Merry Stylish Christmas to all! Any time of year is a reason to get sparkly, but between today & New Year’s Eve, let’s go the extra mile when it comes to dazzling baubles. Recently, I learned that Macy’scarries an exclusive kind of fashion jewelry by high-end designer Givenchy, love by how luxury reaches the hands, necks, wrists, & ears of the budget-conscious Style Darling!
I’m torn between the rose gold & emerald green designs, but could find ways to wear all of them, if I was so lucky! How would you style these jewels? Do you wear matching statement sets? Which color is your favorite?
For the day-to-day grind & weekend chores, I stick to one giant handbag. I’m very loyal to it until it falls apart; however, when heading out for a special occasion, I’m happy to downsize with something metallic, playful, & festive!
I gifted myself the pink bag with a gift card, but I’m also keeping my eye out for a holiday deal on accessories, so that I can add the chic, neutral metallic bronze to my collection too!
I love a bargain! So do many Style Darlings this Black Friday weekend, especially if you’re shopping Target! If you’re in need of a stocking stuffer for a stylish loved one or can’t resist a sparkly deal for yourself, check out these earrings for under $6!
The party invitations must be rolling in for the most festive time of the year! Aside from landing on a comfortable & glittery outfit to celebrate the holidays, the right accessories at the right price are key! Finding an all-purpose evening clutch isn’t always easy, especially a neutral option that would work for another special occasion, like a wedding, & for any ensemble. However, you don’t have to pick just one when a bargain comes along. For example:
I love the neutral color + metal + sparkle combination, perfect for a velvet wrap dress & satin heels, a sequin sheath dress & patent stilettos, or an embellish sweater dress & patterned tights for a holiday party or gift exchange with friends. At 70% off, investing in both is a great idea to be prepared for a more dramatic, darker look or something softer in pastels for another season.
Fa-la-la! It’s holiday time for fun festivities to begin, especially when it comes to our accessories. It’s the season for extra sparkly bling & even the most literally holiday-riffic jewels. SUGARFIX by BaubleBar @Target does it again with the following selections to brighten up the weekend, your next luncheon with the girls, or holiday gathering.
If there’s any actress sure to garner attention for the glossy photos of a magazine cover shoot, it’s Anne Hathaway! For the November 2022 issue of Vogue Hong Kong, the Academy Award-winner channels her 60s goddess, which we’ve been seeing a lot lately for recent red carpets & press events, discussing turning 40 soon, her 4 upcoming films (Armageddon Time,Eileen, She Came to Me, & Mother’s Instinct), as well as family & fashion!
I’ve been spotting the chain link trend all over, which took a while for me to warm up to, but now, I’m all about it! I can’t wear chain link on chain link, but I like the subtle nod to edgy street style, mixed with luxury in bright gold & silver tones & jeweled embellishments.
I’ve purchased both metals & love to wear them for work, a lunch with girl friends, or on date night, depending on the metal I’m most dominantly wearing with my outfit. The bracelets are a good, heavy weight, feeling like they won’t break if knocked into a desk, for example. The gemstones are very sparkly & add just enough shine for any look. See how they look with my recent outfits:
There are some accessories or around-the-house pieces I was always rely on until I just can’t wear them anymore. That definitely applies to slippers. In our high ranch house, since we live most of the time upstairs, I keep a pair in the bedroom for early, chilly mornings & when getting ready for bed. Likewise, I have another pair in my cloffice downstairs for work-from-home days & playing with my daughter in our family room. This is convenient, so that no matter where I am, I have slippers to stay cozy.
However, now that Target has a major 40% off deal happening right now on slippers, I might just have to freshen up my options, especially for post-shower primping when I don’t necessarily want my feet to be all covered up.
I don’t wear much in the way of literal festive jewelry, save some snowflake, gift bow, or bunny earrings, but in recent years, I’ve been including my four-year-old in my style journey. I love her input on accessories & appealing to her festive interests for any season or holiday. This fall & Halloween, while I haven’t yet invested in any spooky sparkles, I have my eye on the gorgeously glittery pieces from SUGARFIX by BaubleBar @Target:
As fall rolls in, we’re not only getting obsessed with layers, but also textures, especially in footwear! Specifically, velvet is a great fabric for virtually any article of clothing or accessory, but on a shoe, an outfit becomes elevated with a more luxe sophistication & festive fashionability. Last fall, I went crazy buying up all the velvet leggings I could in every rich, jewel tone hue & now I’ve got my eye on velvet flats.
These will be a perfect work staple to contrast a neutral-heavy look in earth tones & dark denim, but also with other luxurious patterns of the season, such as plaid, floral, abstracts, & brocade! my only wishes are for availability in wide width, a pointy toe as opposed to an almond toe, & other colors, such as navy or purple.
There aren’t many movies these days I want to see in the theater. It must be an epic, cinematic experience to get me to go—otherwise, I’m perfectly content streaming from home in the comfort of my own slippers. However, when the early images of Olivia Wilde’s sophomore directorial effort emerged for Don’t Worry Darling, I was intrigued, having been enamored with Florence Pugh’s maturity as Amy in Little Women, global pop star Harry Styles as the leading man, & the 1950s time period!
This weekend, my husband & I saw a matinee showing if the film & I was blown away by the costume design from thrice Academy Award-nominated Arianne Phillips, for her work in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Walk the Line, & W. E. Take a look at the gallery below for all the fashionable sneak peeks, but be careful: SPOILERS ahead!
Don’t Worry Darling | Official Trailer #2
Florence Pugh
CR: Warner Bros. Pictures
Florence & Olivia aren’t the only stylish stars of the film, as there’s much glamour & vintage elegance on Harry, Chris Pine, & Gemma Chan as well. Watch the trailer below, along with other behind-the-scenes videos & interviews about the making of the stylish film:
Actress & director Olivia Wilde has been in the news for all the catty behind-the-scenes gossip about her highly-anticipated sophomore film, Don’t Worry Darling, which also stars Harry Styles, Florence Pugh, & Chris Pine.
However, during a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Olivia was the epitome of effortless street style in a white tee & black wide leg pants, a look any cool gal tries & all women should!
Topped with black sunglasses, gold layered necklaces, & likely towering platforms, Olivia brought her 70s chic vibe to the streets of New York City & stage during the show to chat about all of the controversy her film has faced, offer her narrative behind casting decisions.
As tomorrow marks the last day of summer, I’m not quite ready to bid adieu to my maxi dresses & sandals. My heart just isn’t there yet, but my eyes are on the fashionable fall prize… & so is my finger as I click my mouse to Add-to-Cart! I can’t even think about wearing heavy layers or hefty fabrics, but they just kept finding their way into my social media. Case in point:
SHOP:tweed ballet flats in black @Ardene ($19.90, available in sizes 6-10). Not only do I adore the tweed fabric, but also, the chunky buckle across the pointy toe cries out for black polka dot tights & a cardigan with pencil skirt outfit—fit for any teacher or professor (like myself!) this fall.
Currently, Ardene has a 30% off on select shoes, for customers in the U. S., so this is getting more & more tempting! Tweed never goes out of style & creates the perfect juxtaposition of textures when paired with lace or florals of similar color scheme!
I was never usually one to normally collect kitschy themed accessories for holidays or seasons until I had my daughter. Now, I let her pick out my accessories through playing games & matching colors, almost as if outfit prepping for the week is a sparkly scavenger hunt. However, now that I’m full on fruits for summer & have plenty of bows & snowflakes for winter—not to mention all the flowers & bees for spring—it’s time to pay homage to fall. I have some leaf studs & charm or pendant necklaces, but they’re all very neutral in gold or antique gold. None are literally celebrating the autumn season… until now!
The pairing of maple leaves with an ombré stone effect are stylish for the office or classroom, but also offer enough bling for cocktail or special occasions. The gold & rust hues will pair well with earth tones offset against navy, denim, gray, or burgundy.
