Auld Lang Syne

What I Wore

New Year's Eve

Sweater - JCP/Brocade Pants - JCP

Shoes - Gitano /Watch - MK/Hamsa bracelet - gifted/DREAM bracelet - gifted/Earrings - Local Boutique

 The end of a year with a time of reflection and remembrance. The start of a new year full of possibilities and plans. People talk about resolutions or avoiding making resolutions. Others incorporate traditions such as eating specific foods (cabbage, pork and black eyed peas) or watching The Rose Bowl Parade and football games. What I have chosen to do is to focus, not on a list of resolutions (lose weight, eat healthier, etc.) but on a word...one word. My word... JOY.  I have done something very similar to this in the past, but this year I am finding a lot more support online from blogs and groups set up specifically to help as the year goes on. I even have put a button on my homepage thanks to Melanie, a sweet blogger who has offered to make them for free Free One Word Blog Buttons. How about you? Do you make resolutions, avoid making resolutions, have a word to focus on, or do you have another way of beginning a New Year?

All You Need Is Love

What I Wore

Grocery Shopping

Polka Dot Chambray - Old Navy/Thermal - Old Navy/Jeans - Lucky Brand

Shoes - Ann Taylor/Earrings - Brighton/Watch - MK/Bracelets - Hamsa - gifted & Links - Forever 21/Sunglasses - Oakley

Can I just say...After Christmas Sales!  (actually I'd like to add a couple of more !!)  I went to the mall the day after Christmas...and 80% of the mall was closed due to the winter weather we were having :( :(  So, unfortunately I didn't find a lot of stores to even go into.  But, that didn't stop me from trying again on Saturday!  This time every store was open and waiting for me to find some deals!  One place I went into was Old Navy, and one of the first things I saw was this polka dot chambray!  It was the ONLY one in the entire store  (I think I would have ended up buying it no matter what the size but lucked out that it was a wearable for me Medium) and it was 30% off - score!  Then, I turned and saw this thermal with the hearts and the word "Love" in mint, also 30% off - score 2!  I seriously couldn't wait to get dressed this morning because I knew I was wearing these two new tops.  Have you been hitting the After Christmas Sales?  If so, what fun things have you found?

Hooded Sweater

What I Wore

Sweater - (Thrifted) brand J.J. Basics/Top - Ann Taylor/Jeans - Target

Shoes - KMart

Once in a while, I walk into a store just browsing the racks and come across an item that I know was obviously put there to make my day!  That was what happened when I found this hooded sweater.  I wasn't looking for anything in particular, just had an hour lunchtime to spend out and about.  When I started browsing the sweaters at one of my "go to" thrift stores, I was just about finished with my circuit of the store.  The fur sleeves stuck out from the crowded sweater rack, and I made a hurried walk to see what the rest of that sweater looked like.  I was so happy to see the entire sweater, from the furry cuffs and hood all the way to the big brown buttons!  I have a feeling I will be seen wearing this a few times in the upcoming months!  How about you, what was the last item that was put on a rack specifically to make your day?

Brown Sugar

What I Wore

Hanging at Home

Sweater - (Thrifted) /Jeans - Lucky Brand

Shoes - KMart/Necklace - Rue 21/Watch - MK

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas spent with those you love the most.  I spent the day with my three favorite guys enjoying our time together.  As my kids have gotten older, Christmas day is not as hectic as when they were small.  In fact, the day is almost a time of relaxing.  After all the last minute present buying frenzy I had this year (I think I accomplished more in 2 hours on December 24 than I had in 2 weeks before) I was ready to sit down, put my feet up and "play" with my new presents.  How was your Christmas day spent this year? 

Something More

What I Wore

Christmas Shopping

Sweater - Old Navy/Camisole - Old Navy/Vest - Land's End/Cords - Style & Co (Macy's)

Purse - (Thrifted) Vintage Coach/Shoes - KMart/Necklace - Gift

Being able to wear multiple layers is one of the things I enjoy about cooler weather.  I find that putting a camisole under a sweater and topping it all off with a puffy vest (like I did in this outfit) will keep me warm even when the temperature drops.  I am sure I'm not the only one that has found that they have dressed too warmly (or unfortunately not warmly enough) when the weather changes.  By dressing in layers, it is possible to start off prepared for the coldest of days, but by removing one layer not be uncomfortable even inside a warm building.  Do you like dressing in layers a lot too? (Oh, and the Coach purse?  I gotta "brag" about that purchase.  I found it for $3.99 at the thrift store, and even the cashier was in shock that it had been placed with all the cheap purses.)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

What I Wore

Christmas Shopping

Sweater - Ann Taylor/Vest - (Thrifted)  /Jeans - NY & Co

Boots - KMart/Watch - MK/Bracelets - Forever 21/Earrings - Brighton

Shopping for Christmas presents is something I enjoy.  I like finding those items that will bring a smile to the recipient's face.  Even though online shopping is a great option, I still do a majority of my shopping in the brick and mortar stores.  I like to pick an item up, look it over, pay a real live person for my purchase and then walk out of the store with shopping bags in my hands.  Even though I usually start shopping for Christmas presents as early as August or September, I still find myself out with the crowds at the last moment too.  I cannot pass up the great sales and the hustle and bustle of the season.  The only downfall to being out in a store is that I keep spotting things that "I" want to add to my Christmas list!  Do you prefer online shopping or do you still find yourself shopping at brick and mortar stores for Christmas?

Heaven's Green Fields

What I Wore

For a Day of Remembrance

Sweater - (Thrifted) Lily Pulitzer brand/Jeans - Target/Vest - UnderArmour

Shoes - Target/Watch - MK/Bracelets - Local Boutique

Green & White for Newtown.  Just a small thing, but I wore this sweater as a way to show that no matter how far away I live from a small community dealing with such sadness, I have my thoughts and prayers with them.  I find it interesting that so often wearing a color or colors is a way to show support for cause or event.  We wear Pink in October, Yellow for Soldiers, Red for AIDS or in February for Heart Health.  We also wear specific colors to support our favorite sports team and even decorate our homes in colors based on the holiday or season.  I like that by wearing a specific color I can demonstrate my support in a very quiet, but very public way.  Do you like to wear specific colors either in support of a cause or maybe for your favorite football team?