Sonia V Boutique Giveaway [Closed]

Debra Leather Like  Hexagon Chandelier Earrings

Jewelry can add so much versatility to your existing wardrobe. The Philadelphia area online jewelry and accessories company Sonia V. Boutique offers affordable jewelry and accessory options for ladies. The details on how to enter the giveaway and win these earrings is at the bottom of this post.

Here is a brief interview from Sonia V. Boutique's founder, Sonia Patel:

Shen Dove: When did you start your jewelry company? What motivated you to start your business? 

Sonia Patel: I started my business under another name in November 2011 and then officially as Sonia V Boutique in February 2012. I used to work in the pharmaceutical industry and left that job to spend more time with my two young boys. After contemplating it for a while, I kept coming back to my childhood dream of having "a women's shop" - my original dream was a dress shop/boutique but created my business model as a traveling/mobile boutique which has now morphed into an online boutique I decided to start out with accessorizing those clothes I dreamt of and so went into Jewelry and Accessories. I hope to still venture into clothing in the near future. 

Shen Dove: Describe the type of customer (style-wise) that you curate your jewelry for? 

Sonia Patel: I love to style a women from 20-60 years of age that likes to make a statement through their style. It could be a subtle style or even a bit wilder. I actually cater to many styles of a woman that keeps up with the trends of today! 

Shen Dove: What do you like most about having a jewelry company? 

Sonia Patel: Firstly I love helping other women find jewelry and accessories that help them express their style and stay trendy yet unique. I feel women most times forget about themselves and then find it too expensive to express their style, so they just forget about it. But I love being able to bring that back to them.

Shen Dove: What is your favorite jewelry piece of the moment from your collection?

Sonia Patel:  I'm not sure I have a favorite piece, but I really like a style that is edgy yet classic. That would describe my style and I like to see that in my collection.

To enter the giveaway and win these earrings: Visit the Sonia V. Boutique website, Like Sonia V Boutique on Facebook and leave a comment below.  For extra entries, Follow Sonia V. Boutique on Twitter, Like Shen Dove Style on Facebook. This giveaway is open to US residents.  This giveaway closes on March 6th at midnight EST.

Good Luck!
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Review: ASOS PETITE Swing Dress in Baroque Print

I recently added the first ASOS item to my wardrobe.  I'm still on my black and white kick, so I chose this dress from the ASOS PETITE Collection because it looked versatile and I could easily see it fitting in with my existing wardrobe items.  So to really test out the dress, I did what I mentally do every time I add something new to my wardrobe: I remixed it.  Here is the ASOS PETITE Swing Dress in Baroque Print styled three ways:

Pops of Orange 

 

Blazer: H&M/Necklace: Claire's/Clutch: ???/Shoes: ShoeMint  

Shades of Gray

Earrings: H&M/Clutch: The Career Wardrobe (Philly)/

Shoes: c/o Burlington Coat Factory (purchased with gift card)/Tights: Target 

Dash of Denim

Earrings: Old/Denim Vest: Forever 21/Clutch: Francesca's Collections/

Boots: It's Vintage Darling (DC)

Size: I ordered a size 6 in the dress because I didn't want it to have a clingy fit.
Price: $47.47
Material: 96% Vicose, 4% Elastane
Likes: The crisp black and white graphic print.  The dress is comfortable and the length works for my short, curvy frame so I can easily style it for a variety of occasions.
Dislikes: I don't have any dislikes other than the sleeves being a tad too long.
Verdict: I like the dress and definitely plan to get a lot of wear out of it for the remainder of the season.  I've already worn this dress to a cultural event and to the office.  Next time, I may add a scarf or layer the dress over a skirt for a different look.  My order also came pretty quickly.  The ASOS PETITE Collection has an array of stylish items for petite ladies that fit my price point and style aesthetic. 

Note: I was given an ASOS store credit to order an ASOS item and chose this dress.  As always, all opinions in this review are my own.

Links of the Week: February 22nd

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Shenneth on Pinterest

Happy Friday!  Here is some reading material to keep you busy this weekend.

The key to budgeting for big expenses

How can I find a coffee shop that they'll actually let me sit and work in for a while?

5 hair blogger falsehood debunked by a cosmetologist

Tips on taming the inbox (I plan to implement these tips over the weekend on my email accounts).

How to arrange super market flowers

How to wear a jean jacket

Google looks to make its computer glasses stylish

Is soy bad for you?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Black + White + Stripes

Blazer: F21 (similar); Dress: swapped; Michael Kors Wedges: Marshalls; 

Necklace: Shoxie; Earrings: Street vendor

After putting together this wish list the other day, I decided that I could wear black and white pieces I already own.
 

 I love when "online window shopping" leads to "shopping your closet."

Book Review: NW

NW is the most recent book by British author Zadie Smith who has written recognized books such as White Teeth and On Beauty.  NW revolves around four main characters: Leah, Felix, Keisha (renamed Natalie) and Nathan.  The four main characters grew up in the same housing project in the northwest section of London.  The themes of race, class, love, marriage and friendship permeate the book.  Leah and Keisha are childhood best friends; but the tenor of their relationship has changed now that they are adults and have taken different professional paths.  Smith spends more time on Leah and Keisha's narratives, so readers are able to get to know them more than the other two main characters. Felix and Nathan's narratives take up less of the book but are still key to the overall story. 

NW is definitely a departure from On Beauty (which I read last year) since the story is not told in a linear manner, but rather from the varying points of view of the main characters. At times, I felt like I was reading a book of inter-related short stories.  But this style fits with the tone of the book.  Because the NW focused on the lives of people from a particular section of the city, it was interesting to learn about a section of London through the eyes of the story's major characters characters.

Verdict: Read this book if you have read any of Zadie Smith's previous books or are have an interest in: the city of London, stories with multiple characters with intersecting lives, the themes of race and class in an urban environment.

Winter Neon

Top: swapped; Scarf: Old Navy (similar); Skirt: Old Navy (similar)

Happy Monday!  I was inspired by the street style fashion that featured neon green from the recent New York Fashion Week to wear my own neon green piece over the weekend.  I normally think of neon as too summery to wear this deep into the winter, but it can be styled during the cold and warm weather months. I'm definitely enjoying shopping my closet during my brief shopping hiatus.

Did NYFW inspire any winter looks you plan to put together?

Pin Source / Pin Source

Here's to an awesome week!   

Currently wishing for...springy black and white

1/2/3/4 

I'm currently loving graphical black and white items.  Here are a few black and white pieces that would be fun to add to my wardrobe this spring.

Links of the Week: February 15th

Source: flickr.com via Shenneth on Pinterest

Happy Friday! Here is some reading material to keep you occupied this weekend. 

Here is some inspiration from one of my favorite musical shows.  I agree with Andrea that if it's playing in your area, it's worth seeing!

Working on bloggy stuff this weekend?  Read this advice on finding balance with blog features. 

Are you a marathon TV watcher? 

I love this Valentine's Day inspired manicure.

Modern social media etiquette do's and don'ts

I like how this couple took an interest they had in reading and created a business around it. 

Have a lovely Valentine's Day weekend!

One More Time

Vest: swapped; T-neck: H&M (old); Skirt: swapped; 

sneaker wedges: Buffalo Exchange; Necklace: Shoxie

I couldn't resist wearing this faux fur vest one more time before I put it up until next season.  It deserves a break since it is definitely my most remixed piece clothing this winter.  I've worn this vest countless times on the weekends during the past few months.  But it deserves a rest while I start my style focus on prepping for spring.

