The Long-Sleeve Minidress

The long-sleeve minidress is this season's staple silhouette. Its body-conscious fit hugs in all the right places and makes it easy to flaunt your gams. Pair it with leg-lengthening platforms for a party-perfect look—tights are optional. Long, layered necklaces are a great way to top off a long-sleeve minidress. Try a bunch of chains (also a hot look this season), or something like Stella & Dot's LaCoco Brooch Necklace.

The Little Black Dress

The little black dress is still the ultimate go-to piece in every girl's wardrobe. It's a blank canvas that can be dressed up or dressed down to suit any occasion. Milena Joy, a Denver-based image consultant, recommends her clients invest in a dress that will be versatile enough to go from day to night, with a change of accessories. Here are a few of her suggestions for doing that:

• Swap out the oversized smooth-leather handbag for a patent or embellished clutch.

• Replace the casual boyfriend jacket or cardigan for a cropped tuxedo jacket.

• Take the wide scarf wrapped around your neck during the day and drop it down around your shoulders to use it as a wrap at night.

• Replace your daytime suede heels or flats with metallic, patent or colorful heels.

• Add embellished headbands and hair clips.

• Wear a faux-fur wrap or scarf for a more dramatic look.

Just aim for adding interesting accessories, so your go-to dress doesn't wind up looking boring. A little sparkle, some interesting fabric, sexy shoes, and statement jewelry can go a long way to ensure that your little black dress is the base of your look, not the sum total of it.

Accessorizing with Animal Prints

Animal prints are still a flashy, hot trend. If you're revving up your look with a bold animal print jacket, sexy shoes, or look-at-me handbag, you probably want to tone down the rest of your accessories. Keep your belt understated in black or brown, and stick to classic accessories like simpler hoop earrings and just a signature charm necklace with your kids' initials.

Pictured: Stella & Dot initial charms (price varies) and Gilda hoop earrings ($49), available here.

Shades of Gray

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty stoked on this “shades of gray” trend. Most of what's in my closet is already black, white, or something in between, and layering on the shades of gray in the morning sounds like my cup of tea. What could be easier? You don't even have to match or

coordinate your colors, and I love layering because it helps me stay cozy in my freezing cold office (and while I'm standing at the bus stop in 20 degree weather!). Dressing in shades of gray may be easy, but it could get boring in a hurry. That's why it's essential to pair this trend with some fun, eye-catching accessories. Throw on a berry-colored scarf, add a metallic belt, grab a gold-tone clutch, or put on some trendy, glittery pumps. Colorful jewelry can also kick your style up a notch. Berry colors are popular right now, and they look terrific with your gray outfit (I like to think of it as a blank canvas).

Try a brooch, a statement necklace, or maybe a big cuff to attract a little extra attention to your fabulous fashion sense. Pictured: Tory Burch Metallic Clutch, $395 atNordstrom.com, Dreamsacks Pashbu Bamboo Scarf (it's sustainable and so soft!), $28 at Four Eighteen, (970) 349-1415, and Stone Wrapped Hoop Earrings from Stella & Dot, $69 at www.stelladot.com/sites/paris.

How to Wear Jewelry...from Lucky Magazine

Lucky Magazine offers some tips on how to wear that jewelry you're always gazing at, but say to yourself..."I could never pull that off." Now you can!

For a terrific, easy to wear layered necklace that's ready to wear, try the Chase Necklace ($59) from Stella & Dot. Longing for some statement earrings? Try these.

Sculptural Bracelets

Vogue is raving about sculptural bracelets in its December issue. Sculptural cuffs really add a unique touch to just about any outfit, from a tee and jeans to that holiday dress you can't wait to wear. They come in all colors and metals, and in all price ranges. You could try a Croc Embossed Cuff from YSL (pictured, $495, gold plate), or the Adele Cuff from Stella & Dot ($69 in gold vermeil, $64 in sterling silver).

The Chain Gang

Add some edge to your winter fashion with chains. Large chains, small chains, layered chains, mixed metals...anything goes. This look is easy to pull off because there are so many ways to wear your chains, and the more adventurous you are, the more likely it is you'll score points for being so fashionable. Designers who are part of the Chain Gang this season include everyone from the couture houses in Paris to more pedestrian retailers: Lanvin, Oscar de La Renta, Express, Banana Republic, and of course, Stella & Dot.

The Statement Piece

Feeling strapped for cash? Updating your wardrobe with new clothes every season gets expensive in a hurry (even at TJ Maxx!), and many of us are feeling like we just can't do it. Enter the Statement Piece. A bold necklace or some glamorous chandelier earrings added to last season's (or last years') outfits instantly gives them some new life. So instead of blowing your paycheck on expensive new threads that will only be dated in a few months, opt for something that gives more mileage to everything already in your closet. Statement pieces have the added bonus of being super easy to wear. You don't have to match your jewels, because all you need is one piece! Try the Garden Party Necklace or some onyx chandelier earrings (both from Stella & Dot).

First Fashion

First Lady Michelle Obama was in Denver this week promoting her mentoring program for girls. Of course, she also reminded us Coloradoans what a fashion icon she is quickly becoming. Belted cardigans are popular (I'm told that you should have several cargidans in your closet, and that they should be belted and NOT buttoned). Here, the First Lady is also showcasing another big trend...a statement bracelet. Glass pearls are more affordable than the real thing, especially if you want to pile it on like Michelle. Try layering Soiree Bracelets from Stella & Dot. They're just $29 each, and you can mix and match. For an already-done dripping-with-pearls look, go for the Grace Pearl Bauble Bracelet ($89). Just like the First Lady showed us, these looks can go from a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion to a chat with tomorrow's promising young women (or, if you're more like me, that might translate to a day at the office and cocktails with girlfriends).

Marketing your direct-sales business

It's all about social media in today's small business world. Over and over, I see articles and books and commentary indicating that it's Facebook or bust. So, if you're a small-business owner or direct-salesperson like me, here is a New York Times article that serves as something of a primer in Facebook marketing. And here is my very own Stella & Dot Facebook page (though I'll admit, I'm a novice).

A bit of Spanish style...

My fabulous parents just returned from Spain, and my mom, retail pro that she is, brought back some fashion insight. Sleek lines, skinny jeans tucked into boots, with a bit of ruffle peeking out from under a simple top was EVERYWHERE in Barcelona and Madrid this month. The shirt below is a good start, I'd add another layer in a neutral color (again, with simple lines, in a solid color) over the top so that the ruffles peek out. Top it all off with a La Coco 3-in-1 Necklace, and you're all set for a day about town!

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! This space is a forum for gleaning style tips, learning about the direct sales industry, and just being girly! I am a Stella & Dot Independent Stylist (in addition to having a day job as an attorney), and I adore it. I love sharing Stella & Dot Style with other fabulous women, and sharing the incredible business opportunity that I have found with this company. Join me here, on Facebook, and in my e-boutique for some much needed fashion and retail therapy. Better yet, join me in your living room for an exclusive viewing of Stella & Dot jewelry with your girlfriends...I am currently booking trunk shows all over Colorado.