workable closet

I have been hanging on to these tear outs from the InStyle October 2010 Issue because I was so impressed... & that was even before I started a blog, or thought about challenging myself with a 30X30 Remix.

28 outfits from 15 key pieces!!

Are you as inspired as me?!

Sorry no real post today! My brain is still fried from all the sun I got last weekend & Photoshop was refusing to tell me what was wrong with it... 

Just didn't want to waste the good post I had on my mind on a frustrated half-assery!

P.S. Cat from the lovely Etsy shop Cat & Bot is hosting a Giveaway right now, have you entered??

Sunday Shopping: Slips

Ok, so maybe this isn't the hippest topic, but many of you had slip questions after I copped to wearing one under my sundress here.

My bestie Michelle is always making fun of me for being such a granny with my slip & I might have even taken it on her bachelorette party #Guilty #GetWild

What can I say, I have had the same white half slip for years & love it more than one should love a slip. My slip is most likely from JC Penney (from high school, my memories that far back are fuzzy), half-length, white & made of breathable cotton/poly mix.

Are you in the market for a slip? 

Here are my slip tips:

1. What length: do you wear mostly mini, midi, or maxi length skirts/dresses?

(**My mini "half-length" slip keeps my tush covered 90% of the time, but I have a full-lenth option for formal dresses & preventing VPLs under clingy jersey maxi dresses)

2. What color: White, nude, & black are the most common colors you will run into. Nude blends into many skin tones, white will make your light dresses look more substantial, while black will keep your dark materials from looking sheer in sunlight.

My favorite picks: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

3. Problem areas: My slip needs are to prevent pantie lines, beef up see-through fabric, & keep clingy fabrics from sticking to my legs in warm weather/static in cold weather, so I love my loose slip.

If you are looking for slips that nip & tuck, there are plenty of options out there, especially now that Target is selling Spanx products, but always remember, if it isn't comfortable or rides up, you probably won't wear it, so keep that in mind when shopping.

4. Try it on: put the slip on under your skirt/dress - can you see it?

Tuck in your shirt - is it awkward or bulky?

Lift up your arms - does it ride up, get out of place?

Turn around - are your problem areas taken care of? Any new lumps? VPL check!

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Now that you know what you are looking for, where to shop?

Shop in store & online at Dillard's, JC Penney, Target, & my favorite online destination for  functional undergarments, Bare Necessities.

style crush: Miranda Kerr

I have been talking a lot about investing in wardrobe basics lately... 

The more I shop and browse my own closet everyday deciding what to put on before heading out the door, I learn that the work horses in my wardrobe are the classic pieces that I have spent time picking out and truly LOVE, not impulse splurges or trendy filler pieces

Miranda Kerr is one of my favorite celebrities for sporting chic street style... and guess what, she looks so darn fabulous by mixing wardrobe basics (I know, that's what I have been saying all along!)

{ via PeopleStyle Watch)

By playing with proportions (loose top, fitted bottom) and textures (leather, felt, studs) Mrs. Orlando Bloom makes classic pieces (ballet flats, navy blazer, chambray button down) look divine (killer sunnies always help)! 

Welcome to your new everyday dressed up casual ladies!

Get your Miranda on with these fabulous and wallet friendly picks:

sign on the dotted line

Good morning! 

How is it Monday already!?

Too much fabulous this weekend - and I am still recovering. 

So I will just leave you with this thought... do you have a signature item?

"old school pin" via People StyleWatch November 2011 Issue

And is it sad that mine might be chambray?

Happy Monday

xx

Jessica

style crush: Olivia Palermo

In my dream world, one day someone is going to approach me and ask me which celebrity I would like to swap closets with, and I have been thinking about my answer in preparation. 

Hands down I would pick Miss Olivia Palermo. I know this isn't the most origional choice, we are all well aware that she can do no wrong in her fashion statements. But I really think that Olivia is a style icon that effortlessly mixes high & low, masterfully combines prints, and while super out of my league, generally approachable in her sartorial selections.

Here are some of my favorite Fall looks from Olivia { 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 }

But this one I spotted in a magazine recently, really got my outfit dream wheels spinning.

{ via PeopleStyleWatch September 2012 Issue}

Do you see what I mean? While I might not be able to afford the exact pieces that Olivia dons, they are basics (cropped trousers, white blouse, leopard heels) that I already have but never thought to pair them together with a waist belt and embellished sweater... and then Olivia goes and does it and it is simply genius.

Are you an Olivia fan like me?

Who are some of your other fashion icons?

xx

Jessica

trends that make you go hmm... daytime sparkle

As the weather cools down, the ability to wear sparkles during the day increases, culminating with the Holidays and New Year's Eve. Are you ready to pull out your bling for daytime? I am hoping to add some excitement to my chunky sweaters with sequin collars, and glitzy clutches.

