SHE

The Jasons

2012-02-13T06:15:00.000-08:00

What We're Wearing:

Jenmarie:
Blouse: Jason Wu for Target
Blazer: H&M
Vintage Flare Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedges: Target
Bag: OUFI London
Ring: Forever 21
Bangles: Cookie Lee
Sunglasses: Forever 21

Jason:
Graphic Tee: American Eagle Outfitters
Low Rise Boot Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Jacket: American Eagle Outfitters
DVS Shoes: Active
Belt: American Eagle Outfitters
Sunglasses: American Eagle Outfitters

I may have only come home with one Jason Wu item, but I couldn't be happier. I didn't remember seeing this blouse in the preview online so I was surprised and excited to find it in stores. I've been wanting a top like this for a while. I would've liked to get it in a size smaller but since I was at Target fifteen minutes after they opened (the location I was at before ended up not carrying the collection!) there wasn't a lot of merchandise left. Still, I think it's a cute fit and it's definitely a look that's on trend. I did want to purchase the black lace clutch too but the one I found had a defect and I knew if I got it that it would continue to bother me. I'm confident I made the right decision.

Neither Jason (my husband) or myself intended on snapping outfit photos of him but I couldn't resist. I love when he wears this jacket and any pair of sunglasses. I told him I have plans for more photos in his amazing leather jacket he got in January. He wasn't excited about the idea but he wasn't opposed to it either. He's not into fashion but definitely has style and is all about comfort and simplicity.

Did you get anything from the Jason Wu Collection? Tell me about your experience.

Sally Hansen's Strengthening Top Coat

2012-02-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

I originally bought this Sally Hansen top coat to use on a necklace I didn't want to tarnish. After letting it dry, I noticed you could still see the top coat on the piece I applied it to and only then realized how thick the product actually was. Now I know to purchase a very basic top coat if I ever want to try the tarnish prevention trick again.

Anyhow, I decided to use it for what it was designed for. Smart, right? After making sure your nails are completely dry (if you don't, it will thin out areas of the polish which will create lines and make your polish look uneven), add one coat and you'll be amazed at how much longer your nail polish will last. Mine will usually last about a week sometimes longer depending on the tasks I take on. As useful as it is, be prepared to sit there with lots of nail polish remover and q-tips for a good twenty minutes or more when you're ready to take it off. If anyone knows of a stronger remover, I'm all ears!

Might I also mention that I'm totally in love with this new shade? I found it at Forever 21 for $2.80. It's called "Beige" and I'm quite impressed with it. I always wondered about the quality of their nail polishes. I've heard that some shades require a couple of coats, but this one turned out just fine with one.

What nail products are your favorites? I'm curious to know :)

Comfortably Pink

2012-02-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

What I Wore:

Blazer: H&M
Blouse: H&M
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedges: Target
Necklace: Gifted
Ring: Forever 21
Bracelet: Harvester Products
Sunglasses: Vintage Collection at Wal-Mart
Olivia & Joy Bag: T.J. Maxx

This long and loose-fitted cotton blouse is a new arrival at H&M that can also be found in black, white, beige and blue. I went for the black first, then decided to try the pink on. It's funny how pink is one of my favorite colors but has always been quite scarce in my closet. I loved the way it looked against my fair skin and I felt it lit my face up more than the black. What about you? Do you have a favorite color that you don't actually wear much of? If you're interested, you can browse the different shades here. I'm sure these will sell out quickly as they're just under $13!

I am also wearing the black blazer (also from H&M) I've mentioned a couple of times. I love the side pockets, the single button and the pink and white pin-striped lining. I was so happy to finally find a black blazer that fit like a glove. If you still haven't found that perfect blazer (or anything for that matter) don't stop searching! You'll cross paths with it soon enough.

I also want to point out the strappy crocheted bracelet my mom (Harvester Products) made. It's so darling, comfortable and obviously on-trend. She can make just about anything!

P.S. Hope you all had fun shopping the Jason Wu for Target collection! I'll share with you what I purchased soon enough :)

My AEO Adventures Continue

2012-02-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

(Outtake from my Guest Post at the AEO Blog)

(Half of the AE Team)
About two weeks ago my store, American Eagle Oufitters, closed. The few days before the last day we were open were extremely difficult. It didn't feel real but seeing everything being shipped away and our store becoming bare made it real, ...and it hurt. I think that is probably why I didn't share the news with you. I haven't really talked about it with anyone besides my family and co-workers. And oh how I miss working (and laughing) with them. Never before have I worked with such an amazing group of people. We all got along so well and working together to meet customer's needs was so fulfilling. The good news is, I get to continue my adventures with the company! That's right, I was offered a position at another location just yesterday! I'm scheduled to start in just two weeks. I'm so thankful and excited!

However, with the excitement comes nervousness. I realized the other day that I stress and become rather indecisive when circumstances change in my life. I question myself constantly and I look at all my options one too many times. With this transfer I have the opportunity to get more hours which meant turning in my two weeks' notice at Forever 21. My manager completely understood and everything ended on a good note which I'm very grateful for. Even with all this "good" happening I still wonder and worry about the choices I've made. But, I made my move and now I get to see what happens. It's in God's hands and I know that I need to trust Him.

Is there something in your life that you feel you could worry a lot less about? Let's be reminded of this verse together:

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
God is bigger than our anxieties and will gladly take care of them for us if we allow Him to.

Sibling Photoshoot

2012-01-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful day out and since one of my brothers and I had the day off we decided to do a fun photoshoot. This is the first time on my blog where I'm featuring an outfit post with someone other than myself. I've posted a couple of pictures of my family before but let me introduce to you my brother, Jordan.

What We're Wearing:

Jenmarie
Top: H&M
Cardigan: Forever 21
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedges: Target
Necklace: Harvester Products
Ring: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Wal-Mart

Jordan
V-neck: H&M
Cardigan: H&M
Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Shoes: Vans
Bracelets: H&M & booth in mall
Sunglasses: Unknown

I found this bohemian printed cardigan on the sale rack at Forever 21 for less than $7! I love finding pieces like these because it makes me feel that my wardrobe is more prepared for the warmer weather. I like being able to layer in the Summer and this cardigan will work perfectly! The necklace is crocheted and braided and made by my lovely mom of Harvester Products.

Thanks to me (ha!) my brother recently discovered the amazingness of H&M. His collection, thus far, already consists of a few v-neck shirts, cardigans and a strappy bracelet (from the men's section). His style is simple but bold and the way he pairs everything together is very eye-catching. He tends to wear a lot of bright colors, which is perfect for the current and upcoming season, and has quite the obsession with accessories like shoes, belts and sunglasses.

Might I also point out that we're both wearing American Eagle Outfitters jeans? Because life is better when you own a pair. Just sayin' ;)

I hope you enjoyed our little photoshoot!

Links à la Mode: January 26th

2012-01-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

This is the second time my blog has made an appearance on IFB's weekly Links à la Mode roundup and I couldn't be more excited and honored to be featured!

Making a Connection

Edited by: Fajr Muhammad of Stylish Thought

Can you believe that it’s almost February. Fashion week is right around the corner and that means that the IFB Conference is right upon us. The IFB Conference has opened so many doors and channels for fashion bloggers to connect and expand their *ahem* influence. Fashion week is another great avenue to network and work with brands, the media and other bloggers. In our fast-paced digital (and fashion) worlds, connection is key.

Check out this week’s Link a la Mode and connect with our 20 selected bloggers. Read their post, comment and build relationships that will last past fashion week and beyond.

SPONSOR:

Shoes at Shopbop: Frye Shoes, Yosi Samra Flats, See by Chloe Shoes, Tapeet, Ash Sneakers, Sam Edelman Sandals, Steven, Wang Shoes, Pelle Moda, Vanessa Mooney, Loeffler Randall, Dolce Vita Shoes & Hunter Boots

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE

If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Pinterest vs. Tumblr

2012-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

I'm a fan of both Pinterest and Tumblr but there are certain things I like more about Pinterest than Tumblr and vice versa. I thought I'd try my hand at a very Beautifully Invisible-inspired post. Only those of you who know her will understand what I'm saying ;) Anyhow, without further ado, let us take a look at their differences and similarities, shall we?

Standard or Custom Layout

With Pinterest, every user has the same clean and basic layout that matches the website. I really appreciate the professionalism. This is one reason why I always favored Facebook over Myspace. It can be fun to personalize your space but there are people who make their pages a little too busy for my taste. With that said, I still enjoy having the ability to make edits to my Tumblr. Most of the layouts they provide are simple but with options to change the background, header, adding widgets and simple stuff anyone with basic html knowledge can handle.

Verdict: They both have my vote!

Photo Browsing
Honestly, there have been many times when I've used Pinterest's search bar and because the server was so busy my results wouldn't show. When they do, there are rows and rows of images that pop up and continue to as I scroll down which makes loading time much slower. For me it's not as efficient as when I use Tumblr's search bar. No more than a handful of images show at a time in a single vertical row. My eyes are able to focus and appreciate one image at a time. Once and a while when searching for a specific something I'll use Pinterest because I can see more at once but generally I like to use Tumblr for browsing. Although I will admit that Pinterest has a much larger selection of recipes, DIYs and the like.

Verdict: Tumblr!

Photo Options

Pinterest's Options are as follows:
- "Like" on Pinterest
- Repin
- "Like" on Facebook
- Tweet
- Embed
- Email
- Report Pin
- Add your pin to a category (Not shown)
- Add your own personal text (Not shown)

Tumblr's Options are as follows:
- "Like" on Tumblr
- Reblog
- Publish now or later (Not shown)
- Add tags (Not shown)
- Send to Twitter (Not Shown)
- Add your own person text (Not shown)

Nintey percent of the time I use Tumblr to "like", Tweet and reblog something I've seen. However, I use Pinterest's handy "Pin It" button (which I'll talk more about in a second) on Tumblr to categorize the photo I've liked.

Verdict: Tumblr!

"Likes" or Categories

I've "liked" 3,357 posts on Tumblr and it's a number that continues to grow on a daily basis. The bad thing is, if I want to go back and look at something I "liked" a month ago I have to go page by page searching for that one photo. It's such an inconvenience. Now, If I reblogged that photo I can look at my archives which makes it a little easier. But why go through all the hassle when everything can be categorized on Pinterest? They have separate albums which contain your individual "likes" by categories that you create. It definitely beats browsing all your favorites page by page on Tumblr with all the fashion mixed up with the food, quotes, Disney and random screencaps from your favorite movies and TV shows.

Verdict: Pinterest!

Pins, Tags, and Posting

The "Pin It" option is perfect for whenever you see a photo anywhere on the web and have to save it. A window pops up asking which category you'd like to pin it to, an option to describe your pin, and if you want to send it to Twitter. This handy button sits on your Favorites bar eagerly awaiting to be used!

Tumblr doesn't have a feature like this but they too have something Pinterest doesn't really use. Tags! The majority of Tumblr users use tags every time they post and that's how we find what we're looking for. You can also save tags that are of most interest to you. As you can see above, I currently have Disney, Rachel Zoe and Star Wars. It got a little out of control recently so I toned it down a bit. Since I follow so many people who have the same interests as me it wasn't really necessary for me to have all the saved tags. It's a really great feature though and I love it because it informs you of how many new posts under that tag there have been since your last visit.

Tumblr also has multiple different ways to post and since it's more of a blogging platform than Pinterest is, it makes sense. With a click of a button you can easily add text, a photo, a quote (one of my favorites), a simple link, chat (an open discussion post), audio or a video.

Verdict: That "Pin It" button is mighty tempting :P

Overall
I've been a Tumblr girl for a long time and I use it every day. I've used Pinterest a lot more in the last month or two and I've come to notice their differences and similarities and that's why I wanted to share them with you. I've realized that Tumblr is much more like an easy way to blog without really having to write anything at all (although some people do use it this way) and Pinterest is like a large organized e-album. Both are great and completely useful individually but they also work great together (like "pinning" a photo from Tumblr). I've seen both of them used in great ways to inspire people (even blog posts!), to help yourself remember a recipe or a photoshoot idea and I've also seen them expand blog readership. If you're interested, IFB recently posted an article on five ways your blog can benefit from Pinterest that I would highly recommend. You can read it here!

Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest and Tumblr!

My Pinterest
My Personal Tumblr
SHE's Tumblr
Do you use both Pinterest and Tumblr or do you prefer one or the other? Do you use them any specific way? I'd love to know!

A 2 Year Blogiversary Video & Giveaway Winners!

2012-01-21T07:09:00.000-08:00

I still can't believe it's been two years since I started this blog. It's been so much fun! I love every single time I'm able to share with you my fashion life and experiences. I love the friendships I've made. I love blogging and the way it's opened my eyes to a fashion world I never knew existed. The journey has been incredible and I'm excited to continue it this year and many more to come!

So, I decided I wanted to try and do something at least a little special for this big day (besides the giveaways) and thought about attempting my first video. It's super short but it still counts right? It took about five times before I got it right (I was super nervous) but hopefully the end result isn't too bad. I honestly hope to do more of these in the future!

And now for the lucky giveaway winners...

Giveaway #1 - Style A to Zoe Book
Casee

Giveaway #2 - Essie Nail Polish
Nnenna

Congratulations ladies! I will be contacting you after the weekend about your winnings!

Love & Kindness

2012-01-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

(My husband Jason and I on my 26th Birthday)

"Never take for granted the people who show you love and kindness."
- Etiquette for a Lady
I read this quote the other day and was thankful for the reminder. I think it's so important to let those who are special to you know how much you appreciate them in some way on a regular basis. Little things like saying "thank you" when they bless you with gifts or when they go out of their way to do something for you makes a difference. Or maybe you've noticed how eager they are to hear about how you've been or how they listen to you go on and on about a situation at work that's been bothering you. Do you do the same for them? Do you speak kindly? Do you greet them with a smile or hug? Do you get in contact with that person only when you need something?

"Do unto others as you would have them do to you." - Luke 6:31

You may not have ever thought of this but being a more loving person and showing kindess towards others will make you more beautiful. It's true ladies. Inside beauty is definitely more important than anything we choose to wear and any amount of make-up we put on. Sure, your Michael Kors bag or Tom Ford lipstick may be out of this world but if the outside doesn't match what's inside than what's the point?

The world could use a little more love and kindess. How will you contribute?

Don't forget to enter my special blogiversary giveaways here!

Rachel Zoe Book & Essie Nail Polish Giveaway!

2012-01-11T14:18:00.000-08:00

On January 21st I'll be able to say that I've been blogging for two years! My blogging journey has been so exciting and my readers are a huge part of that. Which is why I'd like to say "thank you" with two fun giveaways just for you! Please be sure to read all the guidelines before entering :)

GIVEAWAY RULES
1) Open to US Readers only.
2) Follow SHE via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'.
3) So that everyone gets a chance to win, you may only enter one of the two giveaways.

EXTRA ENTRIES
1) Follow SHE via Twitter and tweet about the Giveaway!
2) Follow SHE via Facebook.

ENTRY FORM
(Please copy and paste this into the comment form.)
Name:
Email:
Giveaway #:
Extra Entries:

GIVEAWAY #1

Style A to Zoe - The Art of Fashion, Beauty, & Everything Glamour

GIVEAWAY #2

Essie Nail Polish in "It's Genius".

Good luck everyone! The winners will be announced on January 21st!

Sparkly

2012-01-06T17:45:00.000-08:00

What I Wore:
Blazer/Jacket: H&M
Top: Target
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Steve Madden Wallet: Marshalls
Heels: Payless
Necklace: Outlet
Ring: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Wal-Mart (Vintage Collection)

I recently purchased two blazers from H&M. This one is double-breasted and in between a light brown and nude-ish color. I love how perfectly it fits and the warmth it provides. Normally it's difficult for me to find blazers or jackets with sleeves that fit how they should. I was very surprised when I found these which is why I decided to bring both of them home with me. You'll see the black number soon ;)

The new ring makes such a statement and has already received many compliments. I love the color and the way it sparkles in the sunlight.

I'm always tempted to use my Steve Madden Wallet as a clutch but that'd be just silly. It makes the perfect prop though! You can see more photos of it here if you haven't yet.

I've definitely become more used to pairing black and different shades of brown together. It's hard to change an idea you've had about something (not just fashion) your entire life but it just goes to show it can definitely happen if you're willing to try.

Last but not least, SHE's two year blogiversary is coming up on January 21st! I will be doing a couple of giveaways for the occasion, so be on the lookout!

Asymmetrical Romance

2012-01-03T15:54:00.000-08:00

What I Wore:

Tank: Target
Cardigan: Target
Skirt: Pac Sun
Tights: Forever 21
Slingbacks: Payless
Headband: Forever 21
Necklace: American Eagle Outfitters
Bracelet:: Unknown

What an exciting moment! My first post of the year! I can't believe how fast 2012 came up. I'm hoping you all had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays :)

I've had this asymmetrical skirt since before Christmas and can't believe I haven't shared it with you yet! I love how elegant this skirt looks and the way it moves when I walk. To be honest, I'm very obsessed with asymmetrical clothing and never did I think one of my favorite pieces would come from Pac Sun. I was equally surprised when I set foot in the store as their line of clothing has changed drastically. I remember shopping there from time to time as teenager and everything was real beach-like. You should stop in at take a peek next time you're near one. And if you're interested, there's a similiar skirt like mine made of chiffon available online here.

