HOLIDAY PARTY ATTIRE

This holiday party season don't get left out in the cold because you have nothing to wear. My Scoop scouted out some of the most fabulous dresses, shoes, and jewelry to make sure our Scoopettes were dressed to impress.


From left to right, Allison Taylor in a shimmering dress by Diane von Furstenberg $354, Fendi shoes on sale for $468 from Saks Fifth Avenue and Erika Pena earrings $96, cuff $245 and cocktail ring $170 from Manhattan South. Michelle Le in Alabama designer Hunter Dixon dress with butterfly sleeves $425 found exclusively at Laura Kathryn in Crestline Village and strappy shoes by Charles David $105 from Laura Kathyrn. Cherie Fields Democracy champagne chiffon dress $128 from Lara at Patton Creek. Jeana Lee Fleming in a purple print backless dress by Christopher Deane from Swank 35223 $370 and Poetic shoes $98 from Shoelfy in Homewood, and Charlotte Thompson in a Milly Dress $348 from Marella in Mountain Brook Village and gold Sam Edelman shoes $98 from Shoefly in Homewood.


Put on your dancing shoes! These fashionistas hit the floor at The Club, director John Badham's inspiration for the lighted floor in Saturday Night Fever.





Charlotte adding a little color to the holidays in a Signette yellow dress from Swank 35223 $380, Apepazza Pewter shoes $148 from Shoefly in Homewood, and John Hardy jewelry from Barton-Clay. Jeana Lee wearing Tracy Reese sequined underlay dress from Marella $325 and diamond necklace and diamond hoops from Bromberg's.



We all spot those fashion faux pas during the holidays - so make sure to bring your A game to any holiday affair. Cherie wearing Curtsy blousant sleeve dress $204 with metallic shoes by Seychelles $88 Lara at Patton Creek. Michelle wearing Karta $243 with black patent Sam Edelman shoes $94 from Laura Kathryn in Crestline Village.






Bringing gifts galore and good tidings too. Allison looks stunning in this red fitted sparkling Carmen Marc Valvo dress $895 Saks Fifth Avenue. Charlotte wore an elegant black and white brocade Diane von Furstenberg dress $485 from Marella in Mountain Brook Village and a beautiful diamond necklace from Barton-Clay.


Photos by Arik Sokol






Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit Announcing Jo Malone

DRESSING FOR THANKSGIVING

Ever since I can remember I dressed up for the holidays. As a young girl my mom encouraged me to wear cute skirts and sweaters, never just jeans. It was an occasion, just like going to church, and I needed to dress special to make it more momentous than just any regular day. So this thought of dressing up was ingrained in me. I remember in the early nineties wearing stirrup patterned leggings and an Irish wool sweater my mom had bought me in Ireland to Thanksgiving dinner. My senior year in high school- knee highs, a corduroy skirt, and 3/4 sleeve turtleneck sweater. One Thanksgiving in college my grandmother bought me a darling red pea coat - I wore it everywhere that season. When my now husband and I first started dating and I also began visiting his family for the holidays, I asked what should I wear? His reply, what do you mean for Thanksgiving? To me any special day deserves a special attire and of course these days jeans are quite different than they were 10 years ago - a great pair of designer jeans, cute sweater, and chic shoes are perfectly acceptable. However with dresses not being 'too dressy' it is also easy to throw on a sweater dress and leggings or tunic, opaque tights and boots.
Here are some great choices for 'dressing' for Thanksgiving. Count your blessings and give thanks in style.

Milly Kaleidoscope silk twill dress. Milly can be found at Marella in Mountain Brook Village.







Vince cashmere sweater dress $290 Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit.






Saks Fifth Avenue Advertisement Saturdays at Saks


Since chill may be factor this turkey day layer this over a turtleneck. Harvest Tunic $48 Francesca's Collection at The Summit.







