Thursday, July 26, 2012

Current Wish List

This summer, my favorite brands have stepped their games up! Here are my top five swoon-worthy wish list items:

Blue Abundance Necklace, Anthropologie, $58

Lush Landscape Quilt, Anthropologie, $48 - $248

Follow My Lead Beaded Tank, Free People,  $118

So Modern Love Dress, Free People, $350

Printed Canvas Reva Ballet Flat, Tory Burch, $235



So tell me, what's on your wish list?





Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Back from Beach Vaca!

Hi guys!

So sorry for the lack of posts recently! I just got back from a long weekend at the beach, and before that, I was super busy with work. Hope you can forgive me :)

I thought I'd share some of the photos from my vacation to Ocean City, MD. It was so great to take a weekend and get away. Laying on the beach is the ultimate form of relaxation and I am feeling so much more refreshed now that I had the chance to unwind.

Lots of great posts coming up, including announcing the winner of the Stella & Dot giveaway! Keep checking back in with GJU!

Outfit for the drive down to OC!

Got a little Captain?


Goofing off with these stunna shades on the boardwalk

Lunch on the water post-beach


Bloody Mary at lunch!

Dumser's soft serve with peanut butter sauce and sprinkles. 

Selfie before bed in my new bright pink Bethany Surf Shop tank

The beach in the morning
Post-beach selfie
Outfit for dinner and a night out


Close up of the top of the dress

Fractured Prune Doughnuts

Obligatory photo in front of the swordfish

At a bar on the beach

Beach sunset to kick off the drive back to Baltimore

Overall, my long weekend vacation to the beach was exactly what I needed. Rest, relaxing, sun, and lots of food and drink.

Make it your own:
Chambray Shirt: J. Crew
White Shorts: J. Crew
Brown Sandals: LOFT (similar)
Leopard Scarf: J. Crew
White Tank: Francesca's Collections (similar)
Skinny Jeans: Gap
Black Dress: American Eagle (Several years old!)
Orange Lace Tank: Target (similar)
Navy Blue Tie-Dye Dress: Target
Gold Bracelets: c/o Avon
Silver and Gold Necklace: Stella & Dot
Blue Striped Maxi Dress: LOFT (similar)
Bronzer (all pics): c/o Avon

How have you guys been? Update me!

<3 GJU

Monday, July 16, 2012

Snapshots

Recent snapshots:






Make it your own:
Photos 1 and 2: Shirt, J.Crew; Necklace, Stella & Dot, Shorts, J. Crew
Photos 3 and 4: Dress, Francesca's Collections; Sandals, LOFT (similar); Necklace, Stella & Dot
Photo 5: Dress, Francesca's Collections; Bracelets, c/o Avon
All: Mascara and Eyeliner, c/o Avon

So.. the question is a little delayed (oops!).. but how was your weekend? 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mrs. O Goes Formal

You guys know I love Michelle Obama's style. I've posted about her on GJU several times before-- usually photos of her in head-to-toe looks from brand favorites like J. Crew or Talbots.

Today's post is a guest post from Terisa A., a writer at Bride Heaven (www.brideheaven.com), on how Michelle Obama translates her impeccable First Lady everyday style into evening looks when she goes to formal events. No one knows formalwear better than bridal wear experts! Enjoy!
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Michelle Obama has proven that she isn’t afraid to bend the rules of so-called First Lady fashion. We’ve rounded up a few of her best formalwear looks to prove that Michelle looks naturally fantastic in the most cutting-edge designers. Let’s take a look at how Michelle mixes edgy and intelligent choices for big occasions:



2011 China state dinner - Alexander McQueen resort collection


This red silk dress is by British house Alexander McQueen, whose founding designer passed away in 2010. Michelle’s critics were swift to point out that Michelle hadn’t chosen an American designer for this state dinner honoring China in 2011. However, since the color red is considered lucky in Chinese culture we think this was a good diplomatic move on Michelle’s part. The digital orchid print is very cool and contemporary and is a sure sign from Michelle that she doesn’t play by the ‘politician’s wife’ wardrobe rulebook. 

2009 India state dinner – custom Naeem Khan




For her first foreign state dinner honouring India in 2009, Michelle opted for Indian-born, American-educated designer Naeem Khan. Khan was given a blank slate to design whatever he wished for the then newly-installed First Lady. The dress Michelle and her stylist eventually chose was a cream-colored column dress with a corseted bodice. The silver poppy designs on the corset were real silver-plated sequins, hand sewn in the Khan family workshop in India. It’s a very delicate and feminine choice with another subtle tribute to the guest dignitaries. 

2010 Mexico State Dinner – custom Peter Soronen




Michelle specifically requested a one-shouldered gown from designer Peter Soronen, who had previously made four dresses especially for her. The First Lady loves to show off her arms and shoulders and this dress does just that. We love the striking, nearly-electric blue colour of the dress and the belt which perfectly cinches in her waist. The effect is incredibly youthful and alluring and the color complements Michelle perfectly.

Tom Ford, custom made 2011





Michelle wore this Tom Ford dress to a Buckingham Palace state dinner in 2011. She instantly drew comparisons to Jackie Kennedy, who a white gown with a similar colour and cut in 1961. The look is widely agreed to be Michelle’s best state dinner dress so far. We think Michelle glows in this dress and that it was the perfect choice for the occasion. Whilst Tom Ford is an American-born designer, his design studios are based in Victoria, London. Whether this connection was international or not, we think Michelle looked fabulous. 

