New Year's Eve Style Guide

I don't know about you, but for me December has seemed to have flown by within the blink of an eye. Perhaps I feel this way just because December has been quite the busy month for me, from modelling in my very first fashion show, to John visiting, and of course all the yuletide styling I've been doing on Instagram. With this being said, I have to admit that I've overlooked one holiday that everyone (myself included) enjoys making a fuss over, and that holiday is none other than New Year's Eve.

Like everyone else, year after year I tend to set my expectations for New Year's Eve incredibly high and later end up disappointed. From plans falling through, to not getting that kiss at midnight, there are quite a few things that can turn watching the ball drop into a total bust. However, over the years I have learned there is one thing that you can make sure goes right on New Year's Eve and that is having an on point outfit to ring in the new year! So in case everyone has been caught up in the Christmas whirlwind as much as I have been, I decided to make a quick style guide featuring perfect outfits to celebrate the coming of 2017 in. 

Shine Your Brightest

One big trend this year for holiday looks is definitely metallic material. Which when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. What better way to step into the new year than to gleam and glisten? So for my first pick, I chose this absolutely show stopping rose gold metallic gown from my sponsor SheIn. This gown, is the perfect choice if you and your beau decide to do something a little extra special to watch the ball drop this year. This gown would be perfect attire for a night of dinner and dancing at an upscale restaurant. Lastly, the pretty rose gold color of this dress also adds just touch of romantic flare which is more than fitting for a night out with your sweetie.

 

 

Of course, a gown as gorgeous as this one needs equally dazzling accessories. So the first accessory I chose to pair with this gown are these beautiful gold drop earrings. The reason I chose this pair of earrings is because I adored the mod look of them. I felt that their feminine shape and subtle edge was the perfect match for this gown. The reason these earrings work so well with this gown though is because though they are drop earrings, they are simple and not overly dramatic which means they will not take away from this rose gold gown's eloquent beauty.

 

The second accessory I chose to further style this gown with is this gorgeous gold choker. Originally, I considered a simple drop necklace due to this gown's plunging neckline but then thought better of it because I was concerned it'd be a little much. However, much like the earrings, this choker gives just the right amount of extra shine and looks incredibly sophisticated without taking away from the gown.

 

 

Lastly, to finish off this eloquent and romantic look, I chose these pretty, pink, fur toed heels to add even more of a dreamy and feminine touch to this gown. As you know from my last style guide, fur and velvet are huge this year for holiday looks. With that being said I thought that these heels would add a very soft and pretty touch to this dress.

 

 

Perfectly Sequenced Sequins

Another big trend you will be seeing a lot of this year for New Year's Eve is loads of sequins. Much like metallic fabrics, sequins are a perfect choice to wear for a night out on New Year's Eve due to their gorgeous shimmering. This dress however, is more suitable for a night out with friends and would be quite the conversation starter at a New Year's Eve party. This dress would also be a great choice if you and your girls decide to go to a club and dance until the New Year begins. (And then maybe even some for after!!) 

 

 

Though this shiny dress does not require a necklace, I thought these laid back metallic earrings by Elise M would be a perfect fit! The reason I chose these earrings (which you can find on my sponsor Rocksbox's site) is because I thought that the gold complemented the greens and blues of this dress but due to the black metallic center, wouldn't take away from the dress or make the outfit look too busy.

 

 

 

Of course, since you'd definitely be gearing up and heading out to a party of some sort in this wild sequined dress, you know you will need a trusty purse or handbag of some sort to keep your necessities in! So I chose this pretty gold clutch because the gold would stand out beautifully against the greens and blues of the dress and I just thought this clutch and this dress would make a lovely pair.

 

 

Lastly, you would need some fun and funky shoes to accompany this mini sequined dress, and I thought these gold metallic heels would do just the trick! Of course I naturally chose these heels because they matched the gold clutch and compliment the dress, but I also love the cut out design on them. These strappy beauties are the final piece of the puzzle for this sexy New Year's Eve party look. 

