Fashion Show Birthday Party

My daughter Andy loves to dress up. No joke, she has at least 2 "outfit" changes a day! She is quite particular about what colours she wears - definitely no browns allowed and black is OK in small doses.  If this is what she is like now, I can only imagine what we are in for when she is a teenager! That being said, I am actually quite excited to see how she "plays" with colours, styles and textures when she is older.

When it came to planning her 3rd birthday, there was no doubt that we were going to do a fashion show. Complete with jewelry, hair accessories, a rolling rack with dresses and the party favourite, makeup.

Ryan went for the smokey eye look, and made a bold statement with a bright pink lip.

 Showing off her bling.

 Time to choose an outfit.

Getting ready to strut their stuff on the runway!

 The pose off.

 The after party.

The beautiful birthday girl, who opted for the natural look.

The party was a hit and Andy had such a wonderful time with her friends.  I have a feeling we will be doing another dress up birthday in the future.

Unwrapping your holiday style

[image from Real Simple]

Somehow, you've managed to walk past a million clothing store windows, ignored the dozens of magazines with images of party dresses, and suddenly, your big holiday bash is this weekend. Sound familiar?  Now, before you grab your purse and head out the door to frantically to find something to wear, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1) Start with your closet.  Take a good look at what you already have.  You may be surprised with what you find!  Simply by changing your jewelery, your shoes or even adding a touch of colour, can change the look of your little black dress and turn into a festive frock.  For more versatility, mix & match your separates.  Play with colour, pattern and texture.  Just think how great you'll feel when you tell your friends that you created the outfit with what you already had in your closet!

2) Make a list.  To avoid wondering aimlessly and feeling overwhelmed with the selection, make a list of 3 stores that have worked for you in the past and go to those first. Also, make a list of what you are looking for - a necklace, fitted blazer, long skirt. This will help you from getting side tracked.  

3) Don't buy the first thing you see.  You will need to give yourself some time. Try on a few items at one store - then walk away. Try another store, try on a few more pieces, and again walk away.  Now is not the time to experiment! The last thing you need is another holiday outfit that sits in your closet because a)you don't really like it b)it doesn't fit very well or c)you have nothing else in your closet to wear it with.  Go grab a coffee and think about which one works best for the occasion and what you felt the best in. Then go back and get it!


Armed with this knowledge, you are ready to hit the holiday party circuit, stress free and in style!

Holiday Party Style

I for one, LOVE the Holiday party season.  Hanging out with friends, spending time with family, eating and drinking just a little too much, and of course the fun party fashions.

Here are some stylish and whimsical outfit inspirations that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

Party Style by btstyleguru featuring a vintage style necklace

Holiday Party Style by btstyleguru featuring preen

Holiday Style by btstyleguru featuring a ruffle shirt

Holiday Style by btstyleguru featuring christmas earrings

When getting ready for a holiday party, it's important to keep in mind the location & the occasion; is it a work party or a friend's open house.  This will help you set the tone for your outfit choice.  Also, a little goes a long way! There is no need to wear sparkle or sequins from head-to-toe. If you choose to wear a sequin skirt, remember to keep your upper half toned down. If glitter isn't your thing, then look for pieces with rich jewel tones.   

If you want to add a touch of whimsy, leave your light-up Christmas sweater at home.  Use accessories instead to display your festive side – maybe a small bracelet with coloured bulbs or a jeweled pin shaped like a snowflake.

 Have fun getting decked out for your Holiday parties!