Today I’m excited to team up with Marshalls for one of my very favorite projects to date. Have you heard about Marshalls Pin Pals? Here’s the low-down: Last week, I got to secretly pick three of my most loyal followers on Pinterest, and go on a shopping trip to Marshalls to find personalized gifts for each of them based upon their amazing Pinterest boards. Lucky for me, my local Marshalls had just gotten a new shipment of drool-worthy fall bags, so I selected one for each of them based on images they pinned to their pinterest boards, and am shipping them out to the lucky winners this week! (…assuming I can’t convince Marshalls to just let me keep all of them. I’m currently brainstorming excuses. They were lost in a fire? Our apartment was robbed? Any ideas would be v. appreciated.)
I’ve been a Marshalls shopper for as long as I can remember, so I was super pumped for an excuse (as if I need one?) to hit up my local store. In addition to these gorgeous fall bags, I also scored some great items for our new apartment in New York which you’ll be seeing in the coming weeks and months as the move and home decor process progresses.
But honestly, for someone who does about 99% of her shopping online, Marshalls is one of the few stores that I actually get excited to visit in person. Typically, the thought of in-person shopping nowadays makes me want to stick a fork in my eye, but Marshalls is the exception. It’s such a refreshing shopping experience to walk into a place not knowing what will be in store, yet completely confident that I’ll uncover something incredible. For me, the appeal and excitement is actually quite similar to my experience on Pinterest. Regardless of whether you go into it with a pre-existing idea in mind, you always come away having discovered amazing ideas that surprise and inspire.
If you’ve followed this blog and my social channels for a long time, you know that Pinterest is one of my very favorite platforms. Over the years, I’ve constantly turned to Pinterest for styling inspiration, wedding planning ideas, great recipes, and (especially lately!) home decor tips for our new space in NYC. If you’re as Pinterest-obsessed as I am, be sure to follow Marshalls on Pinterest and if you repin your favorites from their Pin Pals Board, who knows, you could be the next person receiving a #MarshallsSurprise!
Call me a broken record, but menswear-inspired pieces get me every time, and this suit is no exception. After yesterday’s business casual take on the suit jacket, I thought I’d show you the whole business formal shebang today by pairing it with these matching glen plaid suiting pants.
Together and separately, I’ve already gotten a ton of use out of these suit separates. As evidenced by yesterday’s look, the warm beige glen plaid with that subtle vein of deep red makes the blazer look amazing with blue jeans and other rich fall hues like burgundy, camel, or even olive. I didn’t do a good job of capturing the back detailing of the jacket in today’s photos, but take another look at yesterday’s images, especially the shots from a side angle where you can really see the peplum flare of the back of the jacket. My girl Olivia P. thought of everything with this puppy.
Now, if I were to design a quintessentially “me” fall pant right now, I think it would likely be a replica of these. Cropped wide-leg silhouette, wide cuffs, that high-waisted rise with sailor-inspired accent buttons—just go ahead and call the coroner. I’m dead.
I get a lot of questions about wearing culottes in the fall and winter, especially as the temperatures really start to drop, and want to give you my top two styling tips on how to make these puppies last all season long: The first way to wear culottes in the winter is to basically style them exactly as I have today, but just adding in a sheer black pair of nylons under the pants. Opaque tights work too, I just personally like the sheer look with pants. Whether you’re wearing classic pumps or a sleek pair of flats, you get a little extra skin coverage with the nylons and I think the look is dynamite.
The second way I love to wear culottes during the winter, especially on those really cold days where a sheer pair of nylons is just not enough, is to pair them with some above-ankle booties, like these or these. If you’re having trouble visualizing the bootie/culotte look, check out images here, here and here for a little inspiration from my pinterest page. Practical for cold-weather and one of my very favorite looks of the season.
Whether I’m adding a classic fall workwear piece to my wardrobe like this a-line midi skirt, or looking for a cozy wrap during winter weekends, windowpane is a timeless print that I gravitate towards year after year. It styles like a neutral with a little extra oomph, pairing nicely with neutral monochromatic palettes and bright colors alike. Here are a few pieces featuring foolproof gridlock patterns that never go out of style…
I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween! Be sure to check back here first thing tomorrow morning when you’re waking up with that glorious Reese’s-fueled hangover. I’m kicking off something very exciting and will be sharing all the juicy details mañana!
Happy November!! Today I am SO thrilled today to kick off the Fall/Winter edition of my 30 Dresses in 30 Days series! If you’re new here and missed my Spring/Summer edition, here’s the skinny: every day for the next 30 days, I’ll be posting a new favorite dress on instagram (@maryorton). Each post will be geared towards a specific Fall/Winter occasion—everything from favorite fall activities like today’s hay ride dress, to dresses perfect for holiday parties, to the perfect New Year’s Eve dress, and all the way through Valentine’s Day!
