A Week from the Mirror's Perspective

Ok, so one major downfall of not having roommates is that outfit photos all have to be selfies. With a fashion blog, outfit photos are kind of important. I do realize the selfie method is a little trite at this point, but I've got no one here to take the pics for me. Bruiser isn't quite that skilled yet ;)

On that same note, when I'm at work, it's a little awkward to have someone take a pic of me posing in the middle of the store... so the selfies take place in the fitting rooms.

Bottom line: I am trying to continue to show outfit photos as requested, but please understand and excuse the fact that most of them I've taken myself.

That said... moving right along!

This past week was a casual one for me. It's still so freakin' cold, but I am tired of winter. A couple days this week, I brought sandals to change into once inside. Pretending it's summer put a smile on my face! Here's what I wore this week:

Flannel: J.Crew, Leggings: Francesca's, Boots: Hunter, Shirt: Nordstrom
Scarf: Handmade, Headband: LOFT

Sweater, Jeans: LOFT, Sandals: Nine West, Jewel Bracelet: J.Crew

Sweater: Gap, Jeans: LOFT

Dress: South Moon Under, Scarf: Francesca's, Flats: Tory Burch,
Bag: LOFT, Jacket (old)

What did you wear this week? Would love to see some looks and get fresh ideas from you guys!

Falling for flats

September is *just* around the corner, and with it's arrival comes cooler weather and need to update your close-toed shoes collection. Ok maybe it's not a need, necessarily, but pumping up your collection with one stylish shoe is always acceptable. Here are some flats I'm falling for this season:

Walk on the Wild Side

These leopard studded loafers are straight sex. I love their tough girl vibe and dangerously mysterious edge. That's a lot of personality for a shoe!

Steve Madden "Study-L Leopard Loafer" $99.95

Live the Luxe Lifestyle

These flats from Tory Burch are the definition of elegance. Suede. Navy. Simple. For the women who appreciate the finer things in life...and on their feet.

Tory Burch Suede Reva Ballet Flat, Navy/Bronze, $235

These loafers remind me of something Scott Disick would wear, which explains why I love them. They almost remind me of rich person slippers with the big crest on the toe. I need a pair of these puppies.

Nine West "Panto" $69

Fabulously Feminine Feet

Having the go-to girly ballet flat is essential for every fall. This pair of bone-colored flats from Aldo is the perfect pair. The bow and kitten heel give it a cute, feminine finish.

Aldo "Danille" $50

So tell me.. what's your favorite fall flat?

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?

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

Stems In Full Bloom

That's right, ladies and gents. Spring is right around the corner and what better way to acknowledge the change of season than to sport floral pants!

Many designers displayed floral prints in their Spring 2012 collections. Here are some of my favorites:

Asos, $71.62 

Paige Denim, $189

Erdem, $990 (A girl can dream..)

Marc by Marc Jacobs, $430 

So in true GJU style, I had to have a pair of these floral pants for Spring. Unfortunately, my budget doesn't allow for $430 - $990 pants. However, the ones I got from Talbots for several hundred dollars less are just as gorgeous. The material is a great, durable quality fabric and the pattern evokes a very rich feeling. These are the ones I have:

Talbots, $59.50

I wasn't able to get a full outfit shot yesterday, but this is what I was able to snap:

Close up of the floral pattern; Tory Burch Reva Flats

The best full length of the pants I could get. My flash was being unruly today.

With black silk top, gold accessories.

Make it your own:

Pants: Talbots

Shirt: J. Crew

Necklace: J. Crew (Similar)

Watch: NY&Co.

Flats: Tory Burch

So, would you wear floral pants this Spring? Which pair above is your favorite?

<3 GJU

Thursday Trend: Leopard Loafers!

I love this trend because it's so easy. You can wear pretty much anything you want, and then throw on these kicks to complete the look.

This trend is here to stay for a few reasons:

1) Loafers are super comfy.
2) Leopard isn't a seasonal print- it can be worn all throughout the year!
3) Flats are always a great alternative to heels. Add some animal print into the mix and BOOM. You're ready to rock & roll.
4) Leopard has almost become another neutral, meaning it can be matched with anything. We've seen it on the runway paired with floral prints, polka dots, stripes, you name it!

Here are some celebs showing off this Thursday's featured trend!

Nicky Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus: Photo credit- People

I have a pair of leopard loafers that I absolutely love! Here's a few way's I've worn them :)

Jeans and a blazer

Silk blouse, pink pant

Close up of my loafers

Make it your own:
Loafer: Wanted $49 (on sale from Amazon.com)

Saturday Scarves

Happy weekend!

Today's post is short and sweet: it's about a fun way to work scarves into your wardrobe. You've probably seen belted scarves on the runway or on your favorite celebrities/bloggers. Some examples....

Have you tried it out on your own?

I actually had a lot of fun with this look. My version is slightly less glamorous than the runway examples above. It's more closely aligned to the fashion blogger's pic second down from the top.

I wore straight leg navy corduroys from Madewell, and then a couple layers on top. I started off with a grey cross-back tank, followed by one of my favorite cashmere cardigans. I love it for its bright hue, but more importantly because it's the softest thing I own! I added on a multi-colored striped scarf and chose a yellow belt for a pop of color & to add some spunk :)

What do you think? Like? Dislike?

