Love Life

Lately, I've been feeling like a completely new person. I've seen changes in myself for the better, and honestly, it's an overwhelming feeling when you finally get to a place of no stress, less worries and just more happiness. I'd say that's enough to make you want to love life and jump for joy!

And more good things are to come. I can't wait to share it with you, and hopefully, you'll be just as excited to read about them as I am to blog about them.

Chambray Button Up Shirt - Old Navy / Love Life Sweater - Old Navy / Faux Leather Leggings - Forever 21 / Suede Grey Wedge Booties - Mia Shoes / Knit Beanie - Zara

And so, nothing can break my stride. Not even 6 inches of snow... This is what I looked like after being cooped up in the house on a Saturday due to a crazy storm. The result? Leather leggings, a knit beanie and the most chipper sweater I had in my closet. I'm not usually a chambray over sweater gal, but I've always loved the look on others, and I think I finally figured it out.

With Christmas just two days away, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas wherever you are! I hope Santa is good to you, and if you happen to get Adam Levine under your tree, feel free to send him my way.

Happy Holidays!

xo,

Jen

 

Birthday Outfit At A Glance

I celebrated another birthday yesterday... and I have to say this year's celebration was awesome! Saturday, I headed out with some of my dearest friends for dinner and drinks... And I finally answered the question: What am I going to wear?

I have to say... I'm one lucky girl to have such great friends and family who went out of their way to make my birthday special. And, Mike even cooked dinner for me!

Here's my Birthday outfit at a glance...

Queen of Hearts Blouse - SpottedMoth.com

Spike The Punch Crystal Necklace

Pleather Tights - Zara

Evade Oxfords - Jeffrey Campbell

Pave Hinged Bow Bangle (from the best husband ever!)

Rivet Wrap Bracelet 

(both from Henri Bendel)

This ain't no rodeo

I had planned on writing about spring and summer fashion trends, but then New Jersey got hit by a snow storm.... I figured it didn't make much sense putting up photos of girls in shorts and tees when it's 32 degrees outside, and I'm wearing a parka...

Luckily, I had taken some photos outside in February, when there was still snow on the ground from the snowpocalypse. This makes my segway into pleather and liquid leggings much easier.

I love the chine of leather, but not looking like a motorcycle enthusiast (but hey, if that's your bag, I dig, I dig... ) or the cost of real leather. It's no surprise that I like things with a slightly vinyl-esque shine to them, as I own multiple pairs of liquid leggings. To me, they elevate chunky sweaters into nighttime looks, but paired with a blazer and some stems, they're a great alternative to jeans... and I'm always trying not to wear denim as often as I do.

This look from Balmain's Spring/Summer 2011 is what I've dreamed of - but cropped? Never crossed my mind. Homegirl pulls this off perfectly.

Photo via http://theshows.blogspot.com/

There's a couple of rules to pleather leggings:

1. Don't pair them with dresses  -  You already have something quite noticeable going on, and throwing a dress on top of it tends to look a bit silly. Tunics are okay. I usually wear mine with plaid, my other wintertime weakness. 

2. Fit is key - I will say that you have to find the right liquid/pleather legging for you. If they aren't ass-tight, they'll look baggy - which is the problem I run into with trying to find pants that give off the impression that I painted them on myself.

3. Cost - You know me, I'm always on the hunt for a bargain. I've priced out this leggings at numerous stores - they go as high as $70, and for me, I don't feel right buying pants that are synthetic for that price. I got mine for a steal - $34!

Outfit:

Plaid shirt - Delia*s

Vest - Mandees

Pleather leggings - Zara

Boots - Steve Madden

Necklace - Urban Outfitters