Dress by Boston Proper | Leather Jacket by Wilson’s Leather | triple strand pearl necklace | Red suede shoes with gold bows – exact shoes here on eBay, similar style here | lipstick = MAC Red | Men’s black sport coat by Armani Exchange, similar style here| Men’s Red plaid print shirt by Express | Puppy tutu in black from Amazon | Red suede jingle bell collar with plaid bows, similar style here
I don’t really need an excuse to wear a tulle dress (and neither does Kobi Farber), but if you feel like you do, this dress is perfect for many occasions. The vegan leather top and white tulle bottom was festive enough for a Christmas party, and glamorous enough that I would wear it again for New Year’s Eve! I paired it with a short leather jacket, chunky pearls, and a red suede heels. I felt like Carrie Bradshaw wearing this through the streets of Buckhead. Don’t be surprised if you see this image plastered on a MARTA bus soon (KIDDING!). Mikey is wearing a sport coat from Armani Exchange and a red plaid print from Express… just enough pops of red to coordinate for pretty photos without embarrassing him too much. LOL! Details on Kobi’s Carrie inspired skirt above…
And the best news yet? You don’t have to order online, because let’s face it, unless you find it on Amazon Prime and order it RIGHT NOW, it’s too late. You can find these in stores. So get out there at get it done (or just buy yourself a little present… I know I did).
It really is a shame that Christmas has to last only a month. I refuse to decorate before Thanksgiving and then I take it all down around January 2nd/3rd-ish… That being said, maybe if it were more than a month long, it wouldn’t be so magical?! Son of a nut cracker, I love it.
Here’s a look at my home decor this holiday season:
gotta pay homage to my photography background
I obviously love black, white, and gold. Those were even our wedding colors (how convenient), so I was able to keep the glittery gold feathers and keys that were used in our floral arrangements and re-use them every year in our Christmas tree!
The Shoe Tree/ Dress Tree
Kobi is my little helper
life-size and ornament size “boots with the fur”
This tree is fun to put together. The skirt is made of chicken wire (you can buy it by the roll at Home Depot), wrapped and secured with zip ties. The next layer is artificial garland, which I bought in strips (Hobby Lobby) and then bent the ends to create a hook that could be hung around the waist (this is used a filler), then topped with two layers of fresh garland, secured to the chicken wire with floral wire. Next, I wrapped some gold glittery muslin to form a top and then “belt” to cover the top of the garland and wires (secured to the dress form with pins). All of the ornaments are glass shoes, given to me by both of my parents over the past several years, including a little pair of fur boots – a perfect replica of the ones I am wearing here. I make a huge mess with pine needles and sap, but this is my FAVORITE decoration every Christmas so I really hate to take it down after the holidays.
More Details:
Yep, still with the black and white… I’m super inspired by everything Kate Spade. My champagne glass are Kate Spade’s Larabee Dot, and the china pattern is Kate Spade’s Parker Place. I believe that these translate well for any occasion/time of year.
convertible cowl neck top from Express | ivory pants from Loft (similar style here) | boots by Colin Stuart (similar styles here)| watch by Kate Spade NY | cocktail ring by Tiffany & Co.
Again with the fresh garland. The garland used to deck the staircase was bought at Costco and I just pulled out enough and cut the wires to use on the dress tree. Go Costco.
table top pre-lit tree from Hobby Lobby | ornaments from Pier1 Imports (similar style here)
monogrammed mirrored tray from West Elm | ice bucket from Crate & Barrel (similar here)
I found this hand painted sleigh on eBay (similar sleigh here) | extra large mercury ornaments
this faux mistletoe encapsulates a larger than life size “diamond”… Yes, it’s “extra” and I freakin love it!! Find similar one here.
stockings from West Elm (similar styles here and here) | stocking holders from Target | candles, menorah & decor from Home Goods, Marshalls, TJ Maxx & Goodwill | natural cotton candle rings from Front Porch Vinings (similar style here)
If you look hard enough, you will see random Steelers football ornaments on the tree. Yes, they are ugly and no, they do not go with our magical Christmas aesthetic, but it makes him happy, so I’ll allow it (as long as it’s not front center). 😉
Wishing you all a very merry, FANCY, Christmas! If you have questions about anything you see here or suggestions for next year, please send them my way!
Sometimes I go 100% glam, girlie girl, ruffles and pearls. Sometimes I pair sequins with flat leather boots for a juxtaposition that turns a classic look into something completely new and fresh. Here are two classic party dresses styled in very different ways.
One redhead short of a Sanderson Sister.
This classic red velvet cocktail dress is available now at Express. Aren’t you glad that velvet is back with a vengeance? This is the quintessential Christmas party dress and I knew immediately that it would be worn with this full-length mink coat. The coat has a story of its own…
This was a wedding gift from my mother’s dear friend, Sam. It belonged to her mother, Marcia. Marcia’s husband purchased it for her on one of their trips to New York City during Christmas, over 50 years ago. They went to see Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas show and view the majestic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. During the trip, he bought her this coat, and had her initials, MMMC embroidered on the lining. Marcia gave it to her daughter, Sam when she was in her early 30’s and Sam gave it to me when I was 30. I couldn’t be more honored to have it.
These strappy black leather heels never go out of style. I wore these to my wedding rehearsal dinner 3 years ago, but you can find them for sale here and here.
black bow bangle bracelet by Kate Spade NY (similar style here)| gold chain bracelet from Woo Skincare & Cosmetics (similar style here)
Mandy is wearing a gold sequin Ted Baker dress (similar dress available here), paired with opaque black tights, chunky low heel black booties, and an edgy Michael Kors jacket. Both dresses are classic in design but styled very differently. Take these tips and apply them to something you already have in your closet to make it feel new.
Aspiring Rockettes?
Makeup by Mandy Jane Stoykewich (above). Mandy is available for event hair & makeup services. She has been hair & makeup artist on weddings in the south for over 8 years, as well as part of the makeup team for major motion pictures such as the Hunger Games. Email mj.stoykewich@gmail.com for inquiries.
Thank you, Karl Lagerfeld for creating a line of clothing and accessories that are affordable! For those not familiar… Karl Lagerfeld is a photographer and the Creative Director for Chanel. He has worked with many fashion houses throughout his career. He has been loved, as well as hated by many. He continues to lead not only Chanel, but Italian brand Fendi, in addition to curating own designs, including this coat that I picked up for$100(can you believe it?) from his Karl Lagerfeld Paris collection.
Fashion icon, Jackie O… Quite possibly one of the most memorable fashion ensembles in American history, the pink suit that Jacqueline Kennedy wore on the day that President Kennedy was assassinated, was indeed a Chanel. She was the epitome of a Chanel muse. Her signature oversized black sunglasses and timeless chic style will be mimicked by inspiring fashionistas for generations to come. Here is my stab at a 2017 version of a Jackie O inspired look that works well for work or play. I wore this to an early morning meeting and then to a champagne brunch at Atlanta’s most fabulous french cafe, Le Bilboquet. I want to think that both Karl and Jackie would approve.
Details: Sunglasses by Tiffany & Company | Black distressed jeans by Nordstrom | white shirt by Calvin Klein | black patent heels by Steve Madden (similar style here)| handbag by Kate Spade (similar style here)| black bow bangle bracelet by Kate Spade (similar style here)| gold chain bracelet from Woo Skincare & Cosmetics (similar style here) | Rose gold crossover ring from Nordstrom | black earrings by Baublebar
