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Mani Monday – Blue Stripes Edition

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It’s no secret that I love all shades of blue and all manner of stripes, so this week’s mani falls into the neutral category for me.

It has been a little busy lately with the end of the school year and a lot going on as I am sure is the case for most of you.  In fact, you may have noticed there was no Mani Monday on Memorial Day.  I hosted a really fun dinner party on that Sunday and decided to take the holiday off.

My weekly manicures are regular polish, I have never tried a gel manicure on my nails.  I tried gel on my toes this winter which was a game changer.  Due to the process and fast drying I was able to walk out in socks and shoes and go have a workout right away.  I was excited to try Essie’s Gel Couture Color.  It has a “gel finish” without the process.  My manicure is currently on Day 8 and it looks brand new!

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.  The colors are “Perfect Posture”  and “Surrounded by Studs” in Essie Gel Couture Color.

Items in the photos:

Saint James Striped Shirt

“Blue, The History of a Color”

Saint James Striped Tank

J. Crew Plaid Pants (on sale!)

“Indigo, The Color that Changed the World”

J. Crew Vintage Cropped Jeans with Patchwork (the most comfy jeans ever!)

J. Crew Liberty Print Blazer (also similar here)

J. Crew Stretch Seersucker Blazer

Carrie Forbes Sandals (similar here)

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

 

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Gemini and the Ark

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My birthday month has begun.  I am not usually someone who celebrates the whole month, but as the years pass they feel more significant.  It is a privilege to get older as I wrote last year (The Privilege of Getting Older).  This upcoming birthday ends with a 9 and rather than get myself worked up for a decade birthday next year, I am embracing it now (at least that is the plan).

This is also always a busy time where my mind races and there is much to accomplish.  The school year is ending which has always impacted both my family life and my career.  I put myself through an annual performance review.  And if you believe in astrology,  the mind does race when the moon is in Gemini and we all have Gemini in us ( I happen to have a lot in my chart in addition to it being my sign).

I was thrilled to open my first present last night.  The Cult Gaia Ark bag that I have been coveting for a long time.  I was unsure about which size to order and went with the large.  It is perfect!  Get ready to see it styled over and over in my posts this summer.

In the meantime, my seven year old son snapped a few photos with the outfit I was wearing when I walked in the door, which demonstrates just how versatile the bag is.  My son and husband were both concerned about the contents being visible.  My husband’s late mother always told him “you never ask a woman’s age or to look in her bag”.  I reminded them of all of my cute pouches.

 

cult gaia st. james jcrew prada flatlay

J. Crew Stretch Blazer

St. James for J. Crew Sleeveless Striped Top

J. Crew Paint Splatter Jeans (similar here and here)

Cult Gaia Ark bag in large

Prada Driving Shoes (similar here and here)

Fitbit Flex 2 in Navy

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

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Garden Party

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This weekend we put our outdoor furniture cushions out and were ready for outdoor entertaining.  A fresh print and summer bag were just what I needed.

J. Crew just launched an exclusive collaboration with SZ Blockprints for J. Crew.  Created by founder, Sarah Zellweger in a unique block printing process in Jaipur, India with the help of artisans.  SZ Blockprints donates 15% of proceeds to the SZ Foundation (a non profit that supports female education and empowerment initiatives).

The prints are unique and colorful with great details in the tassels and layout of the prints.  The collection includes these pieces.  They are available online only and are linked below.

From left to right:

Leyla Dress

Leyla Tunic

Leyla Dress

Crop Top

Drawstring Skirt

I styled the Leyla Tunic in green with a Kayu St. Tropez Mini Tote, Vintage Crop Jeans, New Balance 620 Sneakers and Piper Sunglasses.

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Leyla Tunic

Kayu St. Tropez Mini Tote

J. Crew Vintage Cropped Jeans with Patchwork

New Balance 620 Sneakers

J. Crew Piper Sunglasses

Chanel Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Color in Sensual Rose

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

jcrew-stripes-summer

Shade, Stripes and Statement Tees

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Happy Memorial Day!  In the summer,  I like easy.  A statement tee, like this linen one are simple to wear and fun to accessorize in a number of ways.  Stripes, gingham, or leopard (not pictured but always in my imagination) – take your pick.  I also love a little subtle embellishment in the form of a sequined navy anchor.  Preppy meets glitz.  Statement tees are ready to pack for adventure and can be dressed up or down.

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J. Crew T-shirt

GAIA for J. Crew Bag

J. Crew Lookout Crop Jean

J. Crew Corsica Sandals (similar here)

Striped Clutch (above)

jcrew anchor sequins

J. Crew T-shirt

J. Crew Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan

J. Crew Piper Sunglasses

J. Crew Factory Cork Clutch

J. Crew Lookout Jean (on sale!)

Sergio Zelcer Shoes (similar here)

Have a great holiday weekend!

