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?

Wild Card Wednesday: Reveal & Conceal

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another wild card look! 

For today's look I styled a lace dress for an evening out.  I wore a very similar version of this look to a recent fashion event, and I felt super chic and confident.  I just love how layering the lace dress over a bodysuit gives the outfit an unexpected edge.

Dress:  Forever 21+ (Available here)

Trench:  Who What Wear xTarget (Available here)

Boots:  FarylRobin Fawcett (Available at Target here)

Since the shapes and color palette of this look were simple, I seized the opportunity to really play around with texture and pattern, mixing the patterned lace with polka dots, jeweled boots, and a metallic striped bag.

Bodysuit:  Boohoo Plus

Glasses:  Valentino

Purse:  Who What Wear x Target (Available here)

For a more conservative version of this look that would be suitable for work, dinner, or any number of occasions, simply add a black bodycon dress or slip under the lace dress.

How would you style this dress? 

Wild Card Wednesday: All The Bells & Whistles

Whenever the holidays approach, I find that my work style gets a little more fancy.  This season is no exception, and this look is a perfect example. 

Skirt:  ASOS (Sold out; Similar available here)

Trench:  Booohoo Plus (Available here)

Between the velvet skirt, metallic shoes, satiny camisole, and faux fur clutch, this outfit has all the bells and whistles.

Camisole:  Who What Wear for Target (Available here)

Shoes:  ASOS

Glasses:  Valentino

I love the pastel grey mixed with soft pinks - it's an unexpected combination for fall.  A simple silver necklace ties in the shoes. 

Necklace:  New York & Company

Clutch:  ASOS

Does your work style get dressier around the holidays?  What "special" fabrics do you enjoy wearing - velvet, faux fur, satin, sequins, metallics?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate!!

Manic Monday: Bohemian Florals

During a recent Shop Your Closet post, I featured one of my favorite trends for fall - bomber jackets.  That post featuring a floral bomber jacket from Who What Wear x Target also incorporated another of my favorite fall trends - florals!  Today, I'm focusing on the fall floral trend with a slightly quirky mixed print look by pairing two different florals with a polka dot trench.

Trench:  Who What Wear x Target (Available here)

The subdued colors of this look give it a sophisticated feel, and the black background color of each piece keeps the mixing of multiple prints from feeling garish.

Blouse:  Who What Wear x Target (Available here)

Skirt:  Who What Wear x Target (Available here)

I finished the look with my buckled, open-toe booties and a faux croc-embossed bag. 

I usually go for looks with a little more minimalist feel, but I really love this look!  Fall is all about prints and embellishment, and it's high on the details.  Sophisticated bohemian looks are having a serious moment, so if you have ever had a desire to dress like an Olsen twin (and yes, I actually have), this is the season to give it a try!

Bag:  The Limited

Boots:  New Look

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Earrings:  Torrid

Do you like the dark floral trend?  How would you style this blouse?
For the pleated skirt in another look, see here.

Manic Monday: Soft Layers

Fall style usually means lots of dark colors and no shortage of black.  While it definitely still means all of those things, fall style can also include pastels and soft neutrals. Paired with everything from black to olive to unexpected lemon yellow, blush pink is a big color this fall. 

Dress:  Who What Wear x Target (Available here)

Trench:  Boohoo (Available here)

Booties:  Revel x Target (Available here)

The olive midi dress and taupe boots are soft neutrals that both really pop against the blush pink trench.  

Clutch:  The Limited

The belted dress, while soft, has a bit of structure and is streamlined, while the soft trench adds a relaxed, unstructured touch.  

I have definitely found my new work uniform in the form of dresses with soft duster jackets and trenches.

Do you like wearing softer neutrals and colors in the fall or do you stick with darker colors?

Wild Card Wednesday: Ruffles and Bows

I feel like my fashion preferences run the gamut style-wise....I love sleek, modern styles, but I also can't resist feminine, romantic pieces, especially if they are as pretty and sophisticated as this dress from Eloquii!

Dress:  Eloquii (Available here)

I fell hard when I saw this dress on-line, and the swooning continued after it arrived in the mail.  The neckline of the dress is formed from two shoulder straps and is totally adjustable - you just tie the bow where you need it, which allows you to adjust the length of the shoulder straps and to decide how low you'd like the neckline and/or sleeves of the dress to go.  It's perfect for petite, busty gals like me or for those of you who may be tall as well.

Trench:  Boohoo+

The hem originally had one more faux-tier which I had removed for length.  I am actually contemplating getting rid of the other tier to make the dress a bit shorter. 

I added a lightweight trench for warmth in the air conditioned buildings and to allow me to wear the dress to work.  I love taking evening or more casual pieces and making them suitable for the office through styling. 

Glasses:  Valentino

This outfit could easily go from day to night simply by removing the jacket.

Shoes:  Prabal Gurung for Target (old)

Floral lace-up heels, a bow-accented bracelet and bow-front clutch finish off the romantic look. 

Clutch:  Aldo
Bracelet:  The Limited

Earrings:  Target & Etsy

How would you style this dress?

For the trench in other looks, see here and here.