The lovely Kimberly Brandt, of Billede Design is back with a few ideas to ensure your New Year’s celebration is festive, fashion-forward and completely fabulous. Enjoy…and I’ll see you back here next week!

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Hello! I’m so excited to be back at Shopping’s My Cardio for a little holiday fun, as I’ve been itching to show off my latest find. Chilewich recently introduced this beautiful new table runner/placemat fusion called a tete-a-tete – it essentially works like an elongated placemat, which can be used either horizontally or vertically across a table.

We were lucky enough to get our hands on a set to try, and I just happened to have a photographer and a location already booked for another shoot! Fate came together and I was able to pull together a beautiful look for your New Year’s Eve dinner, or a more casual brunch the next morning:

Image by Erica Ann Photography; Styling by Billede Design

We shot this in a 19th century schoolhouse.  Isn’t the aged effect of the old wood just beautiful?  I love putting modern elements in a classic setting.  The dinnerware is from West Elm, including a dinner plate by David Stark and a salad plate in the palest dusty pink.  I love layering in an unexpected color for the holidays, and the texture from that Chilewich tete-a-tete just makes the setting so warm and festive!

Tips for putting the look together:

• Search your local thrift store for blush pink plates.  They don’t all have to match; keep your eye out for saucers that have lost their tea cup mate.
• Add in the metallic element by spray painting thrifted chargers and votives.  Personally, I like Krylon – but be careful to read the label to ensure it is safe for food surfaces if you’re planning to use it on any serving dishes.
• To take get that mercury-glass look without purchasing new vessels, check out this great Pinterest page with a collection of DIY mercury glass links.
• For the botanical element, look no further then your back yard.  I snatched these snowberries on location the morning of our shoot. Evergreen boughs, twigs, winter berries, or dormant fruit tree branches are ideal.

This table setting would be a perfect fit for an intimate New Year’s party.  Can’t you just picture ladies sitting around this table in sequins and sparkles?

Of course, if you’re not the host, you can still try out a pink and gold palette, whatever your New Year’s plans might be. It’s a fresh change from basic black, or the usual silver sequins, and is sure to make you stand out from the crowd. Need some inspiration?

Image credits: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Happy new year!  ~Kim B.

Friends, I’m so excited to introduce a new Shopping’s My Cardio columnist to you: the exceedingly fabulous Kimberly Brandt, of Billede Design. Kim is a stylist extraordinaire, responsible for designing everything from magazine shoots to fashion lookbooks from some of my favorite local designers. She just radiates style in her personal life to, and – unlike me – is never afraid to take a fashion risk. So, I’ve asked her to pop in here from time to time, to help us stretch our style boundaries just a smidge. You’ll see her new “Trends to Try” column every two weeks in the new year, but she’s come up with a couple of columns now to pique your interest. I can hardly wait to see what’s next!

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I’m so happy to be guest blogging today! So, I’m sure you have all spotted the ‘pattern mixing’ trend that’s absolutely everywhere right now. It’s fun and fashion-forward, but it can be a bit tricky to pull off, so I’m here today to share some of my favorite advice about how to make it work!

Pattern-mixing is a great way to update old pieces that are sitting in the back of your closet right now. Who doesn’t have stripes, plaids, and polka dots in their wardrobe? Give a good mix up, pair them together, and you have a whole new look! But how? How do you pair totally different patterns together, and how do you know what’s hot and what’s heinous? Well, you’re in luck! I have tips and examples to make it easy:

• Stick with similar, or complementary colors.
• Pair a soft pattern with a crisp pattern – ie, a floral with a stripe.
• Match a round pattern with a sharp pattern – ie, dots with plaid.
• Combine a loose pattern with a tight pattern – ie, a large-scale, graphic print with a micro print.
• Remember that animal prints are a great first step. They work as a neutral and have endless pairing possibilities.
• Don’t forget about silhouette and texture, which is often as powerful as pattern (think of chunky knits or bold tweeds)! Pair loose, flowing pieces with more tailored/structured choices for best results.
• Above all, be bold! Confidence is the key to pulling off this look.

This look from Tucker is a great example of how complementary tones help pull together mixed patterns.

