Leave It to the Blogger: Find Your Staple Transitional Items

Hot Days, Chilly Nights in Los Angeles.

Lately I've been suffering from what seems lmost like weather whiplash and I'm left in limbo. The transition between seasons seems to slowly creep on us according to the weather's mood for the week. But these are some key items I know will work well into my next season's style aesthetic. "Sexy, chic, studded, subdued biker chic, classic, clean." As I filtered through gazillions of shoes, accessories, and clothing, these Zooshoo pieces were the key items that seemed to catch my eyes the moment I spotted 'em... and for good reasons.

1. White Skinny Jeggings - comfortable, flattering, and with the perfect stretch. I chose to stick to the size 0, knowing that it'll stretch a bit and give me some more leg room. Easy to wear, simple to pair. Knowing that the signature-flattering shade, Black's counter adversary, white, tends to be unflattering, I decided to give it a shot. And I must say, they turned out quite lovely and easier than ever to pair whether dressed up or down. I must say, spending years steering away from this color, I've been converted and lured away from the dark side... momentarily.

2. Platform booties with minimal studded details - comfortable (the hidden platform in the front joined with the chunky heel), edgy, easy to coordinate with jeans, leggings, dresses, skirts, or even shorts. I'm one of those girls who won't invest in something unless she knows it's the real deal. And no, I'm not just speaking about men. Once, I found a pair of black booties with a classic, simple look that was not only comfortable enough to run in, but flattering enough to help make my legs look like they went on for miles. I wore those booties down to the ground! Even when the stitches were falling apart, I still refused to toss em'. 

These booties, I already know, will be the next pair to suffer the wear-and-tear of my "can't-live-without-you", undying love. My suggestion? The arch is a little steep, so i went a 1/2 size bigger to aim for comfort. 

3. Cross-Cut-Out Sweater - Simple yet street chic. Need I say more? 

4. Nude Platform Pumps - I gave these pumps a shot, and I don't regret it one bit. Beyond comfortable for it's heel height due to the hidden platform in the front. Why this pair over the many nude pumps I spotted? For some reason, this pair didn't give me the usual "heel-slip-up" that most closed-toed pumps tend to do. Yes, I'm talking about those annoying and awkward times when you're on the go, strutting your stuff when suddenly in the middle of crossing the street, your heel slips in and out of your shoe making you look like a wobbling duck. For some reason, the design and shaping of these pumps were arched perfectly enough to prevent your feet from even coming close to slippage! Heel pads? Bye-bye!

5. Cap-Toe Pumps - Sexy pointed pumps with a modern touch? The gold detail on the pointed-toe makes it look minimally flashy and adding a classic and chic feel to an otherwise boring pump. Love love love and again, absolutely comfortable enough to walk in from day to night.

6. Skull Open-Cuff - No words are required..

One may call it lust, I may call it love at first sight.

Xx. J

Think Pink...

Pink Inspiration.

Valentine's Day may be far from now, but it's never too early for some "pink-spiration"! With all the masculinity infused into women's fashion these days: menswear blazers, spikes, studs, and so on, it's always refreshing to bring it back to the color that's easily associated with femininity, pink!

Even better? Mixing today's trendy elements with different shades of pink.

Ideas? Studded pink loafers or neon pink classic handbags as Celine has done beautifully for its iconic "Phantom" bag. 

Give your iPhone a makeover with a color change!

When in doubt, turn to pink for a touch of femininity..

Xx. J

Syrup: Waffle Inspiration

One of my favorite dessert stops in L.A. is definitely "Syrup" in the downtown area. Not only is their waffle perfectly crisp on the outside yet chewy in the middle, but nothing beats their unique "crystalized sugar". Yes, I just said: crystalized. 

Their waffles are filled with sugar that melts to the perfect subtle crunch, almost like semi-melted pop rocks. Even better? The dollop of ice cream and drizzled syrup above all that goodness on a plate.

All this waffle talk brought to mind one closet staple I intend to keep an eye out for while stalking up early for the upcoming Fall season: waffle knit sweaters. I know it's still early, but you can never be too ahead when it comes to planning. I especially love the boyish nature of the waffle knits in basic shades of black, white, gray, and navy. Even better? If it comes with either a V-neck or a semi, off-the-shoulder cut. What will be your Fall closet staple?

