Happy Birthday! Win $100 to LOFT [now closed]

























J's Everyday Fashion turns ONE year old today! To celebrate, and say thank you for being the most amazing fans on the planet, I'm giving you a couple of well-deserved birthday presents. Not one, but two readers will receive $100 gift cards to the LOFT! (I really wish I could win this one!) Winner will be selected at random and announced on Thursday, June 2nd. Disclaimer: LOFT is not sponsoring this giveaway, they simply gifted me these gift cards to give to you.

To enter:
1. The only requirement to enter is to leave a comment below. I also encourage you to "like" the LOFT Facebook page though - that's how the winner will be announced and you don't want to miss your name being called!

Extra credit:
1. Tweet about the giveaway and tag me (@jevrydayfashion) for one extra entry!
2. Post about the giveaway on Facebook and tag my Facewbook page for an extra entry!

Good luck - and *thank you* for making this such an awesome year! xoxo, - J.

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Fashion Show






































The first half of yesterday was spent running around in the yellow and blue look I posted. The night was spent in this ensemble, going out to dinner with my friend Alison, and then attending a fashion show put on by my friend Layne. I had an awesome time catching up with Alison, enjoying a yummy dinner at Kona Grill and of course, Layne's fashion show was tons of fun and the best part - it raised money for breast cancer research! (check out her photography website)

About my outfit: It was so nice being able to wear a blazer and not sweat to death! (File under: annoying things Florida people say about the weather.) I took advantage of the cooler Kansas temps to wear my white blazer - this time pairing it with browns and a double-necklace look I stole from Gwenyth Paltrow. It was really comfy and fit the occasion!

Occasion: Dinner and a fashion show in KS
Inspiration photo: FabSugar
Blazer: c/o MJR Sales
T-shirt: Gap, $10
Jeans: American Eagle, $33
Belt: H&M, $20
Shoes: c/o Chinese Laundry
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Long necklace: Banana Republic, $20
Short necklace: c/o Stella & Dot

Sassy models on the runway


























Me and Alison

First Episode of My Show!!!













It's here! It's here! It's finally here! (CLICK HERE to watch.) About 6 months ago, I started doing free personal shopping trips in the Orlando area. I would always think "wouldn't it be cool to capture these experiences and post them on the blog?" That turned into an idea for a makeover show, and while I never thought in a million years it would happen this fast - here it is!! A HUGE thank you to IzonOrlando for believing in my vision and helping me bring it to life. The next steps are to shoot 12 more episodes this summer (I'll be doing a city-wide search for women to be on the show), and after that I hope to take J's Everyday Fashion national!

I can't wait to hear what you think - please leave your comments below, and if you like the video share it with your friends. (the more views we get, the better chance we have of making the show a regular thing!) Also, please keep in mind that this is a pilot - it was a learning experience for all of us so there are already some big improvements we have in mind for the next episode. Let me know what you'd like to see in future though!

Today's Everyday Fashion: LearnVest






































Today's inspiration comes from my most unusual source yet... a financial website! This is a stock photo from LearnVest, which just goes to prove that you can find inspiration anywhere. I mean, how cute is that belt she is wearing? Today is my first day in Kansas and I have lunch plans, plus I'm visiting a few friends and their kiddos. This outfit is super-comfy but still really fun! I'm looking forward to spending the day catching up with friends.

Occasion: Lunch and visiting friends in KS
Inspiration photo: LearnVest
Cardigan: Express, really old
Shirt: LOFT, $20
Belt: Gap, $40
Shorts: Gap, $25
Shoes: Guess/DSW, $21
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Necklace: c/o Stella & Dot







And speaking of LearnVest... they recently published my "6 clothing items you can repurpose now" article on their website (woo hoo)! You can see it here!

Today's Everyday Fashion: New Hair






































If fashion is my strong point, then doing hair is my absolute weakness. My hair is crazy thick, slightly wavy and I have no idea how to manage it. There, I said it. (acknowledgement is the first step, yes?) I like to reach for the stars in most areas of my life, but when it comes to hair, I pretty much do the bare minimum. I need help. Lucky for me, I have found a hairdresser that is willing to teach me and I hope (fingers crossed!) help me really improve my hair. Check out the before and after pictures below - I'm loving the new color she did! (Now I just need to learn how to style it.) If you live in Central FL be sure to check her out, she works in both Kissimmee and Clermont.

