ttF Fashion Staples Series Diary: ELLEments of Personal Style
Tonight I had the pleasure of running into Joe Zee again at the The ELLEments of Personal Style party at White House Black Market in Santa Monica. He was there to toast the style guide he wrote with his fellow Elle editors in celebration of the magazine’s 25th anniversary. Inside the pages are 25 influential fashionistas, including Tracee Ellis Ross who talked to me about her accessory rules, favorite dresses and holiday wish list (you can read the whole interview Tuesday on Mystyle.com) In the meantime, here are two tips from Zee you can use to party hopping through the holidays in style:

When it comes to accessories…
I would always carry a great necklace or something big and statement-y in your handbag. And just pop it out as you go from place to place. It’s an easy switch and gives you a completely new look.

As for shoes…
When it’s holiday time, Be. Comfortable. If you can’t do a heel, do a wedge. I love a platform, I love a boot, like a stacked heel boot, especially because it’s winter time and it will look really good even with a dress. There are a lot of alternatives. If you want to do a flat, do a chic ballet slipper. It’s perfect for a party.

After getting my book signed by Joe Zee, I caught up with my friends Kinya, stylist Reinaldo Izarry and jewelry designer Micha Kuechenhoff. Everyone kept complimenting me on my new hat, which I actually wore to hide a blemish (I’ve been eating way too much junk food!). Since the night was about personal style I showed off my love for mixing high and low. Like I usually find, more people were interested in the $30 dress than the pricy sweater!

Forever 21 dress, hat and booties, Missoni cardigan, Kate Spade bag

Fashion Staples Used: Ruffle Shift Dress

Get the look…

Learn more about the ttF Fashion Staples Series.