Add A Little Sparkle!

I love sparkle.

Nothing says "holiday season" like a little sparkle added to your wardrobe, and when it's done correctly (and in small amounts), it can add a festive touch to your look. 

Check out some of my favorite looks and what to pair them with, in order to add a bit of dazzle to your holiday wardrobe!

Combo #1: Sequined dress + black opaque tights + black booties

sequined sheath dress- F21 | sequined striped bodycon dress- F21

black opaque tights- Target | wild diva lounge sonny bootie- Urbanog

Find any sequined dress (shift dress and dresses with sleeves will look the best), add opaque tights (not sheer, a thicker hose will look best), and add a pair of black booties or heels. 

Combo #2: A sheer blouse + sequined skirt + statement necklace

sequined bodycon skirt- F21 | sheer framed blouse- F21

faceted bead statement necklace- Charlotte Russe | qupid neutral lucite pump- Urbanog

I love the monochromatic look here! I pulled this look from a pin on my Pinterest page. I love the sheerness of the blouse (snag a black cami to wear underneath it), the sexiness of the skirt, and the added "wow" factor of the statement necklace and the heels. This is a really easy look to pull off and is great for those holiday parties (just be sure the skirt is long enough)!

Combo #3 A sequined top + black pants + a stack of bangles

sequined peplum tube top- F21 | sequined zig-zag top- F21

mossimo ankle stretch pants- Target | rhinestone hammered bangle set- F21

These pants are hands-down my favorite dress pants. I wore them almost every single day when I was working and they were super comfy, and really cute! They're ankle length as well which is absolutely perfect for heels!

Combo #4 (for those a little more daring) sequined shorts + satin blouse + sky-high heels


sequined geo shorts- F21 | colorful sequined shorts- F21

sheer split neckline top- F21 | t-strap pump- Charlotte Russe

I love a sexy, strappy, sky-high heel with the shorts and blouse. Yes, it's definitely a risky move to make, but you will stand out in the crowd!

For those afraid to take the plunge into the land of sequins...
a few smaller pieces to get you started

glittered diamond clutch- F21 | diamond princess platform pump- Charlotte Russe


luxe linked earrings- F21 | glittered belt- F21

These pieces are easily incorporated into your wardrobe! Once you're feeling a bit more comfortable, add in a sequined/sparkly top or skirt! Just remember to keep it to one bold piece to avoid looking like a walking glitter bomb!

Oh, and always remember...


Happy Sparkling!

Stocking Stuffers!

Am I the only one who thinks that stocking stuffers should be under $10?! I get so frustrated when I see the title "STOCKING STUFFERS!" and the stuff they feature costs anywhere from $5-20! I'm sorry, but when I was a kiddo, my stocking was filled with travel packs of Kleenex (in a festive Christmas pattern, of course), $1 scratch-offs, and an orange-not a $40 pair of headphones and a $15 iTunes gift card.

Well, I'm here to save the day, and offer you a fabulous list of true goodies that are all under $10. You can still give great gifts on a budget (that post is coming later, I promise), and fill those giant socks with things that people will actually use and love!

LOVE CULTURE

 

These fab earmuffs are a total steal at only $4.90 each! If the giftee lives in a chilly area, these will most definitely come in handy! They can easily be tossed into a purse/backpack/briefcase, and won't ruin her hairstyle!

 

I love wearing leg warmers underneath my boots. They add a little bit of extra warmth and help to keep my jeans snugly tucked inside my boots. I'm especially loving the little button tab at the top! Get them here for only $6.90 a pop!

 
Every fashionista needs a chic cocktail ring to pair with their LBD. I love the clusters of these gemstones and the colors will go perfectly with anything (I love the first one with leopard print)! They're only $5.90 a piece, so you can grab a few for your girls and one for you as well!


These miniature pendants are so delicate and cute, they cannot be passed up! They're only $2.90 a piece, which is an unheard of deal! I love the little daschund one for a friend of mine who's got a mini! These can definitely be picked out for each of your friend's personalities-there's eight different pendants to choose from!

FOREVER 21


I am in love with this expandable polka dot cosmetics case! It is absolutely perfect for travel, and has nice, clear, pockets, so you're able to see all your stuff! It could also double as a clutch for a night out-just in case you forget yours when you head home! These are only $6.80 each!


How absolutely adorable are these knit slippers?! Don't they look super comfy cozy? I don't know anyone who doesn't like slippers, so these are a perfect stuffer! F21 has them on sale for only $5.00 today and free shipping!


