Bridesmaid Look Book: All Dressed in White

The Royal Wedding has got us thinking: why can't the bridesmaids wear white too? We understand that the bride is the center of attention, etc. but in a way, having your bridesmaids dressed in white makes them blend in rather than stand out in their bright colors. It's a classy and elegant approach to dressing your bridesmaids, and may be preferred by brides who are into neutral shades or want to keep things simple. Here are some ideas:

Keep it short and sweet in this knee length chiffon dress from BHLDN. We love the sheer neckline and sweet bow detailing, and just wish they had this in a miniature version for the flower girl! Of course, just make sure your shade of white dress doesn't clash with your maids!

For a sleek, modern look, dress your girls in this simple sequined trim dress by Ralph Lauren. It's a wonderful compliment to a more minimalist bride, with just a bit of dazzle to make it more than your every day white dress. This is definitely a great look if you're going for an icy hot winter wedding.

Of course, you don't need to dress all in white. Throwing on a fun print is a great way to add some color without cluttering up your all white theme. In our opinion, this look seems best fit for when you just have one bridesmaid, or if you want to make your maid of honor stand out and leave the rest of the maids in all white.

Similarly, dress your girls in white (or off white) but add an all-over pattern to set them apart. We love this retro style dress from Mango, and think it's perfect for low key spring or summer weddings.

This basic pleated skirt dress is perfect for a casual summer wedding. It reminds us of the black and white look at the mom's wedding in Because I Said So, which can be elegant and sexy or simple and casual.

This may be one of our favorite dresses of the lot. It's short and sassy, with lots of pretty details around the neckline to create a charming overall look. Plus, this dress works for all seasons and wedding styles, so you can dress it up or down with the right hairstyle and jewelry.

If you haven't noticed, almost all of our selections are cocktail length, as choosing a floor length white gown for your bridesmaids can be very tricky. We think you can only really put it off if (1) the dress is much more simple than the wedding dress and (2) the bride has a lot of confidence.  For instance, this simple floor length gown from J. Crew (which is actually a wedding gown), would look great with a fuller or more detailed wedding dress. It's all about making them different enough so that the bride stands out. If Kate and Pippa could pull it off, so can you!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Lovely in Lilac

Despite the fickle weather, we're desperately trying to incorporate spring colors into our wardrobe. One of our favorite shades for the spring is lilac (or violet... we don't really know the difference). It's fresh and sweet, and can really brighten up your wardrobe. Ignore the weather, and add some spring to your step!

We call this dress the "Sexy Easter" dress. This two-tone color block dress from American Apparel is an ideal look for the spring. May we suggest a cropped black blazer to give this a retro 80s feel?

Don't have much uses for tight, sexy pastel numbers? Then try this grey / lavender skirt from The Limited. It's a professional but feminine, and is a great way to freshen up your wardrobe.

With all this rain we've been getting, you need to protect your tootsies! Grab a pair of these short rainboots by Ilse Jacobsen and you'll be singing in the rain! Oh, and did we mention they have fleece lining?

 This sleeveless tea dress from Top Shop is perfect for work or play. Add a fitted blazer and pearls and you're set for work, or throw on a pair of gold hoops and strappy sandals and you're ready for a hot night on the town.

Tired of the regular old smokey eye? Add a pop of color with the purple smokey eye set from Sephora.  It will be sultry and romantic, just what you need for perfect "come hither" eyes.

Every girl needs a versatile dress that can be work at the park, out to dinner, for a garden party, whatever! This tiered ruffle dress from Old Navy definitely fits the bill, and will guarantee you a few compliments.

These lilac pumps are a must have this spring. They will look wonderful with a light gray suit, white dress, or black capris. We would steer away from pairing the pumps with a matching lilac dress and / or blouse. The most matchy-matchy we would do is matching jewelry, and even that's pushing it!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Sparkle Into the New Year

The new year is just around the corner, so we decided to take a little break from all of our Christmas posting to focus on the party of the year. New Years Eve is a big event, whether you like to party out in Times Square, host a dinner party, or snuggle up in front of the fireplace. If you plan on going out, then you have to wear at least a little sparkle and even if you're not going out, it can't hurt to get a glitzy... it is New Years after all. So here are some ideas on how to sparkle and shine this New Years Eve:

This dress by Eva Franco makes us wish we had fancy New Years plans that involved more than playing guitar hero and drinking sparkling apple cider. It's a gorgeous velvet v-neck dress with layers of gold and silver stripes that will make you you look wonderfully festive. We would love to see this dress with some flashy jewelry and magenta peep toe pumps... let's make it happen.

