I have been dying to see the newest film adaptation of the classic novel “The Great Gatsby” for sometime.  Add in Leonardo Dicaprio in an amazingly tailored suit, art deco and 1920s glamour and you’ve got me really excited. I re read the book a few weeks ago because it had been quite some time (like 9th grade) since I originally read the book.

The film did not disappoint, it was a great representation of the major themes of the novel, Dicaprio was great as always, the soundtrack is fabulous and a nice modern contrast to the beautiful 1920s imagery created by Baz Lurhmann.  Since I liked it so much I figured I would put together a few key 1920s peices to think about adding to your day to day look while people have Gatsby fever.

Soft Waves & a Red Lip – These old Hollywood waves are so easy to pull off and instantly glam up any look.  I use a clipless curling iron for this look and its all about separating the curls and brushing them out (sounds crazy I know).  This tutorial is pretty good if you need help.  Red lips are one of this day to night transformations that is amazingly quick, easy and cheap.  Anyone can wear red lips (even a red head ) but it has to be the RIGHT red for your skin tone. Check out this guide for finding  your perfect red hue.

Art Deco Details – These beautiful structural details in jewelry, clothing etc are extremely interesting and make very simple pieces special.

Hair Accessories – great way to jazz up your soft waves, a glitzy headband or hair accessory tucked away into a soft chignon will have you ready to do the Charleston in no time.

Do you have Gatsby fever? What’s your favorite way to bring 20s style into your day to day look?

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Today I paired this tan and black horizontal striped skirt with an over sized light denim pull over.  I belted the top with a cognac colored belt to bring the waist in a little and finished off with a casual black wedge and gold jewelry, so easy.  The best part about this outfit is that I feel cute and pulled together but so comfy that I could be wearing pajamas!

What do you think of this look? How do you wear your denim?

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This year I am obsessed with all things outdoor, grilling, active wear and more.

Gray Chevron Chair - What’s not to love about this little simple chair.  The white and gray chevron print would work so well in so many places in my house and the shape and armless structure makes it a  peice that fits without taking up too much space.  I would put this in my new living room as an accompanyment to my vintage sewing table….maybe it would make be get back to sewing :/

Grilling Accessories - I recently bought a gas grill for myself and I am in LOVE.  It so simple, quick, super healthy and my kitchen stays cool and clean.  These cute tongs, skewers and grill pan are a great addition to my new manly hobby.

Outdoor Umbrella and Chair Cushions - With spring in the air, my outdoor furniture set is not looking so springy.  The addition of some color through a new fun striped umbrella and chair cushions would totally rejuvenate my patio furniture and with a print like that who wouldn’t want to sit outside to enjoy some great grilled food and a cocktail.

Mirror Strips – This super modern strips of mirror are so unexpected and different.  I would love these in my office mixed in with my other frames giving just a little bit of personal style to my work space.

Funky Photo Frame – I love photos and this photo mobile would be a great addition to my office to help display photos of all of my favorite people. 

Lodis Business Card Holder - I got one of these as a gift and I LOVE it but I recently broke it from stuffing too much stuff into it The quality of this business card holder is amazing and the unique look and color combo is girlie and fun while being professional.

Active Wear – I have been working my ass off at barre class and it doesn’t hurt to look cute while you work out.  I love these little blousy work out tops, so comfy and flattering!

Barre Classes – Like I said, I have been rocking it at barre and I can always use more classes or additions to my membership, healthiness is the greatest gift right?

Do you have any specific things you like to wish for on your birthday?

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Lush Ambrosia - If you haven’t tried any of Lush’s products you are truly missing out.  All natural cosmetics and skin care items for men and women…what’s not to love.  Ambrosia is a shave lotion for super sensitive skin (which I have) that smells super clean and neutral and works wonders on keeping stubble soft and smooth.

