This year, my fashion focus was on curating a wardrobe of versatile, flattering, and often-worn pieces, through shopping more selectively and learning alterations skills. Here are some of my favorite DIY projects, tips & tricks, and seasonal outfits over 2012:
Favorites of 2012: DIY & Tutorials
Favorites of 2012: Tips & Tricks
Clockwise from top left: belting a shapeless shift, styling a dress as a skirt, length & proportions, converting a bra for low-backs, protecting clothes from underarm stains, packing light
Favorites of 2012: Wear to Work
Favorites of 2012: Weekend Wear
redwood + leopard, white + print scarf, candy colored, cashmere + lace, silk dots + wool, tall boots
Favorites of 2012: Dressed Up
a+o ombre shift, florals + jewel belt, Tibi lace, faux fur + wine gloves, holiday sequins
Thank you all so much for following along on my style journey, and for sharing your own good finds, tips, and feedback. I am incredibly appreciative of your support and friendships over the years, and look forward to what 2013 may bring. Wishing each of you a happy new year!
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you are so fabulous! love your blog!
Wow, what a wonderful year 2012 was for you! I loved following along, and learned so much about dressing my own body shape & size! Looking forward to 2013!
Cheers
xx
Here&Now;
Love your blog! Love that you show readers how to alter clothing bc it's all about a good fit, right? As a food blogger, I know how time consuming it is to create original content. Thanks for the great blog! – Sarah
Love the post! Can't wait to see what 2013 brings for you. Have a happy new year!
Hello, I am from spain and i like yous style. please I invite you to visit my blog: http://www.ainarawhite.blogspot.com
Happy New Year Jean! I love the collage format. Thank you for your wonderful tips and tricks. You are a great inspiration and I admire your dedication to your blog. I'm looking forward to more wonderful post in 2013.
Ever since I came across your blog last year, your endless ideas have definitely saved me from my hoodies and ill fitting jeans phase (high school to second year university) and you have helped me make the transformation to a more mature and better dressed graduating university student (all while on a strict budget) =) I'm very happy that I can dress more appropriately for my age and it is all thanks to you Jean! Have a wonderful new year!
Love from Vancouver <3
Hi Jean! HNY! I love seeing all the outfits and posts in this collage format. Your style is has grown tremendously and I can see how you are such an inspiration to many readers and bloggers like myself. I hope you blog more often in 2013 as you are one of my main source of entertainment and inspiration during the workday. 😉
I really love your blog!
Really beautiful callages and very inspired. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I love this post. The way that you have shown off your DIY alterations and outfits for each season.
http://www.petitestyleonline.com
love all the colors and patterns you wear! happy new year!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Awesome collages. Happy new year. Looking forward to your 2013 posts.
Looks like 2012 was a great fashion year for you, and I look forward to seeing what you have cooked up for 2013! I don't wear petite clothing, but your alteration tips have been extremely beneficial. Keep up the great work.
Kendra
http://closetconfections.com – A Fashion Blog
Happy New Year!
http://doctorbeautymd.blogspot.com/
Happy New Year Jean. Hope 2013 brings even more fabulous things your way! XO Annette
Happy 2013, Jean! Thank you for always sharing your tips and tricks. Your packing tips and shopping tips at H&M; have been particularly helpful. May 2013 be a greater year than before! 🙂
fauxionista.com
Great recap, Jean! I always love your trial & error posts and I think we learn a lot from your tips & tricks. : ) My favourite set of outfits from this little recap has to be the autumn compilation! I'm a big fun of nice autumn weather and those outfits speak to me. Hope you & Nick have an amazing new year!
You are so lovely, Jean! 🙂 Have a great 2013! 🙂
Hey Jean,
Question for you…
I am thinking of buying a boyfriend watch, but still am on the fence. I am petite like you and not sure if it is just a trend – also I usually just check the time on my phone!
Do you wear yours often? What are your thoughts on this?
Jean, I enjoy reading all your entries this year, and I'm looking forward to read all your new entries in 2013.
You have indirectly help me to become more fashionable by teaching me ways of how to incorporate pieces together to make them look good.
