2016 Re-cap: Your Favorite Posts of the Year!

Happy New Year's Eve!  I hope you have some fun plans for tonight whether you're staying in or going out!  We plan on staying in this year, spending some time with the kids drinking sparkling grape juice and maybe a little moscato.

The end of the year brings with it a time for reflection, and I always find it interesting to reflect on my most popular posts from the year - the ones that YOU clicked on and read the most.  Sometimes I see patterns or trends in what you liked which allows me to better focus my blog content.  So, even if you are a quiet follower, please know that you're still giving me feedback and that your support is immeasurable!

Without further ado, here are your favorite posts from 2016 ranked in reverse order from tenth to most popular:

#10 Wild Card Wednesday:  All The Bells and Whistles 
This soft textured look was a popular post not just on the blog but also on my various social media. 

#9 Shop Your Closet:  Plaid Shorts
This look was one of my favorites this year, and it was the most popular part of a trio of looks featuring these awesome plaid circle shorts from fellow petite plus Myrda J Designer Apparel.

#8 Getting Comfortable in PinkBlush Boutique + A $50 GiveawayEveryone loves a giveaway, and this post giving away a gift card to PinkBlush Boutique was a fan favorite.  This cardigan was seriously the perfect lounge piece!!

#7 Shop Your Closet:  Ruffles
I have been enjoying the resurgence of ruffles over the last few years, especially when this feminine detail is done in a sophisticated way that isn't too girly.  I looooove how this Eloquii tunic worked as a dress on my petite frame!

#6 Spring Double Feature:  Citron Chartreuse
Bright colors are always a crowd favorite, so I wasn't very surprised that this colorful citron and cobalt look was popular.

#5 Shop Your Closet:  The Blush Trench
This blush trench was a favorite piece of mine this year, and it proved to be popular on the blog as well.  The skirt and dress looks are some of my very favorite outfits from this past year, and I just love the color combos!

#4 Body Politics and the Not-So-Little Black Swimsuit
I didn't get around to doing as many body image related posts as I had planned, but this post about being a plus size advocate was my favorite and yours.  It doesn't hurt that I'm rocking a fantastic GabiFresh swimsuit on a beautiful beach either!  Wish I were there now!!!!

#3 Manic Monday:  The Relaxed Trench
This work look was my third most popular post of the year, and it's also definitely one of my favorite looks.  This year, I really fell in love with the mix of black and olive/army green.  Gold accents keep the color combo from feeling too drab and heavy.

#2 Top Ten Posts of 2015 + What's Coming in 2016
Apparently, you like these re-cap posts, as my similar post from last year had the second most hits of the year.  This look from 2015 continues to be a favorite of mine!

#1 Imitation Game:  The Blogger Midi
This skirt won the hearts of many bloggers this year, and apparently, it won your hearts too as my most popular post of 2016!  I styled this skirt several ways on the blog over the year, but this styling was the fan favorite. I guess chic really does happen!  ;-)

Just as dusters/soft trenches were a favorite go-to piece of mine this year, they took center stage on three of your favorite posts this year. 

My "Shop Your Closet" feature was also popular, which encourages me to continue to offer this feature in 2017.  I think it's helpful to see how key wardrobe pieces can be worn in different ways.
Hope you enjoyed this re-cap!  Did your favorite posts from last year make the cut?

Casual Friday: Baby, You're a Firework!

In anticipation of 4th of July, I decided to do a themed post for this Casual Friday, wearing a couple pieces I received from Eloquii during my recent Style & Substance photo shoot.

Skirt:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)
Top:  c/o Eloquii (Sold out; join the waitlist here)

I didn't tell you?  I was selected to talk about alterations for the June issue of Eloquii's Style & Substance customer spotlight series.  It's no secret that I love Eloquii, so I was super excited to be offered this opportunity! 

For today's look, I paired a striped midi in its patriotic color palette with a ruffled crop top for a sweet All-American look with just a hint of 70s vibe, sparklers totally optional. 

Glasses:  Valentino
Earrings:  House of Harlow 1960

Since my Eloquii feature was all about tailoring, I should mention that I had the skirt hemmed and the straps taken up on the crop top to get a better fit.  In fact, all the pieces from my Eloquii photo shoot were altered.  From hemming to shortening of sleeves to shoulders taken in and more, every piece was carefully tweaked by my tailor.  I seriously think tailoring is so important, so it was fantastic that I got to talk about it for my S&S feature.

It was also such an honor to be chosen for the feature.  Everybody at Eloquii was so supportive, and I was shocked at how at-ease and at-home I felt during my experience.  

Shoes:  Sugar
Clutch:  Twig & Arrow (Available at Target here)

Meeting Creative Director Jodi Arnold was also amazing!  Through her genius (and that of the rest of the team), she has helped make Eloquii a major innovator in the plus size fashion market and my favorite go-to brand.  

More on my experience coming to the blog soon, but for now, head over to Eloquii to see my full Style & Substance feature!!!

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Are you a fan of Eloquii?  Any fun 4th of July plans?

Shop Your Closet: The Printed Midi

Ugh....I have been away from the blog much too long!!  I have missed you guys!!  Work has been super busy and has left me with no time for blogging, but I hope to change that this coming week, even if I will still be working long hours!  So today, it's time for another Shop Your Closet post!

 Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Today, I'm rocking this amazing printed skirt from Eloquii.  They have some of the best prints, and this one is just so perfect for summer!  This skirt is the same style as the striped one I previously featured here and here, and there is also a matching crop top. 

Sadly, the crop top didn't work for me in either fabrication, but that's okay!  There are still sooooo many ways to style this skirt, and today, I am offering you four!

For the first look, I went for a little date night chic.  I love the sophisticated and sexy feel of this off the shoulder top. 

Black off-the-shoulder top:  Eloquii (Available here)

I haven't had much luck with off-the-shoulder styles this season.  I have narrow shoulders and big arms, so it's hard to find a fit that doesn't slide right back up on my shoulders.  This top from Eloquii is more like a tube top with an attached scarf that you tie around your arms, so you're sure to get the right fit.

Shoes:  Anne Michelle

In fact, I even tried it out as a tube top and loved that variation too.

Clutch:  Target

Bracelets:  LOFT

To not compete with the tie on the top, I tied the attached self-tie belt to the back of the skirt, creating a bow in the back of the skirt (sorry, no photos).

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

For the next look, I kept things a little more casual.  I paired the printed midi with a white crop top from ASOS layered over a lace bralette from Torrid.  I debated between white sneakers and wedges, and while both worked, ultimately, the wedges won out.

Tie-front crop top:  ASOS (Available here)

Wedges:  Sugar

Bralette:  Torrid (Available here)

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

For work, I decided to go with a bold mixed print look by pairing a striped button down shirt with the skirt.   

Striped button-down top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Shoes:  New Look

Bracelets:  LOFT
Satchel:  The Limited

Lastly, I wanted to create a go-anywhere look, one that I could wear to work but that I would be equally as likely to wear outside of work as well. Pairing the skirt with this simple orange blouse is an easy combo.  

Top:  The Limited (old)

Booties:  ASOS

Necklace:  Eloquii

Clutch:  Boohoo

Which look is your favorite?  How would you style this skirt?

For the orange top in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.

Manic Monday: Bright Stripes

Spring always leads me to wear way more color than I do in the fall and winter.  Maybe it's the colors of the season, all the blooming flowers and trees, for example, that makes color seem more enticing.

Shirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

And, while I do appreciate a pretty pastel or a bright color, I tend to gravitate towards more subdued shades.  Today's look is certainly colorful, but it doesn't feel too over-the-top.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

A button-down shirt with a full midi skirt creates such a classic silhouette, making it a good choice for work.

Loosening the buttons on the shirt and folding up the cuffs creates a bit of a laid-back vibe that feels right for spring. 

Clutch:  ALDO

Bracelets:  LOFT, Target

Lace-up shooties add comfortable polish.

Shoes:  Target

How would you style this skirt? Do you like the combination of button down shirts with midi skirts?

For the skirt in another look, see here.
For the shirt in another look, see here.

Wild Card Wednesday: That Versatile Skirt

This skirt is such a favorite that I excitedly keep styling it in different ways.  Today, I went for a flirty, feminine look that I would wear for an evening out, a date, or even a daytime event.

Skirt:  Lane Bryant (Available here)

Top:  Eloquii

I considered a shoe or clutch in another bright color, but I decided that I preferred the simplicity of black and white. 

Shoes:  New Look Wide Fit (Available here)

The white clutch creates a nice graphic contrast.

Clutch:  NY&CO
Glasses:  Coach

I finished the look with a simple gold bangle and dangly earrings.

Earrings:  Eloquii
Bangle:  Target

How would you style this skirt?

For the skirt in other looks, see here and here.
For the top in other looks, see here and here.

Manic Monday: Geometry Lesson

Hope you all had a great weekend!!!  I have so many outfit ideas to share for spring, but my motivation and energy to take pictures has been a little low lately...and the cool/cold and rainy weather we have been having here in the St. Louis area hasn't really been helping me get my mojo back!!

I'm working on it though, and I can't wait for next week when I will be interpreting a few spring trends in collaboration with fellow petite plus blogger Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! 

Skirt:  Lane Bryant (Available here)

Today's work style is centered around this fab skirt.  I know I have said it before, but I really can't get over the amazingness of this piece.  I also love that it is versatile.  Really, versatility is a must in my wardrobe, and this skirt is a piece that I can easily take to work but that dresses down like I did in this previous look.

Blazer:  Apt. 9 Petites for Kohl's (Available here)

For work, I paired the graphic print skirt with a white and black top with geometric layering. 

Top:  Eloquii

Bracelets:  Express

I finished the look with strappy blue heels which also add more geometric shapes to the look!

Shoes:  Chelsea & Zoe (Available at Kohl's in blush here)

Glasses:  Valentino

How would you style this skirt for work??

To see how I styled the skirt previously, see here.
See the blouse styled in another look here.
For the blazer in other looks, see here and here.