NuSophisticate

My Small Patio Project

2013-05-20T08:10:00.002-07:00

This DIY patio project ended up being a lot easier than I initially expected. Here’s what I did. First, I visited my local Sherwin-Williams store to pick up my exterior surface primer and paints. Since I had already selected my paint colors using the ColorSnap Studio™ for iPad app, picking up the “Extra White” white for the chairs and the “Center Stage” green for the table took me about 15 minutes. I also double checked that the paint I purchased was durable enough for outdoor use since Miami gets its fair share of rain during the summer months.

Once I arrived back home the real fun began, I applied painters tape to protect the cushions of my patio chairs and then primed all three pieces. After letting the furniture sit for a while, I began painting and was done in a couple of hours. The primer really helped the paint go on evenly and the two colors looked amazing together. I finished up this section of my patio project by adding a stack of my favorite books and one half of my new crystal paperweight set. I think this makes a great little nook to sit with a friend and chat.

I also added two additional sections to my outdoor space. Since I’m a huge meditation and yoga fan, I added a yoga mat and Moroccan lanterns to a section of the patio to create a space where I could meditate and practice some of my less strenuous yoga moves. I also created a lounging nook complete with wicker chair and a comfy throw, towards the corner of the patio that leads to my bedroom. This area is perfect for watching the sun rise while sipping my morning coffee and getting ready for the day. I also added a decorative bird cage stand to this area. The stand was a copper color when I purchased it, but after looking at the space I decided to paint it “Extra White” as well to tie it into the other two spaces. I really love the look. At night, I’m planning on adding votive lights to the decorative cage and Moroccan lanterns to create a relaxing vibe.

All in all, I’m really happy with the results of my patio project. The Sherwin Williams ColorSnap Studio for iPad app made it super easy to test out my vision and bring it into reality.

For a chance to win a $100 Sherwin-Williams gift card, share in the comments below what room you would like to makeover in your home?

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You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/20/2013-6/10/2013.
Be sure to visit the Sherwin-Williams brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Loving My Hair

2013-05-15T08:54:00.001-07:00

I would say that my hair and I had a serious love-hate relationship. But, truth is, it was more like a hate-hate relationship. I hated the fact that my hair wouldn’t do what I wanted it to, and my hair hated me for the myriad of torture tactics that I used in my attempts to make it submit to my will. After years of over-processing, over-heating and severely damaging my hair, a new stylist helped me decide that it was time to try loving my hair. So, I started a hair care regimen that involved listening to my hair instead of trying to control it.

For me, the first step in that process was to stop blatantly over-processing my hair! At my worst, I was relaxing my hair every 6 weeks. Definitely relaxer overkill. After stretching the frequency of my relaxers to every 16 weeks, I saw a remarkable change in the body and thickness of my hair. Turns out relaxing my hair too frequently was resulting in tons of breakage, reduced shine, and generally lifeless hair. Stretching my relaxers has proven to be one of the biggest factors in making my hair healthier and stronger.

I’ve also learned that it’s important to experiment with hair care products to find the brands that works best for ME. For years, I stuck to the same brand of shampoo and conditioner even though it didn’t work for me. I stuck with it because it was the brand my mother, sister, best friends, and co-workers used. Since it made their hair fabulous, I thought that eventually I’d get a bit of that fabulousness trickling down my way. But, alas, I was wrong. After years of lackluster results, I finally began experimenting and was able to identify the products that worked best for MY hair and create my own arsenal of go-to products to get my hair healthy and strong.

Lastly, I decided to let the full sew-in weave go. Though some swear that wearing a full weave helps their hair grow, it just doesn’t work for me. So, I stopped getting full sew-in’s and opted for clip in extensions instead. This way I can have a little extra body and length while focusing on the health of my hair on a daily basis.

Since I’ve started focusing on loving my hair, I’ve seen some great changes in the way my hair looks and feels. Now don’t get me wrong, changing these things was hard and I still have to resist the urge to go back to my hair torturing ways but, I’m committed to improving my relationship with my hair one shampoo at a time. That’s why I was super excited to be part of ULTA Beauty’s “Love Your Hair” campaign.

