how to: navigate post-holiday sales

Friends, I'm telling you. Sales are RIPE for the picking right now. There is so much goodness on sale that before I've done a full sweep of my favorite designers and items available in my size, the item I originally sought out is already gone (this happened to me with an amazing Rick Owens jacket).

Here's the thing with sales. It's so so easy to see your favorite retailer having an enormous sale, go straight for the cheapest item you can find and scoop it up just for the thrill of it all. I also know a good chunk of my friends who will avoid sales altogether because they feel overwhelmed. I. Hear. Ya. And I'm here to help. Before you go HAM on this season's winter sales, read this:

1. Take a closet inventory. Step AWAY from the computer. Put DOWN the credit card. Take stock of your closet. What item are you hoping to add to your closet? Let your answer be a classic item or it doesn't count. Classic items are as follows: cashmere sweater, down coat, flattering jeans in a neutral wash (blue or black), everyday boots, black pumps, wool blazer...you feel me? Remember, your classic pieces are likely different from mine because we're different people.

2. Reuse money. Did you get a gift card for Christmas? Sweet! That helps narrow things down. Did you receive an item that just doesn't work? That also narrows down retailers / amount of money you can spend. Use your gift card or store credit on top of the sale to invest in a piece that you love. I got a Shopbop gift card this year, and today they're offering 25% off (with code CHEERS2015). Guess work gone. I'll be investing in one sale piece from Shopbop this year, and I'll make it a good one.

3. Don't gamble. So you want to spring for some Frame denim jeans, but you've never tried them on before? Stop right there. Remember your closet. You've got 4 pairs of J. Crew jeans/pants already. You know that brand works for you, so stick with it. If you do want to try a new brand, make sure that you either try it on in store before purchasing, or purchase from a store that offers free returns, just in case the piece in question doesn't work out.

There you have it, friends! Hope this helps with your post-holiday shopping! You know this subject thrills me, so feel free to email or message me with any questions. And if you want to hire me, I'm offering 25% off my services for 2 MORE DAYS! Hope to work with you.

xoxo,

sales to wet your whistle

Does anyone else have Thanksgiving brain? I feel like my head is full of mashed potatoes right now. I can't think straight! We leave tonight after Raven is off work (around midnight!) for home and I cannot wait. When are you all headed home for the holiday? I'd love to hear from you.

I just want you all to know that I'm always keeping you in mind...so here are some sales that I think you need to know about:

Saks Off Fifth: 40-50% off with code GOBBLE. Ends November 26th. How perfect would this poncho be for a day of traveling?

Serena and Lily: Take 15% off the Holiday collection with code CHARMED15. Ends November 26th. One can need have too many throw pillows.

West Elm: Today ONLY, SHIP4FREE for free shipping, plus tons of markdowns! I'm loving this sweet lamp.

Shopbop: 15% off orders of 250+, 2o% off orders of $500+. Code GOBIG14 at checkout. At long last I might be able to afford these sunglasses!

Bloomingdales: Up to 50% off, plus $25 off each $200 you spend. No code required. Obsessed with this camel colored coat.

The Outnet: Extra 20% off at checkout - no code. Ends November 26th. I've got my eye on this cozy sweater and these boots.

LRW does not support shopping on Thanksgiving, and I'm not a fan of Black Friday, but if you do go out this weekend, give Small Business Saturday a try. If you use your American Express card, you can get a statement credit when you shop small.

See you lovelies tomorrow!

xoxo,

image via.

FIVER: workout style essentials

Let’s put it out there. I love workout clothes: a new sweat-wicking, housekey-holding, neon racerback makes me run farther and jump faster. I NEED IT. That said, it’s hard enough to stay dedicated to your fitness routine without adding financial stress because of your yoga pants. Still, there’s something to be said for investing in a few key items that will last. So to find the compromise between fitness style and the green, here are my top five workout style essentials:

1. ZELLA AMOUR JACKET - $98. Half the price of comparable fitness brands, Zella by Nordstrom is a fantastic activewear line that I have been wearing for the past nine months or so. The jacket that I swear by has a perfectly tight fit, a slightly longer back to cover my badunk, and thumbholes to keep everything right and tight for those crisp fall runs. It’s super lightweight, which makes it a great layering piece. Even just pairing it with my pleather biker jacket from H&M makes me feel like a badass. My jacket is no longer in stock, but the link above is a close match.

And here’s a mini-splurge option. Throw a chunky scarf on this puppy and switch out your sneakers for boots and you can go straight from workout to happy hour. Not that I’ve ever done that…

2. SOCK BUN OR BRAID - FREE. Doing your hair to work out might seem vain, but I assure you, one rogue strand can completely wreck your mojo. That’s why I invested in my sock bun - an old sock that I cut the toe off of, rolled up to look like a doughnut, and slid on top of my ponytail, pinning my hair around it to form the most perfect bun imaginable. I have run, danced, and bounced on a trampoline for hours with this thing. It doesn’t move. If your hair is too long or too thick for the sock - go for the braid. Either a side fishtail braid with an elastic headband to keep your flyaways outta yo’ face, or two sweet braids on either side of your part, meeting in the back in a simple ponytail.