Rhianna’s Unapologetic – I love Rhianna, she is super talented, smokin hot and her songs are eclectic yet catchy.  This entire albulm is amazing with duets with Eminem and Chris Brown (ugh) Its one of those albums that you can listen to the entire thing and cry, get pissed off and have a glitter throwing dance party all within an hour or so…

T Strap Flats from Forever 21 - One word…obsessed.  I love anything girly with a vintage feel and these little T strap closed toe flats are amazing.  Sweet blush tone with a big beautiful bow.  Can’t want to wear them with shorts, dresses or a little lace skirt in the spring.

Gold Chain Headband – I often have a hard time pulling off hair accessories without looking like I am trying to hard to look like pre teen.  This little chain headband is super chic and would look super sophisticated with hair down in loose waves or as a part of a super structured pony.

Cranberry Orange Muffins – Kind of random, yes but I love them.  So tart and not overly sweet.  I don’t eat them often b/c most muffins are gigantic and pack in more calories than a bacon and egg breakfast but when I do I always search for these mouth puckering confections.

Urban Outfitters Lace Cheeky - Gotta love a sexy panty that is also practical and comfortable. Not only are these little cheekies fairly seamless but they ride in exactly the correct spot and are super comfortable underneath anything, jeans, dresses, PJs; you name it. I love them in jewel tones like this oxblood pair or dark navy.

Black Leather Bow Gloves – What girly girl doesn’t love a bow.  Leather gloves are often pretty boring but these sweet little black gloves are super special with a simple keyhole and bow at the wrist.  Such a great detail to make this classic winter accessory sweet and unique.

Girls on HBO – While doing chores the other day I put on the first season of Girls and I have to say that I am in love.  It is the most honest writing I have ever seen.  It made me laugh, get angry and literally cringe about that time in my life.

What are your faves right now?

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With that being said I wanted to share with you guys some of my favorite things that I received for Christmas.  Giving a gift that is truly meant for someone is a real art.  It means that the person who gave it to you really listens, knows you and loves you and I wanted to share some of my favorites and the people who got them for me.

Marc Jacobs Classic Bangle from Aunt Tonya – There are few people in the world that know me better than her.  The perfect shopping partner, she knows my love for all things neutral and gold and add a little Marc into the mix and you’ve got a winner.  Bangles are a staple in my daily jewelry look mixed with other bracelets and a watch and this little dainty bangle is a great addition to my stack.

Barre Classes from Casey CoWorker – My sweet coworker asked around and got me an amazing set of classes from my favorite barre studio, Xtend Barre! Such a great gift to keep my fit and fabulous in the new year!

Pink “The Truth about Love” CD from my sister Jade – I love a good girlie CD and Pink combines bad ass with sweet and girlie and man can that bitch sing! Its a great CD for the car at the office and for morning dance parties with the kiddies

Marc Jacobs Signature Scent from Mom – I adore Marc Jacobs fragrances, there is something about the sweetness that is perfectly balanced and makes me feel sexy and ladylike all at the same time.

Long sleeved striped sleep shirt from Mom – I love a gown and this long sleeve T shirt material sleep shirt is super comfy but still cute and put together which I love.

The Giving Keys from the Bestie Adam – So my best friend Adam has a friend who works for a super cool company called the Giving Keys that employs people who are transitioning out of homelessness to stamp inspirational words on random keys to create beautiful wearable works of art. READ THEIR STORY HERE. He went out of his way to have a custom message stamped on my key “Super” because he said I am Super Woman.  Such an amazingly thoughtful gift that shows me that he is one of my best gifts of all.

What were your favorite gifts from Christmas? Did you give a gift that you were excited about?

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I decided to do my own spin on creative Halloween cocktail.  I paired a fitted black cocktail dress with an angular neckline with lots of lace accessories.  Lace tights from Forever 21, lace fingerless gloves from Party City and a simple black clutch and patent peep toe sling backs.  I wanted to a dramatic piece for my hair as I wouldn’t be wearing much jewelry.  I made my hair clip with some ostrich features, netting, black stone buttons and a bit of wire and patience, other than poking a few people in the eye, I would say the hair piece was a success.