The Love Your Hair event is a 21-day celebration of hair which is happening at ULTA Beauty from May 12 to June 1. The event includes hair events, demos, prizes, and daily Beauty Steals (hair products discounted in stores or online for just one day). ULTA is providing great deals to customers on some amazing brands in an attempt to remind us ladies to love and pamper our hair. In honor of the Love Your Hair celebration I received some great products from ULTA Beauty to try out and I’m planning on replenishing my stock of ABBA moisturizing conditioner and trying out the KENRA volumizing hairspray this go around. And, just to make sure that we’re REALLY committed to this new found hair love affair, ULTA Beauty wants us ladies to make a pledge to love our hair. Joining is simple, all you have to do is visit the ULTA Beauty Love Your Hair site, then tweet your hair pledge with the hashtag #ULTAHairPledge and you'll be entered for the chance to win free blowouts for a year. My #ULTAHairPledge is to never, and I mean ever, relax my hair every 6 weeks again. What’s yours? Take the ULTA Beauty hair pledge and come back here to let me know what you pledged in the comments, one lucky person will win a $100 ULTA Beauty gift card, courtesy of BlogHer.

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/15/13 – 6/1/13.
Be sure to visit the ULTA Beauty page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Colored Pantsuits

2013-05-14T04:30:00.002-07:00

Blazer: Zara; Pants: Zara; Tee: Old; Shoes: Steve Madden; Necklace: Ann Taylor; Bracelet: Aldo

A good pantsuit is a necessity in any working girl's wardrobe. Though a pantsuit is more versatile in a more traditional color (...like black, grey or blue), its always fun to up the color ante with a pantsuit in a not so traditional color. This mint pantsuit is a great way to brighten up your workspace while maintaining a business casual aesthetic. Just make sure that you study up on your office's culture prior to whipping out a colorful pantsuit - not every office setting is accepting of nontraditional colors in such large doses.

Colored pantsuits are also a great option for quick transitions from day to night. Just switch out your heels for a pair of strappy sandals and you're good to go. Trust me, if your office is open to it, I highly recommend exploring the power of the colored pantsuit.

Love,
Jillian

NuSophisticate Travels: Key West + Japan

2013-05-09T06:12:00.001-07:00

After researching all of your great suggestions from this post (thank you!), and coming up with a few suggestions of our own (via the uber diplomatic process of spinning the globe in our office), the husband and I have decided to jet off to Key West and Japan for our anniversary trip. We're planning on starting with Key Largo (the very first key) to tour the coral reefs, moving on to Islamorada for some sport fishing, stopping in Marathon to swim with the dolphins, and finally hopping on the 7 mile bridge to soak up the sun and fun in Key West. After that, we're heading out of the country on a marathon flight to Japan for temple tours in Kyoto, tea ceremony's in Osaka, onsen's and shopping in Tokyo, and lounging in Okinawa. As we embark on this third year of marriage, I can't help but be thankful that I get to enjoy life's adventures (both big and small) with my very best friend in this world.

Have any of you been to Japan? I'd love some restaurant and sight-seeing recommendations.

Love,
Jillian

Pink and Green

2013-05-07T18:27:00.002-07:00

//Sweater: GAP// Pants: GAP// Clutch: GAP// Shoes: Steve Madden//

Gold Belts Work

2013-05-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

Image Source (HERE)

Me wearing a Betsey Johnson reversible belt

Gold belts are probably my favorite accessory to add a bit of understated glam to an outfit. I'm especially crazy about adding them to solid colored work dresses. There's nothing wrong with being shiny and professional at the same time. If you're thinking about shiny belts, ASOS has some great options to choose from. THIS and THIS and THIS are my faves!

