That's a Wrap for 2011

Thanks for spending the last half of 2011 with me, readers. I can't wait to keep If I Must Say So going throughout 2012. I don't have a huge list of fancy blog goals or anything. All I know is that I want to keep sharing exciting things that inspire the every day.

Here's a quick wrap up of the blog in 2011 with some of my favorite posts:

1. The post about when we got married.

2. The post about our honeymoon adventure.

3. The post about fun ways to date in Austin.

4. The post about 5 ways to wear a scarf.

5. The post about how to make love streamers. 

Thanks for reading in 2011!

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

Style Post: Brown on Black

We all know that I like to shop. Yep, that's me. No surprises there. But I've always been sort of picky about trying new stores, especially those that are online only. I should probably get with the program and spread my shopping wings a little bit. Lucky for me, I was able to do that last week with a little help from the girls at A Beautiful Mess and the online store Ruche. A while back I entered a little giveaway on Elsie's blog for a Ruche gift card. Turns out I won (on our wedding day, funny enough) and I was jazzed to try out a few things from Ruche.

One of the first things I loved about Ruche is the huge selection of darling dresses. Every dress has a vintage little twist to it, and the price points are great. I've been on the hunt for more simple sort of everyday dresses. The clean silhouette and fun dots on this little number were perfect for my closet. I also love the little peter pan collar, and the cuffs are different and rather fun.

And I'm still a huge fan of the top knot.

I also forgot to mention that I wore this dress two days in a row over the Thanksgiving holiday. First on Thanksgiving and then again on Black Friday. Oops! That's why I sort of have food coma eyes in the photos. I originally had this dress paired with some Seychelles combat boots until I switched them out with one of my Black Friday finds. I think both work well. I just had to get these loafers on as soon as I bought them!

[Ruche dress (purchased with gift card won in a giveaway); J.Crew tights; Madewell shoes and earrings; Michael Kors watch]

Thanks again to the team at A Beautiful Mess and Ruche for the gift card! It was the perfect wedding present.

I Ruche You

I've been on a dress kick the last couple of weeks. I don't think I'm doing it on purpose, but it seems like every time I pop my head into a new store I find a dress with a fun print and silhouette that's nothing like what I already own. I guess it's not a horrible problem to have! The other plus is that I think both new dresses will transition nicely into fall.

[Dress from Feathers Boutique; J.Crew sweater and belt; Madewell shoes]

Last week I finally made it into Feathers, a little vintage boutique just off South Congress. I'd been in a few times, but never felt inspired to try anything on until now. Feathers has so many unique pieces, everything from wild Jeffrey Campbell shoes to a super vintage Biba dress.

I found this fun floral maxi dress with the perfect amount of ruching on top. All my dresses right now are either full of lace, solid black, striped, or with polka dots. My closet was definitely crying for a floral number. The fit couldn't have been more perfect when I tried it on (I'm not crazy about getting "new to me" clothes altered), and I thought the length was interesting for a maxi dress. I can't wait to wear it with boots and shorter jackets as it gets cooler out.

You may have also noticed that I'm in the woods! That's right--I've expanded my selection of photo shoot locations to the woodsy area across the street. We live very close the hike and bike trail and it's so peaceful in the mornings.

In other news, I'm learning a few new things in Photoshop and now I can make circle pictures:

Now, isn't that fun. Thank you, Anna, from Door Sixteen for posting this super easy tutorial. Next up--Photoshop actions.

P.S. How do you wear maxi dresses in the fall?

The "IT" List

What!?!? It's September!!  While I'm always a little sad to see summer go, I do love the month of September!  Celebrate fall with some great links!

• mix and match fashion pairs her pink blazer with a fun chevron patterned top - I absolutely love this look for a late summer day! (find mix and match fashion on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl lays out her fall wish list... I am in love with this green blazer she is crushing on! Perfect for summer to fall! (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• chic or treat DIYs her own glitter flats... whoa! I am obsessed with these... and the best part, she only spent $20! (find chic or treat on twitter!)
• lex and learn has the perfect formula for sleeping in AND getting a healthy breakfast - I like the way she thinks!
• so much to smile about is taking summer out in style - check out her Labor Day weekend style inspiration! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
• the style dossier offers up a simple tutorial on a voluminous ponytail, including her 'secret weapon' to get the exact volume you need! (find the style dossier on twitter!)
• fabulously average pulls off what could possibly be the most perfect 'casual Friday' look ever.  Check out her look and be inspired! (find fabulously average on twitter!)
• high heels and bubblegum sports white pants, sequins and a denim jacket for the win.  This outfit has me swooning!  (find high heels and bubblegum on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy is in love the new Oscar de la Renta ad campaign - and rounds up other work from the same artist. I'm in love too... these are so glamorous and girly! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style found the perfect platform loafer for fall... see how she styles it up three ways! I know I am loving these shoes! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• as luck would have it also rounds up her favorites for fall. I always love a peek into what others are loving... and this sweet summer to fall skirt is no exception! Cute! 
• undeniable style takes an ill-fitted dress and sews it into a super cute top... check out her skills and how she styles it up! (find undeniable style on twitter!)
• if I must say so pairs denim shorts and lace for a perfect summer look... how sweet is this outfit!?! (find if I must say so on twitter!)
• good life for less asks would you wear boots with shorts for a late summer look!?!? Check out her inspiration and answer the question for yourself! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less... for information on how you can be involved - click here!

In Love With Bloglovin'

Have you heard of Bloglovin'? When I started getting pretty serious about blogging and keeping up with all my favorite blogs, I hopped on Bloglovin' so I could follow all of them on one easy platform. Now I can "follow" all my favorite blogs through one site and use it to read through the most recent posts. I also see this coming in handy when I need to catch up on some blog reading after being on vacation or on a computer break. I can browse through all the unread posts and then visit each blog in a new window. 

Pretty neat, indeed. You can also "like" your favorite posts and browse for new, popular blogs.

The site is also insanely easy to join and use. If you're already on Bloglovin', you can follow If I Must Say So too.

What other blog aggregation tools do you use?