Most of my accessories you see are new. I love the chain necklace from American Eagle Outfitters and how it has delicate beads at the end. The bracelet I picked up at a random cart at one of my nearest malls (along with a silver number I'm sure you'll see soon). It's nothing I ever thought I'd wear but I really liked it once I tried it on. The darling headband I recently purchased at Forever 21. I'm thinking of going back to get the pink version too.

Happy New Year!

Looking back at 2011

2011-12-31T20:43:00.000-08:00

Well friends, it really has been a wonderful blogging year. I consider myself blessed to have such an amazing group of readers and I'm so thankful for all the wonderful opportunities and experiences that have come my way. I thought it'd be fun to not only share some of the outfits I pieced together this year but to also go month-by-month and share a favorite post or two. Which were your favorites?

JANUARY
Our Favorites from the Golden Globes

As many of you know by now, Casee Marie and I recently decided we wanted to blog individually. We learned a lot starting this blog together and had so much fun doing it! One of our favorite things to blog about were red carpet moments!

_______________________________________

FEBRUARY
Rachel Zoe Fall 2011 RTW

Everyone knows how much of a huge Rachel Zoe fan I am, right?
You can't imagine how excited I was over her first collection!

_______________________________________

MARCH
Big Bag, Little Bag

I'm stil rather proud of this tutorial on how to go from using a large bag to a smaller bag. It's all about prioritizing and organizing!

SHE Wears: Cat Eye Sunglasses

This was our (as in Casee Marie and I) first in a handful of the "SHE Wears" project.

_______________________________________

APRIL
Amerian Eagle Outfitters

The night I was hired at American Eagle Outfitters.
I never thought having a job there could be so perfect and rewarding!

_______________________________________

MAY
Living Glamorously in a Small Space

Casee Marie worked some serious magic in her closet!
Everyone who read this post was inspired!

Strike a Pose!

My own thoughts and inspiration on blogger outfit posts.

_______________________________________

JUNE
Blogging Strengths

Be yourself and use what you've got to share with you readers!

_______________________________________

JULY
Life is the Bubbles

This was one of my favorite themes from the Full Time Fabulous blog events.

_______________________________________

AUGUST
Watch those lips!

This is probably, in my opinion, the best and most honest post I've ever written. I was so honored when it was chosen for IFB's Links à la Mode

Blogger Meetup - Picture Overload!

My first blogger meetup with Stephanie from The Loudmouth Lifestyle!

_______________________________________

SEPTEMBER
Alice + Olivia: Through My Eyes

I see fashion AND yummy treats.

_______________________________________

OCTOBER
The Elegance of Oscar

A sweet little tribute to the king of fashion by Casee Marie.

_______________________________________

NOVEMBER
AE Fashion Show

A mini fashion show with twelve models I styled for a holiday store meeting!

Guest post at Made to Last (AEO Official Blog)

One of the highlights of my year, for sure! American Eagle Outfitters asked me to style six holiday looks for women and men for their official blog.

_______________________________________

DECEMBER
Display Your Fashion

Giving my clothing and accessories the spotlight they deserve!

_______________________________________

THE OUTFITS

Rather than posting all my outfits from 2011, I chose fourteen to reflect back upon. Looking at these together makes me think "portfolio". Maybe a 2012 goal, hmm?

Bring on 2012! Happy New Year!

Display Your Fashion

2011-12-29T07:27:00.000-08:00

Aren't they beautiful? My husband surprised me on Christmas day with the garment rack I've been talking about from Bed Bath and Beyond and my family purchased the scarf hangers for me I talked about in this post. I have room in my closet for all these pretty things but I've been wanting to display some pieces in our room for a while now. I love the way it looks!

WHAT'S ON THE GARMENT RACK?
1) Olivia & Joy bag from T.J. Maxx
2) New black blazer from H&M (Soon to be seen in an outfit post)
3) Lace Dress from Forever 21
4) Another lace dress from American Eagle Outfitters
5) Hoodie from Missoni for Target
6) Bag from OUFI London

I didn't realize until today that the bottom of the rack is the perfect place to keep a few pairs of shoes. I also added a little basket organizer which has random things inside like sunnies, berets, and even some smaller scarves. It's a little messy but just think of it as a junk drawer. Only substitute "junk" with "treasures".

The garment rack was easy to put together (I know because I did it and never do these kinds of things) but it's not the most durable creation. My husband had to secure some of the pieces for me since they just connect together without any screws or what not. So far I've moved it around and have added quite a few items (as you can see) and it's held up just fine. There are also wheels you can add to it and the height and width of the rack is adjustable as well. It seems like it'll do just fine.

You can purchase this garment rack for $19.99 here.

WHAT'S ON THE SCARF HOLDER?
1) Black infinity scarf from Forever 21
2) Pin-striped green/blue scarf from American Eagle Outfitters
3) White infinity fringe scarf from Forever 21
4) Red leopard-print scarf from Cotton On
5) White infinity crocheted scarf from Harvester Products
6) Floral scarf from American Eagle Oufitters
7) Silver belt from T.J. Maxx
8) Leopard print belt from Forever 21

I love that it's a set of two (the other is in my closet which is also filled) and how they have tiny hooks for your belts! It's such a stylish and easy way to organize your accessories.

You can purchase this pack of scarf hangers for $9.99 here.

I know everyone is probably curious about the items on my hope chest next to the rack. I often change the decorations around but right now I have a few pillows (the tiny one says "Royal Stuff"), a crocheted cupcake from my mom, an Alice and Belle doll and a stack of recent fashion magazines with the bouquet from my wedding on top.

So there's a peek at some of the special gifts I received from Christmas. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! What kinds of fashionable items did you receive?

Those Pink and Purple Days

2011-12-27T16:05:00.000-08:00

(Little me with my visor (oh my) and my name written in pink and purple)

I remember loving pink and purple when I was little and I never thought I'd combine the two colors again until this morning. I painted my nails a lovely hot pink with "Pink Seriously" by Nicole by OPI and decided to remove the pink from both my ring fingers and add a dark purple called "I'm a Pool for Love" also by Nicole by OPI. I topped off the polish with Sally Hansen's Strengthing Top Coat.

This is the first time in years since I've worn multiple colors on my nails. I remember my best friend and I painting our nails each a different color with all kinds of designs and glitter on top. It was a little bit of a disatrous mess! Anyhow, I've seen many rock this look including my dearest Casee from The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower and of course the nail queen, Melanie from Those Things They Said. Thanks for the inspiration, ladies!

Fashion Finds: Last Minute Gifts Ideas

2011-12-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

It happens every year. Either you're one of those shoppers who just doesn't go out until the week of Christmas or you've find yourself stuck on this one person whom you don't know what to buy for.

If I had more time on my hands I would've put together a more advanced list but these four things are items I've either used myself and love or have seen in person and would highly recommend. Hopefully if these things aren't quite what you had in mind for the fashionista in your life they'll give you inspiration for something similiar.

Crush 1.7 oz. EDT - $36.50 - Amercan Eagle Outfitters.

Crush is the signature fragrance for women at Amercan Eagle Outfitters. I've been using it ever since it arrived in stores a few months ago. I love the sweet and fruity smell and it's definitely become one of my favorite scents out of all that I own.
It's also available as a Rollerball for $12.50.

Simply Vera Vera Wang Fringed Eternity Scarf - Sale $15.20 - Kohl's

I just saw this scarf the other day while out shopping and fell in love. It's super soft and stretchy and I'm sure it would be like a dream wearing it. In my opinion, you can never have too many scarves in your closet. Plus, why not be comfortable and fashionable?

Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube (Original) - $19 - Sephora

I'm sure I've shared before how amazing this primer is. It has the smoothest feel with a perfect nude color and most importantly, it keeps my eyeshadow and eyeliner on all day. I'm never without this product! It. Is. The. Best.

Real Simple Scarf/Belt Hangers - $9.99 - Bed Bath and Beyond

After I found these the other day they immediately went on my wish list. I think it's such a smart and cute way to organize your scarves (and belts!). The pack comes with two hangers for under $10! Plus, don't forget about their 20% and $5 coupons they always send out. What a deal!

Happy Holidays to you all!

A Magical Place

2011-12-17T16:56:00.000-08:00

What I Wore:

Sweatshirt: Victoria's Secret
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Boots: Target
Beanie: Harvester Products
Scarf: Forever 21
Hair Clip: H&M
Aviators: Cotton On

Disneyland is one of my favorite places, especially during Christmas time. I thought taking a few photos there for an outfit post would be fun!

I had a couple of vouchers for Victoria's Secret and used them towards this "Love Pink" sweatshirt. It's so comfortable and I love that the back says "86" (my birth year). Of course, I'm wearing my favorite knit jeggings from American Eagle. When do I not wear them? They are currently available only in one color and size online and they are selling fast in stores as well. People just love these!

As for my accessories? The boots I purchased from Target a year or two ago. Do you ever feel like this particular style makes you walk lazily? Hopefully it's not just me :P The beanie is from my mom of Harvester Products. This is the Bella (from Twilight) beanie in black. I attached to it a flower clip from H&M that I purchased a few months ago. The pink scarf is one of many that I have from Forever 21. Last but not least, I purchased these aviators from Cotton On during their recent 30% off sale.

I normally don't talk about everything I'm wearing but I thought it was interesting that every piece is from a different place.

So, this is me and my more casual Winter-e side. What do you think?

Guest post at Behind the Lashes

2011-12-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today I'm excited to share with you a Guest post I did for my lovely friend Heather of Behind the Lashes. She runs a wonderful blog centered around cosmetics and skin-care where you'll find an endless amount of tutorials and reviews on all the latest products. I had a lot of fun reviewing one of my favorite lip glosses by No7, so be sure to check it out in the link below...

Lip Glace by No7

Let me know what you think!

Pre-Fall Favorites

2011-12-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

I'm not the only one who's been completely giddy over the Pre-Fall collections posted on Style.com, right? There are some seriously gorgeous pieces and I've only seen about six designers so far. Below are a few of my favorites.

Zac Posen
Oh, Zac. Such incredible detailing and structure you bestow upon us. If these aren't completely classic and lady-like then I don't know what is. There are some insane dresses in this collection that you must see, just click the link above!

Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld never ceases to amaze. I love the India-inspired theme, especially the faux dreadlocks and jeweled head-pieces. The accessories are my faovite part of this collection. Just when will they begin selling these in stores? Hmm?

Burberry Prorsum
Burberry always has some of the best outerwear and this collection is no different. I like the warm, neutral colors and the darling bowed belts that you can pretty much pair with everything. These are the kinds of clothes every woman wants to wear during Fall.

Tell me, which collections hold a special place in your fashion-heart?

Turquoise Tales

2011-12-07T08:42:00.000-08:00

What I Wore:
Dress: Target
Cardigan: Target
Tights: Forever 21
Boots: Target
Necklace: Target
Bracelet: Target
Belt: Target

I’ve grown to really like turquoise and when I purchased this double-stranded beaded necklace from Forever 21, I felt a little more complete. It’s true, before this necklace became part of my jewelry family my closet was scarce of anything that color. I’m quite pleased the situation was remedied.

The dress you’ve seen before in this post. See, I told you I’d wear it again and style it differently ;). I thought it would be the perfect time to re-style it since Fall finally arrived (*gasp*). Lately I’ve been pairing many of my dresses with tights. It’s been exciting re-working some of my favorite pieces! I'm no fan of the warmer weather but I've often missed certain things that didn't seem fit for the cooler seasons and now I know how to make them work throughout the year.

These boots have been my best friend although wearing them for hours and hours can make my feet a little unhappy. I’ve had them since last year but I think another pair of boots (maybe brown?) might be in order. It’d be nice to have more shoes that don’t end up hurting my feet.

Have you re-worked any of your Summer clothing for Fall? Tell me about it!

Fashion Finds: Fair Isle Prints

2011-12-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

"Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. Fair Isle knitting gained a considerable popularity when the Prince of Wales (later to become Edward VIII) wore Fair Isle tank tops in public in 1921. Traditional Fair Isle patterns have a limited palette of five or so colours, use only two colours per row, are worked in the round, and limit the length of a run of any particular colour."
- Wikipedia

The Fair Isle print was a new discovery for me this season. Although I have yet to try it I've seen some pieces online that definitely inspired a sudden urge to give it a chance. There's a fun holiday yet vintage feel to this print and even if it doesn't work for me it's bound to work for some people. What do you think of this print? Fair Isle could very well be your new obsession but you won't know until you try it.

Fair Isle Long Cardigan in Rust - Threadsence - $168.00

Lambswool Fair Isle Scarf - Ralph Lauren - $50.00

Fair Isle Striped Crew Sock - American Eagle Outfitters - $6.50

Fair Isle Cardigan - H&M - $39.95

Fair Isle Sweater - H&M - $29.95

Guest post at Made to Last (AEO Official Blog)

2011-11-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely thrilled to announce to you the special Guest post I've been talking about in recent posts. American Eagle Outfitters recently asked me to style six Holiday looks for women and men for their official blog, Made to Last. They requested that I model the women's looks and that I choose a male associate at my workplace to model the men's looks. I couldn't be more happy with the results and I hope you enjoy the post and gain some inspiration for your future outfitting this Holiday season. Please follow the link below to read the post...

How to Wear It: Jen's Top Styles for Holiday
Please let me know what you all think! Cheers!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

2011-11-27T19:25:00.000-08:00

What I Wore:

Top: H&M
Cardigan: Forever 21
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Beret: Forever 21
Necklace: Forever 21
Vintage Sunnies: Wal-Mart
Slingbacks: Payless

After my husband snapped the first photo for this shoot he said "You look like the evil queen.". I assumed he meant because of my new cardigan (which is also referred to as a"duster" at this length). I took it as a compliment because it must've meant he thought my newest piece was dramatic, and you know how I love statement pieces. However, he also told me "Babe, you're not a hippie." when he first saw me in my multi-colored sequin hat. I didn't really have anything to say to that one (lol).

I love the way this cardigan flows behind me as I'm walking. I imagine the Phantom or any of the Jedi from Star Wars feel the same way with their capes and robes. In case you haven't figured it out by now, I'm drawn to different and dramatic clothing and accessories and I enjoy wearing them. My style is always changing and sometimes I wonder if people think I'm just trying to figure out who I am. But the truth is, trying new things and wearing different styles IS who I am. Friends, your clothing is an expression of yourself and you should wear what you like and not worry about what anyone else thinks. I know sometimes it might be hard, but trust me when I say that you'll be much happier with yourself when you dress honestly. :)

Accessories Preview

2011-11-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

Being unable to take any outfit posts this week equals a very sad Jenmarie. But, here's a small sneek peak at some of the things I've purchased over the last couple of weeks. Looks fun, right? I'm super excited to share new outfits with you and I'm hoping to snap some photos this weekend if the weather permits it.

My very exciting guest post should also be up next week so look for my announcement on that too! You'll love it!

The New Wallet

2011-11-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

My wallet of many years finally decided not to stay zipped anymore. I knew that my next wallet needed to have more spaces for cards, coupons, receipts and the like. Friends, my new wallet couldn't be any more perfect...

I found this little guy at Marshalls for only $16.00. I thought my eyes were deceiving me considering it is, in fact, a Steve Madden wallet. I'm in love with it and I can't get over the hot pink inside lining. I almost wish it was a clutch so I could show it off more. That's normal, right?

What kind of wallet do you have? Is it time to clean it out or perhaps get a new one?

Another Lace Story

2011-11-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

What I Wore
Dress: American Eagle Outfitters
Cardigan: Target
Belt: Forever 21
Tights: Target
Boots: Target
Bracelet: (Used as necklace) Forever 21

My heart skipped a beat when I saw this dress at American Eagle Outfitters. I fell for the creamy colors and of course, the lace detailing. I removed the ribbon it came with to tie at the waist and added my own black leopard belt and a studded bracelet as a necklace to add a little edge to my overall look. The tights are also new and my first pair for the winter. I’m definitely going to need to stock up on more if I want to continue to wear dresses and skirts this season. I'm obsessed with my knit jeggings but I have a feeling you’ll begin seeing more thank my beloved pants in future outfit posts.

There aren’t many photos this time because we were fighting the sunset trying to get these photos done. I feel like ever since the time change the sun sets way faster. It starts getting dark before 5 o’clock and for some reason it just doesn’t feel right.

You can find the dress I'm wearing (which also comes in black) here.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

AE Fashion Show

2011-11-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

You might have read recently that I was asked to style a fashion show for our American Eagle holiday meeting. Doesn't sound familiar? You can read about it here.

Models being silly in the fitting room.

Because you have to have a "feet" picture.

There were fifteen people in the show and although we didn't have the biggest audience everyone was really excited, including our district manager. It felt amazing to see such a huge smile on her face as the models walked out. Each person represented a specific style and proudly displayed them. I wish I had taken the time to take closer shots and detailed photos but it was such a busy night! Overall there were a lot of bright colors, winter coats, plaids, and fun accessories.

Stay tuned as I will be doing a very exciting guest post with six different holiday looks for men and women (guess who gets to model the women's outfits?)! I styled the outfits today and they look incredible! So excited to share them with you all!

Vintage Sunnies

2011-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

When I saw Wal-Mart's (yes, that's right) newest collection of vintage inspired sunglasses I knew these had to be mine. I love the shape and how comfortably they fit. Would you believe I got them on sale for only $9? They're very well-made and I'm sure they will last a long time. Not that I needed another pair of sunglasses but, you know.

A lot of people don't like to admit when they find something for a good deal at places like Wal-Mart. But if it's fashionable and durable why not proclaim your purchase? What do you think?

