Shabby Apple Necklace Giveaway

Well, hello, Friday! Shabby Apple, the online boutique featuring lovely vintage clothing and accessories galore, contacted me to do a giveaway with my readers, and I've happily agreed! What perfect timing for the holidays, right? Whether for yourself (I mean, a girl's still gotta look good for all these holiday events) or a gift, Shabby Apple has some great pieces.

This giveaway is for one of two necklaces, the Light as a Feather Necklace or the Unlock the Queen's Castle Necklace. Both are beautifully distinctive and would make any outfit special. I know I'd be happy to have either piece in my ever-expanding necklace collection, but I think I'm partial to Ms. Light as a Feather. Which one do you hope to snag?

     Light as a Feather Necklace                Unlock the Queen's Castle Necklace

I'm using Rafflecopter for this giveaway (what a cool widget!), so check out the entry rules below. Two mandatory entries + three optional additional entries = five whopping chances to win! Good luck!!

A Bit Spotty

I've jumped on that leopard print bandwagon like no one's business. And I have no shame. Especially since this top was yet another thrifted gem from my local consignment shop.

Leopard print top - thrifted / Brown pencil skirt - NY&Co. / Tank - Anthropologie

My favorite part of the top, aside from the fact that it was thrifted, is its twist front detail. It doesn't photograph very well without some carefully planned posing, so I tried belting it to help define the ol' waist. Belt it with a subdued sparkly gold belt I did, and I even did yet another photo shoot, but the boyfriend vetoed the belt in favor of the twist. He's right, of course.

Handbag - Steve Madden

I'm not really sure why, but I felt that I looked older, even matronly, in the top. It's just not a very youthful design, regardless of the animal print. Maybe it's the collar - I dunno. Cue bright pink pumps and big coral ring. I rather love the combination.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - Anthropologie / Shoes - Nine West

Visions and Revisions

I don't really thrift much - I just don't have the patience for it. But once in a while I give it a shot and I happen upon a few gems. This brown houndstooth skirt, a Banana Republic skirt from back in the day when they made longer hemlines (Fall '06, to be exact), found its way to me from my local consignment shop. Seeing as all my favorite pencil skirts are from that time and place but no longer fit, I was pretty ecstatic to be able to thrift one in my current size.

Cardigan - Banana Republic / Tank - Anthropologie / Houndstooth pencil skirt - Banana Republic (thrifted)

This outfit did go through a few revisions today, though. At first I had on a purple/green/brown/grey printed top in a funky butterfly cut, but after seeing the first round of pictures, I realized how horribly unflattering it was on me. I loved the concept of the top, and the pattern mixing that resulted, but just not on me. I felt as grateful as Cher in Clueless for taking photographs of outfits. So I ran inside, quickly thumbed through my closet for a colorful top (wanting to stick with my fabulous new-to-me skirt on bottom) and settled on this (also new) cardigan. Its bright berry color was just what my fall-loving heart was after.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I felt super vampy in this outfit, but that's what an animal print skinny belt, cardigan, pencil skirt and round-toe pumps will do to a curvy girl, eh? Move over, Joan.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace & Earrings - Banana Republic / Belt - The Limited /
 Brown buckle pumps - Christian Siriano for Payless

P.S. For all you literary lovers out there, my title for today's post comes out of probably my favorite poem of all time, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot.

Summer's Last Breeze

I think this late summer has finally left us. The leaves are falling in earnest (the nightly crunch crunch heard outside our window by passers-by is always a welcomed sound) and the space heater has been turned on more often than not. (We are not yet ready to commit to actually turning on the heat.) But with such gorgeous fall days as we've had, I'm finally ready for all of it. '

This day might have been that last of these warm days. Expecting it to be so, I wore this sweet grey shirt dress from Lane Bryant (which sold out almost immediately), paired with my ever-comfortable Nine West wedges in minty green. Definitely appropriate for the warm 80 degree afternoon, I was glad I could wear it a second time not only for the sake of the blog but also for a busy performance evening. I love everything about this dress - it's wonderfully comfortable, fits like a dream, and its steely neutral hue lends itself to any number of colorful accessories. I'm sure there are layering options for the cooler days ahead, but I haven't yet brought myself to consider them...

