Category: Fashion

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Fashion Lifestyle

A Coat of Many Memories

Ok so I admit it…yes I have been binge watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Netflix. I mean when you are in the haze that is Christmas to New Years instead of trying to muddle your way through a routine wondering what day it is why not cozy up to watch a new series. I mean honestly I guess you can also call the series a bit of inspiration too. The era of the 50’s with the high waisted trousers, gorgeous hats, and the cutest coats I got a bit inspired. No spoiler alerts here so I won’t tell you the part of the show that inspired me, but the main character was strutting down the street in a beautiful blue jacket and it just got me to thinking. What are the classic pieces when I am long gone that I would want to be in that special box to hand down to whether it be future kids, family, friends, etc.

Jacket- Guess
Sweater & Earrings- Rent the Runway
Jeans- NY & Co.
Purse- Current Boutique
Shoes- DSW
Sunglasses- Forever 21

Just daydreaming away and this green pea coat came to mind. It is so funny because I feel like I graduated college the other day, but alas it was over 10 years ago. I vividly remember the day when I got this jacket. I believe I was entering into my freshman year of college and my mom was set about us going out and getting my first “grown up coat” as I would like to call it. Honestly, at the time it was not all roses and daisies because the plus selection back then was truly awful in the department stores. Then alas, this green beauty caught my eye. Bless my mom who was dealing with a teenager who definitely had a very different eye for style. I mean very opposite, but in the best way. It kind of felt like the first time we agreed on a piece of clothing that we both liked…it was almost like a right of passage in our relationship. Ok…this is getting pretty deep, but you know what I mean.

I know…I know…I always preach to you guys on minimizing your closet and how to keep things simple, this includes not leaving mountains of things for the next generation to have to sort through. I will say though there was a special feeling of playing dress up with my Grandma’s Avon jewelry when I was 8 years old.

So I think this classic jacket will be added to my own little archive of Catherine. The way to create balance is by incorporating those classics in your daily life, don’t let them collect dust in a box. So my decades old coat and I are hitting the town! What would yours be?!

XO

Catherine

Categories
Fashion

Ringing in 2019 with Navabi!

NYE is the one night of the year where we can really go all out with the glam, glitz, furs, and glitter galore…ok who am I kidding you should sport these all year round! Nothing better than ringing in the new year dressed in your best ready to step into the year with new goals and getting a chance to press the reset button on life. I am still trying to think of what my new years resolution is, but honestly I feel like every couple of months I am having a mini new years with new goals and lifestyle changes for a healthier and more creative life.

Speaking of living a more creative perspective on life why not literally start on New Years Eve! So if you saw my Instagram post yesterday I teased you all a bit with staying tuned on what I wore for NYE would not be what was expected. Well, I actually decided to keep it a low key new years and stayed in to drink champs, sing karaoke with my family, eat 12 grapes for good luck and literally fall asleep at 12:06 AM. Yes, I would totally chat about my cozy slippers that I stepped into the new year with, but that wouldn’t be too much fun for you guys.

So let’s chat about how if I did have a night on the town I would have switched out my glitter and glitz for bold and bright colors in a new brand that I just discovered! Earlier last month I had the lovely team at Navabi, which is a brand based in Germany, reach out to me about collaborating. I had never heard of them before, which makes it that much more exciting to share with you guys my thoughts on this brand.

Before this collaboration I checked out their Instagram and fell in love with their whole aesthetic and how some of my favorite bloggers have styled their pieces. I decided to go for a look that I was comfortable with, which of course you all know is florals, and one where I went outside the box a bit. You will have to stay tuned for my second look though…it’s gonna be good! The fit and feel on this floral dream by Manon Baptiste is glorious! Perfect for work and play since it gives great shape and can we talk about the slit on this dress…yessssss please!

From first glance at their website they have pieces that truly can speak to anyone’s style. For the gal that loves to sport pieces that are bold in colors and patterns all the way to the gal that prefers a quality go-to basic tee or chic blazer I was really impressed with the variety.  I was a bit nervous on sizing since I feel like with some European brands I need to size up 2-3 sizes, which can make it tricky on what fits the first time. Navabi has a US website though so you can feel comfortable with choosing what is right for you. I would recommend going a size up though just to be on the safe side. You can’t beat their price points either! I was really impressed with how the price totally matches the quality.

Ok enough blabbing from me, here are a few of my favorites on their US website. Cheers to a new year and discovering new amazing brands that I hope you all love!

