Not sure about all of you, but I feel like I have a million party wardrobe decisions to make in the next two weeks. From interpreting the “dress code” on invitations, to deciding which shoes really look fab with my new cocktail dress, to choosing something fashionable-yet-subtle enough to wear to my clients’ events… it can overwhelm even the most style-saavy among us! Perfect timing for our weekly Cocktail Chic guest post from Coley, and I am loving the style & sparkle she brings today in the form of an oh-so-sophisticated watch.

Coley here, from One Simple Addition. This week’s post comes just in the nick of time for holiday parties. A watch is the perfect fashionable + functional accessory to add to any cocktail outfit. A few of my favorites:

How to turn up the style:
Try pairing your watch with a chunky pearl bracelet like this one. Or add a layer of bangles like these. For an always-classic look,  wrap a long pearl necklace around your wrist a few times, allowing some to lay on either side of the watch. (By the way, there are tons of great how-to-wear ideas in the latest J. Crew catalog). Enjoy!

Wear to Shop {Row 1} Michele White Ceramic Women’s Watch, Fossil Stella White & Gold $105, Chanel White Ceramic Unisex Watch {Row 2} *Skagen Square Mesh Band Wash $115, Skagen Women’s Silver Dial Mesh Bracelet Watch $100, DKNY NY4497 Stainless Steel Mesh Watch, Silver Coloured $129, Michele CSX Day Diamond Yellow Patent Leather $1065, Fossil Crystal Rim Watch $85, AK Anne Klein Hinge Case Watch $75.

Above: Paper Source India Magnets, $15.95; Marc Jacobs Heart Compact, $5

Dumpling Coin Purse, $16

John Robshaw Green Delhi Journal, $15; BUILT Two Bottle Tote, $16-$20

Dual Floral Lucite Bangles, $6.80; Jonathan Adler Pill Keychain, $19.50

French Bull Ring Salad Servers, $15; Sherpa Slide Slippers, $10

Repro Depot Mix & Match Stationery, $8.95; Lucia Wild Ginger and Fresh Fig Soap, $10.95

Fair Isle Slipper Boots, $15; Marc Jacobs Neon Leather Bangles, $7

Contact High by Jeff Lewis at 20×200, 10″x8″art print, $20

Don’t know about all of you, but I’m in desperate need of some inspiration for a few names on my gift list. Lucky for us, style spotter Meg has offered to guide us through the season with a weekly gift guide of chic finds leading up to Christmas. We kick it off with a treasure trove of unique pieces sure to evoke a “where in the world did you find that?!” response from the recipient. Oh, and did I mention that they’re all under $20? Yep, Marc Jacobs tote bag included! Amazing.

Hello Style Notes readers! It’s Meg from Mimi & Meg, and I am so happy to do a special series of Gift Guides. I will be doing a post each week for your December Holiday shopping!

So which one’s your favorite? I’m definitely loving the beautifully-bound copy of Pride & Prejudice (happens to be my fave book of all time)… and those jaunty-yet-subtle striped cup & saucer… oh! and those wood salad servers are pretty fab too. Impossible to pick just one, right?!

Where to shop: {From Top} Pottery Barn Aluminum Water Bottles, $10; Peacock Dinner Plate, $20; Small Bleeker Notebook, $18; Marc Jacobs USA Tote, $18; Color Drip Creamer, $10; Beauty Art Print by Hammerpress, $12; Feather Trimmed Cuff, $5.80; CB2 Cheese Cutters Set, $10.95; Jonathan Adler Stripes Cup and Saucer, $18; Clothbound Penguin Classic Book Pride and Prejudice, $20; Holy Smoke Matches, $7.95; Braai Serving Set, $18; Monogrammed Mugs, $6

Seen on Fab Sugar

Just in time for weekend shopping, we’ve got TWO fab guest posts to share today. Yes, it’s the season for giving (and we’ll get to that this afternoon with a must-read gift guide), but it’s also the season for getting all decked out for a multitude of holiday parties. Fortunately our resident accessories guru, Coley (guesting from One Simple Addition) is here with some fab little ways to take a cocktail dress from ho-hum to bombshell. Speaking of which, I can’t get over how gorgeously feminine Eva Mendes looks in the shot above…I mean, come on! From Coley:

“Here’s the skinny! A waste-defining skinny belt is a great way to update your cocktail attire. It provides another accent to an outfit and shapes your silhouette.”

