What to Wear to A Hot Air Balloon Festival

This weekend was probably one of the best of the summer yet. On Saturday, my husband and I headed north on a day trip to see the Quik Check Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Jersey. I wanted to go since last year, so I wasted no time buying tickets for us.

While I might be a little old to be in awe of air balloons, I have to tell you - to see 50 hot air balloons ascend at once - it's beautiful. Seeing it in person is a whole other experience. Absolutely gorgeous.

The festival was held in Readington, NJ, near White House Station, at an airport. While the day was hot, there was plenty to keep us busy - from vendors, to festival food, a bike show from Red Bull and of course, the main event: watching the air balloons take flight at night. I expected when I arrived to see balloons in the sky, but, I found out that the balloons aren't flown throughout the day, but rather, at 6:30 a.m. and p.m., as that's when the wind is the best to fly. 

But before the flight, we took some time to take in everything the festival had to offer. That meant for me taking pictures with the balloons. C'mon - they are too awesome not to!

Sleeveless Denim Shirt - Forever 21 / Polka Dot Skirt - Forever 21 / Gladiator Sandals - Target / Fringe Leather Bag - Brandy Melville / Alex and Ani Bracelets / Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

The weather started out as overcast, so I had trouble figuring out what to wear. It was humid - about 85 degrees. When I left the house, it was breezy, so I took the tags off this sleeveless denim chambray shirt and paired it with my polka dot skirt, fringed bag, and my favorite gladiator sandals. Appropriate for a hot air balloon festival, right? 

Finally, after some delay, the balloons were inflated and one by one, each climbed upward to create a gorgeous air show of more than 30 balloons in the sky. 

The photos really don't do it justice. It is an absolute must if you can attend a fair like this!
Hope you enjoy the photos!

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

Afternoon Delight

After a jam-packed, fun-filled weekend in Atlantic City, spending the Fourth of July gambling (and mostly losing my money at the slot machines), indulging in too much food and some must needed R&R, I'm actually not hating the fact that it's the beginning of a new work week. My staycation was just what I needed. And a lazy Sunday was absolutely in order to recuperate from the casinos and Pina Coladas on the beach.

On Sundays, I like to keep my wardrobe comfortable but really girly. One of my favorite #SundayFunday outfit combos is a snug-fit tee paired with a skirt. Since I am a fan of funny statement tees, I was hoping that this Afternoon Delight Tshirt from Urban Outfitters was still in-store when I spotted it online. One trip to Westfield and $9.99 later - I was one happy fashion blogger. 

And, I'm about to get a little narcissistic, but I'm really, really happy with the way my ombre came out. I typically don't cut my hair often - usually every 5 months, but I noticed that the weather has been drying out my hair, and I knew I needed a trim... But was afraid to lose my ombre. So, my stylist threw in more blonde on the same day I had my cut done, and now I'm all refreshed. It's all about that subtle contrast, ya'll.

What a difference a haircut makes. 

Bandit Brand "Afternoon Delight" Tee - Urban Outfitters  / Floral Print Skirt - Forever 21 / Laser-Cut Bag - c/o Sole Society (sold out, but here's another choice from Sole Society!) / Coral Wedges - Etienne Aigner / Assorted Alex and Ani Bracelets 

Psychedelic Soul

For me, summer is the perfect excuse to wear bright colors and loud prints. 

Since I've been on this geometric kick, there was no way I could pass up this amazing geo-print dress from Shop Sosie. It's got a smack of vibrant color and a whole lot of  trippy, psychedelic goodness. Plus, this was one way to absolutely break my habit of buying black dresses. Don't get me wrong - nothing looks as polished and edgy as black, but even for someone like me, who loves to wear black... I need to liven things up. The accessories are one thing, but black shoes absolutely did not work with this dress... and I'm glad since I could wear these Sole Society shoes with the dress!

Later this week, I'll be taking a road trip down the Jersey Shore to Atlantic City for July 4th Weekend. And I can not wait! The slots, the beach, the people watching... I'm so excited for a mini summer getaway. 

Now, onto the planning of outfits for the weekend!

Seema Swing Dress - Shop Sosie (sold out) / Laser Cut Heels - c/o Sole Society / Alex and Ani Vintage 66 Gypsy Wrap / Black Studded Shoulder Bag - Forever 21 

Stripes Week Part 2: How to Style Stripes with Prints

Part 2 of Stripes Week on House Of Jeffers is all about mixing stripes with prints. Personally, this one is my absolute favorite pairing to wear in the summer.

Although all stripe/print pairings are not a match made in heaven. The key to rocking stripes with your favorite pattern, whether its a pair of printed pants, a floral skirt, or reversing the combo with a striped skirt, lies is this: 

Size does matter.

*If the stripes are thin (seersucker or pinstripes), you can pair the piece with a larger floral print.

*wide, bold bar stripes should be worn with a smaller, abstract pattern that doesn't have too much space in between the actual print. Negative space on prints, when worn with stripes, tends to create an effect where the outfit looks uncoordinated and blocky.

However, you do want that mix-matched look - only the prints should complement, not overpower one another.

For my outfit, I'm sporting the wide stripe, small print duo with the latest additions to my growing Alex and Ani collection. I feel so naked without my bracelets. This trio of crystal bangles and my favorite Alex and Ani bracelet, the Plume Feather Wrap, gives me a little bit of sparkle.

Striped V-Neck Tee - Victoria's Secret / Floral Print Skirt - Forever 21 / Vintage 66 Blush Mirage Wrap Bracelet & Gleam Wrap Bracelet - c/o Alex and Ani / Plume Feather Wrap - Alex and Ani / Fringe Crossbody Bag - Brandy Melville (similar style) / Laser Cut Studded Lace-Up Peep Toe Wedge - Charlotte Russe

Flower Power

Sometimes when cleaning out your closet, you find things that perhaps have gone as far as you can take them. Or, that you forgot you had.

That's what happened with these yellow Gap shoes. I wasn't sure I'd be able to pair them with anything. But then, they got a revival thanks to this daisy print dress that I scored at Marshalls  for $15(#fabfound). So, as long as this dress is around, the shoes will have to stay.

I think so far this spring, I've made a conscious transition into style that's softer and a little more on the boho side. I've just had this feeling that I want my clothes to reflect a different side of my style that sometimes takes a backseat because I get caught up in the routine of shopping a certain way. Now, instead of looking in my closet and thinking, "Everything likes the same" it's now more of, "Hmm... I forgot I have this." 

I've been a little more girly, and a little less showy. So far, I'm going with it. That doesn't mean I'm turning my back on my old ways. After all, I will never say no to a studded accessory, black wedges and obnoxious pops of color. It's just done in a way that doesn't clash. 

Daisy Print Dress - Marshall's  (here's another cute option from ASOS)/ Just Fab Arrival Bag (see how I styled this bag in February here) /  Yellow Braided Heels - Gap / Vintage Jewelry / Black Sunglasses - Forever 21