A Night at the Theater

Marc Jacobs double breasted coat, $369
Jimmy Choo slip on shoes, $495
Kate Spade metallic clutch, $225

I chose this cute, dressed-up look for something fun and fancy, like a trip to the theater. One of my favorite things about this outfit is its color-palette. The bright pink, navy blue, and kelly greens lend it a really preppy and playful feel. The pieces are all very classic and the bright pops of color liven them up just so. The shoes add the perfect amount of sparkle.

XOXO,
Kate

A Pretty Keen New Year's Eve

Hey all! Well, with another Christmas celebrated, New Year's Eve is just around the corner. No matter what you're doing to celebrate this year, I've got a look for you. Below are several outfits I put together to work with several different moods.


Dainty and Demure - This look is all about sweet girliness. The semi-retro silhouette of the dress, with its peter-pan collar and flared out skirt is modernized by the contrasting sash and polka dots. I suppose you could tone done the baubles a bit by removing one here or there, but remember: News Years Eve is your time to shine! The matching black shoes and bag make sure the look keeps its feet on the ground while still looking as if you've paid attention to the details.

Miss Selfridge dot dress, £45
Dorothy Perkins quilted shoes, £18
Chanel chain bag, $2,686
Juicy Couture heart jewelry, $34
Stella McCartney white pearl earrings, $131
Juicy Couture gold hair accessory, $49


Downtown Cool - This next look is for a hip, urban girl going to a fab New Year's Eve party - but really, what NYE party isn't fab? The hot pink shoes are a great statement piece and the main source of color for the outfit. Sharp tailoring and an all-black ensemble are softened by the blush tank, and a black Target bag (which Nina Garcia recently raved about!) glams it up just right.

Kain silk tank, $155
Balmain wool jacket, £1,939
Helmut Lang black tuxedo pants, $162
Jimmy choo shoes, $525
Clutch : : Target, $17

Paint the Town Red - Okay, so maybe this dress is technically coral - but still. A counterpart to "Downtown Cool," this look exudes "Uptown Chic."  Bring a little summer to your New Year's celebration with a gold bamboo bracelet (Fornash has a reasonably-priced alternative to this 18-karat treasure) and woven clutch. Matching glitter pumps help ensure you're the life of the party.

Oasis short sleeve dress, $35
Miu Miu gold heels, $476
Lilly Pulitzer straw clutch bag, $98
Gucci 18k rose gold jewelry, $2,990

Laid-Back Family Get-Together - You're not staying home alone, so PJ's aren't an option. But you're not exactly partying the night away, either. What's a chic girl to wear to casual occasions such as these? Well, have I got a formula for you. Pullover + Button Down + Boots = Cute. Add some low-key accessories and you're set for a cozy evening with the cousins. And, to tell you the truth, this is one of my favorite looks.

TopShop silk shirt, $90
J Crew rainbow shirt, $73
Polo Ralph Lauren stretch corduroy pants, $290
Sperry Top-Sider sperry top sider boots, $118
Tory Burch enamel jewelry, $85
Forever21 knot necklace, $5.80

Well my dears, hope I've helped you figure out what you'll be wearing to ring the new year in. Blessings - here's t0 believing 2012 will be my and your best year yet!

Happy New Year!
XOXO,
Kate

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Hey all! So I've decided to post a cute little Christmas outfit I thought you'd all appreciate. I'll be wearing something similar. It's simple, sparkly, and features riding boots - what more could a girl ask for? Well, here's to hoping your Christmas is special no matter where you are.
 

Clemens en August turtleneck shirt, £95
Vince mini skirt, $177
Cordani leather boots, $483
MICHAEL Michael Kors lock necklace, $125
Givenchy pearl earrings, $32

Love you all, and thankful for your support.
XOXO,
Kate

P.S. I'm kind of a huge fan of Mariah Carey and her voice... and her live rendition of "O Holy Night" is simply marvelous. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!

Plaid Prestige

Pink blazer, £485
Wide leg pants
Christian Louboutin stiletto heels, £495
Marc jacobs bag, €995
Janis By Janis Savitt chain necklace, $569
Tennis bracelet, $24,995

Another sophisticated winter look, this outfit would work for a holiday party or any other occasion you'd like to dress up for. Plaid blazers are wonderful for Christmastime, and the pink tones and sharp tailoring of this one make it especially feminine. Wide-leg black pants balance it out perfectly, while the black bag and shoes extend the outfit's elegance. I've recently begun liking the look of layered chains...these add such luxury and drama. And diamonds, well, diamonds just go with everything, don't they?

XOXO,
Kate

Last Minute Gift Guide...and I mean Last Minute!

