C. Style -2012

I knew I wanted to do a 2012 New Years post, but I didn't know what to concentrate on.  I decided to go through the blog and just see what hits me.  Here's what hit me.

No one can say that I only wear something once.  Let's just call this the year of the black Marc Jacobs purse- ha!

I remember being a little apprehensive about this post.  Turns out, you guys love to wear jeans and a tee as much as I do! A Classic: T-Shirt and Jeans

Or maybe we should call this the year of the gold Michael Kors watch and gold necklace- ha! 

It was fun to see that we all love a good pair of leggings and we want a pair that you can't see through.  Leggings: Do's and Dont's 

Or maybe it's the year of the Frye Boot...

I had so much fun with this post about wearing white after labor day.  It turns out even Emily Post says it's OK.  I continue to wear my white and I hope you do to.  Let's Wear Our White, Sisters Unite!

Oh, and the sweater we all fell in love with... Brown with Black? Yes!


A very special to the blogs below for featuring C. Style.  The support from everyone has been humbling to say the least.

Thank you to The Big Mama Blog

Thank you to Pinterest Told Me To...

And to Your Scout Guide Blog

A very HUGE thank you to ALL of you for reading C. Style and for your comments on the blog and Facebook.  2012 has been a fantastic year!    

How to: Puffer Vest

I almost didn't post this because only one side of my shirt is tucked in, and it's driving me crazy.  I just want to reach into the picture and pull down the other side of my shirt!  But after having caught the flu for Christmas, I'm so happy to be blogging again that I'm posting it anyway-ha!  I love my warm puffer vest.  For some reason I found myself only wearing it with my workout clothes. But lately I've been throwing it on with everything, and I'm loving it!  It looks great zipped 3/4 way up with a scarf underneath!  I could even see it with a chambray (jean) shirt and tweed pencil skirt with heeled riding boots. So cute!  Check out my C. Style Pinterest page for more puffer vest outfit ideas.   

To me, this vest is the perfect layering piece. I love this one from Patagonia specifically because it's extremely thin. I can wear it under a coat or on top of a shirt without adding bulk. Although this vest is thin, it is soooo warm.  How do they do that?!?!  

Outfit Links in Pink: Puffer Vest - Patagonia, Jeans - Citizens of Humanity, Shirt - J. Crew, Purse - Marc by Marc Jacobs , Watch - Michael Kors, Sunglasses - Ray-Ban, Gold Hoops - Urban Outfitters in Store

Leather Trim Trend

I really love the new leather trim trend.  Wow, that's kind of a tongue twister. I'm always looking for the perfect way to follow a trend, and this shirt (and this and this) was just that for me. I found this top at Club Monaco, and I loved the jewel tone color and the python looking leather trim. But then I saw...

the back and I was sold! I love it because, well, it's comfortable and I don't have to worry about a low neck line. You gotta love that! I can wear it out with the hubs or with the girls for a fun night, and I even wore it for a fun day of shopping. I totally lucked out because a client of mine asked me to break in her new Janey leopard flats, and without hesitation, I said YES! Love, love, love the gold heel!    

Can I just say- Dallas, how come you have soooo many cool places, like an Icehouse next to a running trail?! Oh, and don't worry people behind me on the left- I am a little crazy, and I do have people take pictures of me posing- hahaha!

Outfit Links Below (in pink)

Shirt- Club Monaco, Jeggings- Citizens of Humanity, Shoes- J.Crew, Purse- Marc Jacobs, Necklace- BP, Sunglasses- Ray Ban, 

Watch- Michael Kors

How to: 3/4 Length Sleeves

I know I post a lot of J. Crew, but I can't help myself!  I love the Tippi sweater from J. Crew. I bought this striped one on sale, and if I could buy one in every color, I would.  I like it BECAUSE the sleeves are 3/4 length! It makes the sweater seasonless (my made up word that means it can be worn year round- ha!).  You can wear this just as easily in the spring as you can in the fall.    

I get asked a lot about how to wear 3/4 length sleeves.  I say, you can wear them whichever way makes you feel best.  For instance, this day I was liking the clean lines of the sweater, so I just rolled the sleeves to a place that was comfortable to me and then put the sweater on top.  I could even wear this with the popover sleeves down, or I could have done the J. Crew sleeve roll.  I think all three different ways would look great!  One of my favorite work outfits was to wear a black boat neck 3/4 length sleeve sweater, a white blouse underneath, and a strand of pearls- I felt so Ann Hathaway in Devil Wears Prada!

I was with my very stylish S-I-L the day of this post and she was wearing these Ray Bans- oh how I want these Ray Bans!  They are so classic.  Shoot, another thing to be added to my very long Christmas list!

Outfit Links Below (in pink)

Tippi Sweater- J.Crew, Chambray Popover- J.Crew, Jeggings- Citizens of Humanity, 

Sunglasses- Ray Ban, Purse- Marc Jacobs, Watch- Michael Kors, Earrings- Kate Spade

(Photos by Mallory Lee)

Favorite Finds Part 3

Does this look familiar? Well, last week I posted it on favorite finds part 2 as a possible Christmas gift for myself. I bought it. I couldn't help myself, it met so many of my needs (place for a pen, room for receipts, room for gift cards- I don't use them if I can't see them). I had to feature it again in action, because I'm so happy with this purchase.

And, look! It doubles as a clutch when I'm in a hurry. Oh, it's so perfect!  

