Sexiest Top I Own

This month I've been fortunate in having many opportunities to dress up and go out to holiday parties and small gatherings.  I love the opportunities to wear nicer clothes any chance I can get, but last week I think we had three nights of going out.  It was a bit much and caused me to be extra tired, but it was all fun.  I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

I wore this outfit twice within the last couple of weeks.  I wore it once out on a double-date, and once to my son's playgroup's annual holiday moms' dinner.  That made sense, right?!?  This is my extra-special, very precious, oh-so-very-feminine and I'd say the sexiest top I own. I cannot begin to tell you how feminine I feel in this top.  It is my favorite piece right now, and I hope to get the chance to wear it again soon.

Unfortunately, the flash was a bit too bright here.  The top does have a nude color lining, but in person the top is darker.  The skirt and tights are darker black.  This photo makes them look gray.  I really should redo these photos.

 

This top has hidden button closures and little dainty satin tie ribbons.  It's kind of like a corset look. 

 With my trench.  

I usually don't wear so much black, but I asked for advice from my favorite salesperson at Nordstrom about what to wear with this top.  She said with all the lace and ribbon details, I need to let the top be the star of the outfit.  She suggested a black pencil skirt would look best.   She also suggested I wear earrings in a champagne color to compliment the nude lining, but I found these really nice coppery ones which I thought would work just as well as champagne.  Plus, I couldn't really find any champagne colored earrings at that given moment in which I needed them. 

Sexiest Top I Own

Nanette Lepore 'Rich Bouquet' lace top, black - shopbop.com

Nanette Lepore 'Annina' pencil skirt, black - ruelala.com

Kenneth Cole REACTION sateen trench, Cardinal Red - ebay.com

Givenchy 'Salt' Glass Pearl Linear earrings, Espresso Pearl/ Smoky Quartz - Nordstrom

Kenneth Cole NY 'High Polish' clutch, black patent - Nordstrom

Cole Haan opaque tights, black - colehaan.com

Cole Haan 'Air Talia' Pump, black suede - zappos.com

Couples' Night Out

Last night I wore this knit dress to my MOMS Club annual couples' night out.  I am so in love with this designer, Nanette Lepore.  I find her designs a bit fashion forward and girly, but not too over-the-top.  I scored big time with this dress at 70% off.  Not kidding.  70% off.  It took some work asking for price matching, but it was worth it.  I was practically hyperventilating when I realized I was getting 70% off on a beautiful Nanette Lepore piece.

I like how my red earring is showing up extra sparkly here.

MOMs Club Annual Couples' Night Outfit

Nanette Lepore 'Moonlit' knit dress, black/grey combo - bloomingdales.com
Cole Haan 'Air Talia' pump, black suede - zappos.com
Cole Haan opaque tights, black - colehaan.com
Kenneth Cole NY 'High Polish' clutch, black patent - Nordstrom

To keep warm while outside in our cold 36ºF night weather I wore my usual red trench, but I didn't want to take the time to get photographed with it on.  

Natasha Couture 'Barrie' Bangles, silver - Nordstrom Trend Accessories Dept.

Sorrelli 'Rare Jewels' black/red/hematite stones earrings - Nordstrom Rack

Here are the earrings close up.  It's not the best photo, but you get the idea of what they look like.  These were a Nordstrom Exclusive two years ago and were never on their website.

Instead of an LBD, I'll take a LND

This dress I recently wore to a friend's 40th birthday party.  I also wore this same dress in Chicago on one of our nights out without the kids, but I forgot to get photographed.  I can't find an LBD right now in my new size that I like, so I'm happy with my navy dress instead.  I think I like navy on me better than black anyway!

Friend's 40th Birthday Party Outfit- LND instead of LBD

Anrthropologie 'Whirligig' Dress, Navy - Anthropologie
Cole Haan opaque tights, black - colehaan.com
Cole Haan 'Markesa' boots, black - colehaan.com
Calvin Klein framed sequin clutch, coral - zappos.com 
Nordstrom 'Neo Geometric' Triple Drop Link Earrings, Shiny Rose Gold - nordstrom.com
Natasha Couture 'Barrie' Bangles, silver - Nordstrom Trend Accessories Dept.

"Blue Man Group" Outfit

The following outfit I wore to see the "Blue Man Group" with my family a few  weeks ago.

Blue Man Group Outfit

Nanette Lepore 'Shining' skirt, grey - bloomingdales.com
Halogen cardigan, Navy Peacoat- nordstrom.com
Hinge cami, black - nordstrom.com
DKNY opaque tights, black - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan 'Justine Air' boots, Woodbury - colehaan.com
Perlina croc handbag, teal - Nordstrom
Lauren Jeans Co. Jacket 'Tamara Classic Fit Denim' - Nolita Wash, macys.com
Lauren by Ralph Lauren woven leather belt, brown - Macy's
Nordstrom 'Neo Geometric' Triple Drop Link Earrings, Shiny Rose Gold - nordstrom.com


Notes on the above outfit:  I'm sad that this fabulously dark and classic denim jacket is too big on me.  I need one size down.  I can't seem to find it or anything like it.  I bought it two years ago, and all the denim jackets I'm seeing today have that awful bleached and torn look.  I'm also sad about the woven belt.  It's really too big for me now, and I don't think I'll wear it again.

Book Club November (I'm a tad behind)

I've had several outfits photographed just no time to post lately!  I've been playing 'family stylist' for my mom and sister the last few weeks for an upcoming family event in January.  It's been crazy busy with the shopping and returning.  One of the online orders was lost due to the fault of UPS delivering to the WRONG house, and it's been totally crazy dealing with this.  Luckily the package has been found.  THANKFULLY my sister's neighbor brought it to her two days after the scheduled delivery. 

This outfit I wore to Book Club for November, which sadly I did not even finish The Great Gatsby, but I don't like to miss Book Club.  I love the opportunity to get dressed for a party!  I'll need to finish that book eventually.  Big thanks to KM for using your iPhone to take this photo.

November Book Club Outfit

Caslon long-sleeve crewneck tee, Yellow Raisin - nordstrom.com
Nanette Lepore 'Shining' skirt, grey - bloomingdales.com (click link to see pretty pleating detail up close)
Nordstrom opaque tights, charcoal - nordstrom.com
Cole Haan 'Air Violet', Dark Grey - nordstrom.com
kate spade 'Keswick Caning' necklace - black, cream, gold - kate spade