Arm Party - Bloggers Do It Better Assignment

I've heard good things about Kristina of PrettyShinySparkly's Bloggers Do It Better assignments, and so I hope this goes over perfectly for my inaugural BDIB post.

I love the look of stacked jewelry - especially mixing metals of like with various textures and finishes. When picking jewelry, I try to choose pieces that I know will work with the majority of my wardrobe, but have a uniqueness to them. And many have significance to me...

Like the Norma bracelet I purchased during a Bust Craftacular from Erica Weiner. She had nameplate bracelets at a bargain, but didn't have my name. I loved the delicateness of the bracelets, so I figured I'd choose the most awkward name I could find. And that's how Norma and I ended up together...

Starting from the top:

Braided sterling cuff - Gift from my mother

DIY Braided friendship bracelet

Norma nameplate bracelet - Erica Weiner

Adjustable sterling stone bracelet  - Bought on a trip to Cape May, NJ

Leather and turquoise bracelet - Bought on a trip to Cape Code

My grandmother is a huge source of fashion inspiration. She was always adorned in some type of lavish costume jewelry. Diamonds, faux gemstones, chunky bangles - I used to sit on her lap and play with her jewelry... And I think her keenness for accessorizing stuck with me. The dainty silver watch I'm wearing doesn't work, but it was hers...

Sorta feels like wearing a bit of history when I look down at my wrists.

Lotus and Leather Bracelet courtesy of J.Rudy Lewis

Vintage watch - My grandmother's

Jade bangle - Bought in Chinatown

Zebra  cuff - Urban Outfitters

Blogger Breakfast @ Neiman Marcus, Paramus, NJ

While I usually don't need a solid reason to go to the mall besides the obvious, Neiman Marcus invited me and other local NJ bloggers for a breakfast and fashion/beauty event in their Garden State Plaza Paramus mall location.

Along with my good friend and blogger Molly of Pretty Stylish Life, we attend the inaugural event held in The Rotunda, the department store's beautiful restaurant to mingle with bloggers and talk about all things fashion.

The PR team gave us a guided tour of the three-level department store that is decked out in beautiful artwork, something store creator Herbert Marcus was a fan of, and of course, an array of designers that calls out to anyone who is an admirer of beautiful fashion and home wares!

Gorgeous Valentino jacket... That shall be mine...

I almost lost it when I saw they had a Chanel boutique, and they carry one of my favorite designer of all time - Emilio Pucci! 

The Chanel boutique located on the third floor - also known as my new home.

I'm redoing my kitchen with Chanel tiles...

A display showing what Emilio Pucci is known best for - gorgeous prints.

I've often walked through the store as a shopper, but I will say going on a tour and learning about the chain's history was vert interesting, and made me look at it in a completely new way.

It really is a beautiful store, and there's so much I'd love to have in my wardrobe (and will be dropping major hints on my husband for monetary contributions). But, I did notice the bloggers really swooned over Rachel Zoe's collection. Two words - animal prints!

Alexander McQueen scarf and Alexander Wang's Rocco Satchel - I'll take both, please!

One of the most stylish NM employees I've ever seen. 

"Pink Tory Burch frock, meet my closet."

 And guys, the men's department offers just as many stylish offerings as the women's department!

Ever wonder who's the person behind their Twitter account? You're not alone - Meet Jean (pictured at far left with Lynne and Kim of the store's PR department), who runs the NM Twitter page out of Houston, TX.

Great event all around! The team also gifted us with generous Neiman Marcus canvas totes filled with beauty products galore! If you live in NJ, you must stop by the store and indulge in some retail therapy!

Outfit:

Dress - Forever 21

Gladiator Sandals - Nine West

Necklace - Mandee

Cuff - Recycled leather cuff via Etsy.com

Friday 5

1. Sweet Secrets

Ladies of the 80s, ya'll remember these!? Thanks to Pinterest, I've rekindled my love for this little gems. I know I had them... just gotta dig around and revive these for my bookshelf!

Which leads to me...

2. Pinterest

This site is like a grown-up way to make collages and share them with people. Ever since I found their app for the iPhone, I've been building boards and scooping out others. If you're on Pinterest, feel free to follow me @ http://pinterest.com/houseofjeffers/

3. Remembering Amy Winehouse

I was really bummed when I found out about her passing. While the media focused more about her downfalls, I hope people will focus more for her amazing soulful voice and talent rather than her weaknesses. I've always been a huge fan of hers, and will remember Amy for the music she made, and not the drama that surrounded her.

