Get the Look: 75 Holiday Party Dresses

Many of you are probably still in the crush of the holiday rush. But since I celebrate Hanukkah, my present giving season is complete. My husband and I celebrate our anniversary on Christmas Eve -a spur of the moment elopement – so there’s opportunity for one more give and get, but the real buying, and by that I mean the buying for the kids, is complete.

That means it’s time to move on to planning the perfect New Year’s Eve outfit. Or you might have some holiday parties to attend. I’ll likely cozy up at home. But if I were planning a rocking New Year’s Eve, I’d start trying on dresses right now. There’s nothing worse than buying a party ensemble under pressure. After all this research I may just make a buy so I have a pretty party dress on hand.

I may have gone overboard—there are 75 party dress picks here from StyleCarrot partners and other sources. Lots of lace happening this season. There’s a turquoise lace dress by DVF; a cobalt lace dress from J.Crew, and a one-shouldered navy lace number fromReiss. (Princess Kate should totally dare to wear that.) Of course there are plenty of metallics. Metallic gold and gunmetal dresses, as well as jacquard (big trend right now, especially at Tory Burch), and a sprinkling of sequins. Plus capes. Channel Gwyneth and try a dress with a cape. The white one from Pixie Market is darling. 01

What would I wear? If I were a tiny bit younger and going dancing, I think #3 is really cute, though I’d probably opt for #33, the pleated midi by Rebecca Taylor or #47, the gold wrap dress. The stripey sequin Marc dress, #16 is adorable, especially paired with those studded clogs. The green knotted Lanvin silk shift (#25) is more my style these days, if I could afford it, along with #38, the modern minimalist black gabardine from Ssense. (Everything from Ssense is fierce. For a more festive feel but still considering comfort, I like #49, a black embellished chiffon shift by Velvet.

I like to order a whole bunch and then decide.

