These annual recaps are always a fun walk down memory lane, but they also give me a moment to reflect and look ahead. 2017 taught me that things will not always go according to plan. I learned to let go of what I can’t control (or at least try to!), focus on what I can, and that there is no shame in opening up and looking to others for support. So if your year didn’t go exactly how you envisioned – whether it relates to school, career, relationships or personal – I hope 2018 brings you a renewed drive to keep working and fighting for what you’re after.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of my corner on the web and for supporting something I’m so passionate about. Here’s a look back on some favorites (both yours and mine!) over the past year:
Top “how-to” & Review posts
- How to take good photos together while traveling (hoping to do a sequel on this!)
- Video: How to layer + build everyday outfits
- Video: My updated hair curling tutorial
- Designer reviews: Burberry trench coat comparisons + shopping in Europe tips
Most-worn / USED 2017 purchases
The Daily Edited bag – worn here, here, here, here. A good quality, more affordable dupe of Mark Cross box bags that can be worn with or without the convertible strap.
Sea & Grass woven picnic bag – worn here, here, here, here. The perfect little summer or resort bag!
Topshop Jamie jeans – My go-to, trusty cut of high waisted jeans. I usually size up at the waist and buy 25×28 (28 = petite) or 25×30. Their petite inseam actually measures around 24″ and is pretty cropped on me, so I sometimes prefer buying regular sizing in an “ankle” cut. In the top left photo, I’m wearing these petite jeans (also sold here) which end right at my ankle booties.
Sam Edelman rain boots (also sold here in sz 4+) – I haven’t formally blogged these yet, but shared a mini review in a December e-mail newsletter! I wore these sleek rain booties almost daily during recent travels (lots of damp weather), and love that they can pass as regular shoes if the rain stops.
BP mock neck sweater (similar options: J.Crew, BP brand, Dreamers) – worn here, here, here, here, here. Literally cannot get enough of this basic. Mock necks are perfect for a little (flattering) neck coverage without too much bulk!
Uniqlo pleated skirt (still available in fall / winter colors!) – worn here, here, here, here. This lightweight (unlined) skirt has a cotton poplin-like feel to it, with convenient pockets and an elasticized back waistband which stretches for a perfect fit!
Favorite Looks (Click ANY Image for the full Post)
Best Travel Memories:
Fangirling over Matt Damon at Sundance. Embarking on the Road to Hana around Maui. Making a quick but delicious stop in Honolulu. Seeing a MA farm + Newport, RI in full bloom. Taking in the breathtaking countryside that is Provence in the summer.
Most-Pinned Pictures from this blog
Coat rack was a DIY by Nick using pipes. I pinned a tutorial for a similar rack! Or, you can buy similar via Etsy.
Reader-Favorite Pieces
Left: Leith tank dress (reviewed here) + Right: Express jersey pants (reviewed here) Based on the feedback I get through emails, messages, photos, and comments – these two were by far the most-loved pieces by you guys. Please continue sharing with me what items you end up loving!
As we kick off this new year, I would LOVE to hear from you about what you’d like to see more of on this blog. Let me know any questions (big or small), requests, or topics that you find the most useful or interesting!
LOVE YOUR BLOG! That coat rack picture is a dream!
Jean you are my go-to for all things fashion! When I went back to working in an office, I got an all new work wardrobe based on your recommendations and I finally didn’t hate dressing for work! Thank you! I always love your workwear posts and I’d be interested to see your recommendations for eyeglasses for petite faces, more versatile travel outfits (specifically for April in Paris ?!? ;-)) and your favorite affordable jeans. Thank your for wading through all the options for us petite girls! It seriously helps so much! I am so grateful!
Hi Jean! I’ve been a longtime reader, and to be honest I really miss the types of posts you used to do on here. I feel like a lot of the focus has shifted to items available for purchase right now versus personal style. I love the niche you serve since I’m also a petite woman who struggles to look adult enough and fit into the majority of clothes, and I especially enjoy your blog as I feel like I can feel your sincerity shining through in each post! So I share these comments in hopes they will be constructive 🙂
– My favorite post of all time by you was the one about “how to look older” in the workplace and in life. More posts like this, with simple swaps petite girls can make to look put together and adult would be fantastic.
– More posts showing how you remix existing closet items, rather than featuring new purchases. Showing how versatile a piece is makes me far more interested in purchasing it.