Inauguration Day / Black, White + Furry / Cobalt and Faux Fur

New to Me

Sweater: Francesca's Collections; Skirt: The Wardrobe Boutique; Shirt: Charlotte Russe; 

Boots: It's Vintage Darling: Necklace: H&M; Earrings: Ear Jeans

These days  some of my favorite purchases like this skirt (a pre-shopping hiatus buy) are not new, but they are "new to me".  I never tire of the feeling of finding something I really like in a thrift store or second hand shop.  Whether I buy something new or second hand, I still follow the shopping rule of my childhood: if you love it, and can afford it, you buy it. 

Let's make this week a great one!

Links of the Week: February 8th

Source: ohsweetjoy.com via Shenneth on Pinterest

Here is some (slightly belated) reading material to keep you occupied this weekend.  

If you're in the Northeast, stay safe in the snow storm!

 

Moments in Black Beauty History: Josephine Baker.

Here is a tutorial to try over the weekend: create a DIY chalk board with painted frame.

For those close to 30 years old (like me), bookmark this list of things to splurge on in your thirties for future reference.

Are you a natural connector? Throw a resource party.

A few years ago I would doodle and do fashion drawings in the evenings to decompress from work. This post made me want to start doing that again.

Here are some hair tips from a lady that always has a great twist out. 

5 Things Bloggers Need to Do in 2013.

Here is some great insight on establishing credibility as a business owner without a higher degree.

Fiction inspires reality.

Peachy + Black

T-neck: H&M; Skirt: H&M; Shoes: Go Jane

I've decided to go on a brief clothing shopping hiatus until my birthday next month, so I've been digging deep into my closet to get some inspiration.  I honestly need apartment furniture a little more than I need another skirt or top anyway....

Recently I "found" this rather summery skirt that works in the winter when layered with tights, a turtleneck (and a coat obviously).  Multi-season versatility will be pretty high on my priority list for any items I buy once my shopping hiatus is over.

Do you have a clothing item you wear in summer and winter?

Currently Reading: My Beloved World By Sonia Sotomayor
Currently Listing to: Lianne Le Havas Pandora station

Maroon and Cobalt

Shirt: Marshalls (similar); Jeans: Target (similar); Wedges: Zappos (exactly); Necklace: Shoxie

Happy Monday!  Did everyone have fun watching the thrilling Super Bowl Game (or maybe just the Half-Time show)?  There's been enough commentary going around the Internet about the game and the Half-Time show, but I will say that I thought Beyonce did a great job on her Half-Time show.  I can't speak with any expertise on football, so I'll just leave that to folks who know what they are talking about.  I'm not a regular football watcher and wasn't really rooting for either team to win but I know how serious this game is for some.  Who were you rooting for?

Taking outfit of the day photos is most challenging this time of year, so until the days lengthen a little more and the temps in Philly consistently stay above 40 degrees...mostly indoor shots may be the norm.
  

Here's to an awesome week!

Links of the Week: February 1st

Source: paris-hotel-lautrec.com via Shenneth on Pinterest

Happy Friday!  Here are some good reads to keep you occupied this weekend.

Love this advice on how to live an inspired life.

Have the winter wardrobe blues?  Here are some ideas on how to create a capsule wardrobe using ten items.

As a Spotify and Pandora lover, this article made me think about  how music sites affect the royalties of musical artists. 

I know many fashion lovers are also very knowledgeable about football, but I'm not one of them.  I typically watch for the commercials and half-time show.  If you are like me check out everything you need to know about the Super Bowl.

Here are some easy DIY beauty products to try over the weekend.

As I decorate my new apartment, I'm going to keep these feng shui tips in mind.

These are great tips on the power of investment habits.

Have a lovely weekend!

January Favorites

Fav outfit (Jan 16th Double Printed); Fav album (Good Kid: Mad City); Fav app (Next Issue); 

 Fav snack (Yogurt Covered Pretzels); Fav read (Chocolat); Fav beauty product (Bentonite Clay)

I can't believe how fast January flew by!  Before I officially welcome in February, here are a few of my favorites of the first month of 2013.