2011 Fashion Year in Review

Here's a look back at my favorite outfits for each month of 2011!

January

                                                                           February

                                                                          March

                                                                             April
                                                    (voted as Fabsugar Look of the Week)

                                                                          May

                                                                            June

                                                                           July

                                                                          August

                                                                       September

October

November

December



My Favorite Christmas Presents

Here are a few gifts I received for Christmas that I really love!

From my husband...

                                                                    Missoni Scarf

He remembered that I mentioned liking Missoni scarves!

Betsey Johnson "Bowtiful" Sequin Clutch  

                               This bag was sold out everywhere, I am still in shock that he found it!

From Dad (money gift)...

Nine West Studded Bow Heels

From Mom...

                                                              Christmas Tea Set!
                            I loved tea sets as a child! She remembered and go me a grown-up version!

What are some of your favorite gifts this year?

Dyker Heights Lights!

This is the outfit I wore to see the Christmas displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn!

Vest: NY & Company

Shirt: Passport

Bag: Etienne Aigner

Leggings: One Step Up

Boots: Old Navy

And now...the Christmas displays!

Non-Ugly Christmas Sweater

The "Christmas sweater"  has gotten a really bad rap! For good reason too. Some are downright crazy. There are even Christmas Sweater parties where you can wear some ugly sweaters and prizes for the "worst" one! Sounds fun to me! You can even buy ugly sweaters online here.

The one I'm wearing is more toned down.

Sweater: Sonoma Lifestyle Petite

Another cute option (on sale) by Old Navy...



Do you love to hate ugly Christmas sweaters?

Back with a Shopping Recap

I have a little shopping haul to share!

I have been loving these body washes from Philosophy. They're called The Gingerbread Girl and smell like gingerbread cookies with a touch of citrus. Yum. I bought a few of these.

I buy smaller bags a lot during the Holidays because they're fun to use when I go out.

This doubles as a clutch since it has a removable shoulder strap!

The always stylish Monroe wears the heck out of this coat!

So when I saw it on clearance at Marshall's I said why not? It's too fabulous to pass up.

Last minute gift idea: Diffuser rod sets! I bought this for only 5 dollars at Marshall's. Great hostess/teacher gift and so beautfiuly packaged!

Macy's Windows

Computer is still down, but here are some pics from my recent visit to the Macy's windows on 34th Street. My husband and I try to see them every year. This theme this year was the Make a Wish foundation. And those exquisite marionette puppets were so life-like and were moving the whole time. Just beautiful.

Thrifty Business and Bows for Belts

A couple of my latest thrift store finds...

Charter Club wool blazer

$1.50!

Orig. $4.99 but there was a sale.

This is a leather jacket! 

$9.99

The condition was mint!

Brand is Danier and when I looked it up I saw the retail for several hundred!
Yeah man, I got a deal.

How adorable is this belt??
H & M
$9.99
I kept thinking Lady Gaga with this belt, but she wore a hair bow, not a belt bow!
I knew I would regret it if I didn't buy it. It's big, it's a bow, but it's sooo fun!

It looks really good with basics and perfect to reinvent an LBD for Christmas!

Quick Philosophy Candy Cane Review

 
I have always loved The Body Shop's Peppermint Foot Lotion and have used it for years. But this could replace it. This is the second Philosophy product I am using lately.  The first was Philosophy Gingerbread Girl Body wash which I love! The Candy Cane lotion literally smells like a crushed, minty, candy cane! It is so thick and creamy. I have that huge bottle so it will last me some time. You can use it on your entire body, but I used it on my feet and it really softened the skin.

Christmas Shopping Rules plus Johnny Weir

I was buying gifts for my husband and was distracted by these items! Are you naughty like me and buy stuff for yourself when you are shopping for others? Isn't that the rule of Christmas shopping?

Old Navy Shirt

There was one that says, "I've Been Nice". But that's no fun.

Madison 88 Infinity scarf
Marshall's

Pink is flattering on everybody. Especially fuschia! 

A little pink is all you need near your face...instant glowing complexion!

Old Navy Hat

I needed a knit cap since my hats are fancier wool diva hats with big rims.

Old Navy Hat

Ok, this looks like a small bear is sleeping on your head! Or a Tina Turner wig!  Maybe both.
But I think it's so fashion forward! I've wanted an obnoxious (faux) fur hat ever since I saw Johnny Weir rocking one in his Bluefly Closet Confessions. When I bought this, the saleswoman said "That'll keep you warm." True, but I bought it more for fashion!

Wow, this does look pretty wild. But I love it!! Half bear, half Tina. 

Makes me wanna sing actually. Like I need an excuse.



Btw, Heeeere's Johnny! You know I had to post his Confessions video after mentioning it! This is the shorter version, but you will see his fur hat! He's so fun! He's the gay, male, figure skating version of Betsey Johnson.

 

Christmas Stocking Make-up Haul

When I was younger, my parents would get me presents, but then my mom would fill my Christmas stocking with make-up, candy and neat little things. It was so stuffed she wouldn't even hang it or it would fall; she just placed it on a shelf.

I went to a Rite Aid that was closing and they were having a 50 percent off sale on the entire store! The shelves was pretty cleared out but there was a lot of make-up. My mom was so sweet to buy me these items as stocking stuffers even though I am in my 30's! She's so cute.

Here's a list of what I chose for my grown-up "stocking"!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Red Zin
Essie Nail Lacquer in Miami Nice
Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Delish
Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Heavenly
Revlon Color Burst in Cherry Ice
Revlon Lipgloss in Fuschia
Revlon Lip Color Riche LeGloss in Clear
Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powder
Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in Pink

It's a Man's World...

Not! But we can let them think it is this Christmas.

More Paul Smith...

Hey what's all this guy stuff doing here? I just wanted to share some men's gift ideas and I needed an excuse to post a picture of Orlando Bloom!

A tie gets a major upgrade with a designer label, my favorite cologne on guys is Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme (college flashback), I love Gap jeans and cashmere scarves, fair isle sweaters and every guy needs a good pair of leather gloves even if he acts like he's not cold!

Cover Girl Lip Perfection

Cover Girl Lip Perfection in 335 Embrace

My new love!

Hey, just today I was asked to write down the brand/shade of lipstick I was wearing! The first time that  happened  I was wearing MAC's Ruby Woo. Today I wore Revlon Colorburst in Fuschia!



Revlon Colorburst in Fuschia


I love sharing my lipstick favs with anyone who is interested and here is my latest find! I think I love lipstick so much because it's a budget friendly approach to make-up. When I didn't have much money to spend on eyeshadow, blush etc, I found that if I bought a couple of lipsticks in some striking shades I could get away with that and some black eyeliner. That's still a favorite look for me :)

So here's the question...Is there a way to wear a deep plum lipstick without looking like Lady Gaga or even worse...Barney? The answer is now yes! Think more plum than grape and you can nail this look with this amazing lipstick I just purchased.

I never was a hug fan of Cover Girl lipsticks. I always thought they were a bit drying with limited color options and color payoff. But this Cover Girl Lip Perfection line has changed my mind. Drugstore lipsticks are really stepping up their game lately! I chose the color seen above which is 335 Embrace. It's very wearable and moisturizing. Looks purple in the tube, plum on the lips. If you opt for more neutral colors, check out the other shades available in this line. You will be pleasantly surprised.