/ Uncategorized

Hi everyone! Are you settled in to 2012 yet? I think I am except for this last part below.

I haven’t made resolutions in a long time. I usually break them within the first week or two so I stopped doing it. But this year is different. This year, in 6 months/179 days, I will have a birthday ending in a “0”…”Lordy, Lordy”. It feels like I have been in my 30s forever, especially these last few years. As fast as the days and months have gone by, the actual years up to 40 have been going by slow, if that makes any sense.

So, this year, I’m going to set some goals for myself. The Boy will be getting his license soon and be out and about enjoying his new freedom. So, I need something to keep myself busy.

HEALTH
-Lose 25 pounds – In 2011, I reached my heaviest weight ever. It isn’t pretty and I don’t feel good about it at all. Gaining twenty pounds in two years isn’t pretty and I’m going to do something about it. Besides, I want to fit into this damn, expensive corset again! It cost too much to have worn only once.

Anthropologie Leifsdottir Eyelash Corset

I hope to have lost half of this weight by my birthday. To do this I’ll be eating better, doing The Shred and drinking a lot more water. Husband will be on a trip for work overseas in a few weeks so that will help with the eating better part. He usually wants to eat all protein, a la Atkins and I prefer a less red meat…a lighter breakfast (yogurt w/granola and a piece of fruit), salad for lunch and a light dinner (fish, chicken, small steak).

-Eat out less. Cook dinner in more.
We, as a family, are very bad about picking something up to eat instead of taking the time to make dinner. I have some great cookware and I plan on taking some cooking classes and trying some new recipes this year.

STYLE
-One in, Two out
Honestly, since I work from home I really do not need all that I have in my closet. Like pencil skirts…when will I wear these? Silk blouses…Like I would check the mail in one. I started purging in 2011 but will be more aggressive about it in 2012. I want well made, classic pieces with a little “fun” thrown in. I won’t say I will stop shopping altogether or have a splurge every once in a while but for the most part I will consume less. Look for frequent updates on my Closet Blog.

SELF & FAMILY
-Spend that “saved” clothing money on me, in a different way.
In 2011, I have noticed my complexion has been awful. I have always had very good complexion but this year I have had continuous breakouts on my cheeks. I know this is from stress, the foods I eat and the make-up I’m using. I can’t figure out which one it is but I’ve tossed them all and am starting fresh. I will also get a facial more frequently. And drink more water.

-Go on a family vacation. This one is already in the planning stages. Husband has been researching, since before Christmas, a trip to Europe. He was originally thinking March, during Spring Break, but he has a conference he forgot about that he needs to attend. So, it will be in June or July. Right now, the itinerary is either Paris and Italy or Italy and Spain. Most of our time will be spent in Italy. I’ve already been planning my outfits and will be asking for advice and suggestions once I know when and where we will be going.

-Brush up/Learn Spanish – I know a little to get by in Mexico when I’m on a beach vacation but Spain/Italy will be a lot different. Since I know a little Spanish I’ll stick with that as opposed to trying to learn Italian. If I have time I will work on a few conversational basics in Italian.

So that about wraps up my goals for the year, prepping for the big Four-Oh!. Do you have any goals for 2012? Any milestones you’d like to accomplish?


I guess I should add brushing up on my technology and blogger skills too. This should have posted today and not Dec. 27.

/ Uncategorized

Happy New Year dear readers! I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year’s celebration Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for all the lovely comments on my NYE post. I wish you all a fabulous 2012, full of passion, joy, love and shopping (a teeny bit for some of you from what I’ve been reading).

We had some great friends over for a small dinner party NYE. The meal was amazing. Husband cooked some fantastic steaks and everyone brought over some fantastic appetizers, sides and dessert (cheesecake!). We drank some champagne and played a little Wii Pictionary (so much fun!) to kill some time before heading out to a little club to ring in the new year. We had great fun in our little “VIP” section, as Husband made reservations for us so we could rest our dancing feet whenever we wanted.

