what & what not to wear in your holiday family photos

TGIT! December is now in full swing which means many of you are getting ready to take your annual {and sometimes dreaded} Christmas --let's be honest...New Year's -- card. For once we decided to get something done early this year and it felt great to get it checked off the list. Today I'm sharing some guidelines on your holiday, and family photos in general. Many people struggle with the do's and don'ts so I'm here to clear a few things up for you.

So let's talk about some tips to follow for your family photos ::

DO coordinate color tones/families... It looks put-together and uniform to have the same color family on. But...

...DO NOT match. Matchy-matchy Christmas cards are long gone and they should stay there.

DO patterns. Plaid, checks, stripes & subtle dots are okay. But...

...DO NOT do busy + bright ones. As much as it pains me to say this, stay away from leopard, bold polka dots and BRIGHT colors/patterns. You want the photos to focus on the family... not your shirt.

DO casual. You can do denim & an untucked shirt as long as you do it right. Which means...

...DO NOT do light wash denim. If you have light wash denim in your closet, it may be questionnable. In the right form or fashion light denim looks great, butt not in family photos and not in any dressier settings.  Also, try to mix it up a bit with each family member. You may not want EVERYONE in denim, but a little variety. Untucked shirts are okay as long as you have a sweater over them and the shirt doesn't hang too long. If the man is just wearing a button down, always tuck!

Here's what he wore :: 

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And here's what I wore ::  [show_shopthepost_widget id="433904"]

P.S... it always helps to have an adorable dog in your Christmas picture. I'd highly recommend picking one of those up!

Camo Chic {yes, there is such a thing}

Happy Tuesday, y'all! Sorry I missed you yesterday. Mondays can sometimes take on a life of their own with playing catch up and that's exactly how I felt yesterday. Today, I'm here to tell you that camouflage isn't just for rednecks anymore {my apologies in advance if you are in fact a redneck and you take offense}. You've seen it around town and in the magazines and you might have wondered, "Is camouflage REALLY in?" I was on the fence for quite awhile before I stumbled across two things that changed my mind. Today I'm sharing them with you! There are, of course, exceptions to this, as there are to any rule. Here are a few guidelines to go by when jumping on the camo train.

Camouflage can be chic IF...

...it is used as an accent or accessory. Don't make it your main focus and DON'T double up on your camo in the same outfit. Try it in the form of a belt, pants, shoes or another accent piece.

...it is the RIGHT kind of camo. By right, I mean you did not purchase it at Bass Pro Shops. It cannot contain leaves, y'all. I know many of you are in the south and this might have been okay in high school. Not now! Try stores like J.Crew, LOFT, Anthropologie, Banana Republic and Nordstrom. They know what they're doing.

...it is subtle and neutral. Don't choose a loud, bright green but rather a soft and subtle camouflage.

...it's combined with classic and chic pieces. Don't combine it with a light wash jean, but try it instead with a black pant, or silk shirt.

I like to stick to accessories when it comes to camo. This printed haircalf belt from LOFT caught my attention and I decided to give it a try. I've now found myself using it ALMOST {key word almost} as much as my skinny leopard belt.I paired it with an ultra-dark wash jean and cranberry silk shirt up top. The camouflage belt adds a little pop of pattern without being overbearing.My faux-fur vest made its way into the picture, the perfect accessory for chilly nights and the perfect brown to accent the belt.I added in my favorite simple + subtle Kendra Scott necklace up top

And, I snagged these Camo Haircalf Slipper Flats on SUPER sale. You can, too!

So follow these guidelines if a camouflage purchase is in your future. You can pull it off with a few rules!

My Favorite Fur Vest Picks

It's fall and you need a {faux} fur vest like NOW if you don't already have one hanging in your closet. It's the perfect layering piece that's cozy yet chic. Layer over dresses, sweaters, tops and more. There are just a few guidelines to follow when purchasing a fur vest ::

-Keep it subtle + simple. Don't go crazy with prints, patterns or blatantly obvious FAUX fur. You want it to look expensive, not cheap. -Make sure it is full-length. You'll see a lot of cropped fur vests out there, and I'm here to tell you to STAY AWAY. Not only is a crop length unflattering, but it's also very juvenile. While it might be great for your daughter, it's not for you.

Here's some inspiration for you, followed by a few of my current favorites in stores now. You can find my BB Dakota vest {pictured above} at Shopbop by clicking HERE.