Xx. J

Trend to Try: The Dainty Phalanx Midi (First Knuckle) Ring

(reblogged photo from Late Night Fashion)

Call it what you like. One trend I have spotted lately swarming the hands of bloggers and celebrities alike is the "first knuckle" midi-ring trend. Some call it the "phalanx ring". First it was the dust-buster rings, then the wrist-chained-ring, and now it's the "barely-there" dainty phalanx. The perk of this ring? It doesn't hold you back from doing what you need to do, unlike its cousin, the knuckle buster ring. By the end of the day, it always got annoying when my two fingers would move as though they were webbed. (Ew!)

So What is the "Midi-Ring"?

The midi-ring sits right in the middle between two knuckles on a finger. It looks great either as a single or along with other midi-rings.

Tricky question is: "How do you purchase the right size?"

When choosing a size, remember! These rings are meant to perfectly pass the first knuckle on a finger and sit between the first and second knuckle.

I have taken it to myself to be your test bunny! After measuring every single finger of mine (other than the thumb of course) I realized a trick to find your perfect midi-ring size!

Math Equation to Your Solution: If the average ring size for the finger you choose to wear it on is a size 7 try a size 3. It's simple! Take the your original ring size and "subtract it by 4".

P.S.: If your common concern is not knowing your ever-changing ring size like me (summer tends to cause my fingers to bloat from the heat and downsize in the winter with the cold) and you don't know your current size, check out this awesome, handy website I found! 

Virtually measure your ring size with just a click of a button! This was actually pretty fun to use! Click the image above or the link to the right and get started! 

Xx. J

Hot Summer Nights: How to Make Leather Work Overtime

As colorful as trends have become in the past season, the classic black and whites have still been brought out for some air. 

Here are some summer ideas on how to make leather work even in the hottest of nights!

The Leather Skirt:

Whether it hits above the knee of is thigh-high, these skirts are easy to integrate into a summer outfit.

How-To: Tuck a silky camisole or blouse into a matte leather skirt like 90210 star, Shenae Grimes for a chic, cutting edge look. 

Running around from day to night? No need to head home for a wardrobe change. Follow socialite/model, Olivia Palermo's footsteps! The leather skirt is easy to adapt for an afternoon walk or night out on the town. 

Throw on a thin knit sweater over the skirt or a classic blazer and you're good to go.

2. Imitate Leather:

 

Too sweltering to even think of rocking the leather? Why not opt for fabric that imitates the edge of leather without the suffocation? Take inspiration from Brittany Snow's city-chic look in trousers with a subtle sheen and unique textural pattern? I love her pairing of the more eclectic pieces with a ladylike cap sleeve blouse. Her choppy bob cut helps to frame her face and accentuate the unique features of her outfit. Her choice of rusty red shoes contrasted with her cherry red clutch helped add a subtle vampy touch.

Xx. J

Get the Look: Cap-Toe Pumps

Good news, ladies! The cap toe 2012 Spring trend will be transitioning into the Fall season of this year. A second take on the classic closed-toe pointed pumps, the metallic accent or two-toned pointed toe adds a touch of modernity to those over-worn work pumps that date back to our great-grandmothers. Adding a city-chic edge to help freshen it up a bit for the modern woman.

(Above): Olivia Palermo take the luxurious feel of the Marie Claire Spain shoot up a notch with her Louis Vuittons.

Actress, Emma Roberts: Youthful sophistication at its best is the best way to describe the way this young star rocked the look.

Jessica Alba's fun take on the cap-toe trend. Opting for the two-toned effect for her choice of pumps, I love the fun, youthful, yet androgynous feel of this playful look.

Model and Celebrity DJ, Alexa Chung is ever-the-Brit with her girly silk and eyelet lace skirt. But to break away from the granny feel, adding the steel-capped pumps helps to reveal a bit of her inner tough girl.

Want to snag a pair? Zooshoo provides fashionistas with a budget-friendly version of these trending shoes. No need to break the bank for those Louis Vuittons Jessica Biel has been obsessively sporting throughout the promotional tour for her new summer blockbuster, Total Recall. The gorgeous actress definitely uses those shoes for every buck they're worth, mixing and matching them with her wide spectrum of colorful wardrobe pieces.

