Wear with Flare!

This Spring stores are ablaze with the latest trend in denim; the flare! Some of you may still be wearing these skipping right over the skinny trend so guess what now they're back; )

My style suggestions for this trend are; purchase a dark to medium dark, with slight wear if you want a lighter look for Spring. Darker washes will make you look longer and leaner. You must, must, must make sure they are long enough and be wary the seamstress who hems them too short. This jean must bend at the top of the foot and graze the heel on your shoe. I like the flare to fit me through the thigh so you really get an exaggerated effect. This style is perfect for you JLo body-type ladies out there because it really gives balance to your curvaceous body! It also works great for those of you looking for a nicer jean to wear to work as many of the premium brands offer a "trouser style" fit. I suggest wearing these jeans with very tall wood wedges, totally on trend! As for tops, pair with all the great feminine flowy blouses found everywhere this season! Tuck and belt and rock it!

Check out LUXE Boutique for 7 For All Mankind's Dojo style (pictured top) and also their Georgia Trouser (for you trend setters)

New Year-Old Wardrobe?

The New Year is an inspiring time to take on new challenges like revamping your closet! It sounds like an ominous task but a worthwhile one and something you'll thank yourself for throughout the year.

One of the things we don't always do when rummaging through our closet and throwing what we don't wear is making of list of what we are in need of. So this year I suggest using this list as your guideline, make a list of what "essentials" you are in need of and start buying those items throughout the year instead of aimlessly adding to your closet.

Here goes....

1) White button down dress shirt-The key to a great white button down is having it tailored to fit your body perfectly-it makes all the difference. Renew your white shirt every year or so as it can become stained and look old.
2) Black Trouser pants- Black dress pants are a go to for any office look and a staple item when creating a dressed up look. Make sure they fit perfectly and are not too long or too short. The cuff should bend and rest on the top of your foot and come about half way down your heel. They cannot be baggy! Ensure a snug fit while making sure they don't pull through the crotch area.
3) Black & dark brown casual leather belts-to be worn with jeans.
4) Dress belts-Black, brown, colored-just make sure these are thinner than your casual belts and in a streamline material like patent leather with small classic buckles.
5) A great pair of well fitting jeans-By a great pair of jeans I mean a pair you look great and feel comfortable in. I would recommend a dark rinse wash in a straight leg style-the style is really flattering and can be dressed up or down. Find your perfect fit at LUXE!
6) Blazer- you could find a suit and either wear the trousers and blazer together or buy them separately either way, you need to own a black blazer. Wear over your button down with jeans or over a flashy top, it really goes with so many things!
7) LBD-Little Black dress! A wardrobe must! Every woman must be ready and armed with this-the best way to approach this is to buy a simple but flattering black dress with a hint of sexiness that can look like 10 dresses in one. By having a simple LBD you can easily add a cardigan and belt with flats for an office party or throw on statement earrings and gold strappy shoes and be ready for cocktails!
8) Cami's-You must own cami's in variety of colors-they will be essential for your "under" wardrobe. You many need them to wear under blazers, see through white tops, sweaters, you name it you need them.
9) Pencil skirt- I love the pencil skirt of all skirts, they are fitted enough to be sexy yet long enough to be office appropriate.
10) Dress Coat-A dress coat can be a nice pea coat or a very formal fur, or a sleek silk trench but you need a nice coat to wear over dresses. Most people have winter coats and casual coats but these just won't do when your dressing up. You could find a pea coat that works for both so be smart about your purchase.
11) Trench Coat-You don't have to ask, you know you need it. Fall or Spring this is a must!
12) Sundress- A summertime go to, this could be a flirty floral print or a saucy maxi but it will keep you going for BBQ's or vacations.
13) Other cocktail dress- besides the LBD you need at least one standby cocktail dress in case of a nice wedding or party. Again, keep it basic and you'll get more wear out of it.
13) Sweaters-The must haves are: Cashmere something, anything! A wrap, a cardigan, and a turtle or cowlneck at minimum.
14) Black heels-At minimum you must have black heels, buy as many other colors, skins, and metallics as needed but keep a great pair of basic black heels. Not peep, not slingback, or platform. Just a nice pair of basic heels.
15) Basic t-shirts-Like a cami these can be your staples to go under many of your clothes. Long sleeve and short sleeve including tank tops for layering.
16) Flats- Have a nice pair of flats you can wear in the office or for a day off.
17) Sandals-Have several pairs: Beach ready to espadrilles. DO NOT buy white strappy leather ugh gross.
18) Boots-Riding boots in brown, dress boots in black are a minimum must. Booties are great if you can do additional styles.