– Over the years I’ve learnt more about the costs of fashion (eg see this instagram post from earlier today https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd5GeN3lS9b/) and it’s hugely influenced how I consume everything and how I live. I’d love it if you discussed this issue more.
Thanks for reading my comments Jean, and I wish you and Nick a very happy new year!
I love your blog! I would like to see you do a quarterly challenge where you post a complete outfit for 100 or less.
I would love to see a post about your hair color and cut choices and how its evolved through the years. & 2017 was a great year for you, I can’t wait for another great year on your blog! 🙂
Love all of your looks! You just look great in everything and your photos always captivates! You are an inspiration and looking forward to all of your adventures in 2018!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Hi Jean, Happy 2018. I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and enjoy it immensely. You are beautiful inside and out! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!
Happy new year Jean! Love the recap and your blog.
For 2018, can you do a post or review on subscription and rental services? I know you’ve collaborated with Trunk Club from time to time, but would love to hear your thoughts on the rest such as Stitch Fix, Le Tote and RTR Unlimited. I’ve looked at all of them and the frustration is most of them don’t carry our size (PXXS or 00P): Stitch Fix has Petite but only goes down to PXS and 0P; Le Tote and RTR don’t even offer Petite. If you have any influence over them, it’ll be great to let them know there’s a market for this segment! Thank you!
Hi Jean,
First of all, thank you for being such a wonderful blogger with a commitment to high quality posts and honest reviews. I’ve followed this blog since 2012 as a college student and it’s been fun adding to my wardrobe over the years as a growing professional.
I would love to see more posts on how to style your favorite pieces different ways. I have a nicely sized wardrobe and only add a couple pieces a year that I really love, so it would be nice to get more inspiration!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog! I would like to see posts on animal-friendly fashion since a lot of us are getting conscious of where our clothes and bags are coming from. Also would love if you could share your thoughts on vintage (recycling :)) and how to shop for them. You put hard work and passion into your work – thank you so much for inspiring us Jean! All the best in 2018 to you and family.
Darling Happy New Years! I love your fashion review of 2017 . You really achieved some great posts to be proud of ! Want something different to read visit me !! Thanks Jean
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
Thanks for doing the recap, Jean! Happy New Year! I think it’s about time I finally gave those Topshop Jamie Jeans a go.
http://www.allthatjae.com
Hi Jean,
I love all your posts – there’s plenty of variety from featuring all types of styles of dress for varying occasions (weddings, new year’s eve, work, summer, etc) to posts from your husband on guides for gifts for men to sharing travel adventures with beautiful scenery and good eats. I enjoy it all and popped on by to say keep doing what you’re doing. Your style has evolved over the years and I really admire it. I also really appreciate how you throw together different wardrobe pieces to make a work outfit look stylish and not boring. My work environment is business casual to business, so I love all the looks you post. Lastly, I appreciate the make-up posts or when you share your skin routine or share tutorials – you’re doing a fabulous job – thanks for letting us all tag along on this journey to living more stylishly! Sending you and Nick my best wishes in the new year!
Love your blog, more winter work outfits would be great!
Happy New Year Jean!! 😀
I have enjoyed your blog so much the past several years and have loved the tips for styling different outfits. Sometimes I see something cute but dont know ‘how to wear it’ but you’ve always been a great resource for that! Im 5ft3, 33 yrs old and feel like I’ve finally found ‘my’ style in the past several yrs and I have you to thank for some of that guidance! This year I’d love to see more casual posts or semi casual posts. How to dress down a little but still look put together. And I really enjoy your home decor and recipe posts too! Wishing you and Nick the happiest 2018!!
Hi Jean! Thank you for all your wonderful posts. I find myself continually referencing your site and always finding helpful advice. I know we are a few months out from wedding season, but I know that I will be attending at least two weddings this summer! Any tips for bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and casual family get together outfits would be much appreciated. One of the weddings will be in Honolulu, so tips on deciding a color palette and packing smartly/lightly (similar to your other travel post but more focused on resort and island wear) would also be great. Finally, I am still very much a beginner at make up (my job doesn’t require it so it’s been a few years since I wore make up on a regular basis). Most make up tutorials are not aimed at an Asian complexion and eye shape, and I would greatly appreciate any beginner tutorials you would be able to share, for everyday make up and wedding event make up. Thank you again and Happy New Year to you and Nick!
Hi Jean!