And these combinations from Karen Walker show how easy it is to pair a soft, loose pattern with a smaller, tighter pattern.

Images c/o Karen Walker, from Style.com

CARDIGAN New York always has the most beautiful lookbooks. This shot shows a loose, textural sweater paired with the tight, tonal pattern of the sequins to create a look that’s the perfect mix of cozy and sophisticated.

And last but not least, I went to the first of many Holiday Parties this last weekend and spotted both of these great real-life examples of pattern-mixing. The results were festive, fun and unexpected – just perfect!

Good luck applying this in your own wardrobe. Let us know how it goes!! –Kim Brandt

I’m guessing just about all of us are hopping on a plane sometime between now and New Year’s. Packing is always an exhausting chore, but during the holidays, everything just seems to be even harder than usual. So, I’ve enlisted my favorite jetsetter, Ms. Megan Clark, to share her tips on reaching your holiday destination in style. Besides being a seriously stylish traveler, Megan is a brilliant designer and lover of all things aesthetically-pleasing. She owns a design studio (clark-and-co.com), created an online resource for designers (theexceptionalcreative.com) and co-founded one of my favorite sites for printed goods and gifts (hifrienddesign.com). How’s that for qualified?

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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reached my vacation destination and wish I had packed more. Or less. Or different. It never seems quite right, am I right? Last weekend I zipped down to San Diego for a girls’ weekend. It was awesome. The sun shined, the birds chirped and I actually packed properly for once. I was shocked until I thought about all of the packing adaptions I’ve made over the years. It’s a precise art, people. I’m here to share a few ways to pack properly and skip the outrageous fees you’ll incur if you check your luggage.

Tips for getting it all to fit: Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s guest is Connie, the wonder woman behind The Daily Obsession. TDO is one of the first blogs I ever read religiously – I loved it so much, I was an editor there for years. Connie is always impeccably dressed, knows the perfect gift for any occasion, and can instantly make anyone feel at ease. It’s no wonder she’s our expert on how to entertain with style.

Thanks for being patient, friends…I’ll be back Monday morning, with bells on!

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With the upcoming holidays, many of us will be turning into hostesses and entertaining up a storm! To save myself a lot of last-minute stress, I have a checklist of items to track down now, so I’m fully prepared when the festivities begin.

Let’s start with fashion! Dressing when you’re a hostess can be a bit of a challenge. Between moving through the kitchen and re-filling everyone’s wine glasses – not to mention probably not having enough time to get truly decked out before guests arrive – the key is to keep it basic, easy and flattering.

Made of soft, comfortable jersey, this Diane von Furstenberg dress fits the bill. It’s got a sexy scoop in the back, and ruching around the waist – perfect if you accidentally overindulge. Most importantly, it’s going to be easy to thrown on last minute and make you feel great all night. Simply throw on some fun accessories – like a statement necklace from Elva Fields and a pair of festive heels (love this glittery version from Zara!).  Plus, you can easily wear this dress beyond the holiday season, and who doesn’t love that?

For the home, it’s nice to pick some special items to make entertaining a bit more fun and again, easier! Start with a classic serving tray. Whether it’s sleek or rustic, it will make your life a lot easier when you need to cart dishes – from appetitizers to the post-dinner clean up.

If you’re planning on having a cocktail/drink station where guests can refill drinks at their leisure, make sure to set out an ice bucket and a cocktail shaker, along with simple glasses. Plus, your guests won’t be able to resist shaking up their favorite cocktail in these gorgeous shiny Nick Munro designs.

Along with dessert, coffee or tea service is a must for any party, so pick out beautiful new versions to ensure every guest will be impressed. Our favorites? This festive red Stelton Coffee Press is just the thing for the holiday season. For tea lovers, it doesn’t get prettier than the New Norm Kettle Teapot, and its clever built-in tea egg ensures your tea will never over-steep.

However you entertain this season, be sure you keep it casual and cozy – if you’re relaxed and stylish, your guests will be as well. Happy holidays! – Connie

Today’s guest post comes from a favorite blogger of mine, Kate of Anonymous Chic. She’s a first-class writer with serious style, and she’s not afraid to speak her mind. Oh, and she’s Canadian to boot (which means, among other things, that she gets to spell “colour” with a “U” – jealous!). With all that going for her, I knew she’d fit right in. So, I was thrilled she agreed to school us on a topic near and dear to my heart this time of year: fall footwear.

