Holiday Party Outfit Prerequisites

Taking pictures indoors is definitely NOT my preference. But, it was between taking photos on a rainy New Jersey day, or a simple wall in my house. Not the most creative, but what the photos might lack, hopefully, the outfit makes up for.

Outfit Details:

Pink Pleated Blouse - Forever 21 / Cobalt Blue Jeans - Marshalls / Luscious 23 Glitter Bow Pumps - Lulus.com / Chrystie Cross Bib Necklace - BaubleBar.com / Lanyard and Rhinestone Rope Bracelet - Henri Bendel

I'm absolutely on this mixing loud colors kick for winter, and which led me to wear this outfit to a casual holiday party. It's not your standard "Christmas party" festive, but I thought it was dressy yet casual enough to be appropriate. Plus, I darkened my hair, so my clothes have been looking slightly different on me.

Just because it's the holidays, that doesn't mean all you have to wear is gold, black and red. Let's reserve those colors for Christmas decorations, shall we?

My holiday outfits, I say play up colors other than the one's you find on Santa's sleigh:

For holiday parties, go with loud and non-traditional winter color choices since it lets your outfit stand out against the typical party-goers rocking traditional December hues. 

Plus, you can add wear your most flamboyant accessories with em. Glitter pumps and bib necklaces = a holiday party outfit prerequisite! 

What's Your Style Personality?

What Jen's Wearing:

Striped Racerback Tank - Forever 21

Yellow Circus Pants - Forever 21 (similar style here)

Lucious 21 Glitter Pumps - Lulus.com

Round Sunnies - Urban Outfitters

Rose Bangle - gift from a friend

Green Rhinestone Necklace - H&M

I've always viewed style as the most outward way of expressing oneself. After all, style and personality goes together like PB+J. 

Think about it: clothing is a non-verbal representation of yourself. You're putting something out there for strangers to get an inference into who you are - colors, prints, cuts, trends... all play a role into your style personality. Judging? Perhaps, but in a way that gives others a glimpse into the unique person you are. 

Sorta like wearable personalities... 

Look at people like The Man Repeller, Betsey Johnson, Daphne Guinness... All are eccentric personalities who's style perfectly matches their individualism. 

I hope my style personality shows that I'm a person who's not afraid to be a little bold, is creative, who doesn't mind being young at heart and doesn't always follow the rules when it comes to "what is normal" or "the standard".

What's your style personality?

Hot, Cool and Vicious

There's 3 things in fashion I'll always love.

Outfit:

Snakeskin Print Dress - H&M

Black Studded Tights  - Tarte

Platform Wedge Shoes - Lulus.com

1. A good pair of wedges. The higher and more Frankenstein-ish, the better.

2. Animal prints - always an option.

3. Black tights. Tights are a wardrobe staple, but the one cardinal rule I like to follow, which was reiterated by Clinton Kelly during his Macy's presentation back in October is: 

If you're gunna wear em, cover your arse.

I follow this rule strictly as I'm not a fan of wearing anything that blatantly attracts attention to my ass. You can't help it in jeans, but when you're wearing buck-ass tights, it's literally an invitation for others to look at your toosh.

But I digress...

This outfit fits all three of my fashion criteria... and it's actually what I wore on Valentine's Day. I was a little worried the shoes looked a tad glam rock, but once I threw on my studded tights, I loved how it looked. A little rock n'roll meets dolled up for dinner. And yes, I was wearing something red for some V-Day obligatory-ness. Not sure if that's actually a word... but you get the idea.

Jewelry:

Floral Cluster Statement Necklace - Forever 21

Black Leather Bow Bracelet - Henri Bendel

Red Brass Bangle - J. Crew

Vintage 1950 Red Rhinestone Cocktail Ring - my grandmother's

Need. Want. Love. - Spring Shoes: Neons

Unless you've been wearing blinders, neons are officially a part of Spring's biggest trends in 2012. While denim is embracing our favorite colors from the 80s, and it's easy to pull off shocking pink on your nails, neon isn't for everyone. While I'm definitely a fan of fluorescents, not everyone enjoys looking like glow sticks.

Fear not! Your wardrobe can still participate. Check out these shoes that pack just a powerful punch as the pants you're sure to see hipsters (myself included) and fashionistas rockin' this year!

Spring 2012 Trends - Neons by houseofjeffers featuring oxford shoes

J.Crew round toe pumps, $198
ALDO wedge heels, $81
Dollhouse wedge heels, $38
Chinese Laundry wedge heels, $90
High heels, $99
BDG oxford shoes, $39
Secretwpon, $99

A Space To Call My Own

Since my blog is called House Of Jeffers, I figured it sorta makes sense give my readers a peek into where everything I put into my blog goes down. 

And just like many of you, there's one treasured place - besides your closet - that every blogger needs: a workspace.

The one thing I didn't have in my old place was an office. My desk was in my bedroom, and I always wanted my own space to be productive. So, when we moved into our new home, I  mapped out what my "blogspace" decor would look like.

Outfit:

Colorblock Striped Shirt - Zara

Black pants - ?

C Label Patent Leather Wedge Boots - Lulus.com

At my desk, I need a lot of organized clutter - whether it's a collage, knick knacks that I treasure (like my vintage robot and platform shoes that look prettier off than on) and things that inspire me. For a couple of years, I've collected Blythe dolls - which I went through hell trying to get (Ebay anyone?). She's fashionable and from the 70s, so this doesn't truly count as playing with dolls.

My Blythes, stone cold chillin in my version of a grown-up Candy Land for 30-somethings, on my shelf.

I love the photo of my dog, Zoey, when she was a lil pup. And the drawing of myself was done at LuckyFabb by Lauren of My Closet in Sketches. All the stuff on my desk has been aging away in boxes, and now that I have more room to spare, I've proudly displayed em, and enjoy glancing at them every time I sit down to blog.

Oh, and all desks need a little eye candy. That's where Adam Levine (the Maroon 5 poster in the right corner) comes in handy. 

My own little slice of non-corporate heaven... and I don't even have to put on makeup to do this kind of work. 

Come on, full-time blogging - happen for me someday!

Sabre Dance

 

It's obscure movie reference time!

So, if you've seen Pee Wee's Big Adventure, you may remember the most famous scene of all: him, doing a dance on the bar, to the song "Tequila". Well, fun fact No. 1:  the song is by The Champs. Fun fact No. 2: that's what I hear in my head when I put on these shoes. My best attempt at the "Tequila" dance can be seen above.

And, fun fact No. 3: Google the "Sabre Dance." That's also in the movie.

Outfit:

Abstract print top - Forever21

Pinstripe vest - Mandee

Black pants - H&M

C Label Patent Leather Wedge Booties - Lulus.com

Yes, these boots are rather Frankenstein-ish, but when I saw em on Lulus.com, I knew I'd wear the heck out of em. Basic black goes with EVERYTHING... and these puppies have made the rounds in my closet many times. They're my first purchase from the site - and I couldn't be happier.

However, I don't think I'll be wearing them for any holiday celebrations as I've caught so much slack from my family about em'. Then again, maybe I should wear them on purpose to all my family functions!?

Jewelry:

Rings: J Initial Ring - gift from when I turned 12 / Diamond cluster ring - Vintage from my mother's personal collection

Bracelets: Spiked bracelet - Forever 21 / Bow Bracelet - Henry Bendel