Guest Blogger: Brooklyn Blonde

Today's Guest Blogger: Helena from Brooklyn Blonde

{While I am away in the snowy mountains of Vermont, please give my guest bloggers a warm welcome!}

Winter has always been one of my favorite seasons in terms of fashion. Sure, sometimes it takes multiple layers to keep warm, but I love the cozy accessories, knits and textures. Here are my favorite winter essentials.

Headbands and Head Turbans

Platforms in jewel tone colors and fun textures, like velvet. Jessica Simpson Dany in Plum Velvet Worn here.

Festive shades of lipstick

Hats! I cannot get enough of them.

Fur collars to spruce up a regular sweater or jacket

Faux Fur jackets and leather gloves

Chunky scarves! I own so many but get so much use of them. The perfect finish to an outfit while keeping you warm.

Thank you to Lynzy for letting me guest blog! I had so much fun putting this post together.
Love, Helena from BrooklynBlonde

Guest Blogger: Jenny From The Block

Today's Guest Blogger: Jenny from "Jenny From the Block"

{While I am away in the snowy mountains of Vermont, please give my guest bloggers a warm welcome!}

Forever 21 cardigan/scarf/lace-up boots, Nine West messenger bag, Gap button-up, DIY jean shorts and beret

I'm much more of a day person than a night person (or at least I'd like to be) but lately I've become such an insomniac that it's truthfully impossible to get out of bed before noon. So today my boyfriend dragged me out in the morning to grab some brunch and browse some stores for gift-buying. It still was way too early to look prim but at least I was cozy in this cute Forever 21 cardigan (it's braided at the ends even though you can't see it in this picture). Hope everyone has an amazing weekend and a fun and safe NYE! Cheers :)

Guest Blogger: O My Heart!

Today's Guest Blogger: Kate from "O My Heart"

{While I am away in the snowy mountains of Vermont, please give my guest bloggers a warm welcome!}

Hi Sparkling Footsteps readers!

I'm Kate from O My Heart, filling in for Lynzy who is off frolicking in the mountains of Vermont! I was thrilled when Lynzy asked me to do a guest post for her - my first guest post ever, so bare with me!

She thought it might be a good idea to do a holiday inspired post, so here I am in one of my holiday party outfits. House parties are always a difficult thing to dress for, because you never quite know what people are going to be wearing - you see everything from jeans to full on party frocks! But, if there's ever a time to over do it a little, it's holiday time! I topped this with a little cardigan & hoped for the best!

Holiday dressing can also be downright expensive, so one of my favorite things to do this year to mix things up is to play with fun tights instead of buying whole new outfits! Your favorite dresses can take on a whole new look by switching up your plain black tights for something in a fun print or color!

Top: Winners, Skirt: H&M, Tights: H&M, Booties: Spring, Earrings: H&M

Thanks so much for reading & thanks to Lynzy for having me! I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday!

Guest Blogger: See Anna Jane

Today's Guest Blogger: Anna Jane from "See Anna Jane"

{While I am away in the snowy mountains of Vermont, please give my guest bloggers a warm welcome!}

BB Dakota coat (via Gilt), Theory scarf, J Crew shirt, J Brand jeans, Zara boots (worn here) + socks, Chloé bag

Hi there! I'm Anna Jane from See Jane. The lovely Lynzy asked me to guest blog while she's hitting the slopes in Vermont (lucky). As much as I love to dress up, wear skirts, and get fancy, sometimes it's just not conducive to certain daily tasks. When I arrived in Ohio for Christmas, it was cold, snowy, and I still had tons of shopping to do. Although skirts and dresses made up the majority of my suitcase, I didn't feel much like wearing a pair of heels to waltz around Menards (seriously). Luckily, I packed the Midwestern basics consisting of jeans and boots; then, wrap yourself in a huge scarf and you're ready to brave the Great Lakes chill.

A little more about me, in case you're interested: I'm a brown-eyed , youngest of four, Scorpio who lives in Chicago with my fiancé. Although we're both from Ohio, we've decided to get married in Mexico this upcoming spring. I love the colors black and coral (but not necessarily together), french fries, and am a frequent flier/traveler for work that leads me to have a massive amounts of airline miles and hotel points, which in turn contributes to my affinity for traveling the globe. I have been obsessed with clothes for as long as I can remember and even insisted on doing my own laundry at a young age because I wanted to ensure that my favorite items would be available for me to wear.
I hope that you enjoyed my guest post and if you have any questions, please feel free to email or tweet me.

Guest Blogger: Style By Santina

Today's Guest Blogger: Santina from "Style by Santina"

{While I am away in the snowy mountains of Vermont, please give my guest bloggers a warm welcome!}

Hey there! I’m Santina from Style by Santina. When I saw Lynzy’s call for guest bloggers, I thought I’d bring a little sunshine to the holiday season…and I’m not just talking about a summer frock! If you read my blog, you’ll know that I left Portland a few months back to live on a beach in Mexico. While I’m watching most of my favorite bloggers bundle up with layer upon layers (and looking absolutely adorable while doing so), I’m finding new ways to wear summer essentials, as well as trying to make the most of my very limited closet. (Yes, I left nearly everything in storage back in Portland.)

