Girls

“When can I have a suit?” I ask my mom as we are picking up my Dad’s newly altered three-piece suit.

“Someday.  You are eight years old.” she replies.

“I can’t wait.  I am going to have the coolest suits when I am the boss.”

“You can be ANYTHING you want to BE and you certainly have boss characteristics.” she says with a smile.

Many years and many suits later, I did become a boss.  I wore suits in a time when pantsuits were not only frowned upon but strongly discouraged by my first employer.  I wore skirt suits and had to keep a constant supply of hosiery in my desk to address the ill-timed and horrifying run.  The uniform was a big part of my feeling of success.  I subscribed to the notion of dressing for the job you want rather than the job you have.

That conversation with my mom empowered me.  Both of my parents encouraged me to work hard and pursue my dreams.

Girls now have even more opportunity even as we all navigate so much anger and frustration with what is going on.

J.Crew has partnered with Girls Inc.

We are thrilled to partner with J.Crew to ensure that more girls have the opportunity to join the Girls Inc. crew and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. With support from J.Crew customers and employees, and through panel events, girls will be encouraged to achieve their highest potential and inspired to be strong, smart, and bold.

  • Judy Vredenburgh, Girls Inc. President & CEO

In honor of Day of the Girl, today, October 11, 2018, J.Crew will donate $5 for every purchase made through jcrew.com.  For me it started with a dream (and a suit).  I am excited to put part of my shopping dollars towards empowering another generation of girls.

Here a few things I am considering in my cart today.

Obviously, these leopard pieces that are part of the Demylee X J. Crew collaboration:

Scarf / Hat / Pants / Jacket/ Dress

I love these two pairs of shoes for the holidays and beyond

Slingback / Mules

It’s a great time to pick up my favorite kicks that I have in three colors and wear all the time.  Yesterday I managed to wear all three with a few outfit changes.

Cheers to the girls!

XO,

JAE

Trifecta

This itsy bitsy daisy print is screaming for a pattern mix.  Enter my Antonello Tedde clutch and striped espadrilles and we have a perfect pattern trifecta.  If only I had gotten a trifecta while visiting Del Mar when I shot these photos.  For now, I will stick to pattern mixing and leave the gambling to others. Del Mar is a beautiful spot to watch the races.

antonellotedde-delmar-jcrew-saintjames-saintlaurent-paigedenim

Denim Jacket (similar here)

Shirt

White Denim

Clutch (similar here and here)

Shoes (similar here , here and here)

Sunglasses

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

 

Mani Monday – Fourth of July Edition

Happy Independence Day!

Here are a couple of nail art ideas from the past two years…

In the meantime I have my eye on a few cute summer things that work for the holiday and rest of the summer like these denim slides (that I have been wearing non-stop), this striped sweatshirt (because you can never have enough stripes), this daisy top (coming soon to the blog), this fun bag, this red denim mini skirt,  this statement-making striped top, and this star top.

Have a great holiday week!

XO,

JAE

Bricks and Patterns

More is more when it comes to patterns and textures.  My Antonello Tedde clutch just got a workout on my recent trip to Paris.  It was the perfect evening bag (and I love that it has a strap when you want to jump on the metro or snap a photo).  I styled it below with another workhorse from my vacation in Paris,  my seersucker blazer.  It added the perfect polish to my t-shirts, white denim and kicks while running around museums and sightseeing.

Check out the full selection of Antonello Tedde at 24 Sevres the online site for Le Bon Marche.  I visited several times including my first afternoon on no sleep while my husband and son rested.

lebonmarche-rivegauche-paris-leftbank

Here is a look I wore stateside just before my trip.

saintlaurent-antonellotedde-agjeans-jcrew

Blazer (similar here and here)

Top (similar here)

Sunglasses

Clutch (similar here and here)

Denim (also here)

Shoes (similar here and here)

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

Camo Obsession

I will never tire of camo.  It’s as neutral as leopard print for me.   I wish I could fit into this crewcuts blazer I just picked for my son.  I have a lot of friends that can wear a boys size 14 or 16, so if you are smaller, go for it.  It’s a great blazer.

