Today I’m very excited to show you my winter dress style! Yes, I wear my dresses all through the winter. I love dresses as we all know and it would make me sad to have to stop wearing them when it got cold. So I thought in today’s post, I would do two things:
Show you a dress I wore in the summer/fall re-styled for winter
Show you a few hacks to stay warm (as ladies, I know this is likely the biggest reason you think you need to pack those dresses away as soon as the temperature starts dropping)
Also today I am excited to be co-hosting another linkup. These days I seem to be co-hosting a lot of them, right? Well linkups are one of the first ways I really met and connected with other bloggers. I have learned so much from all the other fashion bloggers I regularly link up with. And I must say, they are all so nice! So why not co-host? Today’s linkup is called Start the Week Stylish. It’s weekly hosts are Michelle’s Pa(i)ge and Northwest Blonde. The theme is “winter chic.” And if you’re a fashion blogger, feel free to go ahead and link up with us below! Join the party!
Hi L’BAE Nation You Beautiful Blessed People of GOD! What a wonderful time it is between the weather changing and the freshness of a New Year still in the air. Many of us, although, may already be in the frame of mind for a much needed vacation! With the hustle and bustle of life and everything under the sun emerging all at once, what the excitement of the day usually brings can sometimes have more of an overwhelming effect, which may leave us all feeling gloomy! Yes Gloomy! Between work, kids, finances, relationships, you name it, there is something that will try to bog us down! We have to include self-care into our regimen as it is vital that we take care of our own well being in order to be at our best. We have to make those gloomy feelings go away by adding a spark of excitement to our life weather you choose to add a daily, weekly, or monthly spark, it’s up to you! What kind of spark you may be wondering. A spark is something that will brighten up your week with a feeling of expectancy of the joy to come, such as a date night with someone whose company you enjoy! What better way to relax and unwind from all that life throws our way than with the person whom you hold dear and close in your heart! It can be a best friend, a child, spouse or even a date with yourself for some much needed alone time. In my case this person is my husband! Yes my adoring beloved husband and it just so happens to be our 16th year wedding anniversary this coming Friday February 5th 2016! Happiness and excitement in the air as I plan for our beautiful and wonderful date night!
What to Wear?
Okay Ladies you may be wondering what does one wear on a date night? Whatever your little heart’s desire as long as it is chic and hot! How can you be Chic and Hot at the same time? Easy, keep your attire cute and classy (CAC)! Love It! In other words keep it Simple! There is no need to go all out and spend a fortune on an outfit as long as you can be chic. You can be fashionable with the clothes already in your closet. Remember that everyone has their own sense of style so, do not feel pressured or challenged by what you may see someone else wear as this is a time for relaxation not a pass or fail test on who wore it better! You can choose whether or not to wear a dress, jeans and a cute top, high heels or flats, as it is a personal choice for the occasion in which you have planned.
I chose to wear a colorful floral dress with hints of reds, gold and black with a pair of cream high-heeled suede boots and a black sweater to tie it all together. I chose this outfit because I knew that my husband and I were going to an elegant restaurant for dinner and then to hear some jazz afterwards. The outfit that I chose would serve its purpose for style, comfort and keeping my husband’s attention! I will be able to comfortably enjoy myself in a relaxing atmosphere and still look stunning while doing so!
Time Considered!
I know ladies that sometimes we can be pressed for time. We are never late, it’s just that the time seems to be moving faster when we have somewhere to be. I know… I get it! For those of us whose time seems to slip away and your date is making you feel guilty because you’re not quite ready yet, no worries! Here are some quick simple tips to get you out the door!
Hygiene Ok Ladies this is a MUST! Let’s smell Amazing, and have our hair and nails polished!
Check your face to make sure that your makeup application is still flawless, the L’BAE cosmetic line will not budge, or smudge as your face will stay as striking as when you first put it on!
Outfit check! Make sure that all accessories match your attire. Do not forget earrings, bracelets, necklace, belt or anything that would offset your outfit!
Know which pair of shoes you are going to wear, if they are not already on your feet! Then set them near the door.
Last, grab your jacket, or coat and be on your way. Try these tips in a 30 minute timed session prior to your real date night, that way you will be an expert on the night of the date! Remember this is your Date Night a time to relax and unwind, so look Cute and Classy, and Have FUN! L’BAE ALL DAY… EVERY DAY!
Hi L’BAE Nation you Beautiful, Blessed, People of God! Yes winter is upon us and the time for the dos and don’ts of hair and fashion are here! A few suggestions for our wardrobe as we start this cold season is to utilize our clothing in a multi- simplicity type of way. In other words, keep it simple using a variety of clothing you already wear! The clothes that you have been wearing before the temperature dropped can still be worn now that it is bitter cold. The only change is layers!
Layer it up!
