Time for One Client in NYC, January 17

I'm going to be in NYC for the weekend of MLK. I will have some free time on Saturday, January 17. If you would like an in-person styling session or to go shopping with me, I'd love to meet up with you for 3 hours. My usual hourly rate of $25/hour will apply, but no travel charges. First to email me gets the slot! I can't wait! 

The Best of the Anthropologie Sale

My favorite store to browse and rarely purchase anything from, Anthropologie, is having their annual winter tag sale. This is the time when I often actually buy something because suddenly it's much more affordable to buy that gorgeous wear a couple times a year piece! My husband has watched me walk around there petting things too often, and he got me a gift card there in December. I had a sneak peek of some of my favorite items from their sale and thought I'd share them with you!

Fleece Lined Tights

Fleece Lined Tights

You can tell in the mirror shots above that this is what I wore to work recently (there's my badge and all!), and I have to tell you that it was the most cozy, warmest outfit ever.  First, my new boots, which I'll write about soon. Then, fleece lined leggings, which are really the thinness of tights. Mine are LL Bean, but they're sold out in black online. Reviews seem positive on these footless ones from Amazon, too. I've worn these or Wolford tights almost every day lately, under skirts, dresses, maxi dresses, etc. They are warmer than jeans on a cold day. 

Then, a full skirt I got years ago from Gap, then a cashmere sweater I got on Black Friday at Off Fifth, then an old blazer from Urban Outfitters, then a scarf from Anthropologie last year. It's a lot of layers, and it keeps me warm in my freezing office. Really, if you live somewhere like Virginia where it gets cold, I'd highly recommend that you get some warm tights and layer them up with all of your warmest things. 

And, no, this is not a paid ad. I just care about your warmth! 

Resolutions 2015: What Will You Promise Yourself?

Resolutions 2015: What Will You Promise Yourself?

Last year, I made three resolutions. You can read them here! How funny since this year we did host a New Year's Day party! And how did I do with the resolutions? 

     1. Do yoga went ok. I found that I don't love yoga as much as I want to love it, and I got thrown off by back problems. 

     2. Work hard. I'm not sure why this was my resolution since I tend to really work hard, maybe too hard, but I think it was about focusing on my career. I have moved around a bit in my job since then, and I did some kickass work so I'll say success! 

     3. Say yes to possibilities. This was a real guiding star for me this year, as I said yes and yes. Sometimes I'd think should I do this? And I'd come back to "say yes to possibilities." This is my inspiration for cutting back to just one resolution this year.

I'm so curious since it seems like lots of people don't anymore, but do you make resolutions at this time of year? Are they multiple, singular, long, short? What have you found works for you? Are you changing anything up this year? I've noticed a bunch of people do a word of the year, and I like that idea. I've found what works best for me, this time of year or anytime, is a short, directive phrase. I like goals like "Play more" or "Say yes." When I'm deciding between doing something or not, I run it through my goal/resolution. 

For January 2015, I'm keeping it simple-Put Your Shoulders Down. I've noticed that I hold my breath a lot, and I think this simple thing could help me to breathe, to relax, and to keep perspective during those times when my shoulders end up up by my ears. 

I'd love to know what you're promising yourself-I find this stuff so interesting! 

If I could make a resolution for my clients, it would be Talk Sweetly To Yourself. Yup, for every single client, of all ages, shapes, sizes, and stages of life. Just that.

Welcome Back! Christmas Part II

Welcome Back! Christmas Part II

This is what our time in California looked like. Some of my favorite parts were seeing the lumenarias set up all around town on this one beautiful night, being with my family (of course), seeing some of the old cars that are everywhere out there, the big box of Vermont items that arrived for us, and playing games with the family almost every night. It seemed like someone always had a die or Rubix cube in hand. 

Welcome Back! Christmas Part I

Welcome Back! Christmas Part I

Hi my dears! I'm back! And welcome back to you! I almost posted last week because none of the blogs that I follow were posting, and I was imagining that you wanted something to read here, too, but I promised myself a nice long break. Thanks for bearing with me. 

