Sweatshirt Style Revival

With sweatshirts getting a style revival, I figured this might be a good time to buy one. Keep in mind - this is the first sweatshirt I've owned since I was 15. I do own a couple of house hoodies, but I would never ever go out in public in pair of velour sweats or even a sweatshirt for that matter since they make me feel overly tomboyish at times. 

I found this laid back pullover at Forever 21 and I have to say, it's the perfect Sunday sweatshirt. It's casual but yet is cut in a way that still makes me feel like a girl - and not as though I'm being engulfed in a huge baggy dude pullover. Paired with what I'm dubbing as the hippest pair of hipster boots ever (don't they look like the ones from Modern Vice?), I think I could get used to rocking a sweatshirt more often. 

Stylish Sweatshirt - Forever 21 / Skinny Jeans - Gap / Multi-
Buckle Boots - Forever 21 / Flower Statement Necklace - c/o SequinNYC / Studded Medicine Bag - VJStyle.com

Lucky Fabb Conference hits New York

#OOTD Details:

Felicity Paisley Swing Dress - Boohoo.com / Quilted Wedges - Seychelles / L.O.V.E. Belt - Forever 21/ Vintage bracelets

Last Thursday, I made my way from New Jersey on the 7:30 a.m. train headed for New York to attend Lucky Magazine's fashion and beauty conference, Lucky FABB, for the third time! The conference has become one of the fashion blogging community's most-anticipated events, but for me, it means catching up with friends, meeting new ones and taking the day to be in my fashion blogging element.

With new Lucky Magazine Editor-in-Chief Eva Chen at the helm hosting her first #LuckyFABB, the conference had a fresh twist on panels, interviews and experiences. 

Donning a mint green mani and a DKNY sweater right out of her mother's closet, Eva dished on her career, and being an optimist. "It's cool to be nice," she quipped. "Knowing who you are, your value, and your voice are the most important things."

Brands like Fabletics, Paige, Pantene, Lagos and COVERGIRL had fun stations set up to snap photos and scope out new products. My personal favorite was the COVERGIRL mani cam station!

The stunning Eva Mendes wore pieces from her latest New York & Company collection. She mentioned that many of her style icons are from the 1950s, but her current day style muse is Vanessa Paradis. 

The changes to this year's Lucky FABB gave bloggers a more up-close-and personal, intimate feel as the interviews were more conversational, and panels hit topics that were relevant on helping push bloggers in the direction of viewing their blogs as brands and businesses. 

"If you're pulling out the right words, no matter how long [the content] is, people will read it," said Aliza Licht aka DKNY PR Girl during the Blogger's Choice panel: Where to Post What. 

John Jannuzzi, Senior Digital Projects Editor moderated the discussion which included Kate Spade New York's Social Media Manager , Suzanne Schloot (far right), FarFetch CMO Stephanie Horton and Instagram's Amy Cole.

Wearing a leather sweatshirt, Stella McCartney wedges pumps and a metallic silver skirt from her latest collaboration with TopShop, the always lovely Kate Bosworth spoke about being in the public eye, and her quests in high-low shopping. 

But the best part of the conference for me was catching up with my friends, most of whom, live on the West Coast. The friendships I've forged because of Lucky FABB mean so much to me - they're amazing people who I'm very fortunate to have as friends beyond the blogosphere.

Nicole of Manners and Moxie is my California hair twin! Love her! DreamDry hooked us up with some serious curls! 

I'm not sure what is it about me, but I seem to make friends with bloggers who aren't from New Jersey. It's all good, as it now means I have friends in Seattle and San Francisco! Above: Emily of Rivet and Sway, Alyson of Crushing On Clothes, Marie of Kitties and Couture and yours truly.

Mugging for the camera with Jes of Ryzenberg On, Nicole of Manners & Moxie, Monica of Blueprint for Style, and Lucky Magazine Contributor and blogger Margie Ashcroft of Margie Plus!

