summer nights

Although it's very close, summer is not quite over, and there's still plenty of time to take advantage of the weather and fun activities. I find people (including myself) sometimes find it stressful to dress up for nights out in the hotter months, as you want to dress light and fun, but not look too day-timey. Usually accessories and especially shoes and bags, can help you dress up an outfit, but also don't be afraid to wear something a bit darker and heavier, if it is for a more formal occasion.

Towards the end of the summer I tend to wear lots of light colours, since I know I won't be able to in about a month's time, but I also don't wear a lot of bright colours because I usually reserve those for the high summer. I love this outfit for a semi-dressy evening out for dinner, perhaps for a celebration. The dress itself could go either way (casual or dressy) depending how you accessorize, so for this particular look I opted for fancy accessories in a gold tone.

Dress: Chicwish

Necklace: Jane Norman

Bag: Saint Laurent

Pumps: Jimmy Choo

This summer I tried very hard to not wear as much black, and while I definitely didn't cut the colour out completely, I was pretty successful. For an outfit like this, I would've typically worn the romper with black shoes and a purse, but I love the look without black as well, especially for a night out in the summer. If you're worried about it being too much pink, the shoes are more of a beige and so they act as a neutral, which just makes the romper pop even more. But you could always do a light grey or white shoe and accessories if you prefer. You could wear this type of outfit with a white blazer for a dressier night as well, but throw on a denim jacket and you could also wear it for a more casual dinner or movie. (As you can probably tell, denim jackets are my go-to cover up in summer!)

Romper: Nelly

Earrings: Colette Hayman

Rings: Accessorize

Bag: Kate Spade

Sandals: H&M

As much as I love dresses and rompers and all things flowy in the summer, there are nights when I want to dress up and stick with pants. I tend to go for white jeans this time of year because they are lighter and give out a more summery vibe. I find white jeans are the black jeans of summer; they still go with everything, and you can dress them up or down. If you want to really dress up your white denim, go for an all-white look, with black and silver accessories. The colour palette is so classic and chic. I just added pink pumps and lipstick for that extra bit of summer colour, but neutral would also work.

Top: Coast Stores

Jeans: Tory Burch

Necklace: Style Moi

Bracelets: Guess

Clutch: Whistles

Pumps: Christian Louboutin

Lipstick: Clinique Chubby Stick

As much as I talk about not wearing black in the summer, black is classic, and you shouldn't be afraid to rock it in the warmer weather. A black jumpsuit is perfect for a summer night; go for a style like this for an event, or a just a jersey one with thin straps and a denim jacket for something a bit more laid back.

Jumpsuit: Stella McCartney

Necklace: Robert Rose

Ring: Effy Jewelry

Bag: Saint Laurent

Shoes: New Look

Long Weekend Highlights

If you've been keeping up with my Instagram, you know I was at a convention all weekend, and so I didn't have time to ready a post for yesterday or today. It was go go go all weekend, but I had the most absolutely incredible time. Yesterday I finally had a chance to relax and get some work done (and go through convention withdrawal).

But last night my family went out for dinner to celebrate my sister's and my birthdays (her actual birthday was yesterday, and mine is a week Wednesday) and so I decided to do a quick photoshoot of the outfit I wore to dinner to show you guys. I did a little menswear inspired look in classic black and white, with pops of print and colour in my accessories and lipstick. I love how the leopard prints in the belt and clutch contrast each other, and even though they're different, they're still the same animal and colours and they definitely can be worn together. I decided to finish off the outfit with a bushy ponytail and luckily, it wasn't too cold out so I didn't need a jacket over my blazer. October is going to be a crazy month with fashion week, birthdays, Halloween, and lots of celebrations so keep checking my Instagram for snippets of my month!

Jumpsuit: H&M 

Blazer:H&M 

Ring & Bracelet: H&M 

Necklace: Aldo

Belt: H&M 

Clutch: H&M 

Shoes: Call It Spring 

Holiday Parties

One of my favourite things about the holidays is that everything sparkles. Yes I love the candy cane hot chocolates and sitting in front of the fire in my coziest PJs. But as a girl who loves to dress up for just about anything, it's great to actually have something to dress up for. I'm not really at the point in my life yet where I'm attending holiday parties; my work party is pretty casual and, being Jewish, my family doesn't go to any Christmas parties. But even just being able to see all the holiday looks in stores, online and on blogs and feeling the glitz around me is inspiring. 

You can never go wrong with metallic or sequins for the holidays. Both of these styles are classic and pretty, and you can have so much fun with them. I'm loving this sequin skirt from Bebe. It's great because it incorporates both of these styles: it's made of sequins, but still gives off a great metallic look. It's also a neutral colour so you can pair with any colour. Wear it with a black top and pumps if you want to stay feminine and simple, or bright pink if you're not afraid to stand out. Here's a darker sequin option from ASOS.

If you want to be more with the current trends of the season, though, try one of 2013's hottest holiday looks: the tuxedo. It's sexy, functional, and can be worn over and over again with different looks. Pair the jacket with a trousers or skirt for work, or pair the pant with a different top for a night out with the girls. Or try a more modern take: the jumpsuit tuxedo. Try one with a deep V if you're feeling risqué, like Gwyneth Paltrow, whose had the trend nailed since 2012. Add a statement necklace or blazer for warmth.

Another trend for this holiday season is monochromatic colour schemes. Whether red, black, silver or gold, there is so much fun you can have with your one chosen colour, and still look super chic. See below how Sydne Summer from Sydne Style incorporates both the tuxedo and monochrome trends.

Another trend I'm loving for this holiday season is feathers. You can find them almost anywhere right now; on a skirt, on a shirt, on a purse, on a necklace. If you don't want to go overboard, make your feather piece your statement piece, and keep the rest of your outfit monochromatic and simple. These pieces are from Bebe (left) and Club Monaco (right).

Want something comfortable on your feet for all of those holiday parties (if you're hosting, let's say)? Don't feel like you need to give up style and trend for comfort; swap out your heels pair for these metallic gold slippers from Club Monaco. The neutral metallic guarantees they'll match with almost any outfit, and you're feet definitely won't be killing you later.

Bonus tip: Don't limit your glamorous holiday looks to strictly indoor apparel; for example if you're going to be ringing in the new year outside in a town square (like me), you'll want to look amazing even in all those layers. Try a stylish coat (fur is always good), and instead of a hat, try ear muffs. They keep your ears warm while also not giving you hat hair when you take them off indoors!

What do you have planned for the holidays (outfit and activity wise)?!