In the meantime my son looks great in his and I have my own light weight army jacket in blue.

civilianaire-saintlaurent-jcrew-clarev-wit+wisdom-newbalance

Camo Jacket (similar here and here)

Sunglasses (also here)

T-Shirt

Clutch

Kicks

White Denim

Happy Styling!

XO,

JAE

Jungle Clutch

My easy summer look continues to be on repeat with denim, a tee and blazer.  For this monochromatic look I added a couple of patterns with my jungle clutch and leopard flats.  Add in my new favorite sunglasses and and a chaga latte (no dairy, sugar or caffeine and so good) and I am ready for any summer day.

saintlaurent-legendoflido-jcrew-wit+wisdom

Blazer

Sunglasses (also here)

T-Shirt

Shoes (similar here)

Clutch

White Denim

Happy Friday!

XO,

JAE

Riding into Summer

School is out for the summer!  Yesterday my son and I attended a very fun second grade end of the year party complete with karaoke, a scavenger hunt and water balloons.  My son sang “Fireball”.  One of the mom’s who also has a sixth grader reminded me to savor these moments as this time and this grade is simple, innocent and most of all fleeting.  I look forward to summer adventures with my third grader, but I can’t help but wonder where my preschooler went.  I remember him striding into his last day of Pre-K like it was yesterday and yet he’s grown almost a foot and achieved so many milestones. The days can be long, but the years fly by.  I am hoping to slow down and savor a lot of fun moments and make some great summer memories.

Details on this look below.

saintlaurent-cultgaia-carrieforbes-agjeans-jcrew-wit+wisdom

Denim Jacket

Sunglasses (also here)

Striped Tee

Bag

Sandals

White Denim

Happy Summer!

XO,

JAE

Polished Blue and White

It’s been a busy week with several meetings.  I had a few of my favorite blazers and jeans on rotation.  For this look I kept it simple with blue and white and fun accessories like this clutch and these sandals.  Soon I will be trading this look for beach coverups (like this one and this one I have ready to go), swimsuits and the bag I featured earlier this week here.

ACS_0309(1)

Blazer (similar here and here)

Clutch

Sunglasses

Sandals

White Denim

Top (similar here and here)

Happy Friday!

XO,

JAE

Countdown to Summer

I’m getting excited for travel, swim, parties, longer days, but most of all summer styles!

Now is the time to snap up some great new arrivals at J. Crew. Most items are 40% with the code GETAWAY (through May 28th).  I have listed my top 15 favorites below.  It’s also a great time to pick up basics like my favorite New Balance Sneakers in both the gold/salt and rose gold/navy  ( I have both!)are included in the 40% off.  I wear both constantly and you can throw them in the washer.  They come out beautifully.

I recently stocked up on a few basic t-shirts.  The new supima cotton is so soft.  I grabbed a few solids and stripes.

Colorblock Cashmere Cardigan

Striped Convertible Clutch

Denim Mules

Dreamy Short Sleeve Pajamas

Packable Straw Hat

Ibiza Tote with Pom Poms

Embroidered Beach Tunic

Linen Blazer with Scalloped Collar

Parke Blazer in Stretch Linen

Striped Paper-Bag Pant

Raffia Mules

Sleeveless Chambray Dress

Striped Beach Towel

Vintage Straight Jean

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

 

Easy Stripes

Shacket?  Jirt?  Either way, I love the stripes on this shirt/jacket.  I styled it with even more stripes with a striped long sleeved tee and striped clutch.  There are lots of different tying or open options and I love the fabric.

There are several new arrivals I have my eye on from J. Crew including this bag, these fun sandals, this scalloped blazer, and this striped tunic.

 

ACS_0219

Striped Shirt/Jacket

Striped Long-sleeved Tee

Denim

Clutch

Pink Loafers (similar here, here and here)

Happy Syling!

XO,

JAE