Thursday, 29 January 2015

my everyday style: sweater avoidance!

This time of year I have about had it with my winter rotation of sweaters… even though there are plenty of them in my closet it seems like I wear the same ones all the time. I crave a new and fresh look that is as warm as a sweater - but different.  In this case I always turn to jackets as an alternative…

Here I threw a jacket over this beaded oxford (which is on sale for a SONG right now!) and my favorite ponte leggings and voila! I'm warm… and pulled together in an instant.  And if you don't have an army inspired jacket yet… let this be your sign that you need one. I seriously wear this baby all the time… spring, summer, fall and even winter too. To see another way I styled this jacket… see it here with gingham and sneakers!





(photos by Tracy Carmondy)

Details:
Top, J.Crew - on super sale! (hint hint: less than $20!)
Flats, Kate Spade (similar or similar less expensive)
Bracelet, Banana Republic (similar - on sale!)

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

style resolutions 2015!

This year I wasn't really going to make any "resolutions" personal, business or otherwise. I just had this feeling that I wanted to let the year play out as it will… trying to rock out everything I do and not really over-focusing on a few things.

But then I realized I had made a few shopping wish lists and was thinking a lot about how I wanted my wardrobe to shake out for the year.  Before I knew it I was making a few 'style resolutions' for the year.

For 2015 my style resolutions are to be relaxed-preppy-french chic-Jill.  I realize that the looks that I am drawn to on Pinterest and blogs aren't always what I am actually buying and wearing. So I want those to start matching up better.   Simple basics, classic accessories, great shoes and rockin' handbags.  In order to achieve all this with my wardrobe for 2015… here are my 2015 style resolutions:

1. Re-invest in wardrobe staples.
Confession: sometimes I buy cheap/inexpensively and regret it.
For instance, I have a pair of black jeans and black flats that I just LOVE to style up, but I bought cheap versions and they don't fit as well as they should or feel as good on as they should.  There are a few pieces in my wardrobe that I am going to have to re-invest in.  That is: donate/sell the cheaper option and buy a really awesome version that I can love more and for longer.  In my mind I am having a hard time overcoming this - I would love to know your thoughts. Worth re-investing? Totally makes sense? You think I am crazy?  Currently I've got my eye on a super quality pair of black jeans and black pointy flats. The pairs I own right now I *like*  but don't *love*. Even though I love to wear them, does that make sense?
This also applies to worn out but still loved pieces… my absolute favorite striped shirt is about shot. I bought it about three years ago and wear it a lot - to say the least. No shame in re-upping on a newer and maybe even better striped shirt.

2. Finally take the plunge on wish-list items.
Confession: there are items on my wish-list I keep passing up for cheaper stuff.
For instance, I've been wanting a pair of classic Ray Ban aviators or this Rebecca Minkoff cross body bag for probably at least a year or more. But when it comes to spending the money I shop the sales at J.Crew or whatever is new at Gap.  In my opinion it's time for me to "grow up" a little about this kind of spending.  I need to remember the long term gain of not only owning some you love/love/love but sometimes passing up the *good* for the *great* is the best way to go.

3. Find a handful of signature jewelry pieces.
Confession: I am a little over "statement" pieces and "costume" jewelry.
Don't worry… I'm not ditching the fun and bold pieces forever. I just want a few really gorgeous and simple pieces I can slip on everyday that feel feminine and beautiful and grown up.  So far, this House of Harlow bracelet, this Gorjana necklace and these Kendra Scott earrings are playing the part quite nicely in my wardrobe. However, I would love to add a few more.  These earrings and this bracelet are just what I am talking about.  The jewelry box service RocksBox helped me find most of these pieces so far - I can not recommend them enough.  They send me such beautiful things to try and then if I like them, I keep them, if not, I send them back.  (Use code: JILLBFF4 to get a free month! This is not sponsored, I just really love their service!)

4. Keep building the basics.
Confession: Even after all these years of shopping/blogging/finding my personal style there are still holes in my wardrobe.
There are still things that I need/want.  I am sure that will always be the case, but it's a good reminder that there is no rush in building your wardrobe or buying all the things at once.  Right now I would really love a monogrammed tote and a trench coat.  I hope to invest in those this spring.

