Mr. Grey Will See You Now

Ever been concerned about the pieces of your outfits matching? Perhaps you're worried about that black top going with your brown skinny jeans; or the bright blue polo in your closet going with the yellow patterned trousers you just ordered from Asos.

I have a solution to all your concerns... MONOCHROMATIC. Try wearing one hue from head to toe and you'll find that you've easily upgraded whatever you're wearing to the next level of chic. It's a simple, clean approach to putting an outfit together, and one that many fashion icons take advantage of. Example, and example.

Say Hi to my baby doll, London. He's an up and coming high-fashion model getting his name out there in the fashion world. In this photo, he is teaching the children about smizing. Today's look features my color block sweater from Zara and trousers and Sunglasses from H&M. My shoes are about 2 years old from Calvin Klein, and of course my socks are Happy Socks.

I started listening to Destiny's Child in 2nd Grade which was around 15 years ago ~ gasp. Here's to a decade and a half of Queen Bey on the throne.

Cheers,

J.

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No Pumpkins Left Behind

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I'm serving Fall Apple Orchard realness and I've got all the in-cider information in this collision of busy and basic. Have you ever encountered a piece of clothing you just had to buy, even when it was not part of the plan? This Topman overcoat in Camel was just that for me - I tried it on and could not get myself to take it off. I think this is a clear example of how just one piece can make or break an entire closet. I challenge you, yes you blog reader, to try something new when next you're on the market for a new item. It could be a different fit, color, or material. You don't know until you try and if that means squashing everything you know about North Face then so be it! #NoShade

My Sunglasses are from Nordstrom, T-Shirt is H&M, Jeans and Belt are Levi's, Socks as usual are from Happy Socks, and Shoes by Cole Haan. 

Thanks to my outstanding photographer Karen Tang. 

Dots and Transitions

It's that time of the year when shorts become trousers, cotton and polyester start to take over from linen, and flip flops and sandals retire in favor of slightly warmer options.  If you know anything about my clothing choices, then you know I'm obsessed with bold prints: I pulled out my Jacquard T-Shirt from Zara for this shoot.

My approach to patterns is usually to have the bold print be the focus and to mute everything else I'm wearing. Usually. Thanks to my favorite brand of socks Happy Socks for keeping my toes warm and simultaneously adding a nice pop of color to my outfits including the polka dot pair I'm wearing here.   

For a while now I've lived with Chronic Resting Dick Face. This article says it perfectly: That’s not to say I never smile, or that I can’t appreciate the simple beauty of everyday things, but I reserve the physical manifestation of happiness for when I’m actually happy—elated, even. Wishing you all the happiness in the world. Enjoy my current favorite Drake track, Hotline Bling.

5 Passports; I'm never going to jail

Damon Baker has been my favorite fashion photographer for years. There is a very dark element to his photos that he communicates in a way that is elegant and captivating. This photo of Jessie J on the right is a classic example. Sometimes it can be refreshing to strip off the extra accessories, and maybe even the color in your outfit. Black and white is super easy to pull off and the options are endless. I decided to fight the current European heat wave with this half mesh t-shirt I snagged from American Apparel and faux leather shorts from Topman. 

My shoes are Cole Haan and I was wearing my cross etched ring from Topman and leather wayfarers from Ray-Ban.  I'm currently obsessed with Ghost Town from Adam Lambert's most recent record so there you go:

American Oxygen

Happy belated Fourth of July to all my US of American friends! Hope you managed to stay classy while celebrating. These photos are from my team's offsite in Detroit earlier in July. I love to push the envelope to see what I can get away with wearing in public and sometimes it works out well. Truth: my own mother once called me a fashion victim. 

While I've only lived full time in the US for 5 years now, it's finally starting to feel like home. I pinch myself everyday because I live in such an amazing country that isn't without its flaws. We can't rest till we secure the same freedoms for everyone regardless of privilege. #BlackLivesMatter.

When the rain falls

I snagged this coat for $65: Another reason why Topman is one of my favorite stores for statement pieces. This 45 year old English brand is famous for it's fashion forward clothes with an energy that's very young and authoritative. I generally pair a bold piece with basics, but I couldn't resist the juxtaposition of LOUD with the dreary weather in Chicago. 

Lessons from 2014

Happy New Year, friends! We made it to 2015! Here are a few of the things I've had on my mind these past few days. The above photo was taken by the Long Beach Museum of Art and my sweater is H&M.

Fear is one of the more important survival instincts
Fear usually means that there is something about your current circumstance that is concerning. While I was absolutely ready to graduate from college earlier this year, a very real fear of mine was being unemployed and idle back home in my Georgia suburb. As a result, I must have applied to at least 100 roles in various cities and industries. The fear forced me to dig deep into myself to find + create opportunities that would prevent me from realizing it. It's easy to ignore your fears because they can be crippling, but when channeled properly can create some impressive outcomes.

Don't be busy for the sake of being busy - Pause
I learnt a lot about the 'busy' trap this year: being busy with finals, busy networking, busy applying to jobs, and busy with work. We live in a society that rewards multi-tasking and encourages us to always be connected to work/social media/ etc. Every morning, the first thing I do is check my email even on days like Sunday when I don't expect anything important. It's important to know that "busy" is not an inevitable status of a high achiever, it's a choice. Stop and look around you. While excelling at work is great, it is just as important to keep up with your Youtube subscriptions, MirandaSings for example. It is just as important to press pause, whatever that means for you.

Alone and Lonely are very different
Aloneness is being honestly content in your own company. You can't define yourself by the people that surround you; doing so can be disastrous. Loneliness is not attached to the number of Instagram followers you have, or the likes you get.

Your 20s are for making "mistakes"
This is the time to break out of your comfort zone - move somewhere you've never been to, or seek opportunities that are outside of your bubble. Whether it's through Buzzfeed quizzes or tinder matches, now is them to aggressively seek self-awareness.  You can take big risks without being reckless.

Success is different for everyone 
My friend Robbie always talks about a difference between people that eat to live, and those that live to eat. Everyone has a different way of seeing the world and hence a different measure of success for themselves. Find what makes you tick, and don't apologize for it. I find it helpful to define success before I try to pursue it.

Don't compare yourself to others
Refer to the above point - Don't do it! It's not healthy. "I generally find that comparison is the fast track to unhappiness. No one ever compares themselves to someone else and comes out even. Nine times out of ten, we compare ourselves to people who are somehow better than us and end up feeling more inadequate." —Jack Canfield