Resolutions and Intentions

Ever since I could put pen to paper, I would make New Year’s resolutions.  Each year there would be lists that most certainly included “lose weight” from my teenage years on.  The last few years the idea of resolutions has evolved into intentions.  I set intentions regularly on a weekly or even daily basis in my meditation practice.

This year rather than declaring “lose weight” as a resolution (though admittedly, I would love to lose a few lbs) I want to feel healthy and vital.  It has become clear that eating certain foods — dairy, sugar, corn and gluten. – does not make me feel good and at times downright uncomfortable.  This week I have eliminated the aforementioned  foods to see if I feel better.  It’s only day four and I already do feel better.  The more I eat cleanly, the more I want to keep going and build my resolve.

I was fortunate to kick this intention off with a “Reinvention” Hypnosis at my favorite mediation studio Unplug, with the always inspiring Camilla Sacre-Dallerup that is based on her upcoming book “Reinvent Me”.  The mediation made a huge difference.  I started the elimination of dairy, sugar, gluten and corn in earnest on Monday.  After the Friday class, I found myself resisting the temptation of the all the yummy Christmas leftover cookies and chocolate.  The part of my brain that said “No, this won’t make you feel good” was loudest – and victorious.

I am keeping lots of good snacks on hand and planning meals.  This morning I will give Bulletproof coffee a try which will leave only two meals a day to prepare.  I don’t eat red meat.  If any of you have great “Whole 30” recipes or tricks, please reply in the comments section.

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My outfit from a recent trip to the fabulous new natural market with locations in California, Lazy Acres.

J. Crew Tippi Sweater

J. Crew Signet Bag in Bright Sea

J. Crew Shoes

J. Crew Black Toothpick Jeans

J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses

Happy, Healthy 2017.

XO,

JAE

 

 

Neutrals at Sunset

Leopard is definitely a neutral for me.  I love mixing it with stripes and plaid and other patterns, but I also love the way it pops with black and white.  My new leopard heels that I was so excited to get for Christmas (more on that in Leopard Surprise) are so easy to wear.  My number one criteria for shoes is comfort and these heels are very comfortable.

I styled them with my J. Crew Black Toothpick Jeans, J. Crew Black Cashmere Cardigan, a white shirt and my J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses.  You can expect to see more of these heels.

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J. Crew Leopard Heels

J. Crew Black Toothpick Jeans

J. Crew Cashmere cardigan

J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses

Lafayette 148 Shirt similar here and here (on sale!)

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Stripes and Bows

Is it really over?  The holidays arrive like a speeding train with all the preparations, shopping and decorating.  Then each year the train departs until next year in the blink of an eye.  I was happy to capture a little bit more of the holiday with this tree and bows.

Yes, I am wearing another striped shirt.  I love the grosgrain ribbon details.  I styled it with my new J. Crew Signet bag, black toothpick jeans, leopard flats and Ryan sunglasses.

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J. Crew Top

J. Crew Signet Bag in Bright Sea

J. Crew Sunglasses

J. Crew Toothpick Jean in Black

J. Crew Leopard Gemma Flats

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Leopard Surprise

There has always been one pair of #shinyponies from J. Crew that I have wanted, but never splurged on, the Colette D’Orsay Pump in Leopard Print.  My mom surprised me with them this year.  I was so excited when I opened them that I had to immediately put them on with my plaid pajamas and leopard print Santa hat.  My two favorite neutrals, leopard print and plaid, work so well together.

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J. Crew Colette D’Orsay Shoes

J. Crew Plaid Pajamas (last year) this year’s style (on sale!)

J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses (on sale!)

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Sequins and Cupcake

Despite hating her own doggie Santa hat, Cupcake was intrigued with my leopard print version (that my son picked out at CVS).  We had fun with this shoot.  I styled a J. Crew sequin skirt with a black cashmere cardigan, black blouse and grey and black leopard heels.  The skirt is almost sold out, but I linked two places to buy it below along with the factory version.  The factory version is a bit shorter, currently only $34 dollars and available in a range of sizes.  All the links are below.

Here is a dressing room selfie.  I was so excited to find the skirt in my size the other night at J. Crew.  It is such a versatile holiday piece, I like it with flats for a more casual look as well.

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J. Crew Skirt available at J. Crew and Net-a-Porter as well as this J. Crew Factory version

J. Crew Cashmere Cardigan

J. Crew Blouse (older style) other options here and here

Armand Ventilo pumps (older style) these and these would look great

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I want all of the plaid and all of the leopard print, please.  Is that too much to ask? They look so great together.

