Holiday Cheer

White Princess Coat Steve Madden (available in black here) | Black Silk Blouse Diane von Furstenberg | Red Midi Skirt Express | Cheers Necklace and Gift Bow Earrings Kate Spade | Buckle Down Bracelet in Gold Urban Gem via Rocksbox | Gold Leather Triple Wrap Tassel Bracelet E. Kammayer Accessories (here) | Black Patent Ulltra Pumps Steve Madden | Lipstick: Le Rouge GRENAT INITIE 307 Givenchy (here) |
Happy New Year! 
Today I thought I’d share my outfit from Christmas Day instead of doing a recap of my favorite outfits of the year. This outfit is formal enough for a Christmas Eve dinner, but also could work for a New Year’s Eve party. I really love the red midi skirt. It is from Express, and while it isn’t available online, I found it in stores. I had a little bit of a shopping spree at Express and Kate Spade this last month and while I bought items for other people, I grabbed quite a few things for myself. The  adorable earrings and necklace are some of the other goodies I snagged for myself.
Although I like making resolutions on my birthday more so than for the New Year, I have come to terms that it might not be a bad idea to reinforce the one’s I made:
1) Be better with my body – I have taken different classes, most related to dance, so I am at least making that effort. I still have not found a workout routine to stick with, but there is at least some progress in this department.
2) Know when to let go –  A lot has been entering my apartment, but luckily I am also making progress in getting rid of things. I am happy to say my apartment is organized, but there are still a lot of things waiting to go, either to be sold on Poshmark or donated/recycled.
3. Make others smile – I feel I made a lot of people happy this month by doing something very simple. I made cupcakes for a 30th birthday party of a good friend and for the ladies at Poshmark, I helped locate a venue for our office Holiday Party, I sent out Chritmas Cards and gave people close to me gifts. Although I know I don’t need to give everyone a gift, I felt really happy showing people I was thinking of them. I am grateful for the people in my life and during this time of the year I especially want to show it.
I am doing pretty well with most of the goals I made for myself, but the damage I did holiday shopping will need to be addressed with the resolution of paying off the credit card I used and really sticking to a tight budget with very little room to shop. Although it is something I like to do, I really need to focus on my health and spend less time shopping from home. I might need to give myself an extra challenge with my current wardrobe and make an attempt to wear everything at least once (excluding prom dresses.) It might be the necessary push I need to also let go of more items and potentially make some extra cash off of items I am still holding on to.
Thanks for sticking around with me until the end of 2014. Looking forward to sharing more outfits, recipes and reviews on the blog and to accomplish these goals I’ve set for myself for 2015. What are your goals for the new year? Let me know!
Until next year,

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

All About Them Boots

Tan Leather Jacket American Rag, Teal Ruffle Sweater Chloe, Black Pants, Beanie and Chain Bracelet Forever 21 | Spike Bracelet  Forever 21 (similar here) | Grey Studded Leather Tassel Bracelet E. Kammeyer Accessories (here) | Silver Watch  Marc by Marc Jacobs | Holt Tan Spike Booties Circus by Sam Edelman (here)Merry Christmas Eve!
I have finally beginning to enjoy the cold weather with these fun booties I found at DSW in San Francisco. I bought them at a discount and with my $10 DSW Reward Certificate, so these were practically free. When it isn’t raining, I am wearing these boots. So far I have only worn them with pants, but I am betting they will look just as great with a dress. They have been the perfect bootie for me thanks to their neutral color and fun spikes, and I have worn them recently during my shopping trips when it isn’t raining.
I am also excited to debut one of my new favorite pieces of jewelry with this outfit: the grey studded leather tassel bracelet. I bought this beauty during PoshFest from Emily Kammeyer, also known as accessoriesgal on Poshmark. She makes handmade jewelry and accessories and sells them on her website that you can shop here for more tassel wrap bracelets in a variety of colors and styles.
I am excited to be home for the holidays and to make and enjoy some tasty treats. I’ve completed my Christmas shopping and gift wrapping early this year, so no need for last-minute shopping on my part today (although I might peek on some sales online.) How will you be spending your Christmas Eve? 

