DD's Style File - Falling for Faux

Last week I posted a gift guide that was all about fun, affordable fur a.k.a faux fur. And I have to say I'm alllll about the faux furs. They work in fall and into winter, and make your look feel a bit more luxe!

I wanted to do something a little different with color, so I went for deeper, richer tones in wine, mustard (one of my favorite shades) and forest green. Then I added a dash of fur, a touch of leopard and a splash of gold.

I picked up this scarf and another one last winter, but find myself reaching for this one all the time. Then I got all inspired after seeing some belted furs on Pinterest, so I decided to give it a try myself!

Leather skirt: The Limited - sold out (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Top: Charming Charlie - sold out (similar, similar, similar)
Fur scarf: The Limited - old (similar, similar, similar)
Tights: Forever 21 (similar)
Booties: Amazon
Clutch: Clare Vivier

I have to say I'm suuuuuuper thrilled about this weather we're having in the northeast, and it can stay right on through to April! I'm not the least bit disappointed if there's no snowy white Christmas (don't hate me).

Can you believe Christmas is little more than a week away?? If you haven't yet entered my Holidays on Chic Giveaway for your chance to win a glittery pair of Kate Spade earrings and some beauty goods, click HERE! Today is your last chance to enter! Good luck!!

Giftsgiving! - 25 Gifts Under $25

'Tis the official kickoff for holiday shopping season! Smart shopping can allow for great gift picking and sticking to your budget. To help get you started, here's my list of wallet friendly gifts for the loved ones on your list, that they will be sure to appreciate (and use)!

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8. / 9. / 10. / 11. / 12.

Here's a chance to do away with the impersonal feel that can come with gift cards, and what's better, is there's no sizing required! Giving a thoughtful gift and all that's needed is having a tiny bit of insight into her regular activities or things that she's into!

13. / 14. / 15. / 16. / 17. / 18. / 19. / 20. / 21. / 22. / 23. / 24. / 25.

And you can always pair two gifts together and still be under budget - like a multi pack of fashion earrings with the jewelry box, the tea bag caddy (or tea bag variety pack) with the tea kettle, or a couple hand towels with the foaming hand soap.

It really takes less effort than you think! Happy Black Friday shopping to all of you!

DD's Style File - Urban Jungle

Have you ever seen an item that was so stunningly lovely that it instantly incited the grabby hands?

Case in point: This maxi skirt.

It arrived in my mailbox on the cover of a store mailer and I rushed to the site immediately. I had nothing like it in my closet and the vibrant yellow screamed summertime beach vacation (or city street staycation) and I had to have it.

Once it arrived, it was it was bright, flowy, ethereal elegance... *sigh* And I couldn't wait for my first chance to wear it! But since I bought it in the spring, the weather in the north is just starting to cooperate.

I try to steer clear of color pairs like straight black and yellow, or even green and red, because they can create distinct object or seasonal symbolisms. Instead I'd create color combinations versus color pairings, by adding in a third color.

Now, black aside, I certainly could've easily paired this skirt with something white or ivory which is fine, but I do really like unconventional color and print combos. And both of these happen to be two of my favorites! I'd like to think of it as feisty meets fanciful lol!

Top: Forever 21 (similar)
Skirt: NY & Co. (similar, similar)
Shoes: Kohl's (similar)
Necklace: JCPenney (similar)
Earrings & bracelet: The Limited (similar)

But I gots to be frank with y'all... For my shortish frame (about 5'3"), it IS a lot of fabric to carry. Especially in flats and when getting in and out of the car (wrinkles be damned!). But when wearing it, I strut like these legs are five feet long on their own - so for me to feel that fabulous, it's worth it! ;-)

Hope you've had a amazing week!

DD's Style File - Double Duty

Y'all have to know by now that I loves me a good shift dress. Like this chic leopard number here. I've also regularly discussed how most of the pieces in my closet perform multiple functions (work, play, etc.) and this dress ranks toward the top on that high performance list - because I wear it all the time.

It's funny because ladies at my office often tell me that they've never seen me in the same thing twice (trust me, I do). However inaccurate, those words could indicate both a good and bad thing...

The good: That my talent at intermingling the pieces I own to create and re-create outfits that seem fresh, even though I've had the pieces for ages, is as good as I think it is.

The bad: I shop so often that I'm almost always wearing something new, so there's little to no repeats.

I won't lie, I exist somewhere between those two extremes, often living for some period of time at one end or the other (at the present moment, I'm living mostly in the "good" zone).

And dresses like this help me stay there. I pretty much can wear this dress 75% of the year. In the office, during the winter I cover up these knees with opaque tights and toss on a black mid heel pump. And here, as we head into summer-like weather (it was kinda chilly) I can wear it yet again with some season ready heels. The one piece is an all around team player as it transitions from office wear to drinks with the girls by changing out my pumps and bag to something a bit more spicy!

