Don't Blush

I got all dressed up today. I almost felt overdressed the way folks were carrying on about my outfit. Even if they were graciously complimenting me, I just felt so self-consciousness for some reason! I mean, when I walked into Hallmark to buy a birthday card this morning they couldn't get over my shoes and were totally amazed that I could stand upright in them! Truthfully, sometimes so am I...

"Piper" Dress - LucieLu / Instant Sleeves in Black - LucieLu

The occasion - part work and part girls-night-out birthday celebration (hence the birthday card) where the invite said "dress schmancy." I think lace and baubles qualify, yes? The dress is an iteration of this one from LucieLu. I liked the cut and shape of the first one so much that I'd been eyeing this particular color combination of black, blush and cream ever since. Such a pretty, girly pink that just makes me want to dress up! Yet again I wore Instant Sleeves, and while they do tend to cover up any embellishment on the shoulder, I thought the symmetry of the neckline here compensated for that.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I just feel pretty, ya know? =))

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - The Limited

Nude patent pumps - Guess (via Piperlime)

Don't forget to enter my two blogiversary giveaways for a fantastic necklace and a unique earrings/bangle combo!

For the Birds

I gotta say, Ruche is quickly becoming one of my go-to places for online browsing. Not only am I now addicted to their jewelry, and especially their rings, but I continue to find a few pretty fantastic clothing items as well. I fall into their curvy plus sizing for sure, and though their selection is considerably smaller and less diverse than the straight sizing, it's still definitely worth checking out.

Top - Ruche / Grey pencil skirt - NY&Co. / Nude pumps - Nine West

This top, the Cape Mead Top, is one such gem, and so "me." For some reason, whenever I look at these pictures, I keep thinking the print depicts birds in flight, but it's actually an abstract floral/leaf/vine print. I love its shades of blue (a color that always looks fabulous on me), its elasticized waist band, its bateau neckline and its kimono-like elbow-length sleeves. Often kimono sleeves look off-balance on me, but these have just the right proportion. It's also a perfect length that hits me just below the hips with the right amount of flare. Really, I think the top was made just for me.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I'm looking forward to wearing the top with everything from skinnes to more pencil skirts (thinking about a blue pinstripe or yesterday's grey tweed for next time), to olive jackets and yellow cardigans.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - The Limited

If you haven't already, be sure to check out my two blogiversary giveaways for a fantastic necklace and a unique earrings/bangle combo!

For the Love of Purple

Please forgive me; I had a pretty busy day at work today and got home too late (and with no energy) to take pictures. So I bring you another outfit from the "never-got-around-to-posting" archives! You know, my original draft for this post (dating back from April) suggested that I wasn't terribly in love with this outfit at the time, but fast forward six months later I actually quite like it. Probably because it features purple and is yet another variation on cardigans paired with pencil skirts - a favorite formula of mine, without a doubt. Plus, I really like the colors in the outfit paired with the long-ago springtime foliage behind me.

Cardigan - LOFT / Purple shell - LOFT / Tweed pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Purple skinny belt - The Limited /
Grey faux suede pumps - Apt. 9 (Kohl's)

Now that it's tweed season again, I may experiment with yet another variation. (Shocking, I know.) I would also change the styling by wearing a wider belt at the waist or wearing the skinny belt over the sweater instead. Hot damn, I just can't wait to wear all my pencil skirts again!

Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - The Limited

Made for Each Other

Happy Monday, everyone! (Even though it's almost over. Thank goodness...) I thought I'd take advantage of a Monday off to finally post pictures from a wedding I attended in September. I guess it doesn't seem that far away, but I sure have been sitting on these for a while! The wedding joined two good friends of the family, and specifically of my sister, who'd been together for so long that their wonderful union was a matter of course. (Kinda like the BF and I whenever we decide to get hitched.) For Bob and I, not only was it a meaningful day to celebrate the special couple, but it was a chance to get home and see family, to get dressed up, and to enjoy the last bit of freedom we had before work got (very) crazy for the both of us.

Pezza Dress - Anthropologie / Nude patent pumps - Guess (via Piperlime) / Instant Sleeves in Taupe - LucieLu

And get dressed up we did. Our first few little snapshots (necessary, of course) grew into a sassified full-on photo shoot during cocktail hour. We had a few onlookers (the bridal party was away doing their own photo session), but I'm glad we got to document the day. Not only did I get pictures of myself (duh), but also of Bob (and his phenomenal new Oxxford suit - stay tuned for a probable guest post!), my glammed up mom, my sister (who was matron-of-honor), and of course the whole wedding event. Scroll down to the end of the post for pictures of all that awesomeness if you're interested.

