Thank You (Again)

I mentioned my favorite ways to thank a party host here. I would also like to dedicate a post to expressing my gratitude to my readers. Thank you for reading A Shot Of Style and for showing me such great support in 2011. I appreciate your interest and I look forward to entertaining you in the new year!

Some of my favorite posts from 2011...

{Effortless Ensemble}

This was only my second post featuring my personal fashion choices.

I was still living solo in my studio apartment, so photographing myself was quite a feat!

{Concealer Concessions}

I finally bought the Mac concealer I showcased in this post. It is amazing!

{All that Glitters}

Interior decorating is one of my favorite pastimes.

In this post, I was able to show a little of my own decorating style.

{Jackson}

I had the best vacation ever in breathtaking Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

{Thursday Threads}

This was one of my better ensembles from the Thursday Threads series.

{Lucky}

I think this post did the trick - I had great luck this year!

 

{Bob}

I chic haircut is always inspiring.

{Thursday Threads}

I'm so glad this sparkly top and I found one another!

Happy New Year!

Thursday Threads

We had beautiful weather in Omaha over Christmas, so much so that photographing outside was a breeze! I've had this J.Crew Tangier-print sweater dress for years, but I've only managed to wear it a handful of times. I thought Christmas Day was the perfect opportunity.

{J.Crew dress, cardigan, belt, bracelet, & tights. Xhiliration boots.}

Photographs by Amy Lett Rouse.

Time Sensitive

I mentioned my love of a certain timepiece here. A handsome and thoughtful gentleman surprised me with it for Christmas, and I couldn't have been more pleased or surprised.

{J.Crew cardigan & cords. Merona Grey Oblong Two Tone Scarf.

Gifted earrings & ring. Michael Kors Tortoise Chronograph watch.}

Photograph by Penelope Rouse.

New Year's Evening Gown

It's never been a struggle for me to find something appropriate to wear on New Year's Eve. I love sparkles, which are always stylish on that particular night, but I want to challenge myself to try something unexpected this year. I wouldn't mind the chance to don any of the following this Saturday evening...

{BCBGMAXAZRIA Drape Front Long Dress}

I adore this look - a long dress in a vibrant shade, simple jewelry,

understated clutch, and swept up hair. This is perfection.

{Donna Morgan Belted Chiffon Dress}

I love the soft look and feel of chiffon.

The nude hue adds to the ethereal vibe.

{L'Agence Long Sleeveless Dress}

This is not sequins, but rather a foil knit. Enchanting!

T.J.Maxx

T.J.Maxx has been one of my favorite shopping destinations for many years. I buy most of my picture frames at the resaler and I have had good luck with their kitchen wares, home decor, and apparel. I made quite a few visits the week leading up to Christmas, and it was worth it. Here are a few of the items I picked up recently... 

{Archipelago candle}

{All-Clad Stainless Steel saute pan}

{decorative & comfy pillow}

Thank You

It is the time of year when saying "thank you" to your host is a frequent occurrence. My mom instructed me to always arrive at a friend's fête with a little something in hand. It might be a contribution to the menu, a candle, hand soaps, a houseplant, a kitchen gadget, and so on. A small token of thanks goes a long way. 
  

{Custom Wine Gift Cards}

{Natural Beeswax Candles}

{Six Cheese Knives}



Happy Friday and happy holidays!

Thursday Threads

I have a growing collection of sequined tops. This boatneck-sweater version from J.Crew is a favorite. This photo was taken at the end of a long work day, and I have to say it still looked pretty pulled-together. Sequins are good for that!

{J.Crew sweater & bracelet. Banana Republic trousers. Shelley of London flats.}

Photograph by Penelope Rouse

Style Icons, Part II

I mentioned earlier this week (here) that I have a growing list of style icons who inspire me. Yves Saint Laurent is high on the list. The late Yves Saint Laurent knew how to make a woman look fabulous in his designs and the brand continues to get it right under the direction of Stefano Pilati.  

{Textured Fit-and-Flare Dress}

I was hoping to find a new little black dress for New Year's Eve.

This would do.

{Muse Oversize Leather Tote}

A former employer of mine used to carry this amazing tote.

