November 2014 archive
Faux Fur Fashions for the Season
1. Steve Madden Plush Coat 2. Dennis Basso Faux Fur Coat 3. Hell Bunny London Coat 4. Shrimps Faux Fur Dulcie Coat
I didn’t expect to embrace the faux fur fashions trend that’s warming store shelves this season. But I surprised myself when I tried on a faux fur infinity scarf last week. The fabric was soft and luxurious. I could imagine wearing this on my cold commute and feeling like I was getting a warm hug around my neck the whole time. And the realistically elegant faux made me feel like Jackie O. or Samantha Parkington. So here’s a round up of some classic cold-weather outerwear favorites updated with fur trimmings.
Faux Fur Fashions: Accessories
Like me, you might be surprised at the very real prices on these faux items. I adore the swinging, mid-century shape of the coats from London fashion newcomer Shrimps (pictured above in pink) but that’s a lot of money to drop on a trend. Accessorizing with faux is a little easier on the wallet and just as cozy as a full faux coat.
Cashmere and Faux Fur Mittens / Oasis Gray Faux Fur Headband
Can we talk about just how much I love these pieces? Those gloves! That headband! Looking at them makes me want to go for a walk on a snowy city street lined in white Christmas lights. For a bit of glam, pair either of these with a simple wool coat for the perfect touch of fur.
For an even more cost effective way to embrace faux, the fabric store has a selection of fur fabrics and I’m eager to find some ways to DIY faux fur fashions this fall. Will you incorporate faux fur into your outerwear somehow this season?
Stylish Winter Headbands
Now that winter’s here it’s time to break out my very favorite cold weather accessory: warm and stylish winter headbands. This headband I found at a German imports booth at the Minnesota State Fair a couple years ago. It was a 90 degree day, but thankfully I had the foresight to realize that this fur-trimmed headband would be useful in a few short months. Headbands only seem to be increasing in popularity and are readily available in many styles-I wore one last year in my first-ever outfit post. You can do good by buying them from Headbands of Hope, a company that donates a headband to a girl with cancer for every headband sold. I also like supporting artists who sell their hand knitted creations on Etsy.
Stylish winter headbands are perfect because they look fashionable, keep your ears warm, and don’t create quite the static hair effect that hats do.
Here’s a link gallery of head wrap inspiration:
Do you prefer knitted headbands or hats for beating the winter chill?
The Unique Gift Ideas Guide
This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. As always, all opinions are my own.
This gift guide, sponsored by Modcloth, features unique gift ideas hand selected by me to make even the hardest-to-shop-for giftee smile. And the best news? They’re all under $30.
For the Savvy Stylista
Art nouveau-inspired styling wins me over every time. Wing your way into the heart of the discerning fashionista in your life! The Whimsical Wingspan Necklace looks like a unique find from a specialty shop, but it only costs $15.
For the 80s Ladies
Anyone with a fondness for the 80s will adore this mug, but it’ll be the biggest hit with ladies like myself who remember playing with their own flock of My Little Ponies.
For the Cat Lover (or really anyone with a sense of humor)
Anyone with a cat or a sense of humor will delight in this book. Win all the points at a gift exchange with this clever and unique gift idea.
For the Quirky Coworker
Chances are good that you’ll be the only one to give the recipient a zen garden this year. And The More You Gnome Zen Garden comes with gnomes, making it pretty near perfect. Give it to a coworker so you can swing by their desk to use it, too. It will make everyone in your office happier, so it’s a win all around.
Creative Baby Onesies
Creative Baby Onesies: A Style For Everybaby
When I first found the blue newborn onesie below with a little tie appliqued onto it, I immediately knew two things: one, I was impulse buying it immediately for one of the new babies in the family; and two, the creative baby onesies trend was going to be something big.
It’s true-we’re realizing that baby clothes can go beyond fluffy bunnies and cute trains. These onesies are cute and humorous. (Side note: apparently retailers are calling onesies “bodysuits.” When did this happen and what sense does it make?)
Here are my favorite creative baby onesies. I think I can safely say there is something for every infant on your holiday shopping list. All images click through to retailers. Most prices are between $5 and $18, which is nice because babies’ clothing shouldn’t come with a price tag that belongs on a grownup’s outfit.
For the Holiday Party Social Butterfly
Why miss out on the fun of tacky Christmas sweater parties just because you’re too small to fit into the sweaters? Let baby join in the festivities with this sweater vest onesie. Bonus points if you wear this (far tackier) grown up sweater that matches. If baby starts to cry, just tell everyone he’s horrified by how “ugly” his sweater is.
For the Mini Audrey Hepburn
For the baby with champagne-er, organic milk-tastes, give her a necklace she can’t pull and a purse she can’t dump the contents out of. From Nordstrom.
For the Black Tie Affair Attendee
Put your little penguin in a bodysuit that will steal the show.
For the Bow Tie Baby
It’s never too early to emulate your role model-in this case, Grandpa.
For the Pint-Sized Medical Professional
For the baby who aspires to medical school, or just wants to treat her well baby visits like a theme party. Let her dress the part in this printed onesie.
For the infant who can’t let go of Halloween
It’s socially acceptable to dress up year round if you’re a baby. Your favorite duckling becomes Donald or Daisy in this outfit designed for maximum adorableness.
What’s the cutest onesie you’ve ever seen? Those with DIY ambitions, how would you make your own creative baby onesie?
Noticing November
Tips to Stay in the Moment This Month
Welcome to November! The months of my fashion illustration calender just keep flipping by, and it seems like everyone is anxiously looking forward to the holidays. As soon as we pass by Halloween and are into the second-to-last month of the year, it seems like it’s all about the holiday rush-Black Friday shopping, holiday decorating, and excitement for New Year’s. Now, I love all the post-Thanksgiving holidays as much as the next lifestyle blogger, but isn’t November supposed to be about, you know, the holiday that’s actually in November?
With stores opening earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving day and Christmas decorations going up right after Halloween, I started to think about how I want to stop and enjoy what I have, right now. Instead of wishing fall away in excitement for the holidays, I want to really be present in the moment and notice November for what it has to offer. There will be plenty of time for the holidays after, I promise.
Here are a few ideas I have to help me be present this month. Have ideas of your own? Please share them, I’d love to add to my list.
Tips to Stay in the Moment in November
1. Enjoy the fall weather! Temperatures will be dropping before we know it, so I’m relishing the chance to wear cute falls coats before the serious down needs to come out. Plus, it’s still the perfect time for cute knitted headbands and sleek, flattering boots.
2. Take time to enjoy the calm. The flurry of holiday activity will be upon us in full force soon, so enjoying this calm before the storm is essential to avoiding holiday stress and burn out.
3. Look to four-legged inspiration. Borrow a friend’s dog for a walk (seriously, you can borrow mine) or pet a friendly cat. Animals really remind us to stay in the moment! Dogs really couldn’t give a howl about how long your to-do list is for the holidays. They just want your attention-now.
4. Notice the beauty of fall. November doesn’t have a reputation for being a beautiful month, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its own beauty. It just might take an extra moment to pause and notice it.
5. Gear up the gratitude. “The crazy thing about being thankful is that it’s the shortest distance between feeling OK and feeling great,” writes columnist Kim Ode. We have weeks of the holiday season devoted to giving and receiving, but just one day for gratitude. So the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are a perfect time for focusing on gratitude (even if what you’re grateful for is that the holiday season is right around the corner!).
