Monday, December 31, 2012

OOTD: winter watermelon


Cardigan // Top: Target (similar) // Jeans // Necklace: JCrew via Ebay // Shoes

I'm often drawn to wearing bright colors in the winter, like this watermelon pink top. I guess there was some unwritten rule somewhere that winter is the season to wear neutrals...but I'm a born rule breaker.* Also, now that I've posted this photo, I fully realize that the two pictures on the right are reminiscent of the old "kneel down on your shoes" trick to make your legs look really short. Eh... And you should forgive the crooked waistband. I have 10 seconds to walk from behind the camera to my position and post. Slight wardrobe malfunctions will just have to happen. HA!

*I'm really not a rule breaker. I'm actually a huge rule follower but I like to think I could break fashion rules.  I mean, I have worn white after Labor Day...

Linking up with MollyLindsey and Miram.

Photobucket

Sunday, December 30, 2012

new year's eve style

New Year's Eve is often a big night for style.

Many people get dressed up for cocktail parties, nights out on the town or even nice house parties.

My favorite look this year for a dressy occasion?

Pants.

Yep, pants. As much as I love a skirt or dress, I'm digging the combination of a sparkly top with slim fitting trousers or leggings. It's classic, yet edgy. Here are some looks I put together for a New Year's Eve event.


new year's eve


I did 3 outfits in varying levels of dressy. You have a really dressy event in outfit 1. A sparkly top with minimal accessories is really posh. In outfit 2, you could do a sequined peplum top with heels and even black jeans if you wanted. This outfit is great for looking like you care but don't really care. You know what I mean? You want to look cute but not like you are trying too hard. Such is the life of a girl. ;) Outfit 3 is perfect for looking festive at a bit more of a casual occasion. Also, BTW, I'm quasi-obsessed with those nude patent flats. I got some exactly like them for Christmas (for which I smell an outfit post coming in the near future) and I love them. Even better? They're from Payless! Score!

What are you New Year's Eve plans? Are you going somewhere fancy or a more low-key event?

Photobucket

Friday, December 28, 2012

best blog posts of 2012

2012 has been a pretty good year all around.
 
Well, for me, at least.
 
How about I share some of my favorite (and your favorite...based on the number of views) blog posts from this past year?
 
Some of your fave posts:
 
Who knew my post geared 100% towards men would be so popular?
 
I could pretty much guess that this was a favorite. Everyone loves outfit posts and everyone loves color. :)
 
My first venture into an outfit post dedicated to statement necklaces continues to get lots of views. Everyone loves their statement necklaces, it seems.
 
I copied an outfit look from a blog I read a lot and the author of the blog saw it! She asked me if she could use my photo for her blog showing how I replicated her look. Um, yes!!
 
This outfit post that combines football AND fashion is pretty high on my favorites list as well!
 
A few western influences in an outfit seem to get quite a bit of attention.
 
Some of my fave posts:
 
Not surprisingly, many of my favorite posts from this year were either mostly personal or mostly funny. There were a few fashion posts sprinkled in my faves as well.
 
The reason(s) behind my move from Wilmington back to Charlotte.
 
How I wear the same things over and over again and still pull it off. ;)
 
Musings on my current relationship status.
 
There really is an "art" to how I choose to root for football teams.
 
Maybe I liked this because I was just quasi-obsessed with the Olympics. Either way, it was a fave.

 
I'll close this post with my favorite blog photo from this year. Well, okay, it might not be my absolute favorite, but definitely one of the top.
 
Pinned Image
 
 
 
Good day to you!
 
Photobucket

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas Recap

Hello ladies and germs.

Well, this past Christmas was a great one! I felt like Christmas was stretched out over a long period of time this year. Maybe because we started celebrating with family the weekend before Christmas.

Anywho, here are a few snapshots from Christmas 2012.

Left: My Christmas eve attire.
Right: Hewitt's Christmas attire.


Top: The mantle and tree on Christmas eve.
Bottom Left: The Sister and I at a family celebration.
Bottom Right: The Sister and her fiancee at said celebration.


Top: Hewitt as a Christmas present. He literally just walked over and climbed into the box and laid down. Presh.
Bottom Left: My fave Christmas treat to bake.
Bottom Right: Orange cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.

I observed that a lot of my presents this year seemed to have a "theme". Well, either that or I'm just really predictable when it comes to gifts. I'll guess it's the latter.

 These are my camera-themed gifts: camera case, memory card and tripod.

These are my sports-themed gifts: SC tumbler and cup, Saints t-shirt and Saints scarf.

My accessory-themed gifts: Lots of statement necklaces and ballet flats.

Of course there were other gifts that couldn't be lumped together in a category, but I thought it was interesting that so many could. 

Anywho, I hope y'all had an awesome Christmas too! I'll be back to a normal blogging schedule next week. Have a wonderful day!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Friday, December 21, 2012

confessional friday: christmas edish

I've got a special Christmas edish of Confessional Friday for y'all today. You can read all the other confessions on Leslie's blog, A Blonde Ambition.

// 1. I confess that I'm just a wee bit peeved that on the very first time I ever participate in a blog swap, I GOT BURNED! As in...I got a whole lotta nurfin. Yep. My Secret Santa must have forgot. Or either something happened to them and they were incapacitated. That would be bad...and forgiveable. Signing up for a Christmas blog swap and then not participating tends to lean more towards the unforgiveable side.

To be honest, I was kind of bummed about it. Then I realized that I was bummed just because I didn't get a gift from someone and that's rather shallow. So, I went to one of my favorite websites and laughed myself into oblivion.

Much better.

// 2. I confess that I was slightly excited when someone told me that they couldn't tell I had my weave in. It made me a little giddy. I can't wait to get more to add to it! :)

// 3. I confess I'm surprised some people still have auto-play music on their blogs or tumblr pages. It makes blog snooping at work A LOT more difficult.

// 4. I confess that though I don't really care for her music so much (or any country music for that matter), TSwifty is just about the most precious thing ever. I love her in this Christmas ad.


// 5. I confess that I scored this super cute cardi from Target on clearance and I'm waiting for the right time to wear it. Is that strange?

// 6. I confess that though I didn't have my pink Christmas tree this year, I haven't forgotten about it. I'm thinking next year will be the year. And I will start my search right after Christmas. ;)

Pink christmas tree

// 7. I confess that the whole "Instagram is selling your pics" scare is just ridic. Instagram's new T&C are absolutely the same as Facebook's so, unless you're getting rid of ALL your accounts, why get rid of a fun one like Instagram?!

Plus...lezbihonest...I doubt anyone really cares enough about my photos to use them. I mean, as long as they don't use me as a "before" in a weight loss ad, I'm good. Right? :)

Right. So, with that, I'll leave you to enjoy your weekend! Adios!


Photobucket

Thursday, December 20, 2012

things I love thursday

Happy Thursday, y'all. (Translation: Happy one day closer to Christmas vacation, y'all.)

I thought I'd share a few things I'm loving lately today. Okay?

Pinned Image

These salted chocolate chunk cookies


These vintage-inspired pearl earrings.


Women Skirts/dresses Embellished Skirt Low-res

This festive, shimmery skirt.


This monogrammed sweater. Why, oh WHY can't my name start with J?

// This awesome makeup tutorial video. // This awesome low-light photography tutorial. (Perfect for photos of Christmas lights!!) // This clever scarf storage idea. // 30 ways to promote your blog. // Paint chip wall art ideas. // Cool ideas for displaying Christmas ornaments (when you don't have a tree). // This awesomely funny tumblr site. // This natural wave tutorial for fine hair. //


Photobucket

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

best accessory trends of 2012

2012 has been a great year for accessories.

Especially for a girl who lurves them, like me. ;)

Here are my 4 favorite trends in accessories this past year.


best accessory trends of 2012


First...the bubble necklace. I mean, how can you not talk about this trend? I saw these things EVERYWHERE this year. I really enjoy mine, and even asked Santa for a few more for Christmas. These bright and bubbly (pun intended) gems are [hopefully] here to stay!

