all that glitters

We love all things that shine and shimmer. And what better time is there to showcase your sparkly best than New Year's Eve?

Here are our favorite blinged-out items that are sure to make you feel fabulous as your ring in 2012.

Natalie's Pick

While a good pair of glitter pumps is always acceptable party attire, I love the rhinestones on these Ferragamo Cindy pumps ($1,113). (And I'm slightly obsessed with the houndstooth sole.)

Casey's Pick

I just got these little ditties from J.Crew  ($35) for Christmas, and I'm excited to wear them while ringing in the New Year! They're fun, festive, and sparkly. 

Arthur's Pick (Intern)

My favorite sparkly holiday item this year is none other than my Canturi Cubism diamond ring. Min, in yellow gold, adds warmth to any look. 

Hermy's Pick (Intern)

My favorite holiday sparkly piece is this sequined crochet tank top from Gryphon ($120). I love the versatility of it. Depending on what kind of holiday party you are going to, you can dress it up with a pink blazer and trousers, or down with a pair of skinny jeans and some black pumps. 

gifts for your man

We all want to buy the perfect gift for our significant other, but it can be hard to come up with something that seems just as special as he is to you. The Our Style File team is back with some of our favorite gift ideas for the significant others in our lives.

Casey

Every man looks dapper in a sport coat. It instantly classes up his look. I can't wait to see my husband in the Country Wool Blazer ($152) by Ben Sherman. This blazer worn with a T-shirt, jeans, and chukkas—now that's a sharp look!

Natalie

Men don't get to wear a lot of accessories, so each one should have panache. These Crest Cufflinks $365) from one of my husband's favorite designers, John Varvatos, are sure to add an understated coolness to his French cuffs. 

Arthur

Since Blake and I enjoy traveling so much, the only option for a gift was this Weekender ($900) by the Jean Shop. 

Hermy

My boyfriend's shoe pick: a sneaker. I prefer something more dressy that he can wear with a button up, instead of a T-shirt. What I love about these Sperry Top-Sider Winter A/O Boots ($130) is that they can easily be dressed up or down. What he'll love is the inside lining that makes these shoes as comfortable as a sneaker. 

our go-to party pieces

We're in the midst of party season, and figuring out what to wear for each festive occasion can be daunting. To give you some ideas, here are our favorite go-to staples.

Natalie

Right now I'm loving the high-contrast drama of my Ted Baker tuxedo blazer ($365). A good alternative to wearing a dress, it's appropriate for almost any holiday occasion. 

Casey

This fun cropped coat by Alice + Olivia ($440) is my go-to piece for all holiday parties this year. It's gray faux fur gives an effortlessly stylish vintage feel while the princess sleeves and stand-up collar add extra warmth during the cold holiday season. Plus, who doesn't love a good fur? 

Arthur

My go-to holiday party staple this Christmas season is this Alfani Plush Velvet Blazer ($109.99). It's warm and adds just the right amount of luxe to any outfit, especially when paired with a white button-down and my favorite denim. 

Hermy

For any holiday party, I can't leave my house without the right clutch. For these festivities, I prefer simple accessories, like this J.Crew clutch ($110). It allows me to wear a sequin dress or blouse and not look too over the top. 

stylish gifts for mom

The Our Style File team is back for some more gift-giving tips, and this time it's for that one person who raised you to be the fashionable and fabulous person you are today: your mom!

Casey

My mom has always loved a good leopard print, and nothing is more fashionable—and practical—to bundle up in right now than this cashmere leopard-print scarf ($116)!

Natalie

Comfort is always top priority for my mom. She is a homebody, and these fleece-lined Toms ($59.95) are perfect for her to wear around the house and keep on to hop in the car a run a quick errand. 

Hermy, Intern

I hope these Kate Spade pearl studs ($48) will not only bring my mother joy this Christmas but also add the perfect finishing touch to her favorite outfits. 

Arthur, Intern

My mom is a huge accessory buff, and she, like myself, loves a good handbag. Her all-time favorite handbags are from Dooney & Bourke, so this handbag ($195) was a no brainer!

give the best to your bff

The holidays are officially here: Santa ushered in Christmas at the Macy's Day Parade, the Rockefeller Tree is lit, and all of NYC is abuzz with holiday magic! This also means a plethora of gift giving and holiday parties. The Our Style File team loves all things holiday, so for the next few weeks we will share some of our favorites to help you give and celebrate in fashion.