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

1 White Cape Dress, $98 at Pixie Market.  

2 DVF Sky Blue Lace Dress, $501 at MyTheresa

3 Sequin Cage Dress, $150 at Bloomingdale’s

4 Aster Flower Dress, $495 at Rebecca Taylor

5 Silence + Noise Lattice Back Dress, $69 at Urban Outfitters

6 Keepsake Lace Bodycon Dress, $170 at Urban Outfitters

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

7 Embellished Mini Dress, $898 at Alice + Olivia

8 Double V-Neck Fit & Flare Chambray Dress, $79.95 at Gap.  

9 Jacquard Sleeveless Dress $595 at Tory Burch.  

10 d.RA Blue Hi Lo Dress, $149 at Urban Outfitters

11 Hot Pink Flutter-Sleeve Dress, $128 at Banana Republic

12 Floral Print Silk Dress, $198.50 at Club Monaco

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

13 Gold One Shoulder Dress, $300 at Whistles.

14 Lovers + Friends Magenta Cape Dress, $178 at Revolve

15 Bailey 44 Gunmetal Cut-Out Dress, $202 at Revolve

16 Marc by Marc Jacobs Striped Lamé Shift, $498 at Saks.  

17 DKNY Allover Sequin Dress $495 at Shopbop

18 Blush Sequin Dress, $198 at J.Crew.

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

19 Red Scalloped Shift Dress, $48.99 at Ruche

20 Lanvin Silk Dress With Tassel Tie, $1,690 at MyTheresa

21 Maison Scotch Tulle Skirt Dress, $329 at Revolve

22 Silver Metallic Sleeveless Dress, $169.99 at ModCloth

23 DVF L Printed Silk Dress, $468 at Saks.

24 Green Floral Drop-Waist Dress, $138 at Banana Republic.

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

25 Lanvin Gathered-Front Shift Dress, $1,690 at Barneys

26 Gray Organza Dress, $470 at Whistles

27 Electric Blue Lace Dress, $178 at J.Crew

28 Gray Lace Shift Dress, $148 at Madewell

29 Metallic Brocade Dress, $398 at J.Crew

30 MLV Forest Green Embellished Dress, $350 at Cusp

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

31 Halston Heritage Blue Cutout Dress, $267 at Bloomingdale’s

32 Karen Keen Ombre Sequin Dress, $158 at Bloomingdale’s

33 Lurex Pleated Cami Dress, $479  at Rebecca Taylor

34 A.L.C. Montana Dress, $495 at Saks

35 Merlot Velvet Dress, $89.99 at ModCloth

36 Alexis Starlight Print High-Low Dress , $798 at Cusp.  

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

37 Asymmetric Lace Dress, $360 at Reiss

38 Enfold Black Wool Gabardine Dress, $865 at Ssense

39 Topshop Unique Crushed Velvet Dress, $435 at Net-a-Porter

40 Self Portrait Maroon Dress, $560 at Shopbop

41 Velvet Studio Dress, $99.90 at Zara.

42 Embellished Blush Shift Dress, $369 at Ted Baker

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

43 Ronny Kobo Camo Dress, $336 at Pink Mascara

44 Black & Gold Fitted dSequin Dress, $595 at L.K.Bennett

45 Alice + Olivia Sleeveless Floral Jacquard Dress, $398 at Saks

46 Isabel Marant Chiffon Keyhole Dress, $710 at Net-a-Porter

47 Bec & Bridge Gold Wrap Dress $320 at Urban Outfitters

48 Michael Michael Kors Sequined Tank Dress, $325 at Saks

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

49 Velvet Embellished Chiffon Dress, $472 at MyTheresa.  

50 Maje Stripe Fit & Flare Dress, $376 at Bloomingdale’s

51 Geometric Jacquard Dress, $375 at Milly

52 Rag & Bone Silk Shift Dress, $425 at Nordstrom

53 Cheap Monday Illusion Dress, $90 at Need Supply Co. 

54 Bec & Bridge Silver Metallic Dress, $180 at Shopbop

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

55 French Connection Black & Blue Lace Dress, $248 at Cusp

56 Black Fringe Dress, $389 at Club Monaco

57 Adeline Rae Fit & Flare Dress, $94 at Nordstrom.  

58 Metallic Dot Dress, $188 at J.Crew

59 Keepsake Black Mini Dress, $199 at Pixie Market

60 Black Graphic Floral Dress, $198.50 at Club Monaco

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

61 Floral Print Silk Crepe Dress, $895 at Burberry

62 Elizabeth & James  Red Dress, $365 at Intermix

63 Rachel Zoe Fringe Cocktail Dress, $495 at Neiman Marcus

64 Lela Rose Half-Sleeve Fit-&-Flare Dress, $1,095 at Neiman Marcus.

65 White Sequined Fringe Dress, $34.90 at Forever 21.

66 Pink Dot Pleated Dress, $378 at Kate Spade

67 Sleeveless Sequin Stripe Dress, $598 at Kate Spade

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

68 Elizabeth & James Sequin Dress, $465 at Intermix

69 Open Back Fit & Flare Dress, $548 at Kate Spade.  

70 Turquoise Satin Dress, $100 at Topshop

71 Maje Midnight Sequined Crepe Dress, $229.50 at The Outnet

72 Silver Lamé Slip Dress by Boutique. $240 at Topshop

73 Marchesa Notte Strapless Lace Dress, $402.75 at The Outnet.  

74 Red Pleated Strapless Dress, $159.99 at Ann Taylor

75 Black Dolman Sleeve Dress, $775 at 3.1 Phillip Lim.

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Just In: All the Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales

Brown Shopping Bag With Black Handles Black Friday Deals

It’s time to get serious about shopping, whether you want (need!) new boots, sweaters, and jewelry for yourself, basics for the kids, presents for your husband, or a new sofa for the house. Shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales by clicking the links below. It’s all laid out for you right here.

F A S H I O N

Amazon
30% off select clothing & accessories on Black Friday
Code: 30BLACKFRI

Ann Taylor
50% off everything on Black Friday
Code: CELEBRATE

Anthropologie
25% off everything on Black Friday
Code: SHOPTOIT
25% off sale prices + free shipping on Cyber Monday

Athleta
20% off entire purchase (restrictions apply)
Code: WORKIT

Banana Republic
Half off sweaters + 40% off the rest (restrictions apply)
Code: BRFRIDAY

Bloomingdale’s
Up to 50% off select items + $25 for ever $200 + more

Bluefly
Up to 80% off on Black Friday

Boden
30% off everything + free delivery & returns

Cole Haan
30% off + free shipping on Black Friday
40% off sitewide + free shipping on Cyber Monday

DVF
25% off sitewide on Cyber Monday
Code: CYBER25

FarFetch
Up to 50% off plus extra 10% off sale prices
Code: bf15

GAP
50-35% off everything on Cyber Monday  (restrictions apply)

GAP Factory
50-70% off everything on Black Friday  (restrictions apply)

Gymboree
50% off entire site + free shipping

J.Crew
30% off everything + 40% off select items
Code: HOLIDAY
50% off + additional discount + free shipping on Cyber Monday
Code: TODAYONLY

Joie
25% off + free shipping & returns
Code: THANKS

La Garçonne
Up to 70% off sale items on Black Friday
15% off non-sale items (exclusions apply) on Cyber Monday

Land’s End
50% off all outerwear, boots, winter accessories + 40% off everything else on Black Friday

LOFT
40% off everything except Lou & Grey new arrivals on Black Friday
Code: BF40

Luisaviaroma
Extra 20% off sale items + free shipping & returns
Code: BFRS20

Lulu Frost
25% off on Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Code: SHOPLULU25

Madewell
25% off entire purchase
Code: Calmdown

Matches Fashion
Up to 50% off items from luxury labels

ModCloth
Up to 40% off select items on Black Friday
25% off everything on Cyber Monday.

