respect the shoes

Red for Me & Mint for You!

2012-01-27T08:59:00.006-05:00

So a tee is a tee is a tee - or is it?

The folks behind StyleMint have generously asked me to try some of their collection pieces recently and I opted for the Venice tee as my first pic. StyleMint is a subscription clothing club where you buy pieces designed by Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Tees are $29.99 each, which includes shipping, so it is a heckuva modern-day deal. Tops run the gamut from the classic striped tee to rocker chic and back again.

It's run by the same folks who do JewelMint (see my review here), so the process is simple and pain-free. You can join StyleMint for free and won't get charged anything until your first purchase. After that, you have the option of opting out each month if you don't see anything you like, plus you can cancel at any time.

If the weather was more appealing and I was going to go out with the girls, this is how I'd want to wear the Venice tee:

Top: c/o StyleMint (I opted for size 2 for the looser fit, I think their size chart is pretty accurate)
Skirt: H&M pleather (worn here - sim here, here)
Belt: J.Crew metallic skinny (sim here, here)
Shoes: Sam Edelman kody (worn here - sim here, patent here, wedge here)
Necklaces: Definitely Different & The Circle is Cast via Etsy (sim here, here)
Bracelets: F21, J.Crew (sim here, here, here)
Clutch: Kate Spade shuffled embossed stacy (sim here, here)

But let's come back to reality and remember how cold and wet the SE is this time of year - and that my girls and I would prefer to hang out over pizza and beer while shoulder dancing and talking like truckers, so this is what I'm actually wearing:

Coat: Banana Republic factory (sim here, here)
Pants: F21 ankle skinny (worn here - sim for a steal here & here)
Necklace: White Owl via Etsy (worn here - sim here, gold here)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

And here's a great bonus for you ladies! StyleMint is offering 20% off your first purchase! Use code RPCTSM when placing your order - it expires in 10 days (February 5th), so don't miss out!

They Tryin' Catch Me Ridin' Dirty

2012-01-25T15:47:00.002-05:00

Thanks to me, most of you already know that my BF is terrible with laundry so I do all the washing. My love for over-sharing has also made most of you aware that BF has a habit of wearing things once (once meaning any stretch of time between twenty minutes to two days straight) before tossing them in – OK, in the proximity of – the hamper.

I do all the laundry because I’ll actually take the time to separate darks or lights and use the different settings on the washer or dryer. I also do all the laundry because then I can toss clothes that are still “pretty clean” to me (meaning those that have been worn in a climate-controlled, splatter-free zone for a period of less than one work day) straight into the dryer with a sheet to "refluff" them for another wear.

I certainly do this pseudo clothing "spin cycle" with my own clothes. Skirt and top worn for a four hours where I pretty much sat in front of my computer? Tumble, maybe iron, then hang it back up, it is good to go. Sweater I may have worn for two hours before deeming it was too warm and tossing in my car for the rest of the day? May just get folded again and replaced straight back into my drawer. Dry clean clothes – I may very well wear them again (and maybe again - and maybe ...) dependent on condition after each wear.

Does BF know that I don't automatically wash everything he's already touched? I don't think he can tell once everything is freshened, flattened and folded or hung. Plus as far as I know, he doesn't read the blog, so he'll never know, bwahah- oh, not a bwahah-worthy moment?

Now I am assuming this is pretty normal behavior, but I’ve never asked before, so are you gals reading along and mentally nodding, asking for where the big “So what?” is? Or are you instead kind of grimacing at the monitor hoping you’ll never be unlucky enough to run into me and grubbies in a dark alley?

How do you keep your clothes fresh between cleanings? Or am I just naively a dirty person and clothes need to be laundered after each individual wear?

Top: J.Crew spangled stripes (worn here - sim here, here, tunic here, cardi here)
Skirt: F21 fitted knit (worn here - sim here, here, lighter here)
Collar: Asos gold sequin (worn here - sim necklace here, luxe here)
Bag: Cooperative by UO mixed media neon (worn here)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction swim n fool (worn here - sim here, here)

Fuchsia Green Grey

2012-01-24T10:12:00.001-05:00

So this outfit looked better in my head, even though I know in real life it's not terrible (it's not terrible, right?) I've always been a fan of those gals who can rock a pair of crumbly baggy pants with sky high heels, a ratty men's undershirt of a tank and some sort of jacket and make it all seem like a legit ensemble. It has always seemed so laidback cool to me - like she cares but she doesn't, she's polished but in a really casual comfort-first way, she's sexy but doesn't need to flaunt it. Sure, most of those gals are usually named Beyonce or Halle Berry or at minimum 5'10" tall sans shoes, but who gets hung up on details?

I figured if I played around with the fit of the pieces, add in a collared shirt and some color, I could make it work appropriate and more realistic for a shortie like myself. And though I don't dislike this look, one of my first thoughts after I glanced in the mirror was "wannabe hipster farmer flight attendant" so that started things off well. Hey y'all, would you like some raw Spanish peanuts or pretzels with organic fleur de sel?

So that's me explaining away my outfit, like I need to defend (or excuse) myself for my style choices. Which I know I don't. And if something doesn't work, well, chances are that I'm the only one that'll really notice and lesson learned. But I'm really comfortable. And I'm fairly certain that I may try another similar ensemble again because as much as it doesn't really fit my body (remember these?), I can't help loving a baggy tapered cropped pant.

What do you do when the outfit you're wearing is not quite right? Do you roll with the excuses when someone makes a comment about it, mess with it work, or rock it like you meant it? If a trend you like doesn't seem to work for you, do you still keep trying?

Jacket: Zara jersey blazer (sim here, here, pricey here, neon here)
Top: Old Navy (sim here, tunic here, pricey here or pink-er here)
Pants: Loft ripstop cargo (1/23 now on super-sale)
Necklace: Definitely Different via Etsy (worn here)
Shoes: Nine West aroundtown (sim flats here)
Bracelet: F21 faceted cube (worn here - sim here)
Clutch: Coach signature poppy demi (old, sim here)

Wise Men Say Only Fools Rush In

2012-01-23T09:07:00.003-05:00

First off, big props to my boys, BIG BLUE! That was a nail-biter eye-covering bit of a game last night, but the Giants know how to pull out a dramatic victory!

Second, Happy Lunar New Year to my asian peeps! Year of the dragon, rarrr!

