For most of the world above the equator it is the middle of winter, but where I am in California it has been 70-80 degrees for a while now. Last "winter" we actually received a good amount of rain, but this year so far it has maybe rained half a day. 

Because of this weather confusion, I've been able to wear skirts in winter. Quite a concept huh? 

I am all about small prints, so when I stumbled upon this gingham blazer at a thrift store a few years ago, I knew it would be a perfect staple for many outfits. Since then I've been able to style it quite a few different ways. In this outfit, I decided to pair it with my favorite tan skirt, wrap up block heels, vintage handbag, rolling stones graphic tee, and my favorite red beret. I've included links at the bottom of this post if you want to get a similar look. 

Well, onto better topics. Just kidding. But really, guess what! I'm going to prom this Friday! Yes, Prom! It's for the Night to Shine by the Tim Tebow foundation. My sister went last year and had the time of her life. I'm excited to make someone else's night as special as possible. Even though I have a sister with down syndrome, this is still way out of my comfort zone. I'm not very outgoing, but regardless of that, I'm going to rock the night away. If I have enough photos, I'll do a blog post on the night. Stay tuned for that post. 

Now enjoy the photos below of my outfit. 

​

Get the Look: 

Blazer:
here, here, here, here 

Mini Skirt: 
here, here, here 

Graphic Tee:
here, here

Woven Bag:
​here, here, here, here

Beret: 
Here, here, here, here

Wrap Heels:
here

Thanks for checking out my blog! Have a great day!

xoxo, 
Jill 

Hi friends, 

Over thanksgiving break (yes thanksgiving break, that's how far behind I am on blog posts) my family took a road trip to Arizona to explore. One of the days we ended up in Sedona, which is where these photos were taken. 

I got quite the comments about this outfit from my brother. He had a mouthful to say about a few of my outfits actually. This one in particular he was convinced I looked amish. My mom also questioned that this outfit was too retro. "I think I wore that skirt in the 80's" was her exact comment. Regardless of their push back, I confidently wore this outfit because I genuinely liked it. I know it might not be everyones cup of tea, but I enjoy mixing patterns.

Break the rules.

Who cares if you've been told to not mix stripes with plaid, do it anyways.

Who cares if your brother say's you look amish, wear it anyways. 

But if you want to mix patterns, find a common thread in the two patterns to make it work. In this outfit, the colors are the same, just reverse in their dominant color.  

I loved this outfit paired with my mustard yellow beret, vintage bag and wrap up heels. 

I've included links to similar items at the bottom of this blog if you're interested in recreating this look with your own spin off. 

The top is from Madewell, my skirt and bag were a thrift find, my shoes are from TJ Maxx and I bought this beret on Amazon! 

plaid skirt options:
here, here, here

Madewell turtleneck options:
here, here, here 

lace up heels:
here, here

Beret: 
here, here

Thanks for checking out my blog, I hope you are having a wonderful week!

xoxo, 
Jill

Do you remember the days when skinny jeans for men weren't main stream yet? You would see guys buying skinny jeans from the girl's side of the store to get the look they wanted. Well this isn't any different. Sometimes the perfect piece for your wardrobe lies in the section of the opposite gender.

Quite a few of my favorite pieces were found in the men's section, including this sweater.

This has been one of my favorite sweaters for a few years. I found in at an H&M while I was in London in December of 2014. We were headed to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and packed nice clothes for the show. Unfortunately, we didn't time things out right and if we headed back to our hostel to change, we would miss the show. Instead of trekking back to our hostel, that was on the edge of town, we were spontaneous and bought whole new outfits at H&M, because why not. I found the sweater in the men's section on sale and I bought it with a button up to layer underneath.

The button up I layered underneath the sweater in this outfit is a thrift store find. I bought it specifically to layer underneath tops just because the collar is perfect. If you could see the rest of the top you'd laugh. It's far too short and kind of wide, I honestly don't know if its a men's or women's button up, but oh well, it get's the job done.

