boyish chic

rainy day bows.

2012-03-01T11:46:00.002-05:00

Nothing like some rainy day ~~blues~~ bows. I got this clip while I was living in San Francisco. I love how feminine & over the top huge it is. It makes me smile & reminds me of childhood (dress up, anyone?). Naturally, I have to match it with an oversize tee & combat boots to tone it down a notch. Haha! Perfect for a boyish chic rainy day & puddle jumping, though.

Headed out to one of my all time favorite eateries with my mommypie. The food at Tito's Burritos is delicious, but it's mostly the atmosphere that keeps me coming back every other week. Stepping into that place is like walking into a little tiki hut. It brings me to a whole new place. It's like being on the beach - I forget winter, work, everything...

That tv always has awesome extreme sports on it from skating to surfing to helicopter jumping onto snow covered mountains. It always makes me wish I could be fearless like those guys are. And living in California.

Naked veggie burrito aka a bowl of yellow rice, pico de gallo, veggies & melted cheeeeeeese.

Being a goof. Ha.

They have a bunch of retro, surfing posters hanging up.

Yes, it is!

xx. Jillian

Onward.

2012-02-29T11:16:00.000-05:00

One of my closest friends is a truly talented makeup artist. Wyld Beauty decided to glam me out the other night & this is what came out of it (my bad eye cam does not do her makeup job justice):

I love me some makeup, but I'm definitely not a makeup pro. I hardly go beyond a cat eye for a night out because, you know me, I don't like feeling overdone. But I have to say, Wyld Beauty did her thing & took my makeup to the next level. She also did the makeup for the my Remedy shoot this past fall:

Wyld Beauty is one incredible artist & person. If you're looking for makeup tips, tools, & photos check out her beauty blog here. Feel free to ask her any beauty questions you might have. You'll be sure to get one kick ass, helpful & informative answer.

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In other events, I finished Onward this week by Howard Schultz, the ceo of Starbucks. Okay, this book was amazing. I loved every part of it. Schultz writes about how to keep the company alive without losing it's soul. This book is a must read for business owners (& blog business owners!). Yes, there's a lot of coffee talk, but it goes way beyond that. It's filled with passion & illustrates the real life story of how to run a business, while still sticking to your guns & who you are. As a (very small) business owner myself, I totally relate to how difficult it is to stay true to your roots & not just do things for the sale. It's important to remain grounded & remember why you started your business in the first place. I really suggest reading this book!

Here's to the leap year. What are you doing with your extra day?

Onward...

xx. Jillian

Oscar fashion recap.

2012-02-27T11:40:00.006-05:00

There were some best dressed & some not-so-lovely dressed people on the red carpet last night at the Academy Awards, but some of the best really blew it out of the water for me.

*All images via E! or Just Jared.

1 Jessica Chastain: bombshell. This Alexander McQueen gown is stunning & my favorite of the night. The embroidery of it & the fit - in love with this dress... & Jessica's red hair.

2 Rooney Mara - I don't know that anybody else could pull of this whole look, but it just fits her image so amazingly. It's dark & edgy without being a full black dress, which is what she's usually wearing. This was a refreshing change for her, while still keeping with who she is.

3 Michelle Williams looked lovely. The color of her dress is what made it for me. The fit was perfect & overall it was really a playful/feminine dress, making it stand out as really youthful on this carpet. There needed to be some more of that last night.

4 Maya Rudolph's dress was beautiful on her. It was form fitting in all the right ways & she really wore it stunningly. I don't know that the belt on the front of the dress was necessary, but the shoulder & back detailing were amazing.

5 Kate Hudson in this flapper-esque dress looks effortless with her beachy hair. I'm really liking the shape & lines of this dress. It definitely could have been more formal for the Oscars, but I still think she looked pretty amazing.

6 Lily Collins - this dress is amaaazing! It's unlike anything else someone wore tonight & feels formal enough for the Oscars, but not overdone. I love the lines & sheer at the top.

Some of the men really shined last night, too. Pretty obsessed with bowties so red carpet gigs for menswear make me really happy. Haha! These men rocked it:

1 Gerard Butler just looks suave. His tux seems not over the top or anything usual, but it just works. Classic works.

2 Christopher Plummer in velvet - heck yes. That man can rock velvet. It looks like a midnight blue, which is a nice step away from black. He looks classy & astute & he makes me want to go to a jazz club (preferably with him).

3 I'm always a sucker for Robert Downey Jr. This silver bwtie with the charcoal jacket is different, refreshing & still looks chic. This is one man that can pull off going a bit edgier, while still keeping it classy. And his glasses... leave me speechless. Sigh.

4. Jonah Hill - work it dude! This is the suavest I've seen him look. He is rockin' that tux & I'm really actually diggin' the midnight blue & black combo, which I'm usually not crazy about. He's looking good.