XO

Catherine

Manon Baptiste Houndstooth and circle print pea coat Blue / Multicolour
Houndstooth Coat
Manon Baptiste Gathered sleeve jumper Dark-Green / Multicolour
Gathered Sleeved Top
Embroidered check dress in Black / Red designed by Manon Baptiste to find in Category Dresses at navabi.de
Embroidered Check Dress
Embroidered jacquard skirt in Black / Multicolour designed by Manon Baptiste to find in Category Skirts at navabi.de
Embroidered Skirt
Ankle grazer jacquard trousers in Dark-Blue / Pink designed by Manon Baptiste to find in Category Trousers at navabi.de
Blazer and Trouser Set
Manon Baptiste Floral print chiffon dress Dark-Green / Multicolour
Floral Chiffon Dress
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Fashion

Say Hello to your Solemate!

I was driving somewhere the other day…no joke it is so true how you feel like you lose all sense of time and such during the days between Christmas and NYE…I don’t even remember where I was driving. Also, wasn’t even sure if I made it out wearing the same shoes. All I know is that I could immediately tell you how many naps I have taken and how much of that delicious honey ham I have ate. Hopefully some of you can relate to this and if not…well…this is my life. Anywho, I was driving around lost somewhere and the song “These boots were made for walkin” came on and the idea for this post popped into my head!

In a lot of ads & posts about NYE looks and inspo I see many revolved around the dress, jumpsuit, skirt, etc. as the main centerpiece, which I think is absolutely important, but what about what you dress up those toes with!? I vividly remember the NYE quite a few years back where I did not plan my footwear situation that well in advance and ended up with peep toes in the snow trecking through downtown Chicago! Well, that will never be happening again and I do not want it happening to you my lovely friends either.

Usually when I think NYE looks I immediately think of crazy, metallic, embellished beauties but as said based around the weather I did a round up of a bit of both for inspiration for you guys. Some functional, some fashional, and some just who knows but they are epic!

Will your feet be kicked up on the couch in cozy slippers or dancing the night away when the clock strikes 12?! I will probably have my feet propped up on the couch…with heels on. It’s called balance right?!

XO

Catherine

Sequin Amelia Over The Knee Boot
Eloquii Thigh High Boots

Abba Kitten Heel Bootie
Eloquii Metallic Kitten Heel

Sequin Abba Kitten Heel Bootie
Eloquii Sequin Kitten Heel

ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Variety embellished ballet flats
ASOS Embellished Ballet Flat

River Island Wide Fit Point Sling Back
ASOS Metallic Ankle Strap Heel

Dune Wide Fit Cristyn Faux Leopard Studded Kitten Heeled Shoes
ASOS Leopard Kitten Heel

Simply Be Metallic wide fit block heel sandals Silver
Navabi Metallic Ankle Block Heel

Wide fit block heel shoes in Black designed by Lost Ink to find in Category Shoes at navabi.de
Navabi Patent Leather Block Heel
Categories
Fashion

After Holiday Looks!

Of course prior to the holidays is evolved all around building the perfect look for your work party, family dinner, and other holiday related events throughout the month and into the new year. Hopefully you all found the deals on Black Friday for that fabulous dress you plan on wearing. For those of you that may have payed a bit more for that little dress that you will most likely only wear once and then it will sit at the back of your closet and then next year you will forget about it and buy a new one and the vicious cycle continues (Phew that was a long thought). Believe me I have been there too!

So for this weeks post I wanted to share with you guys a couple of tips for pieces that you may already have in your closet that can take your party looks to be worn in a variety of ways.

Leather or pleather jackets can do wonders. Paired with even your sparkliest New Years Eve dresses. Leather can tone down any look and give it that more I am here to be casual, but I still want a bit of sparkle. I went for a bold color, but black can usually pair perfect.

Layering under dresses. I have been seeing this trend a lot on Instagram and it is Dreamy Realist approved! For your dresses that are sleeveless you can pair a thin mock neck long sleeve or something that is more on the sheer side underneath that party dress or top. Is perfect for if you are out to dinner and want to take your jacket off and not feel like you are pretending it is 90 degrees on a 20 degree day.

Accessories can make all the difference. Just a change of a pair of earrings can make all the difference in the world with a flashy dress. Keeping the colors and tones more muted can make even your dressiest of dresses feel like just the perfect touch of glam. Even changing out your metallic gold high heels for a pair of suede leather booties and a pair of funky tights can give you comfort and trade out that glitter clutch for a casual leather bag and you are set!

So how many wears are you going to get out of your party dress this year?!

XO

Catherine

Shop my look:

Dress- Eloquii | Jacket- Eloquii | Tights- Amazon | Purse- Rent the Runway