XO,

JAE

Stepping into Summer

Published on by thenavyleopard2 Comments

It’s time to get out our whites!  Actually I have been wearing white jeans year round, but this weekend still signals the start of the summer season.  Not much changes in California.  I miss living in a four season climate and putting away hats, boots and scarves and working at a more leisurely pace than in the winter.  I also miss being so excited for summer clothes.  My son and I may travel to San Francisco this summer (where I lived for ten years), so I know better than to put those sweaters too far into storage.  Regardless of the climate, the days will be longer and more leisurely.  The time from Memorial Day to the equinox and the official start of summer on June 21st are my favorite.  The days get just a little longer each day and feel full of the promise of summer fun.

This look puts me in a summer mood.  I styled this breezy top with my current favorite jeans, clutch and the first shoes I bought as a result of Instagram inspiration two years ago (I have linked several other options below).

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J. Crew Top

J. Crew Vintage Crop Jeans

Legend of Lido “Estancia” Clutch c/o

J. Crew shoes (older style, but these and these would look great)

Chanel Rouge Double Intensite In Sensual Rose

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

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Mani Monday – Camellia Edition

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It is hard to think about a camellia and not also think about Coco Chanel.  My son and I have been reading this book about the life of Coco Chanel at bedtime, so I have had Chanel on the brain.  The polish is subtle matte pink and I love the little touch of camellia.  I think Coco would approve…

The color is “Pink Rubber” by Chanel. It is a matte finish.  The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.

Items in the photos include:

J. Crew Pink Rattan Clutch

Equipment Ainsley Button Down Floral

J. Crew Liberty Print Blazer

J. Crew Embroidered Top

J. Crew Pineapple Print Skirt

J. Crew Large Pouch with Glitter

Fendi Bags

Equipment Know Lace up Floral Print Shirt

Equipment Aubrey Dress

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

jcrew-newbalance-ikat-gingham-stripes

Gingham Ikat

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Gingham Ikat?  Yes, please with a side of stripes.  A side of stripes always works in my book.  This side of stripes, in the form of a water-resistant bag, came in handy during this rainy day photo shoot.  I am thinking about summer days with it pool and beach side.

jcrew gingham ikat stripes vintage crop jean flatlay

J. Crew Gingham Ikat Top

J. Crew Striped Water-Reistant Clutch

J. Crew Piper Sunglasses

J. Crew Vintage Crop Jeans in Patchwork

New Balance for J. Crew 620 Sneakers

Chanel Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Color in Darling Pink

Happy Friday!

XO,

JAE

jcrew-gaia

Peace, Love and a Bag that Does Good

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A bag that is stylish and does good?  One of each, please.  GAIA (which refers to the Goddess of the Earth in Greek Mythology) was founded in 2009.  They create handcrafted accessories by female refugee artisans.  This gingham pom-pom bag was inspired by Moroccan pouches.  Each pom-pom is handmade.  It comes with a hand signed hang tag and is available in three colors.   I also picked up the pom-pom hair tie.  Check out the tassel earrings as well.  You can read about how Jenna Lyons first learned about GAIA and how the bags, hair ties and tassel earrings ended up in the in J. Crew stores here.  Check out all the GAIA for J. Crew offerings here.

I styled the bag with a dress that is the same cut as my favorite from last year with a lace -up neckline  instead of a collar.  Take a look at how I styled last year’s dresses in: Chambray, Sunset and Sequins, Coral and stripes, and One-Step Gingham.

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J. Crew Lace Up Shirt Dress

GAIA for J. Crew Bag

J. Crew Sandals (similar here)

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Mani Monday – Giraffe Edition

Published on by thenavyleopard1 Comment

I am frequently asked where I come up with my nail art ideas.  Some weeks I know exactly what I want and it’s tied to an event or holiday.  Sometimes I am inspired by nail art that I see on Instagram.  More often I am inspired by fashion and what am wearing that day.  It is always a collaboration with the talented staff at Olive & June.  This Drake’s for J. Crew shirt (that I recently scored on super sale) served as inspiration this week. Besides, it was another chance to wear my favorite navy polish by Chanel.

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.  The colors are “Mariniere” by Chanel, “Salmon Run” by CND Vinylux and “Alpine Snow” by OPI.

Items featured in the photos include:

Drake’s for J. Crew Giraffe Print Bell Sleeve Top

J. Crew Western Shirt

Equipment Animal Print Blouse (on sale!)

Tod’s Loafers

J. Crew Crinkle Gingham Boy Shirt

LOEWE “see u later” clutch

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

Bohemian Prep

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A love a good mix of classic preppy with a softer bohemian edge.  My new favorite Legend of Lido clutch has the perfect pop of pink with my pink gingham shirt.  I styled them with my new Vintage Crop jeans (I can not stop wearing them) and my hot pink driving shoes that I picked up in Antwerp in 2005 (that story here).

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J. Crew Crinkle Gingham Boy Shirt also available here

J. Crew Vintage Crop Jeans with Patchwork

Legend of Lido Estancia Clutch c/o

J. Crew Jane Sunglasses (on sale!)

Prada Driving Shoes (similar here and here)

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE