Looking Back: Best of 2011

These past six months of blogging have been so fulfilling. I can hardly express how much I love this little place I've curated in the blogosphere. Thank you for reading, for your kindness, and for encouraging me every day. You all mean so much to me.

I'd like to take a moment to look back at my favorite posts from 2011. These all stick out in my mind as defining moments...

The first month of blogging, I really had no clue what I was doing. My photos were all taken with my laptop's webcam, so I was very insecure about their quality and what not. But I was very proud of these photos and proud that I was able in this post to marry my two loves: literature and vintage clothing. It's something I've continued to do.

In this post, I expanded my creative thinking and drew inspiration from music to create this outfit. As time has progressed, I find I'm inspired by increasingly random sources. 

Finally! I got a real camera! The photos in this post showed that I was really getting comfortable in front of the camera. This shot always makes me feel like a supermodel. Good feeling to have, right?

Every piece of vintage clothing I own is special to me, but this sweater, since it was my mother's, really deepened that connection with the past. You can see how she wore this sweater in my original post.

This post was the first time I experimented with photography in a public arena. It turned out well, and wasn't quite as scary as I had made it out to be.

The color of this sweater is delicious. You can tell I thought so since I was inspired to wear it by eating a pomegranate. I'm telling you, my inspirations come from odd places. You can read the original post here.

This photo shoot was done with my bestemest friend Angel, and I was so pleased with how the photos turned out. She is so beautiful! It was a fun day.

This post is one of my favorites simply because it involves Alice in Wonderland. Can't say there's any other reason.

This post is one of my most popular, and I am probably most proud of this one. I saw an opportunity for goofy photos, and I went for it. One of the best blog decisions I've made. 

The photos in this post turned out so beautifully, and it's another of my most popular outfits. Since the dress is so unique and lovely, I can't say this surprised me very much.

Thank you again for reading. I'll see you next year <3 

Sexy Photographer

Lucky Josh got a snazzy camera for Christmas, and when I say snazzy, I mean holy crap that camera is a beast! So he came over a couple nights ago to photograph me in my natural habitat.

It's very nice having my photo taken without having to use a self-timer and running back and forth like a crazy person. I think I might have a new (part-time at least) photographer. Woot!

I just love the effect he used on the last three photos. The very last one is probably my favorite. 

And no, your eyes do not deceive you...that really is a Big Bang Theory t-shirt. Make fun if you like, but it will only make me love it more.

Green and Red

As a personal rule, I avoid green and red combinations during the holidays so as not to appear grotesquely cheesy. I thought I had succeeded this year, but after looking at these photos of my anti-Christmas outfits, I realized that I had subconsciously worked in variations of the classic Christmas colors. Alas, I am not a Scrooge afterall.

This first outfit felt like such a success to me. I paired not two, not three, but four different patterns without looking like a Christmas clown. I think that right there makes for some fashion history.

Outfit Details:

Hairbow//The Quirky Poet

Necklaces//ModCloth

Giraffe Blouse and Pearl Bracelets//Charlotte Russe

Small Pearl Bracelet//Handcrafted by me

Cardigan and Lace Skirt//Target

Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's

Shoes//Vintage St. John's Bay

And I wore this outfit on Christmas Eve...

This dress is so flippy. I always feel like dancing in it. Appropriate for a holiday party, I'd say. And look at that pretty scarf! One of my lovely Christmas gifts this year. Perfect color, isn't it?

Outfit Details:

Pearl Barrette//Vintage
Scarf//Gift
Ring//Antique
Necklace//Vintage
Dress//Vintage, 1980s
Cardigan//Victoria's Secret
Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's
Boots//Charlotte Russe

The Adventures of Meep and Merp

Josh's gift was by far my favorite to give this year. I invested much time into it, and it is such a perfect manifestation of our relationship. Seeing Josh laughing so hard was the highlight of my Christmas. All the doodles, which I made into a sweet little book, are by me, and they are snapshots of our adventures together. The girl owl is Meep, and the boy is Merp. 

I hope my little owls have brightened your day :)

What was the highlight of your Christmas?

Christmas Festivities

I trust you all enjoyed a delightful holiday :) 

Here are some snapshots from my weekend... 

Friday night Josh and I celebrated Christmas and exchanged gifts with his family. His mom always has a lovely tree and delicious food. (MMM cheesecake *drool*) I gave Courtney some items from ModCloth and one of my handmade hair bows, which she put on immediately. I just knew it would look adorable with her pixie hair cut. Then there was some baked goods and coffee for his mom and dad, the coffee fanatics. And Josh's gift was utterly epic. I'll post pictures tomorrow, so you can witness for yourself how glorious it is. 

Then on Christmas Eve I went with my family to visit with my dad's side at my grandparents' house. This is me with my grandpa. I love his icy white hair and blue eyes. Since I was a little girl, he has always said, "I'm gonna dance at your wedding," each time he sees me.

Christmas day was spent at my house with my mom's side of the family. We all lounged around in our jammies, so I don't have any photos really, except for this close up of our tree, and then there's my sweet little Maddie. Excuse my disheveled hair.

I'll post photos of the outfits I wore later this week.  Don't forget to come back :)

Merry Christmas, Friends!

I hope you all enjoy a happy Christmas full of warmth and charming presents and, most importantly, delicious food. See you all next week :)

Christmas Sweater

As much as I love receiving gifts, I enjoy giving them much more. I think a gift is always a reflection of both the receiver and the giver. When I pick out something or make something for a friend, I always consider their tastes, but I always put a piece of myself into it too. So that it's something they will see and think of me.  

I also love wrapping the presents for people. Though we aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, or a present by its package, I like for the wrapping to be pretty and special. This year I even made my own name tags for all of them with personal doodles. Meep! 

Christmas is always Pea's favorite time of year. She likes to climb the Christmas tree and take naps at the top, and she likes to help wrap the presents, too. She's obsessed with paper and plastic bags and anything else that makes a crunchy noise when she steps on it. Sorry, friends, if your present has wrinkly paper. It was Pea's contribution.

Outfit Details:

Hair Bow//The Quirky Poet

Sweater//The Quirky Poet

Skirt//The Quirky Poet

Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's

Boots//Charlotte Russe

Double Ring//Target

Making a List, Checking it Twice

Most Christmasses I go without compiling a wish list unless it's upon request. I'm always afraid of seeming over-eager or selfish. But now I'm a fashion blogger, so I have permission to wish my little heart out ^_^

(all images are clickable)

Red Bike Tote//The Bold Banana

(I also love the yellow mustache tote)

A Very She & Him Christmas//Barnes and Noble

High-waisted Trousers//Kitsune-Kun

 

1970s Sewing Pattern//The Vintage Mode

Grammar Girl//Amazon.com

 

Vintage Medallion Dress//Dolls and Robots

Tortoiseshell Glasses//BonLook

Alice in Wonderland - 1933//Amazon.com

Yoga Mat//Gaiam

1950s Tapestry Bag//Archives Chicago

Feather Pen Set//Barnes and Noble

I'm also really hoping for a sewing machine. I want to be able to make my own dresses. Wouldn't that just be swell? And of course I wouldn't be opposed to receiving something from ModCloth or Pinup Couture.

And I cannot wait to show you what I got for Josh this Christmas! But I can't spoil it for him. I promise I'll show you after the holiday. It's rather delightful.

What are you hoping for most this Christmas?