THE ART OF DRESSING

DRESSING YOUR TURKEY AND YOURSELF FOR THANKSGIVING
There are two crucial components no Thanksgiving dinner can do without; a perfectly appointed turkey and you; the hostess with the mostess. But juggling all of the shopping, decorating, cooking and entertaining can leave you feeling frazzled rather then thankful, especially after having to referee uncle Bob and aunt Jenny who feel they need to boldly share their political views with everyone in attendance. Never fear, with a few simple tips we can help you pull this event off with grace and panache. You will be the master of all the madness.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: THE TURKEY

Before we can get our turkey dressed we have to get it cooked properly which can be stressful even if you are not a first time turkey preparer. Let’s take the stress out of this:
Tip 1 – Get your turkey the Monday before Thanksgiving, don’t wait, this will assure it has plenty of time to thaw properly if frozen.
Tip 2 – Once thawed or if using a fresh turkey let it set in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple of days before cooking. It sounds scary I know, but this will cause the juices to get pulled into the meat of the bird and dry the skin so it will become a beautiful picturesque brown just like all of those photos you see. Yes, it will look shriveled by the second day, DO NOT WORRY, after cooking it will look and taste fabulous.
Tip 3 – There must be at least 25 different ways to prepare a turkey, here are a couple of our favorites:
DRY-BRINED TURKEY
PERFECT ROAST TURKEY

Tip 4- We want the turkey as our centerpiece to look beautiful but just use what you already have; sprinkle around some hazelnuts, cranberries, clementine’s, a little greenery, even kale works, and you will have a work of art with very little expense and effort.

ADDRESSING THE DRESSING

I don’t know about you but for years I have wondered why some people call stuffing dressing. Thanks to this blog I actually took the time to do a little research and discovered that when your bread mixture actually is stuffed inside the turkey if is officially defined as stuffing, when it is prepared as a side dish separate from the turkey it is called dressing because you are using it to dress your plate. There you go, I feel smarter already. We can let our guests worry about “dressing their plates”, as a hostess our only responsibility is making sure the turkey is well dressed; both on the table if we plan to feature it as a centerpiece and then with our prepared side dish. No stuffing, thank you very much, it keeps the bird from cooking correctly, brings the risk of food borne illness and comes out goopy, yuck!
Try two of our favorite dressing recipes:

SAGE APPLE CRANBERRY DRESSING

HERBED CORNBREAD DRESSING

FOOD FRIENDLY FASHION

As a hostess or even a guest we all want to look stylish and pulled together in front of our family and friends but when you are going to be spending 80% of your time in the kitchen and juggling people, plates and pandemonium you need clothing that you feel comfortable in, otherwise you will find yourself feeling awkward and irritable which isn’t good for anyone involved. Here are our favorite tips fro stylizing some comfortable basics from your own closet. Find many of these items and more in our #blackfridaydeals at poshatplay.com, save 70% sitewide on your entire purchase with code BFF at check-out.

MAKE A STATEMENT

A statement piece from your wardrobe is all that you need to take jeans, leggings or a simple monotone dress to a whole new level. What qualifies as a statement piece you ask? It is that item that hangs in your closet you just had to have but probably do not wear very often, example: fur vest, sequined anything, brightly colored jacket or shirt. This is one of those items that immediately draws attention to itself every time it is worn. Today is the day to give it a chance to “come out of the closet” and shine.

Instant Elegance

Simple, Sleek and Refined

 

WHERE TO FIND:
Black Fur Vest
Button Down Denim Shirt
Black Leather Leggings
Black Jeans
Sequin Skirt

ELEVATE WITH ACCESSORIES

No statement piece, no matter, you can also add some flair to one of your closet basics with thoughtfully chosen accessories. We are talking scarves, jewelry, belts, and shoes. We are including shoes here because believe it or not the right shoe can set off an otherwise boring outfit and give it new life. These are statement accessories that scream “look at me” so it is important to pair them with a toned down look.