Third, thanks to you ladies, for all your great skincare recs last week. I ended up skimping on the Clarisonic (I'm intrinsically cheap, I can't help it) and instead purchased the Olay cleansing brush, along with the cleanser. I also got a new anti-wrinkle daily moisturizer with SPF at the rec of a friend, and did splurge on a retinol serum, Replenix (serums are the thing, right?). I'm also going to start doing the hote towel before washing, cold towel after washing thing. I may or may not be getting more than I need right now, but I figure better earlier than too little too late?

I also thought that I need to act fast to take care of my skin because when I am on my own with it, I do it no favors. Case in point, blatantly picking at and squeezing a pimple last night and ending up with more angry than I intended (though, what else did I expect?) I am going to spare you ladies the sight of my heinous blemish and instead post these pics from an outfit I wore last week - though I may need to figure out how to use that Picasa touchup tool! Wish there was a "touchup tool" for real life though ...

Since I'm going ahead to admit to that, I may as well let you know that I used to be a chronic nail biter - and still sometimes to resort back to it when I am highly stressed. My left forefinger is my most likely victim as it usually happens when I am sitting in front of the computer at work and typically my right hand is on the mouse.

Waaaaay back in the day, like elementary school, I used to chew on my hair too - not even sure why, probably because I saw some of the more popular gals with the long gorgeous locks doing it and I was just so thankful to have hair long enough to stick in my mouth. Nowadays, I apparently just like trimming my bangs between pro cuts and doing them way too short - yes, this is the second time I've done so in a few months. Just randomness!

Do you gals have any horrible habits that you totally know you shouldn't but can't help it?

Sweater: Ann Taylor marled wool shrug (worn here - sim here, casual here)
Top: J.Crew evie (size 2 sold on my blog sale here - sim here, here, tunic here)
Skirt: Loft patch pocket scuba (sim pencil here)
Tights: Anne Klein herringbone (sim here)
Boots: Vince Camuto bronco (worn here - sim here, here)
Necklace: Asos (sim plain here, here, red here)
Bracelets: J.Crew bangle / F21 stretch pyramid stud / J.Crew crystal abacus (sim here, here, here)
Lips: Dior creme de gloss in cream rose (441)

Skin(ny) Dipping

2012-01-20T09:23:00.003-05:00

I partly chalk this up to watching too many episodes of the Real Housewives - and I know the ridiculousness in wanting to compare even a bit of my life with those well-to-do well-kept women who seem to pretty much spend their days lunching but not eating, tossing back the pinot and going to their plastic surgeon's office to get "touch ups" (between bouts of wig-pulling and snarking, of course). But let's face it, I'm not getting any younger here and it about time that I start taking care of myself and my skin - and I mean really start taking care of it, and more than just in the wash and moisturize daily way.

Problem is, I've always been a bit of a DIY-er when it comes to skincare. I have the requisite bottles of ointments and serums to keep my face all soft and shiny, I Biore strip, I use a home microderm kit. I've only actually been to the spa twice in my life and have had a whopping one whole facial (you can thank my old tomboy ways and my not-a-stitch-of-makeup wearing mom for thinking things like that were "frivolous.")

But I am realizing that as I get older, regardless of how cool my heels are or what a nice skirt I have, it won't mean a thing if I have a face full of sallow wrinkly dark spots. I already have a love/hate relationship with my freckles. I still occassionally get acne. I dark circles under my eyes and am starting to see wrinkles. My pores are not invisible nor immaculately clean. And honestly I am kind of scared to death of getting (OK, looking) old. So I think I need to do something - but I don't know what!

I am a professional skincare newbie and know next to nothing about the various peels, lasers, facials out there. I don't even know how or where to start (should I be going to a spa, med spa or plain ole dermatologist?)

So I need your help, ladies, and some advice. What would you recommend for a gal who wants to start really taking care of her skin (and vainly looking youthful) but doesn't know how? What are some of my options that don't break the bank or aren't too evasive?

Sweater: Lands' End performance (worn here - sim here)

Shirts: Lands' End Canvas floral poplin (worn here - sim here) / J.Crew neon gingham (worn here - sim here, here)

Jeans: J.Crew destroyed matchstick (sim here)

Belt: J.Crew embossed (sim here)

Necklace: Old Navy ethnic statement (worn here - sim here, blue here)

Shoes: Sam Edelman kody (worn here - sim here, wedge here, peep-toe here)

As a "bonus" for your Friday, doggie attack:

Give Me Your Tired ...

2012-01-19T09:15:00.003-05:00

This has been said by me many-a-time, but my style has changed greatly from when I first started my blog. Mostly for the better, I think - I am unafraid to wear skirts now, I have learned to accessorize, I have more than one purse and have realized that I need to make at least a halfway effort with hair and makeup when I get ready in the morning. Because a frizzy-haired splotch-faced girl in a dress is still a frizzy-haired splotch-faced girl regardless of how nice the dress is.

I spent a bit of time over the weekend looking back through my blog archives and those first few months after I started posting outfits. I know we're supposed to give ourselves a bit of slack and understand that not all our outfits are going to be super innovative interesting or real winners. But I kind of feel that part of the "responsibility" of style blogging is to post stuff that someone might actually take inspiration from, or that we may be proud to share. We may not do blog as full-time jobs but we also don't go around sharing with the world pics of us in our sweatpants and circa 1998 ratty tees.

So I was kind of surprised myself with how many cringe-worthy outfit moments I found in my archives. I'm glad that my style is ever-evolving and my tastes change - but at some point in the near past I had put together these ill-fittng pieces and felt good in them? Can I chalk it up to "youth?" See examples of just some of my poor previous fashion choices:

Wanna drop a link in the comments and share some of your not-so-awesome early blog day outfit posts? Or if you don't want to start a case of digging up that old shit, wanna share in writing some of your non-stellar clothes pairings in the past? And how do you think you've grown sartorially from your original days of blogging?

Sweater: Loft dolman sleeve poncho (sim here)
Top: J.Crew striped perfect boatneck (worn here - sim here, v here)
Jeans: J.Crew corduroy bootcut (worn here - sim here)
Shoes: Boutique 9 via Anthropologie botanist heeled (worn here - same here / here)
Bag: Cooperative by UO mixed media neon (worn here)
Necklace: Anthropologie tinsley strung (worn here - sim here, here, pricey here)
Bracelets: F21 & Asos pyramid stretch (sim here, here, rose here, stacked here)
Outfit inspired by Dea.

Clean House

2012-01-18T09:31:00.003-05:00

BF is away on business this week so "woe is me" aside, I am kind of looking forward to some good ole me me me time. I'm typically the neat one in the relationship, so when BF is home, I sometimes feel like a live-in maid because I spend quite a bit of time figuratively trailing behind him cleaning up.

