Beach, Boardwalk and Bangs

Living in New Jersey, the thing to do in the summer is to go "down the shore" aka to the beach. It's almost like a right of passage in your childhood that your parents take you to the boardwalk as a child, and it becomes something that carries over into your teenage years and adult hood. And it never gets old. 

New Jersey has a lot of beaches, more so than boardwalks. On a not so hot afternoon, I packed up the twins and drove to exit 102, to Asbury Park. I spent a lot of time there in my 20s as the legendary Stone Pony is there - back when I used to be a music journalist. The area during the mid 2000s wasn't the greatest. The boardwalk itself was completely barren and abandoned from it's earlier years in the 1930s as a popular destination spot. However, they have since built the boardwalk back up into an artful celebration of culture centered around the beach. There are murals everywhere that are a fashion bloggers dream come true. 

Um, how could I NOT take photos in front of Madam Marie's!? The mural outside her shop oozes of gypsy vibes. This is by far my favorite summer photo location.

As for my outfit, I curled my hair that day to test out my newly revived ombre. The striped crop top and floral print skirt  - a give in being that I live in skirts from June to September. So comfy and colorful!

And here's yet another mural. I think Asbury Park is going to become my go-to for summer #ootd posts!

Outfit:

Mirror Sunglasses - ZeroUV / Striped Crop Top - Forever 21 / Floral Print Skirt - Forever 21 / Gladiator Sandals - Forever 21 / Steve Madden Bag / Alex and Ani Skirt

Dynamic Duo: The Art of Wearing Two-Tone Gold and Silver Jewelry

I used to be a strictly silver girl, and for the most part, I still am. Gold jewelry, to me, had a tarnished reputation of bad 80s memories of gawdy jewelry that overdressed guidos wore. And the thought of myself wearing it made me scared to even try a piece on - even if it was part of my mother's jewelry collection, or how much I really liked the piece.

Eventually, I warmed up to the idea of wearing gold. So much so that I think I now wear more gold on a daily. However, there was always this rule that you can't mix metals. "Don't wear gold and silver together." Um, why? Clashing metals actually bring the best of both worlds to your outfit. If you carry a bag that has silvertone hardware, but love that treasured gold necklace, two-tone jewelry is one way to meet in the middle.

With more designers like Kate Spade and Tory Burch making two-tone jewelry a part of their collections, its easy to get your fix of both metallics all in one. 

My style tips for rocking gold and silver jewelry:

* Pile on gold bracelets with silver bangles of similar kin. The contrast of the Giles & Brother Pied de Bieche Bracelets together looks really polished and chic.

* Midi rings stacked up on your digits - talk about a boho vibe that's worthy of Coachella.

* Make a statement with one bold two-tone piece, like the Rebecca Minkoff pyramid ring, that draws attention to the accessory in a bold way.

Petal Power

If only I had more pairs of scalloped shorts....

I get a little cray-cray over things that are so ridiculously stinking cute, that I start wanting more of them. Take midi rings, for example. Love those tiny knuckle wonders. Have a slue of em. Ob. Sessed.

I can see myself forming a similar infatuation with scalloped shorts. I mean, c'mon. You may remember seeing them on my House Of Jeffers Instagram during my dressing room escapade at TJ Maxx...

 The way they make your legs look like... even cuter legs. A scalloped hem kinda of has that nostalgic, retro feel to it. It says, "Hey, I'm Valley Girl cute..." without the annoying voice.

Besides, it's literally 94 degrees outside, and I'm really not in the mood to try too hard to look effortlessly chic. So, I'm letting this boxy green crop top from Francesca's do all the work.

And no joke - New Jersey is an humid inferno, and contrary to what you might have heard, sweat is not the new black... or orange. 

I definitely see more donut buns hairstyles, pink lipstick and perhaps, oh, who am I kidding, crop tops in my summer's future. 

Green Crop Top - Francesca's / Scalloped Shorts - found at TJ Maxx / The Cambridge Satchel Company Fluoro Satchel - won at IFB Con / Leather Platform Wedges - Nine West / White Flower Statement Necklace - Shop Prima

It's Stripes Week!

It's Stripes Week on House Of Jeffers! I'll be featuring one of my favorite patterns to wear, stripes, two ways as a homage to this basic yet sassy combo. 

To kick things off, I'm starting with this oh-so-cute striped skirt from Francesca's. What I love about the skirt is that I can pair it with other prints, solid, tanks and of course, statement tees. I have to admit - I've been holding on to this Ashely Brooke Designs' "Everyday I'm Hustlin'!" t-shirt for a while since I wanted to wear it with something equally amazing. 

Rick Ross is my animal spirit. 

If you're going to wear stripes, black and white gets the most longevity in my book. Since the color combination is timeless, you can pair black and white stripes with any color and it works every time. Yet, throw on a striped skirt with a pair of sneakers, and it's still feminine, but playful. For me, I love a really girly look, so I opted for heels and a quilted bag to play up the gold lettering in the shirt, and, to match the skirt.

Stripes one way. Stay tuned for my second striped look of the week!

Ashley Brooke Designs Everyday I'm Hustlin' T-Shirt / Adrianne Quilted Bag - c/o Darling Clothes / Black Tassle Heels - Coach / Hermes-Inspired Stud Cuff / Essie Lapiz of Luxury 

Aztec Inspiration

This is what happiness looks like after you've been snowed in at your house for the day. Yes, there was a foot of snow on the ground, but I had to get out of the house... Duty calls when it comes to blogging, and if that means I had to endure the snow drifts, so be it!