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Mardi Gras

Black Princess Coat Steve Madden | Black Dress H&M | Scarf Natasha via Marshalls | Metra Suede Booties Nine WestI know I promised another post featuring the Stylematic Fashion Show and Launch Party, but it has been very difficult trying to narrow down what photos to share, especially because Armando took almost 700 photos. 
I thought it would be best to share my outfit for Mardi Gras. It is simply an all black outfit topped with a colorful scarf in Mardi Gras colors. I wore some beads and even painted my nails in honor of the holiday. It is always fun adding a pop of color to all black outfits and I love each of the pieces I am wearing. Mardi Gras evokes the image of slightly more revealing outfits for Carnival, but when it comes to work, it is best to opt for fun, but conservative pieces.
Hope you are having a great week so far! I hope I have narrowed down my selection of photos for a recap of the Fashion Show soon, so stay tuned for that!
Until next time,Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

Polka Dots

Teal Catalina Top Diane von Furstenberg, Polka Dot Skirt KTR Collection (Shop other skirts here), The Bossi Camera Bag THEIT (Buy here), Red Suede Ulltra Heels Steve Madden, Pearl Chain Necklace Wet SealPolka Dots! Who doesn’t love Polka Dots? They are a style staple for Minnie Mouse and I feel like I am channeling her style a bit. They have not gone out of style for her, and I am completely in love with this skirt that I purchased from my blogger bud KT of KTRStyle.She is an insanely talented blogger/designer and I definitely recommend checking out the items she has for sale as well as staying updated as to when she begins taking custom orders again.
I thought the black and white print would go best with a pop of color and tucked in my silk Diane von Furstenberg that I found at Crossroads. The necklace is a modern take on a pearl necklace, but I love how it compliments the polka dots on the skirt. The red shoes and lips felt like the perfect compliment to the teal, and the colors really pop!
I wore this cute little number to a pre-party for the upcoming soft launch of the app Stylematic now available on iTunes. I was accompanied by none other than my handsome photographer, Armando, and we made a date out of it. We dressed up, grabbed some dinner, then headed to the party. I’ll be sharing photos of the party and the official release party/fashion show in me next posts.
I feel like this month is flying by, and I almost forgot to mention that my blog celebrated it’s 2nd birthday during the 2nd week of the month. Yay! I am so happy I am still writing even after all this time and I can’t wait to continue to share my outfits and cupcake creations with you all. Thanks for the continuous support and hopefully you’ll stick around to watch me and the blog continue to develop.
Last week also marked 2 years since I was hired to the office I currently work at. I’ve been there a lot longer than that since I was a student intern, but it was my first real job since graduating and I am amazed at how much has changed from my first day as a temp worker. Some people have left and new people have come on board, but the one thing that has not changed is that I like going into work everyday. I feel I am really lucky not only because I stumbled onto this job as a recent grad, but because it reminds me of a close-knit family. For that I am extremely grateful.
Hope you had a great start to the week and I look forward to sharing the next posts featuring Stylematic!

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

A Touch of Pink

Blazer 7 For All Mankind, Grey Silk Top Marc by Marc Jacobs,  Pink Skirt Tara Jarmon for Target, Leggings Forever 21, Pink Statement Necklace Forever 21 (Similar here), Lace Covered Bracelets Forever21, Nude Satchel JustFab!, Zeda Boots Madden Girl (In brown here)I feel like in my last few posts I’ve really represented the colors of Valentine’s Day with my pops of reds or pinks. This outfit is actually a remix of one of my previous blog posts as you can see here. I changed the skirt, bag, and accessories and it becomes a different look all together. It’s been almost a year since I’ve worn that last outfit too so I doubt anyone at work would have noticed the outfits being similar (if anyone remembers them!)
I am finally getting back into the kitchen and starting to bake again. I took a small hiatus when my sister moved to Japan for the year to study abroad, and have not really been in the mood to bake. With Valentine’s Day coming up, and some special requests, I’ve dusted off my apron and have begun prepping my supplies to decorate tomorrow night and Thursday night. Can’t wait to share the photos once I’ve taken them, I am sure you’ll love them! (I already too, and I haven’t even started yet!)
Until next time,
Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

Work Week Chic

Blazer and earrings Forever 21 (Similar earrings here) | Top Express (Similar here) | Pants Anchor Blue (Similar here) | Nude Pumps Steve Madden (Similar here)When I get ready for work, I usually have a general idea of what items I’d like to work with in the morning.  I thrifted this blazer about 2 months ago and have not had a chance to wear it since most of time soon after was spent preparing for my trip and being on vacation. I thought it’d be appropriate to wear it since the weather has also been really nice and it is a short-sleeved blazer. 
Using the blazer as the center of my outfit, I picked out the pants because it has the same feel as the sleeves of the blazer. I added the gold earrings and nude pumps to also bring out the gold stripe detail. The purple top completed the look and popped against an otherwise neutral outfit. Sometimes I can’t help myself when it comes to matching so many details, but I am glad I am now more willing to add a pop of color to the look.
Hope you’ve had a great week/month! Time to welcome February!
Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER |