OOTW

Below are my outfits of the week!  I know they're super grainy, but I got a new phone this weekend [went from iOS to Andriod :O] and am trying to work out a lot of kinks.  I figured I would throw them up here anyway, and you can see better quality images over on my Instagram @trendingcheaply.  The looks [in chronlogical order] are from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I absolutely love this tweed jacket with hints of neon green.  It really can dress up / business-i-fy any outfit.  My boyfriend really likes it too.

What I'm Wearing:

Jacket - Crossroads

Shirt - Zumiez

Jeans - Zara

Purse and Booties - F21

I felt very spring-y [amidst a California winter] in this number.  I had fun repurposing the head scarf too.  It's actually a sash from one of my robes (:

What I'm Wearing:

Head Wrap, Blazer, Leggings, and Boots - F21

Necklace and Dress - Francesca's

Friday night date night!!!  This night was so much fun.  My boyfriend wrote me a sweet love note, opened the car door for me, and paid for dinner at one of our favorite sushi places.  What more can a girl ask for??

What I'm Wearing:

Earring, purse, and booties - F21

Top and Jeans - Crossroads

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

OOTD

Today I went to get ramen with my bestie (visit her blog, HERE!) and then did some shopping in preparation for friends we have coming over tonight.  These buffalo chicken sliders are currently cooking in the crockpot.  I hope they turn out good (:  I don't have much to say (for once), so here's a quick outfit I put together for today.

Also, I can't stop listening to this:

What I'm Wearing:

Beanie - Zumiez

Jersey - Gifted from kels and wedding bells

Jeans - BDG from Crossroads Trading

Boots - Wanted Shoes

Bracelet - Thrifted

An "I JUST CAN'T" Trend

As a girl who loves trends and looks forward to bloggers who post new and different ways to style old pieces, "I JUST CAN'T" with some trends.  Finding a new trend that I like and think would work with my style is an awesome feeling, but that doesn't mean that I wear every single new thing that comes out just because it's "in".  Doesn't that defy the whole concept of "personal style"?  Wearing something simply because others are or because the "taste makers" have deemed it to be "cool"?  
"Sorry" "I'm" "really" "going" "overboard" "with" "the" "whole" "quotes" "thing" "here".

I hate posting about things I hate, because I feel like it just comes off as negative [and ain't nobody got time for that!]  So let's make this positive.  There is an infinite amount of choices out there when it comes to what you wear and how you wear it.  Choose what's best for you.  What catches your attention.  What you don't have to think twice about.  Because it just . . . works for you.  And forget about the rest.  Identifying what doesn't work for me opens up the door to all of the other things that do.  So in the most idealistic way, I am professing my distaste for the 'high fashion' sneaker.  Namely, wearing trainers (nikes, new balances, etc.) that typically belong in the gym with an otherwise feminine or fashion forward outfit.  

DISCLAIMER:  I think this look does look cool on a lot of women!  But it's NOT FOR ME.  I can appreciate the images I am about to show you below, but that's all I am inspired to produce from this trend - appreciation.  I have no intention of now, nor ever, implementing this look into my own fashion repertoire.

Nope, just can't do it.  She still looks beautiful though and should obviously wear whatever the hell she wants.

I love this girl's outfit.  And her style.  And her beautiful face.  And it actually doesn't look half bad with the sneaker.  But I JUST CAN'T.

Sooo adorable.  I love me a pair of overalls / quirky cute fashion.  I might wear this with a converse shoe, but not with what I call a "trainer".

ANOTHER DISCLAIMER: I mean no offense to anyone who sports this trend.  I simply believe in embracing what's right for you and dismissing the rest.  All of the women pictured above are beautiful and look great, we just don't have the same style (and we shouldn't!)  I love diversity in the fashion world.

What's a trend that's not for you?  In a way, identifying what's not for you, enhances the sense of self you already have.  And I think that's always cool.

Lots of Love,

J

Pictured Above:

1st Image - Found on Pinterest HERE

2nd Image - the chronicles of her [love this blog!!]

