Happy New Year!

As I watch the snow fly this morning and reflect on an amazing 2012 and prepare to usher in the promise of 2013, I wanted to take a minute and thank all of you for your amazing support this year.  Launching All Dolled Up has been one of the highlights of my year and none of it would have been possible without each and every single one of you.  So thank you for your feedback, your support, your encouragement, and for taking the time to visit my site every day.  You are all appreciated more than you know. 

And so, on this last day of 2012, I thought I might leave with you some of my favortie shots from the first year of All Dolled Up.  My year review in fashion, if you will…

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Wishing you all a happy, happy new year.  May 2013 bring much joy, love, and happiness to your lives!  Have a wonderful celebration and know that I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you in the new year!

xx

P.S. I will be back Wednesday with regular oufits posts as usual…

Merry Christmas!

Today marks my very favorite day of the year. I love the anticipation of Christmas morning, the time with family and friends, the amazing food, church by candlelight, the reading of the Christmas story, Christmas music and movies, and the joy and excitement that fill the air. So from my family to yours, Merry, Merry Christmas to you. I hope your celebrations are filled with much love and happiness surrounded by those that mean the most…

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With Much Love,

Abby, Justin, Chloe, and Charlie

xx

FPF: Ode To Colored Skinnies

J and I are heading to Montana to spend the holiday with family and I am so excited I can hardly stand it.  However, I have to get through packing first-which is never an easy task for me.  With the amount I travel for work, you would think it would be a piece of cake.  But for whatever reason, it just doesn’t come easily to me.  And so, in an effort to garner some inspiration, I thought it might be helpful to take a look back at some of my favorite outfits created with colored skinnies…

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There is so much to be thankful for and so many things to look forward to over the next few days-it really is the most wonderful time of the year.    Wishing you all a fabulous weekend.

xx

Gift Ideas Under $100

Gift Ideas Under $100
Alright all you procrastinators!  😉  Today I bring to you the final installment of my Gift Picks with items under $100.  Hopefully you will find some inspiration among these ideas as you finish up that last minute shopping.
Happy Hump Day, and good luck!
xx

Let It Snow…

The snow is falling here in the SLC and even though I have enjoyed our warmer-than-normal temperatures this year, I am more than ready for it. With Christmas just around the corner, it wouldn’t feel right if everything wasn’t blanketed in a gorgeous layer of snow. Plus, I am ready to start wearing my winter coats!! I wrote this post a couple of weeks ago about investing in a colored coat this year, and of course black is classic and always a must. But I have also found that a camel coat is a fantastic piece to add to your wardrobe. It tends to be a little more casual and looks great with boots and sweaters, but can still be dressed up for any occasion.  I purchased mine on a whim at Forever21 last year while I was living in SF, and I still can’t get over how often I wear it…

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20121217-231422.jpgInstagram Filter:  Earlybird

Camel Peatcoat:  Forever21, similar, similar, similar

Green Sweater:  Gap

Plaid Button Down:  JCrew

Jenas:  AE Hi-Rise Super Skinny

Watch:  Michael Kors

Bag:  Anne Klein

Boots:  Vince Camuto

I love that this outfit is festive without being too overdone.  I think it’s perfectly acceptable (and even encouraged!) to wear red and green during the Christmas season.  My only word of advice is not to pair the colors too literally.  My green sweater is more of a spring green than a Christmas green, and my red button down has a lot of navy in it, balancing the two.  So while it’s still a red and green combo,  it doesn’t feel forced or make me look like a Christmas tree.

And don’t forget to come back tomorrow for my final Gift Pick installment of the season!!  I will be sharing my finds for under $100-perfect for all you last minute shoppers out there!

xx

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree…

I love attending Christmas parties. The festivities and spreading of cheer create such a palpable joy in the air and there is so much to celebrate and be thankful for. But I also love Christmas parties because they give me the perfect excuse to wear…SEQUINS!! And while I think sequins are acceptable all year round, there is just something that makes them extra special during the holiday season…

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Instagram Filter:  Walden

Striped Buttondown:  JCrew, similar

Sequin Skirt:  American Rag  for Macy’s (check in store), similar, similar, similar

Leopard Belt:  Express

Tights:  Hue

Jeweled Earrings:  INC for Macy’s (check in store!), similar

Monogram Necklace:  Keti Sorely Designs

Watch:  Michael Kors

Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co.