I’m so grateful for your amazing response to my first 30 Dresses in 30 Days series in March, so I’m super excited to get going on round two! Today, I’m kicking things off with this red and black buffalo check dress, perfect for a fall hay ride, a fall bonfire or even a fall football game.
In addition to providing a fun collection of my favorite dresses, my goal with this series is to offer a true resource for navigating all of the season’s occasions—many of which really sneak up on us this time of year. Especially in the lead up to the holidays, work and life often get in the way of planning ahead for the parties, events, trips, weddings and other occasions that make the fall and winter seasons so special. Whether you have a Thanksgiving soiree, a formal office holiday party or a family ski trip on the calendar, feeling like you “have nothing to wear” shouldn’t hold you back from diving head first into all the festivities (…especially because they pretty much all involve lots of booze and food, two things that should never be foregone due to a clothing quandary).
But even worse than feeling like you don’t have the right dress to wear is feeling like you actually don’t even know what the appropriate dress is for the occasion. Holy panic button. What do I wear to a bridal shower next month?!What the heck do I wear to a winter wedding? What do I wear to speak at a work conference this winter?!!
If you’ve stressed about these sartorial challenges in the past, stress no more. Over the next 30 days, I’ll be breaking down every upcoming fall and winter occasion, so you can just focus on the stuff that really matters, like your Black Friday shopping strategy or how you’re going to make conversation with your weird Uncle Tony when you’re stuck sitting next to him again this Thanksgiving.
To begin this series and give you all of the juicy deets, I’m sharing day one’s fall hay ride dress here on the blog today. From here on out, I’ll be sharing the dresses exclusively on instagram (@maryorton), with links to both the dress I’m wearing and additional dresses that I think are perfect for the occasion under the 30 Dresses tab you see on the top navigation bar here on memorandum.com. I’ll also be sharing additional exclusive content with my email subscribers, so if you haven’t signed up yet, definitely get on it here!
At the end of the series, I’ll be publishing a new and improved version of my DRESS MEMO as well so stay tuned! In the meantime, I have lots of other fun content that I’ll be sharing on the blog this month and will be giving occasional updates on the #30DressesIn30Days series here as well. For now, get ready for dress número dos coming up first thing tomorrow morning on instagram. Can’t wait to share all of these beauties with you guys!
Happy Friday! This week has been completely insane with both the start of the #30DRESSESin30DAYS series and… hmm wait… I’m forgetting… what was the other thing? Oh yeah. WE MOVED BACK TO NYC!!
With the insanity of the cross-country moving process, I’m a little behind on work, life… errythang (when did I even shower last? yikes). But, I wanted to share this snap of one of my favorite fall outfits of late. Will update this post with more photos etc. once I have a minute to breathe, so check back again later! In the meantime, hope you have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! The movers are (hopefully!) arriving any second with our furniture. I’m taking bets on snapchat as to whether any of our dishes made it across the country in one piece… wish me luck! xx
Happy Tuesday! After a super hectic move and lots to do getting settled here in NYC, I thought I’d give you a quick update on the 30 Dresses in 30 Days series today! If you’re new to this series, I’m featuring a new dress everyday for 30 days that’s geared towards a specific fall or winter occasion. You can follow the series exclusively on instagram (@maryorton) and you can shop all of the dresses (and lots of similar options too!) by clicking on the 30 DRESSES tab on the top navigation bar here on memorandum.com.
In the first seven days, I’ve featured my favorite fall hay ride dress, election day dress (eeek today!! go vote!!), interview dress, business conference dress, client meeting dress, typical workday dress, and date night dress. I’ve rounded up these first seven below, but the eighth is already up so check out the latest on instagram!
I am constantly on the lookout for the latest and greatest in professional attire because, well, workwear is kind of my jam. Today, I’m excited to share with you some recent finds that are total game-changers when it comes to the staple workwear pieces you live in Monday through Friday. Ministry Apparel is a name that might ring a bell from the men in your life, and I’m happy to report that they’ve recently launched a women’s line as well—bringing the same next-gen performance wear design philosophy to the staple pieces that every working woman needs.
THESE PANTS YOU GUYS. I don’t know how they did it. They honestly feel like some kind of super comfortable workout pant, yet look as sleek and professional as my Theory favorites. I’d highly recommend ordering one size up from your normal pant size because they run small, but once I went up a size, I could. not. believe. how well they fit. The high rise and tapered leg is absolutely dynamite. You know how perfectly-fitting pants often end up only actually fitting perfectly when you first try them on, but after a couple hours of living and breathing in them, they become stretched out and frumptastic? Not here, my friends. Since they have this crazy black magic stretch factor, they retain their shape all day long meaning the stretched-out knees and saggy seat that you’re used to is o-v-e-r.
