Monthly Faves of 2010

2010 was my first full year of blogging my outfits every day. (Kind of.) I also feel like I've solidified my style preferences and blogging techniques. (Not really.) I think one of the best things about photographing your outfits every day is seeing your style evolve. The worst part is looking back at your style. Honestly, I wouldn't wear 98% of my previous outfits. They're so amateur. But I went back, cringed, and found the monthly winners. Which month is your favorite? Click on the pics to go to the post.

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Last Shindig

Tonight's our last night in Sac-town. Sad face. Not ready to go back to real life. For our last shindig with the fam, Chase and I (and my bro-in-law and mother-in-law) went to see my father-in-law perform in a little musical theatre show...and we got a little bored. We're 20-somethings going on 10.

And this is the hot 23 year-old me.

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KUTE Clothes

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This is round two of the KUTE Clothes sponsor post. You can check out the first one here.

Here is another KUTE item that I am itching to get my hands on. What do you think? I'm in love, honestly...which is weird because I HATE fringes. I don't care if it's the trend of the year and everybody's wearing it - I hate it! BUT! I could do this bag. The fringe is not all in-your-face but minimal. Are you a fan of the fringe tassel? I think it adds some extra oomph!

Good news, ladies. This comes in THREE colors. I would probably pick gray. Not sure if it's because it's the featured color but after pondering this long and hard, I like the gray one best. Which color do you like?

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This girl is NOT singing in the rain

It is rainy and dreary outside. Chase and I are going out to dinner for some Indian food tonight...one of my faves - the aftermath, not so much. I'll probably change out of this for something warmer. I'm obviously an idiot for wearing SANDALS in DECEMBER. But I thought I lived in sunny California?? Pout.

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Rule Breaking Monday!

It's Rule Breaking Monday! Do you have an outfit from this past week where you broke your styling rules? Then link up here every Monday!

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Christmas Shoes

Finally... an actual outfit post! With all the Christmas festivities, I was so busy eating chocolates and playing with my niece's Wii (not my niece - just kidding... her too) that I forgot to put clothes on...or go outside.

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Christmas is on a Saturday

Merry Christmas!! Today's a Saturday and you know what that means... It's time to get to know each other! To keep the spirit of Christmas, I thought we should center the question today on presents...obvi. What is the best present you gave to somebody today? Chase and I got my sister-in-law a necklace with her kids' initials on it. I thought I was the bomb-diggity when she opened it. (Yes, I just used the word bomb-diggity. Isn't that so 90s?) We also got my other sister-in-law a temple recommend holder to help her obtain her goal of getting to the temple. What about you? What present(s) were you excited to give today?

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Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

<3CHASE&ELAINE

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What I packed for the holidays (and what I wore yesterday)

As you guys know, Chase and I are in Sac-town for the holidays. We're here for two weeks. I thought it'd be fun to show you what I packed...especially since I first tried dumping my fave items into my suitcase but the resourceful side of me said, "You're an idiot," so I went back and packed items I'd be able to mix and match better. I've already created four outfits from these pieces (one, two, three, four is below).

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I bought stuff

This maxi dress was one of my purchases a couple days ago at Forever 21. They were having a huge BOGO sale so this dress ended up being $5. Two things I learned about myself that day:  1) I hate BOGO sales because that means you HAVE to get something else and 99% of the time, the sales rack sucks, 2) I hate big department-like stores (but I already knew that. This just confirmed it.) I swear I was in there for two hours looking for another sale item so I can just go home!!! I am a fast shopper and two hours in one store was hell. But the frugal side of me wouldn't let me go home until I found something. (And I did. I got something for my nephew for Christmas. Seriously, SO adorable. I'm not going to tell you because my sister-in-law reads this and she might make a peep.. ;) LY!)

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I like to play with my hair...a lot

I went shopping and used my own money for the first time in months yesterday. (Yay.) I hit up the town's JCPenney (lame) and then went to the obnoxiously ginormous Forever 21. And I bought stuff. I'll show you later, maybe.

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On a Windy Sunday

Fact:  I hate the wind. It messes up your hair, it throws your skirt up, it gets stuff in your eyes - it's basically a girl's worst enemy (besides a frenemy a la Paris Hilton...I don't get it).

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Are you a rule breaker?

It's Rule Breaking Monday! Do you have an outfit from this past week where you broke your styling rules? Then link up here every Monday!

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Last Casual Friday

I wore this on Friday but didn't have time to post it because Chaser and I were packing and getting ready to leave for Sac-town....and we're here!!!!!!! Longest 6 hours ever. I love the guy and all but when he listens to Harry Connick, Jr., I'm like "who are you?" (He's my boyfriend, duh. My 5 year-old niece gets sooo annoyed when I call Chase my boyfriend. She's all "He's NOT your boyfriend. He's your HUSBAND!!" Then I tell her he's my boyfriend and my husband and that confuses her cute little mind even more. So back to the outfit..)

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Saturdays are for getting to know each other

For today's Getting To Know You series, I was thinking we should start from the beginning...like where were you born? and where else have you lived?

