Fall Shopping List 2012

I know it's officially fall now. Not because of the date, but because I just ate my first ... OK, and my second... piece of pumpkin pie. I'm hoping to make it a third in like, 10 minutes. Seriously, I don't know what is wrong with me but yesterday I couldn't focus on anything but pie. I begged my hubs to bring me some home and he obliged because he loves me very much and knows not to toy with my food cravings. And before you say it, no... I'm not pregnant. I'm just really passionate about pie, OK?

Anyway, another sign of it being fall is that I start to get itchy fingers around my credit card. I want to freshen up the old closet before the leaves start falling so I thought I'd list some of the things I'm looking for in the next couple of weeks. Note that all of these are under $50 and they'd be easy-peasy ways to update a "I don't have anything to wear!" -type wardrobe. Oh, and click the pics if you'd like the link.

 I really want some fall flats that aren't super sweet. These would be amazing with an a-line skirt and leather jacket OR with some skinnies and a cardigan. (LC Lauren Conrad)

 I've been obsessing over this vest for a few days now. See, the other day I was in a bad mood about something work-related and my husband gave me online shopping time to cheer me up. Did I mention that you can buy my love? Because you absolutely can. I went to go grab this from F21, but they didn't have my size. I now must go to the actual store and hunt for it. This with some dark jeans and Fryes? Fuggedaboutit. Actually, pretty much anything moto is big for fall.

 This cardigan!! I would love this with a white button up, a pair of skinnies and flats for like, Thanksgiving dinner (Sorry, Americans. Canadian Thanksgiving is next week so my brain is already on turkey and clothes). Add a bib necklace and you're pretty much done AND have a place to hide your food baby. (Quiksilver)

 I am loving military-inspired clothes too. My husband has this Gap military jacket that I Have plans to steal and belt when the weather gets a little cooler, but this would suffice with bootcut jeans and a pair of red heels, don't you think? (Delias)

 Tights tights tights!! I love me some patterned tights and these python ones are pretty much perfection. I'd wear them peeking out of a pair of boots. (2b)

 Speaking of boots, I'm in the market for a pair of buckle-happy ones. I have four pairs of brown boots right now, but the more the merrier, right? Plus I love the flat heel, which means I could wear them basically every day. (Charlotte Russe)

OK, so not everyone loved my plaid/leopard pairing on Monday, but that's alrighty with me! Pattern mixing isn't supposed to really "go," but plaid is a great place to start. Wear this under a striped shirt or with some colored skinnies. This one has a lace back which makes it a little more femmy.



That's what I'm looking for when I do some fall shopping... what's on your list?

Spring Trends and How to Wear 'Em: 2012

It's that time again! Time when I sift through all of the stuff that magazines say "YOU MUST HAVE" to bring you the most wearable trends available. Some are so not wearable at all. One I saw was colored camo. Really? We're doing colored camo now? That might work in the city, but I live where people actually go hunting and I Would be laughed at if I showed up in puprle camo. So I'll leave that one to the city slickers. I kid you not, the other day I drove behind a truck with a big old dead deer in the back and every time they turned a corner I'd see it roll around. It was So. Gross. Sometimes I think I'll never get used to living here.

But all dead deer aside, there are some seriously cute trends going on this spring that you -- yes, even you who wears sweatpants to WalMart -- can try to look like you know stuff about fashion. I *love* knowing stuff.

OK, time for my usual disclaimer here. As usual, remember that trends are trendy. That means you really don't need to go crazy with them. See what's new and pick a few things that you want to try for yourself on the cheap. That way, if yo don't like it, you haven't spent major moolah on stuff you'll never wear again. And please, don't wear these all at once. You'll look crazy. Crazy like a person with a dead deer in your truck.

Shall we?

1) Orange!

BKE lace top, $25
Knee length skirt, £17
2 Lips Too peep toe platform pumps, $45
H M leather shoulder bag, £25
Mantaray logo watch, £20
Miso flower earrings, £6
Wet Seal rope belt, $11

Orange is THE color du jour and I kind of love it. Remember when everything was all about mustard in the fall? It's now all about super bright orange. The color you want almost looks like it's been mixed with coral. You're going to see a lot of coral and orange in this post because it's gonna be big. Just make sure that when you wear orange, you steer clear of black. It's not Halloween. I like it with navy and white as neutrals. PS I must have striped wedges this year. MUST.