And oh by the way, go ahead and set your alarm clock a solid fifteen minutes later because ironing pants in the morning is officially a thing of the past. You couldn’t wrinkle these things if you tried. And just in case that’s not enough, take note that they also made these pants machine washable, so buh-bye dry cleaning billz. Those ten buckaroos every other week are officially going towards drinksshoes savings. Definitely savings.
When it came to designing the ideal work shirts, they hit all the same targets—wrinkle-free, moisture control, beautiful shape-retaining drape. I absolutely love this pale blush blouse and also snagged a sleek collared version as well. Check out all of their amazing workwear staples here!
Happy Sunday! Sharing a look from last week that’s perfect for the office if you work in a casual environment. But whether you wear this to work or save it for the weekend, there’s something so wonderful about having a statement coat that can be thrown over the simplest outfits. Makes getting dressed a no-brainer without sacrificing style, and this navy military coat with red piping and brass buttons certainly fits the bill.
If you’re new around here and looking for my top tips on what to wear to an interview, check out this post for all the details on putting your best foot forward. Today, I thought I’d share some of the best winter suits out there for those of you looking for a sharp cold-weather interview get-up, or for those of you in business formal offices that just need a winter work wardrobe refresh. Whether you’re interested in a pencil skirt and jacket combo, a sleek sheath and blazer, or are a die-hard pants suit kinda girl, check out all of my favorites below!
If you’re following along with the #30DRESSESin30DAYS series on instagram right now (username: @maryorton), you know that the suit I’m wearing today was my top pick for winter interviews. With this set and several of the options in the flipbook above, I always recommend buying a suit that has lots of coordinating pieces. In this case, there’s a suit jacket, sheath dress, and trouser all in the same glen plaid wool that allows for lots of interesting permutations with the same core three pieces. And, you can even wear the suit jacket alone with a pair of jeans on Casual Friday (like I did in this post). Options galore!
Winter weddings can be challenging events to dress for. Especially if you have an arsenal of favorite dresses that make the spring and summer wedding circuit, it can be tough to wrap your head around how those pieces translate to cooler temps.
In addition to the cold weather dilemma, what about color? What about dress length and sleeve length? What about attire indications on invitations? With my first #30DRESSESin30DAYS series in March, I addressed the sartorial challenges presented by Spring and Summer weddings because I get so many questions about wedding guest attire and rehearsal dinner dresses for the bride. As part of the ongoing Fall/Winter edition of the 30 Dresses series, I’m excited to do the same this time around for cold weather weddings as well.
For the most part, I get loads of questions in the following four core areas: (1) Wedding guest attire for invitations that indicate Cocktail Attire; (2) Wedding guest attire for invitations that indicate Black Tie Optional; (3) Wedding guest attire for invitations that indicate Black Tie or Formal Attire, and (4) Bridal attire for fall or winter rehearsal dinners. Today I’m going to share my top tips and recommendations for all four wedding-related occasions, so let’s break it down…
1. WINTER WEDDINGS — COCKTAIL ATTIRE OR BLACK TIE OPTIONAL
Yep, you read that correctly. Cocktail attire OR black tie optional. Boom. Just killed the first two birds with one stone. For the most part, you can approach cocktail attire and black tie optional in the same way. The only exception is if you want to wear a formal evening gown, then you should really only wear one if the invitation says Black Tie Optional and your date is wearing a tuxedo. If it’s black tie optional and your date opts for a suit, go for a cocktail dress that’s tea length or shorter. If you don’t have a date, try to touch base with other weddings guests and get a sense for whether most men in attendance (or at least the guys at your table) are wearing tuxedos. When in doubt, however, opt for a cocktail dress.
Hopefully, this goes without saying, but just in case you’ve never been to a wedding or have otherwise missed the memo, let me be clear: do notwear white to a wedding under any (ANY!) circumstances. Not white, not ivory, not pale blush, not champagne. NADA. If you can’t decide whether it’s too close to white, it probably is. Just don’t risk it! I don’t care if your house burns down moments before the ceremony and the only surviving dress in your possession is white, still don’t do it. You literally have the rest of the rainbow to choose from, so play it safe instead of risking the wrath of an angry bridesmaid who feels you’re trying to steal the spotlight from the bride. After a day of hair, makeup, last minute to-dos, and looooots of picture posing, those bridesmaids are likely to be tired, underfed and easily provoked. Consider them armed and dangerous if you’re wearing anything in the white family.
