jessica – Page 250

Prep School

January 12, 2015 by jessica 20 Comments

Last week’s wind chills brought Madison to -30 degrees. Schools were cancelled, my office was closed, and all I wanted to do was dive back under the covers and hibernate until spring. We ventured out on Sunday (a balmy 26 degrees) to take a few photos of what’s become my winter uniform. You might balk at my bare ankles (that Fran so affectionately calls “hussy ankles”), but I promise you that Wisconsin made my skin weirdly resistant to cold weather. If it’s not windy, not under zero degrees, and I’m not expected to be outside longer than it takes to scamper from the car, I’m showing a little skin. Scandalous.

In other news, I bought a new bag! I agonized between it and this mod canteen purse (ahem, first-world problems), but the more versatile option seemed like a better bet. I’m already daydreaming about bringing it on vacation. There’s plenty of room for my camera and for the little trinkets I collect throughout the day. (At risk of being dubbed a cat lady, Bacon was also pretty jazzed about the purchase.)

DETAILS

Coat: J.Crew
Top (not pictured): J.Crew
Pants: Banana Republic
Scarf: c/o VIDA
Purse: Tory Burch
Earrings: Vrai & Oro
Ring: Lulu Frost
Sunglasses: Prada
Shoes: Kate Spade (eBay; these are similar)
Lips: Stila “Fiore”
Nails: Zoya “Maya”

Bauble of the Week

January 11, 2015 by jessica 2 Comments

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The challenge with reasonably priced fine jewelry is that most brands opt for simple everyday gems (Vrai & Oro does them beautifully). There aren’t many jewelers who can marry an unexpected design with precious metals and still come in at a price that isn’t astronomical. Dannijo’s new fine jewelry collection accomplishes this with its all-gold pieces. (The diamond options are significantly pricier.) The Spinelli ear jacket is my favorite. It has the brand’s signature irreverence with a delicate touch and gives you the option of replacing the center stud with a favorite from your own collection. I imagine it looks darling with a diamond center or a colorful gemstone. It’s still an investment at $325, but the versatility is worth it.

Weekend Guide

January 10, 2015 by jessica 5 Comments

PLAN
Shore up your travel plans with The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2015.” Many are unrealistic for most of us, but it’s fun to daydream.

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RESOLVE
Still penning your style resolutions? Find inspiration from Bazaar’s editors.

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EAT
This Mexican chop salad is a healthy and delicious option to add to your meal lineup.

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WEAR
How cute is this take on Tibi’s splatter skirt? It comes in at just $79 and the knee-length hemline is more universally flattering than the midi length.

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ANTICIPATE
Overhaul your summer wardrobe with Lilly Pulitzer’s collaboration with Target. I’m thrilled about the partnership, but others don’t share the same excitement.

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WATCH
We started watching You’re the Worst last night. As IMDb puts it, the show “centers on two toxic, self-destructive people who fall in love and attempt a relationship.” It’s cute, hilarious, and unexpected. It’s also so good that we breezed through most of the episodes last night.

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// additional images via 1, 2 //

Covetable

January 9, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

Required Reading | Cartier in the 20th Century

January 7, 2015 by jessica 3 Comments

What better way to make good on my resolution to read more than with a history of one of the world’s most renowned jewelers? Cartier in the 20th Century guides the reader on an opulent journey from 1900 to 1975, chronicling the brand’s defining moments through seven thematic sections, including Aristocracy and Aspiration, Foreign Fascination, and The Art of Smoking. The photography throughout the 272-page book is breathtaking. There are historical images, jewelry photos, and design drawings from Cartier’s archives, but the real treat is the thoughtful discussion of Cartier’s response to history and fashion’s most defining moments. It’s a must read for any jewelry aficionado and the cloth-bound book (in Cartier’s signature red, naturally) is a stunning addition to a coffee table collection.

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All jewelry images are from the Cartier Collection. Photo credit: Nick Welsh.

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A review copy of Cartier in the 20th Century was given to me free of charge for purposes of this post. This does not influence my opinions of the book.