Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

black top {Urban Outfitters} - black & white striped maxi skirt {Joe Fresh} - geometric necklace {So Good} - 

NYC purse {gift} - gold watch {Target} - arrow bracelet {Etsy} - silver gladiators {Aldo} - photo credit {Kiki}

Sometimes the best things happen in the least amount of time. These photos are one of those things. I was really pleased with how they turned out and they were taken in, literally, under 30 seconds. Kiki and I were on our way to meet her aunt and uncle and needed to be there at a certain time. We had no time to spare but, of course, I asked her to take a quick photo anyways. She rolled her eyes at me and said only if you run across the street and start posing so I can get there, snap a few pics and we can keep walking. I feel like it would be at this time that most normal people would forgo the photo shoot. But I am anything but normal, so I ran and got my pose on so she would take a few photos. Which she did, in record time. And the result was pure magic (if I do say so myself). Thanks to the Keeks for always putting up with photo requests. I've heard people say before that behind every fashion blogger is a photographer boyfriend/husband. Well, behind (or in front, if we want to get technical) me, is a very patient bestie, who never says no to a photo shoot and always directs me to get the best shot, even when time is not on our side (which is usually always).

j.

Coney Island Adventure

So, I had this post ready to go for Monday but due to internet issues, cyberspace had other plans for me.  Last Saturday, Kiki and I woke up (a little later than I'm willing to admit publicly) and were sitting in our living room talking about what we could do that day. A few ideas were discarded fairly quickly and then at pretty much the exact same time, we looked at one another and said, "Coney Island!". And that was all we needed to embark on a spontaneous trip to one of New York's most iconic attractions.

As a ride enthusiast, I was more than willing to go on every and any ride. Kiki on the other hand, was a little less than excited. Starting out tame, we took a ride on the most famous ride Coney Island has to offer, the Wonder Wheel. I obviously made Kiki go in one of the swinging carts, and with her shrieking in my ear with every move, I didn't have much hope that I was getting her on another ride. But like the trooper that she is, we went on four more rides, ending with The Cyclone rollercoaster. I may have fibbed just a bit and told her it wasn't going to be scary and that the massive drops were not that massive. After that first plunge, I knew I would be in for it once she made it off the ride. Even though she lost all color in her face and looked like she might cry, I think deep down (waaay down) she really loved it.

There was also a walk along the beach (we're romantic like that) and a gourmet dinner of hotdogs and hamburgers (we're classy like that). Coney Island is really just an amusement park, boardwalk and beach but what a fun adventure it was!

j.

Stripes in Queens

I had the pleasure of going to a BBQ in Queens on Sunday with my roomie. I never say no to exploring new parts of New York. And I certainly don't ever say no to free food. It was a win win all around.

striped maxi dress {sample sale} - navy jacket {Jacob} - gold watch & bracelet {Target} - red & teal bracelets {Burkman Bros.} -

purse {Dooney & Bourke via flea market} - bronze gladiator sandals {Steve Madden via Century 21}

Queens was way more beautiful than I imagined it would be. The tree-lined streets boasted the most amazing tudor houses and immaculate lawns. I think I'm just a sucker for the suburbs when it comes down to it. I ate the freshest, most delicious lox ever while in Queens. Visited a Russian specialty store and sampled an ice cream delicacy while there. Then, as if the evening could get any better, the vintage pogo stick made it's appearance. I gave it a whirl for old times sake, but what with the maxi dress, improper footwear and - let's be honest - lack of coordination we did not get on very well. It did go nicely with my arm party though, so there was that...

j.

J. Loves {Her} Style: Braided 90's

Meet Kiki. She's from Israel and I love her style. Read on to find out why!

So, yes this is the Kiki I often talk about. This is the Kiki I live with. This is the Kiki who takes ALL of my outfit photos. This is my New York bestie. I turned the tables on her today when I told her I loved her style and wanted to take a photo of her. (She was secretly over the moon excited, pretty sure...)

She found it funny that I chose this outfit to feature because she thought it was rather simple. I think that's why I loved it so much. She put this outfit together with a theme in mind - chanelling the 90's - and we all know I love me a good theme. From her vintage denim jacket to her gold hoop earrings, Kiki was a vision from twenty years ago.

I wish I took a close up of her hair because it really was impressive. Two side braids connecting at the back into a beautiful braided bun. Simply gorgeous!

Thanks to Kiki for always being so patient behind the camera and a big thanks for finally stepping in front of it.

j.

InstaLife Lately

I know this type of post is really popular among the blogs right now and I hate myself just a little bit for doing this. BUT, I have a serious Instagram addiction. I mean, SERIOUS. So my iPhone is loaded with photos. I'm talking jam packed of square-shaped photos filtered by "toaster" or "valencia". I even discovered another app that allows me to make photo collages and upload them straight to Instagram. The photo insanity is at an all time high. And I'm kinda loving every second of it...

Ready for it? I'll give you the reader's digest of it, starting at the top, from left to right:

• A guilty face. Yet another chai before class.
• Fro Yo, YO! (No guilt there.)
• Field trips aren't just for eight year olds. Materials Connexion for Textiles. Basically a museum of all things material. Pretty cool, actually!
• More takeout than I care to admit. And a reminder to be dependable. Because people rely on it.
• Interview nautical.
• Pretty fountains AND flowers. Win. Win.
• Taking two new flea finds on a sunny Sunday walk.
• Started making bracelets with Sesame. Just wait until you see what we're making tomorrow!
• Mixing patterns and waiting for the train.
• Shadows = Sun = Happiness.
• Cherry blossoms. See equation above.
• Apartment hunting with Kiki. And very large teas. It was way too early for a Saturday.
• Being a fleaster. And making up new words...
• Quiet study sessions on sunny days in my favorite cafe.
• A beautiful sunset over the city. And a beyond amazing,definitely enviable view from a friend's apartment.
• Fashionable friends inbetween classes.

Life, you are kinda alright at the moment.

j.

Springtime Nautica

I'm going to keep this short tonight, friends. I've been on my computer for the past twelve hours straight working on a HUGE project for my Fashion Industry Profile class. It's a fun project (to me anyways, I get to play with InDesign) but my eyeballs are starting to cross. Yesterday, Kiki helped me out for a small part of the project and we styled ten! different looks, dressed me up and then she took lots and lots of photos of me. It turned out really well and I can't wait to see the finished product once I have it all together. Don't worry, many of the photos we took yesterday will likely end up here in the near future. I can't let ten outfit shoots go to waste, now can I!

white crocheted sweater {h&m} - nautical rope tee & blue beads {Banana Republic} - yellow belt {Old Navy} - bright blue skinnies {Gap} -

striped canvas flats {Report via Century 21} - bracelets {gifts from my Mama, doesn't she have good taste?!?} -

white watch {Palm Desert street market} - photo credit {Kiki}

I really can't thank that girl enough, not only, for taking pretty much all of my outfit photos the last little while but also for putting up with a whopping ten outfits in one day! Kiki, you're a star.

I hope you all had a glorious weekend!

j.

Blue Tie {Not} Optional

I busted out the formal attire for class today. Black tie...err, I mean blue tie, certainly not optional. Only the best for Professor Poshy Poshy Poo Poo. She cracks me up every class. Most recently, when discussing the benefits of plied yarn, I believe, she said it is often used in exercise clothing because "it is unhealthy to jiggle when we wiggle". Classic.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you all to my beyond amazing iPhonography (that's a made up term for photographer using an iPhone). She is very patient (truth), always humble (lies...) and slightly crazy (more lies...big time cray cray). Everyone, meet Crazy K, or as I am now going to refer to her, Kiki. Her and I, we often meet up before our Textiles class on Mondays. We always get a chai (okay, fine...I always get a chai), we always take some outfit pics (okay, fine....I always beg her to take outfit pics) and we definitely always have some laughs (okay, fine...she only started laughing after I took back my extremely heavy book bag, purse and wool coat from her one free shoulder). Moral of the story? Kiki is a gem. And a very good photo stager....scroll down to see her magic.

blue & black flannel {Aritzia} - blue tie sweater & tan denim trousers {Forever 21} -

beige suede booties {Dolce Vita via Century 21}

She instructed me to "go stand by the cab and whip my head around". Because I don't already look crazy enough posing in the middle of the sidewalk. First whip. And she got it! That is some serious iPhone clicking skills. My neck thanks you Kiki.

j.