My 10 Fave Outfits of 2014

It's hard to believe my first year of blogging has come to an end.

So much has happened in 2014. I started blogging in January after being laid off from my full-time job at the end of 2013. I began a new job that I love in March. I got married to the most amazing man in July. And we bought our first house in December.

As I look back on the year, I'm glad I've had the opportunity to share some of my outfits and personal style throughout the past 12 months. And looking ahead, I'm excited for what's to come in 2015.

Here are my 10 favorite outfit posts of the year. Which one do you like best? Tell me in the comments.

The 'Wheel' Deal on My Bicycle Outfit

Merry Christmas!

This month has been pretty hectic, but I didn't want Christmas to go by without wishing everyone a happy holiday.

Here's a look at my Christmas outfit (a bit toned down for work). I've been living in this holly garland for most of the month.

Black Friday Deals From Not Your Average Ashley Affiliates

The holiday shopping season is upon us.

Several of the stores/companies that I'm affiliated with are offering special savings for Black Friday.

Here's a rundown of what's available. Please note that all of these deals contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Happy shopping!

ModCloth is offering 50 percent off hundreds of new arrivals for their Beyond Black Friday Sale through Sunday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m., PT. Additionally, you can get gift ideas using their Holiday Gift Guide, which is where I found the cute Betsey Johnson Photographic Charm Bag in the photo above.

Shutterly is offering a free 12-month calendar on Friday, Nov. 28 with code FREECAL, as well as 10 free cards through Sunday, Nov. 30 with code BLACKFRIDAY (conditions apply).

Tiny Prints is offering 30 percent off any order, plus an extra 10 percent off through Sunday, Nov. 30 with code 1128DEAL. They're also offering 10 percent off all orders through Wednesday, Dec. 31 with code 2014TP10 at checkout.

Choies is offering 90 percent off the entire site, plus free shipping during their Black Friday Grand Sale, which runs through Friday, Dec. 5. No code required.

Kohls is offering free shipping on orders of $25 or more from Saturday, Nov. 29-Wednesday, Dec. 3. No code required.

SheInside is offering 30 percent off Vintage Dresses for the holidays from Friday, Nov. 28-Monday, Dec. 1 with code 30XMASDRESS at checkout.

Payless is offering up to 50 percent off women's boots through Sunday, Nov. 30. No code required.

Strike a Pose: Betsey Johnson Camera Bag

I've been into photography for as long as I can remember.

When I was a kid, someone gifted me a small camera with Mickey Mouse on it just like this one before a big trip to Disney World.

It was the kind of camera that took 110 film and flash cubes. Ah, memories.

At first, I ended up with a lot of blurry shots and pictures of my pointer finger. But after a while, I got pretty good at taking photos.

My interest led to a minor in photography, and now I shoot photos for the newspapers/websites I work for.

So, I was immediately drawn to this adorable Betsey Johnson purse shaped like a camera from ModCloth. I had originally planned to tell my mother-in-law about it and ModCloth's handy 2014 Gift Guide. The bag would be the perfect Christmas present.

But when a shipping snafu caused ModCloth to offer me 15 percent off my next order, it was the perfect opportunity to go ahead and get the purse as an early birthday present for myself.

It's so cute, and I especially love the little details, like the jeweled flash and "3 2 1" words and phrases around the lens.

Are you into photography? How did you get started? Tell me in the comments.

Outfit details:
Coach Tour Dress in Houndstooth from ModCloth
T-Shirt from Old Navy
Tights from Target
Moccasins from Minnetonka (I've had these for at least 10 years, and they're still going strong.)
Betsey Johnson Photographic Charm Bag from ModCloth
Ring from Etsy shop I Am So Not Cool
Locket from Old Navy (old)
Hat handmade by my grandmother

This post contains ModCloth and Betsey Johnson affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Forever 21 Floral and a Floppy Hat for Fall

Alliteration much?

Sorry, I just couldn't help it.

Fall in Florida continues, and the weather is flip-flopping from warm to chilly and back again. I want to dress for autumn, but I have to do it strategically to stay cool in the heat.

I wore this outfit to a local gardening event and community showcase on Sunday. I thought the floral print on the dress was appropriate, and the hat covered my messy hair.

That's the great thing about hats, isn't it? They're fashionable and functional. ;)

Outfit details
Dress from Forever 21 (in stores only)
Maddie Ghillie Wedge from Payless
Purse from Payless (old)
Hat from Icing
Leaf Charm on Short Necklace from Art Beads
Long Leaf Necklace from Anthropologie (old)
Earrings from Charming Charlie
Ring from local craft fair (one-of-a-kind)

This post contains Forever 21 and Payless affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Tights That Change Colors?

What color do these tights look like to you?