 

 

Red Velvet

For this next look, I decided I should add a less sexy look for a semi-formal New Year's Eve party at a relatives. So, for this look I chose this darling velvet and lace dress from my affiliate and sponsor, StyleWe. The reason I love this dress is because it has a feel of simple elegance and has a soft and pretty feel for a family gathering. The dress is a great choice for a gathering such as this because of it's modest length and because the sweetheart neckline paired with the three quarter length lace sleeves give this dress a timelessly chic feel. 

 

 

To add a little extra shine to this dress, I decided to pair it with this gorgeous pair of Elle burgundy earrings by Kendra Scott. The reason I chose this pair of earrings is because the gold frame of them pairs nicely with this dress' vintage feel and the gorgeous burgundy center matches the soft and pretty red velvet of this dress perfectly. 

 

 

Another great accessory to pair with this timeless dress, would be this simple Aida bangle by Gorjana. The reason this is, is because this bangle would add a touch of shimmer without being over the top.

 

To finish off this darling and sophisticated party look, I paired this cute classic dress with a classic type of shoe: the Mary Jane pump. Though this pump is a modern twist on the classic Mary Jane, it was still a no-brainer choice to me due to the the classic style of the dress. I mean really, what's a more classic shoe than Mary Jane's? This shoe also plays well off of the black lace at the top of the dress and also adds a sweet playful feel to the outfit due to it's fun cutouts and the buckle at the ankle.

 

The Cat's Meow

To finish off this style guide, the last look I chose was for those of us who will be attending a casual New Year's Eve bash with friends. For this final and more casual look, I chose this chic cutout jumpsuit. The reason I chose this jumpsuit is because of it's fun and playful (and strategically placed) cutouts. This is the perfect choice for a causal holiday party because it's just the right amount of sexy without appearing over dressed. This piece would also be a much more comfortable choice for a night in opposed to sitting around in a cocktail dress.

 

 

 

To further style this jumpsuit, I felt that these gold bead drop earrings would be the perfect choice. Much like the jumpsuit itself, these tassel earrings have a flare of playfulness. The black beading on them also tie in perfectly with the jumpsuit adding a nice balance. 

 

 

 

Of course, a playful outfit calls for a playful purse! So I paired this fun and fearless cutout jumpsuit with this adorable cat shaped purse! This little bag is perfect for a casual evening and will surely be the envy of your girl friends just because of how adorable it is! Obviously this purse is adorable but the reason it works so well with this jumpsuit is all because of it's playful nature. The gold face of this feline bag also compliments the tassel earrings that are part of this fun ensemble. Another reason why I loved this purse is because though it's a bit on the smaller side, it is also very spacious which would make it perfect for everyday use as well!

 

 

 

The last piece I chose to top off this look, as well as to add a pop of color, are these pink and gold glittery heels. Let's face it, though this jumpsuit is fun it could use some color to really make it pop to ring in the new year. So I figured what better way to do that than to pair this jumpsuit with some wild high heels? These heels are a great choice for a casual party due to their fun and funky vibe. The gold in these heels also play off of the gold on this outfit's purse and then the pink adds just the right amount of color to make this outfit really stand out.

 

 

So what are you going to be wearing to welcome 2017? I'd love to chat about it, so tell me all about your New Year's Eve style choices in the comments below, or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic. Have a photo you want to show off? Feel free to tag me on Instagram at @StarkRavingChic!

Also, if you're curious about what I'm wearing for New Year's Eve this year stay tuned for my holiday outfit of the day coming January 1, 2017! Later babes.

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssst! Remember if you like the jewelry you see from Rocksbox in this post, you can try Rocksbox for a month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo"treat yourself dolls!

