Happy Monday you guys! I am so excited for today’s post because I have something special in store for you. It’s a blog-only giveaway (no Instagram looping madness) with a pretty awesome gift for one lucky reader! Entering is easy, so keep on reading to see how. Santa this way!!

HOW TO WEAR PLAID THIS SEASON

But first, style. I was pretty torn on the whole plaid thing this season – it’s just never been something I viewed as feminine or interesting from a personal style perspective. When I saw this dark Stewart plaid all over J.Crew’s site, I was intrigued, though. It has so much potential for the holidays and the winter months to follow with it’s Christmas-y, dark colors.

Turns out – I love it! The key to wearing plaid is to pair it with something edgy and feminine so that it doesn’t overpower you. I wear it with a pencil skirt and pumps for a daytime work lunch; a flared skirt with booties for a party; and with leather leggings and sandals for a night out and for our family gift exchange. I add a statement earring and voila – plaid: styled. This really is a versatile pattern!

P.s. Would you believe these beautiful faux-suede sandals are from Target?! They are a year-round all-star and under $30.

P.p.s. If you’re a woman with hips and thighs like me and were concerned about wearing leather leggings, I say do it! I chose these that are a little loose so that they look more like pants and aren’t too huggy on my curves. I have a tighter pair, as well, but those I wear with a tunic length top – because no-go on camel-toe, am I right ladies?

Stewart Plaid Perfect Shirt: J.Crew // Faux Leather Leggings: Nordstrom // Red Faux-Suede Sandals: Target // Ribbon-Wrapped Hoop Earrings: J.Crew

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY FOR MY READERS

More importantly, I am running a very special giveaway today for my blog readers. For you! One of you will win a deluxe gift box sent full of my favorite hand-picked beauty products – most of which you’ll have read about here on the blog or seen me talk about on my various social media channels.

This contest is not on Instagram or anywhere else – just here on the blog to thank you who show up to read every week. Thank you for being a part of my life and for your loyal readership. I can’t wait to share my favorite goodies with you and to share new content and ideas with you in 2018!

TO ENTER

All you need to do is subscribe to my mailing list and that counts as an entry. That’s it! I do not spam. You’ll receive one email each week on Fridays with a round-up of the week’s posts. A couple times a year, you’ll receive exclusive content only available to you. This could look like a seasonal style or shopping guide, an early invitation to my virtual book club, or a request for your direct feedback on blog content.

The giveaway will be open through Friday, December 22nd at 11:59pm. I will choose one winner at random. The winner will be contacted and verified between Saturday and Sunday, December 23 – 24th. I will announce and congratulate the winner on Christmas Day, December 25th!

Here’s the link one more time: Subscribe to the Belle Meets World mailing list to enter! There is also a link in my nav bar, one under the main image slider at the top of the page, and one on the right sidebar.

If you are ALREADY on my mailing list and would like to be entered – great! Comment below or shoot me a quick note at [email protected] and you’re in!

Please note this is a US-only contest. I love my international readers, and I wish I could afford to send this gift overseas at this time. Hopefully I can in the future!