Coveting.

Covet: to wish for earnestly; to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately

The tenth commandment is "Thou shalt not covet..." and then it goes on to list a couple things we should't covet, including: my neighbor's house, and his wife, his servants, his ox, his ass, or anything - for that matter- that is his.

That said: I covet.

There are things I don't have that I desperate want.

Some of the pretty little things I am currently craving:

Coveting this? Spiked Lily Necklace, Bauble Bar, $44

Coveting this? Candela Starlight Maxi, Free People, $550

Coveting this? Cedar Street Maise, Kate Spade, $298

Coveting this? Honeydew Intimates Camilla Lace Bralette, Nasty Gal, $28

Is there anything you're currently coveting? Do share!

Brand New Baubles

When it comes to necklaces, I've got a serious weakness.

At stores, at the mall, wherever I am.. when I see one that catches my eye, I have to try it on. Inevitably, I like it, so I justify why I need it and what I'd wear it with.

I've recently added a couple new baubles to my collection:

Here's where I got them:

Photo 1: Mineral Red Seed Bead Necklace, LOFT, $39.50; Long Bauble and Fireball Wooden Necklace, LOFT, $39.50 (Primrose Yellow)

Photo 2: Custom Monogram Necklace, South Moon Under, $220 (Takes 8 weeks!)

Photo 3: Long Bauble and Fireball Wooden Necklace, LOFT, $39.50 (Bliss Blue)

Photo 4: Pearls of Love Necklace, Dogeared, $44

How about you... any new necklaces you recently picked up?! Do tell!

Friday Fashion Inspiration

I know it's been a tense week with everything that's happening in Boston related to the marathon bombers. I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are still with the people of Boston. I know you will be resilient, and come out an even stronger community after this tragedy.

That said, I did put together a post for today...

It's a fashion inspiration post today on GJU. I follow several fashion bloggers, and always love the outfit ideas they come up with, and how they pair different pieces together in fresh, new ways.

One of the bloggers I like is Lauren from The Pear Shape: Fashion for the Hip-Endowed. I'm on the same page as Lauren... my hips don't lie.

One of Lauren's posts from last summer really caught my eye. I liked how she paired a casual chambray top, knotted at the bottom, with a more streamlined pencil skirt. To add some color, she layered on a statement necklace in a bright coral hue. 

[GJU Sidenote: Pairing blousy/voluminous tops with slimmer bottoms (such as pencil skirts or skinny jeans) is a really flattering silhouette on curvier women. It created a cinched waist, drawing the eye down and elongating the body.]

Photo from Lauren's post, Purple Haze

Imitation is the ultimate form of flattery, so I decided to recreate this outfit. I changed it up a little, adding some of my own personal touches, and tweaking it to be more weather appropriate for Baltimore. I wore this outfit a couple weeks ago when it was still pretty chilly in Baltimore, so instead of metallic flats, I wore tights and boots. Additionally, I kept it casual by wearing my chambray shirt open with a polka dot shell underneath, instead of knotting it at the bottom.

Is this something you would wear? How would you style it? Would love to hear your thoughts and comments :)

Make it your own:

Chambray top: J. Crew, $78

Polka dot shell: J. Crew, $110

Pencil Skirt: J. Crew, $98

Necklace: LOFT, $44.99

Earrings: The Limited, $19.90

Boots: Madden Girl (Similar style, $42.94)

Holiday Hot List

In other words... things I want.

Feast your eyes, ladies and gentleman, on these perfect (and pretty) picks for the holidays!

Anthropologie, $258

This dress is everything.

Madewell, $20

I must have this ring. In fact, I believe everyone should own a ring with a bulldog's face on it. Because, well, why not!?

Madewell, $28

Silver and gold, with a touch of turquoise. The perfect everyday piece.

J. Crew, $168

These pants are major for the holidays. May. Jer. Tartan is a must have this winter!

J. Crew, $138

Sparkle and shine with this statement necklace. That is all.

Urban Outfitters, $20

Some light reading for your party guests!

You should know... I am accepting donations for any/all of the above :)

What are you picking up for your friends and family this year?

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and have a wonderful holiday season!

-GJU

A little bit country

Sometimes, I feel a little bit country. I think lately my urge to channel the wild, wild west is in part due to my recent cowboy boots purchase.

So... I assembled some fun pieces to wear to work the other day. Here's what I came up with: Loose star ruffle blouse, denim shorts, tights and my fave new boots.

It's sort of an odd combo of clothes but I thought it worked juuuuuust enough to pull it off. Agree/disagree? Thoughts?

Make it your own:

Top: LOFT (Similar)

Necklace: Chico's $79

Shorts: J. Crew $59.50

Boots: Madden Girl (only $59.50 at DSW!)

Tights: Target $12 for a 2 pack :)

Outfits on the go

The past few weeks have been nuts... resulting in less frequent blogging (sorry gals!) and outfit posts. Here are some outfit snapshots that never made it onto GJU:

Top, Free People; Bandeau, South Moon Under; Necklace, Stella & Dot

Sweater, Tank, Denim, Necklace, Sandals, all from LOFT

Top, LOFT; Belt (old), J. Crew; Denim, LOFT

Scarf, J. Crew; Jacket, H&M

Top (old), Denim, Necklace (old), LOFT; Shoes, c/o Avon

Necklace, Stella & Dot; Top, LOFT

So tell me.. what have you been wearing these days? Would you try any of the styles in this post?

