Bay Area Fashionista

Celebrating the Holidays with Sears Metaphor

 in General Fashion  tagged day into evening / evening attire / fall 2014 / holidays 2014 / outfits / sears / winter 2015 by

sears metaphor logo

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Pictured: Earrings: Swarovski (past season, similar here) / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Orchid” / Sweater: Metaphor c/o Sears / Skirt: Metaphor c/o Sears / Bracelet: Swarovski (past season, also love this one) / Nail Polish: Christian Louboutin “Farida” / Handbag: Chanel (also love SAVE or SPLURGE) / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

The holiday party season is fast approaching, which means it is time to find a chic, trendy ensemble for the season. I was thrilled when Sears contacted me to present a sophisticated look for the holiday season from their chic newly redesigned Metaphor collection. Since I needed to dress up for a few holiday parties, and I am always looking for hot new designs for my wardrobe, a new, chic look from the Metaphor Collection at Sears was something I needed!

This amazing holiday party outfit from Sears Metaphor offers a nod towards the current trend of embellished, statement tops; also part of the embellished sweater trend, more about the trend here. This statement top can also be paired with jeans and boots for a sophisticated casual look during the day. As a busy Mother of three, I love having comfortable, yet chic and sophisticated clothing I can run errands in; and look fabulous in while running around all day!

I am also in love with this chic and trendy black skirt. Not only is it a classic, wardrobe mainstay, it fits perfectly; and offers a comfortable feel. This black skirt can also be paired with a short blazer or secretary blouse for an office-appropriate look. Love that!

The newly redesigned Metaphor collection from Sears offers so many sophisticated looks for the office, cocktail parties, holiday parties, dress up and more. I love how stylish and modern all the pieces are; and I am also impressed by the quality and competitive pricing! The Sears Metaphor collection also includes chic and sophisticated shoes, handbags and accessories. Love that!

I currently have my eye on this jacket, this trench coat, and this vest. To view the entire Sears Metaphor collection, please visit Sears.com. 

*A special THANK YOU to Sears for partnering with me on this post. All opinions and ideas are my own.

Sweaters for winter 2015

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged casual style / sweaters / winter 2015 by

sweaters for winter 2015

Pictured: White turtleneck sweater / Waterfall sweater / Black poncho / Black asymmetrical sweater / Navy sweater

Winter 2015 is fast approaching; this means it is time to think about sweaters! I love sweaters in the cold winter months. They are cozy, soft and comfortable. But, just because they can be softer than a baby blanket, does not mean we have to sacrifice style to be comfy, cozy and warm!

Thankfully, for winter 2015, designers have created beautiful and sassy sweater styles to keep us warm, cozy and fabulous! Love that! There are four distinct trends in sweaters for the winter 2015 season for us to watch for, and wear; waterfall sweaters, ponchos, chunky turtlenecks and embellished pull-overs. While waterfall cardigans and ponchos tend to be casual, turtlenecks and embellished pull-overs can easily be worn casually with jeans, or spiced up with leather leggings for a night out on the <freezing!> town.

My favorite sweater trend for the winter 2015 season is the waterfall sweater. I love how waterfall sweaters drape, and they are not too warm; which is ideal for our moderate winter weather here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Of course, I do not spend my entire winter season basking in the 60 degree weather of the Bay Area; which I can be found whining about because to me it is cooooold! So, for trips to Tahoe or other cold weather places, I love chunky turtlenecks.

Which sweater styles and trends are your favorite for this upcoming cold weather season?

Chanel Exception nail polish late fall 2014 review

 in Beauty / Nail Polish  tagged chanel / chanel nail polish / fall 2014 / reviews by

Chanel Exception nail polish fall 2014

Pictured: Chanel Exception nail polish from the late fall 2014 collection.

Chanel Exception is one of three nail polish hues from Chanel’s late fall 2014 beauty collection. The nail polish collection features classic hues in burgundy, red and dark nude. Exception is a pretty, mid-burgundy color which offers a flat, timeless hue.

Burgundy is arguably the most important color of the classic autumn hue spectrum. Every fall season we enjoy clothing and accessories in vibrant shades of burgundy, oxblood and maroon. Therefore, it is no wonder that a fall nail polish hue should be part of any nail polish collection. Chanel rarely offers a burgundy in their red nail polish collection. Normally, Chanel offers every shade of classic red imaginable; without crossing into burgundy territory. Although there have been a few burgundy’s over the past decade, it has not been offered as much as classic red.

Exception by Chanel is a beautiful nail polish hue which is both classic and ideal for the current season. This pretty interpretation of burgundy is easy to wear and works well with all of autumn’s hues. Chanel Exception nail polish is also a great investment color to keep in ones’ nail polish collection. 

I tested out Chanel Exception nail polish with one base coat and two coats of color; no top coat. The nail polish held up really well and did not chip until the sixth day. Love that!

Chanel Exception nail polish from the late fall 2014 beauty collection can be found online here and here.