NYE Party Dresses: Save Edition

Christmas is a little over a week from now and that means the New Year's Eve celebration is just around the corner. It's time to start thinking about what to wear as you ring in the New Year! And I am back with a Save vs Splurge edition wherein I help you find the perfect dress to wear for your New Year's Eve while also taking your budget into mind. In this first edition, I'll be bringing you some of my picks for your budget options - nothing here costs more than $100 so you can celebrate in style without hurting your budget!

Sequined Bodycon Dress / Pink Skater Dress / Black V-Neck Cap Sleeve Dress

Black Mesh A-Line Dress / Black Off-The-Shoulder A-Line Dress / Contrast Mesh Crochet Dress

Silver Pleated Dress / Grey Halter A-Line Dress / Navy Wrap Pleated Dress

Coral One Shoulder Dress / Blush Off Shoulder Dress / Forest Green Lace Up Dress

Which dress caught your fancy? If you're looking to splurge a little on your NYE dress, be sure to come back on Friday as I will have the next edition of NYE party dresses, this time featuring some designer options.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. However, the items picked are my own.

Gingham Dress

Dress: Fashionmia (c/o)
Watch: Rumbatime
Clutch: AMIClubwear (c/o)
Shoes: Payless
Necklace: Rosegal (c/o)
Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane

This dress was one of those that I wasn't so crazy about when I first got it. I admit, I got it basically out of curiosity. I haven't had a gingham piece before so I was curious to see if I could wear it. As it turned out, it was pretty easy to wear. This midi dress from Fashionmia was the right item to break into the pattern: it is modest with a hint of retro style. Hence, it is my kind of dress!

SHOP THIS LOOK
Dress: Fashionmia (c/o)
Watch: Rumbatime
Clutch: AMIClubwear (c/o)
Shoes: Payless
Necklace: Rosegal (c/o)
Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane

The gingham print does the talking in this outfit. As you can see, I tried to keep everything else as simple as can be with basic black pumps and a clutch. Even my jewelry is minimal - I had on a pair of classic pearl earrings and a gold bar necklace from Rosegal. It is the kind of dress that you can dress up with sneakers for a casual weekend outing or wear to church with heels (just like I did here). With more glam accessories, I can even see wearing it to a wedding.

I'd like to get a pulse of my readers here as I am curious if this pattern is still a hit today. Is gingham a favorite for you or not?

Holiday Gift Guide: For Jewelry Lovers

All the baubles, sparkles, and glitz... it's so much fun to play with accessories. I especially love the holidays because websites like Baublebar and Loren Hope amp up their collection to offer luxurious jewelry styles fit for the party season. If you know someone who enjoys jewelry just much as I do, these gift items will definitely be perfect for them!

1 - Alex Necklace in Emerald / 2 - Rockstud Ring / 3 - Nala Bracelet / 4 - Chloe Double Brow Studs / 5 - Sevanna Crystal Collar / 6 - Kate Spade Hoop Earrings / 7 - Marc Jacobs Icon Hinge Bracelet / 8 - Mieko Druzy Drops

Earrings / Cuffs

What is your favorite accessory  to dress up an outfit with?

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Home

When we traveled to Bangkok and visited the weekend market, the husband and I shopped quite a few decor pieces for our home. Needless to say, home gifts are my favorite kinds of gifts to receive at the moment. We like to collect items from our travel and use it for decorating our home. If you know someone who has the same inclination for home decor pieces, this guide is for you. This holiday season, home gifts are definitely going to be appreciated by them: 

1 - Gift Boutique XOXO Trinket Tray
2 - Gift Boutique Stripe Pillow
3 - Fringe Hello Love Candle
4 - Carla Carstens Marble Coasters
5 - Sunny Life Neon Rainbow Light
6 - Gift Boutique Spindle Storage Box
7 - Kate Spade Desktop Calendar
8 - Indego Africa Colorblock Basket
9 - Gift Boutique Pearl Hanger Set

I have my eye on that pillow and marble coaster set. Did not find any you like? There's more here!

Concrete Jungle

Dress: Twinkledeals (c/o)
Earrings: Happiness Boutique (c/o)

Leopard is my go-to when it comes to styling animal prints. It is a classic but exotic print that can add instant oomph to an outfit. But cheetah print is slowly gaining the attention of everyone else in the fashion world as the next best print to leopard. This dress from Twinkledeals quickly won me over. I love that the cheetah print is subtly done so I was able to pull off this semi-glam look. 

SHOP THIS LOOK
Dress: Twinkledeals (c/o)
Earrings: Happiness Boutique (c/o)
Clutch: Deux Lux
Watch: RumbaTime
Shoes: Steve Madden

When it comes to styling statement dresses with bold prints, I think it is easy to get away with wearing minimal accessories and jewelry. I tried to let the dress be the "star" of this outfit by styling it minimally; albeit the statement earrings from Happiness Boutique added that glam factor it needed. Plus, this black purse from Deux Lux worked beautifully with this glam outfit inspiration. For that added glam effect, I finished off the look with messy waves and MAC craving for a hint of berry to my lips.

What animal print is your favorite? 

Holiday Gift Guide: Vegan

Shopping gifts for a vegan can be admittedly difficult. But it doesn't have to be. There are more options available now than ever with several brands like 88 opting to use cruelty-free methods and materials for manufacturing their items. Their line of luxury vegan handbags is something that I was initially introduced to. If you're a frequent reader of my blog, then you know I'm a big fan of 88's Cathy Saddle Bag (as seen here, here and here). The best part is that their items are really affordable - there is simply no reason to support vegan brands!

That's all the chatter right now, I'll let you have a peek at some of the pieces I dug up from the website, which I'm sure you'll love too - best part? None of these cost $60 and more!

Hayley Satchel / Kerry Backpack in Blush / Katie Satchel (use code AbigailSA to get 10% off)

Ellie Turn Lock Crossbody Bucket / Jesse Top Zip Cross Body Bag / Taylor Tassel Crossbody Bucket (use code AbigailSA to get 10% off)

Vegan Power Shirt / Vegan Squad Shirt / We Should All Be Vegan Shirt
(available in multiple colors - get 10% off with code AbigailSA)

If you'd like an extra incentive, 88 was kind enough to let me share this unique coupon code to my readers. You can get 10% off your purchase with code AbigailSA - just in time for your holiday gift shopping!

12 Standout Party Shoes

Can you smell the party season? The moment we got back from vacation, we quickly put up our tree because I can already feel the holiday spirit all around me. So many Christmas decors all over and this has me excited for all the celebration that is to come with the season. I'm pretty sure most of you have your December fully booked with parties and other gatherings. Hence, I'd like to make it easy for you to plan your holiday outfits. 

Below are 12 killer party shoes that I'm sure would take  your outfit to the next level:

Dakota Lace-Up Heel / Fifi Nude Suede Ankle Strap Heels / Ted Baker Peep Toe Shootie

Nude Suede Platform Heels / Chic Black Suede Lucite Mid-Calf Boots / Wine Suede Heels

Laila Black Caged Heel / Lace Black High Heel Booties / Red Multi Print Pumps

Schutz Lace-Up Pumps / Badgley Mischka Glitter Pumps / Aquazzura Hello Lover Pumps

Which of these party shoes will you be strutting in this holiday season?