13 Favorite Outfits of 2013

[Click on an outfit to visit its post and get details. See previous year-end recaps from: 2011 | 2012]

Thank you so much for following along in 2013! It has been a great year.
Can't wait to share more with you in 2014.

Love,
Tam

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Afternoon Sun

Sweater: ASOS c/o (on sale in petite and regular sizing) | Jeans: H&M | Boots: Frye (read my review) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Bag: Reed Krakoff | Necklace: Amrita Singh | Bracelets: David Yurman | Watch: Michele

I'm back to warmer temperatures and back to work this week. The holidays seem to have gone by so quickly this year! If I can get my act together this evening, I'll post my 13 favorite outfits from 2013 tomorrow (no promises, though!).

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Mountain Merriment

Vest: Zara Girl (I'm wearing an XL) | Cardigan: J.Crew | Skirt: Forever 21 (similar here) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Boots: MICHAEL (this season's) | Bag: Coach | Bracelets: David Yurman | Watch: Michele

Wishing you the very merriest of celebrations! Happy holidays!

Love,
Tam

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Let It Snow!

Sweater: J.Crew Factory (in another color here} | Shirt (layered under): Abercrombie | Vest: J.Crew (currently on sale + free ship with code GIFTNOW) | Jeans: 7 For All Mankind | Sunglasses: Valentino | Boots: MICHAEL (this season's) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Necklace: J.Crew Factory | Bracelets: Ann Taylor, H&M c/o | Watch: Michele

Our crazy cold snap is gone today, but these pics from the weekend show how chilly and snowy it was here! Lots of layers made a walk in the park a lot cozier. Hope temperatures everywhere else are climbing this week, too!

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Winter Blues

Turtleneck: H&M (similar here and here in petite sizing from Ann Taylor) | Skirt: UO (last seen here) (similar here and here) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Tights: H&M c/o | Shoes: J.Crew | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Necklace: J.Crew Factory | Bracelets: Ann Taylor, H&M c/o | Watch: kate spade

Last week was a crazy-busy week for me at work. It always seems to all pile up around the holidays! I'm looking forward to taking a few days off around Christmas to ski.

Before I had off to the mountains, I'll be attending a few holiday parties here. The look in these photos is great for a not-too-formal, but still a little dressed-up kind of party. I like how the jewel tones (necklace, tights, and skirt) and little metallic bows on the shoes say "holiday" without actually breaking out the red and green.

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Windowpane

Cardigan: Crewcuts | Dress: Anthropologie | Belt: kate spade new york | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Tights: Topshop via Nordstrom | Shoes: J.Crew | Necklace: Amrita Singh | Bracelets: H&M c/o, J.Crew (similar here), David Yurman

This post has a couple new pieces I'm loving: a new pair of Karen Walker sunglasses (sadly purchased after my last pair disappeared), some metallic cap-toe bow pumps from J.Crew's recent sale (still available and 30% off!), and this great work dress from Anthropologie Petites (also still on sale!).

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving, and I hope you got to take advantage of some of the Black Friday sales and deals! I went out and did a little shopping in person, but I've tried to mostly shop online (a safer and more comfortable option, in my opinion!). I've been posting my favorite sale finds, discount codes, and gift ideas on Twitter, and I'll continue to do so over the next couple weeks, so make sure to follow along for more holiday shopping updates.

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Many Thanks

Jacket: ZARA | Top: J.Crew (similar style here) | Jeans: J.Brand | Sunglasses: Valentino | Shoes: kate spade new york (similar style here) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: David Yurman, J.Crew (similar here) | Watch: Michael Kors

A few more pics here from my trip to Arizona a couple weeks ago! Between my real job, a few calligraphy commissions (yup, I'm accepting commissions now--so exciting!) and darkness falling early, I haven't gotten to do as many outfit posts as I would like recently. I'm hoping I can make them more frequent in the coming months.

I wanted to let all of you know that I'm so thankful for all the support and love you've given me over the past two years. It has been wonderful to have this blog grow, and to get to know so many lovely bloggers, readers, and new friends. I hope all of you have a happy Thanksgiving!

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Fall Break

Top: F21 | Skirt: Anthropologie (available in petite and regular sizing--I'm wearing XS/S Petite) (last seen here) | Sunglasses: Valentino | Bag: J.Crew | Shoes: kate spade new york (similar style here) | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: David Yurman, F21 | Watch: Michael Kors

I took a little trip to Arizona over the holiday weekend and enjoyed some summery weather and sunshine for a few days. It was nice to relax a bit and visit with some old friends! I wore this ensemble for an evening out--it was just right for a warm November evening.

