Neutrals with Python Print

Made in USA: Skirt: Eva Franco (next purchase) // T Shirt: Everlane // Blazer: Alex Lane (similar) // Watch: La Mer Collections // Nails: OPI "Man Repeller" // Lips: Revlon Balm Stain 

Imported/Unknown: Purse: old Kate Spade (similar, made in USA option) // Necklace: Lydell NYC (made in USA option) // Pumps: Delman (similar) 

I don't work in a creative field. There I said it. I'm not ashamed to admit it and I don't think it makes me any less of a creative person. I like the uniformity of numbers, they way they add up, the way they lead to an answer, and really I'm a problem solver at heart. My claim to fame at work was unearthing millions of dollars of federal funding that got "lost" in a report due to shoddy design and formula errors.  The hubs used to be skeptical of my math skills, even though I got a higher grade than him in calculus, but he's seen my budgeting skills when it comes to clothes. I can't do the advanced computations in my head that he can do in his, but that's why they make calculators (and back up calculators). 

My 9-5 job keeps my 9-5 clothes on the more conservative side. I try to get away with neon and spice when I came, but when I know I'm in meeting with people who have Ph.Ds and advanced degrees that put my little M.A. to shame I keep things very, very neutral. I mean, neutral separates with python print pumps :) 

How do you dress for work? Let the creative side run free or are you in a conservative field like me?

Polka Dots and Tweed

Made in the USA: Skirt: Nanette Lepore via Reddz Trading Bethesda (similar option) // Clutch: Gigee Marie // Shades: Oakley // Nails: Essie 'After School Boy Blazer' // 

Imported/Unknown:  Blazer:  old Ann Taylor (made in USA option) // Blouse: old Tucker for Target (made in USA option) // Bracelet: old Derng (made in USA option) // Shoes:  old Cole Haan (Brazil) 

Say hello to my new, yet possibly old, favorite skirt! Found this baby in September while perusing a second hand store. I swear I was on shopping lockdown, but I had 20 minutes to kill and in the long-run buying a sparkly and tweed skirt was better for my soul than buying a drink or two at a bar. And in DC it would have only been two drinks before I totaled the cost of this skirt!  

The hubs did call me out on my failed logic though. "Really, you would have downed 2 drinks in 20 minutes in a bar all by yourself." He knows I would have been only able to get through one drink in that amount of time all by myself. What can I say, I don't "down multiple drinks" in public by myself. 

But seriously, I am on shopping lockdown. Unless a clothing purchase is deemed "necessary" I'm not buying anything for myself through the end of the year. The hubs joked that my definition of necessary couldn't include "sparkly" or "polka dots."  I sure showed him with this outfit! 

This skirt is in fighting place for favorite item I've picked up second hand. What's your favorite second hand score? 

Faux Leather and Gold

Made in USA: Dress: Karen Kane (on sale!)  // Nails: Essie 'Chinchilly' // Lips: Revlon 'Berry Allure' Lipgloss

Imported/Unknown: Purse: Rebecca Minkoff 'Parker' Clutch (made in USA option) // Bracelet: Derng (made in USA option)// Necklace: gifted Wallis // Heels: Goodwill 

Yes, this is yet another all black outfit. I don't care that white had a major moment and was all over the NYFW runways the past week. I'm going to stick with my dark colors and enjoy every black outfit this fall and winter. 

New in my closet is this amazing faux-leather sheath dress from Karen Kane. I snagged that baby on sale during Labor Day weekend and I couldn't wait to wear it. I gleefully broke it out for a mid-week day-to-night outing in 90 degree heat. Even the hubs commented that it was different from other LBDs (yes, he knows what that is) because of the leather inserts on the front and back. I added a plain black blazer to keep it professional while at work, but ditched that layer in a heartbeat for date night. I could have boarded the crazy train with my shoe selection, but  I decided to keep it simple since I was going straight from work to dinner. 

I know this is just another black outfit for most folks, but this was actually a bit out of my comfort zone because I am NOT a yellow gold person. However, I decided to pair the few yellow gold pieces I have and run with it. One small step at a time. Maybe next week I'll wear a color. probably not

Did you snag anything during the Labor Day sales? If so, have you worn your new find yet? Anyone else have a significant bias towards either white or yellow gold? 

Nautical with eShakti

Yeah, I'm 30 and I wear sparkly headbands from time to time. Deal with it! 

