It's time for my yearly recap of my favorite outfits of the year! Instead of a collage like the ones I've put together in previous years (see my 12 Favorite Outfits of 2012 and 13 Favorite Outfits of 2013), I decided to adopt Julia of Lemon Stripes' strategy and just pick a full-size photo from each month for your scrolling pleasure. If you want to get more details about any of the outfits, clicking the month caption below will take you to that post.
For me, 2014 had some amazingly wonderful moments (marrying my love in Paris) and some difficult times (my dad's sudden illness and treatment beginning this summer). I am very excited for the new year and all the adventures it will bring, and I am hopeful that all of my family, friends, and readers stay healthy and happy.
Thank you so much for following along with me this year!
May your 2015 be filled with love, success, good times, and happiness!
Sharing some New Year's Eve outfit inspiration today! I've worn this dress a couple times already this holiday season already, and I may reach for it again this Wednesday.
Hope this look brings a little sparkle to your Monday!
I wanted to wish all my lovely readers a very merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays--from my little family to yours! Below are a couple watercolor illustrations (including Stanley's Christmas portrait) and some lettering I did for my holiday cards this year. Hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating with your loved ones.
Since I haven't been able to do outfit photos during the week lately (Standard Time means I usually leave work well after dark), I've had to cluster my photo shoots on the weekends, which seem to be the only time it snows here. Although I prefer sunshine, I was happy to give my new Sorels a test run last weekend to see how they held up in cold, wet conditions.
I love my Frye boots, but they are definitely not made for wet weather, and my Hunter rain boots aren't always warm enough when it's really chilly. I decided to try out the Sorel Slimpack Riding Boots to fill the need for something "in between" during our Colorado winters. For mixing form with function, I liked the combination of leather upper + rubber shoe and sole + microfleece lining.
I found the sizing to run small. I normally wear a 5-5.5, and I ordered a 6 in these, which fit well for me with winter socks. While the calf area is pretty wide for smaller legs, the back has an adjustable tab that can be tightened to make them smaller. While this creates a bit of an awkward fold, I didn't find it to be uncomfortable or noticeable while I was wearing the boots.
Overall, they were comfortable right off the bat, and I wore them for an afternoon of walking and shopping at an outdoor mall with no break-in time necessary. My only complaint was that they were almost too warm for indoors when doing so much walking; while outdoors, on the other hand, I was cozy and warm in 20-degree weather. So far, I have found them to be waterproof in snow, slush, and rain, but I haven't given them a try in deep snow or big puddles. I'm planning to update this post with that info once I get to test them out in those conditions (I'm crossing my fingers for some snow this week in the mountains!).
Blazer: J.Crew (now 30% off with code GIVETHIS) | Blouse: Banana Republic (in solid black here) | Coat: J.Crew (two seasons' ago, this season's here, also 30% off) | Jeans: Topshop | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Bag: Valentino (available at Nordstrom or Farfetch, where I found mine) | Bracelets: David Yurman | Watch: Michele | Lips: NARS "Yu" + Fresh Sugar Berry
For the last week or so, it has been very hard to believe it's December in Denver. While mornings can be chilly, I've found myself carrying my coat and wishing I hadn't worn boots by noon almost daily. I know the snow will be back soon, though, so I haven't given up hope for a white Christmas.
Last weekend, sunshine and 60-degree weather made it comfortable to be out and about in a 3/4-sleeve blazer. This blazer (the Sidney style from J.Crew) has become one of my favorite wardrobe staples over the last few months. I originally purchased a pinstriped version as part of a suit, and I loved how flattering and slim the fit was without any alterations. Although J.Crew's suiting pieces can be spendy, they often run 25-30% off promotions (like the one they're running right now with code GIVETHIS). To me, the cost is worth it when I don't have to spend additional time and money getting them tailored to fit.
I'm off to my work holiday party this evening--I'll share my look with you next week. Hope you have a great weekend!
Wherever you're planning to celebrate over the holidays, it's always nice to bring a little something for the host and/or hostess. I hope today's gift guide gives you a few ideas that will leave your hosts feeling pleased and appreciated! (P.S. The widget below has a few more easy ideas mixed in that didn't make it to the official guide if you're still stumped.)
In other exciting news, Anthropologie is running an additional 30% off sale items today--below are a few of my picks.
Need more inspired gift ideas? Check out my gift guide for him and for the busy girl. Happy holiday shopping!
Sharing a favorite work outfit today! This Anthro dress is beautifully made and makes looking put-together so easy. I love finding dresses that are conservative enough for the courtroom, yet still have a few unique details to add interest. Hope you're having a great week so far!
1. A classic silk tie for the office or special occasion (in 15 colors!)
2. A cozy down vest: easy to size, easy to wear--a guaranteed closet workhorse
3. A cashmere scarf in plaid or solid colors (+ 30% off!) will keep him warm and stylish this winter
4. You'll want him wearing this appealing, confident scent from Creedall the time
5. American Bar: the Artistry of Mixing Drinks to help him master the perfect cocktail
6. Cozy winter jammies--in Christmas-y plaid or solid colors if that's more his style
7. Classic Ray-Ban aviators flatter every face (and remind him of Top Gun)
8. Love this tailored, grown-up dopp kit with a fun message inside
9. A monogrammed copper tray for storing essentials or jazzing up his bar
10. Touch screen-friendly gloves to keep him warm and in touch on the go
The hardest people on my list to find great gifts for? My dad, my husband, and my brothers, always. Today's list is for the men in your life, and it's all about the foolproof, classic pieces you'll see them reach for again and again. Hope this guide makes picking the perfect gift for the guys you love a little easier!
I wasn't really intending this to be a review post, but I fell hard for the rag & bone booties I'm wearing here after receiving them last week and decided to share a little more about them. Despite their nearly-four-inch heel, they are some of the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. Something about the way they are constructed and balanced makes it feel like the heel is much lower, and there's no teetering around when walking (great for me since I love to stride with purpose!). I've been on the lookout for the Harrow booties since I picked up rag & bone's Newbury style at the end of summer (last worn here) and loved them, and when I saw the Harrows on sale recently at Nordstrom, I quickly pulled the trigger on a pair in "Stone" (sadly, Nordstrom's price has gone back up, but I'm guessing it may go back down again around Black Friday, or after Christmas at the latest).
I read the reviews thoroughly before I ended up buying, and everyone was saying that these run small. After trying them, I would say they run a half to potentially a full size small. I normally wear a 35 in designer shoes or 35.5 in narrower pumps, and I went up to a 36 in both the Harrow and the Newbury boots I purchased earlier, and the 36 fits me well in both pairs. I'm able to wear socks with them without the boots feeling too tight, although it is hard to find a sock that won't show when wearing the Harrow, since the front dips so low. It does take a little effort to get into the bootie since there's no zip, but it just took some extra wiggling for my foot to slide right into place.
Today was a real test for the Harrows--I was out doing work "in the field" that involved a significant amount of walking, and I wore them comfortably all day long. So which rag & bone pair do I like most? I think the Harrow has pulled ahead at this point simply because shoes are never (for me) this comfortable from day 1. I also love how sleek and flattering they are with their crossed straps and dip in the front. The Newburys have an advantage for the winter to come, though--they rise higher up the ankle and will probably keep me warmer in freezing temperatures.
Happy, happy Friday! Tune in on Sunday for the next post in my Gift Guide series!