2) Peplum Dresses

Dorothy Perkins v neck dress, $49
Rampage platform shoes, $40
Star by Julien Macdonald flap handbag, £21
Turquoise bangle, $29
Topshop leather jewelry, $20

I could not love a human baby as much as I love this trend. Peplum (the fancy British name for the little ruffle at the hip) dresses are SO amazing for spring and I already bought mine -- it's the teal dress I have. But I also want this one. Unfortch, it's sold out and that makes me very sad. But you get the idea. The trend is alll about a super feminine, vintage look. Just don't go crazy. I've seen some crazy peplum dresses that have like, a full skirt on top of a skirt. This isn't Inception. Look for small details that make a big difference. Then wear it will all of your most proper accessories.

3) Exaggerated Prints

Summer dress, £30
H M leather jacket, £30
Sodamix Tropical print maxi, £30
Navy and Fuchsia V-neck Maxi Dress, $47
Forever 21 platform wedge, $27
ALDO platform high heels, $41
Stud earrings, $5.99
VIcenza beaded cuff bracelet, £6
Gold necklace, $25
Michael Michael Kors Mk Plate Jelly, $49

Yaaaay it's maxi dress season again! I am so excited to drag them all out again. But this year, it's all about exaggerated prints. We're look for huge graphics, bold colors and prints that look like a magnifying glass has been zeroed in on a piece of material. This goes for just about everything -- skirts, tops, cardigans, whatever. Just look for non-boring patterns. Last year it was all about vintage-y, scattered prints, but this year, the bolder the better. You can still wear your solid maxis though. I absolutely will be doing the same thing.

4) Pastels

Splendid striped shirt, £66
Blazer, £28
Hollister Co. faded jeans, $50
Call it SPRING ballerina flat, $40
Beige handbag, £15
Stone jewelry, $17

Spring means pastels, but they don't have to be Easter egg colors. This tank, with the brighter pastels makes me die inside. When you want to try pastels, make it look as crisp as possible. I love them with a white blazer or cardigan and a dark wash denim. That way, the look isn't wishy washy Laura Ashley. Finally, always add in a harder-edged element. A chained bag makes this look less like Easter Sunday and more everyday cuteness.

5) Color Blocking

Wallis tie shirt, $44
Hollister Co. skinny leg jeans, $50
Flat heels, $36
Faux leather handbag, $48
Mango silk shawl, £15
ASOS skinny belt, $11

If you've never heard of color blocking, you've probably never been on Pinterest. Seriously, this it ALL of what's over there. Color blocking means putting large pieces of solid color against each other. But some people can look like crazyperson clowns when color blocking, so here's a more tame version. I'm all about color blocking in accessories. The shoes and scarf hit the trend without it looking crazy. Now, a seasoned blocker would put this outfit with like, green skinnies. But that's super advanced. A dark wash denim tones down the whole outfit. Then, add a neutral bag to anchor everything and you can wear super bright colors without looking like your 5 year old picked out your outfit.

OK, those are my top five for the season. Now I feel like I need to rush off to the store for some turquoise flats and a lemon yellow belt, but that will have to wait. I have a very important schedule of cleaning my house on tap today. Fashion must take a backseat to the small mountain of pistachio shells currently residing on my desk. They're grossing me out.

So spill: which trend are you most excited to try this spring?

Layering 101

Hahaha I accidentally typed in the title of this post as "Laying 101." Ummm that's for another website. Sorry creeps.

Ugh, sorry about the lack of posting yesterday, amigos. It was just one of those days when it straight up wasn't gonna happen. Oh, the joys of running a blog.

Anyway, I did get some great inspiration for my post when I woke up on Saturday morning. This is what I woke up to:

Yeah, that would be a massive amount of snow in the frozen tundra where I live. Also, my mittens.

Guys, I'm not prepared for full-on winter yet. Not to mention that where I live missed the memo on SEASONS. I went from running my air conditioner full blast to running the heater full bast and right now I'm writing this with a cat blanket on my lap. Not a blanket made from cats, just a blanket decorated with cats. My mom got it for me. I don't even know.

Anyway, thanks to the sudden arrival of winter, I had all of my summer and fall clothes out and in full rotation when it hit. And I don't feel like putting them away just yet, so it's pretty much the perfect time for layering.

One of the big secrets of looking put together is dimension. See, a t-shirt and sweats can only get you so far. When you start adding pieces together, that's when you actually find your style. So instead of throwing my cute summer dress to the back of the closet, I did this:


Yes, I know these are crappy cell phone pictures. Just go with it.
I threw my summery white dress over plain tights, cable knit socks (from my Halloween costume, natch) and added a blazer and a scarf. Totally fallish and warm, and I didn't have to reorganize my closet. WIN.

I know that serious layering can be confusing. It's hard to know what goes with what and all that business. The good news is that it's pretty easy and as long as you don't go overboard, you won't look like a bag lady. Unless you want to.

Observe!

Old navy cardigan, $25
Skinny jeans, $30
Oasis, $9
De Blossom boots, $45
Bracelet, $20
Free People long necklace, $38
Zara braided belt, $15

When layering with a cute cardigan like this one, a few things give the outfot more dimension. The first is allowing your clothes to have different lengths and levels. If the cami and the sweater were the same length, you'd lose some of the awesome interest here. Another fun thing to try is a belt over the sweater. It adds another layer of style and gives your waist more shape, especially when you're wearing bulkier layers like wool, etc. Finishing it with a tall riding boot makes the look warm without looking heavy. I would love this for shopping... but not Christmas shopping because it's only Nov. 10th, but thanks anyway Toys R Us.

Striped skirt, $16
We Love Colors red hosiery, $15
Allover Lace Tube Top-TUBES-Styles for Less Clothes Womens & Juniors..., $15
Stripe socks, $9.99
Camel shoes, $50
BCBGeneration metallic handbag, $50
Wet Seal feather jewelry, $13
Target:Xhilaration® Bomber Jacket - Assorted Colors, $40

Okay, I might have a serious crush on this outfit. Tights are back in this winter, which makes me so happy because I enjoy them quite a bit. They're just super versatile and can make a piece look totally different. Take this body-con striped skirt. It looks pretty vampy on it's own, but pair it with a casual bomber and some tights and it's totally everyday material. Also, knee socks over tights make me feel warm inside. It just adds another layer of dimension and adds length to your boots so your legs look super long and you look like you know what you're doing fashion-wise. 10 points if you also used your socks to dress up as the Sun Drop girl.

Miss Selfridge cotton jacket, £30
YMI faded jeans, $30
Fergie ballerina shoes, $40
Hobo tote bag, $26
Antique silver ring, $18
Mimco bow stud earrings, £30
Polka dot scarve, $28
Belt, $28

K, you don't have to wear boots all winter. That's just me because I live on a real-life mountainside. Seriously. A deer jumped into my car while I was driving home the other night and went in the house and chewed out my husband for making us live somewhere where deer run at cars. You know where I never hit a deer? Toronto.

Anyway, I digress. Flats are fine in the winter as long as you're not traipsing through the snow. I've done it and it's not pleasant. One of the easiest ways to look layered up is with a scarf. How crazypants adorable is this? I love that it's tied with a fluffy bow. Add a blazer as another layer and you're pretty much done. Alone, these pieces are fine. You could wear them and still look put together. But when worn together you've got way more dimension and interest, which should be the whole point of layering up your clothes.

Layering helps you extend your wardrobe. All of a sudden stuff looks new when worn in different ways. I usually wear my summer dress alone with my Fryes and maybe a cardigan. Adding tights, riding boots and a blazer and it's like "OMG I hate that Jae she buys new clothes all the time." And while I DO buy new clothes all the time, that dress isn't new.

So slap on some knee socks, grab a scarf and belt your cardigan and we can be friends.

De-scare-ifying Red Lipstick

Hey, I totally know why red lipstick gets a bad rap. It's because when ANYONE thinks about red lips EVER, it's in a Christina Aguilera way.



Sweet mother of mercy, homegirl loves red lipstick like I love an anniversary sale. And is it me, or does she kind of look like Snooki here?

Hey, I love rocking out to "Fighter" in my car as much as the next person, but Christina (because I refuse to call her X-tina) does the red lip wrong time and time again. Baby, fire your stylist ASAP. Christina's red lip is wrong for a myriad of reasons, the most obvious being it's not the right color and she's done it with bighairbiglipsbigeyesandbigboobs which is what makes the red lip veer into trannytown. And trannytown is only fun when you're up late at night and Rock Horror Picture Show is on TV.

So I get that most people have a little trepidation with wearing a red lip. I do. But I think it's a trick that all women should have in their makeup bag, so we're going to take some time to demystify and descarify the red lip.

First, color. The color red you choose is EVERYTHING. Take me, for instance. I am very fair-skinned. Because of this, a true red lip makes me look like all of the vampires in the first Twilight movie. Comically undead. So when I'm choosing a red lipstick, I know it has to have pink undertones for me not to look crazy.

You know those makeup counters you hurry past each time you run through a department store? Stop. Tell the nice makeup lady that you're looking for a red lipstick and she'll be overjoyed to help you find one. I like Sephora and the Christian Dior counters the best. You simply cannot buy something as bold as red lipstick without trying a few first. Here's some guidelines for skin tones that should help you on your quest.

If you have fair skin with pink undertones (like moi): Look for lighter reds with pink or coral undertones. You don't need to get all Aguilera-like.

