Challenge!: Christmas Day Chic

It's Christmas!! In six days!! So, almost, but not quite!!

What the bleep am I going to wear?

Figuring out what to wear Christmas morning is one of my biggest styling challenges of the year. I mean, sure, I'll open presents under my tree in my pajamas, but then we have to make the rounds to visit parents and in-laws, and all that jazz, and I really think the police department would frown on me tooling around town in my jammies. They're really cute jammies, but still...

Now, I realize this is family, and they don't care what I wear. I could show up in my jam-jams and no one would bat an eye, but Christmas is a highly photographed day around my family, and I have enough embarrassing photos already hanging on Mom's walls, thank you very much. I'd like to look cute. Casual, comfy, and cute.

However...I'm singing Midnight Mass the night before (morning of?), and my church actually has Midnight Mass at *gasp* midnight! That puts me getting into bed somewhere around 2:30 or 3:00 in the a.m. When I get up in the morning, the last thing I want to do is worry about what I'm going to wear, or have to fuss with a ton of makeup. I just want to throw something on, cover up my face enough to not scare small children, and chug my low-fat Frappuccino in peace. This amount of sleepwalking takes planning.

I am sure I'm not the only person in this kind of predicament. Even if you get a normal amount of sleep Christmas Eve, there's a certain amount of chaos on Christmas Morning, and that can make getting ready for the day a real pain in the rear. To help us all out, I'm bringing back the Challenge(!) to put together an effortlessly chic look for Christmas Day. A lot of this stuff is actually in my closet, so if you see me (or pictures of me) on the 25th, you can play Eye Spy with my ensemble. Merry Christmas.

Photo Credit: Target

The top I've chosen (that I don't have, but really want) is from Target, and runs $22.99. It says it's not sold in stores, but it totally is because I've seen it. If you want one, check out your local Target, because there is a very good chance it could be there. This is a slim-fit, sequin-covered sweatshirt with a neck wide enough to almost fall off the shoulder. You'd think the sequins would be tacky (Lord knows, I did, at first), but it's positively precious on, and adds a festive sparkle to an otherwise ordinary and overly casual piece of clothing. Also available in black, emerald, and oatmeal (my favorite).

Photo Credit: Kaboodle

These skinny jeans are a dark indigo wash and come from City Streets (J.C.Penney, $19.99--regular $38.00). I've not tried these, but I have their jeggings in two washes and absolutely adore them.

Photo Credit: Sears

A pair of butt-kickin' motorcycle boots add an edgy style to an comfy-cozy outfit, with the added benefit of removing any worry over matching socks. Going on three to four hours of sleep, that's a pretty big plus. (Sears, $29.99--regular $89.99)

Photo Credit (Above Right and Left): JewelMint

The quickest way to look like you actually put thought and effort into looking nice is to accessorize. Going off the biker boots, I chose two pieces from JewelMint to easily kick this outfit up a notch. I'm in love with these Screen Siren earrings, right now. They're two-inch danglers with amethyst-colored crystals and hematite accents. They look amazing with both a slicked back ponytail or free-flowing waves, so anything goes. They also add a touch of color, and sparkle like no one's business. I paired the baubles with the incredible Black Swan bracelet. I can't wear this without people asking me where I got it. The dark metal picks up the hematite in the earrings, and the industrial design is as rock star as it gets. (JewelMint, $29.99 each)

My Please-God-Don't-Make-Me-Think-This-Morning makeup is a toned-down version of the Adele-inspired tutorial from the lovely ladies at Pixiwoo. (Seriously, if you haven't checked them out, you need to drop what you're doing and subscribe to their youtube channel immediately. And no, that's not hyperbole. I really, truly mean it. They're amazing, and I have learned so much from them lately.) I've done this look a few times now, and it's genius. There's nothing to it. I just go a little easier on the liner and brows, and it's a very appropriate look for any occasion. It's also made me remember how much I love Woodwinked eyeshadow from MAC (MacCosmetics.com, $15.00).

I'm embedding the tutorial here. If you want to try this look, but don't have a ton of Chanel lying around the house, I'm adding a list of the swaps I've made that worked well. Feel free to try your own swaps, and if they work out, help a girl out and please share them in the comments.

Foundation: CoverGirl NatureLuxe
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Eye Shadow: Stila in Kitten
Eye Shadow: MAC in Woodwinked
Eye Shadow: Stila in Americano
Liner: Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black
Mascara: Benefit Bad Gal Lash
Brows: E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit in Medium
Bronzer: Benefit Hoola
Powder: Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder
Blush: NARS Blush in Orgasm
Lips: Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked (not as pink as the tutorial, but just as lovely.)

I know, this sounds like it would take forever, but it's quick and easy, and most of the products were already on my counter. The Stila eyeshadows are in a palette ($14 for three shades!), and the bronzer and mascara came in a sampler that also included a foundation for $12. Both sets are available at Sephora.

Challenge completed!