Love,
Jillian

Patio Woes - Part 1 + A Sweepstake

2013-05-01T09:49:00.001-07:00

I've been on a decorating binge recently which means that most of my living spaces are getting the not so subtle side eye. For me, the biggest problem is that I live in a high rise where indoor space is limited and outdoor space is almost non-existent. So, my goal with every room in my apartment has to be to maximize the space in a way that matches the way that I live. Though I’ve been able to do a pretty good job with the other rooms in my apartment, the patio has been my design dead zone. For a long time, I just couldn’t quite figure out how I used the space, and how to design it in a way that made sense for me. Since my husband and I work during the week, we don’t spend much time out on the patio in the daytime. And, on weekends, we’re usually off catching up on errands, which leaves no time to soak up the sun. Since we weren’t really utilizing the area, I forgot all about the space and put my design plans on hold. So far on hold, that I didn’t notice that the South Florida sun and rain were giving my outdoor furniture quite a beating. My formerly cherry-wood chairs and table were now a worn and dilapidated mess.

After seeing this, I decided to put the patio back on my to-do list and come up with a design plan for the space. In coming up with this plan, my biggest issue was that the patio in my unit is basically a long, narrow slab of concrete that doesn’t lend itself to the typical patio furniture arrangements – a cute glass top table with four chairs neatly placed around it just isn’t going to happen here. So, I decided that instead of lamenting over the things that I couldn’t do with the space, I should embrace the unique things that I can do with the space. Since the patio is quite long, it lends itself to the creation of multiple smaller spaces where I can do the things that I love to do. After figuring out what I wanted from the space, I moved on to thinking about the fun stuff – colors. I really love white patio furniture, so I decided to paint my old patio furniture white since they were already a perfect size for the space. I also decided to make add green and teal as accent colors for my new space. The difficult part was deciding exactly which shade of green would work best for me. Instead of going to the store and pouring over color cards, I pulled out my trusty iPad and downloaded the Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Studio™ for iPad app to help with the decision. I was able to scroll through tons of different shades of greens and get an idea of how each would look in my space. After a few minutes, I figured out that “Center Stage” green was the shade for me.

Here are the before photos of my mini patio renovation, I can't wait to show you guys the finished project!

How do you find color inspiration for your home projects? Tell us in the comments below, and you just might win a $100 Sherwin-Williams gift card from BlogHer!

No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/1/2013-5/19/2013.

Be sure to visit the Sherwin-Williams brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

2013-04-30T05:27:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day by nusophisticate featuring cole haan

1. Jo Malone Fragrances
The only thing that your mom loves more than you is the opportunity to brag about you. So, give her just that with a fragrance from this British olfactory powerhouse. She'll have plenty of opportunity to talk about your great taste and benevolence while responding to the throngs of strangers asking "what perfume are you wearing?". (Both my mom and I love the Ginger-Nutmeg). Get yours HERE!

2.Henri Bendel Candles
Henri Bendel candles are always a hit with moms. Not only do they smell amazing, but they really give you a lot of bang for your buck. Just burn these for an hour and you'll be smelling the effects for the rest of the day. These candles should give your mom about 50 - 60 hours of burn time which translates into well over a month of luxuriously fragrant living. (Warning: These candles are highly addictive so expect mom to hit you up for these on the regular.) Get yours HERE!

3. Homemade Recipe Book
Using a bound journal, my sister's and I took turns jotting down our favorite recipes given to us by our mom. Then, we used the page directly behind that recipe to tell her our favorite memory connected with that meal and how it had impacted our lives. Mine was her macaroni and cheese that I spent all day making for my then boyfriend, and now husband (I really think this change in title had a little something to do with the mac and cheese). Trust me, your mom will love reading it and you and all your siblings will constantly borrow it. Get your journal HERE or at your local staples.

4. Kate Spade Pearl Earrings
Whether from Kate Spade or Tiffany's, moms love pearl jewelry. Get her a pair of earrings, a bracelet, a ring, or a necklace. She'll be in love and you'll officially be wearing the "favorite child" hat, well at least for the day. Get yours HERE.

5. Bouquet of Flowers (not roses or lilies or daisies)
My mother loves flowers. So, every year I go out of my way to figure out a flower that she hasn't received and then I send those to her. After a while, it get's kind of difficult to figure out what type of bud hasn't graced her doorstep (she's kinda popular that way), but that's part of the fun for her and I both.Peonies are a great option.

6.Kindle Fire
Moms are tech savvy beings too. Get her a Kindle Fire and download all of her favorite books and a few cool apps and games that suit her personality (my mom is addicted to Ruzzle). Then, put her new gadget in a pretty leather case like THIS COLE HAAN option and watch the mommy excitement abound. Even if your mom isn't a techie, get it for her anyway. You two will have a blast mastering the art of touch screen swiping.

