...you are hosting the holiday.

This is always tricky.  You have family coming over or staying with you, your kitchen is full of people, the oven(s) is(are) on, and you feel like you are going from one meal to the next.  How can you look stylish and together when your head is in the oven all day?

Here are a couple of tricks I've learned over the years that I thought I'd share with you:

• Wear short sleeves, regardless of your outfit being a dress, top and skirt, or top and pants.  Do you really want to cook in a heavy sweater or long sleeve blouse?  I don't.
• If you are going to wear heels, try wedges or stacked heels.  I can't help myself.  I love heels.  I have a couple of good wedges or stacked pairs that work well for being on your feet all day.
• Beware of 'dangling jewelry' and scarves.  I can't tell you how many times I've almost burned a scarf leaning over the stove.  With the additional frenzy of the holidays, leave the scarf in your dresser.  Ditto with pendant necklaces, etc.  Last thing you need is for your pendant necklace to take a dip in the gravy.
• Stay away from wool and leather.  Jersey, either cotton and silk, is a great material.  Silk blouses are good, light-weight options.

Finally, from a good friend, don't forget to set up a 'lip stick station' in your nearest bathroom or near a mirror.  At the beginning of the day, put your lip stick or gloss, a pressed powder compact, and brush or powder puff in your 'station'.  Over the course of the day, refresh!  You'll be happy to look refreshed instead of shiny when you sit down for dinner.  My 'station' is always in my 1/2 bath in the drawer under the sink. 

Best of luck over the next week, and all the best to you and yours. ~ LB & JH

W2WW Hosting the Holidays

Diane von Furstenberg wool sweater / Theory / Joie cap sleeve t shirt / Cartier / Michael Kors straight leg pants, $330 / Theory tailored pants / J.Crew twill skirt, $260 / Jimmy Choo wedge shoes / Kate Spade / Ivanka Trump wedge shoes / Tory Burch shoes / J.Crew white pearl necklace / J.Crew j crew jewelry / J.Crew knotted bracelet / Tiffany & Co. jewelry / Stella & Dot gold ball earrings / Bottega Veneta sterling silver bangle bracelet / Morra Designs yellow gold jewelry / Tory Burch belt

...you are attending a gathering of former work colleagues.

Yesterday, I posted an answer to a friend's question on what to wear to a "Bourbon, BQQ, and Boots" party.  Today, I thought I'd tackle the second question that came in from another friend at the same time. The friend (and reader) wrote:


"A friend of mine is having a reunion for a bunch (like 100) of lawyers who used to work at the firm where I used to work.  It is after work, in the city at her loft and most of the people are coming from work...any...ideas?"


This friend is currently a stay-at-home mom after having a successful career as an attorney, but didn't keep the 'lawyer' clothing handy after she left work.  This is always a tricky outfit - you want your outfit to fit into the scene and not scream "I'm a stay-at-home mom!". On the other hand, you don't want to have an outfit that is solely used for mingling maybe once or twice a year with former work colleagues.  


And, I always like to stay true to who you are, meaning, if you don't work full time in an office, you really shouldn't look like you do.  I wouldn't show up in a head-to-toe black pants suit to a function with former work colleagues (in finance industry).  That's just not me.  I'd want to blend in, with some fun pieces that I'd want to wear all the time, but be appropriate and respectful at the same time.  I put together some outfits below on Polyvore, as inspiration for what you might consider wearing.  


For my friend, I knew she had a pencil skirt in her closet, which, when paired with a blouse and heels, is a perfect apres work outfit.  I have a pencil skirt in my closet for such events; J. Crew has tons of easy pencil skirts in many colors at a great price point.  Loved the cheetah one below because I'd want to wear it at other occasions or more casually in the fall with boots.  


She could also go the dress route, something that is NOT solely for cocktails OR daywear, but that could be used in other areas of your life.  Normally, short sleeves would be better, but the Theory dress I picked below seemed to say 'lawyer reunion' and 'fun cocktail party' all at the same time.  And, I LOVE the Stella & Dot teardrop earrings I paired with it.


Finally, the pants option.  I like the idea of doing a pants outfit with a silk blouse and blazer.  All of these pieces can be used elsewhere in your wardrobe, not just for a work-colleague-dinner.  You know I've been obsessed with white blazers, so, of course, I had to add one.  


Have fun at the "reunion"! ~ JH

Outfits for meeting work colleagues. by jenhma featuring a linen blazer

Theory tweed sheath dress
$263 - otteny.com

Etro floral blouse
$580 - net-a-porter.com

Narciso Rodriguez cut out top
$463 - net-a-porter.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs blouse
$285 - stylebop.com

Rag bone linen blazer
$535 - rag-bone.com

Theory pants
$265 - saksfifthavenue.com

J Crew long pencil skirt
$98 - jcrew.com

Nine West platform heels
$79 - piperlime.gap.com

Carven suede high heels
$595 - net-a-porter.com

Stuart Weitzman snakeskin pumps
$298 - stuartweitzman.com

Reiss quilted shoulder bag
$360 - reissonline.com

BCBGeneration coral handbag
$88 - amazon.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors michael kors jewelry
$250 - nordstrom.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors michael kors jewelry
$250 - bloomingdales.com

Stella & Dot teardrop earrings
$59 - stelladot.com

Michael kors jewelry
$93 - neimanmarcus.com

Pippa Small moonstone jewelry
$2,500 - astleyclarke.com

Giani Bernini sterling silver jewelry
$32 - macys.com

...your watch is 'in the shop'.

I found myself in the Cartier boutique on Newbury Street this Saturday.  My Tank Francaise watch (ahem, 'Timepiece'), a 35th birthday birthday present from Dear Husband, had seen enough and needed a tune up.

Photo from Kaboodle.com

Too many sweaty spin classes, drops on the floor, and near submersions had damaged it - the metal bracelet was mangled and (unbeknownst to me) the stem was chipped.  I wear this watch EVERYDAY, so giving up for weeks of service was troubling.  Now, I have other watches I could wear in it's absence.  Lovely ones, in fact.  But this one can be pared with everything, any outfit, from jeans to a dress.  It simply works.  Alas, I patted it goodbye, and asked the sales woman to take good care of it.

The sales woman sensed my distress and asked me "Do you want a loaner watch?".  My jaw hit the counter.  Bien sur!  Bring out the 'loaner'!

And she did.  It's the large Tank Francaise timepiece, with a black, rubber bracelet.  She called it ugly, but I thought it was super cool.

Personal Photo

I signed a release, strapped it on, and, with a spring in my step, hit Newbury Street.  Note to self:  When purchasing a watch, ask if loaners are available! ~ JH