About my outfit: I am headed to Kansas today and this is what I'm wearing on the plane! It's both a personal trip (I'm from there) and business (I'm doing a "Shop with J for a Day" event on Saturday). I'll be posting all my outfits as the week goes on. I have my high school reunion, a family function, a sorority function, a shopping event and much more so stay tuned!

Occasion: Air travel
Shirt: Banana Republic, $45
Jeans: American Eagle, $33
Belt: H&M, $20
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Purse: Juicy Couture/Neiman Marcus Last Call, $115
Necklace: c/o Stella & Dot

New hair color - Before & after

Today's Everyday Fashion: It's All Good






































You may not always agree with my fashion choices. Which is okay, because I think fashion is just about the most subjective thing on the whole planet! (For example - I love today's inspiration photo but there is no way I could rock nerd glasses and oxfords without feeling uncomfortable.) Instead of knocking each other for our fashion decisions though (hello tabloids and your constant criticism of celebrities, I'm talking to YOU), I think we should celebrate our differences. (Nerd glasses look great on her! I may not wear them, but I would never tell someone else not to wear them!!) I answer tons of style questions everyday, and the first episode of my makeover show is coming out this week, but during all that advice you won't hear me say something negative. Telling you what not to wear is none of my business.  I will give you positive suggestions for what to wear if you ask me, but I usually back my advice up with "at the end of the day it's about what you like to wear. Feel free to not listen to me." ;-p

I think this idea of knocking people for what they are wearing is SO widespread that it's tough not to do it. But I'm on a mission to make fashion a positive thing, at least in this corner of the universe. We should all follow dress codes (for church and work) and to some extent, social norms, but otherwise don't be scared to wear what you want. What some may consider gaudy you may love. What some may consider boring you may love. And that's okay with me! (I hope it's okay with you too.)

Inspiration photo: Atlantic Pacific
Shirt: Forever 21, $18
Vest: Banana Republic, $35
Skirt: Forever 21, $16
Belt: American Eagle/Filene's Basement, $5
Shoes: Bandolino/TJ Maxx, $22
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Earrings: c/o Mikel Maia

Today's Everyday Fashion: Scrapbook Originals

"Michie" dress





































Today's Everyday Fashion is a special edition! The folks at Scrapbook Originals asked me to style a few of their pieces into cute outfits and I wanted to share the photos with you today. This adorable LA-based brand is sold at specialty boutiques and department stores such as Macy's and Nordstrom, but you can also buy their pieces directly from their Facebook page! I love the African print they use, plus tons of lace, bold hardware and other amazing details. This is definitely not your average line of clothes, and everything pictured is under $100. Check out the shopping section on their Facebook page by clicking here, and then click "New Items" to shop these pieces.

Please note: none of the Scrapbook Originals clothes in this post are mine. I borrowed them to take these photos, and then sent all of them back!


"Alexis" top

"Julia" dress

"Kami" top








































































































"Natalie" top









































Which one is your favorite?

Today's Everyday Fashion: LaMixx


Styling tips: Charcoal gray is a great neutral that can be worn with both black and brown. Check out the other look I did with this dress using a black jacket and shoes here. I love the laid-back vibe of the brown accents in last night's look. You could even pair it with brown gladiators for a muy casual occasion!

Inspiration photo: Banana Republic
Dress: c/o LaMixx, $35
Belt: Abercrombie, really old
Necklace: Forever 21, $8
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Shoes: c/o Chinese Laundry

My April Budget


































Here's what I bought in the month of April! My planned purchases for the month were the red and blue skirts, top row. I had bright mini-skirts on my wish list for color blocking, and found exactly what I was looking for at Forever 21. Colorful cardigans are another item (always) on my wish list, so adding this teal number from H&M was a no-brainer. Fun purchases for the month included the rainbow print shirt from Forever 21 and the army vest from Banana. The vest is a unique piece that while it wasn't on my wish list, the price was excellent and I have absolutely nothing like it in my closet, so I went for it! Finally, my practical purchase of the month was the American Eagle jean shorts, that will mostly get worn while I'm walking the dogs. :-) What were some of your great buys this month?
  1. Forever 21 orange skirt, $16
  2. Banana Republic army vest, $35
  3. Forever 21 blue skirt, $12
  4. H&M teal cardigan, $18
  5. American Eagle denim shorts, $30
  6. Forever 21 rainbow shirt, $16               = Grand total, $127