Love,

Jillian

Striped

2013-04-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

Dress: Gap Blazer: Nordstrom Rack Shoes: Christian Louboutin Clutch: Target

Trench: Forever 21

A couple of years ago, Forever 21 was the store that I'd visit to grab cheap items that I intended to wear to a specific event and then discard. Though I intended for these items to be temporary guests in my closet, I've realized that some of these pieces (like this sleeveless trench) have actually stood the test of time and are actually becoming staples in my wardrobe. It just goes to show that price isn't always an indicator of timelessness. Have you guys found any forever pieces from Forever 21?

Love,
Jillian

Monday Shopping Therapy

2013-04-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Shirt: Ann Taylor

Sweater: GAP (SIMILAR)

Bermuda Shorts: Levi's

Shoes: Aldo (HERE)

Henri Bendel Shopping Bag

If you're anything like me, then you're planning on treating your Monday blues with a heavy dose of retail therapy. My therapy sessions will be taking places at the shops below, feel free to come and join me.

1. Gap is giving customers a 25% discount on all online purchases with the code GAP25. I'm plannin on purchasing a pair of cropped pants. With the additional 25% off, some of these pants end up costing about $22. Check them out HERE.

2. Aldo isn't having a sale right now, but there are some pretty cute shoes available on their clearance page. I love THESE for work, and THESE for play. Both are priced at under $30.

3. Ann Taylor is offering $50 off of full price purchases of $100 or more with the code STYLE50.

I'm eying THIS DRESS and THIS TOP.

4. I'm also stocking up on my Mother's Day gifts for all the mommie's in my life. They all love smell goods, so I'm including a candle from HENRI BENDEL in each of their gifts. My favorite is the Peony candle HERE.

Happy Monday,

Jillian

NuSophisticate Travels?

2013-04-18T10:59:00.001-07:00

Aitutaki, Cook Islands (Photo via Pinterest HERE)

I love traveling which is one of the reasons why I made sure that my wedding weekend and honeymoon was a nonstop flight fest. I got married in Negril, Jamaica. After the wedding, the hubs and I took a flight back to Miami, packed our bags, and headed to Amsterdam. We chilled there for a couple of days, then flew to Paris to spend a week taking long walks down winding roads and dining al fresco. Though it was hard to leave Paris, we decided to take our talents to Italy for another week of touring historical sites, sipping wine on the piazza, and taking in Tuscan sunsets. To wrap it all up, the hubs and I hopped a flight to Northern France for some intense relaxation before returning home.

Since our marriage started off with a heavy travel schedule, my husband and I have decided to celebrate each anniversary with a trip to a new locale. Last year's locale was Mexico and the process of figuring out where we will be headed to this year has just begun. Since I figured that some of you may be planning trips of your own, may have some great suggestions on places to go, or may just love finding out about different locales, I thought I'd start featuring interesting destinations and travel tips on the blog. Something like my Mexico post HERE. What do you guys think about the idea?

Thank you for sharing,
Jillian

Front Slit Pants + Sheer Elements

2013-04-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Shirt: Blush Boutique in Brickell

Pants: ASOS (SIMILAR)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Blazer: Forever 21

A close friend celebrated a very big birthday recently and I wore this outfit to her birthday dinner. I love how the satin pants and the sheerness of the shirt dressed up the entire outfit and made it perfect for a celebratory occasion. I'm also crazy about the front slit in these pants. Not only is the slit one of those unique elements that helps the pant stand out from its counterparts, it's also a great way to make sure that my shoes are on full display. Unfortunately, these pants are sold out on ASOS, but you can get the same look by taking a pair of scissors to your slim-legged pants to create your own front slit. I might even try this myself with some of the other pants in my closet. Who's up for the challenge?

