peace, '12

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Oh my gosh, it's been one crazy year. Not only has this blog opened the door to so many great experiences (from friendships to Fashion Week) but it has kept me sane. It's my creative outlet & lets me write & wear whatever I want, alongside life.

Pulling my favorite looks from 2012 was bittersweet. I still can't believe I have been blogging for 1 year (& only 1 year!). It's no secret that blogging is stressful, time consuming, & competitive, but it really is so worth it. All of these style posts bring me back to a moment in time when I am chasing the perfect light while simultaneously applying lipstick - on my way to a college reunion, heading out for a night of fun, running late  to a date, or sweating bullets in NYC.

From the looks of it, 2012 was all about brights, prints, & patterns - with the occasional top bun, for good measure. This year, I'm determined to invest in shoes (& handbags) in a color other than black & step on to the accessory train. But most importantly, a huge thank you to my readers! Thank you, thank you for reading & being as awesome as they come. Wishing you all the success in the world in 2013!

santa's on his way

Wearing: c/o Bob's Stores Blouse | F21 Skirt | Vince Camuto Heels (similar) | Etsy Rings | Santa's Hat

Let's be honest.. I can't believe it's Christmas Eve. I'm outside in December sans jacket, rocking a Santa's hat like nobody's business. Does it match my outfit? Not particularly, but I heard as long as you're nice (or naughty) Santa doesn't judge. I wouldn't say stripes, studs, tan, & mint match either - but somehow this outfit unexpectedly works. & can you believe this studded Peter Pan collar is from Bob's? I can't, that's for sure.

All in all, Happy Holidays to you & yours! I hope Santa brings you everything you asked for - studs & stripes included.

rumor is

Rumor is, the world is ending tomorrow. But, it can't! My bucket list still remains, & I have yet to use this Kate Spade beauty I gifted myself for no apparent reason besides the fact that it looked like a disco ball on crack. I also have a really good feeling 2013 is going to kick ass, & I'd love to be around to witness it. You know?

1. Letting this Walter Baker tweed jacket speak for itself.. swoon! Shop the Walter collection here.
2. Captured Christmas at the Capital during a quick trip to DC!
3. Touch each other (at the MFA).
4. Taking an arm party break & sticking with simplistic jewels by Gorjana in NYC. | 1, 2, 3

Two days left to enter my Sugarlips giveaway here!

bffl

Girls... sigh. Being your best friend & all, I want to get you something cool & creative - not another scarf. Plus, the "Best Present Giver Ever" title is a title I take very seriously. I'm not greedy, so I am willing to share that title - which is why you should buy one of these:

1. Cupcakes & Cashmere in book form - does it get any better? | Barnes & Noble
2. A cocktail ring that will never go out of style | Club Monaco
3. A cute, fashion forward print | Paper Fashion
4. Birchbox subscription because it's like Christmas once a month | Birchbox
5. Orchids because they're pretty & hard to kill | Trader Joe's
6. A hip bag that carries it all (extra 30% off with code = alliewears) | Walter Baker
7. Glitter + wallet, 'nuff said | Target
8. Because it's weird & awesome &... awkward | Etsy
9. Fold & go flats for those late [not sober] nights in the city | ShopBop   

Think about it.. gift them something awesome, ask to borrow it, & they can't say no. Right?!

in the nude

Wearing: c/o W118 by Walter Baker Sammy Jacket, Macy Skirt, Dawn Top | PLV Tote | Nine West Heels | House of Harlow Sunnies

Walter Baker never gets it wrong - the leather detailing on this skirt (& jacket) makes my heart melt, seriously. I spent last weekend in NYC & ran directly from Penn Station to the WB showroom. I had a mild heart-attack as my eyes met this skirt, then frantically scoured the showroom for a matching top & landed on this nude number. It's an odd pairing of colors, red & nude, but somehow it works - two fun neutrals. Lucky you can use code alliewears for 30% off any item from Walter Baker! Shop their collection here.

Besides a visit to WB on my list of things to do, I was also determined to see the infamous Rockefeller tree. I was mis-led into thinking the Radio City tree was the tree (I blame it on the damn tourists), & spent an hour sipping coffee while sitting on the curb, staring at the wrong tree. Talk about a blonde moment. 

Hope you had a great weekend! Be sure to enter my Sugarlips giveaway here, & my Bob's Stores giveaway here!

sincerely yours (closed)

Because it's Friday & Friday's rule, I want to give one of you a Sincerely Yours Dress from Sugarlips! Especially with the holidays approaching, it is the perfect LBD to rock at any occasion. Click here to see a style post where I paired it with red accents - which would be a classic look for a holiday party. FYI, the dress is a size Small. If that's not your size, spread the holiday cheer & gift it to a friend!

Enter to win by:

1. Visit Sugarlips & sign up for their newsletter (bottom of the page)
2. Make sure to leave a comment below with your contact info.!

Good luck! The giveaway will run until Friday, December 21st.

The winner is #5, Kate Jepson - rock it, miss!

grab bag giveaway (closed)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The simple fact that Christmas is two weeks away & I have yet to buy one present makes me want to hibernate right through the holidays. Wake me up when Santa's here, hm? Of course, we have all heard of Bob's Stores - known for their active wear, running sneakers, & outdoor gear. But, have you been to one recently? They have totally revamped their style & now offer crazy, cute, trendy clothes - from chambray to peplum! I die. You are guaranteed to find something for everyone on your Christmas list, I promise.

Lucky you, I have teamed up with Bob's to give 12 awesome readers the chance to win a grab bag filled with fun themed gifts - each valued at $250! What! Enter for your chance to win in the widget above, & cross your fingers!

Good luck! The giveaway will run until Wednesday, December 19th.

if i was your boyfriend

The one, & only, time I will be quoting Beiber on the blog. But long story short, if I was your boyfriend, I'd want you to buy me these for this holiday season:

1. Fold & go Ray-Ban's in your favorite color | Ray-Ban
2. Rough & rugged leather wallet | Etsy
3. A kick ass backpack that holds your laptop, & a picture of me | Fab.com
4. Craft beer because all men like beer | Gary's Wine
5. Wooden watch, cool enough for school | Urban Outfitters
6. Customizable headphones that cannot be used to tune me out | Skull Candy 
7. A jacket that makes any man look good | Gap
8. A hat as cool as you | ASOS
9. Rotating art, because you need something on your walls | Turning Art

Men are simple, which makes buying for them hard. Stick to the basics, but make them unique!

first snow

Wearing: UO BB Dakota Jacket (similar) | c/o Bob's Stores Chambray  | JBrand Jeans | Vintage Necklaces

This past weekend it snowed - first snow of the season! Besides the snow deflating my curls & the cold insisting I wear my jacket, both inside & out, it made me beyond excited for December - most importantly for Christmas music, Christmas movies, & Christmas cookies. I snapped these photos on my way to the MFA where I drooled over the Mario Testino exhibit - swoon! But, as much as I love this time of year I am also dreading it - as a blogger. Style posts are going to become a royal pain & chances are I will be rocking an extremely heavy, not attractive parka to get me from A to B, which I will refuse to remove solely for a style post. But since you guys rule, I'll consider it.

Until then, I'll be circling babies in my Canadian tuxedo. Hope you had a great weekend!