Aside from avoiding white, the world is your oyster! For fall and winter weddings, I especially love rich jewel tones like purple, burgundy, navy, fuchsia or emerald green. For the most part, I try to avoid wearing basic black dresses to winter weddings, but if I do go with a black dress, I like to make sure that the somber tone is balanced by some other celebratory element. In the case of the dress I’m wearing today, the black is countered by intricate lace detailing and black sequins which make it feel anything but basic. However, you can also jazz up a simple LBD with accessories, like festive jewelry, a bright clutch, statement shoes, or a dramatic waist belt.
In terms of style, you want to avoid fabrics that are particularly summery (i.e. avoid light, airy chiffon dresses, etc.) and styles that are particularly revealing. Remember, this isn’t your day, and this is family programming, not Saturday night at da club, so err on the conservative side. The best rule of thumb is to play up one feature, and hold back on the rest. In the case of my black dress today, the dramatic open back is offset by the high neckline and midi length, making the dress overall entirely wedding-appropriate. But with that said, you can make almost any style work! Whether that’s a chic velvet maxi dress, a midi-length lace sheath, a strapless jacquard knee-length a-line, or a short sequined shift dress, as long as you take note of the wedding venue and what you know of the bride and groom (and their families), you’ll be good to go! If the wedding is in a particularly cold climate, you might want to look at maxi options or look for cocktail dresses with long sleeves. If the ceremony is in a church and you’ve opted for a strapless or spaghetti strap number (anything with a good amount of skin showing), I’d suggest wearing a wrap, stole or jacket for that portion of the evening.
For weddings indicating Black Tie, a floor-length gown is your best bet. You can definitely get away with a high-low option (like this one), and can even make tea length options work if floor-length dresses aren’t your thing. If you just can’t get comfortable with a long dress and insist on a shorter dress, I’d recommend it not go shorter than knee-length, and I’d also recommend that it make up for lost length in formality. Your run-of-the-mill basic cocktail dress is likely not going to cut it.
Length aside, as far as color and style goes—same general rules apply as the ones discussed above in Cocktail Attire. Take stock of the venue(s) and families, go for rich jewel tones, and avoid summery fabrics. Occasionally, some old school formal weddings indicating Black Tiewill expect female guests to wear black, navy or other dark colors, however, this is rare. In most cases, you can feel free to have fun with color, style, and details as long as you’re not wearing anything in the white family of colors or wearing something that is otherwise too “statement-making” (read: Underfed Bridesmaids Prone to Violence above). And, just like any other wedding, you should bring a wrap, stole or jacket if the ceremony is in a church.
I constantly get asked whether a “little white dress” can be worn to a fall or winter rehearsal dinner. In my opinion, as long as the dress doesn’t feel super summery (i.e. it’s not linen or breezy chiffon) you can absolutely wear white! In general, the “no white after labor day” rule is officially dead, but is especially inapplicable when it’s your wedding. If you’re stressing that your mom or grandmother doesn’t quite agree with the rewritten rules on white after labor day and still have your heart set on white, go for an ivory or winter white option!
Otherwise, the first rule in determining the appropriate rehearsal dinner dress (or any dress for that matter) is to first understand the venue and the hostess (likely your mother-in-law). If the rehearsal dinner is being held in a rustic wine cellar, you may want to opt for something celebratory, but slightly more understated (i.e. perhaps nix the sequin mini dress). However, if your rehearsal dinner is held at a dressy upscale restaurant, a sequined cocktail dress may be perfect!
I spotted this white lace sheath dress with rose gold lace overlay on Rent the Runway and thought it would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner. One of my readers on instagram commented that she was actually wearing it to her bridal shower, and I think it could be perfect for that too! Whatever the event, I think the rose gold embroidery adds a depth and richness to the dress that makes it feel more seasonally appropriate, while the white foundation keeps it bridal and festive. Of course, there are also lots of all-white dresses that work great, and conversely, lots of dresses that aren’t white at all that can fit the occasion perfectly as well.
Did I miss anything? Let me know if you have any winter wedding advice in the comments below!
My friends, I’m afraid we can pretend no longer. The day of reckoning is nigh. It’s time to finally start cracking down on that holiday gift list, so let’s take it in stages, shall we? First up is my ultimate list of holiday gifts for the working girl! Whether you’re buying gifts for friends, girlfriends, wives, sisters, daughters or just kicking off the gift-giving season with a nice ol’ gift to yourself, below are all of my top gifts for all the #ladybosses out there that are gettin’ it done from 9-to-5. This gift list is especially perfect for recent graduates or anyone new to the workforce because it contains the items that every working girl needs (Exhibit A: WINE GLASSES). Check out my complete gift guide below as well as a few highlighted favorites!
