Gold Dust Woman with LuLu*s

I definitely don't hide the fact that music is a big influence on my style. Among all the looks I pull together, the ones that have nods to music icons like Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett and Deborah Harry are my favorite. 

I'm feeling especially gypsy-like in this black knit turban that I paired with the warmest, coziest, and let's face it, pretty damn amazing Aztec printed wrap sweater and 4 buckle Bamboo Sharpay ankle booties from LuLu*s. The gold metal tips and gold buckles on the booties have an 80s feel to them while the sweater makes me want to get my Stevie Nicks "Gold Dust Woman" on. Pun intended.

Stevie Nicks loved her some funky head shawls and slouchy berets in the 70s, then went into a whole indulgent glam rock vibe for the 80s. I'm a fan of the later purely on the fact that platforms were practically invented during the disco era. 

At the core, my outfit started with a basic tee and jeans, but layered with pieces that have so much umph and texture, I love how it turned out. I wore this for a day of shopping, lunching and just plain ol' cold weather. 

Black Tee - Old Navy / Aztec It Out Print Wrap Sweater - c/o LuLu*s / Bamboo Sharpay Belted Ankle Boots - c/o LuLu*s / Grey Pleated Knee Skinny Jeans - Forever 21 / Camille Bag - c/o Sole Society / Black Turban - Forever 21 

Headphones As A Fashion Accessory

Headphones are the new earmuffs. Don't believe me? Take a look at the headphone industry last year. Sure, ear buds are great, but headphones just look so much cooler than a white cord hanging from your head. These pink Urbanears headphones not only sound fly, but they make a perfect fashion statement for a hipster like me.

 Outfit Details

Urbanears Plattan Headphones - Urban Outfitters / Striped Dress - ShopSosie.com / Black Blazer - H&M / Knit Black Leggings - Target  / Patent Leather Wedge Booties - Modcloth / Tuxedo Collar Necklace - c/o Henri Bendel / Buckle Bracelet - vintage / Red Enamel Bangle - c/o Sequin NYC / Gold Shell Ring - Forever 21

I was pining over a pair of old-school headphones to rock with my outfits for months - in this case, the Plattan by Urbanears. Music culture has always lent itself to fashion, and I listen to music every single day at work. Combing the two is natural for someone like me since my first love was music. Can't say I had a pair of headphones as cool as these back in the 90s, though. Ever since I saw Jay McCarroll's models work headphones on the runway from Season 1 of Project Runway, I loved the pairing.

Urbanears headphones remind me of the type the guy from the Gorillaz wore. He looked cool wearing em... and he was cartoon. Oh, and if you're wondering what the Gorillaz actually look like, solve the mystery by clicking here.

I highly recommend investing in pair of headphones as a fashion accessory. Go ahead, increase your cool factor... No pressure.

Style Crush: Juliet Simms

I'm not big into a lot of competition shows, but for obvious Adam Levine reasons, I watched The Voice this year. 

Contestant and second runner-up Juliet Simms, singer of Automatic Loveletter, was my absolute favorite. Her voice is a combination of old soul meets gypsy rock, with killer style to match. I think she could be the next modern day Stevie Nicks as her looks go from classic rock n'roll leather and lace vixen to etherial couture. She's outright beautiful, and isn't afraid to be a little gritty, two of my favorite combinations to mix. I'd classify her style as Florence and the Machine meets Joan Jett.

And let's not ignore the fact that she has bangs!

Some of her looks absolutely inspired. Take a look at how you can mimic this siren's style!

Photo courtesy of Billboard.com

Stage Style: Juliet Simms by houseofjeffers featuring a heart shirt

Oasis fringe dress, $130
Wildfox Couture heart shirt, $119
Old navy vest, $30
Miss Selfridge legging, $30
Jane Norman faux leather shorts, £15
Lace up booties, £46
Lace up military boots, $20
Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian rock jewelry, $79
Cuff bangle, $28
1928 black necklace, $24
Dorothy Perkins stretch jewelry, $11
Forever 21 spike jewelry, $5.80
Butter london nail polish, $14

Peplum Pride

There's times when I think to myself "This is a very Jen outfit." Funny how I say that now, considering I used to have the same sentiments when I was younger about clothing I wore. But this outfit, especially the peplum striped top, is very "me."

