Backwards

Hey girl, your shirt is on backwards! Yeah, I know, but really, how different is it than wearing it forwards? You're still showing off your top and can play around with which buttons to button and which to not. Plus, imagine how sexy it'll look with a bandeau top in the summer showing off your tramp stamp. If you're around my age, you probably have one, since it wasn't referred to with any derogatory jargon in 2001. No regrets.

Target skirt, H&M shirt, LOFT cardigan, Kenneth Jay Lane baubles, Halogen purse, Nine West shoes

Matchy Matchy

I am borderline obsessed with mixing prints. Therefore, it seems only logical that I would also feel the same about matching prints. Mix and match, ya know, like yin and yang or hot and cold - can't have one extreme without the other. As much as they're opposites, matching prints is similar to mixing prints:
1. Keep (at least) one color the same in both prints and keep accessories minimal. 

2. Chose different textures, color differentiations, or a small vs. big pattern size.

 For example...wear a chiffon tank and poplin trousers in the same floral pattern, yellow & navy striped blouse with burgundy & navy striped pencil skirt, or large polka dots on a tee with small dots on a pair of silk shorts.

Francesca's dress, LC by Lauren Conrad pants, MIA shoes, Target necklace

Inspiration from Blar of Atlantic-Pacific and Krystal of This Time Tomorrow

All that Glitters

Anthropologie sequin bolero, Francesca's blouse, Simply Vera dress, Macy's scarf, Old Navy oxfords

Look Ma, No Coat!

I'm trying to not jinx the gloriousness that has been winter in Chicago by pointing it out too often. If, however, I succumb to the immense happiness that I feel because I can keep my sheepskin boots and hooded parka in the hall closet by shouting out in joy, I am sure to knock on wood or cross my fingers, or whatever else I should do to make sure that we stay above freezing. That way, I can just layer and layer to my heart's content rather than having to worry about whether I will look like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" when I put on an overcoat.

Club Monaco faux fur vest and cardigan, I Heart Ronson blazer, J.Crew trousers, NY & Co tank, MRKT shoes, Claire's necklace, Revlon Raspberry Bite lipstick

Highlighter

Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's blazer, Urban Outfitters dress, Loft tank, vintage scarf, Mossimo sandals

Intentional

"Was that intentional...to match your socks to your collar?" asked a coworker.  

"Do you really think that anything Jenny wears is unintentional?" said another coworker.

Touche, ma'am. Touche. 

My co-workers have come to expect a certain, we'll say, creativity when it comes to my daily outfits. If I'm wearing flats, no lipstick, one color/pattern, or minimal accessories, they ask if I'm feeling okay. My external presentation has become a direct correlation with my psychological well-being. It seems to have become an expectation that I "bring it," so to speak, every day, and I love it! I love getting ready in the morning - challenging myself to wear a new trend or remixing an item that has gone unworn - and relish in making the office my runway. It turns out that the days I am inspired by my outfits, I tend to project an optimism, confidence, and happiness in the workplace. And that my friends, is an exercise in taking control of my moods...in the best way I know how. 

J.Crew sequined sweatshirt, Old Navy gingham shirt, NY & Co skinny cargos and necklace, Target socks, White Mountain booties

Pink & Red

The Everybody, Everywear Challenge for Valentine's Day is (appropriately) pairing pink and red. And besides pulling all my favorite archived outfits of this color scheme in a recent post, I still tried to rise to the challenge with a new ensemble of these tones toned down with an earthy palette. Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

Albert Swanepoel for Target hat, vintage blazer and shirt, XXI skirt, Gap tights, White Mountain booties, JC Penney belt, Nord Rack necklace, Revlon Fire & Ice lipstick, and OPI's Malaga Wine and Bahama Mama nail polishes

Primary

Vintage scarf, Old Navy skirt, NY & Co tights, Jessica Simpson pumps, Halogen purse, Akira belt, Arden B earrings

Red, yellow, and blue,

Each a bold and independent hue.