Zooshoo: Qupid POTION-05 Gold Pointy Cap Toe Pump (Nude)

Zooshoo: Qupid POTION-05 Gold Pointy Cap Toe Pump (Black)

I was toying with the idea of getting both colors, but I think I'm sold on the nude :)

Xx. J

Fall 2012's Boot Trends: Pre-Fall Sneak Peek

What's in, What's out? Sadly, every year a few selective items are packed up or thrown away. But on the bright side, there are the returning staples that come back for the following year.

Although we are still considered to be at the peak of the summer, designers have already been looking ahead to the cooler season to come: Fall. When leaves are turned and browned to its own liking, temperatures begin to drop, and cozy warm attire finally come out to play -- that's when boots kick sandals to the curb and become the center of fashion trending topics.

Well, it's time for roll-call. These boots will be making a huge hit this year once more. So if you're missing one, it's time to jump into those pre-fall sales!

1. Riding Boots

For a city-chic look, the riding boots always do the job. Similar to equestrian boots, these boots are flattering when paired with both skinnies and leggings, giving your legs that lengthening effect. These boots are great transitional boots to wear from the day and into the night! They kind of have a Jackie-O effect too, giving off a classic look fit for the Kennedy's! The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton's boot preference? Definitely the riding boot!

2. Ankle Boots

Whether Western-inspired like Isabel Marant showcased on her FW 2012 runway or heeled with a futuristic-metallic touch like Blumarine's FW go-to boot, ankle boots are here to stay.

Want a refresher course on different ways of rocking these ankle-dwellers?

 

Victoria Beckham proved that ankle boots can undergo a major makeover when paired with below the knee socks (image above). Want to mix up the color scheme? For a preppy touch of British appeal, double-up on two different colored tube socks! This is something I've never paid much mind to, but I'm dying to try this preppy look!

Tube-socks don't do it for you? Do like J. Mendel did at his FW 2012 show (image above). I love the idea of pairing ankle boots with leggings that almost have a subtle sheen to it. Almost like the ever-popular "liquid leggings" from a few years ago, but more subtle to keep the look cool without too much of the leathery effect. This method not only helps you find more than one way to rock those ankle boots, but actually helps elongate your legs. By blurring the break-off line between the boots and skin-tight pants, it creates the illusion of having supermodel-worthy legs.

3. Lace-Up Combats

Loved by the British and wildly adapted for the LA-grunge look, combat boots have never left and won't be running anywhere else anytime soon. For that effortless, model-off duty look, these boots have passed the trying test. Be it rain or shine, these fight through a day's walk without the pain no matter where your journey leads you.

Xx. J

Stylish Couples: "Duos Who Dress Together, Stick Together"

Watching stylish couples walk presentably side-by-side is like seeing love on Cloud 9. That giddy feeling between two lovers is hyped up even more by seeing a duo look as compatible physically as they presumably are intellectually. Like the Yin to his and her Yang, it's like watching a movie portrait come to life. It's like walking through your very own romantic film, allowing life's occurrences to organically make every moment a polaroid moment. "Life is love... and love is life". Come what may, they'll give rain or shine a run for its money.

(photo credit: garbagelapsap.com)

How about Hollywood's hottest couples?

Well, the truth is, any couple can hire a stylist to coordinate two people for a red carpet appearance. But the biggest trial to test their style compatibility is their off-duty fashion match-up! Among my favorites?

VS model, Miranda Kerr and her husband, actor Orlando Bloom.

Kings of Leon lead singer, Caleb Followill and his stunning wife, VS model, Lily Aldridge.

Actress, Jennifer Aniston and her longtime beau, Justin Theroux. Every time I see her wandering about with him in these candid photos, I can't help but feel like she took a sip of the cool-kid, Kool-Aid and added some edge to her image as "America's Sweetheart".

The Amazing Spider Man on-screen and off-screen couple, Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield.

New York Socialite and model, Olivia Palermo and her equally attractive German boyfriend, model Johannes Huebl.

Actress Diane Kruger and longtime boyfriend, actor Joshua Jackson. I must say, Joshua went through a style crash course ever since he was paired with the fashionably aware actress.

Actress, Kate Beckinsale and her husband, Underworld director Len Wiseman.

Although Josh Hartnett and his Norwegian ex-girlfriend, Sophia Lie didn't make it as a couple, I feel like it's a crying shame because I always admired their style compatibility as a couple!

Xx. J