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Work Outfit: It's a Wrap

Dress: BCBG (very similar here by DVF or BCBG current version here) | Shoes: L.K. Bennett | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: Valentino | Necklaces: Theresa Mink, Brian Gavin | Bracelets: David Yurman

The iconic wrap dress is a classic piece that can be styled to work for almost any work wardrobe--whether in casual or more professional environments. While I have to stick with traditional suits for trials, I often style my wrap dresses with blazers to make them professionally appropriate. A strategically-placed safety pin is also a good idea so the V-neck doesn't turn into a wardrobe malfunction as the day goes on!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Hello, November

Tee: J.Crew (still available on sale in solid or stripe) | Scarf: Nordstrom BP | Jeans: BLANK_NYC | Sunglasses: Valentino | Boots: Frye (read my review) | Bag: Reed Krakoff | Bracelet: J.Crew | Rings: Vintage

The J.Crew classic Painter Boatneck Tee is one of my favorite items for fall, winter, and spring. This weekend it was warm enough for me to style my tee with a pretty mustard-and-gray scarf that was just the right weight for the weather.

Black jeans and my trusty Frye boots got me through a session at the park with the pup where all he wanted to do was run helter-skelter, kick up leaves, and bark at and chase after other dogs. I eventually passed him over to boyfriend, who was them wrangling both camera and dog, but all in all, it was fun (don't worry--boyfriend's fun came later when we stopped by a nearby brewery he likes for a few beers!).

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Peplum & Flounce

Jacket: Zara | Top: ASOS (similar here) | Skirt: ASOS | Sunglasses: Valentino | Belt: H&M | Shoes: L.K. Bennett | Bag: J.Crew (similar here) | Bracelets: J.Crew (similar here), David Yurman, INPINK c/o

Denver had some gorgeous, rosy fall weather this past weekend, and it was warm enough to be comfortable outdoors sans tights, so I decided to pull out this summery skirt again and pair it with some fall pieces (see it styled for summer). Although you generally don't see much white in fall fashion, I liked how this skirt complemented the darker hues in the rest of the outfit.

Hope you're having a great start to your week!

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Restyling a Summer Dress for Fall

Jacket: Zara (this season's version) (similar here) | Dress: Anthropologie (last worn here | Cardigan: J.Crew | Sunglasses: Valentino | Boots: Frye (read my review) | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim (read my review) | Bracelets: David Yurman | Watch: Michael Kors

I thought I'd style one of my favorite dresses from this summer, the Empress Dress from Anthropologie, for a cute transition-to-fall look. Tempertures here remain sunny, but with a definite chill in the air and the threat of storms developing in the evenings.

I added another layer under the jean jacket that you can see peeking its way out: a fitted, wool leopard-print cardigan, which added a nice bit of insuluation for a fall evening.

Thanks for all your feedback in the last post about my future calligraphy posts! I'm hoping there are people out there who want to learn and who will enjoy it, and if there are, we can even do a pen-pal round-robin or something so we can all get pretty snail-mail. You'll be seeing that new series here soon, but not to worry--it won't affect style posts at all (a girl's still gotta wear clothes!).

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Falling Leaves

Shirt: Ann Taylor (last seen here) | Vest: Zara Girl (I'm wearing an XL) | Jeans: 7 For All Mankind | Sunglasses: Valentino | Booties: Corso Como | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar here) | Necklaces: Brian Gavin, Teresa Mink, Ann Taylor | Bracelets: David Yurman, ALDO, H&M c/o

Last week what a whirlwind kind of week--hope you didn't miss me too much here. I've been busy at work, but I've also been working on a few calligraphy projects lately. They have been time-consuming, but they are actually quite relaxing. I really like how rhythmic and meditative lettering is, plus sending out my final products to family and friends makes me so happy (from what I hear, it makes them happy too!).

I am thinking about blogging a little about hand-lettering and modern calligraphy. I have had lots of inquiries from you wonderful readers and Instagram followers asking where to begin and which supplies to purchase. The answers to these questions need much more than a quick email's worth of space (trust me). Please tell me which of the following four options you think would be best and would interest you the most.

Calligraphy Content Survey

1) Integrate calligraphy posts in this blog, which will still be much more personal style than calligraphy, but there would be a little calligraphy and lettering thrown in.

2) Move calligraphy posts to a second blog dedicated only to lettering.

3) I'm not really interested in looking at or doing calligraphy, but I don't really care where you put it.

4) I'm not really interested in looking at or doing calligraphy, and I'd rather not see it on this page.

I'd be so grateful if you guys would give me some feedback on this in the comments. I don't want to launch into something new without seeing if it will work for my readers. I am also re-opening anonymous commenting, so all of you who read but don't have a sign-in account can post to your hearts' content. Can't wait to hear what you think!

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