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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

the shape of spring: peplum

Being the underpaid graduate student that I am, I subscribe to magazines only when I can afford them with my Coke Reward Points. While I love reading high fashion magazines, most of them hardly apply or are relevant to my life and fashion here in Nashville. Looking at the pretty high fashion pictures is a wonderful way to unwind, but mostly I figure if I can't afford the magazine, how am I to afford the fashionable clothing printed inside!?
"The Shape of Things to Come" via Elle February 2012 issue

This month's Elle changed my mind, a little bit.
The article on "The Shape of Things to Come" was very realistic, and I actually found myself getting excited about peplums and knife pleats!
In fact, I enjoyed it so much, that I am going to feature one of the 4 "shapes" highlighted in this article, each day for the rest of the week and include "real-life" examples of how to wear the "trend"

"The Peplum Top" via Elle February 2012 issue
 I think that the peplum is actually a very classic shape that reminds me of 1950's cocktail hours, and also one that is highly flattering (waist whittling, hip covering). The idea of a "peplum" is a short overskirt or veil that is attached to a shirt, skirt, jacket or dress (I guess it could be found on pants too...). 
This season's peplum shape comes in all colors and levels of flair for the dramatic. To keep this item in your closet for seasons well beyond this Spring, I recommend a classic black or navy peplum top {2 or 4 below}. But if you are in the market for a trendy peplum or wanting to purchase many, there are loads of colorful, and playful options currently in stores {1, 3, 5, 6}.
And don't be afraid to rock your peplum tops with skinny jeans & sky-high heels, shorts & wedges, pencil skirts & pumps. Or try your peplum skirts with playful bodysuits & ladylike silk blouses (just keep it tidy up top to balance the frilly-ness below).

What is your penchant for peplums?
xx
Jessica

dots on dots

Skirt Vintage Calvin Klein {similar}
Jacket Old Navy {similar}
Tank J.Crew
Boots (old) {similar}
Bracelets: House of Harlow, Lulu Frost for J.Crew (thanks best friend!), DIY
 Don't worry about my bare legs y'all, I swear it is warm enough for this in Nashville right now. I am actually very curious about what that cubby little groundhog is going to have to say in a couple of days - more Winter, or Spring time! I do enjoy a nice snow or two every winter, but I am not complaining about the extremely mild temperatures this Winter... bare legs on January 31st! What the what!?

 Sorry if I just made you colder climate folks jealous... Spring will be here soon enough!
xx
Jessica

shop my closet

Hello lovelies! Have you seen the new addition to the navigation bar above?

I am cleaning out my closet to raise money for new camera accessories! 
Help the cause and get some great clothes at awesome prices! 
Regular programming will now commence :)

xx
Jessica


Monday, January 30, 2012

january instagram

Can you believe that January is winding down already!?
I have had a great beginning to 2012, & Instagram is a great way to catalog all that has happened
Do you follow me? If not, here is what you missed!
From left to right, starting with the top left corner: {Gator Golf on New Years' Day; newly organized jewelry thanks to wonderful Christmas presents; keeping warm on chilly days with Ty, who doesn't NEED pug post-it notes?; Nashville Predators hockey game; my attempt at a Pinterest inspired project; Doug the Pug in all his glory; tacky holiday celebrations; lazy days with the pug; embracing colored denim!; eskimo kisses; dog pile with my favorite boys; New Years' festivities; reliving the oldies; Monet inspired water lilies; first 5K!}

Phew, what a month!
How was your January? 
xx
Jessica

ditto


Old Navy Blanket Sweater
Gap Red Jeggings
J.Crew Ballet Flats {similar}
StyleMint Abbot Kinney Tee
DIY chain necklace
Get in here boyfriend... it's CHILLY!