A sexy black sequined top may not be for everyone, but we think it would look great with a pair of dark jeans and boots (or pumps if you're headed to da club). The wonderful thing about a basic tank is that you can dress it up or down as you see fit. Just don't go overboard with the jewelry; your shirt will shine enough without giant chandelier earrings. And when in doubt, add red lipstick!

If you really want to shine, pair the sequined top from Express with this sequined skirt from Anthropologie! The full tulle skirt reminds us of Black Swan, except in a fun, non-psychotic way. This would also look great with a cap sleeve blouse, a scarf, and some cute ballet flats.

A bolder skirt option is this blue and black sequined skirt from Forever 21. It would look great with black tights and booties or a slim fitting blazer. Sure, you may only wear this skirt once in your whole life, but it's only $20 and you're only young once!

Dress up your eyes this New Years Eve with the Glitter Eyes palette from Sephora. It provides all the tools you need to get sparkly, sultry eyes that are sure to get all the boys swooning. The best part is that it comes with a little instruction booklet, so even if you lack skills in the makeup department, you can still come out looking like a rockstar.

A more casual option that we can see ourselves wearing is this loose fitted sequined top from Top Shop. It's a bit more modest than our other suggestions, except for sexy racer back.  It will definitely be more comfortable than a sequined skirt, and you can wear it with dark jeans and flats for a comfortable but chic night out.

A small sequin bag that can store your lipstick, cell phone, cash, and Tide-to-go is just the thing you need if you plan on party hopping on the 31st. It has a dainty little strap and will go with almost any outfit. Plus, you can reuse it for the next wedding you have to go to.

Even if you're just staying in, you can still dress up (a little) by throwing on some sparkle nail polish! That way your nails will dazzle, even if the rest of you is covered in flannel, Rufus Humphrey Style.

 We think the gold nail polish would look great with this fitted, spandex dress from American Apparel with hold embroidery. It has just a touch of sparkle, which is great for those of us who tend to shy away from shiny things. Be sure to wear it with gold hoop earrings, plenty of attitude, and a pair of Spanx.

 We're huge fans of this sequined vest from Victoria's Secret. It would look great with a casual tank (pictured above) skinny jeans, and ankle booties. Add a long necklace, some loose curls, and you're ready for a sexy and fun night on the town.



All that glitters IS gold!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira

Holiday Style: Office Holiday Party

Tis the season of presents, snow flakes, mittens, and office holiday parties! Depending on your office, the holiday party can be very simple (takes place during lunch on the day before Christmas Eve) or extravagant (takes place at the Empire Hotel where all your clients are invited). You know your office style best, so when dressing up for the office holiday party, carefully consider the timing of the event, the guest list, and the venue. Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling:

If you're office is fairly casual, you can easily get away with a simple, festive cardigan.  This one, from New York and Company, has just the right amount of sparkle to spread some Christmas cheer.  Pair it with a nice grey skirt like in the photo and some black tights and heels and you'll be comfortable and stylish all throughout your work day.

Need something just slightly less casual but still polished and professional?  Add a little pizzazz to your otherwise boring office attire and go for ruffles, metallics, and varying patterns this holiday season. The combination of textures adds a level of luxury and the warm winter white and gold creates a luxurious and sophisticated holiday look.

Want to be a little more cozy? This tweed, cowl neck dress from MANGO is wonderfully versatile. How you wear it depends on your office style and your personal flair. Wear it casual with an oversized belt and booties with hoop earrings,  or dress it up black pumps and tights and silver bangles. Either way, you're sure to look chic and warm.