My husband and I went out to Berkeley, CA to visit my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. My mom was visiting there from Vermont, too! Some of my favorite parts were sitting in my sister's magical home watching everyone open their gifts and taking a long, meandering walk through town with my mom and sister. 

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! I'm really excited to share with you some of the changes and updates I'm planning to make to this corner of the world in 2015 along with some of my personal goals and wishes.

Here's a taste of what our Christmas and New Year looked like!

Before leaving town, I sewed some ugly sweater additions (including a personal wine holder) on to a classic red sweatshirt that I bought at the secondhand store. Then, I fastened ornaments through stud earrings to wear to our office ugly sweater party. 

Gone for the Holidays-and the Best of 2014

Gone for the Holidays-and the Best of 2014

Hi! I'm taking the time between Christmas and New Year's off from blogging. I'll still be answering emails (although a bit more slowly), but I'll see you here in 2015! I wanted to thank you for reading my blog whether you read once or every day. Thank you for your comments, emails, questions, and interest in this spot of the internet where we can feel comfortable in our own bodies. I'm off to spend time with family and friends, but here is a look back at 2014 before I go. 

Wow! There were posts you couldn't get enough of! Some of the most viewed and most shared posts of the 2014 included Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked, Favorite Swimsuits for 2014, How to Style a Maxi Dress or Skirt for Business Casual, 3 Black and White Outfits to Wear to an Outdoor Concert, How to Wear Jean Skirts, and The Post About Jennifer.

Some of my personal favorite posts were What Not to Wear because I finally explained more about my personal style philosophy, Behind the Scenes where I described a personal styling session from my perspective, Time Balm because I was truly very brave in showing something you don't often see-real deal dark circles without makeup on, Are You Out for Blood where I showed off the images from a photo shoot that I styled and asked a question that's often on my mind, What to Wear to Fertility Appointments because it seemed like a question someone should have answered but hadn't really, My Favorite Adoption and Fertility Resources because when I find something good I want to share it with you, and What to Wear to Meet Birth Mothers because at the time I had never seen a post that answered that question in any way other than "a suit!" Really?!

I was incredibly honored to get to work with women near and far, to be featured on A Practical Wedding when I wrote Almost a Mother, Not Quite, and to receive such positive feedback like "You gave me permission to be myself." That makes my day. It makes my whole year, actually.

So thank you again. In reading through some of my favorites, I'm reminded of what an intense year it was for me in many ways. This blog has been an outlet, a place for me to come and chat with women all across the country. Thank you for being here for me; thank you for chatting.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

-Ella

Glass Ceilings, One Size Fits Who?, Moon Magic, and You Learn Something New Every Day: A Roundup

Glass Ceilings, One Size Fits Who?, Moon Magic, and You Learn Something New Every Day: A Roundup

Via

Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? We are seeing the Vienna Boys Choir on Saturday, and I have a white dress I bought on Black Friday that I can't wait to wear. I hope the event is as magical and Christmasy as I'm imagining it! On Sunday we're meeting friends for brunch at The Gryphon, and otherwise we're just hanging out with the dogs and each other. I have a little more wrapping and decorating to do before we head out of town next week. I hope you have a great weekend!

Here are a few things that caught my eye in the past week or two:

Did you read or hear Shonda Rhimes speech? I've been thinking about it a lot since I did.
I found this article on what "One size fits all" looks like on a few different body shapes really interesting.
This wedding took place in my home town of Burlington, VT, and I love the look of it, don't you?
And last, did you know that some women dye their underarm hair?!

I Found the Most Gorgeous Formal Dresses

I Found the Most Gorgeous Formal Dresses

Do you want to know where I found the most gorgeous formal dresses recently? At Saks Off Fifth, the outlet store.  I don't have a lot of events that require a formal dress nor where one would be appropriate, really, but these dresses made me want to throw one! If you're ever looking for one, I highly recommend that you check out an outlet mall near you if it has an Off Fifth. Here's a sample of the gorgeousness that I had to snap with my phone camera.

What Not to Wear

What Not to Wear

Love green? Own it.

You give a lot of advice about what to do. Do you have any advice about what not to do? (Question inspired by Dear Sugar)