CASHMERE WRAP – 25% off, comes in four colors and SO perfect to keep at your desk for chilly work days!!
‘HELLO SUNSHINE’ COMPACT – the cutest little mirror compact for keeping at your desk or in your tote bag.
‘GET IT DONE’ NOTEBOOK – a journal perfect for all of those important business notes (or weekend plans, or shopping lists…)
MONOGRAM MUG – because nobody knows where those standard-issue mugs in the office kitchen have really been, amiright?
2017 AGENDA – a place for all of your to-do lists, appointments, contacts, everything! It has the cutest touches throughout including the monthly reminders you see above!
We celebrated my birthday with friends on Friday night, and while I bought these sequined oxfords for upcoming holiday parties, I thought it necessary to bust them out a bit early for the Friday festivities. I’m not normally a big sequin/sparkle kinda girl, but I can’t get enough of these babies. Can’t wait to wear them throughout the season, dressed up or down.
Fun fact: I’m OBSESSED with Christmas socks. And with my birthday at the end of November, my friends and family always get me fresh pairs for my birthday that get worn like crazy throughout the holidays. I mean, these bulldogs with the santa hat? I’m also eyeing up the beauties below. They make the best gifts!
This is a public service announcement to every woman, EVERYWHERE. If you have a pulse and have ever left your home or plan to do so in the future, LISTEN UP. I have officially unearthed the number one, greatest, BEST TOTE BAG OF ALL TIME.
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you.
BUT THIS IS NOT A JOKE, AND THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A DRILL.
Ladies, let me introduce you to your new best friend, the Lo & Sons “Seville” tote bag. It comes in two sizes (13″ and 15″) and has an ingenious design that allows you to change shells whenever your heart (or wardrobe) desires! I got the 15″ black saffiano tote and an extra shell in light grey saffiano leather and have honestly not stopped using them since I brought them out of the box. They have tons of different shell options (check them out here) but I really love the saffiano exteriors because they wear like iron and never look scuffed up despite getting a pretty serious daily beating.
The light grey is a great neutral alternative to my black shell, but there are tons of great colors and you guys, the convenience of not having to pull out all of your stuff when transitioning from one bag to another is a godsend. As you can see below, the inner bag just easy pulls out of the black shell and slips into the new one. The reinforced snaps of the handles make the bag totally secure, so you’d never know they’re two separate pieces when you’re carrying it. The design is so classic and clean, finished with the perfect touches of gold hardware making it the ideal work tote bag or travel bag. Stylish? Check. Functional? Oh we’re just getting started…
Ok let’s just talk for a minute about the POCKETS. Lordy. They legit thought of everything—padded computer pocket with extra securing clasp, a sleeve for my iPad, compartments for a pen and/or lipsticks, zip pockets for my wallet, a built-in lanyard for my keys… I could go on for days. I’ve literally never been so organized. Whoever designed this sucker needs to come in and take a crack at my closet.
The best part about this tote bag is that without feeling like you’re carrying around an aircraft carrier, you can fit a Mary Poppins-level amount of stuff in this sucker. I mean, just look at all the stuff that I put it in this thing, and honestly, there was plenty of room to spare. I’m telling you, it defies physics.
They have two really cool videos on this page that show you how to change shells and also how much stuff you can fit into these bags. I find them both completely mesmerizing. It’s very strange.
ALSO! For those of you who travel a lot for work or play, there’s a major added bonus: each tote comes with a “luggage sleeve” which you can see in action here. If you scroll down on the page, you can see how the sleeve allows the tote to fit perfectly over any carry-on luggage or suitcase. Game. Changer.
They also have lots of other cool bags and accessories, and I snagged this wristlet zip pouch which can connect inside the Seville tote. Whenever I’m running out of the office for a quick coffee or lunch, I’m typically just grabbing this thing. It’s super convenient and perfect for holding my phone, some cash, a credit card or two and a subway card on the go.
Moral of the story: if, like me, you’re always on the hunt for a great travel or work bag that’s beautiful, versatile and amazingly functional, well, look no further. Oh, did I mention they’re having a sale on them right now? Run don’t walk y’all.
Well, lace up your cleats ladies, the ultimate shopping week is here and there are SO many ridiculously good sales that have already started! There are a ton of dresses on sale from my current #30DRESSESin30DAYS series on instagram which I’ll get to in a second, but first let’s talk about the big sales happening (full list below), especially the major Shopbop sale. By the grace of God, we don’t have to wait until Friday to have at it. They have unleashed the madness already, and if you’re familiar with their sales, you know how crazy fast the best stuff sells out.