Left: J. Crew; Middle: Urban Outfitters; Right: Anthropologie

Skinny vs. Thick Belts
Skinny belts add texture to an outfit. Alone or layered, they can be classy & professional at the same time. “Top-heavy” girls: this is a great way to flatter your assets while showing off your waist. Thicker belts can take over an outfit, while thinner belts pull a look together perfectly.

Left: J. Crew; Middle: Ralph Lauren; Right: Michael Kors

Need to add a little sparkle?
Metallic belts are a fun way to add a bold accent to your look. My advice: save these belts for dressy occasions, & stick with basic shades like gold and silver paired with a simple, colorful dress.

Left: Anthropologie; Middle: J. Crew; Right: Nordstroms

How to Wear
Pair skinny belts with fitted dresses that define your silhouette: too much material around the waist can make even the thinnest women look large! Try pairing colors like red & purple or gray & pink for unexpected accents. Although trendy, most women can’t pull off wearing multiple belts together. Instead, try wearing a skinny belt that wraps a couple of times around your waist. Enjoy!

Credits: J. Crew Metallic Mirror Belt Sale $25, Urban Outfitters Ecote Suede Skinny Braided Belt $20, Anthropologie Little Black Belt $78, J. Crew Skinny Crushed-Glitter Belt $24.50, Bloomingdales Lauren by Ralph Lauren Golden Faux Python Skinny Belt $38, Michael Kors Knoxville Python Belt $58, Anthropologie Squiggled Belt $28, J. Crew Superskinny Satin Belt $25, Nordstroms Hyde Collection Patent Leather Skinny Bow Belt $28

Coley!

Via Spiga 'Amelie' Pump, Nordstrom

Day 3 of my Northern California vaca, and loving every minute of the gorgeous scenery, fresh ocean breeze, and amazing food & wine.    Get ready for some “postcards from Napa” upon my return, but for today’s post I have a fashion-related confession: I’ve jumped on the bandwagon for this season’s platform craze… and I’m especially loving them on a classic pump with a bombshell peep-toe that infuses a major dose of sex appeal.  Here are a few of my favorites.

KORS Michael Kors ‘Izzie’ Pump, Nordstrom.

Kate Spade ‘Genny’ Pump, Kate Spade.

Pour la Victoire, ‘Ynes’ Pump, Piperlime.

Steve Madden ‘Fiesstaa’ Sandal, Nordstrom.

Via Spiga ‘Aaron’ Sandal, Zappos.

Stuart Weitzman ‘Backpage’ Platform Peep Toe Pump, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Photo credit: Mandy Lynne Photography

Every August of my childhood, I would count down the days until my mom would take us school supply shopping.  There was something thrilling about colorful new folders, stacks of clean ruled paper, and pencils just waiting to be sharpened.  So I got to thinking: why should kids have all the fun? Read on for my back to cool shopping list of school-inspired accessories to delight the schoolgirl (or boy) in all of us.

This chic little pencil holder & magazine file blend fashion and function… just what the doctor ordered to perk up your workspace. Brocade Pencil Holder & Magazine File, See Jane Work.

Now that you’ve got the proper holder, fill it with a rainbow from 500 Pencils.  Get inspired by unique shade names like “Mermaid’s Gown” and “Drizzly Afternoon.”  The company claims “the only set of colored pencils in the world that matches the span and wonder of human creativity.”

Be a goof off!  Throw an old-school-inspired party with favor bags full of nostalgic candy, fake moustache, & favorite notebooks.  Seating cards with silly buttons attached are instant conversation-starters.  And this time no one can send you to the principal’s office! Martha Stewart Weddings.

Compose your thoughts with a bold twist on the classic composition book.  The rubber band ball infuses everyday essentials with an eyecatching dose of color & style. Just pull off a band when you need one, and wrap it back around the ball when you’re done so it’s not tangled in your drawer. See Jane Work.

Remember what your mother always said about “the most important meal of the day?”  Dig in: these Meyer Lemon & Sour Cream Donuts from Tartelette may not be nutritious… but they’re soooo delicious!

Wine Bottles by Anna Hymas

Oenophilia (pronounced EE-no-FIL-ee-ə), originally from Greek, is the love (philia) of wine (oinos). Gift-guru Meg’s picks for this week’s guide are perfect for the oenophile in your life, whether their preference is a bit eclectic or sticks to the classics.  And for those who aren’t exactly connoisseurs, never fear: these accessories will elevate that bottle of Yellowtail to new heights.

