November 29, 2012

Styled By...

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Sweater: Gap Skirt: J.Crew • Tights: LOFT • Shoes: Alfani

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Sometimes an outfit just happen, other times you make ask your sister to pick one out for you. After our usual Tuesday night hangout {we're obsessed with New Girl and Happy Endings}, my sister Annie put this outfit together for me. I ended up forgetting to add the polka dot scarf {according to my sis, I'm in my polka dot phase} in my morning fog, but I suppose that just gives me another option the next time I style this sweater!

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November 28, 2012

Change of Pace

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Top: Madewell Sweater: J.CrewStole: Tulle Pants: LOFT • Shoes: Nordstrom

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 Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving {or if you're from Canada or somewhere else, a nice weekend!}. Is it me, or is anyone else starting to realize that time really does go by faster when you get older? I mean seriously, that was a 4 day weekend? All I managed to accomplish was a good amount of TV watching and eating an entire pie.

Although after working Black Friday the last 2 years, sitting around all weekend and losing track of time was really a nice change of pace. But now it's back to reality -- 5 day work weeks and graduate classes. Oh and maybe a bit of working out to make up for that pie incident.

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November 27, 2012

Hanes Convertible Tights Giveaway

Hanes Giveaway

The awesome people at Hanes sent me a pair of their new convertible tights to wear and another to giveaway {you can see how I wore the tights here}! Since I was wearing boots, I went with the footless version of the tights for the day. Not only are the tights super comfortable {none of that annoying pulling that at your toes feeling} they are also very opaque which I love!


Entries are simple!
Just leave a comment below {be sure to include your e-mail address} and check back next week to see if you're the winner.

  And that's it! Or if you can't get enough you can check out this video to learn more. 


Entry deadline is Tuesday, December 4 @ 11pm and is limited US readers only. 
Hanes Convertible  Tights for this giveaway are size CD 

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Congratulations to the winner!

Random Number

Hanes Giveaway Winner

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November 20, 2012

Frenchie

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Top: LOFT Skirt: Asos • Scarf: Madewell • Tights: c/o Hanes • Boots: Target

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My obsession with the French is nothing new. Growing up my favorite toy was a seal named "Louie" {he spoke with a fabulous french accent}. I studied French from middle school through most of college. And nowadays, I practice my french conversation skills with the large number of French speaking cab drivers in Cincinnati. Apparently, I speak my best french after a glass {or two} of pinot from my favorite watering hole.  Plus my love for chocolate croissants is well documented.

So when I got dressed, I thought what would Patrice {that was my French name from high school} wear today?

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November 19, 2012

Vibrant

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Dress: Madewell Tights: Hue • Watch: Fossil • Sunglasses: Ray-Ban •Shoes: Madewell

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I have a tendency to buy dresses for special occasions. Like this dress for a trip to Keeneland earlier this fall. Basically, I buy something pretty, wear it, and then proceed to let it hang in my closet like a prize. I like to call them trophy pieces.

I like to think blogging {or just a bit of practical thinking} has really helped me come a long way with re-wearing and getting more value out of these pieces, but I wouldn't say I'm completely cured of my special occasion shopping habit. Despite such a vibrant print, I knew I could brainstorm a few ways to remix this dress -- first up a slouchy, more colorful combo.    
Remixed Dress
 How would you remix this dress?

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November 16, 2012

2 Years Later

26 and Counting2yrs This month marks the 2 year anniversary of 26 and Counting. Weird. Where has the time gone? Last I remember, I was that intimated girl taking outfit photos on my iPhone, hesitant to share them with anyone. It’s funny how things change, but kind of stay the same. After 400+ posts, this blog is still mostly unknown to my family and friends. While many of you have become friends in real life, this little space is something I keep a bit separate. Maybe I’m still intimated on some level, or fearful that friends will think this blog is frivolous and self-indulgent. Maybe it is… 

But then I remember that I started this blog as a space to encourage myself to try a bit more with my style every day. 2 years ago, I was finally feeling settled in at a new job and while I originally loved shopping for “work” clothes, I was bored with all the pairs of black dress pants and cardigan sets stacked in my closet {although I do still love a good cardi}. So I took a big gulp, got over my fear of the internet and just went for it -- iPhone photos and all. While there have differently been some ups and downs, I love that is little internet corner keeps me motivated to try new styles and be more creative on a daily basis. 

That's not to say things haven't changed. I got a tripod for starters. But honestly, a lot of great things have come out of this blog. Outside of gaining a little self-confidence, I have this blog to thank for a lot of new friends. Some of those friends still blog, others have veered in another direction, and some don't blog at all now. Either way, I'm very thankful for the friendships and inspiration that have developed from this community. 

But something about blogging is different these days. The community I felt 2 years ago, even a year ago, feels smaller and less connected. Sometimes I wonder if a bit of that is me. I started graduate school, started reading and commenting on less on other blogs, and my own posting fluctuated. But when it comes down to it, I still love style blogging.