SHOPBOP SALE // Here’s what you need to know:
Confession time: I’ve already snagged this velvet turtleneck and this gorgeous dress and am currently having an extremely difficult time picturing life without this perfect scarf (or THIS ONE, for that matter). Probably (definitely) going back for those soon.
If you’re a working girl in need of a few top notch blazers, you can’t do better than this brand which is completely on sale. Insanity.
Any warm weather vacations over new years or spring break? Stock up on swimwear, coverups, sandals and more beach-ready goodies while prices are lower than your current Vitamin D deficiency.
Speaking of being ahead of the game, tons of crazy good New Year’s Eve dresses are on sale and I’m currently eyeing up this one, this one and these! Go get your sequins on, gurl.
Do yourself a favor and have my absolute favorite pajama pants 2-day shipped (yo, it’s free with your prime membership) so you can lounge (and online shop) this Friday from the comfort of your childhood bed at your parents’ house. Remember, friends don’t let friends shop in-stores on Friday (mostly because you need easy access to Thanksgiving leftovers but also because people are FREAKING CRAZY).
Not to be a Debbie Downer at this point, but remember that whole “season of giving” thing?? Don’t panic. Peruse the gift section and/or just buy everyone these. They’re so damn cute.
OTHER PRE-THANKSGIVING SALES TO KNOW:
In addition to Shopbop, here’s a quick rundown of the other crazy good sales that started today:
Mmmk, now that you’ve gotten the low-down on the major sales happening, I wanted to give you a heads up on all of the dresses from the #30DRESSESin30DAYS series that are now significantly discounted. Click on each image below to go directly to the sale dress. If you’d like to peruse full outfit details of any of the looks, you can always find everything on the 30 DRESSES tab.
I have tons more exciting stuff that I’ll be posting this week including a heck of a lot more sale info, so stay tuned! Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!!
If you missed yesterday’s post, be sure to check it out and peruse all of the top sales going on right now. Today, I wanted to talk about all of the amazing sales happening specifically at Amazon that were just unleashed! I’m super excited to share all of the INCREDIBLE Amazon Fashion Black Friday picks with you (all the deets below!), but first, there are three other categories with crazy good sales going on that you need to know about…
1. BEAUTY
Amazon’s Luxury Beauty department has an huge discounts on tons of amazing beauty buys in addition to this sale: get $25 back after any $50 luxury beauty purchase. Whaaaa?! I’m stocking up on all of my favorites as follows:
This awesome Julep eyeshadow stick (in Champagne Shimmer) that I’ve been using recently and am OBSESSED with for highlighting the corners and brow bone
ALL of this Mario Badescu goodness (especially the famous drying lotion that’s mission-critical in a pinch)!
2. CAMERAS & ELECTRONICS
Keep an eye on the electronics on sale throughout the weekend, especially the INSANE discounts on cameras and camera equipment. Everything from the Fujifilm Instax Mini, to the GoPro Hero, to this Canon Digital camera which is a favorite camera that I use every single day—perfect for photographers at all levels.
Now for the main event. Absolutely all of the following Amazon Fashion items are an additional 30% off which is applied automatically at checkout. Insanity! Here are my top picks:
Now that we’re back in NYC, my winter coat game needs a bit of an update and this super cute insulated parka with fleece-lined faux fur hood is calling my name. Can’t decide whether I like the black or the grey…
I am SWOONING over this gold lamé dress. So beautiful for New Year’s Eve or any upcoming festive occasion.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a dress cuter than this one that’s perfect for work or any occasion.
I actually ordered this off the shoulder velvet dress a couple weeks ago (agh! wish I had waited for this sale!) and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
This is the sweater dress that you will LIVE IN all season long. Oh, and it happens to be 100% cashmere. At these stupidly low prices. NBD.
You’ve seen me wear these Adidas sneakers about a million times. HIGHLY recommend.
These scalloped block heel pumps come in black and grey and are perfect for upping your work footwear game.
I added this blue velvet bag to my cart as soon as I laid eyes on it. Does it get cuter than this?!
This sparkly envelope clutch will take you through holiday parties, New Years, and beyond. It also comes in silver and is the perfect piece to add a little oomph to a basic LBD for a night out.
You guys know I’m all about the leopard trend this season and if this outfit is any indication, you’ll wear this bag with absolutely everything in your closet.
Happy Black Friday! If you’ve missed my sale posts here and here, be sure to check those out!