If you have medium skin with golden undertones: look for truer reds with bluish undertones. They'll make your teeth look whiter and look best with more tanned, golden skin.

If you have dark skin: Look for reds with burgundy and brick-colored undertones because you can pull it off and I'm jealous.

Once you know what type of red looks best on your skin tone, you can narrow down your search to a few different shades so you don't need to try a bajillion shades.

When applying red lips, you need to be careful. If you don't apply it right, the middle part could wear away, leaving your a dark ring around your lips. I'm not a lipliner girl, but if you are, line and then fill your lips completely to give the lipstick something to stick to. I prefer a lip primer, so I slick on some of that, then add my red lip. I then blot and reapply. Finally, I add a little shine with a clear or coral lip gloss on top. The coral helps tone down the red when I want it to look less "TA-DA!"-ish. Yes, that's totally a real phrase.

I prefer a red lip with more toned down clothes and makeup. The lips are enough. Don't go all crazy and do a smoky eye and wear a bustier and no pants like SOME people I know. Seriously, I love a more casual look and light eye with red lips, because they are seriously enough on your own. Pile on the makeup and it'll look like you got into mommy's makeup bag for the first time.

AB
Exhibit A) Too much of a good thing, Queen of the Undead.
Exhibit B) Lovely and natural.

A red lip is a super glam way to change things up, so I seriously think you should give it a try. If you're still unsure, consider heading to the drug store or Wally World and picking up a few super cheap shades from whatever dollar brand makeup line you can find. They won't wear particularly well, but you'll have the chance to test drive the red before you spend a little more coin on a longer-lasting brand.

Can we all make a pact to give it a try? Let's do! Plus, when you have red lips you get to leave all sorts of cute smacky prints all over your husband's face like you're in a Looney Tunes cartoon.



Mwah!

Kisses,
Jae

Jae Tests the Trend: Colored Skinnies

Let me explain my thought process for buying my red skinnies.
1) "I really want some red pants. They are super cool."
2) "Am I too old for this?"
3) "Let me Google some pictures of people wearing red pants. Crap, they're all young celebrities."
4) "I should take a consensus on my Facebook page."
5) "OMG, they are all saying yes... maybe not so ridiculous?"
6) "I should just go look. To the store!"
7) "ZZZZZZZOMG these are amazing how did I ever live without them."

Seriously, these skinnies own my soul. Still, they're red for a reason. It's the closest color to a neutral that I could get. Their shape is perfect and they have an ideal length. If these were seafoam green and flared, I'd look like a psychopath.

Testing this trend made me think about looking trendy and fashionable in general. Probably the thing I hear the most when shopping with friends or recommending clothes to people is "I couldn't pull that off." It's also probably the phrase that annoys me the most. To me, it represents close-mindedness. Because most often, when I hear that phrase, it means you're not even going to try. And not trying is what lands you in yoga pants day after day.

Trends are tricky territory, especially after you've had a couple of kids and you're not ACTUALLY going to be 21 forever. It can be hard to decipher which trends are right for you and which ones should be left to the young, hip and childless set.

Still, there's no reason you shouldn't at least give it a shot. The trick to deciphering trends is to know your tastes and your body shape. I can usually look at a trend in the magazine and know right of the bat if it's something that will flatter me. For instance, trench coats - yes! Capes - no. I need definition around the waist, not at the shoulders.

That being said, there's not a lot in the world of trends that I won't try at least once. Usually it's just a matter of five minutes in a fitting room to decide whether or not a trend is for me. Whether it's peacock feathers, granny boots, dolman sleeves, jeggings or wide leg trousers, they've all had their moments for better or for worse.

I think what you really need to remember is that not everything is going to work on your body. But since you're probably alone in the fitting room, THAT'S OK. You don't have to have the body of a model to try something new. If you hate it, you only need to hand it back to whoever is working the fitting room and leave the store. That's it. No commitment whatsoever. You can handle that, right?

So if you see something in a magazine, on another woman or on a mannequin that you'd love to try, you literally have nothing to lose to give it a shot. If it looks great, hello confidence booster! If not, whatevs... on to the next.

Once you find things that work for your body type and that you love, look for ways to make them more "you." That's the true difference between someone who knows fashion and someone who is just a big fat trend whore. Anyone can buy expensive clothes that are "in," but you don't want to look like you just purchased a mannequin. Instead, find ways to work a new piece into outfits that you typically wear and all of a sudden, you're totally pulling it off. Take my red jeans for example. If I paired them with a graphic tee or something, the look wouldn't be me because that's not how I usually dress. Instead, I reached for a plain tee and my trusty leather jacket, which is practically my signature piece. Now I'm wearing a trend... the trend isn't wearing me.

