Shoulder Bow Shift Dress // Clutch {sold out, but found this similar one for under $40!) // Kitten Heels // Necklace

Even though I’m not sure how it happened, Christmas is almost here. And while I’m scrambling to get everything ready, I at least have an outfit picked out…so that’s at least a Christmas miracle.

I’ve come to realize that there are two kinds of families over the holidays – the ones that get dressed up to the nines for their celebrations, and the other families who shlub around in their PJs all week. I am definitely (and thankfully) part of the sect of families who DGAF what they look like over the holidays – and usually am walking around with a giant sweatshirt and leggings for a more “dressed up look” when I’m not in my PJs.

My family definitely has the “open your gifts in your PJs and stay in them all day” kind of approach with my family, but every once in a while, it’s nice to trade in your slippers and get gussied up for a holiday date or celebration with friends and family. Experiencing the best of both worlds definitely isn’t a bad thing when it comes to the holidays. I was shopping on Michigan Ave for the holidays and definitely fell into the holiday gifting trap of having a “one for you, one for me” mentality. While I’ve been doing a better job of resisting the urge to shop over the past few months, it’s hard when you have an excuse to go shopping for friends, and inevitably find yourself adding “just one more thing” in your pile or online shopping cart for yourself. This dress was definitely one of those purchases!

I went to Ann Taylor’s Michigan Ave store to buy some gloves for a family member, and immediately fell in love with this dress. It had everything I was looking for – bows on the shoulders, sheer sleeves, and an above the knee length that’s perfect for date night or a fancy festive celebration when you’re not in your PJs at home. Between work cocktail parties, dates and parties it seemed like a logical purchase, even though I’ll probably just manage to wear it once over the holidays. Still, 100% worth it  🙂 

Since this dress is pretty classic, I paired a few bolder accessories with the dress – like this fold-over leopard clutch and jewel encrusted bow shoes. I love a good kitten heel, especially when you want to look dressed up but don’t want to have to deal with the pain of standing in 3 inch heels at a party. It gives you the perfect way to elongate your legs (especially with a short dress!) without killing your feet – and ensures that I won’t fall down a flight of stairs in front of everyone. I wish I could say I was coordinated, but I am most certainly far from it.

What kind of family do you have over the holidays – the fancy, get dressed up for every meal kind, or the “let’s wear our PJs and never leave the house” kind? I think there’s something good about both of them, but I don’t think I’d trade my family or holiday traditions for the world J

Also, funny story about this shoot – it was about 35 degrees and raining when we shot this on a crowded street in Chicago, and as I’m attempting to look like it’s not too cold to be wearing a short dress – one of my coworkers ran by me and realized it was me (haha, uhhh…..awkward). Luckily,  she knew that I had a blog on the side, but I’m still pretty sure she thought I was crazy. The glamorous world of fashion blogging is sometimes not so glamorous 😉