{via PeopleStyleWatch Magazine}

What are your thoughts on sequins, glitter, and shine for day light hours?
Need to add some sparkle to your daytime looks? Shop my favorite picks here:

xx
Jessica

trends that make you go hmm... feathers

{via here, here, here}

Lately, feathers have been ruffling some of my favorite bloggers, appearing on runways, and are all over stores. This luxe material definitely makes quite a statement...

but I have not yet decided if I will be adding any to my closet yet....

mullet it up

Last week I debuted my first "mullet" (high-low) skirt... and I think I am in love. Before bringing the skirt home to my closet, I worried that it wouldn't be very versatile... but I have completely changed my mind! With all of the options available right now, you are sure to find a mullet skirt that works with your budget and style!

"old school pin" People StyleWatch March 2012

{Go Shopping}

Short skirts:

{ red // blue // floral }

Long skirts:

{ orange // cream // teal // red }

Dresses:

{ polka dot // pink // red // floral // geometric pattern }

My favorite way to mix up my mullet skirt is with strappy heels, and flirty tops!

How have you been rocking your mullet?

xx

Jessica

loafing around

Are loafers still cool? Or am I late to the trend again?

After seeing this amazing chicness of girls in loafers (here, here, here, & here), I think I might just have to give these classic kicks a try!

wish list: Coach Classics

Last week I had a momentary lapse in my will power (thank you Kate Spade sale), but luckily Irecovered before pulling the trigger on a quilted, neon shoulder bag (even if it did sit in my cart for a whole day!)

 I talk all the time about saving up to invest in classic, versatile, "grown-up" pieces for my wardrobe, and then justify to myself spending hundreds a month on trendy/street fashion clothes... and this probably isn't going to change (I like shopping, OK!?)... but I have my eyes on a new prize, and am committed to squirreling away a few of my pennies (the story about grad students being poor is true by the way) so that I can introduce a Coach classics purse to my closet

day to night dress remix

Now that it is Summer, I expect my wardrobe to do more transitioning from day to dark... 

Sundresses are a Southern Summer staple, and really do some major work in my closet.

{ cardi + flats for day, silvery jewels + stunner shoes for night }

"old school pin" via Cosmopolitan April 2012 Issue

Get the look:

Take this dress (gotta see the back) from 

Day:

cardi + belt + shades + flats (exact) + watch

 to Night:

belt + clutch (exact) + earrings + rings + heels

What piece in your wardrobe does the most work come warmer weather?

xx

Jessica

prints charming

Look - it is a pants party! I am loving printed bottoms... and you can quote me on that!

Check out how I have worn prints on my lower half here, here, here, here & here

Now that prints mixing is an anything goes fashion statement, pairing fun bottoms with an equally printed top is fair game. Just remember the rules about marrying similar color schemes and print size

"old school pin" via Comopolitan March 2012 Issue

{ Left to Right: scarf shorts // floral pants // metallic print // Polk-dot pants // botanical shorts // high-waisted pants // printed harem pants }

Any favorites?

What is your most purchased print?

Or are you a color-block girl?

xx

Jessica

summer skirts

As if you need more convincing (pencil skirt, classic jewelry, blazers), I am here to again show you how versatile closet staples can be. Two of my favorite trends right now are peplums and the color yellow, so this magazine article definitely caught my eye! Look at how the simple closet staple skirt is such a chameleon!

From work, weekend shopping, to going-out with the girls the basic skirt pulls you through!

(and look at that white blazer sneaking in there too!)

"old school pin" via People StyleWatch March 2012 Issue

Some of my favorite pencil and flattering A-line skirts are popping up in eye-catching colors these days.

Here are a few of my favorites: 1 {purple} // 2 {red} // 3 {yellow} // 4 {pink} // 5 {gorgeous pattern}

xx

Jessica

blazer prep

Good morning! Continuing my week of embracing closet staples.

 I hope you are all on the same page as me, in that closet staples are staples because they help stretch the life of your fun, inexpensive, trendy pieces, but stand by you year after year.

Take this new J.Crew maxi skirt... I mixed up it by pulling the skirt up to my armpits to make it a jersey dress, and threw a closet staple on top... the blazer

done and done

Blazers are perfect year 'round, and during the summer months I find myself craving a simple white blazer, as well as light bright colors to throw over flimsy sundresses and shorts

I will take any of these colors to add to my basic blazer collection of white, navy & black

"old school pin" via Cosmopolitan April 2012 Issue

{ What I wore: J.Crew maxi skirt (similar here & here) // Urban Outfitters blazer (similar) // Kate Spade belt (I think I need this matching purse!) // Target wedges // House of Harlow bracelet }

Are blazers work horses in your closet like they are in mine?
What color blazer are you craving this season?
Happy hump day!
xx

Jessica