I drooled over it every day back then, and still.

{Ruched-Sleeve Poplin Blouse & High-Waist Wide-Leg Pants}

I'm intrigued by the high-waist, wide-leg trend in trousers lately.

YSL is right on target with this version.

Gifts with Personality

I like to be as creative as can be about gift giving, without actually having to learn to craft. Here are a few items I would love to gift, and might one day...

{Garnet Hill Family Portrait Pillow Cover}

I'm a sucker for throw pillows. My collection is modest - 4 total - but I'm just getting started!

{Kate Spade New York Sealed With a Kiss Notecard Set}

Personalized stationery is one of my absolute favorite gifts, to give and to receive.

I usually go for monograms, but this works too.

{Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Notes Letter "E" disc charm}

What woman wouldn't want a little something from Tiffany?

Style Icons, Part I

I was asked once on a retail job application to name my top three style icons. My picks at the time - and still - were Gwyneth Paltrow, Yves Saint Laurent, and my mom. I still admire these three above all others, but I've expanded my admiration exponentially since then. Today I want to honor Gwyneth Paltrow.

{Gwyneth Paltrow}

Gwyneth went through a period a few years ago when she wore very fitted pants,

tailored blazers, sky high heels, and a chic long bob. I was obsessed.

This image reminds me of that time and inspires me to pull together a similar look.

{At the world premier of Iron Man 2}

Who else could pull of this combination of fitted blazer, short shorts, and gladiator heels?

{At the Valentino: The Last Emperor event}

Gwyneth is always understated. She wears the clothes, not vice versa.

And she always accessorizes with amazing heels.

Photographs courtesy of IMDB.com

Finally

Finals are done and I am on leave from classes until January! The relief I feel is palpable. In celebration of the holidays and the mental break, I am going to do the following...

1. Sleep in. 
2. Drink a good bottle of wine (i.e. a bottle that costs more than $4!) with someone special.
3. Finally read the December issue of Vanity Fair, which my mom gave me weeks ago!

{Vanity Fair}

4. Go ice skating at this outdoor rink.
5.Spend time with my family and friends, sans laptop, notebooks, and texts.

Happy Friday!

 

Thursday Threads

It's been drizzly and cool for a few days, encouraging me to cozy up in warm layers. I love argyle, and I have quite the collection in socks, but I rarely wear this pullover sweater. Paired with my favorite blazer (it has a ruffled collar and cuffs!), it made a gloomy day a bit brighter.

{J.Crew sweater & blazer. Merona tank. Urban Outfitters

BDG jeans. Xhiliration boots. Vintage cuff.}

Case in Point

Laptop cases have become an extension of the wardrobe, thanks to lots of chic designs by some of my favorites. I purchased a Marc by Marc Jacobs laptop case when I started graduate school, almost a year ago. It's held up well, and I'm not really in the market, but it's always fun to look...

{Kate Spade New York Laptop Sleeve}

I love Kate Spade's designs for everything! They are always fun and smart.

 

{Marc by Marc Jacobs Neoprene 15" Computer Case}

Marc Jacobs is tops in my opinion. I love his use of chartreuse!

{Rebecca Minkoff Snake-Print Leather Laptop Case}

I'm a sucker for leather, and why not try a fun print?

Suits My Style

I recently promised myself a new suit if I accomplished a certain goal. Having succeeded, I am on the hunt! I've mentioned my love of suiting a couple times (here and here), but have yet to own anything other than separates. That's all about to change...
 

{Banana Republic Navy lightweight wool suit}

A navy suit intrigues me.

It's still refined and professional, but without resorting to black.

{J.Crew Super 120s}

I appreciate all-season suiting.

I already have quite a few separates in this material

and it's amazing!

{Ann Taylor Oslo Broken Twill Tweed}

Tweed is fabulous!

Persuasion

I finally made it through Jane Austen's Persuasion after several failed attempts. It is not a tale that grabbed my attention from the onset. Rather, the story of Anne Elliot's quiet existence and the long lost romance that still consumes her unfolded for three or four slow chapters before I was hooked. Presumably, Austen wanted to provide her readers with a sense of the regret, restraint, and solitude of the heroine before offering any glimpse of hope.