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Fall and winter are a time for indulgence in fabulous boots, but I refuse to lock myself into one footwear genre for two entire seasons…and I’m sure I’m not alone in that opinion. My go-to solution once the colder months roll around is a great pair of loafers. They are absolutely appropriate either barefoot or paired with socks (my inner preppy craves subtly coloured argyle or bold stripes). The great thing about loafers is the degree of creativity that they allow. No matter your taste, there’s a pair for everyone.

A key when considering them for colder months is their level of “weather appropriateness”. I live in that snowy place north of the 49^th parallel (…that’s Canada, for those of you who are geographically challenged), so I’ll always opt for something with a good structured sole and patent leather. The only time I break that rule is when I’m looking for a good excuse to change out of horridly practical winter boots, but into something that still accommodates comfort and warmth. Considering there’s a serious collegiate kick in a lot of Fall/Winter styles this year, loafers are the kind of nostalgic nod that could be a practical and fashionable addition to your footwear wardrobe.

At one end of the spectrum lies your “fits like a glove” driving loafers. These are the pairs I’d recommend if you’re looking for something stylish for a commute that isn’t slippery, or as something comfy to change into at the office. The defining pair from this category is clearly Tod’s, definitely an investment piece in any wardrobe, but I will testify, they are well worth saving up finding your favourite.

Tod’s Heaven Laccetto Driving Moc, $445

Tory Burch has recently done a couple of great metallic versions that definitely add a little subtle sparkle to the mix if you’re look for a petite bit of pizzazz for these bleak months.

Tory Burch Kendrick driver, $275

If you’re in the mood for something more weather-friendly or structured, head to the classic penny loafer. Bass or Sebago are classic preppy staples (the addition of a shiny new penny is absolutely optional). I’m thinking that this version in navy might be the next addition to my collection.

Bass Vanessa loafer in navy, $149

Another great option comes courtesy of Cole Haan. Great colours and contrast stitching, coupled with patent leather, equates to positively weather-friendly options. Two-tone options are also available if you’re up for being a touch more daring.

Cole Haan Air Sloane moc, $168

Need an in-between option? This patent leather version from Jeffrey Campbell will work for wet weather, and the driving loafer style means that you’ll feel as though you’re taking your daily stroll in custom-fit slippers all day.

Jeffrey Campbell Mocky Penny driving loafer, $83

Whatever you choose, here’s hoping that a great pair of loafers can be added to your fall and winter footwear fashions.

I’d also like to take an opportunity to thank Becki for two things: first for having an excellent blog, and second for having me on here. It’s always a treat to not only be reading one of your favourite blogs, but also to be contributing to its greatness makes it extra-special. –Anonymous Chic

**The love is mutual, Miss Kate! xox, Becki**

Today’s guest is Melissa Tomeoni, whom you all know as the highly-talented photographer behind my portraits. Besides those traditional gigs, Melissa is a crazy-good fine art photographer (check out her latest series on Etsy!). And she’s also one of the most fun DIY girls I’ve ever known. When she told me about her latest project – turning her miniscule closets into a bedroom-sized boutique, I had to see it for myself. It’s genius!

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There is something you should know about me: I have a few pet peeves. Everyone has them, but mine are special in that they all have to do with problems I create for myself.

1.  Being disorganized. Can’t stand it. Can’t sleep because of it. Furthermore, it leads to other fun things like a claustrophobic nature. (I’m sure you are all just dying to be my friend now, right?)

2. Buying crap to store my clothes/dishes/accessories/etc. Honestly, I would rather spend my money on fun items then containers to put my fun items in. Alas, I refer to #1 and find myself in an internal struggle.

3.  People who contradict themselves. So essentially, I’m my own pet peeve.

About four weeks ago my husband, puppy and I moved into a new place. While the square footage is about the same, it seems as though we’ve lost 15 closets in the move – including our separate bedroom closets. So, my husband and I are once again sharing a closet. Agony! Since I know many couples deal with this tragedy, I hope to help a few of you by sharing my solutions. The goal was to make my closet look acceptable, function well and, of course, store the wardrobe that I love so dearly.

The solution, sadly, was to put aside pet peeve #2 and buy some crap to store my crap. And so, I dragged myself to the two best places in the home improvement world: Ikea and Bed Bath and Beyond.

Solution #1. Buy slim line hangers (including these fancy pant hangers) from Real Simple. These little puppies are fuzzy so they grip even the slimmest spaghetti strap or widest scoopneck blouse. The bigger bonus is the stackability factor – each hanger has a little hook that allows you to hang a second hanger from it, so you can hang pieces up to to 4x deep. Perfecto! I was kind and bought enough for both me and my husband.

Solution #2. Install more spaces to store coats and shoes. In a small space, the worst thing you could do would be to buy more bulky furniture to eat up your square footage. I knew I wanted my shoes (and coats) off the floor and something had to be done. While at Ikea I found simple unfinished shelves, and brackets to hang them. Rather then purchasing an official wardrobe, I decided my things looked good enough to be displayed. So, I essentially “merchandised” my clothes right into my bedroom’s decor!

I used leftover wall paint and painted the shelves to match our existing wall color, creating a neutral backdrop that lets the colors and shapes of the clothes take the stage. I chose brackets that resemble the circular pattern on my dresser and spray painted them gold to match. I bought 2 silver hanging racks (found in the kitchen section of Ikea) to mount upside down to hang my coats on. The final step is installation. Ta-da! My very own sleep-in closet.

It’s been about 2 weeks since my closet had it’s makeover, and I can honestly say my life is so much happier now, with all of my pet peeves at bay. It feels a little like living in a boutique I can borrow from any time I want. I can see all of my fall/winter coats, my shoes, and my sweaters, so I actually get to wear everything I’ve worked so hard to own. As it turns out, maybe my pet peeves are more motivation than annoyance. –Melissa Tomeoni

editor’s note:  in honor of my tropical vacay, i couldn’t resist torturing you all a little bit.  could we all give a fabulously enthusiastic welcome to alyson helwagen, founder & owner of leichic.com – daily finds for life & style in hawaii.  for those of you that aren’t going anywhere for resort season this year (i’m guessing that’s most of us), alyson is here to give us a little guide to bringing the tropics home.

Not everyone is as lucky as your regular writer, who gets to spend this week in Hawaii. But it’s cheaper than ever to travel to the islands right now – so if you are thinking about it at all, now is the time.  Beat of Hawaii and Beyond is my favorite tip spot for the best airfare steals. You’ll also find news of hotel deals and specials there too – a great first stop for planning your trip.

But, if you simply can’t go, you can get some virtual aloha too. There are literally TONS of cool things from the 50th state. But here are a few of my favorites:

1. Check out some local Hawaii designers.  Fighting Eel is known for their super-soft cotton jersey dresses. Everyone wears these out here, to weekend backyard barbecues, casual cocktail hours, even out to dinner.

Muumuu Heaven takes old muumuus and refashions them into chic dresses. The boutique stocks only things made from recycled materials or sustainable fibers (lots of bamboo fabric with accents made from vintage muumuus), so every dress is one of a kind.

Also, Satori is a brand new Hawaii line launched by a local girl, Lynn Sakutori, who spent the last decade in NYC designing for Kenneth Cole and other big labels. She just came back to the islands to do her own line, and it’s way less island-y than Fighting Eel or MuuMuu Heaven, but still simple, cute and really versatile.  You can read more about her on Lei Chic.

2. Splurge on some island-inspired jewelry. One of my favorite jewelry collections is Misa Jewelry. It’s chunky and fun, and designed by a Hawaii native who now lives in LA. You can’t buy it online, but it’s stocked in some LA boutiques, and you can always call to order pieces you see online.  Also check out Pua Jewelry and Hinu Jewelry – they are kind of similar, but super popular here.  Everyone I know wears pieces from one or both of these lines. The two designers used to have a line that they designed together, but they each do their own lines now.

