New Years' Style Resolutions - How Did I Do in 2015?

Last year, I made a few style resolutions for myself.  Today, I wanted to look back to see how I did!

I Resolve To...Wear More Color!
I really love wearing black and neutrals in general, but wearing color can make me feel really good, and color projects confidence and personality in a way that neutrals can't always do.

So, last year, I resolved to wear more color.  I think I did pretty well with this resolution as I implemented more color into my wardrobe over the last year.  Even though most of these outfits still incorporate black, I was much more likely to add colorful tops accessories, shoes, and other rainbow-hued pieces.

Top, left to right: Manic Monday:  Fall Colors; Hustle & Flow;
Black Pants for Work:  Sailor Stripes; To Belt or Not To Belt
Bottom, left to right: Keep It Classic; Color and Confidence 2:  Seeing Red;
Bringing A Little Color To The Workplace; Red Hot

Top, left to right: Prints Charming; Color and Confidence 2:  Mellow Yellow;
Weekend Natural + JORD Wood Watch Feature; Ruffles & Lace-Ups
Bottom, left to right:  Imitation Game:  Simply Cyn; Midi & Crop Tops;
Drapey Blazers & Python Clutches; Yellow & Red

Top, left to right:  Manic Monday:  Daytime Office Holiday Party;
Color and Confidence 2:  Green Queen; Wild Card Wednesday:  Artsy Print;
Manic Monday: Military Inspiration
Bottom, left to right:  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 3: My Journey On My Legs; 
'Tis the Season; Black & White & Green Florals; Imitation Game:  Eloquii Fall 2015

Top, left to right:  Easy Spring Weekend;  Black Pants for Work 2:  The Jumpsuit;
I Resolve To...Wear More Color; The Summer Maxi
Bottom, left to right:  Weekend Ready; Color and Confidence 2:  True Blue with eShakti;
The Temptress; Go Blog Social

Clockwise, from top left corner:  Color and Confidence 2:  Purple Haze; Blueprint;
Manic Monday:  Wide Legs and Long Lines;  Reverse It; Imitation Game:  Curvy Girl Chic; Brighten The Day; I Resolve To...Show More Leg; Desk To Drinks; Playing with Proportions

Left, top to bottom: Professional in Faux Leather; Punky Sexy Day-Glo Lady
Middle:  Chasing Rainbows
Right:  Summer Crush

I Resolve To...Show More Leg!!
With a new-found love of my legs, I resolved last year to wear shorter skirts and dresses and flaunt those gams.  I made a decision to feel great about my legs and to show them off as much as I wanted.  Another successful resolution!! :-D

Top row, left to right:  Casual In Vogue; Fun With Zippers and Antiquarian Couture;
Call of the Wild; Saint Louis Fashion Week:  My Experience, My Fashion
Bottom row, left to right:  Wild Card Wednesday:  Leather & Lace; The Shorts Alternative; Beachy Bohemian; Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 6:  Body Hair

Left, top to bottom:  Spring Berries & An Eyewear Feature From Firmoo.com;  I Resolve To...Show More Leg; Reader's Choice:  Casual Wear
Middle:  The Temptress
Right, top to bottom:  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 3:  My Journey on My Legs; Snowy Whites

I Resolve To...Stay on Budget!!
Budgeting does NOT coming easy to me, especially when it comes to my fashion purchasing.  I'm most definitely a shopaholic, and I hate to say it, but I blew my budget constantly in 2015.  The hubby and I are still in the process of trying to buy a house and getting our credit in line to do so, so even though I am horrible at it, I must continue to work on being better at sticking to a shopping budget.  As I also have a lot of clothes I'd like to get rid of, selling my clothes on eBay may be a way to increase my disposable clothing budget.

I Resolve To...Stay True To My Style!!
I think that in 2015, I became more attuned to what my style actually was.  I got better at purchasing clothing that was truly my personal style, especially when it came to work clothes.  While I incorporated more color last year, I also accepted that I just love to wear black (and white), and I put less pressure on myself to wear the variety of colors that I thought I should wear.    When I did wear color, I opted for a lot of greens, my favorite color.  I looked for sleek/architectural shapes and flowy maxi skirts and dresses.

Top, left to right:  Saint Louis Fashion Week:  My Experience, My Fashion;
Black for Summer:  The Culotte Jumpsuit; Skirt Week 2:  All White Everything;
Wild Card Wednesday:  Smart Glamour Fall 2015
Bottom, left to right:  Midi & Croptops; Imitation Game:  Kim Kardashian West;
Manic Monday:  Day to Night; Imitation Game:  Eloquii Fall 2015

Left, top to bottom:  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 4:  My Belly and Me;
Fun With Zippers and Antiquarian Couture; Edgy Formal
Middle:  I Resolve To...Stay True to My Style
Right, top to bottom:  Gilding the Lily; Blueprint

I Resolve To...Have More Fun With Fashion!!
I overcame some of my fashion fears and took more risks this past year.  Overcoming some of my body image issues and fears allowed me to have more fun with fashion.  Becoming bolder with my fashion choices, I played with more texture, daring necklines, fun prints, and whimsical clutches.  I definitely had more fun with fashion in 2015 and hope to do the same in 2016!!!