Dress: c/o eShakti // Cardigan: J. Crew (in mint!) // Headband: Anthropologie (similar) // Shoes: Target // Purse: J. Crew (old) // Jewelry: Derng, BaubleBar, Hello Fab, vintage 

When eShakti reached out to me to try a product sample I was initially very skeptical. I had seen a few other bloggers review their products and the general consensus was that the clothes were well made and adorable.  However, the items are not made in the USA and that bugged me.  

Then, I got over it.  Yes, I'm trying to bring more USA made items into my life, but I'm not going to stop buying imported clothes all together.  Really the only con I had against eShakti is that their clothes are imported.  That can be said about 97% of the clothes sold in this country!

When I got over myself and actually looked at the eShakti website I was quickly won over.  First, their tagline, "We design, you customize," had me at hello.  Then I noticed that their clothes come in sizes 0 - 36W and that really meant a lot to me.  A company that realizes not everyone looks like a model and makes clothes for everyone is admirable in my book.  

I know what you're thinking, "b%tch please, you're a size 4/6."  

Yes, I am. However, I'm a size 4/6 with a massive bubble butt, tree trunk thighs, and man calves thank you very much. A-line shapes are my clothing besties. 

eShakti allows for consumers to customize their clothes based on their own measurements and not on some pre-determined measurements that are supposed to flatter and fit every single woman. You can also alter necklines, add sleeves, adjust lengths, add pockets, etc. For more information on how to customize your clothes, go here.  You can customize for free with your first order.  

Did I mention that many of their pieces are machine washable?  Yeah, that's another point for eShakti because dry cleaning sucks. 

And my dress has pockets. Point.Set.Match.

To recap: adorable clothes + lots of sizes + customization + machine washable = get in my closet! 

I know I'm going to be reaching for this dress over and over again this spring and summer while sipping a tasty beverage near the bay. 

Disclaimer: I was provided the dress by eShakti to review. However, the opinions in this review are my own.

Spring Overload

Warning: Do not adjust your monitor. I am not wearing black. I repeat, I am not wearing black! 

I know, I was kind of shocked as well. 

It was windy out! I actually brushed my hair for once. 

Blazer: Ann Taylor (Similar) // Dress: J.Crew (Similar) // Shoes: Goodwill ($6 haaaaay!) // Belt: J. Crew // Purse: Kate Spade (on sale!) // Shades: Ray Ban // Accessories: Hello Fab, vintage 

Four things: 

1. Holy color overload! Seriously, even the hubs looked at me twice when I came down the stairs in this outfit. Where is the black? That blazer is navy blue, thank you very much. Don't worry, I'll probably wear a black turtleneck tomorrow just to get my flow back to center. 

2. I have been obsessed with belting blazers since I saw The Proposal. You can keep Ryan Reynolds to yourself and I will hoard Sandy B's wardrobe from that movie until the day I die. And her hair because it was amazing.

3. I have no idea what color those shoes are or the brand. I got them for $6 at Goodwill. In some lights they look navy and in others they look black.  Kind of like my blazer and I think that means they are officially best buds. 

4. I officially have a sad face because I'm running low on my absolute favorite nail polish color of all time. Yes #FirstWorldProblems. The color is marathin by Essie and it was a Fall 2012 color.  I'm not kidding if you see it in a store, buy the remaining stock and I'll send you money if you ship it to me. No really, I'm not kidding.

Real world vs Pinterest: Holiday Party Attire Edition

It's a December tradition in my life the past four years. "What the heck am I going to wear to my office's holiday party?"  The office gang, although still a blonde down, was back together again this year down in DC, but for some strange reason I wasn't in love with the idea of buying a new dress to wear.  Yeah, the hubs was shocked as well. 

I couldn't figure out what to wear so I did what anyone would do when they just didn't feel like buying something new for a specific engagement - I shopped my closet, sent pictures of available pieces to a friend, and said, "tell me what to wear."  I'm so lucky to have Meaghan, from District Sparkle, in my life.  

I'm always a little tentative when it comes to combining colors, but imagine my surprise when Meaghan sent me this picture she pinned months ago:

Source: Oscar de la Renta 2013 Resort Collection

My first thought, "woah, that's my proposed outfit, just upside down."

Second thought, "I'm definitely wearing a bra with my blouse!" 

Thank you Meaghan for picking out my outfit! And for letting me crash at your apartment. Left to my own devices I probably have worn a striped shirt combination... again. 