AE Fashion Show Sneak Peek

2011-11-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

I've obviously been blogging a lot less in the last two weeks (and I've totally missed it) but I've also had exciting opportunities come my way. Our holiday meeting for American Eagle Outfitters is this weekend and I was asked to style about fifteen outfits for a mini-fashion show we're having. I've had an amazing time working on this project and I can't wait to see how everything turns out. Part of me is going crazy because I haven't been able to see everyone in what I picked out for them but I'm hoping to have enough time to make any last minute adjustments (if necassary) before everything starts. I am also hoping to come back with some photos (if they turn out alright) of the presentation and individual outfits. This week as I was adding accessories I snapped a couple of photos to share with you. You can't see a whole lot but I always get excited seeing clothes on a garment rack. I might just be a little obsessed.

Wish me luck!

Blogging Glasses

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

What I Wore:

Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Tank: Target
Strappy Sandals: Payless Shoesource
Headband: Forever 21
Necklace: Forever 21
Olivia & Joy Bag: TJ MAXX
It's been a long week of working two jobs and dealing with a leak in the bathtub which resulted in mildew underneath our wood floors. The smell was so terrible neither Jason or myself could really be home at all for the first couple of days. Things are better now but we still need to get some things cleaned up around here. What a mess! I've missed blogging and wished many times last week that I had some sort of smart phone to keep better in touch with you all.

Anyhow, notice anything different? I recently got glasses for blogging. Well, more like for whenever I'm using the computer. I noticed sometimes my eyes would hurt or I'd get headaches every now and then so I decided to get them checked. They're cute but they are not my first frame choice. I would've liked to get a cat-eye but I had to be practical since I won't ever be wearing them out.

I purchased this east west neckline sweater a few months ago at American Eagle Outfitters but haven't had the chance to wear it yet. A few days last week we had cooler weather but it went right back to being warm again. Of course! This beaded headband from Forever 21 has become one of my favorites. I love hair pieces that are comfortable and sturdy!

Tell me friends, what have you been up to? Any posts you'd like me to read that I've missed?

Changes for SHE

2011-10-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Hello, readers of SHE!

There are some big changes happening on the blog and we want to make you all aware of them.

After nearly two years, we have decided that our time working together on SHE as a joint blogging effort has instilled in us the motivation to continue our pursuits as bloggers individually. As part of a very small group who blog as a partnership, the response to our unique approach has been fantastic and we can’t thank you enough for that. Together we’ve helped each other in so many ways to overcome some of our insecurities and limitations as burgeoning bloggers and now we’re excited to see where our developed talents will take us.

Jenmarie will continue to run SHE, maintaining the same fashion-forward content you’re familiar with, but you can also expect to see more insights into her life and personal style. Meanwhile, Casee Marie will be blogging solely at The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower where she hopes to continue writing about fashion, books and the arts.

We cannot thank you enough for the support you’ve bestowed on SHE since its conception in January, 2010. We’re so excited and empowered by the countless encouragements we’ve received through every comment and every page view. Forging a place for yourself in the world of blogging isn’t easy, and the community of our readership has truly turned every obstacle into an enticing adventure. We’ve had so much fun with you all as we’ve worked together on SHE and we’ve been incredibly honored to have had some spectacular opportunities as a blogging duo. We’re excited to see where these new changes will take us and we hope you enjoy following along on the adventure!

With love,
Jenmarie & Casee Marie

Friday Fame: Naomi Watts

2011-10-21T06:51:00.001-07:00

"I hate fashion perfection. To me, there is nothing more boring."

Earlier this week Elle hosted their annual Women in Hollywood event, to coincide with the November issue on the same theme, and Naomi Watts attended as an honoree. I was so struck with her look - the gorgeous dress and how perfectly it matched her skin tone, her breezy hair and charming make-up - so I couldn't help but feature her in another edition of Friday Fame!

Wearing Calvin Klein at Elle's Women in Hollywood event this month

I love that she did minimal accessorizing; it suits the overall look, and the David Yurman necklace adds the perfect bit of sparkle and balance. She looked refined and elegant, but also easygoing and natural, which I think is a testament to her truest personality. She always claims to have been a tomboy growing up, never a girly-girl (but she can rock both looks, which I love). Here are a few of my other favorite styles she's worn lately...

With Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Seinfeld at the New York City Ballet fall gala; September

Menswear - I love this white pant suit! It's the perfect minimalist statement-maker. The masculine touch is totally transformed; it shows perfectly how character can be found in clothes beyond colors, patterns and textures. Play with the shapes and see where they take you!

At Calvin Klein's Spring 2012 show; September

Contrast – The muted tone on this dress is one of my favorites, and I love the pop of black in the booties. I never wear short boots with skirts because I just can't seem to pull off the look, but I think she did it so well here. Again, the lack of jewelry drew focus to the key pieces and made them even more striking.

September: Wearing Nina Ricci in France

Regal – Doesn't she look stunning here? I'm crazy about this dress, it just falls so perfectly and it's another great shade on her. The shoes and clutch add a bit of unexpected edge and bring the whole thing into a more modern take on classic elegance.

What do you think of Naomi's style? Were there any other honorees at the Women in Hollywood event you loved on the red (er, grey) carpet?

- Casee Marie

Image credit: JustJared

Pearls & Studs

2011-10-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

What I Wore:

Black V-neck: Forever 21
Cardigan: Forever 21
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Slingbacks: Payless
Pearl Necklace: Gifted
Studded Bracelet: Forever 21
Leather Bag: OUFI

Lately I've been picking up accessories here and there that show my edgy side including this new studded bracelet from Forever 21. I've been wearing it quite often and I love the way it looks with pearls. You know me, I usually go for the sweet and feminine clothing and accessories but a little adventure is always fun and I enjoy mixing things up.

I've talked a lot about how comfortable the new American Eagle Outfitters knit jeggings are way too many times. I have two black pairs (which I wear with everything) and I recently purchased them in this lovely heather grey color. Shop for your own pair here and keep in mind they are stretchy.

In case you're wondering if I got hair extensions, I didn't. I decided to straighten it this morning and I curled the ends. After I finished curling, I ran my hands through it to create a loose wave and topped it off with hairspray. I love the way it looks but I don't know if I can do it this way very often. It takes a long time to straighten hair as long and thick as mine! We'll see!

What new things have you been trying in your fashion lately?

The Garment Rack

2011-10-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

Image from PInterest
I remember the day when I first discovered the garment rack. It was quite literally love at first sight. I walked into my cousin's room to get some Barbie accessories she no longer wanted (yes, I was that young) and there it was. The beautiful garment rack with probably half of her closet displayed on it. It was such a sight! Since then I've always loved them and after purchasing one recently for my mother-in-law I reunited with my obsession. It felt wrong to not add another one to the cart for myself. I reminded my husband that my Birthday is coming up in January and that I might accidentally get one as a gift to myself. We don't exactly have the room for it but where there's a will there's a way! Someday I'll get one, you'll see!

Some people use garment racks to hang all of their clothes. I've just always wanted one to display my favorite pieces from my closet. I love the way Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere displays just a handful of her favorite clothes and accessories in her office. Below you'll find two photos of her office from different seasons.

Image Source

Image Source
In case you're interested, this is the garment rack we purchased for Jason's mom for her birthday. She wanted one to hang the clothes she doesn't put in the dryer. There are definitely many different ways to use them!

Bed Bath & Beyond - $19.99

You can find many more different kinds of garment racks here at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Tell me, have you always wanted a garment rack? How would you use it?

Rory Beca for Forever 21

2011-10-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely thrilled to give you a sneek peak of the Rory Beca Holday 2011 Collection for Forever 21. I love the touch of drama in these pieces. Glamour and feminine detailing always gets me excited and I can't wait to see everything in person! Enjoy yourself as you drool over the items in the video and look for the collection in select stores on October 21st.

Oh, and just in case you're interested (and I'm sure you will be) all the sale items at Forever 21 are currently "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" in stores and online. The sale ends on October 23rd. Get shopping!

Exciting Opportunities

2011-10-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Working two jobs has definitely been a big change for me and although I enjoy it I've had literally no time to prep anything for SHE this week. It was only this morning that I realized I had a little something to share with you.

For three weeks now I have been contributing tips on current fashion trends and our products for my co-workers at American Eagle Outfitters. Each week they are hung up in the back room under AE News for everyone to see. Here's a picture I snapped with my phone...

Exciting, right? I also was asked to create a Facebook page for our store this week! I feel blessed to be able to use my talents for this amazing company!

Much love to you all! Have a fabulous weekend and be sure to read Casee Marie's post on Cape Coats if you haven't yet!

Fashion Finds: Cape Coats

2011-10-12T07:38:00.001-07:00

Photo by Jonathan Leder

I've talked about my excitement for capes in the spring, but my excitement for capes this autumn far surpasses it! I've always been a fan of cape coats and since the resurgence in the look we're finding lots of new and fabulous ways to wear them. If you're a first-time cape-wearer this season, I thought I'd take some time to shop around and share my favorite fashion finds on the internet. Maybe you'll find your first cape right here! (If you do, I get ten percent commission - just kidding.)

AK Anne Klein Cape Coat; $239, AnneKlein.com

Tahari "Belle" Capelet; $148, Nordstrom

Buton Up Cape Coat by Staple; $144.04 (sale), ASOS

French Toasty Cape; $72.99, ModCloth

Camel Button Buckle Cape; £30 (sale, roughly $46), Dorothy Perkins

I love the diversity in these capes, from patterns to colors, sleeves, collars, buttons, belts, buckles…you get the idea. The longer the cape coat has been around the more it's evolved, that's pretty evident here. I'm drawn to the more classic, vintage looking capes and capelets, but there are definitely some new and abstract spins on the look as well.

What do you think of the cape coat for fall? Will you be sporting one?

- Casee Marie

Puzzle Pieces

2011-10-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

What I Wore:

Jigsaw Pieces Tank - Anthropologie
Knit Jeggings American Eagle Outfitters
Wedges - Target
Necklace - Fred Flare
Bracelet - Forever 21
Olivia & Joy Bag - T. J Maxx

Last week when I saw that Anthropologie was having a sale on their already reduced clearance prices I decided to take a peek. I walked out with this extremely soft and light-weight flowy top. It wasn't until I wore it that I realized the pattern was made up of puzzle pieces! How fun is that? I really love the colors and believe it or not, I've already worn it twice since I purchased it.

The necklace isn't new but you haven't yet seen it. I won it from a giveaway that A Sequin Dress at Breakfast had months ago. It goes perfectly with my new sparkly bracelet that has a neat snap-on feature which makes it all one piece.

There have been many sales over the weekend for Columbus Day. Did you come home with anything new this weekend?

The Elegance of Oscar

2011-10-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

“Elegance is a discipline of life.”
- Oscar de la Renta

I've talked before about my love of Oscar de la Renta's label and collections, but I haven't much talked about the man behind it all. We all know his lovely, smiling face, but there's an entire life behind him that I don't think many people know about. It sounds silly, but I have actually had dreams about meeting this man and hearing him talk about his life, his work and his passions. I know! Clearly my brain is in Oscar overload. He was born in the Dominican Republic, I think it's safe to say we all know that. But did you know that in 1950 at the age of eightteen he moved to Madrid to study painting? One wonders what other exciting turns his life would have taken if he had pursued that art. It was during his time in Spain that he discovered his passion for fashion design.

He began sketching fashion when he was young, and today he's one of the few designers to still sketch his designs himself. I love that about him; it makes his clothes seem even more personal, like his gift to women. He worked as an apprentice for Cristobal Belenciaga while he was in Spain, after sketching for prominent companies and building quite a repetoire. At around twenty-eight he moved to Paris and became a couture assitant for Antonio Castillo at Lanvin, but his mind was driven rather constantly to ready-to-wear, which seems to be nearest to his heart as a medium of fashion. It was that interest that brought him to the States, where he continued working in couture for Elizabeth Arden after Diana Vreeland told him that, in the pursuit of his own ready-to-wear collection, he would establish himself fastest through the job. If he hadn't followed Diana's advice he would have likely gone to Dior. And finally, in 1965, Oscar de la Renta the design house was born! The rest - the countless awards, the tremendous accomplishments and the fabulous, fabulous clothes - is fashion history.

"I have always felt my role as a designer is to do the very best I can for a woman to make her look her best. Fashion is only fashion once a woman puts it on."

- Casee Marie

Images via Google

The A to Z of Jenmarie

2011-10-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Recently two of my good friends B of Beautifully Invisible and Gabbie of Miss Kismet took part in an activity to allow their readers to get to know them a little better. I thought it'd be fun to do it myself, so with out further ado I give you...

The A to Z of Jenmarie
A. Age: Soon to be 26.

B. Bed Size: Queen.

C. Chore that you hate: Probably cleaning the toilet (my husband found that out and now does it for me) and ironing. I’m going to get a good steamer someday!

D. Dogs: No. I like animals but I’m not really interested in having a pet.

E. Essential start to your day: A bowl of cereal and my computer to check my email, Twitter, Facebook and the blogosphere.

F. Favorite color: I love so many colors but some favorite-favorites include black, red, purple and various shades of pinks and nudes.

G. Gold or Silver: Silver although gold has grown on me a lot in the past year.

H. Height:. 5’ 2”

I. Instruments you play: I use my voice!

J. Job Title:. Fashion Blogger / Sales Associate and Jewelry & Accessory Expert at American Eagle Outfitters / Sales Associate at Forever 21

K. Kids: They’re definitely in our future!

L. Live: Oh, you know… that place over there.

M. Mother's Name: Teresa

N. Nicknames: My husband calls me "Angel", "BB" and "Beebs". My dad calls me "Fifi". My co-workers call me "Jen-tastic", "Jen-asaurus" or "Jen-dizzle". And my brothers like to mess around with me and sometimes call me "Ben" instead of "Jen". Lovely, right?

O. Overnight hospital stays: None!

P. Pet peeves: I'd rather not get myself started...

Q. Quote from a movie: Only one? “May the Force be With you.” – Star Wars Trilogy

R. Right or left handed: Right.

S. Siblings: I have two younger brothers and a younger sister.

T. Time you wake up: When I need to be up for work, around 7am. Other days, 8 or 8:30.

U. Underwear: Absolutely. I love my freebies from VS.

V. Vegetable you hate: Hmm, I can’t think of any I hate but I’m sure there are some. Too much broccoli will upset my stomach though.

W. What makes you run late: Those days when I’m not sure what to wear or checking “one more thing” on the internet. However, I am not very often late anywhere. Being late is not ok with me.

X. X-rays you've had: Only dental x-rays.

Y. Yummy food you make: My brothers say I make amazing tostadas. My husband says that all my food is yummy.

Z. Zoo animal: I haven’t been to a Zoo in a long, long time because they usually make me depressed. The animals didn’t ever look happy or well taken care of. I did always like seeing the wild cats though!

Feel free to do this yourself and send me the link so I can read your answers!

Select images from Tumblr and Google

New Season, New Colors

2011-10-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

What I Wore:

Blouse: Forever 21
Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Scarf: Gifted
Wedges: Target
Necklace: Forever 21
Ring: Charlotte Russe
Olivia & Joy Bag: T.J. Maxx

My husband Jason and I had a lot of fun with this shoot. We always like to challenge ourselves to come up with new and unique shots. I also edited these more than I usually do in Photoshop. The way they turned out seems very appropriate for fall, don’t you think?

This mustard colored blouse decided to cross my path unexpectedly after I declined it the first time. Obviously I had made the wrong choice! I wasn’t really sure about the color at first since my skin is quite fair, but it quickly grew on me.

The ring is also a new friend of mine. I love the color and the size and have been wearing it just about every day since I bought it. It’s such a statement piece and actually very comfortable to wear!

Oh, that’s my Forever 21 badge by the way. I suddenly had this second part-time job sitting in my lap and I decided to take it. It’s a seasonal job but if it works out, I might stay. We’ll see what happens!

Fall Fashion Trends: Color blocking

2011-09-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

On Monday I shared an outfit (as seen above) where I color blocked with two very rich colors using a couple fall pieces. The results were fresh and very eye-catching! Even though the colder weather hasn't officially kicked in yet (for some of us anyways) we can all begin stocking up on some key accessories to incorporate color into our wardrobe this season. Usually the colors we associate with fall are dark or neutral and that's not always exciting and can get tiresome. So, here's a few pieces I've found throughout the week to help inspire your next shopping trip!

Purple Button Blazer Dorothy Perkins £25.00

Scalloped Pointelle Loop Anthropologie $38.00

Stenness Teardrop Earrings
Ruche $8.99

Fluro Skinny Belt ASOS £6.00

Puckered Cuff Anthroplogie $78.00

How will you be using color in your daily outfits this fall? If you've never color blocked before, start by taking two of your favorite colors and pairing them together. Mix and match until you come up with something that you love!

If you're interested, you can find my last Fall Fashion Trends post on Print Mixing here.

Luisa Beccaria Spring 2012

2011-09-28T06:43:00.000-07:00

Luisa Beccaria's Spring/Summer 2012 collection is charming, feminine, exquisitely detailed - in short, it has me completely smitten. I'm not usually drawn to overtly feminine fashion, but the character of this collection is too much to resist. I love clothes that evoke the past, and Luisa's dropped in everything from corsets to cat-eye glasses. I love the shapes, the draping and the mixture of fabrics. As much as I'm looking forward to fall, this collection has me in complete anticipation for spring! Here are a few of my fave looks...

You can view the full collection here on Style.com. It might be my favorite from Milan Fashion Week. What do you think?

- Casee Marie

This is the way I color block!

