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Monday, January 6, 2014

Holiday Style Link-up: New Year's Resolutions

NY Resolutions

Wow, so here we are, our last week of the Holiday Style Link-up hosted by yours truly and On the Daily Express. To be honest, it was a bit terrifying to do this because we had no idea what the participation levels were going to be, and frankly, didn't want to be failures. Needless to say, we are grateful and humbled by all the support and inspiration given not only to us as the hosts, but between all the participants and readers as well. (Yes, even you lurkers who don't comment - we see your clicks and page views!)


Knit Cap: Etsy | Sunnies: Oakley | Coat: Target (added self belt) (option) | Scarf: The Glittered Owl | Sweater: Rubbish (option) | Leggings: Splendid (layered over Cuddl Duds) | Boots: Vince Camuto (similar)

Mix it MondaySee the last time I wore these same pieces.
Left: Scarf | Middle: Sweater | Right: Boots

As I write this, we are hunkering down for, what feels like, a winter apocalypse. We're supposed to be getting 5-8 inches of snow, but on top of that, the wind chill is supposed to be negative 24 degrees. I live in St. Louis, not Antarctica! This is not supposed to be happening! As we were running around getting ice melt, salt, and other necessities, I felt it only appropriate to look the part of a winter victim. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've donned a hat on this blog, outside of my Cardinals baseball cap. Sigh. #imissbaseball

The good thing is, this lock down gives me plenty of time to reflect on 2013 and what I want to accomplish in 2014. We are finishing off the series with New Year's Resolutions. I'm guessing most everybody is back to work as of today, so this week truly marks the start of the new year to me. I can't say I'm diligent at writing my resolutions and sticking to them, but in the spirit of sharing, here's my plan for 2014.

1. Work on my fitness. What else is new, right? This seems to be an ongoing life resolution. I'd say I was in my best shape in 2009, and my goal is to get back to that. Lucky for me, there is a Pilates-Barre studio that opened up near the house. I love love love Pilates, but have only tried the mat classes. I've always wanted to try using the reformer, but the classes always seemed a bit expensive. My cousin in law and I paid a visit to the studio this weekend to get more info on class schedules and pricing, and everything looks great! The class times definitely seem workable and the prices were really only a couple dollars more than what I was used to with the mat classes. On top of this, I commit to 10,000 steps a day, dammit!


2. Paint my fingers. My toes are almost always painted, even in the winter, but I'd say my nails are only painted 30% of the time. I love the way they look painted, so I'm not sure why I can't just get off my lazy butt to do them more!


3. Walk Annie the beagle. This goes along with number 1 above, but it's also good for the beagle's health to get outside and get moving! She loves our walks together, and I am so excited for the weather to be nice enough to do this again.


4. Wear shoes. Not that I don't wear any shoes now, but I need to make sure all my shoes make it into my rotation more! I have a ridiculous amount of shoes, but I know I'm guilty of reaching for the same ones. (Yes, I'm looking at you, Report booties.) If I'm going to continue to be a shoe-aholic, then I need to dress around my shoes more.


5. Purge. Clearly, I have a lot of stuff, which means regular purging is a necessity. I only do this about twice a year right now, which really should be at *minimum* once a season.  I also need to be realistic about what I will truly wear again. Those booties that haven't seen the light of day in a couple years - they need to go. That dress that I have been saving for the last year hoping I'll lose a few pounds - it needs to go. Whether that means donating or listing on Poshmark, my clothes and shoes deserve a happy home. Oh and Dear Future Carylee, just because you're actively purging doesn't mean more shopping!

Linkup Button


Link-up Guidelines:
1. Go to a HOST page (More Pieces of Me or On the Daily Express) and click "Add My Link" at the end of our first post. Make sure your link is for your actual post and not your blog's home page. Even though this is Holiday Style themed, we do welcome all fashion and holiday related posts as long as the participation guidelines are followed.

2) Be sure that your post links back to at least one host (preferably both!). You can use a button on your blog or the link-up language of your choosing in your post, but please find a way to inform your readers of your participation in the Holiday Style Link Up in order to benefit all participants. In the spirit of the holidays we want to help each other grow, find new friends and readers, and share our love for fashion and festivities.

3) Please follow More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express on Bloglovin'

4) After you post your link we hope you'll go check out other participants in the series and spread some holiday cheer with your comments and feedback!

Check out our favorites:
More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express collaborated  to choose our favorites from last week's New Year's Eve theme! Since this week marks the end of the Holiday Style Link-up, we decided to go ahead and highlight our top THREE favorites vs. the normal two. 



