What a difference a year makes!

2013 was, by far, the BEST year of my life! 

It was a crazy, busy year with so many changes but I loved every minute of 2013! 

My fiancé started the year out perfectly by proposing at the stroke of midnight! It was in front of some of our closest friends and I had NO IDEA it was coming! He hid the ring under my bed and everything!! 

We also set a date (11/22/2014!), booked a venue in St Augustine, and got engagement photos done by the amazing Brooke Images! 

Enough about me! Here's some of the other amazing things that happened! I got to watch some of my favorite people walk down the aisle! I even got to be a part of 2 of my best friend's perfect day! It meant the world to me to share in their amazing day!!! 

I also had one of my bff's get engaged on a month long road trip and watch my bestie/ MOH fall in love! I had three amazing trips with daddio, moved in with my best friend AND last but certainly not least, mom finished chemo & radiation!!!!!  

Overall, 2013 was one AH-MA-ZING year! None of it would have been possible without all the amazing people I have in my life!  

I cannot wait to see what 2014 has in store! 

Like daddy says, we will be living the dream in 2014! Happy New Years Everyone! XO 

P.S. Can't wait to marry this babe!

Animal Instincts: Meow

So I kind of have a secret obsession with leopard print. When I found out the new Bloggers Do It Better challenge was titled "Animal Instincts"I literally eeeeeee'ed with excitement. 

With the animal prints being so popular this fall, I have made a few purchases that make me oh so happy. A few months ago, while writing my trend post, The Cat's Meow, I found the "leopard on me" top from ModCloth, and I HAD to have it. After patiently waiting for it to become available again, I snatched it up at the end of September. September 27th, the day that little package arrived on my doorstep, was one happy day for me! The next morning I woke up to a new BDIB email announcing the new assignment and I was SO excited to participate! It was meant to be :) 

So without further adieu, meet the animal in me. 

Two days after the new BDIB I found this precious little skirt with leopard bows and wallah! I had my outfit. While it's a little crazy for me, there is just something about this outfit that makes me feel good! It's bringing out my inner feistiness that I normally don't show!

Needless to say, I really do love leopard print. I have a few pieces that just spice up an outfit. 

And I just had to include my little precious bug, Tika because like mother like daughter, she loves leopard too ♥

This or That?

These 2 ModCloth dress are adorbz and I can’t figure out which one I want more, so I need opinions please :) 

Help me choose which dress, or should I get both?!

Thanks in advance dolls! xo

Fashion Features: Fedora Flair

I have so many wonderful friends who are into fashion, so I thought, "Why not feature them!" I am excited to introduce some of the fabulous fashionistas I call friends.

Meet Erica. 

This outgoing shoe lover has a unique style that revolves around her enormous, not to mention fabulous,  shoe collection. With more than sixty pairs of shoes, she usually puts an outfit together by choosing from her wide assortment of styles and colors.

However, this time, it wasn't all about the shoes for this fashionista.  Erica was inspired by another stylish accessory, the fedora. 

❝I was really inspired when I saw the fedora. To me, it has a vintage mood about it. I knew I wanted a menswear influenced look so I paired it with a black vest and my beloved BCBG pinstripped pumps. I cuffed my jeans to flow with the vintage ambience of the fedora. Plus I just love the look of cuffed jeans. I threw on a delightful new modcloth.com purchase called The Tools of the Trade necklace, which I feel adds to the tomboy vibe. I love this look because of the eclectic nature of it, I feel uniquely me in it. I've never really loved patterns so I stuck with solid colors to stay true to my style. That's also why I went with a dark wash skinny jeans. 9 out of 10 times thats what I'm wearing! Additionally I love the versitality of this outfit. You could pair it with a million different shoes and color combos to create a completely transformed look!❞ - Erica C.

Love your look Erica, from head to toe! Thanks for sharing and hope you all enjoy xx

Remember, fashion is fun. It is uniquely you ♥

New age hippie...

By Jody Marich 

A lot of collections for spring 11' seem to have a 1970's vibe. Working in retail, I noticed a lot of long, flowy tops and dresses with retro/ flower prints. 

I always had a hidden love for fashion of the '70s. When we began receiving spring shipment in at Express, I was in heaven. 

This is a dress, (above), that I had to have. Since it still is a little cool out, I pair it with black tights, camel boots and my favorite belt, which I bought at the same time as the dress. I loved it because it's a vintage look but with a care free vibe.

This is my version of the outfit, for the colder months. 

Sheer and satin fabrics are making a big comeback along with florals. Every year there is a degree of florals in spring fashions, but this year the florals are bold and sporadic, leaving the fashionista more options. 

Floral by littlemissjojo featuring cotton t-shirts

Another great addition to spring collections has been the cinched waist. This allows a belt to be easily added to break up the pattern, giving the outfit another dimension of style. AND once again, allowing you to have more options on how to wear the look. 

it's a cinch by littlemissjojo featuring print dresses

Flare jeans are another BIG trend for spring. I am seeing everything from white to distressed flares. Dress pants have jumped on the bandwagon too. 

Here are a few more sites to check out the '70s influence in spring 2011 fashion.

Trendhunter

Fabsugar

NBC NewYork

Fashionsing

❝A new generation would be lucky to experience some of the high points of the '70s....We thought we had invented freedom and our clothes reflected that. Somehow, young people today look at it and embrace it. It's an era of optimism, creativity, freedom. Most important, it feels totally relevant.❞

--Diane von Furstenberg

Walking down the graduation runway

By Jody Marich 

Today I was talking to one of my dear friends, Jill,  about having blogger's block. I told her I just couldn't get out of the funk I have been in. Maybe it's because I am graduating from college and have SO many other things on my mind. Whatever it is/ was she helped me come up with a brilliant idea for anyone who is graduating this December or anytime for that matter.

What to wear to graduation?

First and foremost, I think it depends on what type of school it is. If it is a public, state school or college, the dress code can be a little more lenient. 

Attending Flagler College, a private school, my dress code mandatory. If we don't follow the rules, we don't get to walk:

"DRESS FOR COMMENCEMENT: Men are to wear a dress shirt (preferable white) and tie, dark slacks, and dress shoes. Women are to wear a dress or dark dress slacks/skirt and blouse, and dress shoes. Students not adhering to this dress code, will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Caps and Gowns must be ordered by the graduate with Jostens, Inc. at www.jostens.com or with a Jostens rep on campus on various advertised days . They will be delivered to the college for pickup during Graduation Clearance Week."- Flagler College website.

Remember, always to factor in:

❤weather- check the 10 day forecast to see if it's going to be cold, hot, or rainy, in case you have to make changes.

❤where the ceremony takes place- is it inside or outside? That should always be in the back of your mind when choosing what to wear.

❤what color your gown is - you don't want clothing to show through.

You want to look professional and polished, since you are officially moving into the "real world." Just remember the acronym: KISS - Keep it simple, sexy - I replaced stupid with sexy because this is your day to shine!

With all of this said, here are a few different choices on how to look perfect for you "graduation runway" debut. 

Vintage Graduate by littlemissjojo featuring stiletto heels shoes

I Like to Mauve It Dress
$45 - modcloth.com
Party dresses »

Chic Leatherette Stilettos
$16 - forever21.com
Stiletto heels shoes »

low wedge suede flat
$17 - gojane.com
Rounded toe shoes »

Jessica McClintock Flowers Clutch with Rose
$20 - endless.com
Jessica McClintock clutches »

Vintage Collection Gold Tone Rose Motif Locket Necklace
$32 - 1928.com
Vintage style jewelry »

Tan horseshoe buckle belt
5 GBP - dorothyperkins.com
Tan belt »

Fabulous Former Student by littlemissjojo featuring a peep toe heel

Miso One Shoulder Dress
30 GBP - republic.co.uk
One shoulder dress »

Peep Toe Bow Pump - Teen Clothing by Wet Seal
$30 - wetseal.com
Peep toe heel »

ASOS LUCKY Ballet Flats
$38 - asos.com
Asos shoes »

Faux Patent Wallet
$9.80 - canada.forever21.com
Wallets »

Boma Sterling Silver Diamond Shaped Marcasite Earrings
$48 - amazon.com
Diamond shaped earrings »

$2.99 - scrapbook.com

Polished Professional by littlemissjojo featuring a brown cardigan

Button-Up Basics Cardigan in Brown
$35 - modcloth.com
Brown cardigan »

Pink Pleat Chiffon Neck Top
28 GBP - missselfridge.com
Chiffon tops »

Gap Perfect trouser pants (brown pinstriped)
$60 - gap.com
Pinstripe pants »

Pierre Dumas Women's Cora-1 Pump
$22 - endless.com
Low heel shoes »

Dune Jerica Platform Shoe Boots | Littlewoods.com
1.50 GBP - littlewoods.com
Platform shoe boots »

ASOS Leather Push Lock Purse
$28 - asos.com
Leather bag »

ASOS Pack of Three Floral Embossed Metal Bangles
$17 - asos.com
Metal jewelry »

A Little Sip Necklace
$14 - modcloth.com
Heart jewelry »

With this outfit, you could put the shirt and sweater together or just pick one piece to wear.

Angelic Alumna by littlemissjojo featuring a shift dress

Womens Beige Burn Out Shift Dress - Dresses - desireclothing.co.uk
30 GBP - desireclothing.co.uk
Shift dress »

Monique-4 Nubuck Round Toe Bootie
$24 - urbanog.com
Rounded toe shoes »

ASOS LOTTIE Stud Ballerina
$41 - asos.com
Leather shoes »

Black Feather Clutch Bag
25 GBP - missselfridge.com
Black handbag »

Floral Hair Pins w/ Faux Pearl and Stone
$2.50 - canada.forever21.com
Floral brooch »

Facetted Faux Gem Necklace
$11 - canada.forever21.com
Gemstones jewelry »

72" Pearl Necklace
7.50 GBP - missselfridge.com
Pearl necklace »

For each outfit, I chose a pair of flats and heels. If you wear heels be careful. You want to have something comfortable, so you can walk in them, maybe even do a little practice walk before hand.

These are just some outfits that could work for the big walk but a few things to remember when shopping is:

❤Find something that is versatile- something you can be comfortable in for the ceremony and then take pictures in afterwards, even go out for a celebratory meal in. 

❤Choose a piece or outfit that won't look weird under your gown- you don't want a dress giving you a strange figure (even though the gown usually makes us look like we are wearing a potato sack!)

❤Keep jewelry to a minimum- one or two little pieces works but like I said, keep it simple, there's nothing like getting an earring caught in your tassel or bangles jingling. 

❤Keep your ceremony venue in mind-  you don't want crazy shoes that sink into the grass or uncomfortable fabrics bringing you down. 

❤Remember, this is your big day. It's a day to celebrate with family and friends. Don't wear something that will make you feel uncomfortable around these people. 

With graduation comes a whole new chapter in life. It's a time to celebrate your achievements with the ones you love. The biggest thing to remember is HAVE FUN! This is your day to shine. Walk with pride and be the little superstar that you are. 

Congrats to all that are graduating! I know I'm excited about it!

xo