Second...bib necklaces. Y'all know I love me a statement necklace. Bib necklaces were very big this year. I saw them made out of all sorts of mediums: clay, wood, enamel, gemstone, plastic and even precious metals. I think this is another necklace trend we will see well into 2013, if not longer.

Third...envelope clutches. These are just so simple and have very clean lines. Plus, they can really hold a lot of stuff. They are chic enough for evening, but functional enough for everyday. Win-win!

Fourth...vintage-inspired jewelry. Now, I'm not a huge vintage jewelry person, but I absolutely love the infusion of pearls that we've seen back into the market this year. Plus, antique cut rings and brooches have made a comeback as well. I'll be interested to see how this pans out next year...but if it includes pearls, I'm definitely on board!

Did you fall in love with an accessory trend this year? Which one?

Photobucket

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

a word


I sat down at my computer last night trying to think of words write in response to the tragic events that happened last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

And I couldn't. Nothing sounded right. Nothing was adequate. So, instead of words...I'll leave you today with The Word.

18 
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18



Photobucket

Monday, December 17, 2012

weekend update

This weekend was a time for Christmassy things...like

a holiday gel manicure...


ample Christmas movie watching time...

Christmas present wrapping...


Christmas treat baking...

Duck Dynasty Christmas episode watching...



And, of course, the obligatory Sunday football watching [and eventual napping]. Overall, my weekend was low-key and awesome. How was yours? 



PS: Also, this weekend, MY SISTER GOT ENGAGED!!! HOORAY!!! I'M SO EXCITED! I love weddings and I'm so happy for them! :)



 

Photobucket

Friday, December 14, 2012

odds and ends

 
Hello, my bloggy friends.
 
 
I normally write my blog posts the night before (or a few days before sometimes) but last night I just wasn't in a jovial mood. So, I just decided NOT to post anything today.
 
 
But after I've been up, and at work for a few hours, I felt the need to blog. Does that ever happen to anyone else? Perhaps I'm just one of those "creative in the morning" people. Eh. Anywho, I've got some various odds and ends to share with you today.
 
 
1. I had a pretty stanky (I MIGHT have invented that word) week at work. Without going in to a lot of detail, I got blamed for some stuff that I didn't do wrong by a coworker. Also, my frustration with a vendor that I deal with daily had built up to astronomical proportions and the thought of working with them again was, quite frankly, not appealing. Finally, a week of dealing with a few not-so-friendly people didn't really give me high hopes for my favorite day of the week.
 
2. And then...Friday happened. Just this morning I had two supervisors tell me what a great job I'm doing...and one of them was my boss', boss.You see, I'd worked here a whole MONTH before my boss had her baby and I had to take over her responsibilities. So, it was nice to know that people feel like I've handled them well and am a good addition to the team.
 
 
3. I'm considering celebrating my happy mood with guacamole.
 
 
4. I also learned that certain guacamole is considered clean...AND it's healthy as long as it isn't too salty. There's a great restaurant near my work that puts the simplest things in their guac, but it's delicious: avocados, jalapenos, tomatoes, onion, sea salt, fresh squeezed lime juice. MAN, it's good!
 
 
5. I'm kind of sad that the very last Christmas episode of the Office aired last week. This show has been a part of my life for so long...it will be dearly missed.
 
 
6. Lastly, if you ever need to get out of a funk or change a bad mood, I recommend this site. If, for no other reason, than to laugh at things like this...
 
 
 

When I remember that tomorrow is Monday.



 
 
 
 
Photobucket

Thursday, December 13, 2012

a special song

A good friend of mine needed to record a Christmas single for a class he's taking. He graciously asked me to record the vocals on it. I agreed to do it...really even before I knew that the song he'd chosen to record was one of my favorite Christmas songs.

Of course, finding out he'd chosen that song pretty much sealed my fate. So, a month or so ago I laid down the vocal tracks and some other friends of mine laid down some instrument tracks.

The result is, in my opinion, an excellent version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

But the coolest part about this song, is that my friend has decided to list this song on Bandcamp, where it is available for download. It's a name-your-price type download (where you can even put $0 as the price). He's decided that any proceeds generated from this song will go straight to the Samaritan's Purse Organization.

