As I write this post, I feel that I must reiterate the internet’s most popular idea this week:
THANK GOD THAT 2016 IS ENDING. Honestly, pretty much anything that 2017 could throw at me would have to be easier than the never ending barrage of bull that has been floating around this year.
Not to say that good things haven’t happened. They certainly have.
I did four awesome productions. All with their own unique and awesome experiences, people, and casts. I saw over 40 shows this year. I got a job at Elizabethtown. I raised my goal for March of Dimes. Got a new car. Started this blog. Got more than a thousand followers on Instagram. And every day I fall more in love with Preston.
I mean, honestly. Look at this kid. He’s ADORABLE. Who could not love him more everyday?
But 2016 wasn’t always so kind to me. I was grateful to have my family and Preston by my side through the harder times.
So raise a glass to say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in 2017 with the hope for new adventures and opportunity.
As everyone brings in the new year, I wanted to suggest a few outfits for making that countdown really pop!
Obsessed.
That is a perfect way to describe how I feel about this NYE look.
I got this awesome black and silver lace number from Torrid on a BOGO Free clearance rack. (Obviously, my favorite kind of rack.) So each dress ended up being around $25 dollars. Which is a steal and a half.
So let’s talk about the accessories. I matched with a headband with little silver clocks on it (made it myself for less than $3 from stuff at A.C. Moore) and a cute little clock purse from Walmart of all places!
It’s really easy to find a few cute ‘theme’ pieces to really tie an outfit together and make it pop!
I’m not much of a jewelry/shoe person. So I try to make my glasses, belts, and headbands a nice statement to the outfit.
Sparkly (and Scratchy)
So, a few things about this outfit.
This was the other half of the Torrid BOGO clearance. So $25 or so.
This was a stretchy sequin top with a tulle skirt. It was SO cute, great length, great fit.
A lifetime of being a theatre kid has made me a sucker for anything with sequins and tulle.
But no one warned me that sequins rubbing on your bare skin is going to SCRATCH THEM THE FLIP UP. Like my under arms would rub against the sequins and they’d scratch them. Like, red itchy scratches.
Pro Tip: No show deodorant and a little baby powder on the exposed skin that the sequins will be rubbing on works miracles.
But I paired this with my silver shooting star headband from Charming Charlie’s for a perfect night out.
*Double Pro-Tip: If you’re drinking and need a DD, offer to pay a friend that doesn’t drink to take you home, or ask a friend that is an uber driver to pay in cash under the table. That way no one is getting charged any crazy surcharges or have to wait in a crazy line in the app. I did that last year. I had a friend that was an Uber driver and needed to get only five miles to my house. So we gave him $30 for a ride. WAAAAY cheaper than any service would have been and was easy cash for him.
Sassy (and Bad-Ass-y)
This outfit for me is that perfect blend of girly with the silver satin bow crop top (that was an AMAZING thrift find a few years ago) and sassy and bad-ass-y with the leather pleated skirt from Torrid.
I lovelovelove mixing fabrics. I’m mixing the satin and faux suede of this super soft silver top with the faux bow front on the bodice. And the leather is a mix of sassy ass-y.
Leather AND satin? Is this NYE or a date night?
I’m always a fan of high waisted skirt. I think it minimizes the tummy, emphasizes my waist and my bust.
I also paired this with my silver clock headband. (that’s the great part about holiday accessories – you can TOTALLY use them every year).
And bonus – what a great amount of cleavage.
Leggings are ALMOST always appropriate.
I found this gold sparkly empire waist top at the Salvation Army YEARS ago. It was brand new but had a hole punched in the tag which means it was a sample. I always feel like that’s a special bargain.
And bonus – they also had it in silver. So I have silver AND gold. BALLER.
It was $2 and I thought to myself, self, you never know when you may need this. That is how my closet gets so out of hand. When I find a plus size piece at a thrift store for less than $5 that’s pretty unique – I grab it. You never know when you could use it.
And these Torrid leggings with the champagne bottles and fizzy glasses are just the cutest and comfiest way to bring in the new year!
Or just…stay in!
And at age 24, I don’t really LIKE staying in. I like going out and getting wild.
I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t love getting weird at a party and a good excuse to do my make up.
But sometimes, you are tired, feeling anti-social, have kids, have to work in the morning, etc. Anything – that makes you NOT want to go out and party and spend a quiet night in with your hubby, the kids, or a few friends for a low-key toast.
And you can always smooch a pooch at midnight!
And I always feel that even if you’re going to stay in, keep your bra on when you’re trying to feel like a human.
I paired a college sweatshirt (from the college that I work at!) and my new favorite pair of leopard leggings.
And as always, a special thanks to Harvey for posing with me. He’s my little nugget and I LOVE him so much.
So here’s the “end of blog” spiel!
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I have my next few weeks of programs all planned out – I’ll be doing, NYE fashion, teaching, etc. Do you actually want to see a post about selling my underwear on Craigslist?
I’d really love to do that Barbie post. If anyone can seriously sponsor it – let me know. I think that would just be the coolest and most fun to do.
Subscribe for updates! I did my fall fashion for some pumpkin spice fall looks! Be sure to lap it up, baby, with my Heathers Lookbook: How Very! Did you get a chance to see my travel blog? Be sure to check out my recent fashion posts that shows off my Dress-Pocalypse and my twelve tips for thrifting!Check out my adorable post about Preston and I rocking some adorable famous couple inspired outfits! Check out my earlier post about your summer reading list,my top 10 plus size stores, or my thoughts about loving your body!
Comment for topics you would like to see me cover! Like to help my self esteem! What do you think so far? More fashion? More lifestyle? Do you like the mix?
Question of the Day:
What are some crazy NYE experiences that you’ve had?
My next few blog ideas: Do you want to see my new house stock pile? Seasonal transition? Another haul? Maybe one about those ten pieces that make up a wardrobe. But I’m not sure. I want to know what you are interested in hearing about? My Top 10 Embarrassing Stories? 20 Facts from Your Blogger? A team up with another blogger? Haul? A show off of my Barbie lot? Want me to style you? Let me know!
Love all you wonderful ladies (and gents!) out there!
How Very,
Abby
ores, or my thoughts about loving your body!
Comment for topics you would like to see me cover! Like to help my self esteem! What do you think so far? More fashion? More lifestyle? Do you like the mix?
Question of the Day:
What are some of your Christmas traditions?
My next few blog ideas: Do you want to see my new house stock pile? Seasonal transition? Another haul? Maybe one about those ten pieces that make up a wardrobe. But I’m not sure. I want to know what you are interested in hearing about? My Top 10 Embarrassing Stories? 20 Facts from Your Blogger? A team up with another blogger? Haul? A show off of my Barbie lot? Want me to style you? Let me know!
Love all you wonderful ladies (and gents!) out there!
How Very,
Abby
Penny Darling 