New Year's Eve at Home

New Year's at Home by milkbreadfashion featuring short shorts

Månestråle green cardigan, 899 DKK
TopShop short shorts, £32
Fogal pantyhose tight, $60
Rachel Zoe wedge shoes, $189
Amrita singh jewelry, $250
Lara Bohinc stud earrings, £125

I'm looking forward to a quiet night at home with the family this New Year's Eve. Because two weeks after, I'll be celebrating my husband's fortieth with him and friends in New Orleans, I'm perfectly happy to lay low.

That said, I never pass up the opportunity to dress up- or wear heels- even at home. This is my perfect at-home-but-still-celebrating outfit.

Stay tuned for a smorgasbord of celebration outfits for NOLA. Happy New Year!

The Perfect Christmas Outfit

Christmas by milkbreadfashion featuring a red dress

Really. This is the perfect Christmas outfit. It's sugar and spice and everything nice, don't you think? Note the red lips. See how they're matte? I love that. I also love the prices of all these pieces!

Merry Merry Christmas. The Happy New Year is still to come!

Dorothy Perkins red deco dress $44
J Crew cape $200
Vince Camuto Elanie leopard pump $89
Amrita Singh east lake earrings $100
Mango handbag $78

The Master Bedroom Makeover

the dresser and chair- maybe I won't recover it!

Jolly Rodger!















John Robshaw comforter and vintage suzani








Remember that master bedroom makeover I was going on about a while back? Well, it's in full effect and boy has it ripped my house apart. Just one week before Christmas, there are five rooms in shambles thanks to my great timing. But it's coming together and you need an update.

Office- Giant built-in desk and cabinets ripped out and currently residing on patio in back. Sure the neighbors love that. Should be hauled away tomorrow. Room has been painted a medium gray (same as my kitchen) that I love and woodwork has been painted high gloss white that I love. The Elfa closet system that previously occupied one entire wall in my bedroom has been installed in the office and my off-season clothes, shoes, and all cocktail and dressy attire has been moved. But not totally organized. Gorgeous lucite computer desk has been ordered. Need floor covering, curtain and installation to hide clothing, and file cabinet plus total closet clean out and reorganization with office "stuff" now filling the guest room.

Bedroom- Wall repainted, new white bed with SIX big storage drawers along bottom in place! Moroccan bone-inlaid dresser arrived (with small damage that needs repair:)). My fave gray and white cowhide rug might not fit properly but it will go to office if necessary.

The best part- I found this gorgeous John Robshaw comforter and shams at Red Barn Mercantile and it was on sale! It is perfect for it's bright red color, great pattern, and the way it sets off the vintage suzani. It looks so good!

So much to do still. It sounds like it's almost done but I won't bore you with the details of why it's not. Instead, we'll focus on how much I love Red Barn and why you should pop in and check them out. As a gift giving place, they rule. But the linens and things are so good, too. My jolly rodger pillow was the perfect unexpected touch to add to the bed. That's the thing about the store- you never know what treasure you're going to find!

Hairspray!

Tracy Turnblad Then and Now by milkbreadfashion featuring a sequin blouse

Dorothy Perkins sequin blouse, $45
Kate Spade zipper skirt, $325
Collection Good for the Sole cream shoes, £11
Givenchy wide sunglasses, $290
Bumble and bumble Classic Hairspray 4 oz, $12

Hairspray is currently playing at Signature Theatre in Shirlington. First of all, the theatre is amazing. The lounge area has an awesome view of the main drag which, right now, is decorated with lights, lights, and more lights not to mention a big Christmas tree. Second, the musical was well done and had a ton of energy. I have never seen it live and it was one of my favorite shows to date.

When it comes to the clothing, it was all fun in 1962. Actually, I especially loved how the men dressed with the waist of the trousers worn really high and the skinny ties. (Wide ties didn't start to make the scene until the mid 60s.)

