Macca Edwards

Great Gift Ideas

November 10, 2018 by Macca Edwards Leave a Comment

The holidays are right around the corner. If you’re like me, Christmas songs are popping up in your head left and right. Sure, it’s only early November, but the festive feelings come on strong and I cannot deny the joy it brings! In part, the joy comes of giving to those we love. At the beginning of each holiday season, I make a list of friends and family; from there I brainstorm ideas for what to gift them. Have you heard of the five love languages? If not google it. Something fun to research. My love language is gift giving. It makes sense—why the prepping begins and why lists are made early in November. Hehe! For the last couple of months, I’ve been jotting down ideas and I’ve compiled a small list of some awesome gift options. Maybe you’ll love these ideas so much they’ll get added to your Christmas list.

1. O-Venture Ring: Okay, these bad boys are all the rage. Do you struggle finding your keys? Or know someone who does? Or just love the idea of gifting a super fun key ring? (I’m currently raising my hand, and this may or may not be on my list!) There are so many fun colors and material options. Red, green, pink, glittered, rose gold, leather, silicone, and so much more. Any who, it’s a large ring key chain that fits around your wrist. It can be worn around your wrist while on the go, but the real advantage is when keys get plopped in your purse and you can’t find them; when it comes time to use them, you’ll find those keys right away. They’ve also created an awesome little wristlet wallet to attach to your O Ring. This would make the best stocking stuffer! Prices vary from $25-$55 https://o-venture.com/

2. Glassybaby votive: This one was not hard to come up with. There are several votives scattered around my house. I love every single one of them! Glassybaby is a hand-blown candle holder. Light a tea light candle and the glass glows beautifully. Aside from the beautiful colors and how they glow, the name of each color is what adds the personal touch. Need a gift for your best friend? Send them the purple titled: BFF. Your mother in law loves Christmas? This year you’ll send her the red titled: Joy, or maybe Believe. In years past Rudolph was a special holiday edition. How perfect, right? Know family member who loves Seattle? Send her the fabulous yellow, titled: Seattle Sunset. The options are endless. From wedding gifts, birthdays, just because, when a baby is born, or when you got a new job. They apply to every life experience and are such a thoughtful way of letting someone know you care. Prices range from $50-$75 www.glassybaby.com. Amazon Prime also delivers within 1-2 hours in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Sacramento.

3. Anthropologie Monogram mug: This mug is darling. The price point is on point and gives that personal touch of a person’s initial. For only $10 you can’t go wrong with this gift. Add it to a Christmas stocking. Another way to gift; fill it with chocolates, add a $5 coffee gift card, and wrap with a cellophane bag/ribbon—the perfect gift for a co-worker or your child’s teacher. I own this mug and it’s one I go to for my morning coffee over and over again. It’s truly beautiful. Best part is, Nordstrom sells the mugs and no matter the subtotal of your cart, the shipping is free—perfect for sending this mug to your doorstep or a friend with no extra costs. Price: $10 www.nordstrom.com or www.anthropologie.com

4. Krochet Kids: This option is perfect for men or women. The company was started by a few guys who liked to snowboard. One knew how to crochet and taught his buddies. They liked the idea of making their own headwear while out on the snow. Their classmates caught wind and they were soon making beanies for their friends! The company continued to grow and is now a means for breaking the cycle of poverty. The company employs women in need. The woman who made your purchase is introduced to you with the opportunity to visit a site where you can learn more about her. The name of the crafter is hand written on the tag of each beanie. There are now many more options for purchase at Krochet Kids. It’s always fun to give a gift where you know good things are happening behind the product. Beanie prices range from $20-$55 www.krochetkids.org

5. Aid Through Trade: The original roll-on bracelet is such fun gift idea. These are perfect for giving to your best friend, mom, sister, aunt, co-worker—you name it! The colors of roll-on bracelet options are endless. I own three different sets and haven’t lost a single bead; hasn’t fallen apart and are all holding strong. Truly a quality product. They’re such a unique gift and are beautifully made. Aid Through Trade is another company that empowers women. Your purchase is handmade by artisans in Nepal and provides women with a fair income, benefits, and a safe work environment. Just like Krochet Kids, the artisans name is hand written on the tag of your purchase. It’s truly so special. Prices range from $38-$66 for a set of three. www.aidthroughtrade.com

I hope you found these gift ideas inspiring. Head to www.maccarose.com for direct links to gift idea sites.

Fall Fashion

October 11, 2018 by Macca Edwards Leave a Comment

Oh Autumn, how I love thee. What about you? Are you a fall lover? Picture this: cozy layers, muted tones, candles lit, and anything pumpkin spice. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! There’s just one thing wrong with this picture. Walnut Creek, California weather doesn’t mesh well with the cozy layers that fall typically lends itself to.

I grew up in the state of Washington, where fall is absolutely stunning. The trees are beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red. The air is crisp and the days are cool—perfect for layering. While I do miss my hometown, California is truly filled with the most amazing sunshine year round—one of its many stunning qualities. So, I’m combining my love for fall in Washington with my love for the beautiful sun in California, sharing six must-haves for fall style perfection in the Bay Area.

