A Tendency for Tulle

Somewhere in between changing diapers and going to work, I managed to make it into NYC a few weeks ago for a dear friend's birthday celebration for a party cruise! The weather was perfect, and the sunset at the pier was even more gorgeous. With an opportunity to get dressed up not going to waste, I planned my outfit in anticipation for a night of sailing around New York City! The term "what to wear" was said about 50 times in my home... which I'm sure thrilled my husband. 

I knew I wanted to wear something that would be ship-appropriate - aka not a skirt that would blow up - and a a pair of shoes to keep me in balance. The tulle skirt from Boohoo, which I wore a few weeks ago here, was a great option because it looked dolled up with my polka dot crop top and ballet-inspired wedges from Shoe Mint. Tulle skirts were huge last year, and when I looked for mine, I knew I didn't want to spend any more than $40 on. And I didn't. Mine cost around $28! The luxury item of my look comes from the Henri Bendel bag - gold hardware instantly dressed up any outfit.

A night out was definitely what we needed. Don't get me wrong - I cherish all my days and nights with my boys, but I think it's important for parents to maintain as much of the normalcy they had before to keep their own sense of self now that they're new parents. Since the babes were born, we've been out a handful of times, but nothing as fun as the boat ride. 

And even though I live so close to New York, I don't think I truly appreciate it. The trips I do make into the city I often find something new about New York that creates a new memory for me, and motivates me to do more of these fun things. Hopefully, we'll get to have more dressed up nights and fun-filled days that we can share with the twins as they get older!

The mister and I.

Outfit:

Polka Dot Crop Top - Forever 21 / Tulle Skirt - Boohoo / Lace Front Wedges - ShoeMint / Henri Bendel Bag

Upgraded Minimalist

All this talk of summer being over is reminding me that I need to get in those outfits that I won't be able to enjoy in a few weeks. I'm talking crop tops, sandals and neons. I've always had this weird obsession with unicorns... Okay, I know that sounds incredibly strange and no, I'm not high. I just think there's something funny to be said about this mystical and mythical creature that makes me giggle. When I saw this unicorn crop top, I didn't care how I was going to wear it with anything in my closet... I just had to buy it.

For me, I'm in favor of two kinds of outfits: really minimalist in terms of colors - greys and blacks. And then quirky pieces with a lot of flair - hence, the Kate Spade bag. Combining the two is even better in my book since I'm wearing some of my favorite colors while toning down the bright bag with a simple black tulle skirt. Going back to work has let me wear a lot of the clothes I hadn't dug out in a while, and given me a chance to try out this whole working mom routine in the morning. While the top isn't work appropriate, I managed to save this outfit for a weekend of local fun in my town with the boys and my hubby.

August is flying by too fast! Before we know it, fall will be here. And yes, I've already started stocking up!

Outfit:

Uncorn Crop Top - Forever 21 / Black Tulle Midi Skirt - Boohoo.com /
Coach Shoes / Kate Spade Bag

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

Boho Summer Spirit

I've adapted a boho feel to my clothing this summer. Festival inspired, I'm throwing it back to the days when I used to go to concerts every weekend. There's something about the carefree spirit of bohemian clothing that seems effortless and perfect for summer. Give me a pair of gladiator sandals, plenty of gold accessories and a fringed handbag and my hipster heart is happy and content.

Plus, I'm all about a skirt and top combo. This black skirt has a delicate lace slip under it that has a vintage vibe to it, while my Moroccan print crop top encompasses the boho vibe. Oh, and a pink lip is a must for me. I tend to wear pink lipstick year round - some habits can't be quit. 

I'll have to plan my outfits with a little more office-friendly thought as I'm winding down the end of my maternity leave. Any new mom can relate to the idea of returning to work, and leaving your child. I'm saving my complete thoughts on returning to work for another post as I'm already having a hard time facing the fact that I won't be with the twins 24/7 come August.

Hope you're enjoying the amazing summer weather!

Outfit Details:

Moroccan print crop top - Forever 21 - Black Lace Trim Skirt / Gladiator Lace Up Sandals  - Forever 21 / Fringed Shoulder Bag - Steve Madden / Half Moon Necklace - South Moon Under / NARS lipstick in YU 

House Of Jeffers 2014 Year in Style

2014 was a big year for me... because it marked overcoming some personal adversities. From my surgery in April, to finally being pregnant, I can say that while there were tough times for me personally, they all brought me closer to the dream of becoming a mom. Without a doubt, finding out I was pregnant with twins is my happiest moment of 2014 - and one that continues to fills me and my husband with excitement, mixed in with a little bit of fear of what it'll be like to be parents to two little ones at once, and of course, eagerness to welcome our babies into the world!

And then there is House Of Jeffers. At times, I had to leave my blog behind to take care of myself - a decision that always weighed heavy on me because my blog really does mean so much to me, and I know that once you skip a week, it turns into 2... and people forget about your blog. I knew I would return to it whenever I could, and I appreciate all the patience everyone has shown me this year as I tend to my personal life in what is probably the biggest year of my life.

Of course, style continued to play a big role in my world, too. Personal expression through fashion is utterly at the top of the list of things that I love spending time investing my creativity in. It truly defines me, and I look forward to growing my sense of self through the clothes I wear and questionable fashion choices I often make.