No heels for this girl, when I need to move and get things done the last thing I want is to feel unsteady on my feet. All of these flats are comfortable without giving up one ounce of style.

WHERE TO FIND:
Lace-up Ballet Flats
Silver Sequined Flats
Leopard Print Flats
Gold Lame Flats

The great thing about a belt or scarf is that they can be thrown on over last minute so you are free to cook comfort and then can easily adorn yourself moments before company walks through the door.

WHERE TO FIND:
Silk Scarves
Leather Belt
Jewelry
Sweater Dress

Regardless of what your plans are for Thanksgiving Day just remember the bottom line is not perfection but gratitude for all of the imperfect people we are surrounded by who make our lives rich by making us laugh, causing us to cry and teaching us how to love the often unlovable part in all of us. HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Posh At Play!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOTS OF LOVELY LEGGINGS

Never since this years controversial debates between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has there been such a hotly debated topic as whether or not leggings are pants. The parties on each side of this controversy are passionate about their position but we are hoping through this post we can prove to the naysayers that leggings are indeed worthy of being placed in the category of pants. What I ask you is more comfortable to wear then a pair of leggings? They allow the ease of movement of a dress or skirt without the risk of being exposed. They provide the coverage of a jean or pant without feeling binding and restrictive on the body. There are days when I have thrown on a pair of leggings and a sweater and actually forgotten I have anything on (perhaps that’s just me). If styled well they can be dressed up or down and worn for literally any occasion.

This week we celebrate the legging (as pant) with a presentation of our favorite styles which enhance the basic legging with luxurious fabrics and unique flair.

THE LEATHER LEGGING

Leather leggings elevate any style. They can make an outfit look sophisticated or just a little edgy depending on your personal styling. Some of our favorite combos for the leather legging are a beautiful oversized cashmere sweater with a pair of killer leopard print stilettos or dress them down with a cute army jacket, t-shirt and pair of motorcycle boots.

Vegan Leather Leggings:
Marlina Coated Leggings
Rugged Faux Leather Leggings
Kate Embossed Leggings

THE SUEDE LEGGING

Who doesn’t love suede? Suede always looks so rich, smooth and inviting like your favorite vanilla latte. It is almost impossible to resist reaching out and touching this fabric (albeit not always socially acceptable). To me suede equals luxury and it can be worn with everything from a t-shirt (instant chic) to a very tailored jacket with tall boots for the office but our favorite look is paired with a very romantic spun cotton and lace peasant blouse. Date night awaits, there is no way he can resist this look.

Another derivation of this look is the classic suede patch leggings. A touch of the luxe without being to bold at work.

Sensational Suede Picks
Pascalla Suede Leggings
Joe Ivory Ultra Suede Leggings
Ivory Suede Patch Leggings

CARGO PANT LEGGING

At first thought these leggings may seem a little counter intuitive to the main point of what a legging is supposed to be; simple, streamlined, smooth and they can be a little more challenging to wear if you have wider hips but if paired properly with a light over-sized shirt or fitted jacket they can make for a great addition to your legging collection. WARNING: avoid any chunky, heavy, over-sized sweaters which can make the whole outfit look frumpy.

Leggings for the utilitarian:
Black Ponte Cargo Leggings
Silver Ponte Cargo Leggings
Rowan Cargo Skinnies

Casual Comfort!

Great for On The Go!

THE PRINTED LEGGING

These might be the hardest leggings to pull off but they are soooo cute! You see them at the store, you can not resist the impulse buy and then you get home an wonder, now what? Where am I ever going to wear these? The key to pulling off the printed legging is making sure that the entire outfit does not get to busy. The best way to achieve this is with a simple, solid-colored top, avoid a lot of embellishment with jewelry or scarves, let your leggings speak for themselves and supply the pop of color and interest to your outfit without looking garish. Keep it simple!

Perfect printed leggings:
Floral Jersey Leggings
Purple Printed Leggings
Taylor Jersey Leggings

So, showcase your legs a little this season and find the perfect comfort and fashion balance that best fits you. Because, we here at Posh At Play always encourage you to
BE YOU, BE FABULOUS, AND ALWAYS BE FEMININE.

 

 

 

 

 

ALL WRAPPED UP

As the weather cools, it’s time to start “snuggling up” to Fall’s cooler climate. With the first day of Autumn on Thursday, September 22nd, let’s usher in the new Season in a cozy way. This week, we focus on several ways you can “wrap up” in the colorful Season ahead. Take a look at our suggestions below.

THE WRAP DRESS

Ah, the first few days of Fall. Thoughts of cozy knits and new boots quickly spring to mind. But before you switch over your closet to the heavier threads, consider keeping what is perhaps the single most transitional piece in constant rotation: the wrap dress. Not only is it timeless and all-occasion, it’s seasonless, too—a look that can go easily from day to night, from Summer to Fall.

The trick to properly transitioning the wrap dress is to start thinking in layers. When worn over a slim bodysuit and jeans, a “kimono” version is given new life, particularly when elevated by a great pair of heels.

A swift shoe swap (sturdy boots for strappy sandals) will fare in more challenging climate conditions.

And a lacy slip worn underneath a shirted style takes the look into cocktail territory. But don’t just stop at the wrap dress: Take a look at our other “wrapped” Fall ideas you won’t want to miss below.

Check out our favorite wrapped dress styles for Fall:
“Ella” Long Sleeve Jersey Knit Dress
“Utilitarian Chic” Black Silk Wrap Dress
“Femme Fatal” Jersey Wrap Dress
“Birds of a Feather” Silk Wrap Dress

WRAPPED MINI

Why not try out a wrapped mini skirt? Paired with a button down and blazer, it’s suitable for the office and lunch out with the girls. You can pair the look with slip on mules as pictured above, or your favorite over the knee boots for a bit of high fashion glam.

Our favorite button down blouses this Season:
“Mariane” Silk Floral Button Down
“Scarf” Black Silk Charmeuse Blouse
“Washed Silks” Ivory Button Down
“Christal” Ivory Bubble Gauze Button Down

You can always cover up with your favorite fur vest for medium coverage and midi boots when the weather turns a bit crisp. This look is also suitable for evening cocktails, or trade out your boots for shimmering strappy heels for nighttime fun when the weather is mild.

Check out our favorite wrapped minis for Fall:
“Asiah” Beige Ultra Suede Skirt
“Patchwork” Black Suede Mini

WRAPPED SWEATER

Get cozy in this Season’s favorite wrapped sweater. We love that you can pair with anything from jeans, to leggings, to skirts, to dresses. The wrap sweater is the perfect transitional cover-up piece which provides just enough warmth for those in-between Fall days ahead.

Get ahead of the game and start shopping the wrapped sweater trend  ←FIX LINK BEFORE the weather changes so that you’ll be prepared and ready for the first chilly day of the Season.

Shop our favorite wrapped sweater styles here today:
“Istanbul Romance” Purple Knit Sweater
“Jacquard” Blue Belted Sweater
“Swing” Beige Knit Sweater

WRAPPED IN A SCARF

When the weather turns blustery yet not cold enough for a thicker coat, consider draping yourself in a cozy wool scarf. Wrap around your body and cinch at the waist with your favorite threaded belt for a chic silhouette.

Accessorize with your favorite “skinny jeans” here:
Hudson’s “Collin” Skinny Jeans
“Nico” Mid Rise Animal Print Skinny Jeans
AC Collection’s High Waisted Black Skinny Jeans

Wrap around your neck to feel cozy and warm against the chilly night air.

Or, drape around your shoulder casually over your favorite outfit. No matter how you style, you’ll want to include a cozy wool scarf into your wardrobe collection this Fall.

For more ways to tie your favorite scarf, check out this handy DIY tutorial:
12 WAYS TO WEAR A BLANKET SCARF

WRAPPED BLANKET

Wrap yourself with the one you love in a comfy, cozy blanket for Fall. Whether you take a romantic stroll through the forest, picnic on the grassy knoll, or use as a “quasi” Fall coat, stay snuggly warm in your favorite wrap this Season.