I was born in Korea (NOT North!!!!! Seriously the most annoying question I get after "What are you?") - Seoul to be exact. Then when I was two or three (I don't remember.. I was a baby.) we immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We lived in the ghetto for a while because that's where fresh immigrants go. Then it got dangerous - like there-are-now-prison-bars-on-all-the-windows-and-doors-in-my-old-neighborhood dangerous. So we moved into the suburbs of Philly. Then several years after that we moved further into the super-suburbs (borderline countryside) where my parents are currently residing. I've also lived in Idaho and Utah for school but they don't really count because it's embarrassing. Now I'm in Los Angeles and loving-hating it.

So what about you? Where were you born? and where else have you lived?

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Wanting... Anything Anthro

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you already know I won $100 from Suddenly Darling to any store!!! If not, you should probably start following me...because I know you want to know the daily trivialities of my life...because I'm so exciting. So the store I picked is Anthropologie. Where else would $100 get you next to nothing? I also have a $25 gift card that I won from Lisa over the summer. I haven't used it yet because $25 will only get me one button from that store and I'm too cheap to spend my own money. Now that I have $125 to spend there, I don't know if I should stretch it or splurge it on one item. Well, here are some of my current faves... Cast your votes. I may or may not buy the highest voted item.

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It's about time I wore a different pair of jeans

Sorry about my post yesterday. I just needed a good cry...and McDonald's, which I finally got tonight. Now I feel sick. I hate McDonald's. I'll still want it in another couple months or so.

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Make it your own

Sorry, not really in the mood to be funny and witty. Maybe next year. I just want McDonald's. I never thought I'd tell the whole world that but right now it's true...and sad. Anyway, this is what I wore today. I was inspired by this outfit. I made it my own by adding the broach and the beanie.

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Pursenickety Giveaway (CLOSED)

Raise your hand if you like a good handbag!!! (If you didn't raise your hand, you should probably leave now. I'm just kidding. Don't go.) This month's giveaway is from Pursenickety, a blog purse boutique, that sells designer-inspired bags for prices that won't make your eyes pop and your wallet go "Wha????" (If you say that part out loud, it kind of rhymes.) You can rest easy knowing that Pursenickety bags didn't require child labor in a third world country and are lead-free! Double cheers! Also...the woman behind it all is a stay-at-home mom! Triple cheers! Consider this our Christmas gift to you...if you win.

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Little Boy Suit

Shrunken pants? Small blazer? I promise I am not wearing a little boy's suit.. But if I were, I'd still look hot. Maybe. Probably. Yes. What?

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Sequin Explosion

As you guys know, I LOVE sequins. I have two pairs of sequin flats and a blazer. Okay...so I'm still working on my sequin collection. I found a few or 18 magical sequiny things that I wouldn't mind having in my closet. I'm still looking for a pair of perfect cropped sequin pants. Chase said if I get anymore, I'll be known as the "Sequin Girl". I think that's too late...now. Sooo...what do you think? Have I converted you into a sequins lover yet?

And these? ...just in case there is someone out there who is more fun than me. (Hehe, sequin panties! I'm so mature.)

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You look tired. I know.

I am soooo tired. All I want to do is eat my mac-n-cheese and go to bed. It's finals week for Chase and he's been up all night this whole weekend. We live in a studio apartment and it's kind of hard sleeping when the lights are on all night all weekend. It's been sooo stressful for me. And Chase too. But more so for me.

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Mondays are for breaking rules

After I put up this post on how some of you broke your rules, a lot of you guys were soooo distraught that you missed the deadline that I never told you about. SO if you are a stylin' rule breaker link up here every Monday.

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Something's jingling and jangling..

Hey guys. It's me...Elaine. Thanks to those who participated in my "Let's get to know each other" feature. It seems like we could start a whole fashion-blogger band if we wanted to....and we want to, right? We'd probably have like 30 people on pianos and 30 playing guitars. Beat that, Miley Cyrus.

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Let's get to know each other...

I picked up the guitar for the first time in years last night because I wanted to play this song. I sound like crap. You know how I know? Chase is wearing headphones and listening to music...and he put it up so loud I can hear it. Way to go, husband, you booger. But there was one time I was almost decent at the guitar. Back in my BYU-Idaho days, my then-roommate and I played this song [in the video below] in front of an audience for the first time. That was when Chase and I were dating and he fell in love with me after he heard me play. Just kidding. It was my beauty and charm, duh.Besides pretending to play the guitar, I also play the piano. I took lessons for 15 years, but now I play like a five year-old. What musical instruments do you play? Or what instruments do you wish you played? I think I want to make this a weekly Saturday thing. I have so many wonderful readers, but, unfortunately, don't have the time to visit all your coolio blogs and get to know you individually. I think this segment would be a great way to get to know each other one fact at a time.

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I wore this yesterday.

I didn't wear this today. It's actually my day off, which means I've been in my underwear all day...and it was awesome.

