A lot of gratitude and maybe a little shopping...

Gratitude. I have so much appreciation and love for the people in my life that I don’t get to see nearly as much as I would like as of late. I find myself missing so many loved ones recently and wishing to hug them all. Soon, I tell myself, soon.

So many of us are struggling with loneliness, anxiety, depression, the list goes on and on. A little kindness goes a long way these days. And it can come in so many forms.

Lucky for us it’s gift-giving season! What a wonderful excuse to show a little extra love to those around us. I’ve always appreciated the village it takes to keep my family running. When that was suddenly pull out from under us, the adjustment was overwhelming. We’ve slowly put the pieces back together (and still not fully) but I’ve never appreciated these people more than I do now.

The essential workers who have kept us going have my endless gratitude. The teachers who are showing up every day for their students amaze me. I am in awe of the healthcare professionals who have worked tirelessly all year. These and so many more are deserving of our thanks this season. For those who touch your life directly, what a great time to send a little gift of thanks and appreciation.

I have always had gratitude in my life. I am so thankful for everyone who supports me and my family. I am grateful each and every day for both the little and big blessings in my life. And I take special care to show my appreciation for these angels at this time of year.

Your appreciation can come in so many forms. Don’t be burdened by a price tag or a dwindling bank account to show how much you care. A homemade card, or a heartfelt note can go a long way in giving a much needed boost to the special people in your life.

Should you have a little extra to spare. there are all sort of gift ideas and gift shops curated just to get you started on the right path. If this is in your plans, let’s start with taking advantage of those Black Friday deals. Oh, and no need to wait until Black Friday, those deals have already started!

Throughout this pandemic my shopping has been online and Black Friday will be no different. I suspect most retailers will have inviting online offers for shoppers. They already do! One of my favorite retailers has a perfect gift boutique for the ladies in your life with an added Black Friday savings that is already activated!

Check out a few of my favorite ideas below from Anthropologie!

George & Viv Holiday Bar Soap

Soap has never been a more meaningful or precious gift! And how unique and beautiful is this packaging for gift giving!

Pom Sock Slippers

These slippers provide warmth and style in the form of cozy footwear. Available in neutral hues, they pair easily with all your favorite leisurewear!

Rifle Paper Co.. for Anthropologie Garden Party Monogram Mug

I love a beautiful mug! Whether it’s for morning coffee or afternoon tea, the perfect mug is a daily necessity. Anthro has a variety of styles, prints and sizes to choose from!

Bianca Shimmer Snood

This snood provides both function and style for keeping warm this winter! It’s perfect for when you want a little extra warmth as you’re heading out the door.

Capri Blue Fir & Firewood Candle Tin

With so many of us spending so much time at home, candles that create a relaxing and inviting environment are more than welcome. Whether you crave a specific scent or size, there are a number of options available to choose from.

Woven Geo Dishcloths

Dishtowels are used constantly and always prove to be a useful accessory in your kitchen. These brightly colored towels are a compliment to any kitchen!

Confetti Throw Blanket

A throw is a gift of warmth and cozy that can compliment any room. Pick neutral tones that will easily pair with furniture and even holiday decor.

Lustered Stemless Wine Glasses

I love a beautiful glass. Especially when it’s a wine glass…. filled with wine. But whatever your beverage of choice, a beautiful glass can add a little sparkle to a dining table.

Merry Sales: Shop with Purpose

Merry Post Christmas Sales! Whatever didn’t sell for the holiday is now on deep discount. This applies to more than just the holiday decorations. Retail is preparing to unload all their winter wear as they will be displaying “Resort 2020” in the next month! What does this mean for you? Take advantage of these sales to fill your closet with whatever you need to get you though the rest of the winter season.

So with so many sales the hardest part might be “where to begin?” I have some suggestions and examples here to help you start to break it down. Instead of shopping aimlessly, have a plan. Look at your wardrobe and figure out where the holes are. Of the key pieces you need for your lifestyle, what are you missing or need to replace? See below for a few “key pieces” for almost any wardrobe to get you started!

Work-wear: Whatever your job, there is a chance that on occasion you need to dress up a little. Or maybe just look more put together than the athleisure that you live in. I’ve always found that a simple neutral blazer can go a long way to pulling together a look, especially when you feel at a loss for what to wear. Depending on how formal you need to dress, you can pair a blazer with jeans for a more casual look or pair with a shift dress for a more professional look.

BR Unstructured Wool Blend Knit Blazer

The Versatile Dress: A simple dress can be accessorized in multiple ways so as to fit any number of occasions. To find a dress that will work as a great base layer in your wardrobe, choose a neutral tone and a simple silhouette. You might be surprised to see that I have chosen a leopard print as my example but in fact, this is considered a neutral tone as it can paired with so many others. Keep jewelry to a minimal and pair with nude pumps for a low key affair. Add a little bling and color for something more exciting!

BR Print Midi Shirt Dress

The LBD: This is a must have staple in all wardrobes. The little black dress fits so many occasions and never goes out of style. Keep this dress in your closet from one season to the next for any impromptu occasion you might have. Whether you are in need of a last minute cocktail dress, have a dinner invitation for work, or attending a theater performance, the LBD will get you there in style!

BR Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress

The Cozy Sweater: Chances are your closet is full of sweaters, especially if you live in New England. But do the sweaters you have live up to your expectations? Do they fit your lifestyle? How long have they been in your wardrobe? Sometime we hold onto to sweaters longer than we should. If we get use out of a sweater, it can wear over time. Sweaters are one piece we will be continuously adding to our wardrobes every year. Something warm, simple and with a touch of detail could be just the piece you need.

J. Crew Crewneck Sweater with jeweled buttons

The Statement Blouse: Whether you are dressing for work or a night out, this blouse can become a staple in your wardrobe to help get you through the next few months. Pick a color and style that flatters you. Then start pairing it with everything in your wardrobe. From jeans, to a pencil skirt, to dress pants or a suit, this simple blouse can take your wardrobe to almost any occasion. The versatility of this blouse is what makes it such a key ingredient to your wardrobe.

J. Crew Open V-neck Top

The Coat: In this case, the coat is a perfectly simple one button topcoat. But coats in all colors, styles and fabrics are on sale right now. Depending your lifestyle, find the coat that will be the most versatile in your wardrobe. Where do you go on a weekly basis? Are you outside much? Do you need a heavy coat or will something lighter work better? I encourage you to get the coat that you will get the most use out of. Only you can determine what that will be. While I know that you want to find a coat that will fit over all your other layers, you also want to find a coat that will “Fit” you properly. Where possible try on multiple sizes to determine the best fit for you body.

J. Crew Daphne Topcoat

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.