In Spades

Style... in abundance

Classic Meets Edgy

Baukjen Cecile dressBaukjen Cecile dress Baukjen Cecile dress Baukjen Cecile dress Baukjen Cecile dressBaukjen Cecile dressBaukjen Cecile dress  Baukjen dress (c/o) // Vasic New York handbag (c/o) // Marco de Vincenzo boots (similar here)

SoCal weather has been unseasonably warm.  (I know, you’re sick of hearing that).  Over the weekend I tried to break out my sweaters and jackets and every time I ended up sweating through my wool (or leather) and regretting the decision.  So as much as I want to show you my best cold weather get-ups, it’s just too darn hot!

Thankfully I have a collection of transitional dresses to get me through these weird temps.  This polka dot shirt dress couldn’t be any more classic, or flattering.  It reminds me of something Audrey Hepburn would wear.  The a-line silhouette and built-in belt make it the perfect choice for any body type – athletic, curvy, petite.

You may remember these metallic silver booties from last season.  Remarkably they are still available and on sale!  They also come in gold and pink (I may just have to snag another pair).  I’ve also linked some similar options below under $100.

As we get further into winter – and closer to the holidays, yay! – I’d love to hear what kind of content you’d like to see from me.  Each year I share Holiday Gift Guides and outfit inspiration for what to wear to holiday parties, but I’d love to hear who you’re shopping for and what events you’re attending so I can help make your holidays a breeze.

Let me know in the comments what kind of holiday content you’d like to see!  And as always, if you ever have any styling questions, you know how to find me (wink).

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Photos by White Tee Black Dress

What to Wear to Holiday Parties

Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress Lafayette 148 Classic Velvet Ashlena Dress

Lafayette 148 New York dress (c/o) // Jimmy Choo pumps (similar here) // Banana Republic earrings (similar here)

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Lafayette 148 New York’s new store opening at South Coast Plaza.  If you’re not familiar with the brand, they make timeless, elegant pieces with a focus on suiting.  You fully realize the power of a great blazer when you’ve worn a Lafayette 148 blazer!  The cut is impeccable.  Stay tuned next week for a rad suit I picked up from the brand.

For the night’s festivities, I chose this saffron velvet dress with swing skirt and side slit.  Elegant and comfortable, it got me in the holiday spirit.  I honestly can’t believe it’s already November.  From here on out, my calendar is full of celebratory events and I’m sure yours is too.

To get your closet prepared, I picked out dresses under $250 that will make great statements this holiday season.  With a focus on sequins, velvet and lace, here are my top picks for holiday dressing.

Sequins

Wear these dreses on NYE

Velvet

Perfect for any occasion – family photos, holiday tea or cocktail parties

Lace

Great for work parties, or a night out on the town

Fair Isle Cardigan

Fair Isle Cardigan Fair Isle Cardigan Fair Isle Cardigan Fair Isle Cardigan Fair Isle Cardigan Fair Isle Cardigan

Fair Isle cardigan // Mamacita au Naturale // High waisted jeans all via Vocabulary Boutique // Zara boots

If you’ve been reading In Spades for a while, you know one of my favorite places to shop in San Diego is Vocabulary boutique.  Owned by my dear friend Cecelia, it’s expertly curated and offers clothing, accessories and home decor at super reasonable price points.  Plus, it’s just about the cutest boutique you ever did see, located in the heart of Little Italy.

Fall is all about layering, and I was feeling extra nostalgic for a crackling fireplace and a cup of hot cocoa – a regular fall ritual in my Midwestern hometown.  So this fair isle cardigan was the perfect cozy choice.  I’ve seen so many fabulous iterations on this print, and will definitely be adding more to my closet.

In addition to fireplaces and hot cocoa, I’m so excited to experience all the quintessential fall outings like pumpkin patches and apple picking now that I’m a mother.  This cute Mamacita au Naturale t-shirt made me grin with its sassy expression.

High waisted jeans aren’t going anywhere and are super flattering.  I opted for a medium wash pair with lace-up pointed toe boots to elevate the look just slightly.  Vocabulary has some great charcoal wash pairs of the blue ones I’m wearing above.  A great choice if you’re looking for something a little edgier.

