my everyday style: tagged!

A little extra bling this time of year is the perfect dash of fun and sparkle that my January needs.  I loved this top the minute I laid eyes on it… and since then I've loved wearing it.  It's the little things, I tell ya.  And it's on SALE right now too… which is even better!

I'm already looking forward to wearing this top with white jeans this spring too...

(photos by Tracy Carmondy)

Details:

Top, J.Crew - on super sale!

Clutch, J.Crew Factory (similar or similar)

Jeans, Old Navy

Flats, Dolce Vita

new arrivals you'll love…

There are precious few things that get me through the seemingly unending cabin fever of January and February.  Planning my escape (aka future vacations!), bingeing on Netflix (just finished Gilmore Girls - loved! And already knee deep into Friday Night Lights - obsessed!) and lastly: stalking my favorite stores for new arrivals.   And since this isn't a travel or tv blog… we're going to cover some of my favorite new arrivals these days.

If you follow me on Instagram (and you should! user: jillgg) you know that I have taken a break from shopping for January (follow hashtag #shopyourcloset2015 and see all the looks I and other instagram-ers put together from not-new clothes).  Yep, I am strictly window shopping this month. Which is actually a.o.k. in my book. I have a little bit of warm weather travel coming up soon, so I am socking away some cash for some new pieces for those trips and I would also like to make a few investments this spring with my wardrobe so I am preparing for those as well.  If you are abstaining like me - then I have good news for you - the month is over half finished!

However, if you aren't abstaining then I fully expect you to do your part and take advantage of these gorgeous new styles and the onslaught of sales that go with them! (wink, wink!)  Quite a few of these are on my wish list for February!

banana republic: striped sweater, zip sweatshirt, twill vest

gap: striped dress, black bag, striped bell sleeve top

j.crew: regent blazer in navy (swoon!), cable knit sweater (you know spring is almost here when cotton knits make a come back!), "winking" tee, neon tote

loft: striped embellished sweater, jeweled denim skirt (love!), scalloped shorts

old navy: varsity tee, striped chiffon oxford, funnel neck zip jacket

elements of style v. 14

I personally have three simple elements (or tricks!) to a simple but beautiful outfit. I call them them my 'elements of style'. They are something casual, something neutral and something dressy. These three elements combined are my fail-safe for outfits that are easy to put together and that look and feel feminine and relaxed.

I've been seriously struggling getting my outfit mojo together lately… it's so cold and frigid all I want to do is stay in my pajamas all day.  The next best to staying home in comfy clothes all day is to dress up a sweatshirt best you can.  I love a casual sweatshirt paired with a dressy coat and lips to pull together a look that is warm and stylish.

shop the look: jeans - on sale!, sweatshirt - on sale!,  boots - on sale!, necklace, coat, lipstick

my everyday style: the leather jacket!

Patience pays off in style… this leather jacket is living proof!  This is the jacket I bought back in September but then had to return because it didn't fit… sad face. Enter the after-Christmas sales and I snagged this baby for half off! In the right size! And it fits perfect!

Last fall I really started craving a black leather jacket - I've never owned one before - and I fell in love with this simple and classic silhouette.  While it would have been nice to have in my closet all fall… I'm happy it's in my closet now.  I plan on getting tons of wear out of this baby.  It's perfect to layer with a lightweight sweater and a chunky scarf, like I did here. But I can also envision pairing it with an oxford for a casual but refined look, graphic tees for the weekend or dressy tanks and jeans for a night out with friends or my husband.

I really hope to make 2015 the year of classic investments and with this jacket I am off to a good start!

(photos by Tracy Carmondy)

Details:

Scarf, Banana Republic - on sale! (less expensive option)

Jacket, Zara (sold out online but similar or similar)

Sweater, LOFT (similar or similar)

Jeans, Banana Republic - my new favorite jeans!

Boots, Coach (similar on sale or similar also on sale)

Earrings, Kendra Scott

fab finds under $25!

Retailers are clearing HOUSE in anticipation of spring… and let me tell you, the getting is GOOD! I personally am trying to avoid shopping this month in preparation for spring myself.  But let me just tell you, it is downright painful to see some of these awesome deals slip through my fingers.

If you are finding yourself at the start of this New Year with a few holes left in your wardrobe… now is the time to fill them.  Here are some really fab finds that are all under $25.  There are a few whimsical finds (loving the #sorrynotsorry tee!) and a few very practical finds as well (jeans, sweaters, all purpose tote bags! How could you go wrong?!).

jeweled hat, slip on sneakers, #sorrynotsorry tee, army green utility pants (these would be super cute for spring too!), cable knit sweater, 'treat yourself' reusable bag, bow necklace, leopard flats, infinity scarf, star earrings, striped dress, graphic tote, distressed skinny jeans, iPhone cover

how to style sneakers!

Raise your hand if you are loving the sneaker trend.  It looks like it is here to stay… and I've been wearing them as much as the weather will allow these days (which is limited with the snow and cold). But they are actually not too bad to wear in snow… they are warm and grip well.  The best thing is that they are perfect for every other season if winter isn't doable for you.  I always love to show a little ankle when I wear my sneaks.  Sneakers add a casual and sporty vibe to any look and it's fun to juxtapose a pulled together look with a pair of trendy sneakers.

I think sneakers are going to be crazy popular this spring, so now is a great time to snag a pair.  Here are a few of my favorite ways to wear my sneakers… and a few of my favorite picks!

1. nike 2. new balance 3. loeffler randall 4. coach - on sale! 5. vans 6. kate spade - on sale! 7. new balance - under $60! 8. superega

(images via my archives and my pinterest page)

three ways to style: a drapey tee!

A lot of you really loved the drapey tee I featured on Friday… so I thought it would be fun to style it up in a few different looks. You know, so if you haven't already bought it, you will really want to now (wink, wink!).  But seriously, this drapey tee is so versatile and comfortable that it can be worn from weekend to girls night out to the office even.   So here are three really easy ways to style this drapey tee…

to the office:

skirt, top, earrings, necklace, shoes, purse

all weekend long: 

scarf, top, bag, jeans, sneakers

parisian chic: 

leggings, top, scarf, flats, bracelet