Today's Everyday Fashion: Hot Pink Shorts







































Have you ever bought something that you absolutely love, but you can't figure out what to wear with it, so it just sits in your closet? This happens to me all the time. I'm usually pretty confident that I'll be able to style an item so I go ahead and buy it, but then it takes many tries before I find something that works. Take these hot pink shorts. I love them - I love that they are linen (perfect for sweaty summers), hot pink is my favorite color at the moment, and they are really comfy. But I'm still playing around with them and figuring out what to wear them with (I feel like the linen makes them hard to dress up). I've come up with these two casual looks so far. I would wear these to a day at Disney or running errands. What would you pair these pink shorts with? What items have you bought but then had trouble styling?

Inspiration photo: Zara
Shirt: c/o MJR Sales, $6
Shorts: Forever 21, $15
Shoes: Rampage/Endless.com, $20
Necklace: Banana Republic, $20
Charm: c/o Stella & Dot, $19







































Inspiration photo: J.Crew
Shirt: American Eagle, $12
Shorts: Forever 21, $15
Belt: Limited, $10
Shoes: Rampage/Endless.com, $20

6 Clothing Items You Can Repurpose Now


























When budgets are tight, what’s a girl do to make her closet stretch? You can make your closet work for you by using items in new ways and doubling their use. Here are six items that you can repurpose now!

1. Wear a dress as a shirt: Is your closet full of sundresses that only get used on the weekends? Or special occasion dresses that are reserved solely for nighttime events? Don’t let them sit in your closet anymore, because dresses can make great work blouses. Simply layer them under a skirt with enough volume to hide the bottom of the dress, and you’ve suddenly expanded your blouse collection!

Dress (left): Target, $40
Dress (right): H&M, $14

Just like J:
1. Sparkle & Fade Linen Pull-On Skirt, $54 at Urban Outfitters
2. Forever 21 Dreamy Springtime Skirt, $17.80


























2. Fake a dress: Do you wish you had a white or black dress in your closet? Try creating one using a monochromatic shirt and skirt instead. It gives the illusion of a dress without having to buy anything new!

White skirt: Banana Republic, $35

Just like J:
1. The Limited Sateen Pencil Skirt, $49.90
2. Halogen Cotton Sateen Pencil Skirt, $59 at Nordstrom


3. Wear swimwear for day: Intricate swim cover-ups are simply too pretty to be reserved for the pool. Pair your detailed swim cover-ups with a pencil skirt for work, or over some skinny jeans for a casual day of errands!

Cover-up (left): H&M, $10
Cover-up (right): Forever 21, $30

Just like J:
1. Victoria’s Secret Paisley Cover-Up, $68
2. Victoria’s Secret Gold Bead V-Back Tie-Dye Dress, $49.50




















4. Wear a brooch as a necklace: Get twice the use out of your brooches by looping a chain through them and wearing them as a necklace! Easy to do, and your pretty brooches will get the wear they deserve.

Brooch (left): Banana Republic, $20
Brooch (right): Boutique in Kansas

Just like J:
1. missgaylee Shoulder Sitting Green Eyed Panther Brooch, $19.50 on Etsy
2. 2028 Brooch Red Crystal Flower, $25 at Macy’s


























5. Wear a dress as a skirt: Don’t have a black skirt? A black dress will work in a pinch! Don’t be afraid to layer a shirt or sweater over your dresses to wear them as skirts. It completely changes the look of your dress and eliminates the need to buy a new skirt! 

Dress (left): The Unique Closet, $40
Shirt (left): TJ Maxx, $15
Dress (right): H&M, $18
Sweater (right): H&M, $15

Just like J:
1. The Unique Closet Zip Me Strapless Zippered Pocket Dress, $39.50
2. ASOS Lace Dress with Peter Pan Collar, $83.09


6. Replace the self-tie: One of the quickest ways to give your old pieces a new look is by replacing the “self-tie” (the piece of fabric that comes with coats, dresses, shirts and ties around the waist) with a real belt. I looped a leather belt through the loops of my sweater, and even switched out the tie in a winter coat!

Coat (left): Banana Republic, $125
Belt (left): Filene’s Basement, $5
Sweater (right): Banana Republic, $30
Belt (right): H&M, $20

Just like J:
1. American Eagle Cinched Leather Belt, $29.50
2. Ann Taylor LOFT Chevron Beaded Belt, $34.50

This is a guest post for Shecky's.com. You can see it on their website here.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Clothes Hound






































You know that dress - the one in your closet that you can wear pretty much anywhere? A BBQ, to run errands, but also an event at night? This for me, is that dress! The raised navy blue embroidery has that Tory Burch vibe going on (love), and the addition of the braided belt I've had for ages was a match made in heaven. I picked it to wear today because I have errands to run (I'll wear flats for that part), and then I'm headed out at night to celebrate IzonOrlando's birthday, with no time to change in between (other than my shoes). Should be a fun night and I can't wait to take my new Clothes Hound dress out for a spin! :-)

Occasion: Errands + an event
Dress: c/o Clothes Hound (use code "Hautechild20" on their website and get 20% off everything!)
Belt: Abercrombie, really old
Purse: Juicy Couture/Neiman Marcus Last Call, $115
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Shoes: c/o Chinese Laundry

















ps. I had the absolute pleasure of co-hosting this week's episode of Central Florida Top 5 on IzonOrlando! You can watch the whole episode here!

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Orange Skirt






































I love that Katie Holmes is rocking her ladylike outfit with a fun orange skirt and leopard purse. I decided to give her classy-meets-sassy look my own spin with my favorite crazy shoes and a leopard belt. Of course, a short skirt and high heels enough skin for one outfit, so I made sure to cover up on top. Gotta keep it classy, Katie Holmes style. :-)

Style tip: Punch up your style this summer with a sassy skirt in a fun color such as orange, red or bright pink!

Occasion: Definitely not work appropriate with that sassy short skirt :-)
Inspiration photo: PopSugar.com
Shirt: Express, $25
Skirt: Forever 21, $16
Belt: Urban Outfitters, $20
Shoes: Aldo, $50
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Earrings: c/o Mikel Maia

Today's Everyday Fashion: Shop McAuley's






































One of my favorite parts about blogging is learning about new boutiques to love. I used to be a retail-only type girl, but I am really into boutiques now! As soon as I saw this unique shirt from Shop McAuley's, I fell in love with the color, and I had a hunch that it would work for re-creating this Anthropologie look. I love the varying shades of blue and green, and the yellow shoes were the perfect touch. (I also tried nude shoes but it was pretty blah.) What are some of your favorite small boutiques online? Submit them below and I'll add them to my online shopping guide!

Occasion: Work
Inspiration photo: Anthropologie
Shirt: c/o Shop McAuley's, $58
Skirt: LOFT, $55
Belt: American Eagle, $15
Shoes: Bandolino/TJ Maxx, $25
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Earrings: c/o Mikel Maia






ps. I also wanted to share this video with you! Career Reality TV had me on as a guest last week to talk about fashion in the workplace and you can watch the whole thing here.

Today's Everyday Fashion: That 70's Trend

































I don't know what's gotten into me lately. I have never been a huge fan of the boho look, but I am loving the 70's trend that is so hot right now! I can't get enough fringe, flares and 70's silhouettes such as today's shirt. Tell me - are you rocking the boho trend or passing on it?

Styling tip: This blush pink shirt has a lot of volume, and is also a size too big for me. You can make shirts that are too big work in a couple ways - you can belt them over skinny jeans, or tuck them into a skirt like I did in today's look!

Inspiration photo: Shopbop.com
Shirt: TJ Maxx, $17
Skirt: J.Crew, $45
Belt: American Eagle/Filene's Basement, $5
Shoes: c/o Chinese Laundry
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Necklace: c/o Stella & Dot
Earrings: c/o Mikel Maia

Win Earrings from VDazzled Jewelry! [now closed]

























A girl can never have enough jewelry. Or at least that's how I feel. :-) That's why I'm excited to share my latest find: VDazzled Jewelry. This awesome Etsy retailer has generously offered to give away TWO pairs of their wire wrapped earrings to one lucky reader (one for you, one for a friend?). I will randomly select a winner on Saturday. Good luck!

