duplicates

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Factory dress (not currently available, but I'm pretty confident it will be back soon!) & leopard belt // lace up heels (old, similar linked up below) // Rebecca Minkoff purse // Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses (mine are the green + gold) }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

I used to not believe in "duplicates", but as I have grown more into my style, I have found that if I love something it is usually worth getting a back-up! I have this dress in purple from J.Crew (see all the ways I've worn it here) & LOVE it, so when it popped up on J.Crew Factory in new colors, I new it was coming home with me! It makes a perfect work dress, but is also so versatile for many other occasions!

Do you believe in "duplicates"?

Shop all of the versatile dresses I'm currently crushing on from J.Crew Factory below:

daily mint

{What I Wore: J.Crew Factory striped blazer // J.Crew silk tank & leopard belt // ModCloth mint jeans  // Charlotte Russe booties (currently on sale!)}

{Get the Look}

stripe blazer (exact) + silk blouse + mint jeans (super cute & under $20!) + leopard belt + wedge booties

Ok, first off, yesterday's conversation about fast fashion vs. investment pieces was so great to read. It really made me consider both sides differently, & I loved getting everyone talking!

Oh & I still can't make up my mind about that dang bag... I think I might think too much!

I also have recently realized that I have been much harsher lately about which outfits I wear are "blog-worthy"... & I'm not sure how it got that way.

While I cringe at the quality of my earlier photos, in the beginning the blog served more as a personal style diary of what I wore, be it casual work wear, or fancier event-ready ensembles... but somewhere along the line, it came to my attention that more than just my mom, BFF & boyfriend were reading along, & I got the notion that I had to impress you, so I started sharing only the good stuff. 

While on the one hand this has made me more accountable to not simply put on the grad school allowed uniform of old t-shirt + ratty jeans, I also stopped sharing many of my day-to-day outfits. 

So here it is, one of my regular person outfits, when I wasn't going anywhere but to work to put on my white lab coat and play with frogs all day. 

When you look good, you feel good amiright!? (regardless of my irrational fear of wasting a good outfit)

So there you have it - not Jessica the "style blogger", but Jessica the grad student, pug mama, might have frog eggs on her sleeve at any given time woman

I am still figuring out my "personal style" & I thank each and every one of you for tuning in to see my journey! (Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I seriously have the best readers - YOU GUYS!!!)

P.S. These wedges are so super comfortable, and even though they only cost $15 from Charlotte Russe, they are the shoes I get the most compliments on (move over $235 Tory flats!)

take me out tonight

{ What I Wore: Lendperk BB Dakota lace dress c/o // J.Crew leopard belt // Banana Republic trench // Steve Madden pumps }

{Get the look}

lace dress {exact one, rent from $34/month} + leopard belt {$10.50} + classic trench {$79.99} + nude pumps {$43.95}

I LOVE a dress that is so fun it deserves having a special occasion made up for it!

This dress? This dress needs a night out with the girls for tapas at that cute little bistro you have been dying to try, girlie cocktails (you know the kinds with way too much fruit!), then a show at a hip new venue in town to get your dance on!

Are you a girl (like me) who picks up darling dresses, wears them out once, then lets them hang, all alone in your closet wishing they could go out on the town? I can't help it, I am just a one-time dress wearer, try as I might! (I am working on it!)

When Star contacted me about her new venture, Lendperk, I was hooked on her "Netflix for dresses" service. 

With a Lendperk rental service you can rent unlimited dresses (from ASOS, Anthropologie, Modcloth & more), and never have dress boredom again!

Have you ever rented clothing?

Heard of Lendperk yet? If not, check it out & meet your new favorite personal dress closet!

on the floor (& a giveaway)

The "Winter Maxi Skirt" is a rare bird that I have been planning to catch ever since seeing its fierceness on Sydney (of The Daybook fame, le duh)... & I have finally made it mine

{ What I Wore: J.Crew turtleneck, leopard belt, snood & maxi skirt // Seams to Be (Etsy Shop) hat {won in a giveaway} // Charlotte Russe booties // Michael Kors Watch }

{ Get the Look }

knit beanie {$28.00, exact one!} + handmade snood {$48, from Etsy} + turtleneck sweater {$29.99, exact one} + leopard belt  {$49.50, exact one, now 30% off} + maxi skirt {$29.99} + booties {buy one, get one for $15.50 from Charlotte Russe}

 

Can we talk about the thick tights I am hiding under this swath of fabric... heavenly warmth!

While this outfit proves to me that maxi skirts do indeed work for Winter (yay extra layers!), it also reminds me that given my crazy shed-a-licious tan dog, I should never leave the house wearing un-lint rolled black tops ever again. (sorrrrry guys!)

Because I had so much fun the first time (& to apologize for my Doug-fur covered sweater) I am over on Because Shanna Said So giving away another $50 J.Crew giftcard! Woot!

You can enter here or there, just enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Haven't gotten your fill of giveaway goodies yet!? 

Check out the SUPER FAB group giveaway I am participating in here {with a PRIZE package of $200+!!!}

P.S. Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving's Friday Fancies. See more outfit crushes { here }

ain't got nothing on me

{ What I Wore: Forever21 striped tee // J.Crew leopard belt (currently on sale) & cropped wool trousers // Nine West black pumps // Urban Outfitters "attitude" glasses // Michael Kors gold watch }

{ Get the Look }

striped tee {$14.80} + leopard belt {$10.55} + cropped red wool trousers {$34.50, exact ones, now on sale} + black pumps {$41.99} + "attitude" glasses {$9.50} + gold watch {$43.98, love this one!}

I think this is my first official "I saw it on Pinterest, found the perfect shirt/missing puzzle piece, & re-created it" outfit... boom

Oh and guess who's the top hit when you Google "attitude glasses".... take that sassy J.Crew girl! 

(go ahead, you know you want to test it out now...)

Have you been re-creating any Pinterest looks lately?

P.S. I am linking up with Marionberry Style's Trend Challenge: Stripes 

Check out the rest of the stripe-tastic looks { here }

Day 7: that dreaded day

{ What I Wore: J.Crew bouse, belt & skirt // Nine West pumps // Spike the Punch necklace }

{ Get the look }

silk blouse {$74.50} + wool pencil skirt {$69.50} + belt {deal $34.50 // steal $12.99}  + statement necklace {$28.00} + black pumps {$30.00}

Oh no... I have an important function, and NOTHING to wear.

Ok, I'm being a little overdramatic I have stuff to wear, but when I put it on, it doesn't look anything like I imagined it would in my head.