The LLB (little lace bolero) ...

While I usually don't go for disposable (also called fast clothing), I got this cute LLB from Amazon for less than $15 including shipping.

I work a lot, I mean like "workaholic" a lot. So, my wardrobe absolutely must be interchangeable for 90% of my occasions. I have recently picked up a little accessory that makes going from gloomy work attire to glamorous nightlife style possible. The Little Lace Bolero (LLB). I mean, you can get one in practically any color! It hides those "bye-bye" arms (you know, the flabby arms that keep waving goodbye even when your hand has stopped the wave) and it can take the night chill off your shoulders. The best part? One size usually fits all! Seen in the photo above is a simple gray Anne Klein work dress that just hours before my soiree was worn with a matching gray suit jacket. Add the LLB and voila, instant chic! So, when you are one of those unfortunate souls (like me) who has to work on New Years Eve, think about adding a LLB to your boring work clothes to spiff things up and ring in the new year in style!

Whose gift is this anyway?

YES! Give the gift of gift certificates at Trousseau.

It always astounds me when men (or anyone for that matter) give lingerie as a gift. I mean, really slutty, tacky lingerie -- I do not mean PJs or sleeping gowns or nice matching undergarments. I like to pick out my own undergarments and surprise my significant other. I would venture to say that if you are dating a classy lady, she will not ask for lingerie wrapped up under the tree. So, if you have already gotten that red or green holiday-themed underwear with faux fur trim for the lady in your life, take it back now and get the girlfriend whatever she has been hinting she wants for the last six months.

Why on earth would you think a woman would want this crap as a gift? Women don't wear dental floss-like g-strings with pearls and sequins to bed (to SLEEP) or under jeans on a regular basis -- a woman wears it for all of 15 minutes to turn on their partner and then (if she is smart) she peels it off in a striptease for you. Let's put this into perspective, a guy (or gal) gets 4 days (5+ if you are involved with someone like Kim Kardashian who demands a "push present") a year to really make a difference to a woman and thus get incredible "cool points" (most often redeemable for sex, getting out of trouble, etc.) -- Christmas, your anniversary, her birthday and Valentines Day. Christmas gifts are meant to show the people you love how much you love them, not how much you want them to have sex with you. Unless a woman specifically asks you for the naughty holiday French maid costume complete with fishnets and feather duster, DO NOT BUY IT. Chances are if you showed it to her in a magazine, she laughed because it was funny for all of 10 seconds, NOT because she wants it for Christmas.

If your significant other buys you something like this (and you didn't ask for it -- why would you ask for something like this?!?!?) please believe me that he/she bought it for him/herself. Politely tell them that you think it will look great on them and to please go try it on. When the look of shock wears off their face, you can encourage them to venture on over to the jewelry store to get your REAL gift. I'm not a firm believer in demanding gifts for Christmas because the holiday really isn't about that but, if you HINT about a certain item you would like and your significant other doesn't get the hint or clearly ignores it, perhaps its time to deck the halls elsewhere.

Seeing RED ...

Today is #WearRedFriday in the United States so we #RememberEveryoneDeployed -- thus the acronym RED. Military (and oftentimes civilians) deploy to protect our freedoms in this country. I love our military members and their families! But silly me, I forgot to wear red today so I'm going to have to improvise! Therefore, I ate a RED velvet cupcake from #Sprinklescupcakes while mailing care packages in RED boxes to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. That's the way I #RememberEveryoneDeployed! How do you remember on this  #WearREDFriday, Dec. 11?

Yes Virginia, there is holiday classiness ...

The holiday season (from Thanksgiving through Boxing Day, Dec. 26) is meant to be a time of good cheer, love, forgiveness, and acts of charity. No ladies, dating the local loser is not considered an act of charity. I tried that rationale in my 20s. Ladies, let's practice a little decorum, dress the way you want to be treated and leave the fantasy dress-up costumes for Halloween. Seriously,  leave the sexy "Elf on a Shelf", back on the shelf and send slutty Mrs. Santa packing back to the North pole. Have some class this holiday season. 

Contrary to popular belief, acting and dressing like a lady will not set women back decades in the equality movement. I wish someone had told me in my 20's that dressing like a hooker would get me treated like a hooker. But dressing like a stylish and fashionable lady will get me treated like a lady. Of course, I'm assuming the people we are hanging out with are ladies and gentlemen and not thugs, tramps and jerks. If you are frequently in the company of the aforementioned thugs, tramps and jerks, it really doesn't matter what you wear, you'll get treated like a thug, tramp and/or jerk (this begs a much more serious question -- why the hell are you hanging out with jerks?).

Bottom line, feel free to party hearty this holiday season but keep it classy!  If your skirt is too short to dance in without seeing your jingle bell undies or you have to pull up your blouse to cover cleavage at a holiday dinner table, you are tacky. And trust me, Santa Claus is watching! Speaking of classy, next week I will give you my opinion on tacky, themed lingerie as Christmas presents. 

Tie one on this month!

Happy National Tie Month (#NationalTieMonth)!

As a woman, I don't normally wear a traditional neck tie like you would see a man wear with a suit. I didn't say I never wore one, I said I usually don't. I prefer to button up my collar and toss in a little glitz with a choker necklace or a scarf.

What's your alternative to a traditional necktie?

Why you should follow fashion bloggers ...

 
Just a blast from the past on this #ThrowbackThursday
Well, it's not that far back into the past, it's from the May/June issue of Fairfax Woman Magazine
Just some sage advice (in my humble opinion) on why you should follow fashion bloggers and what they can offer.Read it HERE (page 42)