The only jewelry I wore was a pair of clip on vintage red rhinestone earrings that killed my ears but looked fab.  For makeup I did a smokey eye with a pair of fake eyelashes for drama and a super red lip (totally out of my comfort zone but I decided to rock it for Halloween) which was the only color on me other than the red in my earring which I loved.

All in all I loved my look and I was totally appropriate for the event.  I didn’t look over the top but there was definite drama and sass with all of the added lace and feathers. This had to be the easiest and cheapest ways to make a Halloween appropriate look out of every girl’s best friend…the little black dress

 Check out the Independant’s (local magazine) coverage of the event…PS look for me!

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You may have recently been seeing a new style of sneaker that allows fab sporty girls stay comfy while getting a little lift with a hidden wedge.  I am a little on the fence about these wedge sneakers but on some people they just work.

My fave thing about these bad boys is that they are an unexpected choice and they weirdly work with jeans, leggings and even dresses. They also give off that “I look fab and didn’t even try” vibe which I think every girl wants.

What do you think? Is this a trend you will try?

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Today I am wearing a jersey pencil skirt in tan/black large stripes, one of my new favorite pieces by the way! So comfortable and flattering, hugs all the right things and is extremely easy to style.  I topped by skirt off with an oversized 3/4 black sweater with a fun back detail, its sheer! If I wouldn’t be at work it would be fun to wear only a black bra under and show that off from the back but hey girls gotta be office appropriate.  Because my summer tan is long gone, I covered some of the whiteness with a new pair of short velvetty black platform wedge booties that I got last week during lunch break shopping.

I am accessorized with gold bangles, Michael Kors watch (surprise, surprise) and a long gold leaf necklace from Forever 21.  I did a bronze smokey eye, nude lip and messy waves to top off this fall look.  I love how easy and pulled together this combo is.  This outfit could easily go from day to night and its fun with unexpected details like the sheer back and tough shoes.

What do you think of this look?

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Today I paired a navy/green super tight jersey pencil skirt with not white or tan, with tomato red.  I know I’ve said it 100 times, I LOVE tomato but I had a feeling that this orangey hue would work well with the green in the skirt and boy was I pleasantly surprised.  I brought the look together with a cognac belt knotted over the top, neutral wedges and gold jewelry.  Easy but a bit eclectic and daring….

What do you think of this look? Do you like pairing prints and color combos that are traditional?

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For Luna I picked up lots of printed henleys, long sleeve tees, a few hooded tunics and dresses, leggings, sparkly cords and heart patch jeans.  There is a lot of print here but I did buy solids too, just not fun to show off solids.  Old Navy has great stuff that is super cheap that you don’t feel bad about ruining by sending her to play at daycare in the pieces. I am really excited for her to rock her Toms boots that I picked up for her a few weeks ago with these adorable fall looks.

So I realize now it looks like I went a little cray cray for Luna and poor Bailor didn’t get anything. The truth is that Bailor goes to school with uniforms so he only needs clothes for weekends and lets be honest there just aren’t many options for boys.  Another issue is that Bailor is at an in between age.  He is 6, almost 7 so he is out of the kiddy boys clothes but a lot of times the big boy blothes don’t offer XS which is what he needs.  So he got a few waffle print graphic tees in bright colors and a cute gray zip up sweater that will look cute with uniforms or even with a button down underneath for something a bit more dressy.

For me I grabbed a few new fall-esque dresses, metallic pencil,  jersey pencil skirt, jersey blazer (really excited about this) and a few pairs of wedges and booties.  I am pretty excited about the hounds tooth peplum dress as the black/print number is way out of what I normally buy and I think it could be pretty versatile if styled correctly.

What do you guys think of my finds? What are your favorite looks for fall?

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