Jason Wu, custom made 2009-2010





Perhaps it’s inevitable that our favorite gown worn by Michelle is also the most significant. On inauguration night in 2010, Michelle wore a one-shouldered Jason Wu gown with intricate chiffon flowers and beading that swept the floor in a small pleated train. The dress was airy and optimistic, and seemed to perfectly express what many felt about her husband’s election win. In selecting Jason Wu, Michelle propelled his career upwards and the young designer has since been unstoppable.

Fast forward to 2012, Pinterest recently saw a flurry of surrounding Michelle Obama’s wedding dress. Michelle ‘pinned’ a photo from her wedding day in 1992. The Harvard-educated former lawyer still shows the same style flair today, whether she’s raising awareness for healthy eating in schools or accompanying Barack to a formal state dinner.



Monday, July 9, 2012

A busy week...

BBQs to celebrate our independence, my mom's birthday, fireworks, time spent by the pool and parties. It was a busy week and weekend!

Here are some snapshots that captured a few of the moments...









Make it your own:
Black silk top: J. Crew $59.99
Blue Shorts: Gap (Similar) $44.95
White dress: Gap $44.99
Black bathing suit: Target
Leopard scarf: J. Crew $39.99
Pattern skirt: Anthropologie (Similar) $89.95
Grey bathing suit: Target
Blue/white dress: c/o mark $35
Neon stripe dress: Target

How was your 4th of July spent?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Stella & Dot Sale (And Giveaway!)

If you saw last week's post, you knew something was brewing. In case you couldn't guess what all the photos had in common, here's your answer: Stella & Dot jewelry!

Stella & Dot is one of my favorite jewelry brands. The collections are so versatile, so beautiful, and right on trend every season. Even celebs love the brand! They're spotted on the regular wearing Stella & Dot pieces-- just check out the previous blog post for proof!

Here's my current favorite from Stella & Dot. It's the perfect necklace for layering!

On The Mark Necklace, $59
Love Stella & Dot yourself? You're in luck. My good friend and personal Stella & Dot stylist Brittany is treating GJU readers to an exclusive online trunk show and giveaway opportunity. 

Brittany is wearing the Stella & Dot Serenity Necklace, $198
For 2 weeks only, when you purchase any item from Stella & Dot through this link, you are also entered into our GJU Stella & Dot giveaway. Each additional purchase counts as an additional entry.

For example: If you purchase one pair of earrings, you're entered to win once. If you buy a necklace and a ring, you are entered twice.


What do you get if you win? A free pair of GORGEOUS earrings from Stella & Dot of your choice!


Left: Carobella Hoops
Center: Sidewinder Studs
Right: Serenity Small Stone Drops

Want to earn extra credit? Get more entry points by:
1) following GJU on blogger;;
2) leaving a comment sharing which pieces you've purchased and which earrings you'd choose if you won (May leave up to one comment per item purchased);
3) tweet me at @JessCPlatt letting me know you've entered the contest! One tweet max.

REMINDER: You must purchase through this link to the online trunk show in order to qualify to win! It's how we track your giveaway entries!  

Happy Stella & Dot shopping, and GOOD LUCK!

<3 Jess

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Abby Talks Accessories: 4th of July!

My friend Abby knows her accessories. She's a connoisseur of all things fabulous, and this month, she shares her fashion choices for the 4th of July. With the holiday coming up tomorrow, here are Abby's tips on how to be fashionably patriotic!
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The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday all year. Everyone is in a great mood, there are fireworks, parades, barbeques, and it makes summer feel official. It’s also a fabulous excuse to accessorize. While red, white and blue are the obvious options; the color combination is not always easy to pull off. To refrain from looking tacky, I recommend choosing either red or blue as your staple to accompany the white and then trickle the other color in with a pair of shades, or a bangle. I also encourage you to throw some sparkle in there – The Fourth is all about the sparkles. Did I mention how much I love fireworks?

(As always, sorry for the iPhone pic). With this outfit, I chose blue for the staple color with a sheer white top. To accessorize, I threw in the sparkle heels, a bangle that incorporates red, white and blue and big sparkly studs.


Close up of the sparkly studs:



Some other Fourth of July options to accessorize your simple, sexy holiday outfit could include:

Funky shades



Chunky bangles

 

Statement necklaces (I ordered this last week and am SO excited for it’s arrival)

 


Make it your own:
*Sheer Top: Rebecca Taylor $235, find similar options here
*Blue shorts: Target, $18
*Sparkly heels: Guess, $110 (These are from sophomore year in college, but you can find similar options here)
*Red, white and blue bangle: Forever 21, $3 (Again, this is old school, but check out the discount bins at the store while you’re waiting in line, they have some great stuff)
*Big sparkly studs: Recent Kate Spade sample sale, $20 (If you’re interested in receiving sample sale emails from me, let me know)
*Funky shades: Target, $12.99 (In stores now)
*Chunky bangles, Target, $12.99 (In stores now)
*Statement necklace: Stella and Dot, $98  

Happy (almost) Fourth of July. What will you be wearing? Tweet me pics @AbbyDraper