Archives for August 2017

90’s Style “UNZIPPED”

August 31, 2017

90’s style continues to make a major comeback this fall. Having grown-up in the 90’s, I still think that plaid skirts, oversized and destroyed denim, and combat boots are “hella fly.” I have great nostalgia for the era that brought the world such masterpieces as “Friends,” “Saved by the Bell” and “Clueless” not to mention putting Seattle on the map with the grunge-movement and the music of Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

With the reemergence of so many 90’s-inspired fashions, I’m excited to revisit many trends in a more adult-manner. Who ever said that if you wore it the first time, you can’t wear it again? As if?!If you’re a 90’s gal such as myself, or simply a stylish gal, you’ll want to join me next Thursday, September 7th for Pacific Place’s showing of “UNZIPPED,” a 90’s cult-classic, fashion documentary produced by Isaac Mizarchi and staring many 90’s super models including Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford. The evening is a perfect girls night out, complete with Trophy Cupcakes, style sketches, and a lash bar by Lash Noir. Cocktails, popcorn, and a fashion show by Styled Seattle complete this stylish fête.

You can find your tickets here AND 100% of the proceeds from the $20 ticket will benefit The Rivkin Center for ovarian cancer research (September is ovarian cancer month). Bring a friend, sip champagne, and enjoy a trip down memory lane while contributing to a great cause. Oh, snap!

{outfit details} skirt: Madewell tee: Sundry (also cool) jacket: Levi’s (mine is vintage) sneakers: Brooks (c/o)

Hoping you enjoy a wonderful long weekend. We’re off to the woods to enjoy the final days of summer. Follow along on Instagram for some of our adventures (assuming we have cell service). Until next week…I’m outtie! (Thanks for reading) ~Jenn

This post was written in partnership with Pacific Place. As always, you can expect all opinions expressed on this blog to be entirely my own!

Packing Prep: Lessons Learned from Abroad

August 30, 2017

If you know me, or read this blog, you likely have come to understand that I believe myself to have some mad packing skills. Honestly, I’m probably in the 95th percentile when it comes to packing! (Everybody has something!) I mean, not to blow my own horn or anything, but if you consider factors such as wear of items (not overpacking; creating multiple outfits by combining the least amount of pieces) plus appropriateness (packing the right things for the occasion, climate, etc), I would challenge you to find someone with better packing abilities. I’m usually a humble person but really, I am that good!

I actually play a game with myself to see just how little I can pack. It’s like a challenging puzzle that I know I can outsmart. It’s usually best to begin with shoes, because they take up the most real estate in a suitcase. For example, on a recent girls’ 5-day tourist and beach trip I packed 4 pairs of shoes: running (we’re an active crew), stylish sneakers (tourist activities), casual flat sandals (can be worn around town or to the beach), and heeled sandals (night-out appropriate). I then think of the foundation pieces such as jeans and outerwear. Which piece(s) can I get the most mileage out of? For example, one pair of jeans should be plenty for a 4-5 day summer trip, as you rotate tops and likely don’t wear pants everyday. As a general rule of thumb, I pack only pieces that can be worn at least twice, in multiple ways. For example, a striped off-the-shoulder top can be worn with wide leg cropped pants and a linen skirt. Said wide-leg cropped pants can also be paired with silk floral top and strappy sandals for a dressed up look. Silk floral top can also be worn with linen skirt and flat sandals for a more casual outfit. See? It can go on and on.

Given my packing prowess, imagine my surprise when the weather gods outsmarted me on my recent trip to the U.K. I have been humbled and I’m here to share my experience with you. Of course, when you are a packing wizard like myself, you begin checking the weather channel several days in advance of your trip. Keeping an eye on London weather, I began to assume that the low-mid 70’s, partly cloudy days at the end of July would be similar to Seattle’s temperate summer weather. As such, I began my usual packing plans: first shoes (a pair of sneakers, a pair of comfortable sandals, and a heeled sandal for dressing-up), outerwear (denim jacket…check!), two pairs of pants (one black and one white pair of culottes), and then several mix and match tops with a skirt and dress thrown in for good measure. And, it goes without saying, everything could be worn multiple ways for maximum efficiency. Seriously, I packed less than my husband. I could have fit it in a carry-on but brought a larger bag for all of the goodies I was sure to be bringing home with me!

Well, weather being what it is in London, our partly cloudy skies quickly disintegrated into very grey, windy, and sporadic rain showers. Need-less-to-say, I wore previously stated denim jacket and black jeans nearly every day! I even bought a sweater to add a layer of warmth! And that scarf I threw in to make sure I was cozy on the plane? Well, I’m ready to burn it! Lessons learned:

Pack an extra light-weight jacket (even the hubs tired of my tried-and-true denim topper!)
If required, stop in at a local grocer and purchase detergent to launder in a bathroom sink
If the weather looks spotty, plan accordingly for the “worst case scenario.” (Perhaps an extra pair of jeans or another pair of closed-toe shoes would have been a good idea given London’s reputation for grey skies).
Be humble. Just when you think you are at the top of your game, you’re likely to be taken down a few notches!

Jeans and denim jacket look familiar? And these Brooks sneakers saved my life (and look cute with both jeans and skirts!). They’re on their way out but you can score some on MAJOR SALE…act fast!