I call the BF "Crumbs" sometimes because he leaves a path through the house of everywhere he's been or touched - wadded up tissues on the counters, half-drunk water glasses everywhere, remnants of mail all over the living room, worn clothes on the floor, shoes all over, sunglasses in the pantry, car keys next to the sink, vitamin bottles scattered throughout the kitchen, dirty dishes on the coffee table, crumbs on the couch, blindly stuffing more trash in bin when it is clearly full.

Now I'm no Miss Perfect Everything, but I am a bit of a Type A with some OCD thrown in - so when BF doesn't do something the way it should be done in my head, I can't help but to fix it.

But when BF is gone and there's no one for me to set an example for ... well, I may lax a bit. Like forget to make the bed or fold the clothes or pick up the dirty towels kind of lax. Like sit on the couch all evening watching Real Housewives reruns while the dishes pile up. Eating chips and painting my nails. In my jammies. At 7:05 at night. Like a total crumbly hypocrite.

And then the day that BF is scheduled to come back ... mad dash to clean, tidy, wash, hide all traces of my secret slovenly ways. Be found gracefully reading on the armchair with my coastered cup of tea sitting on the immaculate coffee table, pillows perfectly fluffed, dog brushed, floors gleaming.

OK, fairly certain BF knows that I am a clost slob, but he's too nice to say anything. But I appreciate that he plays along. Probably because of fear, haha!

When you're home alone for a few days, what do you like to do (or not do) that you can't when other inhabitants are around?

Top: J.Crew tissue t-neck

Skirt: Left of Center by Anthropologie diagonal divide (worn here - sim solid here, -ish here)

Jacket: Juicy Couture (worn here - sim here, luxe here)

Belt: Asos metal keeper (sim here)

Shoes: Etienne Aigner ethel (worn here - sim here)

Necklaces: The Circle is Cast & c/o Simply Livly via Etsy

(Ugh, still having Blogger issues, so I'm not able to comment on some of your blogs - hopefully this glitch will be fixed soon!)

Caught Red-Legged

2012-01-17T10:46:00.001-05:00

I wore "bit" of red yesterday in honor of my Giants, who trounced another team on their way to the NFC Championship game - you're next, 49ers!

This is my first foray into colored tights - a trend that until now I've really been deathly afraid of. I'm a big fan of bright colors but the candy-coated leg hues seemed a little too in-your-face intentional to me, a little young. Plus I have a personal thing on tights and shoes that don't match - it's just one of my weird personal sartorial quirks.

Because I had loads of fashion quirks - Like until recently, gold and silver accessories couldn't co-mingle. Or if it is a brown-tone, then my belt and shoes need to match. Skinny pants must be paired with a long top or jacket. I can't wear earrings, necklaces and bracelets all together. Unless they are the bermuda type, then shorts can only be paired with flats or wedges. For proper business attire, my hair must be pulled up. Navy doesn't get paired with grey or brown, unless it is more like a camel or tan. I could go on, but your eyes will start watering.

This kind of color I can live with - kind of. Gloomy weather has brought about terrible lighting, so you can't really tell how bright I feel these tights are, but only exposing a bit of leg and keeping everything else toned down keeps this in the wearable realm for me, and doesn't make me resemble a cast member from Disney Clubhouse. Sure, some of you ladies may retch for a variety of pretty legit reasons, but for some reason, this is acceptable to all the funny rules in my head.

Do you have any personal style rules that you abide by? What are your quirks?

Dress: Asos sweater shift (worn here - sim here, collared here, strappy here)
Jacket: J.Crew Robert Noble herringbone (worn here - sim here)
Belt: Anthropologie infinity (worn here - sim here)
Tights: Asos 80 denier red (sim here)
Boots: Type Z (worn here - sim here, here)
Brooch: Blinkeye via Etsy
Rings: Banana Republic flower & c/o JewelMint (sim here, here)
Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff (worn here - sim-ish here, as a tote here, w/navy here)

Making Friends

2012-01-13T12:51:00.002-05:00

This is old news by now, but I still can't help but still be miffed that Google Friend Connect is going away, at least for non-Blogger sites. As a non-techie gal, my introduction to the world of blogging came through Blogger because it was easy to get set up. I started following blogs through GFC because it was an easy extension of my Blogger account and it seemed like the GFC tag was everywhere, at least for the blogs I frequented. But now - this change?

Now if you host your site through Blog, you apparently are unaffected and can continue to utilize GFC to your heart's content. But if you're not on Blogger? Well, it is sounding like you have until March 1 to figure out another way to have your readers follow your site. (Kelly did a pretty thorough overview of this here, and it was also covered by IFB here).

I know this is mixed news for people - you either don't care, are running down the halls trying to figure out what to do with your blog or you're relieved that "the popularity contest" of GFC numbers may be behind a lot of us. I am admittedly pretty naive when it comes to blog following - I always thought GFC was the only way to follow a blog. Why else would everyone have a GFC gadget displayed so prominently on their blogs?

Is GFC a bit of a numbers game to see follower figures in that kind of awkward box? Sure, absolutely, but you can just as easily see it on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin, etc. Do I think that the number of GFC followers affect whether or not someone chooses to follow - or not - a blog, or what its content is worth it? Heck no. Though yes, advertisers do look at that sort of stuff, but come on, how many of us are making any sort of living with our blogs?

I use Blogger so I am technically unaffected, but I can't help but to hate change. Especially on a platform where I feel precarious as is - platform for me meaning computers in general - one change usually signals the start of more changes in my brain (Google+, anyone?). And as much as I'd like to just sit here and be all like "numbers don't mean a thing," my numbers do mean a lot to me. It has taken me over two years of actively posting to have the following I do now on GFC, and I continue to be extremely flattered that so many of you choose to read my blog. I feel like I "know" so many of you and love this little hobby of mine - I know I'm totally being selfish and vain here, but I 'd hate to think of anything that could affect it!

What are your thoughts about GFC going away for some blogs? Are you affected? How do you keep track of the blogs you read?

Sweater: For the Republic (worn here - sim-ish here, BW here, purple here)
Top: Lands' End Canvas floral poplin (worn here - sim big dots here)
Skirt: H&M pleather (worn here - sim here)
Tights: UO graphic scroll (worn here - sim sheer here, color here)
Necklace: White Owl via Etsy (worn here - sim pleather here, flower here, beaded here)
Belt: Asos metal keeper (same in baby blue, lavender)
Shoes: Franco Sarto gamble (worn here - sim here)
Bracelets: Old Navy enamel, F21 animal (sim here, here, here, here)

(BTW, looks like Blogger is making some updates recently - hello "reply" button! But has anyone else had any issues accessing some blogs? Some blogs are blanking out on the screen if I try to click to specific posts to comment - assuming these are temp glitches? Maybe?)

