Happy New Year!

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It's the end of 2012 and it's time to celebrate what an amazing year this has been. At least for me it has. A growing blog, a group of amazing friends and family who have supported me through this madness and a job I couldn't imagine not having. So tonight let's celebrate the year and go out with a bang. And here's to a bigger, better year ahead in 2013.

Celebrate! Enjoy! And be safe tonight!

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What A Year

I have to say, this has been hands down one of the best years of my life. So many wonderful things I have to be thankful for. Starting with just my blog, the growth I've seen has been remarkable. New friends like Poor Little It Girl, a new sober blog design from Fabulous K, a feature in Atlanta Magazine, collaborations with some of my favorite brands like Club Monaco and BB Dakota and a new website venture with Southern Blog Society. I think it's safe to say I'm officially a blogger and would never have imagined all of these things a year ago.  I'm so thankful for each and every one of my readers who make this little place on the web such a special place for me.

Other amazing things to be thankful for, surviving Rhabdo (don't ask) getting a promotion at work and actually LOVING my job, a healthy family and dog (hi Pork!) and lots of great memories from this past year.  

Looking forward to what 2013 brings.  I do know it will be a busy one with lots of new business ventures in the blogging world so stay tuned and be sure to check back often! Have a happy new year everyone!

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Happy Holidays From My Style Vita

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday today with family and friends. I hope Santa brought you everything you wished for and more. Cheers!

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Image via Kiki LIC

It's Almost Time!

Let the madness finally cease. There is no more shopping to do, no more holiday parties to attend, it's now or never folks. It's Christmas Eve and it's officially the moment we've all been waiting for. Ginormous dinners with family, laughing and singing together..... WAIT hold on. Laughing AT each other, getting drunk with your family and fighting with your sister. Okay, that sounds more like the holidays to me. 

Hope everyone enjoys a lovely holiday and get's to bed early tonight for Christmas morning. And don't let Santa Claus see you tonight! Because if he does, he'll burn your eyes out. True story, my Dad told me that as a child. 

Happy Holidays From My Style Vita!

Also, the winner of the Lilla P giveaway is Bella Mosqueda. Merry Christmas To You! Email me for your prize!

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Add A Little Sparkle

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This week is crazy busy and I'm opting to stay off my computer and get some work done before the holidays. That means the day job. With Christmas around the corner, I thought this little image was perfect. 

It's the season to be Merry & Bright don't you think?

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Recipe | Sinless Blueberry Margaritas

I've been wanting to do a cocktail post for quite some time now. As many of my friends know, I'm a HUGE tequila fan.  And no, not Patron. I drink the good stuff, like Don Julio, Herradura and other fabulous amigos.  I drink it on the rocks with a splash of water or soda and a squeeze of lime. But every now and again, I love trying a fun margarita. I've been known to make homemade watermelon margaritas, my Dirty Guava (stay tuned for this recipe) and today, a blueberry margarita.

There's good reasoning as to why I drink tequila. Besides it being absolutely delicious, it's also insanely low in calories (and it's Paleo for those of you who fancy a Paleo cocktail).  I recently discovered Sinless Cocktails, an Atlanta based company that makes low calories mixers that are all natural.  Sweetened with Stevia, this cocktail mixer only boasts 5 little calories per serving.  Now that's diet friendly.

Here's my latest margarita recipe, the Blueberry Margarita. Enjoy! And feel free to go heavy on the tequila, lord knows I did.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz of white tequila (for margaritas I don't mind using something a little cheaper like Sauza or Jose Cuervo Silver, don't waste your money here, trust me)
• 1.5 oz of Sinless Cocktails margarita mix 
• .5 oz of Triple Sec 
• handful of blueberries

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.  Shake the shit out of it. Pour over ice and garnish with frozen blueberries.  Psst.. I actually used frozen blueberries in this recipe as well. Pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds and they'll break down perfectly in the shaker.

What's your favorite type of Margarita?   

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Simple details

Something about bows really make me smile. They're sweet, simple and are the perfect girly touch to an ensemble.  Tights remind me of my private school days and how much I dreaded wearing them. It's funny how you get older and wiser and you realize that tights are classic and always make your look more polished.  Below are a few of my favorite picks for fun and interesting tights. And you can you believe those Wolford ones for $165 embellished with pearls?!

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{Holiday Gift Guide} My Wish List

So I may have already sent in my Christmas wish list to "Santa" this year but this is my super sneaky way of letting my Mother, I mean Santa, know what else I'd like to add to my list. And a little something for Pork too.  This list is really perfect for any woman in your life. Every piece is a classic and these beauty products are a must for every woman.