Now, with that in mind, it doesn't mean you have to give every single trend a shot. I know there are some trends that I know likely won't look great on me and that I never even consider. Not that I can't "pull it off" (whatever the heck that means) I just know they won't be flattering. Like booties, for instance. I prefer a more streamlined look to the leg and I don't like the way they break up the calf. I have never been intrigued by them. But if I see a trend and like the way it looks, why wouldn't I give it a shot?

I just want you to know that perfect body, flawed body, pear-shape, apple-shape, you CAN participate in trends as long as you find ways to make them work for you. That could mean you reach for a graphic scarf instead of a flashy tee or participate in the feather trend by wearing earrings. You can totally embrace more color with a neon belt or printed shoes. Whatever the case, you don't need a complete wardrobe overhaul to look fashionable. Just a couple of key pieces each season and a super open mind.

Or me as a shopping partner. I'm super pushy and kind of mean won't take no for an answer.

Fashion Week Trends for Real People

I felt guilty for leaving you high and dry while I frolicked and became sunburned, so here's a fun Thursday post!

Fashion Week *just* ended, which means my US Weekly iPhone app has been cluttered with stories like "Lindsay Lohan causes scene at fashion show" and "Kristen Stewart sits next to Kate Moss at Mulberry" and "I DON'T CARE."

Seriously, I know Fashion Week is like, basically mecca for the industry, but I don't want to know about famous people who sat on the sidelines and watched. And can we talk about how ridiculous most of the fashion is anyway? Like you really have room in your wallet and your closet for a feathered jacket? Fashion Week is really for the 2 percent of the human population who actually have $2,000 to spend on bejeweled pasties. (Gwyneth Paltrow, I'm lookin' at you.)

However, since most of the trends in the next six months with come as a direct result of stuff shown on unrealistic NYC catwalks, I can do my best to decode so you can still be in style, even if you don't survive on a diet of coffee, cigarettes and self importance like the rest of the fashion industry.

1) Pink and Navy

Star by Julien Macdonald shell top, £32
Abercrombie & Fitch vintage style jeans, $48
ALDO ballet flat shoes, $30
Call it SPRING shoulder bag, $45
Worthington sparkle jewelry, $9.99
Dorothy Perkins viscose shawl, £12

I am actually super in love with this color combo. To the point that pale pink and navy were my wedding colors. It's fresh and preppy without being too prim. I especially love it in bold prints; stripes, plaid, dots, etc. I just bought a striped pink and navy shirt and I cannot wait to wear it. When trying this out, remember that it's supposed to look classic and refined. Dark navies and blush pink is best, since bright blue and pink will look juvenile. Wearing a Hypercolor shirt with ratty jeans won't make this work. Pearls? Yes.

2) Plaid

Hollister Co embroidered shirt, $50
Ganni mini skirt, €120
Wet Seal flat slouch boots, $28
Forever21 antique handbag, $33
Linea Pelle leather wrap bracelet, $40
Gathering Eye feather earrings, $20
Tan belt, £20

Chunky plaid is back and I am so excited. There's just something about a cute, girl-next-door style that I totally gravitate towards. New plaid is more girly, so leave your jeans and cowboy boots for the honky tonk. (Seriously, going to a real, live honky tonk is totally on my bucket list. I want to dance in my cowboy boots while listening to Sweet Home Alabama, please!) Pairing plaid with skirts is super cute and fall appropriate. Boots are still OK, just look for some with less Western styling. And leather! Lots of leather!

3) Lace Anything

Chiffon top, $20
Agent Ninetynine striped tank, $30
Hydraulic faded jeans, $43
Not rated shoes, $45
Dorothy Perkins navy handbag, £25
Manumit brass jewelry, £12
Dorothy Perkins zebra print jewelry, £7.50

Lace is huuuuuge right now, but not in the way you think. Lace automatically conjures images of doilies and girliness and grandmas, so it's exciting to see lace with a harder edge. This for date night with the hubby? It's baby makin' time! Throw on a leather jacket and you're all set. Look for lace in unexpected places, like cardigans, tights and accessories. It's major. I want this outfit immediately.

4) Mustard and Gray

H by Henry Holland ruffle top, £15
Dorothy Perkins pleated skirt, £25
2 Lips Too stiletto heels, $50
Quilted handbag, $18
VIcenza stackable ring, £8
Drop earrings, $9.80
Zara belt, $7.90

...or is it grey? It doesn't matter, it's just pretty. I love this dress up look because it's polished without being totally yawn-worthy. It still has enough color to make it clear that you know your stuff. If you're going to do two colors as a theme, make sure to throw something else in there for interest. A pop of red makes the look less matchy matchy. And the shoes? Please. I die. I want to become a secretary at a 50s law firm.