Dress: (old) The Limited (similar)
Shoes: Nine West
Purse: (old) Dots (similar)
Necklace: The Limited (similar)

And here's a little #BTS (behind the scenes) coverage for ya... I'm usually channeling my serious chic face when I'm out taking photos, but there's no way I couldn't be all smiles when I have a bunch of activity and questions generating on the other side of my camera, thanks to these three!

And slowly but surely they all managed to creep from behind the camera (where they were giving me pose suggestions) to full on photo bomb positions in my shoot.

But really, no one's going to be interested in going off to play when your Auntie is outside serving it up for the camera...naturally they wanted to join in!

Do you ladies buy pieces strictly for work and strictly for play? Or do you have staple pieces that serve "double duty?"

DD's Style File - Little Leopard

Y'all...this weather is getting bananas. When I wake up in the morning it's freezing, at lunchtime it's chilly, at four o'clock it's 65 degrees, by evening it's so cold I had to finally break down and turn on the furnace. Now, tell me how in the heck do you get dressed for that??

Since it's cold enough for a turtleneck I decided to layer that under a cropped jacket and kept the look sleek with black tuxedo pants.

Crop leopard jacket - vintage
Tuxedo pants - The Limited
Turtleneck - old
Red pumps - Michael Kors

Instead going for all black, I added the glossy red patent pumps. A pair of great red pumps are a staple that can be hard to find, fortunately these Michael Kors just might fit the bill for me. The right height, the perfect shade of red (I like a true red) and they seem to be fairly comfortable.

Another win was this leopard jacket, which was an awesome thrift find. I love thrifting, but don't always have the greatest success finding pieces. However, with this I found a classic, timeless piece that I plan to use as a mainstay in my wardrobe. I've already had it for several years now, but of course there's always room for more leopard. *big smile*




Quilted bag - Dots
Watch - ALDO
Bracelet & rings - The Limited
nail color - CND Sugared Spice

 One of my current "diva desires" is a new cape. I have a black one in wool, but would like to add another. I had found the perfect one at Victoria Secret and planned to purchase it with the gift card I'd gotten for my birthday. However, as I finished another fifteen minutes or so of shopping after adding it to my basket, I went to check out only to find that it had be snagged out of my basket. And apparently, it was the last one! Like, seriously, Vicky?! Needless to say, I was salty, and I'm not ashamed to say - I still am. [insert pouty face here]

 

Anywho, we'll see how that develops... In the meantime, I hope you lovelies are having a fabulous week!

 

This post is also being linked to this week's Style Me Friday link up, hosted by The Fashionista Next Door and IFB's Project #119: Pump It Up.



 

DD's Style File - The Cat's Meow

I'm certain I've talked about my total adoration for leopard print before. I do have an affection for stripes. And I love a good polka dot. But there is an undying inferno that burns inside of me for a leopard printed piece of clothing, accessory or home décor.

To me, leopard print is multi talented and does double duty by not only adding pizazz as a print, but also blends well as a neutral. I rock leopard with basic black, white, vivid hues and as a great piece for print mixing.

I was inspired to get these pants after seeing a pair of Zara pants that become ever so popular in the blogosphere. And I could see why, they gave me immediate heart palpitations! However, Zara happens to be nowhere in my immediate vicinity and they weren't available online, so I was pretty much out of luck.

After a few weeks, who would you think would have a very similar pair. My good old friend, Forever 21. Fashion void filled.

 

Black vest - Express
Cream crop top - Forever 21
Leopard pant - Forever 21
Tangerine wedge - I.N.C. for Macy's

Lion head necklace - The Limited
Gold teardrop earring - Express
Black & gold statement ring - JCPenney
Black & gold clutch - Dots

I'm not ashamed to say that I consider myself a bit of a leopard connoisseur. I'm very picky about how the print looks. Price doesn't play a part here (usually). Regardless of brand or designer, some leopard spots can just be flat or off in color - so be discerning! Because, darlings, leopard print done wrong screams cheap city....*side eye* and you don't want that.
 

I also typically stick with the standard brownish tan leopard print, but occasionally I'll dip a toe in to a non-standard variation (like here and here). Next on my Diva's Desires list is a fab leopard coat for fall and a stunner of a leopard bag.

 

Coincidentally, today's post is kind of like my favorite print - it's doing double duty. Not only is this post a part of this week's Style Me Friday Link Up hosted by The Fashionista Next Door, but it's also a part of IFB Project #107: Printed Matters.

www.thefashionistanextdoor.com

UPDATE: Here on Dazzling Diva I focus a lot on my career style, so I really enjoy when I get to post looks that I wear during my down time and after hours activities, which is why I've decided to also link this post to Mix and Match Fashion for the Summer Style challenge!