Like I said in my last post, this Brixton cap will be apart of my wardrobe all fall. I love it!

This bag has been my obsession ever since it showed up on my door step in a package from my Aunt Sara in New Hampshire. Sara found it at a flea market and a few other fun things and thought of me. How sweet is that?! It's beautiful and I love all the little details, like the clasp that keeps it shut. It's vintage, but it's still in great shape and I will treasure it for years to come. 

The shoes I'm wearing were found at Ross, but made by Steve Madden. The block heel makes them great for everyday wear and the pop of color adds flare to any outfit. You can find me wearing the heck out of these all fall. 

These wide-leg cropped green pants are from TJ Maxx, but originally from Gap. They're also a staple in my wardrobe this fall.

In other news, I just finished the book, Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist.
It was fresh, real and a great reminder about the importance of grounding ourselves in the truth that comes with really knowing and loving God. 

Here is one quote that summarizes the book pretty well. 

"This isn't about working less or more, necessarily. This isn't about homemade or takeout, or full time or part time, or the specific ways we choose to live out our days. It's about rejecting the myth that every day is a new opportunity to prove our worth, and about the truth that our worth is inherent, given by God, not earned by our hustling.

It's about learning to show up and let ourselves be seen just as we are, massively imperfect and weak and wild and flawed in a thousand ways, but still worth loving. It's about realizing that what makes our lives meaningful is not what we accomplish, but how deeply and honestly we connect with the people in our lives, how wholly we give ourselves to the making of a better world, through kindness and courage."

If you're in the neighborhood for a new read, I highly recommend this one. 

Get the Look:
​Steve Madden Shoes: here
Similar Pants: here, here and here 
Brixton Cap: here


Thanks so much for checking out my blog! I hope it inspires you to think out of the box and search the men's section for interesting pieces to add to your wardrobe. 

xoxo,
​Jill 

If you've been browsing through Pinterest the last couple of months, I'm sure you've noticed the latest trend, striped pants. They are quite the rage right now. I wasn't searching for a pair, but I happened to stumble upon these while thrifting this summer. I found them with a broken zipper, but they were only a $1.50 and I knew that the zipper would be an easy repair. I absolutely love them. I've been able to wear them dressed up for work or down for a more causal everyday look. Below are some photos I found on Pinterest for inspiration. 

I've loved these types of caps for a while now. I did a blog post wearing a smilier Brixton cap last year, before they were super trendy. I was debating on getting this Brixton cap in red or mustard, but the black goes well with everything I own. 

To keep the outfit minimal and curated, I styled it with this tan off the shoulder top from a local shop in Long Beach. I also paired it with my current everyday heeled slides I found at TJ Maxx.  

Yesterday, the cashier at Trader Joe's asked me what I did all day. And I replied, "I had work!" and he replied, "what do you do?" and for the first time in my life, I said, "I'm an Interior Designer!" It was such a surreal feeling to actually say that, because I've always replied that I'm still a student, which I still am, but I just got a job as an interior designer! I'm working at a small high-end residential firm and I'm so excited to get experience in the field. I'm actually filling in for one of their current interior designers that is on maternity leave! It has been the biggest answer to my prayers, because now I can get experience in the field and understand how the real process of building projects ground up really work. If you follow me on Instagram, I'll probably be posting more stuff about it on my stories, especially when I get to go check out job sites. 

When my grandpa passed away, my grandma sent me a box full of his vintage cameras that he collected through the years. I cherish them all and I wanted to feature this one on my blog. I don't know much about film photography, but I'd love to learn someday. 

Get The Look: original links and similar below
Brixton Ashland Cap 
Striped Pants -similar here, here and here 
Off the shoulder top- similar here, here and here
Heeled Mules- similar here, here and here

or shop your local thrift store and find unexpected treasures!!

