Pop of Teal

I'm really excited about this post because the photos were taken by my friend, Joe Sterne! He's a great photographer here in Baltimore, so we'll miss him (and his lovely fiance) when they move to LA in a few months!

Onto the outfit:

I really love how the necklace pops against the black and red backdrop!

Don't be afraid to add in patterns to your outfits. I wanted to show you an alternative to the black tank featured above. Polka dots!

Close up of the necklace!

All photo credits to Joe Sterne Photography.

Make it your own:

Shirt: J. Crew Factory (similar) $34.50

Jeans: J. Crew Factory (similar) $64.50

Tank: Target $5

Cardigan: Gap (several years ago) Similar, $44.95

Necklace: Handmade piece from a craft show

Shoes: Tory Burch $195

Thursday Trend: Oxfords & Maxis

I've been seeing button-ups paired with maxi skirts for a few weeks now, so I thought it warranted a Thursday Trend shout out!

Here are some of my favorite looks with this trend:

People Style Watch

Olivia Palermo; Posh24

J. Crew Spring 2012

I love this trend for a few reasons.

1) I've always been a fan of oxfords. I went to a prep school, in a preppy city, and wore polo shirts and oxfords everyday for 12 years. 

2) This look evokes a casual yet chic vibe. It's almost like you only half tried to look good, and the other half just came naturally. You put on a cute skirt and then threw on a button-up you've had in your closet for years. This is my favorite type of look. Reese Witherspoon does it so well. The "look so good without even trying but we all know you put thought into it" look. Genius.

3) Maxi skirts are the ultimate in feminine apparel. They're elegant and classy in a non-formal way, if you know what I mean.

4) This trend can be applied to any personal style. You can go the color blocking route, if you're adventurous, and wear a different bold color for each piece. Or, if you prefer more soft, subtle color palettes, you can wear a white or neutral-tone oxford, and pair it with any maxi skirt of your choice.

Is this a look you would try? If you do try out this trend, I'd love to see a photo of your outfit! 

<3

GJU

Pink & Orange: Clashing Color-Blocking Revisited

A few months ago, I did a post on clashing color-blocking which included a segment on pink & red, and on orange & purple. Today, I'm revisiting that post! It's starting to get warmer out in Baltimore and with warm weather comes bright colors (at least in my book!)

I'm really into pink & orange. 

Here are some ways I've seen the colors styled by other bloggers, celebs, and in editorial shoots:

As you can see, the colors are really versatile when paired together -- a lot more than I actually realized before looking into creating this post. You can add in other colors-- white, black, green, beige-- and it all seems to match even though the orange and pink are on the verge of clashing.

Here's how I got Jessed up:

So for my outfit, the color-blocking happens on its own. The pleated skirt boasts both of the focal colors, making putting this look together extremely easy! I decided to go with black on the top and bottom, and added a statement necklace with golds and greens.

Side note: Because I like this outfit, kind of annoyed I didn't get an actual pic taken from someone else. Mirror shot will have to suffice.

What do you think? Would you wear this outfit, or pink & orange together?

Make it your own:

Skirt: Francesca's Collections (On sale for around $24)

Shirt: J. Crew $98 (Pricey, but was a great investment. Have worn so many times already!)

Necklace: Brass Plum, Nordstrom (Similar style, Another option)

Heels: Guess, DSW $44.95

Trend 2012 Session & Window Live Modeling

Hi guys!

I participated in a Spring 2012 education session at a local Talbots store to discuss upcoming and current trends in fashion and accessories with store employees and customers. It was really cool to be brought in to be a part of this!

At the end of the session, I was asked to pull items from the floor to make outfits that I'd wear, and to be a live model in the store front display windows. It was so much fun! People did double takes when they walked by after they noticed I blinked or moved. 

The whole purpose for the session and the window modeling was to get people to come in and interact with me and with the store. It was definitely a success! The dressing rooms at the store were totally full of women of all ages and sizes, and there was a great energy within the store. 

Here are some pics from the event!

In the store window. Layered necklaces. Chambray top and pencil skirt.

Didn't get a window shot of this one. Casual day at the office.

Window shot. Eyes closed, apparently, the moment this one was taken.
Floral pants, bold necklace.

I just noticed you can see my reflection in the mirror. Kinda cool shot!

Close up window pic! Floral pencil skirt, black blazer.

Not paying attention...

Belted scarf. Metallic belt. Floral clutch.

Bright red frock. Equally bright turquoise cape. To die.

Close up headshot. Instagram-ed.

Window photo. Seeing red.

Everything I'm wearing in these photos, including bags and accessories, can be found at Talbots. Hope you enjoyed this post. I had a blast putting it together!

<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

Birthday weekend!

Hi everyone! Hope you had a great weekend!

My weekend was full of awesome food, great friends, and a good time out in Baltimore to celebrate my birthday. I wish I'd taken my actual camera and gotten higher quality pics, or even just taken more diverse photos on my iPhone because I really liked my dress and wanted to show it to you guys on GJU!

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I had originally planned on wearing a dress from Rent The Runway for my birthday night out. Unfortunately, it came and didn't work out due to a stain. Even though I was disappointed not to be able to wear the dress, the RTR customer service was stellar. I'm being fully refunded and was also given a credit to use for a future rent/purchase. Looking very forward to trying it again sometime soon!

So, since my RTR dress didn't work out, I went to Francesca's - a boutique I absolutely love - and picked up another option! The dress I chose was a pink, light satin-y material. It cinched at the waist and was just above the knee in length. My favorite part of the dress: the shoulder ruffles at the arm cutouts! I thought they were fun :)

I wore black tights and black heels, and finished off the look with a gold watch and a long, gold locket necklace.

Here are some pics from the night:

My girls! I had a such a blast with these ladies!

Me with one of my best friends and sorority sister, Leland!

Group shot.

Toward the end of the night, I put my hair back in a ponytail. I also, apparently, look a lot more tired haha.

The arm cutout on the dress went a little low on me, so I wore a neon green bra
to spice it up. If its gonna show, might as well be a pretty color.
And on that same note.. for your birthday, neon undergarments are a must! 

Last pic of the night taken with one of my best friends from high school, Britt.

Once people ( who brought real cameras) stat posting pictures to Facebook, I'll upload more to this post.

Hope you had a great weekend!

<3 GJU


Make it your own:

Dress: Francesca's, $44 (Similar)

Necklace: J. Crew $55 (Similar)

Heels: Guess at DSW $44.95

Tutorial Part II: Sassy Kitten Nails!

It seems that people really loved reading Caitlin's make up tutorial, so here's round two of her post! Pair your smokin' hot cat eye with a fierce, easy-to-do nail design!

Back to Caitlin's post...
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Now, for a quick three-step cheetah print nail to go with your smoky cat eye look. Here are the polishes I used: 

Apply two layers of a base color of your choice – I chose gold and red as an homage to the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday: 

Using a black nail art color, draw semi-circle shapes on each nail:

Using a white nail art color, dab little circles inside each semi-circle shape and finish 

off with a clear topcoat:

Tip: to clean up excess polish on your cuticles, you can dip a small precision brush dipped in nail polish remover.

I hope these tips were helpful and that you feel inspired to go experiment with some color! 

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Well... I hope this inspires you, like Caitlin said, to experiment with bright colors and patterns on your nails. And.. in honor of Valentine's Day, may your inner cheetah come out and have a good night with your man! (Or woman!) To each her own :)

Happy Valentine's Day!