For all my fall lovers out there in beautiful, sunny, and oh so warm Walnut Creek, let’s talk fall fashion—fashion that fits the temps and still allows for all the fabulous trends of Autumn.

Six must haves for fall:
1. Kimono
2. Utility vest
3. Cotton knee-length dress
4. Colored denim
5. Booties
6. Mules

Lightweight outerwear, like a kimono or utility vest, is perfect for creating dimension with your style. A floral kimono with a fall color palette is awesome for throwing on over a basic tee with jeans or fitted cotton dress. Same goes for a utility vest. I love a utility vest paired with colored pants; something like burgundy denim. Utility vests have been popular for a while and are a great closet staple. The fact that there are no sleeves is awesome for the hot temps lingering through October.

A cotton knee-length dress is a favorite basic of mine. It literally goes with anything and can be dressed up or down. If it happens to be a cool day, throw on a chunky knit cardigan and booties. If the day turns out to be warm, wear your cotton dress with a denim jacket or utility vest and mules. For a more casual look, pair it with sneakers.

Colored denim for any season is awesome! They’re especially fun for Autumn. The color palette is so yummy, and it adds some spunk in such an easy way. Burgundy, mustard yellow, or olive green are a few options. They work well with a kimono, utility vest, booties, and mules. All of the pieces we’re discussing are interchangeable for creating a fab fall outfit.

Leather booties for fall? Um…yes, please! They look great with that cotton dress, distressed jeans, or colored denim. Cognac-brown booties is a great place to start; the color is so rich and pairs well with anything. You can wear cognac with black, grey, brown, burgundy, mustard yellow, or blush pink. The options are endless. Plus, for an area like Walnut Creek tall boots are not the most practical for heat. No one needs extra layers on their legs when it’s 75 to 80 degrees out, right?

Lastly, a pair of mules is a great way to create the fall feeling. Best of all, no socks required! Perfect for those warm fall days. There are so many different styles out there right now. Mules are definitely on trend—from studded, snakeskin, blush pink, mustard yellow, classic black, and so much more. Plus, they’re super easy to wear and add a level of sophistication.

There ya’ have it: Six super fun pieces to up the ante for your Autumn wardrobe. Stop by maccarose.com to add these fall must haves to your closet!

Mixing Prints

September 3, 2018 by Macca Edwards Leave a Comment

Several years ago, I worked for Nordstrom in Men’s Suiting. I was 21 years old and felt as though I was in over my head; I really disliked the initial placement in a men’s department. How was I going to be able to dress businessmen? Looking back, I am truly thankful for my time there. I learned so much and found confidence in styling men’s clothing.

One of the most intimidating aspects of working in the men’s department was pairing a button down shirt with a tie. Sure, solids were easy enough, however there are far more options than solids; there is a whole world of patterns! What to do?! This is where the most valuable piece of information came into play. My manager at the time taught me a rule of thumb: Match colors; clash patterns. One might call it mixing prints. I like to call it “pattern play.”

Pattern play or mixing prints is when the colors are coordinating while the patterns are clashing. For example, it is completely okay to pair a striped button-down with a gingham tie. Both have stripes, which can be tricky. Just remember to clash the patterns. The stripes must be of completely different widths. If the stripes are both thin, it will look too matchy—matchy, as opposed to complimenting each other. A men’s button-down in a thin pinstripe alongside a wide gingham print is complimentary. Alternatively, another way to go about it is to pair a gingham print with florals. As long as there is a coordinating color, the two will balance each other and make a great combo.

Match colors. Clash patterns. The best part about this concept is it applies to everyone. I learned it from styling men, yet it is now a go to for me when styling my own outfits. One of my favorites is stripes and florals. Pairing a striped cardigan with a floral top or dress is a great way to pattern play. Again, just be sure the color of the stripe is tied in with the color of the floral print. Something like this: A white and black striped cardigan in combination with a black floral top.

Another favorite is pairing a leopard print shoe with a printed top and jeans, or leopard shoes and a printed dress. A leopard print is the culmination of neutral colors—black and brown—thus making it a great neutral with some pizazz!

Most importantly, have fun with it! Mixing two prints is a great way to change things up and get creative with your clothing. Make it your own. This is why I love fashion so much. It is a visual canvas of your personal style.

Thanks so much for reading. Stop by MACCAROSE.COM with any questions or styling advice you might need. I’d love to help you find the pieces that make you feel confident and beautiful!

Summer to Fall

August 5, 2018 by Macca Edwards Leave a Comment

Summer is in full swing with fall fast approaching—and it just so happens that fall is my favorite time of year! I am pretty much thinking about how any piece could work for that time of year. In any case, I thought it would be fun to discuss how to style a dress for summer and transition it into fall. Some pieces are not able to transition from season to season. However, a dress is perfect for transitioning.

The most important consideration is color scheme. Colors that work well for every season are muted (subtle) hues and deep/dark colors. A bubble gum pink dress or sunshine yellow dress is great for summer, but won’t likely transition well into fall. A dress that is a rich berry hue or deep blue however, is perfect for all seasons—summer, fall, winter, and spring. Certain colors are appropriate year round. I love when a piece of clothing is wearable for more than one season.