The Boy did not go with us, of course. He was invited at the last minute (how’s noon on NYE) to a party at a friend’s house. So I had to manage prepping my part of dinner (baked tomatoes…yummy!), getting dressed for the evening and driving him to his friend’s a little early so I could make it back to welcome our guests. I arrived home the same time our guests arrived so it was all perfect timing.

Here’s what both The Boy and I wore for our evening.

On Me: J Crew Factory Sequin Tee, Dégradé Swing Skirt (8, Metallic Pumice), Babette Heels (ebay find)
On The Boy: J Crew Oxford Shirt in Bosley Tartan
On Gus: PetSmart Brown Leather Collar

This is quite a lovely little skirt. I like how the dégradé makes the skirt look sparkley without any sequins. The material also has a nice shimmery sheen to it too. I did change into nice flats before leaving the house so I could be comfortable dancing. I am so glad I did too!

Have a Great Evening everyone! TTYS!

/ Uncategorized

**This post will be text and image heavy.

Who wants to see a few images from the January catalog? I was able to get one while in the store yesterday, where it is down to slim pickin’s, let me tell ya. Even the full price items were running a bit bare. It was the same at Anthropologie. I wasn’t able to scan this and had to use my camera so the colors aren’t as bright as they appear in the catalog.

Garment-Dyed Twill: #62443, $108 – Festival Green, Blue Grotto, Light Citron, Bright Papaya, Neon Persimmon

Ankle Stretch in Classic Rinse: #46240, $125

Ankle Stretch in White Denim: #59424, $98
You’ve seen me in the Light Citron here. I am not sure if the Warm Jade will be an in-store only or will show up later in the month online. I caught a glimpse of the Bright Papaya in-store and it looks like a great color for my skin tone.

Ripplestitch Sweater in Stripe: #62111, $88 – Ruby/Chalk, Shallow Sea/Navy, Navy/Chalk, Heather Grey/Navy
Cutler and Gross Round Sunglasses Collection: #52953, $495
Toothpick Jean in Festival Green
Jayne T-Strap Ballet Flats: #57117 – Bronzed Beige, Black
Tillary Purse: #63033, $148 – Warm Sienna, Collegiate Green, Dark Poppy
The Ripplestitch Sweater description states: ‘Like daughter, like mother. Due to popular demand, we took one of our most popular crewcuts sweaters and updated it just for you.’
The Jayne T-Strap Flats look very cute and the t-strap seems to have some sort of embellishment on it.

Keeper Chambray Popover: #44875, $78
Pleated A-Line Skirt in Ashbury Floral: #61602, $198, Silk, Fully lined – Bright Blue
Biella Metallic Penny Loafers
You’ve seen me in the Perfect Shirt and Jules Dress in this print. It doesn’t state the length of the skirt but it looks to be a midi.

High-Waisted Buckle Short: #60118, $68 – Shadow
Cashmere Shell & Cardigan in Heather Henna
Tillary Purse – Collegiate Green
Bubble Necklace (It’s back in more colors!): #92687, $150 – Turquoise
More colors of the ever popular Bubble Necklace. I am loving the Tillary Purse in Green too!

No. 2 Pencil Skirt
-Double-Serge Cotton: #59369, $110 – Natural, Citron, Black, Warm Jade, Casablanca Blue
-Basket-Weave Tweed: #63598, $128 – Grass Green, Marine Blue

-Waterfloral Collection: #60160, $228 – Glamour Pink
Now, I need another pencil skirt like I need a new pair of shoes but if I had to pick only one thing I would grab the cotton in Warm Jade. It speaks to me and is saying “AudreyBella, buy me first.”

The Downtown Field Jacket: #19034, $148 – Mossy Brown, Black
Cashmere V-Neck Sweater: Heather Blush
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Basket-Weave Tweed: Grass Green
Viv Flats: Henna
Edie Purse
Shrunken Fisherman Sweater: #41313, $88 – Beechwood, Cerise, Byzantine Blue
Minnie Pant in Stretch Twill: #18850, $79.50
Bubble Necklace: Either Coral or Papaya
Drea Patent Peep-Toe Pump: #64452, $198 – Neon Peach 
The Shrunken Fisherman Sweater was one of my favorites from the early Fall. I had the Beechwood in my closet for several months and just wore it recently with my Navy Flair Skirt. Absolutely love it. Now, I can’t wait for the Byzantine Blue. I’d love to find it in White. Maybe that will be brought back later in the Spring.
So the Drea Peep-Toe Pumps are not quite the Joley Peep-Toe but the colors look gorgeous. I have a Kate Spade pump in a similar color of the Byzantine Blue but I’d love to see the Neon Azalea. 