Neiman Marcus
20% off sale items for up to 50% off on Black Friday
$50 off regular price items for $200+ on Black Friday
Code: THANKFUL

Nike
Extra 25% off clearance items
Code: GETOUTTHERE

Nordstrom
Up to 50% off select items + free shipping & returns on Black Friday
Up to 50% off top brands + free shipping & returns on Cyber Monday

Old Navy
40 – 60% off everything on Black Friday

Petit Bateau
50% off sale items

Rag & Bone
25% off sitewide + 2-day shipping on Black Friday
Extra 25% off sale times on Cyber Monday
Code: CYBER!

Rebecca Minkoff
25% off all orders + free shipping + 70% off selected  styles on Black Friday
25% off all orders + Essie nail polish + free shipping on Cyber Monday

Revolve
Up to 80% off + 20% off sale items on cyber Monday
Code: BLACKFRIDAY20
50% off final sale items on Dec 1.
Code: CYBER50

Saks Fifth Avenue
Up to 60% off select styles on Black Friday

Scoop NYC
25% off stewed + free shipping on Black Friday

Shopbop
Spend $250+ save 15 / Spend $500 save 20% / Spend $1,000+ save 25%
Code: GOBIG15

Tobi
50% off sitewide
Up to 80% off favorite designers on Cyber Monday

Victoria’s Secret
Buy 1 bra get 1 at 50% off
Code: DOUBLEUP

Vince
25% off on Cyber Monday
Code: WRAPUP25

Yoox
Extra 20% off + free shipping on Cyber Monday

H O M E

AHA Life
15% off sitewide

Anthropologie
25% off everything on Black Friday
Code: SHOPTOIT
25% off sale prices + free shipping on Cyber Monday

Framebridge
20% off black frames
Code: BLACK20

Furbish
20% off everything
Code: CYBER

Jonathan Adler
20% off everything through Monday
Code: TGIBF

Land of Nod
20% off + free shipping

Lumens
Up to 70% off on lighting, furniture & gifts from 90+ brands.

Minted
20% off $150+ holiday cards & gifts (15% off no minimum) on Black Friday
Code: BF205

Waiting on Martha
20% of everything except fine art
Code: SHOPSMALL

West Elm
10% off with $100+ / 15% off with $250+ / 20% off with $500+ / 25% off with $1000+ on Black Friday
Code: MOREISMORE

YLighting 
Up to 20% off 20 modern lighting brands

YLiving
Up to 20% off modern nursery furnishings

Zhush
20% of everything
Code: SAVE20

Design Diary: Boys’ Bedroom Makeover by Robin M. Anderson

On Sunday Boston Globe Magazine published a boys’ bedroom makeover I wrote called “Let’s Hear It For the Boys.”  The column features the home and work of local lifestyle blogger Robin M. Anderson, with photos by local Boston photographer Sarah Winchester of Sarah Winchester Studios, who also deserves a big thank you for pitching me this fun project.

Robin M. Anderson (she used to blog under Diary of a Yummy Mummy) lives in three bedroom condo in a converted school in Cambridge with her husband, two sons, and a guinea pig. became interested in design. When they first moved in, she hadn’t yet become interested in design, picking finishes she came to hate, and mundane furnishings, like the living room’s brown microfiber sofa. Eventually she picked up a paint brush, and since then, there’s been no stopping her.

Last September, they decided to move their 3-year-old son out of the nursery into a bedroom with his 7-year-old brother, so Anderson took the opportunity to execute a full-on boys’ bedroom makeover. She started from scratch, doing everything herself with help from the boys. The room is adorable and everything in it is affordable. Anderson says, “It’s their room, so I really wanted them to feel comfortable.” That says, she has a strict no sticker policy. “They’re allowed to put them on the back of the door, but nowhere else!”

Let’s tour Robin M. Anderson’s boys’ bedroom makeover:

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Step number one for the boys’ bedroom makeover was to paint. Anderson describes the walls’ original color as “ light Kermit green.” When they had a flood and had to repair and repaint anyway, she chose Farrow & Ball Parma Gray. The boys helped with the first coat.