Manicure sets are great. They may not seem like the best gift, but think of this-how many times have you been out, or in your car, or on campus, or wherever, and you have a hangnail. Or your nail breaks. If you've got this compact manicure set in your bag, you don't have to worry about not catching your nail on your sweater and ripping it clear off! This one is $3.80 and also comes in pink/gold!

URBAN OUTFITTERS


Who doesn't need one of these now and then? These bandages are hilarious and quirky-perfect for that difficult person on your gift list! Yeah, $7 is a bit much for some bandages, but they're a one-of-a-kind gift that is sure to get a chuckle!


These stackable initial rings are so adorable, and perfect for your friend who is obsessed with her new boyfriend/husband, or maybe one who just became a new momma! They can also be worn alone for every strong and single gal in your life! They're $8 each or 2 for $12 if you want to get both of them!



These are nail files! I'm a big fan of the cat one, but there's also a turntable as well as a guitar. These are $5.00 a pop!

ULTA



These NYX jumbo eye pencils are a great all-in-one eye product for any beauty junkie! They do double duty as an eyeshadow and a liner-so there's no need to carry both in your bag. They come in a multitude of colors (I love the cobalt and sparkle nude) and are only $4.49 each!



Everyone can use a little brightening when it comes to their smile, and this gloss does just that! It starts off clear and then adjusts to your skin tone to create the perfect reddish/pink hue! Just like the eye pencil, it's only $4.49!




Essie is hands-down my favorite nail polish brand. It comes in tons of great shades and is applied easily and effortlessly. Paired with a good topcoat, it has great staying power as well-the nude color I've got on my nails has been on for over a week now, with barely any chips! The color shown is Devil's Advocate which is a super sexy black/brown shade, which is perfect for winter. Bobbing For Baubles, Cocktail Bling, and Merino Cool are a couple of my faves! They retail for about $8.00 a bottle, but are totally worth the extra dough!

Welp, there ya have it! Thirteen stocking stuffers for under $10! I told ya it could be done!

Happy Shopping, and enjoy your holiday celebrations, whatever they may be!

Sunday Lusts!

I am so obsessed with holiday fashion it's not even funny. I am so ridiculously excited for Christmas Eve because I am just dying to buy this metallic pencil skirt I've had my eye on at Forever 21. I think I'm going to pair it with some black tights, my Target mary-janes, and a cute blouse. Ahhh...I love the holidays-everything is so cozy! What do you usually wear for the holidays? Are you a dress-up type of gal or someone who lounges in Christmas pj's all day? I buy my husband, my son, and myself Christmas pj's each year and that's what we wear on Christmas morning to open presents (and obviously the night before). It's only the second year of doing it, but I love starting new family traditions. Plus, I kinda like to laugh at my husband wearing the ridiculously cheesy pants I pick out for him. I'm half tempted to buy those fleece onesie ones and make us all wear them. I'm not sure he'd be too happy with that though. ;)

Anyways, here's a few of my favorite things!

1. Sequined pants

Shine Bright Like A Diamond-Apricot Lane Peoria | Reflections Of Bronze-Lulu's

I'm breaking my $50 max because these pants are so worth it. I mean, we're talking about the perfect holiday outfit, and these have that written all over them. They're so festive and fun, and can be easily paired with a simple white top (or black with the silver/white ones). I love them with some bright shoes to add a pop of color-maybe hot pink with the Apricot Lane ones and navy blue with the gold ones? Hot. And I guarantee you'll be the belle of the ball. 

2. Racetrack Leather Dress- Tobi

I am in love with the mixed media trend that's going on. [P]leather is HUGE right now, and you can find it just about anywhere. When it's paired with polyester in this instance, it is so easy to wear. This dress just oozes sexiness, and with the inserts on the side, it will definitely slim your figure! I would pair this with some cage heels (I like these) and very minimal jewelry-think some spiked stud earrings and that's it. Let the dress take center stage.

3. Slim Edge Dress-Urbanog

I love how simple this long-sleeved dress is. It can easily be paired with tights and boots, or just heels for an understated, yet sexy vibe. This could even be worn as a tunic with jeans, if you're searching for something a little bit longer-I love long tees, it's hard to find something that will cover your behind!

4. Fair Isle Cardi-Old Navy

I just bought this sweater at Old navy-it's going to be purrrrfect for Thanksgiving. Cozy, cute, and easy to slip on and off when the kitchen gets too hot (and yes, I am cooking this year, but my husband is on turkey duty). I'm also thinking of wearing it for family pictures this year, but still need to find something complementary for my husband and son to wear! I love how they've paired it with the teal jeans, but I plan on pairing it with some dark denim and a crisp white tank. Easy and classically preppy. 