4. Haus of Price Megabootie 2.0

File this under my Christmas Wish list...

5. My readers

Thank you to anyone and everyone who continues to read House Of Jeffers! I appreciate you for following the blog, keeping up with me on Twitter and for your comments! Kudos for letting me rant and for actually reading because with ya'll, I wouldn't be able to do what I do! 

70s Fashion Icons That Still Rock!

Music is a huge influence on my style. And while we've got Lady Gaga, Madonna and Gwen Stefani who have become some of biggest fashion icons in music today, I find the ladies of the 70s got it right.

These ladies had killer dos and of course, knew how to sing with style. Even today, a lot of fashion emulates the 70s, and I can't help but think these women had something to do with it. I definitely draw inspiration from each of them.

Debbie Harry

 

What: Lead singer of Blondie.

Why her style rocks: Ms. Harry was the ultimate fem punk rock gal of the 70s, mixing gritty glam rock with a dash of sexy streetwise style. 

Signature look: Punk rock glam.

Cher

What: Was married to Sonny Bono, a la Sonny & Cher. Wore some crazy ass ish.

Why her style rocks: As much as her voice is unique, Cher was never afraid to wear over-the-top costumes and experiment with style. 

Signature looks: Her dark black hair and winged out eyeliner combined with variety show costumes and that weird outfit she wore in the "If I Could Turn Back Time Video". And she's got an ass tattoo.

Stevie Nicks

 

What: Singer of Fleetwood Mac

Why her style rocks: This songbird with an affliction for the magical and mythical rocked 70s platforms and bohemian flowy frocks like it was her job. Just consider her the good witch of boho/gypsy.

Signature looks: Gold dust woman.

Diana Ross

What: Singer of The Supremes, was also in the movies The Wiz and Mahogany. Oh, and she touched Lil Kim's boob at the VMA awards in 1999.

Why her style rocks: From show-stopping gowns during her time in The Supremes, to her mod style in the 60s and disco in the 70s, Diana Ross pulled it all off.

Signature look: Huge hair and over the top Hollywood glamour.

Women's Mafia Fashionable Fridays: Beauty & Style Gifting Event

On Friday, I battled the 101 heat weather and headed into NYC to meet the lovely ladies of the NYC Fashion Meetup Group for the Women's Mafia Fashionable Fridays: Beauty & Style Gifting Event held at Arrojo Studio in Soho.

The event was one of the best I've attended, with lots of beauty, fashion, goodies and friends! The stylists at Arrojo Studio were on hand to cut, style and create updos or even touch up makeup. Being that I always wanted a fishtail braid, Gardner hooked me up with this fab do that kept me cool yet stylish! I left with a bag filled with products that I've already used. Even master stylist and Arrojo Studio founder, Nick Arrojo, was on hand working his craft.

Nick Arrojo tended to the tresses of his client during the event.

Some of the ladies indulged in a cut or updo...

Guests stepped in front of the camera of Pop-Up-Studio's backdrop to get wild and crazy! This idea is genius, and I wish I knew about it for my wedding!

Outfit:

Animal print dress - Bebe Outlet

Necklace - Mandee

Nail Polish - Forever 21's Love & Beauty in Tomato

The event also featured Lora Condon, author of "Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth About The Beauty Industry", reading excerpts. After hearing one of her gross-out stories of a less-than-pleasant experience, I'm eager to get started reading her book, which she signed for me!

One of my most favorite parts of the event was meeting jewelry designer J. Rudy Lewis. I'm a huge fan of the hand-crafted movement, especially jewelry, and his work was simply impressive! His pieces featured chunky metals, meticulously hand-crafted with gems, stones and even leather. The metal smith was generous to gift attendees with a piece of their own, and I can't wait to show you what I received!

Regardless of the killer weather, I'm so glad I made it out to the event and experienced some of the best in fashion and beauty!

Candy of Taylor & Demolish snapped photos of the event along with fellow blogger Nicole of Black Shoe Diaries.

Sahra of Effortless Cool and me