2011: year end review

2011 was good. 2012 will be better. Happy New Year!!!!

New outfit post up next :) 

As I reflect on the events of the past year, I recognize successes and failures, gains and losses. Each event has taught me something and made me wiser. Knowing this, I acknowledge and release the past year in gratitude.

In contemplation of the coming year, whether I am excited or apprehensive, I know the spirit of God will empower me to meet every situation with confidence and strength. With this in mind, I release any concerns I may have about the future.

Today I am ready to stand tall in this present moment. I appreciate the now, perfectly balanced between the blessings of the past and the promise of the future. This is the moment of power and action. I am ready! 

~Daily Word~

ebew: sequins + sparkles

ETA: I currently have very limited computer & Internet access, but I'll be back to blogging soon...

 I was really excited when I found out the latest EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE challenge was sequins + sparkles. Both S's are right up my alley :) I actually wore sequins out last Friday night, and I'm pretty sure I'm wearing it for NYE, so there's much more sequins + sparkles to come :) 

wearing: zara blazer, j crew top, f21 jeggings MOJO MOKY LOREN heels

worn to: dinner and goapele concert at YOSHIS JAZZ CLUB

mojo moxy loren

I think these beauties speak for themselves :) 

I don't know if you've noticed, but my posts haven't been as frequent and I haven't been swinging by my fav blogs as much. That should all change once my semester ends. My apologies. #badblogger

P.S. I haven't forgotten about all of you who are looking out for a hair post. I think I'm going to put together a Google Doc or something instead of doing a post. If you're interested in me sending it to you, please shoot me an email at simplychic08@gmail.com.

peplum

First off, congrats to Shasie of LIVE LIFE IN STYLE...winner of the Shabby Apple Giveaway and soon to be owner of the Andes skirt! 

Apparently, peplum dresses, skirts, jackets etc are back in style? I never knew they went away. Ha! I've had this dress for over two years, and I wear it every time an occasion calls for me to get a little fancy, including last year on NYE and the NYE before that. This year, I promise myself and you I won't wear this dress again : ) In fact, this year for NYE I'm pretty sure I'm wearing pants :) Have a great start to the week! 

wearing: h&m dress, thrifted belt, nordstrom necklace, f21 bracelet, mom's earrings, christian louboutin heels, revlon lipstick in black cherry w/ mac oversexed plushglass, sephora polish in looks like rain dear

worn to: 1st friday holiday party at the w hotel 

ladies in paris

When I went to Paris, aside from the city itself, I fell in love with trench coats and stripes. 4.5 year later, I'm still in love.

wearing: zara trench, h&m shirt, james jeans, CARLOS SANTANA HEELS, elliott luca bag, macy's necklace, mac ruby woo lipstick

worn to: dinner and drinks 

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE SHABBY APPLE GIVEAWAY HERE

a thank you giveaway

Once again, SHABBY APPLE contacted me at the perfect time about doing a giveaway. I had all intentions of doing a thank you, Thanksgiving post, and what better way to show my appreciation for all my followers than to giveaway this adorable ANDES SKIRT. You can enter below, but please visit the SHABBY APPLE site. They have lots of great skirts, dresses, tops and accessories to choose from.

I'm covering it up, with my over-sized white button down, but this skirt gets extra chic points for its high waist, and it can be yours! Just enter below and be sure to read the terms & conditions for details on how to enter. GOOD LUCK!

plaid, purple & pewter

This is another thrown together, last minute look, that I had to post because of the shoes! I've had them for over a month, worn them numerous times, and finally took the time to shoot them. I was actually looking for the SAM EDELMAN ALVIN leopard loafers that every blogger and her mother has, and luckily I found these first. They were love at first try. Spikes and sparkles...you can't go wrong!

wearing: gifted scarf, urban flannel, f21 jeggings, sam edelman loafers, chicshop ring, revlon silver screen & pink again polish

worn to: class

eyes wide shut

I spent 3 hours doing my hair on Saturday and by night time I was too exhausted to care what I put on or to take pictures. So I threw camo over a white tee, added a chunky necklace, some strappy heels and voila! O, and because I am a dedicated blogger ;) I recreated the look on Sunday just to take pics :)

wearing: OLD NAVY JACKET, j crew tee, AMERICAN APPAREL VELVET STIRRUPS, dolce vita heels, nordstrom necklace, kenneth cole men's watch

worn to: LIEGE SPIRITS LOUNGE & AIR LOUNGE

ETA: Lucky coincidence that I post this look and 3 days later I find out that the next BLOGGERS DO IT BETTER challenge is MILITARY CHIC!

throwback thursday: thrifted sparkles

I wore this way back in June when I was cruising around the Caribbean and I never posted it because, well who really knows. Luckily, it's never too late and because I have a folder full of looks I've never posted, Throwback Thursday may make an appearance from time to time. And, if you haven't connected with me on FACEBOOK you should :) I do CelebrTuesday where I post my fav celeb looks of the week and Wishful Wednesday where I share what I'd be buying if I had all the money in the world (or a full time job).

wearing: thrifted dress & belt, f21 ring and clutch, nordstrom earrings, christian louboutin heels

worn to: elegant dinner night on the carnival valor

grandfathered in

As soon as I put this on, I thought of my grandfather. The brown cable sweater and the necklace pocket watch remind me of something he would have owned and the whole look makes me smile, because it makes me think of him :)

wearing: j crew sweater, ann taylor loft skirt, thrifted belt, F21 NECKLACE, steve madden luxe heels, revlon lipstick in black cherry, sephora polish in money maker

worn to: church & brunch at PICAN (catfish, grits & eggs o my!)

detailed oriented

Elbow patch

Leopard pony hair & gold hardware

Tribal print

And a pop of orange

It's all about the details...

wearing: h&m blazer, thrifted blouse, joes jeans, CALVIN KLEIN HEELS, mom's coach bag, michael kors watch

worn to: lunch at nordstrom cafe

trashy treasures

I got this skirt many moons ago at Goodwill back in Georgia and I actually don't think I've worn it since my VERY FIRST POST more than 2 years ago. I had completely forgotten about it until I was at Goodwill in California over the weekend, looking for some vintage trousers, and there was my same skirt looking back at me. Perhaps the same skirt at two different thrift stores should be a sign that I need to let it go, but instead I choose to believe that one woman's trash is another woman's treasure.

wearing: h&m tank, gap shirt, thrifted skirt, matiko wedges, clutch unknown, f21 necklace, mom's earrings, michael kors watch, gifted bracelet from italy, opi polish in suzi takes the wheel

worn to: church