Bedecked, Bedazzled and Bejeweled

Ring from some random street jeweler in SoHo, necklace/scarf from Elisha Daniels

What better time of year to go all out with the over the top jewels and accessories than the holidays?  Since I spent the better part of last week sick in bed I feel like I've already missed out on some of the holidays so tonight I was determined to make up for it.

I knew that I wanted to wear something sparkly and I was thinking I'd wear a sequin blazer that I bought last year at H&M.  But then this gunmetal sparkle dress that I bought close to five years ago at Nanette Lepore floated into my consciousness and when I put it on, it was exactly what I was in the mood for.

Nanette Lepore dress, Stuart Weitzman boots, Longchamp clutch

Even though the sparkle of the dress can stand on its own, I still amped up the bling by adding this scarf bejeweled with pearls and rhinestones galore. 

On another note, you know that "rule" where if you haven't worn something in a year you should get rid of it?  Well I no longer abide by that rule.  I can't tell you how many times I thought of getting rid of this dress for that very reason but tonight I was so glad to have it.  And as my wise and fashionable friend Elisha says on many occasions as she did tonight, it's more "now" than when you bought it. 

There's No Place Like Home

It's rare that I actually do my own nails, yet somehow I have an abundance of nail polishes at home.  Today after a spurt of energy that carried me to the grocery store and to the gym, I spent the whole day at home until my evening festivities were to begin.

To give my day an ounce of productivity I decided to do my own nails.  This past summer I bought this really fun sparkly, glittery nail polish that is reminiscent of Dorothy's ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz and that's what I decided to adorn my nails with today.

Here's the finished product.  Isn't it fun?!  It's Butter's "rose lee" nail polish and it's perfect for the holidays!!

Carine Roitfeld resigns from French Vogue

What?  Style icon and editor in chief of French Vogue has announced her resignation.  I can't wait to see what she decides to do next.

See Cathy Horyn's article here.

Ruffles and Sparkles Are Back!

Ann Taylor top, Kate Spade cardigan, J Crew skirt, Chanel bag

It feels great to be three days into the week with the nightmare of a flu from last week well behind me.  This was actually my Monday back to work outfit and it felt good to put something on other than pajamas.  I bought this ruffled Ann Taylor top a few years ago and it always cheers me up.  I guess anything girly and ruffly has that effect on me.

Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, Ann Taylor top

This sparkly multi-strand Kenneth Jay Lane necklace is so much fun though it almost fell off of my neck.  I think it's time to take it in for a new clasp!

It's All About the Shoes

When you're as shoe obsessed as me, shoes serve so many purposes.  They're memories of things you did when you wore them or souvenirs of places you've visited.  For the better part of my twenties, my family traveled at Christmastime to Europe; most often to Italy but once or twice we went to France or England.  I got these shoes on a trip to Nice one December over ten years ago.  They were a gift from my father.  As a family we long ago stopped the exchange of Christmas gifts but birthdays are still giftworthy and since my birthday is shortly after the holidays, I picked out many a gift for myself on these trips.  

J Crew jacket, Banana Republic pants, Kenzia shoes

These shoes sat ignored and untouched in my closet for I don't know how many years but they recently popped into my consciousness and today I dressed for them. 

Hermes belt, leather and studded bracelets from SoHo street vendors

On another note, on my last jaunt to NYC I popped down to SoHo to check out the street vendor wares and bought a few versions of these fun leather and studded bracelets which I wore today.