To enter:
1. Keep in touch with VDazzled Jewelry by "liking" their page on Facebook.
2.  Leave a comment below.

We have a winner, congrats Katherine!


 

Today's Everyday Fashion: Ahoy Matey






































Some outfits have a theme or genre. Like today's look, which would clearly be marked "nautical." You can also create outfits that mix genres - such as a girlie pink dress with combat boots (romantic + military). But with all these themes flying around, how does one not wind up going overboard? (nautical pun intended)

I have a quick test for this: if your outfit would could be worn to ANY costume party (including a Mad Men themed party!), then you might want to switch something out (use a piece from another era) to make your outfit a bit more modern. I think today's look is about as far as I would take one theme, and although it could be the start of a great costume, for Halloween I would wear it with red pumps, a full skirt and a sailor hat. :-) Tell me - how do you determine if an outfit has crossed over into costume territory?

Inspiration photo: Guess
Sweater: Banana Republic, $20
Shirt: H&M, $13
Jeans: Gap, $30
Shoes: Banana Republic, $25
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Necklace: c/o Stella & Dot (detail below)

Flashback Friday: Cropped Khakis






































I have always hated dress pants. I don't know if it's the fabric, the fit, or both, but they have always bored me to tears. I spent years of my corporate life searching for unique fabrics or colors to punch things up, but it wasn't until I found this pair from Banana Republic (for only $14!) that I truly fell in love with a pair of dress pants (meaning, something fancier than jeans). I know a lot of women struggle with loving dress pants, and I always use these pants as an example. A fun, unique fit (pleated top, cropped/skinny bottom, high-wasited, wide legs, for example) can be a great way to have fun with dress pants!

Shopping tip: Try looking for a unique fit for your work pants at stores like Urban Outfitters, ASOS or Zara. My picks:

1. Urban Outfitters, $59
2. ASOS, $53
3. ASOS, $62
4. Gap, $60
5. Forever 21, $18

Today's Everyday Fashion: How To Select Comfy Shoes







































Last night I had dinner with a friend and attended a Pulse of Central FL event and this is what I wore! I'm often asked how I wear heels so much, and/or how to find comfy heels, so I put together a few of my best tips for you guys. Not all shoes are created equal, and footwear often dictates the rest of my outfit depending on how comfy I need to be for that occasion. This was the case last night. I picked some of my most comfy heels since i had a fair amount of walking and standing to do. Here are my best tips for finding comfy heels:

1. Angle of foot. Most people think that heel height makes the biggest difference in comfort, but even more important than that is the angle of your foot. If your heel is 5 inches high with no platform, you are essentially walking on your toes, which is not comfy. If your heel is 5 inches, and the platform is 3 inches, your foot will only be at a 2 inch angle, which makes a huge difference! You can do this math on websites that list their heel and platform height (heel ht. (minus) platform ht. = foot angle, the lower the better).
2. Stiletto width. Another huge factor in the comfort of a shoe is the size of the stiletto. If the tip of the heel is the size of a pencil eraser, it's pretty tough to walk in. A wedge, on the other hand, is the most comfy heel out there. Another way to think of it - view the shoe from the bottom. How much is touching the ground? The more, the better.
3. Shoe material. My strategy for shoes is to shop for brand names at DSW, TJ Maxx or Ross. This is not because I'm a label snob, it's because a higher quality shoe is way more comfortable! Natural and real leather shoes are much more comfortable than man-made materials, which is why I try to find brand names with higher craftsmanship at discount stores. I stay away from buying shoes at stores like Payless or Target.
4. Correct size. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we've all been tempted to buy a shoe that was the right price, the right style... but not quite the right size. If your shoe is too big or too small, you will likely never be comfy in that shoe, so just pass on it.
5. Padding. I haven't tried them personally, but if you are still having troubles with heels, I suggest giving some gel inserts or extra padding a try!

Occasion: Dinner and tweet-up
Shirt: Forever 21, $16
Skirt: Forever 21, $16
Belt: American Eagle, $15
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Earrings: c/o Mikel Maia
Shoes: c/o Chinese Laundry