1. Topshop Coat

2. Anthropologie Necklace

3. J. Crew Pumps 

4. Juicy Couture Necklace

5. Kate Spade Wine Stopper

6.Michael Kors Sunglasses

7.Bobbie Brown lotion

8. Exfoliating Shave Oil

9.Ralph Lauren Dog Sweater 

10. April M Necklace 

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Outfit du Jour - The Perfect Coat

Sole Society Shoes (gifted) | Miss Sixty Coat via Nordstrom (similar) | Paige Jeans | Madewell Rings | Urban Outfitter initial ring | C. Wonder Necklace | Nordstrom top | Nails OPI |

This Miss Sixty coat has been one of my favorites, but the gorgeous buttons pop off left and right! If you look closely, I'm missing one.... Either way, it's too pretty for me not to wear.  I let the coat do the talkin today.  A basic long sleeve top and nude shoes (my favorite by the way) let's this coat have it's moment.

Love my shoes? I do too.  Head on over to Sole Society and get $20 off your first purchase with code VITA20.  Hurry! Offer ends December 31st!


Don't forget to enter the Lilla P Giveaway here!

 All photos by Sterling Images Photography


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Reader Q&A Vol. 2

I recently started a Q&A reader edition and got a slew of great questions from my Twitter followers.  One question was how to wear a maxi in the winter.  I think this look is easily achievable if you stick to a few of my rules below like layering on the winter accessories and sticking to proper fabrics and shapes.

Did you miss volume 1 of the reader Q&A? Check out how to wear a denim shirt dress three ways right here. If you have any style questions for me, tweet, email or leave a comment below!

Step 1. Stick to winter colors and fabrics for EVERYTHING. No eyelet gauze, no open toes, no jute anything.  Opt for leather booties, blacks/grey/earth tones and stick to cotton blends. So yes that basic black maxi you wore all summer, will work perfectly here.  Throw that on and proceed to step number two.

Step 2. Add layers. Start with adding an oversized sweater (belt it to create a waist) or a fitted long sleeve top if the dress allows it.  Add a blazer as well if you want to create a waist as well.

Step 3. Proper accessories are a must. Adding a fall hat, a fur snood or a scarf is great to turn any outfit into an instant cozy fall look.

Shop some of these pieces to create your perfect winter maxi look.

Don't forget to enter the Lilla P giveaway here!

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I Want To Be In The Circus

I had the opportunity to check out the latest Cirque du Soleil show at the Grand Chapiteau (that's big top in French folks) and if you haven't ever seen one of these, I highly recommend it.  I've seen almost all of them it feels like and they never dissapoint.  Here's a few photos from the evening, and no I didn't take these, I tried, but they threatened to kick me out. And no, that is not a joke.

This was by far my favorite skit in the whole show.  There's always a trapeze routine, but this one had such a flirty whimsical feel to it that it that it just made you feel gitty inside. Like when you first start dating someone and you think it's cute how they fold the towels....

 

There are always fun skits in a Cirque show that are sure to make you laugh. They don't ever use any words (at least not english, usually it's their made up language" but everyone can understand humor.

 

This was my second favorite act. Usually there's always some fun talent that someone does, it's a segway to the next crazy ass thing they'll do, but it's always fun and unique. Not to mention the music to this one was unreal and since I was here with a Dj (Dj Verse who will be at my event this Saturday!) he could appreciate it too.

Photo credit Pouya Dianat/Cirque du Soleil

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Lilla P Giveaway

Image via Lilla P

This week's giveaway is for a $50 gift card to the Lilla P shop! A store full of  casual soft pieces from dresses to tops and super comfy leggings.  All you have to do to enter is...

1. You must be a follower of My Style Vita on Bloglovin or GFC

2. Then be sure to LIKE Lilla P on Facebook

3. Leave a comment below with what you'd buy if you won! 

That's it! 

4. For an extra entry you can like Lilla P on Twitter here and My Style Vita here, leave an extra comment if you do so.

Good Luck!

 Open to US residents only, giveaway ends at midnight on December 21st.

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My Style Vita & Topshop

I headed in to Nordstrom last weekend to pick out the perfect outfit for this Saturday's Topshop party (be sure to stop by to see what I chose!)  The racks were filled to the brim with decorative sweaters, embellished tops and lots and lots of shimmer.  There's so many fun "moments" happening on the floor of Topshop at Nordstrom that it was hard to pick one that was my favorite.  From the Witching Hour which consisted of lots of lace, plums and skull prints to Galactica which was super bold metallics making you feel like you were in outer space.  Psychadelic Dandy may have been my favorite which was loaded with prints like florals which have been trending for quite some time now.

