New year, new blogified resolutions

Many people don’t think much of New Year’s Resolutions, but I love them. What better time to sit back, reflect on the year behind you and get excited about the year ahead?

As a new blogger, I thought the New Year would be a great opportunity to reflect on my goals for blogging in the coming year. 

1. Write, write, write: I would like to continue including more thought-provoking topics that provide rich opportunities for writing, such as I did when I discussed Alexa Chung's thrifting endeavor. Writing challenges me in a way nothing else does, and is a wonderful creative outlet. I do worry that my personal style blog will somehow evolve into a journal, which I am looking to avoid. Hopefully if I keep my focus on fashion and style, this won't happen.
2. Increase my followers: Through the IFB Network, I've learned that one way to increase followers is to shamelessly promote my blog through their site. I've been participating more in their forums, putting in friend requests to other bloggers that inspire me, and submitting my work on my profile page. I am up to nine followers now (yay!), all of whom I am deeply appreciative of. My short-term goal is to reach 50 followers.
3. Make more connections: There are so many fashion and style bloggers who have galvanzed me to start my own blog. Reaching out to them by commenting on their recent posts is an easy way to show my appreciation and hopefully, make some kind of connection. I'm learning that the blogging world is largely based on personal connections, and I'd like to be a part of it.
4. Quit comparing myself to other bloggers: This is the most challenging resolution I'm setting. I follow so many style blogs, all of which seem much more professional and well, stylish than mine. The authors have thousands of followers. They are confident and glamorous in their photos. They have sponsors. They write beautifully, and their advice is astute. While working on my goals, I'm going to try not to compare myself to other bloggers. I'm new, and I have a lot to learn. I'll get there with time and hard work.
5. I will set tangible, short-term goals for my blog: Breaking down goals for the month are an easy way to feel I've achieved something when I meet them. For example, this month I put myself on a no-jean challenge. It was wonderful because it inspired me to wear things I normally steer away from, such as skirts and dresses. However, I didn't post often enough about this challenge. If I had limited it over the course of a week, I would've have become distracted by other topics. A short-term, strictly focused goal is easier to focus on.

I'm curious - what your goals are for this upcoming year? How do you plan to carry them out?

Loft cardigan; J Crew button-down; Gap chinos;ancient Naturilizer ballet flats; diamond cross necklace

I'd be lying

I both love and abhor this time of year.  Between shopping for gifts, attending school performances, decorating the house and planning for my husband's holiday office parties, I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions. And the pressure! With commercials egging you on with their smug proclamations that "Christmas only comes once a year!", neighbors who put up their lights after Halloween and the incessant ringing of Christmas music, it can all be a bit much. I always feel an undercurrent of competition during the holidays. Maybe it's due to the the never-ending message that we need to buy the perfect (insert random item here) and have the perfect Christmas experience to prove our love. It's kind of ridiculous. I completely understand why so many Americans fall into a funk when the holidays are over. There has to be some link between seasonal depression and the conclusion of six weeks of competitive decorating, shopping, entertaining and eating.

It was with this mindset that I put together today's outfit:

J Crew vintage denim shirt; Forever 21 gray lace dolman-sleeve top; J Crew stretch bootcut cords; Gucci loafers

To be honest, this outfit was built around these beauties:

Believe it or not, I purchased these loafers at Plato's Closet. Yes, the same Plato's that markets to teenagers and specializes in mall brands like American Eagle and Aeropostale (which I always confuse as the same store.) I am a full on Plato's Closet-aholic. The nearest location is five minutes from my house, and let me tell you, they know me there. My encounters with Plato's start innocently enough: I walk in with two or three bags of clothes and shoes to sell, intending to pocket some extra cash for the week. As I wait for the employees to sort through everything, I end up browsing, and damm if I don't come upon something I need. In the end, I don't make a penny of profit. But in my defense, I don't usually pay out of pocket either...anything I spend comes from store credit.

I used to be embarassed that I do much of my shopping at a teenager-infested establishment. But I got over it. Dressing with courage is all about shopping where I want, not where I should. Thank the Lord I boldly shop at Plato's, because I never would have found these loafers otherwise. And for a measly twenty-five bucks.

The 2010 Anti-Jean Challenge

I've decided to abstain from wearing jeans for 30 days. Truthfully, this will be one of the most difficult fashion challenges I can endure. I live in my jeans.  I love how versatile they are, I love how they kind of hold everything in and give me the semblence of a nice butt. I love how comfortable they are, and how multiple wearings only makes them look better. Shamefully, I have to confess that I own close to 25 pairs of jeans, mostly Citizens of Humanity, Seven for All Mankind, and Joe's Jeans. I'll have to devote a future post to my love of these brands because they really do deserve further exploration.

In the meantime, allow me to define the parameters of my anti-jeans quest:

• I will avoid wearing jeans of the following styles: Bootcut, flared leg, skinny leg, straight-leg, and wide-leg. Colored jeans are also off-limits.

• Wide leg denim pants will be permitted. I have two pairs of extremely wide leg pants made from a lightweight denim-type material. I don't believe they qualify as jeans, because they don't have the traditional five pocket styling or a defined leg.

• Colored jeggings are okay...because I consider them leggings, not jeans. The ones I own do not have pockets or zippers, aside from those at the ankle.

• I will wear denim skirts and dresses, because although they're made from the same material, they're (obviously) not jeans.

Here's what I came up with for today, day two of the challenge (I'm counting yesterday as day 1):

Vintage fur chubby jacket, Forever 21 slub-knit sweatshirt; Anthropologie lace tunic; Gap stretch camisole (not shown); Joe's Jeans jeggings; Vince Camuto bow ballet flats; Forever 21 feather and rhinestone earrings (hard to see...clearly, I need a better camera); Marc Jacobs rectangular case watch.

I love the zippers on these jeggings! They look really  chic unzipped.

Truthfully, I had some difficulty styling this outfit. The lace tunic has cap sleeves and considerable embroidery along the neckline, and I worry that it all makes me look kind of lumpy. However, I adore the lace peeking out from underneath, so that kind of makes up for it.

Off topic, but how God-awful is my yellow backdrop? This wall is the only space in my home not occupied with furniture or deritus form my children. Clearly, I need to find a better space for my hubby to take photos.