Without all the layering pieces on top 

Slightly blurry back of the shirt

Tip: Even though it's the winter, you can always utilize your summer tops! There's no reason for them to sit in our closet and collect dust for half the year. Layer a cardigan, heavier top, scarf, or something else over a summer tank to make it seasonally appropriate. Today's outfit is a good example.

So tell me: would you try the belted scarf? 

-GJU

Make it your own:
Cardigan: Talbots
Scarf: Gift
Belt: Target
Shirt: J.Crew Factory (Several years old)
Pants: Madewell
Flats: J.Crew Factory Store
Watch: NY&Co.

My Happy Medium: Errand Duty!

So... not everyday can be as fabulous as I'd like it to be in the wardrobe department. It's a sad reality.

On days when I have a bunch of errands to run & things to do around town, I'm not about to traipse around in a pencil skirt and my favorite platform pumps. On that same token, I don't like using it as an excuse to run all over Baltimore county in sweats. There has to be a happy medium, right?

I like to think so.

Here is what I wore last week on my To-Do List Day. Not as "shlumpy" as sweats and a tee, but not as nice as a dress and flats. It's a happy medium, a compromise-- if you will.

((Also.. my outfit is entirely from the J.Crew factory store. Great deals there this time of year, right after the holidays!))

This sweatshirt has a small size zipper, only on the left side. Fun feature :)

I really loved how the side zipper showcased the feminine polka dot pattern underneath.

Flats with glitter at the tip. I refer to them as "Twinkle Toes"

Make it your own:

Polka Dot Tee: $24.50

Sweatshirt: $24.99 (Similar; My sweatshirt is a bit different with the zipper; couldn't find online) 

Jeans: Matchstick, $59.50

Flats: $69.50 (Similar; My flats were on clearance; couldn't find them online)

P.S. Thanks @ChrisMinMD for allowing me to borrow his car which provided a much more lovely backdrop than then leafless trees in my backyard.

Keeping it Simple: A Day-to-Night Casual Look

I recognize that the majority of my outfits are geared toward a corporate work environment, and that not everyone can relate to that on a day-to-day-basis. So.. today's look is a more casual outfit :)

This outfit it great for a busy day, because it transitions perfectly from the office/running errands---> dinner and happy hour. Wear a leather jacket/blazer with flats during the day, and change to heels/lose the jacket for a night out! Incorporate your favorite denim and remember to just keep it simple with accessories (especially if you're blinging it out on your shirt).

Quick Tip: Don't be afraid to wear a little bit of sparkle to work or while you run errands during the day. There's no need to reserve all your glitter for a night out! If you work in a more business-casual setting, keep it appropriate by laying a suit jacket or boyfriend-style blazer on top.

Make it your own:

Top: Charlotte Russe (This store has the best affordable funky tops!)

Jeans: Matchstick, J. Crew

Flats: Steve Madden

Khloe Kardashian: Brights & Prints

Today's outfit is inspired by one of Khloe Kardashian's casual looks. She wore a chambray button up with bright red pants, and sassed it up with leopard accessories. 

Loving how Khloe rocked bright colors mixed with animal prints, and loving those heels.

Not loving the fact that her bra is showing.. and that she's working a serious camel toe. But I digress...

So, here's my version of the outfit. I wore a blue Polo shirt with red crop pants from Urban Outfitters to match Khloe's. I added a leopard belt and leopard flats (both from J. Crew) to complete the look. I also made sure my bra wasn't showing... didn't think that would be appropriate for an office setting :)

Shoes. 

So what do you think of this outfit? Would you wear this? 

Make it your own:

Shirt: Ralph Lauren Polo Outlet, about $30

Pants: Urban Outfitters $49

Leopard Flats: J. Crew Factory $79.50

Leopard Belt: J. Crew Factory (Similar) $39.50

D&G Watercolor - Summer to Fall

I love clothing inspired by watercolor palettes. I think they're soft and feminine, and great for everyday work wear. One of my favorite watercolor pieces is this beautiful Dolce & Gabbana skirt. I really love how it was styled with the egg-white long sleeve button down blouse.

I wanted to include this outfit on GJU, but since it's cooler out, I had to modify it so it was temperature appropriate. I wore a BB Dakota watercolor skirt I picked up at a sample sale in college (great find!), and paired it with a green blouse from Target. In a warmer month, I'd leave it at that to match the D&G look perfectly.

However, I also added a pair of opaque black tights, and a black vest from New York & Company for added warmth.

(P.S. I almost wore my gold, sparkly Toms to match the D&G model's gold flats.. but they looked a little weird over the dark tights. I'll work them into an outfit soon though, for sure.)

Think I got a little too into the "leaning" pose this time..
but my hair looked good so I went with it <3

Make it your own:

Shirt: Target $21.99 (I found it on the clearance rack for $10 or so)

Vest: New York & Company

Skirt: BB Dakota, about $46

Flats: Steve Madden $46.99

Tights: Target (Similar) $12

Pink Cocktail Ring: Family Heirloom

Silver Ring: David Yurman, Citrine