Keep on linking on…
In this final week of the Holiday Style Linkup Series, your hosts want to say a genuine THANK YOU to each of you who participated with us. Whether you linked up one time or all six times, whether you dressed to the theme or did your own thing, we truly enjoyed having you join us. Through each of you we found new holiday, fashion, and blogging inspiration, made new friendships, and had our otherwise manic Mondays brightened just a little bit (or a lot!).


Linkup Button


We hate to see the end of this series, so we've decided to give it a new spin for the new year. Every Monday starting January 13 we'll be hosting Manic Mondayand we'd love to have you continue linking up with us. For this link-up there is no particular theme, just link-up to your recent post and be sure to link back to your hosts. Then hopefully we can help each other combat that case of the Mondays with a traffic boost and friendly comments from fellow participants. 

Happy 2014 and we hope to see you linking back up next week for Manic Monday!

More Pieces of Me        

Linking up for Watch What I'm Wearing, Monday Must Haves, Mix it Monday,
Love it Link it, Style Sessions, Erin and Laura for Trend Spin Linkup, 
and Love Your Look.

60 comments :

  1. I loved reading your resolutions! Great choices. And I totally understand about the fingernail painting. It's a royal pain because it chips so fast, whereas my toes could last for weeks. I made the resolution to do nails about 2 years ago and now that I'm in the routine and have a set time for doing it, it's not so bad. Or I'm just used to it and think of it like brushing my teeth. Good luck and I'll be keeping an eye on your nails to see how you do. hee hee. :)
    On the Daily Express

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    1. I was really good at doing it every Sunday night, but then life and now blogging has stopped that routine. But I need to get back on it because I really do think it adds a little extra something with such little effort! (As I type this with naked nails.)
      PS How do you deal with your nails from becoming brittle? I feel like they need a couple days of being naked to rejuvenate.

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  2. Great post......it's always wonderful to set goals/resolutions for the NY! I can so totally relate on the rotating shoes thing.....more power on all of your goals my dear!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seeing you rotate your shoes will encourage me to do the same with mine!

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  3. Glad I discovered your blog this year and have been enjoying it since. Wish you and your family a wonderful 2014! Good luck with your resolutions

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    1. Me, too, for sure! Thanks so much for the support and happy new year!

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  4. great goals :)
    I posted a new look, I'd love to know your opinion
    would you like to pass from my blog?
    tr3ndygirl.com
    kiss

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  5. Great post. And again with the snow. All we are getting is crazy wind and 28 degree mornings. I would love to see some snow. The pics everyone up North are taking with snow in the background looks amazing.

    Have a lovely day!
    ~xx Skye
    TheShopaholicSAHM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's definitely pretty! Just bitter cold!!
      And thank you!

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  6. Wow! I thought I had a lot of shoes! I have a closet room too- isn't it so fun! Love this outfit! I would totally wear it!

    Lindsey
    Thrift and Shout

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lindsey! And yes, it's very nice to have my own space in the house!

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  7. Great goals, Carylee! I'm with you on the painting my nails more and purging my closet! Thanks for hosting a fun link up!
    xo,
    Monica
    http://glamvolution.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Monica! I should make it a point to take nail photos with my outfit posts to keep me accountable!

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  8. Great goals, and I love the knits!

    Sarah
    aroseinthecity0.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you! I really got into chunky knits this season. I had an aversion to them for the last few years!

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  9. Hope this cold won't last that long for you. I just came back from Toronto and they had ice storms...it was not fun!!! Good luck with your goals and thank you for the link up!

    xo,
    Janise

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow, just the word "Toronto" sounds frigid! Glad you made it out of there! Thanks for participating!

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  10. Yeah, actually making sure you wear ALL the shoes you own can be hard when only a few pairs are really practical! I really love your leggings!

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    1. The great thing about having lots of shoes is being able to buy the fun, not so practical ones! But that's also the downside!
      Thanks for the note - and I do love the leggings, too! They're just the look I was looking for, and with the Cuddl Duds layer underneath, they were surprisingly pretty warm!

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  11. Negative 24 degrees?! That is so crazy! On the bright side, you look super-adorable all bundled up! Thanks so much for linking up with Mix it Mondays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lauren! Yes, it hurts to be outside right now!
      And thanks and congrats on hosting the linkup!

      Delete
  12. Nice goals, I need to remember about paint my fingers and wear more often shoes too, because I buy new pair or new nail polish and I don't use it, I have to change this :)

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

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    1. Yes, I use polish as soon as I buy it, then it sits! I need to give them more love! My shoes, too! Now if the weather would just cooperate...

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  13. I would have to agree with painting toes and fingers! I have so much polish that I never bother with!

    http://lcbf441985.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad I'm not the only one! My collection isn't out of control, but definitely still not used enough!
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. Hey There! Glad to see you guys are continuing with the linkup :). You've got a great list of resolutions...maybe we can keep each other motivated to exercise/ be more healthy...sigh. I also love the pic of you looking up at the pilates sign...i've decided to do personal training and feel a bit overwhelmed by it. Take care and stay warm!

