Lady In Red

It's hot one minute, cold the next. Mother Nature is absolutely on my S$%! List. 

My legs are so pale, it scares me. I seriously need some sun because the dry-leg-in-need-of-lotion look is NOT cute. At. All.

So, while I deal dressing in the unpredictable New Jersey weather, pieces like this lightweight knit sweater from Charlotte Russe is becoming a lifesaver. It's cozy enough to keep me warm on cool days, yet light enough that I can still wear it on those one in a million warm days.

And since I've pretty much worn every pair of solid color pants I own to the point of boredom, I've been all about printed pants. These animal print joggers from Boohoo were my first dip in the prints pants pond. I've had reservations about any kind of pants other than skinny jeans, being that any thing baggy tends to make me look silly. But, I don't want to wear jeans all the time. As much of a staple as they are, it's hard to get creative with regular ol' pants. At least printed pants bring creativity to my style, and can be played up or down with accessories.

Maroon Sweater - c/o Charlotte Russe / Animal Print Pants - Boohoo.com / Black Pumps - Banana Republic / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Bag Pashli (sold out, but here's another Pashli bag) / LOVE Bracelet - Anthropologie / 

Gold Buckle Cuff - vintage

Gone With The Wind

I feel like life is on the up swing for me lately. Evidently, so was my skirt as I shot these photos during a looming thunderstorm.

And who would have thunk it: mid-calf skirts on short people actually work. Living proof right here, folks.

Outfit Details:

Madison Tee - StyleMint.com

Scarlet Swing Skirt - Forever 21

Suedette Animal Print Satchel - Forever 21

Leather Peep Toe Wedges - Nine West

Gold Buckle Bracelet - thrift store find / Studded Bracelet - Gap / Spiked Bracelet - Forever 21

I know summer is the season to show some leg, and I'm all for a skirt. But you can't wear a mini skirt everywhere. Besides, pick the wrong skirt length for the wrong occasion and people look at you and think "Where's she going?" 

This little "impulse buy" from Forever 21 will be on heavy rotation this summer. I'd been looking for more livelier options to rock my StyleMint Madison tee with, and I knew I could pull the scarlet in the skirt and match it against the pink stripes in the top. I've never met a stripe I didn't like, and the Madison tee is not only right on que with brights for summer, but it's ridiculously versatile as it can be worn with rainbow denim, shorts and as you can see, skirts. 

Nerdy secretary meets hipster bookworm. Or something like that.

Oh, and don't forget: Today is the last day you can use my Lulus.com coupon code: JEFFERS for 15% off your order!

Cat Scratch Fever

Two things about cat scratch fever references...

First, Ted Nugent in a loin cloth. Google that up.

Second, since I've moved, the amount of feral cats in my neighborhood is crazy. Every morning when I walk out my door on the way to work, there's a black cat starring me down. I think it's because I'm more of a dog person that I get a little wigged out by it. At least I can pay homage to thuggish felines in this cat print top. And since I'm required to wear dressier clothes to work, I figured I could get a way a button up blouse with cats on it.

Outfit:

Cat Print Pleated Blouse - c/o  Urban1972.com

Black Skinny Pants - ?

BCBGeneration Secret B Leopard Shoes - Macys

Bracelets 

Spiked Bracelet - Forever 21

Polished Brass Bangle - J Crew

Chain Link Bangle - Forever 21

I love that the pattern is slightly abstract... and that'd you'd have to get all up on it to really tell it's kitties.

So, creepy black cat... this outfit's for you. Please stay away from my breath and my car's under carriage.

Reviving The Classics

Although I'm a girl who wouldn't classify herself as having "classic" style, I do love a lot of old school, traditional things that have been around in fashion for years. And for me, this outfit is a combo of some of em.

Let's start with the mary jane - my shoes have the classic shape but with a modern twist a la a tie and a wedge. Next, women have been sporting animal prints since God knows when. For me, I like color variation on a classic animal print, and the cut is my tee is little boxier than a regular tee. Finally, red lipstick. Though finding the right shade for my skin tone took some time, it's officially inducted into my makeup bag. This classic color goes back as far a Cleopatra, and even Queen Elizabeth I wore the crimson shade. The one I'm wearing came from my visit at Bobbi Brown's Studio in Montclair, NJ (which I'll tell you about later)!

Outfit:

Animal print tee - Forever 21

Grey midi skirt - Aritzia

Mary Jane wedges - Office UK

Spiked leather satchel - Zara

Floral necklace - Accessorize

Arm Party - Henri Bendi Rockstar Wrap Bracelet and Pyramid Studded Bracelet Forever 21

All classic things with modern twists. Eclectic chic, perhaps? Okay, so I'm not re-inviting the wheel but I like to think I have my own unique way of taking dino classics and updating em. That's what I love about fashion blogging... being able to take something that inspires you and rock it your way. Do you, bro.