Shopping Someone Else's Closet

2012-01-12T14:49:00.002-05:00

Let's get it all out on the table here: I don't thrift. None of my gal pals thrift so it never comes up as an option on shopping trips, my first few forays into attempted thrifting left me fleeing stores packed with bad smells on stained aceta-poly-on, and honestly I don't have the patience to look through the racks of meh to find the treasures that are out there. I know awesome deals can be had, unique pieces can be found, and for the really crafty, old frocks can be re-engineered into something custom and gorgeous. But I don't do it.

My idea of thrifting is typically Ebay or Etsy, which means most of the dirty work is already done for me and I can just "tra la la" my way through a selection of sorted goodies. But I hate to battle it out on Ebay and sometimes the "because it's vintage" pricing on Etsy is less than awesome. So that was just one of the reasons I was thrilled when my blog friend Eleanor decided to open her online shop, Katy-Did Vintage, because now I have another alternative (and I like my alternatives) to find unique, pre-loved goodies.

Another reason I was thrilled is because I get happy whenever I see a fellow member of our style blog community do something that they are truly have a passion for. Eleanor is a long-time style blogger who formerly had a jet-setting but exhaustive lifestyle. She willingly gave up the grueling hours to spend more time with her family and pursue her true interests, and I applaud her for her daring to go against the grain of what is expected and do what she chooses. From that, Katy-Did Vintage was able to evolve organically out of Eleanor's love of thrifting.

And boy, am I am glad when someone else can do the weeding for me!

Eleanor generously sent me this dress to try from her collection at Katy-Did. I'll admit, this is probably not something I would've picked out on my own as I tend to veer from maxis, but that's where I give credit to Eleanor for seeing potential. After trying the dress on and playing around with it, I was really surprised at how much I liked it. You can see another example of Eleanor's thrift prowess in Pamela's post here and in her daily outfit posts on her own blog.

Do you thrift? What are your tips for a successful trip? Or if you're like me, why don't you thrift?

Dress: c/o Liz Claiborne via Katy-Did Vintage
Belt: Anthropologie (worn here - sim here, here, here)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction swim n fool (worn here - sim here, platform here, pricey here)
Necklace: Anthropologie gold finger (worn here - sim on sale here, here, pricey here)
Bracelets: Old Navy enamel (sim here, here, here)

Fitting My Pants

2012-01-10T08:52:00.000-05:00

There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when you pull a pair of trousers out of the closet that you haven’t worn in a while because they’ve always been a bit too big, and you find that they now fit you. Curve-hugging, in fact. Quite. A. Feeling.

I’m the first to admit that for the last month or so, my workouts have diminished to about nothing and my diet has suffered from a weeks-long bout of “it’s the holidays, so calories don’t count.” I know it is no dire straits, that it isn't all woe-is-me-look-how-chunked-out-I’ve-become because I know I am not that big, but I think that for a gal my height (5’2” on a good day), I need to take special care with what I eat. The days of munching whatever right along with the guys are behind me now. Literally.

I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but I feel like the first few pounds of weight gain come almost imperceptibly, but when you notice them, it hits like a ton of bricks. I don't need to be stick thin but I want to be the same size that most of my clothes think that I am. And it is exactly those "just a handful or two" of pounds I want to lose that for me are the hardest. Because I don't want to be all fad-y, and just drop them all at once because I love food too much to eat like a bird all the time. I want to be able to lose my weight gradually and be able to maintain it. Unfortunately even before the holidays, I feel like I've been on a health stalemate and whatever weight I do gain, it pitches a tent and plans to Occupy Lisa.

So please help me out, ladies. I think there's a different mindset between having to lose a bunch of weight and doing a total lifestyle change to accomplish it, and just having to take a few pounds off the top. What do you normally do to just lose a bit of weight? What are the little things that you do every day to help you maintain your weight and keep away the muffin tops?

Sweater: J.Crew tippi (worn here - sim cable here)
Shirt: Lands' End Canvas gingham poplin (worn here - sim here, here)
Necklace: Anthropologie tinsley strung (worn here - sim here, -ish here)
Pants: Loft chambray trousers (sim here, here, here)
Bag: Cooperative by UO mixed media neon
Shoes: Etienne Aigner ethel (worn here)

High Style

2012-01-09T08:53:00.003-05:00

The beginning of a new year usually makes a person reflective of the time that has passed. Like thinking about old best friends. And wondering how anyone could be crazy enough to be friends with me considering my non-style style way back when.

In high school, my style was ... in development. I had zero sense of what looked good on me, so I pretty much wore whatever fit - which at the time for me meant living in J.Crew men's wool rollnecks (remember those thick, cozy old school ones with the rolled hem too?), men's puffer jackets and baggy jeans. I wore absolutely no make-up and can not remember for the life of me what my hair looked like, but it probably wasn't encouraging.

I went through a phase of trying to look more feminine by wearing cheapie sheer floral tops from Strawberry's - does anyone still remember that place? I kind of can't believe they are still around - with men's tanks underneath and my typical ill-fitting jeans. Yes, I was clearly channeling an uncoordinated Fly Girl.

I believe my ultimate high school fashion coup (and by coup, I mean "I can't believe that I survived that atrocity") was wearing big jeans with Doc Marten-wannabes, a blue and red striped men's puffer jacket and a sheer white lace billowy blouse over a men's tank with my white sports bra showing through under the arms. For realz.

I'm still not sure what kind of impression I was trying to make with that outfit, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't what I came across as. Who I really was back then was a mousy bookworm but would've rather been nose-deep in Wuthering Heights than Glamour magazine, a quiet gal to everyone except to those whom I was close to - to them, I was a big mouth (sorry, friends). To those I didn't know, I must have seemed like some trying-too-hard wannabe with a penchant to flash my non-existent cleavage.

Everything else from high school was a mass of of fashion-deprived blur: cast-offs from my big sis mixed with no-brand sneaks, bad jeans (there were loads of bad jeans), too-big-for-me men's jackets. Mostly dark colors - not goth-y black, but navys, hunter greens, deep burgundies. Enough to make me resemble a murky brown blob from a distance. That was high school.