2011-09-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

What I Wore:

Blouse: Forever 21
Cami: Target
Vintage Flare Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Pin-striped Scarf: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedges: Target
Cat Eye Sunglasses: American Eagle Outfitters
Ring: Forever 21
Olivia & Joy Bag: T.J. MAXX
Lips Fifth Avenue Fuchsia by Maybelline
Nails: I'm a Pool for Love by Nicole by OPI

I'm really excited that bright colors and color blocking are both here to stay throughout next spring (and quite possibly longer). I'll be talking a little more about how you can continue wearing bright colors through the Fall in a different post but for now here's my most recent experience with color blocking.

I’m wearing a few new things you haven’t seen including a chiffon blouse and rose ring from Forever 21 and a green pin-striped scarf from American Eagle Outfitters. Pairing the magenta and green created a very rich look that I wasn't exactly used to at first but it ended up growing on me and I had a lot of fun wearing it. I admit, I sort of made a bad move in choosing the burnt-orange wall color for these pictures. It's too clashy. You live and learn I guess! This is also the first top that I've attempted tucking in at the front of my pants. I'm officially a fan of this vintage look. What do you think?

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Friday Fame: Kate Winslet

2011-09-23T07:42:00.001-07:00

"I don't believe in sort of holding back...life isn't a dress rehearsal!"

The lovely Kate Winslet is a tremendous talent with a tremendous personality (not to mention tremendous beauty and style) and I consider her a huge inspiration, so I was surprised last night when I realized I've never spotlighted her in our Friday Fame series! It's high time she was included among our list of inspirations, and I knew the best way to do that would be to share, through Kate's pictures and her own words, just what makes her beautiful.

"Sometimes I look in the mirror and go, 'Oh, why don't I just have a little bit more sucking in going on?' But if my cheekbones don’t become more prominent with age, they don't. Hey-ho! There's more to life than cheekbones."

"I have wrinkles...which are very evident. And I will particularly say when I look at movie posters, 'You guys have airbrushed my forehead. Please can you change it back?'"

"It's important for me to stand by my views, because I do think glossy magazines are the culprit of a lot of these young women's obsessions with the idea of perfection. I mean, every magazine cover we see now has been retouched. These poor young girls look at these photos and say: 'I wish I had that body' or 'I wish I had beautiful skin like that'. What they don't know is that the actress is wearing three-inch thick make-up, and the pictures have been digitally enhanced or reduced or whatever. It just gives an incorrect idea of beauty. To me, a beautiful person is someone who makes me laugh and is comfortable in their own skin, whatever shape and size they are."

"Because of the person I am I won't be knocked down - ever. They can say I'm fat, I'm thin, I'm whatever, and I'll never stop. I just won't. I've got too much to do. I've too much to be happy about."

I adore her outlook; she definitely represents a lot of quailities I strive for on a self-esteem level, and I love that she dedicates herself in some degree to giving a voice to that. I think we could all learn a lot from her!

- Casee Marie

Alice + Olivia: Through My Eyes

2011-09-21T07:02:00.001-07:00

There are many collections from the recent Spring Fashion Shows that I've fallen head over heels for. Some of them include Oscar de la Renta, Rodarte, Zac Posen, and Rachel Zoe. The first collection I browsed through was Alice & Olivia. I love the simplicity and the structure, the bold accessories and flowy heavenly-ness. It's just a real fun and flirty collection with a slight touch of drama! The first thing that caught my eye were the bright colors and patterns. I suddenly began to see an endless amount of sweets as I looked through the thirty-nine designs. I thought it would be fun to show you a select few from the collection with the sugary sweetness I envisioned for each look.

M&M's

Oreo Cookies

Marshmallows

Sprinkled Cupcake

Rainbow Sherbert Ice cream

Starbucks Frappucino

Nerds

3 Musketeers

Fashion and Food (...although sugar and chocolate don't really count as food!). What could be better? What did you think of this collection? What are some of your other favorites? I still have many to look at so if you've got any suggestions I'd love to know!

Jennifer Lopez for Kohls

2011-09-19T07:17:00.001-07:00

Maybe I've been living under a fashion rock (a scary thought, considering) but I didn’t know about the collection Jennifer Lopez designed for Kohls until an advert caught my eye when first flipping through my September issues. In all the anticipation over Missoni's collaboration with Target maybe this one went by the wayside a bit? All I know is that it’s here and, in my opinion, it's just lovely. JLo's collection is all old Hollywood glamour with a modern edge, designs that are sleek, sophisticated and fun. She’s followed in Vera Wang's footsteps by undertaking not just apparel and accessories, but home décor as well. My eye is on the clothes, as I personally love JLo's style and could see a dreamy collection coming from this collaboration. I haven’t been to my local Kohls location to shop everything yet, but I did take a peak at what’s available online yesterday and I picked out quite a few favorites. Take a look!

Leopard Cowelneck Shift Dress; $60 (sale $45)
Cowlneck Ruched Tunic; $40 (sale $30)

I love the unpredictability in this particular leopard print and I'm always about cooler tones in the pattern rather than the more yellow versions we see a lot. And this ruched tunic is exactly the sort of thing I'm looking to pair with structured blazers this fall; it would look lovely under a leather jacket, too. I like the idea of marrying soft pieces like that with edgier outerwear.

Sequin Crop Top; $84 (sale $63)
Ruched Strapless Jumpsuit; $80 (sale $60)

I'm not usually a big sequin girl, I tend to stay away from the more flashier bits, but I love the glitz combined with the soft gold tone in this crop top. If you're looking down the road to all the holiday parties ahead, this would be such a versatile piece. And as for the jumpsuit, I'm just a sucker for that trend right now and I love the character she put into it!

Marilyn Snakeskin Belted Shopper; $129 (sale $95.99)
Tall Boots; $109.99 (sale $81.99)

This bag might have to be mine. It's just the sort of thing I've been looking for lately! I love the color and the belted look; the structured handles at so much character, too. The wedge boots are the perfect combination of slouchy and chic, I could totally see them with leggings or skinny jeans and an oversized sweater. The color makes it the perfect statement piece that will undoubtedly go with everything!

Gold Tone Simulated Crystal Hammered Stretch Ring; $24 (sale $18)
Gold Tone Cuff Bracelet; $32 (sale $24)

I haven't had the best luck with stretch rings in the past, so I have to admit it's not a trend I’m loving, but I'm crazy about the detail on this one! The hammered look, the pink and gold tones and the overall shape of the ring have me sold. And the bracelet just caught my eye, I love the belt look. I can't say I would have thought of that design in a bracelet, but I love it!

You can shop the full collection at Kohls.com. Do you have any favorites?

- Casee Marie

Those Chevron Stripes

2011-09-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

What I'm wearing:
Hoodie: Missoni for Target
Layering Tank: Target
Skinny Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedges: Target
Rampage Cat Eyes: TJ MAXX
Olivia & Joy Bag: TJ MAXX

Shopping Missoni for Target was extremely fun! I talked with many other ladies who were shopping (most had their carts filled to the top!) about the collection and all the craziness. Some of them said they came from other Target stores because the customers were too aggressive and mean at other locations. I'm glad I didn't have to experience that! All of us there were on a mission to find the pieces we wanted but we were having a good time without the drama!

I arrived about an hour and a half after Target opened and there was still a decent amount of merchandise left. However, after I made my way around the store looking at all the different sections and came back to where I started I realized there was next to nothing left. I got there just in time! I snagged an infinity scarf (which I decided to sell) one of the hoodie's and the media bin. Sadly, many items were gone by the time I got there including the umbrellas, bedding, luggage, the milk crate I wanted and most of the office stuff. I am grateful for what I did get though! The fit, quality and warmness of the hoodie is amazing! I wasn't sure about the intensity of the colors and so many stripes but once I tried it on I knew I had to have it! The media bin is also the perfect little something I needed to keep my desk more organized.

So tell me ladies, did you shop Missoni for Target? If so, what did you purchase and how was your shopping experience?

ADAM Spring/Summer 2012

2011-09-14T07:46:00.001-07:00

It's no secret that I, Casee Marie, am a devoted ADAM fan. Mr. Lippes has easily become one of my all-time favorite designers for his wearability, simplicity and versatility. Before the launch of his eponymous brand, Adam worked at Polo Ralph Lauren and later with Oscar de la Renta as Global Creative Director, a partnership that I think contributed greatly to Adam's eventual independent designs. Alongside his own unique style he seems to have the same timeless sense of elegance that Oscar is iconic for. In a world of over-the-top, ornate fashion Adam stands his ground and offers real-world style that's just as exciting. He even finished things off with a hefty bit of crystal and organza for some added drama.

Similarly to last spring's collection ADAM charmingly transitioned from structured cuts to flouncy fits, touching on a bit of everything while keeping with one overall theme: light, frothy, fashionable simplicity. There was a bit less structure here, I think, than we saw from him last year (and regardless of where the spring trends are heading, I'm all about structure), but he still offered a little utilitarian edge with a Michael Jackson-esque military jacket, paired with a white maxi dress for utmost versatility.

A favorite part of the collection for me were the capes! I love capes, and as I've always been one to associate them with fall I'm so glad to see he's brought them into spring by using sheer or lightweight fabrics. I know I'm being completely contradictory considering capes aren't particularly structured, but what can I say? I guess I like my options, and luckily designers like Adam Lippes are here to cater to it!

Do you have any favorite collections from New York Fashion Week so far? Any opinions on structured versus flouncy (or capes, capes!) for spring?

- Casee Marie

Image credit: Style.com

Wedding time!

2011-09-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

On Saturday two of my very good friends got married. They've been together for about ten years and have been engaged for two years so everyone was ecstatic to finally see them tie the knot! The ceremony couldn't have been more beautiful and everyone had a great time at the reception and after party. I'm really excited to see all the photos the photographers took but for now I have my own to share with you...

Our make-up artist was so talented!

Lots of ladies = lots of shoesies!

The Bride's accessories were all leopard printed. So fab!

The Bridal Party

Aren't the colors so rich and gorgeous?

Loved the large dance floor!

My love <3
Matron of Honor & The Bride

Weddings are always so much fun! I was very happy that my friend and I got to be a part of each other's special day. It's crazy how long it takes to plan a wedding and how fast it goes by when the day actually arrives. I love that our brains function the way we do to remember special memories. Thank God for cameras too, right? Are you or have you been to any weddings this year?

Links à la Mode: First Appearance!

2011-09-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

This is my first feature on IFB's Links a la Mode and I can't help but feel excited and honored! If you haven't read my post, Watch those Lips!, I would be so happy if you did. Be sure to read through the other inspiring posts as well!

Be Authentically You!

Edited by: Fajr of Stylish Thought

The IFB conference is over and the dust is finally settling. After a day of being immersed in the power and study of blogging, I’m left thinking about what I learned from IFB this season. Without a doubt, the unequivocal theme was to blog and be authentically you. From building your blogging tool kit to balancing it all, being unique and putting what you love into the blogging space is the best method to lasting blogging success.

SPONSOR:

Satchel Bags at Shopbop: Roccatella, See by Chloe, Tory Burch Bags, Jerome Dreyfuss, Derek Lam bags, Tory Burch Wallets, Anya Hindmarch bags, DVF bags, Alexander Wang, Rachel Zoe bags, Juicy Couture bags.

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE

Tres Recent Purchases

2011-09-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

It's not often that I share new items I've purchased that don't fall under the category of "clothing". So, here are three things that I've recently brought home with me.

Style A to ZOE
I read Rachel Zoe's book when I borrowed it from my nearest library a few months ago. I almost couldn't put it down! It's filled with her insane amount of knowledge on fashion with a touch of drama (of course). It was such a great read so when I found it on sale at my store, I had to get it. P.S. Who watched the first episode of Season 4 of The Rachel Zoe Project last night? I no longer have Bravo but I'm going to search endlessly online to try and watch it. If you know of any place, please let me know. I'll love you forever.

Maybelline New York - Dream Matte Powder
I needed a new powder. Badly. I found this one at Target for under $7. It works like a dream (it's wise to place powder on top of your liquid foundation to seal it in) and I can't get over how brilliant the design is! I knew the applicator was in a separate compartment, which I truly appreciate, and was even more excited when I discovered the part that slides outward is a mirror! Love!

Coin Purse
I can't begin to describe to you how darling and extremely squishy this mini bag is. I didn't actually need another coin purse but it was the cheapest thing ever (seriously, it was on sale). It's perfect for whenever I'm going someplace like Disneyland and don't want to bring my entire wallet with me. The lighter my bag is the better! American Eagle Outfitters is all out of this style but they have other cute ones here. I love the fringe on the styles available!

I would like to conclude this post with a huge "THANK YOU!" to Become for featuring our blog as "Best of the Web" for this week! Check out the feature here!

Celebrating 3 Years

2011-09-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday (August 30th) marked three years since Jason and I got married. It seems so long ago when we exchanged vows but when we tell people how long we’ve been married it seems like hardly anything at all. We love sharing a life together and we're excited to see where else our journey will take us!

(Trying on the new Pradas at Sunglass Hut)
On Saturday we spent the day at a beautiful outdoor mall that we often visited when we were dating. We shopped, ate and laughed while enjoying each other's conversation. We never run out of things to talk about! For dinner we went to Johnny Rockets, a fun and delicious 1920’s themed restaurant. The Strawberry shake there is our favorite!

There was a Borders there that had yet to close. Everything was 60-80% off! It was difficult to find anything but at the cash-wrap we found the newest Die Hard movie on Blu-Ray for $9! Jason also got some Skechers shoes for running and we each got a book from Anthropologie. I love that store and continued to say I wanted to live there as I browsed all the pretty things. By the way, the book I purchased? See for yourself…

(It’s darling and I love what I’ve read so far.)
I can’t end this post without some photos to show you my outfit. So without further ado…

What I Wore:

Tank: Target
Vest: American Eagle Outfitters
Knit Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters
Necklace: APT 9 for Kohl's
Ring: Forever 21
Aviators: Forever 21
Sandals: Old Navy
Olivia & Joy Bag: TJMaxx

I've been anxious to share this necklace with you! Isn't it gorgeous? All the jewelry was on clearance at Kohl's and I found this one for only $6! Remember when I mentioned in my last outfit post that these jeggings from American Eagle Outfitters are the most comfortable pants I've ever owned? I was completely serious. I've worn them multiple times each week since I got them.

What did you do this weekend? Did you find any good deals? Tell me about them!

Olivia & Joy

2011-08-31T14:43:00.001-07:00

What I Wore:

V-neck: American Eagle Outfitters
Knit Jegging: American Eagle Outfitters
Cami: Target
Wedges: Target
Necklace: Gifted
Headband: Gifted from Kohl's
Olivia & Joy Bag: TJMaxx

I've been to TJMaxx more times than I can count but only recently have I become obsessed with the treasures to be found there. A couple weeks ago my truck randomly decided to bring me there (when I was really supposed to be picking up something I needed from a different store) and there I met Peek A Boo (its real name!) the lovely truffle colored bag by Olivia & Joy complete with it's original tag from their boutique in New York City. It was originally $88.00 and I got it for $39.99. What an investment! I'm in love with the color and the edgy look the accented zippers create. I have to thank Casee Marie for texting me while shopping about which bag I should choose, even though days afterwards I visited other TJMaxx stores to make sure this was the one I wanted! I may seem a little crazy but I haven't bought a bag in a long time and I wanted to be sure. In the end we made the right decision, didn't we?

Besides the bag, I'm also wearing the new Knit Jeggings in Black and a V-neck Top in Red from American Eagle Outfitters. I have never owned a pair of jeggings before nor a pair of pants that were more comfortable. Can I just wear these everyday?

So my dear readers, what do you think about the new bag purchase? Be sure to browse all the Olivia & Joy bags on their website!

Sneak Peek

2011-08-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

Come back on Wednesday to find out what purchase I made! Can you guess what it is?

Watch those lips!

2011-08-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

Everyday negative words escape from our lips. Amongst the negativity includes putting ourselves down when we're alone and even when we're around other people. We look in the mirror and we make harsh judgments and begin making a list about the things we can't stand about ourselves. Some of us are uncomfortable with our weight, some of us wish we had a different head of hair, and many of us compare ourselves to other women which results in feelings of jealousy, lack of self-esteem, rude behavior and hurt feelings.

(Image Source)
God made us all different and unique and that's beautiful! Don't let yourself be consumed by what the world's idea of beautiful is. Many of those magazine photos you see have been altered anyways! We should be proud of our uniquenesses and embrace who we are because there isn't another person like us!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -Psalm 139:14
I was born with a gap in-between my two front teeth. My mom and my sister also have it. Growing up, it would occasionally bother me but I later saw it as one of the things that made me unique. It's especially fun that only the females in my family have it. When I met with Stephanie from The Loudmouth Lifestyle she told me she loved my gap! I was so touched by the compliment mostly because only my family has ever really said positive things about it. This reminded me of how important it is to compliment other people whether it be about something that makes them unique or something they're wearing. These positive words give everyone a boost of self-esteem!

(Image Source)
I'm going to be honest and tell you that NO ONE likes to hear you put yourself down. Why? Because those words are hurtful to the people around you who love you and after a while it can really become annoying. NO ONE likes when you compare yourself to them. Why? Because it makes that person feel awkward and they will probably begin to entertain thoughts in their own heads about their bodies. Why would you want to be responsible for that?