Thanks so much to Lucky Magazine for extending an invite to me! Looking forward to next year!

South Moon Under hits Westfield, NJ

Just when I thought I couldn't love downtown Westfield, New Jersey any more - South Moon Under comes and opens a store there! I am no stranger to SMU as last year they opened up a South Moon Under in Montclair - so it was a no-brainer that I be on hand to help them celebrate the Grand Opening of their new location... 15 minutes away from my house. This could be dangerous.

 

The #SMUParty kicked off during Downtown Westfield's Girl's Night Out, and offered music, mingling and of course, a chance to update my Fall wardrobe. Don't think I didn't do a little shopping that night... I nabbed something so utterly hipster. I'm not spilling what it is, but see if you can figure out what it is from the photos.

What I love about South Moon Under is their mixture of designer clothing (Rebecca Minkoff, Marc by Marc Jacobs), jewelry (House Of Harlow), beauty (Stila) and even those adorable phrase artwares from Primitives by Kathy. A little bit of everything no matter what your taste is, the store is packed and waiting for people like me to get all kid in a candy store in it.

You know and love her: Rebecca Minkoff bags at South Moon Under.

 

Hanging with beauty blogger Melissa of SuperGlamNews.com. New Jersey bloggers unite!

The South Moon Under crew made it official by cutting the ribbon for the new store!

Of course, if you know there's something going on mani related, I'm all up in it: On hand (pun intended) to hook up ladies with free manicures for the night was butterLONDON! I went for a shade of orange called Jaffa. 

Congrats to South Moon Under for another awesome night of style and shopping! Be sure to stop by the new SMU store on E. Broad Street in Westfield, New Jersey! 

Edgy Accents

My idea of being comfortable on the weekends is wearing all the things I can't wear to work. Leggings have always been a part of my style routine way before skinny jeans came along... I own nothing put leggings and jeans, actually - no bootleg, straight leg pants for me. Having skinny legs used to be a complex of mine, but once I discovered skinny jeans and leggings, I haven't strayed away from em'.

Gearing up for my hosting duties at the upcoming SPANX Booty Bash event this Saturday at Garden State Plaza in Paramus, I slipped into a pair of Ready-To-Wow! Riding Leggings on Saturday for an afternoon of Fall activities. While I put this outfit together for the afternoon, it actually transitioned quite well for a dinner date with my hubby thanks to the faux leather panels on the lower leg. Plus, I love how chic they look with my Banana Republic Pascha Pumps. That metallic heel - love! 

I'm in for a very busy week before I head to New York for the LuckyFABB Conference on Thursday. If you're attending, please don't be a stranger if you see me! Or, follow me on Twitter and Instagram for highlights during the conference! 

Heart Print Blouse - SpottedMoth.com / Ready-To-Wow Riding Leggings - c/o Spanx / Banana Republic Pascha Pump / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel / Leather and Jersey Panel Jessica Jacket - Rachel by Rachel Roy / butterLONDON Nail Polish in Jaffa / Riveting Romance Cuff - c/o Sorrelli

Join House Of Jeffers at the Spanx Booty Bash Oct. 26 at Garden State Plaza

SPANX have become one of fashion's life saving wardrobe must-haves. If you've ever bought a tight dress, then you've probably worn SPANX to keep your curves looking ace. But did you know they also make denim leggings?

If not, get your booty in gear for an afternoon with me, House Of Jeffers, and SPANX at the Garden State Plaza Mall! I'm so excited to be partnering with SPANX for their Booty Bash on October 26! 

What:

 SPANX Booty Bash! Try on a pair of denim leggings and hang with me for the afternoon!

You could possibly walk a way with a prize, too!

When: Saturday, October 26

Where: Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ

When: 1- 3 p.m.

Why: Why not?!

Preppy Chic

When opportunity knocks - you answer it. And when J.CrewFactory.com puts the Emery Flats on sale,

you buy them. 