 If your holiday office party takes place right after work, leaving you no room to do a wardrobe change, then pick an outfit that is work appropriate but is still dressy enough for an after-work gathering. This tweed, cowl neck dress from Mod Cloth is a perfect choice. It's modest and sensibly cut, so you can definitely wear it to work with flats and a cardigan without feeling over done. Then after work, throw on some heels, ditch the cardigan, and add some jewelry and you're ready for whatever the night brings!

Another great dress option is this silk petal dress from Banana Republic. Depending on where you work, you could wear this dress during the day with a blazer with your hair throw up in a messy bun, and then take down your hair (literally) for the office party. We really like how this dress looks with black tights (as shown on the model), but you can also wear it with high boots to make it more casual. We also suggest adding some red accessories to get into the Christmas spirit!

Ditch your pencil skirt and go for something a bit more casual this holiday season. This high waisted, paneled skirt from Zara is the perfect length for an office party, showing just the right amount of leg. The basic black makes it safe to wear in the office, but the fullness of the skirt makes it softer and more feminine. Pair the skirt with a simple blouse or a brightly colored cardigan and look perfectly sweet under the mistletoe. 

If you work in a more conservative office, this sleek sleeveless top from The Limited may be a good choice. It comes in a number of different colors,  depending on how bold you want to be. If your office has a stricter dress code, then wear it with a pencil skirt and a blazer. Otherwise, we think this would look really great with the paneled skirt from Zara, pictured above. Just top it off with a red cardigan, and you're all set!

And then for some the holiday party is a lavish cocktail party and time to let loose and cut a rug.  For an occasion like this you'll surely need a fancy and flirty little frock.  We love this LBD because it is fitted and and sexy without being inappropriate. Plus, let's face it, it isn't really Christmas unless there is velvet involved.



Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Holiday Style: Red and Green Are the New Black

 Celebrate the first full week of December by dressing yourself in the colors of the season -- red and green of course! These two colors can pretty much only be worn together during the month of December so be sure to get your fill of this combo before the Christmas season passes us by!  While we're not huge fans of dressing up for holidays (i.e. wearing red on Valentine's day), adding some select red or green pieces into your wardrobe is definitely the easiest way to incorporate a little holiday spirit and get you feeling festive. Plus we love coordinating outfits and cohesive themes so wearing one of these shades is a great way to compliment all the holiday decor!

Nothing quite says Christmas like a bright red, warm and cozy sweater dress.  This one, from Victoria's Secret, is modest enough for your family party but also looks very sexy with the thin black belt.  Pair this with some black leggings and cute flats and you'll be ready to deck the halls in no time!

Look picture perfect in front of the tree this Christmas in this beautiful red and green (ish) print dress from Urban Outfitters. This dress is reminiscent of the dress you wore with the velvet bow in your hair to your great Aunt Mildred's house on Christmas Eve... but in a good way! Add some loose curls, maybe a headband, and definitely some black tights, and you're on your way to looking like your very own Christmas card.

 You can be Santa's sexy little helper in these ruffled peep toe pumps.  Add them to any basic black dress to jazz up your outfit, and get ready to sashay onto the dance floor... or kitchen floor, same difference.

This green satin dress from J. Crew is definitely at the top of our winter wish list, and just may be our dream dress for the holiday season. The rich jewel hemline adds just the right amount of sparkle to this simple satin dress, making it bright and festive, without being over the top. While it's a bit pricier than the picks we tend to share on our blog (we are pretty modest girls, after all), we just loved it so much that we had to share.

Feeling the holiday spirit, but not the satin or frills? Then try on this checked embroidered skirt from Mod Cloth. While the skirt is decorated with horses, not reindeer, we think this skirt would be perfect for Christmas eve with a cute little cardigan and black tights. 

Brighten up your gray December morning with this warm, green, cowl neck sweater from Macy's.  The extra long sleeves and layered neckline is exactly what the doctor ordered this winter.  It would look great with a pair of straight leg black dress pants and a chunky bracelet or ring and don't forget the red lipstick to really pull the look together! Also, you can recycle this sweater for St. Patrick's Day, so everyone wins!

Dressing up in a red satin dress is not for everyone, but dressing up with a red satin clutch is totally doable. Add on some glamor this holiday season with this red, satin rosette clutch available at Macy's. Dress up a beaded black or silver dress, and you'll be set for any holiday party.

