11 in 2011

    Here are eleven of my favorite photographs that I took in 2011. I tried to choose the pictures that best reflected the experience I was going through when the snapshot was taken. There's a lot of work to be done in 2012, but hopefully I'll have just as many stories to share next year. To see "10 in 2010" (for a quick comparison), click here.

Random Snapshots

     My friend Dave (photographed here) had quite an insight about photography as we were walking on campus. He said his favorite thing about photography was the ability to capture a moment to relive it forever. Ok, so maybe that isn't the most groundbreaking sentiment, but coming from someone who doesn't have a clue about cameras it was nice to hear. I love the idea that photographs don't necessarily have to contain some great event in order to be meaningful. Each of these pictures, some new, some old, instantly transport me back to the event that was taking place. These are the kinds of family pictures that I want my kids to cherish, not anything that could end up on Bad Paid-for Photos.

Out of my Shell

Turtleneck, J. Crew. Coat, Old Navy. Necklace, Ann Taylor. Cords, Delia's. Flats, Land's End. Watch, Timex. Pictures by Reid.

     Maybe it's just a childhood holdover, but I definitely didn't think that I was going to be able to stand wearing a turtleneck. Boy, was I wrong. I found this gem on deep,deep discount at my local J. Crew (as discussed in my haul video) and now I'm even considering going back for a few more. Turtlenecks seem like such a good way to insert a little dash of color into my otherwise pretty neutral wardrobe. Luckily, I've been gravitating towards pieces with more color on my shopping ventures lately. 

     I think that a turtleneck and cords could easily become one of my "go-to" outfits during the winter. What do you turn to when the temperatures drop?

My First Video! Shopping/ Christmas Haul

(I swear I'm not demonic, the previews on these are never flattering).

   
    After logging countless hours on Lauren's YouTube channel, I decided that I wanted to do a short (well...you saw how that turned out) video showing my recent acquisitions. I know it isn't the cleanest cut video, but I left my Flip camera in my dorm room!
      As I've gotten older, pretty much all that I ask for as presents for Christmas is clothing, something to help me with photography, or books. This Christmas was no exception, only I didn't have anything that I needed desperately for my camera. Hopefully you enjoyed this video on my recent shopping (and present) "haul". (Say that word over and over again...doesn't seem real anymore!)
     I talk about a few links in my video that I wanted to make sure everyone sees if they want to: Delightful Day After items and Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections blog.

Delightful Day After

Dress, J. Crew. Sweater and bracelet with square charms, Ann Taylor. Tights and Timex watch, Target. Colorful striped Idiom Bangle from Kate Spade. Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse. "Color Craze" shoes from JCPenney.

     My habit of picking up pretty much anything that sparkles isn't helped by the stores pedaling New Year's Eve party appropriate attire: nail polish, jewelry, shirts, anything really, as long as it has a little glitter. Although the day after Christmas is usually a pretty depressing day for me, I found that I am looking forward to the potential of 2012 enough to not the twenty sixth be a dreaded number. I put on a few of my favorite things to wear (that J. Crew dress was the best $50 I ever spent) and picked up a few new things on the way (Sparkly flats while last minute gift shopping? New jewelry from Reid for Christmas? Check!). Now to just make sure my magpie tendencies don't prevent me from making some online purchases on things that I've been lusting after!

Christmas Comforts

Skirt, shirt, and belt, vintage. Cardigan, Walmart sidewalk sale. Shoes, Coach.

     Although I hope to be able to pull this skirt off during times other than the holidays, I figured Christmas was the best time to showcase a red plaid skirt with green accents. I've certainly gotten a lot of wear out of the pleated beauty since stumbling upon it at the Goodwill setup at a local market. For winter, longer skirts have certainly become a staple. I love the movement they give!

    I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays as much as I have been. Getting a chance to just do things that I love without schoolwork looming over my head is always blissful. These pictures were taken at one of my favorite places in the world: the street next to my grandmother's house. Every Christmas Eve, my mom's side of the family gathers for dinner and exchanging gifts and in case you can't tell by the pictures, it makes me quite a merry lass (appropriate term given the kilt like nature of my skirt).

    We have so many little things that my grandmother has made traditions, including the beautiful candles she lights every year:

     I of course have to show off at least one family member. My mother is always so stylishly dressed! When we can, we love to shop together. Here, she's wearing some purchases from our last shopping trip. I love helping her style outfits.

Earrings and Sweater, both Francesca's Collections.

     Hopefully, everyone will be having too good of a time to see this on Christmas but if not maybe this post is being read on a new laptop? Whatever the case, joy to all. Merry Christmas!

P.S.- I know that I said I'd be posting again on the 26th, but I just had to share. I don't think it counts against me as much if I've scheduled a post instead of actually writing it on Christmas!

Rainy Day Rules (and Merry Christmas Eve!)

Sweater and headband, J. Crew. Dress, really old Forever 21. Bag, vintage Dooney & Bourke. Tights, Target. Boots, Kelsi Dagger.

     Before finding a pair of affordable rain boots that I liked (if I had it my way, I'd be donning these babies through the rainier months), I only had one rule when it came to rainy wearer dressing: never EVER wear jeans when it's raining. It's pretty simple logic. Although tights might be a little bit chillier than my typical pair of skinny jeans, it was worth the chill while slogging through the puddles of my high school parking lot not to have to suffer through the dreaded water seeping halfway up my calf. Although I can gleefully splash along to my college classes in denim because of my caving into the rain boot trend (seriously, what's with college ladies and rain boots?), I never quite got over my habit of slipping into something a little girlier on the dreariest of days. My day might have been made by my candlelit lunch on Thursday, but that certainly didn't make the weather any sunnier. Heck, I would even take just something more seasonally appropriate than in the sixties and raining for the winter solstice.

     Although I might be dreaming of a white Christmas tonight, I'd definitely settle for just weather in the thirties. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas that is celebrating, and I'll post again on the 26th!

New Traditions

Outfit details will be posted tomorrow!

     I'm not sure what springs to mind when most people think of the word "romance", but according to my friend, Chris, the candlelit lunch of ChickFilA that Reid and I shared is the ultimate example. I've been hankering to take some pictures of tea lights for quite some time, so when Reid randomly suggested a "picnic" of one of my all time favorite meals (that's a number five, eight count,with a Dr. Pepper, if you were wondering), I quickly agreed. From picking out the candles to the copious amount of How I Met Your Mother that we watched afterwards, I had a complete blast. I would definitely say this is a new tradition in the making. What are some of your traditions, or new things that you hope become traditions?

The Civil Wars Fall Tour 2011

     Although the original date of The Civil Wars concert was back in October, the postponement was a blessing in disguise. Amidst all of my looming portfolio turn in dates during finals week, I was delighted to escape campus to see one of my favorite musical groups (sound like a bit of a big word for two people) of all time. The best word to describe the music of The Civil Wars is haunting. It is my firm belief that the sound they produce is timeless, classic, and would probably produce a black and white image. They've gained quite a bit of buzz (and that's not including their two Grammy nominations), and I'm glad that I can say that I have seen them. Check out their website to fully experience their music (after all, I can't exactly describe it with the flare of a music critic) and even get a few free downloads!