Here are a few pics I snapped while browsing. Be sure to stop by this Saturday from 2-4 pm at the Nordstrom Phipps Plaza at the Topshop department to try on a look, get a photo taken in the Topshop booth and enter for a chance to win a $200 shopping spree to Topshop.  I promise it will be a fun time, even Dj Verse will be there to amp up the atmosphere with the latest tunes (Britney Spears is already on request, no worries!)

Mannequins all decked out in the newest arrivals.

Some fun prints to mix and play with.

The Leigh pant was my favorite. Comes in so many colors and fits so well.

A few pieces I chose to try on.  Loved all the chunky knits like this one and fun camo print.

So much embellishment on the floor at Topshop Nordstrom, shop this sweater here.

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Outfit Du Jour - Classicly Festive

Club Monaco Skirt (gifted) | Alternative Apparel Top | Club Monaco Necklace | C. Wonder Necklace | Madewell Rings | Nine West Shoes (on major sale!) | Hue Tights | Zara Bag (love this one!) |

This is an outfit my mother would be proud of. It took everything in her while I was a kid to get me to wear tights and to tuck in my shirt.  Well Mom, here you go. Perfectly polished for a holiday party in Mary-janes, a tucked in bright red top and a classic wool skirt.  This look can easily go from the office to happy hour with no changes necessary. I just love the simplicity of a perfect winter skirt and a tucked in top. It's classic.

Mom's always know best, don't they? It's really not fair.

All Photos by Rebekah Carson Photography


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Guide To Surviving The Holidays

 I'm no fitness guru (although I like to pretend I am) and I'm not a nutritionist ( I also like to pretend I'm one of these too). But there's definitely a few tips and tricks I can share with you to stay on track this holiday season when the egg nog keeps flowing and the gym is a distant memory.

1.  Workouts - Set a reminder in your phone NOW.  If you know you have an event on Tuesday and a holiday party on Saturday, go ahead and schedule your gym session on the days you know for sure are open already.  You'll be more inclined to stick to it if it's in your calendar and popping up to remind you.

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2. Drink Wisely - This is on thing I'm really good at. You'll NEVER see me drinking egg nog, frozen margaritas or anything of the sort.  My go to drink is tequila on the rocks (splash of water and a good squeeze of lime) if you don't fancy the hard stuff, stick to white or red wine but steer clear of anything that has cream in it.  They pack on the calories like a piece of cheesecake.

3.  Scope Out The Treats - If you've arrived at a holiday party and you're starving (I highly recommend eating a small meal before heading into these things so you don't over indulge) scope out what they have to offer first before you go crazy.  If the desert looks amazing, just choose one to try.  Try to fill up on things like veggies, shrimp and anything that isn't wrapped in filo dough.  You'll feel fuller longer and you'll feel better having that one small piece of sweet at the end before you head home. 

4. Office Indulgences - Like every office across America right now, the treats are coming in full swing. Gifts from clients, pot lucks and god knows what else can show up at the office break room.  The best way to stay on track is to steer clear. But sometimes that's not easy (especially if you're like me and it takes over your thoughts for the rest of the day) if that's the case, get up and go for a 10 minute walk. Bring a buddy and get some fresh air. You'll come back to your desk refreshed and you'll have completely (well maybe almost completely) forgotten about that platter of brownies in the break room.

5. Overspending on those party dresses - It's hard not to fall in love with an amazing holiday dress with all the sequins and shimmer that's happening right now. My tip on staying in budget or at least getting the best use out of your splurge, is to remix the hell out of that party dress you HAD to have.  How do you do this? Easy.  I like to take a dress and add a pencil skirt over it. Now the dress is a top and no one will notice.  Or if the dress has a fuller bottom, add a fitted top over it and a jacket (see how I did that here with this BB Dakota dress).  You'll extend the life of that pricey dress and no one will notice the difference.

How do you stay on track? Tell me in the comments below!


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Outfit du Jour - Patches Full of Sequins

American Threads Sweater (gifted) | Free People Cords | Naughty Monkey Shoes (similar) | Alternative Apparel Fedora | Madewell Rings |

I've been getting really lucky these days with cream sweaters. I've literally been on a hunt for several years and the last couple of finds have been PERFECTION.  Not sure why I don't wear hats more often, I feel like it's my alter ego, my very stylish edgy alter ego when I have one on.

All photos by Rebekah Carson Photography


And the winners of the American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie giveaways are

Anna
Andrea Darst
Romina Garza

Congrats ladies!

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