This holiday season I wish you a little time.... for yourself

By now I’m hoping that the holiday gift shopping rush is over for you. I know that for most of us there are still those last minute gifts you need to pick up but maybe you feel like you’re in a more manageable place? This month is always crazed for me but this year especially so and I’m not sure why. Part of it could be as my kids get older there are just more activities. I now have school plays and concerts to attend as well as hockey and basketball games. The calendar is jam packed with appointments and activities and I am EXHAUSTED. ( I know you feel me.)

Believe it or not, it’s almost over. So now is the time to crank up the Christmas music and enjoy those holiday treats. Oh and get back to thinking about yourself for moment. Because we all know that we only get a moment for that. We’re always taking care of everyone else in our lives. This time of year especially. But if you can find a moment…take a moment for yourself.

So I have to ask… what are you wearing this Christmas? I have to admit that I’ve never been one to dress “festive”. I don’t own much red, it’s not a color I tend to gravitate towards. But if you’ve been paying attention at all this season, “festive” patterns are everywhere! And they look really nice. Only down side, which I feel the need to point out is that these items tend to be seasonal. So while you can wear them for the month of December, but January you most likely won’t feel like wearing them again. So if you are going to pick a festive piece for your wardrobe, it’s a great idea to get it on sale. And from what I have seen, sales are happening all over!

If you happen to be more interested in a dressy but less “festive” pattern, there are options for you too! Plenty of choices to be made - not just in red and green but across the color palate. What if you want to look festive but not commit to a full Christmas plaid pattern? Add red or green to your accessories for a nice touch of the holiday spirit! What about a fun pair of red pumps? Those are a little more versatile and can be work all winter long.

Whatever you choose, find something that makes you happy. You want to be present for the holidays and not annoyed by an outfit that doesn’t fit right. Whether it’s an old faithful from your closet or something shiny and new, it should make you feel like the wonderful confident person you are. For inspiration, take a look at a few of the options below from J. Crew.

May you have a Merry Merry

The holidays are here…. specifically Christmas…

I was convinced that it’s too early for Christmas. I’m pretty sure that I still have loads of Halloween candy in my house. Yet, everywhere I go, every department store, supermarket, even every retail website I visit is exploding Christmas. Even my coffee cup is wishing me a Merry Holiday!

So now that I’m full aware of what season we’re in, it’s time to get ready for those holiday parties. They come fast and furious and I’m willing to bet that your calendar is already filling up with parties and get-togethers with friends and loved ones. So have you thought about what you’ll wear? Too early for that? You’ll pick something an hour before? And then be a complete wreck when you can’t find anything to wear in that closet full of clothes? Sound familiar?? You’re not alone!

Enter me! This is why I’m here. To remind you that you have time to find something great to wear this holiday season to all those events and that your planning should start now. Oh , and I’ll have a few suggestions here too. You’re welcome.

So where to start? Chances are that you’ll have more than one event over the next few holidays to attend. And chances are also that the dress code for all these events won’t be the same. You might have a work Christmas party, a family dinner and a cocktail party to attend… does this mean you have to plan three separate outfits and break your bank account before you’ve even started Christmas shopping? Not necessarily!

There are plenty of options that could be versatile choices for your holiday wardrobe that could be dressed up or down for the occasion. To get the most out of your wardrobe try to find pieces that you love… that you’ll want to wear again. That’s key to maximizing your wardrobe!

This off white blouse with black ribbon detail was a piece that I picked up at Zara a couple years back. I love the versatility and timelessness of this piece. It’s perfect for dressing up a pair of jeans or complementing a flirty back skirt. This is a great option for the upcoming holiday season, and lucky for you, a similar version is not available at the Loft!

These velvet pants from J. Crew might be the answer to your holiday closet concerns. These pants are not only velvety soft but feature an elastic waist. Thanksgiving here we come! Dress these up with fancy heels and a blouse or dress them down with mules and a sweater. Versatility can be comfy and cozy! (Oh… AND if you didn’t know.. J. Crew is currently having a Friends and Family sale that you might want to check out!

These Holiday plaid tops also from J. Crew are another way to make your festive wardrobe a little more versatile. Pair these with a pair of statement earrings and a sequins skirt (yes, you read that right) for a dressed up option. Pair with pumps and jeans for a house party. Either of these blouses would pair well with gray or gold bottoms for a neutral option. Pick a pop of color bottom to shine a little brighter!

This sequin skirt is more versatile than you might think. The dress up options are obvious. But what about dressing down? A tee shirt comes to mind. A very casual one. A sweater could work too with flats. Pair this skirt with a subtle neutral or a bright pop of color… whatever complements your personal style best!

Finally the classic LBD is a timeless favorite. Chances are you have at least one if not two hanging in your closet already. The key to the perfect LBD is finding the fit that flatters you most. Whether you look best in a shift, sheath, wrap or fit & flare style, there is certainly an option available to suit your style. This wrap dress pictured above is a simple and fit flattering option from Banana Republic. The one that fits you best will go the furthest in your wardrobe. And when it comes to versatility, the options are endless.

I hope this gives you some ideas for your next shopping trip. It’s always good to think about what you might need in advance so you’re not scrambling for an outfit at the last minute and settling to purchase something that you may never wear again. I want you to make the most out of your wardrobe choices and that means being thoughtful about your purchases.

The only thing missing now are your accessories…. but one thing at a time, we’ll get to those a little later.