Over the years, I have endured pretty much every possible curve ball mother nature can throw at a person while commuting to work. So with brutally cold temperatures just around the corner here in New York, I thought it was the perfect time to share the five winter commuting essentials that get me through the season. I promise they will be game-changers for your commute, and also make for amazing gifts!!
1. Weatherproof Boots
If you spend a lot of time trudging through snow and ice on the way to the office, you HAVE to own a pair of Aquatalia boots. Finally, a brand that has actually, legitimately bridged the gap between style and function. First off, they will be the most comfortable boots you’ve ever worn because they have this insane sort of padded interior which makes like you’re sticking your foot into a pillow. Second, they are completely weatherproof, so bring on the rain, snow, ice, salt, you name it. Ain’t nothin’ gonna ruin these suckers. I’m wearing their “Vanie” booties which come in the suede I’m wearing in addition to black leather, brown leather and taupe suede. Check out all of their gorgeous styles of boots and regular footwear here.
2. Classic Black Wool Coat
Every working girl needs a classic black wool or cashmere coat that can go with everything. This is one of my favorites with military-inspired double-breasted brass buttons (and the cutest back detail!) giving it a little stylistic oomph. I also particularly like the longer length of this coat, as it looks great with virtually any length dress or skirt as well as pants. If you live in a place that gets quite cold, make sure the coat is made of at least 70% wool and/or cashmere. There are lots of cheap versions out there that are tempting because they’re so wallet-friendly, but they won’t keep you nearly as warm.
3. Earmuffs (with built-in headphones!)
You guys. These earmuffs are GOLD. First of all, whether you like the earmuff look or not (I happen to LOVE them!), they are the best cold-weather head gear option that doesn’t totally destroy your hair. Second, if you’ve ever worn regular earmuffs, you know the struggle of inserting headphones in your ears and then layering the earmuffs over them is very real. Since these earmuffs have built-in headphones, they knock out two birds with one stone. Your hair looks perfect upon arrival to the office and you haven’t missed a podcast. The earphone cord is detachable and plugs into both your phone and a small hidden port on the earmuffs, so if there are moments when you don’t want to use the headphone functionality and just want the earmuffs, unplug those suckers and you’re good to go. I’m wearing these in black, which also come in a grey version, but they also make this cute style as well.
4. Leather Tech Gloves
Whether you work in a business formal office or not, leather gloves not only look the most polished and professional, but they are also much warmer and more durable than knits. These gloves are amazing (been wearing them every single day for the past month) and with tech-friendly finger tips, you don’t have to play the awkward game of trying to stick your thumb out of the bottom of your glove while trying to get through emails (or instagram) on the way to the office. The gloves I’m wearing come in seven different sizes, are genuine leather, lined with cashmere, and if the regular price isn’t shockingly reasonable enough, they’re currently 40% off during Nordstrom’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale. Crazy!
5. Fur Stole / Scarf
A classic scarf is a must-have for braving the elements, and my favorite is a fur version like this one. They’re so cozy, and also look super polished when paired with a classic wool coat. Of course, a coat with a fur collar is always a great option as well, but I also love a fur stole or scarf because you can tuck that fuzzy goodness right up under your chin and then secure it in place with the addition of your coat over the top.
Shopping in-store this weekend is officially a thing of the past. Not only can you shop from the comfort of your couch this weekend, but the online deals are better, the inventory is larger, and most of all, you can keep one arm elbow-deep in Thanksgiving leftovers while you’re at it. Big wins all-around.
Before we get to my top 20 sale picks, below is the complete hit-list of all the Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales you need to know about. I’ll be keeping this list up-to-date through Monday so check back throughout the weekend as you knock things off your shopping list!
BAUBLEBAR // 30% off absolutely everything! // CODE: THANKS30
WEST ELM // 30% off everything + free shipping! // CODE: MOREISMORE
WILLIAMS-SONOMA + WS HOME // Huge sales on basically everything + 20% off all WS Home! // CODE: THANKFUL
MY TOP 20 BLACK FRIDAY / CYBER MONDAY SALE PICKS
PEPPERMINT BARK // This peppermint bark is a cult favorite for a reason—it’s the absolute best! Somehow they’re 25% off right now, so I’m ordering five tins to bring as hostess gifts for upcoming holiday parties.
YSL BAG // These bags never go on sale, but somehow they are this weekend. I’m snatching up this classic beauty. #WorthTheSplurge
RED COAT // I have an almost identical red coat to this one and get complimented constantly. It’s a such a great piece throughout the holiday and winter season, and makes dressing a cinch. Where any all-black or neutral no-brainer ensemble underneath and your outfit still has “wow” factor.
