how many christmas presents can you wear at once?

the answer is, a lot...

p & p

thursday lately - happy, happy new year!

Happy New Year Dear Friends!!

This is why I am so excited about 2012...

January

go ice skating in central park

run chili chili race new years day

watch Amelie, Annie Hall, and An Affair to Remember

read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (I've already started this!)

February

take picture here

run Sweetheart Run

find something to do in these (in magenta!)

read The Success Principles

March

go to a St. Patrick's Day Parade here or here

run St. Patrick's Day Classic

go to a roller derby (watch, NOT participate!)

read The Alchemist

April

visit a Gospel Choir Service in Harlem

Take Amtrak from NYC to DC

read A Course in Miracles

May

celebrate my birthday in Paris!!  Do this, see this and eat as many pastries as I can.

do the 5 Borough Bike Tour (I've always wanted to do this!!)

read Making Ideas Happen

June

pick strawberries and make jam

see gay pride parade in NYC (I've done this several times, SO fun!)

go camping

read Autobiography of a Yogi

July

see Rehoboth Drag Volleyball

Go to Chelsea Market and pick up a picnic to eat at the Highline in NYC

ride in a hot air balloon (have you ever done this?!)

read Shantaram

August

go to Maine Lobster Festival, run this

ride a horse

go whale watching
read The Four Agreements

September

walk across Brooklyn Bridge (I've never done this!) + explore Chinatown

go apple picking + make apple cobbler

go to the Big E
read The Martha Rules

October

go leaf peeping in Vermont (buy maple syrup!)

carve a pumpkin

do a corn maze
(re)read The E-Myth

November

Visit Farm Sanctuary in NY
read The Glass Castle: A Memoir

December

hang mistletoe {Isn't this one pretty?!}

see Nutcracker at Lincoln Center

go to Christmas Town Festival have Christmas cards ready to mail

have a cookie swap or gingerbread house decorating party

drive around and look at Christmas lights

read The Little Prince

obsession...continues

I don't know about you, but I'm still a bit in love with polka dots, although it might be a close second or third to stripes or leopard print...

Here are a few of the {probably too} many times I have worn polka dots this year.

good things

come to those who wait...

For some reason I have been wildly successful at the outlets near me.  I keep finding things that were on my wish list last year.  I still have the J Crew catalog page that I tore out with this exact outfit hanging on my wall.  

Patience is a virtue...even when it comes to shopping.

Go ahead, quote me on that.

xoShelly

thursday lately - happy holidays

Check it all out over at Bex...a diary.

it list

The IT list is signing off for 2011... But we'll be back in 2012!Enjoy these links in the meantime!

• good clean fun whips up a batch of apple banana pancakes - these have Christmas Break breakfast written all over them! Yum! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the posh blog whips up what looks to be the easiest and tastiest cocktail ever - perfect for Christmas brunch or New Years Eve.  (find the posh blog on twitter!)
• the capital barbie has a round up of Christmas gifts that you can give that give back.  I love this idea, check out her picks! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• life told by leslie is sporting an adorable leopard print cardigan. I've got to get one of these - see how she styled it! 
• free to be stacia lee is looking adorable in this casual chic outfit - check out her cute boots! (find free to be stacia lee on twitter!)
• suze wears clothes has fallen in love... with her scarf. I don't blame her!  Check it out. (find suze wears clothes on twitter!)
• gs lillian is looking rainy-day-chic, which isn't easy to do!  Check out her adorable outfit and red (!!!) shoes. (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy is our resident ballet-enthusiast (love it!)... she's headed to the Nutcracker performance but left some eye candy for us. Swoon!  (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• second street east has a really easy and fun Christmas ornament diy. I love this idea and that you can personalize it to suit your decor and taste! (find second street east on twitter!)
• the daily be is going "western" in this adorable outfit... check it out and you've got to see her sweet boots! (find the daily be on twitter!)
• the tiemann girls have a really fun way to give the gift of cash this holiday season.  See how they do it!
• so much to smile about is your go-to source for holiday beauty.  Check out her tips and tricks! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style rounds up her favorite Christmas decor inspiration and includes this really fun idea for a tasty appetizer that I totally want to try! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• rachael, really is looking absolutely gorgeous in winter white and red for the holidays. Go check out her outfit and steal it for Christmas - I might! (find rachael, really on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life, for information on how you can be involved, click here!

thursday lately

Happy Thursday {Lately}!