When I found them in the store, I was sure they were dark green. I didn't have any green tights, so I bought them and put them away while I waited for a chilly day to wear them.

Well, that day finally came this week, and when I pulled my new green tights out of my drawer, I was a little confused.

The green tights that I had bought somehow looked navy. But when I put them on and looked at them in the mirror, they looked green again. Then I put my shoes on, and what do you know--the tights changed back to navy.

All this flip-flopping from dark green to navy reminded me of peacock feathers, which inspired my accessories.

I like the outfit I put together regardless of the color of the tights.

But I still haven't figured out which hue I'm wearing. Is it green? Or is it navy?

Outfit details
Dress from Anthropologie (old; similar from H&M, similar from Target)
Tights from Target (in assorted colors, including dark green and navy ::wink::)
Shoes from Go Fish Clothing (old)
Purse, vintage, thrifted
Headband from Icing (old, similar)
Temporary Tattoo from Etsy shop Pepper Ink

Holiday Gifting Ideas from ModCloth

This post contains ModCloth affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

When it comes to Christmas, my mother-in-law's motto is go big or go home.

She hosts all the relatives on Christmas Eve and immediate family on Christmas Day, cooks a spread of delicious food, and puts Santa to shame with her gift giving skills.

I'm not the easiest person to shop for, so The Legend (a well-deserved nickname that was recently bestowed upon her) always asks me to create a wish list so she knows what I'd like to unwrap on Christmas Day.

The list usually ends up full of items from ModCloth, who just so happens to be making gifting pretty easy this year with their 2014 Holiday Gift Guide. You can shop using their handy categories, or check out presents inspired by trendsetting bloggers.

Here are three items from the guide that I'm including on my list this year:

• Betsey Johnson Photographic Charm Bag

• Frame of Radiance Jewelry Holder
• I Want to Warm Your Hands Mug

What's on your holiday wish list? Tell me in the comments.

The Prettiest Bernie Dexter Dress

Aside from my wedding gown, this Bernie Dexter dress is probably the most gorgeous piece of clothing I own.

I actually wore it to an afterparty I had the night of my July 5 wedding:

Although I didn't end up with many pictures of myself during the party, I made a mental note to recreate the look so I could blog about it. My friend recently had a fancy bridal shower, which was the perfect opportunity to re-style the outfit.

Bernie Dexter dresses are known for their pretty prints and pin up cuts. The cherry blossom print on this dress is so beautiful, and the fit is very flattering. A few of my favorite fellow bloggers have posted about this dress (or similar cuts) and talked about how much they love it, too. You can check out how they styled it:

• Southern (California) Belle
• The Soubrette Brunette
• Konadlicious
• Triple Thread
• Gracefully Vintage
• Betty Le Bonbon

You'll notice that I made the dress my own by cutting off the attached cincture and using my own belt. I actually ended up using the cincture as a hair ribbon, which helped tie the outfit together.

Do you have any Bernie Dexter dresses? Which print is your favorite? Tell me in the comments.

Outfit details:
Scene and Believed Dress by Bernie Dexter from ModCloth (no longer available)
Sweater from Express (old)
Shoes from Macy's (unavailable online, similar)
Belt vintage, thrifted
Purse from Urban Outfitters (old, similar)
Necklace from local craft fair
Ring from Etsy shop RRKK (one-of-a-kind)
Earrings from Icing (old, similar)
Temporary Tattoo from Tattly

This post contains ModCloth and Urban Outfitters affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

What I Wore to the Local Art Festival

The Temple Terrace Arts Festival is a yearly event in which talented artists and crafters come together to show and sell their work.

This weekend is the 41st annual festival, and it's taking place in a new location, which just happens to be within walking distance from my house.

I'm really into burgundy for fall, and I was pretty pumped to wear a couple new accessories when I went to the festival on Saturday.

Who says flower crowns are just for summer? The burgundy one I'm wearing is perfect for the season, and the sales clerk at Icing said they'll even be getting holly-style ones in for winter. This seems to be the year of the flower crown, and I'm all about it.

There's something about puffballs that I think are just so cute, and this purse has plenty of 'em. I'll be wearing it with a lot of outfits this fall.

What are you really into this season? Tell me in the comments!

Outfit details:
Dress from Forever 21 (in stores only)
Tank from Urban Outfitters (old)
Leggings from Forever 21
Socks from Icing (old, similar)
Boots from Payless (old, similar)
Purse from Etsy shop Miyas Ethnic Bags
Flower Crown from Icing
Leaf Charm on Short Necklace from Art Beads
Long Leaf Necklace from Anthropologie (old)
Earrings from Charming Charlie
Ring from Urban Outfitters (old)

This post contains Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and Payless affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.