HOW TO STYLE A STATEMENT BAG

OUTFIT DETAILS: KAMALIKULTURE DRESS  | |  COACH SWAGGER CROSSBODY VIA ZAPPOS  | |  VINTAGE LEATHER JACKET  | |  SHOEMINT HEELS  | |  KAREN WALKER SUNGLASSES

As we head into Fall, my style starts shifting to darker colors, more layers, and more neutrals. But since I still like to have something in my outfit that reflects my personality, I’ll usually add one statement piece.

Statement bags are a fun way to add a pop of color or boldness, and with Coach’s new collection of Swagger bags, I’m totally inspired to rock the bold statement bag look. They have tons of gorgeous choices full of rich and bold colors, perfect for complimenting your Fall looks. And with Zappos fast and free shipping (my purchases literally come the day after I order them), it’s basically the easiest thing ever to snag yourself a beautiful new bag for Fall.

So today let’s talk about how to style a statement bag for the Fall.

1. Keep your outfit neutral. When it comes to statement bags, let them do the talking. Keep the rest of your outfit more low key so the bag really stands out. Don’t let your outfit and your bag compete for attention -- let it be one or the other.
2. Choose a smaller bag. If the rest of your outfit is pretty neutral (like my all-black ensemble), then a giant bold bag is going to overwhelm. Keep it all balanced by choosing a smaller statement bag. This black and white crossbody bag from Coach’s new Swagger collection is the perfect size -- big enough to hold my wallet, keys, phone, and lipgloss, but not so big that I feel like a walking neon sign.
3. Add one other semi-bold piece. To keep your statement bag choice from being completely out of left field, add one other small accessory or something to compliment the statement. For my outfit, I chose a pair of black and white shoes which add another pop of bold that compliment without competing. You could also choose a necklace, a ring, a hat, a jacket, or something else that helps the statement bag make sense with the rest of your outfit.

Think you can rock your statement bags now? Check out the entire collection of Coach’s Swagger bags right here on Zappos.com.

photos by jana laurene | created in collaboration with zappos and coach

QUICK FIX FRIDAY: LONG SLEEVE TO SHORT SLEEVE REFASHION

OUTFIT DETAILS: target top (old, similar here for $10!) | asos pleated skirt (almost sold out, similar here) | charles david heels | lulu* clutch | karen walker sunglasses

I bought this top a couple of years ago from Target when I instantly fell in love with the windowpane print. I wore it a few times, but it never seemed to look right and I couldn't put my finger on what I didn't like about it. Then a few weeks ago I saw a similar shirt online, but it was short sleeved. Duh! I instantly knew what was the problem with this shirt, and that it needed short sleeves right away. I'm not a big long sleeve wearer, so chopping off a foot of each sleeve was just what it needed to make this shirt more me. And now I've worn it more in two weeks than I have in two years. 

This is a super quick and easy fix you can do to shorten your sleeves. This works with any length of sleeve, and you can shorten them one inch or twenty inches -- it's all the same method!

Step 1. Try your shirt on and determine how long you want your sleeves. Mark with a pin. 

Step 2. Carefully remove your shirt and lay it flat on the floor with the sleeves as flat and smooth as possible. Using a straight edge ruler and rotary cutter (scissors work fine too), cut the sleeve one inch below your marking point. Make sure the angle of your cut matches the original hem. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Step 3. Turn your shirt inside out fold the hem of the sleeve up half and inch, and then again another half an inch. Pin in place. Then turn right side out again and sew around the sleeve with a wide straight stitch. Repeat for the second sleeve. 

Step 4. Press and you're done! 

Now the fun part is going through your closet and deciding which shirts to chop!! If you use this tutorial (or any of my tutorials), post a picture on social media and tag me @merricksart so I can see! 

Happy weekend projecting!

PURPLE PEOPLE EATER

target dress (last year, similar here and here)

land's end coat, c/o

target heels (bow DIY'd by me, tutorial here -- purchase similar here)

similar earrings

urban outfitter sunglasses 

similar bag 
sonix iphone case, c/o

The best way to brighten up a dark and rainy day is with a bright coat, don't you think?? 

I've rounded up a few of my favorites below that would be sure to bring out the sunshine -- click the image in the widget to shop!

LITTLE WHITE DRESS + WIN A TRIP TO NYC!

Outfit Details:

White Midi Dress (wearing size small), c/o

Baby Blue Faux Leather Jacket (wearing size x-small), c/o

Caged Heels, c/o

Black and White Box Clutch, c/o

UO Sunglasses

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA WALK

A trip to New York City with your best friend is pretty much every girls dream, right? It's certainly one of mine! Today I'm so excited to team up with one of my favorite online shops, Lulu*s to give you just that -- an all-expenses-paid trip New York City during Fashion Week with your best friend!  