Drea Patent Peep-Toe Pump: #64452, $198 – Neon Peach, Wild Mushroom, Casablanca Blue, Black, Neon Azalea 

Lucca Suede Sandals: #37224, $198 – Apricot Mist, Heritage Green, Soft Fuchsia, Navy, Espresso
Jackie Pullover: #65341, $65 – Canvas, Creamy Peach, Byzantine Blue, Warm Jade, Bright Violet, Vibrant Flame, Navy, Black
So the Jackie is coming in a pullover. I guess the popularity of the Tippi Sweater convinced TPTB to bring it in a cotton. The Warm Jade and the Canvas would be my first two picks.
The Tillary Collection
Bucket Bag: #63024, $198 – Warm Sienna, Dark Poppy (no Green! boo hoo!)
Purse: #63033, $148 – Warm Sienna, Collegiate Green, Dark Poppy
The Bucket Bag reminds me of the (and I’m dating myself) Dooney and Burke buckets that were so popular waaaaay back when. I love the green and wish it came in the bucket bag. The red looks very striking as well. I’d love to see it IRL.
Café Capri
Solid: #57064, $79.50 – Warm Jade, Casablanca Blue, Black, Natural, Desert
Italian Basket-Weave Collection: #60162, $228 – Glamour Pink – It’s on Net-a-Porter here.
Green is my favorite color if you haven’t guessed and this Warm Jade looks amazing. I really can’t wait to see it IRL. I’ve only see the Casablanca Blue in-store so far. 
Blythe Blouse in Silk: #37871, $98 – Alabaster, Neon Azalea, Maraschino Cherry, Fiesta Purple, Royal, Black
Café Capri in Italian Basket-Weave
Tillary Bucket Bag: Dark Poppy
I wish I could have captured a better image of the Bucket Bag in Dark Poppy. It looks to be a gorgeous red in the catalog. I hope it’s the same IRL.
Jules Dress in Waterfloral Collection: #60743, $285 – Glamour Pink
Biella Patent Loafers
The description says this Jules Dress is in the basket-weave cotton, like the Café Capri and No. 2 Pencil skirt in this print. This print looks amazing and almost tie-dye-ish.
Of course, this isn’t the entire catalog and only looks to be a glimpse of what Resort/Spring 2012 will bring. I’m not sure when we will see these, if it’s tomorrow or in a few weeks. There were Classic ballet flats and Cece ballet flats in various bright colors. Shorts and button-down shirts in new Spring colors too.  
What do you think of the new items? 

/ Uncategorized

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas Day. We have been traveling north and south of my home the past three days seeing family for Christmas. I think everyone received what they asked for plus a little bit extra. I received some Talbots, Anthro, Philosophy and a little J Crew.

I was at my parents on Christmas Day and before leaving town I ran into my cousin, who’s in from NYC. As you can see, I have a fashionable family. It was quite amusing to everyone, seeing us in the same print. I was able to find the dress on ebay after seeing Dina in it. I quite love it too and went with grays instead of blacks. My cousin did black and brown and I think she was wearing the MacAlister Wedge Boot in either Mink or Nut, or at least something similar looking.

On Fashionable Cousin #1: Black Turtleneck, Brown Belt, Brownish Booties, J Crew Flair Skirt in Floating Rose
On Fashionable Cousin #2: All J Crew-Tissue Turtleneck, Winsome Dress in Blurry Rose (6), Super Opaque Tights, Perry Peep-Toe Booties

I quite love this dress and can’t wait to wear it again. And luckily, the next time I see my cousin she’ll be getting married so there’s no way we’ll be wearing the same thing, although she suspects I will be in J Crew.

Have a Great Day!