Leg Warmers Make a Comeback

Leg warmers are back, people.  When I first saw them popping up I turned my nose, having flashbacks to the eighties and the jazzercise craze.

But I've since embraced the legwarmer and gone out to buy a few pairs.  I think they are very stylish peeping out of tall boots or worn over pumps or short booties.  Check out some of my fav's:



This casual pair by Marc Jacobs will keep you warm while looking stylish.

Why in the world do all the pictures at American Apparel look like they were taken by pedophiles?  I feel dirty just browsing their website.  Well, I hate the picture but love these because they are over the knee.  And for $16 you can't beat the price.

I love these Lurex ribbed leg warmers.  I would pair them with a normal length mini, and not a micro that wanna be stars would wear when the "forget" to wear panties and flash the cameras.

This pair by Sock Dreams are so funky and cute.  I love it with the little ballet flats.

The main thing to remember when putting on leg warmers is not to do anything with them that is too dance like.  No baggy sweatshirts or hair buns.  You don't want to be mistaken for someone walking out of ballet class.  Just work them into your regular wardrobe and you'll look fabulous!

Six Shopping Days Left Til Christmas

I'm one of "those" people.

Yes, readers, I always finish my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving.

I can't help it.  I don't like the frenzy of the malls, fighting for parking spots and searching for something special in department stores that have already been picked over.  So when summer starts to wane, Stefanie starts to shop.  But I do appreciate a good deal and I'm always online scooping out finds for me or gifts for next year.

I have a multitude of friends who savor waiting until Christmas Eve to shop.  They tell me it's an adrenaline rush, or some crazy egg nog induced haze that comes over them  as they go fight for that last cashmere scarf.  So to all you Christmas Eve Warriors, I bring you some last minute ideas for your significant other or friends and family.

These Ugg slippers look so warm and cozy.  The perfect footwear for lounging around the house on these cold nights.

And speaking of lounging, this Victoria's Secret thermal sleepshirt is both warm and sexy.  I am buying this right now.

Got a high maintenance friend (or mother-in-law)?  These stackable rings are sure to please the pickiest of women.

Stumped on what to get the man in your life?  Make sure he's always on time for your date with a sleek GUESS Steel watch.  On top of being very stylish, it's also waterproof in case he drops in in the sink while doing your dishes.  Hey, we can all dream right?

For the people in your life that love to read, how about an e-reader?  The Barnes and Noble Nook starts at $149.

Happy Shopping!

All That Sparkles

Invites for holiday parties are starting to come in and many of us are now staring into our closets wondering what we are going to wear.  The answer: Sequins! 
Normally when I think sequins it brings to mind images of Vegas show girls or Drag Queens.  Both fabulous in their own right but perhaps not quite the look an average woman is trying to achieve.  But sequins have been showing up all over the place lately and even "regular" stores are carrying something sequined in their line.  Check out this pic of Michelle Williams in Azzaro:

So cute!  It immediately made me think that I would wear that to a holiday party.  I jumped online to find some sequins of my very own.  Here are my fav's:

This cute mini from Victoria's Secret is smoking hot.  I'd wear a fitted sweater and tall boots to balance it out.

Office party after work?  No worries!  This Anne Klein skirt is perfect to transition from day to night.  Wear a blazer over it to the office.  After hours, take the jacket off to reveal your cute camisole.

I really don't know who The Limited pays to do their pictures of the website, but they should pony up some more money for a real photographer.  This tank is super cute in person, I swear.  This would go well from day to night as well.  Pair it with some skinny black pants, cardigan and sky high pumps.

Separates too much to handle?  How about a sexy dress.  This one by Victoria's Secret will definitely get you some well deserved attention.

And for those of us who don't have super skinny fashion model bodies...

This Rebecca Taylor dress is cute and flirty.  The floaty skirt will allow you to have any extra glass of egg nog and not have to worry about any unsightly bulges!

Party on Charm City!  Just make sure you look in the mirror before you leave the house.  (Front and back - always check for VPL)

Lace up booties

I'm obsessed with the new lace up bootie trend.  I was recently in DC and saw them EVERYWHERE.  And you know if the city is doing it, the burbs are soon to follow.  So cute with skinny jeans rolled up a little bit to show them off.  Here are some of my favorites.

These boots from Rocket Dog look so warm and cozy.  Important in Maryland since it is freezing right now!  Plus the wedge heel makes them easy to walk all over town in.

Looking for something a little more stylish?  This pair by Coach totally fits the bill. 

This pair by N.Y.L.A. really speaks to me.  It's part Ms. Havisham and part dominatrix.  I would rock these with black tights and a mini.

The sexiest hosiery EVER

I'm not big on pantie hose.  I have a few cheap pairs I pick up at local drug stores now and again.  Hose is normally thin, oddly colored, scratchy and runs easy.  I rarely wear it, preferring to go bare legged when possible.  In the winter I wear thicker tights, usually in black or gray.  Not very original but it looks nice and keeps me warm.  But I recently stumbled across the Wolford website and they have some of the sexiest leggings and tights I have ever seen.  I might be a convert!  Take a look:

These Aston Tights are so sexy and chic, I am ordering a pair ASAP.