In the spirit of reminiscing (and cringing), what was your high school style? Do you recall any specific teenage outfit "triumphs?"

Forgive me for the terrible picture quality - I wore this over the weekend and this is
what I get for taking pics in the late afternoon in the winter!

Sweater: J.Crew shawl popover (worn here - sim here, here)
Shirt: Zara animal print (worn here - sim here, here, luxe here)
Jeans: Loft modern bootcut (worn here - sim here)
Bag: Kate Spade quilted signature ellen (check stores, sim here, here, croc here)
Shoes: Zara cap-toe court (on sale, check stores, worn here - sim here, delicate here, luxe here)
Necklace: The Circle is Cast via Etsy (sim here, here)
Bracelets: Old Navy enamel & F21 studded (sim here, here)

From the Frozen Tundra ...

2012-01-06T08:19:00.001-05:00

You know when it is mid-August and all you can stand to put on your body is a thin tee and a pair of shorts, cuteness be damned? Well, I am getting the reversed winter version of that now, as in the SE we are just beginning to get really cold (or at least it was earlier this week - and I completely understand that 40-degree weather is not defined as "really cold" by ~~some~~ most ... and I am acutely aware it is still early January and we've got two and half more months at least of bone-chilling ahead of us) and suddenly all I want to do is wrap a warm scarf about twenty times around my neck and get into my snuggliest woolens.

Which means that it is getting difficult to get myself dressed in the mornings, even after jumping into the steaming shower and cranking up the heat. It is hard to motivate myself to think of interesting clothing combinations when all I want is a sweatshirt, jeans and big fuzzy booties.

It also doesn't help that I have been all about the skirts this past year and pup makes it difficult for me to look decent winterizing my look with dark tights, as I literally have to put them on at the last minute before dashing out or spend time tape-patting down my legs at the office. Her hair, it is Everywhere. Plus I realized that I don't really like to wear tights. And I pretty much only have a dozen variations on black tights, since I am still scared of color on my legs.

Yes, this whole post has pretty much been one big whine because the weather is not 75-degrees perfect everyday, I hate to bundle up, and I don't really have a winter coat. I am resigned to being cold and am going to wah wah wah all about it. Lucky yous. And don't even look at the forecast for the SE for the remainder of the week because as I sit here sniveling about the cold, the temps are rising ...

I did get dressed appropriately yesterday and managed to be mostly pup fur-free through most of the day, so with that, let's look on to brighter things. What are you looking forward to donning once the weather becomes more pleasant? How do you survive the winter chills?

Dress: Lands' End Canvas pleated tartan (worn here - sim here, here, here)
Sweater: Gap v-neck (worn here - sim here, here)
Belt: Anthropologie infinity (worn here - sim here)
Tights: Anne Klein
Boots: Vince Camuto bronco (worn here - sim here, here)
Bracelet: F21 facted cube (worn here - sim here, bling-y here, mixed metal here)

Acid Jeans, Huskies, Chicken Nugs

2012-01-04T09:05:00.004-05:00

The timeframe is a bit fuzzy for me, but it was either in 7th or 8th grade when I first met my soon-to-be bestie, S. I sat behind her in homeroom and introduced myself by kicking the back of her chair and making lewd jokes. Shortly after that, we were inseparable in our goofy acid washed denim, bobo branded sneaker, over-sized jacket togetherness. Through junior high and high school, we were two geeky kids who hung out at each other's homes gossiping, shopping, eating and doing stupid but fun things.

In my inexperienced eyes, S's life was eclectic and fascinating. She and her little sis got to speak to their parents like equals and crack jokes and sit in with the adults when they had people over for poker. S at one time had one Siberian Husky, two fish and no fewer than four cats. She got to fly down to Atlanta during the Olympics to sell pins - what seemed like exotic freewheeling to me. S got to join the USA Shaolin Temple to learn kung fu, took guqin classes, volunteered at a museum. When we went to see movies together, S often bought, snuck in, and consumed by herself an entire 20-pack of Chicken McNuggets.

In comparison, my family and I were straight-laced Asians. My parents and big sis worked. I was a studious latch-key kid with no fashion sense and a quiet demeanor. But we complemented each other and "got" each other. S and I went to the same high school, shared a limo for prom, cried over not going to the same college. S majored in art history, had trouble finding a job once out of school, then decided to go back to study accounting.

We started growing apart around college because we didn't go to the same school and started making friends in ever-differing circles - you know the deal. I moved away right after graduating and though we tried at first, it became increasing difficult to stay connected and stay close. S and I still vaguely stay in touch, but we aren't in each other's lives. I don't think we could really consider each other friends anymore - but that's okay, that's life. We move on, make new connections.

Who is your bestie? Are you still in touch? What do you like the most about your pal?

Jacket: J.Crew Robert Noble herringbone (worn here - sim brighter here, cas here, tweed here)

Top: Market via Anthropologie standby ode (pinned up)

Pants: Loft modern corduroy bootcut (worn here - sim here, pricey here)

Scarf: gift (sim here, cashmere here)

Shoes: Etienne Aigner ethel (worn here)

Rings: c/o Jewelmint & Banana Republic (sim here, here, simpler here, sim feel here, here)

Back-to-Back

2012-01-02T10:46:00.068-05:00

Jacket: Boden fringed tweed (worn here - sim here, pricey here, luxe here)
Dress: Gap ponte knit (worn here - sim here, here, sequin-y here)
Belt: J.Crew piped glitter (worn here - sim here, luxe here)
Shoes: Seychelles via Anthropologie raines aka ring in the new year (worn here - sim here, flats here)
Tights: Anthropologie berry bush (worn here - sim here, here)
Necklace: Definitely Different via Etsy (sim here, silver luxe here)
Bracelet: Tiffany 1837 sterling (worn here - sim wide here, here)

★ ★ ★ ★

Happy 2012, ladies! I hope you've all had a terrific holidays with too much of almost everything.

Mine was fantastic, if not exhausting. I know that I'm blessed to have been able to visit my fam in NYC, then have BF fly up to join me for a few days while we stayed at the Tribeca Grand, before flitting down to visit BF's mom and big sis in Knoxville, then a drive to see his dad. We had not attempted to visit all our family for the holidays before so it was am exhilirating mix of excitement, exhaustion, and tons of dirty laundry into two crammed carry-ons.

BF has only been to NYC briefly before and I have not lived there in years, so it was nice to play tour guide / tourist and fall back in crush with my hometown. Despite the c-c-chilly weather, we did a ton of walking and stopped by most of the major Manhattan sites - ate, ate, ate - and let ourselves go with the flow despite the holiday crowds. We hope to be able to go back when it gets warmer and spend more time revisiting some neighborhoods that we only had time to glance at.