Outfit:

Striped Peplum Blouse - Love Culture

Black Riding Pants - Zara

Patent Leather Red Bow Pumps - Zara

Henri Bendel Bow Bracelet

Throughout my life, I've gone through various stages of personal style. The first true moment I can remember being in tune with my own sense of style was when I started going to concerts. I always took an active interest in the clothing I'd wear, but when I became aware of defining myself through fashion, my clothing choices became more conscious.

Outward self expression via clothing is highly underrated in New Jersey. So back in 2004, at the start of me getting into the local New York/New Jersey music scene, my look changed. I had blonde hair (and no, I'm not sharing a photo of my blonde years), and was interested in creating looks that were a bit edgy, but always feminine. Plus, I was a freelance music journalist and photographer, and it was very important to me to maintain my femininity in an industry where women were considered groupies, but be taken seriously as a professional because I was doing a job.

Now that I'm older, and don't make it to as many concerts as I used to, my "adult" responsibilities have shifted,  and the way I am now is the way I'll probably remember myself when I look back on myself.

When I thought of who I'd be today years ago, I definitely didn't think I'd have bangs, like pink or even have my own blog. But that's the beauty of the unknown.

What I'd Wear To: Coachella

Music culture is the biggest influence on my style. At the age of 13, I fell in love with music - hard, and soon found myself going to shoes and eventually, getting into freelance writing for music magazines throughout the U.S. There wasn't much to be desired back then in terms of stylish girls at shows - you were left with lots of t-shirts and baggy jeans - but we d id our best. 

And shows really weren't about clothes, unlike Coachella, which celebrates both perfectly. Seeing the stylish concert-goers enjoying 2Pac's hologram made me think of what I'd wear... and yes, I'm DEAD serious about what I'd pack for Coachella.

The leather jacket - a must. Neon leggings? Dead serious.

House Of Jeffers: What I'd Wear To: Coachella by houseofjeffers 

Colorblock Bright Choice Top  -Modcloth 
Striped Tank - Madewell
Daytrip Asymmetrical Jacket - Buckle.com
Skinny Leg Jeans - Pink - Topshop
Marni by Coconuts - Piperlime
Red Sandals - Asos
The Big Link Bracelet - Henri Bendel
Aztec Necklace - Lulus.com
Cross Over Block Tring - Topshop
A Sherbet Thing Dress - Modcloth
Your Tribe Has Spoken Leggings - Lulus.com

Guns N Roses

Want to talk about getting excited? Four words: Peter Pan collar necklace. Oh my word, I nearly lost my eggs over this necklace. I've been on the hunt for the perfect one for some time now, and hadn't had good luck online, but this beauty from Smak Parlour is it.

Outfit:

Guns N Roses Tee - H&M

Total Bloom Pleated Skirt - c/o Urban1972.com

Peter Pan Collar Necklace - Smak Parlour

Caged Gladiator Wedges - Mandee

Solid Brass Bangle - J.Crew

Rhinestone Bangle - C. Wonder

Buckle Up Band Ring - Henri Bendel

I think as bloggers, we're always focused on being so polished, and well-kept. You don't have to be decked out to look stylish. Shoot, a t-shirt can look dressier with a blazer than a blouse on it's own at times. Hopefully, there's some other bloggers who feel the same way because let's face it: I can't be on 24/7.  I don't live in heels, nor do I dress it up every day. But as long as I stay true to the kind of style I like, and ya'll keep reading, then I'll keep at it.

I have to say, though, this outfit really is me. A little bit of rock 'n roll and a splash of color. It mixes the feminine and roughness of fashion that I always try to pull together. In this case, the vintage feel of the Guns N Roses tee and uber girlyness of the floral print skirt works together... at least I dig it.

What can I say, I have a soft spot for 80s hair metal bands and the tees that promote them. This one will go well with my Poison and Queen tees.