Jewelry Organization

Thanks to Pinterest, I’ve recently become obsessed with organizing my jewelry. Unfortunately the set up of my apartment doesn’t allow for lush vanities with glass tops and built in jewelry trays, but I was able to spare a wall and hang a corkboard:

In hindsight, it may have been nice to paint the edges of that corkboard before hanging it. Oh well.

  

Anyway, I'm glad I did this- it’s so much nicer to actually see what I have, rather than wrestling a jumbled pile of chains at 6 am while the hubs sleeps. And I like being able to add little personal touches, like a much needed Scripture reminder and this awesome picture circa 1962 of my grandma and her sisters:

But it also had the added bonus of streamlining my shopping.  Once I saw everything next to each other, I realized I gravitated towards similar styles and kept buying the same things over and over again.

So next time I'm shopping, I'll know that I get my money's worth on statement necklaces, but that I probably don't need another pearl one. 

How do you organize your jewelry? My earrings need some organizational CPR- any tips for that?

Holiday Party Look 2- From the Archives

Can you have archives if you have a blog that's two weeks old with an approximate readership of zero? Well I do.

I wore this to work last Christmas Eve, and then came home and took dorky pictures with my brother, and apparently now they're coming in handy.

This outfit is my favorite way to get Christmas-y at the office: a classic, appropriate look offset by a fun and festive accessory- in this case, my red suede heels.

Top: Arden B (old)| | Skirt: Banana Republic, similar | Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden (really old) | 

Holiday Party, Look 1

Our office party this year is in-house, and therefore on the more casual side. I figured it was the perfect occasion for this sparkly brocade mini (when else can you wear a mini to work?). I paired it with flats and opaque tights to ensure that short was definitely not sexy.

Cardigan: J.Crew, $62 | | Blouse: Express (old) | Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft, $10 (old) | Flats: Halogen, $50 | Watch: ESQ Swiss | Necklace: Banana Republic (old) |

Holiday Party Shopping Guide

‘Tis the season for office holiday parties, where normal rules of behavior and dress are often suspended. I’ll never forget last year’s, where my boss donned light up antlers and loudly bullied us into Alabama Slammer shots at 11:15 am.

I’m not here to counsel you on your behavior (I took the shots!) but I do have plenty of suggestions for looking classy at the holiday party. I like to start with a typical work outfit in more festive colors, like lush evergreen or thick creams. A hint of sparkle never hurts either, so you might as well jump on your only chance to wear sequins to the office.

Below, my shopping suggestions for sharing your Christmas spirit and still staying classy:

1.       This on-trend peplum dress would be perfect with a sparkly statement necklace and a great pair of heels. Banana Republic, $140

2.       Black and gold never fails, and it doubles as the perfect combo for New Year’s. Bauble Bar, $62

3.       J.Crew does the holidays best with their variety of cozy plaids. Button yours up and pair with a camel skirt. J. Crew, $78

4.       I like cream for the holidays- it always reminds me of snow and snuggling up by a fire. Banana Republic, $90

5.       If your office hosts glamorous parties (my friend’s company does theirs at the Guggenheim!) this would be spectacular. Ann Taylor, $88

6.       Red dress = instant holiday classic. Banana Republic, $150

7.       I love the embellished collar trend, and this one would look great over a soft gray sweater. Nordstrom, $38

8.   This pleated shell would nicely offset a charcoal skirt and black cardigan. Ann Taylor, $45



Chevron

I wore this outfit when I hosted a coworker's retirement lunch. I love the pop of color the cobalt accessories add to the geometric black and white.

Chevron Top: Nordstrom | Skirt: H&M, $30 | Scarf: Burberry (Outlet) | Heels: Enzo Angiolini (similar) | Watch: ESQ Swiss | Necklace: Judith Jack, $85 | Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs | Belt: Old 

Burgundy and Tweed

I picked up this burgundy shift in H&M after I saw all the fall magazines lose it over oxblood. It's one of my favorite pieces for its extreme versaility- it looks amazing with almost every cardigan, blazer, and necklace I own. Here, I paired it with a coordinating tweed blazer (also H&M) and my favorite gold pendant necklace.

Dress: H&M, $30 | Blazer: H&M, $30 | Necklace: Nordstrom (old)| Heels: Michael Kors | Tights: Merona | Watch: Anne Klein (old) | Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs

Workwear Wants: Camel Colored Skirt

I love camel. It’s winter’s answer to the all-purpose, match-everything summer khaki.  There are endless ways to style this neutral.

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With a polished button down and red accents

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Or more casual with a lightweight turtleneck.

I’m definitely putting a camel skirt on my Christmas list. Some of my faves:

Ann Taylor

The Limited

Halogen (Available at Nordstrom Rack)