Love,
Jillian

Pleated Skirt + Structured Jacket

2013-04-11T20:43:00.005-07:00

Skirt: Halogen

Tank: Forever 21

Blazer: Zara

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Ipad Case: Nine West

Bracelet: Aldo

Necklaces: J. Crew, Vintage

When I saw this pleated skirt on the clearance rack at Nordstrom, I immediately started to wonder why it was there. Between the pleats, delicate fabric, and subtle print, this skirt was the type of perfection that I thought shoppers couldn't resist. When I tried it on, I realized why this skirt had landed in the 'no' pile for the throngs of shoppers before me. The skirt is a really unique length - it's not quite short, not quite long, just solidly in between. Though I couldn't figure out exactly how I wanted to wear the skirt, I decided to take it home anyways because A) the skirt was just too cute and B) ~~sometimes I make reckless shopping decisions~~. Once I got home, I eventually stumbled upon the combination that you see here. Turns out an awkward length pleated skirt + long structured jacket = amazing. Who knew! So, after a few false starts, I've stumbled upon another winning outfit combination to add to my arsenal for both work and play.

Love,

Jillian

Hot Pants

2013-04-09T09:24:00.001-07:00

Pants: Ann Taylor (HERE)

Top: Forever 21 (HERE)

Bag: Michael Kors (HERE)

Sunglasses: Gucci

Jewelry: J Crew, Loehmanns

Recently, wearing cropped pants in bright colors has been one of my favorite ways to add a bit of color into my wardrobe. This sunshine-y yellow pair from Ann Taylor is the most recent addition to my growing collection. Though I chose to pair them with an oversized shirt for a more casual look here, I also plan on adding this pair into my work wear lineup. For me, pants like this are a great way to add a new silhouette and a pop of color into my workdrobe. I’m planning on pairing it with a structured blazer in a neutral color and adding an equally muted blouse underneath. Afterall, when you’re wearing bright pants like these, it’s best to let them stand out on their own. If you’re in the market for a pair of your own hot pants start looking HERE $21, HERE $45, and HERE $138.

Love,

Jillian

T-Shirt and Jeans

2013-04-05T07:47:00.002-07:00

Jacket: GAP (HERE)

Shirt: Target (HERE)

Jeans: Loehmann's Brand

Shoes: Aldo "Essie" (HERE)

For the past few weeks, I've been in marathon mode at work. But, now that all of my urgent projects and troublesome cases are under control, it's time to put work to the side and enjoy a day filled with doing absolutely nothing. I'm leaving the house in about 10 minutes and just seeing where the day takes me. On these types of days, this is one of my favorite outfit combinations - a punched up t-shirt, a pair of dark wash jeans, manageable pumps, and a blazer that can uplift the look if necessary. Combine these items and I'm ready to take on whatever the day brings.

A late lunch? Sure, I'll keep the jacket on to maintain a polished look. A play date with my nephew? I'm ready to go; I'll just ditch the jacket and shoes. An art exhibit around the corner? I'll be there - just let me tuck in the left side of my shirt and bunch up the sleeves of my blazer. Either way, this outfit goes a long way in making sure that I'm ready for almost anything. So, here's to a day filled with adventure, relaxation, maybe a late lunch, and ~~definitely~~ maybe a little shopping.

Happy Friday,
Jillian

White Pumps

2013-04-03T05:57:00.001-07:00

Top: Romeo and Juliet via Loehmann's

Bottom: Zara

Shoes: Aldo "Essie"

Bag: Aldo

Bracelets: Aldo and Loehmann's

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that these Aldo white, cap-toe pumps have been the topic of much internal debate. Not because I don't love them, but because I'm wondering whether or not we have a future together. Initially, I fell in love with the similarly styled Louis Vuitton "Merry Go Round" pumps. I almost purchased the Louis Vuitton pumps, but got a bad case of cold feet at the last minute.

Instead of forcing my relationship with the Merry Go Round's, I decided to step away and play the field with a few other white pump options. After stepping in and trying out numerous other white peep toe pumps, I settled on the Aldo Essie's. They were just as polished as my beloved Merry Go Round's with a much more approachable $100 price tag. Since buying them, I've taken these pumps all over town all the while peering in store fronts, mirrors, car doors, and pretty much any reflective surface I could find to figure out if these pumps were something I could commit to for the long haul.

