Dressing Up the Holidays From Head to Table

Recently I have been on a holiday high thinking of ways to get into the holiday spirit. Baking sweet treats with friends, drowning in "pumpkin harvest & fall" air freshener, strolling through the mall and department stores ogling the seasonal decor- all great ways to boost the cheer factor. But the holidays are not complete without the perfect accessories, and that goes for your table as well as you.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner there's no better time than now to devise a plan of how to dress your table. Forget the typical cornucopia or tired turkey basket filled with fall foliage. This year, try adding some spice to your spread by using playful dishes and chic accents.

Luckily, the Troc has you covered with our collection of unique houseware items that are sure to impress all of your dinner guests.

Add a quirky yet stylish touch to your table with a forest votive (below) or crumpled porcelain platter from Roost. The fun texture will definitely add variety to the setting. Lorena Barrezueta's elegant dishes are also a great pick to add function and flair to your feast. These pieces are fashioned after tin food containers but are made in fine porcelain.

Light a Diptyque candle or sit out an Antica Farmacista scent diffuser and the sweet, powerful aroma will be the first thing your friends and family notice when they step foot into your home.

The presence of quality perfumes and oils in these products will leave a lasting impression on the olfactory senses and help create that cozy holiday mood.

With these touches of interior glamour the holidays at your home will go unmatched, but putting on a great dinner or party does not end there. Whether you are hosting or attending, you can't do the holidays without the perfect accessories for your special ensemble.

For a pop of color or pattern to a simple updo or a sleek straight look throw on a Jennifer Ouelette headband or a feathered creation from Pluma. For party-perfect locks try some of Paul Labrecque's praised luxury hair care products.

Don't let your look slip through your fingers. Paint on a coat of our Rescue Beauty Lounge nail color (left: Black Russian) for a completely polished look, and slip on a set of Alex and Ani mixed metal bangles for a little more shine.

Treat yourself to an early Christmas present and splurge on a pair of shoes to carry you through the endless parties of the season. A heel like one of Brian Atwood's fancy creations are perfect to give you a little boost and a dash of charm.

A pair of Anne Black's playful earrings is the icing on the cake for any outfit, with styles ranging to compliment every outfit from casual to cocktail.

You can't go wrong with any of these home, beauty, or accessory items. They will take care of leaving your friends and family visually satisfied, but satisfying their taste buds is up to you. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Troc!

Feels Like Fall

The weather in Omaha this past weekend was unseasonably cool. Rather than melting from sweltering 90 degree days, we enjoyed early-Fall-like temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s. As I pulled on my jean jacket over my sundress, I got to thinking about what I plan to wear when the season officially changes to Autumn. I'm looking forward to bundling myself in warm, rich colors and materials, such as flannel, and accessorizing with camel, hunter green, maroon and navy shoes and handbags. For some reason, whenever I think about Fall, I envision camping and hunting in the woods, sitting around the fire making s'mores at night. Let it be known that I've never done any of these things in my life, but a girl can daydream, can't she?

In an ideal world, I'd carry my red Rafe clutch inside my sage L.A.M.B "Alwar" tote and wear my L.A.M.B. Rosebury booties with opaque tights when I went to work. On the weekends I'd make the boots more casual by pairing them with a pair of skinny jeans and Kara by Kara Ross hoop earrings, which remind me of tree branches. Of course I'd have to burn a Diptyque Feu De Bois candle because it smells like a wood-burning fire!

What does Fall make you think of?

Put A Feather In It

I have a confession to make: I love birds. No, I've never had a pet parakeet, nor would I ever own a bird in cage. I'm not a bird watcher, and in my mind, any bird with a hint of azure to its feathers is a Bluebird.

Perhaps my bizarre affinity towards birds explains why one of my favorite accessories at the Troc is the Pluma feather headband. Did you catch the photo of Milla Jovovich wearing the "Kit" style in the March 16, 2009 issue of People? The magazine declared "feathers" a H-O-T trend for Spring, and we at the store agree! 

If you're not sure whether you can pull off a feather headband, try wearing one that blends in with the color of your hair. For example, if you're a brunette, go for the headband with the black and green feather rather than a lighter version. That way, the look is less "in your face." Personally, I love when the feather pops, so I often choose to wear the white headband with the white and brown feather in my almost-auburn hair.

If you own a Pluma headband, let us know how you like to wear it: matching your hair color or contrasting with it. 

Inspiration by way of Talaria

After Trocadero got the new Matt Bernson Talaria sandal earlier this week, I felt a whiff of inspiration, as if from the gods. Just kidding. But it's an awfully cute sandal, and it can be worn in tons of ways.

Our looks this week all focus on this cute, versatile gladiator with a darling pair of wings at each ankle. First, a glittery mini dress paired with a Pade Vavra knuckle duster pearl ring, a simple Anya Hindmarch clutch and an adorable Pluma feather headband gets you ready for girls night out. Next, we update the ubiquitous black legging with a simple gray tank, an updated boyfriend blazer and the go-anywhere Sasha convertible hobo from Botkier. Finally, let your winged sandals take you though the workday in a simple black blouse, a brightly-colored tulip skirt and signature expandable bangles from Alex and Ani. None of these looks would be complete without a sprinkle of the truly addictive Glamo Glitz eye shadow from Scarlett Cosmetics.

And, in case you were wondering, the Talaria sandals are named after the winged sandals worn by the Greek Gods, most often Hermes, the messenger god. Pretty good lineage for a sandal, no?

All accessories above are available in store now at Trocadero! Clothes designed by Chloe, Elizabeth and James, American Apparel, Helmut Lang, James Perse and Lipsy.

Trocadero Shops Your Closet: The LBD edition

Everyone, no matter what her style, has a "LBD," or a Little Black Dress, hiding somewhere in the depths of her closet. In this edition of Trocadero Shops Your Closet, we tackle this simple item that can go from day to night, work to cocktails, simple to simply fantastic with the addition of just a few accessories.

First, we'll tackle the day look, which offers options for the weekend or workday. We chose an eye-catching bag, the Botkier "James" Tote, in a vibrant purple - it's roomy enough to carry all your datyime essentials but does it while looking great. For the weekend look, we paired the dress with Marc by Marc Jacobs' whimsical Miss Marc Flat in neutral grey and white stripes. If you're headed to the office, these Sigerson Morrison patent open toe kitten heels are workday ready but still show off a spring pedicure. Finish your look with a fun but professional Pluma feather headband and a spritz or three of Bond No. 9's Scent of Peace.

In our night look, we went sexy. Either shoe here - the Giuseppe Zanotti sandal bootie in blush and black patent or the Brian Atwood "Lidia Self" sandal in soft black suede - will be an eye-catcher during your date night or girls night. The bag and jewelry work with either look: a zap of electric blue comes courtesy of Anya Hindmarch and her pleated patent "Ivo" clutch. Kara by Kara Ross finishes off this after-dark look with one of her signature two-petal flower rings, which are a modern take on the classic knuckle-duster style.

Of course, you can find all of these accessories at Trocadero, in Omaha's Old Market, where any of the stylistas will be more than happy to help you put together a look for your spring wardrobe.