My dress, the Pezza Dress, is one of the few items I've ever purchased full price from Anthropologie. I tried it on a whim, but the minute I put it on I was smitten. For such an amazing fit, special details and gorgeously saturated color, I needed to take it home with me that very moment. I haven't regretted it one bit.

Almond Tiers Necklace - Anthropologie

For accessories, I went with this amazing statement necklace, also from Anthropologie, and one I scored on sale for $10! I had gotten so many comments and compliments on the piece (many of them from men, interestingly), ranging from "Now that's a necklace" to "Did you buy the necklace especially for the dress?" Nope, I didn't, actually. For better or for worse, I buy my jewelry purely because I like a piece, that it stands out to me in some way and that I could see myself wearing it. It's only when I'm actually putting outfits together that I really figure out what jewelry I have works with what. So I guess when I decided to wear this necklace with the dress, I apparently struck gold! It doesn't "match" per se (and good), but it does add such a striking bit of color and attention to my neckline that they really do seem made for each other. I therefore went neutral with everything else, from the Instant Sleeves in Taupe to the gold flower earrings to the topaz cocktail ring to the nude patent platforms. My favorite Lodis clutch, one I grab whenever a special clutch is called for, complemented the color palette surprisingly well, too.

Dot clutch - Lodis (eBayed) / Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

I can't help but share a few shots of the others, too, especially since we all looked so good! First my mom, looking as pretty as can be (and styled by my sister and me). We put together this look piece by piece, each on super-sale! The belt didn't even come with the dress, which was a sheath, but you'd never know it!

Dress - Talbots / Stretch navy belt - Kohl's / Navy satin clutch (TJ Maxx) /
Grey patent heels - TJ Maxx / Peach wrap - mine (eBayed) / Necklace - Talbots

My fabulous sister and I. Though it looks like we could be twins, right down to the hairdo, we are actually three years apart. (I'm the old one.) We had some goofy outtakes, but I thought I'd go with a semi-distinguished one instead. =)

See, Kinsey? Just rock the bandaid. =)

Bob and I. Seriously, that suit is amazeballs. We'll definitely be doing a guest post on it. He's pretty darn hot, I must say...

Grey Suit - Oxxford (via Filene's Basement - a mega-score) / Pale green button-down - Banana Republic /
 Baby blue tie - Banana Republic / Pocket square - Banana Republic / Shoes - Donald Pliner

Last but not least, the ceremony, the lovely couple, and their remarkable son. It was a beautiful day for the wedding of a beautiful couple.

Kirsten, Steve, and Austin, thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

P.S. Be sure to enter my two giveaways for the necklace and earrings/bangle combo!

Cowhide and Bone: Blogiversary Giveaway #2!

Time for giveaway #2 in celebration of my blogiversary! This gimme includes an earring and bangle set also from Ten Thousand Villages. The earrings, handcrafted in Haiti, feature shadow patterns in contrasting colors of horn. Each pair I saw in the shop were completely unique, capturing differing shadow and color combinations. Even the back of the earrings have a different pattern! What I love about this pair is the pseudo-animal print it has (cowhide?). Shoot, I love these earrings soooo much that I'd keep these beauties for myself if I didn't want one of you fabulous readers to have them more! ; )

I'm also including this twisted ivory bone bangle, from Ten Thousand Villages as well. The bangle didn't come with the earrings, but I thought they'd be great together!

You know the usual giveaway drill! The mandatory entry requirement goes like this:

1. Be a follower of Surely Sonsy and leave a comment indicating how you follow (GFC username/email address, Bloglovin', Google Reader, etc.).
2. Tell me how you would style the necklace in your comment!

For extra entries, please leave a separate comment for each of the following (1 extra entry each):

1. Like Surely Sonsy on Facebook and leave a comment with your FB address. (You can email it to me if you don't want to leave it here.)
2. Follow @shessica17 on twitter and TWEET about the giveaway. Be sure to include your twitter name in your comment!
3. Blog about the giveaway OR post about it on Facebook with a link back to this post! Be sure to include the link to your post in your comment!

Four chances to win! This giveaway is open to US readers only (sorry, dear international readers), and will be open until 11:59pm (Central time) on Sunday, October 16.