5. Have fun and don't be afraid to make mistakes!
Confession: Sometimes I over think it all.
At the end of the day, it's just clothes.  Through all this I need to remember to have fun and not to be too serious about the whole thing.  Maybe a few cheap thrills from Forever 21 or Target aren't out of line.  Clothes should still be fun at the end of the day.  Trying new styles or trends can be very invigorating and fun. And if there is something at the end of the year or the month that I regret… well, hopefully I will learn a small lesson from a bad purchase and somehow find someone else to love that piece by either donating or selling it.


Do you have any style resolutions for 2015? 

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

my everyday style: playing favorites!

Do you have the same problem I have? This is how it goes… girl buys new sweater that she ADORES, girl wants to wear it everyday, girl loves it so much she doesn't want to wear it everyday, girl realizes she never wears the sweater.

What's up with that?!?! I can't be the only crazy person that falls in love with a new wardrobe piece and instead of wearing it all the time because I really, really love it - I just wear it every once in a while.  Like maybe it's too precious.  Like I am playing hard to get in my own closet.  Isn't that the strangest thing?  Do you ever do this with your closet? Love a piece SO much you want to protect it from being overworn?

These are some serious closet mind-games. But please tell me I am not alone.  Any way, I am having that problem with this sweater. I just adore it, it's the perfect length and it's really warm and I love the cool neck zippers and every time I go to grab it from the closet I think - oh, I'll save that for later.




(photos by Tracy Carmondy)

Details:
Sweater, Banana Republic - on sale! (similar or similar)
Blouse, J.Crew Factory (similar)
Jeans, Banana Republic
Shoes, Dolce Vita - on sale! (similar or similar)


Monday, 26 January 2015

9 pieces/9 outfits - winter to spring 2015!

By leaps and bounds the 9 pieces/9 outfits posts are my MOST popular posts around here.  You gals love 'em - and so do I!  To see all the posts click here for the archives.  Since winter is in it's twilight and we are all pining and wishing for spring I thought I would do a small capsule that was still perfect to wear this winter yet, but that also had a little hint of spring within it!

Capsule dressing seems to be all the rage these days… if you are a capsule dresser, these pieces are perfect for you. If you aren't into the capsule thing (I'm on the fence) these pieces are very capsule-esque in that they are great for mixing and matching but with less of a commitment of a full on capsule. Either way these pieces are SUPER easy to wear and can be dressed up or down for whatever your wardrobe needs may be this winter into spring!


the pieces: 

the accessories:
top row, from left:

middle row, from left: 

bottom row, from left: 





Friday, 23 January 2015

what to pack: winter weekend getaway!

This is the perfect time of year to take a winter weekend getaway.  A cozy cabin in the woods where you can read by the fire, take winter hikes or go sledding with the kids is a great way to chase away the winter blues.  Here I pulled together a simple and comfortable packing list for just that sort of weekend!

Packing versatile basics like jeans and ponte leggings make mixing and matching tons of outfits a breeze.  My personal favorite would be pairing the white sweater with sweatpants and slippers for sipping tea by the fire!  But you could even dress up these basics by pairing the ponte leggings with the riding boots, a black sweatshirt and a scarf if you were going to head out for dinner.  There are so many outfit possibilities here for keeping warm and staying stylish!


Thursday, 22 January 2015

my everyday style: the classics!

I have deemed 2015 the year of the classics.  My goal is to make getting dressed super effortless and uncomplicated.  This outfit is the perfect example of that… white/black/leopard/jeans.  I could wear this combo endlessly…







(photos by Tracy Carmondy)

Details:
Blazer, Banana Republic (similar or similar)
Top, J.Crew Factory (similar or similar)
Jeans, Gap (similar or similar)
Flats, Madewell (similar or similar or similar less expensive)

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

uniform dressing!

Today let's talk about uniform dressing.  Do you have a few standby outfit uniforms that you go to over and over again?

These are the hallmark of our personal style but they also make getting dressed really easy on the days when time or creativity is short.  These outfit uniforms below are some of my favorites… but you should try to come up with some of your own favorites as well.  Then keep them in mind when you are getting dressed to make your mornings a breeze!


sweatshirt + ripped jeans look: sweatshirt - on sale!, jeans, earrings, purse, sneakers

leggings + oversized sweater look: rings, bag, sweater, sneakers, leggings

sweater + scarf + ankle boots look: jeans, sweater, scarf, boots - on sale!, bracelet