She says, “Paint is my first thing because it doesn’t cost much, as long as you’re willing to put the time into it. The original paint in the condo was not well done. I realized I was repainting a color I don’t even like. Paint is amazing. Our bathroom has been like nine different colors. And the kids get into it.”

The teepee, a birthday gift when her youngest turned one, was originally set up in the nursery. Now it’s a cozy place for the boys to read. Anderson’s father won the surfboard that’s propped up in the corner in a raffle. It belonged to a well-known surfer, and he had it signed before gifting it to his first grandson.

There are five large, tall windows that needed draperies. Ten custom curtain  panels would have been really pricey, so Anderson purchased 10 white curtain panels and a few navy ones, and asked her dry cleaner to sew a strip of navy panel to the bottom of the white ones to create cost-effective, extra long colorblock draperies. “All my friends are doing this now too,” she says.

boys-bedroom-reading-nook-teepee

Anderson strung the teepee with owl lights from ModCloth that once adorned the family’s Christmas tree. The dinosaurs in residence are usually found in the bathtub.

boys-bedroom-makeover-robin-m-anderson-1

It was important to Robin that the boys’ bedroom makeover reflect the family’s heritage and interests. A Swiss flag, framed at the Central Square Blick in Cambridge, her go-to spot for affordable framing, hangs to honor her husband’s birthplace. “He’d love to move back someday,” Anderson says.  Authentic Swiss army blankets are another nod to his heritage. She says,”You get the blankets when you join the army, which is obligatory there.”

Over the other bed, school pennant is clustered with a photo of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, a call out to the family’s love of skiing, and an autographed surfer photo that was a gift to her son from her dad. On the other wall, a deceptively luxe-looking red faux snakeskin frame (also done at Blick) displays a print signed by Dr. Seuss that Anderson found on a trip to New Orleans. She hopes her son will pass on to his own kids. She says, “It was my first and only legitimate art purchase.”

The shelves, which are actually floating shelves, needed brackets to accommodate the slightly curved wall here. Anderson says, “The white metal brackets looked awful, so I spray painted them navy. I’ll spray paint anything; it’s my M.O.”  She and her son painted the lower half of the wall with chalkboard paint. She struggled with the trim that caps it, going back and forth to Home Depot for supplies and assistance. She says, “It was the first time I used a level.”

Robin_Anderson-3low

The mid-century modern style Ellipse beds from Land of Nod are layered with a mix of prints. Anderson loves pattern on her clothing and in her decor. She says, “I used as many patterns as possible without being obnoxious.” The star sheets are from Pottery Barn Kids and the whales from One King’s Lane. The pillowcase in the back, with monsters on skateboards, came from Target; her son is a big skateboarder.

Anderson was able to incorporate inexpensive second hand finds into the boys’ bedroom makeover. She bought the dresser from friends for $50, lacquered the scratched top in navy, and swapped the knobs.

boys-side-table-with-globe

All the boys’ toys are in their room, with the exception of some Legos. Big canvas storage bins on the other side (not pictured) hold the Nerf guns and stuff. She had a closet company build out closet with shelves to accommodate all the toys. As soon as they outgrow clothing or tire of toys, Anderson ships off the stuff to her sister.

boys-bookshelf-soldier-bookend

Her older son made this baseball in an acrylic box at school, when somebody from the Red Sox visited the classroom. She says, “They dirtied the balls, signed them, and put in a box. It’s his prized possession.” Soldier bookends hold up current reading material.

robin-m-anderson-at-home

Robin Anderson and Phineas the family guinea pig at her feet.

boston-globe-style-watch-robin-m-anderson

 Boston Globe Magazine    Sunday, February 15, 2015 

Get the Look: 20 Modern Doormats

In true New England fashion, the Boston is not quite sure whether it’s winter yet. There were a few really cold days, including a recent Sunday when my 12-year-old went to a Patriots game in the rain and snow. I don’t mind the chilliness (I’m a tights and boots girl for sure) as long as there’s sun. That day did incite me to unearth the ice scraper and transfer it to the car. Not looking forward to using it.

Since we live in an apartment, most of the slush (and there’s plenty of it), gets left in the lobby. But still, we have a good doormat outside our door, and a more decorative one inside. Come snowy times, additional rugs get spread across the foyer, so as not to completely destroy my Jill Rosenwald gray area rug.

I know this is all kind of mundane, but I live in Boston, in the city. That means messy weather and no mud room. Even if you have a house with a white picket fence in a tropical clime, you still need a doormat, right? I’ve rounded up some door mats today, mainly coir and natural coconut fiber doormats; mostly modern doormats, many colorful doormats, plus neutrals, some in adorable silhouettes.