Below is a medley of pics from last week - it was fuh-reezing in NYC when I was there, so I bundled as best as I could:

And in less than 24 hours, I went from "bright lights, big city" to visiting BF's dad, chopping trees, feeding cows and driving a track loader (for realz):

Back to our regularly-scheduled blogging this week and I'll be catching up on your blogs shortly!

There are a Few of My Favorite Things: 2011 Edition

2011-12-29T09:08:00.001-05:00

Year-end almost always means a time for reflection. This being a fashion-related blog, I felt the need to reflect on some of my best purchases from 2011 - what items really spoke to me and did I purchase happily without regret? Here's my top ten from 2011:

1. Rebecca Minkoff - where was my life before you?

2. J.Crew's "modern red" - sure it is not really red, but this punchy orange color has been my constant go-to through summer and fall. Keep these brights up!

3. Dressed up sweats - J.Crew, I live in your sweats on the weekends.

4. Sam Edelman adena - These weren't cheap but also not that expensive for a pair of comfy shoes that also made me feel very high fashion.

5. Anthropologie hello sunday blazer - This is cheating because I technically purchased this jacket in 2010. But I didn't really start to wear it, and love the bold statement, until this year. I think this jacket was the start of my striped obsession.

6. Lands' End Canvas gingham poplin - This was a favorite in 2010 but I had it give it another round of adulation since I purchased more colors this year.Gingham continues to be a favorite of mine and I adore wearing it as a neutral.

7. Anthropologie greybar coat - This is an old Anthropologie item. I tried it on in-store years ago and had always regretted not purchasing it. Then a few weeks ago I spotted it on Ebay. And I had to buy it and had to mention it here, even though I haven't even had a chance to wear it in an "official" blog capacity yet. And yes, for a person who normally loves to wear patterns and bright colors, it is hard to not look like a crazy pattern blast lady in this coat ... but I loves it!

8. Xhiliration by Target teanna platforms - The best cheapie shoe purchase for me. I loved the look so much I bought them in two colors. Trendy platform comfort for only $20 a pair? Score!

9. Forever 21 leopard pleated skirt - Cheap, on trend, flippy fun. What could be better?

10. The ring - okay, I didn't buy this, but this is probably the single most important purchase made in my household for 2011. I've been told this is going to change my life. Eeps!

What about you, ladies? What have been your personal best purchases for 2011?

(BF and I have been on a whirlwind visit-all-the-families-now-we-know-why-we-have-never-done-this-before holiday trips this week - I'll be back to regular blogging and regular reading in the next few days - thanks!)

Happy New Year's, ladies!

Luck of the Draw: Meet the Parents

2011-12-27T12:51:00.003-05:00

It was New Year's Eve a few years ago when I was introduced to BF's family for the first time. I was already nervous for many reasons - BF confided that I was the second girl he's ever brought home to his family, he's incredibly close to his mother so her opinion mattered a lot, I knew nothing about social graces, and - this is not fair at all - but BF's fam grew up in the rural TN and I am very evidently ... not from TN, so I was fearful that I'd be treated differently. These were the nervous thoughts swirling through my head.

Once we were through the front door of BF's mom's imposing house - big white house up on a hill, ablazen with seeming a million holiday twinkles - I was immediately whisked into a flurry of introductions. Seems the family was having a party so all friends and extended family were also in attendance. I was getting to meet everyone all at once.

BF's mom surprised me by greeting me with her I-didn't-know-it-at-the-time trademark teethy red lipped laugh and open-armed embrace. BF's mom is like ... think of Paula Deen, but brunette with a penchant for online trading, blingy baubles and fast Cadillacs. I liked her immediately.

BF's stepdad - who is like 6'6" and a few entire human sizes larger than I - followed suit with another bear hug. Then came the cousins, the friends, the neighbors, the aunts, uncles ... it was a swirl of faces, floating names, southern twangs, hugs, welcomes, cocktails, smoke, fried chicken.

At one point near midnight I recall sitting down at a card table with BF, his mom and her friends with wine and blackjack. Almost everyone else was smoking. It was all a haze - the literal cloud hanging over me. My head was throbbing. I think when the clock finally struck midnight - was there ever a longer night, it seemed - I was slouched on the couch watching Dick Clark with the partied out kids.

It was overwhelming, confusing, relieving. I survived meeting the parents. I think they even liked me a little.

Now this doesn't qualify as my craziest, most fantastical New Year's Eve ever! but it certainly was the most important in my life. And I couldn't help but to think back on it as we approach the conclusion to another year and the unwrapping of a brand new fresh one.

What has been your best NYE story so far? And if you're in a sharing mood, how was it when you first met your honey's parents/family?

Dress: Asos sweater shift (worn here - sim sleeveless here, longer here)
Shirt: J.Crew solid perfect (sim 3/4-sleeve here)
Tights: Anne Klein
Bracelets: F21 / J.Crew (sim pricey here, here)
Ring: Banana Republic (sim here)
Boots: Type Z (worn here - sim here, luxe here)

Shared Sparkles

2011-12-26T08:10:00.000-05:00

Hi ladies, I hope you're all in the midst of thoroughly enjoying your holidays! I'm home all snug and cozy with the parents up in the NE and it has been grand - even despite the sis, bro-in-law and little nephew are all feeling under the weather. So this is an outfit from last week, because when I'm with the parents, I'm most likely in some sort of fleece pant with wooly socks.

One thing that I enjoy doing when I am home is to spend time cooking with my mom. Now that may not sound like a big to-do - and it isn't - but I only get to see my mom rarely during the year, my dad is typically pretty territorial about his stuff in the kitchen (for reals - don't be messing with his stainless pans), and my mom normally hates to cook. Get the idea who the regular cook of the family is yet?

But when we get together, we enjoy nothing more than to spend an afternoon messing around in the kitchen when my dad is out, specifically for me because she can then teach me her Chinese recipes.

Now we don't aim high here - I sadly know how to cook pretty much a whole lotta Asian nothing and we're not hand-making dumplings or anything like that because no one can make them as good as grandma anyways - and we're probably not making any "traditional" Chinese cuisine. But we mesh together stuff that I remember eating at home with the family while I was growing up and that's tradition for me.

Pork meatballs with minced ginger and scallions. Savory egg pancakes stuffed with veg. Lemon-steamed salmon fillets. Soy-braised pork. Almond dofu (okay, this one is from a box, but I never eat this stuff except when I am at home, so it counts). And other stuff that I am too bad a daughter to remember right now.

The food is good, sure, but what I appreciate most is the time I get to spend with my mom and the history and family tradition she is passing down to me in the pleasant manner. I don't mind the mess we make, the splatters on my sweater, my mom correcting me on how to chop scallions / wash onions / oil a pan ... Or the recipes that sometimes don't turn out. Or even the second or third trips to that one specific Asian food market a good thirty minutes away because they are the only ones that carry a specific brand of whatever.

Are there any traditional family recipes that you love to make for the holidays? What's your favorite recipe that's been passed down to you?

Sweater: J.Crew spangled stripes (sim here, cardi here)
Shirt: Lands' End Canvas floral poplin (worn here)
Skirt:: J. Crew dorrie (worn here - sim mini here, midi here)
Tights: Anne Klein
Shoes: Vince Camuto bronco (worn here - sim low here, here, suede here)
Necklace: J.Crew cluster pearl (worn here - sim here, here)

JewelMint & Bonus for You!

2011-12-22T10:35:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, the folks over at JewelMint contacted me about trying a few of their collection pieces and I jumped on the chance. Have you ladies heard about JewelMint? It is an unique members' only jewelry club where you can get on-trend pieces designed by Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter. Signing up for JewelMint is free and you get to select a new piece of jewelry each month for only $29.99 (which includes shipping).

I've never joined a membership club before because I was concerned about being automatically charged for items and potentially questionable quality. Well, my first experience with JewelMint has alleviated most of my fears. Members have the option of skipping months if they choose not to purchase (and won't be charged) and can also return items or cancel their membership if they are not happy with something. Plus until you make your first purchase, you won't be charged at all. See all the faqs here.

I went ahead and placed my order through the JewelMint web site and the process was pretty easy - take a quick style quiz so the style gurus there can gage your taste, choose from a selection of jewelry picked for you (and you can always opt to see more options or delete certain pieces). Purchase an item and then sit back and wait for it to be sent right to you.

I received my JewelMint order in less than a week and each piece was beautifully gift boxed. I was also pleasantly surprise with the quality of the items. The pieces themselves look and feel high-end to me - plus they are styles you won't be able to find at your local department store.

As a great bonus to you ladies, JewelMint is offering 60% off your first purchase! Use code RSPCTJM when placing your order - and it is only good through the end of the year, so check out their site now for some glammed out personal holiday treating!

Happy Holiday-ing!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blazer: J.Crew Robert Noble herringbone (worn here - sim here, luxe tweed here, double-breasted here)
Sweater: J.Crew Factory ocelot (worn here - sim here, here)
Tee: Lands' End Canvas
Skirt: Lucky Brand (worn here - sim here)
Shoes: Michael Kors hamilton (worn here - sim here)
Cuff: Tiffany 1837 sterling (sim wider here, here)
Ring: c/o JewelMint neo bedrock duo
Necklace: c/o JewelMint fantasia

There Doesn't Seem to be Anyone Around

2011-12-20T15:00:00.002-05:00

I may look like a grown up, but appearances can be deceiving. I think to be a grown up, you must have had experience doing mature responsible adult things, such as oh, say, living on one's own, for example. Well for a serial monogamous like myself, I pretty much went straight from living with my parents, to roommate living through college, and then straight into the cohabitating arms of a significant other.

I've only really lived alone once a few years back, before BF, for a period of about a year, probably less ('cause let's face it, once you start dating someone, even if you two lived separately, you spend so much time with each other and at each other's places that it no longer counts). I had just broken up with my then-boyfriend and while he got the dog in the split, I ended up with the short end of the stick - pretty much homeless.

Thanks to the rec of some friends, I ended up at a ground floor one bedroom in a gated apartment complex. It was a pretty standard apartment - white walls, beige carpet, basic appliances. I was scared and excited for myself as this was a big deal for me. I would not have a parent or roomie or boyfriend to fall back on anymore, it was just my name on the lease, just me coming home every evening.

The hardest part for me in the beginning was that I realized I did not have any of my own stuff. I had to get a TV, a sofa (okay, Walmart futon, but with the upgraded cover), an armchair / massage chair and a bed all in a hurry. And strangely enough, ex helped me move my meager belongings and bring in my new furniture. I also bought a TV console all by myself, and spent one weekday evening - and an entire six pack of beer - assembling it. This was major - I was becoming a person with my own Stuff.

If felt really weird at first coming home each night to - myself. It was dark until I turned on the lights. The bed was made if I made it. I hung cheap art on the walls that I bought from Pier One. I used to vacuum the entire apartment with one of those little Shark stick Vacs. I ate dinner sitting on the floor with my back to the futon because I had no tables. My idea of decor was a peculiar splurge of three Marimekko printed floor pillows. Everything in the fridge, every product, every decision - it was all about me. And that felt strange. And strangely liberating. For a short period, I literally had no one else to care about except for myself.

Honestly, I prefer where I am now. I have a live-in-BF-soon-to-be-hubby, an adorable pup, loads of stuff. I like having other people to take care of. I like cooking for more than just one person. I like having someone who can come in a hurry if I come across a big bug. But I do look back with fondness at that period, especially if the BF is driving me up the wall or if the list of stuff I need to get for the pup far outweighs what I need. However short it was, for a while, I was completely independent, on my own, all grown up.

Have you ever reall lived alone? What did you enjoy the most (and least) about when you lived by yourself?

Top: F21 blurred birds (worn here - sim longer here, here, black here)
Skirt: J.Crew jardin (worn here - sim pricier here)
Belt: Asos metal keeper (orange here, aqua here)
Earrings: T+J Designs (worn here - sim here)
Shoes: Nine West temani (worn here - sim here, here)
Thanks to 60-something degree temps in SE, I can forego tights for yet another week!

Lilywinkel Giveaway Winner

2011-12-20T13:13:00.000-05:00

Thanks again for the generosity of Annie with Lilywinkel for giving away a set of her gorgeous flower clips. And thanks to you ladies for entering!

Out of 45 comments - 44 of those being qualifying entries, the winner drawn by random.org is ...

Entry #2, which comes from Aimee! Congrats, girl!

Aimee, I am going to send your info on to Annie with Lilywinkel and she will contact you directly re: the flower clips.

Thanks to all those who entered!

Denim, Denim, Stripe

2011-12-19T08:23:00.003-05:00

We're at the big countdown to Christmas and Hanukkah, ladies, are you all caught up with your holiday-ing? What gets you into the festive mood for merry-making?

