Last of 2011...

December always gets nutty and I have been enjoying the nuttiness of it. I have missed the blogging, but I also have been working a lot designing a blog for my uncle's business. It has been tons of work but I have loved every minute of it.

I will be be back in full force, come Jan 1st 2012, though. NSV will get a much needed redesign. As much as I have loved my 50's theme, it's time for a bold change to usher in 2012. I designed this coming new look a long time ago and it's time to reveal it.

This year was a true roller coaster. Lots of bad, but also lots of good (#5928...). Here's a little look back at 2011...

 

 

It was a challenging year for our family and the challenges are not over, but I am hoping with all my heart that 2012 comes with lots of good and mostly lots of strength and wisdom to face all that's still to come so we can finally go back home and to a happy place.

I hope this new year brings all of you love, happiness and peace.

Off to get ready for tonight's celebration.
Toodles, 2011...

style challenge: fancy flats

Dress: Zara (similar style here); Jacket: Gryphon (similar style here); Bag: Zara; Shoes: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Karen Walker; Jewelry: J. Crew chain necklace, assorted gifted bangles, Michael Kors watch

If you've read This Time Tomorrow for a while, you've probably come to notice that I'm not much of a flats kind of girl. It's not that I don't ever wear them, trust me, I have to with the hills in my neighborhood -- I just always feel much more put together and like myself, when I have a trusty pair of 4 inchers on (plus feeling taller never hurt anyone, right?). So when my coworkers suggested we try a fancy flats style challenge this week, I'll admit, I was a bit, well, stumped. 

Until I remembered my smoking slippers that is! I scooped up these Steve Madden leopard smoking slippers right before I left for New York back in September so I'm glad they can finally make their overdue debut here on the blog. True to form, these flats are the unsung heroes of this blog (they've gotten me through some pretty rough times, namely weekend morning coffee runs when I don't want to dress up enough for their heeled counterparts). 

Moral of the story? I think I may need to bring them out to play more often! 

Oh, and don't forget to check out the always lovely Rebecca of Thirty-Five Inch Inseam, Meghan of Voila and Kellen of And So It Goes to see how they styled their fancy flats! 

Style Rules with Rachel Zoe

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen a few tweets going back and forth alluding to a certain Rachel Zoe video. Well, no April Fool's joke here -- just a couple of short weeks ago, my good friend Heather of Heather in a Candy Shop and I were chosen to compete in Rachel Zoe's Style Rules competition, presented by LG Marquee.

The concept was simple -- a styling challenge to be completed under 90 minutes, with a budget of $200. But when you have a film crew following you as you frantically run around San Francisco in heels, trying to abide by Rachel's styling criteria AND worry if you have lipstick on your teeth -- the challenge was anything but simple!

All in all though, I had a blast hanging with an amazing film crew, getting to chat with Rachel Zoe (!!!) a few times on the phone and, of course, goofing around with Heather! Enough of me blabbing away though, right? On to the show! Hope you enjoy the video!

new year's eve

Dress: Zara (similar style here); Blazer: Zara (similar style here); Shoes: Unknown brand via Buffalo Exchange; Purse: Zara (similar style here); Sunglasses: Karen Walker; Jewelry: Lauren Elan "Olivia" necklace c/o, assorted gifted bangles, Michael Kors watch

While I don't think I'll be wearing this particular outfit for New Year's Eve, I like the idea of wearing a floor length dress with peek-a-boo slits. It's unexpected but fittingly appropriate for an evening of champagne and friends. Do you guys know what you'll be wearing this weekend for the countdown?

And speaking of New Year's Eve, check back later this morning -- I have a special video to share with all of you and it may or may not involve Ms. Rachel Zoe herself. I know. I know. I DIE.

style remix: plaid shirt

Shirt: Madewell; Sequin skirt: Zara (but now I'm craving this one); Pants: J. Crew (similar style here); Feather dress worn as skirt: Express (similar style here); Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Zara, Forever 21

If you follow me on Instagram, this plaid shirt from Madewell requires no introduction. Since scooping it up a few weeks ago (on sale mind you!) I've been mixing it into outfits pretty regularly. And boy, how does it mix! Of course, since seeing Miss Blair rock it with sequins, I figured I would try my hand at other unexpected plaid pairings, chief among them feathers and, well, at the risk of looking too Christmasy, more plaid! Tell me, has the holiday season lead you to reach for your plaid more often and how have you been sporting it?

details, details

Jacket: Zara (love this jacket though); Dress: Zara (another great version here with an attached leather collar); Shoes: Gucci; Leather collar: Asos; Bag: Lodis; Sunglasses: Karen Walker; Jewelry: J. Crew chain bracelet

Sometimes, you just have to step aside to let the details do the talking -- in this case, a leather collar and some lucite heels were all I needed for some casual after Christmas sales window shopping. 

How was your long weekend?

pink/red/sequins

Shirt: H&M (similar style here); Pants: ADAM (similar style here); Bag: Zara (I really love this gold version though); Shoes: Jessica Simpson; Sunglasses: Fred Flare; Jewelry: J. Crew chain necklace (similar style here), assorted gifted bangles, Kenneth Cole watch, c/o

Just something bright and festive for Christmas Eve dinner and drinks. Hope you all had a wonderful time with family and close friends. Now, let the after Christmas shopping, commence! (Are you ready? Because I'm certainly not!)

merry and bright

Wishing you and yours a warm and happy holiday season!

style challenge: christmas sweater

Sweater: J. Crew; Shirt: Madewell; Skirt: Thrifted (similar style here); Shoes: Aldo; Bag: Zara; Sunglasses: Fred Flare; Jewelry: Forever 21 and crystal pendant c/o Bauble Bar

Well another Friday is here and my coworkers and I decided to try out another style challenge. (Peek our boot challenge last week here!) Up this week? With Christmas right around the corner, we figured we would take the proverbial Christmas sweater out for a spin. While holiday sweaters often get a bad reputation for being, well, for lack of a better word, ugly, I think I know a few other girls who would prove otherwise. Check out Meghan and Rebecca to see how they styled theirs!

beaded/studded

Dress: Asos; Jacket: Zara; Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Bag: London Fog; Sunglasses: Fred Flare; Jewelry: Forever 21 rhinestone bracelet, LYLIF bow bracelet, c/o

I couldn't resist going a bit matchy-matchy with the beaded collar and studded shoes. When opportunity knocks, right?

layered

Dress: Shipley & Halmos dress worn as a shirt (similar style here); Pants: Club Monaco (similar style here); Shoes: Valentino; Jacket: Zara; Sunglasses: Karen Walker; iPad case: c/o Lodis; Jewelry: Dannijo Aram necklace (been drooling over this one lately), Spike the Punch necklace, c/o

With only a few days to go until Christmas -- let's kick things off right for the early weekend by selecting the winner of the $300 mini shopping spree courtesy of the rad folks over at Beso. So without further ado......the winner is...

Rachelle of the blog McCombs Family! Rachelle, please email me as soon as you can so you can start some last minute gift shopping!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered! 

Thank You and Happy Holidays!

Oh wow! No pictures in a post! Haven't done this in a very very long time! I am currently on holiday in Singapore, back home with my family and we leave for a family holiday to Turkey and Dubai tomorrow. We won't be back till the new year, so just wanted to say a big huge thank you to all of you for all your support the past year. This year was probably my hardest year so far. With so much going on. Those of you who read and follow this little blog will know I lost my best friend to cancer. ( I dreamt of him two nights ago. I miss him terribly! ) I'm still learning to cope with it every day. Some days it's good, some days it takes a while for me to let it all sink in that he's no longer a phone call or tram ride away. But life goes on! And this year sure went really fast. I guess being in mourning helps. I worked myself to the core and had so many wonderful opportunities be given to me. All the magazine and newspaper features, teaching experiences, new friendships formed. Thank you so much for everything.

So yup, before I end my last blog post of 2011, I just wanted to say, have a blessed Christmas with your loved ones, and a terrific New Year! I'll be back in full force come Jan. I'm pretty sure I'll be taking a whole crazy lot of photos while in Turkey. And I am going to try, with all my might and luggage space, to bring home a carpet. Even if it means I'll look like a total wacko, wearing all my clothes onboard just so to have enough space in my luggage, I'll still try! All the beautifully hand woven textiles. I'll be crazy not to bring any home! So yes, wish me luck with not getting a heat stroke on board the plane!

See you in the new year folks!

little red riding

Sweater: Zara (similar style here); Pants: ADAM (similar style here); Shoes: Jessica Simpson; Bag: London Fog; Sunglasses: Fred Flare; Jewelry: J. Crew chain necklace, Lauren Elan "Olivia" necklace, c/o, Michael Kors watch, assorted gifted bangles

headlands

Jacket: Old Navy (similar style here); Sweater: Zara; Pants: c/o J. Brand; Shoes: Zara; Sunglasses: Fred Flare; Purse: Zara; Jewelry: Spike the Punch necklace, c/o, Michael Kors watch, assorted gifted bangles

Sometimes I forget what beautiful views San Francisco has to offer -- the headlands in particular, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Luckily, the sun peeked through long enough for us to snap these photos and breathe in some crisp, ocean air. Just what I needed on a relaxed Sunday afternoon.