3. Indulge with some Hawaii beauty products. There are a lot of fake-pineapple and fake-coconut scented potions out there. No one who lives in Hawaii actually uses that stuff. But there are some really good quality skin care and beauty products that are local favorites.  The most luxurious Hawaii beauty products are from Malie Kauai, and made with local, organic ingredients. The cream soaps and lotions are used by lots of local women.  For natural, floral perfume, there’s Saffron James fragrances. They are based on native Hawaii flowers, which kind of replicates the experience of having a lei around your neck and smelling the sweet scent wafting up. Read more about them on Lei Chic.  I also love the locally-made line Pure & True.  I know Michelle Garcia, the creator of this line, and once you see her skin, you’re an instant convert to this stuff.  Check out Lei Chic for more info on Saffron James and Pure & True!

4. Hawaiian Food + Drink. Okay, forget the mai tai – it’s sort of generically tropical, and not something locals drink regularly. If you really want to sip like a local, try a lychee martini, which is often made here in the spring, when lychees are in season.  And local food? It’s more than adding pineapple to anything.  To do it yourself, the best cookbook from a local chef is the one from Alan Wong – he is the top five star chef in the state. I have this, but since I’ve eaten a lot of these dishes at his restaurant, and they are so good, I’m hesitant to try to cook them myself. But – worth a try if you aren’t able to visit the restaurant!

5. Aloha for the home. To add a little aloha chic to your home, I love all the artwork, and home décor accents by Kaypee Soh at Somace Design. It’s really modern, but also island-y in a clean, fresh way. He is launching an e-commerce site any day now, so keep checking back!  Also, the one thing about Hawaii you notice as soon as you get off the plane is how different the air is here. It’s soft, thanks to the moderate humidity, and you always smell something good – seaspray, flowers, etc. To bring the scent of Hawaii inside, get a reed diffuser from Alora Ambiance. This was the very first reed diffuser on the market, and the owner creates scents using plants from her backyard.

And remember, above everything…it’s about attitude.  So, relax, kick back…and aloha!

we recently got a reader question about the dreaded “work-to-happy-hour” transition.  and truly, it is a serious fashion challenge.  so, we called in our resident hipster expert for some advice on pulling off the after-hours look seamlessly.

sometimes, an after-work cocktail is simply a must, whether you’re meeting your girls or that hot guy from accounting.  but how do you leave the office without looking like you just left the office?  i try to plan ahead if i am going to happy hour and wear something that’s easy to transition.

for me, a cute dress, like this knot print wrap dress from banana republic, is perfect.  at the office i would wear tights and a lower heel. after work, make a quick change (a la lynn, in girls just wanna have fun on the bus):  lose the tights, add some big hoop earings and higher heels.  you’ll be the hottest girl there!

for those who aren’t into dresses, rather than wearing a basic white blouse under your black suit, opt for a ruffled purple tank instead.  once you arrive, just remove your jacket and you’ll be right on with the purple and black trend.   

if you are dying to wear that white blouse, skip the suit in favor of a chic, high-waisted black skirt.  once you leave the office, layer a few long necklaces.  just make sure to add tights if you don’t want to look like a naughty secretary…you can always slip them off pre-cocktails. 

those are my best tips…what do you all wear if you are going out right after work? 

~ j

editor’s note:  i am thrilled to introduce the lovely and talented jessie, of prior shoppingsmycardio fame, as our newest contributing writer!  let’s send her some welcoming warm fuzzies, shall we?

once upon a time, flying was glamorous. ladies would dress up in a suit with hosiery and a hat to fly. lately when i travel, i feel like the coach cabin is the equivalent of a greyhound bus. gone are the smart suits and chic hats - these days, you are more likely to see travelers in their pajamas.

i am not advocating that we all step out in pillbox hats to fly, but who doesn’t want to feel chic after a day of travel?  fortunately, it is possible to look great and be comfortable.

let’s start with a fabulous carry on.  it needs to be large enough to hold your essentials but not so big you are cursing the weight of it when your flight is delayed. keeping in mind that said bag is going to slip under the seat and the plane floor is not the cleanliest place, don’t carry a bag that you will be devastated when it gets gum or whatever else is lurking under your seat on it.  with that in mind, for $118 you can’t go wrong with this aer satchel (even if it is by jessica simpson).