I know people who talk negatively about themselves and it saddens me. I have experienced people comparing theirselves to me too many times and like I mentioned above it's completely awkward. It's especially difficult when they talk about me in a certain way just to make themselves feel better. The way it's said and how they swear I'm the skinniest person does not actually feel good at all! It makes me think they're saying I'm weak and unhealthy. I do wear some of the smallest sizes available but I've got my curves, a small bust, and some cellulite (like most women do!). Yes, "insert name here" I do in fact eat and go to the gym! If you really knew me you'd know I love food! In the world's eyes all these things that make me who I am are not perfect but I know that in God's eyes I do have the perfect body. He created me just the way I am and I know I'm accepted and loved.

If we really have a serious issue with ourselves we can work towards improving many of them. Things like making better food choices and exercising to lose weight or investing in new skin-care products to achieve a healthier looking face can be accomplished. If issues like these really cause you to be depressed and are the source for your low self-esteem then you should do something about it. I don't mean to be harsh I just want to encourage you to start tackling the issues instead of complaining about it. Trust me, I could use some of my own advice too!

At the same time we need to be careful about what we decide we want to change. For example, I could change the gap between my teeth but I accepted this uniqueness of mine a long time ago and it doesn't cause me any physical problems so why do it? It's important to think these things through and not just change something about yourself because you want to be perfect.

Please don't think I have everything together. There are times when I think negative thoughts about my body but I have been working to train myself to be aware of it and so I usually won't dwell on the thoughts. The purpose of this post was to simply encourage you. Always remember, YOU ARE B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

My challenge for you this week is: Instead of focusing on what you believe are your flaws, praise the things you love about yourself!

Continue to be encouraged and read posts like these...

Competing, Comparing, Confessing
- The Loudmouth Lifestyle

Why Women (at times) Are Their Own Worst Enemies
- Beautifully Invisible

The Art of Not Feeling Threatened by The Beauty of Others
- By Anika

White House Black Market Reinvents the Black Pant

2011-08-24T09:07:00.001-07:00

Recently as I've been thinking about my outfits for my upcoming trip to New York City for the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference and Fashion's Night Out I've found myself gravitating toward black pants entirely. There's something so perfect about a well-fitting pair of black dress slacks; they're like a very chic blank canvas. I got to thinking about how redundant it might seem to have a wardrobe of black pants, but in terms of travel you really don't get more practical than that. Luckily, my favorite boutique has been reading my mind: White House Black Market is now celebrating the versatility of the black pant with a seven-piece collection! If you thought black pants were boring, check out the diversity in these pieces!

THE WIDE LEG, $88

THE BOOT CUT, $88

THE FIT & FLARE, $88

THE SLIM PONTE, $78

THE BOOT CORDUROY, $78

THE SEASONLESS STRAIGHT LEG, $88

THE BI-STRETCH ANKLE, $78

The bi-stretch ankle pants are the ones I'm coveting right now, though I love them all. They're very Audrey Hepburn; I could see them with dressy tops and heels or cashmere sweates and ballet flats. The Fit & Flare, too, has such a lovely shape. And, of course, because it's White Hosue Black Market, they know exactly how to accessorize them!

You can shop all these looks right here at White House Black Market. Do you have a favorite go-to pair of black dress pants for your travels?

- Casee Marie

Mission Missoni

2011-08-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

(Image Source)
Everyone knows about the collaboration between Target and Missoni and many of us, I'm sure, have the date (September 13th) written on our calendars or even our daily planners. Some will get in line before Target opens and some will be racing there after school or work. I don't have my work schedule for that week yet but I'm prepared for this mission! How about you? If you're not I suggest reading The Beauty File's simple steps on how to prepare for the launch. I myself would absolutely suggest viewing the pieces if you haven't already and checking the prices listed here so you can make a list of the things you absolutely want and those that you might be interested in. You should also be aware that select pieces will only be available online.

As long as I walk out with something that has the iconic squiggly lines, I'll be happy. Here are a few of the things I currently have my eye on...

Silk Scarves - $19.99 each

I love the middle scarf and I'm hoping it's big enough to work with the way I'd like to. Majorly obsessing over the colors.

6 pk file folders - $4.99 each
Vertical file sorter w/ file folder - $9.99 each

Organizing fashionably is something I'm trying to do more of.

Knit Poncho - $49.99

I'm not a poncho kind of girl but I'm interested in trying it on.

Octagon Ceramic Platter - $24.99
Rectangular Ceramic Tray - $19.99
Melamine Serving Tray - $19.99

Aren't these so fun? I like the middle tray best but I'm not sure it would really go with the theme of my kitchen/dining room. We'll see.

Umbrella - $19.99

I have a confession. My hot pink umbrella is actually my mom's that I sort of took when I moved out. She doesn't mind me using it but I could use the excuse that I actually don't have my own umbrella.

Framed Tile - $24.99

Such artsy yet simplistic decorations. LOVE.

Long Gloves - $19.99
Extra Long Scarf - $24.99

Since I'm kind of addicted to scarves I sort of have to try this one on.

I won't be able to get all these things I shared with you so I have some thinking to do. Did I mention these were just some of the things I'm interested in? Mmm hmm. As of now I'm in a bit of trouble.

Which pieces are you eyeing?

Friday Fame: Mia Wasikowska

2011-08-19T09:39:00.001-07:00

Mia Wasikowska is among a barrage of young actresses embracing the gamine, pixie look, and while I always adore it I think Mia gives the trend a unique approach. She's like a Jean Seberg-Audrey Hepburn hybrid, but with her own sweet grace and quietly charming disposition. All of that combined brings a refreshing elegance to her editorials that I just adore. I decided to branch away from celebrity personal style on this edition of Friday Fame and instead spotlight Mia's performances in front of the camera!

I just love the way she wears these clothes! Especially, of course, the Alexander McQueen which she wore in W earlier this year. With her grace she has such a power that helps her support that gown and her soft, ethereal beauty counteracts the intensity of it perfectly.

Thoughts on Mia? Do you have a favorite celeb who rocks the pixie-cut?

- Casee Marie

Picture credit: Mia Wasikowska Online

Inspiration Patchwork - FTF Blog Event

2011-08-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

The challenge for this month's Full Time Fabulous Blog Event was to create a visual interpretation of something we are inspired by. Just this year I realized that my closet is a huge reflection of the things I have been and am currently inspired by. I decided to choose three things that inspire me in a patchwork quilt sort of way...

Disney
Since I was a baby, Disney has been a part of my life. Its youthfulness encourages me to keep my wardrobe fun, because of the Princesses (especially Belle) I love all things feminine, and the adventurous stories remind me to step out of the box and try new things.

Sweets
Food, especially sweets, are the perfect example of what my wardrobe looks like; colorful! I should have just as many sprinkles in my closet as I do on my frozen yogurt! Black is perfect and chic but a splash of color always adds a bit of magic.

Films
I’ve always been drawn towards character costumes. Movies like Star Wars, Pride and Prejudice, The Phantom of the Opera and Gladiator all have dramatic pieces from head-to-toe with exquisite detailing that I can’t help but obsess over. I'm sure that my love for anything long and flowy, statement jewelry, and wild shapes and pieces with flawless structure that are unfamiliar and artsy (to name just a few), come from movies like these.

All these things (and more) inspire my wardrobe and the way I dress everyday. I don’t wear dramatic pieces for attention. I wear them because they're simply what I love and I’d rather have drama in my fashion than in my life any day. How about you?

Be sure to check out the rest of the posts from this event here!

The Convertible Maxi Skirt

2011-08-15T08:49:00.001-07:00

In the most recent edition of our SHE Wears series I wore a maxi skirt as a dress, a trick I picked up this year from other bloggers. It was such fun when I realized I could turn my maxi skirts into something entirely different. Sometimes with maxis, at least for myself, I find that I wear them the same way all the time, with the same top and accessories. Switching them up into dresses really refreshes your idea of them and opens your creative eye. It's a great trend to try, and I was very excited recently when I saw Alexis Bledel rocking the exact look!

Back in June, Alexis was spotted at the opening night performance of Cirque du Soleil's new show Zarkana wearing this lovely Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent convertible tiered skirt/dress. I love how she continued the softness of the dress with the metallic sandals and added some unexpected substance with the belt.

Convertible Tiered Skirt/Dress – Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent; $248 at Shopbop

Besides being an utterly priceless way to add versatility to your wardrobe, maxis are so easy to wear year-round. Worn as a dress I could totally see this one paired with a leather jacket and high boots. If that's not incentive to get on the maxi skirt train, I don't know what is!

Have you ever tried switching up your maxi skirt to a dress? I'd love to hear about it!

- Casee Marie

Image credit: Alexis-B.com

Friday Fame: Audrey Tautou

2011-08-12T10:02:00.001-07:00

"For me, beautiful women, they're the ladies who simply shimmer with loveliness."

I can't believe it's taken me this long to feature one of my favorite Audreys in our Friday Fame series! I adore her style and her vibrant personality, much like the equally gamine Audrey who came before her, yet still lovingly original. Audrey Tautou. She'll forever be sweet-faced do-gooder Amélie Poulain in the hearts of so many of us, but outside of her iconic film role she’s just as whimsical – and, yes, just as sweet-faced, too!

One of my favorite things about Audrey's style is the way she bounces back and forth between girly and boyish looks. I'm crazy about that look with the slacks and deep-V-neck sweater, it reminds me so of Katharine Hepburn. But then I also love when she goes for flirtier things like that darling yellow dress. Not many women – as most of us who’ve ever tried a pixie cut will attest – can pull off both looks, and she really makes each one her own.

Her honest, charming spirit and gentle demurity endear me to her as well. She's so very Parisian in that way and I'm sure that's one of the many reasons why I consider her a style inspiration from both a fashion and lifestyle perspective.

Does Aud just melt your heart, too? Have you ever been inspired by someone's style and sense of personality at the same time?

- Casee Marie

Thanks to Audrey Tautou Fan for the pictures!

Blogger Meetup - Picture Overload!

2011-08-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

(Lunch at Rubio's)

(We actually didn't do that much damage...)

(Frozen yogurt with an abundance of toppings)

(Gorgeous shades from Saks Fifth Avenue)

(Loved these Juicy Coutures! Officially obsessed with the round shape)

(Trying on Vogue Sunglasses at Sunglass Hut)

(Heavenly options...)

Yesterday Stephanie from The Loudmouth Lifestyle and myself met for the first time at an outdoor mall called The Block at Orange. Stephanie has met other bloggers before but this was my first blogger meetup! I had so much fun hanging out with Stephanie! She is one of the most outgoing people I've ever met and her hair and smile are even more beautiful in person. She also has the cutest laugh! I couldn't help but think Snow White would laugh the same way.

Before we had a delicious lunch at Rubio's we took photos of each other and laughed as we both continued to ask the other to snap more photos. We're quite the perfectionists! We shopped for hours and snuck in some yummy frozen yogurt while talking disney movies. We didn't go home with a lot (which was probably better for the both of us) as the stores didn't seem to like us back too much. Still, we had fun browsing everything especially all the sunglasses at Sunglass Hut! The associate there even knew who Kristy Elena was! Talking about her was such a major moment btw! The day ended with donuts from Krispy Kreme. Both of us ate them in under a minute! They taste so good they should be illegal!

I wore my black maxi dress, skinny leopard belt, aviators, and blingaful ring all which came from Forever 21. The floral scarf is new and from American Eagle. I'm in love with the colors and have been wearing it like crazy! If you're interested you can purchase it here.

The day was an exciting adventure! We had great conversations about life, fashion and everything else! Stephanie also posted about our meetup with her own photos here! Be sure to take a peek!

Fall Fashion Trends: Print Mixing

2011-08-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

Style.com recently posted a list of the seven main trends we should be expecting to see this Fall. Most of them will be very familiar to you and are actually being recycled for another season which I always find exciting. I love when trends like Polka Dots or Faux Furs stay around for a long time. The longer we get to enjoy them the better! I'll be going through each trend that was listed on Style.com individually with pieces to get you inspired for the upcoming season! And don't forget, you can find many of these things out in the stores already!

Print Mixing by nimfalma featuring short sleeve shirts

LEFT COLUMN
Ethnice Boarder Scarf - Forever 21 - $10.80
Leopard Print Flats - Forever 21 - $10
Feather Print Shirt - Miss Selfridge - £35.00

MIDDLE COLUMN

Martello Island Floral Sheer Top - Ruche - $42.99
Leaf Print Skirt - Miss Selfridge - £29.00
Floral Flats - Forever 21 - $22.80

RIGHT COLUMN

Omni Vision Print Maxi Skirt - Ruche - $36.99
Ikat Print Scarf - Forever 21 - $9.80
Patchwork Stripe Skirt - Dorothy Perkins - £12.00

I think many people including myself haven't fully experienced the art of print mixing. I see others do it and it looks so easy yet I've never really tried styling opposite prints together. I think I'm going to challenge myself this Fall and see what I come up with. How about you?

Fashion Week in Panama

2011-08-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

We've had the honor of featuring designer Nixia Varela LaMar's work on our blog a couple of times before. We first introduced her to you back in October of 2010 with pieces from Costa Rica Fashion Week and then earlier this year with Macro Fest.

"For Fashion Week Panama 2011 Nixia Varela LaMar departed from her more formal, classic designs experimenting with apparel that hinted of the Bohemian. She mixed colors, floral patterns and prints accessorizing them with her own belts and bags. At this time she is shopping outside of Panama for her next collections." - The Designer's Husband, Philip Varela LaMar

I've come to love and appreciate the variety of colors, beautiful prints and feminine structure she uses in her work. These four looks were just a few of my favorites from the collection. I especially love the polka dots and the way she mixed opposite prints together. Which are your favorites?

Be sure to check out this link for some backstage photos from this event. You can also follow Nixia Varela LaMar and her journey in the fashion world on her blog here.

Vintage Flare

2011-08-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

(Just had to share this adorable turtle I found with you!)

What I Wore:

Top: Target
Jacket: Old Navy
Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedges: Target
Necklace & Ring : Forever 21
Bag: OUFI

Please note: AEO does not pay me to write about them, I just love where I work!
I really enjoy my job at American Eagle Outfitters and I love the discounts and special deals we get. It's jean season, in case you didn't know, and as associates we need to be wearing what we're selling! We were given the opportunity to choose any style of our jeans at a special price. I chose the Vintage Flare! With a 21" leg opening (second largest flare in the store!) and patch pockets you can't help but feel chic in these 70's inspired jeans. It's available in two washes: "Daydreamer" (which I have on) and "Worn Tinted" which has a more worn look and a hint of white paint splatters. They're both available in sizes 00 to 18 and they come in short, regular, long or x-long lengths.

My mom took these photos the other day (usually my husband is the one behind the camera), didn't she do a great job? I uploaded one of them to the AE Best Shot Contest they have going on right now thinking you had to be wearing their jeans. Turns out you can wear any piece of AE clothing and upload your photo with your smartphone or from your computer! Every week there are multiple winners (and great prizes!) and there will be 10 Grand Prize winners at the end who will receive $3000 and an opportunity to be in an AE Campaign! Definitely check it out if you haven't yet! It's fun browsing through everyone's photos and voting for your favorites. If you'd like to vote for my photo you can do so here! If you voted previously you can do so again as there's a new voting period as of today.

Tell me, do you own any AE jeans? Which fits do you own/like? Be sure to try on the Vintage Flare and the new Hipster Flare (largest flare in the store with a 23 1/4" leg opening) next time you stop by!

P.S. Melissa of Sproos - Hair Accessories has offered our readers 10% off your purchase! Just us code "She10" at the check-out! Let us know if you purchase anything!

Bow Inspiration & Sproos Giveaway Winner

2011-08-01T09:15:00.001-07:00

Several weeks ago when I was prepping my portion of our Sproos accessory review post I was a little flabbergasted as to how I would incorporate the bow into my outfit - not because I couldn't think of a way, but because there were too many ways! New ideas kept popping into my mind on how this lovely bit of cheetah would add a little 'rawr' to any get-up. I finally settled for one, in the hair, because that's of course how it's firstly intended to be worn. But today I thought I'd revisit some of the other ways I'll definitely be wearing it in the future.

Clipped on my little Wilson's Leather clutch/handbag.
I love the pop of animal print with the pink!

Aside from having a clip, the bow also has a pin closure which lets you wear it as a brooch.

And lastly, I had the perfect little skinny belt to clip it onto as well!

I could also see it on a scarf, or even on a scarf used as a belt. I wasn't kidding when I said the possibilities were endless!

Giveaway Winner
Finally, I'm very excited to announce that the winner of our giveaway with Sproos was Meri of Meri-Goes-Round! Congratulations, Meri, you'll be hearing from us soon!

- Casee Marie

Breakthrough Brown

2011-07-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

What I Wore:

Vest: American Eagle Outfitters
Top: Target
Volcom Skirt: Tilly's
Flip Flops: Target
Cat Eye Sunnies: American Eagle Outfitters
Snakeskin Bangle: Francesca’s Collections
Necklace: Cookie Lee
Bag: OUFI

I like the color brown although I'm often drawn more to the lighter shades. It has always been that one color I've found difficult to work with. I would usually pair it with lighter shades of brown or cream colors which works but I've always known more could be done with it. Especially now with all the mixtures of colors both bright and soft and patterns we would've never thought of styling together. When I received the lovely bangle from Francesca’s Collections which I won from Casee's personal blog I thought "What will I wear it with?". I know that must sound silly to some of you right? Well, my dream the other night answered the question as I saw myself wearing my white skirt with lace details (which I've had for years), a brown top and my new grey vest from American Eagle Outfitters (the perfect layering piece for warm weather!). I wondered how the grey would look with brown but I tried it the next morning and this was the result! I actually really liked the combination and I can now say I feel a little more confident in working with brown in the future!