Blouse:  J. Crew // Necklace: South Moon Under  // Skirt: J. Crew // Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff // Bracelets:  iSanctuary, Vintage // Shoes: Nine West (via Marshall's) 

Sidebar: I've posted numerous times before about my love of a certain studded black purse, but I haven't shared the other amazing Rebecca Minkoff bag in my closet until now.  I won that amazing clutch, with the cutest gold chain, from Rebecca Minkoff way back in October.  Honestly, I don't even know how it happened. All of the sudden there was a picture on Instagram basically saying that the first person to get that clutch in their online basket had it for free.  Then, there was a tweet sent out saying I won. It was the most fashionable version of "right place, right time, and damn lucky." 

I don't know how much the items would have cost from Oscar, but I can tell you that I scored both the blouse and skirt at J. Crew on Black Friday for less than $60 combined.  The skirt was on mega clearance for $25 and even though I didn't necessarily need to add another wool pencil skirt to my closet, I wasn't about to leave it on the rack for that price! 

So there you have it: I not only embraced color with one outfit, but I didn't have to buy a new dress.  Instead, I have two classic, colorful, pieces to keep in my closet to wear time and time again.

What do you think: yay or nay on ditching the dress decision for a work holiday party?  What is everyone else wearing for their big holiday party? 

J. Crew Factory is offering an additional 40% off all prices today, plus free shipping on all orders over $50! Use code: HOLIDAY when checking out.  

Back to Basics

Dress: DVF  (better representation of its true colors here)  // Blazer: Ann Taylor // Shoes: Cole Haan // Laptop Bag: Target // Bracelet: Derng // Watch: Citizens Eco-Drive

Sometimes it's refreshing to skip the statement necklaces, the neon accents, the arm parties, and all of the other accessories and just put on a simple dress and walk out the door. I'm so happy I stumbled upon this dress over the summer at Newbury and Smith consignment store in Baltimore.  Let's be honest, I would have never paid over $300 for a dress, but I got it for $100 and it still had the tags on it! 

I realize that indoor pictures suck and hope to avoid them at all costs.  However, available daylight is slim to none in my home life these days.  Any tips for indoor photos? 

Yup, tried to take a picture with the pups and Jax ended up sprinting out of the shot and sliding across the dining room floor.  That's the reason I have a big ol' grin on my face and Jewels has a, "what the heck is wrong with him" stare on her face. I've also got to give a big round of thanks to my awesome hubs for putting up with my, "hey, I brushed my hair today and look somewhat decent. Can you take a picture of my outfit?" while making dinner.  Gotta love a man who can multi-task! 

If Waldo wore pencil skirts

Oh, who am I kidding? I'd knock over Waldo in a heartbeat and take his precious striped shirts. I know Waldo typically wears a red striped shirt, but I think he probably has a few blue ones in his closet for off days.

Skirt: J.Crew // Top: American Apparel // Sunnies: Cole Haan // Shoes: Cole Haan // Purse: Kate Spade // Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft // Bracelets: family heirloom, Derng

It's a good thing I can claim my brother is a rugby player.  I think that gives me a quasi-rational for having a large influx of striped shirts in my closet.  I honestly don't know how I would get dressed in the morning if it wasn't for stripes, polka dots, and a million-and-one black t-shirts.  

I scored that wool pencil skirt from J.Crew over the summer and I've been biding my time until the weather cooled down to actually wear it.  The hubs thought I was insane for buying a wool skirt when it was over 100 degrees out, but I think I got it for $50 and that was just too good of a deal to pass up.

Of course these photos are two weeks old and were taken when it was still daylight when we got home from work.  The first couple of weeks of daylights savings always throw me for a loop, but I should be excited because it means that my constant fear of acquiring unwanted UV rays is significantly diminished.  I liked this outfit so much that I wore the same shirt and skirt yesterday for election day, but I switched out the brown Cole Haans for my favorite patent red pair.  It wasn't until after I got dressed that the hubs told me I looked like an American Flag.  Gotta equally represent the red and the blue in a bi-partisan way!  I gladly swapped out the big necklace for my "I VOTED" sticker.  

How are you adjusting to the time change?  Anyone stay up too late last night watching election returns and/or speeches?  

