My Personal Sweet Stuffs

Shop Winter Sale for 2012 Trends - Tailored Biker

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When I am sale shopping this late in the year for winter clothes, I think its fun to try and grab some things that will be on trend for next year. Since I tend to shop at places that offer classic clothing, and so many of the trends just recycle, its often easy to find some things that are classics that happen to be upcoming trend lines.

One of the "big" Fall 2012 ready to wear pieces that will "trickle down" from 2011 runways is supposed to be a "softer" version of the Moto Jacket. The details to note are the asymmetrical front, softer fabrics, like knits, and unexpected colors.

Moto Jacket trend image originally from:
WeConnectFashion, courtesy of Trendstop.com, the site known for great visuals and early trend identification.

I have seen several moto jackets on sale recently. While the Talbots sweater jacket isn't a moto jacket, I thought it fit some of the details of the Fall 2012 trend, and included it. These jackets below are all "softer" fabrics, have the asymmetry and two are outside of the usual black. Keep this trend in mind when shopping sales, and you might have a fun, funky piece to add to your collection.

Fall 2012 by bchez on polyvore.com

Lauren Kaya Knit Moto Jacket, $70
Talbots - Sweater Jacket | | Apparel Discover your new look at..., $38
Dana Buchman Ponte Crop Jacket, $63
Chaps Festive Casual French Terry Jacket, $47

There are no affiliate/sales links in this blog post. :)

Talbots Red Hanger Sale added Free Shipping Today

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Hey guys,

Talbot's has added Free Shipping (today, Jan 5th only) to sweeten the current Red Hanger sale, no coupon code needed. Still lots of good stuff, they must have WAY over estimated holiday sales this year.

Also, if you were part of the Thanksgiving Day debacle, you can combine your 40% "we're sorry" coupon with the Red Hanger Sale. Don't forget, they have great petite, plus and plus petite stuff, in addition to lovely shoes. :)

Red Hanger Sale

The Weight Loss Journey Continues...

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Hi everyone, its the start of a new year, and so its time to make some new goals. As some of you know, I lost some weight over the last year or so. My before and after are above, and, its time for my after to become my before. :)

In January 2011, I decided to start putting my clothing budget towards a personal trainer, and got into a gym. I am 5'2, and I started at 227 lbs. My trainer and I set a goal of 180, which I was then to maintain for a few months before setting a new goal. I worked out, a lot. And reset some eating habits that were not the best for me. I went to pilates twice a week, yoga once and saw my trainer twice a week. I did cardio almost every day.

I hit the 180 goal in late April 2011, and started on "maintenance" - we planned to start working towards a new goal in July or August, depending on how well maintenance went. Life always has a way of tossing out your best laid plans, and in July we moved away from North Carolina to Virginia. I always "meant" to go sign up for a gym, but let life got too busy.

Well, here is it January 2012, and I still weighed in at 182.2. I don't think my trainer intended me to pause this long. LOL!

At any rate, I have signed up for a gym, and its time to go hard in the paint again.

Now, I need to decide if I want to hire a trainer again, which was amazing, or if I should just go on my own for awhile. I still need to pick up the pilates and yoga classes, if I decide to go that route again, but what is important is that I am moving forward.

Anyways, this isn't a weight loss blog, so I will stop there for now, but hope you don't mind if I share progress notes with you from time to time. You can help keep me honest. :)

I suppose this counts as my New Year's Resolution, and thanks for reading my ramble!

Petite Arsenal - The Pencil Skirt

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Spring Dreaming by bchez featuring a floral print shirt

I have an article linked in the header of this blog called "Dressing Tips" for the Short and Curvy. This week, I am going to expand a little on each of the tips, with some additional images and notes. I have what I call my "Petite Arsenal". Its a set group of style notes that I know won't fail me while I am choosing clothes. That's not to say I stick with these all the time, but its a good guide for me, and it might help you as well.

The first workhorse in my group is the good ole pencil skirt. Those of you who know me are not surprised, I know. :) I wear pencil skirts A LOT. They really define my figure and fit the image I want to project well.

My personal favorites are heavy ponte knit or lightweight wool skirts. There are a few key points to making sure you get the right fit. Make sure the skirt is not too snug, but that it lies close to the body. Also, experiment a little with the waistline. I am very short-waisted, so I find that a high-waist skirt is very flattering for me. Play around with length, **they** say �knee length,� but I find something just a touch longer or just a touch shorter is much more flattering for me. Pencil skirts are super versatile as well. You can pair them with anything. Get one in denim and wear it whenever you would normally reach for your jeans.

I think a skirt helps avoid so many fit issues petites have with pants. We might have short legs and a normal rise, or a petite rise and torso, and need misses length in the leg of the pants. With skirts, so much of that complicated formula is erased. I often feel like pants that fit me perfectly in the rise are just a little short in length and to keep from being to frustrated, I try and buy a few pair of pants that fir perfectly, and then fill in the rest of my wardrobe with skirts.

If you have any questions about skirts, or what to wear them with, leave me a note, and I will get you a response! :)

Some outfit ideas:

Spring Dreaming 2 by bchez featuring knit tops

A denim pencil skirt with a black and white �ditsy� polka dot patterned blouse, underneath a Kelly green V-neck sweater.

Swap the Belt by bchez featuring a trench coat

A khaki twill trouser skirt with a brown safari jacket and brown leather belt. Finish it off with shoes and a bag in bright pops of red.

winter yellows by bchez featuring a pencil skirt

A black wool knee length pencil skirt with tights, boots and a great fitted sweater. Use a scarf to bring some interest to your face.

