A 2015 Christmas Outfit: Gold Fringe and Denim

Outfit Details:

1. Gold Statement Necklace: Older, similar here and here (last one is under $20!) | 2. Lip color: NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in "Vesuvio" | 3. Top: Fringe Stripe Tank, comes in two colors! | 4. Cardigan: Similar here. | 5. Jeans: Older, similar here and here. | 6. Purse: Older, similar here (under $50!) | 7. Heels: Older, similar here (super cute and under $75!) and here (under $50!) | 8. Nail Polish: OPI "Big Apple Red"

Happy Sunday! 

I'm excited to tell you about several things:

1. The top - wait, scratch that - entire outfit I'm wearing in the above photos...

2. Where you can get an almost identical outfit for Christmas...

3. My collaboration with Dionna McCarthy Photography!

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Are you still in search of a Christmas outfit?

My mom-in-law gave me this sassy but classy top from Anthropologie as an early Christmas present so I could wear it when we all get together on Christmas Eve. When I first saw this top laying neatly on one of Anthro's rustic wooden tables, I had mixed feelings and didn't give it a second glance until my mom-in-law picked it up and said "I LOVE this top! It's so sassy with the fringe!" After thinking about it and seeing it on an Anthro Sales Associate, I agreed with her. To be honest, the thought of fringe on a shirt doesn't scream "classy" or "flattering" to me. My first impression of fringe is that it's grungy, 70s looking (like a tacky 70s trend) and not really me. However, this top re-defines my first impression of fringe. I think this is because the gold speckled fringe detail is short and subtle on the tank. The fringe doesn't overwhelm the tank, it's simply a pretty detail that makes the tank stand out. When I see fringe, it's typically designed to make an edgy, sort of western grunge statement and it's noticeably meant to be the center of whatever product it's on - I'm just not attracted to that!

What I also like about this tank top is that it's structured. It has a bright gold zipper running all the way down the back and the material on the back of the tank is a tan matte color so that the gold zipper makes a statement in the back. It's simple and classy in the back, and sassy in the front because of the fringe. It's all speckled gold in the front of the tank and like I said, the fringe makes a classy appearance, but it doesn't shout for attention. Pretty details is what transforms a normal tank top into a feminine and flattering piece. The classiness of this top is what makes the statement!

Since it's cold in Colorado right now, I threw on a long cream colored cardigan. I recently bought it from Target but for some reason, I can't locate it anywhere. I linked a similar one above and below!

I paired this tank with bootcut jeans. I thought bootcut jeans would be the perfect bottom for this top because bootcut jeans give more shape than skinny jeans. The structured aspect of the tank, in my opinion, needs to be balanced out with some shape on the bottom - therefore, bootcut jeans.

And to top off this look, I wore gold heels! The heels also add some class because 1) the heel isn't too high and 2) they complement the gold top and are the same tone of gold as the top.

I guess I'm going for a feminine, pretty, and classy look this Christmas!

 Okay, now for the collaboration details. 

I know Dionna (the photographer of the above photos) from my church. She recently reached out to ask if I wanted to collaborate with her and I immediately said YES! because I love supporting other women and their businesses. Plus, photo shoots are so much fun and Dionna (pronounced Dee-ahn-uh) is just an awesome person in general. :)

We met up in a quaint and sort of dated outdoor shopping center with an eclectic assortment of buildings. Some had brick walls, one of which had ivy crawling all over it (it was beautiful - photos to come!), some buildings were turquoise, and some had colored doors that were adorned with Christmas wreaths. It was the perfect location to complete one photography session for four or five fashion blog posts because of the opportunity to walk only a short distance and seem like you're in a completely different setting for each post.

Dionna has been pursuing her photography talent for six years now. After some careful thought, she recently decided to put herself out there by launching a serious career in photography - I am SO glad she did! Currently, business is booming for Dionna, which is why she welcomed her longtime best friend, Ashley, to be her Photo Manager. I am truly inspired by Dionna's courage to take on a career in photography. It's easy to tell that she loves what she does, and trust me, you want and need a photographer whose creative heart is also burning with passion. 

During our photo shoot, she was so encouraging behind the lens and wasn't afraid to give me honest feedback about my poses and facial expressions. I felt like she was coaching me in an uplifting way. She also gave me photography tips which was really helpful because I don't know squat about photography! 

Not only did I walk away feeling like I gained a friend, I also felt encouraged and acquired some new tips and tricks to use for the future.

I definitely expected Dionna's photos to be great, but I didn't know how great they actually turned out! I am seriously blown away by her talent. 

Dionna's areas of expertise include weddings, newborn, maternity, family, love, high school senior portraits, children, and even pets!

Dionna also wants to expand her expertise to fashion blogging photography (hence our collaboration), in which I genuinely give her an A+. 

Visit her social media pages!

Facebook: Dionna McCarthy Photography

Instagram: @dionnamccarthyphoto

Website: www.dionnamccarthy.com

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*You can directly shop all products related to my outfit above by clicking on the product photos below.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Chelsea