C'est la vie

This last week has been one for the record books.  So much has been happening in my life / those around me, and I won't go into the gritty details here, but there have been 4 / 5 major events in just one week!  I'm feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically drained from recent days and any spare time I've gotten I've used for either sleep or just taking a few moments to chill out and think about how I'm feeling about everything.  However, I am feeling extremely grateful for the people I have in my life and the time I have with them. 

I recently started collaborating with Bliss Boutique [< - - click the link!] and knew that I had to have this top.

Not only am I sporting the 'Canadian Tuxedo', I'm sporting it in double acid wash.  Double faux pas??

I love the edginess [acid wash and crop] and sportiness [athletic stripe] of this top.  I knew instantly that I wanted to play off of these aspects and create an overall edgy/sporty look.

My tried and true backpack from Forever 21, along with these combat boots, appear in so many of my off-duty / casual looks.

She looks like she's trying to escape me, but trust me, she was LOVING it.

I try to shoot during the 'golden hour', near sunrise and sunset, to avoid weird reflections and lighting, but I thought these streams of light ended up looking kinda cool.

I'm grateful for the doggies in my life too.  Two big paws up for all the dog lovers out there!

What I'm Wearing:

Hat - My Boyfriend's

Top - Bliss Boutique [< - - click the link!]

Necklace - Gifted

Denim - Echo Clubhouse

Backpack - Forever 21

Ring - Crossroad's Trading

*This post is sponsored by Bliss Boutique

Mortal Kombat

Last night I received a notification that the blogger fashionlaine liked one of my posts on Instagram.  Naturally I went on over to her Instagram and subsequently her blog.  Her bio on Insta reads 'Be what you want.  Wear what you want.'  So simple, but I think it's a great reminder to embrace your sense of self when it comes to style and fashion.  Sometimes I can get caught up in wanting to emulate a certain image.  Look a certain way.  Send across a particular message.  Whether something might be "too much".  Or people might think "who the h-e-l-l does she think she is wearing something like that?"  When really I should be wearing whatever the heck I want!  I'll be happier knowing I'm being true to my self, and I think other people will be happier that I'm presenting the most genuine / raw version of myself.  Ordinarily I would overanalyze the outfit below.  I would think oh, I can't do ripped jeans, camo print, AND fringe.  That is just too, too much.  But instinctually when I looked in my closet this morning, this is exactly what I wanted to wear.  So I went with it!

I like to call this I'm-tired-couldn't-be-bothered-to-style-it's-cold-I'm-going-to-be-outside-first-day hair.

These jeans are unbelievably comfy and actually quite flattering on the rear.

I love how fun this shirt is.  I think the fringe detailing adds extra oomph to an otherwise pretty casual piece.

I really don't know what it is with me and camo.  I can't even pinpoint the moment in time where this love affair began.  '...but there's somethin bout your love that makes me weak...and knocks-me-off-my-feet.'

Knapsack guard in action #WOOF

What I'm Wearing:

Necklace - Ibiss

Top, Jacket, and Jeans - Crossroads

Bangles - Thrifted

Backpack - F21

Shoes - Wanted Shoes

Fashion Resolution: Repurpose

Another one of my fashion resolutions is to 'Repurpose'.  Repurpose clothing so that I can wear it year-round instead of having a strictly winter wardrobe, summer wardrobe, etc.  This can be a little tricky when it's cold outside and you don't want to bother with reinventing summer pieces and think about exactly how you are going to layer everything and still make it look chic.  Personally when I'm cold, I don't want to think about it.  Most of the time it's a sweater, beanie, jeans, boots, and I'm done.  Especially when it's in the morning / getting ready for work.  My feet are going in socks immediately and I'm grabbing the first clean item that will warm me up.  But i think there's value in taking time to think about how you can wear off-season pieces in different ways.  By taking a few hours on the weekend to come up with different outfits, you can save time getting dressed during the week.  And of course there's the monetary value of getting more bang for your buck the more you wear something.

I repurposed this summer dress by pairing it with a blazer, leggings, and boots.

It actually warmed up quite a bit today and while I was shooting out in the sun, I was able to remove the blazer and still refrain from being cold.  Plus I wanted to give you an idea of what the dress looked like without the blazer (:

I love how forgiving this dress is.  It's form-fitting but has the ruching detail that hides imperfections.  And lord knows I have not been wor-kin-on-my-fit-ness.

No pictures of the dogs today, so I thought I'd wear my dog whistle in spirit.  Only kidding, but they were just a little too hyper for photos today.  I think they know this is their last day to party before MONDAY (my arch nemesis).

I also like the winter floral feel of this dress.  I feel like the dark colors and purples make it less summer-y.

