Bling in the Holiday with NYC Designers Isaac Mizrahi & Nora Gardner

Your Holiday Style begins with the perfect LBD blinged out with these key accessories. Dress: Alyssa by designer Nora Gardner, NYC

New York, NY Tis the season for holiday office parties and corporate events where you want to let your personality shine. Never underestimate to power of first impressions. At one corporate Christmas Party, I was introduced to the dean of a local college who recommended me for a teaching position which I accepted! How you present yourself is key and a polished, elegant look is what to aim for. Start with the perfect Little Black Dress from NYC based designer, Nora Gardner. Here is her "Alyssa":

"Alyssa" transitions perfectly from the office to an evening affair with a few accessories.

Alyssa Dress by Nora Gardner
First of all, let me say that this is one NYC fashion designer who "gets it" when it comes to clothing for active, young professional women. I love Nora Gardner's Alyssa for its V-neck and lovely fitted waistline thanks to a generous invisible back zipper. The bit of Spandex means this dress is comfortable for sitting and walking. The slit pockets make it perfect for a day at the office but the fit says anything but matronly. Wide shoulder bands means no worries about wearing a strapless bra underneath and the length is just right.  Wear it to the office during the day and add a statement necklace for after hours.

Alyssa Details

Offered in Dark Grey and Jet Black

Hits at the knee

37" from high point of shoulder

Model is wearing Size 0

Fit: Narrow Hip (see size chart)

Shell: 50% Polyester, 46% Rayon, 4% Spandex

Lining: 100% Polyester

Care: Dry clean only

Find a Sizing Chart Here.

Proudly Made in New York City-Visit Online at NoraGardner.com

PRESS UPDATE:

NEW DESIGNGER NORA GARDNER will hold their first showroom sale TUESDAY through THURSDAY,  December 10, 11, 12 

UP TO 80% OFF RETAIL - FASHION FORWARD WORKWEAR - OFFICE READY DRESSES AND SUITS WITH SOPHISTICATED STYLE

339 West 51st Street (between 7th and 8th), #1C * New York, NY 10019

HOURS:  NOON -3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. - and/or by appointment

Text Nora directly at 203-550-1022 for appointments

Isaac Mizrahi Live!
NYC fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi has a beautiful collection of watches this season. His Live! line offers lots of bold designs but I fell in love with this much more dressy, demure Crystal Watch.

Isaac Mizrahi Live! Crystal Bracelet Watch

Unlike my other bracelet watches, you don't need to take this watch to the jewelers to shorten the band. Simply open and remove the extra links by hand to get the desired wrist width you need. My wrists are extremely skinny so for a watch to fit me without falling off is quite a feat. Face is a lovely white Mother of Pearl with Roman numerals. See this watch and more at QVC.com

Isaac Mizrahi's Crystal Watch at a NYC party.

Crystal Bracelet Watch Details

• Silvertone; stainless steel backing and crown
• Round and square, clear crystals border case and bracelet links
• White mother-of-pearl dial; Roman numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12; bars at other hours; silvertone hour, minute, and second hands
• Bracelet with two removable foldover clasps
• Japanese movement
• Adjusts from small to large
• Approximate measurements: Bracelet 8"L x 1/2"W at links; Removable links 3/4"W; Case 1-1/8"L x 3/4"W
• Box, instructions
• 5-year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty

The Crystal Bracelet Watch comes beautifully gift-boxed.

Add Some Sparkle! 
You can really add interest to a little black dress like the Alyssa with both a watch and a little vintage evening bag. This is not the time to be shy, especially if your dress is monochromatic. Here my evening purse has an added snowflake pin over top the silvery sequins. It goes perfectly with the Crystal Watch!

Detail showing the snowflake pin I added to this vintage evening bag.

Sparkly Evening Bags 
Don't be afraid to add even more bling to bag or clutch for the evening. A dark, solid dress needs a bit of sparkle and your bag and bracelet (watch in my case) can give you the glitter you need to stand out. Also keep in mind that your nails can be accessorized with some beautiful sparkle finishes shown in the Holiday 2013 Collection from China Glaze.

Don't forget to bling those nails too. Happy HoliGalze Nail Lacquers from China Glaze

Happy HoliGlaze Nail Lacquer Collection from China Glaze
NEW for Holiday 2013 are these eye-blindingly sparkly nail lacquers from China Glaze, Los Angeles, CA! These all have built in nail hardeners and dry to a gorgeous finish. Pop one or all in a festive design for your next holiday party. See more holiday collections online at ChinaGlaze.com

PHOTO: Nail Lacquer Colors Left to Right
Bells Will Be Blinging - Elfin' Around - Your Present Required

Dress, watch and nail lacquer c/o Nora Gardner- NYC, QVC and China Glaze respectively. 

SoHo Beauty Clutches, HardCandy & China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze

Get your glam on! The Holidays are HERE and it's your time to sparkle. Travel in style with this SoHo Beauty French Twist Valet in Tweed and Studs!

Holiday time is sparkle time! The trees, homes and greeting cards are all a-glitter. So how about you? Add some shimmer and sparkle with these trendy accessories from SoHo Beauty starting with this French Twist Valet. Looks like an elegant tweedy studded clutch, doesn't it? Well, look inside and see that it's a full on travel case for all your makeup, nail laquers, brushes and more! The clear pouch is detachable held in place by clever velcro strips. You know makeup is one of the most important thing we pack for a holiday party. This clutch has room for it all.

Look, I can fit 6 large bottles of China Glaze Happy Holiglaze nail laquers in this chic valet!

Happy Holiglaze!
Sparkle isn't only for the Christmas lights, it's for your nails too. China Glaze has got you covered with their incredible Happy Holiglaze Collection of nail lacquers that remind me of Christmas Tree ornaments. These go on beautifully and glimmer like crazy. Mix and match or use them to accent your manicure with a bit of glittz. If these gorgeous glitters don't get you in the holiday mood, you're a Scrooge! These colors all contain nail hardener so they are great to help keep nails long and strong. Check out what else is "haute" at China Glaze Online.

Shimmery SoHo Beauty Metalic Wristlets Bags! Hard Candy Plumping Serum and Shadow Dancers Eye Shadows

Metallic Wristlets 
These Channelish Metallic Wristlets from SoHo Beauty are a perfect grab and go bag for a bit of evening twinkle. Enough room for your iPhone and some lip gloss (a woman's essentials) and some plastic, the little strap allows you to sport it as an accessory. Women used to carry their dance cards to the holiday balls in the same way!
"May I have this dance?"  See more of SoHo Beauty's lovely beauty essentials online.

Hard Candy is EYE Candy
Speaking of lip gloss, HardCandy's Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in All American Girl is definitely something you'll want to keep with you for the party circuit. Apply it before you put on lipstick in the morning for juicy moist lips. Touch up your lipstick without adding more color with the Plumping Serum in this nude shade. Brilliant!

Shadow Dancers Eye Shadows
Super Creamy-Shimmery Duos in Movers and Shakers look like stardust and seafoam blue-green. The Rock & Roll Duo is more of a light heather and peach. These are buildable and can also be used as liner because of the thin sponge applicator. These are quite pigmented and actually dry quite quickly to a powder finish. They are not greasy so they don't crease and the matte finish still maintains the sheer sparkle. See more holiday goodies that are shiny at HardCandy.com

Lucky Gift Guide
These all make super gifts and stocking stuffers. Check out my other great gift ideas for this holiday season by clicking here.

HardCandy Shadow Dancers & Plumping Serum

Makeup and makeup accessories c/o HardCandy and SoHo Beauty respectively.