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    1. I would love to motivate each other!! Personal training scares me a bit - I'm interested to see what you think of it! I'm sure you will be great once you get into it!

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  15. Replies
    1. It's great! It was a secret santa gift from a friend, and I adore it!
      Thank you!

      Delete
  16. This has been so much fun! Thank you so so much for hosting this series, I really enjoyed it and am sad it's over! I'm now a loyal reader of yours though :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a lot of fun! You will have to come back for the Manic Mondays! I'm excited to do this regularly!
      Very happy our blog worlds have crossed!

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  17. It kind of sounds like when we prepare for a hurricane, minus the power outage (hopefully). Stay warm and enjoy your time at home :)

    Natalia
    http://leavingthecorneranddippingmytoes.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eee, hurricanes are much scarier!
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  18. Love your warm look, that closet project seems interesting! I remember mine, looks like that (boxes of shoes with photos outside the box). good luck and happy new year...
    http://sepatuholig.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. The closet room was definitely fun to put together, and I consider it a work in progress! It's definitely nice to have my own space! The photos on the boxes work great when you don't have glass door shelves to house them!
      Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  19. Great resolutions...but oh my goodness....am still in awe of the pic with all of your shoes! What an amazing collection :-)

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  20. First of all you look great as a "winter victim" I honestly can't believe how cold it is! Secondly..Closet Room? I am in love with your closet and I would be sitting in that chair daily just admiring my shoes! Lucky lucky girl!!

    Hope you stay warm this week!!

    xo Erica www.casuallystyled.com

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    Replies
    1. Haha - yes, sometimes I do that! When my husband can't find me, he searches for me in my room! I've been caught lounging on my chair a time or two! :)
      Stay warm yourself! Craziness out there!

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  21. Such a cute little winter outfit you have on here! I am linking up, though I don't have my resolutions posted…. errr… I hope that's okay? Again I am astounded at your collection, holy snikes!

    http://chelseypatti.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Of course it's ok you linked up! I appreciate it!
      And yeah, I gotta tone it down a bit! It gets scary sometimes! :)

      Delete
  22. I of course just had to go stalk your closet. THAT IS AMAZING!! Very envious of that! Thank you for hosting such a fun link up series!!
    www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

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    1. Haha - well thank you! I would love to have it professionally done one day, but I definitely have nothing to complain about!
      Enjoyed having you! Looking forward to Manic Monday!

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  23. So your shoe closet made me feel so much less guilty about my obsession so thank you LOL. It is an awesome display though, LOVE IT and yes you need to start wearing more, get those babies in the rotation

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    1. Hahaha - well, happy to help! :) I purged 4 pairs of boots tonight, that makes me feel better!

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  24. OMG how did I miss your reveal of your shoe display?!?! I LOVE IT!

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    1. There's no way I was doing the reveal on the board - uh uh - not getting flamed by MM! Haha

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  25. Love your resolutions, babe. I haven't solidified mine just yet- but the gym is definitely on the list! Ha!

    Thanks for letting me link up; glad you girls are continuing the series with Manic Monday!

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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    1. It's been awesome having you! Looking forward to Manic Mondays!

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  26. I am always purging my closet ... It just feels refreshing, and make room for the new!


    xo,
    miranda

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I agree! I purged 4 pairs of boots today and it was invigorating for sure!

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  27. LOVe those leggings!! I never thought to layer leggings but it's such a smart idea!! thanks!
    ~Ellen
    www.everydayfancy.com

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    1. I love these leggings, too, but they're def not warm on its own! The cuddl duds worked perfect! I do layer tights all the time though - definitely worth trying!

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  28. Such a cute and cozy outfit! Great goals for 2014...I especially like the one about setting a goal for number of steps per day. I've noticed it's so easy for me to get caught up at work and not leave for desk for really long periods of time, so I need to be conscious of that a little more I think!

    Jess - J's Style

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    1. Yes - it's amazing how just literally being up out of your chair easily racks up steps! I'm trying to make it a habit to leave my desk once every hour or so, even if it's just for a couple of minutes to lap the office!

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  29. awesome link up and post to start 2014!

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    1. Thanks so much! Would love to see you linkup to Manic Mondays starting next week!

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  30. The temps are redicilous lately but atleast its a good excuse to layer your outfits haha! Love your leggings in that pic!
    XO,
    Ellen
    www.askawayblog.com

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    1. Yes - it does make me feel sad that warm climates can't layer like we do! that part of it makes winter fun!
      And thanks!

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