If you look to the right, you may notice we’ve added  a fun new feature—an instagram feed! You’re welcome to join in the fun! Use the hashtag #everydaypresentstyle to join in. We’d love to feature our friends on the blog, too!

(What’s an Instagram? I want one!!!)

The post in which I cannot defend my photography or my puns.

blazer: J. Crew Factory (via eBay) | tee: Forever 21 | scarf: thrifted (similar) | jeans: Gap Legging Jean | flats: Tory Burch Reva

1. I was gifted an online photography class for Christmas, but I haven’t started yet. This was my first outfit post where I attempted to shoot manual–and this was the best photo of the lot. I’m hoping there’s a good learning curve on this, but it needs to be done! We are lucky enough to have two Nikon cameras, and it’s about time I learned what to do with them. First lesson learned, though. I’ll be shooting on auto on the next round of outfit photos. Although I kind of like my distinct lack of wrinkles here.

2. This blazer is new to me, but the rest of the outfit is somewhat old (okay, the T was a recent purchase in a moment of weakness). I’ve been eyeing a navy Schoolboy blazer from J. Crew for quite a while, and keeping up with sales, but never saw one in my range. Meanwhile, several of my favorite bloggers wore theirs and I saw just how versatile it could be.  Last week, on a whim, I checked eBay , and there just happened to be an auction ending on the Factory version that day. I checked with Franziska on twitter to see what she thought of the regular version vs the Factory and she gave a resounding approval. I bid and waited….and then, it was mine! MINE! For only $29.44. (About $170 less than the retail of one new.) The best part? It hadn’t even been worn. The pockets and back vent were still sewed shut. Honestly, it deserves a better photo, but you’ll be seeing lots of it.

3. After just a few months, I’m feeling like I’m in a really good place with updating my wardrobe. Which is great!–but that probably means—no shopping for a while.  I’m hoping to go more in depth with that  soon (as well as share a budget post for this month).

So, what’s new, gals? I’ve missed you all!

Things have been keeping me busier than usual—and it’s about to get busier! Bear and I just bought our first home! Our contract was accepted today by the seller, and our closing date is exactly one month from today. Here’s a sneak peek of the outside (obviously this was taken in the fall):

So that’s where I’ve been! House hunting and closing. Ok, and maybe Pinteresting a LOT of ideas for our new home! This will be my first time having full say in the decor/wall color of a home, so I’m pretty excited about that. Is that something you as a reader would be interested in seeing?

Just wanted to pop in and give you an update. I’ll be back this week to resume outfit posts.

The end of this week saw a major rut—I wore black pants three days in a row. I’m re-wearing Wednesday’s outfit tomorrow—so you’ll see it soon!

thursday

I doubled up on (faux) leather–suede on top and waxed denim on the bottom. If denim on denim is a Texas Tuxedo, I’m not sure I want to know what’s leather on leather?

top: Stylemint | pants: F21 | bag: Vintage | shoes: Payless

blazer: Vintage (belonged to my mom, from her teaching days!)

friday

I dressed comfortably for the 4-hour car ride to my parents’. Tree socks are as “Christmas-y” as I get.

scarf: Gap | sweatshirt: Target | leggings: J. Crew Pixie | socks: Kohl’s | boots: Steve Madden

Merry Christmas to all of you!

I was given $100, found $20 in a coat pocket (isn’t that the best?!?), and used a lot of my store credit at the consignment store this month. Additionally, I received some cash from relatives for Christmas that totaled $50–giving me $170 to spend, not including the items I bought consignment store credit from selling items.

First, I got this dress from White House Black Market on eBay. I’m hoping to wear it to dinner on Bear’s birthday, or maybe for New Year’s Eve with some fun shoes. ($30)

(It’s not that short on me—you can see how Veronika wore it here.)

Peter Pan sweater from Anthropologie–$50–marked down from $98.

This sweater seemed like the perfect thing for holiday parties–the black part has gold tinsel-y material woven in. The peter pan collar makes it a trendy piece without being too trendy. (See how I paired it with dress pants for work.) Plus, it’s SO SOFT.

Then, I broke down and bought an item I’d been eyeing for quite a while—the J. Crew Pixie Pant. It’s a thicker material than a legging, so I’ll wear them with longer sweaters or tunics. J. Crew was running a promo online with free shipping and 30% off, so they were $65. Yes, that’s a lot of money for a legging, but they’re a classic piece that I’ll wear for years

Next, here’s what I bought at the consignment store. All three of these items still had the tags on them!

2008 J. Crew Silk blouse–retailed $88 new, I paid $0! (Here’s how I wore it.)

Madewell Bootlegger Jean (only mine are black) retails $98.50 new—I paid $0. Bear said these jeans made me look tall and skinny, so it’s safe to say they were worth every penny I paid!

Gap legging jean, retails $69.50, I paid $0! I already have a pair of these jeans (seen here) and they are the best jean ever! So soft and fits well, without being too fitted, and I love that they’re a bit more high-waisted than a lot of other legging jeans.

Finally, this sweater from Old Navy:

I had two items to return (from before the ban began) that totaled $30. The sweater was marked $19 the day I bought it, which meant I put $7 back in my bank account after tax. I won’t be counting that $7 towards clothing money, since it was from before the ban. Also, as much as I’d love to believe foxes will still be in next year, I’m going to call this my “one indulgent trendy item under $20″ from the shopping list.