Be sure to enter the giveaway for the gold coin necklace as well! I'll be announcing winners of both giveaways on Monday, October 17.

Good luck!

Live Love Life (A Blogiversary Giveaway!)

I had such a lovely afternoon yesterday. I spent the morning reading blogs and online shopping in my pajamas, then I managed to get dressed and took a leisurely bike ride downtown to grab a latte and some lunch. It's been unseasonally warm these days, so I had to revert to summer dressing tactics. Cuffed skinnies were going to be the anchor of the outfit, as would be one of my new screen tees. Given what a great day I was having, I thought the message of "Life Love Life" was appropriate, too. =) I didn't want to just wear the tee on its own, however (zzzzzz), so I layered it with this thin short-sleeved open cardigan.

"Live Love Life" tee - Old Navy / Open cardigan - Maurices / Dark skinnies - Gap /
Necklace - Gifted / Sandals - Nine West

Turquoise jewerly looks so great against brown that was an easy choice for a little more color, and my comfy new sandals were the final touch. It was a little odd biking in these high wedges, but I managed. =)

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Maurices

While downtown, I decided to pop into our local Ten Thousand Villages, a shop I love to visit for beautiful, unique and - best of all - fair trade jewelry. (They have loads of other items too, but I'm sucker for their jewelry.) I've found some really great pieces over the years, and I decided I would shop specifically for - get ready for it - a giveaway for you lovely readers! Let's call it a belated blogiversary giveaway, shall we? (I started blogging a year ago September 14th!) Even better, I picked up not one, but two unique pieces, so they'll be a second giveaway tomorrow!

The first prize is this gorgeous "Treasure Trove Necklace" made from golden "coins" and handcrafted in India.

I love the multiple stamped metal discs, the way it fills the neckline, and the mellow musical sound it makes when you move. In a brassy gold hue, it's a great neutral necklace that can punch up any outfit, whether casual or dressy.

Here we go! The mandatory entry requirement is as follows:

1. Be a follower of Surely Sonsy and leave a comment indicating how you follow (GFC username/email address, Bloglovin', Google Reader,  etc.).
2. Tell me how you would style the necklace in your comment!

For extra entries, please leave a separate comment for each of the following (1 extra entry each):

1. Like Surely Sonsy on Facebook and leave a comment with your FB address. (You can email it to me if you don't want to leave it here.)
2. Follow @shessica17 on twitter and TWEET about the giveaway. Be sure to include your twitter name in your comment!
3. Blog about the giveaway OR post about it on Facebook with a link back to this post! Be sure to include the link to your post in your comment!

Four chances to win! This giveaway is open to US readers only (sorry, dear international readers), and will be open until 11:59pm (Central time) on Saturday, October 15. Good luck!

Can't Go Wrong

Ah, Friday, how do I love thee. I took a personal day today, so I have a wonderful day to myself and my sunny south-facing windows that provide some pretty interesting people/dog watching. Think I might take a leisurely walk or bike ride to the coffee shop later and grab a latte, maybe browse the downtown shops, and even pick up some something fun to do my next giveaway. Hmm, I sure do love how this day is turning out.

Mustard cardigan - LOFT (thrifted) / Striped henley - Anthroplogie / Flared jeans - Lane Bryant

This outfit is an overdue interpretation of one I came across on Pinterest. I first pinned it in the dead of summer, when neither flared denim nor long-sleeved sweater was going to come anywhere near my body. But, I had something similar to every piece in my closet, so I kept waiting for the first cool, casual day to try it out. This was it!

Handbag - Steve Madden

I mean, how can you go wrong with stripes, a mustard cardigan, a long necklace and great strappy sandals? Nope, you can't. It does remind me a bit of this outfit of mine from January, one that quickly jumped to the top of my favorites. So, it's no wonder that I'd been looking for another version of it.

Necklace - gifted / Leonella Pendant Ring - Ruche

The ring has become my new go-to. The minute I saw this image from Ruche's fall lookbook, I knew I had to have it. And it's sister in coral, too. And maybe a few other items, now that I'm at it. Gah, I just LOVE their jewelry - and I'm such a sucker for a cocktail ring! Yes to everything!

"Nacia" Sandals (2nd of 4 pairs!) - Nine West

Summer's Goddess

This 80 degree October weather clearly has me in flash-back mode to the summer, and particularly this outfit. The occasion was my mother's birthday, who had come to visit a mere 2 weeks after we had moved (and thus hadn't gotten around to blog about it). And since today is my not-so-little brother's birthday (Happy Birthday, Paul!), I thought this was a good time to finally post that particular birthday celebration outfit as well!