The Dress
Any length dress is perfect for seasonal transitions. The only rule of thumb is to stay away from anything too bright. Yellow is great for any season—it just depends on the type of yellow. For example, bright yellow is best for summer or spring, while mustard yellow is great for summer, fall, winter, and spring. I discussed muted hues earlier and wanted to touch on this. A muted hue encompasses colors like; blush pink, cream, beige, and grey. The dress I chose to style has a floral print. The background is beige with navy, burgundy, blush pink, and brown accents. I love florals for any time of year! Nevertheless, the guidelines apply to any type of dress, whether patterned or solid.

Finishing Touches
The pieces that take a dress from summer to fall include the jacket, purse, and shoes. For summer, pair your dress with sandals or wedges. Come fall, switch them out for a fun pair of flats, booties, or tall boots, depending on the length of dress.
During summer, a jacket may not be needed. However, if one is needed, a denim jacket is perfect. When fall arrives, wear a leather or suede moto jacket, or long cardigan.

Lastly, I used a large white leather bag for my summer look. For fall, I chose a black clutch as a way to tie in my black booties.

Shop my look
Head over to maccarose.com to shop this look and others. You can also easily shop my looks by following me on Instagram: @maccarose_

Versatile Linen Pants

July 9, 2018 by Macca Edwards Leave a Comment

Hi there! Macca here, a stay-at-home mother of two young boys (18m apart), wife to my football coach high school sweetheart, child of God, and fashion lover. As I was writing this column, I could not help but feel excited to share my love for fashion. Since I was young, I have always been interested in style. Dressing up and creating cute outfits was my jam and still is!

My family is new to California and we are loving it. The sunshine is killer (in a good way) and Walnut Creek is my new “happy place”. Since moving to the Bay Area, I started a style blog (maccarose.com) as an outlet for all things fashion. I also use Instagram as a platform for my website (@maccarose_). Unsure of where that venture would lead me, I am bursting with excitement that it has led me here, to this moment, sharing my passion with you! Never in a million years did I think I would be sharing my ideas with others through the pages of a magazine. I am so thankful!

With that, let us dive in. I thought I would start out with what I like to call “clothing insurance.” One way to make sure any item is a good purchase is to have in mind three or more ways to style it. For example, let’s consider ways to wear a linen pair of pants. Linen is the perfect lightweight material for those hot summer days. They are seriously versatile—worn casually for daywear, or easily dressed up for a luncheon or night out on the town.

First look: This is for daywear. Super casual, comfortable, and easy going. Pair your linen pants with sandals or tennis shoes, a solid or printed top, and/or lightweight scarf, and finish it off with a denim jacket. Balance is key. If the pants are loose and flowy, the top should have some structure. It is attractive to the eye when there is a balance. If the pants are high waisted and the top is loose don’t be afraid to add a knot to the shirt for a little visual interest, as I did here. Adding a third piece, such as a denim jacket or scarf, furthers the dimension of your look, creating awesome visual interest.

Second look: This look is perfect for most occasions. Great for a weekend brunch, a casual yet sophisticated dinner date, hanging out with friends/family, or just because. I like this one the most because it is appropriate for so many occasions. Pair the linen pants with wedges or heeled sandals. The height on the shoe adds so much versatility. A wedge or sandal isn’t super dressy, however the height means something. It allows the look to be casual if need be, but leans toward the dressier side; all making it super versatile. A certain sort of effort is implied when you pair wedges or heels to an outfit. Again, pair with a solid or printed top. Something with structure. A fitted tank or crochet top. Crochet is always fun with linen. The texture of a crochet top balances out the flat linen fabric.

Third look: Let’s get dressy! A strappy heel is the way to go for dressing up linen pants. Whether you like height and want four inch heels or prefer a kitten heel, the pants will take on a whole new look with a sassy leopard print, bold hue, or nude heel. This time, make the top a dressy fabric, like silk. A silk tank tucked in and a bold necklace or statement earrings will completely transform your linen pants. If you are really getting into it, add a bold lip for the perfect pop. Lipstick is my favorite way to pull a look together and in this case bold really does make a statement for dressier occasions. Finally, wear a wrap as your outerwear. Wraps instantly add sophistication.

For another way to style your linen pants, head over to maccarose.com. There you’ll see how I share how to transition look #3 to a more sophisticated outfit with a quick switch of two pieces. Can you guess which ones?

Extra fun additions:

With any of these outfits, the finishing touch is what makes the outfit come together. Statement earrings, a necklace, bold lipstick, or scarf is a great way to add dimension and visual interest to any look.

SHOP THESE OUTFITS AND OTHERS ON MACCAROSE.COM

Macca lives in Walnut Creek with her husband, two boys, and dog. She is a stay-at-home mom with a love for all things chic and stylish. Macca is always on the go with her energetic little ones, regularly posting on her blog about fashion, and during football season cheering on her husband an assistant football coach and the UC, Berkeley. Go Bears! She welcomes you to visit her website, maccarose.com and Instagram page @maccarose_ where she shares her passion for styling.