So, how do you feel about the color brown my friends? Is there another color you find difficult to work with? Maybe you'll get lucky and dream up an outfit like I did!

The Scents of Summer

2011-07-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have been talking about the end of summer; how the season is almost over. And in many ways it is, for a lot of people: schools will be picking back up soon, and of course all of the autumn/winter collections are starting to make their way into stores. But here in the Midwest the heat certainly doesn’t seem to be in a hurry and that always maintains a little bit of summer to me! One way I love to make the season last is by filling my space with summery scents. Beyond perfume (I’m a year-round Carolina Herrera 212 kinda gal) there are lots of ways to gently invigorate your senses with the feeling of summer; I love switching up my everyday products for seasonal options, and I thought I’d share a few of my favorites this year. They’re vastly inexpensive little things with a marvelous impact, and you’re apt to find some of them on sale now as stores make way for their autumn/winter scent stock!

1. Coconut Bay by Yankee Candle; $27.99, Amazon
There's something so unstoppable about coconut scents. They, of course, remind me of pina coladas – and pina coladas, of course, remind me of summer! This particular one is such an authentic scent, not too sweet, and it takes me right away to some far-off tropical beach.

2. Coconut & Warm Ginger by Softsoap; $2.49, Drugstore.com
This was just a spontaneous purchase that has all three of us gals in my family smitten. It's just hand soap, for goodness sake, but it's amazing! The coconut and ginger combination is so refreshing. We've stocked up on it so if you open our linen closet you'll see a massive row of these handsoaps just in case we run out. (Slightly obsessed.)

3. Satin Rose de Mai by Victoria's Secret; $13.50, Amazon
This link is for the body lotion, but I actually have the spray fragrance. I couldn't find that anywhere online, though luckily the scent still seems to be around in other options. I got Victoria's Secret's Satin Rose de Mai sometime last year, I think, and I've taken to spritzing it just after a shower for a nice, light base before perfume. I'll even spray it after a nighttime shower for a little rejuvination.

4. Yum Yum Yumberry by ULTA; $16.00, ULTA
Another slightly inaccurate link; I have ULTA's shower smoothie in Blueberry Blast which I got in the spring, but it seems to no longer be available. This one seems like a similar scent and just as summery. There are quite a few interesting scents in ULTA's smoothie collection and they're such a brilliant product! You can use it as shampoo, body wash or bubble bath; I've also taken to using it as handsoap once in a while. It makes for a fun punch of fragrance during the day.

5. Sheer Twilight by Caress, $4.12, Drugstore.com
This is perhaps my new favorite, ever. Totally inexpensive and just phenomenal, the new Fine Fragrance Elixirs body wash by Caress in Sheer Twilight is a very rich, floral scent. It has genuine fragrance pearls that give it the liquidy scent of a perfume. And the fragrance really lasts! I found I could opt out of my daily perfume when I would use Sheer Twilight because it stood on its own so well. That said, it's not an overpowering scent either. Just the right amount.

What have been some of your favorite scents this summer?

- Casee Marie

P.S. Don't forget to enter our Sproos hair accessory giveaway!

Twenty-eight

2011-07-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

What I wore:

Jean Associate Top: American Eagle Outfitters
Jeans: Target
Flip Flops: Old Navy
Sunglasses: Forever 21
Bag: Old Navy

What he wore:

Shirt: Metallica Club
Jeans: Anchor Blue
Shoes: Active
Sunglasses: Unknown

On Friday we celebrated my husband's twenty-eighth birthday. Isn't he such a stud? :P He chose to eat at Five Guys for dinner. Their burgers and fries are extremely delicious and taste like a professional home-cooked meal! I love that you can add any toppings you'd like at no extra cost. Have any of my lovely readers been there before? After we ate we went shooting! Yes, that's me you see! It was my second time shooting and believe it or not I'm quite the markswoman! Ha! Later on we stopped at Starbucks. I finally tried the new Mocha Coconut Frappucino. It wasn't bad but I'm sure it would've been better had I not chosen the Light option with no Whip. I was being a good girl ;) We ended the night with Suckerpunch, one of the Blu-Rays movies I bought for his birthday. He's obsessed with Blu-Ray and our collection has grown quite a bit over the past year. Overall we had a wonderful day together! It's always fun to celebrate birthdays and make the people you care for feel extra special!

SHE Wears: Sproos Accessories & Giveaway

2011-07-20T09:40:00.001-07:00

For our third installment in the SHE Wears series we're thrilled to be sharing our reviews of products received courtesy of Sproos! Launched just this past May, Sproos is a charming destination for hair accessories with sass, style and substance. Creator Melissa Matos, an art school graduate, decided to pursue her own business when she realized how difficult it is to find hair accessories with accessible style, realistic prices and enduring quality. "It's all about being practical and innovative," she says of Sproos. "You shouldn't have to buy a whole new outfit to feel you have variety in your wardrobe. Adding subtle or vibrant accessories to your clothes can make all the difference." You can read more about Melissa and Sproos over here.

What Jenmarie Wore:

Top/Lace Cardigan: Target
Maxi Skirt: Kohl's
Flats: Shoe shop in the mall
Headband: Pearls of Wisdom Stretch Headband c/o Sproos
XOXO Bag: DD'S Discounts

I am very excited about my new Pearl Headband and love the way it looks against my dark brown hair! I am very pleased with the quality and the fit. I wondered at first if the pearls would bother my scalp but I was proved wrong as it's very comfortable! Before I took my photos I had a necklace on but I felt it blended too much with the headband and that it took away from it's beauty. I decided the headband did the job perfectly on it's own. It was the only accessory I needed!

My lace cardigan you've seen before back in November in this post. It's one of my favorite lace pieces. This is the first time I paired it with this skirt which I purchased years ago before maxis made their comeback. Mixing pieces with others you wouldn't normally think of pairing together is a fun experience and the results are sometimes surprisingly positive. As I ran my errands for the day I had the feeling of a relaxed elegance and I have my pearl headband to thank for inspiring this outfit. Thank you again Melissa for sharing your beautiful products with us!

What Casee Marie Wore:
Sheer skirt (worn as a dress): Sparkle and Fade
Scarf (worn as a shirt): gifted
Cardigan: Leo & Nicole
Necklace: gifted
Earrings and bag: White House Black Market
Shoes: MaddenGirl
Bow: Cheetah's Roar Bow Clip c/o Sproos

When I first saw this bespeckled bow I knew the possibilities would be endless; its color is the perfect sort of tan to go with anything - and what outfit wouldn't benefit from a punch of animal print? I also love that the back has both a clip and pin, making it a dual accessory. It can be a barrette or a brooch in a snap! It's also wonderful quality, lightweight enough that you don't even feel it in your hair but without being flimsy. It's very well made, which I really appreciate. Keep an eye on our Facebook page because I'll be sharing some of the other ways I've worn it!

As for the rest of the outfit, this scarf-as-a-shirt look is something I picked up recently from the lovely Tanesha of Girl With Curves. I can't get enough of the trick, and with the amount of scarves I have I feel like I doubled my wardrobe. The sheer skirt is actually a maxi skirt but it only falls to just below my calves, making it a somewhat awkward length, so I decided to wear it instead as a dress. I do this a lot with my maxi skirts, and I do believe it was Ashley of Ashley4Emergy who got me started on it. I just love it when bloggers share their tips for reworking pieces!

GIVEAWAY
We're very excited to have the opportunity to offer one of our readers some snazzy hair finery from Sproos by hosting a giveaway! Entering is simple and the contest is open to local and international readers.

ENTRY GUIDELINES
- Visit Sproos and let us know in a comment which accessory is your favorite.
- Be sure to leave your e-mail address so we'll know how to contact you if you win!

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES...
- Follow SHE on Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Twitter or Facebook
- Follow Sproos on Facebook, Twitter or at the Sproos blog
- Tweet about the giveaway (example: I just entered to win a hair accessory from @sprooshop at @sheblog!)

Let us know which of the above you've done! (You don't have to leave a separate comment for each.) We'll randomly chose a winner on Monday, August 1st. Good luck! And thanks again to Melissa at Sproos for inviting us to review these products.

Please note: some items on Sproos may be low or out of stock. Please have a secondary choice prepared just in case. Thanks!

Hairdo

2011-07-18T10:09:00.001-07:00

I recently decided to have a bit of experimental fun with my hair, trying out some completely random styles on a whim. And yes, there were plenty of hours left in the day by the time I'd finished them all! I didn't follow any tutorials, instead I just started piling the hair on top of my head, twisting it around and just seeing what I could come up with. My hair is incredibly thick and I have a lot of it, which I've been told is a wonderful situation, but there are a lot of downsides: particularly the fact that pins never hold it all and in the summer it's incredibly hot! Half the time I'll toss it up in a clip and not worry about it – but, where's the fun in having long hair if you do that? Thus, I decided to see what random things my hair could do. So, are you ready to see all the products I used to make these looks happen?

Yep. All that. I couldn't believe it either! Now, I did use an extra basic bobby pin here and there for a bit of tweaking, but as a whole the Spin Pin by Goody was my knight in shining armor. Two of those little ditties held my massive head of hair without fault. The last vintage style (bottom right) in the above picture had one Spin Pin creating the pouf and another holding all of my hair after I had twisted it around my hairline. Crazy, right? The curling iron helped to give my hair a bit of wave and add some volume, and obviously the hairspray was a must. I sprayed it a bunch of times between styles as well as while I was styling, and it kept my hair quite moldable.

Have you discovered the Spin Pin yet? Let me know what you think!

- Casee Marie

Friday Fame: Ellie Goulding

2011-07-15T09:39:00.001-07:00

It seems like I've taken to spotlighting indie songstresses in my installments of our Friday Fame series, so why not continue with another? Ellie Goulding, England's sweet faced singer-songwriter, is a favorite of mine for her fun indie-electropop music as much as for her devotion to her originality. She’s experienced great success overseas and her debut album was just (finally!) released here in the States back in March or so. She also performed her cover of Elton John's "Your Song" at the wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton as the first song the couple danced to as husband and wife. Not a bad gig, to be sure! Ellie's music – much like her personal style – blossoms with a charm that's unique to her. Here's a look!

Ellie has a very unassuming beauty about her. I always love the simplicity of her make-up; she embraces her natural look, which just adds to her charm. She's also an advocate for running and has taken to inviting her fans to run with her in the different cities while she tours. I think that’s such a cute idea! You can find more about that at EllieRuns.com.

Her hair color has seen a lot of unique changes – from platinum to purple to pink – and I find myself a little inspired every time. I've always loved the idea of experimenting with unexpected color, though I never do it myself. Ellie has a way of making each one work for her. (Also, can I talk about how much I love the necklace she’s wearing here?)

A big element of her personal style seems to be marrying edgy elements with the more feminine ones. I love the way the studs on this jacket contrast with the nipped waist and flared bottom of it. She'll be apt to pair a leather jacket with a white eyelet sundress in a heartbeat; such a rockstar!

Are you familiar with Ellie? I'd love to know what musicians inspire your own style!

- Casee Marie

Special thanks to Ellie-G.com for the pics.

Life is the Bubbles - FTF Blog Event

2011-07-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

This month's theme for the FTF Community Blog Event (ran by the lovely Kristy Eléna of Full Time Fabulous) is "The Beach" which happens to be one of my favorite places to go especially with my husband Jason! I don't get anything but my feet wet in the ocean (I've been spoiled by pools growing up) but I love watching the waves crash onto shore and taking walks beside it. The smells, the beautiful sunsets, bonfires, smores, what's there not to enjoy? When I was a kid I always loved being near water whether it was in the backyard in my pool or the beach. I was a mermaid at heart and would often pretend I was Ariel swimming under the sea and would stay in the water as long as my parents would allow me to. For this theme I chose to put together a beach-inspired outfit. I would've loved to take these at the beach but wasn't able to get there in time. Let's use our imaginations shall we?

What I wore:

Dress: Target
Floppy Hat: Forever 21
Bag: Wal-Mart
Flip Flops: Kohls
Crochet Bow Clip: Harvester Products

Fighting the Heat

2011-07-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

What I wore:
Top: American Eagle Outfitters
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Guess
Necklace: Gifted
Bag: XOXO from DD's Discounts

The weather here has been very hot and so if I'm getting pieces to update my closet I choose them carefully. A light loose shirt and skirt are definitely necessary!

My co-workers thought I was a little crazy when I stayed after work for almost 2 hours trying on most of all the new items we got in the store the night before. I walked out with a few items including this off-the-shoulder top. It's super soft and comfortable enough to sleep or lounge around in! There are many different colors including neutrals and brights to choose from in the store. You can also find some of them online here.

Target currently has some darling stretchy printed pencil skirts. They're around $12 each but one weeked I found the polka dot print on sale for $9. I had to get it! They also have a plain black, leopard print, floral print and a few others. Go take a peek and see if you like ;)

Stay cool and chic my friends!

Friday Fame: Florence Welch

2011-07-08T09:15:00.001-07:00

"I've got my ideal job. I like to sing, I like to dance, I like to bang drums and dress up and someone pays me - it's incredible."

Florence Welch is the powerhouse Brit behind the sensational band Florence + the Machine. Here in the States, Florence has been rocketing to new heights of fame over the last few years, and even if you think you've never heard of her you've most likely heard one of her songs on television without even realizing it. Some of the band's most celebrated songs – particularly "Dog Days Are Over", "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" and "Cosmic Love" – have been used countless times in movie trailers, not to mention the live performances at all manner of events, from the Grammys to the Oscars. But while the band and the music are both phenomenal, I want to talk about this gorgeous frontwoman's unmistakable look today...

On stage Florence's fashion sense gets incredibly eccentric. She cites The Lady of Shalott and Ophelia as some of her inspirations for her onstage persona, but says that in real life she's "kind of prim". I love the solemnity of her eccentricity, both onstage and off: she doesn't clamor for attention, but simply indulges her own imagination – and the result is fascinating.

Her personal style has a darkly ethereal quality, and I love how the edgy elements are always so well balanced by brightness. Her ivory complexion, her fiery red hair, both present wonderful contrasts to the clothes she wears. This outfit is a perfect example, I love all the different elements and how she turns very basic things – red hair, sheers, leather – into something extraordinarily unique.

And I'll say it: I'm a huge fan of her red hair. I actually dyed my hair red for a little while and this is the sort of shade I wanted (but never achieved). I love that fearlessly bold hue and she wears it perfectly! Her look always reminds me of something out of a fairy tale – very Brothers Grimm – and I think her hair plays a big part in that.

"I was imaginative, a bit of a dreamer, but quite a timid child. I wasn't confident...But I do remember being completely involved in imaginary games that would last for days, weeks. It was always magic, sorcery, living in the trees. A lot of just living in imaginary worlds. I don't think I’ve lost that."

Are you a fan of Flo, her creative style and her beautiful music? Let's take a page out of her book: what would your style be like if you dressed for the imaginary worlds you dreamed up as a child?

- Casee Marie

Swashbuckler Chic

2011-07-06T04:44:00.001-07:00

Jenmarie and I are both avid film watchers and considering that we both cite Pirates of the Caribbean high on our list of favorites I knew I had to share this fun find with all of you. Noir recently created a collection of exquisite, off-the-wall, beautifully detailed, outrageously chic jewelry inspired by Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The full collection boasts everything from mermaid tails to swords, keys and the ever-identifiable skull and crossbones. It's a pricey collection depending on your allotted bling budget, but even so it's impossible to pass up a glimpse at the ingeniousness behind these creations. Even if you're not a fan of the films, if you like a bit of edge and a splash of whimsy in your accessories I think you'll get a kick out of the collection. Here are a few of my personal favorites...

Pirate Dream Catchers Earrings, $175

Pirate Ship Necklace, $100

Pirate Ship Full Finger Ring, $195

Siren Tail Wrap Around Bracelet, $140

Sword Double Finger Ring, $85

I think the full finger ring is my favorite; I love the concept! You can see the full collection here at NoirJewelry.com. What do you think of the collection? Would you be inclined to add a bit of swashbuckler chic to your look?

- Casee Marie

Fashion Finds: Crocheted Pieces

2011-07-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

Fashion Finds
I wasn't surprised when I fell for pieces either entirely crocheted or accented with it as I'm such an avid fan of lace (I especially love finding pieces with both crochet and lace combined). I love the delicate and feminine touch it provides and I'm sure all who love vintage-inspired clothing and elegance will appreciate it too. It's like having a flashback to one of your favorite period piece films! Here are a few treasures I've found recently that might get you inspired to add crocheted pieces to your wardrobe.

Lipsy Crochet Flower Head Band - ASOS - $20.69

Coral Oversized Crochet Cardi - Miss Selfridge - £35.00

A Bit of Boho Belt - ModCloth - $15.99

Natural Light Lace Top - Threadsence - $33.00

Made with Love Crochet Fingerless Gloves - Ruche - $12.99

Felicia's Blossom Floral Scarf - Ruche - $17.99

Are you a fan of crocheted clothing and accessories? Which are your favorite? How do you incorporate pieces like these into an outfit?

P.S. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Friday Fame: Reese Witherspoon

2011-07-01T09:45:00.001-07:00

"I'm not perfect! I'm human. I make mistakes. But I try to be as conscious as I can about things I should be. If I'm going to do something commercial and mainstream and made for the masses, I just believe you can make those kinds of films with quality - and good ideas and good intentions. There's a lot of negativity out there."

