WHAT IS BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER
Gosh, I can’t believe that Christmas is only a couple of days away. I don’t know about you, but it just seems “off” this year. I put up a new Christmas tree and decorated the inside of my home, so that is not the problem. But, there is not one gift under the tree; although I do have some gifts purchased, they just aren’t wrapped. I think that I am in a tiny bit of a funk, and I can’t shake this mood. For the next few days, I will ask Alexa (I love Alexa) to play Christmas music to see if it will help jumpstart my ho-hum attitude.
Most of the problem is that I will not be seeing family members, and I am sure most of you feel the same way. My daughter won’t be coming in from Alaska, and she only asked for money for Christmas. I am not traveling to Tennessee to see family, so all of their gifts have been mailed, and the ones going to my sister’s family in Georgia.
Joe and I bought our own Christmas presents, so they will not be wrapped and under the tree. However, he did ask me to bake his favorite Red Velvet Cake for our Christmas dinner, so maybe I will put a big red bow on top of the icing. My son asked for a chair, which he ordered, and my DIL asked for a handbag, and she already got it. It is a good thing that I have a couple of grandchildren that live next door, or I wouldn’t have a thing to put under the tree. Well, almost nothing under the tree since that is where my cat has taken up residence. Lol! She will be disappointed when I take the tree down. Should I leave it up for another 5 or 6 years like I did the last one? Hahaha
I might not be in the Christmas spirit, but I don’t have to look like I am down in the dumps. I ordered this Leopard Print turtleneck sweater dress a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it would be perfect for a Christmas photo with the family. Black and white are my favorite classic color combinations, and I think this combo always looks elegant. I love how the sweater dress had black trim at the hem, the sleeves, and the neckline, and how it has the “poof” at the shoulders. I am not always a fan of puff shoulders since they can be too poofy to wear a cardigan or jacket, but the puff is small on this dress, so it worked out fine. The dress also comes with a sash belt, but I don’t like calling attention to my waist, so I left the belt off. I normally wear a size 12 in dresses, so I ordered a large, and it fits perfectly! Did I mention that this dress is under $20.00???
I am sure all of you have heard the joke about what is black and white and read all over…. the newspaper. That is always what I think about when I add red to a black and white outfit. I think that red punches up this dress’s look, but I wish that I had added a brooch/pin to the jacket. A pin would have been cute and added a little something extra to the look. The red blazer is one that I’ve had for a while, so it is almost completely sold out. I’ll find you some similar options to check out, though, because everyone should get a red blazer. They make you feel polished and special.
Some people might be like I used to be and refuse to wear red, so I added this cream faux-leather moto jacket to the dress to give you another option. When I took these photos, I hadn’t bought my cream ankle boots, but they would have looked great with the jacket. I need to style that look soon, especially since this jacket is on sale at a great price! The jacket is soft and subtle, and it is lightweight and not binding. The faux-leather looks amazing, and the silver hardware is heavy and sturdy. This jacket looks luxurious and expensive, and who doesn’t like that? Because it is faux-leather, the jacket can be machine-washed, which is a huge plus in my book. You can wear this moto jacket with jeans, or a dress like I did today, and I love that it helps you look modern and stylish. The cream-colored moto jacket becomes the visual focus against the black and white background and adds elegance to the look.
I added a pair of fleece-lined tights to hide my ghostly white legs and give me some much-needed warmth. You know that I am always cold, so I love wearing tights that are fleece-lined to help keep me warm. I am wearing the L/XL size because I hate constantly having to tug and pull on tights that are too tight or too short.
The black pointy-toe suede boots are by Vince Camuto, and I LOVE this pair. You can’t see the scrunch detail since the boots are black, but they look so cute in person. I was afraid that my large calves wouldn’t fit in these boots, but I don’t have any trouble wearing these at all, but they are available in a wide calf version also. The Tortilla color, which sold out quickly, has been restocked in several sizes, and I know that color has been one of the most popular colors this fall. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones whose size is back in stock. I sized up and ordered a 9.5 instead of my usual size 9, and they fit me great.
