TBMD

As 2016 comes to a close, I find myself struggling with my end-of-year post that has become a tradition. Blogging has taking a backseat this year, and so I haven't been as conscientious about jotting down outfit and purchase tidbits throughout the year. It's now New Year's Eve and I'm sitting here having a hard time organizing my thoughts. Gonna give it my best shot though, so here we go:

- My favorite casual outfits from this past year are:

- The line between my work and casual outfits have become more and more blurred as I've taken liberties with my interpretation of "business casual." For favorite work outfits, I couldn't just pick four, so here are my top 5:

- Clothing-wise, my favorite purchases this year has be items that were in heavy rotation and worn repeatedly (multiple times a week even): a white midi skirt, a baby blue peplum top, and a navy turtleneck sweater tunic (sold here - extra 60% off).

My favorite accessory purchase is a boxy black crossbody bag that came with 2 straps (canvas, leather) by Saint Laurent (sold at SL / Nordstrom / Barney's / Saks). My friend Y actually purchased this bag in the early part of the year when we were abroad in Europe. I loved it on her then and immediately put it on my short-list when I was considering options with a canvas strap. This bag is different from my usual with an obvious logo monogram front and center... but can I gush about how much I love the canvas strap (for the third time)?

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who still visits my blog, whether daily or once in a blue moon. All your comments, constructive criticisms, and support mean so much. Cheers to a continuation of blogging fun and excitement in 2017!

I've been on a navy kick. A color that's not quite black, but just as easy to wear, imo. One of my favorite purchases this winter has been this LOFT chunky turtleneck sweater. Paired with an navy peacoat, I've been having lots of fun with "different" looks by changing up the accessories.

My coworker and I were taking a break at Panera when a Pearl Jam song started playing over the speakers. He started jamming along and unbeknownst to me, I gave him a look because he then said, "...Pearl Jam. From the '90s." To which I responded with, "I've heard of Pearl Jam...?" Not a very convincing answer to say the least, but he wouldn't give up. On a last ditch effort, he said, "Grunge. Like your outfit!"

I've been going through an upheaval at work the last few weeks because the team I was on disbanded. Rumors had been swirling for awhile, so I can't say it was a huge surprise when it happened. However, I did have a hard time wrapping my head around the abrupt end to the team and how things quickly escalated afterwards. Everyone was placed on brand new teams -- some as soon as the following week. Unfortunately I was one of the unlucky ones who didn't get much of a say in where I landed.

A new team also meant a new seat, and so I went from a corner cubicle to a middle cubicle... one without an accompanying coat hook! With the temperatures dropping now, that just won't do. So I snagged a random chair that doesn't really belong to anyone and have been using it as my personal coat rack. It also doubles as a guest chair when others pay a visit. Well, except on days like today when I'm wearing a pink jacket (lest anyone think guys would be caught owning pink outerwear).

If a favorite clothing item is defined by the number of wears, then this peplum top wins hands down as my best summer yearly purchase. Now I'll be honest here... peplum was not a love at first sight trend for me. Being the slow adopter that I am, I need to see the trend hit the masses before I start envisioning myself giving it a try. But once I do, I dive in head first. For under $30, I'd say I've gotten my money's worth from this blue peplum top, from casual outfits on humid summer days all the way through chilly fall mornings in layers.

Similar peplum tops: here (on sale), great dupe, here.