BLACK PLEATED DRESS // I featured an almost identical pleated dress a few months and it sold out in about 30 seconds. I love that they’ve brought back the popular style and the three colors that it comes in are dynamite.
RAY-BANS // Tons of Ray-ban and other designer sunglasses are on major sale here. I’m getting these beauties!
TICKLE & KISS GLASSES // This brand has the absolute cutest gifts for Christmas, hostesses, brides-to-be, you name it. I’m buying these glasses which are the most adorable things I’ve ever seen.
SKINNY JEANS // I have these skinny jeans and absolutely love them. They’re my favorite for wearing under over-the-knee boots in the winter.
TRAY STANDS // Purchasing these cute tray stands for our new place. They’re so attractive you can keep them out all the time, or fold them up and keep them in the closet for when you need an extra surface.
CHOKER SET // This is my favorite, most-worn choker set of the moment, and I absolutely love that the gold choker isn’t connected to the layered black leather pieces so you can wear them together or separately. If you scroll through the 30 DRESSES series especially, you’ll see me wearing that gold one solo about a million times.
I’m going to go ahead and start with a spoiler alert: literally everything I’m wearing is 50% off this weekend—the dress, necklace, belt, booties and tights. Boom.
I wore this black and gold ensemble when we had friends over for drinks last week before leaving for Thanksgiving. While ideally we’d all have a perfect holiday dress for every occasion between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, that’s not always practical. Today I thought I’d share my favorite way to spice up the classic staples that are in your closet, like this perfect fit-and-flare black knit dress.
First off, let me say that if you don’t have a long-sleeve LBD like this in your closet, you should probably correct that asap (especially while this one is 50% off, i.e. $44!). Not only can it be jazzed up with accessories for the holidays, but it will also be a staple piece that you can wear to anything and everything all season long. Since it’s a knit, the dress proved to be the most comfortable thing to wear as I was getting drinks and hors d’oeuvres ready for guests. It also comes in a red version as well as a green version if you’re looking for a staple piece with a bit of color.
The best way to dress up your favorite wardrobe staples for the holidays is with festive accessories. By adding this layered gold statement necklace and black and gold braided belt, the black dress feels fully ready for the holiday season. Take a flip through the below accessories at Express that are perfect for the holidays and are also super wallet-friendly:
Ahhhhhhhhhh the office holiday party. It [is] the best of times, it [is] the worst of times. You finally get Gina from bookkeeping to loosen up a little, but Frank from sales gets quickly overserved and won’t stop telling you about his five-year-old’s likely NFL prospects. The kid could catch a ball at age four. We get it. He’s a prodigy. Definitely gonna be a first round draft pick. #SomebodySaveMe
Aside from navigating super awkward coworkers at the event itself, the whole “what do I wear to my office holiday party” thing is about as debilitating a challenge as they come. It isn’t easy to tow the line between in-the-presence-of-my-boss appropriate and suitably (pun intended?) festive for the occasion. And, as always, no two offices or office holiday parties are the same, so what your BFF has picked out for the swanky upscale party at 1 OAK that calls for cocktail attire is going to be wildly out of place at the casual holiday lunch party held at your office.
To help you navigate, I’ve broken down work holiday parties into the following three categories: casual, business formal and cocktail. I’ve included my favorite looks for the occasions which you may remember from my ongoing #30DRESSESin30DAYS series, as well as lots of additional ideas in each category for those of you on the hunt for the right look.
Today’s a great day to snatch things up since basically everything everywhere is on sale, so have at it! And speaking of sales, I’m keeping my Cyber Monday Sale Guide current (there are a bunch of retailers that have majorly sweetened their deals!), so click here for the details on every sale you need to know about along with my top sale suggestions! There’s a mere 24 hours left of the madness, so stay calm, stay hydrated, and get after it.
Cyber Monday is always hyped up like WOAH, but honest to God, I have never ever EVER seen sales like these. Yes, I realize that sounds like something a used car salesman would say. But just click through the things below that I actually (seriously!) purchased today, and you’ll see what I mean. I mean Stuart Weitzman Lowland AND Highland boots at 40% off?! They’ve never even been on sale before, much less 40% off. All Nespresso machines 30% off?! LANCOME PRODUCTS 20% OFF?! You know from my beauty routine post that this concealer and this mascara is the best, bar none. And the list goes on…
I’m walking through each of these ten purchases and why the discounts are blowing my mind right now on snapchat (maryorton) and instastories (maryorton)! Also, at the bottom of this post, check out the list of the very best Cyber Monday Sales and their promo codes to make sure you’re crossing everything off your list before the day is over!
BLOUSE: c/o 
TOP: 