I love the warm subtle brown of these vests. They work well with virtually every skintone and hair color, and the color doesn't cheapen the look like a more orangey-honey color might do. Here are a few of my other top picks ::

So grab your faux fur vest today and start layering it with the things in your wardrobe! It will help you maximize those pieces that are a little bit too thin to wear into fall without something over.

the mini skirt

Happy Monday! Let's kick off the week with a fall favorite of mine, the mini skirt. Wait a minute, don't stop reading now! I know what you're thinking... "I can't wear a mini skirt, I'm a mom," or, "I can't wear a mini skirt! I hate my thighs!" Maybe it's, "I'm way too old for a mini skirt!" I'm here to debunk, and confirm, some of those preconceived notions. Mini skirts get a bad rap because they are often associated with showing too much skin or juvenileness. But mini skirts can be classy and chic in the FALL with some simple tips ::

1) You CAN wear a mini skirt if you're a mom. Especially in the fall, because you have a new best friend to help you feel more comfortable. Her name is The Legging.

2) You CAN wear a mini skirt even if you hate your thighs or legs. Once again, enter leggings. And a new friend, The Boot.

3) You're probably right if you think you're too old to wear a mini skirt. Past a certain age, some things tend to look juvenile, inappropriate or like you're trying to hard. Age-appropriateness is key, whether you are 20 or 65. A rule to go by :: If you're over 50, you can safely stay away from the mini skirt, but not skirts in general! Try a skirt that hits anywhere between 1-3 inches above your knee.

A mini skirt can be TOO mini. Make sure you're never wearing a skirt that is more than 6-7 inches above the knee.

I love this leopard mini skirt by Milly, made casual by adding my favorite LOFT sweater and military vest. Notice my opaque black tights {which could easily be substituted by a sweater tight or a thicker legging} and booties {which could easily be substituted by a riding boot or block-heeled boot}.

Topped off with a half-tuck of the sweater and a pendant necklaceSo try your hand at a mini {or mini-esque} skirt with leggings or tights and boots this fall. It's a great alternative to pants without the constriction of a pencil or work-related skirt. Choose the "mini" length that works for you. It's all about personal preference and comfort when it comes to your style!

How to wear it :: the bootie

I'm currently sitting on my porch, enjoying the perfect cup of coffee with my samoa creamer {if you didn't know this existed you need to run to your nearest grocery store ASAP}, and relishing in the 60-degree crisp fall air! Which gives me the perfect inspiration for today's post :: it's all about booties.... the shoes, obviously.

Booties are the perfect solution to cooler weather that doesn't require heating half of your legs in full riding boots. As the temperatures begin to drop but the days are still warmer, booties give you the fall look without the "real" thing. But booties are also a great, versatile alternative to boots in the winter as well. I love to wear mine with tights and a dress, corduroys and more even in the cold temperatures. So you get it; booties are a versatile wardrobe must-have that can help you make the transition into fall and last you through the winter. A couple things to go by when buying a bootie ::

1) Tan is the most versatile color. Black only goes with so much, and chocolate brown limits you to wearing it with most things except black. But tan can be paired with virtually ANY color.

2) When pairing your booties with jeans, DON'T try to tuck your jeans INTO the booties. You have two options here :: cuff your jeans to hit about 1/2" above your bootie, exposing the slightest bit of ankle. OR, if your jeans are longer, pull them over the bootie.

3) Choose a bootie that gives you some room around the ankle. Not a gaping hole, but not a bootie that hugs the ankle bone. A little bit of room around the ankle not only makes your ankles appear slimmer {which is much appreciated for us gals who don't have the smallest of ankles... ahem} but it is also more comfortable and comfort is key when it comes to shoes

My favorite place to buy booties? Solesociety.com. I am swooning over a leopard pair as I type this {is anyone surprised?}. Sole Society has so many different styles of booties for affordable prices. AND, you get 20% off when you sign up for the first time. Not to mention my SS booties from last season are SO comfortable. Here are a few of my favorite picks for fall ::

So if you don't have the perfect pair of booties in your closet, try one of these. For those of you first-timers, I suggest the Chelsea bootie. The most classic cut with the most color choices, you can't go wrong. For those of you looking to add to your collection, try branching out with something a little different, like perforation, fringe or buckles. A little variety never hurt anyone! Wishing you a stylish week ahead, and keeping my fingers crossed that these fall temps keep movin' on in!

the babydoll top

Happy Monday, y'all! It seems like I've been all about tops lately... and there's nothing wrong with that! Whether you have your go-to neutral bottoms or like to play around with colors or patterns, you can always use your tops in new and versatile ways.

