safari

I remember being in Middle School circa 1995 & convinced that I was going to be a flower child when I grew up, as if that was an actual thing that you could grow up to be. My clothing wish list items included head scarves, flare (like mega flare) leg jeans, & anything with a peace sign on it. I also remember my parents being endlessly amused by my 70's obsession & I totally didn't get why.

Now that I am a teacher of Middle School aged children, I'm in on the joke. They are obsessed with the 90s, & while I realize it was 20 years ago, it still seems like yesterday to me, & when I think back to 90's fashion, it was SO BAD! How were Hammer pants EVER a good idea?!?!

At the same time, I am nostalgic for the styles of my youth, especially the ones that I admired on the stylish women around me. Thankfully, the current 90's inspired styles are the best of what the decade had to offer, including my personal fave - the comeback of safari ready items, decked out in straight khaki, that always brings the jet set style of classic Michael Kors to mind. Elle named "urban safari" one of the runway to real world styles to look out for in this season's pieces. Gotta say, yet again I'm totes on board with this vintage throw-back, especially with flattering pieces like this tan, button front dress!

dress: borrowed from Soca Nashville (to order call 615-732-0990)

shoes: older DSW mules (I love this style of shoe - shop similar below, including some steals from Target!)

purse: older from Pour La Victoire (they sadly aren't selling purses anymore), but the Tiny Tote from Dagne Dover is similar & I love how functional it is!

watch: Michael Kors gold tone watch

necklace: custom name plate c/o T. Audrey

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

This dress is from a local Nashville boutique, Soca. I popped into their Green Hills boutique last month, & drooled over all of their unique pieces - from funky kimonos, sparkly jewels, & statement tees, & even some of my favorite staples like striped tops & flattering denim. If you are a local, go check them out!!

I have gotten so much use out of these peep-toe booties. Shop similar styles now:

pony up

{ What I Wore: Banana Republic sweater // Gap suit vest // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans // Guise Archives Benjamin Collection Molly sunnies (won in a giveaway) }

{ Get the Look }

yellow sweater {save $20.00 // splurge $80.00} + suiting vest {$39.95}+ skinny jeans {$29.50} + riding boots {save $34.99 // splurge $180.00} + classic sunnies {$16.99}

a lady in the making

Don't get me wrong, I love me some statement/costume jewelry... but as I work towards refining my wardrobe with classics, I am inspired to find "grown-up" jewelry that is fitting for a lady (as well as a casual graduate student). I am not one to pile on jewelry, so if I am wearing any items, it is because I absolutely love the piece!

The Matchbook Magazine 50 classics guide claims that a timeless wardrobe would include: 

Diamond Studs

Pearl Studs

Pearl Necklace

Signet Ring

Watch

•  I have pearl studs given to me by my sister when I was her Maid of Honor
• I wear the heck out of my freshwater pearl necklace that I feel is a fresh take on the classic, although one day I would love to have an opera length saltwater pearl necklace
• I think signet rings are darling, and have my eye out for one, but I really love the rings I have received as hand-me-downs from family (my diamond & emerald one is particularly special!)
• Last year, after passing a major milestone in my graduate school career, I purchased myself a classic Michael Kors gold watch... and plan on having it for forever!

Recently, I received these gorgeous six prong diamond stud earrings in a classic 1 caret setting from Anjolee Jewelry... and totally rounded out my lady-like jewelry box. Anjolee Designs are great for a particular jewelry wearer like my self, because you can customize both tennis bracelets and diamond earrings based on stone size, setting, and metals... so much fun!

{What I wore: J.Crew white denim pants (looking for a skinny pair this summer) & sweater // H&M leopard tank  (similar) // (old) Ann Taylor wedges (love this pair) // diamond stud earrings courtesy of Anjolee Jewelry // Michael Kors watch // Diament Designs bracelet // family heirloom ring }

What jewelry do you wear everyday?

Planning on purchasing any "grown-up" pieces from the Classics List?