Thanks for checking out my blog

xoxo, 
Jill 

Finding quality denim can be difficult; especially when we live in a world of fast fashion, where everything is cheap quality and expected to not last anymore than a few years, sometimes not even a few months. That's why I love living against the grain of society and searching vintage/ thrift stores to find quality pieces that will last and have lasted through someone else's life-time. Also, it's my favorite thing to say, "sorry, it's vintage," when people ask where I got something. 

This Levi's pair was a vintage find in Long Beach. I love the light wash and the loose fit. I've styled them quite a few different ways, but this approach is a classic, everyday look. I wore this to a shoot I went to with Kristen. She was photographing family photos in Oak Glen and I tagged along and helped her out. Since this was an outdoor shoot, my high-top converse were perfect for all the dirt we walked through and the red ants. The fitted black tee balanced the loose fitted Levi's and the bandana was an extra touch to bring it all together. Like always, I topped it all off with a new hat I got at thrift store in Palm Springs this week. 

Kristen was sent this Fossil backpack recently for their fall ad campaign. It's perfect for photographers because of the separate zipper pocket for safe storage of your camera and it also has a laptop sleeve. Kristen has raved about it since she got it, so I know that this bag won't disappoint for any everyday use. 

Shop at your local thrift store or vintage shop to find vintage Levi's.
Hat: Thrift store find
Sunglasses: Crush
Backpack: Fossil 
My Summer Spotify Playlist
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!
​Kristen took all of these rad photos! Here is a link to her blog.
xoxo,
​Jill 

Is it possible to love an outfit any more than I love this one?

Probably not.

I'm not one to gravitate towards T shirts with writing on them. Especially anything with a cheesy quote. But this one spoke to the season of life I'm in. Plus I love the simple lettering & the shade of red they chose.

This denim embroidered blazer was a thrift store find.

Ryan and Emma tried to talk me out of buying it and I'm so glad I didn't listen to them. They obviously didn't see the potential it had! At first glance it's a little funky, but I knew that if it was paired with the right outfit I could make it work. It also helps that embroidered denim is pretty in right now. 

Kristen and I went garage sale shopping this last Saturday and I found this basket/purse for $3. Score.

The clearance section of target blessed me with these cropped wide legged pants. Thanks Target for the bless, you're the real MVP.

And of course I had to wear my new black mules that are perfect and so versatile. I found these at TJ Maxx, but you can find them about anywhere right now.

Since it's summer and I have more time on my hands than I usually do, I decided to set a reading goal. Six books by August 28th.

I know it doesn't sound that hard, but a lot of the books I've picked up aren't books you get sucked into and read in one afternoon, like Harry Potter. Instead, they're slow moving, take your time and absorb 'type' of books. Which I like, but often have a hard time staying dedicated to finish. Aka I have about ten books on my shelf that I've half-way read. But I'm proud to say that I'm three books in and I have three more to go. I should be able to make my goal and maybe add another book to the list. 

God has a name, by John Mark Comer is my latest read. Connecting to it was quite easy. The wisdom is so profound, yet very tangible and straightforward. I definitely recommend you buy it on amazon and start reading it as soon as possible. I mean if you have amazon prime, what are you waiting for? Here is a direct link to the book. 

I underlined a lot of the book, but I didn't want to get carried away and spoil the book for you. Here are few key points that hit home for me. 

• "God is more concerned with your long-term character than your short-term happiness. And he's more than willing to sacrifice the one to get the other."
• "Jesus takes all our failure-millennia of broken promises-and he drags it to the cross, absorbing it in his death and then breaking its hold over humanity through his resurrection."
• "But we all have a gap.

           Between who we are and who God is.

           Between the way we live and the way of Jesus.

           Following Jesus is about closing that gap, one step at a time."