Happy New Year,
Grace
I wish you a fun, fulfilling and fabulous 2013!
Happy New Year, Jean!
I found your blog couple months ago and it became my favourie one 🙂
I really enjoy your outfits and I am always impatiently waiting for the next one 🙂
Your blog is full of great ideas and inspirations. I enjoy your outfits, I am still forming my personal style, so they are quite useful for me. I am 23, I have quite a baby face, I study at uni and work at the same time, so I am trying to look both appropriate for school and professional for work – but your tips make help me 🙂
I wish you all the best,
Roseline, Czech Republic
Happy new year 🙂 Love your round up of all the seasons!!
katattack2000.wordpress.com
Love how much your blog has evolved with the DIY's and thrift finds! Wishing you a very happy 2013!
You have come such a long way! I'm looking forward to reading your blog in 2013!
Have a safe and happy New Year, Jean!!! <3
Beautiful compilation of your year in review. Even more beautiful outfits! Hope you have a wonderful New Year's, Jean!
xoxo,
Suzie Q
http://www.StyleCueBySuzieQ.com
What a great review. I've stumbled upon your blog a few months ago and have gotten a lot of inspiration. Keep up the good work!
you've had quite the sartorially successful year, jean! i really like the seasonal compilations
Loved this summary of posts, it helped to remind me of different posts I wanted to go back and look at!
You're such an inspiration! I wish I had your tailoring skills.
You are looking more and more chic every year. Happy New Year, Jean!
What a fantastic compilation post! Hope you have a fantastic new year, Jean!
http://www.xjole.com
Jean, I am sure you spent hours to put this together… It's really nice to see this collection of smart work outfits (by season)….
Happy new year and to a great 2013….
–Suni
Been following you since I got my first full-time grown up job and still my favorite fashion blogger! Your blog helped me change my college/high school closet into a chic, professional young lady's wardrobe. You are so inspirational for not only petite women everywhere, but for young professionals looking to change their clothing choices but don't know where to start. Thanks to you, we've learned about how FIT makes or breaks an outfit, styling tips/tricks and DIYs, to always wait for deals/coupons, and the importance of incorporating timeless/classic/essential pieces in everyone's closet. So THANK YOU JEAN!
I hope you and Nick have a wonderful new year and cannot wait to see what new ideas you bring in 2013!
very nice recap! have a wonderful new years!
Loved this wrap up! It reminds me why I started following you in the first place and why I look forward to every post you do!
-Elissa
Professionally Petite
Have a wonderful NYE and a fantastic 2013!
Fantastic! I found an old post I wrote to you about how my ny resolution was to learn to see. I did it and now have my first machine. My resolution this year is to fix my wardrobe before buying anything new. This upcoming weekend I'm going to tackle shortening a blazer thanks to your tutorial.
Your blog rocks and you are so great about reaching out to your readers! Please keep it up. I love this new direction of DIY and thrifting. It takes away from the consumerism of many fashion blogs. Happy new year!
I love your DIY skills and your style is impeccable! Happy 2012 and to a great 2013!
What an amazing year, can't wait to see what's in store for 2013. Happy New Year!
xo, Yi-chia
jean, you've been very inspirational this year. you've given me lots of great tips on how to wear certain things, mixing and matching, and what would flatter your body. thanks for a great year. happy holidays and can't wait to see what 2013 brings. 😉
Happy New Year!
xo
http://pinksole.com
LOL, I just finished posting the same thing (though much less pretty)! I love that you broke it down by season / occasion and am so crazy flattered that my skirts made the cut!! Happy New Year to you and may 2013 bring you much happiness and joy 🙂
Wow! Gorgeous!
Thank you for your nice sharing and brilliant tips.
Happy New Year.
Susanlyt
Thank you so much for continuing to bring us great wardrobe ideas! This was my favorite blog post from you (among so many favorites…)
wow! this is the most amazing year review! love your selection for 2012! can't wait to see what you will do in 2013! Hope that 2013 will be more stylish for you!
xoxo
Mady
thegirlfromthemirror.blogspot.com
So pretty
Nice wrap-up! Fun to look back on the year. Happy New Year, Jean.