Here's a much more eloquent and well thought out explanation in my friend's own words:

This single started life as a project with a simple goal: record a Christmas single with my good friend and amazing vocalist, April Geiger. Now that it is complete and sounding very-nearly professional, I've decided to make this single pay-what-you-want with all profits going to benefit Samaritan's Purse in general and Operation Christmas Child in particular. I hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as I enjoyed producing it - Merry Christmas!


So, if you enjoy Christmas music, [very] indie artists and a good cause, you can click below to listen/download the song.




Merry Christmas y'all!

Photobucket

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

OOTD: plain white shirt


Top | Skirt: Walmart (similar) | Shoes: Jessica Simpson (similar) | Necklace: local shop

Never underestimate the versatility of a plain white shirt. This particular one was picked up over the weekend at Old Navy for $15. There are so many things I can pair it with that I'm considering getting another one...you know...just to have.

Speaking of craziness...this is the first white collared shirt I've owned in years.

Yes, I said years. It's weird that I just never got around to buying a fashion staple like this. However, my recent Old Navy purchase has helped to rectify this situation. Now, the outfit possibilities are almost limitless. 

Three cheers for the plain white shirt!
Linking up with Lindsey and Miriam.

Photobucket

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

top 5 tuesday: holiday songs you love to loathe

Happy Tuesday lovelies!

Since Thanksgiving we've been inundated with all sorts of Christmas music on the radio and in stores.

And, hey, I'm not complaining! I love it!

However, there are some songs that really make me just want to change the channel. (Or switch to one of my handy mixed Christmas CDs that I've put in my car's CD player for just such occasions.) You know those songs...the ones that make you cringe or...worse...cry?

For today's Top 5 Tuesday post, I'm listing the top 5 Christmas songs I love to LOATHE.

1. Merry Christmas, Darling - The Carpenters
Ugh, y'all I just really hate this song. It sounds like something that should be on a naptime CD for kids. If a Christmas song isn't going to be lively, it should at least be haunting or reflective. This one is just...boring.

2. Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
I'm not a huge Beatles fan to start with. So, this electric, boisterous, song doesn't really do much for me. I think I can tolerate it once or twice a season but doesn't it seem like radio stations play it constantly? Sigh.

3. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - Performed by Gayla Peevey
Just stop it with this song. It's just...I just....okay, it's just not cute. Ever. It's annoying. And unrealistic.

4. Last Christmas - Wham
I will admit that I regularly hate on 80s music. Because it's trash. (for the most part) This song is no exception. Please. Stop. Playing. This. Song. Amen.

5. Christmas Shoes - Newsong
Mad props to Newsong for living past the Christian music surge in the 90s. They've got mad staying power...much like this song, to my chagrin. I do like the IDEA of this song, but it's sad and makes me cry. I don't want to cry at Christmas. Anyone with me on this?
I do not want one of these for Christmas. Ever. via

Do you have any Christmas songs you love to loathe? Tell me about it in the comments! :)

Photobucket

Monday, December 10, 2012

a little of this and that

Even though I've already decorated my place for Christmas, I keep seeing all sorts of Christmas decorating ideas. So, for those of you who haven't decorated yet, may you find inspiration in one of my favorite decor blog's 2012 Christmas Decor post.

And if you're like me and have already decorated...well, it's never too early to start planning for next year! :)

                                                                     


Changing subjects, my company's holiday party was this weekend. It was actually fun, once the people I knew got there. There was delicious food...including this amazing dessert...


...in a wineglass. It was amazing.

Also, believe it or not, this is the only photo I actually have of me. All the others are on other people's cameras. I was very close to the flash...which is why I look so white, of course. Oh and it was an iPhone photo, so the quality is...meh. ;) This is me and my friend from work.


Changing subjects once again, I bought two awesome shirts this weekend at Old Navy. They are lightweight collard shirts that would be perfect tucked into a pencil skirt or layered under a sweater when the weather decides to not be 70 degrees. Best part? They were on sale for $15 each!!  I bought a black one and white one, but they had a ton of colors I might go back and get. ;)


Well, that's about it for me today. Did you do anything fun this weekend?

Photobucket

SEARCH THIS BLOG