After much deliberation (and with a bit of help from all of you on Instagram) I've decided not to commit to the higher priced Merry Go Round's and just enjoy my short time with these gorgeous Essie's. Though I love my Essie pumps, I know that white shoes aren't going to be a staple in my wardrobe. So, I really can't justify the investment. But in the meantime, I'm going to wear these Aldo pumps to death and look around for a classic pair of pumps that I can have a future with.

Love,
Jillian

Black and White for Every Office Setting

2013-04-02T09:04:00.001-07:00

Black and White ensembles are a big trend this spring which is great news for us working girls. Not only is black and white an ultra chic combination, it’s also one of those color combinations that fit seamlessly into most office settings. So seamless in fact, that I’d dare to say that most of us have already indulged in multiple variations of this color combination throughout our careers. So, in the spirit of putting a fresh spin on an old combination, I’ve dreamt up a few outfit ideas that will take your black and white work attire to a new on-trend plateau.

Black and White - Corporate

Dress: Narciso Rodrizuez $725 (HERE) Guess by Marciano $258 (HERE)
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik $595 (HERE), Zara $90 (HERE)
Bracelet: Cartier Love Bracelet, Ben Amun $170 (HERE)
Blazer: Vanessa Bruno $649 (HERE)

For those of you who work in more conservative work settings, a black and white dress is a classic pick. Black and white dresses with simple linear features are my favorite and lucky for us there are a ton of great options available nowadays. I’d stay away from graphic print black and white dresses as they may be a tad too fashion forward for a more conservative work setting. I would also pair these dresses with a simple black blazer and black pumps to add that extra dose of conservative appeal. Accessorize the look with a simple bangle and an “I know I look like a boss” attitude.

Black and White - Artistic

Top: Roland Mouret $945 (HERE) Newlook $26(HERE)
Bottom: Thierry Mugler $756 (HERE), Sara Berman $295 (HERE)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin $1145 (HERE), Chinese Laundry $89 (HERE)
Necklaces: Lizzie Fortunato $552 (HERE), Bauble Bar $46 (HERE)

For those ladies who work in a more artistic setting, you’ve got the green light to play around with draping and textures. I’d pair a black leather skirt with a peplum or draped top. I’d also use this opportunity to throw in another trendy piece, like these on-trend white pumps. Accessorize the look with a large statement necklace and a head full of artistic ideas.

Black and White - Casual

Pants: J.W. Anderson $200 (HERE), Untold Sories $90(HERE)

Shirt: Moda Operandi $315 (HERE), Walter Baker $53 (HERE)

Blazer: Mango $91 (HERE)

Shoes: Miu Miu $595 (HERE), Zara (HERE)

For the ladies who handle their business in a more casual setting, I would use this opportunity to explore the beauty of simplicity. In a casual office setting, it’s pretty tempting to wear jeans all day, every day. However, I would resist that temptation and opt for a pair of black cigarette pants or cropped slacks instead. I’d also pair these slacks with a simple white button down and add an unexpected piece like this black and white striped blazer. Finish the look with black flats, a statement necklace, and a casually fabulous 'do.

Love,

Jillian

Printed Skirt + Striped Blazer

2013-04-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

Skirt: Prabal Gurung x Target (HERE)

Shirt: BCBG

Blazer: Loehmann's (SIMILAR $55) (SIMILAR $49) (SIMILAR $98) (SIMILAR $28)

Purse: Aldo (HERE)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Layered Necklaces: Pearls from Mom, TJMaxx (SIMILAR)

Watch: Vintage Rolex

I'm convinced that Target is the place where all good shopping intentions go to die. Last week, I walked into Target intent on purchasing just an iron and a solid two hours later, I left with that iron along with ten new additions to my wardrobe. This Prabal Gurung for Target skirt was one of these new additions. Though the line was a big hit when it was released last month, I found quite a few pieces on the clearance rack. So, needless to say, I went a little nuts. If you missed out on pieces from this line earlier, now's the time to visit your local Target and scour the clearance racks. Since the discounted prices were so ridiculously good (this skirt was $19.98), I guess it almost makes the over-shopping acceptable (at least that's how I explain it to my husband lol).