2011 Was the Year of the Movie for Me

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My Harry Potter viewing outfit from this summer - I dressed for Gryffindor for the final outfit - even though I feel more kinship with my Ravenclaw girls. (LOL, nerd talk over)

I was reading some articles earlier, and it said the average # of movies a person sees in a year (in a theatre) is 6 - I saw 14 - and maybe it will be 15 after tomorrow - might go see Ghost Protocol. I love going to a theatre and sitting in the darkness, with popcorn watching a movie on the big screen. And yes, sometimes I dress "up" for the movie XD

And I don't really see the movies marketed overtly to women, no Friends with Benefits or Bridesmaids here. I like the summer blockbusters with action, and explosions, and heroes. Oh, the heroes. :) There were some really fun ones this year, and I am even more excited about the next!

Here is my list if you are curious:

The Adjustment Bureau

Red Riding Hood

Thor

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

X-men First Class

Green Lantern

Tranformers, the Dark of the Moon

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Captain America, the First Avenger

Cowboys and Aliens

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Immortals

The Muppets

Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows

MOAR SEQUINS

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Guess I have been in a sequiney mood this holiday season. I found a few sequined items I really liked this year, so..... :)

Sequin Tank - Talbots
Denim Skirt - Talbots
Flyaway Cardigan - Loft

As always, thanks for reading!! :)

Talbots Red Hanger Sale

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Hello all my Talbots fan-atics!

The Red Hanger sale started yesterday to the thrill and frustration of the Talbot's shoppers out there.

As you know, Tal's has had the 40/50/60 deal going on for a few weeks, and if you took advantage of the 60% off, you may have ended up with some slightly better prices than the current red hanger. But if you missed it, the Red Hanger will end up working out just fine for you. Also, there are some new pieces in the sale section, that were not there during the 40/50/60 - they are marked down VERY nicely for a first round.

Anyways, in case you are shopping the sale, here are some items I have picked up over the last couple of weeks, with some notes / reviews for fun. :) And don't forget, just because an item is gone online, doesn't mean its gone from stores. I have some good luck asking the "Wizards" on the FB page to do a store search for me - or you can do a store search on your own from the site. I have good luck finding items in stock in Dallas, TX and Boston, MA (50 mile radius). Best of luck ladies!!

Abstract jacquard skirt - the web image of this skirt does it no justice. Its silvery and black, and not sateen looking as the pic might imply. Its actually, a very substantial wool bend that lays beautifully. A very pleasant surprise, since I wasn't sure what to expect from the photo.

Skyla Leopard Pumps - I had some reservations about buying pump with a fabric upper. I almost always do leather, and thought this might looks a bit "prom" or "wedding" satiny. It does not. Its really a beautiful shoe, and I love the height. Great fit on the narrow

Talbots Grace Fit Cord Jacket - Okay, you need this jacket. If you wear jackets, this is a must have. I bought it in two colors, and if they had others in my size, I would get them. It fits like a dream. I wore this "Cabernet" out shopping, so I saw myself getting in and out of it (alot LOL) and it looked wonderful - that's when I went back and got the brown as well. I would not however, recommend the evergreen color without seeing it person, its very brown, and kind of an odd color.

Mixed Stitch Cardi - this is super cute IRL, an I bought it in two colors. It fits much more like the plus size images they have on the site. I am not sure how much use one gets out of such a heavy cardi with short sleeves, but I saw a few Tal's employees wearing this over the past week - most had a long sleeve tee underneath.

Presa Bow Platforms - I had been eyeing these since summer, never grabbed them, but for the price on sale, I couldn't resist. Great fit (I wear narrow shoes) as always.

Gidget Haircalf Ballet Flats When I bought these the other day, I paid $15 for them. I will preface with that. They are a gorgeous calf hair ballet shoe, and I love them. But $60 is a little steep, IMO. I would wait til they are the in $40 price range, if you really love them. Great fit (again, narrow) and adorable, but just a simple little ballet flat, not much substance to them.

Signature fit Black Rinse Slim Trouser - These are a denim trouser, and the first jean from Talbots I can tuck into a boot. Great weight and fit.

Sweater Jacket - This one is super cute and warm. The petite hit me perfectly on the hip. Not as soft as some of the other sweaters this season, but super cute open or closed.

Zebra Turnlock Satchel - This is a really neat Calf hair bag in a zebra print. I wore this out shopping and to dinner, and got sooo many compliments on it! Just something a little funky and fun.

Lace Tee - Merry Christmas Everyone!

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I haven't been as big on the lace trend as some, and only have a couple of items. I do like this top, I think its pretty cute, and goes well with this Target cardigan. Hoping to hit some great after Xmas sales to add to the wardrobe - its in dire need :)

Lace tee - Loft $16
Cardigan - Target $25
Skirt - Loft
Boots - Sam and Libby

Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays and as always, thanks for reading! :)

Casual Striped Cardi

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One of my fave casual outfits, I got this sweater earlier this year, and used a $25 off $50 on it - no further promo, that's how much I wanted it XD

Maybe not the best pics of it, but its sooo cute and comfy.

Striped Cardi - Loft $35
Jeans - Talbots $20
Boots - Talbots $39

Talbots Buy More, Save More on Sale/Clearance online and in stores

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Talbots buy more, save more (on sale items) is back.

Buy More, Save More offer valid now through 11:59 P.M. ET 12/27/11 online, by phone and in stores. Offer valid on sale items only. Excludes full-priced merchandise. Discount will be applied at checkout. No promo code needed. Free shipping on orders over $100 is auto applied in the cart as well.

Also, quick tip - if you were one of the people who tried to order over the Thanksgiving holiday, and got the 40% off coupon, it stacked for me. So I bought my things, for 60% off, then 40% off that. IDK if it will "stick", but I got my order confirmation as that lower price.

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