#OOTD: Baby It's Cold Outside (Feat. Boho Tribe Collection)

As I've mentioned in a few of my more recent posts, I am headed back to school next month for the Spring 2017 semester. Though I will not physically be on Point Park's campus until fall due to my job at DSG, I am enrolled and will be taking online classes, including *drum roll* my internship as a Style Guru at CollegeFashionista! So you will be seeing me (as well as some of my other fellow Pittsburgh Style Gurus) darting around the city taking photos with notebooks in hand, all semester long. And who knows, if I bump into you downtown and love your style, I might ask to feature you in one of my articles for CollegeFashionista!

So with that big news out of the way, I also have another exciting blog related announcement, which is that for this post I have partnered with the local jewelry shop Boho Tribe Collection.

Boho Tribe Collection

One of the many unique things about Boho Tribe Collection is aside from being a local online and pop up shop, the whole company is actually the brainchild of my coworker, Laura Bonucchi. I met Laura this past summer when the DSG store support team was out at the store in McCandless Crossing, setting the floor and merchandising the mannequins for fall. During this time, Laura and I worked together and got to chatting about my blog and that is when I found out that she ran a small jewelry business of her own. Well since then, Laura reached out to me and asked if I would like to collaborate and of course I said yes!

Image courtesy of Boho Tribe Collection

Image courtesy of Boho Tribe Collection

So how did Boho Tribe Collection get started you ask? Well back in 2015 Laura had hit a rough patch in her life and began to practice yoga. During this time, she noticed that yoga really helped her get through that hard time and made her feel exceptionally better, so after this realization Laura decided to become a yoga instructor. Also during this time of soul searching, Laura also decided to begin making jewelry. She began making small things such as simple bracelets and necklaces but began to get more passionate about her craft and went on to take a class at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for metal working.

Image courtesy of Boho Tribe Collection

Image courtesy of Boho Tribe Collection

After perfecting her skills in jewelry making, Laura was still working as a yoga instructor and had many friends who owned yoga studios. So she began selling her jewelry in these respective studios due to them being a hit with her friends and clientele. Then in September of 2015, she set up shop at her very first live event, Fit Fest, that took place in Newcastle, PA. She has since went on to do a live shop at Wanderlust Yoga Retreat, and launch her brand's website, Boho Tribe Collection, in May 2016.  Laura even has more live shops coming up soon, but I'll give you the details on that later in the article. 

Gingerbread Neutrals

The pieces Laura was kind enough to give me for this article are actually the two gorgeous pieces pictured earlier in this article. These two pieces are the Inner Peace Boho Stacker and the Antiqued Feather Necklace. To style these pretty pieces, I paired them with my New York & Company fringed sweater, a pair of my Kendra Scott Earing a simple pair of brown fleece leggings (leggings are pants), and my brown boots from SheIn. The reason I chose to style them with this outfit is because I felt the browns and tans played off the color of the necklace and bracelet set very nicely.

The reason I chose the Inner Peace Boho Stacker as well as the Antiqued Feather Necklace was honestly because I just knew that they would match my Kendra Scott earrings perfectly. I also had a feeling that they would style perfectly with this sweater (man do I love being right!). And lastly these two pieces, in my opinion, make the perfect pair due to their perfect color combination.

Upcoming Boho Tribe Collection Events

Now that you've seen how beautiful and well-crafted Boho Tribe's jewelry is, I know you're dying for me to tell you when Laura's next pop up shop will be and when it's taking place! So here's the info you need to meet Laura and shop her awesome jewelry:

Beer + Yoga Holiday Brunch at Brew Gentlemen
December 18th, 11am - 3pm

Address:

The Brew Gentlemen
512 Braddock Avenue
Braddock, Pennsylvania 15104

Join us in the taproom for a special Holiday Edition of Beer + Yoga! We're bringing back Sunday class... for one day only. Beer + Yoga + Brunch + Live DJ.

Class is only $10 (plus Eventbrite fee) and includes a complimentary 5oz beer following the class, as well as live beats from DJ Craig Bittner. Following class, Brassero Grill will be testing out their new brunch menu for all yogis.

All experience levels are welcome. Spaces are limited.

