Let's Review

As we close out the year, I thought I'd follow suit with other favorite bloggers of mine and post a 2011 outfit retrospective. I had a really hard time picking outfits for some months! I even thought about doing a work AND a casual retrospective, but then there were those summer months that I really didn't have "work" outfits, per se. So I might have cheated and snuck in a few extras here and there...

Compiling this collage also made me evaluate a few things that I tried to do this year:

• expand my casual dressing
• find new (to me) ways of wearing pencil skirts
• try not to wear pencil skirts ALL the time, though...
• play with prints more often
• feel more confident in skinny jeans
• post more regularly
• improve camera skills

And I think I did okay...

What will be in store for 2012?? I guess we shall see...

All That Lingers

Santa was pretty darn good to me this year. Among other things, an iPhone, gorgeous boots, a fabulous necklace and a cute little reminder of an inside joke between Bobby and me. But now my shopaholic ways continue in earnest...

Things that I just couldn't help pulling the plug on:

Work Of Art Curvy Plus Top
shopruche.com

Evella Multi-Strand Necklace
shopruche.com

Geneve Brass Earrings
shopruche.com

Drinks & Dots sleep set
lanebryant.com

Marcel Dress
lucielu.com

Sativa Dress
lucielu.com

Think. Write. Create. Daily Planner
shopruche.com

Tartan Boucle Blazer
anthropologie.com

A cute, casual faux wrap dress is marvelous thing, and in two irresistible prints? Mine! And who can resist pajamas, really. That particular yoke-style top looks good on busty gals like me when going bra-less for bedtime. Jewelry from Ruche? Some of my favorite things to stalk. I got a number of rings that were on my wishlist for my birthday and Christmas, but those two pieces just spoke to me. (I'm really just trying to replicate this outfit, piece by piece.) I always like seeing what "curvy plus sized" pieces they add, too; this dotty tunic strikes me as having lots of potential. (Skinnies? black leggings?) I couldn't resist that cute little planner/journal/scrapbook, either. It had been out of stock for a long time, so I snagged it as quickly as possible. I shall use it for blogging, methinks. And that plaid blazer from Anthro? Scored with 50% off sale for a mere $35!! My first wearing will most certainly look something like this.

Now, things that I'm obsessively stalking contemplating (to the point of madness):

Spot drape side dress
dorothyperkins.com

Antique Magnolias Blouse
anthropologie.com

Taupe graduated spot top
dorothyperkins.com

Green dandelion print snood
dorothyperkins.com

Paprika heart print snood
dorothyperkins.com

Animal sateen pencil skirt
dorothyperkins.com

Ginger/black polka dot snood
dorothyperkins.com

Samanta Women's Alleyne Pump
amazon.com

I really don't think any of this needs explanation... Dots? Animal print pencil skirt? Infinity scarves? Red pumps? Heaven, help me. You are welcome to either enable me or talk me out of it. My bank account (and the boyfriend) would probably thank you for the latter.

Candy Striper

Imma hard pressed to get dressed this week. I'm back at home, but it's still holiday break-tasticness in my world, so I'm lucky if I'm up before 11am and dressed in anything other than yoga pants and a long-sleeved tee. And showered. But today we decided to walk downtown for a little window shopping and cafe lounging, so not only did I get dressed (and shower, duh), but I got the chance to test drive my new iPhone that Bobby got me for Christmas! (Bobby did sooo good this year!) I went for the white version, and I am IN LOVE. (I've most definitely jumped on the Instagram bandwagon, among other things. Find me at shessica17, if you dare!) I'm oh-so-impatiently waiting for this case to arrive (I found it available elsewhere on Amazon) but, not wanting to take chances with my new baby unprotected before the case's scheduled delivery next week, I just ordered this fab cover, which should get here tomorrow! (Thank you, Amazon Prime.)

All this is to say I was kind of glad for an excuse to get dressed, particularly to don yet another (and almost identical) version of this outfit. I scored that outfit's perfect Breton striped pink twin for a mere $13 on final sale at Banana Republic last week. A no brainer, my friends. Especially when it's pink, even though (or especially because?) my mom thought I looked like a candy cane. This one will go down with red and green as necessary holiday attire, for sure.

Striped tee - Banana Republic / Olive ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Scarf - Gap / Bag - Coach (gifted)

Oh, and the boots? A generous birthday present from the family. They're a little snug, but I think the snugness will loosen over time, while making my calves look a tad leaner (saith Bob) for now...

