Top 12 of 2012

Here are my top outfits of the year (in no particular order)! Which is your favorite? Hope you have a fabulous New Year's Eve! I will be back to a normal schedule after the holiday.

Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas - 1

It's the final festive outfit of the countdown! I thought it appropriate to conclude with a New Year's Eve-ready ensemble. The detailing on this glam little cocktail dress is so lovely that I kept the rest of the look simple.

Happy Holidays, everyone! I'll be taking a bit of a break next week but will post intermittently and will be back to regular programming in the new year! Cheers!

Dress: Vintage, available here
Shoes: Thrifted
Ring: Courtesy of InPink

Countdown to Christmas - 2

The shawl collar and classic pattern of this sweater make it one of my absolute favorites for this time of year! This outfit was perfectly cozy for a cold, drizzly day of last-minute Christmas shopping. Coming tomorrow... a party-ready get-up will be the grand finale of the countdown!

Sweater: Chaps (thrifted)
Jeans: TJMaxx
Boots: Thrifted

Countdown to Christmas - 3

While I felt a little over-the-top in this bright, matchy outfit, I love to take themes to the extreme! If nothing else, I certainly felt festive. Yesterday's mild weather allowed me to bare a bit of skin, but it really feels like December today! You can expect a much more wintry look for the second to last outfit of the Countdown to Christmas... coming tomorrow!

Shirt: Forever 21
Skirt: Express (thrifted)
Boots: Vintage
Collar: Self-made, available here
Belt: Came with a dress

Countdown to Christmas - 4

I found this reindeer sweater over the summer and could hardly wait until the holidays to start wearing it! For my second festive outfit, I played up the sweetness of the sweater by pairing it with a girly pink dress.             

Sweater: Thrifted
Dress: Ark & Co. via Donna's Dress Shop
Shoes: Courtesy of Wanted
Earrings: Courtesy of Lulu's

Countdown to Christmas - 5

Here's the first of this week's five festive outfits! Apologies for the indoor snapshots. This is what I wore for a little Christmas gathering I had over the weekend, and it was way past dark by the time I got gussied up! I absolutely love to host (especially around the holidays), but I tend to overdo it and get needlessly stressed out. This time, I challenged myself to have a super simple and small get-together that wouldn't be taxing or expensive, and (apart from one frosting fiasco) it was a smashing success!

Dress: Vintage
Necklace: Vintage
Shoes: Nine West

1. THE DRINKS

When I have friends over for drinks, I like to make one signature cocktail for the gathering (either a classic or an invention) and one other option (wine or beer). This time, I concocted a delicious Christmas-y cocktail that might be my new favorite! I also had egg nog and red wine on hand.

2 oz. Rye Whiskey
3 oz. Ginger Beer
1 oz. 100% Cranberry Juice
1 Large Orange Slice (fully squeezed into the mix)

Serve over ice.

2. THE SNACKS

I served baked brie and a few types of cookies. For the brie, I removed the top of the rind, poured some fresh cranberry sauce (from Trader Joe's, not homemade) over the top, popped it in the oven for 10 or 15 minutes until it got warm and served with crackers. Easy and yummy!

3. THE TUNES

I love putting together playlists. Here's a sampling from my Christmas mix!

Minnie Me

I picked up this polka dot dress for a steal a long time ago, but this is the first time I've worn it. Despite some some minor fit issues and imperfect condition, I rescued it from my untouched "to alter" pile. A couple of carefully placed safety pins, and I was out the door and feeling great for a movie date! Coming next week... a COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS! I'm devoting each day to an especially festive outfit as the holiday draws near. Ho ho ho!

Dress: Vintage
Blazer: Forever 21 (old)
Boots: Vintage
Necklace: Vintage

GET THE LOOK

Gift Guide #2

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six

If you're anything like me, your Christmas shopping is far from complete! What can I say? I work well under pressure! Plus, there's still plenty of time. For you fellow procrastinators out there, here are a handful of gift ideas for the guys in your life! All these gentlemanly treasures are under $30! I don't even mean to do that... I must just be a cheapo.

If you missed my gal gift guide,  you can find it here.

Black, White & Read All Over

While it does include a few trademark elements, I felt a little out of character in this outfit. The black leather and sleek, straight hair had me feeling ever so slightly edgy. Also, as promised, I added a bunch of items to the shop including some holiday party attire, great gifts and cute kids' stuff! Coupon code CHRISTMAS gets you 15% off!

Sweater: Ann Taylor
Skirt: Vintage
Blazer: H&M
Boots: Vintage
Collar: Self-made (available here)

Sister Winter

In the last few days, it's really started to feel like winter. While cold weather isn't always comfortable, it makes it seem more like Christmas time, and it's a great excuse t to drink hot drinks and wear cozy sweaters and ridiculous hats. I felt slightly silly buying this pom-pom topper, but I've barely taken it off since, so I think it was a good move!                                 

Sweater: Vintage
Jeans: Forever 21
Boots: Piperlime
Hat: Target
Socks: Target

Sip & Shop

Photos by Meg Dejmal

I've been saving this gorgeous dress for a special occasion, and Sip & Shop seemed like an ideal debut! Paired with a jeweled collar and my go-to pointy pumps, I felt perfectly festive. Thank you so much to everyone who came out on Saturday. It was a fabulous night! If you visited Kansas Couture Vintage recently and it looked a little barren, it's back to normal now. Also, I will be adding new items this week (including some holiday attire and great gift possibilities just in the nick of time), so stay tuned! And don't forget to use coupon code CHRISTMAS for 15% off through the 25th.

Dress: Courtesy of ModCloth
Shoes: Nine West
Bracelets: Forever 21
Collar: Self-made, available here

Decked Out

I love dressing up for occasions, and holiday outfits might be my favorite! As a date to a casual office Christmas party, I wanted to look festive but not too dressy, so I went for a decorative sweater and bright jeans. I felt kind of like a present, which seemed appropriate!

Don't forget! It's the last day to take 15% off at LuLu's with coupon code KATY if you haven't already done so.

Sweater: Thrifted
Jeans: TJMaxx
Shoes: Nine West
Bag: Vintage
Ring: Courtesy of InPink

TAKE 15% OFF AT LULU'S WITH COUPON CODE KATY!