Colorful

Clockwise: Bali Wine Rack, Wrapables; Parrot Sommelier corkscrew, Alessi; Stemmarkers, MoMA Store

Two Bottle Tote, Built; Vin Eau Carafe, MoMA Store

Clockwise: Anna G. corkscrew, Alessi; Party Lantern Wine Charm Set, Crate & Barrel; Wine Journal, Paper Source; Wine Tasting Coasters, Paper Source

Classic

Mara Wine Glasses, Crate & Barrel; Stainless-Steel Wine Cooler with monogram, Williams-Sonoma

Stainless Steel Wine Coaster, CB2; Nambé “Spiral” Wine Serving Set, Macy’s; Decanting Wine Pourer, MoMA Store; Structure 21-bottle Wine Rack, CB2

Vino Wine Glass, Crate & Barrel; Riedel “O” Burgundy Wine Tumbler with monogram, Williams-Sonoma

Windows on the World Complete Wine Course 2009 by Kevin Zraly, Barnes & Noble; Wine Enthusiast Parabola Decanter, Macy’s

Monogram Bottle Topper, ZGallerie

Grafton Street Bolton Wine Coaster, Waterford; Waterford Crystal Lismore Wine Coaster, Waterford

Cora Carafe, CB2; Villeroy & Boch “Cascara” Stemware Collection, Macy’s

Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint & MAC 'Naked Honey' Eye Shadow

Embrace the sultriness of summer with beauty goodies that bring out your inner sun goddess.  Key elements are natural coverage on skin (with sunscreen!), sheer bronzy color, hair accessories for easy updos, and juicy pops of lipgloss.

Silky-smooth bronzer gives a sun-kissed glow without the “muddy” look, and this one contains ingredients to improve skin color & tone.  Dior Bronze “Original Tan,” Nordstrom.

The newest fragrance from Marc Jacobs “captures a slice of summer with the fresh, bright scent of sun-drenched citrus.” Wave goodbye to raccoon eyes with the waterproof formula of Dior’s best-selling mascara.Marc Jacobs Lemon Splash, Sephora. Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, Neiman Marcus.

This kit makes summer vacationing a cinch by packing dental necessities into the tiniest of bags. Show off those pearly whites with a lip-plumping burst of glossy color.  GoSmile Jetset Kit, Sephora; DiorKiss Lipgloss, Bloomingdales.

Give a ponytail some sex appeal with a Bardot-inspired silk scarf.  Emilio Pucci ‘Fontana’ Silk Scarf, Nordstrom.

This gorgeous candle will transform your home into a spa-like getaway from summer’s heat, with notes of mandarin, lotus blossom, bamboo, & aloe.  From Jo Malone.

Clockwise: Melamine Mixing Bowls, Williams Sonoma; Marimekko Mansikka Tea Towel, Finn Style

Today kicks off the first of our guest blog series by Meg, the brains behind the beauty at trend-spotting design blog, Mimi & Meg.  Get excited for her bi-weekly advice on stylish gift giving for all occasions.  Today is for all the passionate bakers (or aspiring culinistas) in your life, who need a cup of color and pinch of whimsy in the kitchen.  Bon Appetit!

Clockwise: Stockholm Floral Apron, Anthropologie; Mod Measuring Set, Anthropologie; Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan, Sur la Table

Clockwise: Artisan KitchenAid Mixer, Macy’s; Le Creuset Silicone Mini Savarin Pan, Sur la table; Alfredo Haberli Mix Bowl, MoMA Store

Clockwise: Stockholm Floral Potholders, Anthropologie; Nest 8 Bowls, MoMA Store

A note of gift giving wisdom from Meg:

When I am shopping for gifts, I try to find something unique that I am positive the recipient will enjoy. The gifts I will bring to you will not be things you would typically find on a registry. I hope to inspire you with creative gift ideas!

gettyimages.com

Just Browsing

There are tons of great online sources for old-fashioned candy. Check out nostalgiccandy.com and sweetfactory.com for a huge selection. Load up your online cart with goodies to set up your own candy buffet. At the end of the party, give your guests cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons so they can help themselves and take their sugar high to-go.

Go Local

While you’re in the area, why not hop over to South First Street to Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop to pick up a dozen luscious cupcakes, piled high with decadent buttercream. From “The Marilyn Monroe” to “Banana Puddin,’” their creative names and unique flavor combinations will be a guaranteed hit at any sweet soiree.

"The Southern Belle," Sugar Mama's Bakeshop, Austin, Texas