Grey shirt dress - Lane Bryant / Handbag - Tano "Boogie Bucket"

Today, I felt like the summer breeze as it passes through for the last time.

Necklace - Lane Bryant Outlet / Earrings - The Limited / Ring - Ruche / Nails - Eve-y on the Eyes (Sephora by O.P.I.) / Sandals - Nine West (via Amazon)

Congrats to my giveaway winners! Thanks to all who entered!

Giveaway Winners!

And the winners are..........................................

Coin Statement Necklace - Breanne!

Earrings and Bangle - Katie from Interrobangs Anonymous!

Congrats to you both! Please email me with your shipping address within 2 days!

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!

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!

Back to Basics

For all the time I spent knocking my initial outfit idea in yesterday's post, it's somewhat of a wonder that I ended up wearing it today! (I did warn you, however!) I guess it was just one of those days where I had to be presentable but I didn't want to try too hard. Ever have one of those days? Methinks you can see it in my face, too. =7

Dark blue blazer - The Limited / Sequin bib top - LOFT / Beige wide-leg pants - NY & Co. /
Metallic burgundy pumps - Charles by Charles David (via Zappos)

It is what it is - a reliable ensemble of blazer + wide leg pants + embellished top. Nothing too fancy or even creative, but I do think the sequined neckline adds a nice touch. Its color palette of navy and burgundy is one I always love, too, and is what inspired the outfit idea in the first place. The only thing I'd change is the round toe shoe - I think it makes my legs look wider and stumpier than they are. But, hoping to add a little more pizazz to the ensemble, I chose them for their metallic burgundy color and left it at that.

Handbag - Tano "Homemade Cake" in Bordeaux

Really, it all just comes down to great jewelry. =) The ring is the second one I recently scored from eBay, which is actually just a replacement of one I received as a Christmas gift from my sister last year, but recently lost. I'm so very glad it popped up on eBay, because it is one of my all-time favorites!

Earrings - LOFT / Flower ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

As I was only at work for a few hours today, I ended up swapping out the pants for some jeans and the blazer for a military green cropped jacket (which you've seen often) as soon as I got home. I didn't get any pictures, but I totally loved the casual remix, not to mention the pairings of olive and burgundy, sequins and military. I plan to wear it again for a casual work day (and subsequent blog post) soon!

Striking Gold

The more I look at these pictures, the more I love this outfit. There's something so happy about it!

Mustard printed cardigan - thrifted / Embellished top - Urban Outfitters / Flare leg denim - Lane Bryant /
Teal skinny belt - The Limited / Camel heels - RSVP (via Zappos)

It was another one I put together in the moment of late-night creativity. I didn't try it on last night, but I'm thrilled with how it all came together. I especially like the proportions of color, shape, detail, and pattern. And really, this equation never fails: favorite jeans + cardigan + embellished top = always easy and cute!

The sweater is one I found at a consignment shop the same time I found the mustard cardi for my "Ariana" outfit. I bought them both at the same time because I didn't know which one would work best with the intended outfit, especially since I liked the idea of the pattern on this one. And it was exactly the pattern in the sweater that inspired me to try a little pattern mixing today! I first tried it with a striped top, which could also be great, but not the particular top I had. The top I finally settled on is more embellishment than pattern, but I love the effect nevertheless. It's also sort of a remix, too, since I've never worn it with anything else but cuffed jeans in the summer. (Snoooooze.) It's a total tent of a shirt on its own, though - no shape whatsoever! But just add a colorful belt and long jewelry and it's a new outfit! I'm getting a hang of this...

I'm also wearing the new ring I mentioned yesterday! What can I say, I love a cocktail ring, and this one is no exception. The necklace was a fabulous birthday gift from a friend of mine - one who is super fashionable herself. This was actually its first wearing, and I can't think of a better debut!

Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Turquoise medallion necklace - gifted

Fabulous blue nailpolish - Yoga-ta Get This Blue! (OPI)

I guess I should do my class readings now. You know, the ones that were assigned last week. I've been ABD for so long (and a working girl for so long) that I barely remember how to be a good student. Good thing I'm auditing!