I saw these vases at Target. They are a part of Nate Berkus' line for Target. I was so crazy about them that I had to buy one right then and there. They are such a deal!  

Here's the vase on my nightstand. Shoot, I'm really not doing well buying gifts for other people at this point. But, you could totally buy this for a friend that just moved into a new house or apartment. You can add flowers for a finishing touch.  I purchased the alarm clock last year from Crate and Barrel, it's no longer available.

Love this necklace from Target. It would be the perfect gift for a fashionista friend, sister, or sister-in-law. She could wear it with everything, even jeans and a tee! I want this too!

Do you need a stocking stuffer for a female? I'm telling you, these make-up brushes from Target are just as good as Bobbi Brown. Next time you're at Target, pick one up and put it in your own stocking- it will not disappoint. Plus, they're easy on the bank account. Well, easier than the Bobbi Brown brushes.

I really want to buy this for a couple of people, including myself! The color is so perfect, it acts as a neutral or even a pop of color depending on the outfit.

A comfy sweatshirt with a slit up the back, yes please! Yoga pants never looked so good!

 For the consummate hostess, she could write her menu for the evening on this paper just as easily as her grocery list. Love it! (Here for similar.)

It's so hard to find a good planner. If you've looked than you know what I'm talking about, but these from Henri Bendel make me want to write down my plans- ha! 

I would love to write more love notes to all my loved ones. Maybe these would help me get the ball rolling. This way it takes the pressure off, because I don't have to come up with something creative and I could add a little something to personalize it. Ok, I must get these!

I love polaroid cameras! There's just something about capturing the moment just as it is and not picking the best photo. I want to throw a dinner party and just pass this around the entire time. Just imagine those pictures, wow!  

Staples

It's official, I wear the same thing over and over again- ha!  I thought this was a point worth posting about.  You might not believe me, but my husband takes up more space in our closet with his clothes than I do. He is very stylish in his own right.  Somewhere along the way, I adopted a philosophy of just owning a few really good staples and then adding a fun, trendy piece to top it off.  That's why you see me in the same boots, pants, necklace, earrings, and bag post after post. 

    

I found this sweater at Urban Outfitters. The dolman style alone makes it classic but the long open cardigan is a fun trend right now, and that's a win-win for me.  My sister pointed out that you could even wear a tank under it in warmer weather, genius!  That's when I started envisioning myself seaside somewhere wearing this sweater, a white tank, and my staple blue jeans... so beachy, boho, chic- haha!   

Boots- Frye, Necklace- BP, Earrings- Urban Outfitters (in store only), Long Sleeve Shirt- BP, Jeggings- Citizens of Humanity, Watch- Michael Kors, Sweater- Urban Outfitters and here for alternative

While I was searching for good alternatives for the UO sweater I ran across this one!  I want this for cold weather! Wait, am I subconsciously justifying this purchase? Haha!  Now, I'm envisioning myself in a ski lodge.  Oh jeez, someone needs to stop me!

(Photos by Mallory Lee)

Winterize your White

Since starting this blog, I've been asked the same question quite a few times.  The question, in so many words, is if I think, "what is she wearing?".  The answer is NO!  In fact, I spend so much time on my outfits that I don't even want to think about clothes for the first hour I'm out of the house.  But, what I do stop and take notice of are the outfits that inspire me.  This is one of those outfits.  

While visiting family in Dallas over Thanksgiving, I saw a girl that inspired this outfit.  But, to be honest, to say that just one girl inspired this look is not true.  This look was also inspired by a client (this happens a lot). She had a burberry jacket that she wanted to wear more and we paired it with white jeans, and that's where I got the plaid scarf idea.  But it didn't stop there, It was also an equestrian inspired look.  Oh, and I wanted to winterize my white jeans- sisters unite let's wear our white!  Once again I think way to hard about clothes, but it's fun for me :)

White Jeans- AG, Scarf- Club Monaco (in store) for online options I like (here) and (here), Boots- Frye, Sweater- J.Crew for similar, Purse - LV they no longer carry this exact color

Favorite Finds Part 2

I'm cracking myself up right now because I just realized there are no gift ideas for anyone other than myself in this post- ha!  I guess I know what I want for Christmas this year.  Here are my picks from my trip to the Galleria.  I hope you find some ideas for yourself!

I love sunglasses, and the cat eye look is so hot right now.  I just love these cat eye sunglasses from Tory Burch.  

Ever since I had a client that was looking for a red purse, I've become a little obsessed.  I clearly don't "need" another, but if I did I would buy one of these two.

A wallet big enough for ALL of my receipts and gift cards!  Plus, a place for a pen!  I can never find a pen!

You all are going to think I'm crazy with this gift idea, but my dermatologist (who I trust implicitly) told me to buy one of these.  Apparently it really does work!  I know I'm a little late on this craze.  

I just love this bag from Zara.  You could fit everything in there... everything but the kitchen sink!  I love that you can carry it as a hand bag or on the shoulder.

A fun way to follow the leather trim trend without breaking the bank.  This top is so versatile.  You could wear it with black pants for a night out, or tuck it into a pencil skirt for work.

I'm seriously having to hold myself back from buying this watch.  It feels so Jackie O- classic yet current and hip at the same time.   I don't have a black watch... hmmmm - ha!

The picture doesn't do this necklace justice.  I like it because it's different than the long gold chain necklaces, but has the same effect.  You could put this with any top to add a little umph to your outfit.