Plus, the snow is an excuse to wear this amazing Aztec print jacket I got for Christmas from Forever 21. The print is beautiful, and the oversized lapels leave me feeling cozy, and can be button-up into a shawl collar.

All this weather has me pining for a vacation. Although that's not in sight until the summer, I've been entertaining the idea of a quick weekend away in Florida... Oh, and England is hopefully (fingers crossed) on the horizon this year! Send me your good vibes that all goes as planned!

Aztec Print Parka - Forever 21 / Lion Pendant Necklace - c/o Sole Society / Peplum Sweater - ASOS / Black Skinny Pants - H&M / Buckle Up Boots - Forever 21 / Madison Leather Lindsay Satchel - Coach / Round Frame Sunnies - c/o SunglassWarehouse.com

Plaid Pairings

 I still remember the first plaid shirt I had. It was 1992, I was in the 7th grade, and grunge was THE look. I was still a bit of a tomboy back then, but I had a perm (my god). 

Not a traditional button-up, the shirt was a pullover and had a drawstring waist. A mixture of dark colors, royal blue and a plum purple were flanked by standard red plaid lines. I loved it. I wore it till the wash eventually had its way with the colors. 

I still adore plaid today since it's probably one of the most diverse wovens. From traditional tartan to hypnotic combinations of woven wool, I own a lot of plaid because you really can wear it with anything. Jeans, leather leggings, other plaids. And it reminds me of British royalty (one can dream).

Recently, Tommy Hilfiger, one of the most iconic brands in my book, opened a brand new store at my local Garden State Plaza Mall, and I was invited to check it out. The first thing that came to mind about the brand: magazine ads from the 90s, which often included classic plaids, refined knitwear and nostalgic-inspired style staples with modern appeal. By all accounts, I'd say that fits the House Of Jeffers style equation.

Besides for the store being so inviting, I loved how vibrant the clothes are. I choose these two plaids because they're enhanced by neons (the skirt) and stripes (the button-up blouse). While I didn't plan on wearing them together, when I put the outfit on, I immediately loved the juxtaposition of color. 

I was never a catholic schoolgirl, but if I was, I'd wear this. Every day.

 Plaid Button-Up Blouse - c/o Tommy Hilfiger USA / Oversized Plaid Pleated Skirt - c/o Tommy Hilfiger USA / Retro Satchel - Primark UK / Black Tights - Target / Black Suede Booties - Target / Pearl & Rhinestone Necklace - Forever 21 / Dazzling Dotted Line Bracelet - c/o Sorrelli / Extreme Cat Eye Sunglasses - c/o SunglassesWarehouse.com

Hearts In Her Eyes

I love a quirky accessory on the uber cheap. Heart-shaped sunglasses for $10? Yes, please!

As a blogger, I think there's some weird expectation that you shouldn't wear the same clothes on your blog repeatedly. That you're not really a forward thinker if you have to recycle your looks.

Well, there's something I live in, and it's called reality. 

And that means I wear my clothes, wait for it... more than once <gasp>. Surprising, I know. Go ahead and pick your chin up off the floor. I'll wait...

What I Wore:

Striped Tank - Forever 21 / High Waist Plaid Skirt - Urban Outfitters / New Bond Street Florence Bag - Kate Spade New York / Alexia Sandal - Modern Citizen (formerly StyleStalk) 

Accessories:

Heart Shaped Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

In The Spotlight Double Wrap Bracelet (purple) - Henri Bendel /
Gold Pyramid Stud Bracelet - Forever 21 /  Crystal Lanyard Bracelet - Henri Bendel / Rings - Craft fairs 

Lipstick: Mary Kay True Dimensions Lip Stick in PInk Cherie (c/o Mary Kay Influenster box)

The fun part of personal style is the combinations and outfit options you can create with pieces that become your favorites. In my case, I can find umpteenth ways to wear stripes and skirts. This high-waist plaid skirt is at least three years old, but I've managed to wear it over and over again. As a matter of fact, I wore it last July in my Summer Stripes post - with a striped shirt. 

While the idea of wearing something once might be appealing, I like to get my money's worth. What are you thoughts on bloggers recycling looks?

Style Territories

This summer has marked venturing into new style territories for me.

1. The hair donut is my summer hair savior. Bangs and long hair don't mix well in the summer... so I had to find a way to get my hair off my neck without stabbing someone out of frustration.

2. Crop tops. I'll be honest that I was afraid of them since I'm not a fan of showing too much skin if I'm not on the beach. But, after finding one that was the perfect length - I'm hooked. Since I'm a tucked in shirt offender, crop tops allow me to wear skirts w/o the tucking. Bingo.

And speaking of disgustingly hot weather, Sunday, my Brit and I headed to Lobsterfest at Bradley Beach for some boardwalk fun and of course, lobster. Legit sweat box at the beach. This would explain why I put up $10 to buy a 32 ounce, stainless steel mug from Wild Bill's Olde Fashioned Soda Pop at the festival - with unlimited refills for the day. 

Of course, no trip to a lobster fest is complete without lobster. 

This would be a Lobster Dog - lobster macaroni and cheese piled on top of a hot dog.

And yes, it was so indulgently good.

Little excursions like these are why I love New Jersey. Only 4 more days till next weekend!

What I'm Wearing:

Black Crop Top - Forever 21 / Flower Print Skirt - Forever 21 

 Kristen Satchel - Coach / Gladiator Sandals  - Target (uber old) / Round Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters / Om Bracelet & King's Crown Bracelet - Alex and Ani