Looking back on my year in style for 2014 there was:

January

My obsession for NARS' pink lipstick meets its match with this sequin lips sweatshirt.

February

Embracing my inner geek as I experimented with non-prescription glasses - a look I've always loved - and participated in Rivet & Sway's Chelsea Hall Girl Campaign.

March

... mixing loud colors and trying on new hues for size.

April

Reviving my "Smells like Teen Spirit" days with a 90's-inspired baby doll dress. 

May

Carrying on my obsession with Kate Spade New York by rocking a bright handbag as the warm weather set in. Pink became a staple in my closet as for years, I truly disliked the color.

Falling love with crop tops - another 90s trend I favored. Plus, again, funding my affliction for Kate Spade bags with this lilac colored beauty. 

June

The year of stripes. I don't care what season it is - you HAVE to wear stripes on the weekly. I love them so much, I declared it Stripes Week, sharing my tips for wearing stripes with prints and more.

Dipping my toes in the metallic heel trend with these legit Call It Spring heels. It is summer yet so I can wear them with everything? 

July

Having a Carrie Bradshaw moment wearing this whimsical tulle skirt gifted to me by The Girl That Loves! This is probably one of my favorite outfits of the summer. It's girly. It's purple. And it just epitomizes classic chic style with a nostalgic feel.

Also in July, I learned that you should put your hair up when it's projected to be almost 100 degrees... even if you are attending a Hot Air Balloon Festival and are more concerned with taking "really cute outfit photos" than your own comfort.

August

Trying on patterns and prints other than stripes with this Eiffel Tower Print Dress from Modcloth. I also borrowed this vintage off-white bag from my mother's closet... and conveniently, forgot to put it back for a while...

September

I learned the art of covering up a baby bump before announcing you're pregnant. I was a couple of weeks pregnant at the time, and if I stood at just the right angle, you could see a little bump. My solution until I could share the news - busy prints that distracted you in more ways that one.

Oh, and pink lipstick makes another appearance... Shocker.

October

Paying homage to the skinny black pant and plaid as my fall uniform - as I started to bundle up in October. Plus, I invested in a pair of chunky heeled ankle boots from Steve Madden in anticipation of colder days ahead.

November

November was my favorite month of all. I finally shared the news that I am pregnant on House Of Jeffers! This is from my first maternity style #ootd. I love this dress because it shows off my bump. I wanted to wear something that conveyed how proud I was of my growing tummy. 

December

The journey of discovering my mommy style by going for a chic look with this uber fuzzy grey faux fur vest and a pair of floral leggings. At four months pregnant, I was still able to wear pre-maternity pants... Um, not so much anymore. But, nonetheless, I feel like a proud mommy-to-be in this outfit that exudes posh preggo on a budget.

I hope you enjoyed following my adventures this year on House Of Jeffers.
2015 is going to be a wonderful year, and I can't wait for all that lies ahead.

Thank you for continuing to all my readers and the fabulous brands that support me and House Of Jeffers!

With warm, wild and whimsical wishes for a Happy New Year,

Jen

My Carrie Bradshaw Moment

I think it's a fair observation to say that every girl who has ever watched Sex and The City has dreamed of having a "Carrie Bradshaw Moment", meaning, the chance to wear a frilly tutu skirt. We've idolized the skirt Carrie wears in the opening credits of the iconic series... Because honestly, you have to have a set of you-know-what to go out in public, let alone New York, in a tutu.

Thank God for The Girl That Loves, who helped me channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw with this Lilac Tulle Skirt. The skirt absolutely deserves a happy dance when wearing because it's just so over-the-top and beautiful. See, dreams of being the belle of the ball, or the Carrie Bradshaw of New Jersey, really do come true. You just have to have faith!*

(Like how I made a reference to my shirt with that pun?)

 I mean, I'm writer... Carrie was a writer. Carrie liked her money where she could see it. I like my money to be worn and hung in my closet, too. She didn't have bangs, but I'd like to think if I was her friend, I'd be the hipster friend with bangs... and chihuahuas. 

Lilac Tulle Skirt - c/o The Girl That Loves / Faith Crop Top - Forever 21 / Black and White Striped Bag - Kate Spade New York / Metallic Black Square Heels - Call It Spring / Rhinestone Bangle - Charming Charlie

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

These Shoes Were Meant For... Talking

I love a good statement tee. But a quirky pair of statement shoes? Absolutely!

These ab fab Loly in the Sky Estelle Sneakers do all the talking for me. Since I do have a sweet tooth, the phrase, "OMG Cake" definitely applies. It's pretty much my birthday any time I wear them, and I love that they're just a cute reminder of how much fun being a girl can be.

Plus, what's great with shoes like this is that I can still dress them up with skirts, and get that girly vibe. Honestly, I don't live in heels every day. But at the same time, I don't want to lose that feminine appeal I look for when putting an outfit together.

Estelle is now my new best friend when it comes to comfort, style and getting a little cheeky!

Polka Dot Crop Top - Forever 21 / Peach Dress - H&M (yes, the top is layered over the dress) / Kate Spade New York Lilac Road Bag - sold out, but here's another Kate Spade crossbody you might love / Estelle OMG Cake Shoes - Loly in the Sky  (gifted) / Sorrelli Teardrop Crystal Ring / Sorrelli Necklace - c/o