• "In a secular society, the "gods" become nonspiritual-money, sex, power, more followers on Twitter, flatter abs, anything that "takes the place of God in your heart."
• "Prayer can move the hand of God. Prayer can get God to change his mind- think about the gravity of that." 
• "God's promise isn't that you'll marry your dream spouse, get famous, make a ton of money, and retire at forty on a golf course in California. 

        
         God's promise is that he will bless you, so you can turn around and do the same for
         others. He'll put you to rights, so you can put the world to rights. And one day, in time,
         he'll return to finish what he started and set all the crooked straight."

I might keep this book review segment going in future posts. I'll let you all know about the ones I enjoyed and recommend as I slowly move towards finishing my half-read collection on my shelf. That's if I actually finish the books I set out to read. Fingers crossed. 

H&M T shirt 
Wide-leg pants- similar here, here and here
TJ Maxx mules- similar here, here and here
Embroidered denim- here, here and here 

Thanks for stopping to read this post and check out this outfit!
xoxo,
​ Jill 

​

On Thursday I went to the Orange circle with my mom and Grandma for brunch and some shopping. We explored various antique shops and went to one thrift store with specific pieces in mind. Like always, I ended up leaving with unexpected treasures. My favorite find was these Madewell jeans for $4. Score! If you're familiar with the brand, you know that their jeans averagely run around $130!  I also picked up this classic striped button up top for $10 at an antique shop. 

Since it's summer, I'm crossing my fingers that I'm going to have more time to dedicate to thrift store shopping and blogging. I also have photos from New Hampshire and San Francisco that I want to share on here. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. 


xoxo Jill

Welcome back friends,
 
The last 19 days of this new year have been full of some much needed R&R. Sadly, that will all come to an end with the hustle of design school continuing on Monday; PLUS I have to compile a portfolio this semester of the major work I’ve done the past year and a half to move on in my program. I’ve temporarily left my job as a server to put all of my energy into my portfolio and all the other hours that come with being a design student. I've become accustomed to the 12-15 hours a day spent at a drafting table or a computer working on project after project and pulling all-nighter after all-nighter. I've basically sold my soul to design and if that can’t help paint a picture of how much work this major is, nothing will. But seriously, creative majors are exhausting. Thankfully I love every sleepless minute of it. My professors are rad, my classmates are inspiring and extremely talented and I love pushing myself towards an exciting future. If I can pull off these next two months of working my butt off for my dreams and get into my program, maaaaybe, hopefully I’ll intern at a firm this summer. And then after two years in studio interior architectural design classes and graduation, I can work for any number of firms. Our program is very reputable, which will make it easier to find a job in the field. I don’t think I could work so hard for something without so much passion and love for it pulsing through my veins. Okay, I’m sure I lost half of you in all of that. Enough about my sleepless design life. 

I’m drawn to muted colors and neutrals. This top was pulled out of the sale section at Anthropologie in Atlanta by my best friend, Maddie. She obviously knows me so well. I love the lace details and the bell sleeves. Also, I’ve been wearing these cropped, release hem jeans every single day, paired with my new favorite mules. I don’t think I’ve been stopped more for questions about shoes ever in my life. Which I totally understand, because look at them. They’re simply magical. If you don't own any mules, what are you doing with your life? Clearly this whole mom jeans/ shoes trend is here to stay because I swear my mom owned these shoes before. I'm sure she didn't have them in this snake print, but something similar to it. To pull it all together I tied my white bandana around my neck, threw on one of my over worn thrift store hats, my new favorite ray bans and grabbed this black purse. It’s so simple, yet so Jill. ​

Shop this look:
Matisse mules: Here
Anthropologie top: Here
Similar cropped denim: Here
Ray bans: Here
Hat and bag were thrift store finds

