The Eve

Outfit Breakdown:

Bottom Tank: Urban Outfitters, old

Top Tank:  StyleMint

Blazer:  Urban Outfitters, old

Pants: Jcrew Minnie Link!

Shoes: Target

This is the outfit I wore on Christmas Eve, usually we get pretty dressy because we go to dinner at a family friends Open House party (hey Jen!) and then we go to church right after.  I usually wear something new that ends up being really uncomfortable (in the name of fashion, you know how it is).  This year I was all about the comfort, I've raved about these Minnie's before but they are just to stretchy and comfy!  Plus they are red so that seemed pretty festive to me.

xoxo

Joanna

TGIF

Outfit Breakdown:

Shirt: Gap 

Pants: Loft (same print, shirt)

Cardigan: 

Shoes: Cole Haan Similar

Sorry for the bit of blogging absence!  I had a lovely holiday with my family on Christmas and then we kept celebrating with my grandparents down the shore.  I had some technical difficulty with the iPad so I took a couple days off...

I hope all of you who celebrated had a wonderful time with your families... it goes too quick doesn't it??

Anyway, this is an outfit I wore to work last week, nothing special but still loving these pants!

xoxo
Joanna

Merry Christmas Eve!

Outfit Breakdown:

Sweater: Urban Outfitters, old

Shirt: Topshop

Belt: ASOS- out of stock

Pants: Jcrew Minnie Link!

Boots: Steve Madden, old

Neaklace: Banana Republic- out of stock

Friday night I went to dinner with my girlfriends from my Book Club, I told you last week I was going to do a "day to night" look and this is the result.  Really, the only thing that stayed was the sweater... I was going to keep the whole top half the same but I got something on the tank (typical) and I lost the belt because my sister said I looked like a present.  Both necklaces are pretty bling-y but I changed to the more sparkly one for night-time.  

We had a fabulous time, we went to this amazing italian restaurant called La Lanterna and they have the MOST amazing specials.  If you get something off the regular menu, you're crazy!  90% of us got the scallop special- I've had it before, and when it's on the specials I can't seem to get anything else ;)

Which look do you prefer, day or night?

Outfit Breakdown:

Sweater: Urban Outfitters, old

Shirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's Link!

Pants: BDG, Urban Outfitters Similar

Shoes: Urban Outfitters Link!

Neaklace: Giuliana Rancic for Loft 

For those who celebrate I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas!  I love this time of year, and all the special time spent with family and friends.  Our Christmas Eve plans include:  getting our nails done and then going to dinner at a family friend's house... heading off to church and then relaxing at home.  We open the presents my sisters and I got for everyone.  It's been a tradition since we were old enough to buy our own gifts... it allowed those gifts to have their "own moment" and everyone got to open a little something the night before (when you're little it's SO hard to wait until Christmas morning!!)

xoxo
Joanna

Simple

Outfit Breakdown:

Sweater: Jcrew Link! Same, different color

Pants: Jcrew Link!

Shoes: Target, last year 

This outfit is pretty simple but I really like the green and black together.  I feel like everyone and their Mom has the Jcrew Tippi sweater, it's so comfortable and lightweight I can see why! 

Tonight I have my book club's annual Holiday Dinner and I'm excited to go out with my girlfriends.  We are going to this delicious Italian restaurant and I'm already thinking about what I'm going to order... and the wine haha.  I'm planning on making my work outfit go from "day to night" so that will be on the blog hopefully next week if all goes well!  Have a great weekend,

xoxo
Joanna

Animal

Outfit Breakdown:

Blouse: French Connection Link! on sale!

Pants:  Urban Outfitters Link!

Boots: Nine West Outlet, last year

I am loving the animal print trend but wasn't sure about it on myself.  I've gotten a few shirts this year and I think it's the right amount of print without being to wild or overwhelming!  I paired it with all black to let the shirt shine.

The past two Christmases I've been sick, and it stinks big time.  It's becoming an unintended "tradition" that I'm trying to avoid this year.  However, I can feel myself getting worn down and "scratchy throat" has made an appearance.  I'm trying to take it easy this week and drink a lot of Airborne!! 

The last two years I worked Christmas Eve and then again right after Christmas... it was tough and really cut into family time.  This year I took the whole week off and I am SO EXCITED.  This is a tradition I think I will keep ;)

xoxo
Joanna

Pajamas to Work

Outfit Breakdown:

Top: Gap 

Pants: Topshop Similar

Necklace: Banana Republic Link!

Shoes: Target

These pants are a little out of my normal comfort zone.  They are silky and they are a print.  Generally, I try to stay away from prints on my bottom half, since I'm more of a pear shape.  However, I felt like these pants were more of an "abstract" look and not a true print so I went for it.