Pumps:  Nine West

J and I attended a White Elephant party this weekend and had a fabulous time.  It was nice to share an evening of laughter with friends that are very dear to us.  With the unimaginable events that unfolded in Newtown, CT on Friday, I am reminded more than ever this holiday season to be grateful for the abundant blessings in my life and to hold to tightly to the ones I love.  My heart and thoughts and prayers are with the heroes and angels who lost their precious lives that day, and also with all of those who survived or have been touched in one way or another by this horrendous tragedy.

   God bless you Newtown, Connecticut.

xx

Gift Ideas Under $50

Gift Ideas Under $50
 
 
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For some reason, the extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year has really thrown me for a loop.  But I’m finally feeling back on track and think it’s safe to say that it feels like Christmas. Hooray!!!  In fact, I am counting down the minutes and seconds until the weekend officially hits.  J and I have so many fun things planned-from last minute Christmas shopping, to cocktails downtown to take in the city Christmas lights, to a Whie Elephant Christmas party with friends.  And I might even decide to eat Christmas cookies for breakfast (stranger things have happened!).  So if part of your weekend involves last minute Christmas shopping (like ours does), hopefully these gift picks under $50 will help to make your shopping adventure a little easier!
 
Good luck braving those crowds!!
 
xx 

Another Day, Another Dot

I write a lot about mixing prints, but another fun fashion trend to try is mixing the same prints together. And really, it’s a pretty simple thing to do. All you have to do is make sure one is larger than the other, and that the colors compliment each other. You can also check out a post I did on mixing stripes here.

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Instagram Filter:  Amaro

White Polka Dot Button-Down:  JCrew

Navy Polk Dot Sweater:  JCrew

Black Skinnies:  American Eagle Hi-Rise Super Skinny

Watch:  Michael Kors

Bag:  Anne Klein, similar

Shoes:  Jessica Simpson Waleo

I didn’t intend to do so many posts with polka dots this week, but unwittingly, that seems to be what has happened.  But the good news is, tomorrow’s post will be polka dot free.  So please make sure to stop by and check out my favorite gift picks under $50.  Only 12 more shopping days until Christmas!!!

xx

 

Afro Circus

Whenever I put on polka dots, which seems to be pretty frequent these days, the Afro Circus song from Madagascar always seems to pop into my head. And if you’ve ever heard that song before, you’ll understand why I think it’s safe to say I’m as crazy about polka dots as Chris Rock.

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20121210-230021.jpgInstagram Filter:  Hudson

Chambray Shirt:  American Eagle, similar

Long Sleeved Stripe Shirt:  Macy’s, similar

Black Vest:  Old Navy, similar

Black Skinnies:  American Eagle Hi-Rise Skinny

Pearl Necklace:  JCrew

Polka Dot Gloves:  Target

Boots:  Aldo Farmar, similar

I’ve always been a glove girl.  But when I was doing some Christmas shopping  at Target a couple of weeks ago and spotted these adorable polka dot mittens, I knew I needed to give them a try.  And boy am I glad that I did!  Not only are they incredibly comfy and cozy, but their sherpa lining kept my hands surprisingly warm at J’s final Cross race of the season on Saturday.  Which also proved to be a very snowy and blustery day.  I think it’s finally safe to say that winter has officially arrived in the SLC!!

xx

Mix Master

I saw a segment on Good Morning America last week about mixing prints and it left me feeling totally and completely confused. And in addition to feeling confused about the general purpose of the message, it also left me feeling sad because mixing prints can be oh-so-fun and easy too. If you just stick to a few basic rules, mixing prints is something anyone can do!

So with that said, if it’s your first time mixing prints or you consider yourself a beginner, try starting off with just two. Polka dots and stripes are a great compliment to each other and a simple place to start. Also consider the ground color of each print. A black base goes well back to a print with a white or brighter base, and smaller prints go well with larger prints. Contrast that complements, if you will.  And if you are feeling unsure about mixing colors, a concoction of simple black and white always does the trick…

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Instagram Filter:  Lo-Fi

Blazer:  H&M, similar, similar

Striped Top:  BarIII, similar, similar

Polka Dot Skirt:  Cotton On, similar, similar, similar 

Leggings:  American Apparel

Leopard Belt:  Express

Chain Necklace:  Macy’s, similar, similar

Rhinestone Necklace:  JCrew

Silver Bracelets:  Tiffany and Co.

Gold Bracelets:  Aldo

Gold Watch:  Michael Kors

Boots:  BCBG, similar

Leopard is another easy print to mix.  In fact, I consider leopard to be somewhat of a neutral and find it goes back to just about anything-especially polka dots and stripes.  And of course because I have a hard time going without any color, I paired this look with a bold burgundy lip to add that little extra pop.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

xx