Remember. Just because celebs were glued to Fashion Week doesn't mean you have to. Trying to decipher what the heck designers are getting at gives me a headache. How does trash bag couture translate to the real world? It doesn't. But there are a few gems in there, so it shouldn't be too hard to freshen up for for fall. Oh fall... jackets! Tights! Closed-toe pumps! I can hardly stand it.

TOMS: Love 'Em or Hate 'Em

On my birthday this year I finally took the plunge and bought my first pair of TOMS. I had hummed and hawed over it for the longest time. The pair I wanted were a special edition plum glitter that retailed for about $90, so they were more of an investment than I usually make in casual shoes. Still, every time I passed by them I thought of all the ways I could wear them. Finally, I had my family members donate to the "Buy Jae some TOMS" fund for my birthday gifts and my TOMS were purchased. I'm super happy with them. Not only are they ridiculously comfortable, but the sequins make them a little different. Happiness.

Still, I know that TOMS are kind of polarizing. I will admit that they're pretty darn ugly. But that's pretty much the point. They're supposed to look organic and homemade and not like the usual five inch pumps I usually traipse around in. My husband hates them and can't believe I spent so much. But at the mall yesterday no less that four people stopped me to say they liked my shoes. So I know that you either love them or you hate them.

But they CAN look super cute and casual with different outfits. I've been experimenting with mind and have come up with a few ways to wear TOMS without looking like a complete hispter wannabe.

Rue21 woven shirt, $20
Pleated skirt, $24
Toms shoes, $54
Antique sunglasses, $35
Dorothy Perkins wrap bracelet, £13
Dorothy Perkins red belt, £5

I love to wear mine with a skirt. My little family went over to the local farmer's market last weekend to buy raspberries and this amazing cream syrup and I was super cool and comfy in my skirt and TOMS. They're awesome from making a skirt look less churchy. Also, start loading up on plaid this fall because it's gonna be big. I love the idea with plaid and a girly skirt.

Floral shirt, £24
Old Navy denim short shorts, $13
TOMS white shoes, $44
Metal Mulisha polka dot bag, $35
Mimco tahitian pearl earrings, £30

I also wear my TOMS with my bermuda shorts. Actually, I did that yesterday. It's a nice change from flip flops without being as dressy as flats. Yesterday I just did a floral tank with a boyfriend cardigan and called it a day. It was super easy and I felt like I totally blended in with the tortured teenagers shopping at Hot Topic at the mall. Just kidding.

H m cardigan, £4.99
TopShop stripe shirt, $24
Almost famous jeans, $35
Toms shoes, $44
Vintage handbag, $50
Coral jewelry, 17 AUD
1928 jewelry, $20

I've also worn my TOMS with jeans and was really happy at how casual and easy it looked. I love the idea of wearing them with bootcuts or flares and just have a little of the sequins poke out, but a more subdued pair is every bit as cute for a nautical-inspired outfit like this one. What a perfect outfit for fall shopping, lunch with friends or just generally not looking like a hobo when your husband comes home from work? This would be so cute with a patterned scarf too!

So, what do you think? Do you love TOMS or do you hate them? Remember that every time you buy a pair, they donate a pair to a child in need, which is how I reconciled the $90 price tag when I bought them. They also have super cute wedges and other types of shoes, but I think starting out with a classic TOMS is the way to go. I have my eye on their vegan wrap boots... Christmas?

I call for a vote! Let's see if there are more lovers than haters! Comment away!

How to: Get Out of a Style Rut

My husband and I were just talking about how when we first got married in 2003, I lived in my baby tees and low-slung jeans and bought things like colored sneakers and thought they were amazing. I still have a pair of red sneakers from my newlywed days, but really, where does one wear red sneakers? A Ronald McDonald convention? (Hahahaha kill me.)


(Me in my favorite newlywed outfit, featuring my Liger shirt. Yes. Liger. It says "Liger - Bred for its skills in magic.)

I love change. Love it love it love it. I'm constantly looking for ways to change up what I have, much to my husband's chagrin. I always want a new paint color or a new wall hanging or what if we put that over there? So it's no biggie for me to head out and buy clothes and accessories that may not be "me." I'll give just about anything a shot. But not jumpsuits. Never jumpsuits.

Still, I understand that if you've looked a certain way for a long period of time, changing your style and getting out of a rut can be a little nerve wracking. You don't want to end up looking stupid or like you're trying hard and then you have piles of acid wash jeans that you're worried will come back in style in like five years (Hint: If you wore a a style the first time around, you don't get to do it again.)