Hey all, with Christmas coming up this Sunday, I decided to go ahead and make a gift guide. However, my gift guide will be slightly different from most  and focus on the giver rather than the receiver. The first is for gifts from the bargain hunter, and the second is gifts from the indulger...here we go!

1. Prize Ball, Kate Spade, $27 (regular $35); 2. Sixteen Piece Assorted Holiday Chocolate Gift Box, Godiva, $25; 3. Vera Tote, Vera Bradley, $60 - $80; 4. Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Parfum Spray, Department Stores, $77 - $98; 5. 'Cambridge' Small Crossbody Flap Bag, Radley London, $98 (regular $198); 6. Creme de Corps Collection, Khiels, $59; 7. Pride and Prejudice BBC Miniseries DVD (Restored Edition), Amazon.com & other retailers, $13.99 (regular $39.95); 8. Sterling Silver Heart Knot Hook-On Bracelet, James Avery, $99; 9. Bettie Flats, Kelsi Dagger, $59; 10. Assorted Plaid Crown Caddy Gift Box, Papyrus, $24.95

1. 'Original Tall' High Gloss Rain Boot, Hunter, $125; 2. Tweed Check Scarf, Burberry, $375; 3. Bond No. 9 New York Mini Bon-Bon Box, $140; 4. Lambskin Leather Bow Pumps, Red Valentino, $450; 5. 'Crystal Kaleidoscope' Bib Necklace, Kate Spade, $295.90 (regular $398); 6. Rambler's Legacy Bag, Coach, $258; 7. Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen: 6-Volume Set, $169.95 (regular $175); 8. Polished Platinum Dress, Anthropologie, $388; 9. Godiva Ultimate Collection, $150; 10. Cavalier II-Plaid, Ghurka, $995

Merry Christmas, and happy gift-giving!
XOXO,
Kate

Stardust

James Perse cotton shirt, $115
Velvet coat, £238
Floor length skirt, $210
Kate Spade sparkly shoes, $350
Jimmy Choo genuine leather handbag, £889
Forever21 beading jewelry, $11

This look is totally perfect for a luxe, glam night out. You know the kind: Christmas cocktail parties, galas benefiting a special cause, and mixers where one needs to dress to impress. A maxi skirt was a bit of a departure for me, but working with it, I felt totally in my element. The shocking pink is toned down perfectly with a simple, surprisingly chic white tee (tucked in, of course). The statement necklace accents/blings up the top in just the right way to amp up the outfit and make it dress code appropriate. You could go with a more sedated, neutral shoe if you'd like, but I thought these glittery ones were gorgeous and super fun.

And, in the spirit of all things shiny, here is the music video for Ellie Goulding's song "Starry Eyed":

Have a wonderful Christmas season!
XOXO,
Kate

Inspired by...

White blouse, $176
Ralph lauren blazer, £289
Ganni pleated mini skirt, €120
Mid heel boots, $190

Bracelet, Fornash, $45

Today's look is a super cute, put-together outfit inspired by a couple of different sources. When I spotted Kate Middleton wearing this lovely ruffled top during the Canada tour she and William embarked on shortly after they were married, I knew I wanted to replicate the look with a navy blue blazer as soon as possible. I also grew attached to this look after finding it on tumblr (though I think it's probably originally from Unabashedly Prep - do any of you happen to know?). Basically, I combined the two looks into one wearable hybrid. What do you think: is this a case of fashion thievery, or simple resourcefulness?

Smiles,
Kate

Lush and Lovely

Lush and Lovely by prettykeenkate featuring a body con skirt

Nina ricci, €550
Body con skirt, €40
Rocha.John Rocha knee high leather boots, £88
Marc Jacobs quilted handbag, £935
Gold heart jewelry, $5,200

Today's outfit features a muted color palette focused on the details. The lace on the turtleneck, quilting on the (gorgeous Marc Jacobs Stam) bag, and contrasting tones in the riding boots pack a huge punch for an outfit that is mostly black and nothing but neutrals. This outfit is exactly as the title describes: lush and lovely. It's also gorgeous, glamorous, and oh so fun to wear.

Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Kate

P.S. The Marc Jacobs Stam bag featured in this post is marvelous, right?  Well, I found a Carlos Santana look alike here. One of its best features? The price: $98.

December Means Hit the Books

Study by prettykeenkate featuring a fitted blouse

J Crew fitted blouse, $50
Moschino short mini skirt, $278
Kate spade, $25
Marc jacobs handbag, $462
Yves Saint Laurent gold plated bangle, £510
Fornash, $25

In honor of all of the Studious Sallys out there preparing for winter exams. Easily transitioned to deal with wintry weather with some navy blue tights. 
Happy Studying! 
XOXO, 
Kate