when in paradise…

 

The summer vibes are in full swing down here in the Sunshine State, people! And these are all the essentials you need for a perfect poolside adventure. A dreamy printed towel, comfy suit, sweet tunes, a cheeky tumbler, and this Evian spray that I don’t know how I ever lived without. I keep one in my bag, my work desk…it’s the best stuff. Summer is right around the corner and I want no sun goddess to be unprepared. Go forth and bronze!

bag / speaker / suit / towel / tumbler / sandals / Evian mist

 

thanksgiving, styled

It ain’t cheap, but it sure is pretty! I have been focusing way too much on the cooking this year, and not enough on the “eating clothes”. Le sigh. These are the exact items I would use to construct my perfect Thankgiving outfit. Too bad I will not be looking NEARLY this put together tomorrow. There is always next year though.

sweater / flats / denim / bag / coat / earrings

Gratitude is my always attitude, but why not celebrate it with lots of food, drinks, and good company?!? Cheers to a lovely holiday for all! Happy Thanksgiving.

wear it two ways

This dress is three things that I love…lace, acid yellow/chartreuse, and under $100. Even though it’s bright it carries into fall better than other shades of yellow because it is at once vibrant and perky, as well as toned down and earthy, depending on whether it’s more green or yellow based. I love dresses that I can style for day OR night. I started off with the dress and my favorite Bauble Bar necklace. Mixed up the prints and textures for day, and piled on the sparkle for night.

Day look:

vest, American Eagle–here // flats, Halogen–here // bag, Antik Batik–here

Night look:

heels, Zara–here // necklace, J.Crew–here // bag, BCBG–here (on sale!)

Which is your favorite?!

white, on repeat

Maybe I left you hanging yesterday. While it’s great to know what pieces to add to your winter white wardrobe, it doesn’t help too much if you aren’t sure how to style them. So I plucked the white jeans…the one thing we all either have or can procure pretty easily, and decided to break down styling them piece by piece!

from top left: denim jacket- J.Crew, here // cable knit sweater- Moncler, here // denim- Topshop, here // booties- Sam Edelman, here // flannel- Uniqlo, here // bag- Dooney and Bourke, here // beanie- BMC, here

What I really love about all of these pieces is their versatility. Pretty much every item is a staple that you will wear over and over. And you can pile them all together on a super chilly day, or peel layers off as it warms up and still look incredible.

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling ready for the next season. Now bring on the fall temperatures! Have you started building your fall wardrobe? What’s on the top of your list?!? Let me know and we can find it together 🙂

90’s dream pants

Happy Friday! Why does the week before a long weekend always feel interminable? Today could not arrive fast enough. I am feeling nostalgic this weekend and kicking it old school, style-wise. And, while I should probably keep this to myself, to avoid any age questions….OMG ACID WASH IS BACK AND I’M FROM THE 90s SO I’M STOKED! And this isn’t your middle aged crusty aunt’s acid wash as she attempts to channel this–

Yeah. I took it there. I’m not sure what kind of blog post about acid wash pants could ever be complete without a 90210 reference, if not a picture. But fear not, you will not look like this in acid wash jeans! There are new shapes, new washes, we are no longer tucking our rolled-sleeve t-shirts into them! Basically, everything is better. So this Friday night, I am rockin’ it out 90s style…

(gratuitous crotch shot–but the accessories look good!)

Yes, these are tight pants. But they are stretchy! I will admit though that last time I wore them a guy friend (who obviously has no knowledge of spandex blends in jeans) asked “are those made of ACTUAL denim?” So basically the skinniest jeans I own. Maybe borderline mom-ish at the waistline. But, if you haven’t figured it out yet I pretty much aim only to please ME with my style choices. I am going dancing in this outfit, because these are also my most comfy pair of heels. And this tank has seen tons of action and I am thankful that the pills on the fabric don’t read in the photos! I just love the mesh detail and slinky fit. And this silver belt is an old vintage find that I love for being neutral but still adding a sparkly pop. Topping it off with a tie dye clutch to really drive home the 90s vibe, HA.

jeans-BDG, Urban Outfitters, similar here and here // tank-Guess, similar here // shoes- thrifted, similar (pricey but dreamy) here // clutch-super old, similar here // all thrifted jewelry

Hope everyone has a magical Labor Day weekend! Adios summer 2014!

**and another special thanks to Pam of Sequins and Seabreezes for more awesome photos. I saved my favorite for last…it captures how it REALLY is to take photos with me…

prints on prints on prints

Sweater Weather.

HA! Made you look! It’s Florida, people…it’s still hella hot all day, every day. But that doesn’t mean I’m not jonesing for the real thing. So, to help move fall along at least in my mind, I’m breaking out the (sleeveless) sweaters…

I couldn’t wait and decided this was the week I was going to put a sweater on. So, to keep the heat at bay I paired it up with a manageably cool (in temperature) skirt and some super comfortable animal print slip ons. Even the 90% humidity and 85+ degree temperatures are no match for me! 