Looking at the pictures, they aren't that bad but definitely draw attention to the legs... but I don't care because they feel like pajamas... and who doesn't want to wear pajamas to work?  Duh. 

xoxo
Joanna

Winter White

Outfit Breakdown:

Tank: Loft

Sweater: Loft

Pants: Banana Republic, old (like college old) Similar

Shoes: Target

Watch: Skagen Link!

I found these pants in the back of my closet... I don't usually wear white in the winter but I gave it a whirl!  I like how the look turned out, and it felt refreshing to get away from the dark colors of winter. 

xoxo

Joanna

Deals

Outfit Breakdown:

Dress: Calvin Klein via Rue La La

Cardigan: Marshall's

Tights: Hue via Marshall's Link!

Booties: Target, old

A few years ago I jumped on the bandwagon and joined a few of the "style boutique sites" such as Rue La La, Gilt, HauteLook etc etc.  You have to be a member, but it's easy, just sign up with an email address.  They have new things everyday whether it's women's, men's, travel, home goods, kids clothes etc. 

I signed up with my "junk email", and I look at the email titles daily and see if there's any brands that strike my fancy.  If so I take a look.  I buy things here and there, and you can really save some money if you know what you're looking for. 

Thedress I'm wearing above, I bought this spring on Rue La La... I was browsing Calvin Klein and saw it.  I liked that it was just a simple black shift dress, but it has a little button detail on the side for interest.  I figured I could wear it to work, but also dress it up for a wedding, event etc.

Does anyone else shop on these sites?

xoxo
Joanna

Minnie

Outfit Breakdown:

Shirt: StyleMint

Tank: Loft

Pants: Jcrew Minnie Link! on sale!

Loafers: Naturalizer ($3 Garage Sale find!)

I end up wearing this style of pant, a cropped dressy type, to work often.  I find them so versatile because I can wear them with flats or heels... and any top.  I am also pretty short and when I buy regular dress pants they are always too long or I'm stuck wearing them with a specific type of shoe (and I have to spend $ hemming them!). 

This pant is particular, is the Jcrew Minnie... I have had it in black for a year or so now (thanks Katie!) and I probably wear them to work at least once a week.  I just got this red color while Jcrew was having one of their holiday sales (I believe they are having 30% off and free shipping online today: code WISHLIST).  It's a little more bold so I probably won't wear them quite as often, but I'm always looking to add more cropped styles to my wardrobe.  What do you all wear to work??

xoxo
Joanna

Fail

Outfit Breakdown:

Tank: Target

Shirt: Jcrew, old

Jacket: Gap, gift

Pants: Urban Outfitters Link!

Boots: Nine West Outlet

I liked the idea of this outfit, but I'm not sure if it worked in reality.  Something about the blues... but I feel like to be honest, I have to show you the good, bad and ugly ;)  Well maybe not the ugly haha. 

xoxo
Joanna

Black and Blue

Outfit Breakdown:

Turtleneck:  Gap Link! on sale!

Blouse: French Connection 

Pants: Urban Outfitters Similar

Shoes: Target, old

Watch: Fossil Stella Link!

Rings: Whistles, vintage, and etsy Link!

I wore this outfit on Sunday for my mom's birthday.  I got this top over the summer at French Connection and I considered putting it away with my summer clothes, but I felt like I could re-mix it in the fall and winter... I layered it over my trusty Gap turtleneck for a "winter appropriate" look.  I like the combination of blacks and blues!

We had a nice little Sunday, we went to a nice lunch and then bowling!  I'm pretty pitiful, and my arm is still sore, but we had a great time.

xoxo
Joanna

Color

Outfit Breakdown:

Blouse: ASOS Link!

Tank: Loft 

Pants: Jcrew Link!

Shoes: Target

So remember when I said I wasn't going to get anything new?  I lied.  New pants, new top... and it feels good.  In my defense, I got both on sale for a really good price!

xoxo Joanna

Honored!

The Liebster Award

All Dressed Up in Love has been nominated by Jessy @ Four Seasons Style for this award and I'm very excited to share a little bit more about myself with my readers!

Here is what Jessy says about the award:

The Liebster award is given by a blogger to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

Here is what to do...You must post 11 facts about yourself, then answer the questions the nominator made for you. Next, you create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate. Then you choose blogs to nominate, and be sure to link them to your post. Finally, go to their page and tell them. No tags back allowed!

Facts about Joanna @ All Dressed Up in Love:

1.  I have two younger sisters, one is a physical education teacher (in an elementary school) and one is getting her masters in English Literature.  They also make up the majority of my current blog followers ;)

2.  I went to Villanova University and loved it. 

3.  I have a cat named Callie, she's sleeping next to me right now...

4.  I love clothes (obviously) and whenever I try to stop buying as much, the opposite happens... shocking.

5.  I didn't go on an airplane until I was 18 years old.

6.  I have a huge fear of public speaking and will literally not to something because of it (bad I know).

7.  I've been an eye doctor for about two and half years now, and sometimes I still look around when people day "Doctor" to see who they're talking to.

