6 Tips to Rock Your Holiday Card Outfits

Do you struggle with planning out your holiday card outfits?  Are you meticulous like me? Here are some tips on finding the right assortment of clothes for you and your family for your holiday cards:

Christmas 2017

Theme: Luxe fall foliage

Color scheme: deep green and burnt orange tones with rich textures

Photography by Alexander DeDios

1) Figure out your location/theme. Do you want it set outdoors? Fall/winter? (Pro's are beautiful settings, con's are you are subject to the weather) Do you want it indoors (pro's are controlled settings/lights/etc) Do you want it by the fireplace? Are you all drinking hot cocoa on the couch? Are you all decorating your tree?

2)  Figure out a color scheme.  Try to pick at least 3 colors to incorporate into the look.  Unless you like the all white top and all khaki pants looks that everyone does by the beach then go for it.  But to make it a more stylized shoot, try to incorporate more colors so its cohesive but not so matchy matchy.  Pick colors that match your theme or colors that you probably have in your closet already. 

3) Shop your closet.  You don't have to buy new clothes just for your pictures.  Figure out what you have and be creative! Is there an old dress you wore to a wedding?  Can you dress it down by adding a chunky sweater to it?  Is there a plaid skirt that you love?  can you pin it in the back and make it a dress somehow for your daughter?  Does your son not own something in your color scheme?  Can you find socks in that color as a pop?  Also, the tones don't have to be exactly the same.  The different tones the better in fact - again so there's some contrast.  Don't be shy to use your accessories on your kids.  Do you have one too many plaid blanket scarves?  Use them on your kids for that perfect fall shot.  Or better yet use one of them as a picnic blanket and sit on it while you guys huddle amongst the leaves drinking cider.   Do you guys wear matching pj's for christmas morning every year?  Why not get more use out of it and use it for your pic?

4) Do you have a new addition to your family?  Make sure they are wearing the brightest color in your color scheme so they really stand out.  So for example if you are doing a red/tan/black theme, your little baby girl could be in neutral colors but could have a bright red bow on her or for boys, a bright red bib or even shoes.  

5) Time of day. This all depends on your family.  Pick a time when everyone has napped or just woken up so no one is cranky.  If your shoot is outdoor, sunset is always the optimal hour (the golden hour) to get that beautiful light.  But really the important thing is to have everyone in a good mood so you decide what time is best for your family.

6) Accessories.  If you are going to spend money one something new for the pictures, make sure its something you can reuse again.  Or instead of buying a whole new outfit, again, focus on the accessories.  Accessories do wonders for your look.  Focus on scarves/statement jewelry/ shoes/ hair pieces/ even makeup! 

Here are some of our past photos for our christmas cards.  I'll go through each pic with the theme/color scheme/and overall vision i had in  mind:

Christmas 2013

Theme:  Rustic Luxe/Fall Foliage

Color Scheme:  Plaids with a pop of red

Photography by Richelle Schroer

Christmas 2014

Theme: Winter Wonderland

Color Scheme: pink/grey/ivory with hints of fur

Photography by Richelle Schroer

Christmas 2016

Theme: StreetStyle Luxe

Color Scheme:  lavender and navy with luxe hints of tulle and fur
Photography by Peter Atkins

 Christmas 2015

Theme: New Year's Eve Celebration

Photography by Richelle Schroer

Hope you love these tips!!  Tag me in your holiday card family photos! Would love to see your beautiful family!

xoxo,

Karen

A Holiday Party with Maggy London

I know, it's hard to envision the holidays being upon us.  But with Halloween coming around the corner, it's inevitable.  To be honest, I'm really looking forward to the holidays.  I love decorating the house with elegant gold and silver garlands, beautiful tablescapes with pinecones and holly leaves, and of course decorating the tree. 

I am actually  really looking forward to holiday parties - I'm envisioning adult conversations, sipping a few cocktails, and dolling up with a great red lipstick and a killer dress - all the complete opposite of my life now with the kids during school days! ;)

I love every single one of the dresses in the Maggy London holiday line.  Picture rich jewel tones of blue, emerald, classic black and a gorgeous lurex fabric with hints of gold and silver.  Their silhouettes are always so slimming and so flattering. 

My absolute favorite from this collection is the Sabrina dress.  It's an off the shoulder style which just exudes sexiness without being too much.  It skims the body to show off a women's beautiful figure but still ruches in the center so it's very forgiving.  I'll take that!!  And black is always classy.  I paired it with a classic pump, a metallic clutch and of course a pop of red lipstick. 

Bring on the holidays...and the cocktails!!

xoxo, Karen