"What gets me is how many women - young women - give up their power and sense of self. Thinking they're going to get more out of life if they take off their clothes and objectify themselves, instead of functioning on the principle that they're smart and capable, that you can be an actress and not be on the covers of T&A magazines. I'm flabbergasted by how many legitimate actresses do that. It blows my mind."
I remember when I first saw Reese Witherspoon in the remarkable film Walk the Line with Joaquin Phoenix. I was impressed by her performance and the chemistry betwwen her and Joaquin (I'm actually slightly obsessed with their relationship in the movie). The film was released in 2005 and although I've only seen a handful of her movies since I've always watched for her in magazines and on the red carpet. Besides her sweet face, darling smile and porcelain-doll like features she also has a very elegant and super girly style that I love. She's always shining when the camera is near!

"I have cellulite. I have stretch marks. I feel intimidated by Victoria's Secret. Hollywood is one of those endless competitions, but it's like running a race toward nothing. There's no winning. You're never going to win the pretty race. I just want to be the best version of myself that I can be."

"Many people worry so much about managing their careers, but rarely spend half that much energy managing their lives. I want to make my life, not just my job, the best it can be. The rest will work itself out."
I hope that you were as touched and inspired as I was by the multiple quotes from Reese that I included. She's very genuine and it seems that she has her head on straight! Hollywood definitely needs more actresses like her.

Do you like her style? Which Reese Witherspoon movie (or movies) are your favorite?

Thanks to R-Witherspoon.com for the photos.

The Opposite of Pink

2011-06-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

What I wore:
Top: H&M
Tank: Target
Skirt: Forever 21
Wedges: Target
Necklace: Charlotte Russe
Belt: Forever 21
Bag: XOXO from DD's Discounts
Nails: Pink Seriously, Nicole by OPI

I had my first meeting at American Eagle Outfitters on Sunday and this is what I wore. I found the blue off the shoulder top from H&M about a year ago for $5 (their sales are amazing in case you didn't know). The draped seed-bead necklace is my newest purchase. I got it last week at Charlotte Russe and also found it for $5. I'm not sure if their jewelry sale is still going on in stores but you can find it on their website here at the original price. You know me and statement pieces. I had to get it! The pencil skirt is the same one I hid on Black Friday. I had work and didn't have time to stand in line when I found it! Ha!

There aren't many great photos of this outfit simply because my camera decided to die on us while we were out. I know, lovely. At least I'm working the outfit right? ;)

Do you own any pieces you've found for around $5 or less? Tell me about it!

Beauty Review: Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara

2011-06-27T12:09:00.001-07:00

Recently I bought my first prestige mascara, specifically Big Fatty Mascara by Urban Decay. Typically mascara is one of the things I never bother buying by prestige make-up brands because I find there are plenty of drugstore products that work perfectly well (such as Maybelline's The Falsies), but Hautelook was having an Urban Decay sample sale and I thought that would be the perfect time to give Big Fatty a try since it was only a few dollars. Here's what the fab folks at Urban Decay have to say about the mascara:

Infused with hemp oil to moisturize & keep lashes soft, this thickening mascara takes lashes to a new realm where fantasy & reality collide. The creamy formula thickens, lengthens & glosses lashes. Simply apply one coat of Big Fatty & let dry completely for doe-eyed, look-at-me lashes. For added oomph, apply a second coat. The result? Lashes so luscious, they'll look like falsies. Packaged in a funky Pucci-inspired component, Big Fatty features a giant, fuzzy brush that separates & coats lashes without clumping.

- Urban Decay

I bought the waterproof version in black (I haven't mastered colored mascaras yet - they just look too busy on me). The consensus is that I really love Big Fatty, but it's not super-special enough to make me spend the retail $20 on it every time I run out. The big brush is big. Huge, in fact. I wasn't sure it would be for me when I first saw the wand; I typically have a hard time maneuvering such thick bristles to get the best application. But this one was a magic wand because while it's overtly thick and fluffy it somehow handles like a skinny brush. The application was easy and it didn't clump a bit. It also doesn't dry out my lashes like some waterproof mascaras I've used in the past. On the contrary, my lashes actually felt rather natural and soft after it dried. Washing it off at the end of the day took a while, but some proper make-up remover will take it off in - pardon the pun - the blink of an eye.

If you're interested in trying out Big Fatty I recommend checking out their current deal on UrbanDecay.com where you can get it for half-price at $10. Are you a prestige-brand mascara girl or do you have a favorite from the drugstore that you swear by?

- Casee Marie

Friday Fame: Drew Barrymore

2011-06-24T10:20:00.001-07:00

"Every morning I stay in bed for minutes to ponder my place in the universe. Then I wash my face and check my karma."

Much like my last Friday Fame, my decision to spotlight Drew Barrymore was for her loveliness both inside and out. She's a charming free-spirit with a lot of smarts and a lot of daring: her style knows no boundaries and her personality sparks with animation. Those are two of the things that draw me toward her as a style icon. I also appreciate her unconventional beauty; she has a look that's genuinely all her own, and I think that's something to be celebrated. With so many celebrities it seems like they're all trying to look like the same person, but Drew stays true to herself and embraces her own brand of beautiful. Here's a little selection of looks that I think illuminate her adventurous personal style (plus one that was just too cute to pass up) and, in her own words, some of the little things that make Drew oh-so-fabulous Drew.

"There's something liberating about not pretending. Dare to embarrass yourself. Risk."

"There's nothing like the power of a smile."

"I never regret anything. Because every little detail of your life is what made you into who you are in the end."

"My whole life I've wanted to feel comfortable in my skin. It's the most liberating thing in the world."

"When I lay my head on the pillow at night I can say, 'I was a decent person today.' That's when I feel beautiful."

"I just think happiness is what makes you pretty. Period. Happy people are beautiful. They become like a mirror and they reflect that happiness."

Are you inspired by Drew's flair inside and out? Or are there any other icons you appreciate for both their style and philosophy?

- Casee Marie

Dare to Wear White

2011-06-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

What I wore:
Pants: BandolinoBlu
Top: Apt. 9
Sandals: Clarks
Bag: Foley + Corinna
Sunglasses: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Earrings: gifted from my sister
Nail polish: Zoya in Charisma

I've gone most of my life with a mental block on white pants and for one specific reason. I loved the look, but I would deny myself for the cardinal rule: white pants aren't slimming. Dark is slimming. My bottom half (and, consequently, my top half, too) requires slimming. And so, any and all non-slimming garments would be turned away at the wardrobe door. That's what I did because that's what I was told by the magazines and the magazine websites and the countless "industry professionals" on TV. This is What Not to Wear for Your Curves 101. But something blogging has taught me is that sometimes - and by "sometimes" I of course mean "always" – you just have to ignore them. Seriously, what good are fashion rules if you're going to deny yourself the looks you love? If you're happy in your style you'll shine. Wearing what you love without limiting yourself will help your style evolve into a full-on extension of your inner beauty. So break the fashion rules with confidence!

I have learned a few things about how to get the best white pants for my particular shape. My two directives when I was shopping for this particular pair:

Pay attention to the fit. Don't just swipe up the first pair you see. Brand matters, really, because some designers cater to fuller figures while others market to slimmer, perhaps younger clientele. If you're shapely, for example, don't shop the Juniors section. Every designer fits differently so take your time and find the best cut for your shape.

Don't pay attention to the size on the label. Admit it: the size of your blue jeans is questionable. You dance a bit trying to get into them. You may even consider putting them on to be an event. The essential three-word phrase for the size of your white pants: Let. It. Go. You want them to be fitted to best flatter your curves (see above: "Pay attention to the fit"), but there is such a thing as too tight and if you find yourself in that predicament for the sake of a number you just won't feel comfortable or confident.

So what do you think, gals? Have you ever been told to avoid a certain garment for your size? And better yet – have you ever ignored the rules?

- Casee Marie

Life at AE

2011-06-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

What I wore:
Dress: American Eagle
Wedges: Target
Lips: Red Revolution Color Sensational & Clear Lipliner by Maybelline

I never expected to be so happy working at American Eagle Outfitters. Everything about the job is so fun and I look forward to each of my shifts there. I've had the wonderful opportunity of styling multiple customers (a feeling I couldn't possibly describe to you) and I've seen some people purchase the items I added on for them in the dressing room. It's such a rewarding feeling to see people walk out of the store happy with what they purchased!

It's been a little over a month since I've been there and I've purchased a few things including this beautiful grey chiffon dress. I love the floral print, ruffles and the black slip that's sewn to the dress. I get tired of wearing slips all the time so I was really happy about this feature! In the store we display the dress with the black ribbon tied in front of the dress but I prefered it in the back. The dress comes in sizes 00 to 18 and you can order it here if you'd like.

I'm also wearing the magic Clear LipLiner by Maybelline. Almost immediately after I saw V's video about how perfect this lipliner was I went to Ulta and got one for myself. The verdict? Every woman needs this! Combine it with any of the shades from their Color Sensational Collection and you'll only really need to touch-up after you eat! It's amazing how long the color lasts! This is one of my brightest lipsticks and I'm in love with it!

-Jenmarie

My Shoe Collection

2011-06-17T08:34:00.001-07:00

Recently I saw a few bloggers (including Stephanie and Yvonne) post their shoe collections for Shoe month (which I just realized was in May!). I thought it'd be fun to share my collection although I promise you it's not very much to get excited about. I'll be honest and say that a handful of them I don't even wear because they hurt my feet. They're good for only things like you know...outfit posts (ha!). When it comes to shoes, I think I lack greatly in them. Whenever I do find a pair that I love I snatch them up fast! Usually I'll wear them around our apartment for a day or so to make sure my feet join me in my love for them. I don't really own any designer shoes unless you think Guess or Rampage count? Most of my shoes come from places like Target, Payless, and Old Navy.

The bright yellow heels you see were actually bought years ago from Charlotte Russe for a modern-day Snow White photoshoot my friend and I were going to do. Sadly, it didn't happen and I've never worn them. I think(?) they're a little big and I'm not a huge fan of pointed shoes.

I have a few more flip flops than what you see but they were a little dirty so I decided to save you the "Eww". I've always been a flip-flop girl, but lately I've been craving some more wedges. I have a pair which you often see me wear but I'd like a couple more for the Summer!

I do have a couple of pairs of other boots and an old pair of Vans I use for the gym but they also need to be cleaned. No one wants to see dirty shoes!

What does your shoe collection look like? If you've shared photos before or plan to in the future I'd love to see them!

-Jenmarie

Lindsay Phillips: Switchflops and Snap Shoes

2011-06-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

"Change your look, not your sole." That's the point-of-view behind Lindsay Phillips' ingenious Switchflops, flip flops with a fashionable twist: Velcro-attached straps that let you create tons of fabulous looks in a flash. I heard about these recently and just saw them while I was out shopping yesterday; I absolutely had to share. Lindsay's idea for the flip flops bloomed in high school and - talk about making your dreams a reality - she found herself with a patented product before even graduating.

On the Lindsay Phillips website you can explore the different types of shoes as well as all of the strap options, creating your own unique pieces with the click of a mouse. Switchflops are more than just flip flops, too: wedges and other sandal options are available – even little kitten heels! Too cute.

Here's another option I created (I had a lot of fun, can you tell?) to show you the diversity. You could take one pair of flip flops and find straps to customize them for every outfit, or change the sole for a different sort of canvas. How brilliant would these be for travel?

Aside from Switchflops, Lindsay has also created a line called Snap Shoes. With Snap Shoes the same motto applies, finding unlimited ways to change up one pair of shoes, but rather than switching out straps the Snap Shoes let you customize with snap-on embellishments and bows. These might be my favorite thing on her website. They're adorable!

I seriously love the possibilities. The basic shoes are classy, chic and simple enough to allow for a fun, cohesive look with almost every available embellishment, making it a truly universal shoe. I don't often buy embellished shoes because I worry they won't be versatile enough for my wardrobe, but having the option to switch out the decoration would be fantastic. And with the snap-ons costing around $12 - $15 each you can have a lot of fun with the selection!

Have you ever seen the Switchflops or Snap Shoes by Lindsay Phillips? Let me know what you think – and if you visit the site tell me what sort of combinations you’ve come up with!

- Casee Marie

Blogging Strengths

2011-06-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

What’s your blogging strength? Is it writing and editing, expertise in doing outfit posts, or perhaps the originality of your content? Many of us aren’t equally good at everything it takes to run a blog but luckily we are blessed to be surrounded by so many other bloggers with different talents which leaves us constantly inspired to strive to be better at what we do.

Writing is definitely not my strength and while I don’t expect to ever use words the way people like Casee Marie or B do I know that the more I write the better I’ll get. Practice makes perfect, right? Does it frustrate me that I can’t write as well as other bloggers do? Sometimes. Is it something I feel that I need to be able to do in order to have a more successful blog? Not really. There are many blogs out there who focus more on the visual aspect of their posts with very minimal writing and some of them happen to be very well known. I do think it’s important to have good grammar and make whatever you write engaging but while I’m no expert at it I still have a voice in the blogosphere and I can use the talents I do have to communicate to our readers. I think it all comes down to using the gifts we each have and to be ourselves in everything we do including blogging and not try to be like other people. We are all unique and so our blogs deserve to be original.

Take a minute or two to sit back and reflect on your own blog. What do you feel is your blogging strength? What areas in blogging would you like to work on?

-Jenmarie

Friday Fame: Adele

2011-06-10T09:55:00.001-07:00

Ever since her debut in 2007 Adele Adkins has been considered a phenomenon in the music industry. The Brit's soulful style and hauntingly powerful vocals make her a force to be reckoned with, and it's no doubt that her second album has only encouraged her reputation as a modern icon. A modern icon that was discovered through MySpace, by the way. Normally I like to talk about style inspiration on Friday Fame, but when it comes to Adele I think the inspiration runs the gamut of subjects. She's devotedly and passionately her own woman; strong, honest and driven. I love her dedication to the fearless pursuit of her originality, and how she seems to own her beauty in the very way that she carries herself. What's not to love about her, right?

While I do love her style, there's something very specific that always catches my eye: her hair and make-up. The girl is a maven, and she absolutely rocks the glamorously luxe vibe that I'm so partial to (no going au naturale for us). She gets that fabulous Mad Men look flawlessly with the winged eyeliner and bouffant, and then she turns around and does something gorgeously opposite like a smoky eye and the above unlimited waves. She never lets herself become owned by her look, she always makes sure she's the one owning it.

What do you think of Adele's fabulous beauty inspiration? Isn't she just unstoppably lovely?

- Casee Marie

Mad Hattered

2011-06-07T11:07:00.001-07:00

Last week I went to Disneyland in my new Alice in Wonderland t-shirt and Mad Hatter Crocheted hat. Really, how could I not share this outfit with you? I wouldn't exactly put it under the category of "fashionable" but it's casual and fun so why not? We all have those days.

The t-shirt was a special one designed for the World of Color light show in Disneyland's California Adventure (which took my breath away!). My mom found it at the Disney outlet store and knew I had to have it. There are so many lovely bright colors on one side of the shirt to represent the light show and lots of characters and scenes from the movie. It's perfect!

The Mad Hatter hat was an idea that I gave to my mom (owner of Harvester Products) after seeing the Minnie Mouse hat she made for my sister. I sent her a screencap from the movie (you know, it had to look exactly like the hat) and she made it just from looking at the photo. No pattern, just creativity! I could never do that!

Just when I thought the day couldn't get anymore whimsical, we went into one of the shops and found the Disney Vinylmation Jr. keychains. My mom and I each got one. I got a surprise character (one of the Chipmunks) and my mom got the Cheshire Cat. We instantly traded!

Of course, I had to go on the Alice in Wonderland ride while I was there. My family laughed at how many photos I was taking while we were in line! You're lucky I spared you ;) We also experienced the new Star Tours ride and The Little Mermaid ride. Both were absolutely fantastic!

Do you have a favorite graphic t-shirt? How about a funky hat you only wear certain places? Tell me about them!

-Jenmarie

Summer Style Inspiration: Maurizio Pecoraro

2011-06-06T09:40:00.001-07:00

Maurizio Pecoraro's Spring/Summer 2011 collection really encompassed a lot of the season's trends in a very wearable way: from bold prints to colorblocking to white-on-white to neutrals...and even – love 'em or leave 'em – the flatforms. I'm really enamored with Maurizio's designs, a collection I missed last fall, and I thought I'd share some of my favorites for you all in case you missed it too!

I love so much about this look – texture, color, shape. It feels very organic and natural.

I love the mix of textures here! The detail in that loose crocheted dress is amazing.

Some bold prints, but I like that the colors are somewhat muted.

The little white dress – how cute is the detailing at the neck?!

The masculinity of the top here is so well off-set by the flowing bottom. It perfectly takes white-on-white up a notch!

Colorblocking with a bit of a twist, I love the additional print on the skirt. This is a little unexpected and totally chic.

I'm obsessed with this top. The draping is absolutely gorgeous, isn’t it?

And lastly, the midi-skirt; I love the nipped waist and the detailing at the top here, too!

Do you find yourself revisiting the season’s runway for style inspiration?

- Casee Marie

Feeling Beautiful

2011-06-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

When we are purposefully living a healthy lifestyle we will feel even more beautiful and refreshed! Here are a couple things that I do that will hopefully encourage you if you've been wanting to make some changes in your life.