Left, top to bottom:  Wild Card Wednesday:  Faux Fur & Velvet;
If the Apocalypse Comes, Beep Me
Middle:  Reverse It
Right, top to bottom:  Imitation Game:  Rosie the Riveter; Snowy Whites

Left:  Imitation Game:  The Je Ne Sais Quoi
Middle:  Winter Bites
Right, top to bottom:  Imitation Game:  Nadia Aboulhosn;
Bringing A Little Color To The Workplace; Wild Card Wednesday:  Leather & Lace

All in all, I am quite happy with how I met my style goals for 2015.  I didn't really make any resolutions for 2016, but I'd like to continue to have fun with fashion, while staying true to my style and getting even more in tune with what's "me."  I definitely feel like I failed myself when it came to my budget, and I plan to try harder this year to stay on top of my fashion expenditures.  It's the most important of my style goals, and success in this arena means more money for my family.

Do you have any style resolutions for 2016?  How do you think I did with my 2015 resolutions?

Top Ten Posts of 2015 + What's Coming in 2016!!

Happy New Year!!  I love the new year because it always feels like a fresh start.  Yes, it's an arbitrary date to start over, but it's a symbolic benchmark of the potential that the future may bring, which brings with it the impetus for change.

I always like to set goals for my blog, and for 2016, I hope to continue to improve photography, something I worked on in 2015 but which often proves difficult due to logistics of a full-time+ job, crazy weather, and a reliance on my children as photographers.  If you're a student/amateur photographer in the St. Louis area who wants to build their portfolio and get social media exposure in exchange for doing photography, please hit me up.  I"d love to work with you!!!

Besides improving photography, I want to continue to build my social media presence and to network more.  With my body image/ body positive posts being among some of the most of 2015, I'm also inspired to bring these issues to the forefront in the coming year as they fit into my blog.

With my mind on the future, the eye is going to the past today as I say hello to the new year with a recap of my ten most popular posts this year on the blog - these were the posts that YOU viewed the most!

#10.  Garden Party
This unique and pretty dress from ASOS was a spring/summer favorite, and it was popular with you all as well!

#9.  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 3:  My Journey on My Legs
The legs had it with this body positive post from the #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series. 

#8.  What's New At eShakti
eShakti continues to be one of my favorite go-to retailers due to the variety of their selection and their customizing options.  This featured dress later became part of my closet and part of my second color and confidence series as seen here.

#7.  Black on Black
This simple look was one of my favorites this past summer.  All black is almost always a great choice, and I loved the gold accents and little color pops.

#6.  Giving Thanks
My Thanksgiving post was one of my popular posts this year!  This cozy sweater poncho is an easy go-to for casual wear and relaxed work looks.

#5.  Snowy Whites
One of my favorite posts this year was this snow angel look, and it was also one of my most popular!!  

#4.  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part One:  My Body and I From The Beginning
The first of the #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series, I discussed by changing, often complicated relationship with my body over the years.

#3.  Drapey Blazers & Python Clutches
Honestly, this one surprised me as it was actually one of my least favorite posts of 2015!!!  I wasn't particularly happy with either outfit - neither was as fashion-forward as I like to be, and the blue outfit came off much more matronly than in my head.

#2.  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 4:  My Belly and Me
One of my very favorite posts, I discuss my fears of baring the belly and its "growth' over the years while wearing an outfit that I adore!  Overcoming some of my body issues was a big deal for me this year, and I loved participating in the #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series as it gave me the opportunity to share honest conversations about body image with all of you.

#1.  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 9:  My Face Is Up Here
My most popular post of 2015 was another installment of the #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series.  I opened up about my anxiety over my lazy eye and get real about what I love (and don't love) about my face.

Did any of your favorites make the cut?  What do you want to see on the blog in 2016?  Any and all suggestions/ideas are appreciated!

See my most popular posts of 2014 here.

2015 in Review - My Favorite Posts This Year!

I can't believe 2015 is winding to a close.  This year seemed to whiz by super quickly!  As the year went on, it became harder to find time for blogging, but as I look back at 2015, it is fun to look at my posts over the last year and explore my style highs and lows!

These are my favorite posts from 2015 in chronological order:

Yellow & Red
In 2015, I tried to experiment more with color and to branch off a little from my usual desires to wear all black.  This combination of yellow and red was fun, and this yellow dress is one of my favorites!  This slightly oversized black blazer from Eloquii also quickly became the biggest go-to piece in my wardrobe, so much so that it might need to be replaced in 2016!

Gilding The Lily
I'm in love with the golden pleats on this skirt, and I adore how this look manages to be so dressy and pulled together while still having a cool laid-back feel about it. 

Fun with Zippers and Antiquarian Couture
A moto jacket, fringe booties, and a simple but sexy shift dress are casual, comfortable, and versatile.  Plus, black and white...

This is What A Feminist Looks Like
While this outfit definitely wasn't among my favorites of the year, I loved the post - I've been a feminist since before I knew what a feminist was, and this year, I felt like I was able to come full circle into really understanding what being a feminist means to me.

Snowy Whites
I had so much fun with this winter wonderland look!!  It was so cold and snowy in March, and I just wanted to bring on the spring!!  The floral clutch, tree necklace, and mixed whites made me feel like a spring fairy, trying to bring a bit of spring to the bitter cold.

Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 4:  My Belly and Me
This year, I've really tried to get over my body hang-ups - one way I did that was through deliberate fashion choices that revealed parts of my body about which I have the greatest anxieties.  My midriff got a lot of exposure this year (especially after #CropGate), but this was probably my favorite of the belly baring looks!

Art of Work
Spring always makes me want to break out with more color, and this past spring, this brushstroke print dress was definitely a favorite. 

Punky Sexy Day-Glo Lady
I absolutely love this kilt!  After several years, these neon yellow heels still feel fresh and fun, and rocking a waist-length neckline as a 37 year-old with a DDD chest just felt sooo punk rock! ;-D

Midis & Crop Tops
This year, I tried to explore hem lengths more.  I have never been one to stick with the most "flattering" hemlines and shapes, but midis have generally been my least chosen.  I wore a lot more midis this year, but this laser-cut A-line shape was probably my favorite of the bunch!

Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 6:  Body Hair
Summer brought on a first for the blog - a post dedicated to swimwear!!  I was initially unnerved about doing this post (all my body issues rearing their head), but the photo shoot was so fun, and in the end, I just decided to embrace my beach body.  Besides, this swimsuit was just too fierce not to share on the blog!

Black for Summer:  Culotte Jumpsuit
I always enjoyed playing with different shapes when I was thinner, so I don't see any reason that I should have to stick to the same boring shapes just because I've gained weight.  Cropped culottes are "dont's" for both petites and curvy women.  Hmmmm...they're a do for this curvy petite!!

Bringing Color To The Workplace
When you have to be at work during the summer, it helps when you are wearing comfortable clothes that you love.  This blue pleated maxi skirt and embroidered crop top are so relaxed, but the blazer pulls things together.  This outfit was a surprising go-to for work several times over the summer.

Wedding Spectactular:  A Guest Look & Wedding Pics
I got married this year, so of course, my wedding post was among my favorites!!!  The bohemian feel of my dress and hair was a great choice for a summer wedding.

Wild Card Wednesday:  Leather and Lace
The year of really stepping out of my comfort zone continued in September with this sheer lace maxi dress.  I've come up with a few other ways to style this dress, but this version is my favorite. 

Imitation Game:  Eloquii Fall 2015
While I definitely ventured into wearing more color this past year, I also focused on interesting new basics, like this carwash pleat skirt.  I love it when an outfit manages to feel both super professional and stylish, like this outfit made me feel!

Manic Monday:  Day to Night
While peplums are super flattering, I had grown out of favor of them after they seemed to be everywhere for too long.  This skirt caught my attention though because the peplum was a little more exaggerated than on most skirts.  This cropped jacket is several years old but continues to be a favorite piece in my wardrobe - it's really hard to find a well-fitting cropped jacket when you're so petite!!

Wild Card Wednesday:  Faux Fur & Velvet
Lately, I've definitely been into faux fur, and I love this outfit because of the jacket but also because of the mix of textures - the velvet booties with the more casual cotton twill skirt, for example.  This eyelash clutch has been my favorite since early fall. 

Evening Textures
The last favorite on my list is one of my most recent posts - this monochromatic mix of faux fur, fringe, and lace-up heels.  There's nothing that I don't love about this look!  The dress is so sophisticated, but the fringe makes it fun.  I love looking polished and pulled-together, but I always like to be a little unexpected.  This textured look feels classy but retains a youthfulness!

Do you remember any of my favorites?  More re-caps of 2015 coming to the blog soon! 

The Summer Maxi

I love today's look.  I recently nabbed this dress on-line from Lane Bryant while ordering a few bras.

Dress:  Lane Bryant (Sold out on-line)

After literally a year and a half of trying on (and trying out) every bra out there, I finally found a bra that works well for me - Lane Bryant's back smoothing bra.  Seriously that thing is magic, and I haven't had a bra so comfortable in probably a decade!

But wait, I'm here to talk about the dress...

Sandals:  Target (Kids' Department)

Glasses:  Valentino

Necklace:  Shoxie.com

I have already professed my love for the maxi dress, and the bold color palette of this one is perfect for summer! 

It's one of those great maxi dresses that can dress up or down well.  I wore it to dinner and a showing of "The Avengers:  Age of Ultron" with the family this past week, but I would also wear it to the beach, out shopping, for a casual wedding, and a ton of other places.

Watch:  c/o JORD Wood Watches (Available here)
Bracelets:  LOFT and New York & Company

Earrings:  Torrid (I seemed to have lost one during the shoot - it was sitting on my shoulder :-))

I'm not usually much of a fan of Lane Bryant's clothes, but this piece was a real winner!!

Purse:  Target

Do you shop at Lane Bryant?  Are you a fan of their clothes?  Their bras?  Would you wear this dress?