Here’s my favorite versions of it, from the Luxe to the Less…

And here’s a few more options..

And some Celebs and their Fur..

BTW, in case you’re wondering where I’d gone off too.. I got buried away in corporate wasteland for several years and am finally in recovery mode. I quit my job at Cisco after 12 years to find myself and spend more time with my family. It’s been incredible having the time to raise my daughter hand in hand and wake up to the experience of real life. I can’t say I’d never go back to corporate but right now I’m enjoying the new. I’ve started consulting part-time for user experience work and am now finally dusting off the Luxe Mix! Hope to see you more… I’ve missed this place.

So what’s on my mind right now? Sequin blazers! Is it just me or is this the trend that’s anywhere and everywhere. I don’t know exactly why started it but I think Rachel Zoe had a big impact.. esp. with her show the Rachel Zoe Project. Whatever she says on the show you end up seeing everywhere. By the time I’ve finally finished writing up this post, I’m actually on the verge of sequin blazer overload. Is it just me or do fashion trends seem to spread a lot faster and further than before?

Anyway, I’ve been photoshoping like mad and putting together some outfits with sequin blazers. The first look on the left is something I’d wear on a regular day, simple black and black. This is a very safe way to go. When in doubt go for all black, no one can say you didn’t know what you were doing. The next look (blue sequin blazer) would be something I’d wear at a more conservative event, maybe a work holiday party. Now that I look at it thought it’s a little on the mature lady side. The 3rd look (light grey/silver blazer) is definately work appropriate. The last look is a little wacky but I thought I’d try it out. What do you think? Does this work or is it just too mixy matchy?

I hope to hear you guys all try out the sequin blazer trend soon. If not sequin blazer, sequin anything. It’s everywhere so you can no excuse of not being able to find one you like!

House of Harlow 1960 Gold Starburst Cocktail Ring with Black Leather @ Singer22.com for $50.00

Here’s some others that I like..

Juicy Couture Turquoise Drama Cocktail Ring ($118.00 @ Zappos Couture)

Aldo Twit Cocktail Ring ($12.00 @ Aldo.com)

CC Skye_Black_Onyx_Cocktail_Ring ($189.75 @ My-Wardrobe.com)

Rings Eclectic White Rose Cocktail Ring ($98.00 @ shopintuition.com)

Faceted Dome Ring ($49.50 @BananaRepublic.com)

Can’t wait until I can fit one of these bad boys on my hand (after I have normal size fingers) and after I can swig a real cocktail!

So while I’ve managed to still look like myself for the most part these past 5 months… it’s getting harder and harder. Talk about hanging onto to every last thread of my pre-maternity clothing! Here’s one look I put together recently (while on my baby-moon in Mexico) that I felt good in. The key here was leggings (never can have enough of these when you’re pregnant).. a really loose top from Bebe I’d bought for a trip to Hawaii couple years back and my trusty black cardigan. I felt so comfy in this outfit I promised myself to go out and find 10 tops like this. If anyone has good maternity shopping tips or links please do share!

I finally got the Summer Scarf I’ve been looking for… or maybe I should call it my Fall Scarf I got this one at Nordstroms, where there was a satisfyingly large selection of scarves — both square and rectangular. I picked this blue, grey, and white checkered one since it seemed muted but still flattering against my face. The sales lady showed me how to wrap it once around my neck (from front to back) and then tucked the loose ends under the “V” shape. Such a simple tip but helpful, thanks lady!

So here I am on University Ave in Palo Alto. Did I manage to attain the casual, just here to kick-back look? Well either way, I was happy and content with my outfit this day since I was comfy and maintained the perfect body temperature with my scarf pairing. Can’t wait to try it again with something else!

Now that I’m a year older, I’m challenging myself to add a new accessory to my repertoire. I think every woman should break the ice of some kind of accessory every few years and eventually they will master the art of it. I’ve dabbled with belts over the last couple years, handbags and shoes
don’t even count, sunglass shapes these days haven’t been doing much
for my rounded face, and jewelery is always there –but challenging
nonetheless. So what’s next on my list? Scarves! Summer scarves that is.

