Perfect Party Outfits for The Holidays!

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is getting all dressed up! It is so much fun to pick those few cute outfits and shiny gems and with glamor being so stylish right now, there is no better time! This year I have two outfits, both with the same high waist, pocketed skirt from Express, but both so very different from one another. The first is way more glitz with the crop top and statement necklace, and the second is a bit more dressed down for some serious comfy chic.

Look 1: Top ($23.94) Necklace ($19.99)  Skirt ($79.90) Shoes ($72.01)

Look 2: Skirt ($79.90) Top ($88.00) Crystal Necklace ($20.98) Black Necklace ($19.99) Shoes ($72.01)

Personally, I love how easily this skirt can go with EVERYTHING. It is the perfect holiday option for me since it is just so classic and looks so much more expensive than the price tag really is. I also love the fact that a good skirt can make multiple outfits that run the gambit of formality. Of course, there is always the less formal, more edgy style of all black. My next go-to look for those parties in the winter months and for a less formal event is pleather pants, this black sweater from J. Crew, and a pair of booties. Can you say yes, I can! Oh my goodness am I loving this black on black look. If all the black is a bit much for you, I would totally recommend pairing this with some green gems and maybe even a brown accessory or two.

Look 3: Silver Necklace ($20.98) Gold Necklace ($20.98) Pants ($48.00) Top ($79.99) Shoes ($59.00)

And as a bonus, five tips for a budget savvy, super trendy outfit this season!

1. Add some glam. Sparkles make everything more festive! Add some gem-ed up earrings, gold bracelets, a few pretty rings, or a big necklace for some extra pizazz. Just be sure to limit your look to one statement piece at a time!
2. Red lips add glamor. Any outfit can go from day to night or plain to festive with the addition of a ruby red lip. This is also a great secret weapon when you just don't have enough time to finish your eye make-up. No one notices a dressed down eye when ruby red lips are in the picture!
3. Mix and match brands. I like to buy upscale statement pieces that will be stylish for years and add low-cost accessories that are super trendy right now.  This helps keep things new while staying in budget. For lots of price savvy items, check out Target's jewelry and heels, they are incredible (and comfy!).
4. Mix and match styles. Just like brands, styles can be mixed and matched to give a bit more depth to an outfit. The plaid shirt with black skirt and the black sweater with pleather pants are a perfect example of this. Both have one more comfortable, classic piece and one trendy, slightly more edgy piece. This keeps things interesting without being too off the deep end.
5. Keep the eyebrows tamed. It may seem silly, but well trimmed brows can make any look even better. People may not notice a few rogue hairs, but they will notice eyes that do not pop quite the same. Well trimmed eyebrows make eyes pop. It is almost a scientific law.

With these three looks, the holidays will be as easy as pie and you will always look like the bell of the ball. So, what is your favorite and what style are you going for this holiday season?

Great Recipes Using Tomatoes

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Tomatoes are in season and now is the time to be making all those amazing tomato recipes we have been hoarding the whole year through! Bring on the fresh bruschetta, let's have that family secret salsa recipe, love pasta? make marinara! And, while you are making all those tomato staples, you can try a few of these :)

Avocado and Heirloom Tomato Toast with Balsamic Drizzle

Baked Eggs on a Bed of Cherry Tomatoes

Tomato Jam

Quinoa and Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes

Sriracha Bloody Mary

Blue Apron Cook Book

There have been many people I have talked with who either have too big or too little a family to justify Blue Apron, are unsure about getting food in the mail, or are not in an area that Blue Apron delivers to. All of them, however, either loved Blue Apron's food or love the way it looks. For those and everyone else out there who enjoys eating, you are in luck! The hubs just informed me a few days ago that Blue Apron now has a cook book and it is on pre-order.

The book is filled with Blue Apron's favorite summer recipes in their always easy to understand format. Blue Apron has taken 50 of their most popular summer recipes, improved on them based on customer feedback, and added them to a cookbook just for us. I love Blue Apron's recipes and am so excited to see the improvements they have made to already yummy meals. The cookbook also has dessert recipes and a whole rundown on different summer foods.

What I love more than any of this is the Feast with Friends section. Sure, a good cocktail and dessert is almost always appropriate, but being able to share some of these ridiculously good meals with friends makes me over the moon excited! Hopefully the title, Summer Cooking with Blue Apron- A Collection of Simple, Seasonal Recipes Vol. 1, is a good indication of what Blue Apron has planned for the future. Yes, I will be pre-ordering this one and all other seasonal cookbooks they are [fingers crossed] making throughout the year!

Summer Cooking with Blue Apron is currently on pre-order until July 31st. Best to order yours ahead of time since they have knocked the price down to $22.95 (from $29.95) until the pre-order has ended. Did I mention that it is a limited edition? Better get to the getting!

Also, if you have not read it yet, here is my review of Blue Apron and Hello Fresh :)