Holiday Gift Style: Embellished Cardigans!

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Alissa

One of my latest obsessions this season, to pair with my other obsession: the pencil skirt, is an embellished cardigan. I’ve always been a cardigan girl, opting for the softness of a button-down topper that could be mixed & matched with skirts, jeans, pants, & even over a dress. This is the perfect season for just such a cardigan, one with dazzling sequins, beads, & stones, in designs inspired by a winter wonderland, feminine florals, or holiday sparkle. There are plenty of high-end cardigans on the market, but as always, I’ve selected some style that will surely fit any budget & heighten your holiday ensemble!

SHOP: black cardigan @dressbarn, cream cardigan @Target, red pearl crewneck cardigan @New York & Company (also available in black & white in sizes XS – XXL), red jewel collar cardigan @Walmart (also available in black, gray, & ivory in sizes S-XXL), heather cardigan @Macy’s (also available in pink & ivory in sizes XS-XXL), & black embellished neck cardigan @Nordstrom Rack (also available in gray in sizes S-XL).

Happy Styling!

#BlackFriday Sale Update: EVERYTHING $20 & Under @Charlotte Russe!

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Alissa

Charlotte Russe is such a fun store to find affordable must-haves for shoppers of any size, including sweaters to outerwear to shoes to jewelry. For their big Black Friday sale, The entire store is $20 & under, which is like shopping catnip! I’ve been patrolling the website on & off all day, especially their skirts & ballet flats, which are my usual bargain finds. When shopping for your gal pals or trying to upgrade your look, try out something unexpected like a statement necklace in a bright color or a playful tote for a weekend away!

SHOP: quilted puffer jacket, plus size utility jacket, Aztec cardigan, chevron fringed poncho, graphic tote, scuba skirt, pointed over the knee boots, buckled ankle booties, velvet dress sandals, taupe stone necklace, & emerald bib necklace @Charlotte Russe.

Happy Styling!

#BlackFriday Sale Update: Up To 75% Off @New York & Company!

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Alissa

I’ll admit that I’ve been pretty generous with myself lately when it comes to stocking up on new favorite fashions for the season, & it’s no secret that New York & Company is one store that I always keep one eye on because of their reasonable prices & lush styles. This is a store that I know I can always turn to for sweaters especially, which is why I’m showcasing six pretty adorable & winter-appropriate sweaters that are on sale up to 75% off for Black Friday.

SHOP: jacquard sweater, pink fair isle sweater, red split neck fair isle sweater, chic shopper sweater, sequin joy sweater, & lace-up ribbed sweater @New York & Company.

Happy Styling!

#BlackFriday Sale Update: Up To 50% Off @ALDO Shoes!

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Alissa

‘Tis boot season, which means that at least a few days a week, your wardrobe should consist of a tunic sweater & leggings, a turtleneck & skinny jeans, & a cardigan & boyfriend jeans. I’m pretty psyched to get the most use out of my favorite fall / winter shoes to reinvent staple pieces in a new way. Footwear is the easiest way to spruce up any look, especially when you can consider adding extra texture & detail in suede, laces, & metallic accents. ALDO Shoes is currently celebrating Black Friday with up to 50% off select styles, with FREE SHIPPING on purchases until 11/29!

SHOP: gray boots, brown boots, black ankle booties, tan suede booties, red lace-up booties, peep toe toe booties, bordeaux bag, & cognac bag @ALDO Shoes.

Happy Styling!

#BlackFriday Sale Update: 30% Off Everything @Francesca’s!

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Alissa

Francesca’s is one of my favorite stores where I can indulge in accessories, especially jewelry! There’s always something unique & extra sparkly to select, even if you’re shopping for some fashionable friends this holiday season. For Black Friday, the entire website is 30% off & also the regular-priced boots are up to 40% off (no code necessary) until tomorrow! Consider a token bag, cute cape, or sassy suede footwear when putting together your next special occasion look with some of these stylish & affordable suggestions!