Orion of London goldfish tunic dress $148- layer, layer, layer! Pair this with a black turtleneck, black leggings, and shoe booties for the perfect fall look, Swank 35223 in Mountain Brook Village.







Diane von Furstenberg geometric tunic dress on sale today $315 at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit.


Noteworthy: Saks is having a huge designer sale TODAY visit the store or online at www.saks.com!

ADD A LITTLE SPARKLE TO YOUR WARDROBE

Tis' the season to add a little shimmer and shine to your wardrobe. Whether you are looking for an all out sparkling outfit or just want a little umph to your everyday attire, here are items that can add a little glitz or all out glam.

Brynn Isom dress with gorgeous silk charmeuse coral bodice and shimmer skirt at Swank 35223 in Mountain Brook Village.








Molly New York Dia Long Sleeve Dress $198, Erika Pena Olga Cuff $245, Heather Hawkins Clutch $230, Jami Rodriquez Necklace $79 at Manhattan South in Cahaba Village Center next to Whole Foods.




Me Too Nolano Flats $89 Shoefly in Homewood.










This Silver clutch is a must have $56 Lara at Patton Creek.










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Yoana Baraschi Top with embellishments Marella in Mountain Brook Village.













French Connection sequin skirt Laura Kathryn in Crestline Village.







Roberto Coin Diamond Chain with diamonds strategically placed on the white gold chain. You can wear this piece with a white button down and jeans or with cocktail attire. It also is great for layering $1520 Bromberg's at The Summit.

THE TRENCH: INSPIRED BY VETERANS

Did you know that one of our favorite coats, the trench, was originally a military jacket? In honor of Veterans' Day My Scoop salutes veterans and the veteran-inspired trench.
The trench coat is a descendant of the heavy serge coats worn by British and French soldiers in World War I. The trench coat was created by Thomas Burberry, the inventor of gabardine fabric, who submitted a design for an army officer's raincoat to the United Kingdom War Office in 1901. Burberry's raincoat subsequently became part of the service uniform of British officers and was dubbed "trench coat" by the soldiers in the trenches. Many veterans returning to civilian life kept their coats that became fashionable for both men and women. Towards World War II, the trench coat became part of all enlisted men's and officers' kits in many countries' armed forces.
During World War II, the military forces continued to use the trench coat on the battlefield in cold weather. A typical trench coat is a ten-buttoned, double-breasted long coat made with tan, khaki, beige, or black fabric. Trench coats often have cuff straps on the raglan sleeves, shoulder straps (originally used to hold gloves and folding service caps, such as the Glengarry bonnet), and a belt that may also have two small brass D-rings as a salute to its military heritage. The rings were used to secure grenades, or sidearms (or swords in World War I).


Burberry, the inventor of the trench coat, Short Trench $895 Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit.






Mint by Jodi Arnold Trench $682. Mint can be found at Laura Kathryn in Crestline Village and Susan G. Mattews in Mountain Brook Village.














Kenneth Cool Tweed Trench $338 nordstrom.com.















Saks Fifth Avenue Advertisement Saturdays at Saks

Samantha Mini Trench $89.95 Anthropologie at The Summit.







The Burton Trench $58 Francesca's Collection at The Summit.






Juicy Couture double breasted trench $548 at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit.










Alice and Olivia Trench $465 nordstrom.com

CAVALLI AT H&M

This year's top designer collaboration at H&M is all about glamour and showing off the best of yourself, day and night - and just in time for the holiday party season! Latin fashion icon Roberto Cavalli is many fashionistas' dream designer and a favorite of the stars with his signature style: extravagant, perfectly-flattering and sensual in rock glamour. On November 8th a collection featuring some of Cavalli's favorite pieces for women and men will be available in approximately 200 selected H&M stores worldwide.

The collection is a complete Roberto Cavalli wardrobe for day and night with underwear and accessories to match. Great leather jackets, perfect tailored suits and separates, sexy evening numbers, fancy tops, T-shirts and fabulous jeans are some of the must-have Roberto Cavalli staples. For women, animal prints and lurex are important whilst for men, it's more discreet black, midnight blue, brown and white. Accessories range from jewellery to belts and shoes.

