Yellow Brick Road

Outfit Details:

Animal Print Button Up Blouse - Forever 21

Black Skinny Jeans - Zara

Pampa Ankle Boots - Mia Shoes

Rows That Show Ring - c/o Sorrelli

Enamel and Rhinestone Bangles in Off White and Orange - c/o Sequin NYC (email info@sequin-nyc.com for order info)

This weekend, I kicked it super old school for these photos.

My husband couldn't help me take photos, so I had to dust off my tripod and go back to the days when I used to take my pictures myself. Not my preference, but it did make me appreciate the fact that I have someone who I can depend on to take photos for me. 

Originally, I used to take all of my pictures myself on my lunch breaks at my old job. I scouted out a bunch of parks and playgrounds where I felt the embarrassment factor wouldn't be too high, and would take my outfit shots during the day.  And back then, I didn't have a tripod. I'd just balance my camera anywhere. 

Oh the woes of being a fashion blogger.

And since I'm flying to England this Friday, things have been crazy. I've struggled to keep up with House Of Jeffers as I prepare for my trip. Between packing, after-work commitments, and work... I absolutely need some time away from the desk in every capacity.

But fear not! I've lined up some awesome fashion bloggers who are kind enough to keep House Of Jeffers going while I'm away! 

My Blue Heaven

I know, I know. Stripes on Monday's post AND today? I swear it wasn't intentional - unless I just declare this Stripes Week...

What Jen's Wearing:

Heritage 21 Tank Dress - Forever 21

Striped Blazer - Forever 21

Coral Vision Wedges - Etienne Aigner

Elegant Crystal Fan Necklace - c/o Sorrelli

Wendy Brandes Exclamation Point Ring 

Don't ask me why I bought a blazer when its 95 degrees out... Even I find it strange the amount of outerwear in stores lately. Talk about jumping the shark - me included.

Regardless of my weakness for stripes, the blazer will make the rounds in my wardrobe year round.

I don't normally like to wear plain dresses unless I can compensate for it with lots of jewelry. And by the looks of it, a neon rainbow threw up on my arm...

Bracelets (from left to right)

Neon pink braided bracelet - won with tickets from an arcade (Serious. I played lots of Skee Ball for those tickets).

Neon rhinestone bracelet - Rachel Roy

Purple Lanyard Bracelet - DIY!

Violet Hill

What Jen's Wearing:

Giraffe Print Silk Top - INC International Concepts, available at Macys

Pink Gramercy Twill Shorts - New York & Company

Dany Platforms - Jessica Simpson Collection

Chain Link Necklace - Charming Charlie

Stackable Bangles - Forever 21

Emerald Cut Ring with Crystal Accents - c/o Sorrelli

Marc by Marc Jacobs Bombay Satchel - similar style here

The Italian in me does not handle the heat well. New Jersey was hit with a heat wave last week - at least three days in the upper 90s. While I'm all for summer weather, this is just cray. Anything that causes my bangs to look disheveled I'm not a fan of...  Mother Nature is on my bad side. 

Incorporating shorts into your wardrobe has been made a lot more fashionable and easier with prints and brights. No longer do us girls have to just wear denim shorts - shorts can be styled to the gilt now that we have more options.

I have to thank two things for helping me style shorts: Ridiculous platforms & bright prints. This outfit, which I wore over the weekend to dinner with my favorite British person (my husband), was my compromise to the heat. 

If I have to sweat, I figure I should wear something that distracts from my brow's perspiration - in this case, it was my Jessica Simpson Dany Platforms and neon shorts.

Jen - 1. Mother Nature - 0. 

Sea Of Jewels

Some people collect souvenirs as memories. Me? Jewelry is my fashionable symbol of a time and place I can revisit over and over.

My weakness for shiny baubles with a huge punch is no secret. Once I set eyes on Sorrelli's baubles, I was hooked. Their chic and sparkling jewelry reminds me of my grandmother's jewelry box, but with a modern twist. Making a statement in this jewelry is effortless - the sparkle does all the work! Just think of it as wearable memories... 

My grandmother was my very own Elizabeth Taylor. Her collection of earrings, rings for every finger in emeralds and diamonds, and necklaces with oversized faux pearls and glimmering beads was exquisite.

I didn't realize it when I was young, but her jewels, which were passed on to me, really are wearable memories. Most are simple memories of laughing and her smile... and some are of times when we'd open every box, and lay out her jewelry, turning her dresser into a sea of jewels. To be able to look at my hand and carry those times with me today is irreplaceable.

Outfit:

Elegant Crystal Fan Necklace - c/o Sorrelli

Tessellation Cuff Bracelet - c/o Sorrelli

Prank Collar Mint Green Top - Lulus.com

Polka Dot High Low Skirt - Forever 21

Platform Mary Janes - Forever 21

Kristen Satchel - Coach

Rings - my own

Donning a faceted Swarovski Elements crystal necklace with a classic feel and a chunky silver cuff bracelet from the MiMi EOS Collection is my homage to my grandmother - a little bit of her glitz and a dash of my boldness.