My boots are old, but if you’re looking for an updated pair that happens to be an exact dupe of the popular Chloe style, check these out.  They’re less than $40!

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Emerald Green Leopard Print

Whistles London emerald green leopard print dress Whistles London emerald green leopard print dress Whistles London emerald green leopard print dress Whistles London emerald green leopard print dress Whistles London emerald green leopard print dress Whistles London emerald green leopard print dress Whistles London emerald green leopard print dress

Whistles London dress via Bloomingdale’s (c/o) (top and skirt) // YSL handbag
Calvin Klein boots (similar here and here) // Quay sunglasses // Zara earrings (similar here)

If you follow me on Instagram, you know my shopping mecca, Fashion Valley, recently hosted a Fall Fashion Show.  More than a dozen stores participated to bring the latest trends to the runway in an evening of fashion, food and entertainment.

After witnessing the spring 2019 collections in New York, it was fun to return to fall styles.  Bring on sweater weather!

I had the opportunity to work with Bloomingdale’s on my look for the night, and boy did I have a hard time narrowing it down.  Leopard print is everywhere, and this emerald green leopard print dress had me at hello.  In a super flattering midi length with pleated skirt, it’s equally elegant and edgy.  I paired it with another huge fall trend, cowboy boots, to keep it versatile for day or night.

The dress is by Whistles London, which is a new addition to the Bloomingdale’s brand line-up.  If you haven’t heard of them before, take note.  Their pieces are on trend while still remaining classic, and have a great accessible price point.  This leopard print jumpsuit will likely be making its way into my closet, especially since Bloomingdale’s is currently running their Buy More, Save More event.

Use code SAVEMORE for 20-30% off your purchase

What fall trends would you like to see more of?  Let me know in the comments what style advice you’re seeking!

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Coconut Oil: The Hero Skincare Ingredient You Need

Kopari Beauty Kopari Beauty Kopari Beauty Kopari Beauty Kopari Beauty Kopari BeautyAcler top // Rag & Bone jeans // Haider Ackermann boots // Marrow Fine ring // Thatch earrings

Last week I had the opportunity to stop by one of my favorite clean beauty offices, Kopari.  If you’re not familiar with the brand, they make non-toxic skincare using one common ingredient – 100% organic coconut oil.

The benefits of coconut oil have been widely praised and the Kopari mission infuses this wonder ingredient into their line-up in the chicest, this-is-everything-I-need-and-more way.

My first introduction to the brand was via their coconut body scrub.  I keep it in the shower and use it at least once a week.  It’s a fabulous exfoliator and locks in hydration.  As we move into winter, I’ll up my application to three times a week.

Since the birth of my daughter, I’ve been even more aware of the ingredients I use on a daily basis.  While I’ve switched to just about all clean/green beauty, the one product that continues to elude me is non-toxic deodorant.  I’ve tried charcoal varieties, spray on, the kind that comes in a jar that you apply with your fingers (I just can’t get on board with this application!) and everything I’ve tried has just been meh.  They all seem to work for like a month and then peter out.

Kopari recently launched their coconut oil deodorant and I’m smitten.  It smells great (so you do too) and glides on really easily.  One of my biggest complaints with other roll-on organic deodorants I’ve used is that they’re chalky and make application difficult.  Not the case here.  Plus the coconut oil softens the skin to make shaving easier.

I’ll keep you posted on how it works as the month goes on, but being a 2018 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner gives me high hopes I’ve found the holy grail of non-toxic deodorant.

Spending the day at Kopari was nothing short of magical.  Their space is beyond stunning and has a gorgeous view of the ocean.  Talk about a dream workspace.  I love their beauty version of the Vogue accessories closet – it was so fun to play around in the space!

Arielle Levy captured these fabulous pics and we joked that the last one is my CEO pose.  I’m not gonna lie, being at Kopari for the day definitely made me feel like a boss lady.

Photos by Arielle Levy

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