The jewelry that I added works for all of the styles. My large AVI hoop earrings (probably my favorite earring) and the multi-chain magnetic Ryder bracelet are by Kendra Scott. And, the long beaded tassel Y-necklace is from Chico’s, and you will find yourself wearing this necklace with a lot of different clothing. The beads catch your eye, and the style is perfect for most looks.
So, did you like the dress? Which is your favorite way to wear the dress?
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To God Goes The Glory!
Luke 1:26-33
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Thanks for being honest about things being different this year with you and being in a slight funk. So many of us are in the same situation and it seems to help to know we are all in this together.
Love the dress and the price! Just don’t need another dress. Our church is on line only again through January. And that was basically the only place I have gone observing social distance there.
We had Christmas outside Tuesday with our younger son and family as it was a pretty day. Our older son and family came and we visited and exchanged presents on the deck at a distance as they have been exposed to Covid and are quarantined.
My husband and I will be home alone today and Christmas Day and are thankful we are healthy. Jesus is the reason for the season!
不知道说什么好,还是祝疫情早点结束吧!
Tania, you look pretty as always. Thank you for being honest! I feel like so many on social media etc are acting as if the decor and fashion etc should just carry right on as if nothing is happening. I have not seen our kids 3 out of 4 for a year. Our youngest we have seen once along with the new baby. It’s just to hard to pretend all is ok. My faith has grown this year so much so I just keep praying and focusing on our Lord. May God bless you in the new year!
Love the entire outfit! Love your inspirational blog. Merry Christmas!
I’m in a “mood,” too, Tania. Our Christmas Eve services this year are by reservation only—whoever heard of such a thing?! We will be limited to about 25% capacity, so instead of hundreds singing and rejoicing, there will be only about 150 worshippers per service. Our children and grandchildren won’t be gathering with us. And although we have tried to do our part in patronizing restaurants and other small businesses, the strain and sadness of the owners and workers, worrying about whether their livelihood will survive, is depressing. It will take a mighty effort to lift spirits this year. My best wishes to all.
Love the entire look, especially the cream jacket. I immediately ordered through your link at Chico’s. Merry Christmas!
I like the dress without a jacket. Love the necklace.
I am with you. My house is a disaster, didn’t even put up a tree, gifts are everywhere needing to be wrapped. My DIL came down with Covid, and I had been around her once, so I’ve been quarantining until I could take a test. In the meantime, my mother called off her Christmas get-together, where we were all supposed to get to meet my sister’s new first grandchild. Bummed! My Covid test did come back negative though, as I expected. Then last night my sister called and said, don’t feel like your family is the Grinch; Michael just tested positive today (the baby’s father). So now all of them are exposed. Bah, Humbug! I would be wishing for 2021 but my SIL just found out she has cancer so 2021 may pick up for us right where 2020 leaves off.
LOVE the dress — you look GREAT! However, I am worried that it would be too short on me. Looks great with the tights and boots; I think my favorite is the middle picture — just the dress! Merry Christmas!
You really rock this look! I’m not always a fan of animal print but this dress is a big exception and looks fantastic with all of the ways you wore it. The boots and tights are great too. Have a Merry Christmas!
We skipped the outdoor lights this year because we were painting the exterior. We usually get them up the day after Thanksgiving before it gets cold. Oddly it’s still warm then but just two weeks later it’s down 20° and raining. Lights going up in rain no good. And I plan to wrap today because our first Christmas celebration is about 150 miles away, so we are taking our coach and coming home early Sunday and then straight to another celebration closer to home. It seems in this day and age when hardly anyone stays married to the same person there are so many custody conflicts making the holidays a chore! So sad. But we’ll muddle on through. I also think that all my delayed packages will be a welcome post Christmas uplift!
