What to Wear: Snow Day

Umbrella | Fur Snood | Mittens | Camp Socks | Shearwater Boots

It's inevitable. Snow. It's going to happen sooner or later. I'm just never one to admit it or wish for it, unless it's Christmas Eve or it can get me out of work {which let's be real, would never happen}. So instead, it's best to plan for the worst. So why not look your best when scraping your car windows...shoveling...or while you practice your fanciest spins as you skate across the parking lot. 

Sequin Trousers

You know when you have a particular piece of clothing in mind {and it works its way through every nook and cranny of your brain...so you dream about it at night, during the day, at all waking hours} and you just have to have something? This is what happened with these sequin trousers. Found these pants {thank you, Zara}, pinned this, and own something pieces similar to this, this, this and these. Day to night with sequin trousers? Done & done. 

Your Life, Styled: Holiday Soiree

So you have a Holiday party to attend and nothing to wear?! Be it for work or a winter wedding, it's time to invest in a dress that is worth wearing more than once during these long winter months!

Don't be afraid to bust out the winter white to your next obligatory work party, but leave the white dress to the bride at your next wedding! And though it is cold and dreary, that is no excuse to put away the color...time to bust out the jewel tones. This sequin number can be layered over a crisp, white button-up, or belted with a cozy cardigan.  And to complete your look, make sure to add a pair of tights, your new BFF when it comes to dressing for winter festivities! 

Bow Dress | Crepe Wool Dress | Sequin Dress {For Less} | Wool V-Neck Dress | Jules Dress

Plunge Front Dress | Bow Dress {Navy} | Sequin Bodice Dress {Similar} | Wrap Dress {Similar}

 Brocade Shift Dress | Skater Dress with Embellished Collar | Sequin Shift Dress | Metallic Dress {Similar}

My Style: Thanksgiving

 Old Navy Sweater {Similar} // UO Scarf {Similar} // Gap Jeans // Target Loafers {Similar} // BaubleBar Necklace // Shira Melody Bracelet 

I believe we should have four day weekends more often. Enough time to spend with friends, family, savor the Thanksgiving leftovers, enjoy too much wine, game nights and cuddling with your loved ones, and finally decorate for Christmas. We ate way too much at my boyfriend's Thanksgiving then we drove to Iowa City to meet up with my family. Upon arriving I was informed that we would be heading to our local outlet mall for a little Black Friday shopping...something I've never done before! From 10:30pm - 1am we shopped until we dropped. I ended up with a few things for myself and even a few things for the boy for Christmas. A successful haul, however; I think I value my sleep and shopping from a computer a little more than the craziness of Black Friday shoppers :)

And on a complete side note, this girl has some new hair! Though the photos make my hair looks a bit more red in these photos than it is in real life {which I don't mind in the least}, I could not be more thrilled with how it turned out! If you are in the Des Moines area make sure to ask for Robin at Estilo Salon & Day Spa! 

Don't forget to head over to Chloe Rose Boutique - 30% off your entire purchase {excludes sale items} with the promo code CMBRUNETTE30. Valid from November 26th-30th!

A Very Merry Delightfully Chic Holiday

I've partnered up with the delightfully chic Chloe Rose Boutique this Cyber Monday to offer you 30% of your entire purchase {eek!} today through November 30th! 

With a discount like this, you could end up with this for you best friend, this for your mom, these for your sister, and this for yourself! I happen to have this & this on my list for upcoming Holiday parties! What pieces are on your most wanted list?

Fine Print:  This discount excludes sale items and cannot be combined with other offers. Valid from November 26th to November 30th!

*This is a sponsored post.

Imagined

Here's to time spent with family + friends, indulging in savory delights, and enjoying this extra long Holiday weekend. 

Happy Friday and hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

PS. Make sure to check out my Complete Guide to Black Friday here!

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Happy Thanksgiving

{image, design by me}

Complete Guide to Black Friday

May the force be with you..and this shopping guide as well. Before you hit the stores come midnight on Friday, November 23, here are a few tips + tricks!

|| Black Friday Tips + Tricks ||

1. Make a list and do your research. Search locations, compare prices, and return policies! Don't want to be stuck with an item that does work or doesn't fit!

2. Arrive early to your pre-midnight, midnight, 4 am stop. Pick up some Starbucks, bundle up, and find your spot in line! Just don't trample anyone when they open the doors!

