End of Semester checkout

When the semester is finishing up, it is time to fully embrace the approach of winter. Just because finals are around the corner does not give you an excuse to slack in the fashion department! 

What is warmer than fur? Not much. But that is why fur, faux of course, is the perfect accessory for the cold weather. Fur vests have come back into style this season so take full advantage of this hot (literally) look while you can. 

This week's inspiration is Pippa Middleton. 

Her all grey ensemble is anything but boring. With different textures and shades, she incorporates casual with chic. And the pop of the brown moccasin shoe really ties everything together. Pippa is also carrying a sleek laptop case, so she means business; and so should you!

To break up the outfit even more, Pippa is wearing grey and white fingerless gloves. Bringing in white with other accessories will also get you noticed. White is clean and polished, yet simple, and stands out against any other color, even grey. It also reminds me of snow.. and it is winter after all. Watches, stud earrings and a small seasonal necklace are the perfect barely there accents to this outfit. Here are some examples that exude simplicity with this busy attire:

Winter is often associated with dark colors. I'm not sure if it's from trying to hide all the holiday weight gain or because of the long hours of darkness and gloom. Either way a gorgeous dark blue nail is totally appropriate for this time of year. The motivation for this week is to get through finals and end the semester on a strong note. Dark nail polish is sophisticated and edgy. As an added plus the darkness won't be a distraction so you can really get some serious work done. Yoga-ta Get This Blue by O.P.I is a perfect choice, seen below:

The last component of any put together look is hair and makeup. Considering the hectic attitude of finals preparation, sticking to your everyday routine might be a smart choice. Don't think of it as boring, think of it as keeping yourself balanced. Staying in a routine can reduce stress and improve focus.. which is EXACTLY what you will need at this point. Pippa Middleton not only offers outfit inspiration, but shows how a sticking to a simple, everyday look can still be stunning. Air-dried hair with a little anti-frizz serum and a bit of bronzer, dark eyeliner and mascara are a fantastic combination without being overdone. Shown here Pippa flaunts her natural waves and beautiful complexion:

Pippa Middleton, sister of Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge), is a hardworking young woman. She is constantly in the spotlight for being a royal socialite but she certainly means business. At only 29 years young she has already accomplished so much, from public relations, management, and writing her own book to being named one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Wow. She really is a perfect candidate for this week's inspiration.

If you're like me you need a serious wake up call at the end of the semester. As things wind down just remember how simple it is to look good and mean business. And as always, if you look good, you feel good.