Mrs. Sara Soda the other day took the words right out of my mouth when she expressed her distaste of coats. And I would just like to say a big DITTO to Sara Soda. We have not really had any REAL Winter here in Nashville (yet), and since Mother Nature can't make up her mind, I hate putting on a huge coat in the morning when it is chilly only to walk out of work in the evening to 60 degree temps and people giving me odd glances. So mostly this winter I have just been skipping the coat layer, and relying instead on cuddly sweaters. This sweater in particular is basically a square of fabric with arms... aka prettyAWESOME! The extra fabric on this sweater also came in handy yesterday for covering my eyes during the stressful parts of "The Grey"... my face was pretty much covered the ENTIRE time!
Stay Warm
xx
Jessica

Friday, January 27, 2012

channeling marilyn

On this wonderful Friday, I thought I would share a movie that is providing me loads of inspiration these days. I saw My Week With Marilyn this week, and was blown away by Michelle Williams' performance, and the wardrobe for her portrayal as Ms. Monroe.












Despite how famous Marilyn is in Hollywood lore, I do not know much about her, and this movie was a beautifully made look into her complicated and glamourous life.

I'm not sure if it is period pieces from the 1950s in general, but seeing this movie left me seriously craving soft sweaters, houndstooth pants, scarves, camel wrap coats, classic wayfarer sunnies, and knee length pencil skirts (kudos to the costume designers!) 

When looking up pieces of clothing inspired by the looks created for the role of Marilyn, I stumbled upon this site... they did a great job finding gorgeous 50s inspired items that work for the modern woman 
(what I have been preaching about classic styles being the focus of one's wardrobe!?)
Get the look {here, here, & here)

Get Marilyn's style: black turtle neck + houndstooth 
All images via {here} and {here}
have a great weekend full of new adventures!
xx
Jessica

P.S. If you are new here from finding me on the "IT list", Welcome! I am so glad you are here
Check out my other posts this week:
- Spring Trends alert: the peplum, knife pleats, and boxy jackets
- Shop pink for Valentines' Day
- Are you keeping your New Years' Resolutions?
- I am fully on board with colored denim, and LOVING it!
- After a mild Winter, I am ready to fully embrace Spring again with flowy skirts

Thanks for reading, and have a fabulous weekend! I am looking forward to Tango lessons with Ty, an Art Crawl featuring free wine, and catching up with my to-do list these next couple of days!

the "IT" list

Happy Friday ladies!
Enjoy these great links this weekend...
  • suze wears clothes brings us words of inspiration each and every Sunday. I love this week's installment, especially this colorful quote on joy! (find suze wears clothes on twitter!)
  • gs lillian found these adorable "spike" necklaces at Target... pop on by her blog to see what other fun pieces she found - including a few that are perfect for Valentine's Day! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
  • my soul is the sky is back with another great hair tutorial - this one, the 'bohemian side braids' look great on her and have inspired me to try a similar style! (find my soul is the sky on twitter!)
  • what the frock recreates an outfit featuring a neon skirt, a cozy sweater and an unusual hem-line.  Sound like fun? It is! (find what the frock on twitter!)
  • live a lot goes for the all black outfit.  Do you ever fall back on this simple outfit formula? It happens to be one of my favorites! Check out her look!
  • rachael really looks stunning in stripes and faux fur.  Then she adds red wellies and a pearl necklace for the win! (find rachael really on twitter!)
  • free to be stacia lee is hosting a giveaway for a gorgeous amethyst necklace. Stop by her blog to enter! (find free to be stacia lee on twitter!)
  • here & now sports the perfect weekend outfit and looks fabulous doing it!  Especially since she had just run a 5K that day!  You go girl! 
  • fabulously average is rocking what she calls "the new neutrals" - and I couldn't agree with her more, they totally are!  What are the "new neutrals"? You'll have to stop by her blog to find out! (find fabulously average on twitter!)
  • behind the dressing room door has the perfect accessory for cold winter days - a bold and colorful scarf!  See how she styled it! (find behind the dressing room door on twitter!)
  • the capital barbie tracks down some absolute darling bowed-tops. I love how feminine and flirty these tops are! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
  • sweetie pie style takes this mint green maxi dress and styles it three ways that are perfect for late winter into spring! It's so versatile! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
  • a fashion fixation introduces us to a new online shop called Vestique - have you heard of it? I love their bold and colorful selection, like this blazer! (find a fashion fixation on twitter!)
  • the tiemann girls are showing off their gorgeous taupe finds from Target!  Taupe never looked so good ladies! (find the tiemann girls on twitter!)
  • stay in the lines makes homemade oreo cookies.  I think I know how I'll be spending a cold, winter Saturday in my near future - baking and eating these! (find stay in the lines on twitter!)
the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life - for information on how you can be involved, click here!

TGIF!
xx
Jessica

Thursday, January 26, 2012

post-its

I am a huge fan of post-its. If I don't write something down, I forget it 5 minutes later, so post-its stand in for my crummy memory. While I read magazines I write down websites and interesting items to check out later. My daily to-do list usually shows up on post-its (having it on my iPhone isn't as rewarding since I can't cross things off my list!), recipes to try out get committed to post-its, and my clothes shopping list currently resides on a hot pink post-it in my wallet as well.
{timeless style}
What you don't tote around a clothes shopping list? Well, before you start thinking (or confirming) that I am coo-coo for coco puffs, let me explain. In 2012 I want to be a better me, and to do that, I am going to be working on living my life with intention for the big stuff (spontaneous, care-free moments are going to happen too!). I have been reading Jess's blog, Make Under My Life, for the past few months and have really felt a connection with her advice for living a better life through intention and simplification. So since I love clothes, and have a passion for what I put on my body, I thought I would start my intentions there - and transform my closet into a treasure chest of beautifully curated items (à la Audrey Hepburn above). Jess has great advice about exfoliating your wardrobe, and I am on Step 3 of 4.
{Step 1: create a vision, Step 2: exfoliate stuff, Step 3: identify intentions, Step 4: reflect and evolve}
{trench}
I have previously mentioned that I LOVE the Matchbook Magazine 50 Classics list (among other books like those below), and am working on filling my wardrobe with high quality, classic pieces that will stay with me as I transition from a grad student to whatever step is next. But having only 23 of the 50 Matchbook Girl items, and looking to purchase 27 new high quality (read: expensive) articles of clothing is daunting. So instead, I am focusing on a key set of pieces that will be most useful to me now, and I am going to keep my eye out (reminded by the post-it) for great deals on these timeless pieces.
{Parisian Chic + Black Book of Style}
So what do I have my eye out for now? Fancy you should ask...
I made a list at the end of summer for items that I needed to add to my Fall/Winter wardrobe, 
these include:
Brown Crocadile Heels
Trouser Denim
Matte Jersey Wrap Dress
White Jeans
Black Cashmere Turtleneck
White Oxford

And if you have been following along, you might have noticed that I have already picked up a pair of white jeans, a trench coat, and a black (cashmere blend) turtleneck. I found all of these things on sale {yes!}, and they are all quality items from reputable brands (J.Crew, Banana Republic) {yes!}. 
So if you ask me, the power of the post-it not list works!

I will keep you posted as I stalk the remaining items on my list (end of season sales!?, 
and begin to make a list for Spring/Summer
Any items on your wish list for Spring/Summer?
xx
Jessica

awkward&awesome

Good Morning!
Are you feeling awkward&awesome?! Me too :)
let's start with the awkward and end with the awesome

Awkward:
{1} My obsession with pugs (pugs + post-its, its love!) - at least I can admit it!
{2} Finding and jamming out to my NKOTB (New Kids On The Block) TAPE! Awkward, being still knowing every word!
{3} Getting off the elevator on the wrong floor, waiting a second, pushing the button, and the doors to the same elevator that I just got off opening... face palm
{4} Realizing only after I have a 5 minute convo with a professor in the grocery store that I am wearing my gross house slippers... so classy!

Awesome:
{1} Running my first 5K in 30 minutes!
{2} Wearing a panda hat while running 5K! Maybe it is my lucky charm!
{3} Drinking beer homemade by my boyfriend! so yummy
{4} Enjoying Restaurant Week in Nashville - tried 2 new restaurants, and brought 2 food babies to full term! I think I found a whole new level of food coma after sampling all of the deserts at Caffé Nonna (Tiramisù, egg nog gelato, citrus cheesecake, chocolate bread pudding, oh my!)
{5} Reading the new issue of Rue Magazine! So much inspiration!!

