Best of 2012

I didn’t post as many outfits on the blog this year as in 2011, but I like this year’s better, and these are my favorites by month.

Happy New Year, and I hope you all have a fabulous 2013!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

You Can Coat Me

Coat: J. Crew
Sweater: Nordstrom Rack
Skirt: thrifted Corey Lynn Calter
Shoes: Nordstrom Rack
Lipstick: Revlon Love That Red

I’m pretty sure I’ve never posted photos with this coat, but I wear it at least four days a week. I bought it way on sale, at least 70% off, two years ago, and aside from one button coming off (of course the one taking the strain of fastening over my hips), it’s stayed in perfect condition. J. Crew makes the best coats.

 

Tree Shaped

Top: thrifted Forever 21
Skirt: thrifted Perfectly Dressed
Tights: Target
Shoes: thrifted Cappagallo
Lipstick: Revlon Love That Red

On Saturday Jasen and I went to buy a Christmas tree and I subconsciously dressed like a deconstructed pine. I don’t think the pattern on this top was supposed to look like trees, but doesn’t it? I felt very “holiday” in this and also liked the velvet skirt with the green tights.

Party Cat

Top: thrifted Liz Claiborne
Skirt: River Island via Buffalo Exchange
Tights: Target
Shoes: thrifted The PM Collection
Lipstick: Revlon Love That Red

It’s hard to tell in these photos, but my top is sparkly! Jasen and I went to a “St. Niklas” party at our neighbors’ the night that I wore this, so decided it was the perfect time to get all festive with a gold top and my velvet shoes.

We also made crab rangoons (cream cheese wontons) for the party, and they were a big hit. We’d never tried making them before, but I figured we couldn’t go wrong with cream cheese and deep frying. They were easier than I expected, although Jasen did the hard part, frying them in the wok. This is the recipe we used in case you’re interested in trying it. We created the mixture with cream cheese and a can of crab from Trader Joe’s, and it really was just like what you’d get at a restaurant.

November Favorites

Bunny Picnic

Hummingbird Girls

Nana Stars

Skinny Hipster

Stories Read Aloud

The Girly Bird

The Time Is Grey

The Time Is Grey

Tipa Tipa

Virginie's Cinema

Dream Jeans

Top: thrifted Sag Harbor
Jeans: J Brand
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Lipstick: Revlon Kiss Me Coral

I loved this outfit so much I wore it two days in a row last weekend. Simple outfits are my favorites, I have to admit, and now that I finally have a few pairs of jeans I feel comfortable in, I’ve been wearing them a lot. 

I’m lucky enough to have a good friend who works for J Brand and bought these for herself with her employee discount. After she wore them a bit, she decided she wanted to go with a smaller size, so I bought these and another pair (the same style in a different wash) off her. They’re J Brand’s 811 mid-rise skinny jeans and, guys, they are so awesome. I especially like how they have a high enough rise for me to wear them with shorter tops, yet they don’t look like mom jeans.

I know J Brands are pricey, but Nordstrom Rack often has them marked down to half their original price or less, so...I even bought myself a third pair there. They are that good. And hopefully these will last me a long, long time.

Forever Floral

Sweater: Nordstrom Rack
Dress: Forever 21
Tights: Ross
Shoes: thrifted Kenneth Cole
Lipstick: Revlon Love That Red

Christmas’ coming put me in the mood to wear this floral Forever 21 dress I’ve had...forever. Well, several years. I’ve worn it on Christmas before, I think a couple of times, so it reminds me of the holidays.

I’m trying not to think about going back to work in January and instead focus on really enjoying my time off coming up. I feel like I have so much to look forward to this year because I’ll have a week and a half of vacation, my sister Hillary will be coming home from Australia to visit, my mom will be visiting from Colorado, and Jasen and I are going to Catalina for our seven-year anniversary. But I also feel like a week and a half is way too little time to spend with my family.

I know I’m lucky, though, especially for someone working in the United States...I’ve had to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas in the past, so I definitely appreciate having those days off!

Collar and Color

Blouse: Forever 21
Skirt: thrifted Harvé Benard
Tights: J. Crew
Shoes: Cherish
Lipstick: Revlon Kiss Me Coral

I like this blouse, and I like this skirt, but I don’t know if I like them together. I just felt kind of weird in this outfit...a little too secretarial or something. This blouse really looks better untucked because of the pleats, and I love wearing it with black ankle pants. This outfit makes me want to try doing a better combination of yellow and gray, though.

Etsy Update

I’ve gradually been adding more items to my Etsy shop over the last couple weeks, so here’s a peek at some of the newest arrivals!

Floral Babydoll Dress - M-L

Long Sleeve Silk Shirt - M-L

Diamond Pattern Knit Skirt - S-M

Pastel Abstract Sweater - S-M-L

Buckle Detail Midi Skirt - XS-S

Floral Sleeveless Dress - M-L

Velvet High Waist Skirt - XS-S

Crochet Detail Dress - S-M

Plain Black Tights

Dress: Forever 21 via Buffalo Exchange
Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack
Tights: Hue or Target
Shoes: Nordstrom in the ’90s
Lipstick: Revlon Blackberry

I think I need to buy plain black tights in bulk. Is there a website where you can do that and get a really significant discount? Wearing black tights and shoes with this floral dress reminded me of the ’90s and also Road to Avonlea. If you watched that show, remember how the kids would always wear black stockings and shoes with everything, even pale blue and pink dresses? Also, did you notice how in one season certain articles of clothing belonged to Sara and then she lent them to Felicity, who continued to wear them exclusively in subsequent seasons and never gave them back? #avonleageek