CHOOSE WATER OVER SODA
Rarely do I ever drink anything but water. It's pure, refresing and absolutely necessary (read more about the benefits of drinking water here at WebMD). If you feel that you may be addicted to soda you might want to decrease the amount of soda you intake slowly so your body doesn't go into shock. If you have say more than a soda a day try substituting one with a glass or bottle of water instead. After a week or so replace the other soda with water as well. Let's say you previously drank those two sodas for lunch and dinner. You now won't feel full so fast and you can feel proud of yourself for making a healthier decision. Soda has a lot of extra sugars that your body doesn't need! I myself noticed a big difference in the way I felt when I stopped drinking soda. My stomach especially felt so relieved. It won't hurt to have a soda every now and then but if you're drinking soda every day you may want to think about what you're choosing to feed your body.

If you don't think you can handle drinking only water try some Diet Snapple. There is absolutely nothing in the ingredients that is harmful to your body (please note that not all diet drinks are this way). No calories, fat, sugars, carbs and only 5mg of sodium! Don't believe me? Click here! There are also many yummy flavors that will satisfy your tastebuds more than soda will! I absolutely love the Raspberry Tea!

GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Everyone needs their beauty sleep. Plenty of rest means more energy, a happier you, and probably a lot less Coffee! No one likes those puffy and dark eyes, a worn out looking face, or that drained feeling you get when you begin any sort of task. Before I was married I used to stay up past midnight and wake up sometimes around eleven in the morning. Not only did I feel like I was starting my day super late but I also felt exhausted and the days seemed shorter. I'm glad I changed my sleeping habits! This lady is now in bed usually by 10:30!

It's very important that we get enough sleep so our body's can function properly. You can learn more about how much sleep you need and the consequences of not getting enough here at WebMD.

Challenge yourself to try one of these two things (or both if you're feeling brave) and see how it works out for you! Let me know your results!

-Jenmarie

Beat-the-Heat Chic

2011-06-01T09:03:00.001-07:00

The summer solstice may not be for another twenty-one days, but we've officially hit the first month of the season and - at least, out here in Omaha - Mother Nature knows it. We've already had a few 90°F days and the next week sees us with a few more still to come. It's no secret that I’m not a summer girl, and usually my summer wardrobe will consist of the very basic and not-so-glam jeans and tank top combos, but with some awesome trends and killer deals I think it's going to be a much more stylish summer for Casee Marie! I'm a big fan of JC Penney and their wonderful markdowns so I decided to make this post work double-duty, showing off some of the great summer pieces I'm coveting and the fabulosity of JCP in one fell swoop. Check it out!

a.n.a. Ruffle Top/Hem Printed Tube Dress; $27.99 (reg. $40)
I love the bold colors in this dress and the ruffles allow for a loose fit, pleasantly airy.

Jones Wear Dropwaist Eyelet Sundress with Pockets; $47.99 (reg. $90)
American Living French Eyelet Sundress; $59.99 (reg. $100)
Eyelets, obviously, are the perfect element for summer.

Beaded V-Neck Sleeveless Dress; $19.99 (reg. $70)
Bold printed dresses add instant style without being heavy.

a.n.a. Belted Chino Short; $19.99 (reg. $32.00)
I’m not a shorts girl, but if I was I’d love these little belted chinos.

MNG by Mango Kylie Sheer Tank; $24.95 (reg. $49.90)
Another huge trend for spring that definitely works in the heat: sheers!

MNG by Mango Turq Stone Silver Ring; $9.95 (reg. $19.90)
Decree Multi-Round Earrings; $7.99 (reg. $12.00)
Mixit Medallion Curve Stretch Ring; $11.99 (reg. $18.00)
Decree Multi Bright Bangle Bracelets; $11.99 (reg. $18.00)

And you can never go wrong with bold, colorful accessories. Especially at these prices!

How do you flaunt your style while beating the heat?
- Casee Marie

One Fine Weekend

2011-05-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

What I wore:

Burgundy Top: Target
Layering Tank: Target
Skirty: Target
Belt: Forever 21
Scarf: Gifted
Wedges: Target
Bag: OUFI
Lips: Victoria's Secret Lip Gloss
Nails: Pink Seriously & Make a Comet-ment - Nicole by OPI

This weekend although busy and fast-paced was filled with various activities. A little shopping, weed pulling (thank you husband!), laundry, a Bridal party meeting, our nephew's Birthday party, and even a little swashbuckling fun with Jason on the new POTC Lego game. It's addicting, I tell you! I love redbox even if you only get to rent a movie/game for a day.

It's days like these that make you realize how fast the days are flying by. It seems like just recently I gave you all a glimpse of this fun tulle-like skirt from Target when it was actually in February right around Valentine's Day! The wedges, of course, you've seen many times but what you haven't seen are my new skinnny leopard print belt and sequin scarf (which happened to move out of place in almost every photo). The skinny belt is from Forever 21, and the sequin scarf is a piece I think I've had since I was in Highschool. I recently found it at the bottom of my scarf collection and quickly brought it to the top! I really need to organize them like Casee Marie did with hers here. Anyhow, this just goes to show you how you should definitely save some pieces for future use! You never know what the runways are going to display next!

Have you ever saved something from your wardrobe and wore it again like it was new years later? Tell us about it! Hope you all had a great weekend!

-Jenmarie

Friday Fame: Michelle Williams

2011-05-27T07:56:00.001-07:00

"All the mistakes, all the good times and bad, have really shaped me and changed me."

I first saw Michelle in the 2005 film The Baxter where she starred opposite Michael Showalter (also the film's writer and director). I thought she was charming, understated, quirky and honest; and a fondness for her sprung instantaneously. The two-time Oscar nominee has seen a lot of success since – and before - The Baxter, from big budget Hollywood films like her most recent Blue Valentine to her early work as a regular cast member on the drama serial Dawson’s Creek. Her upcoming projects are no less varied than her past work: she will be playing Glinda the good witch in Disney's upcoming Oz, the Great and Powerful as well as the iconic Marilyn Monroe for this year's My Week with Marilyn, a film about the time Marilyn spent filming The Prince and the Showgirl with Laurence Olivier (to be played by Kenneth Branagh).

Aside from her striking performances, Michelle also has a gamine beauty and understated style that's just as eye-catching. Here are some of my favorite looks she's rocked in the past...

2009 - Independent Spirit Awards

2010 - Cannes Film Festival

2010 - BFI London Film Festival
(Check out the two-patterned pumps!)

2011 - New York Film Critics Circle Awards

2011 – Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Of her personal style Michelle says her wardrobe boasts, "A lot of trousers, vintage beaded sweaters, with the occasional pink one. Funny T-shirts, a favourite pair of motorcycle boots. My black leather BCBG pants. I feel like a rock star [in them]. I have a lot of ballet slipper-type shoes I got in New York for $6." Proof of how eclectic and adventurous her style is!

-Casee Marie

Thanks to Michelle Williams Online for the pictures used in this post.

Fashion Finds: Maxi Skirts

2011-05-26T08:49:00.001-07:00

Fashion Finds
Maxi skirts do the same thing maxi dresses do. They elongate your body and in my opinion, they add a touch of gracefulness to your walk. If you're not as much of a shorts girl as I am we not only have pants (yes, I like my jeans in the Summer!) and dresses but now we have maxi skirts! They're perfect for keeping you cool in hot weather! As much as I like a more basic maxi skirt I also love myself some drama. I especially can't get enough of the drop back detail on any skirt or top for that matter!

(Side view)
Black Raggy Skirt - Miss Selfridge - £25

(Is anyone else seeing red?)
Orange Chiffon Maxi Skirt - Dorothy Perkins - £30.00

Garden Nightfall Maxi Skirt - Threadsence - $42

Cream Lace Maxi Skirt - Dorothy Perkins - £38

Sestra Moja Vera Silk Dipped Hem Maxi Skirt - ASOS - $387.77

Are you a fan of maxi skirts? Which styles and patterns do you love?

Our sponser High Gloss Fashion is offering our readers 15% off their next purchase! Enter code "SHE" at checkout! Offer will expire on June 15th.

-Jenmarie

Get the Look: Winged Eyeliner

2011-05-24T09:23:00.001-07:00

I love the look of winged eyeliner – and apparently so do a lot of people because as I was flipping through my fashion magazines recently I found a handful of cases in which models were rocking it, such as Kate Moss in this advertisement for Dior Addict. To see it working in real-life check out Beyoncé looking gorgeous in a skinnier version; that's a perfect example of how versatile the technique is. In the past I've gone for Kate's serious cat-eye and Beyoncé's sharp wing, but most of the time I like to put my own spin on it and just see what happens.

So I thought I'd share how I do my winged eyeliner look. Mind, this isn't a duplicate tutorial of Kate's advert. I prefer a thicker line with just a bit of an upward tilt most of the time because I feel like it gives me a somewhat wide-eyed look.

Get the look
What I used:
Everyday make-up bits (foundation, powder, eyeshadow primer)
Cover Girl Professional Eye Enhancers eyeshadow in Pink Chiffon
MAC eyeshadow in Coquette (brown)
Urban Decay eyeshadow in Polyester Bride (white)
Urban Decay liquid eyeliner in Oil Slick

I always do my eyeshadow first, for obvious reasons. I used the Cover Girl Pink Chiffon shadow on the lid; it's a very shiny, near-white sort of pink that really brightens up the eye. Then I used MAC in Coquette, a mellow brown, just above the crease. I feel like it gives the look a bit of depth, but it also gives the illusion of slightly bigger eyelids. I finished with the eyeshadow by highlighting the brow bone with Polyester Bride. Then it was time for the eyeliner. For me, there's no special trick or guidelines. What I'll typically do is glide the applicator/brush across the tip of my lash line thinly, and when I reach the outside corner I'll apply a bit more pressure and flick my wrist a bit. That gives a suddenly thicker line and usually ends with a soft wisp of a wing at the tip. Afterward I'll go back to my lashes and create a thicker line, apply a few more little strokes to the wing and just generally shape it how I want it. Very rarely am I happy with just one swipe. That's where it gets to be a matter of how I'm feeling each day. I finished off with mascara, filled in my eyebrows, a dash of reddish blush and red lip gloss. Typically when I do bold winged eyeliner I like to keep the rest of my eye makeup neutral and I love to contrast the black with red lipstick and blush for a bit of a vintage feel.

How do you do winged eyeliner? Or, if you've never done it, do you think you'll be trying it out sometime this summer? Feel free to share your photos on our Facebook page if you do!

- Casee Marie

Oscar de la Renta: Resort 2012

2011-05-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

With the weather turning dark and rainy and the start of my new job this week there was no time for an outfit post which I had planned for today. But when all else fails, Oscar de la Renta is there to save the day! His newest collection is packed with a rainbow of colors and beautiful patterns. You can find the full collection on Style.com but for now, here are my favorites...

Polka dots. One of my all time favorite patterns. I was thrilled to find these in the collection. And really, is there anything better than polka dots and red accessories? I think not. My one complaint are the hats which I find very distracting. Usually fun and awkard pieces like these don't bother me. In fact, I think it's what makes the runways unique and exciting, but I feel like these particular hats don't compliment the dresses very well. I would've rather seen their hair up in buns.

This ball gown is like a dream to me. I love the color, the delicate layers and the light shimmer. But why the sash? Was she just named Prom Queen? The multi-colored dress to the right is just fantastic. I love the geometric pattern and sharp edges but again, the hat distracts me.

The silver and pink dress is fit for a princess! I love how they made the gown appear more casual by adding a belt and wrapping a sweater around her shoulders. I totally see Cameron Diaz in this dress. I was also so excited to see a maxi dress in this collection! Thank you Oscar! The print reminds me of last year's Fashion's Night Out. Anyone else see it?

What do you think of this collection? Which are your favorites and how do you feel about the hats? Let's discuss!

-Jenmarie

Sophie Theallet for Nine West

2011-05-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

This month saw the launch of designer Sophie Theallet's exclusive new collection for Nine West. It's French, it's flirty, it's feminine and it's fabulous. What's not to love? The collection was inspired by Parisian Sophie's adventures in New York and how the cultures and styles collide when a French girl visits the Big Apple. Every piece is available in stripey patterns of either pink or brown; both are summery and springy and completely adorable. Check it out:

Mary in Brown; $99

Pila in Rose; $79

Paula Satchel in Brown; $98

Tinna in Rose; $99

You can see more in pattern options and shop the collection at NineWest.com. I'm thinking the Tinna is my favorite, but I like it more in the rose print than the brown. Then I'm loving the Mary sandal in brown… I'll just take one of everything, merci beaucoup!

- Casee Marie

Strike a Pose!

2011-05-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

Whether you post outfit photos on your blog every day or once a week it can be frustrating to constantly pose the same way every time. Smiling with one hand on your hip and the other relaxed on your side carrying one of your favorite bags is classic and most everyone likes it. It's an easy way to say "I'm cute, and so is my outfit." However, repetitiveness is not my thing and lately I've been challenging myself to come up with at least a couple new poses each time I'm preparing an outfit post. My husband (who happens to be my photographer) also comes up with some of the poses you've seen and is there to let me know if I need to move my head this way or adjust my hand a little. It's great having someone to help you achieve great shots and I would definitely recommend talking to your photographer if you haven't already.

For inspiration I browse through photos of models in magazines and scans on the web as often as I can. One of my favorite models is Coco Rocha. She comes up with such unique poses and facial expressions and works as fast as a flip book! I love that she's quirky and elegant at the same time and from the videos I have seen it seems that she has a blast being a model. I also try and work with my environment and connect with the clothing and accessories I am wearing. I find that various emotions and ideas come with different pieces I'm wearing and the atmosphere around me. Let your imagination do it's thing and move with it like you're dancing to your favorite music. And always remember that you're modeling (yes, you're a model! How about that!) what you're wearing and every pose that you make should compliment the pieces and make them look exciting and interesting. Don't be discouraged if the photos don't turn out so great. It's ok! Accept it as a learning experience and be proud that you allowed yourself to be creative!

If you're looking to work on your own poses, here's a little jump-start of inspiration for your next outfit post!

Karen Elson, Vogue UK - October 2008
Liu Wen, Vogue China - April 2011

Coco Rocha, Vogue Spain - January 2009
Mia Wasikowska, Blackbook - April 2011

Raquel Zimmerman, Vogue UK - November 2010
Zen Sevastyanova, Blank #55 - October 2010

Devon Aoki, Elle US - February 2011
Anne Seleznevat, Numero Tokyo #44 - March 2011

Go get 'em ladies! I'd love to see what you come up with!

All images from Faking Fashion & CocoRochaFan.net
-Jenmarie

The Perfect Pump

2011-05-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

Mayhap it started as a trend, but now the skin-tone pump has become a wardrobe essential. Every girl is on the hunt for her perfect pair, and if you're one step ahead (pun intended) and have already found yours I salute you. I know I'm still looking, as is Jenmarie and even my sister. My sis and I had a long chat one day about the dilemma of widdling down the many options to find the pair that fits our criteria – funny enough, we had the same things on our lists:

We both agreed we aren't fans of patent leather, so we want something very matte looking. Then there's the issue of a platform: a big yes, but it has to be covered. To quote my sister, "It's like saying, Oh I'm literally not this tall, I'm just trying to make you think I am". (Mind you, these are just the opinions of two crazy girls with unusually opinionated preferences on footwear.) Where we differed, I think, was in the toe: I want a boldly rounded one and she wants a pointier one. I also love a pump with a sort of boxy, rounded vamp for substance. What I want is this: a matte (probably leather), essentially seamless shoe with height, substance and an accessible price. You wouldn't think that would be too hard, right?

Let's take a look at what I found whilst shopping online...

Corso Como ‘Palomar’ Platform Pump; $129.95; Nordstrom
It fits the bill because: It's perfect! The leather gives it a soft look, the platform is covered and it has a boxy vamp. This is it. Ish.
Wish it also had: A more accessible price. I'm determined to stay under $100. In my dreams I'd even like to stay under $50. And I wouldn't mind a little bit more height from the platform.

Rosica in Bone; $59.98, Aldo
It fits the bill because: The leather/suede upper gives it the matte look I want. It also has a vamp similar to what I'm looking for.
Wish it also had: A covered platform; and I'm not sure I like the concave shanks.

Nude Patent Platform Shoes; £35, Dorothy Perkins
It fits the bill because: The price would come out to around $56 - and the patent leather isn't overtly shiny.
Wish it also had: Again, a covered platform. This one is actually nice as visible platforms go, but it's one thing I don’t thing I can sacrifice.

Mossimo Versie Pump; $29.99; Target
It fits the bill because: It's got the matte look and definitely has the price!
Wish it also had: This one's got no platform at all, which...well, I guess that's a middle of the road, but I want the height. I also want a wrapped heel rather than the wood of this one.

Simply Vera Vera Wang Hestia Platform High Heels; $48.99, Kohls
It fits the bill because: Covered platform, accessible price, wrapped heel, boxy vamp. And I could come to love the patent leather on this one, I think. Perfection? Almost.
Wish it also had: A softer sole. I've seen this shoe before and the way the sole sort of juts out at the ball of the foot is a bit of a turn-off.

Steve Madden Russh in Nude; $71.96, 6pm.com
It fits the bill because: Oh gosh, it's gorgeous. I love the platform, the vamp, the overall shape of the shoe.
Wish it also had: A matte look! This is just a little too shiny for me. I don't want people to see their reflection when they look at my shoes!

So I'll keep on looking. In the meantime tell me your feelings on the nude pump: do you have a pair? What's on your list of criteria?

- Casee Marie

I'd also like to thank Stephanie of The Loudmouth for submitting my Living Glamorously in a Small Space closet organization post to Beautifully Invisible's Link Love with a Twist this week! Be sure to check out all the selected links at Beautifully Invisible and share your favorites for inclusion next week as well!

SHE