January 19, 2012 by IamDWJ

Updates!

Well, I thought it would take me weeks but it only took me days. I’ve moved everything over to IamDWJ.com and it’s ready for you (with a few minor kinks I’m working out on the backend). There’s even a full archive of the Art of Accessories on the site if you want to see something from the past (I will lose a picture or too but it shouldn’t be too bad).

If you subscribed to the Art of Accessories via a daily email you can sign up for the I Am DWJ daily post email via this link.

If you subscribed to the Art of Accessories via RSS feed you can subscribe via this link.

And if you want to email me you can email me at dwj at iamdwj.com

I’ve already gotten a comment or two on my new site, YAY! And definitely let me know if you see things that are wrong or buggy. And I’ve already redirected theartofaccessories.com to go to the new site. Again, thank you so much for reading for the last 4 years and I hope you will enjoy the new site.

xoxo,
DWJ

A Change is Coming

This month the Art of Accessories turns 4, on January 28 to be exact. This blog and I have changed so much in the last four years and I’ve loved what I’ve created here but with age comes change.

In October when I was planning for the Gift Guide I was contemplating whether or not I wanted to continue the Art of Accessories in 2012. This blog and everything I’ve been able to do with it over the last 4 years has been such a huge part of my life but sometimes I feel like it’s just too much. So instead of stopping the blog, I’ve decided to make a change.

Over the next few weeks I will be merging all of the things I love and all of my other sites like the Art of Accessories and Crumbs and Creativity into one main site, IamDWJ.com. I’m looking into a way to archive all of this site onto my new site as well as bring in the posts I’ve done on Crumbs about food and photography. I also have another site that I’ve done freelance projects on and photography things that will all be merged into IamDWJ. Instead of just a singular focus on beauty and accessories, I’ll talk about everything I love and it will all be in one place that’s easier for me to manage. And hopefully you will still read what I write.

I don’t know what my new blogging schedule will be like but I don’t think I will go back to a daily blogging schedule like I did here for years, I just can’t. Between work, life and everything in between I’ve decided I need to give myself more time instead of always finding ways to give away my time. I’ve decided to keep blogging because I love the community that blogging has introduced me too and I love the interaction I’ve had over the years with all of you. I don’t want to disappear.

There will be a slow transition as I merge everything over and I also think I may remove the Facebook fan page because let’s be honest, I do not update it as frequently as I should. I will still be on Twitter as @theaofa and I am also on Instagram (theaofa) too. I just think after four years, I want and need a change and IamDWJ is the change that is going to happen. I’ll still be posting here and once the new site is up and everything is ready, there will be an automatic redirect to take you there – there will be minimal updates to what you do.

So that’s the plan, are you with me?

Happy Friday! Have a Good Laugh

I didn’t have anything in particular planned for this morning’s post but my sisters and I have not been able to stop laughing about last night’s Parks and Recreation. I love that show and if you watch, I’m sure you laughed and cried like I did at Leslie Knope’s grand red carpet entrance. I feel like I need a Knope 2012 bumper sticker for my car…

Have a fantastic Friday everyone! I’m working on some changes for this blog for 2012 so I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me this weekend. I hope you have a great long weekend.

Grey Days & Neon Knitting

This morning when I kissed my husband goodbye and opened the door (I get to work from home on occasion) I saw that our neighborhood was covered in a deep grey fog. Kind of spooky. Of course I picked up my camera and snapped a few pics.

This weather in Maryland and DC has been so crazy lately. Freezing in the morning and 60 degrees by the afternoon – what is going on?! And even though it’s gloomy and nasty outside, I’m working on something bright and colorful inside.

I’ve been playing around with different techniques and things I can do with the knitting skills I learned last year and of course I’ve been gravitating towards accessories. I bought some super bright neon yarn when I went to NY in November and it is super soft cotton. So I decided to pair it with cream and teal yarn and create links. We’ll see how this project goes, it might turn out to be a very cool statement piece. Who knows, I just love experimenting and creating something new.

And speaking of knitting, a friend of mine on Facebook posted an awesome link. If you’re a knitter you might want to knit a scarf for the Special Olympics! When I read this I knew immediately that I would have to participate. I’ve got to send in a scarf or two before February 13th for Maryland’s delegation. I think that’s just a wonderful way to put my knitting skills to use.

Window Shopping Online | Lands’ End Canvas

I tweeted the other night that I need to do a serious closet clean up. My closet is a mess, I wake up feeling like I have nothing to wear because I can’t find anything and the other day I pulled out a sweater to wear and realized there was a hole in it. Oops. Honestly, I wear about 20% of what’s in my closet over and over again, so I should really reduce down what I have and only hold onto what I love. Of course as I start to do a closet purge, I think about things that I would love to add to my wardrobe. If you follow me in Pinterest, you’re probably already aware of my Style Pinboard and I like to tag items or looks that I love there for inspiration. I’m obsessed with animal print and bold color. I’m also mildly obsessed (still) with Lands’ End Canvas. So I thought I’d share some of the pieces I’m loving right now.

Source: canvas.landsend.com via DWJ on Pinterest

I have always loved plaid, especially black watch tartan plaid so I’m swooning over the Plaid Skater Dress. The fact that it has pockets also makes me swoon. I can see myself wearing this with hunter green tights, black ankle booties and a cardigan or long sleeve underneath for work.

Source: canvas.landsend.com via DWJ on Pinterest
I love the neutral colors in this Plaid Wrap Skirt and would totally pair it with my more vivid colored tights. These would be perfect with teal or hot pink!

Source: canvas.landsend.com via DWJ on Pinterest

I also adore this Shawl Collar Sweater. It’s the perfect cozy layering piece. I could throw it on with jeans and a tshirt on the weekend or wear it with a skirt or slacks to work. I’m totally obsessed.

The other awesome thing about these three pieces, they’re all on sale! Perhaps if I am successful at doing a closet clean up this weekend I can treat myself to a few new pieces. Where else should I be window shopping? Share your favorite sites, please!

How to Accessorize | The First of the Year

For Christmas this year my husband bought me a new very kick ass tripod. I know, I get very geeky when it comes to my tech toys and accessories and I have to admit the husband can pick out some cool stuff. He also wrapped it in homemade wrapping paper (I adore Calvin & Hobbes) so he gets double points for being cute and creative. I of course didn’t play with my new tripod before I snapped pics yesterday so you’ve only got 2 photos to see my first work outfit of the year. LOL Don’t worry, I’m still playing around with it.

I will be the first to admit, anything that is blousy makes me feel like I’m wearing a maternity top (no, no baby for the new year) but they’re so comfy that I can’t help but wear them. I got this top from the Gap on sale the other week for about $7 but I love it. The floral print looks like an ikat print up close, very cool. It’s very loose and billowy below the chest and a bit longer in the back.

I paired the top with a navy corduroy pencil skirt, burgundy tights, grey ankle boots and a new fun necklace Jess gave me for Christmas. It was the first really cold day we’ve had yesterday but I was bundled up in a long wool burgundy coat. Today they’re talking about 18 degrees outside…no thank you. I am not a fan of winter at all. I’m sure you’ll be seeing lots of tights and long coats on me in the future.