Twenty-Thirteen

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18

As 2013 winds down, I wanted to share some of my favorite looks with you. This year has been a crazy one considering I made a major career change. I thank my family and friends and particularly my husband who gave me the courage and support that I needed to make the change.

To all of you: your continued support and kind comments mean more to me than you could ever know. Cheers to 2014 being the best {and most fashionable} year yet!

Black + White

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Dress:  Madewell (old, similar here under $40!), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  French Connection, Tights:  Express, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

No matter the season, no matter the weather, you're always alright in black and white.

Happy Monday!

Cozy Cardi

Cardigan:  c/o KiKi La'Rue, Top:  J.Crew, Jeans:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Madewell (old, similar here for under $30!), Clutch:  c/o GiGi New York

Over the weekend, I typically choose one piece of over-sized clothing and basically live in that garment for the entire weekend. This cute printed cardigan was last weekend's winner. I threw it on over everything (including my PJ's). It was perfect for Christmas tree picking, and snuggling up in front of the fireplace.

What will I choose to live in this weekend?

Wine Tasting

Coat:  J.Crew (old, OBSESSED with this pink coat), Dress:  Velvet by Granam & Spencer (old, similar here, and here for $50!), Shoes:  Dolce Vita (old, similar here), Tights:  Express, Bag:  French Connection, Necklace:  H&M (old, similar here) Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Last week my husband and I attended a wine tasting party. Being the wino that I am, I thought the idea behind the party was genius: everybody brought two wine bottles wrapped in foil - one lined up for the tasting and the other for the winner of the best bottle contest. We each selected our top three favorite wines and the person who brought the bottle with the most votes took home everyone's second bottle. What made it even better is that my husband and I were the winners!

That said - while my dress looked super holiday cute, I don't know if white lace was the best choice for a RED wine tasting party. I managed to make it through the evening without an embarrassing faux pas, however had I thought it through before hand, I probably would have gone with my favorite LBD.

Fall Layers

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Sweater:  H&M (cute option here, similar here for $22!), Top:  J.Crew (last year, similar here), Jeans:  H&M (similar here under $20!), Shoes:  Christian Louboutin (budget-friendly version here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, newer version here)

As I've been working in the corporate world for 4+ months now, I find myself straying away from the preppy classroom style that I had donned for years. This wardrobe evolution is definitely bittersweet for me, but I always try to stick with the mantra 'change is good'. And as more and more elements of glam creep into my closet, there will always be room for preppy plaids and cable-knit cardis.

Turkey Day

Coat: Vintage (similar here, here, drooling over this one), Dress: Amanda Uprichard (old, newer version here, identical option here), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  French Connection, Tights:  Express

A short and sweet post today featuring the first of many holiday looks. My husband snapped this picture of me last week while we were at West Point celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. The weather was beautiful even though it was bitter cold. I broke out one of my favorite holiday dresses of all time. This sexy red sheath proves to be a staple year after year, and the coat added the perfect pop of print.

In other news...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to my giveaway winner Dani! I will be contacting you soon. Thank you so much to everyone who entered. As I always say, stay tuned for more fabulous giveaways to come.

Shake Your Bootie

Top:  J.Crew (old, similar here, here), Skirt:  Topshop, Booties:  Anthropologie (very old, great selection here), Bag:  Target, Tights:  Express

I am definitely a pump kinda gal and prefer a heel to a boot/bootie any day, however at some point in the season I have to turn in my stilettos for something that offers a bit more coverage {frost bite would not be very attractive come sandal season}.

{photography by Madison Royle}

Lucky for me, Infinityshoes.com offers a vast variety of boots and booties. Certainly something to satisfy everyone's taste. 

1 // 2 // 3

4 // 5 // 6 

When my feet feel as fabulous as they look, I definitely get the urge to shake my bootie {couldn't resist}.

Happy Monday...hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing holiday weekend...a few hours left to enter my giveaway!

**Disclosure:  this is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Red Topper

Coat:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Shirt:  J.Crew (old, similar here under $20), Turtleneck:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Jeans:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Classiques Entier (old, great option here), Bag:  Forever 21, Beanie:  Free People, Rings:  c/o Berricle

As the weather outside grows more and more frightful, layers and cold weather accessories are feeling more and more delightful. Adding a little color with some winter accessories is the perfect way to brighten up even the coldest, dreariest winter days.

How cute are these stackable cubic zirconia eternity rings?!? Great gift idea!

And for another fabulous gift idea, enter my giveaway here.

Pink & Grey

Coat:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Sweater:  Gap, Pants:  Forever 21(old, similar here), Shoes:  Rock & Republic for Kohl's, Bag:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

When I purchased these silver pumps from Kohl's, I never dreamed I would get so much use out of them. Whenever I'm having trouble deciding what color shoes to wear with an outfit, I reach for them. I consider them to be a neutral so I feel I can wear them with everything. Also, they look more expensive than they were ~ the other day a co-worker asked me if they were Miu Miu! She was shocked when I told her they were from Kohl's. Just proves my theory ~ you don't need to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks.

  Wishing everyone a very Happy Turkey Day.

Still plenty of time to enter my giveaway!

Graphic Image Giveaway

Coat:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Sweater: H&M (similar), Skirt: TopShop, Bag: J.Crew (old, similar here), Shoes:  Valentino, iPhone Case: c/o Graphic Image, Tights: Express, Sunnies: Ray-Ban, Nails:  Essie "Hot Cocoa"

Hello and happy Monday readers. 

I'm in an extra delightful mood this Monday morning for several reasons: 

1. it's a short week {bring on the turkey} 

2. Christmas music on the radio 24/7 {makes the morning commute much more bearable} 

3. I'm hosting ANOTHER fabulous giveaway {'tis the season of giving}

Before I get to this week's giveaway, I would like to thank everyone who entered my Our World Boutique giveaway and congratulate my winner Melanie R. I will be contacting you shortly.

I am ecstatic to present today's giveaway as I am a huge fan of Graphic Image's products. They make fabulous leather handbags and accessories and offer monogramming for most of their products. You may be familiar with their GiGi New York line of fashion forward accessories and bags {seen here, here, here, here}.

A cute quote that sums up my feeling on personalization..."If it's not moving, monogram it!"

The winner of my giveaway will have their choice of a personalized iPhone 5 case, a fabulous gift for yourself or anyone on your holiday list. I'm kinda feeling like Santa right not that I get go host such a fabulous giveaway. Follow the instructions below to enter and good luck {ho-ho-ho}!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oblivious

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Tee:  Forever 21, Jeans:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Christian Louboutin, Bag:  c/o GiGi New York, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I wish it weren't so, but I'm definitely one of those people who isn't always completely aware of their surroundings. For example, this enormous American flag mural is painted on the side of a convenience store that I pass almost every day. I was none the wiser until my husband pointed it out to me recently.

Kinda makes me want to get out there and do some exploring this weekend.

Oxblood & Navy

Jacket:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Jeans:  H&M (old, great alternative here), Shoes:  Rock & Republic for Kohls, Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, LOVE this alternative)

Two of my favorite fall colors in one outfit. 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

And of course...enter my GIVEAWAY here!