Life Update!

Well.. it's that time again. A lot has changed in my life over the last few months-- both expected and unexpected changes! I have so much to share with you guys.

Let's get started.

Work: I no longer work in public relations. For those of you who've followed GJU for a while, you know that I got my degrees in Public Relations and Communications, and worked in the field for a few years. A couple months ago, I decided to take a big leap of faith and quit my job in PR. I felt I needed to follow my love for fashion and the world of retail. This is truly the time for me to dig into my passion and see if it's a good career fit. Since late July, I've been a manager at women's retail store, and I couldn't be any happier with my decision to make the switch. Ultimately, I'd like to move up in the corporate retail space. For now, managing a store is where I need to be to really get my feet wet, and to understand the day-to-day retail world. Although I do have in-store experience throughout high school and college, it's not even remotely close to managing a store and having a team of employees. It's been a challenge, and I'm having a lot of fun learning the ropes and discovering my management style.

Life: I no longer have my own apartment. I decided to move in with my friend, who happens to live much closer to my new workplace than I was living before. (Way shorter commute = Win!) She has a dog as well, so now Bruiser has a little dog brother to play with everyday.

Me with my new roommate

Love: I'm officially no longer single. That's right--- this girl is off the market! Some of you may recall a quick mention in a recent blog post that I started seeing someone. Well, happy to report that we're still together, and I'm happier than I've been in a long time. It's true what they say-- don't go looking for love; it will happen when you least expect it. I didn't expect to meet someone, and to feel so comfortable with him as I did. I'm a lucky girl, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this may go...

Here's to continuing to follow my dreams and seeing where this crazy roller coaster called Life takes me next!

Love,

GJU

Make it your own:

Photo one: Shirt, Flower

Photo two: Shirt

Photo three: Sweater

Closet Refresh: Patterned Purchases

I've been a little naughty with my wallet lately. I'm really digging a lot of the new styles I'm seeing in my favorite stores this season... and honestly, sometimes I can't resist a good deal.

My most recent shopping excursion resulted in a handful of patterned pieces, perfect for the upcoming winter and holiday season. Here's what I picked up:

Tippi Sweater, J. Crew, $59.99

Naomi Top, J.Crew, $110

Merino Striped Sweater, The Limited, $49.90

Cassidy Ankle Pant, The Limited, $74.90

Silk & Shine Tee, The Limited, $49.90

Evidently, I was on a roll with stripes. What new pieces do you want in your closet this Fall?

Fall Fashion Inspiration

I'm so inspired by these photos and ready to dress my best this season. Loving mixed neutrals, chunky sweaters, stacked jewelry, herringbone, and blush tones.

Tell me... what's inspiring you this fall?

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 :)

Snapshots

It's been a busy couple weeks for me, so my apologies for the lack of outfit posts!! How's it going on your end?

Emmys 2012 Fashion Review

It's that time of the year again, folks. 

You know I love award season. It brings out celebrity's inner fashionistas.. and we get to see their style come to life on the red carpet. We also get to see it die a long, miserable death when they pick a complete dud of a dress. Let's get started.

Note: These opinions and reviews are my own. You are welcome to agree or disagree (or not give a damn either way). The best part about fashion is that we can all have different opinions... but mine are always right :) 

Here are some of the trends I noticed throughout the evening:

Not So Mellow Yellow

I don't love this-- it's kind of plain for an award show, but Julianne looks beautiful as always.

A pregnant Claire Danes glows in this gold, blousy number.

Taking it to more neon end of the spectrum.. I don't dislike.

Loving the pop of color in the earrings. And she's married to Judd Apatow- major brownie points.

One strap paired with a high slit and a little bit of boob overflow make for a fun Emmy ensemble.

Eh.

Her hair's a hot mess and the shoes aren't my favorite but the gown intrigues me.

Pretty in Pastel

Godbless Heidi Klum. When I'm a mom, I'd like to look like this.

In my book, ZD can do no wrong. This light blue gown is gorgeous
and effortless against her porcelain skin!

This isn't good. Julianne has a great body, but there's too much going on IMO. Attention on the boobs,
corseted waist, mermaid fit, embellishment on the bottom, a train, pleats... 

Heavy Metal

Lucy Liu looks pretty, but she also looks like she has a stick up her you know what.
How does she move in that stiff silhouette?

The matching blue strappy shoes are a bad call. I think if Nicole had worn her hair
up in a more editorial style, this look could have been saved.

A metal mini? Not my fave but damnnnn girl! Hot stems.

Then there were the trends I noticed that I wish I hadn't.

Prime Time Prom

I don't actually have a comment for this one. It's that awful.

With the hip embellishment and half up/half down hairstyle, she's ready to go to junior prom.

Mother of the Bride.

Drab and more drab. The most boring prom dress ever.

Table Cloth and Too Much Tulle

Black floral table cloth.

Green floral table cloth.

Too much black tulle. 

Too much white tulle.

Table cloth ripped apart, with not enough tulle. Yuck.

I need to lift my spirits. Let's get back to some of the night's better looks.

Nothing but the Hits

Opulent color, perfect fit for her body, hair off the shoulders. Tina killed this look!

Simple in burnt sienna. Kat looks like a Greek goddess.

Kelly Osbourne has come such a long way. She looks stunning in this Zac Posen purple gown.

Let's have a threesome. For serious.

So.. who was your best and worst dressed of the night? Did you notice any other trends to sweep the red carpet?

Looking forward to your opinions!

**All photos from Huffington Post

Until next time, remember to GJU :)

The Set Up: Part 2

Hi guys!

You might remember my post called The Set Up from a few weeks ago. I have an update! But it's not what you may think...

As fate would have it, I met someone. I met him two days after I wrote the post. Two days after I was approached by the sisters in Wegman's and asked if I would go on a blind date with their brother. Two days after I shared the whole story and email correspondence with you guys.

Almost a month went by, and I was still seeing the new guy. I got an email from the one sister who was setting up the whole blind date. It read:

Dear Jess and Jeff,

We hope you are excited for your date tomorrow night!  Here are the final details:

7pm  Meet for Dinner at

        Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point

        Reservation under "The Set Up!"

        Dinner is on us!

After Dinner…Take a stroll through Fells

Consider stopping for a warm drink or dessert at The Daily Grind

Please take at least one phone photo as a memoir of your date and email it to me.  Also, please call/text me if you need anything.

Have a great time!

Oh shit. My turn to make a move. I didn't want to ruin the good thing I had going so I cancelled the date. There's always that "what if" in the back of mind... but at the same time, I want to give what I have going on a worthy shot. Here's the email I sent back:

Hi there,

Thanks for setting all of this up, but I'm afraid I have some bad news. A few weeks ago I started seeing someone, and after careful consideration, decided it's probably best not to go out on a dinner date with Jeff. I put myself in Jeff's situation when I made that decision-- would he really want to meet someone who's already starting to get involved with someone else? I didn't think it was fair to either Jeff or this other guy.. so unfortunately I have to cancel.

Please keep me posted on Jeff's Set Up success. I love the idea behind the whole thing, and I love what you and your sisters are doing for your brother. Although I've not met him, I wish Jeff the very best.

Good luck!

-Jess

I felt bad canceling last minute, but knew it was the right thing to do.

If you're single, go walk around Wegman's in Hunt Valley during your lunch hour. Jeff seems like a great guy from what I could tell, and I ruined his date for September. I'm sure they need to fill the October - December slots :)

Love you all. Thanks for checking in

-GJU