I’ve followed your blog for years now, and I appreciate the effort that you put into your blog. I especially love seeing how your style has evolved over the years. Please continue to post budget-friendly pieces that are decent quality and can be used as wardrobe staples for years to come. Happy New Year!
Love looking back at the year with these kinds of post. SO FUN.
xx, Meghan | http://tanlinesanddaisies.com/
I’d love to see more how to style posts. Good clothes is only one part of looking amazing! I’m looking to get more mileage out of the wardrobe I have now and style and layer pieces in different ways to achieve a different look.
Seeing the sunflowers, make me dream of the sunshine land. It’s snow storming here!
XOXO //
SINCERELY OPHELIA | NYC Petite Fashion Blogger
Love your blog. Everything you recommend in regards to fashion as well as tutorials on hair/makeup, what to eat, gifts, travel – it’s all so good!!! What I would love to see … a ‘my favorites’ list – whether it be from a specific store or for a specific time of year. For some of us who have no more room in their closets (for now), more on styling, re-styling pieces. Not so much capsule wardrobes which has had enough limelight, but more on layering, more on developing your own style, more help on looking ‘put together ‘. Look forward to your 2018 posts!
Hi. I agree with Diana (above) regarding an interest in ethical and sustainable clothing choices. Your blog has meant a lot to me in recent years as I have rebuilt my wardrobe with better fitting clothing for a small frame. But finding fashionable clothing and accessories that do not come from animals is still a challenge (non-leather belts and shoes, for example). As an ovo-lacto vegetarian and pet lover, the treatment of all animals is something near and dear to my heart. Very best wishes and thanks, as always, for your entertaining and inspirational blog.
Happy New Year, Jean! I love the recap, as always. Thanks for taking the time to share with us all year round.
Would love a blog about the best jeans for short girls (maybe even a couple pairs with no hemming needed!)
Hello! I’ve been reading the blog for about 2 years and echo a lot of what’s been said. It is a really fun read, and I appreciate your timeless sense of style and your tips and tricks!
For me, three things pop to mind:
1) An emphasis on more sustainable/ethical fashion.
2) Some ideas for petites who are not size 0, but more like 4/6, with athletic build, etc.
3) Ideas for how to build a closet without going broke!! (I would love to get to know more of the other readers here, and what people think is “reasonable” to spend on clothing in a year, to budget, etc~!
Happy New Year Jean! I love how you do a recap of each year’s favourites because it’s interesting seeing what people are most drawn to, which seems to be a lot of neutrals with some navy blues and khaki greens mixed in. One of my personal faves was how beautiful you looked in the burgundy maxi lace dress.
I appreciate the exceptional quality of your posts over the years and how you have such a wonderful knack for styling outfits. For this coming year, it would be great if you could consider doing posts on how to put together a capsule wardrobe for different occasions (ex. everyday outfits for running errands, work functions, special occasions, etc.) with quality pieces that will last many years. It would make styling outfits easier and be a good way to care for the environment.
I hope this coming year will be filled with good health and success in all that you do. Also, I hope Nick and your wish for becoming parents will soon come true.
Absolutely love it!
Mireia from TGL
Hi Jean,
I just wanted to say thank you. Other bloggers out there seem to dress identical. Following yours, I have started to buy pieces that will last for years (hopefully!) I turned 30 last year 🙁 and have been wanting to start building a more ‘grown up’ wardrobe, and with your help I think I can! Good luck in 2018 and I look forward to seeing more posts!
this is incredible! happy new year!
xx
https://www.closettostreet.com/
Thanks for the year in review. I have enjoyed following your blog and IG in 2017 and look forward to more.
I’d love to see a post or two on the most durable clothes in your closet (i.e. sweaters that haven’t pilled, pants that have washed well, shoes that have held up through many miles of walking). Because finding petite clothing is so difficult, I’m rather disheartened when clothes wear out quickly. And I’d like to reduce waste by buying fewer clothes.
Love this idea! This has happened to me so many times, were I buy something and it only lasts a couple of wears. An example of this is the Express jersey pant, after one wear the ankle hem unraveled and it started pilling. 🙁 With that said, many of the recs I have gotten from Jean have lasted me a long time.
Happy new year! I love your blog as is, I always find something useful!
Design by Sydnee | A Lifestyle Blog 💗
I’ve loved reading your blog over the past year! It’s fast become one of my absolute favourites and I look forward to reading every time I see you post something, Jean! I hope you’ve had a lovely 2018 so far!