At 19, Anne Elliot declined the offer of marriage proposed by Frederick Wentworth, a man she highly regarded. At 27, she still regrets the decision she was persuaded to make by the sentiments of her family. It is at this point in her story that the novel opens, and not too long after this point that Wentworth reenters her life.  

I disagreed with the title of the novel until the final chapter. I did not understand what the "persuasion" signified. When explaining her decision of many years earlier, Anne insists, "...the case is so different, and my age so different. If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded, I thought it was to duty... ."

Wentworth defines their combined happiness eloquently when he tells Anne, "'I have been used to the gratification of believing myself to earn every blessing that I enjoyed. I have valued myself on honourable toils and just rewards. Like other great men under reverses,' he added, with a smile. 'I must endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune. I must learn to brook being happier than I deserve.'"
 

{Persuasion}



Winter

I've lived my whole life in Nebraska, so I'm accustomed to all four seasons. When the snow starts to fall, the days become cloudy, and I have to bundle up for each trip outside, it starts to affect my mood. I cling to the image of blue skies and green grass until April rolls around and Winter finally relents. In the meantime, I like to find ways to beat the winter blues and take advantage of all the snow and ice we get here on the prairie. A few of my favorite things about the approaching season...

{J.Crew MacAlister shearling wedge boots}

Cute boots to keep toes warm on the coldest days!

{Hot chocolate to warm the soul.}

I'm a coffee drinker in the morning,

but when afternoon rolls around I switch to something sweeter!

{L.L. Bean Flexible Flyer Sled}

I don't sled as often as I used to as I kid, but I still love it every once in while.

I had a Flexible Flyer just like this one, and true to its name it could fly!

Happy Friday!

Thursday Threads

My mom and I headed up to Minnesota last weekend to visit my little sister at St. Olaf College and to see her boyfriend perform in the St. Olaf choir. I knew the choir was well respected and quite prestigious, but I had no idea what an important part of the school and the community the choir really is until I sat in the audience watching and listening for more than two hours as roughly 600 choir members harmonized their way through a televised production of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival.

The crowd, a large portion of which were of Norwegian heritage, were absolutely silent during each song, saving their coughs and comments for the brief period between hymns and carols. A few pieces were song in Norwegian and a traditional Scandinavian fiddler accompanied one performance. The St. Olaf Orchestra played alongside their choir counterparts, and their contribution was no less phenomenal.

As for the fashion, I heard "performance" and "evening" and immediately thought of sequins! As it turns out, I was vastly overdressed, but when has that ever stopped me?! I found a Vince top at Fashion Avenue, a consignment store in Edina, earlier in the day and paired it with my Raoul trousers (seen here). When I travel I don't usually take any jewelry. In this instance, I really didn't need it.   

{Vince top. Raoul trousers.}

Photographs by Amy Lett Rouse.

Gift Exchange

A few years ago, my parents suggested the family switch to a gift exchange format for doling out presents on Christmas. I was resistant at first, because who doesn't like getting a little something from everyone in the family? But I quickly acclimated, mostly due to the laughable balance in my bank account. I enjoy the ease and economy of buying one gift, and I also like the challenge of finding something special for my pick. This year I got my little sister Penelope. I can't say here what I have already purchased for her (she's an avid reader of my blog), but I can say it's amazing! She, coincidentally, has me for the gift exchange. If she's smart, she knows where to go to find out what kinds of things I like. A Shot Of Style is kind of like a year-long Christmas list. And so, a few things I wouldn't mind having that meet our $100 budget...
 

{Lovely Eau De Parfum by Sarah Jessica Parker}

I've been wearing SJP's Lovely since college.

True to its name, it's the most lovely and delightful scent!

{J.Crew Vintage pajama set}

I have been meaning to add a little class to bedtime,

as I mentioned here. This pajama set would certainly help.

{Dayna Decker White Tuberose Chandel}

This candle contains gardenia and jasmine,

among other fragrances, two of my favorite scents.

{J.Crew Cashmere-lined leather gloves}

These gloves are warm, stylish, and available in a variety of colors!