I think it’s safe to say that we’ve got the whole holiday dress thang covered, so today I thought it would be great to highlight some amazing skirts that would be perfect for upcoming holiday soirees (and beyond). In addition to the beautiful blue jacquard midi skirt I’m wearing today, I’ve rounded up my twelve favorite holiday skirts that are all under $150 below! It will surely come as no surprise that this plaid skirt and this gold beauty are already in my shopping cart…
This weekend marked the beginning of the onslaught of holiday parties for us and I couldn’t be more excited. Since you know I’ve been crushing hard on the metallic trend this season, I immediately snatched up these metallic pieces from Banana Republic, which I know will be repeat offenders throughout the holiday season. The oxfords have been on my feet all week long, and the silver pants offer just the right bit of holiday sparkle for day or nighttime events.
Banana Republic has a super strong line up of other stunning holiday-ready pieces, and you can check out the beauties I’m eyeing up below! Needless to say, this skirt and this dress are already in my shopping cart…
Also! If you read my recent post on winter commute essentials for the working girl, you know that I’m all about cozy fur stoles and earmuffs that double as headphones during the cold weather months. I stumbled upon the below sets from Banana Republic which would be AMAZING holiday gifts!
It’s officially December, so I’m afraid we can pretend no longer. It’s high time we all start chipping away at our gift lists, and as discussed on instagram live this week, it seems there are few people harder to shop for than COWORKERS. Just like office attire, holiday gifts for coworkers always depend on the industry, company culture, and individual. I’ve worked in some offices where it’s super weird to get your colleagues holiday gifts, and in others where it’s super weird if you don’t. Regardless of where your workplace lands on that beautiful spectrum of weirdness, below is my list of your best bets for showing your colleagues a little holiday appreciation.
When evaluating coworker gifts, be thoughtful about not only what the person might likebut also what their professional relationship is to you. You may want to strike a different tone depending on whether the gift is for your boss versus a peer or an employee. Ideally, the goal is to show a little holiday appreciation while simultaneously steering clear of any Love Actually-style awkwardness.
Whether it’s a “please don’t torpedo my year-end bonus” gift for a boss, an “I wish you would stop whistling and start showering” gift for the creepy dude in accounting, or a “thanks for bringing me gatorade the morning after last year’s holiday party” gift for a great friend at work, there’s a little something for everyone…
If you have any good gift ideas for coworkers that I’ve missed, please share in the comments below!
#1. // Cashmere Wrap
A cashmere wrap or cardigan is perfect to keep at your desk for chilly work days. I’ve had my White + Warren wrap for a few years now, and it still looks brand new!
#2. // Coffee Mug
You can’t go wrong with a cute mug for male or female coworkers. Better yet, snag a mug that’s personalized with the recipient’s initial… because nobody knows where those standard-issue mugs in the office kitchen have really been, amiright?
#3. // 2018 AGENDA
I have to admit, I’m a sucker for an old-fashioned calendar. This agenda has a place for all of your to-do lists, appointments, contacts, everything, and has the cutest touches throughout! (Side note: Also obsessed with thiswork-to-play desktop folio, which makes planning your week so much easier!)
#4. // Work Bag
Check out the below beauties that look great and have all the essential interior pockets to keep you organized. For men, check out a sleek leather messenger bag or backpack.
#5. // Compact
Whether it’s kept in your work tote for touch-ups on-the-go or stowed away in your top drawer for use at your desk, a mirrored compact is a must-have for staying fresh throughout a long workday.
#6. // Tumbler and/or Thermos
I never leave the house in the morning without a tumbler or thermos full of coffee! Whether the gift recipient is a coffee addict, a tea connoisseur or someone who wants to keep hot soup toasty for lunchtime, tumblers and thermoses are always home-run gifts.
#7. // Picture Frame
A picture frame is a great addition to any desktop, and will make their workspace feel more like home.Also check out this genius digital photo frame!
#8. // Business Card Case
When in doubt, go for a cute card case! It’s super professional with a thoughtful touch.
#9. // Notebook
This “hustle hard” notebook is perfect for all of those super important business notes (or weekend plans, or shopping lists…).
#10. // The Perfect Pen
Montblanc is the epitome of pen sophistication, but how fun is this Ted Baker set?!
#11. // Ceramic Tray
At-the-ready to hold paperclips, snacks or rings when your fingers are busy flying across your keyboard, a cute ceramic tray is always a hit.
One last note! Speaking of instagram live this week, I received lots of questions via DM and email after the live asking about the website that I mentioned which I often use to shop across multiple retailers. The website is shopstyle.com and in addition to being an amazing search engine for products, I also just stumbled across their holiday gift guides which I thought were AMAZING. After scrolling through the rest of my coworker gift picks below, you can check their gift guides out here if you’re looking for additional gifting ideas!
My friends, the best shopping weekend of the year culminates today with the very best online shopping day of the year. [Cue Mission Impossible theme song here.] If you haven’t checked everything off your list yet, today is your day. In addition to the insane sales happening (the best are listed below with promo codes!), a whopping NINETEEN dresses from the ongoing #30DRESSESin30DAYS series are now significantly discounted. These sales do end TODAY, so snatch things up while you still can.
As always, clicking on each individual image below will take you directly to the sale dress, but if you’d like to peruse full outfit details of any of the looks, you can always find them in the 30 DRESSES portal. Happy Shopping!