Have you experienced a packing fail? Have a packing tip to share? As always, all comments and questions welcome. Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

4-Way Friday: Endless Summer Embellishment

August 18, 2017

Cocobelle Gili Wrap Sandal (see Kirsty’s full post for outfit details)Cocobelle Fringe Sandal (see previous post for outfit details)

As you would expect, ‘4-Way Friday’ posts are among our favorites to post. Kirsty and I have such a blast (usually photographing each other), coming up with ways to style a similar piece in creative yet functional ways. These Cocobelle sandals were no exception….if anything, it was too easy!

Sandals are among the top 5 reasons that I love summer. As illustrated with a couple of our outfits, this accessory has a longer “shelf life,” if you will, than other summer staples because you can expose your feet yet still remain mostly covered up both at the first hint of summer sunshine and in the lingering light of fall. And Cocobelle makes fantastically wearable yet unique embellished sandals sure to elevate even the most basic of outfits. Keep reading to see a few of my other favorite sandals below.

(see Kirsty’s previous post for outfit details)(see previous post for outfit details)

Other favorite Cocobelle sandals:

Cocobelle Kopi Sandals

Cocobelle Arrow Sandals (sale!!)

Happy Friday! Hoping you enjoy the remaining days of summer. Kids are beginning to return to school and the days are beginning to feel shorter here in Seattle. We’re headed out to Bend, Oregon to enjoy a final summer vacation and catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse happening Monday (together with half the population of the West Coast, it seems!).

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

Summer Stripes & Tassels

August 16, 2017

Tiers, ruffles, and more blue and white stripes! I’ll take it all. Although, I must admit that I do feel a bit “Scarlett O’Hara” in this maxi dress…like I may have fashioned a dress out of an awning! Yet this summer frock is everything that I’m looking for this season: off the shoulder (check), blue and white (classic), stripes (duh), and plenty of tiered, boho goodness. In fact, someone stopped me on the street asking if Prairie skirts were coming back in (she meant it as a compliment…more like a hopeful remark).

I found this frock at online fashion retailer Shein and knew this would be the perfect piece to up my summer dress game. And, I like that Shein offers on-trend pieces for literally pennies. I must admit, I ordered with some skepticism (really, only $22??), but was pleased with the result of my order. I would recommend that you have a good understanding of your sizing (I also read shoppers reviews and perused pictures) and be prepared for quality that likely matches the staggeringly low price tag. That being said, for on-trend, of-the-moment fashion, you should definitely check-out Shein.

I would be remiss not to mention these Cocobelle sandals again. Kirsty and I are enjoying sharing how we each styled embellished sandals from this fabulous brand. We’ve already shared other looks earlier this week (here and here) and plan to return tomorrow with our favorite collab: “4-Way Friday.”

As I stated in my post earlier this week, I love that the neutral color can seemingly be paired with any outfit (especially one as busy as this striped dress). But the tassel allows them to stand out, in a subtle way…is that even possible? Well, the result is some fabulously swishy shoes that are sure to put a spring in your step!

{outfit details}
dress: Shein (c/o)
sandals: Cocobelle (c/o)
hat: similar
clutch: World Market (totally crushing on this one)
market bag: Apolis (Queen Anne found exclusively at Queen Anne Frame)
earrings: Lucia K. Jewelry

Come back by Friday to see the results of our “4-Way” post featuring Cocobelle sandals. As always, please leave a comment…let me know what you think! Thanks for reading. ~Jenn

This post was done in collaboration with several brands; however, you can (always) expect all opinions to be my own.

Red Jeans, Tasseled Sandals

August 14, 2017

Two recent finds I’m eager to share? Red denim and my new tasseled sandals.

Red jeans, can you believe that I don’t have any in my entire denim collection? I found these at Whistles, a British apparel company I would liken to J.Crew (some casual, some work attire, great tailored pieces, with stores found throughout the London area). Perfectly high-waisted, yet relaxed through the leg and complete with a twisted seam and undone hem. I was sold (and I’m considering a black pair!). Plus, what doesn’t go with red? I’m pairing these with chunky knits and booties as the weather turns to fall.

I must admit, I was a bit disappointed with the shopping in London. Not that there wasn’t plenty of beautiful shops and boutiques to browse. Yet everything I discovered I felt like I could find elsewhere (meaning at home or, more specifically, with a quick Internet search). Now, granted, I wasn’t prepared to make a big purchase (like a luxury item) but, even those I knew, if I were interested, a search on the net would find me a more reasonable price. In fact, with the rise of global brands and in the age of the Internet, I could identify where much (if not most) of the clothing British people were wearing came from. Every high street has an H&M, Zara, Forever 21, and Gap. The accessibility that the Internet offers, and the rise of social media, has seemingly made regional differences in dress much less so. Now what better to pair your summer denim with than a pair of embellished sandals? I fell for these tasseled Cocobelle pair immediately. A brightly colored sandal would be fun too, but I like how the neutral color seemingly goes with everything yet the large tassel adds a lot of interest! Perhaps they would even be too much in a flashy color? Most importantly, they do a little dance as you walk…sure to brighten every step!

{outfit details}
jeans: Whistles
top: J.Crew (similar)
sandals: Cocobelle (c/o)
bag: oilcloth (found at a local hardware store)
sunnies: Tom Ford
earrings: Lucia K. Jewelry

Kirsty and I are back at it with another 4-Way series. This time we’re pairing Cocobelle’s embellished sandals with several outfits perfect for the last days of summer. Skip on over to her blog to see her look, including an awesome pair of wrap sandals! And check back in later this week for additional outfit inspo.

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

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