Thanks stopping by my blog. 
xoxo, Jill 

LIFE!! Life man. I haven't had the time to blog much this semester, nor the energy or spare money to go shopping. I've also been more conscious of the money I've been spending on clothes, especially since my church has brought to our attention the horrendous working conditions for the people fabricating our clothes. This has made me look at the items I consume differently, which I might add, has been painfully hard. So hard. Fashion is a way I express myself. I love piecing outfits together, making something old, new and rummaging through thrift stores for that one golden find. Ethically made clothes are really hard to come by and usually expensive. Thankfully thrift stores are considered ethical because you're recycling clothes and your purchase is not directly supporting companies that are exploiting people. Any clothing from big name stores, like Forever 21, H&M and Target are unethically made in other countries. Basically, if it's really cheap then someone who made it isn't getting paid a fair working wage. With this in mind, I've been trying to recreate outfits from pieces I already own in my closet and buying items that are timeless and classic. Which includes neutral colors and ageless prints.

And yes, these photos were taken on an iphone, in front of a muddy field, by my mom. Thanks mom! 

I scored these Matisse leather heeled sandels from Marshalls recently. They are honestly SO comfy and perfect for dressing up or down. The perfect neutral for my wardrobe. 

I'm leaving on a trip soon to Atlanta and my California wardrobe doesn't quite include a coat for the weather I'm going to experience. I stumbled upon this coat at Nordstrom Rack. It's the perfect length, can be worn with so many different outfits and I will get so much use out of it for years to come. 

I decided to style it with these ripped jeans from Pacsun, a scarf that came from my mom's closet and a beanie I bought 2 years ago for my trip to Europe. The top that you can't quite see under the coat, is a Free People top that I blogged about previously. My sunglasses are the gold framed round raybans that I'm sure you've seen everyone wearing lately. The heeled sandals gave the outfit more height and brought the perfect warmth to tie everything together.    

Thanks for stopping by my blog! 
xoxo,
Jill

Hello and welcome back! That was for you and me because I've neglected this blog for quite some time this summer. My second summer class has come to a close and I have this quick week to relax and enjoy my one week off before life gets crazy once again. I've spent the last few days down in Oceanside exploring the shops, going on walks and laying on the beach. I live so close to the beach during the school year, but it's still nice to get away and actually have time to fully enjoy it.

Going into this next semester I'm praying that I can find time to rest and spend more time in Gods word. I've been inconsistent in doing that and I know in these next two semesters I'm going to have to fully lean into God and trust in Him more than I ever have. These next two semesters are the most important in moving forward in my program and setting me up for success in my career. My program and path is different and kind of confusing so I'm going to do a post on my major and the details to my program. Keep scrolling for details on this fun summer dress that I'm currently obsessing over. 

Neutrals are my thing. I'm not sure when this exactly happened, but I've noticed that I always gravitate towards a neutral color palette. Since it's summer I've been trying to step out of my comfort zone and wear different colors. Which I found out is actually really hard for me to do. I picked up this dress at Nordstrom Rack for a wedding this summer and I got so many compliments on it. It's a Free People dress and it's just as cute in person. It even has pockets! I love the tie up detail and the long sleeves. It will definitely be a dress that I'll easily be able to carry over into fall and winter since it's not too vibrant and bold. Red is a color that seems to work in every season. Since the print on the dress is full of grey and sandy tones I paired it with these Dolce Vita booties. The block heel makes them easy to walk in and wear all day. These are my favorite shoes that I've picked up this summer. They're also from Nordstrom Rack and they're still available online right now. Get yourself a pair before they're all sold out. You won't regret it. I would wear them every day if I could.  

This bar necklace is my everyday go to. It's beautiful, simple and goes with everything. I'll link a few similar ones below. Since they're so popular right now you can find them basically anywhere. 

Since I bought the dress at Nordstrom Rack, it's not available anymore so I tagged a few dresses that I think are similar and perfect to carry you over into the fall months. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your summer and make the most out of every day. 

xoxo,
​Jill 

Get the Look: 
Similar dresses: Here & Here & Here
Shoes: Dolce Vita from Nordstrom Rack 
Similar necklace: Here