I have a feeling I'll be wearing the Emery flats a lot in the next couple of weekends, just like I did for a Fall outing on Sunday with my husband. The weekend started out seeing two of our dear friends tie the knot - which lead to my evident recovery on Saturday.

Our plans to eat zeppelos at the local Italian fair went belly up on Sunday, so we decided to do a little local exploring in town. A leather little, a dash of brightness and of course, a whole lotta black makes this my ideal Sunday activity outfit. Even if all it was was eating burritos and killing time at the park...

Gold Polka Dot Button Up Blouse - Forever21 / Jersey Knit Pants - Candies from Kohls / Emery Flats - J.CrewFactory.com / Camille Laser Cut Satchel - c/o SoleSociety.com  / Leather Jacket - Zara / NYC Cosmetics Lipstick - Blue Rose

Workwear: The Happy Medium

 You all know my disdain for dress pants. These grey jersey stretch leggings from Forever21 are just a small sampling of my workwear. And those are seams, not pleats, people. 

Pleats freak me out. Pleated pants are very 80s business woman pant suit-ish. Besides, do I look like I do dress pants? I manage to skirt the rules (love the blog by the same namesake, btw) as far as a work dress code is concerned... 

My advice for those who have to wear work attire, but hate boxy pants and pleats: 

- Find pants with a more tailored fit - ones that feel like pants you'd normally wear. 

- However, avoid man-made fabrics like polyester, which is prone to pilling.

- And be warned by labels that promise a slim fit or special cut - try them on no matter how confident you are that they'll fit. There's no universal fit and cut for everyone.

Remember - all workwear is not created equal!

Leopard Print Top - Forever21 / Grey Jersey Leggings - Forever21 / Suede Tassel Heels - Coach (one of my #fabfound finds from Marshalls!) / No. 7 Quilted Camera Bag - Henri Bendel / Chain Link Bow Necklace - Juicy Couture / Leather Belt Bracelet - Bust Craftacular / Rings - vintage / Black Round Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

Join me at the South Moon Under Grand Opening Oct. 17

I'm so excited to be helping South Moon Under celebrate the Grand Opening of their brand new Westfield, NJ store next Thursday, October 17! The downtown Westfield shopping center has become my second shopping home as it's filled with adorable shops, restaurants, and now, South Moon Under!

Stop by the SMU on E. Broad Street from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and shop, snack, win fabulous prizes and meet other local fashionistas in the area!

Plus,

·  butter LONDON will be on site hooking up your digits with a fresh mani! I'm all over this...

·  Find the perfect pair of denim with help from Citizens of Humanity.

·  Enjoy 20% off all purchases that night!

Get there early - the first 50 guests will receive SMU gift bags! 

Keep an eye on my Instagram that night (#SMUParty) as I'll be snapping and sipping away! Hope to see you there!

Naming Conventions

As a child of the 80s, that means I'm one of how many millions of Jennifers in the country. Even my best friend's name is Jen (not the reason we're besties). I used to not like my full name since it was very common, and what was even worse was being called "Jenny", a nickname I didn't choose for myself but was dubbed with. 

However, that opinion changed back in my teens, and now, I really love my name. Yes, it's common, but I like to think I'm a rather uncommon Jen. 

And at one point, I thought about changing my blog name... I questioned if it really represented me and my blog. But, as you can see, it's now proudly adorned in gold thanks to Onecklace.com, who let me created a personalized necklace! No plans to change House Of Jeffers into something else since it's part of my last name. 

So what's in a name? Everything!

Favorite Short Sleeve T-Shirt - Gap / Polka Dot Jeans - Forever 21 / Tortoise Shell Sunglasses - H&M / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel / Gold Cap Toe Flats - c/o Charlotte Russe / House Of Jeffers personalized necklace - c/o Onecklace.com / Bracelets - Unique Thrift / Buckle Ring - Henri Bendel