Sydney's Fashion Diary: December 2013

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Day 2013!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. If you follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram, you might have known that my husband and I closed on our new place last Friday. It was the biggest Christmas gift of all to ourselves. The last few days consisted of constantly packing, moving boxes and unpacking. We still have a lot to do but are beyond thrilled to finally all moved in. Waking up the first morning in our new place felt so special. The last 12 months were challenging but exciting nonetheless. I ordered this dress for NYE but ended up wearing it on Christmas for a date night with the husband. Wishing you all a new year filled with love, joy and happiness and thank you for following along. Goodbye 2013 and hello 2014!

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Ringing in the New Year With Sequins

2013 flew by in a blink of an eye! There were many ups and downs for the past 12 months but I can honestly say that I am very content with my life. I am blessed to have a husband who appreciates me in the smaller things and my two precious girls. They are my world. Having a new baby and a new house put a lot of stress in our everyday life. I will be the first to admit that I wasn't the most positive person as of late. My only New Year’s resolution for 2014 is to be optimistic. Positive thinking and positive attitudes are essential for having a happy and meaningful life. There will always be good and bad life events occur but remember, no matter how hard the situation is, happiness is choice.

Now onto my outfit…

If you’re still looking for the perfect NYE dress, I have an option for you. You might recall that I partnered with White House Black Market last year to feature the petite instantly slimming dress. It’s still one of my favorite dresses in the closet. This year, I decided to go for something a little more fun and festive. I am not the one who typically decked out in sequins. However, NYE is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone. I am actually very excited to countdown to the New Year in this sparkly dress. WHBM continues to amaze me with how petite-friendly their pieces are. The dress I wore last year fits me to a T. I am delighted to report that this dress is another win for me. I am grateful that the weather warmed up quite a bit this week. Even though there was snow on the ground, the temperature was actually in the 60s when these photos were taken (hence no tights).

What I am wearing:

Dress: WHBM sequin dress c/o - size XXSP

Jacket: J.Crew lady day double-cloth coat - size 00R

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Number One

Clutch: Topshop *old* (buy similar here or here)

Shoes: Express *old* (buy similar here)

Scarf: The limited faux fur scarf (also available in black)

Bracelet: David Yurman cable bracelet
Lipstick: Maybelline vivids on-fire red

Even though this dress is a statement piece, the level of sparkly was somewhat understated. I kept my accessories to a minimum to allow the dress to take center stage. Please keep in mind, since the dress completely covered in sequins, they do add a good weight to it. The dress is fully lined. Measurements for a size XXS petite are: 12.5 across the shoulders, 30” overall length, 15” armpit to armpit and 14” across the waist. All online reviews pointed out the itchiness under the arms and it was tough to get on/off. I do agree with them. Material is 95% polyester and 5% spandex. This is something I probably would wear once a year so I am willing to look pass those 2 issues. You now can score this fun, flattering and eye catching dress for 30% off with code 16107. Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Reindeer Christmas Tee

Looking through these photos is making me miss the warm weather we had 2 weeks ago. Even though I complain about the brutal and cold weather every year, I do appreciate the 4 distinct seasons and what they have to offer. I would be so confused if the temperature is in the 80s in December. Can you believe Christmas is less than one week away? Speaking of Christmas, this holiday themed tee is perfect for the holiday. The material is so soft and comfy to wear. I would totally wear this tee to open presents on Christmas morning =) Please excuse the wrinkles in my skirt. Can't expect much out of H&M's wool quality. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

What I am wearing:
Skirt: H&M *old* (buy similar here)
Tee: Skip N Whistle c/o - size S
Boots: Ugg classic tall in chestnut
Sunglasses: LOFT *oldf*
Lipstick: so obsessed with it
Jacket: H&M *old* (buy similar here)

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Sunday, December 15, 2013

Twinsies and Hunter Kids Rain Boots

My first daughter is 8 and I love the mother-daughter bond at this stage. I am sure the teenage years can be challenging but I look forward to having her as my best friend for the rest of my life. One day, I hope she'll ask me to help her picking out a prom dress, a wedding dress or just simply sharing life experiences with each other. Speaking of prom dresses, girls are so fun to shop for. Once in a while, I caught her sneaking into my closet. I immersed myself in the greatest joy of watching my own daughter going through my clothes. She was interested in a pair of rain boots last year. Since they are my winter staples, I thought it's time for her very first wellies =)

I've had these boots for almost 2 years now and I absolutely love them. They are the best for wet rain, slushy snow days. One thing to keep in mind that Hunter boots aren't insulated. If you're looking for something to keep your feet warm, definitely need to add these fleece socks. The kid version has two reflective patches on the back of each boot which add that little bit of safety when out and about. My daughter is currently wearing a size US 1 in shoes. I got these in a size UK 13 and they seem to fit her well with a little room to spare for thicker socks.

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Friday, December 13, 2013

10 retailers offer free shipping on any orders (no minimum purchase)

I hate paying for shipping. It’s a deal breaker for me if I have to do so. To help you save a bit this holiday season, I compiled a list of 10 retailers that offer free shipping on any order with no minimum purchase required.

1. 6pm:

Badgley Mischka pumps (78% off)
Joie lace dress (under $50)
Rebecca Minkoff clutch (on sale)
Kendra Scott earrings (under $50)

2. ASOS:

Leather biker jacket
Wrap skirt
Cambridge satchel
Lace dress (on sale!)

3. Bebe:

Feather dress (perfect for NYE)
Lace pencil skirt
Biker jacket (half off!)
Leather circle skirt (I tried this in store and the leather is incredibly soft)

4. Kate Spade: