Dressember: Day 15

#Dressember Day 15.

As an update, the overall US and Canada #Dressember2013 campaign has already raised $65,000+ for International Justice Mission. To give you a scope of how exciting this is, consider that the goal for the campaign was originally set at $30,000... Woooo!

On a person note, today finds me $5 short of my $300 goal! A big fat THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me toward this goal. Daily selfies are not exactly my cuppa tea, but each donation (and facebook like) has made this all worth it. Thank you, all for your support! It means more than you'll know.

Dressember: Day 14

#Dressember Day 14 finds me having to transition a dress from running day errands to attending a night time holiday cocktail party.

It actually worked out easier than expected, except for the fact that I was wearing a SUPER night time outfit during the day for my daily photo shoot! Yikes! Jokes about "walks of shame" were definitely thrown out there.

See my #dressember2013 campaign here and click here for more info about Dressember. 

Dressember: Day 13

#Dressember2013 Day 13: 

#Dressember founder, Blythe Hill, posted this along with her daily dressember post. 

"The hardest part of #Dressember, for me? Posting a photo of myself every day. Having the photos taken is one thing (NBD), wearing the dresses is fun (to me), but posting a selfie everyday is out of my comfort zone. The thing is, this campaign isn't about my comfort zone: this is about using the ubiquitous selfie/#ootd to draw attention to one of the biggest injustices happening in our world. Dressember is bigger than a dress, bigger than me, bigger than fashion: it's about joining together in the fight to #endslavery with @IJMhq" 

I couldn't agree more with Blythe. 13 days into dressember, I've found I do enjoy the creative aspect of dressing up (and making the effort to look like a real person). What's not so fun is posing for said photo and then sharing pictures of myself (JUST myself) online. Feels a little too self-indulgent for little ole me. That being said, I love that by dressing up and sharing my pictures, conversations are started and awareness is raised. Nothing could be more satisfying because Dressember is truly bigger than a dress!

Did you know fact of the day: Contrary to common assumption, human trafficking is not just a problem in other countries. Cases of human trafficking have been reported all over the US. 

Let's do our part to stop human trafficking and sexual exploitation! 

Dressember: Day 12

A dear friend mentioned that because of my#dressember2013 posts, her friends have taken the time to read up about International Justice Mission and the work they do to combat human trafficking & end sexual slavery. 

THIS is exactly why I chose to participate in Dressember. It's not just a quirky style challenge, but also a means to raise awareness (& funds) and get a conversation started! 

That just about made my month! 

Dressember: Day 11

#Dressember2013 Day 11.

Curious about the work of International Justice Mission? Some amazing Ijm survivor stories can be found here. 

Dressember: Day 10

#Dressember2013 day 10.

Spotted the holiday ribbon/decoration and decided to try for a more angelic angle?

Dressember: Day 9

#Dressember2013 Day 9

Unfortunately, the pose-on-my-own situation is still horribly awkward, but many thanks to my lovely photographer, Megan, for always managing to capture my better side (if such a thing actually exists). #dressember2013

Dressember: Day 8

Day 8

As December progresses and I get deeper and deeper into #Dressember2013, I think it's important to keep in mind that #Dressember is not just 31 days of (pretty) dresses. It's also a means to draw attention to one of the biggest injustices our of time- human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

Do consider helping IJM (and me) in the fight to end modern-day slavery. 

Dressember: Day 7

Dressember: Day 6

Day 6: Finding creative ways to keep my legs warm. Knee-high socks over tights! #dressember2013

Meanwhile, #Dressember has currently raised over $38,000 for International Justice Mission, surpassing the campaign's original goal. Personally, I am more than half way to my goal of raising $300! This all makes my heart smile.

Dressember: Day 5

#Dressember Day 5: I promise it's a dress! After all, it's not skirtember! 

Posing has not gotten any easier, but the use of a professional camera definitely makes me look wa-ay better. Big thanks to my lovely co-worker Megan for being my official #dressember2013 photographer. 

Dressember: Day 4

Day 4 finds me back in LA. It may look sunny and I don't seem to have much on, but don't let the sunshine fool you, it is chilly (serves me right for not checking the weather, no more bare legs for me)!!

Many thanks to those who have already donated or liked any of my facebook pics. I truly appreciate all the love, Xs and Os to all your faces! 

Once again, here is the link to my personal campaign, please consider supporting Ijm (& me) by donating if you haven't already! If you're curious about the work of International Justice Mission, amazing IJM survivor stories can be found here.  

On a personal note, I've found that taking solo pictures for #dressember is about the most awkward thing one can do. Figuring out flattering poses, which sides of your body the camera does NOT love, and how to best showcase your outfit is not an easy task. I guess that's why they pay models the big bucks!  #dressember2013

Dressember: Day 3

Day 3: With my little niece, Elsa, in tow. She's wearing a dress as well to "support Aunty Nic." Gotta love this kid. And yes, she is sticking a wooden knife into her side. 

Don't forget to donate! #dressember2013

Dress & Boots: Rag & Bone, Coat, necklace & tights: Madewell

Dressember: Day 2

Did you know 27 million people are currently trapped in slavery? That's more than during the entire course of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade! Blows your mind, huh. Needless to say, I am proud to be a part of #Dressember2013, doing my part (albeit small) to end slavery. 

Dress: Phillip Lim for Target, Tights: Old Navy, Boots: Rag & Bone Classic Newbury, Coat: Love Culture, Beanie: Vince Camuto 

Dressember: Day 1

Who: Me, inspired by my delightful friend, Blythe Hill, who started this all in 2009 

What: I'm participating in Dressember, where I'll wear a dress for every day in December and raise funds for Ijm, a human rights organization that works to endhuman trafficking, sexual slavery, and other forms of violent oppression that exist in our world

When: All December long, so start donating now! (Please, pretty please *bambi eyes*)


Why: Because you want to put the celebration of beauty and femininity into action by helping me raise money to help stop sexual slavery. And because you love me and want to see what I wear all month long.


Where: On my (much ignored) blog and all over social media! #dressember2013 @NicoletteTeo 

HAPPY #dressember 1st! 

Dress: Eva Franco, Tights: Old Navy, Sweater: Joe Fresh, Grey Sweater: Wilfred, Boots: Rag & Bone Classic Newbury.