This is by no means, a blogging sendoff. I'll still be here posting work outfits and sharing random tidbits of my life. I didn't intend for this to get so wordy, but if you can't share your thoughts on blogging on your blog birthday month, when can you? If you've stuck with me through this entire post -- thank you! Thank you is probably something I should say more often. Thanks for checking back here whenever you do. If I don't always say it, I do always appreciate it! Now, let's find a cake {any excuse, right?}!

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November 15, 2012

Growing Pains

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Top: Madewell • Pants: Ann  Taylor • Necklace & Bracelet: LOFT • Shoes: Bandolino

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If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed I have been complaining about my car recently. What is about car trouble that makes me feel completely useless? Anyways, it turns out that when my car didn't start last week, it was more a serious thing than a fluke thing. So after being stranded in the mall the parking lot last night for the 2nd time in a week {maybe my car is reacting to my shopping habits}, I decided it was getting way too cold around here to be hailing strangers every a few days to jump my car. So I did the adult thing this morning, put on my best childlike outfit and had my car fixed. Oh the joys of growing up!

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November 14, 2012

School Boy

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Top: LOFT Blazer: ZaraPants: Limited • Scarf: J Crew • Shoes: Madewell

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I hit snooze about five times this morning. While this isn't completely out of the norm for me {I'm not at all a morning person} my cold bedroom was a rude awakening. So I stayed in bedroom a few extra minutes trying to hold on to the last little bit of warmth. Turns out there wasn't very much warmth to be had in my apartment as I mistakenly left my bathroom window cracked open all night. I suppose that's what I get for trying to enjoy a cool  breeze. After my hair dryer did little to warm me up I decided to bundle up in my new tweed blazer.


Also, thanks to all of you who entered the Stella & Dot giveaway last week!
Congrats to the winner Meg - please e-mail me to claim your prize :)

Random Number

Winner

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November 12, 2012

Black & Blue

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Dress: c/o Stitchfix Scarf: MadewellSunglasses: Ray-Ban • Boots: Steve Madden

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Today was one of those days when what I planned to wear just didn't work. Neither did the next outfit, or next. By the time I got around to this outfit, I had a ridiculous pile of clothes and accessories covering my bed, which of course I never got around to making. Plus I was running late to work.


Looking at it now, I'm glad those other outfits didn't work because if I had the extra time I don't know if this outfit would have turned out this way. That's not to say I don't like this outfit, because I really do. But the mix of blue, black, and brown resulted more so out what was laying around than it being something I came up with. Although the floral scarf, totally my idea.

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November 8, 2012

C'est La Vie

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Shirt: Target Skirt: Banana Republic • Flower Pin: Anthro • Shoes: Madewell

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From an Election Day outfit, to something a bit more French. Something about a striped top and flower remind me of Carrie Bradshaw. Maybe it would be more appropriate to describe this outfit as an "American girl in Paris" rather than "French" but let's not make things more complicated. Either way, I like this outfit! And now I'm craving a chocolate croissant - so there's that too.

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November 6, 2012

All American

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Shirt: J Crew Blazer: Gap • Pants: Limited • Sunglasses: Ray-Ban • Shoes: Madewell

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At this point in the day I'm sure you've seen and heard a good bit about the election. No opinions here {that's for my twitter account and instagram}, but as this is a style blog I couldn't let the day go without my version of an election appropriate outfit. I'm not sure chambray was completely appropriate for the office, but seeing as denim is an American staple I couldn't pass it up {it doesn't hurt that my boss was out of the office today too}! A little pop of red with my shoes and my version of an all american neutral, animal print, and I was set.

Happy Election Day!

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Stella & Dot Giveaway

Giveaway 
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 Today I'm partnering with Ann to bring you an exciting Stella & Dot giveaway! Best of all you have the chance to win a $75 credit to use towards your favorite piece! All you have to do is...

\\ Visit Ann's Store and choose your favorite piece {or two!}
\\ Comment below letting me know what piece you picked out and how you would style it

For Additional Entries:
\\ "Like" Ann's Facebook page and leave a separate comment below

\\ Tweet about the giveaway and leave a separate comment below

  That's it! Don't forget to check back next week to see if you won!
The entry deadline is Tuesday, November 13th @ 11pm and is limited US readers only.

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November 5, 2012

The Not So Monday Feeling

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Dress: F21 Top: H&MTights: Target • Sunglasses: Ray-Ban • Boots: Steve Maden
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I'm feeling a bit chipper this Monday morning {which is a rare things consider my usual disposition is about 2 steps up from zombie}. Maybe I have the time change to thank for that, or maybe it is the last bit of reminiscence of the Sam Adam's I enjoyed at the Passion Pit concert last night. Either way, it's Monday and I'm not cursing it {yet}.

How was your weekend?

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