Over the past few years I’ve let a lot/more than enough black creep into my wardrobe so I’m hoping my whole scarf movement will bring back some color to the darkness. Also, summer scarves were so big this summer I’m hoping to catch some of the action before it cools down. I love that the summer scarf dresses you up and dresses you down all in one. It adds interest and an edgy not snobbish sophistication to your look. And lastly, it can be so versatile since there’s endless colors, patterns, shapes, sizes, and textures to choose from.

If you’re interested in a summer scarf for yourself, here’s a few places to try…

BUT FIRST a quick video on a few ways of tying the scarf.

Shopbop

Madison Los Angeles

Anthropologie

Luxe for Less Options

Urban Outfitters

Forever21

Look Book

Which leads me to… my new love affair with the new Murakami-inspired Monogramouflage Collection from Louis Vuitton. I know I’m more than a month late on the breaking of this news but I’m not so much concerned about that but more the thought of how am I going to score one of these??? &^%$#*@

It’s kind of jarring to glance at at first and I’m sure there are many haters out there but I’m really feeling this one!! I’ll be a little combat soldier in action on the streets swinging one of these around. Nobody mess with me!

I’ve got my eyes on the Speedy 35.. and there’s also this bad little iphone case… check out photos of that at Nitrolicious’s blog. She’s got the best pics of the whole collection by far.

Find an LV store near you.

In regards to White Elephanting, I believe everyone falls into one of three categories. Which one are you?

1. Zealous Elephant
You’re the kind of What Elephanter who takes pride in your gifts and shops long and hard for the best gift for these events. Your mission in life is to buy the one gift that EVERYONE wants to steal. Your palms get sweaty as you sit on the edge of your seat waiting for someone to pick up your awesomely wrapped gift on the table. After the lucky recipient has opened your gift you wait for someone to steal it away!.. (silently praying too..) If no one steals it you think WTF what’s wrong with these people?? They OBVIOUSLY can’t appreciate fine things. Yeah.. guess which one I am?

2. Cheezy Elephant
You’re the kind of White Elephanter who loves to make a moron out of your gift recipient. Your idea of the perfect gift is a Mooning Santa or a nasal passage cleanser. Most of the time you’ll dig deep into your junk drawers or old boxes for something that still has it’s price tag on it to give away… some old gift you got from some ex of yours, or very likely even a gift you got from last year’s White Elephant! HAHA. We need these kinds of guys/gals at our parties because it really adds some good laughs to the night.

3. Underzealous Elephant
You just don’t give a shizz! You think White Elephant parties are lame and only go because you don’t want to be seen as the unsocial hermit that you really are. You also hate the idea of spending a good $20 on someone you could care less about! And besides you always end up with something totally and completely useless which you’ll have to try really hard to re-gift to anyone who won’t notice they’re being re-gifted to. But be warned because trust me — we always know when we’re being re-gifted!

Whichever type that one is I find that everyone has a better time at White Elephants than they thought they’d have. With all that unwrapping, suspense, and thieving who couldn’t have a delightful time?? So if you’re a Zealous Elephant like me I think you’ll like my top White Elephant  gift picks below… and if no one ends up liking them they’re probably losers so don’t even worry.

Luxe White Elephant Gifts for $5-$25

Desk Dots at Momastore.org

Dozi Paper Clip Holder at Momastore.org

Monkeys Key Covers at Patina Stores.com

Wine Glass Markers at ASOS.com

$20 Victoria’s Secret Gift Certificate

I can’t claim responsibility for this brilliant idea but I had to share it with you. One of these turned up at my company holiday party last week and it sent us all into an uproar. What was so surprisingly hilarious is that EVERYONE wanted it — the guys prob. more so than the girls. I loved it!

Bowling Drinking Game at UrbanOutfitters.com

If you’re going to give something cheezy, at least give ‘em something they can use once!