Leopard, Fringe...and a dog!

So, you are meeting friends for lunch and you want to look put together, but not look like you tried too hard. Well, this is the perfect outfit for you! Casual, sophisticated, edgy and chic. A lot of awesomeness rolled into one!

This navy fringe top with white piping on the sleeve is another favorite from Zara. I paired it with my new fave cropped frayed jeans from Madewell -  I have to say these jeans make any butt look good (I promise!). You add a leopard heel (endless options), an Hermes bracelet, and a pop of color with this Save my Bag from Diamond Dream and voila - your look is complete! Oh and this bag is amazing...mirroring the famous Kelly bag, Save My Bag is made of a very durable fabric and is perfect for any mom or working woman! PS - Cute puppy's name is Ellie.

All photos in blog by Monika de Myer Photography

Makeup by Beauty On Location

"J" is for Jennie and Jumpsuits!

I am so happy that this awesome trend has been long lasting! A jumpsuit is such a fun alternative to dresses. I have a friend who has a jumpsuit for every occasion. I'm serious. (You know who you are! :) - and that's what is so great about them. They're perfect for any event - from a black tie party to dinner out with friends. The only problem I have ever encountered with jumpsuits is having to literally undress to pee, but heck, I think it's worth it!

I have a few jumpsuits in black (surprise, surprise), but when I saw this light pink silk jumpsuit at Anthropologie I had to buy it. It was so different from anything I had in my closet and I knew I would find events from this season to next Spring to wear it. The navy belt, also from Anthropologie, adds the perfect amount of contrast to the look. I bought this cape blazer a while ago from Mint in Mattituck, NY. It has been a very versatile piece in my wardrobe. It adds sophistication to this look, but it also looks great with jeans, a white tee and booties! This gorgeous bag was designed by my friend, Megan Schroeder at August Designs (email - meganwschroeder@gmail.com). The mix of colors is my favorite aspect of this bag. It truly works with everything in my closet!

All photos in blog by Monika de Myer Photography

Makeup by Beauty On Location

The "non" Cocktail Dress!

We are entering holiday party season. Between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas and other celebrations, we need several festive looks! Now, I love a cocktail dress as much as the next girl, but I also love thinking and dressing outside the box! There is nothing better than showing up at an event and surprising everyone with your holiday attire (in a good way!).

I love this light pink sweater from Club Monaco! It is just the right about of pink for me...subtle, but it makes a statement. And it is totally unexpected when paired with this gorgeous cream tiered feather skirt also, from Club Monaco. These pieces are amazing together, but can totally stand on their own. There's nothing better than buying a holiday look that works with your existing wardrobe. Final touches...oxblood pony-hair sandals, pink tiered earrings and a simple gold choker from Willow St. Oh and a red phone booth....!

All photos on blog by Monika de Myer Photography

Makeup by Beauty On Location

It's Leather Weather!

One of my all-time favorite episodes of Friends is where Ross tries to be "cool" by wearing leather pants, but after a visit to the men's room, he can't get them back up! Thankfully, this ridiculously funny episode didn't sway my love for leather pants. I think every woman should own at least one pair (real or faux). I personally own a few, and in different colors. Maybe it's my rebellious side coming out in suburbia or the fact that most of them have this amazing elasticity that holds everything (that you want) in? Dressed up with heels or casual with flats, this Fall and Winter must-have is a staple in my closet - and should be in yours too! And the best part is that you don't have to break the bank to get a pair (or two!).

These leather trousers from Zara are super comfortable and very reasonably priced. They hang low on the waist without any spill-over! (BONUS!) I paired them with a great denim shirt from Jcrew and patent oxfords. The final touch - a Madewell paisley bandana around my neck and a Balenciaga leather wrap around bracelet. Since I love "getting dressed" I would wear this during the day...maybe for coffee with a friend and then easily transition the look into my evening plans (if I have any...lol), by just switching the shoes to heels. Two outfits in one!

All Blog Photos by Monika de Myer Photography

Makeup by Beauty On Location

LBD with a twist

I fell in love with this Issey Miyake dress the minute I saw it at Diamond Dream in Bernardsville, NJ. I mean who doesn't like a dress that is super comfortable, flattering, and roomy enough that you can go out to dinner and eat ALL the pasta you want?! The beautiful detail on the bottom makes this black dress NOT "just another black dress". And I also loved that fact that it could be worn as a tunic with jeans.

It was raining the day these photos were taken, so I decided to put on this awesome hat from JCrew to try to salvage my decent hair day. And it worked so well with the dress! That afternoon, I wore the hat again with jeans and a sweater--super cute and versatile! I borrowed these beautiful Brian Atwood heels from my bestie...how lucky am I to have the same shoe size as her? And since I was in head to toe black (not uncommon for me), I added that pop of color with this insane Bao Bao bag from Diamond Dream. This bag folds up so easily and can hold a ton of stuff! Perfect for this mom of 3. The earrings were a gift from my mother in law from Zia Boutique, a very cool jewelry store in Savannah, GA. And I promise you this, this LBD with a twist will make you stand out at any cocktail party (with or without the hat!).

Until next time....xo

All photographs in this post by Monika de Myer Photography

Makeup in this post by Beauty On Location