The Winter Accessory at the Top of My Winter List….

Happy Monday loves, I can finally say that I am feeling normal after a much needed weekend of rest and relaxation (and a quick photo shoot). The things we do as bloggers but only because my husband would be gone for two weeks for work and I needed to get some looks in before he left. I promise after that I was in all weekend getting better from this cold that just wouldn’t go away for the longest.

Lately on  A Styled Love Affair, I have been giving my key pieces to a winter wardrobe must have. Now not all these pieces have to be placed together but are great because they can be used interchangeably together or alone. So you ask what is my must winter wardrobe accessory this season that I can’t get enough of and even Rachel Zoe is saying is the it accessory and doesn’t seem to be going away (read here) Faux Fur. It is everywhere these days from shoes, coats, purses, but my favorite way to bring into my wardrobe is a Faux Fur Stole. Many people thought this was a jacket which is so great about this accessory it almost tricks the eye BUT besides that keeps you warm and looking extra chic don’t you agree. I decided to pair my new faux fur stole from Zara with my new sweater coat and they just work so well together. If you don’t want to pair with a sweater coat pair over your shoulders instead of a coat (probably not for winter) or add to your leather or pea coat jacket to change up the look. This is the perfect accessory to change up the same jacket or coat with a little change.

How would you or do you wear your Faux Fur stole?

Loves I hope everyone has a lovely Monday, this feels like its going to be a long week but let’s get through it together. Hope everyone has a lovely day.

Thank you so much for following or just reading along

 

Madewell Sweater Coat – (love & love)

Zara Fur Stole – (love & love)

Anthropologie Hat – (love & love)

Banana Republic booties – (love & love)

XOXO

Nicole

Anthropologie Tiered Skirt & Five Fun Facts about Me….

 

Happy Friday Loves, the first week of the New Year and its not how intended it to go at all to be honest. I have been sick as a dog since Tuesday and have been fighting this cold that just seems to keep creeping back every month which is no fun at all BUT I am not going to let it get my spirit down and I am going to keep with my post and power on. No cold or flu will stop this lady on a mission.

With the start of the New Year, I  really want my readers to know who they are following and reading about behind the lens. In the end I want to be connected to my readers and my readers connected to me and not just through clothing but on a more personal level as well. I have made it resolution to connect more with my readers and other blogger boss babes this year.

So here it goes Five Facts about me:

1. I am born and raised NJ gal but definitely not your typical jersey girl. I grew up in Summit, NJ about half hour drive from NYC. I lived with my mom at home till I was about 26 when I moved out with my Boyfriend (now husband).

2.I just recently turned 33 this past summer, I am a summer baby (but yet I love Fall over all the season especially my own). With that being said I am a Cancer gal, which means family is everything (very true they are my life and I love them), I am super sensitive (yes yes and yes ask my husband and any friend), I wear my heart on my sleeve and very loyal to everyone in my life.

3.If you haven’t noticed in my posts, I work in Fashion and have worked in the industry for almost 8 years. I work for Banana Republic as a Denim Product Development Manager, sounds confusion but very it’s been my passion since I learned about it when I first started in the industry. Basically we are the middle man between Design & when our products go out for bulk into the market. We are the in between to help streamline the process but it can be very fun because you see the process from beginning to end which I love.

4.My husband and I have been together this coming year will be 6 years and we have been married this coming April 2 years. We met at a bar (longest story every) but we had a double date that didn’t go well, I mean the worst double date ever of life. So we didn’t talk after that for about a week and then I contacted him because I was annoyed he didn’t call me back. We finally went on our solo date and we talked till almost 2 am and it was all history from there.