I love the jacket. I’m not a red person but my friend in Florida knitted me two infinity scarfs. One plain red and one with sparkly yarn. I can just see that kinda scarf on you. I wore both of the with my J Crew puffer coat from last year. Got compliments on both days so I’m inspired to wear more red. My mom had a huge collection of cashmere mock necks and cardies. Most had stains or holes from moths but I salvaged a few and one is a red cardigan. They all came from Macy’s Charter Club brand bought over the years. If I screw up the courage to wear a bright red Rudolph nose sweater I’ll email you a picture.
Thanks for your lovely gift to my friend’s salon. She was blown away by it.
🎄 Jesus is the reason for the season, just saying. So have a God filled glorious day and let’s pray for a better year next year.
Liane
Leggings would’ve been better than the tights – they look too bulky. I do like the sweater but not the rest of the items.
Love this outfit it looks awesome on you and the price is fantastic!!
They should use you in the ad for this dress as you look so much better in it than their model. Love it with the cream jacket.
I’m with you Tania; there’s something lacking heading into Christmas this year…but it’s that way for most everyone I think because we’re still in the midst of this deadly pandemic. My husband has lost 2 friends due to the virus. It can’t help but be depressing; so many gone.
Anyway, we are mustering the spirit, grateful for all that we have.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
As far as the outfits, I’m partial to the dress with the cream jacket. It looks “higher” fashion like that to me. When you add the cream boots – Wow! That will be stunning!
How pretty! The cream moto jacket is my favorite look.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love this dress! Thanks to your post, I just ordered it from Target and am picking it up in a couple of hours. With leggings, it will be a soft and cozy look for Christmas Day at home – sans belt, of course!
I loved all of the different looks, but my favorite one was with the red.
I am loving your blog…I am trying to think when I am
putting my clothes together.
Thank you!
Well, you just look darling! You have such style. I just keep trying to remember there are better days ahead. If we can get those who are sick back on their feet, and the rest of us stay well, that’s all we can hope and pray for.
Love every outfit! Highly recommend putting on the Christmas music and singing along to get you in the spirit!
Have a wonderful Christmas and a brighter new year!
Love, Love the dress!!
I think you look wonderful…elegant, classic and hip all at he same time. Have a Merry Christmas
Linda
I love this entire look!
LOL, but all I can think about when I look at these pictures is Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmations! But I do love those boots!!!
Unfortunately, most of us are in that funk with you. Two thirds of my family are in one location with my great granddaughter, the rest of will be here. A little time together on Christmas Eve, and a little more on Christmas Day. Adding to that, I was exposed to Covid at my hair salon, luckily, so far anyway, my test last night was negative. Praying for your family affected with it, Tania.
Love the dress, good looking for holidays or anytime, especially with red jacket!
Merry Christmas!
Wow, Tanya, you have such a gift for putting outfits together and making everything look like a million bucks! Yes, it’s hard to feel merry this Christmas, isn’t it? Thanking God for the deeper, quiet joy and peace He provides us in Christ Jesus.
Not a fan of the dress…reminds me too much of Cruella Daville, the villian in 101 Dalmations
Trish you totally cracked me up!
I really like the black and white outfit. The red adds a nice pop of color. As usual, you look awesome modeling the outfits.
I too feel a bit off this holiday season. There are no presents under out tree either.Put up the decorations in hopes that it would make me feel festive. Not doing any holiday baking cause I’ll be the only one eating all those sweet treats. We won’t be spending it with our children or grandchild which makes me very sad. Praying the New Year brings us back to the “normal” we long for. Don’t think I can go another year with out hugging my love ones.
Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday season.
Love the black and white accented with red! I am feeling down in the dumps this holiday season. Just praying this pandemic has an end.
I really like the dress and boots! Wish you could see the boots better, but don’t know what you could wear on your legs other than the black…..
you look lovely as always, the boots make the outfit!
I’ve always loved black and white with a touch of red! (I remember that newspaper joke too!) Love the look. Merry Christmas Tanya
Not a fan of the dress, nor the jackets. However the tights and boots are very attractive. Would like to see more plaid inspired outfits.