That’s right! Layer up with a cute sweater, blazer, jean or leather jacket, leggings and boots to make that once short-sleeved mini dress a now ready for the new season outfit. Its fashion so it’s okay to mix and match. As a matter of fact this is the fun part about the winter season as it will always be a mystery as to what attire is under the coat. Keep people guessing as to what statement piece you will rock this week, or every day! Now isn’t that exciting?
Ok ladies now that we have our wardrobe together and will mix and match our pieces to create a whole new look for this winter season, we can’t forget about our hair! Yes our hair! During the cold months it is very important that you keep your hair conditioned in order to avoid split ends, dryness, flaky scalp, and breakage! Deep conditioners such as olive oil, coconut oil, or a more natural approach such as avocado mixed with mango and eggs works wonders for the hair. It promotes strength, shine and an incredible feel with added moisture to deplete the harsh damage that the cold air can bring.
Your skin and the cold
The cold air can also bring upon dryness to our face and skin. We as women cannot walk around with a dry appearance because that is not sexy! There are a number of moisturizing products for the skin and face. The best advice as everyone’s skin is different is to have a consultation with a beauty consultant such as a licensed esthetician in order to have your skin assessed and suggested the products that will work best for your skin type. As for women with less sensitive skin, the avocado is the facial scrub has an amazing moisturizing agent that leaves your face feeling awesome. Also cucumbers over the eyes also really does work! Try it!
A word about scarves
Another thing to take into consideration in regards to the cold, bitter air, and our hair and skin is the scarf materials that we wear. Some scarves are made from 100% wool, which can damage the hair as it continues to rub against the hair follicles. It can entangle and pull the hair out. It is best to switch up on your scarves and hats of this material to give your hair a breather. There are also some scarf materials that can cause ones face to break out into a rash from the perfumes and dyes. It is suggested to rub the scarf on the inside of the wrist once and wait five to ten minutes before purchasing to make sure that there is no allergic reactions to the scarfs materials. If by chance you have a favorite scarf that feels itchy, wear it on the outside of your coat therefore not touching your skin. These are just a few suggestions and tips for the burr cold winter season, from the L’BAE Inspiration and Lifestyle Blog. Stay warm and fabulous!
As the weather begins to change up here in the midwest, I find myself grabbing for my boots and jacket more often. Soon the leaves will fully change and snow will be hitting the streets. I find that many women store their dresses away over the winter. I’ll admit, pantyhose is not warm for sure. Yet over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that have allowed me to continue wearing my favorite dresses during the cold months. So I thought I’d share my tips (hacks) for surviving the cold while rocking your favorite dresses.
5. Boots
Jai modeling her lovely boots
If I had to choose one and only one pair of shoes to wear with my wintertime dresses, it would be a pair of boots that go up to my knee. They make so much sense for the cold. First, you logically have a larger portion of your legs covered. Second, they are fantastic for trudging through snow. Third, no one can see what you wear on your feet inside of them, so why not a pair of warm, comfy socks. I wear all kinds of socks with my boots in the winter and they rarely match my outfit.
4. The maxi is your friend
Jana in her lovely black maxi
In the last year, I’ve really come to love maxi dresses. When done right, they can look very becoming on a woman. Wearing a maxi dress during the winter is simple logic as well. More material will keep you warmer. Now I do not recommend a maxi dress worn without tights in the winter. You could do that, but you’d be freezing. This photo here was taken in Nicaragua. While the weather is quite warm there, this maxi is pretty amazing.
3. Sweater tights
Investing in several pairs of sweater tights is a fantastic winter investment. I have at least five pairs that I can think of, each in a different color. These are great on days that are cold but not too cold. As we transition from fall into winter, I find myself wearing a lot of sweater tights.
2. Yoga pants
I discovered this life hack last year. Since I wear boots a lot over the winter, yoga pants were so easy. In fact, people often didn’t even know that I was wearing yoga pants because I wear wearing boots and a dress over top of them. Yoga pants are great because they are longer than leggings, you can wear whatever socks you want with them and they are so very comfy. And if you’re going to yoga after work, you’re already wearing half of your outfit! Just kidding (but maybe not). Yoga pants are great for the early days of winter just as the cold is really setting in. I wear yoga pants with dresses so much that I bought another pair. Both have been put to good use!
1. For the real cold: sweater tights + yoga pants + boots
Last winter, I worked at an elementary school. Each morning my duty was to stand outside for 30 minutes and monitor the children as they got out of their parents’ cars. In the winter, it was brutal. Because I love wearing dresses so much, I knew there had to be another way. One day I decided to put my yoga pants over top of my sweater tights. It was genius! I had tried wearing two pairs of tights in the past. While that idea is also brilliant, I often found that the tights would bunch up around my toes. With the yoga pants + sweater tights tactic, no such thing could happen! You just put on a pair of boots and no one knows you’re wearing two layers!
Surviving the winter with your favorite dresses is easier than you think! Many stores have the three essential aids for wearing dress in the winter: sweater tights, yoga pants and boots! Good luck!