5.I am the middle child of 5 kids, 4 girls and 1 boy (he actually survived unscathed). I loved having such a big family because always someone to rely on or lean on for help. My older brother and sister are 1 year and a day apart and my two younger sisters are 1 year and 5 days apart and I am smack in the middle. Which was hard at first because the older kids were cooler and wouldn’t let me play with them (but my brother let me tag along). If you see me and him we are basically spitting images of each just a guy and girl version lol. Even though I have so many siblings, I really only want to have two kids (I would love twins). This will be the year that me and Mark are going to start trying for our own little bundle of joy.

So that is a little about this gal but I will be sharing more each week, now I want to hear from all of you and tell me few fun facts about yourself. : )

Another great fact about me I love a great skirt, mostly midi or maxi (short I get weary because I am not a huge fan of my legs even though my husband loves them and says I should show them more). This Anthropologie tiered beauty is on my top favorite list and how could you not love it. From the beautiful floral print to the tiered structure it is just to pretty. I have received so many compliments on this skirt (work & street compliments). I wanted my skirt to stick out so I paired with some of my favorite neutral pieces especially this suede moto jacket that I can’t take off even in the most frigid of weather. Now with the cooler weather you can pair this piece with a sweater top to keep yourself extra warm.

Loves I hoped you liked this post and learning a few fun facts about me, I did really like sharing some insight and who I am with you all.

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend.

Thank you for following or just reading along

Anthropologie Tiered Skirt – (love & love & love)

Sweater – old (love & love)

Nordstrom Suede Jacket (love & love)

XOXO

Nicole

The Winter Staple Piece You Need…..

Hello Loves, I am currently trying to get back into the routine of work starting again but I believe I am like most and could use another week. It’s funny how I do love a routine but yet when it starts again I am never ready for it, I really allowed myself to recharge this time during my Holiday break and so thankful for that since I really needed it.

We of course know all our winter basic needs when bundling up before we head out the door Coat, scarf, gloves & hat. Living in the Northeast as I do these are vital accessories that are needed for every winter. Which I know many will agree. Yet it doesn’t always seem to enough during those very frigid cold winter days. That’s why for me my winter basic staple must is the “turtleneck”. Whether a turtleneck top or turtleneck sweater it’s a winter basic staple I can’t seem to love without these days. Which is so funny because years ago I wouldn’t go near them and now I can’t seem to fill my closets enough with turtlenecks. What is so great is that you can mix and match them in so many different ways from casual to dressy or from work to play. Want to wear that jumper or summer dress a added turtleneck allows you to bring those pieces back to life in the winter season.

My favorite go to Turtleneck lately has been this Banana Republic beauty which I scored on major sale (and is still on sale) and has been my outfit repeater for the past few weekends. It is super comfortable and so soft, it literally pairs well with every piece in my closet from jeans, skirts and even pants. I decided to pair it with my favorite casual pieces (all linked below). This is my perfect weekend go to look that is both casual and chic for the girl on the go.

Loves I hope everyone has a wonderful day, lets make it another great one.

Thank you so much for following or just reading along

Banana Republic Turtleneck – sold out (love & love)

Madewell Denim Jeans (love & love)

Zara Boots – old (love & love)

Nordstrom BlankNYC Leather jacket

Banana Republic sunnies-old (love & love)

XOXO

Nicole

New Year’s Eve……Red Velvet

How are we down to the final countdown to the New Year? It feels like just yesterday celebrating and ringing in the New Year, I mean where did the time go? But doesn’t it go the same way every year we ask ourselves where has the year gone but in the end we should be so grateful for another great year. Regardless of how fast this year has gone it has surely been such a great year with great new memories that I could never replace and so happy that I was able to experience. Mark and myself were walking the other day and I asked the him the question we all ask ourselves or each other “What do you want for yourself in the New Year” and I really liked his answer. To be happy (and of course to be prosperous, healthy and of course the list goes on) but I couldn’t get off how he started off with Happiness. I feel like we should all be a little more happy because we always want more and see the others on social media and wish we could have what they have or need. In the end when you look around and see what you personally have could fill you with so much happiness and when I look around myself my life is filled with so much happiness and I want to keep filling that bowl. Lets all make our lives a little more happy this year.