As for the women, the bouffant was big. I mean really, really BIG! It puts our current "big hair" to shame. Although if that trend had stuck around for too much longer, the aerosol alone would have put a hole in the ozone.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun and I was inspired to put together a little daytime skirt and top look for you, courtesy of my favorite character, Tracy Turnblad. Hon, it's to die for!

Can't wait for the Mad Men theme gala in March to benefit the Center for Alexandria's Children!

A Christmas Wish List

We all know the best thing about shoes. They fit. Always. Even when we're eating our way through the holidays. Of course, that's the best thing about handbags and jewelry, too! As I've been out doing lots and lots of shopping, I've come across quite a few that I "need." (In my world, need is a term I toss about loosely. I am a personal shopper after all.)

Of course, most of my faves are found right here in the ALX (that's Alexandria for all you squares).

First stop- The Shoe Hive

Must-have shoe: Bettye Muller's Bombshell in a rich caramel suede with a python platform. Sorry no picture. Go to the website to check it out. $375

Must-have accessory: beaded evening bags perfect for now to punch up a holiday outfit AND for spring! by Moyna $142











Must-have gift to give or get- furry earmuffs! by Hat Attack $44


















I can't go to The Shoe Hive without stopping in to Hysteria. If someone doesn't get this for me, I'm getting it for myself! Brazilian beaded necklace by Ben Amun $105
















Despite my deep devotion to the aforementioned stores, I sometimes feel the need to spread the wealth, I mean credit card debt, to some other great ALX stores. Bishop Boutique knocked me out with these killer flats. And you KNOW how hard it is to get me to like a flat! by Loeffler Randall $250

















All of the above is available in the stores OR online so there is no excuse, people! I have to mention one more pair, though, because it is phenomenal. The Mona Oxford by J Crew $238








That's it. Santa, are you reading this?

An Over-the-Top Christmas

An Over-the-Top Christmas Night by milkbreadfashion featuring knit tops

You know how there are always those houses that are decorated at Christmas, let's just say, less than tastefully? They forgo the white lights and candles for a smorgasbord of colored lights, waving Santas, sparkling reindeer, flashing candy cane archways, and the list goes on. And yet, even though you shake your head and chuckle smugly to yourself that your house looks festive but appropriate, the house you can't stop driving by is theirs. You find yourself making excuses to take that route home and every single time you drive by, you slow down to extend the moment, gasping with delight and breaking out into a rousing rendition of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Last night, my kids and I discovered such a house. It inspired this outfit which I would probably never wear but... then again, maybe I would, just at Christmas time.

P.S.
I can't wait to find a reason to drive by that house again tonight!

knitted gold shell $150
gold harem pants $180
bebe omega shoes $115
Shared Earth Fair Trade sequin clutch $55 www.fashion-conscience.com
swarovski crystal earrings $48 www.swarovski-crystallized.com
J Crew bracelets $30 each
catseye ring $13

Meeting/Holiday Shopping/Kids

Holiday Shopping by milkbreadfashion featuring zipper jeans


One outfit, lots of things to do. I am feeling very, very efficient.

Boyfriend jeans
T-shirt
leopard jacket (this links to a slightly different jacket than the one pictured)
black booties
necklace
earrings
bracelet

Can't Stop Thinking About These Pants...

Source: anthropologie.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

I saw these pants at Anthropologie the other day and they made me pause and ponder. I like them. They remind me of wallpaper from formal living rooms "back in the day." But, in the end, I passed them by. Why? Because they aren't really my style. Since I keep thinking about them, though, I decided maybe I should give them a go. Something like this perhaps...

Floral Pants by milkbreadfashion featuring platform pumps

TIBI extra long sleeve shirt, $275
Dorothy Perkins sequin jacket, £42
Slimming pants, $148
Wet Seal platform pumps, $30
Kendra Scott stone jewelry, $60
Kenneth Jay Lane oval ring, €82