I am absolutely loving these pointy-toe flats from DV by Dolce Vita.

Dolce Vita has long been one of my lust-after shoe brands, but is a bit on the pricey side.

DV by Dolce Vita is much more affordable and has some adorable shoe options, like this!

Every woman should own a great pair of pointy-toe flats, as they look amazing with many different outfits. My favorite pairing? Slightly slouchy skinny jeans and a faux-fur vest.

Do you have any pointy-toe flat favs?

Let’s be real. A good winter coat can be a major investment. But if you choose wisely, the coat will last forever (or at least a good long time) and remain trend-relevant for seasons to come. Here’s my criteria for buying a new coat:

1. It has to go with my boots/shoes
Even though you shed your coat once you come in from the cold, outside, your coat is part of your outfit — which is why it’s critical to pick wisely. I have a really diverse collection of shoes: everything from crazy high 5″ Balenciaga platforms, to sunshine-yellow ankle booties, to everyday flat boots, so I try to find a coat that will transition smoothly from high fashion to low-maintenance. I find that leather jackets, peacoats, and belted puffers make the switch most easily.

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Be fearless this winter with larger-than-life statement accessories. These bib necklaces can be dressed up or down, and in the case of the two felt pieces below, will also help keep bare necks warm!

Consider revamping your old New Year’s eve dress with the floating Gem Bib from DoloresPetunia:

Bib necklaces can seem intimidating at first, but they are an easy way to update your wardrobe, as they are both fashion-forward and comfortable.

“To anyone who mentions “style feeder” for the month of november when placing an order I will take 10% off of the total.”

Have you ever walked through a museum and seen a piece of ancient jewelry among the Roman or tribal artifacts that you badly wish you could wear?

This seems to be a regular occurrence for me. There are just so many stunning pieces of jewelry that have survived the ages and would be very wearable even today.

Some pieces that give a nod to ancient times that I have found in my recent wanders of the Internet:

Above: Gwendolen Brass Necklace at Lulus.com

Above: Connect The Dots Cuff at Lulus.com

Above: Argonauts Ring at Lulus.com

Above: Huntress Necklace at Lulus.com

Above: Lelania Daisy Bone Earrings at Lulus.com

Above: Queen Isis Necklace by Lulus.com

Above: Renaissance Ring in Silver or Gold at Lulus.com

I found all the above at Lulus.com which means you won’t have to spend a lot of money to add a bit of history to your jewelry box, though you can find many expensive pieces on various sites and in stores. I always go for affordable offerings when trying out a style in case it is not to my liking. Lulus.com and Forever 21 are great stores to purchase affordable accessories to try a trend or start your own.

So, the next time you wander a museum or see a piece of jewelry in a history book that you would love to wear, search the Internet or wander the stores. You may see something that reminds you of the piece!

Wear a little bit of history.

I won’t be dressing up for Halloween this year — as a first-time parent, I’m more interested in watching the infant monkeys, ladybugs and penguins that will be populating our party. But if I were, I think I would go for a costume with some retro allure that would recapture a little of the magic of playing dress-up.

Which immediately rules out any adult Halloween costumes that include the word “sexy” in front of an otherwise respectable profession — so no naughty nurses, librarians or referees.

I love the idea of a gorgeous period costume….what a great way to try on the styles of a previous era. We’re seeing a lot of influences from the past in this year’s trends, so why not invest in a piece that will do double duty? You could go for a full-on flapper costume:

Or just splurge on one of this season’s dresses inspired by the roaring 20s. Add some pearls and a pair of Mary Janes for Halloween…and wear it again with modern accessories on a date or a night on the town!

Likewise, the 80s are making a fashion comeback. You could get decked out in an 80s costume worthy of Krystal Carrington:

Or you could take inspiration from that decade’s strong shoulders and neon brights to put together a wear-anytime look. How about a jacket or top with padded shoulders? Pair it with costume jewels, a bright blouse, a pencil skirt and a Joan Collins updo for All-Hollows Eve, then work the versatile piece into your regular fall and winter rotation.

What are you going to be for Halloween this year?

I have been browsing online and in local stores recently and noticed a new trend: the fold-over or “bell bottom” boot.

