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…and a happy NEW YEAR!
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and I’m sure many of you are shopping for a bold, statement top or dress to ring in the new year. If your discretionary budget is a bit lower after shopping for holiday gifts and presents – never fear. I’ve scoured my favorite online shops and stores to find some gorgeous, glittery pieces, all well under $200 (and most are closer to $50!).
Pair any of these with a pair of black skinny pants (or dark straight leg jeans), sky-high heels, a killer clutch, and your best “wow-me” jewelry for a night on the town or soiree. For chilly temperatures, don a simple, black tailored blazer, or a faux fur coat for that extra bit of polish and panache. I’m a jeans and dressy top girl myself, so no cocktail dress this year for me!
A) Sabine Sequin Zigzag Top, $60
B) Ark and Co. Sequin Sheer Top, $59
C) Topshop Sequin Front Tank, $64
D) French Connection Silver Simmons Top, $158
E) Madison Marcus Spectacle Sequin Tunic, $107
F) Rachel Zoe Sequin Dolman Top, $99
Whatever the dress code might be for you January 31st, why not watch the ball drop in style? Cheers to the new year, to good friends and family, to happiness, and of course, to staying chic!
Annie
Happy holidays to all from A Chic Critique! Signing off until I see you in 2012. Stay tuned!
Berry Christmas
One of the winter lipstick shades I’m currently having a love affair with is Mary Kay’s “Berry Kiss.” A friend gave this to me after receiving it as a sample and I couldn’t be more obsessed. A rich berry, I’ve found it’s the perfect holiday choice for my western European coloring (blonde hair, fair skin, and green eyes). Typically, I remain fairly loyal to my standards: glossy bubblegum, raspberry, and strawberry pinks (this color family suits my skin well). However, the yuletide spirit and wintery chill always warms me up to the idea of sporting a deeper red for festive occasions, especially during the holidays.
Amanda Seyfried sporting berry-stained lips. (via here)
And here, Mary Kay’s “Berry Kiss:”
Model wearing “Berry Kiss” by Mary Kay. Another added bonus, in additional to a beautiful pout? This color brightens and whitens your smile! This is my go-to shade for holiday festivities and gatherings. ($13) Images via here
What are your favorite lipstick shades for winter? If you’re looking to make a departure from your norm and spice things up a little, let me make another suggestion: the ever-chic berry (which happens to be red’s sister).
Here are some of my picks:
Lancolm L’Absolu Rouge in Berry Noir, $29 (creamy and rich)
Chantecaille Damask Lip Chic, $32 (balmy, sheer, effortless). Burgundies also look great on darker complexions.
Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Tint in Moody, $24 (a gel tint)
Berry emanates warmth, adding just a touch of glamour for the holidays: why not give it a try this season instead of your classic red standard?
Ashley Olsen rockin’ a sumptuous berry pout. (image via here)
Stay chic,
Annie
Shake your Glitter
One of my favorite parts about the advent of the holiday season (in addition to copious amounts of Nat King Cole “Christmas” music, eggnog, present wrapping, and reruns of “Elf,”) is the release of festive nail polish collections. What other time of the year can you get away with wearing virtual disco balls on your fingertips? Since these colors aren’t always “office-appropriate,” (hey, unless you work at a graphic design office or for a fashion magazine), why not don one for a New Year’s soiree, or perhaps that holiday ball or Dirty Santa cocktail party you’re going to in a few days?
Deborah Lippmann’s holiday collection is bright, girly, and bold; I love how she uses teal and magenta instead of traditional red and green.
Deborah Lippmann “Dance Music” Holiday Mini Trio, $29
If you prefer to exercise a little more restraint with your polish choices, stick with a classic, simple gold or deep red. I love this “Butter by London” collection because the shimmer is subtle and minimal – understated, yet sophisticated.
Butter London Holiday Glitter Trio, $36
Since I’m a pink girl at heart, I’m drooling over Essie’s “A Cut Above” (middle, clear pink). It can be layered over a pale, opaque pink, or worn alone as a transparent glitter finish, whichever you prefer.
Essie Luxe Effects Collection, Holiday 2011
Spruce up your nails and get in the holiday spirit – and bring on the glitter parade!
Stay chic,
Annie
ACC Holiday Gift Guide: For Her
Here are some holiday gift options for HER I have my eye on this season:
For lounging in style,
treat her to some beautiful, feminine “loungerie.” Silk Kimono Robe from Plum Pretty Sugar, $124
For your mother or mother-in-law,
Monogrammed Lucite Platter from Etsy (colors / patterns + text are all completely customizable!), about $130. Chic, practical, and a crowd-pleaser.
