also check Etsy and other favorite jewelry outlets.

This guy is the epitome of winter cool. From his hat to his puffer coat to his sweater, white pants and wingtip boots, he's got cold weather style handled. I think I originally saved this image because I love the idea of winter white pants on guys. Upon second look, though, his outfit is so simple, but the fit is impeccable, the turtleneck is daring and the boots beg for a second look. The coat is practical but also fitted and looks nice and the pop of color with the hat works because the rest of the outfit is so neutral. Between the color palette, fit and individual piece choices, this outfit is an A+ for winter. And the glasses don't hurt, either.

what it is: Louis Vuitton "W" monogram tote
why I love it: I don't really love labels with a capital L, but Louis Vuitton can keep it so tasteful that I don't even mind the monogram on their bags. I own a Speedy 25 in monogram that my very generous aunt got me for a birthday present a few years ago, and I've wanted the neverfull tote and the Sac Plat for quite a while now, in a detached, aspirational, I'll get them when I'm rich someday (maybe, maybe not) kind of way. I guess you can say I'm somewhat of a LV fan. The first thing I noticed about this bag was how great Michelle Williams looked in the ad, and how I was surprised that she was doing a LV ad. Then I noticed this new purse, from the designer's "W" collection, and I fell hopelessly in love. It's just so perfect in so many ways. It can obviously hold all the necessities, but it is unique in a way we haven't seen from LV monogram handbags in a while. It clearly goes with anything and everything and, to me, it just screams must have. At least staring doesn't cost anything.
where to get it: Louis Vuitton (not available online through the website), $4,000

It might be Friday, but technically Friday is still a work day, so I'm going to talk about interview wear. Dressing for interviews is a lot like dressing for something like a first date in the sense that they're both stressful and exciting situations, and if you aren't comfortable or don't feel like yourself on the outside (ahem, first impressions), then it's going to show. Now, some fields have their limitations, but even so it's important to wear styles, colors and textures that will give you one fewer thing to worry about. 


I've been going on a fair amount of interviews during my job search, and I don't typically like to duplicate outfits for several reasons 1) an opportunity to make an outfit is an opportunity to make an outfit, I'm not just going to pass that up. 2) Different potential jobs warrant different looks. 3) Different times of year require different levels of layering (duh). 4) There's something that just feels wrong about re-wearing an outfit that was designated for a similar but not quite the same event. Because these interviews are usually in the fashion realm, I get to have a bit of fun with my look and accessories and show my personality, but I don't like to stray too far from the conventional rules. I'll wear something like a button down, but wear one trimmed in leather, buttoned to the top with a statement necklace (similar to the above). Or I'll wear a pencil skirt, but one that's brightly colored with colored pumps and a blouse with an asymmetrical hem untucked. If I go with a dress, I usually keep the style and color simple and add personality with accessories and lip color. Work pants? I don't really own any, but I do have a pair of plaid ankle trousers from J.Crew that I'll pair with a patterned top and bold pumps. There are a lot of options, even with limitations.


Now, to the photo. Not everyone has to wear "work appropriate" clothes to work, but these types of silhouettes are important to have in your closet in the event you have to dress for something with that type of attire. This doesn't mean you should run out and buy a sad, gray skirt suit, and Ahn of 9 to 5 Chic demonstrates this remarkably well. This outfit is so simple, yet still unique and shows her personal style. She just tucked a plain, neutral button down into a leather pencil skirt and paired it with pumps like so many workforce women have. But the bold bib necklace, striking (but not distracting) lip color and bright bag pull this outfit away from the snooze zone and show that she is professional, honors that type of dress code, but doesn't let it keep her from adding personal touches. We can learn a lot from this approach.

I have a very extensive accessory collection that I've been adding to for years, but it's been a while since I've bought anything new. There are a bunch of trends I've been eyeing to add to my inventory. Though I don't typically shop for accessories specifically, and usually pick them up as I see them, these are some things I'll have in mind when I'm out shopping in the near future.

Oversized knits and plaid are probably two of the biggest trends of the moment, and this outfit helps show just why that is. I'm still in denial that winter is imminent, and while I futilely hope for one last (long lasting) warm up in the weather, it's pretty clear that I'm just going to have to deal with the reality of the season until real warmth starts to come sometime in April (hopefully!). Until then, when I have to face the elements outside, I will rely on blanket-like sweaters to act as the next best thing. It's easy to look frumpy with huge, thick knits, but it's also not the hardest to temper the shapelessness with feminine aspects, like the above extremely cute skirt. The length and style are the perfect opposite to the sweater, and the solid black bottom half is perfectly simple to let the real elements of the outfit stand out. Though it's simple, it's not forgotten. I mean, those boots. This girl knows how to keep it stylish and feminine without sacrificing the warmth factor.

what it is: Neutrogena Body Oil
why I love it: Winter is all about fighting off dry skin, so I always keep my ears open to products that will do that successfully. The windy, dry weather has arrived, which means it's time for a beauty product regimen change. I was skeptical when a friend told me she loved this stuff after seeing it praised in several magazines. Body oil immediately evoked images of slippery, overly tan sunbathers on the beach, and that is neither a look or feel I was trying to go for. But I was feeling pretty meh about my current lotion and was curious enough to give it a try. After one use, I was sold. A few drops on arms and legs immediately after a shower changes the feel of skin almost instantly. Rub it in like lotion, and skin drinks it up leaving no oily feeling, but an ultra-moisturized, velvety one that lasts and lasts. My only complaint is that it doesn't work so magically on my winter-dry knuckles, but that's not really what it's meant for. It works so immediately and so well, and because you only need a few drops every time you use it, it lasts a long time. And even though it would be fine just boasting the amazing effects it has, it also smells amazing.
where to get it: Neutrogena, $9.99-$15.99

My birthday is this weekend, and since I share it with one of my friends, we're celebrating for two nights. The main objective of my birthday is to hang out with people, so the festivities are designed around that goal. But that doesn't mean I don't think about what I'm going to wear. As much as I'd love to go full out fancy, the reality is that I want to dance and I don't want my feet to hurt by the end of the night. This dashes my heeled dreams a little bit, but priorities are priorities, and I guess I can wear heels another time. This brings me to the styling in the above photo. The model has on a gorgeous Balmain dress with some heavy duty rings and moody makeup (that isn't too heavy) to match. This girl is the coolest. I actively want to be her, especially with her skill at pulling off this long sleeved mini, which could be extremely glamorous, in a tougher way by wearing it a little oversized and styling it just so. Those boots are awesome, and I love how she's not wearing this with tights. Somehow she's made a blinged out mini dress a little masculine, and it works. Not only does it dress down this all-over embellished dress, it's a fresh way to style this type of look. This outfit serves as a reminder that your clothes definitely don't sit in just one category, and if you want to wear that fancy dress to a not quite as fancy event, all you have to do is think outside the accessories box.