I hope you’ve had a great Wednesday!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
Happy 2018, Jean! You always have the highest quality posts and I look forward to seeing what you’ll be doing in this new year. 🙂
Dear Jean. What a beautiful overview. I think many petites can find their pick, since your style is always feminine, but also very diverse. That’s quite something. Personally I adore your green ruffled dress most of all the above outfits. I love dresses and as a teacher who cycles to school I am always looking for outfits that are stylish and bicycle friendly. With dresses that sometimes is rather challenging. The green dress would be a perfect pick for me. Looking forward to your blogposts of 2018. Love, Lieske
Hi Jean! You always recommend good basics, staple pieces, and versatile options. I would really love to see if you have any similar suggestions from brands that focus more on ethical and sustainable practices. I appreciate a great deal, but would sometimes prefer not to buy fast fashion and would rather invest in more responsibly produced items. The petite-friendly options seem difficult to find though. Thanks for the all the great content!
Loved all of these great posts so much, especially the photography ones 🙂 <3 I always love how helpful your blog posts are, Jean! Keep up the great work!
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
-Would love to see reviews of goyard bags
-recomednations for starting a luxury or designer collection
-favorites things (e.g. what items are you loving on Amazon etc.)
– favorite undergarments
-items that are good value for money
Hi Jean,
I work in a corporate environment, but the office attire is business casual to casual, so I would like to see more of those outfits. The pencil skirts and wide-legged trousers, although they look absolutely stylish and chic, are so not necessary in my office. Wearing jeans to work is appropriate, but absolutely no Ugg boots or ripped jeans for me, at least not to work!
I love Natalia’s idea about some affordable young professional looks (for myself!), maybe another makeup/skincare tutorial for specific looks (dressed up) or “troublesome” skin times, if you;re comfortable sharing. I really enjoy your extra apPETITE segments, the chinese cooking is reminiscent of my own family style!
Happy 2018! I love your blog and IG – such great content! In the coming year, I would love a post on save vs. splurge. I would love to know which pieces you would advise other young professionals to splurge on (and why) and which pieces you would recommend settling for a dupe.
It’s been a great year, Jean! My favorite from 2017 was your trip to France with the l’occitane team. Every post from that trip was absolutely magical.
For 2018, I would like blog posts with outfit pieces with your size or small sizes still in stock. Often times when I wanted to buy a piece from your outfit, all smaller sizes were already gone and sold out. 🙁 I think your blog started with a journey to find petite friendly clothes, and that is why I was so drawn to your blog post as a fellow petite girl. And so I felt ignored when a great outfit idea is shared only for average size and above to benefit from it.
Hi Jackie – I feel your pain since retailers don’t make much inventory of the smallest sizes, and those sizes are usually the first to sell! I learned early on that I have to be a little more aggressive with shopping at our size (ie pouncing on an item right away if I want it, checking eBay or other secondhand markets, calling around stores to locate a size). I try hard to share in-stock items, but alas, the good pieces are sometimes gone within an hour of posting. I am trying to post previews of item recommendations via my email newsletter or InstaShop page since it’s faster to do so than a full blog post – hopefully that will help some of you get the items you want while they’re in stock!
So many great posts, Jean! I can’t choose one of my favourite because I loved every single one of them! ❤️ Can’t wait to see more from you the coming year 🙂
http://charmainenyw.com
Beautiful and precious memories to cherished … wishing the very best and more exciting for this 2018 year. 💗👍🏼💗
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years, and am always impressed by the quality of your content. I look forward to your posts for 2018!
Li
http://www.simplyli.com
Happy new year to you and your family. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2018. I’ve been reading for blog for years, and I love how fashionable, practical, and affordable your wardrobe are. Thanks to you, I’ve added so many stylish and classic pieces to my wardrobe 🙂 keep up the good work Jean!
Congrats on a great 2017 for your blog! I’d love to see more work attire for a conservative workplace, especially during colder months.
Agreed! How do you typically style ankle pants in the winter – do you wear trouser socks with heels?
I would love to see more affordable styles for young professionals who cant quite afford the designer brands yet. I know you typically do a little bit of both, but more affordable looks or posting the designer doups would be great, thanks!
Yes, that would be wonderful!!
ditto for more affordable stuff and fashion hacks similar to when you first started out 🙂
Yes please!