I can't wait to pair my grown-up jewelry pieces with my in-the-works friendship bracelets and fun, colorful summer bangles... 

xx

Jessica

verbatim

3 years ago I spotted this sweater + shorts + sandals styled together on the pages of a J.Crew catalog... and immediately purchase all three items... and continue to wear them all together. 

J.Crew styling gets it so right, and sometimes, it is just better to not mess up a good thang. 

{ What I Wore: J.Crew sweater (this year's version), shorts (LOVE these), sandals (similar) // Matt & Nat purse // Spike the Punch necklace // Michael Kors watch }

Looking at this outfit actually makes me realize that I am (slowly but surely) building a functional wardrobe - I bought quality items that I loved, and three years later the individual items are still relevant. With the addition of a statement necklace, and on trend watch, this outfit is lifted out of 2009 to 2012

Have you ever ordered an entire outfit from a styled page out of a catalog?
What are some items that have been long time residents in your closet but you still find "on trend" today?xx

Jessica
P.S. I am trying to branch out, and joined the ASOS style competition... vote for my street style outfit here (I seriously appreciate every single vote!)

mint to be

Remember the mint jeans I was planning on purchasing with my tax refund? Well, I purchased them from Madewell, and then I purchased another pair from ModCloth... I might have a mint denim sickness! I fell in love with the Madewell pair, and then fell more in love with the cheaper, better fitting, shorter inseam ModCloth pair. I meant to take a picture of both pairs side-by-side, but was so infatuated with the ModCloth pair, that I sent the Madewell ones back with out a proper farewell.

I'm a happy girl with her new mint beauties!

 {Madewell ($125) Mint // ModCloth ($88) Mint}

Here are the two pairs I purchased. The Madewell pair was super soft, and had a great color, but that model must be about 6 feet tall, as I would have had to worn the pants around my armpits (petite girl problems)! The ModCloth pair was $30 cheaper, and was more of a true denim material, not to mention the actual true length of what a normal person would need. 

 { Paige Mint Denim //ASOS Mint Denim // 

Urban Outfitters Mint BDG Denim // Nordstrom Mint Denim }

I also rounded up these other options for you mint jean interested ladies - the styles I picked out range from designer prices (Paige Denim) to totally affordable options (under $60 for the ASOS and Urban Outfitters pairs!)

Old Navy bomber jacket {affordable option here}
ModCloth mint jeans
Tory Burch flats
StyleMint Jackson tee {sign up here}

I have only worn my new loves once, but I am already dreaming of how much these babies are going to get action this Spring and Summer!

Are you on the mint jean train?

What else are you lusting after for your pre-Spring shopping? (I need to cut myself off!)

xx

Jessica

P.S. If you are new here, I hope you will stay awhile and check out some of my other recent posts:
- Confessing to hoarding black pumps
- Rocking my Winter work uniform
- Have you checked out the Old Navy shoe collection recently? You should! (you might be surprised!)
- Sharing some blog love over here
- Winter has a little bit left, try out these 25 ways to wear your scarves while you can!
Enjoy!

meow

Gap Cords
J.Crew Ballet Flats & Sweater
Ann Taylor snow leopard shell

Good Morning!

I'm trying to rock stylish yet comfy and warm... so I fall back on my snow leopard pieces {here, here, here} with colored cords and a classic cardi. Wham, Bam, Thank you Ma'am.

Stay chic and warm my friends

xx

Jessica

chambray re-mix

Sweater, Chambray Button Down, White Jeans, Flats - all J.Crew
Necklace - local boutique
Watch - Michael Kors (similar)

Am I blowing your mind? White jeans after Labor Day, and it's my favorite chambray shirt again! While I am testing the fashion conventions of a past decade (denim-on-denim), I figured I would try one more and rock white in the winter. So old ladies wouldn't give me the stink eye on the street, I paired my rebellious white jeans with classic pieces. And, I think it works!

Have you tried "winter" white?

so free in my winter white jeans!

xx

Jessica