holidays 2015


Black lace holiday party dress

black lace dress holiday party dress little black holiday party dress

Pictured: Earrings: Swarovski (also online here and here) / Lipstick: Tom Ford / Dress: ASOS / Ring: Vardy’s Jeweler’s (also love this one, and this one) / Handbag: Chanel (pre-loved style here) / Nail Polish: Nars: Hard to Get / Shoes: Valentino (non-patent here, lower heel here)

I love this black lace holiday party dress which I wore earlier this week to the Junior League of San Jose sustainer holiday party. The high neck, and long sleeves, were perfect for keeping me warm. The lace sleeves, and cut-outs, kept the dress festive; so it didn’t look like I was bundled up from the cold!

When I dressed for the party, the sun had already gone down, which is why we tried to take these pictures in the dark. We tried using the lighting on the house, combined with the camera flash, to get photos, but they are not the quality I prefer from natural light. I hope you don’t mind, and can still get a feel for what a black lace holiday party dress looks like this season!

The JLSJ sustainer holiday party is an annual affair which brings together all of the sustainers for a festive night. It is great to celebrate all of the volunteer work, and fundraising, we have done together this year, and in years past. Many of the ladies present at the event are truly inspirational. It can be quite humbling to be in the presence of power philanthropists who give so much of their time for the good of the community.

This time of year, so many of us are focused on decorating the house for the holiday we celebrate, purchasing presents, buying an abundance of food and sweets, and thinking about ourselves rather than the community as a whole. During the cold winter months, this is when the community needs our help the most. Many people are fighting the elements, and looking for shelter. Many people are out of work and struggling to survive. It is at this time that we must stop and look around; it isn’t about buying presents, cakes, and decorations; the holiday season is about giving back to others.

Now is the time to find at least one day this season to volunteer in the community, and give back to the society which has blessed you with so much good fortune. If you are able, please consider donating to your favorite charity, or a local charity which serves the community.

A few of my favorite charities to give to this time of year:

Heritage Home (helps homeless and abandoned pregnant women see their pregnancy through, get a job, and find a place to live)

Kids in the Kitchen (focused on children’s health and wellness)

Sunday Friends (helping families break the cycle of poverty)

Family Giving Tree (volunteer opps!)

Valley Medical Center Foundation

Junior League of San Jose (volunteer opps if you join!!)

Where do you like to volunteer this time of year? Do you have any favorite charities to donate to? Please share in the comment section below!

Black lace holiday party dress and outfit details:


Mansur Gavriel in stock December 2015

mansur gavriel cross body bag in stock to buy online december 2015 mansur gavriel in stock. mansur gavriel bucket bag in stock to buy online december 2015 mansur gavriel lady bag in stock december 2015

From top, Mansur Gavriel in stock right now: Mansur Gavriel cross body bag / Mansur Gavriel bucket bag / Mansur Gavriel lady bag

Mansur Gavriel in stock December 2015! Did I really just say that? Yes, yes I did! This is not a dream. There are several Mansur Gavriel handbags to choose from both in stock, and available for pre-order, right now in December 2015. This means it is possible to purchase a Mansur Gavriel handbag as a holiday gift, Christmas Gift, or for yourself! Love this!

It is always so difficult to find a Mansur Gavriel bag in stock when you want one. It seems like every time the iconic bucket bag, hot new Lady Bag, or coveted cross body bag are in stock, they disappear before you can blink! Not this time! There is a huge re-stock just in time for Christmas and the holiday gift season. So whichever style you covet, or someone on your holiday gift list covets, it may very well be available for purchase right now! Now how’s that for  the perfect holiday gift idea!

The Mansur Gavriel bucket bag in stock right now is the ultimate IT bag. Not only has it been on the IT list for a couple of years now, Mansur Gavriel’s highly coveted drawstring bucket is becoming an icon; entering into the world of must-have classic handbags. If you do not have a fabulous bucket bag by Mansur Gavriel, now if the time to invest in one!

I have the large bucket bag by Mansur Gavriel in both black, and white. I love them so much! I find myself wearing the black one several times per week. I wear the white bag mostly in the spring, and summer months. The bucket bag fits so much! I usually carry my kids iPads, a wallet, sunglasses case, iPhone; and I can even stuff a blanket scarf in there! Talk about carrying everything and the kitchen sink!

I also own the small bucket bag in cammello. I love to carry it when I I don’t need to carry around so many things. It fits a novel, wallet, iPad mini, and more. I highly recommend owning at least one large, or one small, bucket bag. They are must haves!

Mansur Gavriel’s Lady Bag, which is available for pre-order right now, is also a new must-have. It is a great bag for the office, or more structured looks. It also works well with casual outfits. I love mine!

The cross body bag by Mansur Gavriel is also in stock for December 2015. I own two; one in red, and one in cammello. It is lightweight, easy to carry, matches everything, and fits perfectly into the saddle bag trend which is so hot on the runways right now. This too, is a must-have!

Can you believe I said Mansur Gavriel in stock December 2015 right now, on this very day? I did! Yay! Below is a shopping widget filled with Mansur Gavriel handbags which are either in stock right now, or available for pre-order. You can also find Mansur Gavriel in stock right now here, and here.

I hope you find the Mansur Gavriel handbags of your dreams for the holiday gift giving season! Happy girl happy bag! 😉

Mansur Gavriel in stock December 2015


Chanel Troublante nail polish for winter

chanel troublante nail polish winter 2016 review

Pictured: Chanel Troublante nail polish for winter

Chanel Troublante nail polish is a remarkable nail color for the winter season. This color changing nail polish appears to be a metallic burgundy from some angles, and in other angles it turns into a dark gold. At some moments, all nails appear gold or burgundy, then a second later each nail takes on it’s own color. Love that!

Chanel is always on the cutting edge of color when it comes to nail polish. With Chanel Troublante nail polish, the iconic design house has outdone themselves. Troublante is setting a new standard for metallic nail polish; I am in love!

I love how Chanel Troublante nail polish offers a holiday look for the winter months. The gold and burgundy color changing properties make for a festive hue! This polish will look amazing this season,  not only with winter apparel, but with holiday attire too!

I tested out Chanel Troublante nail polish with one base coat, two coats of color, and one top coat. The nail polish lasted a full week until my nails started growing and I needed to change the color; the longevity is due mainly to this fabulous top coat.

If you want to spice up Chanel Troublante nail polish with a bit of glitz, Chanel Le Top Coat Lame  Rouge is a great way to add some golden glimmer to this polish. The small golden specks will add festive sparkle to this party-ready nail polish hue. Read my review of Chanel Le Top Coat Lame Rouge here.

I am looking forward to wearing Chanel Troublante nail polish this holiday season, and during the winter months too! It is such an unique shade. This makes it a great way to brighten up a dreamy winter day! Love that!

Chanel Troublante nail polish for the winter season can be found online here, and here.