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!

mix and mingle: winter classics!

I strongly believe that if you have classic pieces in your wardrobe that work well together from the moment you buy them, that they will continue to work well in the long run.

In fact when I shop I actually try to 'match' up my pieces a bit to make sure they work well together in the store - and then I will be confident that they will work well together once it's time to wear them as well.  (this photo on Instagram is a perfect example... see how everything coordinates straight home from the store? I already have four or five outfit combinations by adding a few pairs of pants and tops that I already own).

My 'mix and mingle' posts carry on that same idea... work upon a similar theme when shopping and you will make your life a million times easier when getting dressed in the morning...

1. You know I am huge fan of chambray... I could use a darker/denimy-er one for winter though. These tops go over and under almost everything in your closet!

2. Give me a grey sweater and I will give 10 outfits in 10 seconds flat (give or take). Seriously, this sweater is the perfect work horse in your winter closet

3. I am having a serious faux fur moment lately.  It will be popping up on the blog for real this winter (you've been warned!). Isn't this vest gorgeous? I feel like it would instantly class-up any winter look.

4. Winter means skinny jeans for me, period.  How else am I going to tuck all my jeans into all my boots? I'm thinking of splurging on a pair of JBrand. Are you a fan?

5. This scarf.  Buy one for yourself and a few for your friends too... it goes with anything and is SO SO soft!

6. I saw this colorblocked Coach clutch at the Michigan Ave store in Chicago earlier this week.  It's GOR.GEOUS. in person. Just stunning. Their whole winter line is one of their most impressive in years (in my opinion!).

7. There is something about these gold loafers that I just can't quit.  The pair featured here are a decent price alternative to this forgetaboutitcute pair from Coach.  Love them both really.

8. I'm loving pink and burgundy for nail polish this winter. I'll probably just have those on repeat for a while.

And while I love each of these items independently for their own reasons... you could just pile all these items on together and call it good (I just realized they make a full outfit all together - blogger serendipity!)

mix & mingle: mid summer!

Often times when I shop for new clothes I work to make sure that they will effortlessly integrate into my existing wardrobe and that they will work well with one another.  This manifests in me shopping just like you see below... in a way where everything can mix and mingle and everything is versatile.  Even though there are different styles here, I think they all work well together and fit my personal style well.

This mid summer I am craving light pieces that are versatile and fun... I think this tank would work well with this blazer for an eclectic feel (this tank would look amazing with cut off shorts too!) or the blazer would pair well with this dress for a more preppy look. White jeans go with pretty much everything in my closet and the sandals and clutch would be fun to spiffy up any look!

1. blazer

2. dress

3. tank

4. clutch

5. sunglasses

6. sandals

7. ring

8. white jeans

mix & mingle: boho chic!

Something about warming temps (or maybe all the fun pictures coming from Coachella!?!) and I want to channel my inner flower girl and go seriously boho with my style.  Sweet eyelet tops, flowing skirts, oversized sunnies, breezy sweaters and fringed sandals all sound like lots of fun these days... do you feel this way in the spring too? These fun boho-inspired pieces would be fun additions to any wardrobe!

1. This eyelet top is sweet and feminine and goes perfect with this white skirt or a simple pair of denim cut offs.

2. I can never have enough sunnies... these are perfectly hippy-chic.

3. I love this light and airy sweater... perfect for chilly spring days.

4. A farmers market tote can carry a book and a water bottle for impromptu park stops!

5. A white flowy skirt... need I say more? This would go with everything in your (and my) closet!

6. I've decided that I can't have enough denim cut offs - up cycle old jeans into shorts this season.

7. I can't stop thinking about these fringe sandals. Time to buy? I think so. 

mix & mingle: time warp!

It's pretty safe to say that a mix of the 80's and 90's styles and times are seriously influencing fashion these days.  I didn't really put two and two together until I looked at my spring wish list: pique polo, neon, cut-offs, sweatshirts, more neon, scrunchies... err, just kidding about the scrunchies.  I'll pass on those, stone washed jeans and teased bangs.  But the rest of it... I'll take!

1. pique polo... collars popped, of course.

2. sweatshirt in neon, neon sweatshirt. (whoa!)

3. denim jacket in white - rad!

4. cut-off shorts: extra points if they are your ex-boyfriends.

5. neon flats - uh, yes please... with a side of Material Girl.

6. friendship bracelets - give and get these babies! 

mix and mingle! {think spring}

Mix and mingle serves as my visual wish list as I go through the year/seasons... the last version was great inspiration for me as almost every item was added to my wardrobe!  I think it's important to plan out buying clothing to make sure that it will be a good investment and a practical piece in the closet for the long haul.  My one rule of thumb is that everything needs to be able to "mix and mingle" once I bring it home!

Here are my latest cravings... simple (but sturdy) leggings for the change in seasons, t-shirts (in a rainbow of colors!)... I know it's almost spring when I'm suddenly craving t-shirts like crazy, some fun and spring-y shoes and this fun sleeveless trench that I have been crushing on for a while now, but haven't pulled the trigger on.

I think all these items could play well together, no?

1. pink tee 2. white tee 3. mint tee 4. sleeveless trench 

5. ponte leggings 6. espadrille flats 7. sperry topsiders

mix and mingle! {mid- to late winter}

I'm starting to feel like my wardrobe needs a little spruce up for these last couple months of winter going into spring. I don't really need a lot of items, just a few to perk things up a bit. And looking forward to the Texas Style Council, I would like a couple new pieces to wear while in Austin.

When I shop for more than one piece of clothing at a time I try to make my selections form a cohesive look or whole.  I don't bring home any pieces that I don't know what I would wear them with.  I work to make all the pieces mix and match with each other so that when I get home I can add a jacket or shoes or a belt that I already own.

These items are some that are on my wish list right now...  they all easily mix and mingle and would be great additions to my wardrobe.  How cute would the striped top be with the pink jeans? And the orange or green top with the boyfriend jeans and leopard loafers? LOVE!  This is my mid- to late winter haul wish list... what's on yours?

1. orange top 2. green top 3. 'cowboy' chambray top 4. striped top 5. pink jeans

6. boyfriend jeans 7. leopard loafers 8. citron yellow loafers