mix & mingle: holiday party edition!

Confession... for the past (ohidon'tknow) 5 years we have had ZERO holiday parties to attend. I know, super pathetic right? Me being self employed, my husband working in the auto industry in a bad economy meant that there weren't company parties and having small kids just didn't lend itself to mistletoe and cocktail laden events around Christmas.  And pretty much I was fine with that.

HOWEVER, this year we have three little shindigs to attend with friends and co-workers (not my co-workers, mind you... I'm still a solitary endeavor over here).  None of them is over the top or any type of formal event... but I would still like to exude a fun and festive vibe at each event.

I'm challenging myself to use ONLY what I already have in my closet.  It's time to break out the gorgeous pieces I may (or may not) have splurged and invested in all year that I sometimes (yes, it's true) complain that I have no where to wear it to. Do you have those pieces too?

Here I pulled together some quick basics for holiday attire...

1. skirt 2. plaid shirt 3. little black dress 4. chambray top 5. sequin top 6. clutch 7. earrings 8. bling ring

9. glitter shoes 10. velvet jeans 11. bib necklace

A black maxi skirt covered in sequins is a super rad piece. But if you don't have this exact skirt (or don't want to buy one)  you may already own a plain maxi skirt or a sequin mini skirt.  Pair it with a simple chambray top and a fun necklace and heels and you are set to go!

On Saturday night I took a simple LBD (little black dress) that I already owned and put a plaid top over it and tied it at the waist.  Then I put a pair of heels and a bold necklace on (I wore this one!).  Ta-Da! A simple and festive look!

A colorful pair of jeans or cords in velvet (or not) pairs perfectly with a fun sparkly top that you may already own! I love this burgundy pair of pants with a gold top.  Dress up the look with heels and a clutch and you take your everday colored bottoms to a fun and festive level!