Love,
JAE

 

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J. Crew Perfect Shirt

J. Crew Necklace

J. Crew Cashmere Cardigan

J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses

J. Crew Toothpick Jeans

J. Crew Gemma Leopard Flats

J. Crew Large Plaid Pouch

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Plaid and Leopard

There is something soothing about the lines and the symmetry of plaid that reminds me of geometry (my favorite High School subject that I mentioned in Mani Monday -Gray Geometric Edition.)  The leopard belt and shoes soften the lines with the random spots.  This shirt is from a couple of years ago, but I just ordered the new black watch with club collar.  I previously featured the new club collar in stripe (now on sale!) and Liberty Paisley.  The new one arrives tomorrow along with both of my plaid shoes.  If you tried to purchase either of the plaid shoes yesterday and found your size sold out, they were just replenished.  The links are here: Sadie Pom-Pom Ankle Strap Flats in Tartan and Scalloped Heels in Festive Plaid

I styled the shirt and leopard accents with the Maddie Pant in navy and a navy cashmere sweater (all from J. Crew).  I bought my second pair of Maddie pants after wearing another color once.  They are so comfortable!  I love that they are streamlined without being too skinny and that they have belt loops.  I featured them recently in olive green in Fall Foilage.  I can’t wait to check them out in Black Watch as well.

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J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses

J. Crew shirt (similar here)

J. Crew Cashmere Cardigan

J. Crew Maddie Pant in Navy

J. Crew Calf Hair Belt

J. Crew Sandals (similar here and on sale)

Moynat Tote also here (this or this would look great)

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

Fall Foilage

Have you tried the Maddie pant?  It has been a while since I liked a pant other than jeans from J. Crew or anywhere else.  You probably notice my penchant for denim.  I tried on a pair of the Maddie pant in misty forest the other day and loved them.  They are really comfortable and the green is such a great neutral for fall.  I styled them with this beautiful t-shirt that looks hand painted, a burgundy cardigan, my burgundy Signet bag, a new long necklace, my favorite Ryan Sunglasses in Blush and of course, my Gemma leopard flats.

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J. Crew T-shirt

J. Crew Cardigan (in garnet flame)

J. Crew Necklace

J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses

J. Crew Maddie Pant

J. Crew Signet Bag

J. Crew Italian Calf Hair Printed Coin Purse

J. Crew Leopard Gemma Flat

You can recieve 25% off a purchase of $125 or more or 30% off a purchase of $200 or more through October 26, 2016 with the code SHOPMORE

Leopard Landing

This is a coat that I dreamed of as a little girl.  I always loved leopard print from the time I can remember.  It had an air of glamour and at times it was a little over the top.  Now I incorporate it into a lot in the way of shoes, belts and blouses.  When I saw this coat I fell in love.  I am styling it in a very neutral way with a black cashmere sweater from J. Crew,  J. Crew black toothpick jeans, a Goyard Saigon bag, Armand Ventilo shoes I picked up in Paris two years ago (I have linked three other options below) and my J. Crew Jane Sunglasses in pink for a pop of color.

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Alice + Olivia “Montana” Leopard Print Faux Fur Coat

J. Crew Jane Sunglasses in Pink

J. Crew Cashmere Tippi Sweater  available in wool or this cashmere long sleeve (on sale!)

J. Crew Toothpick Jeans in Black

Armand Ventilo Shoes similar here, here and here

Goyard Saigon Bag

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE

 

Easy Elegance

Another blue and white striped shirt?  Yes!  This one has built in cuffs.  I love the look of a button down shirt under a striped shirt, but sometimes don’t want the extra layer.  The best thing about this one is that it has the cuffs and not the collar so that I can wear one of my many silk scarves.  Many of J. Crew’s latest offerings are at what they call a “Freak out” price.  This top is only $45 and I think should be on J. Crew’s “Freak Out” List along with the items here.

I styled it with what have become my favorite got to basics: J. Crew Toothpick Jeans in Black, Ryan sunglasses and Leopard Flats.  I added one of the scarves from my collection.  It is an instantly pulled together look that still has the comfort of a striped long sleeve t-shirt.

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J. Crew Striped Boatneck T-shirt with Built-in Cuffs

J. Crew Ryan Sunglasses in Blush

J. Crew Leopard Gemma Flats

J. Crew Toothpick Jeans in Black

Lipstick Queen Medieval Lipstick

Hermes Scarf, but this bandana from J. Crew would look great too

The custom water color portraits are by Sophie and Lili.

Happy Shopping!

XO,

JAE