I debuted this skirt at an Easter Sunday get together. The festive print made it perfect for Easter, while the delicate black lace was the perfect complement to my black and white striped blazer. I also piled on the pearl and baubled necklaces. Between my necklaces and twirly skirt, I was a huge hit with the under 5 crowd at the party. :)

How'd you spend your weekend?

Love,
Jillian

Neon and Pastel

2013-03-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Dress: JAX

Shoes: BCBGeneration

Jacket: Levi's

This spring, a lot of my favorite color combinations involve mixing pastels and neons. So far, neon yellow and peach are a tried and true winning combination for me. But, I'm starting to play around with the idea of mixing neon pink with colors like mint and canary yellow.

My latest foray into this color mix was for a quick dinner date with my husband. I paired this sweet JAX polka dot dress with my super comfy, and super on trend, BCBGeneration sandals. Though I love wearing my more dominant color on my feet, I could completely see a neon yellow dress being paired with pastel heels for a twist on this combo. Needless to say, there will be a lot of neon and pastel mixes happening on the blog. So, do you mix neon and pastels? If so, do share your favorite combinations.

Best,
Jillian

Vintage Skirts

2013-03-22T05:51:00.001-07:00

Skirt: Vintage via Lily Kai Vintage

Jacket: Levi's

Turtleneck: JCrew

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Bracelet: Aldo (HERE)

It's no secret that I absolutely love vintage items. But I usually stick to collecting tons of vintage jewelry. It's not that vintage clothes don't do it for me, it's that finding vintage clothes that I like and can actually fit into requires a lot of time and patience. I've literally spent hours in consignment stores and walked away empty handed. Recently, I've started shopping for vintage clothes online and that's made finding vintage gems as easy as pie. I found this amazing skirt at Lily Kai Vintage boutique.

What do you think about vintage clothes and where do you shop for them?

P.S. Lily Kai Vintage has been sweet enough to offer NuSophisticate readers 15% off of all purchases with the code NuSop15!

Love,

Jillian

Flared Jeans

2013-03-20T08:31:00.001-07:00

Jeans: Joe's (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR) (SIMILAR)
Shirt: Vintage
Bag: Zara
Jewelry: Tiffany's, Street Vendor, Pandora, Michele

I was lucky enough to sneak away from work to attend Jazz in the Gardens last weekend. For those of you who don't know, Jazz in the Gardens is an annual jazz festival that's held in Miami Gardens. Since the festival is held outdoors, my outfits are usually all about ventilation and cool breezy fabrics. But this year, I decided to try something new and opted to wear jeans instead. I paired my 70's inspired, high waisted jeans with a vintage denim shirt to create a bohemian look that I think is perfect for an outdoor music festival. I stacked on the bangles to finish off the look and added a statement neck-piece that peeked out from under my denim shirt.

Though I'm usually all about my skinny jeans, lately these high-waisted, flared jeans have been heavy in my rotation. They're just sooooo much easier to wear. With my skinny jeans, I found myself constantly pulling at my waistband and readjusting when I sat down. With these jeans, I slipped them on and forgot all about them - no readjusting, no pulling. Plus, I think these jeans made my stubby little legs look a little less stubby and worked magic on the appearance of my posterior (I spared you the pics lol). Ultimately, I'm not sure if my experience is unique or if I have a fit issue with my skinny jeans. But after finding these flared jeans, I'm seriously reconsidering my allegiance to my skinny's.

Are you guys still in love with skinny jeans or are you feeling the flare?

Love,
Jillian

Moschino Trench

2013-03-18T05:40:00.001-07:00

Trench Coat: Moschino (HERE) (HERE) (SIMILAR)

Opaque Tights: Target

Booties: Vince Camuto (HERE)

Glasses and Case: Burberry (SIMILAR)

After wearing my sleeveless trench coat to death, I finally decided to invest in a sleeved trench coat. Now, I absolutely adore this BURBERRY TRENCH. But alas, since I spend most of my time in Miami, investing $1,495 for a trench coat just doesn't work for me. So, I scoured the web and finally settled on this MOSCHINO trench. I picked this coat because the black details and gold buttons add a little extra spice to the coat. Plus, the cute little adjustable bows on the sleeve are the girly touches that I just can't say no to. This trench has enough detail to allow it to stand alone as the star of the outfit, but not so much detail that it competes with the clothing items underneath. Not only does the trench look great with tights and boots (as pictured above), it also worked well hanging open over my work dresses and suits.

