Showing posts with label jacket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jacket. Show all posts

Monday, March 24, 2014

New Baubles and a Braid

As you guys know, I love statement necklaces. LOVE. They can elevate a simple tee shirt, and add sparkle, shine, and color to any outfit. Here are some baubles I'm currently loving:

J. Crew

Anthropologie 

Francesca's 


J. Crew


Feeling inspired by spring - and by all of the aforementioned necklaces - I picked up a glass and grey leaf necklace for myself (and I am absolutely obsessed with it)!

Top: J. Crew, Necklace: J. Crew, Belt: LOFT, Denim: LOFT, Shoes: Steve Madden (Similar)


While we're at it on the outfit pics, here's what I wore the other day. Neutrals on neutrals on neutrals = my upcoming summer wardrobe. I love putting peaches with pinks, and whites with beiges. 

Jacket: LOFT, Top: Free People (Similar), Bracelets: LOFT

On a totally different note... I am trying to learn how to braid. I don't mean your average braid - I know how to do that. But I want to learn how to french braid, inside out french braid, and fishtail braid.

Photo: The Freckled Fox

Photo: Posie Blogs

Photo: The Freckled Fox

I have a lot ton of hair (duh), and blowing it dry/straightening it everyday just doesn't work in my schedule. Takes too long, my arms get tired, I have no patience, and so on.

I feel like knowing how to do more kinds of braids would really benefit me. Instead of throwing my hair up into a clip like I do every. single. day. (see both selfie outfit photos above/every other photo ever) these new braiding techniques would give me other ways to throw my hair back quickly and effortlessly but in a more polished way.

Though I've tried many times, I still cannot french braid quite yet. However, here is my best first attempt at the fishtail braid. IMHO, it's a damn good first try! (Thanks, Danielle, for showing me how to do this!)


Can you do any fun braiding styles? Please share your secrets and teach me your talents!


Monday, September 30, 2013

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 :)


Monday, July 1, 2013

Playful in Polka Dots

I love a bright print in summertime. I also love sundresses. Therefore, a sundress with a bright print is the ultimate WIN for me!

In my opinion, dresses are the most flattering clothing choice for my figure. I'm "hippy" and hold most of my weight in my midsection, so a fit-and-flare style such as this dress helps hide the unwanted curvature :)

This yellow polka dot print is not only adorable, but paired with the dress' high neck and low back, the outfit has a 50's feel. I added on some wedges for height, and a statement necklace in emerald green for a pop of contrast and color.




Not a wedge or heel gal? Dress it down by swapping in sandals, and layering on a denim jacket.



Make it your own:
Dress: LOFT, $89.50
Denim Jacket: Old Navy (Similar, $29)
Necklace: J. Crew (Similar, $165)
Wedges: Nordstrom, Franco Sarto, $109.90 (on sale now for $69.90)
Sandals: LOFT, $29.50



Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Casual Layers

Wait.. you don't have photo sessions in parking lots? Weird.








Make it your own:
Jeans: J. Crew Factory $69.50
Pink Shirt: Ralph Lauren Polo $89.50
Jacket: LOFT, Similar style $44.99
Scarf: Target, Similar style $14.99
Sandals: Jack Rogers $105
Bag: Longchamp $145

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

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




Monday, December 12, 2011

.:.:.:. Pink & Polka Dots! .:.:.:.

Good Morning & Happy Monday to you, GJU Readers!

Today's post features one of my Black Friday purchases (oops!) that is quickly becoming one of my favorite tees. I like trying to switch it up, and keep my outfits visually appealing. Instead of just a plain tee, Madewell came out with these sheer polka dot and striped tees to go over a solid tank underneath. I absolutely love this idea. You can wear any color you want -- and it just adds a little flair and personality to the look. Not to mention- the back/sleeve part of the shirt is super soft. Big fan.

Here's how I paired the top. What do you think?!



Not sure if you can tell from the photos, but I have a dark purple tank under the tee. I also added on a Merlot colored scarf and cozy jacket!



Make it your own:
Tee: Madewell, $55 (Similar)
Jacket: Candie's for Kohl's (Got this back in high school about 6 years ago)
Leopard Flats: J. Crew Factory
Turquoise Earrings: Handmade from craft fair

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Pippa Perfect

I love Pippa Middleton. I love her name. I love her sass (you guys know I love a woman with sass). I love her confidence. For all intensive purposes- she's perfect. And that includes her wardrobe. The girl can dress.


Thanks, Us Magazine!
Here's my version. What do you think?!




It shouldn't come as a surprise to you that my cardigan is a bright pop of color. I love adding a character into my outfits, so I opted for a bright fuchsia cashmere sweater to Jess Up the look :)

(Also- Pippa's dress is from H&M.. I think.. but I think my Loft version is so close!)

Make it your own:
Dress: Loft (Last winter)
Sweater: Talbots (on final sale for $66 from $170!)
Boots: Civico 10 from DSW
Trench: Michael Kors
Turquoise jewelry: Bracelet - Lucky Brand; Earrings - Handmade from Craft fair




Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tuesday in the Trenches

This post comes just in time for the gloomy, rainy weather in Baltimore this morning!

Fall is the perfect season to break out the trench coats. It's not too cold that you would need a parka, but it's often windy/rainy (ahem.. today)-- perfect for a light cover up. You can often find trenches in darker colors such as black, brown and navy. However, this Fall, the trend is to go lighter in color with beige/natural tone jackets. Here are some great ways to rock the look:










Top left: Liv Tyler

Top right: Victoria Beckham

Bottom Left: Kim Kardashian

Bottom Right: Claudia Schiffer





For my outfit, I wore my light trench from Gap, over a textured black pencil skirt and purple top. I love the collar on this shirt! I also put on some fun purple earrings that are actually made from paint chips :)






Make it your own:
Trench: Gap (last year, Gap outlet, around $20)
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Top: Target (Clearance rack, around $4)
Flats: Steve Madden
Earrings: Hand-made gift from a craft fair

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Weekend Style Mid-Week: Denim & Leather

So you guys know by now that I work in a office environment, which influences how I dress myself each morning. I love being corporate Barbie on a daily basis!

However, not all of you work in offices and can be a bit more casual during the week. Hopefully, this post speaks to you!

I was inspired by a couple different outfits I saw pairing leather jackets with straight or skinny dark denims.




Here's my modification of the denim & leather look. It's a casual interpretation complete with skinny dark jeans, a loose embellished black top, and a black leather jacket. [[I also curled my hair for fun, inspired by the last pair of images above!]]

With the jacket...

And without the jacket :)

So throw on your leather jacket and dark denims, and rock it out this week!

Make it your own:
Shirt: Gap (Similar) $16.99-$24.99
Jeans: Kensie $29.99
Flats: Steve Madden $46.99
Jacket: Colebrook ( I actually picked up this jacket when I was spending the weekend Philly for $20!)