We all have our comfort zones. For some, that happens to be sweatpants, while others find comfort in five inch heels. Guess which one I am. The problem with a comfort zone is that if you stay too long, you might get a little too comfortable. And I mean that in a puffy 80s bangs kind of way. The sad truth is that it's all too easy to get stuck in a style rut. After a while, you can begin to look like a caricature of yourself in another era, and that's sad. Might I suggest some ways that you could spruce up and get out of a style rut?

1) Get a haircut, hippie.

It doesn't have to even be something drastic. Just a little trim, a few swingy layers or a different color always helps me feel a little more fashion forward. There's nothing like the feeling of new hair. I get my haircut and immediately want to go shopping to buy things that match said hair. Is that weird?

(Short hair? Don't mind if I do!)

2) Start with accessories.

Changing your style is scary, I get it. But if you have a classic and traditional style you can totally keep it. Just play with your accessories. They're cheaper and they always fit. Buying a big pair of colorful earrings, a chunky cuff bracelet or a new pair of heels can be the key to more fashion-forward style and if you purchase them in abundance from a store like F21, your husband won't be mad. He'll just be happy you got rid of the snap bracelets and mousy necklaces.

(Turtle shells... they're so hot right now.)

3) Shop with a friend (preferably me.)

I thought about this the other day when shopping with a friend. She needed a new outfit for family pictures and I knew some of the things I picked out for her weren't things she would normally pick for herself. In fact, she may have had a slight anxiety attack when I loaded her up with pencil skirts and wrap shirts and wedge heels. But you know what? She looked totally hot. Sometimes you need to go shopping with someone who isn't YOU. Because YOU always pick the same stuff and end up with a closet full of khaki.

4) Put your own spin on things.

If you see a trend that you love but think would never work on you, the Tim Gunn that bad boy and MAKE IT WORK. I had a friend comment the other day that I must be "pretty tall." I'm 5'4" and she had just never seen me sans heels. I'm very realistic about my body and know what will and won't work on me, but I also don't allow that to sideline me from trying new things. My best tip is to find someone whose style you admire and who has a similar body type and shape as yours. Stop wishing that you could wear summer scarves/oversized sunglasses/skinny jeans and see how others have made it work for them.

5) Just try.

Unless it's a swan dress or a lace mask or a dress made entirely out of Kermit the Frogs, you don't know until you try. Go shopping with a good friends and get ready to laugh at yourself. Last Memorial Day I was shopping at Guess with my sister in law and I picked out a REALLY flamboyant shirt. It was cute, but not really my style but I thought what the heck. I disappeared into the fitting room, telling my sister in law that for some reason, Guess shirts always make me look like a prostitute. Something about the way they fit. When I came out, I laughed hysterically because I most certainly did look like a prostitute. Try things on. If they don't work, laugh and move on.

(This just in: I look like an idiot in jumpsuits. Laugh and learn, people!)

I hope all of my style misadventures are enough to make you want to try something new. I think you'll 100 percent surprise yourself. Nothing quite beats the feeling of slipping on an item that you totally rock without realizing that you could.

Except for jumpsuits.

Never, ever.

Pattern Mixing for Beginners

I will preface this post by saying this look is NOT for everyone. If you're still learning that pleats on pants are weird, this is probably a little advanced for you. HOWEVER, if you're moderately fashion savvy and want to look up-to-date, you can totally handle this.

I'm talking about pattern mixing, people.

Once upon a time, mixing patterns was scary and unknown, like Mars. Did I ever tell you I'm really scared of aliens? One time my husband was off camping and I was home alone watching a 20/20 special about aliens and I swear I cried myself to sleep. That was a classic Jae tangent. Back to the topic at hand. Ah, yes. Pattern mixing need not make you cry yourself to sleep. As long as it's done properly, it can look totally current and subsequently make you look like you know everything about fashion ever and then be the envy of playgroup.

When wearing two patterns together, the most basic rule is this: At least one MUST be a graphic print. This is because two wishy waashy prints, say, floral and paisley, are going to make you look like a crazy hippy slash Laura Ingalls lookalike. So long as you have a graphic print, such as a dot, stripe, zig-zag, whatever, you can make this work.

Once you've chosen your graphic print, you can choose your coordinating print. This can be anything, but be warned. The crazier the print, the more vital you stay within the same color family as your graphic print. So, stripes and florals can totally work so long as they are monochoromatic, whereas choosing two graphic prints lets you go crazy with the colors and I won't judge.

So, after you've chosen your two patterns (ONLY TWO, PEOPLE) you can then add accessories. It's vital that your accessories act as anchor pieces, so please for the love of all that is holy choose neutrals. Anything else is insane. Like, Bjork at Fashion Week insane. Please don't.

