2014 Style Resolutions

How cute is this sketch from Inslee?! I love all of her drawings, and may or may not like every single Instagram photo she posts (#notashamed). While clothes have always more or less been an obsession of mine, I am still in the process of building my perfect wardrobe. Actually, I feel like I only just started taking the matter seriously this summer after developing an obsession with blogs. Ask my friends... Boring classes where we were allowed to use our laptops, I was reading life advice (among other things...) on The College Prepster and admiring just how perfect Sarah Vickers wardrobe is on Classy Girls Wear Pearls. My two favorite blogs. Easily. (Honorable mention: Design Darling... also rapidly becoming a favorite!)

That being said, taking all I've learned from the countless hours I've spent online shopping and obsessing over style bloggers' looks, I've developed some style resolutions for 2014! But if we're being honest here, how well I carry through with these resolutions all depends on how I manage learning to budget...

The higher the heel, the closer to heaven?

Emily + heels = a joke. But actually, I kid you not. I'm 5'8", where I live isn't necessarily an environment that calls for heels, and half the year we have snow anyways. Heeled boots? I can do. Wedges? I got it. Actual big girl heels? Disaster.

In 2014, I'm hoping to finally conquer the heel situation. The J. Crew Etta Pumps are so adorable, and I've been wanting them for months. "Heels for the girl who wears only flats..." Sounds like a good starting place, right?

Only Style Remains the Same...

When I was growing up, I constantly felt the pressure to go along with all the trends. Now looking back at old pictures I wonder why in the world I would ever  wear a shirt sporting Aeropostale's take on the monkey. I cringe thinking about it. And while I still fall victim to the occasional trend (peplums will never flatter me...), I feel like I'm on the way to developing my own style.

I had to learn the hard way to not invest in trends that come and go, and to invest my money in classic pieces. How much money I've wasted on items I literally never wear is actually depressing. My goal for 2014 is to be extra cautious of what I'm buying. I firmly believe that things you love are worth investing in (and that doesn't just apply to clothes!). So hopefully when 2015 rolls around I'll have a closet to die for!

Make a Statement

I love statement pieces, but I'm still trying to figure out how to incorporate them into my wardrobe. A pop of color, a piece of jewelry, a bag with character... I love it all. I want it all. Figuring out what I can and can't pull off is going to be a lot of fun this year! Thank goodness for honest friends, right?

This doesn't just apply to necklaces or jewelry. Experimenting with different lip colors, breaking out the green coat in the middle of winter (I fell in love with one this summer in Zara...), and taking chances with your wardrobe are all ways to grow! I'm getting excited just thinking about it. I own nothing leopard print. I've been eyeing these flats from J. Crew for weeks, but they're not like anything else I'd wear. People say leopard print is a neutral; for me it's like "Woah, watch out! She's trying something new!" But, maybe it's worth the risk? I could totally rock it.

xoxo

2013: A Look Back...

Happy New Year! It's officially 2014, I've taken a chance to reflect just how much has changed in the course of one year. I feel like every time New Year's rolls around I'm always dumbfounded at how fast time has flown by, and this year was no different. 2013 was a year of growth; dealing with personal issues and learning who to surround myself with has made all the difference in how this year has gone. 

I'm heading down to Massachusetts today to avoid the snow, and will be ending my first day of the new year surrounded by some of the people I love most. Nothing better than that! And then Friday I'm off to Colorado (here's hoping my flight out of Boston goes smoothly...)! I have family out there I haven't seen since June and I haven't been out there during the holiday season since I was very, very, very tiny. I am so excited!

Here's a look back at my 2013...

New Year's 2013 in Montreal

My best...

Ice cream reunion with some more amazing friends! (Excuse my work wardrobe...)

Dinner date with friends from school!

One of the best weekends ever... Luke Bryan can crash my party anytime...

The start of an unforgettable summer...

Snuggling this adorable pup on the 4th of  July!

And the next day off to Europe we went... My best friend/second half/sister and I in Austria!

And in Paris with the rest of our wonderful friends!

And at the top of Mount Pilatus in Switzerland... The trip of a lifetime. (We also made it to Amsterdam, Munich, Heidelberg, Venice, Verona, and London!)

Back home and reunited with the best of the best! Celebrating J's 20th!

The Color Vibe run! Before...

After...

Back to school and ready for fall with apple picking! My favorite time of year :)

October brought my birthday and loads of fun!

The only picture I have this year of the five us where we all look decent... Our reunions don't happen enough!

