Warm Red Autumn

There's something so transformative about loving what you're wearing. You leave the house more ready to face the day, and take on anything that comes your way.

That's how I felt in this outfit. I loved how all the pieces came together into one cohesive look. I loved the different patterns playing against each other-- the plaid scarf, the duck lining on the inside of the blazer, the texture on the bag.

I felt confident, and I think it shows.

Marilyn Monroe once said: "Designers want me to dress like Spring, in billowing things, I don't feel like Spring. I feel like warm red Autumn."

She was onto something.

Photo Credit: Zach Egolf Photography

Want to Get Jessed Up?

Blazer: c/o Talbots

Bag: c/o Talbots

Heels: Talbots (Similar)

Scarf: Target (Only $16.99!)

Denim: LOFT 

Cami: LOFT (Similar)

Ring: David Yurman

Watch: Michael Kors (Similar)

PS. Whenever I wear this lip color, I get lots of questions about it.. It's called Red Haute (color 2012). Got it at ULTA!

Autumn Rain

I couldn't help but be reminded of a particular poem when I wore this outfit...

"My Sorrow, when she's here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane..."

-My November Guest, Robert Frost

Photo credit: Zach Egolf Photography

I love everything about this sweater! The rain boots are super charming, and the blue, quilted leather elbow patches add that sophisticated flair that I've come to love and expect from Talbots. Keeping with the elbow patch trend, this wool blazer is the perfect layering piece for a crisp Fall day. Sometimes, I like to wear a blazer instead of a standard jacket/coat because a blazer better defines the waist, and creates a more feminine shape.

How would you style this sweater?

Want to Get Jessed Up?
Sweater: c/o Talbots, Comfy Rain Day Shoulder-Button Sweater
Blazer: c/o Talbots, Highland Plaid Blazer
Chambray shirt: LOFT (Similar)
Pants: LOFT
Flats: Target

LBB: Little Black Blazer

Whether you prefer a more tailored fit or relaxed, boyfriend fit, a little black blazer is this fall's must-have piece.

The best thing about a good black blazer: it will work with almost everything. Paired with jeans and pumps, a blazer elevates an outfit and carries it seamlessly from day to evening. A boyfriend blazer over leggings with boots is a fun, effortless, daytime look. Swap out the leggings for skinny jeans, and replace the boots with sky-high pumps, and BOOM: you're ready for happy hour!

Here are some of my favorite LBB's:

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer, $198

Gap Classic Two-Button Blazer, $98

Banana Republic Heritage Tipped Black Blazer, $130

Michael Kors Ruched Pocket Boyfriend Blazer, $110

Vince Camuto Faux Leather Trim Boyfriend Blazer, $179

The other day, I wore my LBB from Banana Republic to work over jeans, a flowy black blouse, and a statement necklace. Photo is a little blurry but you get the idea.

Do you have a favorite LBB? Where did you get it? I'm always on the lookout for another one to add to my wardrobe :)

Friday Flashback

It's Friday. I like flashbacks.

Here are some of my favorite outfits featured in previous posts :)

Happy Friday!

Featured Fashionista: Christa of Fresh Squeezed Fashion!

I've featured Christa of Fresh Squeezed Fashion before because I absolutely love her sense of style. (Here's the previous post featuring Christa!) So, to start off the week, I figured we should get a little color-blocking inspiration from her!

I've featured bright colorblocking on the blog before, in particular, pinks, oranges, and reds in this post and in this post. Christa works this spring trend into her wardrobe by adding on a crisp white boyfriend and metallic flats. Absolutely perfect style for a day in the office!

Here's her outfit description:

--

This outfit really is all about the blazer. I mean, how can it not be with the amazing back detail? That's why I fell in love with it. Exposed zippers are one of my favorite details. The dress is also really on trend for spring: color blocking AND pleats. It's like two for one! 

-Christa

Make it your own:

Dress: Dana Buchman at Kohl's

Blazer: BCBGMAXAZRIA

Wedges: Stuart Weitzman

---

I'm dying over this blazer. I don't have a white blazer in my wardrobe, let alone one with a killer back cut out like Christa's!

Also, that colorblock dress is perfectly on trend for spring. Great staple for the upcoming warm months!

Thanks so much, Christa, for sharing your style on Get Jessed Up!

Want to be featured on GJU?! Send me a photo of your unique look, with a description of where to find the pieces of the ensemble. It can be an outfit inspired by one of my blog posts, or an outfit you put together on your own! Please include the original inspiration photo that you modeled your outfit off of to include in the post. Excited to feature you ladies on GJU!

All for now.

<3

GJU

Purple Friday-- Talbots Takeover

Just because the Ravens are out of the running for the Super Bowl, doesn't mean my Purple Friday outfits have ended! I love incorporating Baltimore pride into my wardrobe without being completely obvious about it. Maybe next week I'll try to integrate a Raven's tee shirt with a pencil skirt and see how that goes. Could be weird. Could be genius.

Today's outfit is entirely from Talbots. I never used to like Talbots because it was where my mom shopped. It was... old lady like. But I'm telling you, for real-- they've completely changed their aesthetic. Talbots is much more current and I the majority of their merch.. (p.s. They didn't ask me to say this. I legit love).

Here's the look. Thoughts?