i like to wear jeans when i travel: a wide legged pair in a dark wash looks put together yet effortless. the faye jeans from citizens of humanity ($194) are perfect for travel.  they have stretch in them so they will hold their shape, and they are really soft for your comfort. best part, the darts on the back do wonders for your posterior!

travel days can be long, so wearing a fabric that won’t wrinkle is key, you never know when you will be late and have to run straight to dinner.  a solid tee is perfect travel wear, you can always accessorize to dress it up. michael star’s tees wear beautifully; they have great lines and come in fun colors. i love the cotton scoop neck long sleeve in eggplant ($52), one of my favorite colors for fall. if you are more of a neutral girl, go with the java color. the longer length is perfect when bending down, so you aren’t showing anything you don’t want to. 

i heard someone say once that animal prints are either fifth avenue or call girl (and not the fabulous call girl, belle de jour, on showtime). this gorgeous leopard wrap by kashmere is definitely uptown chic, and you can pick it up at bluefly for the bargain price of $90 (marked down from $195). wearing a scarf when traveling is key, if you are cold you can use it as a blanket, or in a real crunch as a pillow.

airplanes can be chilly, so layer a chic blazer like this cotton blazer from banana republic ($125). in khaki, it will work with most anything you have packed for your trip, and is sure to become a classic in your wardrobe.

finally, footwear.  who are we kidding…it always come back to the shoe!  i am going to suggest wearing a classic heeled boot like the classic campus boot from frye ($398).  this boot will look amazing under your wide leg jeans or over your skinny jeans. i have been coveting frye boots, ever since i was in high school and i would wear my mom’s vintage pair. i recommend a boot over flats because when you are enduring the humiliation of security and you have to take your shoes off, don’t add insult to injury by having your bare feet touch the floor! boots = socks!  wearing your boots will also save room in your luggage for all your other shoes!

now that you are gorgeously dressed for your travel, enjoy your trip!  and don’t worry…all that staring is only because your fellow passengers wish they looked that chic!

today’s “weekend read” is by the lovely and oh-so-talented jessie, author of cooking with jessie, and founder of conscience tees.  talk about a packed schedule!  turns out, she’s also a devout david sedaris fan, so i thought we’d get her take on his latest.

I might not be the best person to objectively review David Sedaris’ newest book of essays “When You Are Engulfed in Flames”, simply because I love David Sedaris so much that if he read me the back of a cereal box I would giggle. That being said these stories made me laugh out loud, on an airplane, which can make a person seem crazy. (As a side note, Sedaris is very self-deprecating; I met him at a book reading once and found him to be quite charming and geekishly handsome. I also thought he was very polite, complimenting me on my large white teeth.)

Sedaris’ books are compilations of short stories based on his life.  Every story is full of strange incidents, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames is no exception.  Who else but Sedaris could recount a story of a childhood babysitter, described as:  “The first thing I noticed was her hair, which was the color of margarine and fell into waves to the middle of her back. It was the sort of hair you might find on a mermaid, but completely wrong for a sixty-year-old woman who was not just heavy but fat and moved as if each step might be her last.”

His writing is something we can all relate to.  Who hasn’t had a crazy neighbor, or an obnoxious person next to them on a flight?  And while many people have tried to quit smoking, you just haven’t tried to move to Japan to do it – hilarity inevitably ensures.

The book encountered some initial controversy when Barnes and Noble filed the memoir under fiction. Sedaris had this to say:  “I’ve always been a huge exaggerator,” he said, “but when I write something, I put it on a scale. And if it’s 97% true, I think that’s true enough. I’m not going to call it fiction because 3% of it isn’t true.”

Personally I think, who cares if the truth was stretched. How many times do you read a book that makes you laugh out loud? It’s entertainment, not a history lesson! So, go out and pick up When You Are Engulfed in Flames – you will laugh out loud, maybe shed a tear, and wish you too had a pet spider you could show the sites of Paris. 

sounds like i have another book to add to my summer reading list!  thanks, jess!