Christmas 2013 with the little sisters I never had! How cute are they?

Spending the last night of 2013 with some more terrific friends!

2013 brought so many challenges with it, but I'm so thankful that it did. I am so happy with where my life is right now. Here's to 2014, another year of ups and downs, fun times with friends, and quality time spent with family!

What to Wear: New Year's Eve

I have to say, I'm kind of excited for tonight. I said yesterday New Year's Eve isn't my favorite, but I just have a really good feeling about this year I suppose! New Year's has consistently been the one holiday of the year I find myself contemplating for hours on end what to wear. My mom thinks I'm crazy because I do spend that much time each year online shopping and pondering what to wear.

And now here I am... 2014 is TONIGHT. What?! I still have no idea what I'm going to wear. But if I owned any of these fabulous clothes, I would definitely be rocking them. Especially the second look, I seriously saw that skirt and top and fell in love.

A Touch of Red

Maya / Sheer black tight / Michael antonio footwear / Hermès red clutch / FOSSIL hinged bangle / Stud earring set / Boohoo gold waist belt

I really love this dress. The belt adds a really nice touch, and keeping the jewelry simple allows for making a statement with the bright red clutch!

Good As Gold

Vero Moda crop shirt / Forever New mini skirt / BCBGMAXAZRIA leather sandals / Bobelle rose gold purse / Reeds Jewelers earrings / GUESS by Marciano id bracelet

This is my favorite outfit and I would wear it in a heartbeat for tonight! I love the skirt and I love it even more with this top. I don't really think tights would work well to cover up the pasty legs, so I have two words for you: Spray. Tan. (Or use these towelettes by Kate Somerville... They're a favorite of Lauren Conrad and they also have towelettes for your face so you don't look uneven!)

Elegance is an Attitude

Long sleeve dress / Prada pumps / Ann Taylor earrings / Long necklace / Forever New belt

This LBD is so classic and simple; sprucing it up with a belt and a statement necklace does just enough! Pair it with nude or black tights and you're good to go for a New Year's family gathering or  work party.

Alrighty ladies...

Thank you for a fabulous first month! The response to this blog has been so much more than I could have asked for. I hope you all have such an amazing time tonight! Here's to 2014!

xoxo

Monday Inspiration: A New Year

Happy Monday everyone! While New Year's isn't my favorite holiday, I can't help but love the fresh start that it brings. There are two times of the year where I feel like almost anything is possible-- at the start of January and at the start of the school year in late August/early September. The real question is how long I keep up with the goals I set for myself, although last year I didn't do so bad with my resolutions so I guess you never really know!

I usually wait until the very last minute to jot down ideas for resolutions and then I quickly pick three to focus on. Any more than three and you can forget about any kind of productivity in the resolution realm. This year, I've been thinking quite a bit on what I hope to accomplish in 2014. And I have to say, I'm kind of very excited for this year.

So, here's what I hope to achieve in 2014!

1. Run a half marathon.

I did a leg of the Burlington Marathon last May, and I had a lot of fun with it. I always forget how good of a stress reliever running is. I just feel so much more sane when I'm on a steady running schedule, and I thought that aiming for a half marathon by the time 2015 rolls around would be a good way to get back on stay on track.

2. Read more.

I've been browsing Go Book Yourself for books to read this coming year. The majority of my downtime is spent watching bad TV and browsing the internet for something interesting. Needless to say, my brain cells are rotting and I should probably start investing more of my time in reading a good book. Good thing I got a Barnes & Noble gift card for Christmas!

Life After Life

This book sounds so interesting. I've always been really attracted to the idea of all the different courses a person's life can take, and after reading this book's description, it's definitely on my list of things to read.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I can't believe I haven't read this. No explanation is necessary for why this made my list, right?

Divergent

Confession time. I didn't even know this was a thing until I saw the movie trailer. But the trailer convinced me to read the book so... here it is.

3. Learn how to budget.

If you haven't caught on to my constant mentioning of how poor I am, then I'm honestly surprised. I don't know how I'm going to afford to feed myself next year when I'm living in an apartment. Although I'm fully aware that I live way above my means, and therefore I blame myself for the money predicament I commonly find myself in.

My favorite blogger, Carly at The College Prepster, shared this savings plan in a post she did last month. I automatically knew that it was something I wanted to do in the new year because I figure that my lack of ability to save is at the core of my budgeting problem.

Wish me luck!

What are your New Year's Resolutions?