Gray with fall accents

Cashmere Sweater: Old Navy // Button Down: J.Crew // Trousers: ESPRIT // Shoes: Calvin Klein via Rue La La // Purse: Vintage Louis Vuitton // Necklace : Spike The Punch

As soon as I stepped off the train the other day it started to pour.  Thankfully it was a quick fall storm and it had almost stopped by time I got home. Almost being the key word.  I don't usually like to take any photos on my front porch because I don't want my neighbors to think I'm crazy, but the hubs so eloquently stated, "they see you go running at all hours of the day, so they probably already think you're crazy." 

Ouch!

Back to the rain.  I'm not normally a big fan of rain, but it's so pretty in the fall when the vibrant colored leaves pepper the ground like metallic dots.  I didn't even plan it, but my outfit kind of worked for the weather - gray with fall colored accents. Maybe I should say I planned it :) 

Standard Rainy Day Uniform

Just another typical, rainy, fall day in the greater Baltimore/DC area.

Dress: Banana Republic //  Boots: Hunter //  Necklace: Vintage // Bracelets: DERNG, Vintage // Cocktail Ring: Ice // Umbrella: Coach

Getting dressed for the day is the easiest thing to do when the weather forecast calls for rain. My standard rain uniform is a dress or skirt, jacket, Hunters, and my trusty Coach umbrella.  Throw my hair up in a braid, bun, or ponytail and I'm good to go.

Funny thing about umbrellas.  I used to be that person who had a million and one umbrellas because I used to lose a million and two umbrellas.  They were like watches, I was always breaking or losing them.  However, my sister gave me a Coach umbrella as a gift over three years ago and I'm proud to say I haven't lost it (yet!).  I did momentarily leave it on a train once, but I was able to dash back onboard and rescue it.

It's with that same line of reasoning I keep dropping hints to the hubs that I'd like a Rolex Movado watch :) I figured I haven't broken the one he gave me and I've had it for over four years.  One watch for nearly five years (received it for my 25th birthday) and one umbrella in over three years ... that's like a new adult record for me!

What's your standard rain uniform?  Do you have one?  I just feel sluggish in the morning when it's raining and having a go-to uniform helps get me out of the house on time.  Those pesky train schedules are not to be messed with!

Cerulean and White: A near death experience

I almost died twice while taking these outfit pictures.  I had a witty blog entry in my head connecting cerulean and "The Devil Wear's Prada," but then life happened and I nearly died. 

First, I found out the hard way that my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L is too heavy for my rinky-dink, old tripod. I almost died watching my camera dip down in slow motion. I'm pretty sure I out sprinted Usain Bolt because I'm still not sure how I got to my camera in time before it tipped over and fell to the ground. Of course I did this while wearing a white skirt and four inch heels.  You know those stories about women who lift cars off of trapped kids during times of crisis? I think it was one of those type of moments because my camera gear is my baby. 

So after the first brush with death, when my heart almost exploded, I marched inside and found my old kit lens for my camera.  I actually toyed with selling that thing and I'm glad I didn't.  Clearly until I upgrade to a cooler tripod for self-portraits the kit lens is the only one I'm putting on the camera.  

Five minutes later I took this picture: 

and thirty seconds after the shutter closed on this picture a stupid squirrel ran into my yard and that prompted Jax and Jewels to tear across the yard after the squirrel.  Jax, my beloved clumsy boy, took the most direct path he could take to the squirrel and that path happened to include the exact location of my freshly setup tripod.  He's also the same dog that will run into a wall in order to come down with a tennis ball which means I shouldn't be surprised that he took out a tripod. 

The camera actually hit dirt this time around. I'm going to take back every negative thing I've ever said about the previous owners of my house and how they made my backyard into one massive sandpit.  Sand is soft - very, very, very soft. It just so happened that my tripod slowly shifted in the sand and then gently landed on its side. 

At this point I don't know why I didn't call it a night and start drinking wine. It's probably because I wasn't wearing a single item of black and needed to document that for all prosperity's sake. Let's be honest, that's NOT happening again any time soon. 

Pups went inside and I took this outfit-post-party to the deck for some more sure footing.

I had to give this white skirt another run for its money before Labor Day comes and ruins the whole white thing.  Can I claim that I live south of the Mason Dixon Line and the "no white after Labor Day" rule doesn't apply? 