SHOP: toggle cape, crossbody bag, cluster earrings, beaded belt, suede wedges, bead statement necklace, strap platform, drop earrings, & dome ring @Francesca’s.

Happy Styling!

#BlackFriday Sale Update: 50% Off Everything @GAP!

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Alissa

Happy Thanksgiving & early Black Friday! I tried to stay disconnected from technology for most of the holiday, but I just can’t take it anymore. There are so many awesome sales going on right now that will not only help build up a killer winter wardrobe, but also check off some stylish names on your gift list. Once I filtered through the dozens & dozens of emails, I couldn’t start posting fast enough.

For classic styles to wear from season to season, GAP is the place to shop, especially for their big Black Friday sale of 50% off everything with the online code TGIF50.

SHOP: plaid dress, stripe sweater, pleated skirt, star scarf, ballet flat, knit hat, & stripe belt @GAP.

Happy Styling!

Accessories Access: Holiday Party Circuit Clutches!

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Alissa

‘Tis the season to be glitzy! When you’re getting for your the biggest holiday events, shopping for & coordinating your favorite party dresses & shoes, don’t forget about the all-important clutch, especially when hitting the cocktail party circuit where a bulky bag just won’t do. Investing in a classic, all-purpose clutch bag will serve your wardrobe over & over again, & this time of year, you won’t even have to break the bank for that final finishing piece. Take some inspiration from red carpet pros whose clutch game is on point for any occasion, including Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, Gigi Hadid, Emma Roberts, Jennifer Hudson, Anna Kendrick, & Kerry Washington.

Because it is the holiday season, I scouted the web for party-specific bags that will pop with any look, whether it’s an LBD, sparkly frock, sleek jumpsuit, or fit & flare number. The following selections are $40 & under from some of my favorite retailers that I often turn to when getting my wardrobe state of mind into party mode.

SHOP: Tevolio merlot mesh clutch @Target, Luxe by Carmen Marc Valvo tassel clutch @dressbarn, sequin shoulder bag @H&M, & faux fur pouch @Nordstrom.

SHOP: metallic rhinestone clutch @Francesca’s, burgundy velvet minaudiere @Century 21, wine foldover clutch @Forever 21, & gold ring clutch box @Icing.

Happy Styling!

Holiday Gift Styles: Cozy & Cute Sleepwear!

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Alissa

As we gear up for all the Black Friday fuss, start making your lists now of what you’re getting your loved ones, especially those stylish ones. A holiday favorite when it comes to gifts is sleepwear because everybody likes to cuddle up in style, feel relaxed & perhaps with a little sense of humor, don something cheeky (literally too, but this isn’t that kind of post). Everywhere I go, I see all sorts of fun holiday & season-themed pajama sets, night shirts, pajamas, slippers, & socks. I know winter isn’t as bad everywhere like it is in the northeast, but keeping it cozy & chic on heavy snow days & chilly evenings with a cup of tea always warms my heart & wardrobe. Here are some sweet suggestions on how Santa can help dress you & your friends for the season!

SHOP: black sleep set @dressbarn, santa pajamas @Target, one-piece microfleece pajamas @Kohl’s, lace print pajamas @TJMaxx, Terry kimono robe @Macy’s, green sleep tee @Victoria’s Secret, & pink sleep tee @Victoria’s Secret.

SHOP: leopard slippers @Soma, knit slippers @H&M, penguin sock @Old Navy, & leopard socks @Old Navy.

Where do you like to shop for sleepwear? Do you prefer matching sets? What patterns or colors do you shop for when considering sleepwear? Happy Styling!

Inside A Style Blogger’s Closet: A Daytime LBD for Fall!

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Alissa

As a blogger, I’m always looking for inspiration on the web & from stores where I shop. It’s only recently that I’m directly using my own style & images of myself (as seen on my Instagram @MissAlissaL) in what I’m wearing to share with readers on a daily basis (which is ironic considering the name of this blog includes the word “daily”). It hasn’t been easy, what with a constant (self) scrutiny of how I look, what an image says about me, & how I feel about putting this side of myself out there to the blog-iverse. In a leap of fashion faith, I’m seizing this opportunity for a number of reasons: 1. The weather is bound to change here on Long Island, so my accessibility to flattering outdoor lighting for pictures is extra limited. (Sidenote: I live alone & don’t own a fancy camera, so heading to my parents’ house between jobs is my usual stop for a quickie photo sesh.) 2. I’m feeling confident in my voice as a writer / blogger, as well as in my style & about my shape. There’s so much about expression through style & body positivity that I want to share with readers & can’t get my fingertips on the keyboard fast enough. 3. I can’t build the Style Darling Daily empire without attaching my face to it. This seems to be working because friends & coworkers of mine regularly greet me with, “Hey Style Darling.” I live the moniker, so I need to blog it.

So here I am in a black floral lace dress that surprised me when I saw it & even more so then tried it on. It’s not a full-on a-line dress, like I’m used to wearing, but I saw the potential in dressing it up & down. Since I had to get to work on this Saturday afternoon, I wanted to try the dress out with fall favorites like patterned tights & a denim jacket, so that the dress wouldn’t look so party-ready. I played up the feminine vibe of this dress with fun & flirty heels, & accessorized with my new metallic bow clutch. I was really into the delicate feel of the dress, so I paired a flower pendant necklace with it, as well as two beaded bracelets.

Some of these pieces are old & no longer available, but there are so many accessorizing possibilities to this look. I’d consider a statement necklace or belt (both of which I tried while getting ready & saved in my mind for later), as well as a blanket scarf & knee boots for a weekend-in-the-country vibe. However, the key elements to recreate this outfit for yourself are just a click away!

SHOP: black floral lace dress, Westport 1962 denim jacket, pin dot tights, & shimmer bow wristlet @dressbarn.

What’s your dress style for the fall? What colors & pattern combos are you attracted to? Where are you shopping for great deals on your favorite outfits? Happy Styling!

Basics for a Bargain: Pencil Skirt Party for All Sizes!

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Alissa

Earlier in the fall, I was asked what trend I was most interested in, & I was surprised to realize that I’d been all about skirts because my spring & summer wardrobe was so fit & flare dress heavy. However, my flirtation with skirts isn’t exclusive to one style since I’m pretty psyched about all styles & how to explore separates combinations & playing with different patterns. Though, not all skirts are flattering for all body types, but one of the most classic styles that best fits & enhances any shape is the pencil skirt, which is versatile enough to pair with a variety of tops to take you to work to date to weekend & everywhere in between.

Take some inspiration from some iconic television characters who’ve always looked their best on the small screen in pencil skirts, including Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway on Mad Men, Mindy Kaling as Dr. Mindy Lahiri on The Mindy Project, Emma Roberts as Chanel Oberlin on Scream Queens, Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones on Sex & the City, & Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyons on Empire.

You don’t have to break the bank either to find a pencil skirt for you, especially when they’re available in nearly every size, pattern, color, & material. Try a pencil skirt for your next office look with a denim button down shirt, a polka dot cardigan with a striped skirt, or a graphic tee tucked into a brocade skirt. The styling possibilities are endless & evident in the countless posts I’ve previously shared in the past, including inspiration from Lauren Conrad & Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon’s floral take on pencil skirts, & style steals straight from the red carpet on Cate Blanchett & Michelle Obama! Also, here are just a few ways I’ve been wearing pencil skirts lately!

So if you haven’t already, take the plunge with a sleek & elegant pencil skirt. Check out these ten affordable picks below to get your holiday, fall, & winter style in gear! Not to mention that most pencil skirts are perfect for year-round wear, which makes the challenge of styling them all the more thrilling!