Mildly obsessed with the purple blazer. Also slightly more than mildly
obsessed with the pencil skirt and heeled sandals.

Sometimes you lean back while smiling and gazing off into the distance.
Sometimes it's captured on film.  And it's awkward.
And it should be showcased on your blog.

One without the blazer. Again with that face-- Really?

Make it your own:

All from Talbots:

Skirt

Tank

Blazer and Another (Both great options!)

Shoes

Bag

Color Me Corporate!

Just because you work in an office or a corporate environment, doesn't mean you need to avoid color. Sure, a black pencil skirt is a great base, but why not add some personality into the look by introducing color?!

There are several ways to do this, for example:

1) Add a bright accessory to your neutral look. Wearing a gray suit? Spice it up with a bold fuchsia necklace!

2) Layer patterns and colors underneath the outer shell. You don't always need to wear a white oxford under your favorite blazer. Try brightening it up with a crisp teal tank, or a fun, feminine top in a deep purple.

3) Shoes are made for walking, but also for making a statement! If you're rocking an all black office ensemble, try swapping out your matching heels for something with a little more spunk-- a red pump, perhaps!

Here's how I worked some of these tips into a work appropriate, colorful outfit!

A thought: I highly encourage all of you women readers to own (at minimum) one top with a ruffled neckline. I own several, probably 9. (Ok maybe 11... details...) Anyway, in my opinion, these tops add spunk, femininity and flare to any outfit. You can pair them with jeans or a pencil skirt, or whatever else you want, and they look great under cardigans and blazers alike.

Ok back to the outfit-- I had a lot of fun pairing this turquoise bib necklace with my ruffled silk top! It was 65 degrees today and in honor of the warmth (in January!) I wanted to celebrate with bright colors! I wore a black corded lace pencil skirt and a fitted black suit jacket on top.

Do you add pops of color into your every work wear? I'd love to see how you incorporate these style elements!

Make It Your Own

Skirt: Talbots $51.99

Necklace: H&M

Jacket: Banana Republic $158 *This is actually my suit jacket, paired with a different bottom!

Shirt: J. Crew $88 (Similar)

Heels: Guess (from DSW) $44.95

Watch: Michael Kors $225

Fall Fashion: An Ode to Naomi Campbell

An ode to Naomi Campbell...

This woman is a lot of things.

* She's certifiably crazy: She threw a cell phone at her assistant. And her housekeeper.

* She's a pioneer: First black woman on the cover of French Vogue, when she was just 18.

* She's a wanna be rockstar: After dating a U2 band member, she becomes addicted to cocaine.

But most importantly, this woman owns her fashion sense. She rocks anything she wears, and I can't ever fault her for taking risks and dressing outside of the box.

For that reason, today's outfit inspiration comes from one of Naomi's more casual looks. A simple black dress with a patterned jacket is an easy breezy look to recreate! 

Tip: This kind of outfit can be mixed-and-matched in as many ways as you like! A simple black dress can be paired with anything: a bright scarf, a fun blazer like this one, a statement necklace, a colorful belt... you get the idea!

Make it your own:

Dress: H&M, last fall, about $30

Heels: Guess from DSW, $44.95

Blazer: J. Crew Factory Store (several seasons ago)

Feature Friday: Seeing Double!

Hey y'all!

First & foremost: Happy Friday! Does anyone else feel like this has been the longest week ever? I'm relieved that it's the weekend.

Now to the fashion.

You remember I did a post on black and red a few weeks ago? Well today, GJU is featuring two fabulous fashionistas who took this trend and made it their own.

First up, we have Adellyn. She lives in NYC, and is fierce in her own right. Here's how she rocked the look:

A couple things to address. 

1) Loving those rocker boots & belt! I don't have enough spunk to pull off studs and buckles like this lady can!

2) I now need a red mini. 

3) I need to wear said red mini with a black boyfriend blazer. Smokin' hot. Hot tamale. Other red hot references. 

Loving it. All around, loving it.

Next up, Katie B. is a Baltimore girl with a smart sense of preppy style. Here's how she made Black & Red her own:

I can't handle how adorbs she is in this pic. I love the red cropped pants, the red & gold necklace, and the houndstooth. Moses knows how much I sweat houndstooth in the fall/winter months. 

Let's break this down. Here's how Katie describes her outfit:

"I think this outfit displays a nice mixture of dressing during the ever-difficult transition season of clothes-where it's not warm enough to just wear a sundress or skirts anymore but also not cold enough where you need chords and cable knit layers.

I wanted to not only figure out a good outfit that can be worn in the early fall season, but also repurpose my once summer J. Crew pants to make them more seasonally appropriate. I thought the red and the black and white houndstooth is a nice holiday, festive pairing which is perfect for early November when everyone's starting to feel the holiday soiree vibe! Plus it shows you can seamlessly take summer capris and make them more fall-worthy with the right layering!"

Top-Talbots $119

J. Crew cafe capris-$118

Flats-Nine West apx. $79

Necklace-Kim Last Design
Rings-David Yurman & Tiffany

Watch-Fossil

Bangles-Pink Crab

At this point, she should just have a weekly spot on GJU. 

Hope you guys liked today's double-trouble Feature Friday! If you want to be a featured fashionista, send me some pics of you rockin' a look, and why you chose the pieces in the outfit.

Happy weekend everyone :)