3. Work in teams. Stores may open at different times, refer to guideline number 1 to make sure you are covering all of your wish lists!

4. Don't want the rush? Hit up your local small businesses and boutique! 

5.  Black Friday shopping just isn't for you? Prefer to sleep in? You can always online shop! Make sure to read the list below to find out the deals!

|| Black Friday Online Deals ||

AllSaints 

20% off select merchandise online and in-store from November 22 to November 25. 

ASOS.com 

Free shipping, free returns, and more exciting deals yet to be unveiled. Click here for updates. 

BB Dakota

Spend $125; get $25 off with promo code: 25OFF125

Spend $175; get $50 off with promo code: 50OFF175

Spend $250; get $100 off with promo code: 100OFF250

Valid: November 21-26, 2012

Bloomingdale's

Save up to 50% on a great selection of merchandise in Womens, Contemporary, Mens, Kids, Shoes, Handbags, Jewelry, and Accessories at Bloomingdales.com. Offer valid November 20, 2012 through November 25, 2012. 

C Wonder 

25% off all online purchases at cwonder.com on Black Friday. From midnight to 8 a.m. In-store get an additional 50% off sale items. Get 25% off your purchase of $100 or more from November 24 to November 26. 

DVF

30% off sale items and free shipping from November 21 though Cyber Monday with promo code HOLIDAYSALE. 

Express

Starting November 21, everything 50% off until 12pm noon on Friday, November 23. After 12pm, everything is 40% off. 

French Connection 

30% off all orders plus free shipping from November 21 through Cyber Monday. 

J.Crew

25% off your purchase, in stores & online. Plus, free shipping on $150 or more. Ends Sunday. Use code: COLOR25.

J.Crew Factory

Take 40% off everything from J.Crew Factory with the code GIVEANDGET from November 21 through Cyber Monday. 

LAMade

Everything 30% Including Sale Items With Coupon Code THANKS30

Last Call by Neiman Marcus

LastCall.com only • Now through November 22. Save up to 85% off original designer prices! Extra 40% off everything Including clearance!

LOFT

BLACK FRIDAY! 40% off ENTIRE Purchase. Use code: ENJOY. Offer valid November 20 - November 23!

Madewell 

] 25% off and free shipping on everything with promo code TREAT. Valid November 21 - November 26, 2012 

Piperlime

20% off all items from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.

Rebecca Minkoff

Up to 50% off select styles plus free shipping from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. 

Rebecca Taylor

Take an extra 25% off all sale items with the code RTEXTRA2512.

Shopbop

Until November 26th enjoy a tiered discount system on all items. Purchases of $250 or more are marked 20 percent off, $500, 25 perfect, $1000, 30 percent off annnnd orders over $1500 will be marked 35 perfect off. So go pick up those Rag & Bone booties and Vince sweater you've been drooling over! 

Steve Madden

Early Savings with Steve Madden! Save 25% off plus Free Shipping! Use code GIVE25. Valid November 19 - November 22, 2012. Some exclusions apply, see site for details.

Topshop

On Black Friday receive $10 off your purchase of $30, $20 of your purchase of $50, and $50 off your purchase of $100. Select items will also be 30% off. 

Vince Camuto

30% any online order from midnight to noon on Black Friday and 50% off select bags and accessories from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. 

Zara Home

Free Ground Shipping and $20 off all orders.

Your Life, Styled: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is meant for two things: Lots of eating & lots of family time. And while sweatpants may be key post Thanksgiving meal {hellloo turkinosis – turkey induced nap time}, one must find the balance between comfy + chic this Holiday weekend. 

PS. Your Life, Styled is a new series I’m starting here at The Brunette One. Come here first when looking for inspiration for all the events and happenings going on in your life! Affordable finds to help you remix and match your wardrobe or maybe you are looking to add something *new* to spice things up. Need help finding something to wear? Make sure to email me at thebrunetteone@live.com for styling advice!

Shop the look!

My Style: Instagram

I'm typically racing out the door to get to work and only sometimes remember to snap a photo. And now, thanks to Daylight Savings Time, unless an outfit is snapped over the weekend, this is the only way to capture what I wore {if I didn't instagram it, I didn't wear it...or something like that, ha}. Things to note after collecting these photos: slight obsession with these ALDO boots {love these too} that replaced my trusty Target riding boots {RIP} and the trusted top knot, two things you just can't go wrong with. 