I am sure there a few things I missed but this will get you started! Happy New Year! Happy Shopping!

Say it with Sequins!

This Holiday season add a little vamp with sequins-sequined anything is looking hot for any Holiday event you have coming up.

For a Holiday Office Party-Pack a punch with a sequined blazer over skinny trouser pants and booties with a blouse. Try this gorgeous cream jacket from Marc Jacobs! If you can't spring for Marc Jacobs try our silver version from BB Dakota available at LUXE!

For a "Holiday Night Out With The Girls"- Wear a sequined mini skirt downplayed with a black blazer and basic flowy top tucked in to look blousey and stacked platform heels. Try LaRok's sassy mini skirt!

For a Holiday Cocktail Party-Go for Gold with a full on sequined dress with a 3/4 length sleeve-pair with opaque black tights and fancy booties or heels! (French Connection) Not ready to go full out sparkle? Try this black dress with sequin details from French Connection available at LUXE!

Anyway you decide to wear it this season the Holidays are a great excuse to wear sequins so go for it!

Poncho Punch!

I decided to write my blog about what I am obessing over obtaining currently, which is a sweater poncho. I do already have two versions but I bought them a few years back but now I am on the hunt for one that is overly baggy, can be belted, and is thick knit! Here are my picks: All from French Connection-a line I carry in my store that I absolutely love! My styling advice for a poncho is wear it with jeggings, boots, and wear a long sleeve top underneath. Try belting it with a medium thick leather belt!

Lovely Lace

Right now I am beyond obsessed with black lace anything! Well not anything but still you can find the black lace trend everywhere right now, so go out and get laced up! I am only talking about black lace now ladies, now is not the time to bring out an old lace top and try to make it work. The sad thing about trends that come back is that they always come back slightly different so you can't use your old stand by that's been in your closet waiting for it's comeback. Anyway, I love this trend in a blouse, in a handbag, pump, and on a dress! I love it inset in a top as well! Pair with a nude cami or nude pumps-so hot! Wear the bag or pumps to liven up any outfit! The way to wear it is more sweet than sassy, more ladylike is fashion forward. I just bought a lace print scarf that was sooo cute and I pair it with my military jacket- a little mix of feminine with the masculine, always a do. One piece of advice; find a soft lace, not crunchy and not too fitted. Happy Shopping! Go to shopstyle.com and type in black lace to find your perfect piece for the trend! (From top: blouse by Alexander Wang;bag at Spegiel.com; pumps at dsw.com; lace top at revolveclothing.com; dress by Tracy Reese at nordstrom.com and always shop at Luxe Boutique!)

Wild About Prints!

 I feel that every woman should have a little leopard in her closet, honestly it never really goes out of style. This season leopard is really in! I like to see this trend incorporated as an accessory. A leopard belt or shoes can really make an outfit! Also, for the more conservative dresser or the woman who won't wear leopard, adding a little touch is a way to be trendy without being over the top. If you're a little more brave try a sheer leopard blouse! I like the blouse to be flowy and not fitted, so it's not street walker-esque. The rules with leopard are: wear only one piece at time, no leopard belt
 and shoes! This is not the time to be "matchy-matchy." Go out and get in touch with your wild side!

Gray is the new Black!

Even if you're fashionably clueless you're going to be bombarded with gray this fall in everything from shoes and accessories to coats and apparel! So get on board and get in with this trendy hue! I personally love to rock the trend in accessories! I myself have bought over the knee boots in gray, booties in gray suede, and a studded handbag in a taupe-ish gray (great for wearing with both brown and black.) What I love about the trend is it's versatility, you pair it with so many colors, it's a great neutral. Here were my personal finds: Handbag by Hype available at Bluefly.com; Boots by Sam Edelman available at Nordstrom.com; and bootie by Miss Sixty also Nordstom.com.