Want to see what everyone else is loving??  Go say hi!

rainy day classics

I hope you guys are loving this sweater as much as me, because I may or may not have bought it in every.single.color.  I actually found most of mine at Marshall's, but I did pick up a few colors here.  I also may or may not have worn one every day this week.

rule follower

The other day Kendi wrote about the "3 color rule"---when you love all the colors it's so hard to choose some days.  I like rules.

3 colors it is.

xoShelly

it list

Happy Friday!  Take some time to check out these great links!

• i love that features the best beauty trends for the holidays... including the bold red lip (a la Taylor Swift). Check out her tips!
• the capital barbie rounds up sweaters for men - which happens to be my favorite gift to give this time of year!   See what her top picks are.  (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• the posh blog has her gift picks for teens - aren't they so hard to buy for? I love her ideas and this little camera is too fun! (find the posh blog on twitter!)
• suze wears clothes puts together three fun looks around this gorgeous floral scarf.  See how she styles it up! (find suze wears clothes on twitter!)
• second street east DIY's a holiday wreath - the finished product is gorgeous and it looks so simple!  Don't miss this tutorial! (find second street east on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style rounds up her inspiration each week in a not-to-be-missed post.  I'm drooling over this statement wallpaper for a powder room! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• free to be stacia lee pulls together a really gorgeous casual holiday look. I am now completely drooling over this lace top! (find free to be stacia lee on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy hits the nail on the head with another thought provoking post in her "she" series. Check out the simple but thoughtful post!  Don't you want to be this gal? (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• gs lillian manages to convince me I need an orange coat and matching shoes this winter with just one post.  Doesn't she look amazing? (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• the tiemann girls give a quick diy on how to make the perfect bow from tulle. I am in love with this idea... time to get wrapping!
• the daily be (formerly 'things i do think wear see love dream') wears one pair of khakis in two different outfits.  Check out her looks and be inspired for khakis beyond business casual! (find the daily be on twitter!)
• so much to smile about rounds up a fun gift guide for the homebody that I am loving.  Candles, blankets and cozy clothes, yes please! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
• rachael, really says 'merry december' with this gorgeous fall/winter outfit.  If you are in a warmer climate... you know fall just arrived! (find rachael, really on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less, for info on how you can be involved - click here! 

friday fancy - holiday party

dress     earrings     clutch     shoes

product review

Eshakti has asked me to do a product review + I get to pick anything I want!!!  

{I kind of want everything...} 

I have been able to narrow it down to 4 dresses (such restraint!).

1.  Tiered crepe maxi dress - I kind of love this dress, I am already thinking of pairing it with a fitted leather jacket now, and strappy sandals all summer long!  Eshakti custom fits all their products, so I KNOW it will be long enough.

2.  Ruffle front cotton dress - LBD meet LRD

3.  Ruffle front surplice dress - this dress is a no brainer, it's my style and I know it will look amazing...however, maybe I should try something a little different??  But it does come in blue... 

4.  Scalloped sequin shift dress - this is the perfect little party dress.  I still have a few holiday parties to attend, and since eshakti ships in 3 days, I'll get it just in time!!  I love it because it has a unique shape with the scalloped edge + it sparkles.

They are all so beautiful, I just don't know which one to choose!  Which dress would you choose??

frenemies

There comes a time every year when I am forced to succumb to the weather and wear jeans.  Yup, twice this week.  Winter, just because you bring Christmas does not make you my friend, or even frenemy for that matter.