"Fashion is an expression of freedom. This collaboration with H&M allows me to give a gift to the young audience that loves what I do, and identifies with my creativity, but might not be able to own a Roberto Cavalli piece. The collection I have designed for H&M contains all the elements of my signature Cavalli style, and is infused with glamour and joy", explains Roberto Cavalli.

"It's a sheer joy to be able to offer Roberto Cavalli's best pieces to our customers. We have admired his unique and exquisite craftsmanship for years, and just love his positive outlook on fashion. These pieces are made to feel fabulous and have fun in, and must be some of the holiday season's ultimate buys," says H&M’s head of design Margareta van den Bosch. Click here to see the complete collection.

BLACK, WHITE, AND MOD ALL OVER

I adore the mod look. Shortened for 'modernist' and defined by sculpted edges. This look originated in London in the late 1950's and reached its peak in the 60's. Want to be a mod girl? Here is what you need: A-line dress, opaque tights, chunky shoes, defined eyes, a chin length hair style (think Posh Spice), and an oh- so funky attitude. These black and white dresses with their geometric shapes are great additions to the mod girl's closet.

I love this simple mod Vanessa Barantes White Column dress $210 at Doree at SOHO.





Go retro in Tibi $375. Tibi can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit, Susan G. Matthews in Mountain Brook Village, or Laney's Place at SOHO.






So mod, so affordable! Alice Temperley for Target $49.99.







Tory Burch does Twiggy $295. Tory Burch can be found at Gus Mayer at Colonial Brookwood Village.









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Mint by Jodi Arnold (native Birmingham designer) black and white mod coat $594. Mint can be found at Susan G. Matthews in Mountain Brook Village, Laura Kathryn in Crestline Village or Neimanmarcus.com.

Ella Moss striped dress $171. Ella Moss can be found at Lara at Patton Creek or Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit.

This dress is perfect to pair with opaque tights and turtleneck on cold nights. Sally Tseng Bugsy dress $319. Tseng can be found exclusively at Swank 35223.







Michael Stars black trapeze jersey dress $138. Michael Stars can be found at Emma's at Lee Branch, The Clothes Tree off Acton Road, Private Gallery at The Summit, and Betsy Prince at Colonial Brookwood Village.







A perfect mod dress - Karta $334 at Saks.com.

FLAPPER FABULOUS

Feeling jazzy? A big trend this season is the 1920’s inspired look. These great dresses look oh so Gatsby and are too dolled up not to love. So conjure your inner Daisy Buchanan and head to the nearest Speakeasy for a little flapper fun.

French Connection dress (above) can be found at Swank 35223 in Mountain Brook Village $198.


This gorgeous silver sequined garb by Nanette Lepore was worn by Elizabeth Drennen at the Want It! Party at Saks. Saks Fifth Avenue $465.











Simple and chic this black dress can be found for a steal at Francesca's Collection at The Summit $68.















Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit Announcing Jo Malone Launching mid-November

Bright blue Tracy Reese dress is flirty and fun, perfect for the 1920's doll. Tracy Reese can be found at Marella in Mountain Brook Village $308.










Get jazzy in this Juicy Couture number. Saks Fifth Avenue $168.







Elizabeth and James, named after the Olsens' younger sister and older brother is a new 'eclectic, upscale' line from the twins. This rainbow sequin dress is too fabulous and is now back ordered at stores carrying the line. Intermix, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman $495.

This Oh Deer 20's inspired shoe with sequins will put a little jitterbug in your step. Oh Deer shoes can be found locally at Manhattan South in the Cahaba Village Shopping Center off Highway 280 next to Whole Foods.

Don't miss your opportunity to get down Gatsby style at Speakeasy Thursday night, October 18th. Click here for more information.