5. Lace-Up Boots

Georgia Lace-Up Studded Combat Boot-Lulu's | Break 3 Brown Brogue Lace-Up Combat Boots-Lulu's

I love these. So easy to wear, and they can be paired with so much. Jeans for a casual look, leggings and a slouchy sweater for a cozy look, or a skirt for an unexpected look. The ones on the left are a favorite of mine, but I could see how the brown pair could be easily worked into my wardrobe. Best part about these-they're comfortable. No sacrificing the comfort of your feetsies just for the sake of fashion. 

'Tis all for tonight, my loves. I've got some chilled Frotenac Gris (courtesy of Coyote Moon) in my glass, and am impatiently waiting for the AMA's to come on (and secretly hoping my son decides on an early bedtime tonight-not holding my breath). Only one day of classes this week-and then it's finally time for my husband to come home-so stoked!

Happy [early] Thanksgiving, and good luck on Friday if you're going to be braving the crowds! Me, I'll be shopping from the comfort of my home on Sunday morning. ;)

Happy Shoppings!

Khloe Kardashian-Inspired Style!

I am one of the few people who isn't annoyed by the Kardashian sisters. I actually love them (see this post), and think they are killer businesswomen and fashionistas. Khloe is really coming into her own and stepping out of her sister's shadow as the host of Fox's "The X Factor"-a high intensity singing competition. She has really pulled out all the stops with her on-air style, and I must say, she is becoming quite the icon! I love how simple, yet sexy her outfits are. She really pulls off that "effortless chic" look, and since she has curves, her style is for the every woman. Way to go, Khlo!

Here are my two favorite looks of hers from the show, and where you can find the looks for less!

 

photo cred

She's rockin' a deeeeeep v-neck blouse, a black pencil skirt, and shimmery nude heels. I'm going to go ahead and assume that these exact pieces would run you a total of about $500+, so let's find a cheaper alternative, shall we?

bodysuit by Tobi | essential pencil skirt- Forever 21 | gold pumps- Lulu's

I love that this top is a bodysuit. You don't have to worry about bunching, or the top coming untucked. The pencil skirt is an absolute STEAL at $14.80, so you can get one in black and one in navy for under $30! And those shimmery gold pumps from Lulu's are just absolutely amazing. They're only $32 as well! As far as accessories go, keep your neck bare, and instead rock a stack of bracelets or a chunky cocktail ring.

 

 photo cred

Here, miss K-O is wearing a supershort sequined mini paired with sky-high platforms. These dresses are everywhere now, and are really easy to find, especially on a budget!

 
sequined scalloped dress-Forever 21 | t-strap platform sandal-Urbanog

I love the monochromatic gold-on-gold look here. With so much going on with the shoes and the dress, all you need are some simple stud earrings, a fab clutch, and you're set. Let the focus be on the key pieces here, which are the shoes and the dress.

Who's your style icon?

My First Giveaway!

I finally have the opportunity to host my first giveaway! The only catch is that it is running for today only, in honor of Election Day. 

I have one of these super awesome G Wear flag t-shirts as well as a red, white, and blue Good Works Make A Difference wrap bracelets! These are the perfect way to show your patriotism as well as contribute to a good cause!

*only one size available (L), no exchanges

Both of these items can be found at Apricot Lane stores across the country, so be sure to click the link to find which stores have them in stock!

If you're looking for cute, trendy, and affordable clothes, be sure to "like" Apricot Lane Peoria on Facebook for all your fashion needs! There are new arrivals posted almost daily and the women there are fabulous to work with!

Click here to enter!
G Works Flag T-shirt (this is a size L remember, no exchanges):

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Good Works Make A Difference Wrap Bracelet:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You get one entry for each of the following actions:

1. Liking Fashion Lust on Facebook
2. Following @fashionnlust on Twitter
3. Tweeting about the giveaway
4. Liking Apricot Lane Peoria on Facebook

That's FOUR chances to win! Don't delay, the contest ends tonight at midnight! You can enter to win each prize if you'd like as well!

This is my first giveaway, so please keep that in mind and bear with me! I'll be sure to e-mail/Facebook the winners, so keep an eye out for that! In the meantime, head on over to Fashion Lust and Apricot Lane Peoria! Thanks for entering, good luck!