Ring - Ruche (gifted) / Earrings - Anthropologie / Belt - Talbots / Ivory tights - We Love Colors /
Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted)

Home for the Holidays

Sorry I disappeared for a few days there! We celebrated an early Christmas last Thursday, and though I had intended to blog (I managed to take pictures, anyway), I just didn't get around to it. Presents > blogging. I'm sure you would agree. =)

Rylan Ruched Top - Kiyonna / Dark skinnies - Gap / Scarf - gifted /
Nude pumps - Nine West "Hollyce" (via Zappos) / Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

The rest of the weekend was spent generally relaxing, including a quiet dinner at home with my mom and Bob on Christmas Day. On Friday, we went down to Milwaukee's Third Ward to see the holiday sights and do a little shopping and eating. I grew up in Milwaukee, so I always enjoy seeing how things have changed and how they've stayed the same. We really love the Third Ward, though. Great shops, great food. In some ways I can't believe what a trendy little hot spot it's become!

I was especially thrilled to find a plus-sized boutique down there. Usually such things are relegated to, I dunno, anywhere else (and places that never seem to be near me), and certainly not right next door to Anthroplogie! But when I walked past the window of  Boutique Larrieux and saw the Kiyonna Rylan Ruched Top in the window (which I'm wearing here, in addition to the purple that I already own), I exclaimed "This is a plus sized store!! We're going in!" While I didn't really need to buy anything, I was just so tickled by the selection of all the items I've come to know and love via their online stores - Igigi, Kiyonna, LucieLu, Anna Scholtz. They even had some lovely dresses by Adrianna Papell, one of which I was thisclose to buying for New Years - if I didn't already have an outfit, anyway. I did, however, walk out of the store with a great casual LucieLu wrap dress for 20% off - I'm always in the market for casual, perfect-fitting dresses! If you're in the area, definitely check Boutique Larrieux out!

Ring & Earrings - Ruche

We're still enjoying our holiday vacation time at my mom's house, but we may be heading home tomorrow. It's hard to let this lovely quiet time with family ever end...

Happy & Merry

Listen to my favorite holiday soundtrack!

1. "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby
2. "The Christmas Waltz" by The Carpenters
3. "Christmastime" by The Smashing Pumpkins
4. "Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday" by N'Sync
5. "The Christmas Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" by Alvin and the Chipmunks

A Good Year

While watching Bridget Jones's Diary before bed last night (I couldn't imagine a better way to top off my birthday, by the way), I realized that it was Bridget's 33rd birthday for which she hosts that dinner party with her friends, joined by the incomparable Mr. (Mark) Darcy, joined later by the elusive Daniel Cleaver, ending by the two basically fighting over her. She finally wins the man of her dreams not long after the new year. (Can that kiss from behind be any more goose-bump inducing?) A good year, I say...

Betsey Ruched Dress - c/o Kiyonna / Bracelet - Banana Republic /
Clutch - Lodis (eBayed) / "Linzy" Pumps - Kelsi Dagger (via Piperlime)

So far, I can't say I've had any complaints. I got to celebrate my birthday a few days early with close friends, good food, and a dance party I'll always remember. Then I got to get dolled up for dinner with Bobby at our favorite restaurant in town, where they served a menu customized just for us and just for the 1988 Château Haut-Brion Bob had received last month from his parents. (Pause for the "Holy crap!" from all the oenophiles out there.) Another good year, indeed...

And with this outfit post I get to announce a super fabulous partnership with Kiyonna as part of their Blogger Brigade! They sent me this stunning Betsey Ruched Dress especially to wear for my birthday. It's been hanging in my closet for a few weeks now, and I've been beyond excited to finally wear it. I even found (the less expensive - and available size 11 - Kelsi Dagger version of) the gorgeous grey patent platforms that they'd paired with the dress! The restaurant was rather empty last night (it was a Tuesday night, after all), but the few that were around couldn't stop talking about the dress. The "devil in the blue dress," they told me...

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Anthropologie / Nails - "Designer...de Better!" (O.P.I. Muppets Collection)

Even Bobby was looking mighty fine (as he always does) in his Oxxford suit, striped french cuff shirt, and a new yellow and blue polka dot pocket square of his own choosing.

Suit - Oxxford (via Filene's Basement) / Shirt - Banana Republic / Pocket square - Loehmann's /
Watch - Seiko Chronograph (via Amazon) / Cufflinks - Zales (gifted)

You know, it was a rather low key day when I think about it, but a quiet evening over a delectable meal with my sweet boyfriend, who never fails to make me feel special, birthday or otherwise, was pretty wonderful. And the fact that I got to do it in a gorgeous dress that celebrated my curves in the best way possible made it even more amazing.

Thanks to Thad and the rest of the staff at Bacaro for helping, too!