Top: Anne Klein // Skirt: Banana Republic // Belt: Unknown (borrowed from the hubs!) // Shoes: Tod's (scored for $29.97 at BlueFly.com) // Purse: Kate Spade // Sunnies: Cole Haan // Necklace: Stella & Dot // Watch: Citzen's Eco Drive // Bracelet: BaubleBar

Random sidebar: I need to stop thinking of my hair as in the "growing out phase."  I feel like I just chopped it into a bob a few days ago, when actually that happened in January... of 2011.  I've been stuck in this routine the past four years where I grow out my hair, chop it into a bob, grow it out, chop it into a bob, rinse, lather, and repeat. I think part of it is my belief that if I'm going to pay money to have my hair cut then I'm going to get it CUT! None of this trim crap. Cut it or go home.

This could be why I trusted only my dad to cut my hair as a kid after some horrible woman chopped it off when I was in the third grade. I don't think it was until after I graduated from high school and I donated 16 inches of my hair that I actually let someone else besides my dad cut my hair.  I'm very weird like that.

I think I need to take a friend with me to get my hair cut and have the friend be adamant to the stylist, "do not give her a bob and whatever she says do not give her bangs!"

That sounds like a solid plan. :)

Anyone have a mid-length hair style they highly recommend? Clearly I'm in the market. 

Thus concludes the most random post ever. Honestly, I drank two glasses of homemade wine my neighbors brought to the pig roast  after the whole heart nearly exploding, twice, events of the evening. That could be why it's kind of random. :) 

One last call for sleeveless blouses

It's happening and I couldn't be more excited... the temperatures are starting to drop. The highs are no longer in the 100s and 90s, instead they're in the 80s and even a few days in the ten day forecast are only calling for a high in the low 80s.

Fall is coming and I couldn't be more pleased.

However, that means I need to get my sleeveless blouses, white skirts, and summer sandals one more quick, fun, run in the sun before they get layered and stored for the colder months.

Exhibit A:

Blouse: J. Crew // Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft // Shoes: Cole Haan // Purse: Louis Vuitton // Bracelets: BaubleBar, giant LION // Watch: Citizens Eco // Sunnies: Cole Haan

Have no fear, summer is still here!  Although the hubs enjoys grilling out no matter the weather, but I think he might be a bit happier now that it's a degree or two cooler in the evenings. Warning if you following me on Instagram (jax_and_jewels) you'll be faced with so many of the hubs' great grilling confections that it might make you want to start grilling out more.  He made my hamburgers last night with pepperjack cheese and guacamole and they were absolutely amazing.  Add in some sweet potato fries and we were good to go. 

Something Old, Something New

Top: J. Crew // Belt: Target // Pants: ESPRIT // Shoes: Cole Haan Air "Violet"  // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff M.A.B. Mini Convertible (Gilt) // Bracelet: BaubleBar Rainbow Stud Wrap

Confession: I've had these gray pants since 2001. As in I bought them during my senior year of high school specifically for spring break when I acted like a complete and total tourist in Italy's most famed churches.  I do not mess around with dress codes when it comes to churches and I was more than happy to keep my knees and shoulders covered. 

The pants then got "lost" in a box for who knows how many years and I'm glad to say I've found them! They're probably more appropriate for my 29 year-old self than my 18 year-old past and I'm happy to have them back in my closet. 

Recently I've had my eye on an adorable little Rebecca Minkoff clutch that was on sale at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  Well that yellow lover is sold out online and out of stock at my local Nordstrom. However, I did get an email notification from Gilt regarding a massive Rebecca Minkoff sale.  I told the hubs, "dude, I'm buying a purse today, will keep you posted."

Thank goodness he's okay with my craziness.

I've been looking for a black purse because oddly enough I don't have a black purse that can be worn over the shoulder and that bad boy comes with an over the shoulder strap.  That quilted leather, studded, beauty was on sale for $299 (down from $595!) and I had a coupon from Gilt for an extra $75 off.  It still amazes me given my proclivities for online shopping and bargain hunting that I hadn't previously made a Gilt purchase, but I deemed it fate that Gilt sent me a coupon enticing me to make my first purchase when there was  Rebecca Minkoff boutique primed for the plucking.

Come on, spending $229.95 on a gorgeous purchase isn't that bad especially given I'm wearing eleven year old pants! Honestly, I still have a few things in my closet that are from high school and that buys me points with the hubs because he knows if I buy something I'm going to hang out to it forever.

Okay, that's enough fashion talk! Jax needs to be spoiled and it's a drool-filled job, but someone has got to do it! 

Any fashion scores lately?  I'm officially on shopping lock down now, but I can live vicariously through the deals of others!