Revisit your Little Black Dress

If you are attending a party for New Year's Eve tonight and are having trouble deciding what to wear, go and revisit the Little Black Dress in your closet. It's comfortable and comforting to wear because you feel good in it. So what if you've worn it countless times to events. Just jazz it up by wearing a different color or some glitz and glam, in a bracelet, purse, scarf or tights. If it's short sleeve, wear a layering tee under it, or a jacket or pashmina over it. Or, consider wearing a tunic shirt as a dress. Pair it with tights and boots or leggings and flats. Or some killer heels. In my part of the world, there's lots of tights and tall boots worn because of the snow.


Here is some inspiration from parties past from my friends and I:





HAVE FUN!!!!! See ya "next year"-hee hee ;)

Gift Cards: How do you use them?

To my wonderful surprise I received a substantial Nordstrom's gift card this Christmas. I have already been there to "look around". The problem I have when I get a gift card is, I get stuck. I waffle about whether to use it towards a couple of cheaper items that are on trend for the season, or to use it towards one big essential item that is on my wish list. If someone else were to ask me this same question, I would tell them to go for the big item that they have been longing for, and that they are proud to own. And hopefully it is a classic that they will have for a few years.

So readers, I throw the question out to you: Would you use your gift card towards a big item on your wish list, or a couple cheaper on trend items for the season?

Here are some big Nordstrom items on my radar(oh and by the way, a couple of months ago, I posted about a Nordie's wrap sweater on my wish list, but that wish has been fulfilled):

A cashmere sweater or cardigan:



A new coat:


A new handbag:





or some flat riding boots:

Winter 08/09: Tuxedo Inspired Looks

On the heels of New year's celebrations, what do my readers think of tuxedo inspired looks, especially the tuxedo jacket worn over dresses, pants and jeans by stars and models galore (pictures courtesy of glamour.com and elleuk.com)?


I happen to like the look, especially over jeans and as an alternative to a wrap, worn over a dress.






Here are some other inspired looks from Charlotte Russe and Ny and Company.



tux inspired looks by real style real people

Stylish Person of the Week: Patti

Patti, who owns the interior design business Punch Jordan is my Stylish Person of the Week! Patti is wearing black pants from Fibres, a local boutique, a black top from Old Navy and a purple swing jacket from Marshalls or TJ Maxx, she can't remember which! Patti could have gone several different ways with her shoes. On this night, she was wearing vintage purple heels (not shown), but she could have worn boots, heels or flats. Patti put a pop of color on the top of her outfit, which draws the eye up to her face. Any pop of color (as I've shown below)would do, with a black top and pants. If you went with the black swing coat shown below, then you should wear a pop of color in your top,accessories or shoes!

Here is my re-creation below: The black stretch tee, $15 and the essential natural rise trousers for $20, are both from Old Navy. The swing jacket in multi-colors is $34.99 at Chadwicks.

Stylish Person Patti by real style real people

Celebrity Chic But Cheap:Jessica Biel

Jessica, I love how your taste is simple and elegant. You make "real" women feel like they can pull it off too (picture from usmagazine.com)! I swear this sweater, skinny jeans and tall boots combo is something I wore just last week! I mean, give me you gorgeous face and figure and we'd be twins ;)

Here is my re-creation below:

Tall boots, Franco Sarto, $89.99, Nine West satchel, $49.99, both from Piperlime. Sweatheart skinny jeans, $25 from Old Navy. Striped sweater $22.99 from Amazon.

Celebrity Chic But Cheap: Jessica Biel by real style real people

Happy Holidays From RSRP!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF MY READERS! HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THEMSELVES!

IF YOU ARE INCLINED TO SHOP AFTER HOLIDAY SALES, HERE ARE SOME TO CHECK OUT!

From NY and Company:
Biggest sale of the year. Clothing $5.99 & up; Accessories $3.99 & up - Shop Now!

From S/SENSE:

SAVE 40% OFF SELECT ITEMS INCLUDING ALREADY REDUCED PRICES
December 23rd– January 6th, 2009
USE COUPON CODE: BOXDAY




From E Dress Me:

Ask Christina Results: How Do I Accessorize My Multi-Colored Outfit?

Thanks to everyone who put thought into Amy's outfit yeterday! The results overwhelmingly were that Amy needs to have her ombre top be the focal point in her outfit. Most said she should go with a silver clutch or evening bag, no necklace, but standout earrings. One reader said she should wear some bracelets and I thought that was a great suggestion!

Here's how her outfit might look below:





Ask Christina Results by real style real people


Let us know what you decided, Amy!!!

Ask Christina: How Do I Accessorize an Outfit With Multiple Colors in it?

I had a question last week from reader, Amy. She said she is going to an after the holidays party. She is going to wear the Jonathan Saunders Go International ombre chiffon top, pictured below, from Target that she had altered to fit her neckline better. She is wearing it over black slim pants. Her question involves her accessories. Should she bring in a red purse for a pop of color or focus on the colors already in her top? Also, should she wear a long necklace or just let big dangling earrings"speak for themselves"?