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?

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? 

Loves Me Knot

Some days, I like to go casual. Believe it or not, I am a huge fan of bummin' it. Sweats, shorts, loose tops, and messy hair are all in my comfort zone.

When I'm home on the weekends and need to run some errands, I often don't want (am too lazy) to change out of my comfy clothes.

Alas, I am problem solver. Adding a statement accessory effortlessly elevates the look.

Last Sunday, I found myself in this situation. I had on a cozy J. Crew sweatshirt and gym shorts. It was little too suspect/the morning after/SWF for running errands. To make it more appropriate, I swapped the gym shorts for white shorts, and added a statement knot necklace.

Allow me to clarify.. it's totally fine to bum it, and run errands in gym clothes. I do it often. But on those days when I feel like making a shlumpy outfit look a little less shlumpy, this is how I do it.

Make it your own:
Sweatshirt: J. Crew, $39.99
Shorts: J. Crew, $45
Necklace: Target
Sandals: Rainbow (in Espresso), $48.95
Bracelet: Gift (hand made beading from Africa!)

Happy Tuesday, peeps.

Summer Snapshots

Some recent photos...

Make it your own:

Photo 1: Black Dress, Target; Necklaces, LOFT

Photo 2: Pattern Dress, c/o mark

Photo 3: Black Dress, Target; Necklace, LOFT

Photo 4: Floral Dress, J. Crew; Earrings, gift

Photo 5: White Top, Abercrombie & Fitch- 3 or 4 years ago; Cardigan, Nordstrom; Capris, J. Crew (have had for 5 or 6 years!), Sandals and Necklace, LOFT

Abby Talks Accessories: 5 Summer Must Haves

If you're a regular GJU reader, you know that my friend Abby knows her accessories. She's a connoisseur of all things fabulous, and this month, she shares her top five accessories to spice up your summer.
<3 GJU

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Memorial Day weekend is the official start to summer. Warmer weather means less clothing, and less clothing means more room for accessorizing. Here are my top five summer accessory must-haves:

Much like the weather, the nightlife heats up during the summer months too. For a night out, every girl needs a good costume ring. For a little extra sparkle, I love my Michael Kors barrel ring.

You all know how I feel about my wrist candy. Summer is perfect time to add funky colors to the mix. I got these coral whisper bracelets as a gift from a girlfriend in Louisville and they’re a perfect addition to my gold watch and bangle.

Bright colors come out in the warmer months and an easy way to add color to any outfit is with the perfect summer handbag. My bright blue tote is my favorite summer bag. (My parents gave me this bag as a get-well gift after surgery. Pic is of my mom when she gave it to me)

A trend introducing itself to the warmer months this year is the printed scarf. I love a good scarf for the fall, but I’m excited to be able rock a printed scarf with a fitted tank and colored bottoms. I’ve had my eye on this animal printed Zara scarf for a while now.

Chunky necklaces are a great way to dress up a simple shirt, tank, sundress or swimsuit. I’m big into statement necklaces, and have found many ways to incorporate this Francesca’s find into my summer wardrobe.

My plus one? You can’t enjoy the sunshine without the perfect pair of shades.

Make it your own:

-Michael Kors Barrel Ring, $95.00 (This pair is no longer online, but you can find it in most stores)

-Whisper Bracelets, prices vary. Find similar bracelets here

-Michael Kors Large Ring Shoulder Tote, $328.00

-Zara animal print scarf, $19.90

-Francesca’s Like A Rolling Stone Necklace, $24.00 (They didn’t have the same colors online, but I love this orange option, too!)

What are your summer must-have accessories? Tweet me @AbbyDraper

Thursday Trend: Say My Name, Say My Name!

If you're a Sex & The City fan, you'll appreciate today's trend. Today's post is all about nameplate necklaces, like the signature one Carrie Bradshaw wore on the show.

Personalized name necklaces have been around for a while now, but they've recently seen a comeback in the celebrity sphere.

Examples:

The iconic Carrie necklace that was seen on Sex & The City throughout all 6 seasons.

Kim K. name necklace in gold, layered with necklaces in varying lengths

Lindsay Lohan

Christina Applegate's necklace reads "Sadie," the name of her daughter

Taylor Swift goes the initials route, versus full name 

Brooklyn Decker

Amber Rose

Lauren Conrad

As you may have guessed, I'm on board with this trend. I admit-- I have a soft spot for nameplate necklaces ever since Sarah Jessica Parker graced the TV screen as Carrie Bradshaw.

When this was taken, my computer camera flipped the photo to a mirror image,
but you get the idea :)

If you want to order one for yourself, I really like the ones from Bauble Bar. They've got full name, initials, and a couple other options, and you can choose, silver, gold, or a fun color. I just ordered myself the Twitter handle necklace in gold (that was featured on the TODAY Show) and I cannot wait til it comes in the mail.

All for now.

Hope you guys have a great Thursday <3

All the best,

GJU