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!)

The "Forever21 Effect"

I am thrilled to have so many new faces around here & I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about my focus on building a functional & versatile wardrobe. I think this first & foremost starts with filling your closet with classic staples.

In the past, my shopping habits could be described like a squirrel gathering nuts for an imminent Winter, but unlike those adorable woodland creatures, I didn't actually need any nuts clothes.

But boy did I want them. 

And while defining the staple "holes" in my personal closet has helped me to shop smarter, it has not totally cured my shopping addiction.

Case in point, I have been drooling over this chic Madewell leather tote for MONTHS, but the price tag has prevented me from clicking "purchase" on this bad boy.

 Madewell transport tote $168.00 

In my mind, $168 is either ONE bag, or EIGHT things from Forever21.

I suffer form quantity-over-quality-itis. 

polka dot pencil skirt $17.80 // studded peplum top $17.80 // polka dot skinnies $24.80 // lace skirt $24.80 // cropped floral pants $22.80 // heart print blouse $19.80 // D'Orsay pointed toe flats $19.80 // scalloped flap purse $24.80

So what would YOU do?

Purchase the expensive staple that will mix & match with many things in your closet, & last for years to come?

OR stock up on the trendy "fast fashion" pieces, that will be fun this year, but probably not be touched again next season?

** I have nothing against Forever21. I think "fast fashion" has its time & place, but can often be a distraction from my game-plan to build a carefully curated closet.

dress it up & a giveaway

Last week I shared one of my closet secrets - renting dresses & the fabulous new dress rental company Lendperk. I also told you that I'm not very good at "re-mixing" my dresses. Some of you said that you are dress styling masters (so jealous!), while others fessed up that you are a one-&-done dress wear-er too (don't worry, you are not alone).

So in the spirit of trying something new, I wanted to share with you how 1 rental dress can be worn 3 ways - seriously, you guys make me better!

With Lendperk, you keep your rental dresses for as long as you like, so why not maximize your new wardrobe addition before sending it back!?

Using this colorful key print Anthropologie dress, I have created a whole weekend of looks.
Look 1: Running errands, perfect for checking out some new shops with friends

{ What I Wore: Anthropologie Eva Franco Keys Dress c/o Lendperk // Gap denim jacket (similar) // J.Crew men's belt // boutique boots (similar here, here, here all under $100) }

Look 2: quirky coffee shop date 

{What I Wore: J.Crew Factory blazer // Kate Spade armadillo belt (love this one!) // ShoeMint gold Mona loafers // Urban Outfitters attitude glasses }

Look 3: going out on the town, date night style!

{What I Wore: J.Crew cardigan // belt comes with dress rental // Zara heels (these Jessica Simpson ones are super adorable!) }

How would you wear this dress?

Well you better start thinking about it, because YOU could win your very own unlimited month of dress rentals from Lendperk!
*winner announced Tuesday February 12th, 2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

weekend reading: 02.02.13

Why don't you : try some pink pants!
left // middle // right

1. Don't have your own DSLR, don't worry, great pictures are just one iPhone click away. 

2. Have you checked out the fabulousness that is J.Crew Factory lately? Jill really hit all the high notes here.

3. Are you on Vine? Is it an Instagram killer? I'm not sure what I think of it yet, but you can find me (& 3 Doug The Pug videos) @jesshereandnow

4. I am still feeling good after my big purge, & think maybe I should follow these tips to pinpoint my closet craziness for February.

5. One of my 30 before 30 items is to find my signature red lipstick, thinking I should take these tips with me to Sephora & cross that baby off! (Do you have a favorite shade/brand of red lippy?)

6. You ladies have the BEST advice, thank you for your tips about keeping my red hair red, this red-head beauty has some tips to share too - great to check out if you are looking to up keep your expensive salon dye job. 

Don't forget to enter the MsDressy.com giveaway for a $80 gift card here.

What you you looking forward to most during the Super Bowl? commercials? you team's big win? I'm super pumped for Beyoncé's half time show! 

Have a great weekend!

Winter Blues: a cobalt love affair

{ What I Wore: J.Crew factory day dress // J.Crew coat & (men's) belt // souviner scarf from Venice // Marc Jacobs x Target pouch (gift from my bestie!) // boutique boots // Spanx tights (reversible & magic, I swear!)

{Get the Look}

day dress {$64.50} + red coat {$19.99, chic cropped option) + silk scarf {$6.80} + gold pouch {$49.99, I die of cute over this one!) + brown belt {$9.99, buy it a size up for knotting} + brown boots {$39.99}

I don't know what has gotten into me, but I am totally cheating on all the other colors in my closet with my cobalt blue pieces. Maybe it is due to my newly red hair that all things blue are yelling, "wear me! wear me!" every morning when I get dressed. 

Whatever it is, I am digging it!

I am not usually a major primary color pair-er upper either, yet red + blue is my jam these past few weeks 

(how fabulous is Blair in her red + navy, I die!)

It works, right!?

What colors have you been crushing on lately?

Any unexpected color-pairings making it into your outfits?

(did you catch my teal + burgundy #ootd-gram over the weekend?)

Happy weekend!!