If you could describe yourself in one hashtag, what would it be?

 

tee & watch {Target} - skirt & long necklace {Loft} - heels {Kelly & Katie via DSW} - star necklace & karma ring {Silpada} - bow ring {Madewell}

I have been asked some pretty off-the-wall questions in interviews before, but the above question is probably the weirdest (and best!) one I've gotten thus far. I'm not sure what it says about me that I didn't find it that odd at the time nor did it take me long to think of my answer. Almost immediately, after a small chuckle, I answered "hashtag stripes" or #stripes, if you will. It came to me very naturally, even before I realized I was wearing a striped skirt, only further proving my point. I then followed it up with an anecdote involving one of my NYC girls (hey Andee!) tagging me in an Instagram photo of Joe Fresh striped shirts, only because it reminded her of yours truly. What can I say, I love my stripes and those who know me, know that.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure having an answer right away just means I'm a big social media nerd. And I mean #BIG. ;)

j.

Some Advice to a Younger Me

sunnies {OASAP} - necklace & shirt {Target} - shorts {Jacob} - belt {Loft}

Oh, hi guys! So, as we all know from the amount of DIY projects I have instagrammed lately, I still don't have a job. This week, though, I heard from a company that I would love to work for. It's a girls' clothing company and as part of the interview process I had to make a video that embodied the brand's image. Well, I live for this stuff. I felt like I was back at school and was just assigned a cool project (nerd alert). I don't want to give too much away because I will show the video here (eventually) but this assignment has me jazzed. It really made me realize how much I was missing being challenged creatively. 

Over the past two days, I have been recording some female friends and family answering the question "if you could talk to a younger you, what advice would you give her?". It has been the most fun! Everyone is getting into it. There has been a lot of laughter, the best facial expressions and a healthy dose of awkwardness. The themes so far have definitely been "be yourself" and "be nice". Having only been thinking of this for the last 48 hours, I thought of a few other things to add.

To 13* year old me,

Learn what it is you love to do and do it. Never belittle your passion. Know that this is only the beginning of your story and you have the power to change it. You're not as awkward as you think (okay...maybe you are). Also, don't worry because everyone feels the same way you do.

Love,
27, almost 28 year old me

j.
 

*this is my chosen age because I felt like this is when I would want to give myself advice.

Reptile Chic

Long time no talk type. It's been a while, I know. The past week has been more than the word busy can even describe. The second to last week of classes plus moving in NYC equals crazy town. I have only four days left of my first semester, which is crazy in and of itself, but then when I stop to think of all that has to be done in the next four days, tears start forming in my eyeballs, I break into a cold sweat and find myself short of breath. A wee bit dramatic but sadly somewhat accurate. I did have a pretty cool experience last week though that I wanted to share with you. So, the first few photos are what I looked like when I started the day. I had a couple classes and then I was off to an interview at a production studio.

long black rain jacket {Target} - gold tote {Indigo} - reptile blouse {Zara} - white belt {Uniqlo} -

dark denim skinnies {Flying Monkey via Century 21} - tan pointy flats {Aldo} 

Yep, that's me above, pretending to be a model. I even had my hair and make-up done. So, how does one have their hair and make-up done professionally during an interview, you ask? Well, I arrived at Image Powerhouse studios and my interview turned into "stay for the photoshoot happening tonight". I thought that was pretty cool so, of course, I said yes. Then, when a few of the models were running late, they wanted to keep the stylists busy and have them practice getting consecutive girls ready. Enter, me. It was awesome getting doted on like that for a little bit. Then the real models arrived and the shoot got going. It was an amazing experience to help style the girls and keep the shoot running smoothly and on time.

Thanks to Image Powerhouse for the incredible "behind-the-scenes" experience!

j.

Rainbow Suede

There's nothing like a pair of fuschia/melon/turquoise suede shoes to get you pumped to kick some interview booty. Which hopefully I did yesterday. I'll find out in a week or so. In the meantime, my fingers and toes are crossed because the internship sounded ah-may-zing!

navy button-up, navy skirt & fuschia belt {Loft} - turquoise earrings {etsy} - white purse {Coach} -

gold cuff {thrifted at VV Boutique} - rainbow suede flats {Zara}

So, I know I usually find a pretty wall to pose in front of (and by pretty, I mean either brick, grafitti covered or garage). I decided to switch things up a bit to show you just what my daily view consists of. This is right outside Guy and Gallard (also known as my favorite coffee shop, some may call our relationship co-dependent...). Just steps away from one of two Parsons buildings where half my classes take place. I spend a great deal of time either, in Guy or out on this street, so I thought it only fitting to snap a few pics amidst the New York chaos. Sorry, random guy, you walked by at just the wrong moment. Were you the one who gave me the very creepy, drawn out "Verrrrrry Niiiiice"? Or was that the white haired gentleman in front of you?

As per usual, a big shout-out to my girl Kiki for her always impressive iphonography.

j.

Marvel in the Unexpected

I went on an interview today. For a summer PR internship at a luxury Italian menswear company. Interviews always make me a little nervous, despite the fact that I've been on a zillion of them. I don't know if that is necessarily a good thing. Back in the day (by this, I mean six, maybe seven years ago...) when I was looking for a summer job during my undergrad, I kinda had this thing for becoming a receptionist at a hair salon (don't ask....I also have a slightly less glamorous dream of being a check-out girl at the grocery store). Anyways, I applied to many salons and went on many interviews, but sadly I never did get my dream job as a receptionist. I did, however, become an expert at going on interviews. Fast forward a few years, a degree in business and several real jobs later and you get me going on my very first fashion interview. The nerves subsided once I got to their ridiculously nice office on Fifth Avenue and I think the interview went well. But, as those hair salons taught me, one can never tell.

tan trench {Kiki's, H&M} - gingham button-up & navy necklace {Banana Republic} -

grey tiered skirt {Banana Republic Outlet} - neon wedges {Kensie via Century 21} - photo credit {Kiki}

I also have another interview tomorrow at a PR agency. I don't want to jinx it, but this is kinda, okay big time, my dream internship. It's basically perfect for me, as I am for it. So, keep your fingers crossed for me and hopefully I will blow them away with my expert interview skills and obvious modesty.

By the way, this little outfit you see above was styled by Kiki and I during our humongous photoshoot for that really huge project I keep blabbing about. I loved the unexpected pairing of the gingham button-up with the feminine tiered skirt. I'm also pretty much in love with those wedges. Because they are neon. And wedges. That I can walk in. Win. Win. Big win.

j.