I feel like some examples are in order.

Dot dress
$35 - delias.com

Red Herring stripe tee
£10 - debenhams.com

Long sleeve top
£30 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Floral print skirt
£10 - axparis.co.uk

BC Footwear metallic shoes
$45 - nordstrom.com

Old Navy heeled sandals
$33 - oldnavy.gap.com

Tan handbag
$30 - amazon.com

Hurley bag
$40 - tillys.com

Bow jewelry
$7.99 - tillys.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs lock jewelry
$30 - ssense.com

Wet Seal hoop earrings
$11 - wetseal.com

All Saints striped scarve
$43 - allsaints.com

Here I have two examples of supercute pattern mixing. Notice how the first has a graphic and a more traditional print? See how they're both coral? Happy times! It's totally cute and fashion forward and springy. Now can you imagine the tragedy that would have been colored accessories? TOO matchy: you just want to look coordinated. The nude in the accessories acts as the anchor that keeps this outfit from sailing into Crazytown harbor.

The second look I had more to play with as far as colors because dots and stripes are both graphic prints. They can look a little more bold since there's less for the eye to take in. Plus, polka dots are adorable and make me want to eat my arm from the sheer cuteness. Still, you'll notice that the accessories are fairly neutral to keep everything together.

So do you feel like pattern mixing is something you can do or are you like Jae, you're Crazytown's resident crazy person? Although I will say, as always, if you think you "can't pull it off" then you probably can't. Because you'll try it and feel awkward and then LOOK awkward and that'll be the end of it. But if you want to give it a shot and work it and be confident, it's probably going to work for you.

Remember that it's just fashion. Email me if there's any other trends you want to try but don't know how. So long as it's not droopy crotch pants or jumpsuits (shudder), we can make it work.

Summer Neon Love

Is it any wonder that I'm totally obsessed with wearing neon right now? It's finally warmed up and I get to dress more casually. Add that to the fact that EVERY store is carrying these awesome neons and you have a recipe for a classic Jae obsession.

Here's the problem though. Neons can look reallllly teeny bopper if you aren't careful. Seriously, I have a full on seizure every time I go into Wet Seal or something and it's wall to wall neon colors. It's basically a rave in there. So to avoid looking like you do ecstasy or are 12 or heaven forbid, BOTH, you really need to temper your neon for more grown uppedness. Here's some ideas.

Short sleeve cardigan, $45
Racer back tank top, $20
TOMS canvas flat shoes, $44
TopShop crossbody handbag, $45
Dorothy Perkins beading jewelry, 8.50 GBP
Zara belt, $16

Wearing neon with a neutral reallllly helps to tone down the brightness and the youth of the colors. I especially love neon with gray because it's not as stark and 80s aerobic clothing-like as wearing neon with black. When paired with uber-casual clothes, a neon shirt doesn't look so crazypersonshocking. ALSO! I know that some people hate TOMS. But please, how adorable are they with denim bermudas? I love.

Old Navy lightweight pants, $15
H&M flip flop shoes, 2.99 GBP
Rue21 bow handbag, $17
Rachel leigh jewelry, $50
Dorothy Perkins beading jewelry, 9.50 GBP
Rebel Yell Surf Athletic Raw Football Tee in Neon Pink, $73

My personal preference when wearing neons is to team them up with super crisp whites. I bought a psychotically bright orange shirt while on my Memorial Day shopping spree and I wore it with my white cargos that I never can match to anything. It was bright, crisp and a little boho without being completely overbearing. One of the other awesome things about doing neons, especially for casual wear, is that all neons match each other, so it really doesn't matter what colors you wear together. I recommend going with more monochromatic colors if you want to be ever taken seriously. While the nine year old in me would LOVE to wear neon orange and neon green together, I usually stick with pink, coral and orange together so as not to terrify the general public.

Scoop neck tank, 10 GBP
Old Navy khaki skirt, $23
Zara platform sandals, $100
River Island shoulder handbag, 37 GBP
Peacock necklace, 7 GBP
TopShop wrap ring, $20
MAC Nail Lacquer, $14
MAC Nail Lacquer, $14
MAC Nail Lacquer, $14

Finally, you can make a statement without actually wearing neon yellow pants. Just use neons in your accessories. Are these shoes not AMAZING? They made me die a little. Adding a necklace, a ring, some bright nails, they all work well IF the actual outfit is otherwise demure. Perfect for khaki and white. Scary on neon clothes.


The trick is always balance. If you want to wear neon in your clothes, choose one piece and keep the rest neutral. As accessories, everything is fair game so long as the outfit is subdued.

Now to figure out how to explain to my husband my insatiable need for neon shoes.