Q&A with J

Have a question that's not answered here? Email me - I'm always happy to help!

J, why do you blog?

J, how do you recommend looking stylish everyday?

For me, it’s all about planning ahead. I would consider myself mostly type-A and not all that creative, so I spend some time each weekend brainstorming, where I think up new outfits to wear each week. I shut the door, put on some music and seriously get into the zone. This is also when I take the pictures for the blog (in one chunk). I am SO not a morning person and I'm always running late, so I've found that having some outfit ideas already in mind really helps. There is always something to be said for spontaneous dressing – but I usually save that for weekends, and will throw something together and take a pic and post it the same day. Doing this blog though, and spending this much time thinking ahead about my clothes has definitely made me a better dresser! I recommend taking a “planning ahead approach” to dressing for everyone.

J, why can’t I find the items pictured on your blog?

The one downfall of being a bargain hunter is that the same bargains can be hard for others to find, plus many of my items are more than 5 years old. This is why I started posting pictures of my shopping finds as soon as I get them, and posting shopping look-alikes. I would encourage you though to keep an eye out for something similar – the best part about fashion is that you don’t need the EXACT items in an outfit to get the same look. Find something that is already in your closet, or the awesome finds that YOU stumble on and go from there!

J, how in the world did you score that deal?

This post spills many of my retail secrets. (It is specifically written about Banana, but applies to other stores as well.) I try to "learn the retail rhythm," I keep an eye on how long items have been in the store, so I’ll know when they are planning to slash prices. I also sign up for coupons/emails from companies so I know what the latest promotions are. If you ever have a question about a specific item or deal, though, please feel free to post a comment under that item and I’ll let you know how I scored that deal.

J, what do you do for work?

I worked in corporate marketing for 5 years. My job ended in October 2010 due to budget cuts, and after a bumpy year of living on zero income, I am now proud to say that I am a successful entrepreneur and freelancer. J's Everyday Fashion is 90% of what I do, and I am also the Shopping Expert for VISIT FLORIDA, have a makeover show on IzonOrlando, and do personal shopping and style consulting. For more info, see Hire Me.

J. who are you and why are you an authority on fashion?

I grew up in Kansas. I graduated from the University of Kansas in 2005 with a BS in Journalism and a BA in Communication Studies. I moved to Boston after school and lived there for 4 years. I moved to Orlando in 2009 and absolutely love it here.

One of the funny things about this blog is that I'm really not an authority on fashion. That's part of the appeal - I am just an average girl, so if I can do this stuff, then you guys definitely can too! My sense of style is completely self-taught. I didn’t grow up fashionable, no one in my family is particularly interested in it. For some reason in college I started experimenting and really started to love the creative outlet it provides. I also paint, but fashion is a way to wear your art, literally, and express how you’re feeling every single day.

J, what size do you wear?

I’m 5’7” and I wear a size 0 on top and a size 2 on the bottom. I wear a size 26 in jeans. And my least favorite part about my body: I wear a 9.5 or 10 in shoes. A note about this: please don’t feel like you need to be the same size as me to wear all the outfits I post! No matter what your size, you can use the color palette for inspiration and look for similar pieces that fit your body specifically. Let me know if you have questions on what body type works for specific outfits by leaving a comment on that outfit and I am happy to help.

J, what is your exercise / "how’d you get those legs" routine?

This is such a sweet question and I really wish I had some secret leg workout that I could share with you all. I get my legs from my mom, and I think wearing heels helps tone your calves. For more info on my workout routine, see this previous blog post.

J, where did you get your tan?

I'm American Indian, so my skin is naturally very olive. I also tan very easily and I live in Florida, so although I use SPF, I can get quite dark. I do not use self tanners, tanning beds or spray tan.

Xoxo,