Share your awkward&awesome-ness here, 
and read more over at The Daybook
xx
Jessica

trends that make you go hmm... neon

Neon has been on my radar for some time now, but I haven't gathered up the courage to try the trend (yet). However, seeing Nany's challenge the other day changed my mind. I am loving how Julia from Gal Meets Glam and Aimee from Song of Style added large and small neon accents into their wardrobe for a fabulous result. Neon colors are a big part of the JCrew S/S2012 collection, and I am so happy to see the bright & happy colors paired with classic basics.
Get The Look: J. Crew Sping 2012
I have compiled some of my favorite ways to add neon, and hope that I can jump on this bandwagon soon (and fluff out my basics with some punch)!






neon brights


For some reason my "trends that make you go hmm... neon" post was too long and created a traffic jam of posts on my page, so I removed the last picture but still wanted to share it...

I used to rock some neon back in my day (child of the '80s!), 
and I am ready to embrace it once again.
What about you?
Are you already rocking it? Or looking forward to adding neon for Spring?
xx
Jessica

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

work it wednesday: cargo pants


Happy Hump Day! I had so much fun checking out all of the Work it Wednesday posts last time, that I wanted to participate again!
This Fall/Winter (I don't know if Winter ever really came to Nashville), my J.Crew skinny cargo pants have been getting quite the workout. They are easy enough to throw on with one of my StyleMint tee's for a casual day time look, but can also transition to a dressed up night look with the addition of strategically placed faux fur. AND, I picked these babies up on the J.Crew clearance rack at the end of the summer, so I am pretty sure their cost/wear is somewhere around 5¢ by now! Loves it!


What are you working this winter?
Check out this week's Work it Wednesday submissions here
xx
Jessica

everyday neutrals

Jeans - Gap (on loan from my {awesome} pregger sister)
Loafers - so OLD (high school!?) {similar}
Tank - BR
Cardigan - J.Crew
Jacket - Old Navy (Christmas Present) {similar}

If there ever is a day that I am not posting my awesome outfit here on the blog, it is because I am wearing my "uniform": skinny jeans + tank/button-down + cardi/jacket + flats. This is a typical example of that said uniform. It is cuter than my college sweatshirt and a hat, but just as comfortable, and functional enough for working in my lab (or playing with Doug). 

And can I just give a quick shout out to these shoes - they have been with me since I bought them way back in high school from the shoe store my friend Molly used to work! Woah! It's like I knew loafers would be hott way back when (I am just going to pretend I am that cool!)
Do you have a daily "uniform"?
Do share! :)
xx
Jessica

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

classy & fabulous

dress - Francesca's (old)
booties - Gianni Binni

I have lived in Nashville for 2.5 years now, and am constantly amazed at all there is to do. I know that I am not going to be living here forever, so this year I am going to make a better effort to get out and enjoy all that this great city has to offer. Recently a couple of my roommates and friends attended the Nashville Bacchanalian Society Winter wine tasting at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). It was a fun night of getting dressed up, trying some new wines (2 of my favorite things) and meeting other young professionals in our area.
and yes, I am wearing heels... shorty!
Keeping it classy&fabulous
xx
Jessica

Monday, January 23, 2012

weekend warrior

Sweater - J.Crew
Skinny Jeans - Genetic Denim {similar}
Booties - Charlotte Russe
Saturday was a big day for me - I ran my first 5K! After the race I had to check some errands off my to-do list, but didn't have much energy for getting all gussied up. Throwing on this camel J.Crew sweater was completely comfortable, without being a baggy sweatshirt. This sweater is now on sale - and I highly recommend it! Check it out here 

Doing errands while not looking disheveled makes me feel better about myself. It's the little things people!

Do you agree that by simply putting on your favorite necklace or sweater you can fool yourself into feeling great? Personally, it is my best trick when feeling sluggish on the weekends!