by Carlina Harris

I am so excited! I am going to Seattle tonight to visit a very good friend of mine, and spending the weekend with her at her country home just outside of the big city. Since its going to be raining all weekend, we will try to keep warm by staying indoors (hopefully)– we’ll bake cookies, drink champagne, go shopping, and have all sorts of girlfriend fun times!

Now the only problem here is, I don’t really know what to pack. Last time we hung out in California, I wore a vintage sequin top with shoulder pads–and I think she thought it was a little much! Should I tone it down for the low key life in Washington, or should I bring the seksi to Seattle? Well if you have been reading “Links We Love” for the past two years, I am not really one to tone it down, hence this. So of course, I will bring the fierceness, and by fierce I mean leopard!

Who doesn’t love this gaudy, abrasive print, in its many forms (fur, cashmere, cotton) and shades? Its a trend that always seems to pop up around this time of year–holiday season. It is perfect for all those parties, festivities, and definitely a conversation starter! What’s that, you say this is one trend you can’t do? Sure you can, just take baby steps, not ready for the full on leopard dress (not really appropriate for my weekend festivities), try a sassy leopard flat, or a cashmere scarf, to incorporate some of this trend, and as to not go overkill.

Check out some of my suggestions below for how to tone down all these pieces, what I’m bringing with me on my trip, and what I am saving for SF, NY, Paris!

Seattle bound:

Trying to remain true towards my feelings for fashion, yet not to avant-garde for the rest for the state, these were my top three for Seattle. I love how on the leopard pump, the color gradually fades to black, understated elegance at its best. The cashmere wrap is obvi for the plane, and everywhere else, its just too fabulous not to wear! And the cardi is fun, and cashmere, perfect for a chilly day, rain gear not included. From left to right: CARLOS by Carlos Santana Leopard Pump, Zappos, $110; Leopard Cashmere Travel Wrap, Madison LA, $345; Cashmere Leopard Cardigan, Bergorf Goodman, $265

Saving for the SF, NY, Paris:

Now these three are bold leopard, they don’t just say look at me, they demand the attention of the entire building! I had to throw in the Louboutin’s of course, sexy meets of the moment fierceness, and that red sole is so beautiful! The cap sleeved dress is very elegant, and a simple look to do: only accessories, shoes, and red lips required. Now the last item- the oh so fabulous coat, the one that caught my eye (at JC Penny’s none the less) and is now hanging in my already over packed closed, well there really are no words. Except, I got it for under $50 in store, when online it says $84!!!!

Left to right: Christian Louboutin, Saks Fifth Avenue, $1,095; Satin Leopard Print dress, Tadashi Shoji, Neiman Marcus, $290; Leopard coat, Oxford & Regent, JC Penny, $83.99

Au revoir mon cheri!

From our friends at BrandHabit