Holiday Sparkle

You know that sequined skirt you have hanging in the back of your closet? Or that adorable spangled dress? Or the studded flats you love? Pull those out. Now is the time for some sparkle and shine!

We're well into December, which means if they haven't started around you yet, all those fabulous holiday parties are just around the corner. You want to look great, have fun, and overindulge in holiday cheer, yes? Well, nothing says festive quite like some sparkle!

This post was definitely inspired by (one of) my favorite skirt(s) ever: The Bowie Skirt from Haute Hippie.

Unfortunately, $685 for a skirt is a bit out of my price range. Lucky for me, Lulu's always has the cutest sequin stuff–year round!–for great prices. I'm obsessed with this sequin mini. It's the perfect length and color, and a total steal.

For those of us who want just a touch of shine, a small crossbody bag or coin purse is the perfect solution. Kate Spade is doing it right.

Having a statement jewelry piece is a great way to make a very sparkly impact. My rule is one statement piece per outfit, keeping the rest of the jewelry understated. For example, I'd style this bracelet from J.Crew with simple diamond or pearl studs. That's. It.

Your sparkle doesn't have to be a "traditional" metallic like gold, silver or platinum, either. I love the rich hues of these tanks at Nordstrom.

The holidays are definitely the time to go a bit overboard on the sparkle front. But don't get to crazy! Limit yourself to one piece that gives an otherwise classic, understated outfit a punch of "wow factor."

While perusing the Nordstrom shoe section...

Enzo Angionlini

Nine West 

Nina

Even your hair deserves some sparkle (Forever 21).

And while we're at it, let's take a look at my favorites from Tory Burch.

And my current favorite item of holiday sparkle, Lilly's Adelson Shift!

It's a fresh twist on an LBD, and you barely need jewelry. Earrings, if that.

How do you sparkle?

XO

North Shore Prep

School Spirit

I am so ready for this week to be over. Since it was Spirit Week for Homecoming at my school, we've had fun dress up days every day, so every single day this week has felt like it should be a Friday. And because my school is possibly the most spirited place in the world (which I LOVE!), tomorrow's going to be an all-day party that continues through the night with our pep rally and street dance.

Every Friday with a football game is Spirit Day, and everybody rocks their blue and gold. When we have home games, the Poms and cheerleaders wear their uniforms and everyone else sports Pep Club (Yes, that exists at my school. Yes, I am a member =]) t-shirts, crazy glitter, and anything else to add to their spirit. It's fantastic. There's a feeling of togetherness that everyone feeds off of.

The Friday before Homecoming is even better. Because it's Homecoming, everyone goes crazy. Lightning bolt tattoos are handed out in the morning, there's blue and gold everywhere you turn, and you can honestly feel the excitement and electricity in the air. It's great because all of our teachers and staff are into it too, and we usually have a fairly easy day of classes.

I have a lot of school spirit. More than most people, and I guess it's to be expected from me. I'm on Poms, I love watching football and basketball, I love being involved, and–I'll admit it–I'll take any excuse to wear my favorite gold liquid glitter eyeliner.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner

The Homecoming Pep Rally is my favorite part of the whole Homecoming weekend. Honestly, it's probably one of the most fun events of the entire year. It's really the only time that the entire student body gets packed into the Titan Dome, the Varsity Poms dance (I'm SO excited for my first Pep Rally that I'll be spending out on the floor and not in the stands!), the cheerleaders do their routine, and the Homecoming Queen and court is announced. After the Pep Rally (which starts at nine) is over, everyone goes out to one of the courtyards for a huge party and to work on the floats for the parade the following morning.

So yeah, I love my school. Tomorrow, I'll be rocking my Poms uniform and my lightning bolt tattoos, and later I'll be dancing the night away at Pep Rally and the street dance.

Go South!

XO

North Shore Prep