Giveaway: Bunting Necklace from MaryRebecca!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, my talented friend Mary brings you this very exciting giveaway! The prize is one handcrafted maroon bunting necklace, exclusively for my readers. Made of up-cycled leather, this is the perfect accent to your fancy wardrobe, or is the perfect Valentine's gift to give for you stumped Romeos, best friends, and thoughtful siblings out there.

To enter:

• Submit your best date idea in the form of a comment on this post. (It is one of the most lovey dovey times of the year, after all!)

For extra entries:

• Follow Mary's blog: Mary Rebecca via Google Friend Connect.
• Blog about the contest on your own blog (be sure to link to this post to get credit!).
• Tweet about the contest (make sure to @reply to @jinah and @mary_rebecca to get credit!).
• This one's a doozy--buy something from the MaryRebecca Etsy shop for a whopping 8 extra entries! (Make sure to let Mary know during your transaction, or put your transaction number in the comments!)

Boring rules:

• Please leave me a way to contact you, whether it is through e-mail, Twitter, or your own blog.
• Each entry must be in the form of a comment (you can put all of your "extra entries" into a single comment, but just make sure to let me know so you get all your fair entries!).
• Giveaway ends Sunday, February 6th at 11:59.59 EST.
• Open to US and International entries.

Make sure to take a peek through her wares, as well! She has a handful of her infamous Golden Snitch Locket necklaces left, and so many colors of her Victorian Skeleton Cameo pieces left (I love the peach!). And, as if a giveaway wasn't cool enough, Mary is offering 10% off her Etsy shop using the code "BONJOUR11" for my readers through the month of February.

*Giveaway is now closed. Thanks for playing!*

Foxy Loxy

Outfit details:
H&M orange ruffled dress (similar styles: here, here, or here)
Anthro Tyndall Coat (similar here, here, and here)
Anthro Foxy tights (similar fun tights here, here, or here)
Madewell Westway Clogs (other respectable clog options: here, here, and here)
Madewell Heritage Waist belt (totally brilliant--vintage look, easy fit, and goes with both black and brown!)
Rebecca Minkoff MAC bag in Taupe

So I found these tights stuffed in the bottom of a shopping back hidden in the back of my closet earlier this week. Don't you love when that happens? It's like my wardrobe starts to secretly unfold and multiply when I'm not paying attention.

Since the weather keeps insisting on being so finicky, I figure I'll make the most of it and milk my favorite color palette before the bright brights of spring make their way into my wardrobe. I'm still way into all things fox-coloured-shoes, boots, dresses, and maybe even my hair for spring...

Wishing For: Warmer Weather

When working at my freezing cold desk this winter season, I can't help but wish for warmer weather. I was peeking through my photos from the Georgia National Fair, and I've gotta say, I'm extremely glad I live somewhere that it's basically summer through mid-October.

Annie Blouse: The Debut

Outfit details:

Alexa Chung x Madewell Annie Blouse (get a similar one here or here)
Idra (Anthropologie) leather jacket (very hot options here and here)
Madewell High Riser jeans (my current faves!!)
Gap leather ballet flats (more Parisian chic versions here, here, or here)
Rebecca Minkoff MAC bag in Taupe 

After holding onto this since, oh you know, August, I decided it was finally the right time to bust out this blouse. The velvet dots made me want to rub my arms all day, and a camisole underneath the sheer material made it much more work appropriate. 

Also from Madewell, these jeans immediately became my new favorite when I got a pair. Call me a prude if you will, but all my low rise pants are just too darn low lately. I don't know if I magically got taller or what, but suddenly most pants plus top combinations result in my midriff showing!  This is the perfect sartorial solution. High rise plus skinny jeans plus a super dark wash makes them my new favorites!

And while I have your attention, I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to my Rebecca Minkoff collection. Since I already have casual day bags and going out at night bags, I thought this would be the perfect shade to go in between for business events or where I want to look more polished.

THE Maxi Skirt

I'd been eyeing this plaid maxi skirt at work for the past several weeks, and finally the combination of cabin fever (thanks, Snowstorm 2011!) and the onset of the semiannual Squash Blossom half-off sale had me beelining for the rack the first day I could leave the house. The recent onslaught of emails announcing maxi skirts are continuing to be in for Spring confirmed it; I need this piece in my wardrobe.

I think I can find a few reasons to wear it all the time. It's surprisingly versatile--at first I thought it might be too Victorian because of the length, but this maxi is a bit of a chameleon! I think Free People has the right idea:

Rocker chic with leather

Romantic with lace and fur

 

Or edgy with biker boots and a statement belt.

(images from free people site)

Here's how I wore it. Anything look familiar?

Outfit details:

Anthro's Deletta Ambling Twists Tank (similar here and here)

Prairie Underground Long Cloak Hoodie

CP Shades Fanny maxi skirt

Frye Carson pull on boot

I didn't realize I had repeated the top and boot combo until I started editing these photos! Isn't it funny how swapping out just a few pieces can change the entire vibe of an outfit? If only everything I owned could transform from business casual to witchy woman, then I'd be set for spring!

Drumroll, please!

Sorry about the delay, dear friends! I just picked a winner for the cowl scarf giveaway, with the help of random.org's random number generator:

Congratulations to Kathryn! For those of you who didn't win, stay tuned for a Valentine's Day giveaway coming up soon.

I'll be back with an outfit post later tonight. It's actually a new twist on a recent outfit.

Snow Day Giveaway!

Continuing from my last post...

So I was making my list and checking it twice, when I realized I knitted up an extra cowl! I think I got a little carried away. Can you blame me? How could you not want to snuggle up with that lush, tactile yarn?

Yum!

So, instead of keeping it for myself, I thought one of you ladies and hunks might enjoy it! Here is what it looks like on:

Warm necks = big smiles!

And since the weather is all wackadoodle in Atlanta (we've been snowed in for 2 days straight!), I thought today would be the perfect day to launch this giveaway. 

You are entering to win a handmade cowl, by me. More specifically, the one that I am modeling. It has beautiful shades of gold, purple, and navy. I think this would look excellent with an all black ensemble. Easily a unisex piece!

I'm going to keep the rules short and sweet:

• Just leave a comment on this entry to enter! Please make sure to leave a way for me to contact you.
• Giveaway runs from now through Sunday, January 16th at 11:59.59 PM EST.
• I will award extra entries (1 each) for: following my blog via Google Friend Connect; posting about the giveaway via Twitter, Facebook, or your own page.
• Each additional entry must be in the form of a comment.
• I will announce the winner on Monday morning!

Now I'm going to scoot and enjoy the rest of my last snow day. Good luck!

*Prize is approximately a $50 value. I cannot take commission requests for additional cowls out of respect for Jane who wrote this pattern. Check out her Etsy for more knitting patterns! I'm going to make one of her hats next.*

GIVEAWAY CLOSED. Thanks for playing!

Craft ADD update: Chunky Cowls

I wanted to wait till I finished gifting these to post them, but it's well into January and it seems like I've been the biggest slacker Santa ever. As I mentioned in December, I stocked up on some yummy chunky yarns to knit up gifts for Christmas. These are only the remaining--in all I think I made 10 or so to give away as gifts. For some reason these four just haven't made their way to their recipients!

These were all made with the Marian Cowl Pattern by Jane Richmond. It's a very easy pattern that can be modified for any yarn. I was able to knit up each one in 1-3 hours. It's a very good choice for a beginner, or as a nice quick breather project for the more seasoned knitter.

Yarn from top to bottom:
Malabrigo Rasta in Indiecita
Twinkle Soft Chunky in Urchin
Malabrigo Rasta in Soriano
Twinkle Soft Chunky in Capers


This is by far my favorite color of the Twinkle yarn!

So far the ones I've managed to give out have been well received. Even my mom (who doesn't always agree with my taste) requested me to make her one!

New Year, New Outfit!

photos by Julia of the Nomadores!

Outfit details:

J. Crew Jackie Cardigan

Deletta Ambling Twists tank (from Summer '09, try these similar tops: here or here)

Lenora Dame grape bunch necklace (similar on Etsy here!)

J. Crew Moss tweed pencil skirt

Spanx tight end tights (my very favorite brand for tights!)

Frye Carson pull on boot in slate 

I've been saving this pencil skirt for a very special occasion--I purchased it way before the holiday season anticipating finishing grad school in 2011. I thought it would be the perfect bridge piece from my work and play wardrobe into professional business wear. On an otherwise ordinary day, it was the perfect piece to add a little spice to my jeans and tees routine.

Every pencil skirt I've purchased from the Crew has been excellent, and this one is no exception. The tweed has so many great colors incorporated in it, so I chose all of these electric wine grape shades to to pair it with. The boots were an afterthought, but were the perfect finishing touch to take this outfit from office to everyday. Boot season is my favorite--I'll find any excuse to pull out one of my favorite pairs while I can!