Readers, I already told Amy what I think she should do, but I want to hear, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell Amy what color purse you think complements her outfit. Also, long necklace, big earrings, or both?


What Bag Goes? by real style real people

Holiday 2008:Last Minute Gifts

If you still have last minute gifts to buy, here are some solutions,all for $32 and under:

Go to your local Sephora for the finds below: Philosophy Cookie Exchange 3-in-1 set of shampoo, bath and shower gels is $30; Philosophy Under The Mistletoe lip gloss set of three, $25; Bare Escentuals Extreme Glitters Set, on sale for $32.

Go to your local Old Navy for great pajama sets: Flannel bottoms are $12 and waffle knit coordinating tops, $10.

Find hat scarf and glove sets at Target : Blue Adi Designs hat and glove set, $29.99; Xhilaration 3 piece set on sale for $9.99

Go to Bath and Body Works for the bath cupcake with a box, and the Warm Vanilla Sugar perfume, both for $9.

Shopping for a man on your list? All of the stores listed above have men's sections too! Happy Shopping!

Stylish Person of the Week: Patricia

Patricia is my stylish person of the week! Patricia was at a children's party with me and she looked comfy chic in her Long and Lean jeans from the Gap, her short sleeve turtleneck sweater from Marshall's, worn over a tee with bell sleeves. She could have gone a few different ways with the jeans:worn them tucked inside tall boots, over heeled boots, or worn with flats. She would have worked it all three ways! And let's face it: isn't this really what we want out of our casual weekend wear? Simple, comfortable, and yet pulled together!

Here's my re-creation below: Long and Lean jeans from the Gap for $59.50. Short sleeve turtleneck sweater, $48 from Henri Girl Boutique. Long sleeve tees from Americas Basics, any 4 basic tees for $20!!!!! Now that is a deal! Check them out! Buy $60 worth of clothes and receive a FREE tank top!

Stylish Person OTW, Re-Creation by real style real people

Celebrity Chic But Cheap:Rihanna

Oh Rihanna, you are so uber COOL and STYLISH (picture from imnotobsessed.com)! And so transitional. You go from sexy, to rocker chick to modern chic, in the blink of an eye! I love your sweater dress, scarf and booties!

Although it would be hard to re-create your image, I'll try my best: here it is, at more budget friendly prices for us mere mortals, below. The Castanar Malta booties for $108.47, and the Anne Klein coat for $134.99 are both from overstock.com. The tartan scarf is $28 from Urban Outfitters. The grey sweater dress is on sale for $39.99 at Ann Taylor. Find dark black tights and oversized sunglasses at Target!


celebrity chic but cheap-Rihanna by real style real people

How To "Top" Your Denim For Casual Gatherings

Below are some pictures of outfits I saw at a casual holiday party at the home of my friend, Allison. These are the kind of parties I frequent the msot during this time, and the the kind I most enjoy. You can be casual and comfortable, and as these ladies show you, STYLISH, in your denim. The ladies wore their favorite denim bottoms (in one case white denim) with festive,comfortable, and/or and feminine tops. And of course, just like me, some chose to wear BLACK, because let's face it, it is familiar and chic! Every woman should have tops in their closet for just such occasions. They become wardrobe essentials because you can go to them season after season!Plus, look at some of the great accessories chosen: great scarfs, necklaces, shoes and belts!




Here are some other ideas for "TOPPING" off your casual party, all from Nordstrom:



Top Your Jeans by real style real people

Beauty Review: Buxom Lips by Bare Escentuals

I am a BIG fan of Buxom Lips by Bare Escentuals brand.

It is a lip gloss/lip plumper that comes in several colors (my current favorite is Sophia). It is $18 and lasts me a good while because a little goes a long way. It feels tingly going on and I can't say that my lips get plumper, but they do LOOK plumper with it on. I know there are alot of lip plumpers out there but this one does not feel tacky going on. It contains vitamins A and E and doesn't dry my out my lips like others do.

Recently I noticed that Bare Escentuals sells Buxom Babe Diamond Lips which is a mini collection of four different colors (below), and I HAD to have them! The collection is $28 and I can think of a couple people I can give them to as a gift! You can find them at Sephora.

Readers, do you use lip plumpers? If so, what kind?

RED Holiday Accessories

At the holiday party I attended at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this weekend, there was one thing I noticed in the sea of black outfits and glitz, and that was the color RED. Red accessories were abound, be it in wraps, jewelry or evening bags. Red represents the holidays for me too, more so than green, or silver or gold. And why is that? Maybe because red adds that pop of color that is just more vibrant than the others. And if your closet is full of black dressy attire, then adding a pop of red in an accessory just does the trick for your outfit! I also believe that your red accessories will become a wardrobe essential that you use for years to come!

Here are some examples below: How about a bowtie handbags or oversized clutch from
Handbag Heaven. Or how about a fun patent red bag or colorblock clutch from the EenaMaria line at E Bags, all for under $66.



Holiday Accesories by real style real people


Or red pashminas from Pashmina International and The Pashmina Store all for under $80.

holiday pashminas by real style real people