Giveaway Time!

Well, I've hit another blogger milestone with my 200th follower! I know that many of you follow this little blog o' mine in other ways, but I thought it was a pretty good excuse to have a giveaway, no? =)

My fabulous cohort in fashion - wait, "crime" doesn't work here, does it? Er, well, the fabulous plus size clothing designer Kiyonna Clothing is graciously sponsoring this giveaway with a $50 gift card to their store! From easy, flattering separates to stop-in-your-tracks cocktail dresses, they have loads to choose from. They start at size 10 and go to 32! My faves? The Melrose Mesh Top (as worn above - just be sure to go up a size!!) and the Betsey Ruched Dress (my post here - the Cosmo Cocktail Dress featured above is sadly no longer available). Or their pencil skirts. If you need more pencil skirts in your life (if living vicariously through this blog isn't enough), start with Kiyonna!

So get to it and enter below! Two mandatory entries + four optional additional entries = six whopping chances to win! The giveaway will be open for one whole week. Good luck!! It's my way of saying THANKS for reading, for commenting, and for just being here! This wonderful little community has definitely become one of the reasons I get dressed everyday. =)

Celebrate my milestone!

The First Time

I worked in retail for over three years in three different stores: Lane Bryant,  LOFT (Ann Taylor Loft back then), and finally Banana Republic. Three years of associate discounts expanded my wardrobe exponentially and broke my bank simultaneously. It was while working at LOFT that I really began to find my own style: a love of pencil skirts, fitted silhouettes, streamlined classics, and just a touch of daring. One holiday season (nearly 4 years ago now), I started wearing belts at my waist. Right at my waist. I remember feeling self-conscious about this, like everyone working and shopping thought I might be making a huge fashion faux pas. I continued to do it, relishing in how the styling highlighted my curves, accentuated my waist and was the easiest kind of accessorizing. I was still hesitant, but I was hooked. This was the exact outfit I wore that day, that first time for a now frequent styling.

Sweater - LOFT / Belt - Lane Bryant / "Perfect" black pencil skirt - Simply Be / Handbag - Furla /
Shaping Sheers - Spanx / Heels - Nine West

A couple weeks after I debuted my belted waist, a fellow LOFT associate wore the exact.same.outfit. Right down to sweater (it WAS an ATL sweater after all), skirt and placement of belt. I'm not going to lie - at first I was uber annoyed, especially since said associate was of the tiny, gorgeous, long blonde hair and long fluttery lashes variety. Let's face it, I was also jealous that she seemed to rock my outfit idea so much better than I did and possibly threatened that my personal sense of style had been usurped. But the more I thought about it - and continue to think about it -  the more flattered I am. I, the resident curvy girl, seemed to set a trend. I, the resident curvy girl, rocked that trend in a way that made other (skinny) people want to wear it too. Shocked as I am by the realization (as one who continues to battle self-esteem and body image issues), I can't deny that it was moment that has defined my personal style and, more importantly, self-confidence in that style.

I actually haven't worn this outfit since then, though I have most certainly worn variations of it. Wearing it again makes me think about how my personal style has changed, how it has stayed the same, and how it has given me a kind of identity. I find such contemplation ultimately important for this, my 200th post. It wasn't intentional, interestingly, but that makes it all more special. Serendipitous. The reasons I started this blog - as a way to subconsciously confront, and hopefully someday squelch, those pesky self-esteem and body image issues of mine - continue to carry me through and inspire me, and to provide proof that it has done so. As we approach the season of giving thanks, I find myself thankful for the endeavor, and for you, the community of bloggers and readers that bolster it.

Ring - Lane Bryant / Necklace - Talbots / Earrings - The Limited

I'll be taking a little hiatus next week for the holiday (we're traveling to Boston to spend time with Bob's family and friends), but you can be rest assured that I'll return in all my fancy holiday-dressing glory as I work through another busy Nutcracker weekend. I hope everyone has a wonderfully thankful Thanksgiving until then. =)

Felicitous 100

I came across this outfit yesterday and was reminded that I needed to find another way to wear this amazingly unique top of mine. So I thought I'd go easy (and I definitely need easy this week) and pair it with a grey pencil skirt instead of the pants, and some equally awesome shoes. I'd wear anything with a pencil skirt, wouldn't I... (Yes, yes I would.)

Neo-Refinement Pullover - Anthropologie / Grey pencil skirt - Talbots / Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement) 

I started watching Felicity from the beginning the other night. THIS is how I remember college, and I'm quite certain I had my very own Ben. I've been watching a few episodes each night while I blog before bed (replacing my nightly relationship with Frasier), but that really only stretches out the blogging much longer than necessary, and keeps me up much later than intended. It also wreaks havoc for any train of thought I might have had for a post (hence this particular topic). Maybe I should start a Felicity critique blog while I watch, and maybe Kimberly (who I know has also returned to the series) will join me? (Cue maniacal laughter.) I just hope our wardrobes don't become overrun with sad oversized sweaters as a result. My psyche will be overcome with all that angst and insecurity I'd be reliving as it is...

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - LOFT

But back to this blog: I have 100 followers! Thank you dear readers old and new! While I know that number reflects only a portion of the success of this blog, it does mean a lot. Thank you for reading, for commenting, and for just being here! You have definitely become one of the reasons I get dressed everyday. =)

Pumps - Nine West (via Zappos)

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!