Today we're talking about the babydoll top. Now that I've mentioned the word "babydoll," many of you want to stop right there and close this window. Please don't! You can rock the babydoll top no matter what age or size you are. You just have to do it right. This top is perfect for hiding insecurities {ahem...mid-section} while still looking stylish and put-together. Two rules when it comes to babydoll styles ::

1) Make SURE you wear a skinny pant on bottom

...unless you are tucking or half-tucking your top, in which case you should still wear a more fitted pant like a straight leg. No wide-leg pants with this style; the flowy top paired with flowy bottoms creates an overall sloppy and bulky look. It's all about balance, people.

2) Make sure the top hits at your pocket line or below. Preferably below.

I stumbled across this top at Old Navy {yes, Old Navy!} and snatched it up. It was the last one in store and I can understand why! There are times when you score an item at Old Navy that doesn't look like an Old Navy find... this is one of those times.

Paired with my newest Kendra Scott addition;  a rose quartz long tassel necklace to balance the flowiness of the babydoll top

You can snag this top for yourself!

Until next time! Wishing you a stylish week ahead.

friday feature :: the romper

Happy Friday, y'all! It's the weekend and I'm giving you the perfect weekend piece :: the romper. It's like a dress with shorts. What could be better? No worrying about showing anyone your *panties,* it's figure-flattering and fashion-forward. I especially love how you can take a romper from day to night and make it more versatile. Throw it on with a pair of flats and a long necklace during the day, then amp it up with some wedges, a statement necklace & clutch at night!

Many of you think you can't pull it off. I promise, you can. Being able to rock a romper is all about finding the perfect one. You have to make sure you will be COMFORTABLE in it, or you'll never wear it. Find one that accentuates your waist and has shorts that are long enough for your body and age. If this is your first go at a romper,  go with a black. It's slimming and you won't feel as much out of your comfort zone.

I've sported the romper a few times this season so far, with many more to come {my apologies for the poor photo quality... Instagram pictures somehow aren't as pretty & arsty when you blow them up ;)}!

Some chambray options. A more casual approach to the romper ::

Some LBR options for you. Some prefer a sleeveless, while many of you may prefer to keep your arms more covered if you're showing off your legs ::

So rock your romper this weekend! You'll be looking effortlessly chic, fashion-forward and a little bit sexy all at once!

Have a stylish & fabulous weekend. Until Monday!

spring chic :: the shorts + blazer look

Many women wonder how to dress up their shorts in the summer. Shorts can be thought of as more of a daytime staple, but they can be dressed up and taken into nighttime just as easily as a pair of pants or a dress! One look I am loving is the shorts + blazer combo :: the ease and comfort of shorts, paired with the polished look of a blazer. What could be better? Here is how I did it with my favorite LOFT chambray blazer and a pair of fun patterned shorts. The key? Choosing a lightweight blazer for the maximum breathability. Bring it with you and throw it on when you get chilly!

My LOFT blazer is sold out online, but you can still find it in stores. Here are some other great summer blazer options ::

 Statement Necklace {now on SUPER sale!} ::

Unfortunately, my patterned shorts are oldies from JCrew several seasons ago and I refuse to part with them. But here are some patterned shorts options available now ::

Until Tomorrow, style lovers!

Photo Credit :: JNelly Photography

www.jnelly.com

Instagram :: jnellyphotastic

Tuesday's Tutorial :: The Knotted Belt

Happy Tuesday! Today I'm talking the knotted belt. It is another fun way that you can wear your belts, whether with pants, skirts or tops.

Break away from the basic way of buckling your belt, and try a knotted belt the next time you're belting. You can achieve this look with a thin or thick belt, around your waist or around your hips!

Here's the tutorial ::

• First, buckle the belt normally at the length that you're comfortable with; whether it's around your hips or your waist

• When you put the belt through the buckle, don't put it through the second time. Instead, bring it in a loop underneath.

• Bring the loop upward, and circle it back around the front of the secured belt on your waist or hip

 

• Pull the knot securely and center it around your middle. Depending on how long or short your belt is, there will be some amount hanging down.

*A tip :: When I buy a belt that I plan to wear both around my waist at times, and my hips at times, I always buy one or two sizes too big. Then, I poke my own hole in the belt that will allow me to use it around the small of my waist, as I am doing here.

So try the knotted belt next time you're belting! I guarantee you'll receive a compliment or two, and love having another versatile way to belt.

Stay Stylish!