Bringing Black Out!

Thursday night, Valley Girl Style attended a great party - for a great cause: The Black Out III party at MELT restaurant's Level 3. Proceeds from the event benefited AAO at Lehigh Valley Health Network and the MAC AIDS Fund - two amazing foundations helping to raise AIDS awareness. Since there is no excuse not to enjoy a good time that gives back (and a few photo opps of course), a few girlfriends and I headed over to the black-themed fete for the evening. With black attire a must, and the weather not really cooperating in the Lehigh Valley --- yes, it snowed!! --- selecting an outfit was tricky to say the least. Regardless, the crowd was a nice mix of ages and everyone, men and women, looked dressed-to-impress!

Wearing all black (or NYC uniform as I call it) has recently been popping up everywhere on celebs over the past few weeks as THE hot look this Fall. Celebs such as Mariah Carey, Emily Blunt and Emmy Rossum were photographed all sporting very simple LBD's (little black dresses) with very few accessories. Emily Blunt (see photograph left) seems to capture the look best by adding textured tights and a black cape-sleeved style peacoat, which is perfect for daytime. Remove the coat and you are ready to dance the night away. Mariah Carey's version (see photo below) is a bit sexier with a deep V-cut and peaking lace while Emily Blunt (see photo below) showcases a more sophisticated take on mono-tone. All however, are easy to wear and classic pieces that can take you from trend to trend. By adding textured

Photo above: Matt Damon and Emily Blunt while filming The Adjustment Bureau in New York City.

leggings, or a fun handbag you could easily change the entire look in an instant and very inexpensively!

Photo above left to right: Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon at the New York Film Festival. Emmy Rossum and John Legend at the W Hotel opening in Washington, DC.

Valley Girl Style set out to mimic the adorable Emily Blunt ensemble and scored big time at two surprising places! For the peacoat, check out Old Navy. I found this little beauty at the Old Navy (also online at http://www.oldnavy.com/) located in the Promenade Shops in Center Valley for only $69.50! Available in black or a cute chinchilla color, this belted wool-blend jacket is perfect for layering with its 3/4 length sleeves and keeping warm on these chilly pre-winter days.

For leggings, while pretty much every store carries some type of tights or leggings, the selection at Target was by far the best based on variety and price. The Merona brand offered a wide selection of both full and footless tights with several different textures available. I selected two of the new black textured tights - one featuring a chevron design (for $7.00) and the other - from the Merona "premium collection" (for $9.00) that feature a lace design. Both are very comfortable and adorable ways to put a little fun into an outfit. I couldn't find either pair on Target's website so if your interested, I found these at the Target in Quakertown (610 N West End Blvd., Quakertown, 215-529-2720). Sizes were starting to become limited at this location.

Pair these flirty accessories with a little black dress from your closet and your good-to-go! Just remember that it doesn't hurt to add in something like a bright clutch or exaggerated earrings depending on the time of day and where you are going. Its also good to add in a texture (such as the tights) if going all black - or nothing on the legs at all even - so that you don't over do the look and appear more funeral bound! Not into black at all? Go gray or even dark plum - both are on trend this fall!