Holiday Casual

As we got our first snow here in Chicago and the temperatures are downright COLD, that is also a sign that the holidays are upon us.  Holiday parties are going to turn up left and right, and the question is always - what am I going to wear?

What's that you say?  Velvet?  Sequins?  Maybe.  Sometimes if the party calls for cocktail attire it's a bit easier to figure out what you're going to wear (i mean, a cocktail dress, cute heels and great accessories, right?).  But when the party calls for 'holiday casual' attire - you might REALLY  be saying - 'What am I going to wear - for real?'     ;-)

I have decided I'm going to do a few posts on this very topic, because this is a question I get from many of my Style Spies clients when the holidays roll around.  Today's post is all about Kate Spade.  Classy and classic, trendy in a 'wink wink' sort of way, and always ladylike, KS is a great option for either an entire outfit or just a piece here or there.  

Serene Top, $498
Jackie Tuxedo Pant, $328
Dina heel, $350
Small Square Stud Earring, $38
Afton Cardigan, $278
Coreen Skirt, $298
Putting on the Ritz Stud Earrings, $48
Happy Heels, $398
All that Glitters Emanuelle, $298
All that Glitters Emanuelle (Pop, Fizz, Clink) $328



Holiday Casual by molliemilano on polyvore.com

Gemma in the dress........

said i'd share pics of Gemma in her Christmas dress -

long story short she didn't get to wear the green dress i'd blogged about on Xmas eve because unfortunately i came down with the stomach flu that day and we couldn't attend the Xmas eve festivities with my husbands family.  boo on us!  i was so bummed.

therefore.........she wore it a couple of days later when out to dinner with my family in Kansas City.  It was MUCH appreciated there and people kept coming up to us and telling us how darling she is in that dress!  Mission:  accomplished.

My angel

Cheese

Lucas Family Pic

My other angel in his favorite new Batman shoes

Gemma Cheesin' on Xmas morning

Daddy and Griffin BOTH got Light Sabers on Xmas Morning......this is priceless

Party Envy

Alice & Olivia One Shoulder Ruched Dress, $297
The necklace here really makes this dress pop - accessories are always key!

What I really want to do this holiday season is get REALLY dressed up.  You know, as in a sparkly, lacy, or sequin type dress, get my hair done and put on some major smokey eye makeup (and a nude lip of course).

I had some fun on Shopbop over the long weekend.....here are my favorites!  When we are settled into a house *we rent for the time being* its on my agenda to have one of these very fabulous parties where people are required to get dressy.

Alice & Olivia Soleil Ruched Dress, $396
-how ridiculously cute is this with the leopard booties?   great styling, shopbop.

What Goes Around Comes Around Andress Beaded Dress, $440
I am always in for something gold and beaded.

Rory Beca Juliette Shift Dress,  $228
-always a favorite body, in one of my favorite colors.  easy peasy!

Rebecca Taylor Eyelash One-Shoulder Dress, $315
Lacy Detail + Boots = Love

What to wear, what to wear......

Got my Nordstrom 'Gifts we Love' catalog over the weekend and it of course got me thinking again about what to wear on holiday occasions coming up.  Here's a little outfit I put together from their site......oh, and I found all of these items in their 'Social Season Style Guide' under Girls Night Out.  

Joie Top, $248
 I love the sheer top with the nude underlay

Alexis Bittar Bow Necklace, $195
I always love a bow!

Alexis Bittar Encrusted Skinny Bangles, $195
These would go with everything, and not just for the holidays.

Joe's Coated Skinny Stretch Jeans in Teal, $169
I can't seem to get enough of the colored jeans trend......

Jeffrey Campbell Turner Pump, $174
Nude, platform, sparkles, I think that just about covers all of my 'musts.'