Speaking of fremenies, I had completely talked myself out of a faux fur vest after a particularly traumatic scene in a J Crew dressing room last year, until this girl came back from Aspen on the hunt for the perfect fur vest.  After a few days of text after adorable text picture of her looking amazing in fur vests, I started coveting one myself, and before long, I had one of my very own...

Winter you are my enemy.  Chris you are my friend.
xoShelly

thursday lately

Linking up with Bex!

Holy Yum!

work it wednesday: foxy

This sweater is 100% ridiculous, but it made me laugh when I saw it, so home it came with me.  First of all it has a fox on it (possibly a wolf?).  Second of all, the fox is wearing a bow.  Although it seems like this may not be the most versatile sweater ever, I may or may not have worn it 3 days in a row over the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Want a few more subtle ways to get your fox on?

in the mix

Pattern mixing is one of my favorite ways to play with clothes.  I'll be honest, sometimes it gets a little ridiculous.

Not nearly as ridiculous as this, however.

Seriously, where else can you get Missoni and a frozen turkey at the same place...but Target?

orange crush

Well, Hello!  Long time no see...

When your sister starts to complain that your blog is boring her, you know you better get it together.

I promise I've been wearing clothes, but since they didn't get photographed they didn't happen, right?

This coat is the best $20 I've spent in a long time, I snatched it up with a few others at the Old Navy 75% off sale a few weeks ago.  I'm putting it to good use these days...while this coat has everything to do with cute, it has nothing to do with warm.

it list

Now that it's December the holiday season is in full swing and this week's IT list has a decidedly holiday feel to it!  Check out these great links!

• free to be stacia lee shows off a fun look for a holiday girls night out! I'm loving the dressy shorts and tights combo here! 
• the posh blog pulled together a super fun Twelve POSH Days of Christmas!  You have to check this out... my favorite? Three french macaroons... (find the posh blog on twitter!)
• gs lillian is hosting a fabulous giveaway for 6 (yes, six!) of her gorgeous cuff bracelets!  All you have to do is link up with your holiday wish list! Easy, huh? (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style rounds up my new favorite winter layering piece - the vest! Check out her picks and inspirations! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• suze wears clothes puts together three looks based on one gorgeous camel colored blazer.  Check out these looks that are perfect for the holiday season! (find size wears clothes on twitter!)
• sweet life a la carte was innocently getting holiday pictures taken when the photoshoot suddenly turned into engagement photos!  He proposed!  Check out these sweet photos! (find sweet life a la carte on twitter!)
• second street east is giving away a copy of Design*Sponge's new book!  Stop by her blog to enter to win one for yourself or for a friend! (find second street east on twitter!)
• i love that is swooning over Gwenyth Paltrow's hair... but who doesn't really? Check out this eye candy and potential inspiration for holiday hair dos!
• things i do think wear see love dream is sporting a trend-trifecta!  I love this look... see how she pulls together three hot trends in one super hot look! (find things i... on twitter!)
• the tiemann girls show off their holiday paper stash (jealous!) plus, the one thing they do to remind themselves of the reason for the season.  I love this inspiration!
• so much to smile about has the ultimate gift guide for a blogger. This list is SO fabulous, but my favorite is the Inslee fashion illustrations. Yes, please! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
• good clean fun whips up a batch of roasted butternut squash risotto! I love risotto for winter - it's great comfort food!  Check out her recipe... (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the capital barbie has a full round up of 'smoking' loafers.  These are the hottest shoes this season and I love that the look so comfortable!  Check out her picks! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• life told my leslie features yet another shorts and tights look for winter! I am loving this trend - check out how she pulls it together!
• a spot of whimsy pulls out tons of inspiration for advent calendars this holiday season. You have to check out all of this inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for info on how you can be involved, click here!

shop talk : get your super awesome products in a magazine!

Do you want to see your products in a magazine?  Check out this little article I wrote for Vianza to see how I did it!  The proof is in the pudding...you can see just a few of my editorial placements here, and I did it all by myself!

PS.  So can you.