2013 Style Recap

Jan // Feb // Mar // Apr // May // Jun // Jul // Aug // Sep // Oct // Nov // Dec

Here is a snapshot of my style from the past year.
Thanks so much for reading Shen Dove Style in 2013.
I have the feeling 2014 will be a great year!

Favorite Books of 2013

 On Beauty by Zadie Smith // Birds of Paradise by Diana Abu Jaber // This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz // Americanah by Chiamanda Ngozi Adiche // Kinky Gazpacho by Lori Tharps // Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

It was hard to narrow down my favorites this year because I read quite a few good ones, but these six were my favorite reads of 2013.  See my favorites books of 2012 and 2011.

What were your favorite books of 2013?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a blessed and happy holidays! Hope you are having a great time with your loved ones this week.

Thanks so much for reading Shen Dove Style! It's been so fun to share my style with you this year. I'll pop back in later this week for my final update of 2013.

{Image}

Links of the Week: December 20th

Happy Friday folks!  Here is some reading material to keep you occupied as you prep for the holidays.

You get to choose what your holidays look like.

A great app to download during the holiday season.

A cute New Year's Eve dress option.

Naturals: How to retain length and understand your hair porosity.

What Beyonce's new album release taught me.

How to create a capsule wardrobe.

5 reasons to be a better commenter in 2014.

Love these tips on how to wear and shop for vintage.

How to get organized while blogging.

As a small apartment dweller, I like this small apartment feature from Domino Magazine.

Have a lovely weekend!

{Image}

Style Profile: Mai Style Pages

Anh Mai of Mai Style Pages is a stylish lady who currently resides in Philly.  I find it so inspiring that  Anh turned her passion for fashion into a career path.  Read on to find out more about Anh and her awesome personal style!

Read more »

Hat Attitude

Hat: AA // Dress: Target // Vest: Old Navy // Ankle Boots: F21 // 

Coach Bag: thrifted

Happy Monday!  I've never really been a "hat person," but the cold temperatures in Philly lately have made wearing hats a necessity.  Since the cold weather will be here to stay for a while, I've decided to start investing in hats that I actually like to wear. This wide brimmed hat was the first in my "cute winter hat collection." I can guarantee that you'll be seeing me wearing more hats in the new year. 

What are you favorite stores to buy cute, affordable hats? 

Links of the Week: December 13th

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

Follow Cynthia's advice and read this story over the weekend (with tissues on hand).

I'm going to set aside some time to listen/watch Beyonce's new visual concept album over the weekend.  What are your thoughts on it, if you've listened/watched already?

You'll make more money if you can code

The one thing all introverts need to do at work

The perks of being a blog contributor 

I'm such a wimp when it comes to cold weather, it's time for me to invest in some winter weather accessories like this.  I also need a warm(er) winter coat, but that's fodder for a whole separate blog post...

Have some fun with your desktop icons

I like this festive decor DIY project

Start a travel fund (so you can have some travel fun!)

How to find the original source for your images 


Have a lovely weekend.

{Image}

Shop Profile: The Papery

There are so many great local business in the Philly area and I love to feature them occasionally here on the blog.  The Papery of Philadelphia is an invitation design studio and gift boutique located in the Midtown Village section of Center City.  The Papery's owner, Carolyn Brandhorst was kind enough to sit down with me earlier this fall to chat about her business and the services her store offers to its customers. Now on to the interview! 

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your business?

Carolyn: The Papery is actually a family business, my uncles started The Papery a long time ago in Greenwich, Connecticut.  Before deciding to take over the business, I worked with my Dad in advertising and I worked in retail before that.  I always loved the shop and decided I needed a change from working in advertising.  My retail experience paired with the print and design experience I developed while working in the advertising field, made the business a natural fit for me.  It became a creative outlet for me to combine the two major  areas of my professional experience.

Read more »

November Favorites

Here are a few of my favorites from the month of November.

Snack: Pasta and veggie bowls were a favorite snack recently
Outfit: Cobalt + Black was a favorite outfit of the month
Beauty Product: Vitamin E Oil has really come in handy as a night time moisturizer during the fall
Book: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was a favorite book though it had a sadder tone than the original books, Bridget's embarrassing humor and escapades were still there.
App: Square Ready was a frequently used app to prep images before posting them on Instagram
Music: Amel Larrieux, Ice Cream Everyday was a musical favorite

What were some of your favorites from last month?

Links of the Week: December 6th

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

Remembering an icon of freedom

Be part of a creative clique

Things I still can't do at 30 years old

When a party is not a party

Thanksgiving detox juice recipes

Single this holiday season?  How to deal

Morning routines around the world

I like this cute, lady-like coat

A Philly holiday shopping guide

This guy has the most gorgeous natural hair



Have a lovely weekend.


{Image: Johnny Green/PA Wire}

Holiday Gift Ideas // Ladies

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 

Here are some gift ideas for ladies this holiday season. 

Faux Fur and Camo

Necklace: Sonia V. Boutique // Faux Fur Vest: swapped // 

Jeans: Target // Ankle Boots: Target

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and caught some great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals if shopping is your thing.    

I've always felt that accessories and jewelry really make an outfit pop.  I've seen photos of myself as a kid draped in my mother's scarves, bags and jewelry that prove that this isn't a new concept for me.  

The necklace I'm wearing is from Sonia V Boutique and it has quickly become a weekend favorite.  In my book, fall casual weekend outfits that include necklaces and faux fur are definitely called for sometimes.

If you're still in a shopping or gift hunting mood, check out Sonia V Boutique and use this code to get 15% off: SHENDOVE15.  Check out more of the boutique's selection of jewelry here.

   

Let's make this week a great one!