The Sequin Mini

I'm super excited to tell you guys all about my latest look!  I know I featured it today on SS, but I actually wore this ensemble out to dinner last night with my fam.  You may think I look cold, but the weather's been ridiculously amazing!  We went out to one of my fave restaurants in Pittsburgh so I dressed up a bit for the occasion.  I centered my look around my new sequin mini - I got it for $15 at H&M (!!!).  Since I got this baby on sale, I don't have a link for you guys!  I've attached a bunch of other fab options for you though!

Since my skirt's short and tight, I paired it with a loose top for balance.  I didn't show any skin on top because I wanted to keep things classy. As a rule, I typically highlight one body part - in this particular case, I'm showing a lot of leg.  This tip's foolproof in my opinion. Personally, I think some things should be left to the imagination - I don't understand why people choose to walk around half-naked, but maybe I'm just old fashioned! No judgement though - it's just not my cup of tea.  

...and I totally just got off topic!  To finish off my look, I threw on my Sosie vest.  Lucky for you guys, this adorable piece is on sale here for $50 - it was originally $84 so it's quite the steal.  On top of that, you can get an extra 30% off with code UNWRAP30, which takes your total down to $40. If you're a fan of vests, I guarantee you'll love this!  It's made of 100% feather so it's super soft!  Run, don't walk.

I'm absolutely loving this top courtesy of Lady R - a special thanks to Blogger Babes for connecting us.  The embroidery is beautiful, and the piece is super versatile.  You can wear it to work and ooze classic sophistication or style it for a lovely dinner like I did. FYI, it fits true to size - I ordered a size small, but that was a mistake, ha - and is hand-wash/dryclean only.  For those of you interested in this blouse, it's available here for $78.  Also, I'm totally thinking about getting this top, too!  What do you guys think - yah or nah?  

Let's take a look at my new Ferragamo bag!  Le sigh.  It's definitely my current fave crossbody (I've linked other bags I'm lusting for below so take a peek).  I seriously can't stop looking at it because it's so pretty.  Truthfully, I've never been a huge fan the brand, but... things change, ha! This was definitely a big splurge on my part, but I wanted to treat myself because I had a really stressful year. Things have been quite difficult for me, both emotionally and mentally - I'm pretty ambitious so I often bite off more than I can chew. The new year's going to be crazy busy, but luckily, I have some time to recharge before all the madness re-starts.

The Fringe Sweater

I'm super excited to share today's work-friendly look with you guys because it's a personal fave!  I centered my outfit around my new fringe sweater from Off 5th.  I've never heard of this brand (Zero Degrees Celsius) before, but I'm officially a fan.  As you can see below, I own the top in camel! Unfortunately, that color's sold out, but it's still available in black.  Clicky here to purchase one yourself, and run, don't walk, because it's on sale for $39.99!  

Anywho, I paired my top with black dress pants to keep things professional while upping the style factor with an animal print coat, bold ankle strap heels, and a killer bag.  FYI, I bought this coat last year at H&M for $15 (!!!!)  You have no idea how excited I was, ha!  I live for bargain buys like this. Trust me, it's important to sift through clearance/sale racks.  I promise, your patience WILL pay off! 

Bag:  Badgley Mishka || Pants:  Madewell || Sweater:  Zero Degrees Celsius || Coat:  H&M || Shoes:  Rachel Zoe

How-to slay at holiday parties this season

I'm super excited to partner up with Hanes today on SS for a fun post on holiday survival.  I'll be sharing my 5 must-haves with y'all.  I promise you'll slay at any and every fancy function with the following...

1.  A sexy dress - show off your stems and sport a fabulous mini this season.  I'm wearing a gorg fringe dress from ASOS today on SS.  I copped it a few weeks ago online while it was on sale for $44.  Y'all know how I feel about bargain buys!  Stores like Charlotte Russe, H&M, and Macy's carry trendy designs for affordable prices.

2.  Hanes tights - Since it's cold as f***, it's important to bundle up!  If you sport a mini, you're def. gonna want to throw on tights.  I can't recommend Hanes enough!  They offer much more than extra warmth. I'm wearing a sheer version below, but Hanes sells opaque styles as well. Pair them with the right shoes, and you'll legs will look hella long, which transitions beautifully into...

3.  Black pumps - Honestly, black heels + black tights kill because they elongate your legs like whoa. I mean, who doesn't like a fabulous visual illusion? As a plus, black heels pretty much go with everything.  You can wear them to work or wear 'em out for a fab night out on the town.

4.  Statement Jewelry - it's no secret that jewelry can make or break an outfit!  I've always been a huge fan of statement jewelry, but dainty pieces can also do the trick.  For today's LOTD, I accessorized with a beautiful necklace, and it honestly makes all the difference in the world.  In case you were wondering, this stunning piece is from Lorraine Tyne.  If you're looking for affordable baubles, check out InPink, Charlotte Russe, and Baublebar.

5.  A killer clutch - last but not least, to complete your sexy holiday look, you'll need a BAMF clutch. The one I'm carrying below is actually from Charlotte Russe.  Their bags are really cute, and they're surprisingly durable.  FYI, mine's made of faux leather.  I'm also a huge fan of box clutches though!

A huge thank you to Hanes for kindly sponsoring this post.  All opinions are 100% honest and completely my own.