Dressing & Impressing - tis (nearly) the season!

Fact... Until February. I'll be over it by February.

Ladies... we are officially at mid-November which means in 4 short weeks "Holiday Party Season" will be upon us (possibly sooner depending on when your December social calendar commitments begin!) I always love and simultaneously hate Holiday Party Season because:

1) dressing for these parties can be tricky, especially if it's an office or work-related function;

2) dressing for these parties can be pricy, since stores know just when to mark up their holiday-perfect pieces;

3) dressing for these parties can be glamorous, because there are so many chic black, gold, red and deep green options out there; and

4) dressing for these parties can be fun because holiday cheer looks great on everyone!

Here to help you get ahead of the shopping rush are a few gorgeous dresses I've spotted recently and how I'd wear them.

I absolutely adore this dress. I think it is chic, feminine, ever so slightly sexy, but without question elegant. Perfect for a holiday season wedding or a cocktail attire seasonal party, though a bit pricey, this dress is sure to turn heads. And just think, it will be perfect for Valentine's Day too:) Buy it HERE.

Is your office holiday party at the office or does it begin immediately after work making a "costume change" impossible (or maybe just inappropriate?) All three of the dresses above could transition beautifully from desk to dancing, have a little pop of holiday cheer (love that sassy gold belt!) and won't leave any co-workers questioning your taste for the office or the party! Buy it HERE, HERE and HERE.

If you're looking for a bolder, more unique holiday party look that is still unquestionably sophisticated, I love this jumpsuit. Pair it with high heels, statement earrings and maybe even a thin gold belt to take the look straight into holiday party rock star status. Buy it HERE.

Finally, if your holiday party is all about bringing the glam, this dress is the one for you. Just as fancy, but a whole lot more sassy than the lil red number I posted first, this dress does beading and sequins without screaming dance costume or flapper. I think it's stunning and could be paired with strappy, sexy shoes or black tights and heels depending on how high you want to turn it up. Buy it HERE.

Zara Sale

Quite possibly one of my favorite words!

This morning I went on a bit of a binge at Zara.com thanks to their always fabulous sale section (free shipping for purchases over $50!). Zara is the perfect place to find affordable, chic clothing, in particular stylish work apparel and trendy date/girls night out pieces. They carry everything from shoes and accessories to some of my favorite dresses in my closet. Generally priced on par with Ann Taylor Loft (another closet/sale shopping staple of mine) I go to Zara when I want to have a little more fun. 

Since there's nothing better than scoring something fun/practical/sexy from a good sale, here are a few Merry Meri purchases, near purchases and temptations from Zara.com. Happy Shopping!!

These shoes had me at hello (thanks CapHillStyle!). 100% an unnecessary purchase, I was able to imagine several outfits where this sassy pop of red will wow (including an upcoming milestone birthday celebration:) Will have to see how they look in person (could be too sassy red) but you never know unless you try right!? Buy em HERE.

These didn't make it into my shopping bag (my wedge needs are currently satisfied) but at $69.99 they're begging for someone to take them home! Buy em HERE.

$35.99 and the prettiest pale blue you ever did see. Buy em HERE (and check out other honorable mentions from the shoe dept HERE and HERE, full shoe sale HERE).

This pastel printed dress exudes easy, breezy, beautiful. It was a finalist that didn't ultimately make it into my shopping bag, but I'm already having second thoughts. Sunday brunch with flat sandals (see above!) or dinner with your babe in heels, this one's a winner (and the flowy cut will be so flattering!) Buy it HERE.

I purchased this dress back in March (at full price, doh!) and I get a bajillion compliments every time I wear it. Perfect for work in spring and fall and transitions great from day to night... You should wear it too:) Buy it HERE. And since the embellished neckline and ruffled hem are working for me, I bought THIS to give a whirl.

There were a ton of gorgeous white dresses in the sale section that made me wish I was a bride looking for the perfect engagement party/shower/rehearsal dinner dress again. The dress above is HERE, or there's THIS and THIS for simple, bridal-esque beauty (was super tempted by that last asymmetrical hem dress, but it didn't make the final cut... but flowy white... with a tan... hmmm :)

Not sure how this is going to fit, but at $39.99 with free returns I just had to give it a shot. I love the bright color and unique cut outs. We shall see!! Buy it HERE (and check out other honorable mentions from the dress section HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE)

My shopping cart runneth over before I made it to the Tops section, but that doesn't mean I didn't look and how great is that Tri-Color top!? I could see it with tailored pants for work or shorts for weekend play. Buy it HERE.

Sexy Saturday night shirt anyone? I love the rhinestone detailing on this shirt and think the thin straps and crossover cut are the ultimate in feminine beauty. Buy it HERE.

This flowy pastel beauty could be worn for any occasion with pretty much anything on the bottom. Plus pale yellow is going to make those of you with tans absolutely glow. Buy it HERE (and check out other honorable mentions from the dress section HERE, HERE and HERE).

good gets (and some regrets)

j'adore.

This post brought to you by the fabulous 

(parent)thetically speaking.