I was in Sin City last week for business, and being at the mecca of glitzed out commercialized everything has finally put me into the holiday spirit. I guess it can't be helped when Christmas cheer is beat into you by 10,000 flashing strobes and a sea of decked out shops.

Blazer: Cartonnier by Anthropologie hello sunday (worn here - sim here)
Top: LEC heritage oxford (worn here - striped version here)
Jeans: Levi's 545 (worn here - sim here)
Necklace: Anthropologie tinsley strung (on sale, check stores - sim here, -ish here)
Shoes: Etienne Aigner ethel

So here are some of the glitzier seasonal visuals of what I did in Vegas when I wasn't knee deep in that "work thing." And proud to say that I actually did not gamble a single cent during the time I was there, nor buy a single trinket - though I did manage to haul home three new food baby pounds yay to tighter jeans ...

L: La Reve at The Wynn - watery spectacular.

Fancy dinner time at Joel Robuchon - The Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan.

L: Tower of meats.

A shop dedicated to the '50s silhuoette - Art to-go.

Dad in Plaid

2011-12-16T08:23:00.001-05:00

It doesn't take much to notice that I like myself a good button-down, especially of the plaid variety. Not only do the shirts speak to my inner preppy tomboy aesthetic, but they remind me of my dad. For years before his retirement, his outfit of choice always included a plaid button-down with a pullover or sweater vest - making him casual yet neat, and ready for almost any occasion.

Now that his working days are behind him, my dad has hung up his many button-downs for way more casual attire - the sweat suit. He pretty much wears a navye zip-up jacket with matching sweatpants and white sneakers for everything now, and I mean everything. If a place of business or play allows him through their doors in his fleeced out, elastic-bottomed ensemble, then he must be appropriately dressed, right? Real pants are for working chumps, my friends.

So when I put this outfit together last week, I couldn't help but to think of it as a bit of an ode to my dad, then and now. The top is a fancified sweatshirt, the pencil skirt is a heavy knit, but with the button-down and right shoes, I am completely work-appropriate, in a comfortable as all get-out way (I ended up changing bottoms to run errands and grab a bite later in the afternoon).

As we are in the midst of the holiday frenzy, I believe it is a good thing to take a moment to think of the people we love and look forward to seeing them again shortly. Are there any items you wear now that remind you of someone special in your life?

Sweater: J.Crew slouch dolman-sleeve (sim dress here)
Shirt: J.Crew quincy boy (worn here - sim here, here, same plaid in kids' here)
Skirt: Forever 21 fitted knit (worn here - sim here)
Shoes: Zara court shoe w/cap-toe (sim luxe here, suede luxe here)
Bracelets: J.Crew, Old Navy (sim here, here, here)

Jeans: Loft modern bootcut (sim here)
Shoes: Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here, sim brown here, -ish here)
Cuff: The PS Boutique via Etsy (worn here - sim here)

And don't forget to enter my Lilywinkel giveaway here!

Raggedy Dandy

2011-12-12T16:05:00.205-05:00

With the end of the year approaching, I am heading out on my last biz trip this week, so I'll be a little lagging in my blog-time this week. I am hoping that when I come back home and the work year winds down, I'll have some time to concentrate some necessary brain power on holiday-ing.

This year, BF and I will be spending Christmas at our respective families' homes as usual, but haven't had proper family visits yet since the engagement, so we will be racking up some traveler miles visiting each other's families. BF is going to fly up to NYC after Christmas for a few days and then we'll both head south to see his family for a while longer before finally going home.

And as much as I looooove and miss my fam and can't wait to see everyone again, I also can't wait to see NYC again. The mad rush of things was actually some I had disliked from growing up there, but as I've been away for quite a few years now, I miss the pace. And NYC during the holidays is like some Hollywood-produced dream to me - sans the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at Rockefeller Center and if money were no object, of course.

I also miss the food. From the simple cozy meals my parents cook to the family restaurant feasts to the markets, the street vendors, the bakeries, the delis - oh, I miss delis. New York-style pizza. Bagels. Soup dumplings. The best fried chicken in the world at some random Chinese takeout in Queens.

So during BF's visit to NYC, we're going to spend some time on our own, playing holiday tourists. We're going to revisit some of my favorite haunts as well as new places we both want to see. We may do some shopping - we will do a lot of red-nosed, white-breathed walking - we for sure will eat.

And even thought going home to see my parents really isn't like a real relaxing break from it all - my mom still pokes her head into my bedroom each morning at around 7:30 because ... just because - I love being able to kind of feel like a kid again. And seeing them again. And being able to talk to them now in a way that didn't happen when I was younger. And hanging out with the big sis, who is a mother now.

What do you look forward to the most about the holidays? What are your plans this season?

Blazer: J.Crew Robert Noble herringbone (sim here)
Shirt: Lands' End Canvase gingham poplin (worn here - sim here)
Tee: H&M (worn here - sim here)
Jeans: Loft modern bootcut (worn here - sim here)
Shoe clip as brooch: Lilywinkel via Etsy (worn here - remember the giveaway here)
Shoes: Zara court shoe w/cap-toe (sim dainty here, revo colors here)
Bracelet: Forever 21 rhinestone tiger (worn here - sim here, simpler here)
Necklace: Anthropologie nueva granada (worn here - sim here, delicate here)

Etsy Giveaway: Lilywinkel

2011-12-12T08:30:00.002-05:00

I love perusing Etsy and widdling minutes away looking for beautiful and unique treasures for myself (or for friends and family in this season of giving), not to mention being able to support independent craftspeople.

So I am very excited about this great giveaway - Annie from one of my fave Etsy sellers, Lilywinkel, is offering one lucky gal a pair of flower clips of her choice. Annie works with her grandmother to create beautiful articial flower bouquets, corsages and shoe clips.

I own a few pairs of the flower clips myself and what I love about them is that I can wear them in a variety of ways - on my shoes, as a brooch or even as a hair clip.

Entering is easy peasy - you can do any or all of the following:

Go to Lilywinkel's flower clip section on Etsy and tell me which is your favorite pair
"Like" Lilywinkel on Facebook
Be a follower of respect the shoes (via GFC or Bloglovin' or FB ...)

Please list each item you choose to do as a separate comment. You can have a total of three entries.

Giveaway is live until Monday, December 19 at 9:59 p.m. EST. A winner will be drawn at random.

Thanks so much, Annie, for this generous giveaway - and thanks and good luck, ladies!