Lulu*s is one of my go-to online shopping spots -- especially for shoes and dresses. I think half of the shoes in my closet are from there, including this pair of fringe ankle boots that I recently snagged and are in heavy rotation. They also have some amazing outerwear -- I mean, how gorgeous is that baby blue faux leather jacket?? I also love this checkered coat and this black leather jacket.


Enter Lulu*s Style Studio Contest by creating your own Fashion Week inspired outfit, like I did with my little white dress and baby blue leather jacket (although admittedly, I'm pretty sure I couldn't last an entire day at Fashion Week in those heels).

The trip for you and your best friend will include travel and hotel accommodations, plus VIP access to Lulu*s huge fashion blogger party Style Studio, $1,000 to spend at Lulu*s, $500 to NYX Cosmetics, spa service at LUSH Spa in NYC, car service, and a styling session from Lulu*s lead stylist! You guys do not want to miss out on this!

To Enter the Contest:

- Follow @lulus on Instagram

- Upload a pic to Instagram showing us your NYFW inspired outfit

- Tag @lulus in the caption and tell us why you and your bestie deserve to win!

- Hashtag your photo with #LULUSstylestudio

Winner will be announced on 1/23/15. Contest open to US residents only. Must be 18 to win. 
See all the terms and conditions of the contest here.

Good luck!!

3 FESTIVE OUTFITS FOR ALL YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES

It's holiday party season, and with one party after another on our calendar, I have party attire on the brain! So I teamed up with Lulu*s today to create three festive outfits that you can wear to your parties, no matter what's the dress code!

First up, DRESSY. A little red dress is the perfect option since it's classic, but also so festive. Let the dress do the talking, so keep the rest of your outfit slightly lower key. I went with a simple black and white jacket, black glittery clutch, and nude heels (although when I wore this outfit to Philip's work party over the weekend, he picked out black stilettos for me instead, which also looked great). 

lulu*s dress, c/o

sheinside jacket

bcbg heels via dsw

 lulu*s clutch, c/o

urban outfitters sunglasses

accessory concierge cuff, c/o

leila jewelry love knot necklace, c/o

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Next up, FESTIVE. Or semi-casual. This is my favorite dress code because you can really do anything, and it gives you a chance to pull out your funnest holiday attire. For me, it's all about the sequins, baby! I toned my sequin pencil skirt with super casual pieces -- a striped tee, fringed ankle boots, and a pom-pom knit beanie. Can I wear this outfit every single day? 

boden tee, similar here and here

lulu*s skirt, c/o

steve madden ankle boots via lulu*s, c/o

pom-pom beanie via tjmaxx, c/o (similar here)

accessory concierge cuff, c/o

 lulu*s clutch, c/o

inpink double crossed ring, c/o

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And last, but not least, CASUAL. Even if the dress code is casual, I'm a firm believer you should still dress festively (and always overdress a little)! I paired a simple red and green outfit with this pretty green plaid blouse and my favorite holiday shoes, and then toned it all down with distressed denim. 

lulu*s blouse, c/o

dittos jeans, c/o

ann marino pumps via tjmaxx (last year), similar here

similar quilted crossbody bag

urban outfitters sunglasses

michael kors watch

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANA LAURENE

Also, to go with my holiday outfits, I wore my clip in Luxy hair extensions to make my hair look full and fabulous! Use coupon code LUXYMERRICK for $5 your order of luxies!

So which one is your favorite? And what will you be wearing to your holiday parties??

DIY FRIDAY: GINGHAM DROP WAIST PEPLUM TOP

peplum top: made by me (fabric c/o online fabric store) -- buy an almost identical one here for just over $30!
similar leather jacket here and here

gap jeans (similar)

dolce vita wedges

similar bag

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA WALK

For some reason I cannot get enough of gingham this season. It's such a classic print and goes with absolutely everything -- I can't stay away! (In fact, I just bought a pair of gingham Christmas pajamas). I've been wanting to make a drop waisted peplum top for a while now, so when Online Fabric Store sent me this gorgeous gingham cotton, I knew just what to do with it. 

This is a super easy top that you can make in an afternoon, so if you're looking for a good weekend project (or even a fun Christmas gift for your sister or friend), definitely try this tutorial. And pick up some fabric at Online Fabric Store this weekend while they're having a huge Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal -- find all the details right here!

I also posted a couple of gift guides this week here and here, and there are a ton of good sales going on this weekend at my favorite stores, so make sure you're taking advantage of them while you're doing your holiday shopping!

J.Crew Factory: 50% OFF everything and free shipping on orders over $50.00

Old Navy: up to 50% OFF store wide & 50% OFF in stores, get an extra 15% OFF with code GRAVY

GAP: 50% off everything TODAY ONLINE ONLY with code BLKFRIDAY

ASOS: 30% OFF everything with code TGIBF 
Sole Society: 30% OFF and free shipping through Dec. 1.

Nordstrom: up to 40% OFF select products.

J.Crew: 30% OFF with code HOLIDAY and additional 40% off sale + free shipping, no minimum.

Click through to find the full step by step instructions for the peplum top!