January Shades

images via jcrew tumblr

January can usually feel like a drag, once the intensity of the holiday subsides.

Want to know how to beat the winter blues?

Pair a neutral or pastel outfit with bright and colorful accessories!

The light colors represent cloudy, snowy days while the brights perk them up!

Now that's a sure fire way to turn drab into fab!!

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Guest Post: IHOD {In Honor of Design}

Introducing you to one of my very first and one of my very favorite blogger gals, Anna from In Honor of Design!!
This beauty has uber talent and an incredibly huge heart!
Take it away girlfriend....!!

I am seriously so excited to be a guest over here at Coral Cafe. Drew has impeccable taste and I was kind of intimidated to be a guest, but  she also happens to be one of the sweetest bloggers I have met in the blogosphere, so how could I say no?? ;)

I wanted to share with you all one of my favorite color trends hitting the fashion world that I am DYING to try this season. Crimson Orange and Endive. I simply would have never thought to combine these colors, but I took a glance at a few of these photos to realize they were made to turn dreary winter days upside down. Even if the color pops are subtle like a lip or nail color, it just seems to work magically as if they were always meant to be. What do you think? Should I give it a go? You can check with me over at IHOD to see if I follow through with it this winter:)

Wishing you all a blessed Holiday Season!

~Anna~

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Thanks so much for sharing this incredibly gorgeous color combo, Anna!
I've got ideas in my closet to recreate this look now!

P.S. If you ladies haven't already, you MUST check out Anna's Holiday Gift Guide 2011!!
There are some incredible gifts and ideas to cater to your entire holiday list!
The layout is incredibly beautiful, too, which has me checking back to glance at it constantly!

Guest Post: Small Shop

Erika. Small Shop. Large style. Huge talent! I am so happy I ran across Erika's blog and her assortment of graphic bits! I am always looking for inspiration from ladies that have a passion for graphic design. I found one that meets every expectation I have for a mega graphic star! She's here to share some key winter must-haves today and it's time I let her take it away!

Hello Coral Cafe-inators, I'm Erika from small shop! So happy that Drew asked me to fill in whilst she is enjoying some time off with her family. I'm guessing I'm a new introduction to most of you, so let me first tell you I am a graphic designer (but I fancifully refer to myself as a "brand stylist") and therefore I tend to like fancy, pretty things....which are often out of my budget. But I do believe in quality, especially in the winter months, when good ingredients really do count for something! So here is my "Winter Checklist" that I like to replenish with a few new items every winter:

*carry-all black tote
We all need one to lug around our sweaters and gifts while shopping, right? I'll be putting one on my Christmas list this year, and this number by Cynthia Vincent is practical, sizeable and stylish.

*cashmere, cashmere, cashmere
Yes I need lots of cashmere in my life come winter, and this chunky James Perse piece is perfection. (Okay, so it doesn't get THAT cold here in So. Cal. but having that extra warmth is quite nice -- I'm a Hawaii girl, cut me some slack!). And don't forget to take care of your cashmere, so you can keep your pieces for years!

*dark nail lacquer
Vampy, sexy, and goes so well with all those darker hues of winter. I'm itching to try Butter London's La Moss...oh la la!

*best lip balm (ever)
La Mer is a splurge for sure, but it will last you all winter, and well into spring. It's soft, supple and just what the doctor ordered for our poor puckers this season.

*a nice hand soap
Who wants to catch a nasty winter cold when there is so much shopping and partying to be had? Invest in a nice line like Molton Brown so that your hands don't get as dry as they could be with less expensive (read: watery) brands. Plus it smells good too.

*signature scarf
Whatever your signature scarf is, wear it with pride. I received a Burberry keeper as a Christmas gift a few years back, and of course I don it all the time! Really the best accessory.

*day or night boots
Tall brown boots like these DVF's are just fine for our light winters out here - just enough to get me off the ground when wet, and covers up enough leg to keep me warm. Plus, goes with everything!

*a luxurious lotion
I have tried to budget-buy the body lotion. It just doesn't work. Besides, think of it this way: you don't have to use pricey perfume when you put a fragrant cream on like the new Diptyque line -- double-duty!

*lots of jeans!
I am obsessed with Mother "The Looker" jeans. Obsessed! I have them in three washes, and honestly, I would buy more if they were cheaper. They're heavier than "jeggings" (yuck!) but stretchy like yoga pants. Hey, I've had a kid and these still don't give me muffin top. I'm just sayin'...great investment.

So there you have it! Hopefully I've introduced a few of you to some new faves -- I know it can be scary to spend a ton of $$ on an unfamiliar product!

What are some of your winter splurges? Come tell me at my neck of the 'net, small shop!

Thank you ever so much, Erika, for this list of winter must haves! Hopefully it will help some of you get ideas on what to snag today while out in the hustle and bustle carrying your first load of shopping bags!

I need to go try on a pair of those jeans and sample some of that double duty lotion!

Now you MUST go check out Erika's creations and designs!

Time to change the wardrobes

It all of a sudden just got really, really chilly so I was forced to finally make the swap from summer clothes to fall & winter clothes! For me it's a whole process...I clean, organize, give away and throw away. When switching your wardrobes it's important to show your most wearable items in the front or most easiest access in your closet. I learned this tip from my sis and it works wonders!

I love winter snow boots and own a bundle of bedroom slippers to keep the footsies warm.

I've also added leg warmers and long socks to cover up the legs when wearing skirts and dresses.

I certainly can't resist the cuteness factor of them, either!

If you know me personally, you know that I adore my comfies!! Usually it's scrunched up sweatpants or those PJ pants that look like long johns. I looove long, slouchy shirts when lounging around. They're just so loose and cozy! I must admit,  I can sometimes be caught in public wearing my comfies, while running errands (or going to a matinée). I embarrass some while bumming it, but I giggle and do it anyway ;)

I can NOT resist the adorable scarves, gloves and toboggans that show up in winter! I've collected more gloves than I need and have a scarf to match practically every outfit if I wanted it to. Of course, earmuffs are extremely important for mountain weather. It's a good thing all of these items that keep us warm are  extremely adorable!

Last, but absolutely not least, layers. When a long sleeved shirt is not enough, you must add a sweater and coat to keep out the chill. I really like the look of layers, whether it be cardigans and sweaters over flannel shirts or leg warmers over top leggings and boots. However you layer it, be sure to keep warm!

Have you made the wardrobe switch yet? 

Silly question... I'm sure you have since it's NOVEMBER already!!

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