I did a LOT more shopping this month, but I also had a bit more cash flow and my items have been selling really well at consignment. (I think the three items above were about $47 or $50 TOTAL as marked at the consignment store?) The total retail of all the items here would be $650–more than a lot of people’s clothing budget for the year! 

The best part? I still have $25 left! Maybe I’ll put in a coat pocket so I can find it next year!

sunday

where? Church. blazer: Thrifted | sweater: Gap (similar)| jeggings: Gap (similar) | boots: Steve Madden | glasses: Warby Parker

We woke up 5 minutes before we needed to leave to make it on time to church. Before we were even out of bed Bear said “Whelp, I’ll just leave and see you there!” CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. I brushed my teeth, got makeup on, dressed and was ready to walk out the door while he was still contemplating his clothing seven minutes later. “Whelp, see you there, slowpoke!” I said.

I decided to be nice and wait for him, though. Santa and God are watching.

monday

where? Work and a shopping date with Bear.  dress: Anthropologie | sweater: Gap (similar) | tights: Target | boots: Steve Madden | belt: Asos

Say “hello” to my giraffe friends, Harold and Maude. You guys, I have a problem and it’s decorative things shaped like animals. Target is not helping this.

tuesday

where? Work. Jacket: Target | bag: Vintage Dooney & Bourke

scarf: Asos | sweater: Gap | skirt: J. Crew, 2010 (similar)| flats: Target

Got my hair cut today! I always love when it gets straightened. And luckily, I didn’t succumb to my whim and cut bangs! I almost always want to, and if I have, almost always immediately regret it. But, hey bangs, we are never ever ever getting back together. (You guys will save me from myself if I ever seriously consider it, right?)

This post brings some mixed feelings. I’ve been unhappy with my outfit posts taken in my backyard. Frankly, I don’t think anyone wants to see our lack of landscaping.

I’m trying something different today—rather than setting up the tripod/camera outside every day, I did a quick “re-cap” of my outfits this week. If I continue this, I’ll try to actually shoot each day. I think I’d rather document each day. And I know some bloggers have the option of great outdoor settings every day (or their front yard!), but I’ve been working from home more lately and don’t think my neighbors need to start thinking I’m that woman, taking photos out in the street each day!

So, this is my solution. (Please let me know if it’s terrible.)

Step into my office.

Really. It’s my home office. And, please don’t mind the air conditioner. This room offers the best natural light.

MONDAY

I went naked. Kidding! I can’t remember what I wore!

TUESDAY

sweater: Old Navy | scarf: Gap | cords: Old Navy | boots: Steve Madden

WEDNESDAY

blouse: J. Crew (old) | blazer: Express (also old!) | jeans: Old Navy | boots: Steve Madden

That evening, I swapped out the blazer with a sweater to fend off the cold.

sweater: Express | belt: Asos

THURSDAY

jacket: Forever 21 | sweater: Forever 21 | pants: Gap | heels: Nine West

FRIDAY

blouse: J. Crew Factory (via eBay) | cashmere sweater: Thrifted | jeans: Gap | boots: Target ($7!!!)

And because it’s cold, I added my wool trench.

coat: J. Crew gift, similar | scarf: Target | bag: Anne Klein

Good news! Kara is feeling better and might be back tomorrow—let’s all be sure to hold her to it!

It’s about time I came clean about my new obsession–Groopdealz! It started with the bracelet and has gone from there! Today I’ve got 3 items on from there, and I’m sure I’ll add more. HALP. I’m addicted!

dress: Groopdealz | scarf: Target | bag: Dooney & Burke, old | moccasins: Minnetonka | bracelets: Groopdealz | watch: Michael Kors

This outfit was so comfy, it made the indecency of Monday a little more bearable. Well, that and some cookies, but who’s counting?

I’m finally debuting the pants I bought in this post. I’ve now worn both pairs about 2 times and each has held up well, while being the most comfortable work pants I’ve ever owned.

sweater: Anthropologie | trousers: Banana Republic | bag: Anne Klein | heels: Old Navy

I wore this outfit to work on Friday, then swapped out the trousers and heels for skinny cords and flats in the evening for a girls’ night in at a friend’s house. We wound up playing LOTR Trivial Pursuit and watching several episodes of “Killer Karaoke“. It may just have been the least girly girls’ night I’ve ever experienced. (Not that I’m complaining!)

I wore this outfit last night while doing Christmas-y things with a friend and Bear.

It felt weird to traipse about in a summery dress while drinking a Peppermint Mocha and looking at Christmas lights—come on, Winter!

cardigan: Gap | dress: Anthropologie, secondhand | belt: Asos | necklace: Anthropologie | boots: Steve Madden

(Hello, foxy belt!)

nail polish: “Wicked” by Essie

Looking forward to this evening—I get to see some dear friends and have a badly needed girl’s night!

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Just in case you were wondering, I didn’t kick Kara off of the island blog. She’s been a bit under the weather. Kara, stop being sick and come back! Just remember Barney’s awesome advice and you’ll be fine!