A few weeks ago, I was taking a quick walk through my local Macy’s & was stopped & stunned to find these:
The Karl Lagerfeld Paris Carlisle pump in black (on sale: $118.30) floored me! I’m not a major name brand shopper—I’m more of an admirer from a far. However, I couldn’t help myself, gawking mouth agape & all, thinking of the kind of life a woman wearing these shoes must live. Then, my mind went into a tailspin of styling possibilities: a tailored suit with a bow-neck blouse, cocktail dress for New Year’s Eve, a fit & flare dress with a leather jacket for date night, or a tunic sweater & studded jeggings. No matter the style, these are fierce shoes, going on my wishlist! Truth be told, I’ll likely never actually purchase them, fearing my budget-oriented voice of reason would judge & guilt me over all the other ways I could have invested my money… Oh well!
The internet is still a-flutter with style & beauty inspiration from this week’s 74th Emmy Awards, where the stars sparkled from head to toe in the most fashionable & elegant gowns. However, the jewelry selections & beauty choices stole the spotlights on the red carpet & stage. Decked out in the expensive, luxury duds, A-listers went all out with statement earrings, bright baubles, timeless bracelets, & fierce rings, along with classic updos & breezy tresses. Take a look through the gallery below for a closet view of celebrity’s jewels & bobs from the night:
Amanda Seyfried at the 2022 Emmy AwardsAmanda Seyfried at the 2022 Emmy AwardsAmanda Seyfried at the 2022 Emmy AwardsJulia Garner at the 2022 Emmy AwardsJulia Garner at the 2022 Emmy AwardsJulia Garner at the 2022 Emmy AwardsJulia Garner at the 2022 Emmy AwardsJulia Garner at the 2022 Emmy AwardsElle Fanning at the 2022 Emmy AwardsElle Fanning at the 2022 Emmy AwardsElle Fanning at the 2022 Emmy AwardsElle Fanning at the 2022 Emmy AwardsElle Fanning at the 2022 Emmy AwardsZendaya at the 2022 Emmy AwardsZendaya at the 2022 Emmy AwardsZendaya at the 2022 Emmy AwardsZendaya at the 2022 Emmy AwardsKerry Washington at the 2022 Emmy AwardsKerry Washington at the 2022 Emmy AwardsKerry Washington at the 2022 Emmy AwardsLily James at the 2022 Emmy AwardsLily James at the 2022 Emmy AwardsLily James at the 2022 Emmy AwardsLily James at the 2022 Emmy AwardsReese Witherspoon at the 2022 Emmy AwardsReese Witherspoon at the 2022 Emmy AwardsReese Witherspoon at the 2022 Emmy AwardsReese Witherspoon at the 2022 Emmy AwardsReese Witherspoon at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSheryl Lee Ralph at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSheryl Lee Ralph at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSheryl Lee Ralph at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSheryl Lee Ralph at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSelma Blair at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSelma Blair at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSelma Blair at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSelma Blair at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSandra Oh at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSandra Oh at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSandra Oh at the 2022 Emmy AwardsSandra Oh at the 2022 Emmy AwardsAlexandra Daddario at the 2022 Emmy AwardsAlexandra Daddario at the 2022 Emmy AwardsAlexandra Daddario at the 2022 Emmy AwardsAlexandra Daddario at the 2022 Emmy AwardsAlexandra Daddario at the 2022 Emmy AwardsQuinta Brunson the 2022 Emmy AwardsQuinta Brunson the 2022 Emmy AwardsQuinta Brunson the 2022 Emmy AwardsQuinta Brunson the 2022 Emmy AwardsRachel Brosnahan at the 2022 Emmy AwardsRachel Brosnahan at the 2022 Emmy AwardsRachel Brosnahan at the 2022 Emmy Awards
Instagram’s algorithm is working since it has identified that I love a deal & a pretty ballet flat. After over 8,000 posts, how could it not?! See examples below:
And as summer is turning into fall, I’m already scoping out bargains & must-haves to prepare for a sparkly holiday season!
So… when scrolling through my feed, I happened upon the Laura embellished pointed ballet flats in jacquard @ASOS ($35.00, available in sizes 4-12), which hit all the right style notes, in my opinion.
Aside from the pretty floral pattern, I love the rich color combination in conjunction with the jewel embellishment, both of which enable this flat to go from day to night. Imagine wearing this with a navy romper for a posh weekend brunch spot, with a hunter green suit & champagne blouse for an important meeting, a rust pullover sweater with dark denim skinny jeans for a game night with friends, or a cocktail dress & statement studs for a special occasion.
Even though the weather (here on Long Island) is teetering between summer & fall with summer heat still palpable, it’s sweater season in stores! Now is the best time to get the newest colors & cuts in woven wonders, especially if your fall wardrobe needs a refresh. A classic item to have handy for any rotation of fall outfits is a v-neck sweater in either bright or neutral colors—because, as I always say, the possibilities are endless!
SHOP: A New Day fine gauge v-neck sweater in black, dark brown, dark grey, green, magenta, navy blue, oatmeal, cream or light grey @Target ($22.00, available in sizes XS-4X).
I can definitely envision myself getting the green, magenta, & navy, especially to coordinate with a statement necklace & my favorite A New Day pants, leggings & knee boots, skinny jeans & ankle booties, or a pencil skirt & pointy flats for any given fall day! The neutral tones cry out for a bold or jewel-toned companion piece & the brighter colors would match well with any menswear-inspired trouser or juxtaposed texture in lace or jacquard.
When I learned that Golden Globe-nominated actress Ana de Armas had arrived in Venice, I was so excited to refresh my feeds to see what the Cuban star would wear to the highly-anticipated premiere of her controversial film, Blonde, where she stars as Marilyn Monroe. Naturally, her red carpet look would be elegant & stunning, but also, I wondered if & how the gown would represent the bombshell icon at the center of the film.
In a bright pink pleated gown with a deep-v by Louis Vuitton, Ana graced the red carpet in true Hollywood fashion. Her gentle waves & sophisticated jewelry by Messika hearken to an era of glamour & ease that offers a refreshing twist on Barbiecore.
Additionally, the hue pays homage to Marilyn’s signature pink from her “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” musical sequence in the 1949 film Gentleman Prefer Blondes; likewise, the halter & pleated look of Ana’s dress are reminiscent of the iconic subway grate scene in The Seven Year Itch from 1955.
Escorted to the premiere by one of the film’s producers, Brad Pitt, Ana shines, which is no surprise. I hope this marks the beginning of an exciting & stylish press tour for the 2 hour 46-minute film that’s rated NC-17 & is based on the disorienting evocative fictional biography by Joyce Carol Oates that begins streaming on Netflix on September 28th, especially leading up to awards season!
During my recent escapade into the world of home organization—mainly for my cloffice & bedroom wardrobe space—I made an investment in pieces & fixtures to house my accessories collection. Although, my ambition was larger than it should have been since finally unpacking my duds & getting my sparkly style ducks in a row. Additionally, my favorite storage piece to keep in my bedroom for quick access to my most favorite & precious long strand necklaces & chain bracelets doesn’t even look like a typical organizer or jewelry box, which is exactly why I love it!
I decided to keep them in my bedroom for quick access, especially on a weekend when I don’t usually plan my outfits ahead of time, so that I could grab a staple long necklace & bracelet if a day of errands turned into family dropping by or going out to eat. Most pieces in each organizer are either neutral / all-purpose jewelry that would go with basically anything or something so special & treasured I want it handy right away. See below how it all turned out:
This is what it looks like closed!
They’re atop another duo of jewelry organizers & even though they’re a stark white against the ivory & beige tones of the bedroom, they’re so compact & useful, I actually don’t mind.
I’d like to write a whole fairy tale about one princess’ quest to find the perfect leopard print pencil skirt, but when I, as a fashion blogger, can make this story a reality, it’s probably better to just get right to the point. As the transition of seasons approaches, most may think that pastels & lighter weight pieces must be hidden in the back of the closet & taken out of rotation, but that’s not the case when it comes to a versatile leopard print piece. Whether wearing the popular pattern as a top or bottom, or through accessories, it’s timeless for any Style Darling & presents a unique styling opportunity.
However, when it comes to a professional look that offers both creativity & boldness, I recommend a leopard print pencil skirt. This is one of my power pieces—in lieu of a preferred power suit. Leopard print can include any color combination from the traditional golden-khaki-black to fun & bright tones too.