3. UP BAND + BRACELET - $130 + $3.80. My Up Band is my favorite workout essential. It tracks my steps, my calories burned, even my sleep patterns. The Up band app is also a social platform so you can see what your friends are doing, or if you’re like me, check in with your dad (we have matching bands in black - it’s so cute it’s disgusting). They come in a load of sweet colors and I love to pair mine with my sports watch, and a whole bunch of cheap bracelets from H&M, Forever 21, and a few I found under my bed. They won’t get in your way and will give you a touch of personality while tracking your workout. If you get one of these, friend me.

4. OLD NAVY WOMEN'S COMPRESSION CINCH TIE LEGGINGS - $27. Did I just rock your world? Yes. $27 PANTS THAT ACTUALLY LAST. Here it is folks: Old Navy. I’ve worn their compression pants for a year now with absolutely no complaints. Everything pulls up and in to create a super slim leg in these little ditties. You can go ahead and buy a few different lengths and colors because they are so inexpensive. Old Navy is hit or miss with me and fitness fashion finds, but man when it's good, it's GOOD. 

5. ADIDAS WOMEN'S ENERGY BOOST SHOES - $150. Shoes make or break my workout. If ever you’re going to splurge, do it here. My favorite shoe of the moment is my Adidas Energy Boost. Running shoes with some added cushion, a sweet design, and lots of color options. I wear a six normally and the six is snug but not too tight, true to size. I’ve danced all my life, I work out around 15 hours a week, and on top of the everyday beating my feet endure, Craig and I went on a 4.5 mile run this past Sunday, and in these sneaks: my feet never felt a thing. When I wear these out, I'll probably get a second pair!

What are your favorite workout essentials? Would you rather splurge on shoes or clothing when it comes to your fitness style? What's the most budget-friendly part of your fitness wardrobe?

shopping in your own closet

Welcome to little red's well!

What is it about fall that makes everyone just want to start fresh?  I may be 28, but every year at the end of August/start of September, without fail, I'm on the hunt for a new back-to-school wardrobe.

Unfortunately we don't always have the time, or more importantly the funds, to spring for a new wardrobe every year.

So it got me thinking...

The lovely Court just organized her closet, and I thought it would be fun to go through her clothes and put together a few outfits that she normally wouldn't wear.

The upside? Totally revamped wardrobe.  Added bonus? $0 budget.  We did this for FREE with 1 hour of time.  All clothes, shoes and accessories belong to Court and all of the outfits we came up with received what we like to call the PSA (partner seal of approval!) from her husband, Craig (who happens to be multi-talented and took the incredible photos you see below).

Outfit 1: Casual

There is ALWAYS room for denim on denim, and luckily you can find an inexpensive chambray button down just about anywhere.  We styled up this simple outfit, perfect for running errands, with one of Courtney's silk scarves repurposed as a belt.  My one recommendation to take this outfit from late summer to full on fall appropriate is a pair of simple black flats.  We realized while styling this shoot that Court doesn't own any ballet flats! Here are a couple of cheap pairs she could spring for: ASOS LAILA Ballet Flat $18.56 , London Rebel Studded Ballet Flat $21.10

Outfit 2: Day to Night Out

Every New Yorker knows it's a pain to run home and change for a night out after work.  Here we took that same chambray shirt from the first look and put it under a summery dress with black tights and casual boots.  With this outfit Courtney can go from an audition, to work, and out with friends without having to bring extra clothes.

Outfit 3: Date Night

Most likely our significant others don't really mind seeing that same LBD every date night (or in my case, same flannel button down and black skinny jeans, but I digress), but sometimes it's nice to switch it up.  Pairing a boxy shift dress with jeggings and fun heels is unexpected and playful, and the brooch adds the right amount of accessory.  No muss, no fuss, this outfit is perfect for dinner and drinks.

Outfit 4: Formal

Speaking of that Little Black Dress, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it!  The key is finding a piece that fits you properly, and knowing how to style it.  Not that anything looks bad on Court, but she looks like a knock out in this dress, so my work was basically done.  Normally she said she would pair this with black pumps, but we chose a nude peep toe that elongates her leg.  One great bracelet to accessorize, and that's it!  It stands on its own.  With the chilly weather, she'll probably need something to keep her warm.  I myself am not a fan of wearing pashminas instead of outerwear to formal events.  Friends, that is not going to do anything to keep you warm!  My go to is a Burberry jean jacket, but with Courtney's outfit, here are a couple fun/transitional options for her: River Island Draped Shearling Jacket $118.13 , ASOS Blazer in Crochet Lace $92.82

© Craig Hanson Photography | www.craig-hanson.com

What pieces in your own closet could use a fresh outlook? What are some of your favorite ways to change up your look? Let us know!