Making Christmas Memories

The holidays are usually so full that for most of the past twenty or so years, I've done all the Christmas shopping solo.  I always thought we would go out as a family and look around together, experiencing all the excitement of the season, you know that sweet spot in the shopping calendar when Black Friday is over but well before the last-minute-before-Christmas-frenzy has begun.  

I always loved that time when I was a child and have some very fond memories of walking around the brightly decorated mall with cousins and aunts and siblings and my mom.  It was magical in its way and I always wanted that for my children as well, but the Christmas stars just never aligned to make that happen.  We moved away from family for a number of years, so that wasn't an option.  In addition, Mr. Bleu was frequently away on business and back in the days before smart phones and Google Maps, I never really adapted to driving around major cities with two small children no clue where I was going.  

It's not really the way I envisioned it, but in the end it has usually been easier to browse on my computer than to try to figure out a time to load up everyone and haul them all around to half a dozen different places while trying to hide everything we bought from each other.  Still, I have never given up the hope that we could eventually make a big family shopping trip work and this year was finally our year.

The stars did in fact align this year and we all found ourselves with a Sunday afternoon free after Black Friday and before the last minute, so we decided to make a go of it.  All bundled up in warm clothes and loaded up into a single car, I really can't remember the last time we did anything as a group like this and a little part of me wonders if this will be the last time, the last Christmas we all spend under the same roof.

Good or bad, all things end, which is why it is so important to never give up on trying to make those magical moments and treasured Christmas memories.  It doesn't always work out every year, and yeah, sometimes it's ok to take a break from stressing so much about everything being perfect, but keep trying at the important stuff.  It really does make a difference in the end.

Outfit Info:  WINE RED 1930S V-NECK SOLID WRAP JUMPSUIT-$69.99  FROM RETRO-STAGE.COM  

USE MY CODE LEANDRA TO SAVE 15% OFF YOUR PURCHASE

Weathering the Winter

As much as I dread winter every year, I do love all the beauty of Christmas and layering up my wardrobe with bright colors for the long cold days, especially with these vintage inspired pieces from Voodoo Vixen.

Red is a must-have winter color, especially in this warmest shade on this V Neck Vintage blouse.  It really has a mood boosting affect.  I love the way it stands out against the bare world and it looks particularly lovely with black and gray like this Herringbone Flared Suspender Skirt.

If you're anything like me and the thought of winter gives you chills, add a little flare with some red accents and some warm layers and you'll weather this season just fine.

Shopping Info:  V Neck Button Blouse-£21 and Toyin Overall Herringbone Flare skirt-£31 from Voodoo Vixen

Jolly Holly Holiday

The holidays are here again and I am excited to have all my fall things packed away and all my lovely winter clothes brought out again.  Red is my favorite color for these cold months, it warms my heart just to see it, and of course I have all my warm MAK sweaters to style in new ways this year.

I put this little holly jolly outfit together to kick off the holiday season and I love it so well, I'm planning on wearing it to all my get togethers this month.  I've been pairing crop tops and midis for years now, (check out my very first post about it from 2015 and a follow up in 2016 to see how far we've come in this style over the years) in fact it's the only way I wear my crops.  

MAK is rolling out a new style of pullover, this cute little crop with long sleeves.  I knew the second I saw it that this top was made to be part of a holiday outfit, and since I'd just rolled out my winter wardrobe, I knew exactly which midi to wear with it.  Silver and gold are all well and good, but this year, it's ivory and gold with a little red in the mix that's really speaking to me.

I am obsessed with these fishnet tights from WeLoveColors.  They are the perfect accent for so many outfits year round because there is enough coverage to keep my legs warm but I can still breathe should the day turn warmer.  And with so many color options I can get a pair that goes with literally everything I own!  Since trying them last year, I've made it a goal to own one in every color.   

They bring so much panache to every outfit I've worn them with but especially with this Christmas outfit.  It would have been a little bland without them.  As far as red goes, it has to be the warmest hue this time of year, not burgundy, not pink, no, it has to be this Scarlet Red to really make the outfit pop. 

To all this, I added a little handmade felt holly brooch that I put together in about 15 minutes and plan to wear all season long.  Is it subtle?  No.  Is it perfect?  Maybe.  Do I love it?  Yeeeess!!  The holidays are here and I'm ready to spread some cheer, give some gifts, and once again gather with those I love to share in the magic of the season.

Shopping Info:  Crop Pullover from MAK, Fishnet Tights in Scarlet-$16 from WeLoveColors

One Top: Three Cardis

A great print is in an invaluable thing, a versatile thing because you can wear it so many ways and for years to come.  The easiest way to find a versatile print is to choose something in neutrals or something with lots of colors that work well together.  It's been a while since I've done a demo on the ways that changing your accessory colors can change the whole look when you have a great print.

 

For today's post I've selected a J. Crew plaid blouse from ThredUp and black trousers with red bow heels.  The only thing I'll change in each outfit is the cardigan and I'm using three button down cardis from MAK in Kelly Green, Royal Blue and Red.

Red is warm and confident and against this red cardigan, your eye immediately sees the red in the plaid print.  It makes a bold statement against the black and gives me definite holiday vibes.

Kelly Green also has a bit that holiday feel after all, anytime you see red and green together most people think of Christmas and winter.  However, green is not as warm as red and while the statement is still strong it isn't quite as striking either, which is great if you don't want a power color, just a pretty color.

When I look at the change, I notice that the yellow and green in the plaid stand out far more against the green.

And now for the blue.  Suddenly I see blue in the plaid when I didn't really notice it with the previous cardigans.  It's amazing how the eyes detect things in one setting that they didn't before.  Well, there is no cooler color than blue really, but with the plaid and the red heels and lipstick, I don't get frosty vibes from this outfit.  Winter?  Yes.  Cold? Not at all.  A blue like this is vibrant as still warm as far as blues go, but it doesn't have the holiday feel to it, which makes this a great option for wearing past December and that's the goal really.  Always be looking for pieces that will work all year long and with as many things as possible.

I hope you've enjoyed our little experiment with colors today.  All these lovely cardigans kept me quite warm for this photographic venture which is why MAK is my favorite cardigan.

Shopping Info:  Cardigan from MAK, Top from ThredUp, use my link to save $20 off your first purchase.  Trousers from SheIn.

Little Black Dresses from Carlie Carson

I hope you're loving all dresses April as much as I am, and yes, I do intend to do one full month of dresses although the occasional skirt may make it into the mix.

If there's one dress that should be in every woman's wardrobe it's a Little Black Dress, something basic but elegant that you can wear anywhere.  Carlie Carson has so many chic, elegant dresses but their LBDs are style staples.

With a pencil skirt, fitted waist, and a little ruching for tummy camouflage, this dress has it all.  There's a clasp at the front and a zipper down the back, and this fabric is soft and has some stretch.

A little black dress should be something you can go-to for any occasion and know that you look amazing, even if it's last minute.  This dress checks all the boxes for me, making me feel both stylish and comfortable, especially since the pencil skirt is shaped so that it fits my curves without puckering across the front.

This collaboration has to be one of my absolute favorites for the sheer elegance and timelessness of all these dresses.  There's still more on the way from Carlie Carson and All Dresses April, so join me back here on Wednesday for another great dress.

Shopping Info:  This LBD is from CarlieCarson.com  The Panthea Dress-$124 is a similar style.