For a more subtle way to show your holiday spirit, try out this silk, jeweled bracelet from Anthropologie. It's simple, elegant, and our favorite shade of green!

Stand out from the crowd in this red satin halter top by Ann Taylor. For a casual look, wear it belted with black pants (shown above) or dress it up with a pencil skirt for a chic and polished look. It already has some shimmer, so opt for minimal jewelry, such as small stud earrings or a sparkly bracelet.

Or, looking for a more laid back, casual look?  Show your Christmas spirit while being extra cozy in these fun green leggings!  Paired with a simple cream top and flats or boots, these cheerful leggings can be a really great way to wear holiday colors and ensure you have plenty of room for all those Christmas cookies!



Remember to comment on today's post to be eligible to win a prize in the Paper Doll Romance 12 Days of Christmas!  We picked up some really great items this weekend that we're so excited to give away!  Winners will start being announced once a day starting December 12th.  Best of luck!



'tis the season to be jolly!



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Lovely in Lace

Lately we've been feeling a little dark and romantic, a common side effect of Edward Cullen overload, something that we are continuously suffering from.  If you want to look the part of the future Mrs. Cullen, then you have to don the fabric of his time... and it's not cotton.  Lace is elegant, mysterious, childish, sexy, and innocent all at the same time, it just depends on how you wear it.  Here are some ways that you can incorporate this glorious fabric into your wardrobe:

This is the dress that started it all. We both fell (separately) in love with the Lady Jane dress available at ModCloth.  It is sweet and understated, with a bit of a Gothic feel due to the lovely lace overlay.  So of course, Saira bought it, and we can confirm that it is just as beautiful in real life as on the website.  The lace is a bit on a rough side, but it helps keep the adorable bell shape of the skirt. Just don't all buy it at once, it'll be a little awkward to show up at the next wedding in the same dress -- unless you're a bridesmaid.

If you liked the Lady Jane dress, but black lace is a bit too much for you, then dry this lovely cream lace dress from Anthropologie. The textured fabric gives it a nice, rich look which is perfect for the cold weather. We can just picture you wearing your black tights, Mary Janes, and adorable winter coat on your way to Christmas caroling... or whatever.

Need a great tote bag to carry around all your school supplies, work papers, or just general every day items?  We love this lace embellished tote because it's casual, but the diagonal lace dresses it up, adding an element of modern, romantic style.

Looking for a casual but stylish shirt? Try this cropped lace top from  Hot Topic. It's on sale for $5...  need we say more?

We love lace leggings to wear with pretty much anything... except an oversized top, as pictured above, because tights are not pants.  Nonetheless, these lace stirrups from American Apparel are solid quality and has just the right ratio of lace to nylon. But if stirrups aren't your thing, then just grab a pair of lace hose from Target and call it a very sexy night!

 Of course, all lace everywhere can be a little much, so how about a little lace embroidery on an otherwise muted cardigan? Dress like Emma from Glee, and pair this cardigan with a cute little pencil skirt and matching accessories.

We love this wine color for the fall, and think it looks fab in lace form as well.  This dress from  Free People is a bit Gothic coffeehouse meets 12-year old ice princess, but in a good way! It comes in a few different colors and the flared skirt makes it extra feminine.

When we saw this dress, of course we thought Serena van der Woodsen!  Very sexy and fitted, this black lace dress from Top Shopis definitely something our favorite Upper East Sider would wear, and we think it's perfect for cold weather occassions.  Just remember to lay off the black eyeliner, or you'll be more Little J than S.

Lace pumps are very in right now, and can be very pricey! These pumps by Steve Madden are the perfect fit for the frugal fashionista.

A real lady wouldn't be complete without a lovely little clutch for special occasions.  Here is a lace bag, by Natalie Gerber, that we think is so girlish and gorgeous.  Plus, the colors are neutral, perfect for the bride in need of a stylish bag for her big day!

And, of course, we can't leave out the most glamorous of all lace apparel, the lace wedding dress!  Show off your figure in this ultra feminine, super romantic gown.  The delicate pattern, intricate beading, and sexy shape are the epitome of modern elegance with vintage charm.



XOXO

Jen & Saira