Now no more mushy and let’s get to the fun part which of course fills me with lost of Happiness getting ready for New Year’s Eve and what I will be wearing : ) New Year’s can always be difficult I feel like especially being on the East Coast and the temps are not as friendly which means you always have to cover up if you are not hosting. I hate when I have to cover up my dresses but the unveiling is so much fun right? What better way to knock’em dead with the reveal then a little sexy velvet number to stop the party, hence bring in this amazing ASOS velvet beauty. This is sure to have a lot of fun at any New Year’s party, whether you are hosting or going out on the town to dance the night away. I am just loving everything about this beautiful velvet red dress and the touch of shoulder fun which adds a little something to the look so its not just typical one shoulder dress so charming.

Now if a form fitting dress is not the way you want to go this New Year’s I have linked so many wonderful options below for everyone’s taste this New Years.

Happy Wednesday loves, whether you are last minute shopping or have your look ready to go for this New Year’s. I hope you feel like the bell of the ball.

Thank you for following or just reading along

ASOS Red Velvet dress (love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, & love)

XOXO

Nicole

It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas….

 

The most wonderful day of the year is finally upon us, Christmas day and I could not be more excited. Santa has delivered all his presents to all those wonderful children who have been good this year and adults of course too : )  Even as an adult I get excited for Christmas day and opening presents feeling like a kid again (I know that most of you can agree with me.) but that is not why I am thankful this Christmas. This year we have so much to be thankful for and I could not express how blessed I am for this life. This year marked our 1 year anniversary or marriage which I believe is a great milestone, we experienced hardships which have made us stronger and have really tested us good and bad and this year has shown us how truly great life can be and to be so thankful because you can’t predict what each day may bring. As I right this post and see what I have been blessed with I can say that my life is truly full and I can’t wait to make it even fuller this coming year.

Mark and myself started our own Christmas tradition when we moved in together 4 years ago where we have our own mini Christmas at home before we head out for the day to visit our families. We get up extra early to give our presents to each other, Mark is so cute he has a actual number system that he knows exactly which gift he is giving to me which I think is so cute. Whereas I just go with the wind and give away lol. I truly love our little tradition we have made for ourselves, just the two of us in our little moment together before the day gets away with us.

This Christmas I am going for the classic rocker chic look to change things up from the normal. I found this gorgeous pleated Club Monaco skirt while doing my Cyber Monday shopping and so glad I did. The color, length and pleats are perfection rolled into one and give me a pleated maxi and I am one happy lady. I paired this skirt with my favorite button down bow tie top from Banana Republic which I love to wear all the time around the Holiday season because it goes with just about everything. To bring out my rocker chic I have added my go to leather jacket (which has been on repeat a lot this past season) from Nordstrom to complete my look. I swear this jacket goes with everything and I have gotten so many compliments on it (linked below) it was my best purchase. Now just add that red lip and we are good to go for Christmas dinner with the fam.

 Loves I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Christmas and you are spending this Holiday with the ones you love.

Thank you so much for following or just reading along

Club Monaco Skirt (love & love)

Banana Republic Bow tie top-old (love & love)

Nordstrom BlankNYC leather jacket (love & love)

Banana Republic heels-old (love & love)

XOXO

Nicole

 

New Year’s Shine…..

Taking a little break from all the Holiday chatter BUT bringing out a fun New Year’s Eve look that surely will turn heads. I swear every time the New Year comes around, I am the one running around the mall like a frantic person trying to figure out my look for the night (have you happened to notice from my last few posts I am the worst procrastinator lol). This year I have vowed to get my look ready way in advanced to bring in the New Year. I feel that with New Year’s there is a unwritten rule that the more bling the better and that no New Year celebration is complete without a little or a lot of shine.

On New Year’s I feel as if there are no holds bar as to how far you want to bling out your look. You can be more classic with a simple black pencil skirt or want to be that sexy vixen make it a plunging neckline sequin dress and if that is to much you can bring in a fun accessory such as a great sequin clutch or earrings or vamp up those feet with some fun bling to dance the night away. I tend to sway towards the classic yet very fun side when it comes to my New Year’s Eve style (except this year I might just change it up). For a fun classic look I love a great midi skirt with a little bit of shine, which is why I am in love with this Tulle Asos sequined beaut, she is sure to be a stunner and turn a lot of heads. It is the perfect amount of shine and tulle that is not overwhelming. I love how the sequins cascade down the skirt which will give off enough shine to make you sparkle extra bright through out the night. To finish off my look I paired it with a simple velvet top that always the skirt to have all its sparkly glory.

Happy Wednesday loves, I hope everyone is having a great week and getting wrap to wrap up the week and go enjoy the holiday festivities with family. What are everyone’s plans to ring in the New Year?

Thank you for following or just reading along

ASOS Skirt (love, love, & love)

Zara Velvet top (love & love)

ASOS Silver Heels (love & love)

XOXO

Nicole

LBD for the Holiday’s

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and I couldn’t be more excited, it really is my most  favorite holiday of the year. Besides all the hecticness that seems to follow (especially with the procrastinator in me) I can say that at this point in my life I am so grateful and so blessed. My most biggest blessing is being able to celebrate with my family on Christmas especially my husband Mark. This will be our sixth Christmas together and I am going to get a little personal but me and the hubs are planning on making this our final Christmas as two (and no not pregnant yet) but this year we are hoping to add to the pack.

 This Holiday season has for sure had it’s many celebrations with both friends and families.  Of course with every party or dinner you want to dress it up differently correct? The golden rule that every girl has learned is that you can never go wrong with a great LBD, they can be timeless, classic and super chic that you can wear all season long. Going into the Holiday season a great LBD is the perfect go to especially if you have multiple parties because it is easy to change up with shoes or a cute clutch. This polka dot ASOS LBD dress is going to my perfect look for the remainder of the Holiday season. It is super adorable from head to toe, from the polka dot mesh to the peplum hem. This beauty has a touch of classic sophistication that will turn heads and get so many compliments. It is the perfect dress for a Holiday office party or dinner party. Pair with a great pair of fun pumps and a red lip and you are ready to have a great time at the Christmas party.

 Loves I hope everyone had a great weekend and has a great Monday, my weekend was surely packed with lots of running around and plenty of last minute shopping. I hope everyone is just as excited as me for all the Christmas celebrations to come, does anyone have any great plans?

Thank you so much for following or just reading along

ASOS dress – sold out (love, love, love & love)

Banana Republic heels – old (similar here & here)

XOXO

Nicole

 

Chunky Knits & Floral Pleats

So as the saying usually goes Rain Rain Go Away, yea us New Yorkers I am sure are saying all together Cold Cold Go Away. I am so not ready for the chilly temps to roll on in but I guess we had it so good this season with Fall extending itself.

With the cold temps I can say my favorite part are for sure the vast varieties of sweaters, fun coats and even adorable winter accessories. So there are positives that do come with the cold : )

When it comes to sweaters the bigger the chunkier the better because when it is cold you need that extra comfort and being cozy to stay warm on those extra cold days. I swear every fall and winter season those are my first purchases that I love to stock up on because I know they certainly will come in handy (and no stone unturned). On the hunt for a new chunky sweater to add to my assortment came this amazing beauty from H&M (OMG in love and ha been on several repeats this past season). I really can’t get enough of this great sweater which has kept my very warm with the cold temps creeping in lately. This chunky knit sweater literally goes with everything jeans, skirts, over dresses endless opportunities.

I knew exactly how I wanted to pair her (of course insert adorable pleated skirt my fav). This pleated skirt is also from H&M (linked below & currently on sale) and is the perfect combination to go with this amazing knit sweater. I love the floral print that is scattered all over the skirt and isn’t to overwhelming and the color is certainly also my favorite. It’s the perfect piece to keep the look super casual and of course to keep me super warm on top.

Happy Monday loves and I hope everyone had a superb weekend mine for sure was very casual and laid back which is exactly what I needed after a very long work week. And currently I am freaking out that there is less than two weeks till Christmas and my shopping has not even started.

Thank you so much for following for just reading along

H&M floral skirt (love & love)

H&M Chunky Sweater (love & love)

Nordstrom Leather Jacket – BlankNYC

Banana Republic Heels – old (similar here & here)

XOXO

Nicole

Holiday’s in Pink Velvet

Happy Wednesday loves, I couldn’t be more happier because today on A Styled Love Affair I am sharing my first Holiday look and super thrilled. I love when the Holiday season rolls around (not so much the cold chilly weather but hey hot chocolate helps 🙂 The Holiday’s are a very special time (at least for me) I almost feel that it brings out such a essence its literally intoxicating.

Now the usual Holiday wardrobe usually consists of something Red or Green, which I love both colors but sometimes you want to change up the rules and do something different from the norm colors. Last season I wore a blue jumpsuit (seen here) and it was quite a hit around the Holidays and I thought to myself who would have known such a different color would be a great hit. Which got me thinking this year of how to change up my Holiday color hue again. I still wanted to go with something feminine and chic AND it hit me when I discovered this adorable Pink Velvet Anthropologie number (linked below) that this would be my new hue for the Holiday season (don’t worry I have a red holiday look). This beautifully pleated velvet skirt was such a stunner when I saw it in stores I knew that I wanted to make this one of my Holiday looks. My husband at first thought Pink for a Holiday color but when the look came together (and of course the wreaths in the background helped) he saw it all come together. Pink is such a great color for the Christmas season and since it is also within the red color family but on a lighter side, a great Pink piece can bring out that touch of classy and chic. Pair your pink piece with a simple neutral and a touch of shine you are ready for any Holiday party.

I have to say do not be afraid to try different colors for the Holiday’s you will be very surprised.

Loves I hope you enjoyed my First Holiday look for the season. Have wonderful and splendid day : )

Thank you for following or just reading along

Sweater – old (love & love & love)

Anthropologie Suede Skirt (love & love)

Banana Republic heels – old (love & love)

XOXO

Nicole

Cherry Bomb in Jcrew

It’s that time of year again where we fall back and it’s all fun and games because we get to gain a extra hour of sleep but unfortunately our days get a little darker much earlier. It’s not my favorite part of daylight savings time since that means by the time I am leaving work its already dark outside but I really can’t complain to much because with the changing time there are still it’s ups and downs (hence getting to wake up early before anyone is out to shoot with no distractions lol, this is my husbands all time favorite).

Prints really have been flooding my posts lately but I really can’t get enough to be honest. When I find a great one or even better one that is a top and bottom and combined together are so cute I am all about it. Which is why I am loving everything about this JCrew Cherry Top and Pleated skirt (links below). I came across these pieces a couple weeks ago and couldn’t control myself from putting them in my cart and pressing the purchase button. I am usually more of a polka dot kind of gal but this cherry pattern is simply so precious but not in a childish kind of way. I love how JCrew brought in this pattern and made it look so chic and give me a skirt with a pleat and a fun pattern I am one happy lady. I was a little hesitant at first to pair this look together but once I tried it on and played with it a little bit I grew on the idea of pairing this look together rather than separately. I call this my Cherry Bomb look of the day.

 

Loves I hope you all have a wonderful day, it might just have to be a two coffee kind of day

Thank you so much for following along or just reading

 

Jcrew Cherry Button up (similar here & here)

Jcrew Cherry Pleated Skirt (love & love)

BlankNYC Leather jacket – Nordstrom

Asos Heels – old (here & here)

XOXO

Nicole