Monday’s Moodboard: The Little Black Dress

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With holiday parties approaching, ’tis the season to celebrate! The Little Black Dress, that icon of Parisian chic that is the epitome of timeless perfection, is our go-to outfit for transitioning from the office to the town, from a luncheon to a date night. All it takes is the right accessories and violà - you’re ready to paint the town red in your LBD!

Here’s a roundup of some of our very favorite LBD looks, plus some new Lace Affair arrivals that have us begging for just the right occasion!

{Brigitte Bardot}

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{Catherine Deneuve}

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{Mila Kunis}

{Marilyn Monroe}

{Emma Stone}

Row 1: Smitten With the Night Peplum Dress, $36.99. Empire State of Mind Dress, $38.99. Caught Up in You Dress, $79.99. 

Row 2: The Carey Dress, $39.99. Layered in Luxury Dress, $74.99. The Sophia Dress, $44.99. 

xo, Lace Affair

Recipe Roundup: Thanksgiving Edition

With so much to be thankful for this holiday season, it’s no surprise that we’re counting down the days until our loved ones gather around the dinner table for a feast fit for kings. Love, laughter, wine and warm wishes will be shared. While longtime family recipes are sure to be a staple, here are some Thanksgiving recipes that seem simply too diving to not share! Whip them up in the kitchen while swapping stories, listening to festive music and laughing with your favorite people. After all, ’tis the season!

Grilled Brie with Honey & Trail Mix vie Eat Live Run

Golden Beet Salad with Cider Vinegar Dressing via Sprouted Kitchen 

Apricot-Glazed Turkey with Fresh Herb Gravy via Food & Wine 

Honey Dinner Rolls via Averie Cooks

Asiago Sweet Potatoes via Fresh 365

Honey Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts via Simple Bites

Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Apples via The Pioneer Woman

Pecan Pie Brownies via Just a Taste

The perfect post-Turkey Day leftover recipe! Cranberry Turkey Sandwich via No. 2 Pencil 

What are your Thanksgiving table staples?

xo, Lace Affair

Wordless Wednesday

The midweek hump is easily remedied by a few keys things: lovely images, motivational words and a healthy dose of adorable animal photos. Here’s hoping your week turns from ho-hum to happy!

Nature’s Kiss

The Always Lovely Lauren Conrad

Puppy Love

Cookies (almost) too pretty to eat, via Lulu’s Sweet Secrets

Words of women from Diane Von Furstenberg

Monet‘s home in Giverny, France 

Live Colorfully

Croissants are the cure

Simply Stated

xo, Lace Affair

Collar Confidential

The statement collar craze is back and here to stay, thanks to a massive presence on the runways and the style staple’s ability to both bring an ultra-feminine outfit down a notch and dress up a pair of jeans and a plain tee. From Edie Sedgwick to Rachel Bilson, the stars who have dared to wear dramatic collars are the true style setters. It takes a bit of confidence to rock a collar with ease, but once you do, there’s no going back! Here are some of our favorite collared-up cool looks that are inspiring us to ditch the necklace and reach for something a bit more bold!

Rachel Bilson

Louis Vuitton SS12

Wit + Delight

Hilary Rhoda

 The Fancy

Gary Pepper

Pinterest

 Catherine Deneuve

Get the look and rock our lovely Northern Light Collar for a flirty take on the statement piece!

xo, Lace Affair

Tips for a Tantalizing Thanksgiving Table

 {via pinterest}

For us, Thanksgiving feels like the official start of the Holiday Season. While Halloween is fancy and fun, Thanksgiving marks the moment when we realize that we have a whole lot to be thankful for. For a holiday that’s all about family, friends, love and giving thanks, why not scale back and keep the decor simple and serene? We’re loving these easy DIY table ideas for a lovely holiday feast where the focus can stay on gratitude and blessings.

DIY Monogram Cord Place Cards make an individual statement {via Camille Styles}

Spray paint tiny pumpkins and gourds a shiny metallic hue for a luminous look {via Martha Stewart}

Neon Pine Cone Placecard Holders injected an unexpected dose of feminine color to a conventional table {via Camille Styles}

Individual Sugar Cone Cornucopias make a sweet parting treat for guests {via Simple Girl at Home}

Wheat in glass bottles spells out a meaningful message in rustic style {via Centsational Girl}

Create a Thankful Tree for an interactive way to display messages of thanks! {via Simply Vintagegirl}

xo, Lace Affair

Street Style Roundup: Resplendent in Red

 Brigitte Bardot {via Life}

Few colors have the same dynamite impact as red. The shade can go from sultry to sweet to siren and back, jumping from ravishing to romantic, then head towards darling and demure. It’s really all about how you wear this brazen hue that determines your mood and the aura you’ll give off! Here are some red-hot looks from the streets we simply can’t stop raving over – proving that individual takes on a punchy statement color can run the full gamut!

{via the glamourai}

 {via cupcakes and cashmere} 

 {via chictopia}

{via sea of shoes}

{via chictopia}

{via pinterest}

Try some of our favorite Lace Affair pieces to rev up the heat and add a dash of spice to your coming-into-winter wardrobe!

Across the Candlelight Dress, $44.99. Frankly, Scarlett Umbrella, $27.99. Cascades of Crimson Dress, $44.99. Treasure of the Night Ring, $11.99. Lacey and Lovely Dress in Red, $48.99. Crimson Curtsy Tights, $12.99. Lace Me Up Headband in Maroon, $18.99.

xo, Lace Affair

Inspired By: The Great Kates!

There are certain unforgettable looks that we can’t help but want to recreate. Looks so stunning they leave us dying to reinvent the getup with our own individual twist. This week, this trio of beautiful women – all sharing the same moniker and an innate sense of style – are charming us.

Kate Bosworth can do no wrong, but she really nails the whimsical sweater trend by pairing her adorable pullover with ladylike classics: a pencil skirt, a bow detail at the waist, and a prim clutch.

Hoot Haven Sweater, $38.99. Satin Starlet Skirt, $34.99. You’ve Got Mail Purse, $32.99. Princess Kate Ring Duo, $7.99.

No one does preppy perfection quite like Princess Kate. A structured blazer paired with the perfect skinny jeans make this a super-simple look to throw together on a rainy day. And what’s an English girl to do without a spot of tea?!

Prepped for Piping Blazer, $37.99. Grey Skies Begone Umbrella, $24.99. A Spot of Tea Ring, $18.99.

Kate Moss can make even the most seemingly random pairings seem utterly natural. Proving neutral is twice as nice with a tan dress and ivory blazer, a low-slung black belt adds a dash of rock-and-roll cool to this sophisticated street look.

Born to Blush Blazer, $46.99. Rock Your Body Dress, $42.99. Go For the Gold Belt in Black, $10.99. Magnificent as Maleficent Earrings, $10.99. 

Who’s your favorite Kate?

xo, Lace Affair

Recipe Roundup: Soups for the Soul

It’s late October, and we’re currently craving several things: cable knit sweaters and cashmere cardigans, a stack of novels to lose ourselves in, and warm soup to nourish our soul! Here are some healthy, hearty seasonal recipes that are perfect to make in a big batch, serve for a dinner party, or freeze in individual portions for easy weeknight meals. Let’s get cooking!

Pumpkin and Rice Soup via 101 Cookbooks

 Beef Daube Provençale via Cooking Light

Simple Tomato Soup via Edible Perspective

Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Bacon & Gorgonzola via Steamy Kitchen

French Onion & Apple Soup via Cooking Light

Spiced Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk via Sprouted Kitchen 

xo, Lace Affair