Buy What Gifts, Those Gift!?

I was listening to the radio the other night, and two pop culture ladies I listen to frequently (who go by the names Lori & Julia), were talking gift giving.  Not just any gift giving, but giving gifts off of gift guides many popular magazines and other publications produce.  Their comments spoke to me!!!  Who are these magazines writing to!!!  Here are some things I was told would be great gifts for him & her...

Gold-Plated and Gun-Metal Bracelet 

for $790

Mineral Wax-Blend Mini Scented Candles

for $130

Steel Watch with Alligator Strap

for $5,350

Acrylic, Glass, and Stainless-Steel Pocket Knife

for $200

I know some of these examples are extreme, but they were pulled from a magazine I get delivered to my door, and one that many of you also read.  This isn't the first year I have read through a gift guide and thought to my self, "ya right!"  And not even from magazines, but from popular blogs and writers I follow in the style and fashion industry (right here in Minneapolis!)  I know luxury is all the rage and people love to read about and look at pictures from opulent and picture perfect lifestyles, but I'm over it!  I cannot try to live like, look like, and gift like a lifestyle that is out of my reach and beyond my means.  I shop at Old Navy, thrift stores and only the clearance section at J.Crew.  So here's my gift guide for the coupon cutting and budget living gal!

I call this list 'things I love for people I love'.  These are places I go and things I buy on a regular basis that I think are the best, so I want to share them!

For Her:

A package of care!

Penn Nails & Spa

Essie To Dry For Top Coat

C.O. Bigelow Lip Gloss

Aveda Hand Relief Cream

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Bars 3 Pack

For Him:

A package of relief!

Steel Toe Brewing

Harry's Shaving the One-Two Set

The League Season 1

Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds

Some quick notes.  In each of the packages there is at least one product from a  small local business here in Minneapolis.  In each package there is something unique the gift receiver may not have been introduced to before (ie: Harry's & Essie).

Happy Holidays, from one person living in the real world to another!

Now I have to get back to binge watching House of Cards.  Seriously, have you gotten into this yet!?

Oh! And PS - 

Net month kicks off the 2014 Style Right Workshop season, link up {here} for the schedule.

Holiday Attire Tips

This week I have been chatting alot about holiday wear.  And by chatting I mean tweeting, facebooking, and blogging.  Lots of clients are heading out to parties for work, play, and fun.  And lots of clients are having a hard time deciding what to wear!  Living in this northern tundra adds some difficulty, trying to style your self for a fancy event when the wind chill is -20 degrees stinks!  Another challenge is creating a look that feels festive with out being, well... a joke.

So my job is to keep you from looking like that punch line!

1.
Do - Dress in trend; lace, velvet, brocade, etc..
Don't - Dress in all the trends at once; looking like you walked off the set of Game of Thrones.

2.
Do - Go head to toe with color; mix it up with different shades.
Don't - Dress like a crayola crayon; trying to match everything exact from apparel to shoes to accessories.

3.
Do - Wear separates; mixing and matching skirt, pants, tops, and jackets.
Don't - Look like a politician in a pant suit, channeling your inner Hilary.

4.
Do - Look festive; metallics, green, red, etc...
Don't - Look like you are part of the decorations!

All looks were styled on the Fashion Fix Polyvore board!

Holiday Attire Tricks

Holiday parties and get togethers don’t have to be a style stress.  With all of the shopping, cooking, planning, wrapping, hosting, decorating, etc…  Who needs another thing to worry about, not me?!  But you want to look glamorous and not gaudy when you are celebrating with friends and family.  So here are some quick tricks to keep it simple when getting dressed for any holiday celebration.

Shop you closet - you’d be surprised what seasonal pieces can look festive.

You can pair a dark pair of printed pants with a great metallic top.

A red sweater is great worn with a gold skirt or dress.

 Pair a cream or white dress or skirt with black opaque tights and platform heel.

Go for black - it’s easy to dress up with sparkly jewelry for party.

 Accessorize a LBD with a fantastic statement necklace.

 Pair a silk black tunic with a pair of skinny black pants and then layer with a long pearls and sparkly earrings.

 Take a black skirt and fun blouse, then finish it off with a metallic belt and a statement necklace.

Dresses - it’s one piece that needs no matching, just get great shoes!

                                                       Go for a traditional color but in an interesting style.

                            Think outside the box and wear a jewel tone.  It can be a festive yet classy look.

 Sparkle and shine are always in style for any holiday look.  Little accessorizing is need for a look like this!

Denim is okay - just go DARK DARK DARK.

Style a pair of straight jeans with a blouse and a structured blazer.  Add a heel and you are party ready.

A traditional trouser jean is classy and feminine.  Pair it with a jewel tone silk blouse and platform heels for a great evening outfit.

Skinny denim is best with a flowy tunic top that fits long.  This outfit can be worn with a classic pair of flats or loafers if you have a long party night ahead!

I want to know what your go to holiday look is, any suggestions for the readers?

Style Found: Holiday Parties!!!

I don't participate in Throwback Thursday all the time, but every now and then I find some good photos from days gone by that I like to share.  Today's pulls are relevant and they were actually chosen by you, the reader!  I have been doing a lot of speaking and home parties lately, and with the holiday season upon us I am showered with questions about party attire.  Ladies want to know what glitz, glamor, and sparkle they should or should not be wearing.  So I know this is a relevant topic with women searching the web for the answers.  How do I know the web is being searched...?  The number one post being read on the blog this month is one from last Christmas giving outfit ideas for the season.  (It has nearly double the about of reads than the runner up!)

 But you can't just have one style inspiration, so here are the other two post from that series ;)

Holiday Sparkle 12/17/12; link {here}

Holiday Glitz 12/19/12; link {here}

Holiday Glamor 12/22/12; link {here}

See you Saturday at the Maplewood Women's Expo!  Stop by the Fashion Fix vendor booth for discounts and a gift with purchase.

Style Found; Boots

I am pretty jazzed about this post!  I have countless clients who have hard to find items on their shopping list.  Most of the items become difficult to shop for because it's a fit issue, or style issue.  This time of the year the top trouble maker is the tall boot.  Two problems my clients have are: extended calf size and appropriate style for tweens.

Now the solution to these issues must be credited to the right people.  The first being my sister, she has found great boots for the extended calf size.  Both of these options are affordable and have great style.  They can be outfitted with dresses, denim, leggings, and skirts.  Also they provide comfort in their fit.  Elastic backs help to keep the shaft of the boot from cutting into the leg, and the wider shaft on the second option allows room to wear them over jeans!

Kimberely Riding Boots at Target

Buy {here}

Zane Riding Boot at Payless

Buy {here}

The second problem solver is one my first clients, Andrea.  This past weekend I ran into the two of them, and I was stopped in my tracks when I saw Ella's fantastic boots!  She is living on the edge of not being a kid any more, yet not quite a teenager.  Finding clothing and shoes that fit her style and that are age appropriate can be difficult.  This find in the shoe department was perfect.  No bedazzled details that you would typically get on a youth boot, and no sassy style that you might a 16 year old wearing.  She can live on that edge comfortably in these!

Lands End Kids Boots

Buy similar {here}

As a reminder keep in touch with Fashion Fix via Twitter to see all of the shopping finds, and link up to the Facebook page so you can be involved with all the up coming events and classes!