For your girlfriend or fashion-obsessed friend:
I’ve been obsessed with Inslee Hayne’s fashion-inspired, pretty watercolor prints and stationary for years. Understated, artistic, and sophisticated, all of her work is visually-appealing and cool. Inslee Haynes 2012 Calendar, $30
“The brand new 2012 Calendar is here! Twelve new illustrations that capture the style and spirit of each month of the year. Each month is on a free-standing 8×10″ page of 100 lb bright white cover stock. Frame it, put it on an easel, display it beneath a glass desk cover, poke a hole at the top and loop a colorful ribbon through it for easy hanging – the possibilities are endless. This is a unique piece of functional art that will keep your office or home bright with ever-changing art all year long.” – inslee.net
For your own little top chef,
This classic registry piece is a favorite among foodies and kitchen geniuses. The color options (butter yellow, sage green, purple, royal blue, fire engine red, the list goes on) give it a retro vibe. Those that have them swear by them. KitchenAid Mixer, about$250-500 (depending on size & wattage)
Stocking Stuffer
I’m a huge fan of Bobbi’s pigmented eye shadows, and at $45, this is a great value – for your sister, aunt, or co-worker (or anyone, for that matter!)
Other ideas:
- A year-long subscription to her favorite leisure/home/cooking/style magazine (Home & Garden, In Style, Cooking Light, etc.)
- A facial, peel, or massage at a local high-end spa.
- A print, painting, or photograph by a local artist, matted and/or framed.
- An annual membership to the local art museum or botanical garden.
- Membership to a travel club – or better yet – a special getaway or vacation you’ve planned.
- And last, but not least, a wardrobe edit or personal shopping trip with A Chic Critique!
My own merry little Christmas List:
Calvin Klein Belted Puffer Coat in Titanium (This lightweight quilted coat doesn’t have the dreaded marshmallow/Michelin Man effect, plus, it’s belted for an hourglass silhouette – the perfect winter coat. Love!)
Michael Kors Garret Chronograph & Crystal Watch The silver and gold married together make this an ideal, versatile choice (added bonus: it’s large and in-charge).
J. Crew Invitation Clutch in Leopard. Need. this. clutch.
What’s on your holiday wish-list?
Stay chic,
Annie
Holiday Special!
Happy Holidays from A Chic Critique!
Check out this festive special I’m offering – exclusively for January. When you book 3 + hours for a wardrobe consult, closet clean-out, or personal shopping, you’ll receive 20% off your entire purchase! This would make the perfect holiday gift for the ladies in your life, be it your mother, sister, aunt, daughter, girlfriend or wife. What better way to usher in the New Year than with a new YOU? Exclusive offer for January!
Revamp your style for 2012 – book your January appointment now!
Stay chic this season,
Annie
A Chic Critique Christmas: For Him
With Christmas just weeks away, most of you are probably on the look-out for the men you hold dear in your life. Holiday gift shopping doesn’t have to be so daunting – check out some of these gift ideas for all the guys you love this season.
For the “Do-Gooder” guy in your life, check out Nisolo.
This hip, yet philanthropic, shoe company was started by a friend of my brother’s in Oxford, MS; read more about it here:
Nisolo: “Beginning with handmade leather shoes in Trujillo, Peru, our vision is to provide impoverished entrepreneurs in communities around the world with access to new markets. Our goal is to partner with consumers to create long-term, sustainable growth by supporting job creation and access to quality education through the sale of our fashionable products.” 10% of Nisolo’s profits go to job creation!
Nisolo “Emilio” Chukka Boot, $144 (Your man will love this versatile, ‘desert-style’ boot, but he’ll be supporting a great cause while sporting them.)
For the Grillmeister Guy’s Guy:
Meat. Meat. Meat. Need I say more? This tantalizing, mouth-watering smoker will have most guys squirming in their pants (his football buddies will love you for it).
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22.5 inch Smoker, $328
For your health-nut and sporty guy:
Take a hike, run in the woods, or explore the Appalachian Trail with one of these puppies. He’ll know where he is, and more importantly, can track his heart rate, distance covered, etc. when exercising.
Garmin Forerunner 410 GPS-enabled sports watch with Heart rate Monitor, about $300
For the coffee-drinking, newspaper-reading guy:
The perfect comfortable accessory to his morning brew and daily news. This makes me nostalgic for those wintery mornings I’d crawl up in my Dad’s lap while he ate toast, peeking out from under his old tortoise-shell glasses while reading the newspaper, wearing his tartan-plaid robe.
Pendleton Men’s Lounge Robe, $198
For the man who loves his drink (and not in a bad way):
If he’s into the distillery or brewing your own beer-thing, this set will get his gears moving. And away from his X-box.
Age your Own Whiskey Kit, $150-570
For the old pro golfer:
Now he can carry around his clubs in style. Personalized Golf Club Links, Starting at $59.95
What will he get in his stocking this year? Hopefully he’s been nice, and not too naughty. Stay tuned for A Chic Critique’s gift guide for her!
Stay chic,