Though I passed on the Burberry trench, I satisfied my Burberry craving by switching out my old glasses for these amazingly cute Burberry frames. I'm usually all about my contacts, but recently I've been attracted to the idea of wearing larger framed glasses. Partially because my contacts always feel like sandpaper rubbing against my pupil towards the end of the day. But mainly because I think girls in glasses are super sexy.

P.S. I'm seriously considering buying THIS MOSCHINO trench IPhone case. Isn't it just the cutest!

Happy Monday Loves,
Jillian

What's the Verdict

2013-03-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Top: Lululemon

Pants: Lululemon

Shoes: Nike

I hate working out, but I love the way it makes me look and feel. So, I try every trick in the book to get myself amp'd up for those long workouts. One of my tried and true tricks for psyching myself up is buying new workout clothes. Usually, I scour the racks at Marshalls and piece together reasonably cute workout ensembles. But, I 've recently been turned on to Lululemon.

I'd heard great things about their workout clothes and even browsed their stores a couple of times. But, I just couldn't justify paying $86 for a pair of workout pants. I mean, I physically could not muster up the strength to hand over those cute little pants to my cute little sales associate. I kept thinking about all of the "real" clothes I could be buying - that super cute top at Zara, those pants at Bloomie's, those super cute shoes at Nordstrom Rack. But, as luck (or some pretty strong hinting) would have it, my brother in law gifted me a giftcard to Lululemon for Christmas last year and I've been hooked ever since.

Their workout clothes are extremely light, don't ride up, and stay put despite rigorous activity. With that said, I still wonder if the $86 dollars is worth it or if I should pause my Lulelemon shopping until next Christmas. I'd love to hear what you think. Are workout clothes "real" clothes? And how much are you willing to spend on them?

Flower Power

2013-03-06T07:43:00.001-08:00

Coat: Zara

Tank: Trouve

Pants: Michael Kors

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Fendi

Pearls: Gift from Mom

This is that weird phase where winter is still in full effect, but everyone's mind is longing for spring. A lot of my friends who live up north call this the winter blues. The winter blues usually involves an intense desire to go coat-less, wear lighter materials, and indulge in all of the light floral concoctions that you see prominantly displayed in stores, all while facing the reality that it's just too darn cold to do any of the above. Unfortunately, this year us Miami-ans have been feeling this winter blues as our temperatures have been firmly in the 40's, 50's, and 60's for the past week (lol, i can feel all of the northerners and midwesters rolling their eyes at that statement).

With that said, this outfit was inspired by my "Miami" winter blues. Dark floral pants that hint at spring's floral explosion, a soft colored silk blouse, and a heavy coat to keep the chill away. I think this look is the perfect mix of the two seasons. Here's to the quick arrival of spring for us all.

Jillian

Neon Green Light

2013-03-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

Dress: Donna Morgan (Similar)

Belt: Betsey Johnson

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (Similar)

Ipad Case: Nine West

Though Miami is officially freezing today, the lovely folks at my office have decided to keep the AC cranking in an effort to show me just how much they love me! Since I'm bundled up in my winter coat right now, I thought I'd post an outfit picture of sunnier days.

I wore this neon outfit to work last week and got an amazing number of compliments. Now, considering the fact that I work in THE most conservative office EVER, that really speaks volumes about the speed at which neon is becoming mainstream. I've even spotted a couple of my less-adventurous coworkers in neon, silk blouses underneath their grey suits. Trust me, when the lawyers start dabbling in a trend, it's officially safe for all members of all other professions to indulge. So, with that said, me and all the other uber conservative lawyers are giving the "neon" green light to wear neon to work.

Oh, and if you're wondering what you should wear on your feet, I vote for these Stuart Weitzman leaopard pumps. If you've been reading the blog for a while, then you know that I've been hunting for the perfect pair of leopard pumps for ages now. Well, the search is finally over. These pumps had me at "hello"!

So, is neon on your list of things to do at the office?

Jillian