Pittsburgh Yoga Expo

Date & Time
Sunday, January 22nd, 2017
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location
Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

All are welcome to join in and watch yoga demonstrations, participate in yoga workshops, and learn about local yoga studios.
You now have the option of attending in the morning only, afternoon only, or All day!  
The workshops are included in the entry price.  
Bring your own yoga mat if you plan to participate in the workshops.
Be sure to wear clothes that you are comfortable moving in if you plan to participate.  
There will be vendors selling food, clothes, and other goods.  Bring some cash if you are interested in supporting these local businesses.

 

One Last Look

So everyone, who's going to the Beer and Yoga Brunch at Brew Gentlemen this Sunday, doesn't it sound like a blast?!  In addition, what are some things that have helped you get out of a hard time and has now flourished? Let's talk about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Later babes.

Xx, Bree

#BLOGMAS: Fantastic Gifts & Where to Get Them

Every year, I always get asked by family and friends where and how I come up with innovative gift ideas that are well suited for just about anyone. I know that sometimes this can be quite the tricky venture for many of us since we don't want to come off as seeming like we put no effort into a gift. So this year, I decided to share some of my favorite gift ideas that are well suited for both ladies and fellows (and that won't break the bank)! 

A Travel Press

This gift is really a gift that keeps on giving, or should I say brewing? This travel press is a perfect choice for that coffee and/or tea lover in your life. It's perfect because it allows them to brew on the go and doubles as a travel mug. (This travel press also perfect for a certain girl who will be returning to college for her spring semester. You know, those of us who will be walking around downtown Pittsburgh, taking photographs for their internship during the chilly months of January and February. Mum, if you're reading this, hint, hint!)

Burt's Bees Fabulous Mini's Gift Set

Much like in my gifts list article from last year for Dose of Vitamin F Burt's Bees products are still one of my favorite gifts to give simply because they are practical and everybody can use them. This set in particular is great to fight the damaging effects of winter weather due to all of it's nourishing assets, which will keep your skin from getting rough and dry this season. This set includes travel sizes of the following: nourishing cream cleanser, intense hydration day lotion, soap bark and chamomile deep cleansing cream, naturally nourishing milk and honey body lotion,  coconut foot cream, and Shea butter hand cream. 

Wishing Ball

For those of you that don't know what a wishing ball is, it's a neat little decor piece that you can leave a small notebook by to write "wishes" on and then place them into the ball. However, this could also be used as a way for guests to leave kind messages and wishes of well being to the owner of the home that the wishing ball is placed in. The reason I feel this is such a great gift is because it spreads positivity and doubles as a great decorative piece.

A Watch

Firstly, in case some of my readers haven't entered my JORD Watch Holiday Giveaway yet, you can enter to win a watch of your very own as well as receive a 25% off e-code instantly just for entering! (You can get all the deets HERE, get your 25% off e-code HERE, and enter the contest HERE.) But really, the reason I feel any of JORD's watches would be a wonderful gift is because they are so well crafted and look beautiful for any occasion. Trust me, I got John this gorgeous timepiece for Christmas and he loves it!

Wine Tote (Glasses Included)

As my long time readers know, I love wine. Aside from scotch, it is actually my drink of choice, but that's not the only reason I feel this wine tote is an excellent gift. The reason I chose this wine tote is because I feel that the best gathering take place with loved ones around a dinner table at home. This being said, this tote is a very nifty way to serve guests their beverages. (I don't know about your families, but I know the Fesh and Barry households both enjoy their vino at family gatherings!!)

Succulents

Lastly, this is actually a little gift I want to get myself when I return to college in a few weeks, (That announcement coming soon--though I won't be on campus until fall, I am taking a few online classes and have been accepted into a pretty big internship that starts January 1st! And if you follow me on Instagram, you know exactly what internship I'm talking about. *wink*) just to add some extra life to my room. However, the reason I say succulent plants are a great gift for anyone is because much like the wishing ball, these little plants make great decor pieces and are easy to care for too. 

What are some of your favorite gifts to give during the holiday season? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Later babes.

Xx, Bree