Here's to a three day work week, Thanksgiving, and too much turkey!

Shop the looks: 

Sunday Musings

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Steal Her Style: Chambray Dress

Denim Dress {similar} // Mustard Heels // Clutch

I pinned this image the other week and haven't been able to get it out of my head. Luckily the image linked over here. But, sadly, this chambray beauty is only available to those lucky ducks in Portugal & Spain. Now I need to find a similar denim dress and just add a few studs. This may be another DIY post in the distant future!

My Style: White Party

Portobello Road Tee // Shabby Apple Skirt // Spike the Punch Necklace 

Last Friday, my friend Emily and I headed back to aimee to celebrate their eight wonderful years of business. The first stop of the evening, here for a quick appetizer and cocktail before heading to the store. We proceeded to make a few new friends, one of whom, Suzanne, offered us some great fur coat thrifting advice. Emily and I left coveting a few fur coats and had a little too much fun playing dress up, like they say, playing dress up beings at the age of 5 and never truly ends! Here are a few iPhone snaps of what I wore!

 Playing dress up with this faux fur jacket!

Low Key Glamour

Vince Textured V Neck Sweater // Joie Wesley Marbled Sweater // DKNY Crew Neck Pull Over // Honeydew Intimates Ruffle Rumba Boy Shorts // Tocca Polka Dot Tap Shorts // Only Hearts Tulip Boxer Shorts

When the temperatures drop and you have no place to be, ditch those sweats and curl up in your favorite cozy knit and the sweetest little shorts. Feel glamourous as you settle in with a glass of wine, the fireplace roaring, and your favorite Audrey Hepburn classic. 

Fancies From Margaret Elizabeth

Long Druzy Pendant (Winter White) {$225}// Golden Rutilated Quartz Pave Studs {$108} // Pyrite Tassel {$98} //  Rutilated Quartz {$58} // Blue Druzy Bangle {$88} // Light Coral Wrap {$185}

Find the perfect Margaret Elizabeth piece to complete your signature Holiday look!

My Style: A Carrie Bradshaw Moment

Anthropologie Necklace // J.Crew Turtleneck // Shabby Apple Skirt {Splurge} // Steve Madden Heels

This is what I wore last week to the first event for the #DSMFABB.  When Anthro debuted their Alexandra Grecco Tulle Skirt a few short weeks ago, I swooned and swooned and than swooned some more. I think it played a little too much into the ballerina in me. It wasn't available online for purchase and the price tag was just out of my reach. After a quick search, I came across a similar {read less expensive} version from Shabby Apple and, just my luck, there was one left in my size {read fate}. Add to cart. Boom. Mine all mine.

 I can tell this baby's cost per wear is going down by the second. I've already worn it twice in one week (stay tuned later this week to see how I remixed it}.  And one thing I've learned from twirling around in this creation is that every woman should invest in a tulle party skirt because every woman out there deserves a Carrie Bradshaw moment.

 

Have you ever had a Carrie Bradshaw moment? Do tell!

Links A La Mode

The late Nora Ephron reminding me of the important things in life.

Craving this, is it Thanksgiving yet?!

And speaking of Thanksgiving, a lovely set table ready to be surrounded by friends, family, and lots of laughs. We are having a Friendsgiving in a few weeks and I can.not.wait.

And while Pilgrims have feelings too {my dear co-worker reminded me}, I may have already started listening to this playlist. 

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Event: DSMFABB

On Wednesday, Katelyn and I hosted our first Des Moines Fashion and Beauty Blogger event at aimee. After a month or so of planning we were more than excited to see our plans unfold. We donned our best party dresses {or skirts!}, toasted with champagne, devoured a few too many Crème cupcakes, & chatted about nothing but blogging & fashion. Sometimes it's nice to be surrounded by other women who understand what it means to come home from school or your day job and spend endless hours working on posts, researching {aka pinning}, or taking photographs for something you are truly passionate about. 

Crème Cupcakes

Pouring the champagne.

This staircase. Swoon.

Added a bit of Sequin to our arm parties.

 Kiley, Katelyn, Brittney, Emily T., Emily G., Kelsey

Lucy, Amy, Meagan

Love me because I'm beautiful.

When in doubt, wear sequins.

A bit of swag that the girls left with! Stay tuned...one of you lucky Des Moines readers will win one!