Stack your favorite cozy blankets on the couch for a quick cuddle, or for the unexpected guest that decides to stay the night. They will appreciate the gesture and you’ll have easy access to staying warm without having to crank up the heater.

 WRAPPED KNIT COFFEE CUP COZY

While we’re talking about keeping warm, why not fashion your own coffee cup knit cozy to keep your favorite Fall beverage hot. Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Cinnamon Espressos are back for the Season, so keep your favorite hot drink sippable with our favorite DIY knitting project.

Click here to begin:
DIY Coffee Knit Cozy

WRAPPED UP IN HOME DECOR 

You can also create a warm embracing environment with your own wrapped candle holders. Fall is the Season for sweet cinnamon, spicy pumpkin, and crisp leaf scents from your favorite candle shop. Accentuate your favorite candles with a homemade wrapped decor.

Here’s how:
Simply use a glue gun and run a bead around the candle and affix each leaf. Then, take the ribbon you’ll be using and wrap both the leaves and candle, tying with a droopy bow.

WRAPPED UP IN LOVE

And finally, nothing can keep you as warm as being wrapped up in love. Whether it’s your kids, your partner, or your family, don’t forget to extend your love to the people that mean the most to you.

Check out one of our favorite ways to express your feelings to the one you love most:
HOW TO WRITE A LOVE POEM

However you choose to “wrap” yourself this Fall, be sure to do it out of love. Whether you choose to treat yourself to a new wrap sweater, write your loved one a love poem, or snuggle deep into a warm blanket, now is the time to take advantage of the changing of the Seasons and embrace the changes to come.

Remember, we here at Posh at Play always encourage you to
Be You, Be Fabulous, and ALWAYS Be Feminine.

ROAR INTO FALL WITH FABULOUS FELINE & ANIMAL PRINTS

Lions and tigers and bears- Oh my! Roar into the new Season with animal inspired prints and patterns for Fall. From tops to dresses to skirts to accessories, we’ll show you our top picks that are just right for you. Peruse our choices below and start incorporating the trend into your wardrobe today.

TIGER PRINT

One of the jungle’s fiercest felines roars onto the fashion scene this Season. Take a cue from Saint Laurent’s 2016 runway show and show off some of your boldness in a chic tiger print jacket paired over a silver sequin dress. For daytime glam, offset the busy pattern with a pair of solid black slacks and a silky white tank while you are on your way to conquer your “jungle” this year.

We like Kate Bosworth’s take on the print trend in a comfy “tiger” tee and shorts. Easily segue into the cooler Season ahead by pairing with your favorite boyfriend jeans by day and suede trimmed maxi skirt by night. Or, take things up a notch with a cool clean tiger print sheath dress, carrying you all the way from work in the morning to cocktails in the evening.

Like a more subtle approach? How about accessorizing with a tiger print handbag, scarf, or jewelry? Perfect for the woman who wants to keep up with the trends in a more conservative style.

And finally, if all that is a little much, why not go for “tiger” print nail art at your next trip to the salon? You can also do it yourself at home with our handy “how to” video here:

DIY Tiger Print Nails

However you choose, be bold and loud this Season in tiger print.

ZEBRA PRINT

For those of you willing to walk on the wild side, Africa’s inspired zebra print is the pattern for you. Delight in style with a feminine flowing silk dress. We like the updated look shown above paired over a pair of cropped jogger pants, casual yet glamorous accessorized with strappy heels.

Get our favorite “zebra” print dress styles here:
“Sequin” Printed Sleeveless Dress
“Blouson” Sequin Mini Dress

Or, you might prefer as silky maxi skirt paired perfectly with a simple button down or fitted tank on warmer days.

Zebra print doesn’t have to JUST be black and white. Branch out into a multi-color striped style as well. You can pair your look with a lace kimono while the weather’s still warm and switch to a fur wrap as the Season changes.