You ever open your closet and just sigh with happiness at some of things you find hanging there? The pieces that you turn to time and again and never let you down? When I think about those pieces, I find that most of them are within a certain color spectrum (black and cream are totally a spectrum), cost slightly more than I normally spend and were purchased pre-motherhood (see point #2). So my sigh of happiness is usually more a sigh of thankfulness that pre-baby me had the foresight to purchase some nice, quality pieces (or get them as gifts).

These items are clutch, always always. For a wedding, a weekend away or a celebratory night on the town - when I want to reach for something just a little bit more special than the Cheerio-dusted duffel bag that is my purse, or the American Eagle jeans I live in.

To contrast, there are also times when I open my closet and I see missed opportunities. The shirt with the tags still on or the shoes with nary a scuff on the sole. And I find that most of them were impulse buys. We all do it, and we will always do it! Shopping is fun! But at least as I "mature" I'm getting better at impulsively grabbing something I may actually end up putting on my body.

5 items 25-year-old-me totally nailed:

 *Michael Kors satchel bag (I wanted to link to something similar, I did, but I couldn't find anything. It's black, with gold, and some buckles, and some patent leather, and I just love it. Every single time I use it. It was love at first sight - for both of us)

*J.Crew strapless black cocktail dress (ugh, again no linky. I'm giving away my age here, aren't I?!)

 *J.Crew black patent heels

 *vintage knee-length winter coat, with fur-trimmed (faux?) neck and cuffs. yup, it's black.

 *red (just kidding, black) belted trench coat. I do wish I had gotten a hooded one though.

  

5 items that I...oh, something shiny...

*turquoise flats. in theory, they are the cutest ever and lend such a pop of color! nope, uncomfortable and too bright.

*black skinny jeans. not a flattering fit and too long. I was desperate to make my Pinterest dreams a reality.

*American Eagle "women's" hooded sweatshirt. It's a little too form-fitting. Now, I'm allll about the hoodie, but hoodies are supposed to hide holiday cookie transgressions, not highlight them.

*There's this one store that lures me in, and other than some jewelry and one awesome dress, the stuff I buy there just gets worn once...

*For a time I was drawn to crew neck shirts. I grabbed one at every store I went to, all different colors. And guess what? I wear the black one, and the white one. You knew it, why didn't I?!

Pretty please, I'd love to know what some of your favorite, go-to pieces are! Anyone else have a problem item (or whole store!)?

For previous posts from (parent)thetically speaking, click HERE.

Hump Day Distractions

Discussing their preferred hair product?

Because no day creeps by as slowly as the day before vacation, here are some delightful distractions from around the web to get you through the end of this half week and straight on to the turkey!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving my merry friends!

* THIS dog is hysterical, awesome, disciplined and just damn cool.

* A little Thanksgiving drinking game for those looking to make their turkey day extra "interesting".

* Adorable Thanksgiving Printables for those looking to cute-n up their table.

* Who knew there were enough songs out there to create an entire Channuka playlist?

* Want to see Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling fall in love for the first time!?

* Have you heard about the invisible bike helmet? Would you trust it?

*I've already got a Peter Pan collar dress, but someone has got to buy THIS dress!! (via exPress-o)

* NFL football another way... Graphic designers are oh so crafty! 

* So, when can I move in!?

* A fantastic answer to the age old question "are silent farts really more deadly?"

Hump Day Distractions

Did ya catch that?

Hello crisp fall Wednesday, thank you for reminding me that this is a time of year when no matter how I get dressed in the morning, I will be either too hot or too cold, always in search of Goldilocks' elusive "just right". (Am I the only one that finds getting dressed in early fall and early spring impossible!?) While I attempt to shed layers and regulate my temperature, here are some delightful distractions from around the web for you. Enjoy!

* Completely unnecessary yet totally freaking awesome.

* A truly hysterical voicemail (gets especially good starting at :45)

* Some super handy info about storing your fruits and veggies for maximum freshness.

* Rad street art.

* I'm totally dating myself with this link, but you know you'd have followed Cher (from Clueless) on Instagram!

* The nature girl in me says "I want to go to THERE".

* You know what's torture on day 3 of a juice cleanse? THIS mac cheese insanity spotted on Pinterest (direct link HERE) I'm so ready for my return to solids:)

* For those of you with a black tie affair coming up and $7,000 to spare. So glam.

* These two are pretty freakin adorable together

* Yes, yes I desperately want to know the back story behind each of THESE.

Hump Day Distractions

Mind = BLOWN

Welcome to your weekly installment of Hump Day Distractions. If you're able peel your eyes away from the miracle of nature that is "The Ducktato" check out these other awesome distractions I've rounded up for you:

* A crafty way to ensure you never say "I don't know what to do/eat/watch/read" again.

* Holy crap. Ho-ly CRAP.

* Tis the season of tips and gifts. Click HERE for a handy guide on how much is just right for everyone from your doorman to your cleaning lady.

* There is something stunningly simple and chic about this dress...

* I'm allowed to think this is hysterical because I too am an Instagram junkie.

* How to make the perfect BLT, peel an egg, eat a cupcake, make a taco and a ton of other handy tricks.

* Back for another year of snow-licious evil surprises.