jessica – Page 151

The Coveted

January 24, 2017 by jessica 4 Comments

Madison’s unseasonably warm temperatures seem well-deserved after the ice storms we had early last week that turned the city into a skating rink. My car is parked outside at the top of a slight incline, and I’d have enough momentum to shuffle halfway to my Jetta before sliding back to my starting point. Over and over and over again. It took a dozen attempts before I could grab the door handle and pull myself forward! I’m thrilled I won’t have to contend with that this Monday morning, but I’m even more excited to finally break out my first purchase of 2017: a polka dot Diane von Furstenberg dress. (Any year that starts with a pretty designer frock is destined to be a fantastic one, right?) It’s longer than what I usually wear, so I prefer to go sans tights with heels to give it a little oomph (which may be code for “sex appeal,” but that’s an adjective I don’t actually use for myself). It also looks adorable with sandals, but we’ll have to wait a few months for that!

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Linking Up: Still Being Molly, Pink Sole, More Pieces of Me, Style Nudge, Claire Justine

Weekend Reading

January 21, 2017 by jessica 1 Comment

NOLA: I think we’ve finally picked our spring vacation destination. I had never seriously considered New Orleans as a must-visit location, but I’ve warmed up to The Big Easy after doing some trip research this week. Pretty architecture and beignets? I’m in!

MIX IT UP: Doesn’t this Chartreuse Swizzle cocktail look amazing? It’s the perfect thing to beat the winter blues this weekend.

POWER DRESSING: Learn how clothing played a role in the civil rights movement.

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS: This image has been making its way around the Internet to teach women the different ways breast cancer can look and feel.

HOLA: How cute is this tote bag?! (And how dorky am I for wanting to purchase it for an Instagram in New Orleans with the caption “Hola from NOLA?”)

DECORATE: Use throw pillows like a pro.

FEMINISM: The women’s march has had some hiccups along the way, but here’s why you shouldn’t criticize it too harshly.

The Coveted

January 17, 2017 by jessica 7 Comments

It’s not often that the weekly “The Coveted” post includes a couple of items I already own, but I’m really excited about two pieces I recently snagged that probably won’t make it on the blog soon: this faux leather tote from Old Navy and the red lace dress from BB Dakota.

I had been looking for an inexpensive tote bag that I could use for work. I wanted something that wouldn’t be ruined by precipitation and I wouldn’t need to baby. I basically needed a better version of the free canvas tote from Madewell that I had been throwing my ballet flats and lunch inside. This Old Navy tote fit the bill, and it’s actually nicer in person that I thought it would be.

Now, the red dress is gorgeous and it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. It has a lovely a-line fit so it skims over hips with ease, but do be aware that the neckline is pretty low if you’re self conscious about showing off the ladies. On the flip side, you can get away with a regular bra thanks to the cap sleeves! I’m going to wear it with a red bra to camouflage the straps in case they peek through the lace a bit. Really, though, it’s just a sexy dress to have in your wardrobe. Plus, it’s only $88!

Tee for Two

January 16, 2017 by jessica 9 Comments

If it’s not already obvious, I am not a jeans and a tee kind of girl. In fact, it’s so rare for me to don a pair of jeans and a tee that one of my friends finds it so shocking when I do that he insists I “look like a real person!” :: eye roll :: It’s not that I necessarily hate jeans and tee shirts, I just feel more like myself in a dress. Plus, no matter what anyone says, a dress is way more comfortable than jeans. (There are no waistbands on a-line shift dresses!)

However, I will admit that there are few things as effortless as a tee shirt for weekend errands — and I just may be coming around to them thanks to Banana Republic’s new Signature Tee Collection. Banana Republic launched the collection earlier this month and it’s filled with tee shirts that are both ultra-flattering and ultra-soft in a range of beautiful colors. I’m wearing the long-sleeve modal tee in Shiraz and I wish there was a way for you to pop through the screen and feel how soft the fabric is for yourself. It’s breathable, a little slinky, and the drape is perfection. Not only does it look great with jeans for a relaxed weekend, you can tuck it into a skirt for work thanks to the pretty scoop neckline. Although, you may want to size down if you’re going to dress it up. Mine is a medium and while I’m usually between a small and medium, this is definitely on the large side. But that’s actually part of why I’m so smitten with it it. It’s unbelievably comfortable, so much so that I’ve also been wearing it around the house with pajama shorts. I basically don’t want to take it off. You can snag the tee for $39.50 for one or $20 each if you buy two or more.

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Linking Up: Still Being Molly, Pink Sole, More Pieces of Me, Fizz and Frosting, Style Nudge, Claire Justine

Plus, a huge thanks to Banana Republic for sponsoring this post!