I am dying for these Leo Leggings.  I would wear them at least once a week.

I truly believe these thigh highs have super powers that make your legs thinner and smoother.  If all women wore them we might have a good start on spreading world peace.  

Cyber Monday

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and for those of you brave enough to go out on Black Friday I hope you scored some big deals!  Tomorrow marks another big shopping day, Cyber Monday, when everyone goes to work and uses their high speed Internet to shop online.  I don't know how true this is anymore with many people having high speed Internet at home, but anyhow the deals are out there.

If your looking for a one stop place to check out the deals, try cybermonday.com.  This site boasts that it is the official Cyber Monday website. It highlights the best deals from over 700 online retailers.  Some notable deals if you are shopping for loved ones (or yourself):

1. $40.00 off at Express
2. 25% off clearance at Nike
3. 50% off everything at New York and Co.

Plus most stores are offering free shipping deals.  Shopping online is the perfect solution to fighting for parking spots, standing in long lines, and trying to find that perfect gift in stores that have already been picked clean.

Happy Shopping!

Black Friday

Has anyone noticed that there seems to be some kind of competition going on between the retail stores about who can open the earliest on Black Friday?  It's getting a little out of hand.  I thought 6am was early but Kohl's is opening at 3am, some others at midnight.  I heard Walmart was actually going to be open on Thanksgiving day!

I think Tysons Corner in Northern VA takes the cake for over the top ideas:

The mall is opening at midnight, and of course they have the requisite free give aways for the first 200 people, but on top of all that they are having a LIVE DJ at the mall from midnight to 5am.  Really, people?

I might actually go if I didn't have to work, just to see the spectacle first hand.

Lands End...trendy?

I get a lot of catalogs in the mail.  A lot.  And with the holidays upon us the volume seems to have doubled.  So I was flipping through the stack yesterday when one caught my eye.  The first two words were "Lands End" and I was ready to toss it into the recycling bin as I am not over 65 nor do I live in Maine.  But wait, the outfit on the front was really...cute.  Was this some kind of joke?

Turns out, Lands End has a second line, called Lands End Canvas.  And it's really updated from the original granny line they normally carry.  I guess the best way to call it is updated preppy.  I happily flipped though the catalog and then scoped out the website (The catalog is much better styled).

I love this entire outfit, especially the double belt.

And I'm kind of crushing on these Duck Boots which are really in style this season and on sale at Lands End Canvas for only $52.13.  You'd pay almost three times that much for the similar style at LL Bean.

So, the verdict on Lands End Canvas?  Cute, stylish wardrobe staples at reasonable prices.  Might be worth checking out. 

Day Trip! I want to live in St. Michaels, Maryland

One of the best things about living in Baltimore is the variety of choices you have - and I'm not just talking about the great restaurants, nightlife and shopping in the city.  We are less than an hour from DC, just a couple hours from Philly and New York, and within three hours you can be at the beach or the beautiful mountains. 

My Other and I recently took a day trip to beautiful St. Michaels on the eastern shore.  This quaint little town is the kind of place you read about in books.  The houses are charming, the streets clean, and the shop keepers are friendly. 

A church in the middle of town

There are plenty of places to eat at, some right on the water so you can enjoy the coastal view as you dine on crab cakes.  We ate lunch that day at the Key Lime cafe which is perfectly situated on the main street running through St. Michaels, which makes it a great spot to rest up between shopping.  The food was fresh and delicious!

St. Michaels is also home to St. Michaels winery, so after lunch, shopping and site seeing we hit the winery to do a tasting of one of their "flights"

The tasting are pretty cheap and you can also buy wine by the glass and enjoy it out on their little deck.  Make sure you ask for a complementary cheese plate when you go!  We also picked up a couple of bottles of their Chocolate Zin for Holiday gifts, so yummy!  They even wrap them up for free!

For those of you not into wine there is also the Eastern Short Brewing Company right around the corner.  On our way back home to Baltimore we stopped by the Queenstown Outlets.  I mean, it's right there, it would have been a shame not to have stopped, right?

The one good thing about shopping with a man is that I have someone to hold all my packages.  And if you keep them fed, they can't open their mouth to complain.  All in all, a great trip!

Coats we are crushing on this winter

The one good thing about the cooler weather is the wardrobe change.  I was reading an article in Harper's Bazaar about the best coats of the season and thought it was a perfect opportunity to shop the looks and get some ideas.  Here are the seven coat types that are "in" right now:

1. Classic Double Breasted

This Rag & Bone coat has a funky military edge to it.

2. Chic Camel

Opening Ceremony gives the classic camel coat an updated edge.  I love this girl's entire outfit!

3. Gray

I was not at all inspired by gray until I saw this sweet ruffled coat at Express. 



4. Winter White

Winter white is so classic.  This coat by Preston & York is no exception.

5. Toggle Ties

I am seriously crushing on this coat by Mackage.  If only I could win the lottery I would totally buy it.

6. Prints

I saw this coat by Knitted Dove and had a Mondo flashback from Project Runway.  Mondo, you were robbed!
7. Fur Finishes

Fur isn't really my thing.  But faux fur I can totally get behind.  This coat by Kai-Aakmann totally fits the bill with that fabulous fur collar.