And each of these pieces was neutral enough that mixing three prints isn’t TOO over the top. Maybe a little bit over…but that’s how I roll.

Since I kept it neutral, I decided to add a little color via this bag, with which I am having a deep love affair. Me and this bag are going to be best friends far into the cooler months. Perfect size, perfect color, perfect shape.

shoes-H&M, similar here

skirt-Forever21, here

rings- thirfted and H&M, similar here

bag-Gucci, vintage, similar here

A very special thank you to my friend Pamela of Sequins & Seabreezes, who is responsible for these awesome photos! Finally, pictures of ME on the blog 🙂

(bi)polar vortex

Spring has sprung.  I have donned sandals and shorts and tank tops.  At this point I thought it would be safe to stow away the winter staples and close up shop on sweaters and pants until October.  Then spring decided to exit stage left rather unexpectedly and temperatures dropped to the 40s again here in Florida.  Brrrr!  I decided to embrace the chilly weather and take the opportunity to rock one more wintry outfit…

pants: H&M, similar here/ sweater: thrifted, similar here/ vest: Guess(old), similar here/ shoes: thrifted

necklaces: vintage and Target, similar here/ shades: Urban Outfitters, here

We definitely can’t complain here in Florida…45 degrees and sunny is far better than -17 and snowing.  I mean, I am still wearing open toed shoes for goodness sake!  So while I wait for 90 degrees and 85% humidity I am going to enjoy the final peeks of winter that we are getting! Happy Thursday to you!

#wiw

This cat dress is a definite favorite.  So much so that I have it in two sizes.  Sometimes when you are thrifting you have to sacrifice things (like, perfect fit) for a piece that you just love.  This cat dress was like that.  A hair too small, but the print was such perfection that I had to have it.  Fast forward a month or two.  Fate finds me in another thrift shop in south Florida and in the presence of the cat dress again!  This time in the PERFECT size. So, now I have two.  And I can’t seem to part with either of them.

I am also deeply in lust with these Cynthia Rowley blue suede loafers.  Who DOESN’T want a pair of blue suede shoes??? #elvisstyle

Since the cats are the star of the show I kept it simple with a little stack of bracelets and some pearl studs that weren’t really photo worthy.  Just a regular week day work outfit :).  Maybe I’ll try to jazz it up for the weekend.  But, no one hold their breath!  Happy hump day to all…

 

blursday (or, how february poof! disappeared)

Almost through another week of living the dream!  lol.  How it suddenly became the last week of February is beyond me…2014 is flying.  Between a super busy work time, my Mister working out of town a bunch, and general life chaos, I feel like I haven’t had a moment to take everything in.  Life is sweet, people.  And I am doing my best to be awake and aware for all of it.  It was another gray morning here in Florida, but the temperature was awesome, so I stepped out on our deck this morning for a little personal time–just me and my smoothie (frozen strawberries and peaches, avocado, and banana btw).

sweater: Banana Republic, old. similar here/ top: Free People, old. similar here/ flats: Target, similar here/ jeans (that you can’t really see): Gap, old. similar here

Since I am still without camera, I decided to focus on the details today.  Let’s start from the bottom up!  These flats were a great, cheap find that work well as a neutral.  And check out the cute stud detail on the back…

I also decided to go the old lady route today and pin on a brooch.  This is an oldie but goodie that has served many purposes.  I love to use brooches to bring together straps on too-loose tanks, add to a necklace for some embellishment, or just slap on a sweater like I did today.

And last but not least, the bracelets.  The jade was a gift and a permanent fixture.  Jade brings health and luck.  And supposedly protects its wearer from accidents/injury.  It also is said to grow more rich in color if it “likes” you. It has only been two years of wearing…but I will keep you posted.  The silver bracelet was a gift as well.  The other two are thrift finds.  And I am so in love with the graphic minty flower!  It’s like mint chocolate chip ice cream in jewelry form!

I hope everyone is taking time to enjoy their week!  I am working on it ;).  Thanks for spending some time with me.  Let’s do it again tomorrow!

quick snaps

Between bad weather, a Lo with tummy troubles, and an out-of-town Mister I haven’t been taking (let alone uploading) any photos.  Nor have I been wearing anything noteworthy!  So I stopped on my way into work today to document a semi-decent outfit…and beautiful foliage!

This is an old Roxy dress (as skirt), thrifted sweater, vintage and gifted bracelets, and old Target booties.  And of course Starbucks. Because it’s 7:30 in the morning.

It is still a little chilly in the mornings from time to time and I love it.  Don’t mind hanging onto winter for a bit longer because I know 89 degree weather and 90% humidity is not far away.  And I am so in love with the Yellow and Golden Trumpets that blossom this time of year in Florida!  They are the perfect splash of sunshine when the late winter doldrums sweep through.  Hints of spring have been teasing and taunting and I can’t wait for it to be in full swing!  Trust that there will be flowers, beaches, and swimwear here on the J.J. Report soon!!!  Have a magical Tuesday 🙂