These skirts can be paired with a button down shirt & stilettos, tee/cardigan combo with pointed ballet flats, scoop neck sweater & statement necklace, or cami/blazer + drop earrings, which is only the beginning, playing up different hues. Try a red, mustard, burgundy, or olive top with a more neutral-toned leopard skirt or for the yellow, pink, & blue option shown, mix it up with a pinstripe shirt with tennis shoes, ombre tee & denim jacket, or pastel sweater set & platforms to emphasize your softer side—no matter the trends or season.
The picture from 2017 was taken in front of my parents’ house in Lake Grove for my first day of teaching (as Professor LeClair) a college class & I had no idea the path I was about to fashionably forge or how my life would change over the next 5 years! When I recently uncovered the tropical dress from deep storage (that I was unable to unpack or even mentally tackle for a good 2 years), I remembered that I hadn’t worn the dress since that very first, nerve-wracking day of a career I never wanted; however, with the launch of my sixth academic year as an English professor (as Professor Gambino), I thought it was “fitting” to break it out again.
Of course, I accessorized it differently, opting for white accents & skipped the belt, but it’s good to know that 40 or do classes later, I still got it! The top picture on the right was taken this morning, a beautiful summer morning as the buzz of academia awaited me & called so many back to their jobs after a long break. I’d like to look back on both of these moments as bursting with possibility & new starts, reminding myself that they do come back around, even when it seems like fate has stuck you in a never-ending cycle.
Ultimately, recycling old favorites to make them feel new again & doing my very best to live the stylish life (one day at a time) are goals that I hope to uphold now that I’ve reclaimed a part of myself (& my style) in finally having my wardrobe where I want it to be. Stay tuned for more detailed updates on the unveiling of my cloffice (a.k.a. Style Darling Daily headquarters).
As for the outfit: The dress is an oldie from my stylist days @Dressbarn, as is the black bolero. The recent picture includes a @New York & Company cardigan & @Ardene flats, as well as oldie @Dressbarn drop earrings.
Actress Blake Lively is not only an A-lister, a mother of three, & wife to Ryan Reynolds, but a style & beauty icon for the ages her dramatic, ultra-glamorous, & iconic red carpet & public appearances that are methodically planned for every occasion.
Today marks the former Gossip Girlstar’s 35th birthday & another year around the sun is just another reason to celebrate Blake’s most fashionable accessories & beauty looks, especially because she is her own stylist.
Her lush layers of blonde locks—usually—are equally a part of her style when not tied back in a ponytail or feminine updo, along with full lashes, a natural shimmer, & statement jewelry, such as a gold drop earring. She knows what works for the occasion & her shape, as well as how to shut down a red carpet or New York City street with extravagance.
Take a look through the gallery below at Blake’s historic jewelry & beauty catalogue from movie premieres, awards shows, the Met Gala, & more!
One of my favorite singer-songwriters, Kacey Musgraves, is celebrating her 34th birthday today! Her music is a mix of country & pop, with plenty of hope, heartache, & humor that connect her to listeners to her inner most thoughts.
In addition to six Grammys & a still very bright career ahead of her, Kacey’s style is a mix of bombshell glam, country sparkle, & hippie chic. Kacey loves volume & texture in her looks, along with playing up her figure in bold neon & glowing pastel colors. Also, the singer kills in it suits, especially when mixing femininity with more masculine details. Take a look through the gallery below to pick your favorite from the “Justified” singer’s performances, red carpet appearances, street style, & more!
I’m still all about summer right now, but the new fall fashions are everywhere. As I’ve been sorting & organizing my wardrobe to prepare for the upcoming fall semester, I find myself in need of a hosiery refresh, which is just in time to catch the last days of Target’s 30% off Clothing, Accessories, & Shoes discount through the Target app, which expires on Sat 8/20. I’ve hit add-to-cart on a bunch of black patterned tights by A New Day to keep my legs protected when the temperature drops, but my style high with a variety of prints to go with any outfit.
Try florals against solid separates or when colorblocking. Perhaps, going with menswear inspiration or something geometric would contrast a polka dot or brocade look for fall. Also, there’s animal print to consider which would highlight the dichotomy of edgy & soft when playing up an unexpected neon look for fall!
Style Darling Daily 