What I Learned in 2012

Hello, 2013! In years past, I did a round up of my favorite outfits of the year. This year, I'd rather share what I learned during my review of all that happened on Expecting Chic in 2012.

Blue and red was my color combination of the year.



Whether it was a new peacoat and jeans, or the obvious choice on the Fourth of July I wore it a lot. Like a whole lot. Seriously, all the time. I even wore it when I was featured on LOFT (which was probably the ultimate outfit highlight of the year for me).

Do not put on your shoes until you've had your morning coffee.

Otherwise, you will get to your office and discover that this has happened:

Buy your proper size.

This is the year that I stopped denying my height and the limitations it provides when shopping for clothes.  I'm 5'11" and the average article of clothing in your mainstream store does not accommodate my length. For years, I bought things because they were cute, they were on sale and they were ALMOST long enough. Weeks later, I'm left with high-water pants, sleeves that don't reach my wrists and shirts that become perpetual "tuggers" because I don't want my mid-drift hanging out. All these clothes end up in the Goodwill pile and I'm left with gaps in my closet and holes in my wallet. This year, I started buying clothes in size Tall in online shops like Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic and I've stuck primarily to designer jeans that typically run long. Now I wonder why I was being so foolish as to try to convince myself I'm of average size. I run long, baby.

I've also stopped buying shoes in size 10 when I truly wear a size 11, much to the chagrin of my friend who inherits my never-worn shoes when I come to my senses about the inhumanity of foot-binding.

I don't have a good photo to summarize this confession, so instead, I'll share a picture that properly captures the importance of proper sizing.

Taking outfit photos in a hotel while traveling is super awkward.



But the blogging show must go on, right?

There was not nearly enough Turbo on the blog this year.

Because this kid is hilarious. He needs to be shared with the world. I promise to remedy this in 2013.

I never knew that my heart could be this full.

My family is my world. They are everything I ever wanted in life. Watching Keagan grow from a baby into a toddler has been a mystifying, heart-tugging, joyful experience that we feel privileged to witness. Every time I think that things couldn't get better than this, they do.

Looking forward to much more laughter, outfit posts, parenting discoveries and general fun in 2013!