Bangs and Bracelets

First, I want to say thank you for all the wonderful support I received with Friday's Beyond The Blog post. It really warms my heart to know there are people who genuinely take an interest in House Of Jeffers. This makes me so much more excited to push myself on so many levels, and I'm uber happy to hear that the new additions are welcomed! 

But enough about that... Let's talk accessories!

One website I fancy stalking is Ettika. Filled to the brim with decked-out bracelets adorned with chain links, crystals, leather, and pretty much every spike, bead and color under the sun, I often get lost in their assortment of stacked bracelets.

Outfit:

Satin Peplum Top - Urban Outfitters

Chihuahua Necklace - purchased at Bust Craftacular 2 years ago

Black Skinny Pants - H&M

Gina Wedge - Shoemint

House Of Jeffers Stack courtesy of Ettika features (from top to bottom):

Duel Tone with Spikes Bracelet in Black and White

Tassel Your Heart Pink Bracelet

Violet Vintage Ribbon Bracelet with Pyramid Studs

So when Ettika invited me to create a stack of bracelets named after House Of Jeffers, I was beyond giddy! I chose three dishy bracelets that incorporate my favorite colors (pink, black and pink), gold chains and of course, spikes. To me, it encompasses what I love in any outfit: a bright colour, some badass spikes and fem details. Check out the House Of Jeffers stack on their site, and get inspired to create one of your own!

And as you might have seen on my Instagram account, I cut my hair last week. While I get that it might not be that noticeable to ya'll, to me, I feel like 4 inches was chopped. You know that initial shock you get sometimes when you cut your hair? That was me for two days. It's hair, it'll grow back ... but it looks like I probably won't be telling my hairstylist to "cut off whatever needs to go" again.

Beyond The Blog

With the encouragement of one of my fellow blogging buddies, Kaitlyn of Naturally Chic Life, I've decided that I need to let you know more about me.

While I think I've done a good job of showing you my personality through style, I think I need to start getting a little more real with ya'll. For years, I've done my best to keep my personal life away from my blog since I don't consider myself to be a lifestyle blogger, and honestly, sometimes I don't have anything utterly prolific to share.  Plus, I love writing about fashion, it takes up 99 percent of what I do on House Of Jeffers, and I thoroughly enjoy the styling aspect of creating outfit posts. Why change it now?

But, there's so much more to what you see. 

Sometimes with blogging, it makes me feel rather one-dimensional. It's very easy to get caught up in outfit posts, and comparing yourself to others. One lesson I learned a long time ago was to stop judging yourself by what other bloggers are doing. Their achievements are theirs - not a measurement of your own success. Once I did this, it allowed me to really dive into my blog and not be afraid to express myself with fashion in ways I might have been scared to do before.

And while yes, I am a self-proclaimed shopaholic who finds joy in a trip to the mall or scoring a killer pair of stems on sale ... but let's go beyond the bangs. 

I absolutely believe there is a healthy narcissistic element to blogging. I've said this before, but the idea that people feel they look good enough to take photos and write about what they're wearing - kinda narcissistic in a way that us fashion bloggers relate to. To put yourself out there to be judged by others - huge cojones. So if that means the outfit I'm wearing makes me feel giddy, enough so that I barrage my husband with reminders that we "need to take outfit photos" today, than so be it.

But I want to start having a little more fun in different ways with this here blog, and share of my personal views on all kinds of stuff - road rage, bad fashion, how-tos, girl moments - and letting you get to know me as more than just a blogger. I've realized that I might not make it to be as big as some of the well-known bloggers out there ... That being a little different can be a disadvantage when it comes to fitting in with the "in" crowd. That I work full-time, and don't have the luxury of buying Chanel bags because my husband and I enjoy something called adulthood, and have bills to pay and priorities to keep, and that means I might not be cool enough in other's eyes. And that's 100% okay with me. 

Don't be like the rest of them, darling.

I don't want to be. And you shouldn't either.

Always strive to be an individual. Don't worry, you can catch up to the crowd later... if you want to.

So, as long as ya'll want to come along on this ride with me, I'll be here... and hopefully, so will you. 

Spring Awakening

Outfit:

Flocked Skater Dress - Apricot / Blazer - Forever 21 / Tortoise Shell Sunglasses - Forever 21 /

Green T-Strap Shoes - Jeffery Campbell (also seen here on House Of Jeffers) / Two-Tone Satchel  - Primark / Hand Me Down Stack Ring - Henri Bendel / Pyramid Cuff Bangle - BaubleBar.com

Finally, no coat weather! Well, for one day at least. There was a short breakthrough with the weather over the weekend that landed New Jersey in the high 70s. A perfect reason to wear this skater dress that I've been holding out on since I purchased it in October during my trip to England. I literally gasped when I found it at Apricot in Bathe. For me, it's very different in the cut and shape, but the velvet paisley pattern was too striking to pass up!

When the weather gets warmer, the last thing I want to do is stay in the house. I'll usually head up north with my chihuahua Harley to see my parents, or go to my husband's soccer games whenever I can. But, sometimes I wish that my British family lived closer to me. I'm so lucky that I have an amazing family. Since I'm an only child, I always dreamed of the day that I'd get married and acquire brother and sister in laws...  and become an aunt. Lucky for me, my in laws are wonderful people, and I have an adorable niece and cheeky little nephew, but it makes me miss them all the more during certain seasons when I always pictured us doing things together.

But, on the upside, I get to visit England because of their residence, and it makes anything that I wear from England all the more special to me.

Weekend Wears: Navajo Inspiration

Outfit:

Navajo Inspired Poncho Sweater- Gypsy Warrior / Dark Skinny Jeans - H&M / Leather Ankle Boots - Primark UK / Leather Satchel - Zara / Lightweight Scarf - H&M

Just when I thought I had switched over my wardrobe from winter to spring at the right time, I find myself freezing one minute, sweating the next.

Mother Nature, please stop letting me down. While I absolutely adore this poncho-esque, Navajo print inspired sweater that I purchased from Gypsy Warrior, I'd like to save my knits and woolens for next year. Loosen up, geeze.

I wasn't particularly in the mood this weekend to get uber dressed up being that I had a doctor's visit on Saturday, and my husband and I were headed down to south Jersey for a change of scenery. This sweater was perfect as it keeps me warm, and lets me break up my normal sweater routine. However, I think the one redeeming quality of this outfit was the scarf. I felt I needed some type of hipster accessory to make the outfit complete, and this lightweight scarf from H&M did the trick.

Can't wait for Wednesday's post - bare legs! 

Veni, Midi, Vici

You know those super old pair of shoes in your closet that you love, but you've worn them so much they look like you dumpster dived for em? That would be these granny shoes I'm wearing. They've got to be at least 7 years old... older than my marriage and some friendships I've had.

Regardless of the crack in the toe, and the gnawed heel, I ain't tossing these babies.

Besides, I can wear ankle boots for a little longer since it hasn't been that warm in New Jersey. And let's talk about pasty white gams while we're at it. I had yet to pair my shoes with this maroon midi skirt, so on a whim, I threw them on with the Prabul Gurung Nolita Print top I had, and found myself conjuring spells. 

Okay, that part is a lie... but they do have a Hocus Pocus vibe. And yes, that was an obscure movie reference for all of you born after 1990.

Outfit:

Prabal Gurung for Target Nolita Print Top / Midi Skirt - Forever 21 / Granny Ankle Boots - Bakers / Heart Bracelet - Forever 21 / ShopJami Etta ring (via LuckyFABB giftbag)

Three Ways To Wear Black And White Striped Pants

When black and white was finally considered a trend for Spring 2013, you could imagine how happy I was. Black is always a staple in my wardrobe since it's versatile and let's face it - it just looks bad ass.

With stripes being a weakness of mine, I've been on the search for a perfect pair. In my opinion, striped pants offer more options versus colored denim since they limit you to prints and some solids (black and white). But black and white striped pants let you experiment with everything!

Here, I've done the homework for you, and am offering 3 ways to style black and white striped pants for spring! These slim fit striped jeans are from Mango.com.

Whether you love a basic t-shirt jean combo, go the matchy matchy route, or take risks with bold prints, I think you'll find it easy to incorporate these pants into your closet!

Gather Round Top
saturday.com

Pebble Print Top
mango.com

Oversized Tee with Gold Pocket
sheinside.com

Tailored Blazer
$61 - riverisland.com

Mango Black and White Striped Pants
$54 - mango.com

Cap Toe Flats
piperlime.gap.com

Leather Stud Cross Body Bag
asos.com

Extemporaneous Peach Shoulder Bag
modcloth.com

Adia Kibur Necklace
shopbop.com

Stackable Bangles
accessorize.com

Margie Studded Pump
solesociety.com

Kaleidoscope Dream

I think I've pretty much got every color of the rainbow covered in this kaleidoscope print dress. Although my all-time favorite print is a striped anything, I made a commitment this spring to think beyond horizontals and verticals... So, when a print throws up on your dress, it can be a good thing. Totally having a kaleidoscope dream moment in this dress.

Outfit:

Kaleidoscope Print Dress - ShopSosie.com/ Urban Expressions Handbag (purchased at South Moon Under), Black Leggings - Target / Zip Back Ghillie Wedge - c/o Charlotte Russe / L.O.V.E. belt - Forever 21 / Heart Shaped Cuff - Urban Outfitters /  Blue Jean Dream Snowflake Cocktail Ring - c/o Sorrelli Jewelry

New Jersey is finally getting hit with some warm weather. Mother Nature was absolutely on the top of my S&*! List, but she's redeemed herself now that it's officially pedicure season. Lotion up, ladies.