2011 Style Review - July to December

Here is the second half of my favorite outfits of 2011.

July - 1. 2. 3.

August - 1. 2. 3. 

September - 1. 2. 3.

October - 1. 2. 3. 

November - 1. 2. 3.

 

December - 1. 2. 3.

I hope you have a lovely New Year's eve!  

Thanks for reading!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a $100 Burlington Coat Factory gift card!

2011 Style Review - January to June

Hi friends! I hope you are enjoying the last stretch of 2011 and are planning for a fantastic 2012! Here are a few of my favorite outfits from the first half of 2011. 

January - 1. 2. 3.

February - 1. 2. 3.

March - 1. 2. 3.

April - 1. 2. 3.

May - 1. 2. 3.

June - 1. 2. 3. 

An outfit recap for the second half of 2011 will follow soon.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit Shen Dove Style over the past year!

Hope your day is filled with family, food and fun! 

Thanks for reading : )

Last Minute

Shirt: Kohls; Jeans: F21; Sweater vest: Old Navy (similar); Bag: H&M; Coat: H&M; Shoes: Payless (similar)

Glasses: UO; Necklace: Eastern Market vendor (similar); Earrings: H&M; Watch: Francesca's Collections

It's slowly sinking in that Christmas is a couple of days away and I'm not done shopping yet...whoops!  Every year, the goal is to have my shopping completed ahead of time, but I guess I work better with an impending deadline.

Are you a last minute holiday shopper or did you finish your shopping ages ago?

Favorite Books of 2011

The end of the year is a good time to reflect on books I enjoyed reading during the year.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan: I actually read this book earlier this month, but it is a definite favorite.  In Defense of Food made me want to actually change the way I eat instead of just thinking about it as I had been doing.  Since reading In Defense of Food, I've started reading food labels more carefully and now wonder about things like if I should add more Omega 3 fatty acids to my diet...

The Language of Baklava by Diana Abu-Jaber: If you love memoirs and beautifully described food, you will enjoy this book.  I really enjoyed this book and the themes of family, fathers and daughters and living in-between two cultures.

Normal Gets Your Nowhere by Kelly Cutrone: PR fashion veteran Kelly Cutrone's "tell it like it is" tone and off-beat advice is good for young professionals from all fields.  Cutrone encourages young people to throw out the concept of "normal" and go after your dreams.

Super Rich by Russell Simmons: I did a book review of Super Rich earlier this year and it was definitely a favorite of the year.

ReWork by: Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson: This innovative book discusses how breaking the rules can help you succeed in your entrepreneurial endeavors. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: I somehow managed to let this classic get away from me until this year.  I didn't expect to like it but really enjoyed the poignant story Betty Smith told of life in Brooklyn in the early 1900s.

A Return to Love: Reflections from the Principles of a Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson: I enjoyed the inspirational messages that Williamson emphasized in this book.  I was not familiar with the Course in Miracles until reading this book which broke down the key aspects of the course and discussed the author's personal experiences.

Generation Debt by Anya Kamenetz: This eye-opening book examines debt among young Americans, particularly student loan debt and the implications that this debt has on society and on the economy. 

What were your favorite reads of 2011?

Silvery Holiday Look + Giveaway {Closed}

Hi Friends! Burlington Coat Factory contacted me about participating in a holiday style challenge. As a girl on a budget, I am quite familiar with the store.  They provided me with a $100 gift card to create a holiday look and also gave me a second $100 giftcard to raffle to you lovely readers!

I went to a nearby Burlington in Maryland and perused the store for my items. I was a little nervous about finding shoes that fit me but I managed to find a pair in my size. I basically built my outfit around my shoes and came up with a New Year’s eve look. The skirt is a bit shorter than what I’d normally wear, but overall, I like the look. I had my heart set on adding a topper of some sort to my look, but didn’t see one that worked with the pieces I picked. 

The cost break breakdown is below.

Sequin Skirt: $ 15.99 + Top:$14.99  + Shoes:$24.99  + Earrings:$5.99 + Necklace: $7.99+ Cuff Bracelet:$5.99 + Clutch: $12.99 = TOTAL: $88.93

To be entered into the giveaway for the $100 Burlington Coat Factory gift card;

follow @BCFtweets on Twitter, Like the Burlington Coat Factory on Facebook and leave a comment below (please include your email address). 

I'd love to hear what you plan to wear for the holidays in your comment!  Entries will be accepted until 12 midnight (EST) on Monday, January 2nd. I will announce the winner on January 3rd.  

Good luck! 

Minimized maxi

Blazer: The Loft; Dress: Modcloth; Scarf: Express; Clutch: Francesca's Collections; 

Shoes: thrifted; Bracelets: F21

This dress was a favorite over the spring and summer and the good news is that it still is.  The bad news is that I somehow managed to shrink it a little in the dryer so it's not as long as it once was...bummer.

 

I certainly don't have to worry about tripping over my dress as I once did.  But it's okay, in the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal.

Here's to a great week!

Pink cheer

Blazer: Loft (similar); Shirt: Banana Republic; Pants: H&M; Shoes: Nine West; Necklace and Earrings: 
H&M;  Watch: Francesca's Collections; Glasses: UO

Happy Friday friends! Just looking at these bright pants makes me feel more cheerful!  These pants would probably be cropped on a taller lady.  Sometimes being short comes in handy : )

 

Have a lovely weekend!

When in doubt, add a blazer

Blazer: H&M (old); Shirt: H&M; Skirt: Francesca's Collections; 

Shoes: Nine West; Tights: Target

A summery skirt can easily be made appropriate for fall weather with a blazer and tights. Let's pretend I didn't have to put a coat and scarf on after taking these photos because the cold weather decided to visit for a while...

 

Here's to a positive and productive week!

Currently playing: Undun album by The Roots 
Currently Reading: In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Tweedy

 

Jacket:? ; Jeans: Gap; Shirt: Banana Republic; Clutch: Loft; Necklace: vendor at Eastern Market; 

Earrings: Modcloth; ; Heels: Nine West; Sunnies: Target RIP, broke them after this pic : (

Hi friends!  I'll keep it short today, have a lovely weekend!

Dash of Fuchsia

Coat: H&M (similar); Skirt: F21; Shirt: Banana Republic; Heels: Nine West; Necklace: H&M; 
Earrings: purchased in Mexico

Happy Monday! I'm still in awe that December has arrived and the year is quickly coming to a close.  The older I get the faster time seems to go by!  I definitely appreciate the relatively mild weather we've had in DC lately because I'm not quite ready for snow (and indoor outfit photos) yet.

Cobalt blue and fuchsia are such a fun colors to wear year-round.  This coat is my favorite "in-between coat" than weightier than my trenches but not as heavy as my winter coats.   Are you enjoying milder weather or has winter set in where you live?