Welcome 2013!

On January 2, 2013January 2, 2013 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I must say that the beginning of January is always a mixed bag of emotions for me. On one hand I am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of a new year and the promise of adventure that it brings, but on the other, I am always sad to say goodbye to the most wonderful time of the year. Funny how that works, isn’t it?

J and I had an amazing Christmas in Montana this year and feel incredibly blessed to have had the chance to spend ample time with family and friends. We hadn’t spent Christmas with my family since 2009 so it was a welcome opportunity to gather everyone together to celebrate. Plus, as an added bonus, I always love to wear sequins, and the holidays present the perfect excuse to do just that! Not that you ever really need an excuse to wear sequins!

Instagram Filter: Earlybird

Heart Silk Blouse: JCrew (sold out) similar, similar; Sequin Skirt: American Rag ; Belt: Merona; Leggings: American Apparel; Drop Earrings: INC for Macy’s (only black available); Gold Charm Bracelet: Juicy Couture via Nordstrom Rack; Gold watch: Michael Kors; Silver Bracelets: Tiffany and Co.; Diamond Cocktail Ring: Gift; Boots: Aldo Farmar (last year) similar, similar

I must say that one of the things I am looking forward to the most this year is writing more blog posts and sharing outfit ideas and tips with all of you. Thank you so much again for your continued support and encouragement. I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday season.

Cheers to 2013!

Happy New Year!

On December 31, 2012 By all dolled upIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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…

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!

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

Merry Christmas!

On December 24, 2012December 24, 2012 By all dolled upIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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…

With Much Love,

Abby, Justin, Chloe, and Charlie

Gift Ideas Under $100

On December 19, 2012December 19, 2012 By all dolled upIn Uncategorized2 Comments

1. Prada Candy Perfume 2. Hunter Rain Boots (use code HOLIDAY20 for 20% off your purchase) 3. Restoration Hardware Faux Fur Throw 4. Juicy Couture Faux Fur Scarf 5. Anne Klein Charm Bracelet Watch 6. Ideology Yoga Top 7. Urban Decay Eye Palette 8. JCrew Glitter Clutch 9. Kate Spade Bow Bracelet 10. Agate Coasters

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!

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree…

On December 17, 2012December 17, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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…

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.

Gift Ideas Under $50

On December 14, 2012December 14, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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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!!

Another Day, Another Dot

On December 13, 2012December 13, 2012 By all dolled upIn Outfit Ideas, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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.

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!!!

Holiday Gift Ideas Under $30

On December 6, 2012December 6, 2012 By all dolled upIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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‘Tis the season. And with it comes an abundance of giving and receiving. But fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to give a gift that delights. And so, today I bring to you my top gift picks under $30. I mean really, how can you beat these prices? And next week I will be back with my top picks under $50. Hope you all are having a fabulous week!

Happy shopping!!!!

Thankful…

On November 22, 2012November 22, 2012 By all dolled upIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. A day filled with good food, family, and friends, and a time to pause and reflect on all of the blessings we have in our lives. This year, I am of course incredibly thankful for many things, but one thing is new on my list this year. And that is all of YOU. Starting a blog has been such an amazing adventure, and it would not be possible for me to be able to do this without all of you-my fabulous readers. So thank you for your support, your feedback, and your encouragement over the last couple of months-it has meant the world to me. And as I count my blessings this Thanksgiving, please know that you all are right at the top of my list. THANK YOU.

I started off my day today by running the Cottonwood Heights Thanksgiving 5k. It was a gorgeous morning and 2,000 people showed up for the event! J couldn’t run with me this year because he is still healing from a broken ankle, but he and the pups cheered me on from the sidelines. And little Charlie even ran the last 1/2 mile with me! And while it was fun to bust out my Indian costume and run, it wasn’t quite as fun without my other half. So I thought I would leave you all with a photo of J and I last year after our turkey trot in Golden Gate Park.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Take Two

On November 20, 2012November 20, 2012 By all dolled upIn Uncategorized1 Comment

I wanted to try a little experiment with you guys this week and show you one piece styled two different ways in back-to-back posts. So that means you get to see my polka dot sweater again today. And I swear it’s not just an excuse for me to talk about polka dots again-really. 😉

Styling one piece multiple ways can sometimes seem daunting-but it doesn’t have to be that way. To come up with the look in today’s post, I only changed out three items from yesterday’s outfit resulting in a totally revamped look. By trading my gingham shirt for a gray tank, adding my favorite army surplus jacket, and changing my shoes from a patent to a cognac suede wedge, my little polka dot sweater went from dressed up and sweet, to laid back and casual. Easy as one, two, three!

Instagram Filter: X-Pro II

Polka Dot Sweater: Forever21

Grey Tank: H&M (basics line)

Surplus Jacket: Forever21, similar, similar

Jeans: Gap

Heart Pendant: Tiffany and Co.

Long Necklace: Personal Collection of Charms

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets: Tiffany and Co.

Neon Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC

Aviators: Smith Serpico

Suede Wedges: Aldo Zingg (on sale!!)

There are really a lot of different outfits I could make with this sweater. In fact, I am already plotting when I can wear it tucked into a mustard skirt with tights and boots (and maybe even a skinny leopard belt for good measure). I would also love to pair it back to colorful skinny jeans-I’m thinking maybe pink. But regardless, it’s always a fun challenge to look around your closet and create new outfits with pieces you already own. You don’t always have to buy something new to make yourself look and feel like new!