J.Crew Merino Sequin Chiffon Shell

For family parties, I like to look festive while staying covered up. This J.Crew merino sequin chiffon shell has been in my wardrobe for a few years, and it's an easy way to bring some holiday sparkle into simple outfits. I wear it over a white blouse and pair it with skinny jeans, embellished flats, and dangling gold earrings.

Diane von Furstenberg Anais Bodysuit

This incredible ruffled silk-chiffon and organza bodysuit by Diane von Furstenberg instantly reminded me of the Bill Blass blouse Blair wore in season two. NAP describes it perfectly when they say: Daringly cut with an open back and defined at the waist with a detachable belt, it will shape a striking after-dark silhouette. Take inspiration from the sophisticated show styling and wear it as part of a muted palette. They styled it with Miu Miu velvet cropped skinny pants for a simple yet dramatic look that would be perfect for New Year's Eve.

Banana Republic Dressy Shrug

Merry Christmas! Happy holidays and best wishes to all.

This 3/4-sleeved Banana Republic shrug is one of those pieces that I always find handy when I remember it. I'm not a fan of bare arms in the winter since the weather here is brutal, but most of my cardigans don't seem dressy enough for a cocktail dress. I wore this with a silk black bubble dress--perfect for a little warm on a cold day and perfect for a Christmas party!

Floating Rose and Dark Poppy

Last year I bought several cashmere tees, and I love them--there is nothing easier than waking up in the morning and dressing in cashmere, a white layering tee, and dark denim. Add shoes and a piece of statement jewelry and you have an outfit that is comfortable, classic, and appropriate for my casual workplace.

I find myself drawn to red shades this year, and while I typically prefer a classic crimson I did buy the J.Crew cashmere long-sleeve tee in dark poppy. It's an usually blend of red/magenta/orange, depending on lighting, but I found it quite flattering. It's also lovely with a brown tweed skirt I've had for quite some time.

I must admit that what pushed me to buy the poppy, though, was the thought of pairing it with another new item to my closet, the J.Crew flair skirt in floating rose. The print is beautiful, and would be lovely with a variety of tops--the poppy sweater, a chambray shirt, a camel turtleneck, and of course a classic white blouse.

J.Crew Featherweight Merino Ruffle Cardigan

I bought this cardigan to wear to my bridal shower similar to the picture shown below, but I wore it this week over a magenta silk shell with a gray skirt. I like the simple ruffle detail to make a basic just a little more special.

Color Me Good

Emilio Pucci low-rise skinny-leg wool pants in fuchsia set off this dynamic color palette--it's perfectly teamed with a Balmain wool military coat in army green, Emilio Pucci dilk jacquard pussy-bow blouse in violet, Yves Saint Laurent Opyum pointed leather pumps in black leather with bronze-tipped toes and Proenza Schouler PS1 Keep All small textured-leather bag in merlot.

What Would Blair Wear? Roman Holiday

For an escape from royal life, Blair returns to the simpler things--a white blouse, a gently pleated skirt, a wide leather belt, and a few silver bracelets. Mint green flats offer a hint of color and signify the growth of new beginnings to come... (Apologies for the spacing on this set!)

Merona Collection Taffeta Party Dress

I bought this dress from Target last year as a back-up dress, but ended up wearing another outfit to that party. This year, I've been loving it as a easy party dress. It's basic enough to dress up with accessories, and I've worn it with strands of pearls, a Kate Spade bow belt, a multi-chain necklace, floral tights, over a cashmere long-sleeve tee, and the list of possible options seems endless.

J.Crew Cashmere Long-Sleeve Tees

My goal of shopping to a very specific list paid off, and I was able to find both the J.Crew gallerista skirt and the flair skirt in dark navy for a song--my personal shopper actually told me that I got the last gallerista skirt in the country. My timing has been right on with these buys, so I decided to make complete outfits for these pieces.

For the gallerista, I could always wear a white blouse or one of my black cashmere sweaters--and I'm sure I will. However, I also wanted to have a colored top option so I chose the cashmere long-sleeve tee in heather indigo. It matches the blue in the skirt perfectly and is a shade that can work into spring. I would love to get the short-sleeve version of this color, but I will have to watch for another sale.

I also bought the navy version to wear with the dark navy flair skirt. There is something so classic about a white blouse layered under a navy sweater with a white skirt, and this look also provides the perfect background for a necklace. Perhaps I'll try the gray bubble necklace--it would also be wonderful with the Majorica pearl double-strand that I have been eyeing.

Banana Republic Stretch Straight Skirts

These black and navy Banana Republic stretch straight skirts are workhorses in my closet, and I like the subtle curved stitch pocket detailing. A pencil skirt is such an easy shape to work with once you've found ones that work for your body--or you can do what I do and find a good tailor. I like to get the hems nipped in for a more hourglass, curvy look.