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outdoor-doormats-2

outdoor-doormats-3b

door-mats-4

S H O P P I N G 

1 Roam Sweet Roam Mountain Range Doormat, $34.99 at ModCloth.

2 Chilewich Stripe Shag Floor Mat in Mineral $50 at Burke Décor.

3 Multicolor Leaves Coconut Fiber Doormat, $19.99 at Amazon.

4 Cape Cod Polypropylene Doormat, $69.99 at Hayneedle.

5 Hedgehog Doormat, $39.95 at Crate & Barrel

6 Multicolor Flip-Flop Doormat, $16. 99 at World Market

7 It’s Cold Doormat, $24.45 at Wayfair.

8 Haute Habitat Coir Bear Doormat, $34.99 at ModCloth.

9 Computer Keyboard Coir Doormat, $26.97 at Amazon

10 Harvest Striped Doormat, $24.95 at Pier1 Imports

11 Green Chevron Coconut Fiber Doormat, $39.99 at Hayneedle.

12 Nautical Anchor Floor Mat, $28.95 at West Elm.

13 Chilewich Bold Stripe Shag Outdoor Floor Mat, $50 at Horne.

14 Camouflage Deer Doormat, $17.99 at Wayfair.

15 Oval Knot Woven Coco Doormat, $16.99 at Amazon

16 Dahlias Handwoven Coconut Fiber Doormat, $32.30 at Wayfair.

17 MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Door Mat, $160 at Horchow.

18 Natural Chevron Coir Doormat, $29 at Pottery Barn.

19 Nautical Rope Doormat, $49 at L.L. Bean.

20 Herb Garden Doormat, $68 at Terrain. 

•            •            •

   s h o p    o u t d o o r   d e c o r  at  t e r r a i n >

Get the Look: 20 Handbags with Fringe

People have pretty particular feelings about fringe. I get it. Fringe can be all too hippie chick, or hokey cowgirl (now that’s fringe gone woefully astray). My husband is not a fan of fringe. He doesn’t even like the the lone leather strip of fringe that hangs from each zipper of my beloved Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Crossbody Bag. (I have teal, for special color occasions, but I just got a grey one that I use multiple times a week.)  My editor at the Boston Globe Magazine has rejected a fringe fashion style page. (No matter, I’m turning one into my editor at the newspaper instead.)

Following up on yesterday’s post Street Style: 28 Fashions with Fringe, I sourced 20 fringe handbags for you. In addition to the black & white Tribale Fringed Bag by Lanvin (LOVE but not willing to sell my soul), I’m kinda grooving on the simple and affordable #3 fringe handbag. Tell me if you have any fringe-y plans for yourself this fall.

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fringe-handbags-2

fringe-handbags-3

S H O P P I N G

Shop fringe handbags from my favorite StyleCarrot partner sites.

1 Jude Clutch by House of Harlow 1960, $275 at Pink Mascara.

2 Fringed Leather Clutch by En Shalla, $225 at Net-a-Porter.

3 Quinn the Lana Fringe Hobo Bag by BCBGeneration, $128 at Nordstrom

4 Everly Fringe Bucket Bag by Cleobella, $328 at Shopbop

5 Fringe Tote Bag by Ecote , $69 at Urban Outfitters

6 Fringe Handbag by George J. Love, $152 at Yoox

7 Joni Python Fringe Clutch by Michael Kors, $2,695 at Neiman Marcus

8 Finn Convertible Clutch by Rebecca Minkoff, $195 at Nordstrom

9 Moschino Heart Tote, $499 at Yoox

10 Isabella Fringe Crossbody Bag by Milly, $395 at Nordstrom

11 Nirvana Fringe Crossbody Tote by Lucky Brand, $218 at Zappos. 

12 Fringed Hobo Bag by Miu Miu, $1,950 at Saks Fifth Avenue.  

13 Fringe Hobo by Christopher Kon, $445 at Shopbop

14 Mini Fringe Clutch with Zodiac by Valentino, $797 at Stylebop.

15 Fringe Bag with Chain by Mossimo Supply Co., $29.99 at Target.

16 Fringe Tote by Tory Burch, $595 at Tory Burch.  

17 Girl’s Best Fringe Bag by Steve Madden, $67.99 at ModCloth

18 Fringe Leather Junior Lock Clutch by Loeffler Randall, $295 at Saks.  

19 Avoca Fringe Shoulder Bag by Urban Originals, $100 at Nordstrom.

20 Large Crossbody Fringe Bag by Sam Edelman, $148 at Zappos

•           •          •

Find more on-trend handbags at Shopbop >