Putting it Together

I've been loafing around the house pretty much everyday since I've been on break. So except for a few lunches, appointments, and shopping trips, I haven't really had a chance to wear the clothes and shoes I got for Christmas.

I do, however, dress up everyday for school and I've been trying to brainstorm how to put everything together. There's a myriad of options, of course, so I made a little collage on Polyvore with a few of them items I received. It was nice just to see things laid out so perfectly--cardigans (my outfits usually revolve around a warm cardigan) with skirts and shoes. I think everything is pretty versatile and seeing it this way gives me tons of ideas.

I can't wait to put it all together!

How cool is it that Polyvore has most of the items that you can buy in stores on its site? So crazy! Click, if you like any of these items. I lucked out on some great sales!

Emily

New Year, New Shoes

I wanted to share my new shoes!

I got two  new pairs as gifts for Christmas and two more on a post NYE sale. I was very relieved and excited to acquire these shoes because every pair has been on my radar and on my mind for quite some time. So nice to cross things off of your wish-list!

The two on the right are both from Urban Outfitters. The wedges, which were on an insane sale, are more summer-appropriate, but I'm hoping socks will make them work for now. If you read SD, you might have seen me post about these the wing-tip pumps a few times. Finally, they belong to me!

The two on the left are my new acquires on a 50% off red tag sale. Jessica Simpson bow, zipper flats and Vince Camuto bootie wedges. Love, love, love these. I was trying to be modest and not spend a ton of money, but the deals were too good to resist!

Our favorite department store gets pretty busy during sales, but this year it was total madness. It was a little annoying, but I was really happy to see people out spending money. There were women buying five boxes of shoes! Surely, a good sign for the economy, if not just for our local economy.

I remember when the recession was in full, terrible swing. My sister, mom, and I were very fortunate to have a little spending money and were able to score some incredible deals on clothing and shoes. I acquired some great stuff, but I'm glad it isn't quite as bad and that things are starting to improve for people. I hope that's more of what 2011 will bring!

Emily

Last Christmas

Jeeze, I have been avoiding this blog! I have no idea why, though. I guess I was just enjoying the last days of feeling the holiday spirit. Now the holidays are really, truly over. Isn't it sad?

I am really obsessed with Christmas, so I particularly dislike this time of year. The lights come down, the decorations get put away, and the tree has to go! I hate it. Hate. Hate. Now everyone will be back to work and real life. Boo to that!

Since this time of year is not quite over, I'll relive it one last time. I'm so late with this, but here is what I wore on Christmas Eve.

Sweater from American Eagle, plaid shirt from Chelsea and Violet, skirt from Forever 21, tights from Hue, and shoes from Steve Madden.

I don't usually do colored tights, but I've been trying to branch out. Plus, what is better from Christmas Eve than a cranberry sweater and matching tights? I definitely wanted to wear red and green this year. I was feeling extra festive, I guess.

I didn't go out on New Year's Eve this year. Thank goodness. I didn't go out last year, either. Funny enough, that was the night I gave in and decided to start a blog. I'm so glad I did.

Some great things have happened in 2010. I'm hoping for even more exciting opportunities and adventures in 2011. I hope the same for you!

Emily

Merry Christmas

Hey everyone, have a great holiday! I hope everyone is taking a nice blogging break to spend time with friends and family!

I also hope that everyone gets exactly what they want this year. I think my odds are pretty good:

I'm a freak about wrapping presents, but come on! What could be cuter and most Christmas-y than contrasting wrapping paper and cute bows?!

Have a good one!

Emily

Navy Blue Christmas

I was feeling pretty blue about the holidays back in NYC, but yesterday I hopped on a plane and landed in sunny NM! I'm so glad to be done with school. One of the best things about college is that once the semester is over, you're free as a bird. Free I am. Free to post outfits I wore weeks ago. Free to be guilt-free about blogging at all.

Outfits, yes. Last week during finals I think I wore variations of the same outfit for seven or eight days. It's definitely time to get back into the swing of things!

Here's something I wore before finals took over my life. I love this dress. White can be so tricky, but the navy stripes make this dress a little easier to work with, especially for winter.

Dress from H and M, tights from Banana Republic, shoes from Gianni Bini

 And here's my new(ish) coat. I will never tire of this navy coat. And look at how it gives this outfit a little different spin! It's definitely a good match. I feel like this coat makes every outfit better!

 See? I love it. You can tell.

Hope you all are warm, inside, and enjoying time with family! I will be doing the same! 

Emily

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Who's excited for the holidays?

Me!

Because for most people this time of year is magical... and, of course, it is, but for college students it isn't exactly "the most wonderful time of the year." Finals could kill anyone's Christmas spirit. However, I'm trying to stay in the mood with a little online shopping, (short) holiday movies, and lots of carols.

Speaking of carols...What's your favorite Christmas album?

Now That's What I Call Christmas is definitely a staple of mine, but I also love *NSYNC's Home for Christmas (I'm a child of the 90s). This year A Very Glee Christmas has come into the picture and I love it.

I also have a few more gift ideas for you... But I'll confess, you may like them more than your friends and family. In fact, they may be a few suggestions that you might want to pass on to Santa for yourself. Unless, you have a fashion-obsessed-blogger-friend that might enjoy them, too. But who says you can't be the tiniest bit selfish this holiday season? If you're working half as hard as I will for finals, I say you deserve it!