3rd Image - Found on Pinterest HERE

Boyfriend Jeans for Fall [in California]

Boyfriend jeans have become one of my wardrobe staples, so I felt it only right to style them for Fall [in California].  I've been wearing them quite often, and there are many ways to style them in a chic way, despite their slouchy feel.

According to my actual boyfriend, "They're called boyfriend jeans, because you wear those when you are comfortable...ain't nobody actually getting a boyfriend in those jeans."  If you'd like to see my [non-PG] response to his comment, navigate to 8:48-8:54 of this video by Jenna Marbles: Things Boys Don't Understand.

O.K. back to our regularly scheduled fashion programming.  First up, we have boyfriend jeans styled for work.  Now, I work in a casual/business casual [mostly casual] business environment in California.  Have you seen the show 'Silicon Valley'?  It's all jeans and flip-flops people, no joke.  Oh, and if you live in the bay area and have not seen that show, stop what you're doing, set your TiVo to record it / download it / whatever you have to do, and then come right back.  Phew, now that that's settled.

If you're donning the boyfriend for work, I feel like there needs to be some structure to your outfit.  I chose to add that structure with a classic tweed jacket and a boxy handbag.

I love the subtle green color of this jacket that adds a hint of color to an otherwise neutral palette.

Comfort is huge to me when I'm dressing for any occasion, but especially for work.  How much more comfy can you get than these bad boys?!

I'll let you in on a little secret . . . this is my go-to hairstyle when I have dirty hair.  I just let the part fall naturally, and pin back the front [most dirty] part of my hair and curl the rest.  Wha-la!  Judgment free hairdo.

What I'm Wearing:

Jacket - Crossroads Trading Co

Top and Necklace - Francesca's Collections

Black and White Bracelet - Icing

Gold Bangle, Bag, and Booties - Forever 21

Jeans - TJ Maxx

Up next we have the slouchsters styled for everyday / casual wear.  To be honest, this is my favorite way to wear clothing.  "Off duty", if you will.  I just feel most like myself when there are absolutely zero restrictions as to what I can wear / how I can wear it.

I just love orange.  I think it's one of my favorite colors, like ever.  It just makes me happy.

I think I have a post back in the day [when I very first started blogging] about this bomber.  It is one of my most worn / loved pieces, and for a long period of time I found myself wearing it over and over and over again.

Remember how I said I like to be comfortable and myself?  Well, part of that is being lazy.  [Hey, I'm embracing it.]  These slip-ons are a lazy girl's dream.  You really don't have to try at all, and the studs somehow make it look like you did.

“Whatever!!” One of my all time favorite movies is ‘Clueless’.  Yup, I’m that girl.

Look who decided to make an appearance . . . Mickey!  O.K. I forced her, but same difference.

What I'm Wearing:

Beanie - Zumiez

Earrings, Jacket, and Tank - Forever 21

Ring - Crossroads Trading Co

Shoes - Wanted Shoes

Jeans - TJ Maxx

Last, but definitely not least, we have the pair styled for a night out.  For a night out on the town, I'll need an overcoat for walking in and out of places, but I better be wearing something more slinky underneath cuz mama gets HOT.

Wearing black and a red lip is pretty much my go-to for "dressing" things up.  Add a pair of chunky fancy earrings, nude pumps, and you're good to go.

I just had to include my baby Mac in this one.  I love the way she sits up so straight, like the queen she is.

This is my Inspector Gadget / Audrey Hepburn coat.  You take your pick.

I think this outfit would be great for a holiday party at someone's home if jeans are approps, like they are at every one of my family's functions.  My dad's even worn jeans to a wedding, but we won't delve into the shame and embarrassment surrounding that here.

What I'm Wearing:

Earrings - Francesca's Collections

Top - Supre'

Trench - Metropark

Nude Pumps and Clutch - Forever 21

Jeans - TJ Maxx

I hope everyone's having a wonderful Sunday like we are.  Do something fun outside of the house to get your mind off the pending doom of Monday. Also, let me know which outfit was your fave, I'd love to hear from you!  Oh, and for anyone who was wondering, Marley had prior engagements and could not be bothered to be a part of this photo shoot.

Lots of Love,

J