For today, we each have selected our favorite gift ideas to give our best friends aka "besties" or "Bffs." Whatever you call your #1 confidante, he/she deserves the perfect give for being the perfect friend!

Natalie

My friends mean the world to me, and I love putting a lot of thought into their gifts. One of my BFFs is a sporty, young mom, and I think these La Mer watches ($150) with interchangeable bands will be a perfect way for her to maintain her casual-chic style. 

Casey

Even for the girl who has it all, I was able to find a gift for my BFF that she hasn't yet bought for herself—a beautiful Nissa "Estella" bracelet ($125) handmade in NYC. It's a great way to mix a bit of her sophistication with some urban edge. 

Arthur, Intern

My best friend Charlie is a "techy" for sure, but the only thing he's mentioned wanting is a pair of fingerless gloves to replace the ones he recently lost. I found this great pair from Marc by Marc Jacobs ($88). 

Hermy, Intern

I may not be able to spend Christmas with my best friend, but I will send her the warmth of the holiday season with this Club Monaco faux fur scarf. This scarf is an ideal way to add luxury to any ensemble. 

in fashion, expect the unexpected

While walking down Fifth Avenue, you notice a confident, well-dressed woman. She's wearing a leather biker vest with a feminine, floaty dress. The pairing is odd, you might think. Yet she looks fabulous. This idea of juxtaposition is at the core of many fashion-forward wardrobes. In an outfit, it gives the people around you something interesting to look at—whether it is at work, at dinner, or at a company outing. Mastering this trend may not come naturally for you, so I have gathered some ideas to get you started.

--Hermy

1. Pair a bright pink trouser with a menswear-inspired outerwear piece
This idea was inspired by Yigal Azrouel's Fall 2011 RTW collection. Above, I chose to pair a Proenza Schouler tuxedo jacket ($2,575) with a pair of H&M bright pink trousers ($40).

2. A feminine lace dress paired with leather boots
Robert Sanderson leather boots ($995) may not be the first think you may think to pair with a DVF ivory lace dress ($470), but this look can create such an edgy feel that it may be your go-to outfit for dinner or an evening out.

3. A simple dress with a bold necklace
Try pairing a striped H&M dress ($12) with a bold Fiona Paxton statement necklace ($350). Accessories often make the outfit, so focusing on them can create a big fashion success at your next party.

4. Go straight for a leather dress or bow-tie blouse
This idea is the simplest, because you do not have to worry about pairing items. The next time you go shopping, go straight for a camel ($225) or black ($99) Oasis leather dress. The idea of a dress is classy and elegant, but a leather dress creates an innovative feel. The bow-tie blouse picks are inspired by Jason Wu's bow-tie tops, which create a feminine characteristic to the idea of a tie by replacing it with a bow tie. My picks include the navy blue sleeveless French Connection top ($118) and the Gap classic white blouse with a black bow tie ($39).

new york fashion week: spring 2012

While fall began blanketing the nation, it was spring for the NY fashion world as designers unveiled their spring 2012 collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Here are looks from some of my favorite collections.

--Nat

Jill Stuart expertly mixed sweet pastels with brighter tones. 

Ralph Lauren channeled The Great Gatsby in a 1920s-inspired collection. 

Prabal Gurung created a unique and eye-catching floral motif. 

Jason Wu showcased peplums and short-in-the-front, long-in-the-back skirts aka "the mullet skirt." 

ombre nails: yay or nay?

I say yay!

Ombre nails can give a conservative look some needed punch!

--C

packing 101

August means the end of summer, which also means squeezing in final vacations before the whirlwind that is fall begins. Packing for a trip can be a daunting task, and I admit that I used to be a notorious over-packer. However, many vacations later, I have learned the art of efficiently packing.

I recently took a weeklong trip to the beautiful Prince Edward Island and fit everything I needed into a a carry-on bag—with plenty of room to spare for souvenirs!

--Nat

Here's how it's done:

1. Start with shoes. For a week, I recommend packing no more than three pairs. In this instance, I packed two pairs of comfortable flats for day and a pair of versatile black pumps for evenings. 

 2. Pick bottoms that can be paired with multiple tops. I chose a basic black skirt and 2 pairs of jeans (one skinny leg and one straight leg). 

3. Choose versatile layering pieces. PEI tends to get chilly, so I opted to bring 1 blazer and 2 lightweight cardigans that can be easily paired with all of my bottoms and a variety of tops. 

4. Maximize style with thin tops and accessories. Thin blouses and sweaters take up very little space and can easily be dressed up or down. And accessories help showcase your style (without taking up suitcase space). For day, I wore my tops alone or layered with a cardigan and jeans/skirt and flats. For evening, I threw on my blazer and heels to create a nicer look for smart-casual dinners. 

5. Pack 1 wrinkle-resistant, versatile dress. You never want to be underprepared, so throw in a drew that takes up minimal space, can be paired with a pair of shoes you already packed, and would be appropriate for almost any dressier occasion. 

accessorize your august!

With August already here, why not brighten up the rest of the summer with the perfect accessories? Here are a few of my latest obsessions. Enjoy!

--Alyssa 

Chan Luu Beaded Necklaces

On a recent trip to Henri Bendel, Natalie and Casey picked up the cutest Chan Luu beaded necklace for a client, and I just had to check out the brand for myself. My favorite piece in the collection is the Coral Rose Seed Beat Mix Necklace. This is the perfect necklace to brighten up a simple dress or shirt, and it has a tribal feel, which is great for summer. 

The Row Handbags

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen recently launched their lizard and ostrich handbag collection for their line, The Row, which hits Barney's in mid-August. I can't stop looking at the collection, which ranges in price from $2,350 to $39,000. Can Christmas PLEASE come early this year? All I want is the Turquoise Croc Envelope Clutch!

Jagger Edge—The Montana Studded iPhone Cover

I've been "living on the edge" without a cover for my iPhone for quite some time, but this studded cover gives me the perfect excuse to finally buy one. The case comes in gray, orange, taupe, silver, and my favorite color, pink. The cover isn't too bulky, and it's a chic way to protect my beloved iPhone. 

red carpet weekly roundup

 Blake Lively stunned crowds at the BAFTA Brits to Watch event held in LA on July 9 wearing a Marchesa dress, Lorraine Schwartz jewels, and Christian Louboutin heels. So chic!

Kate Middleton looked elegant, as usual, wearing a lilac chiffon Alexander McQueen gown to the BAFTA event paired with Jimmy Choo heels and a clutch by the same designer. 

Emma Watson wore a deep-gold and copper Bottega Veneta gown to the NY premier of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on July 11. Watson has undergone such a fashion transformation from her early days at Hogwarts!

Who do you think wore it best this week? 

crazy for kate: royal tour fashion

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began their royal tour of North America in style on Thursday, June 30. As predicted, it caused quite a fashion frenzy—for Kate Middleton, of course! Her classic style makes it easy for women of all ages to drool over (and relate to) her choice of dresses, accessories, and head wear. Here are a few of my favorite royal looks.

--Alyssa

It isn't like a royal to repeat an outfit, which makes Kate Middleton that much more lovable. She wore her white Reiss engagement dress paired with a red leaf fascinator by Sylvia Fletcher on day 2 of the Royal Tour. 

Kate rocked this purple Issa dress (her favorite designer) on Canada Day.

For the Dragon Boat Races, Kate changed into a more comfortable look pairing a Nike Anorak jacket with skinny jeans and the Sebago Ladies Taupe Bala Deck Shoe. 

showdown in chinatown

Casey and I were lucky ladies yesterday as we styled NBA and MLS players Indochino suits as part of the Steve Nash Foundation Showdown. Among the players in attendance were Steve Nash, Tony Paker, Raja Bell, and Marcin Gortat.

The men all looked sleek and dapper in their new Indochino digs, and we were happy to be part of the day.

--Nat

fit for a princess

I, like many others, was slightly obsessed with the Royal Wedding—I may have had dinner at an English restaurant the night before, and I may have risen bright-eyed at 5 a.m. to soak it all in. And I wasn't disappointed. The whole affair was absolutely magical!

--Nat

I loved Princess Catherine's dress. Sarah Burton, head designer for Alexander McQueen, knocked it out of the park. The dress was classy and elegant with a hint of sexy. It was perfect for showcasing Catherine's natural beauty without overwhelming her. And doesn't William look quite dashing in uniform? 

And let's not forget Pippa, who was also in a Sarah Burton design. While I wasn't crazy about the use of a fabric that wrinkled so easily, I loved how the silhouette flattered her body. 

And we can't talk Royal Wedding without showing a few shots of the fabulous (and some wacky) hats. Who else is in the market for a fascinator?