Our favorite color zebra striped fashion:
“Emily” Pink Zebra Striped Maxi Skirt
“Can’t Be Tamed” Cabana Tunic Top

REPTILE PRINT

“Slither” your way through Fall in a chic reptile print patterned outfit this year. From neutrals to brights, from dresses to pants, from shoes to purses, this print is sure to add some shimmer to your style.

Check out our favorite “neutral” color reptile wear:
“Nikko” Faux Leather Snake Print Pants
“Annis” Reptile Print Romper

 

Don’t just stick to natural snakeskin colors either. Look for the print also in deep yellows, blues, and reds. Whether you choose to accessorize with a reptile belt, clutch, or bangle, or opt for a printed dress, shirt, or pants, you won’t want to miss this versatile trend.

Try our favorite color snakeskin fashion items below:
“Reptile” Lime Printed Palazzo Pants
“Lise” Blue Reptile Print Jersey Dress
“Fatima” Red Printed Jumpsuit
“Java” Blue Printed Pantsuit

 

LEOPARD PRINT

Roar into Fall with the Season’s most popular print pattern. Suitable for any occasion from the office to errands to cocktail hour, the silky leopard blouse is the perfect solution for you. Mean “business” paired with a sleek pencil skirt or trendy wide leg pants for lunch with the Boss.

Other favorite “leopard” options to mix and match:
“On the Prowl” Vintage Short Sleeve Shirt
“Martina” Lime Green Tank Top
Joe’s Jeans Cropped White Leopard Print
Hudson’s “Streetside” Super Skinny Jeans

You can certainly start wearing your blouse NOW combined with your favorite summer cutoffs. Accessorize with a pair of comfy ballerina flats or go glam in classy ankle heels and matching leather handbag, also trending this Fall.

Segue into the Fall season with a favorite pair of skinny jeans, chic jacket, and knee high boots, perfect as the weather cools.

Favorite trends you can pair your blouse with:
“Leigh” Cropped Distressed Jeans
“Carly” Straight Leg Jeans
“AC Collection” Flare Leg Jeans

Don’t just limit the trend to blouses only. Step out in style like celeb Kim Kardashian in a chic full body leopard dress. We like her simple yet classy approach. With unfussy hair, minimal jewelry, and nude colored heels, she lets the dress do the talking and you can do the same.

Check out our favorite leopard print dress styles here:
“Cale” Jersey Wrap Dress
“Bright Young Things” Bodycon Dress
“Vintage” One Shoulder Peplum Dress
“Zada” Fuchsia Wrap Dress

Or go the subtle approach and bring out the print to accentuate your everyday style. Add a little “sass” with cute comfy ballerina flats perfectly paired with your favorite jeans or pants and crisp button down. Hold all your necessities in a chic envelope clutch, or dress up a simple jeans and tee combo with a flowing silk scarf.

However you choose to wear it, leopard is your look this Fall.

And finally, has all this fashion talk made you hungry? Well grab yourself a cup of coffee and make a cute yet tasty “leopard” milk bread loaf. Here’s how to do it:

(1) Make one batch each of your favorite vanilla and chocolate dough.
(2) Refrigerate the cocoa dough, roll it into cylinders, and wrap it in vanilla dough
(3) Layer the rolls on top of each other in a bread tin and bake for the appropriate baking time.
*For added nutrition, we recommend eating this bread with Nutella

Invite your best girlfriends over with your scrumptious creation, or enjoy it all to yourself as you peruse Fall’s favorite fashion. And while you’re at it, include a couple of leopard print coffee or tea cups as well to set the mood.

Well there you have it. Which jungle creature do YOU identify with most this Season? Will it be tiger, zebra, reptile, or leopard? No matter which pattern you choose, we here at Posh at Play encourage you to be “fierce” and fabulous wherever your path takes you. You can be the “king” of your realm this year just like the rulers of the jungle, and no need to back down from what makes you YOU.
We want you to always remember to:
Be you, Be fabulous, and always Be feminine.