What’s the key to a sassy, not too dressy holiday look? I say take one shiny black jacket, add one pair of skinny jeans, fold in some high-heeled red boots, and sprinkle with a chainmail necklace…Oh, and don’t forget to serve it up with some red lipstick!

This is the look I rocked at the recent Rent the Runway event co-hosted by Maxine Salon and the Chicago Blogger Network. I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up at this event…and after seeing all of the beautiful fashions on display, I actually felt underdressed! Some of the girls there were rocking designer frocks from Rent the Runway, and hairstyles courtesy of Maxine Salon. The crowd was completely beautiful, and so was the space. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a ton of pictures of the loft space, but it was beautiful and perfect for entertaining such a well-heeled crowd.

Rent the Runway is an awesome service, and the saddest thing is that they don’t have plus sizes! Don’t worry, I definitely spoke up for us curvy ladies when I talked to A.J., the representative from RTR who flew in from NY for the event. Hopefully, they’ll be expanding their selection in the future so that us full-figured fashionistas can get in on the fun!

Here I am with A.J. from RTR. She was super sweet!

And here are two lovely ladies that I had an absolute blast talking to!! I hope I’ll run into them at future events!

My fellow plus-blogger friend, Jaye from Curvatude also attended the event, and we ended up doing an impromptu photo shoot at The Drake Hotel later that night! Doesn’t she look great?

I love that she added a belt on the exterior of her coat…It adds a chic and flattering detail!

How much do I LOVE these boots??? Red? Heels? Thunderbirds??? AMAZING!

This is what she was hiding under her coat! Love her sequin skirt!!!

Have I raved about my boots enough yet? I got them at Violette, the sister shoe store of vive la femme…located right across the street in Bucktown! Violette carries wide-width and wide-calf shoes in sizes 7-11. I have to put my credit cards on lockdown when I go in there, because the shoes are so affordable and adorable, that I will way overspend my budget! The shoes range in price from $29-$59, and at those prices, I have a hard time saying no. Anyway, I luuuuuuuuurve these red boots with white thunderbirds on them! There are still some left, so mosey on in there and get your own!

More deets about my outfit:
Black Moto-esque Jacket: DKNY via LaneBryant
Skinny Jeans: Forever 21 +
Chainmail Necklace and Leather Stud Bracelet: Forever 21
Red Thunderbird Boots: Violette
Lipstick: Ruby Woo by MAC (my signature color!)

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season and are coming up with your own sassy outfits! xoxo

I love the holidays! I love love love twinkly lights, sparkly things, pink cheeks, snow, colorful scarves, feelings of good cheer, and all of the fun events that come with the holidays. One of my favorite traditions is having High Tea with my girlfriends at one of the fancy hotels here in Chicago. This year, it was at the gorgeous, historic Drake Hotel.

Since I can’t resist any opportunity to put on a fancy frock, I love going to the Drake, even though I have to fight the urge to start speaking in an aristocratic British accent. lol. The lobby is always elegant and beautifully decorated. This was the perfect time to debut my unbelievably awesome vintage coat. It’s black with white mink trim…I fell in love instantly when I found it at Hoard Antiques, and almost cried with happiness when it successfully buttoned up over my boobs! lol

According to the bellhop…”Women of such beautiful perfection cannot stand here without getting their picture taken.”

Here I am with my gorgeous girlfriends in front of the famous fountain in the middle of the Palm Court of the Drake Hotel.

I felt so pretty and festive in this simple outfit!

I love this dress for the simple, unexpected asymmetrical hemline. Short in the front and longer in the back…it let’s me show off my legs and just adds some visual interest to a somewhat standard black charmeuse dress from Old Navy (it’s on sale right now for $34.50!). And I like that it has a high neckline (and yay for sleeves!). This dress is great for girls who are top heavy, and leggy. 🙂

To add some holiday flair, I accessorized with a gorgeous red Obi belt that I bought at vive la femme earlier this season. And…I couldn’t resist adding a red flower to my side chignon. I paired it with sexy black boots and a red lip, and I was ready for my afternoon high tea. 🙂

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?? I hope your season is off to a great start too!

How many times do you have to go straight from work to a party, happy hour, or dinner with friends? At least twice a week, I have to come up with an outfit that takes me from the office to out on the town. This blush-silk drape front tank top from Old Navy is the absolute perfect piece to add to your wardrobe this holiday. And it’s on sale right now for $19.50 (it comes in a bright Fuchsia color too!). Add a pencil skirt, a cardigan, some fishnets and heels…and you’re good to go from the conference room to the barroom! 🙂