What I'm Wearing:

Dress and Boots - Crossroads Trading Co

Blazer - Francesca's 

Necklace - Stella and Dot

Leggings - Sportsmart

Purse - F21

Fashion Resolution: The Outer Layer

Pre-New Year up until a few weeks ago, I started compiling a 'Fashion Resolutions' list for 2015.  I realize that we are well into January now, but better late than never??  The list I created includes resolutions for my everyday styling.  Mostly trying to do more of things I like but for whatever reason don't do that often.  First up [since it is so frigid today in the typically sunny CA], I chose 'The Outer Layer'.  I want to find new and different ways to work my outfits.  So often I start with a top or dress and just go from there.  I thought this time I would start with the outermost piece and work my way in [that's what he said.]  This luxurious coat from Mint and Pink [< - - click the link!] is the perfect starting point since it is so structured and detailed that it is pretty much an outfit in itself.  Oh, and it is super warm and snuggly.  [Did I mention that it's cold today?!]

I love the fact that you can wear this open, with a low collar, or . . . wait for it . . .

You can hook the button to the back part of the garment and wear it all bundled up.  BOOM, magical coat.

Does anyone think I look like I belong on a ranch, or is that just me?  Guess I should start adding these pix to my 'rancher's wear' board on Pinterest . . .

I like the swingy, Audrey Hepburn-esque feel of this coat.  La-la-la!

Since it's in the 50s in the bay area today [I just checked], I probably won't be unbuttoning this coat much.  But I DO have something under there.

Annnnd an outtake of me and my baby Marls for good measure.  She makes me so happy.  And I kinda think she likes me too (:

I think we can all agree that Marley is the more photogenic of the two subjects pictured here today.

What I'm Wearing:

Jacket - Mint and Pink < - - click the link!

Hat - Crossroads Trading Co

Necklace - Icing

Sweater, Booties, and Handbag - Forever 21

Jeans - Echo Clubhouse

*This post is sponsored by Mint & Pink

Fashion Friday: Sweats

The lazy girl in me dies for this trend.  (Confession: I'm really lazy therefore dead.)  But to get away wearing sweatpants as a night out, etc. outfit, you really can't be lazy at all.

Case in point:

Dear Lord I love me some Britney, but this is her literally grabbing some sweatpants . . and wearing them out.

Now THIS is a girl that wears her sweatpants out with purpose:

I have one basic rule for rocking the sweatpants trend:

#1 DRESS IT UP.

With heels, makeup, a pretty clutch, a nice top, accessories . . you get the idea.

And for those who want to wear the trend with more athletic flair:

#2 DO NOT BE FRUMPY

Make sure that if the sweatpants are not tight, that something else is.  Or cropped.  Or showing some shoulder.  Or or . . something that shows us there is a body beneath the sweat that is going to do something other than lounge around (aka nothing).

My top picks to keep you trending cheaply:

From left to right:

Charlotte Russe - Leopard Print Velour Skinny Pant - $13.49

chicnova - Yellow Leopard Print Loose Fit Pants - $26.00

Choies - Celebona Leopard Print Lounge Pant - $39.99

Outfit Details:

Necklace - francesca's

Tank - supre'

Sweats - Gifted

Heels - Forever 21

Citrus Squeeze

I absolutely love the vibrant color of this orange top.  It's just so happy, summer-y, and fresh!  I also like neon, but just subtle touches of it, so the fact that only the embroidered design is neon is perfect!  Wearing a lot of color isn't something that comes naturally to me (I tend to gravitate towards black and denim!) so this is me stepping out of my comfort zone (:  I'm also really diggin' separates lately overall.  Hope you all have a peaceful and happy weekend!  < 3 J

 

Sunglasses - Capitol Flea Market

Crop Tank - iBiss Boutique

Gold Chain and Booties - Forever 21

Denim Shorts - American Apparel

Clutch - Francesca's

Remix: Hippie Headband

Something I absolutely love doing is choosing one item and seeing how many outfits I can come up with based around that one thing.  It forces me to think creatively and express myself in multiple different ways, oftentimes outside of my comfort zone.  I posted these three outfits on Instagram, and the verdict came in: most people preferred the pink look.  Which one's your fave??

Headband - F21

Denim Shirt - F21

Bralette - Francescas

Skirt - Francescas

Shoes - F21

Bag - F21

Necklace - Stella and Dot

Earrings - Francescas

Top - Crossroads

Bag - F21

Shorts - F21

Booties - F21

Dress - Purchased at a market while traveling in New Zealand

Backpack - Target

Denim Shirt - F21

Bracelets - Thrifted, F21, and Ibiss Boutique

Shoes - Thrifted

On Duty Vs. Off

I think it's interesting to compare how one's style changes compared to when they're at work and when they're off of work.  At times I dislike dressing for work because I feel confined to wear only what the corporate world has deemed 'appropriate'.  However, at the same time, it broadens my horizons in a way and forces me to dress differently than I normally would in my off days.  I love denim (especially acid wash), chunky jewelry, and (combat) boots.  If I didn't work in a corporate environment, I would probably dress like this most days, and my style would be easily copy-able :D

I don't feel comfortable wearing anything too trendy or edgy at work, even if it is not necessarily revealing or provocative.  For example I have this faux leather jacket with spikes and enhanced shoulders that I wouldn't dare wear at work.  I'm completely covered, but it just doesn't feel . . . right. What styles would you wear in your off time but not at work?  Should we care or just go all out if it is not offensive and is tastefully done?

Lots of Love,

J