Cannot be mixed or undone,

Yet together create a spectrum of fun.

(thankyouverymuch)

Brick

"I wish I had brick in my apartment." - Shit Chicagoans Say

The phenomenon that is, "Shit _______ Say," has swept genders, locations, and careers (among many others demographics) without discrimination. The video focused on Chicago left me with my mouth agape, shaking my head, rolling my eyes, laughing, and crying because I was guilty of saying literally everything (in some form) at least once. Was my response due to shame or pride? I'm not sure there's a difference when it comes to this city - there's just as much to hate as there is to love. That being said, you better believe that if you hate on my city, such as complaining about the winter, traffic, or construction, this Chicagoan will swiftly talk some mad shit about you. Fair warning.

LC by Lauren Conrad leather shorts, vintage sweater, Nine West booties, Target bib necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane blue beads and ring, Loft gold belt (worn as necklace), Revlon Fire & Ice lipstick, and Revlon Minted and Gold Coin nail polish

Romantic Cowboy

Like I said the last time, there are many different types of personas to channel while wearing this skirt. So in addition to "holiday prepster, boho business, and vintage rocker," why not rugged up the sheer, velvet, floral maxi with a lil cowboy influence and become a Ralph Lauren Romance perfume ad? Why not, indeed! Especially if this means that I will be wearing this while riding a white horse in an open field, next to a handsome man, riding another white horse, who proceeds to grab me (during a full on canter), and kiss me. A girl can dream...

XXI skirt, I Heart Ronson shirt, Gap leather bomber & turtleneck, JCPenney belt, Steve Madden boots & purse

Love Is

Taking a cue from a lovely escape, I perused my own archives for reds 'n pinks in honor of Valentine's Day...and realized I am definitely a warm hued person. It's my cross to bare, as is locating names for all these different shades!

Rose sequins & Maroon

Cadmium & Byzantine colorblock

Scarlet lips & Cinnabar print

Fuschia florals

Cranberry

Raspberry Wool

Candy Apple Red

Ruby gems

Crimson velvet

Blush tulle

Magenta lips

Burgundy & Peach

Awkward & Awesome Thursday

A blog I follow, The Day Book encourages other bloggers to post about awkward and awesome things that occur on any given Thursday, so here it goes...

Awkward: 

1. Forgetting to wear socks

2. Getting pieces of lunch on my faux fur collar

3. Running in front of a bus to catch it, when it wasn't my bus

4. Writing "abou tit" in an instant message to a supervisor

5. Drinking four diet cokes in an hour and having a bladder the size of a pea

Awesome: 

1. Buying glittery gray socks for $4

2. Eating pistachio ice cream for dinner

3. Discovering three new (to me) Van Morrison albums

4. I think I've mastered the use of Benefit's "High Beam" highlighter...I think.

5. Realizing I have a bottle of chilled birthday champagne ready to go for the weekend

NY & Co sweater & jewelry, Target tank, LC by Lauren Conrad trousers, Loft socks, and MRKT shoes

Captain Planet

Let our powers combine! Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! Go, Planet! By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet...or rather I'm just feeling that way with my earthy color palette. This cartoon series, complete with Planeteers, Eco-Villains, and a Whoopi Goldberg voiced Mother Earth, taught us about deforestation, crime, pollution, unethical experimentation, ignorance, uncontrolled capitalism, poaching, diseases, and drug abuse. Despite all these awful occurrences that can happen, through teamwork, love, knowledge, acceptance, tolerance, and selflessness, we can make a positive difference for the planet - The Power is Yours! Deep stuff for a 10 year old. I think I would appreciate it's message much more now, so let's bring back Saturday morning cartoons, like My Little Pony, Care Bears, TMNT, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, Thundercats, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, and Jem...all of which we will watch while drinking mimosas, since we're adults now.

Loft blazer, vintage blouse, Akira skirt, Givenchy tights, Nine West mary janes, Revlon Certainly Red lipstick