They come in many lengths and styles:

The Buckle Fold-Over Ankle Bootie:

The Mid-Calf Zip-Up Boot:

The To-The-Knee Western Bell Bottom Boot:

The Back Zip To-The-Knee Wedge Fold-Over Boots:

Personally, I am loving theses “to-the-knee” styles and would love to find a pair. They’re modern, sleek, and would really add some flair to my wardrobe. You do have to have a bit of daring to wear them.

How about you? Are you liking the fold-over boot trend? I would love to hear opinions from fashionistas.

The Tastemaker Diaries is pleased to welcome guest blogger, Sarah, brought to you by Victoria’s Secret. She’s a professional stylist who will be sharing her favorite picks from the VS PINK fall line.

We’ve all had those days in college where we hit the snooze button for the 9th time, only to realize that we have the choice of either getting dressed or brushing our teeth. In the interest of not scaring off the cute boy sitting next to you in English class with morning breath, stock up on Victoria’s Secret PINK loungewear. This way, you can wear your pajama pants to class and still look stylish!

With a wide assortment of casual sweats and accessories that are comfortable and easy to throw on but still sexy (they’re from Victoria’s Secret after all!), this loungewear is great for a variety of on- or off-campus occasions.

Go straight from class to the gym in this great foldover yoga pant:

Keep cozy and warm in a pair of thigh-high sweater tights:

While you probably can’t wear slippers to class (fuzzy kittens don’t scream style!), you can have all of the comfort and warmth of a slipper while still being chic with these studded moccasins.

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There comes a time in a woman’s life when she gets a bit bored with the norm when it comes to fashion. She longs to be a bit daring and wear something that really stands out in a crowd. It can be a bit intimidating to take a risk and wear something that sets you out from everyone else; will you be laughed at or considered strange just for wearing an item of clothing or accessory that no one else is?

I am one of those fashion-loving women who adores taking risks and wearing things that others don’t dare to wear. I have learned that while wearing a strange bracelet or pair of shoes may draw comments like ‘That is SO weird”, I may start a fashion trend in my local area. You have to be a bit daring from time to time or else life is boring. At least I think so.

You don’t have to go overboard and dress like a runway model but you can take one item of clothing or accessory and make it a stand-out in your outfit. Be daring but not reach the “scary zone” of dressing different head to toe.

You can wear a funky necklace when wearing a very simple outfit:

Above: Knick Knacks Necklace at Francescas Collections

Or you can wear a really bold ring:

Above:Dannijo Andi Ring at shopbop.com

Wear a pair of eye-catching shoes:

Above: “Marina” black embossed leather wedges by Rock & Republic at Bluefly.com

Or wear a interesting blouse:

Above: “Jonas” cut-out shoulder tie blouse by Mike & Chris at Bluefly.com

You don’t have to go to overboard, just take a little bit of a chance. Sure, some people will call what you are wearing “weird” but, you may be the woman who starts a new trend. Don’t let the worry of negative comments by others stop you from having fun with fashion.

The Tastemaker Diaries is pleased to welcome guest blogger, Sarah, brought to you by Victoria’s Secret. She’s a professional stylist who will be sharing her favorite picks from the VS PINK fall line.

A great jean is a necessity for every wardrobe. Dressed up, dressed down, just hanging out or going out, putting on the perfect fitting pair of jeans can add to your confidence (and make your butt look even better)!

Even though Victoria’s Secret PINK only launched their denim line in June 2009, they have a range, quality, and style based on years of experience and development! With a style for every body shape and occasion, and great prices, everyday style becomes effortless with these jeans.

Try a pair of comfy, casual, trendy boyfriend jeans for an effortlessly cool look. Victoria’s Secret PINK has done all the work of breaking them in, you just have to wear them!

With the perfect amount of distressing, these flare jeans are great to throw on for an easy, downtown look. These will be your ultimate go-to jeans!

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The hottest thing on Etsy at the moment are harnesses. Not the kind you strap your puppy into, or the slightly ruder kind, but a new kind of harness. A “fashion” harness if you will.

These harnesses can be worn over barely-there tops or body-conscious dresses. For a more interesting look, try one layered over flowing dresses and baggy t-shirts.

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