Shirt: Brooklyn Industries (borrowed from my boyfriend)

Dress (worn as skirt): Staring at Stars (Urban Outfitters)

Necklace: J. Crew

Bracelet: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marc by Marc, Boston)

Shoes: MIA (Nordstrom Rack)

I immediately knew what shoes I would wear for my guest post on Sparkling Footsteps: the shiniest pair I have with me, these gold pointy-toed flats. And so my outfit began with the shoes, as it so often does. Lately I’ve taken to expanding my closet by borrowing from my boyfriend, and this shirt is one of my favorites of his. It’s no secret that I love a menswear inspired look, but I always balance it with something feminine – be it a pair of heels, girly accessories, or a skirt. After looking for a skirt and coming up with nothing, this dress caught my eye. The print made the shirt feel more safari than military chic, and the empire waist is perfect for tying up a button down. While I tend to add a pop of color to neutral looks, on this day I decided to add a few more gold accents with a cuff and necklace.

Guest Blogger: Paperplanes and Maryjanes

Today's post is from Gaby of Paperplanes and Maryjanes <www.paperplanesandmaryjanes.blogspot.com>, a personal style and lifestyle blog that recognizes the daily influence of rock and roll. Gaby lives in New York City.

Christmas has come and gone: presents have been distributed, unwrapped and they now ready to be returned. Before you head back to the mall to trade in the chenille sweater from your favorite aunt, take some advice from someone who returns everything and has spent much time on the other end of the counter the week after Christmas.

{source shoponline2011.com}

1. Bring your own bag and loose the box. When I worked retail, there was nothing more annoying than someone handing over their unwanted gift still in the box. Unless you’re offering a present to the sales associate, leave the box at home. The box and bag will not be reused by the store and the store will be much to busy for piling up garbage. Recycle the box and shopping bag at home if you don’t want it and bring your returns in a reusable tote.
2. Save the gift card. Sure, now that shopping for others is over you just can’t wait to head out and get all of the items you were drooling over this past month. But I guarantee there is nothing sweeter than free money to spruce up your spring and summer wardrobe. Hold onto those gift cards!
3. Take advantage of other departments. Let’s be honest- there are some stores that you just don’t shop in for clothes. So return the clothes and head to another department. Those geeky pajamas could potentially be the new food processor or tripod you’ve been meaning to buy.
4. Check the return policy. Even after the holiday, most stores still print receipts with their holiday return policy, which usually extends to mid-January. However, if the usually return policy is 30 or 60 days, mid-Jan is no deal for you. Check with the associate to make sure you can apply the store’s typical policy to your purchase.

5. Save the money cards. Here is scenario: you use a Visa gift card to buy yourself something nice. You toss the card and later realize that something isn’t as nice as you once thought. You can now only return that unwanted item for store credit. When you return something on a card, the money must be returned to the same exact card. So be prepared for store credit if you trash the plastic.

6. Take it easy, guy! There is no need to rush out the door on the 26^th and try to fight crowds larger than those on Black Friday. Unless you’re heading to a department store with deal busters, the sales are going to last. After the holiday, stores do major markdowns, a price cut on items that will remain until the item leaves the store (or gets cut even lower). The deals will still be there on the 27^th!

A tiny owl told me...Happy Holidays!

Jacket: TJ Maxx, Chambray Shirt: H&M, Skirt: NY and Company, Tights: Cynthia Rowley, Boots: Urban Outfitters

I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday this weekend! Although I will be spending Christmas Day in the emergency room working; I have Christmas Eve off and will be enjoying:

1.) Warm toasty fires

2.) Spending time with family and friends

3.) An amazing Christmas Eve Dinner with family-overindulging

4.) Watching everyone open gifts seeing their expressions

5.) The annual Yankee gift swap

What are you looking forward to?!

I will be away next week. I am headed to the snowy mountains of Vermont and will be sure to take many pictures to share with all of you. While I am away- I will have some amazing guest bloggers to fill in for me. Please give them a warm welcome :)

My favorite Christmas ornament for our tree. I wanted to hang it outside amongst the outdoors, he looks so cute!

Thrifting, I love everything about you.

Thrifted: Blouse, DVF Blazer, handbag, J Brand Skinnies, Nine West Heels

I had the most successful trip to the thrift store a few weeks back. I saw this tweed blazer from afar and knew that I needed to scoop it up. I brought it up to a mirror and as I was trying it on-noticed the DVF label inside. YES, DVF vintage tweed jacket for EIGHT DOLLARS. I screamed. Everyone in the store thought I was crazy... I thought THEY were crazy for selling it for $8. I win.

You can see the faint dusting of snow in these pictures. I have been so jealous of those bloggers taking their outfit photos in the snow. It is SO cold here and if it's going to be cold-at least we could have a little snow.

Excuse my cheesy pictures. I was trying to defer from looking too serious and in turn just look ridiculous. I decided to post them to make you laugh-AT me. :)