THE BEST CYBER MONDAY SALES
SHOPBOP // Up to 75% off sale items + up to 30% off full-price // CODE: MORE17
Over the years, I’ve endured pretty much every possible curve ball mother nature can throw at you while commuting to work. With sub-zero temps just around the corner here in NYC, I thought it was the perfect time to share the top five winter essentials that get me through the season. Not only will these 5 items be the biggest game-changers for your commute (pinky promise), but they will also make for amazing holiday gifts!!
1. Earmuffs (with built-in headphones!)
My friends, these earmuffs are GOLD. No more “would you rather” games with yourself, vis-a-vis listening to your favorite podcast or avoiding frostbitten ears. Whether you like the earmuff look or not (I happen to LOVE them!), they are the best cold-weather head gear option for commuting to work because they don’t destroy your hair. But if you’ve ever worn earmuffs, you know the struggle of inserting headphones into your ears and then layering the earmuffs over them is very real. Since these earmuffs have built-in headphones, you now have the whole two birds, one stone thing going for you. Your hair looks perfect upon arrival to the office and you haven’t missed a podcast. The earphone cord is detachable, so you can always revert back to vintage earmuffs if you want to be unplugged on the way to work. I’m wearing these in black (which also come in chestnut and grey!), but I also love this furry style and these textured knits! I also recently found out about Rebecca Minkoff’s beanie headphones and am dying to try them as well…
2. Weatherproof Boots
A pair of weatherproof boots that don’t look like you’re preparing to hike Mt. Everest is essential for those of us who commute to the office in snow and ice. Enter Aquatalia boots, a hero brand in my book that has legitimately bridged the gap between style and function. Not only do they look stylish, but they are also completely waterproof and the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn. Their super padded insoles makes you actually feel you’re walking on a cloud. I’m wearing the “Janie” block heel booties in the photos today (also availablehereandhere!), but also have these sleek Chelsea boots in my shopping cart. Check out all of their gorgeous styles of boots and regular footwear here!
3. Classic Black Wool Coat (50% off!)
Every working girl needs a classic black wool or cashmere coat that goes with everything. I alway love military-inspired double-breasted buttons, but the midi length is key. With a mid-calf length, you can pair it perfectly with any length dress or skirt, and it also looks killer with pants. Pro tip: Don’t be fooled by a cute cut and tempting price tag! Be sure the coat is made of over 50% wool and/or cashmere if you want to actually stay warm. This Ralph Lauren coat, this similar Mackage beauty and this beautiful Vince Camuto coat all fit the bill and are all almost 50% off!
4. Leather Tech Gloves
There’s no question that leather gloves look more polished and professional than their knit counterparts, but they’re also much warmer and more durable. These tech-friendly gloves not only look great, but all ten fingers will work on your touchscreen phone. The gloves I’m wearing come in seven different sizes, are genuine leather, lined with cashmere, and if the regular price isn’t shockingly reasonable enough, they’re currently 40% off during Nordstrom’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend sales. I wore mine every single day last winter and have already purchased three more pairs!
5. Fur Stole / Scarf
Your winter work wardrobe isn’t complete without a good scarf to stay warm on the way to the office. While I love scarves for their ability to add interest to a classic coat, my winter MVP is a fur stole or scarf (how adorable is this one?!). A black or neutral fur stole not only goes with absolutely everything, but it dresses up your look and also really ups the ante when it comes to warmth. Nothing feels better on brutally cold winter days than that fuzzy goodness tucked right up under your chin!!
FLORAL COAT: Smythe (currently40% off!) | STRETCH-TWILL TOP: Tibi (currently40% off!) | ASYMMETRIC SKIRT: Tibi (currently40% off!) | ANKLE BOOTS: Halogen | RETRO SUNGLASSES: Elizabeth and James | CIRCLE BAG: Mansur Gavriel | VINTAGE EARRINGS: Chanel (sold out, similarHERE)
Thanks to the insane Black Friday weekend sales, this top, skirt AND floral coat are ALL 40% OFF right now. If you haven’t checked out my complete guide to the Black Friday weekend sales and my top 20 sale picks, click here!
You know I can’t pass up a killer matching set like this, but the asymmetrical detail of the skirt and the super cool ruching at the shoulders of the top had me in full swoon. Of course, the beauty of the matching set is that the ensemble appears to be a dress when worn together, but you have the trifecta of three outfits in one. The blouse looks just as killer with dark skinny jeans, and the skirt looks amazing with white blouses or knits. Did I mention that BOTH pieces are 40% off? Just one of the plethora of unbelievable deals coming your way this weekend. In case you missed it, check out my complete sale guide here and keep checking in here on the blog as I’ll keep updating you on the best sales all weekend long!
As you know (especially if you follow on instagram) this is probably the thousandth time I’ve worn this floral Smythe coat, and it won’t be finding a hanger in my closet anytime soon. (It likes its lovely spot draped over my bedroom chair, thank you very much.) When I first purchased it, I was questioning what exactly I’d wear it with. Answer? Literally everything. I had NO IDEA just how versatile it would be. It somehow makes every outfit look polished, no matter the style, color, or occasion. The fact that you can snag this gem for 40% off right now (plus a ton of other killer finds!) is a no brainer.
Last but certainly not least, I should give a shoutout to these white accessories which are a trend that’s definitely stealing the show this season. Much like my floral coat, I’ve been wearing these Halogen ankle boots like it’s my job because nothing seems to make an outfit pop quite like them. I also can’t get enough of these retro Elizabeth and James cat-eye sunnies and this stunning Mansur Gavriel structured circle bag.