8.  I hate when people drive slow in the fast lane... I don't think they realize that's what the lanes to their right are for, just sayin.

9.  I love the beach, LOVE.  I could live on the beach.  My grandparents live by Atlantic City and when we were little we used to go down the whole month of August, obviously we don't have that kind of time off anymore but I still get down every chance I get as soon as the weather warms up!

10.  I don't drink soda.  My favorite drink is milk.  I know, weirdo.

11.  I have the best girlfriends in the world, I am friends with people from every chapter of my life (high school, college, optometry school) and I don't know what I'd do without them :)

QUESTIONS FROM JESSY 

1. What is your least favorite style trend right now?

I wasn't really a neon fan, although that seems to have died out with the cool weather.  I'm hoping it doesn't make a resurgence in the spring.

2. Do you find yourself buying more jewelry or make-up than you need?

Probably jewelry.  I am pretty good about using all my make-up but I put jewelry on and leave it on for a while without changing it so I don't need so much.  I'm trying to get better though!

3. What inspired you to start your very own fashion/lifestyle blog?

I have been reading more and more blogs the past couple years and I love reading the fashion blogs especially.  It looked like a lot of fun and I wanted to have a creative outlet for myself.  And also, to hopefully inspire others!

4. Where do you live currently and is there somewhere else you dream of living someday?

I live in North Jersey.  I would love to live closer to the beach (see above), even if it's the Jersey shore.  I did a rotation in Charleston, S.C. when I was in optometry school and I LOVED it.  I would go back in a heartbeat if I could take everyone I know with me ;)  I just don't see myself leaving N.J. All my family and friends are here.

5. What is your dream vacation spot?

The beach (see above haha).  But seriously, I have an internal struggle because part of me always wants to just go somewhere warm/tropical and lay on a beach and relax.  But the other part of me loves to explore new cultures/countries... So I like to try and mix it up.

6. Is there a garment, or an accessory that you just can't stop buying even though you know you don't need any more of them? Feel free to list more than one!

Uh, Leggings?  They are so unflattering so why do I keep buying them?  And scarves, I probably could wear one a day for the winter, overkill.

7. What are the most important qualities you look for in a close friend or significant other?

Fun, trust, common interests... the usual haha.

8. Would you describe yourself as more trendy or primarily timeless while incorporating the trends you love most into your wardrobe?

I would say my style is a bit of both.  I like to have classic/timeless pieces in my wardrobe but I also am not afraid to try something or take a risk.

9. If you had one wish, anything at all, what would it be?

Wow, well just a happy and healthy life I suppose!

10. What is your favorite season for creating outfits? What season do you find to be most challenging?

I honestly like every season, my challenge comes at the end of every season when I get sick of my clothes/the weather/all the combinations I've already tried.  The best is starting a new season and having a whole new set of stuff to work with!

11. What honest advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting a blog?

This is tough because I literally just started this blog, sooo I still need advice haha.  I guess my advice is just go for it and be yourself.  You have to do it for yourself and not worry about the rest, I have three followers and it could get me down (since I'm basically talking to myself, hello? hello? haha) but it doesn't!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU

1. What is your least favorite style trend right now?

2. What is your go-to holiday outfit and/or wedding outfit?

3. What inspired you to start your very own fashion/lifestyle blog?

4. Where do you live currently and is there somewhere else you dream of living someday?

5. What is your dream vacation spot?

6. Is there a garment, or an accessory that you just can't stop buying even though you know you don't need any more of them? Feel free to list more than one!

7. What are the most important qualities you look for in a close friend or significant other?

8. Would you describe your style as more trendy or timeless?  

9. What are your favorite stores to shop at?

10. What is your favorite season for creating outfits? What season do you find to be most challenging?

11. What honest advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting a blog?

I nominate:

The Perpetual Student's Wife

In Residence

The Best Things in Life are Free, the Second Best are Very Expensive

New Jewels

So three things...

1.  I adopted a policy this year while X-Mas shopping, where every time I bought someone a gift I bought myself something too... this new necklace happens to be one of those purchases and I only feel 20% bad about it. 

2.  The rest of this outfit is not blog worthy, I was feeling less than stellar so I wanted to be comfortable and thought adding this blingy necklace would detract from the fact I was basically wearing pajamas to work... but alas, looking back at the photos, that was not the case... sooo this is all you get.

3.  I figured out how to make the pictures bigger once uploaded... winning.

xo

Joanna

Sweater Dress

Outfit Breakdown:

Blouse: Loft Petites Similar

Dress: Anthro, old

Belt: ASOS- out of stock

Tights: ASOS Link!

Shoes: Target, old

My coworker told me this outfit made me look like a thirteen year old schoolgirl.  My patients already think I'm in high school, so I'm sure this helped the situation out tremendously. 


xoxo
Joanna