Dress - Banana Republic / Instant Sleeves in Mocha - LucieLu / Sandals - Payless / Handbag - Gustto (via BBOS)

Please excuse the poor picture quality, however. I had forgotten my camera so these were taken with Bob's iPhone. The contrast is wacky, but all in all I continue to be impressed with the pictures they can produce! (Many thanks and RIP, Steve Jobs.)

The dress? A sweet little Banana Republic sale score from an online return. I couldn't believe my luck that it was a 16 AND it was on sale! Totally meant to be. I just love the bodice of the the dress - such dainty pleating in a romantic cream color. I felt like summer's goddess in this dress! The skirt of the dress, in a slightly darker color that created a nice tonal effect, gracefully floated away from my hips, too, camouflaging all manner of sins below, and hitting perfectly just under my knee. The LucieLu instant sleeves worked well with the overall effect of the dress, too! All I had to do was throw on some gladiator sandals and a handbag in a vibrant pop of color and I was ready to go out and celebrate my momma.

Cheers to you, Mom!

Something in the Way She Moves

I kind of love this picture. I'm so talented at moving while the timed shutter is going off.

As you can see, I had to bring the pictures inside for this outfit. It was rainy and cloudy, and even if I wanted to do fun umbrella shots, I don't have any means of protecting my camera as it sits all lonesome-like on the tripod whilst the sky spits upon it. I was glad to try out indoor locations anyway, since another nasty Illinois winter will be here before we know it. And I just canNOT bring myself to brave the elements for outfit shots even in the name of good lighting. While I don't have a cozy fireplace backdrop anymore, I do think I have better lighting in the new place, thanks in part to cool-white florescent light bulbs and an overhead entry light. (Please forgive the crooked shots though - I have some adjustments to make.) I might play around with other locations inside our now tiny living room, but at least I have some options!

Silk Blooms Eternal Top - Anthropologie / Reversible Seamless Tank ( in Sapphire) - Anthropologie /
Pants - New York & Co.

This top was yet another sale find at Anthropologie. I just love stalking the online sale section, especially since new markdowns happen every Tuesday. (That's an insider's tip thanks to Effortless Anthropologie.) As we all probably do, I definitely consider more items when they are on sale than I would otherwise - items I wouldn't even give a first look when full price. And hey, free shipping sure helps too! It's a very blousy top with no waist definition (and I had to size down as a result), but I really like the pattern and can see lots of layering options for future wearings. I'm a fan of the mandarin collar, too. Though I've done a pretty basic styling here with beige pants and a blue tank (SOME kind of cami underneath is a must), I'd love to wear it with an olive jacket and jeans or tucked in with a navy pinstripe pencil skirt.

Skinny belt - The Limited

I think I could go without a belt for certain outfits - maybe with skinny jeans and heels - but I felt I needed one for this occasion, going with a textured skinny belt in a neutral but not matching color. To further take the outfit out of its simple color palette, I chose these fabulous fuchsia peep-toes (with an orange platform to boot!) for a needed pop of color. The cloudy day required it, too. =)

Fuchsia peep-toes - "Chaney" by Nine West

Cuffed Cool

Inspired by this outfit, I wanted to get my hands on some "boyfriend jeans" to cuff and wear with cute things like lace tops and fitted blazers. I know Tim Gunn would have my head for cuffing any kind of pant, because he IS right - a cropped anything can make a girl look stumpy. Except models with long legs and high heels, of course. Regardless, I wanted to try it, and after acquiring a few lace tops from the LOFT sale racks over the weekend, I probably still will. But in lieu of having anything anywhere close to recreating that outfit at the time, I went with this striped cardiwrap instead.

Striped cardiwrap - Maurices / Reversible Seamless Tank (Ivory) - Anthropologie /
Straight leg jeans - Lane Bryant / Handbag - Gustto / Sandals - Nine West

It's alright, I guess. I've put on worse and lived to tell about it. I have to say it looked better in person than it photographed. But the lesson learned is that, if a curvy girl is going to rock the cuffed boyfriend jeans look, she needs to be as tailored as possible up on top. (A self-belted cardiwrap just doesn't seem to cut it.) Lace top and fitted blazer, you're next!

Ring - The Limited / Earrings - Maurices / Ginko necklace - ChrDesigns (Etsy)