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YOUR Rules Broken

Wearing black and
brown together

Wearing more than one
showcase item at one time

Wearing black, brown, and
navy together

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Reader Question: My J Brand Jeans (and Tsubo boots)

Holly asked how I kept my black skinny jeans....well, black. I wash them inside out with some expensive hypo-allergenic laundry detergent my mom bought us when we first got married (I meant it when I said I have horribly sensitive skin!) and always hang dry them.

I think it helps that these babies were $158...definitely the most I've ever spent on one item of clothing....but SO worth it! The quality is amazing even after a year and a half of wearing and washing. I had a pair of $20 black skinny jeans from Charlotte Russe but the waist ripped, the leg openings widened, it stretched, and the color faded in just months. What a waste! This definitely taught me the value of quality over quantity.

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Blog Crush: Kristine. Or Polly.

You guys... I want this girl's style. And her body. And her long hair. And her wedding dress. Was that creepy enough for you? I'm creeping myself out. Go to her blog and tell me you're not obsessed. Really.

One word that describes you? Light. (Kind of like... a cheerful, easy-going, wispy cloud.)

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I may or may not be selling this sweater..

I was having a hard time figuring out what to wear and I remembered I was selling this sweater. I only wore it like three times. Okay, that's a lie. It's five. It went into the for-sale pile because it hit right at my hips and I didn't like how it fit my big, buff upper arms. (Kidding. It's all fabulous flab.) BUT this outfit may have changed my mind... I'm going to leave it up in the shop for a few more days just in case somebody still wanted it. If not, it's going back into rotation! See what you guys are doing to me when you don't buy my clothes??

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Reader Question: Buying a Domain

Meredith asked me a few questions about buying a domain (switching from blogspot.com to .com). I think it is pretty important as we are all bloggers so here is how I did it and my thoughts about it...

My husband and I have been talking about buying a domain for a while but we weren't sure how it would affect the blog. He's an avid fatwallet.com reader and saw a deal for domains (at GoDaddy.com) for $1.50 a year. YES. If you look hard enough and be patient, you can find some great deals on domains!!

We made the plunge (obvi). But it wasn't smooth and easy as we had hoped.

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Orange you green?

A long time ago, I saw a Gap ad with Sarah Jessica Parker in it and she had a cardigan wrapped around her tiny child-like body with a broach. And today I tried to copy it. But it looked like this...AKA a hot mess. I think I need some more practice..

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Sneaks

As some of you may have noticed (by some, I mean Erica!), I was dressed a bit more casual than usual for work yesterday. I was given the okay to wear jeans and sneakers because they need me to do some manual labor since I'm so strong, obvi.

The problem is....I don't have any sneakers. I have two pairs of running sneakers, a pair of trailing sneakers, and a pair of walking sneakers. Like I said....I don't have any sneakers. The reason I say that is because I will NEVER wear athletic sneakers as regular attire. NEVER! Dramatic, much? YES!!!

So it made me think...why don't I have any "fashion" sneakers? Because I don't like pairing casual and dressy together. I've been doing better about breaking that rule but I think athletic sneakers are too casual for me. I went "shopping" last night and picked out a few or eight that I wouldn't mind having for traveling or chasing my imaginary kids.

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Herro

As you guys know, I don't like graphic t-shirts. If you didn't, you do now. I currently have two graphic t-shirts that I've worn on the blog that you can see here and here. But I still don't wear them very often. So I was really surprised when I grabbed this shirt this morning. It's white so it's basically a basic....basically. Plus, it has my favorite verb. If you can guess which one it is, you're probably reading my blog too much....and that's awesome.

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Rules are for breaking...unless it's the law.

I wore this for church today. I haven't been posting my Sunday outfits because we're always late and so I end up throwing on whatever and feeling like whatever, you know? But today I did my hair and actually thought about what to wear. I deserve a million points. Change that to dollars and we've got a deal.

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Wanted... like right now!

THIS close to buying these babies. THIS CLOSE. Maybe closer... like THISCLOSE.

I love the subtle lace detailing. They kind of remind me of my Tsubo shoes but not. These are a bit fancier. They also have them in black! I think I need both. But I'd probably get them in ivory because I don't have any white/ivory shoes and I think they'd look great with my colored tights.

What do you think? Buy or pass?

Update: I think I'll pass on these.. Not sure about that strap across the toes. I'm thinking it'll look ridiculous on my wide feet. Boo.

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Makeup Tutorial: What pimples?

For those who don't have the perfect skin (like me), here is a way for you to cover those blemishes. Don't mind my tired face and my creepy voice at the end. Yes. I'm totally creepy.

What you'll need:

foundation that matches your skin tone (I use Revlon ColorStay Makeup)

tinted face powder (I use NuSkin Finishing Powder)

P.S. When I said "I'm horrible at this stuff," I meant I'm horrible at videos, explaining things, makeup, and cooking.

P.P.S. Sorry for the bad lighting. I hate it too.

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Didn't you wear those jeans yesterday?

I just ate way too much pizza for one person...and put way too much garlic on it. Chase and I are making out.........never.

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A Promise is a Promise

So remember when I went to maurices that one time? Yeah, me neither. But here is the sequin blazer I promised to show you guys a year ago. (Ohemgee, I look like I'm 12 in that post.)

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