Party Picks

(Click picture to shop)

Pretty soon invitations to parties will start arriving. If you are like me, you like to plan out your party outfit days or perhaps even weeks in advance. While the red dress pictured above is absolutely perfect, it is out of my price range ($320). I've put together a few items that would be perfect for your next holiday party. Whether sequins are your thing, or maybe perhaps just a jeweled cuff, the following list should have you covered.

(Click here to shop)

All under $40, these peplum tops (each slightly embellished in some way) would be affordable options. Pair them with jeans, leather pants, or black satin cropped pants for a perfect party look.

Sometimes all you need is just a little shimmer to spice your look up. Adding shimmer to just one element of your look should be sufficient. 

Have a great day!

Expect the Unexpected

(Click picture for item details)

When it comes to certain articles of clothing, jewelry, or shoes, I tend to stick to complimentary accessories. For example, the gold sequined blouse pictured above would look so cute with a black pencil skirt and black pointed pumps. I typically pair similar items together. However, switching it up a bit and mixing unlikely pieces together can be just as fun. Pairing a studded thick-heeled boot with a girly sequin blouse can be the perfect match.

(Click here for item details)

When it comes to nautical-inspired clothing, I tend to stick to red or yellow pieces. To me, that just says "nautical." However, I think it is fun to mix prints such as the animal print shoe above, or maybe a floral handbag instead.

(Click here for item details)

I like the idea of mixing an edgy (or maybe more than one) piece with a feminine look. While I am the girliest, prissiest girl that I know, I love edgy pieces as well. 

What about you? Are you one who chooses the "expected" option? Or are you "unexpected" in your fashion choices? I'd love to know!

Sparkle

(Click picture for details)

I think sequins have come a long way over the past few years. When I last wore them, they were splashed all over my costumes for dance recitals or for danceline. After such showy pieces, I tried to remain snobby towards them but the priss-pot in me won and I am loving them right now.

It is possible to walk dangerously close to a costumey look if sequins are not worn properly. I think that the article of clothing covered in sequins should be the focal point. If you are wearing a sequin top, try to wear something less flashy on the bottom. The silver-sequined sweater pictured above would look cute with leather trousers. If leather isn't your thing, then jeans would always be a safe choice.

If sequins are a little much for you, maybe a pair of glitter flats would be a good choice. With a less shiny surface area concentrated on your feet, you will look chic and not so much like a disco ball.

Do you like sequins? How do you wear them?

Feeling Fall

(Click picture for details)

The weather is still pretty warm, but that hasn't stopped me from looking for fall pieces. These are a few pieces that I think will work well for in-between weather and even carry through into the winter. The Steve Madden boots are a recent purchase of mine on the recommendation of my sister. I had been looking for the perfect dark brown boots for the past few years, so when I saw these I knew I had to have them. 

I am loving the nude heels as well. I think a pair of nude heels is essential to any woman's wardrobe. They go with everything and you can wear them year round.

What pieces are on your fall must-have list?

What to Wear With...

(Click picture for details)

When I get dressed in the morning, I take into consideration how my hair will look with certain pieces. For instance, I have a denim romper that seems to only look good with a top knot. I've tried wearing my hair curly (my go-to hair style) with this piece but somehow the combination of denim and curly hair looks a little too 80s. Wearing it with a top knot seems to take the retro vibe away.

I put together several looks to go with three different hair styles. These are all looks that I think would work with the hair styles I've picked. Of course, some of these can be swapped around.

What is your favorite way to wear your hair? I'd love to know!

(Click here for details)

(Click here for details)

Best In Rompers

(Click picture for details)

For this post, I decided to focus on rompers, one of my favorite trends in fashion. I put together four different looks, each geared toward a particular style. The first set is inspired by a look that I wore a few weeks ago. You can read that post here.

I basically used accessories to define each style. If you thought you couldn't wear a romper, think again. There are many ways to style them and you can probably find a look that is right for you.

(Click here for details)

(Click here for details)

(Click here for details)

Summer Destination: NYC

(Click picture for details)

Kira over at Rain or Shine is going to be traveling to New York this summer for a wedding. What a cool place to get married! I can only imagine how beautiful the wedding will be and how much fun she will have as she tours the city.

(Click here for details)

(Click here for details)

I know if I was going to New York, I would be hitting the pavement HARD. Flats are a must when you are playing the part of a tourist. Just make sure you break in your shoes before you go. 

Have a fabulous weekend everyone, and have a blast in NYC Kira!

Summer Destination: Vegas

(Click picture for details)

Another reader, Holly at Holly Goes Lightly, contacted me about putting outfits together for her upcoming anniversary trip. When packing for Vegas, one wants to be stylish but comfortable at the same time. A wedge sandal should be comfortable enough for walking the strip, as long as you aren't trying to walk the entire strip. That would be tiring no matter what your shoe choice!

(Click here for details)

When I went to Vegas last, the popular fashion choice for evening consisted of super tight, super low-cut, and short dresses. I'm talking so short that if the girl wearing it raised her arm, even to adjust her hair, her whole butt would have been hanging out. 

My husband and I were leaving dinner one evening and saw a long line of scantily clad girls waiting to get into a club. I stopped and my jaw hit the floor. I had never seen anything like that in my life. I joked that we had run into the hoochie mama convention. 

So with that said, I created two stylish (un-hoochie) looks for an evening out on the town. I can't decide which look I like more. Perhaps the second because those red heels are killer!

I hope you have a blast in Vegas, Holly!

Polka Dot Peplum

Pep up your wardrobe with a little polka dot peplum! I absolutely love this top. The polka dot print gives it a retro feel but the accessories keep all three of the looks modern.

I came up with three different looks using the same top and different yellow shoes and clutches. I love the color trend so that is why I chose yellow for each look. Perhaps it is a bit old fashioned to match your handbag to your shoes but in this instance I really liked the way it looked.

The black and white print of this top lends itself to endless possibilities. You can use just about any color accessory and look fabulous. I think finding a polka dot pant in a reverse print (black background with white dots) would look great with this top.

I always have my favorites when I put together these outfits. I think my favorite this time might be the pants option. Which is yours?

Garden Party

Garden Party by amyshaughnessy featuring high heel shoes

Spring is in the air! Trees are finally blooming and we are starting to see temperatures in the 70s. Well, we never had a proper winter so we have been seeing unnaturally high temperatures to begin with, but I am not complaining. I am definitely not a winter person so I welcome the change in the weather and blooming trees even if it means my allergies will be going haywire.

Spring is a perfect time (or maybe not for you allergy-prone people) to host a garden party...after you have worked hard planting all of the flowers, that is. You can host a bridal luncheon, baby shower, or just throw a party to celebrate the arrival of spring. If you are like me, you never need an excuse to dress up and get together with friends.

Here are a few things I put together for what I think would make a stellar look for an outdoor affair. If you think wearing heels outside is a bit nuts (I can already hear my mom joking about my obsession with 5 inch heels) then opt for something more turf-friendly like a wedge. It will offer more support and leave your grass without holes.

A floppy hat will offer some much-needed shade for an outdoor affair. The sunglasses give the whole ensemble a slight hippie feel, which I love.

I hope you are enjoying the spring-like weather wherever you are. I know some of you are still experiencing snow but hopefully the warm temperatures are just around the corner for you!