It still only feels like yesterday when I was toasting away to the New Year’s Eve ball dropping in Times Square (from the comfort of my living room couch), but onward & upward into 2023 we go! Looking ahead this winter, we’re in the midst of a lovely, heart-filled Valentine’s Day hype & retailers are hopping on board with everything from home decor to dresses, tops, skirts, & pants, to accessories, such as shoes, totes, jewelry, & more, all adorned with hearts or messages of love. The thing about Valentine’s Day this year is to most importantly love yourself first & it’s never a bad idea to invest in pieces that make you feel just as sparkly or joyful as you already are! Here are 5 stylish pieces that I can’t stop thinking about, which means that it must be love!
At a recent school function for my daughter, I took note of a comfortable, yet luxurious looking open-front cardigan another mother was wearing & was instantly inspired to research it online & share it with readers. For one, I love the regal button details on the sleeves, even though I’m usually the type to roll up my sleeves, but also because of the color variety, despite the lack of inclusivity with sizing.
I’m tempted to invest in the mustard and/or one of the greys simply because I love the boldness of the gold buttons against the colors, & knowing how I’m always searching for ways to include grey in my wardrobe rotation. Also, I would recommend styling this sweater with a bow-neck blouse & velvet leggings for some texture, over a button-down shirt & with dark wash jeans, or with any sheath dress + knee boots combination.
Actress & writer Mindy Kaling has been winning fashion this year, not only on the red carpet, but also on her Instagram (@mindykaling). Her recent post, featuring a gorgeous & vibrant head-to-toe hot pink look screams out “HOLIDAY PARTY,” even though it diverts from the traditional red, green, or metallic monochromatic styles. Not to mention, the matching lipstick!
As Mindy’s style continues to inspires us, especially as Barbiecore is still going strong, replicating or reinterpreting this look for the budget shopper is important, as the Sex Lives of College Girls producer dons a cozy crew neck sweater (shop similar here) & luxurious Frame pants (shop here).
If you’re looking for a bold, all-over fuchsia outfit, check out the below variety of pieces that range in price & size, depending on your sweater & pant style preference.
When it comes to summer style, I’m always all about a breezy, comfy fit & pops of color, but a little white dress (#LWD) is always a staple to break out for a fresh day in the sun, gathering with family & friends, or a chic date night out. Case in point, actress & style icon Blake Lively attended this weekend’s Tribeca Film Festival in support of her superstar pal Taylor Swift‘s “All Too Well” short film, which apparently should not be confused with a music video. However, Blake’s classic white dress caught my eye to feature because the actress has elevated the look for evening with her always stylish eye for accessorizing, along with her charming husband, Ryan Reynolds at her side.
The featured neutrals, along with the light cotton frock offer a juxtaposition of hard & soft, as well as glitzy & effortless. Furthermore, the Christian Louboutin t-strap heels and Gucci purse are likely too costly for the average Style Darling, which is why I wanted to feature affordable & fashionable alternatives, if Blake’s look has you inspired. Here are a few white dresses, available in a variety of sizes XS-4X (while supplies last) to get you ready for your next summer night out in style, ranging in prices $24.99-$74.00:
Additionally, some suggested accessories to coordinate with any of these white dresses (or one that you still haven’t dug out from the back of your closet) include: