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Happy 30th Birthday to me! I can’t believe I’ve finally hit the big 3-0, but here it is. I don’t really feel that much older, and I just asked Nick the other night what he thought it meant to “feel like an adult.” We still haven’t figured it out yet 😉 On the agenda today is fun birthday activities like manicures/pedicures, some shopping, and a fancy dinner tonight. I can’t wait!

I’ve been blogging long enough now that I can participate in a year in review so I decided to do it on my birthday, which just happens to be the last day of the year. So, most people would choose their favorite outfit from each month, but I decided to choose my favorites based on either how much I liked it or how often I wore it (which are often positively correlated). Looking back, I see that I wore rolled denim and scarves a lot, which tells me that I’ve learned how to do casual pretty well. In May, I will graduate from grad school, rejoin the workforce (*fingers crossed* that it won’t take too long), and can show my very-neglected pencil skirts some love! Until then, here are my 15 favorite outfits from this year.

Original Post 1: It was one of the coldest days we experienced in NC.

Original post 2: The secret to wearing maxis in the winter is ankle boots!

Original post 3: Figuring out how to dress casually as a graduate student.

Original post 4: What I wore on the first day of my summer internship.

Original post 5: The perfect backyard barbeque outfit.

Original post 6: Wearing sweaters in the summer because of office air conditioning.

Original post 7: I’m hoping utility vests never go out of style.

Original post 8: Sunday Brunch after my best friend’s wedding.

Original post 9: A short girl wears a midi skirt and it actually looks good!

Original post 10: Loving the plum/turquoise combo in my new favorite outfit.

Original post 11: I love wearing Halloween colors together, and I got a TON of compliments on this blazer.

Original post 12 : This outfit has all of my autumn favorites: the colors, the stripes, and leopard print.

Original post 13: Date night outfit that got the most wear while watching a movie on my couch!

Original Post 14: The outfit that made me look like I stepped straight off of a Pinterest board.

Original post 15: Holiday sequins that are perfect for any holiday or New Year’s Eve party.

I’m looking forward to 2015. I hope everyone has a happy New Year full of love and fun and whatever else you desire!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

I originally bought this skirt  with the intention of  wearing it with my white tie-neck blouse to a health conference in September but when I got it home, it felt way too short to wear to a professional event. Looking at it now, I probably would’ve been fine but I’m really loving how good it looks with the tights and booties, especially with the tapered front. And my chunky, slightly oversized sweater makes it feel perfect for winter.

I wore this outfit to date night. We had dinner, with the nicest server ever (seriously, she was so nice and smiled so much and I just loved her), and then came home to watch a movie in the comfort of our own living room. This is what happens as you get older; you prefer watching movies on your couch so you can take snack and potty breaks on your terms. Oh my, I just realized I’m turninng into my parents! 🙂

I think the texture from the sweater and skirt, along with the geometric pattern on the skirt takes this outfit from potentially dull to really interesting.

Sweater: Banana Republic | Tank: C. Luce via Stitch Fix | Skirt: Target | Tights: Banana Republic | Booties: Target | Clutch: really old! | Necklace: Kohls (old)

Linking up with More Pieces of Me

This is no ordinary sweater. It’s an open-backed pullover (or something like that) which is new territory for me. I wore this outfit to lunch and then again to work, but the first time I wore it I kept trying to pull the back closed, as if I were in a hospital gown. Nick finally convinced me that it wasn’t open too wide and that it looked really nice, and now it is quickly becoming one of my favorite winter pieces!

I love how it sparkles and is cozy and warm, despite the open back. I also really like how it looks a little chunky without swallowing me up. And can you tell that these jeans are black (and supposed to be skinny)? I’ve noticed that I’ve been wearing a lot of black and white and gray lately, but neutrals are never a bad thing when they look this classy! 😉

Sweater: Banana Republic | Tank: C. Luce via Stitch Fix | Jeans: Banana Republic | Necklace: Wal-Mart | Clutch: Francesca’s | Shoes: dexflex by Dexter via Payless

Linking up with The Tiny Heart | Perfectly Coutured

Apparently, I have a thing for little green dresses! I have three of them so far. However, I didn’t have a fancy green dress so when I saw this one, I had to have it. I figured it would make a good holiday dress and I was right. I wore this to my graduate program’s winter social. It wasn’t very cool out, even though it is December, so I didn’t need a wrap or jacket. But I did wear sparkly tights because SPARKLY TIGHTS!

I’ve been looking for a black clutch and wouldn’t you know, during our day of cleaning house, I found this old thing! It’s pretty outdated and kind of tiny and the cell phone pocket was made for a small flip phone (that should tell you how old it is!). I don’t think I’ll be keeping it, but it’s working until I find a new one.

These stud earrings were a gift from my mother-in-law. I don’t usually wear studs because of my attached earlobe but I love their simple sophistication.

I probably like green so much because it brings out the green in my eyes!

And here’s the blooper: eyes closed

Dress: Ya Los Angeles via a little boutique in Wilmington, NC called Planet | Booties: Target | Tights: Banana Republic | Earrings: gift from my mother-in-law | Clutch: who the hell knows!

Linking up with InDUFFinitely Me | Walking in Memphis in High Heels | I Do DeClaire | Tucker Up | Because Shanna Said So | The Pleated Poppy | The Tiny Heart | Perfectly Coutured | Living in Color Style

I’m back! Exams are over so I’m officially on winter break. I have to tell you that it feels great because this semester has been ridiculously tedious with papers and reading and other school work and it’s all because of two particular communications courses that I was taking as electives. Electives should not be that much work! But it’s all over now and I have a full month off to read for fun and to take pictures of my cute outfits!

Speaking of cute outfits, I wore this one to hang out around home and go grocery shopping. A Fresh Market just opened up near our house so we went to check it. How is it that I’ve never been to a Fresh Market? I’m definitely digging it. Then we came home and did some much-needed cleaning around the house. It was a nice, cozy Saturday.

I bought two of these cute little NC state necklaces, one for me and one for my best friend who moved to Los Angeles about three years ago, as going away gift/best friend gift. The heart is over Durham, where we met and lived before she left.

 Sweater: Banana Republic | Cardigan:  Annabelle via Francesca’s | Tank: Target | Leggings: Old Navy | Boots: Steve Madden | Handbag: Franco Sarto Sunglasses: Target | NC State Necklace: Etsy | Layered Necklace: Claire’s 

Linking up with More Pieces of Me