J Crew Bell Skirt

UO Wingtip T-strap Heels

3-disc Edition of The September Issue

A Great Fashion Book like:  Harper's Bazaar Great Style

 

Or I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks

A Party Dress 

Or two...

I hope you're staying warm and enjoying this magical time of year!

More gifts and outfits to come!

Emily

6 Friends and Their Perfect Presents

Here's my little version of a gift guide. I might do a few more as the weeks to Christmas pass. This is pretty much what I plan to buy for my friends and secret Santas!


1. Gifts for your bookworm and Anglophile girlfriend:

UO Typewriter Initial Pendant Necklace

 

Lally Striped Rugby

2. Gift for Your History Buff Friend:

Official New York City Map and Station Guide, 1958 Print

3. Gift for Your Style Savvy Bohemian Friend:

 A cute beret and an scarf with an organic print, of course!

4. Gift for Your Girlfriend who Loves Tea:

Tea Lovers To Go Cup

 

 

5. Gift for Your Friend who is Secretly 65-Years-Old:

Recycled Cotton-Acrylic Blend Knit Tie

 6. A Gift for Anyone (or Your Secret Santa that You Didn't Know Before You Drew Their Name...)

Snow Globe Frame- $8

Ring Dish - $8

 

I Heart NY

Of course I  love NYC! For so many different reasons, but one of them is the celeb sightings!

You may not be as excited as I am about this, but I've seen regular celebs quite a few times. It's exciting, for sure, but I've really been dying to see a fashion celebrity. (Much harder to spot as they are just real people living their lives...) Today I finally saw a legend (in my mind, at least...).

Yup. Hamish Bowles. I almost said, "Hello," but I didn't want to embarrass myself. I'm still gushing with fashion-joy!

Do you have a fashion-celeb that you're dying to meet or see in person?

Happy hunting!

Emily

Thankful

I have to say that I am thankful for a great many things. Right now, I'm thankful that I just had a week off. Unfortunately, right after a great week off and some time to be thankful, the things I am not thankful for swung right back into full force (jet lag, homework, papers, cyber Monday sales that I cannot afford to participate it, but did...).

But I'll stay positive and show you my Thanksgiving dress that I am very thankful for!

I'm thankful that this dress looks good with navy tights and a black shirt. I'm thankful that it will also look good with cranberry tights and a navy shirt or brown tights and a cranberry shirt. I am thankful that it toes the line between looking pilgrim-ish, but doesn't. I am thankful for this dress.

Dress from Ruche.com, Report shoes, tights and turtleneck from Target.

I am also thankful to still have these fab t-straps. They are absolutely on their last leg as far as wearing them out (meaning I can only wear them when I know I'll be doing little to no walking or on short outings). I'll surely miss them, if I ever have to get rid of them.

And readers, commenters, url clickers, anonymous passers-by, I'm thankful for you. Whether you stop by to read, scan, or for any other (nice) reason. You are the best!

So...um... I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks.

Emily

Blue Suede Shoes

Okay, I'll confess: my kicks are not suede. They are leather AND they are bright blue. It's funny when you get a new item of clothing or shoes and the next outfit you wear simply must revolve around the new piece. Such is the case with these little pumps.

I don't own many electric blue tops, but I'm not always extremely concerned with matching, either. So my thought was to wear this teal top with the bright shoes. They certainly don't match, but I think they go together.

I got a lot of stares at the shoes. I hope it wasn't because they're a little quirky! I think it was mostly because the shoes are pretty bright against dark tights.

(Also, on a side note: I read in a magazine once that men do not notice if women wear heels or flats. I have tested this over many days and I find it to be most untrue! Half the people who check out my heels are usually men! How funny is that?! I wonder if this is true for most women... I bet it is!)

I digress! Have a safe and lovely Thanksgiving! I'll definitely post a few more times soon... We need to catch up!

Emily

Retail Therapy

Hey all!

I've been so busy with school! It's such a drag, but I'm hoping things will slow down for the break (but they never do, do they?)!

Anyway, I did a little retail therapy today and got a great coat for $75 at LOFT! (I'm not employed by LOFT, I swear!) Do check it out! Such a great deal for $100-$200 regular priced coats. (Again, I am not sponsored by LOFT, but I do love it!)

Here's mine:

I promise you outfit posts soon. I have about three just waiting to be put up! I'll get on that ASAP.

Emily

Uninspired

I've really been slacking on my blogging. I'm feeling really uninspired right now. It' s probably because NY decided to pass on fall and head right into winter this year. And it's been freezing lately, which pretty much means I'm inside or wrapped up in sweaters and scarves. So it's been kinda dull on the fashion and blogging sides of my life.

But shoes. Shoes are never boring. And unless it's snowing or raining you can pretty much wear any pair at anytime. So I'll show you two pairs that I received for my birthday. They're both Olsenboye via JC Penny. (Yes, Olsenboye as in the Olsen twins... Yes, the Olsen twins, designers of The Row and Elisabeth and James.)

These studded black pumps are my favorite! I love a classic black pump with a little twist.

These are funny because they're printed and the heel is pretty low. It almost makes them pass as casual.

I like them tons and they were pretty inexpensive. Always a plus, right?

I'm hoping I'll get inspired again really soon, so we can exchange great outfits and fun posts!

Emily