A Month of Holiday Outfits: Inspiration - Saddleback Leather Co.

This post includes a review of Saddleback Leather Co. I was gifted the bag for a review of their product and appropriate links in the post. No money was exchanged for this review.

I decided to create this holiday outfit around a small bucket bag I was gifted by Saddleback Leather Co. I thought it would be the perfect piece to build an outfit around that might include some Christmas shopping or lunch with my hubby or a girlfriend. It also made me think about the idea that not everyone wants to look overly festive. Many women (and men) would rather not be known as the ugly Christmas sweater winners at their holiday work parties, and like a more understated, classic look revolving around winter shades and textures.

Let’s start with the bag, since that is the focus of this holiday outfit. Saddleback Leather Co. has a very interesting story, and you would be remiss if you didn’t hop on over to their website and read it. Click on the link here. I always enjoy hearing about how these companies get started, and what keeps them going. There motto is “They’ll Fight Over it When You’re Dead”.

Leather is expensive, there is no way around it, and quality leather goods are even more expensive, but leather is also beautiful, durable, long lasting, and it smells so good, especially when you first take it out of the package, or walk into a leather store!

This cute, mini bucket bag is the perfect size for those days when you just need a few items. I can easily fit my wallet, keys, a small notebook and a few other odds and ends like tissues, hand sanitizer, and lip gloss. This bag has a sturdy drawstring to cinch in the top, so things don’t spill out, a back pocket that would be perfect for your phone, and an adjustable strap that clips on with stout clips that won’t break or slip off. The only thing I would like added is a snap or magnet to keep the flap secure. Overall, this is a durable, stylish bag that works perfectly as a cross body type, keeping it close and keeping your hands free.

I chose my outfit based on the bag color. The website calls this color Chestnut, but to me it has a bit of a burgundy vibe. I chose my burgundy, corduroy, cropped vest that was a last holiday season purchase from Maurices.

I really like gray with burgundy, so I opted for this a.n.a. tunic button down from JC Penney that is a few years old.

To add just a tiny bit of holiday pizzazz I added this short Christmas colored neck scarf. This was a second hand find.

My skinny jeans are a thrifted Lane Bryant pair. Don’t judge me for wearing skinny jeans. I still love them best for tucking in to tall boots.

My SO suede boots were a hand-me-over from my oldest daughter.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit and this introduction to Saddleback Leather Co. In addition to the amazing bags they carry, that have other leather products as well. They are also involved in a ministry called Love 41. You can read more about that by clicking on the link. If you are looking for quality leather products that come with a 100 year warranty, for that special someone who has everything check out Saddleback.

Have a great week!

Styling into the Holidays - Part 3: Dressed Up

I couldn’t finish this series without a shout out to those of you who have fancier events to attend at the holidays, especially New Years. While today’s outfit is not black tie attire, I think it would do well for an evening out for dinner and a show, like the Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. Many years ago, my mother, and father-in-law got my husband and I, along with his sister and her husband tickets to this holiday ballet. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had just been my sister-in-law and I. Ha, ha. My spouse does not appreciate ballet anymore than the color pink. He’s such a goof, but I love him.

I was helping my hubby pick out a shirt for the university December graduation ceremony that he was attending this morning, and while he is donned in his regalia, he still likes to look presentable under the robe. He was wearing black pants and asked if I would pick out a shirt for him. I ended up giving him a navy button down.

“Is it okay to wear black with navy,” he questioned.

I assured him any color can be worn with any other color and it also served as the inspiration for today’s outfit. I already had the blouse on, as I was using it as part of my Instagram outfit. It is one of the dressiest blouses I own. With that beginning I began looking through my skirts and settled on this beautiful navy, velvet piece with pleats. This was a Kohl’s clearance purchase a few year ago and is Chaps brand.

In my opinion pleated skirts never go out of style, nor does velvet, making it the perfect choice for fancier attire. An added bonus is that this skirt is warm, which is helpful on a chilly winter night.

The combination of this thrifted Jaclyn Smith satin blouse and the vest gives the outfit a classy academic vibe, and also adds more of an hour glass silhouette. This Rachel Zoe vest was a recent TJ Maxx clearance purchase. I have been looking for a waistcoat of this sort since they were trending back in the spring. I had all but decided they were only intended for the slender folk to wear, so low and behold when I saw this, tried it on and it fit I was super excited. It is definitely going to be used all year round.

You can also see my delicate gold jewelry, chosen for its association with the Silver and Gold song sung by Burl Ives. Ha, ha.

The black, faux fur, No Boundaries bomber was a gift a few years ago from my hubby for Christmas. I never think to pull it out once the temperatures plummet, but when I was taking these pictures I was totally cozy with it on. The draw back is that it is short and in the cold weather I like my bum and thighs to be covered. That is exactly why it is perfect for an outfit like this where you will be mostly in and out and not standing outside for a long time.

Style Tip: Fabrics like velvet, fur and silk or satin will add panache to any outfit, whether you are wearing jeans or tweed. If you are attending a function, but don’t want to go the whole gambit of a dress or skirt, try a dark wash pair of dress jeans with a silk blouse, and heels. You will look like a million bucks!

My Steve Madden, velvet, heeled ankle boots were a thrift find. Who knew they would work beautifully with the velvet skirt? A classy, heeled ankle boot is a great alternative to regular heels in the cold weather.

My sparkly clutch typically makes an appearance on the blog when I am showing off an outfit that is more dressed up. It was a good purchase all those years back. In the photo below you can’t really notice the sparkles. Ha, ha.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this more dressed up outfit. It was fun to put together, and afterwards I showed the pictures to my spouse and said, “You need to give me an excuse to get dressed up like this more often.” Ha, ha. I’m not subtle at all.

I interspersed shopping links throughout the article. You can just click on a picture to find out more about the piece as far as brand, store and pricing. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

There will be no fashion posts for the week of Christmas and New Years as I am going to take a little break and hope to get back to see my mom and other friends and family in NY between Christmas and New Years.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!