Heavy Metal

Leather and Wool Moto Jacket - Forever 21 / Leopard Print Shirt - Forever 21 (similar style) / Catrin Thick Leather Look Inset Leggings - c/o Boohoo.com / Just Fab Arrival Bag /  Gold Buckle Ankle Booties - c/o LuLu*s / Hermes-Inspired Cuff - Poshmark find / J&M Initial Necklace - Etsy

I used to hate gold jewelry - especially yellow gold that looked straight out of the 80s. For years, I wore silver, and still do. But, I avoided gold outright - hardware, touches of it on shoes, gold accents - hated it all. But, maybe as I get older (and, as they say,  hopefully wiser), my opinion of gold has changed completely.  While it still has that old school feel to it, I think its all in the pieces you choose that make it modern.

But can we talk about my bag? When I saw this Just Fab Arrival bag, I nearly lost it. The shape of the bag is just beautiful. But what wins me over is it's chunky chain hardware. My new official "it" bag...

And yes, I'm living the cliche - red lipstick with leopard print... and a whole lotta black. My Boohoo Leggings with leather inserts are beyond comfortable, and I know I'll be rocking them with so many tops and sweaters this winter. I definitely feel like myself in this outfit - a little a dark, with some feminine touches... and some overindulgence with leather and gold.

Moody Blues

Faux fur vests can be very hit or miss. It's all in the material. Too fuzzy and it looks like you're smuggling teddy bear. While I was looking for a black vest, I stumbled upon this purple one from Express last year. It was heavily marked down, so for the price, I went for it. 

Since there's now 6 inches of snow on the ground, I'll probably be wearing pants a lot more. I myself get bored with wearing pants, but with statement pieces like this faux fur vest, I can inflect a bit of eye-catching interest into my ensembles. 

Plaid Button Front Shirt - Gap / Faux Fur Vest - Express / Blue Skinny Jeans - Marshalls /
Tortoise Shell Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters / Studded Leather Crossbody - Forever 21 /
Maroon Bangle - Gap / Silver Ring - Forever 21

Lately, I've been struggling with my style. I have a complex about sometimes feeling as though an outfit is to... boyish. Admittedly, I love a lot of menswear turned womenswear pieces, but I'm starting to wonder if I have too much of the same thing in my closet. Sure, the only men that would probably wear a fur vest like this are pimps... I'm blaming the weather for the questioning of my aesthetic. I truly miss wearing skirts and feeling uber girly. 

I'll take cold weather without the snow part... so I can free my legs from pants and slap on a pair of tights. Or, I can stop being a baby and put on a dress. 

Don't forget: The Scarves.net $50 gift card giveaway ends Tuesday! You still have time to enter!

An Ode To Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

You never fail to please with your "pants looking like they were painted on" appearance. And regardless of the season, you continue to prove why investing in you for the sake of my shoes makes total sense. Yes, without you, skinny jeans, I'd be a lonely hipster roaming the streets naked.

Hey, remember that time I bought all those peplum tops, looked in the mirror and said, "This is it"? Oh, you've outdone yourself lately, tightest of jeans, as no matter what curve I throw at you... from billowy blouses, to secretary style tops with bows, and as of late, crop tops, you come through with the clutch... No really, even my clutches look posh against your slim and sleek stature.

So with this, I end by saying, skinny jeans, I don't understand why you're not in every woman's closet. You accentuate the positive on all kind of body types; big and tall, petite and small. I'll forever wear you, oh Yoda of denim, and never trade you in for mom jeans. 

Weekend Wears: Navajo Inspiration

Outfit:

Navajo Inspired Poncho Sweater- Gypsy Warrior / Dark Skinny Jeans - H&M / Leather Ankle Boots - Primark UK / Leather Satchel - Zara / Lightweight Scarf - H&M

Just when I thought I had switched over my wardrobe from winter to spring at the right time, I find myself freezing one minute, sweating the next.

Mother Nature, please stop letting me down. While I absolutely adore this poncho-esque, Navajo print inspired sweater that I purchased from Gypsy Warrior, I'd like to save my knits and woolens for next year. Loosen up, geeze.

I wasn't particularly in the mood this weekend to get uber dressed up being that I had a doctor's visit on Saturday, and my husband and I were headed down to south Jersey for a change of scenery. This sweater was perfect as it keeps me warm, and lets me break up my normal sweater routine. However, I think the one redeeming quality of this outfit was the scarf. I felt I needed some type of hipster accessory to make the outfit complete, and this lightweight scarf from H&M did the trick.

Can't wait for Wednesday's post - bare legs! 

Do The Twist

What Jen's Wearing:

Your True Colors Shine Top - Lulus.com

Accordion Pleated Color Block Skirt - courtesy of Sugarlips.com

Platform Mary Janes - Forever 21

Gold Brass Bangle - J. Crew

Spiked Bracelet - Forever 21

Square Monet Bangle - thrift find

I rarely rock pony tails, but when it's 95 degrees out, I have to get my hair off my neck. 

AND... when you love an outfit as much as I do this one, you want to make sure you show off it's best assets!

I was hesitant to wear my hair up in these photos - being that I normally don't wear pony tails too often, but hey, gotta change it up. I wanted to show off the collar of this awesomely beaded button-up I purchased from Lulus.com. It's black, it's got gunmetal beads and it's a button up. Straight up Johnny Cash goodness going on right here.

And let's not ignore this Accordion Color Block Skirt the cushty people at Sugarlips.com let me pick out! Sugarlips, based out of Los Angeles, Cali., is one of my new favorite clothing sites to shop on! Not only do they have a delightfully fab collection of tops, dresses and everything else under the sun  - they support fashion bloggers. MAJOR in my book. 

Love this skirt so much! I can wear it in the summer with tops like this, but in the winter, the colors translate right into fall. 

And, I can do the twist in it! 

Sabre Dance

 

It's obscure movie reference time!

So, if you've seen Pee Wee's Big Adventure, you may remember the most famous scene of all: him, doing a dance on the bar, to the song "Tequila". Well, fun fact No. 1:  the song is by The Champs. Fun fact No. 2: that's what I hear in my head when I put on these shoes. My best attempt at the "Tequila" dance can be seen above.

And, fun fact No. 3: Google the "Sabre Dance." That's also in the movie.

Outfit:

Abstract print top - Forever21

Pinstripe vest - Mandee

Black pants - H&M

C Label Patent Leather Wedge Booties - Lulus.com

Yes, these boots are rather Frankenstein-ish, but when I saw em on Lulus.com, I knew I'd wear the heck out of em. Basic black goes with EVERYTHING... and these puppies have made the rounds in my closet many times. They're my first purchase from the site - and I couldn't be happier.

However, I don't think I'll be wearing them for any holiday celebrations as I've caught so much slack from my family about em'. Then again, maybe I should wear them on purpose to all my family functions!?

Jewelry:

Rings: J Initial Ring - gift from when I turned 12 / Diamond cluster ring - Vintage from my mother's personal collection

Bracelets: Spiked bracelet - Forever 21 / Bow Bracelet - Henry Bendel