Friday, July 20, 2012

Neon Animal Mani -DIY!

Just a quick nail DIY post before the weekend... and TGIF in the worst!

I've seen manis with a pale nail (or just a clear coat on bottom), and figured I'd do something that makes the design stand out.

This neon animal print mani is super easy, and can be done with any colors. The trick is using an outline color, in this case, black. Use a nail polish with a super thin brush - and try to steady your hand as best as you can to create the animal spot's outline. Or, try a nail pen.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Dutchess & The Duke

What Jen's Wearing:

Peter Pan Lace Top - Charlotte Russe

Pink Jeans - Forever 21

Cut-Out Peep Toe Pumps - Nine West

Black Leather Satchel - Zara (similar style here)

Faceted Triangle Bracelet - Forever 21 (buy it here)

Rhinestone Cord Bracelet - Charming Charlie

Pink Rhinestone Lanyard Bracelet - Henri Bendel

I'm convinced the British influence American fashion and retail more than anyone... Or at least me.

I'm not the first to make this observation, but I will say that I feel like it takes the U.S. months for us to catch up to trends that already happened in the UK.... like, two years ago.

Plus, being married to a Brit has it's advantages. During my last trip to England in 2010, I came across many shirts flirting with adorable Peter Pan collars. To me, Peter Pan collars wreak of baby doll cuteness. They're the ultimate in gawking at your age with something that is fashionably adorable, no matter how young or old you are.

And you can thank Alexa Chung for inspiring this outfit. You should be jealous of Alexa Chung, actually. She can do no wrong... Google homegirl up. Peter Pan and her need to go into business together.

I swear England is so ahead of the fashion game... The rest of us, or those in New Jersey searching for fashion glimmers among a plethoras of malls, have to admire from afar, and dream of the day they get to visit Miss Selfridge, Oasis and River Island, again.

Monday, July 16, 2012

What's Your Style Personality?

What Jen's Wearing:

Striped Racerback Tank - Forever 21

Yellow Circus Pants - Forever 21 (similar style here)

Lucious 21 Glitter Pumps - Lulus.com

Round Sunnies - Urban Outfitters

Rose Bangle - gift from a friend

Green Rhinestone Necklace - H&M

I've always viewed style as the most outward way of expressing oneself. After all, style and personality goes together like PB+J.

Think about it: clothing is a non-verbal representation of yourself. You're putting something out there for strangers to get an inference into who you are - colors, prints, cuts, trends... all play a role into your style personality. Judging? Perhaps, but in a way that gives others a glimpse into the unique person you are.

Sorta like wearable personalities...

Look at people like The Man Repeller, Betsey Johnson, Daphne Guinness... All are eccentric personalities who's style perfectly matches their individualism.

I hope my style personality shows that I'm a person who's not afraid to be a little bold, is creative, who doesn't mind being young at heart and doesn't always follow the rules when it comes to "what is normal" or "the standard".

What's your style personality?

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Summer Stripes

Things I love:

1. Jewelry that lets me take a little bit of my family with me. In this case, it's this awesome brass locket I bought from Le Papier Studio on Etsy. I get to carry a reminder of Harley and Mike around with me whenever I wear it.

2. My newest addition to my growing Kate Spade New York handbag collection. This one is called the Kaleigh Vanston - it's striped and oh so dreamy. Never met a striped anything I didn't like! The interior is a grassy green - definitely my summer bag!

3. Mixing patterns. In this case, I went with two classic prints - stripes and plaids. Personally, this outfit is simple, but it's one of my favorites due to the black, purple and white color scheme and how girly the skirt makes me feel.