T... Toms!

Okay, every once in a while a fad comes along that I don't get.  Many of these "fads" are shoe related.  Crocs... ugly.  People do you not know you are wearing rubber clogs in public?  Oh yeah....clogs, don't love those either (yes, I hear they are very comfortable).  Toms are the most recent "fad" that I think is ugly.  Well ... until now!

Yes, Toms Shoes are a GREAT story.  I would happily donate money to them, but the shoes that they make are dowdy.  Yes, DOWDY!  Well, I was so so so happy to stumble across (no pun intended :) their new ballet flat design.  They are so cute.  And, just like their original shoe, for every pair you buy they donate a pair to a child in need.  Again, love the company just didn't love the shoe, until now!

Why would I wear this?

If I could wear one (all) of these!  

Kiera. the linen ballet flat is a much better option for you!

Size 8.5 please.... animal print.  Thank you! :)  Until next time...xoxo

W+W= Winter White

So, since I am home on maternity leave... I have time to watch some daytime television.  I have noticed everywhere (Regis and Kelly, Today Show and more) that celebrities and nutty for winter white.  Now... I am too!  Though with a newborn (currently sitting in sweats and covered in spit up), the idea of wearing white sounds daunting!

Here are some photos of "white hot" celebrities!  

Gywenth Paltrow was on Regis and Kelly promoting Country Strong this week and looked dreamy in a winter white number accented with black opaque tights.  (I cannot find a photo, but here is video from You Tube!

  Gwyneth has loved winter white these days.  She wore the dress below to the debut of Country Strong.  

You certainly have seen this recent photo of Angelina (unless you have been under a rock).  Also sporting a gorgeous winter white number!

Anne Hathaway was a vision in white at the premiere of "Love and Other Drugs".

Jessica Alba is on the winter white bandwagon too!  

Now most of us don't have an occasion to wear a winter white cocktail dress.  This is how I would wear winter white.  Clean, classic, chic and work appropriate.  

Winter White by lifeandstyleatoz featuring knee high suede boots

Vionnet Belted wool and cashmere-blend sweater
$468 - net-a-porter.com
Turtleneck tops »

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN 3100377 BLACK SUEDE/LEATHER -
949 GBP - farfetch.com
Knee high suede boots »

Bangle Set - Black
35 GBP - kabiri.co.uk
Lucite jewelry »

Womens Jet/Crystal Jet Encased Circle Earring by White House Black...
$24 - whitehouseblackmarket.com
Circle jewelry »

Belt
$276 - costumenational.com
Costume National belts »

Stretch Flannel flared skirt
$82 - talbots.com

stock.xchng - Frames Graphics 5 (stock photo by Baltar)
sxc.hu

Navy Mac Body
rebeccaminkoff.com




Dig into that closet or hit the mall and buy yourself a winter white something! :)  Until next time...xoxo

A is for Archive! Archive Jewelry!

I stumbled across this great site that has amazing jewelry.  I was reading the most recent "People Style Watch" and notice an amazing bracelet  (left) sold by Archive Jewelry.  I ran to their website and discovered the have a ton of really cute, really hip and really unique options!  


The line is designed by two sisters and their jewelry pieces are made from found objects (pocket watches, numbers, coins, etc) and are mixed with other crystals and charms.  They are so cute!  

Check out some of their super cute options!  

This is owned by Halle Berry!  $99 it can be yours too!

I heart bows!  $5

$62 bucks and you personalize it with your initial, state, zodiac and other charms of your choice!

Theater Seat Necklace- $58.  Inquire to be sure they have the # of your choice!

Love this one!  Engraved... $90

Frenchy French for $72

Cute!  Cute!  Cute!  Until next time...xoxo

S.P...... STATE PRIDE!

The other day on gilt group I came across the Maya Brenner jewelry sale and her state charm necklaces. Love them! What better way to share your state pride! Of course, by the time I got on gilt group, Massachusetts was sold out. If you too missed out.... you can buy directly online. They have options in both gold and silver.

Celebrities are all over Maya's State Charms. If it is good enough for Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, and Rachel Bilson.... it is good enough for us! Right? These babies start at $120 bucks for silver and run up to $300 for the gold ones with small diamond.

If these are outside of your budget right now... I of course have another budget friendly option for you! Where... at Esty of course. Check out Truche's shop and the United States of Love Collection. These are freaking adorable and run $50.

I really want the Massachusetts charm. Either of these lovely options would do. I actually cannot figure out which option I like more. They are both adorable! It is soon to be Valentine's Day.... maybe someone else will decide for me. Honey... are you reading?

These are the perfect gift for a friend who is moving away, for someone who is going off to college or for someone who is just plain full of state pride!

Show of yours! Until next time.... xoxo

B and B: Black and Blue....

One of my new favorite style combos is Navy and Black. Often thought as a "no-no". It is actually incredibly chic! Now, you do have to put thought into this combo so it looks intentional and not like you got dressed in the dark and did not realize your top was navy or your shoes were black... you get the idea.

Paying close attention to fabrics and textures helps as well. A textured wool pant with navy silk shirt and black cashmere cardigan- perfect. Vary your fabrics and textures and it will be a bit easier to work with! Additionally- I think it is a good rule of thumb to make sure you have at least two items in each color- again so it looks purposeful. There are exceptions to this rule- but you have to know what you are doing.

Also- if you are beginner stick to lighter navys as opposed to very dark "off black" navy items. Finding key items that have navy and black in them- is helpful also. I have an adorable pair of navy flats with a black patent leather toe and black bow. Additionally, I just "treated" myself to this adorable coat from forever 21 that is the perfect combo of navy and black- for a mere $35. How could I not?

Courtesy of Polyvore, I put together some suggested navy and black combos for weekend, work and party situations.

Weekend....

Black and Blue- Weekend by lifeandstyleatoz featuring Forever21

Work....

Black and Blue- Work by lifeandstyleatoz featuring Jil Sander

Party....

Black and Blue- Party by lifeandstyleatoz featuring Miss Selfridge

Don't be afraid- be black and blue! Until Next Time...xoxo

BBBBBBB Bullseye.... Target!

So, Accessorizing is where it is at! I always say I dress "plain" just so I can wear statement piece shoes and jewlery! I splurge on a quality item here and there.... my weakness is vintage jewelry. But, I also hit a variety of "chain" stores: Target, Forever 21, Macys, and so on for some quality fashion jewelry.

I have been eyeing some great jewelry at both Banana Republic and J Crew, but was not crazy about the pricetag! In search for some great but less expensive options- I perused Target and found some great items. Check it out for yourself! These blue and gold earrings to the left are my favorite! Soooo gorgeous and cheap!

Here are some of my favorite selections.

Consider them "Courtney's Picks" It is just as good as Rachel Zoe... right! :)

Statement piece- great with jeans and cute top!

Usually more of a silver than gold person- but this bracelet caught my eye!

Love clunky, love black, love silver, love this!

This is a great piece- very trendy right now. Layered, jeweled and flower!




These would be great with little black dress. They would steal the show! Very "Oscars"!

Run, run, run to your local Target! These items are so cheap- you can afford to get all of them!

Until Next Time...xoxo