Who was your favorite best dressed?

xx. Jillian

P.S. Check out the eco-friendly fashion that hit the red carpet here. Pretty sweet to see this happening & I'd love to see more of it. I find it really interesting to see how eco-friendly apparel can be made & how it can replace other gowns & still look amazing. Live in love.

P.P.S. Thank you to Shelby of Chasing Birdies for giving me a blog award. You rock!

Inspire me.

2012-02-24T11:05:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! Here's what's been inspiring me this week....

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1 Memento watch /// I really like how nostalgic stopwatches feel - & this one made from wood?! Amazing.
2 DIY chevron nails /// Yes, please! Totally diggin' these colors too. Really want to try this.

3 geek chic /// This Teen Vogue blogger has some awesome style! Really diggin' her geek chic looks.

4 Ink /// Really summery color & I love the lines of movement.

5 block type /// Love the collage feeling & this typeface.

6 starfish hair /// So pretty & creative! Making me crave the beach...

7 Olsen // Effortless style & ease.

8 Channing Tatum // The Vow, anyone? Tatum's effortless style is so sweet. Love the skinny tie mixed with a rugged leather jacket. This is how men do boysih chic.

9 ampersand /// Always love the feeling that wood gives: all natural. It reminds me of the beach/driftwood. & I just love me some ampersand (total design geek, I know).

I'm off to DC for a road trip to visit a friend!

Here's to the weekend.

xx. Jillian

Seeing hearts.

2012-02-23T11:06:00.001-05:00

boyish: black jean jacket & military green
chic: heart tights, dress, braid & fuschia lipstick
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I love wearing dresses, but only if I can make them slightly boyish (surprise, surprise!). Cue the black jean jacket. I got this jacket while in Paris (from an H&M, but hey! It's still Parisian...). It's one of my favorites because of where it comes from & the memories it brings back of sitting in cafes to people watch, eating baguette & croissants, waiting for the Eiffel Tower to light up at midnight, ogling at scooters & lusting over French fashion. If you think American clothes are expensive, wait until you go to Europe & realize that not only is everything more expensive, but it's also in Euros. Not a good exchange for US travelers! Haha. But, the H&Ms were still decently priced, thankfully.

Lipstick can bring any outfit to a whole new level & give it a whole new feel.
Going to do a little experiment to show you how soon...

The outfit itself is a little on the dark side, so I wanted to brighten the look up. I used fuschia lipstick, a turquoise bracelet from my shop & coral nail polish. I love the darker colors, but in winter, I need some happy colors.

Speaking of happy, it's almost the weekend & I can't wait. Headed on a road trip...

What are your plans for the weekend?

xx. Jillian

jacket, H&M /// dress, Be Bop /// lipstick, Mac in Gaga lustre & Covergirl in divine /// nail polish, essie /// heart & hematite bracelet, my Remedy /// black bracelet, Forever21 /// tights, PacSun /// boots, Khombu

Sunday brunch.

2012-02-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

chic: sheer, polka dot blouse // boyish: military green suede
blouse, kirra // tank & boots, unknown // jeans, levi's // bag, Steve Madden //
cuff, Forever21 // ring, my Remedy
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peacoat, Delia's
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Went out to brunch on Sunday with one of my good friends, Catherine. We went to a restaurant called Food. ...And their food is delicious. The restaurant is also really mod in its design. Next time, I'll have to take some photos of the inside. We both had french toast & I had this yummy cup of heaven:

Mmmm.. hello, sunshine.
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The always lovely & gorgeous Catherine who was also rockin' her my Remedy scarf. Love her!

I worked the rest of the day, but really enjoyed my time spent with a good friend & thankful for those little moments that make all the difference. Girl dates rule. So does good food. Having more coffee as I post this.. cheers to a good week!

xx. Jillian

My thoughts & favorite looks from NYFW.

2012-02-20T10:35:00.002-05:00

NYFW Fall 2012 has come to an end, sadly. There were some really amazing collections for fall (even though I'm still just really excited for summer). I was also really excited to come across this article in my newspaper (NJ Star Ledger) from earlier this week about a new model alliance being put into action by Sara Ziff. Ziff is a model, herself, & created this organization called The Model Alliance, which has the potential to "fend off abuses" in the modeling industry. Basically, it will keep designers/agents in check and make sure models are staying healthy.

Now, I'm by no means a model, nor have I ever experienced what it's like to work in this industry so really I have no idea what goes on within it. However, I can see from the consumer side how thin models have gotten and how unhealthy some of them look. I know what too thin is, having had an eating disorder in high school (you'd never be able to tell now, haha! No, but for real, it's a serious topic & I did get healthy with a lot of determination, faith & professional help). I'm by no means an expert, but I've lived through it so I have an idea. All that to say, it gives me relief to know that The Model Alliance may keep certain people healthy, in check & alive. I'm really hoping we see more full bodied figures on the runway someday soon to set the example that too skinny is also just as harmful as obese.

On the runway this year, I did notice a lot of red, black, military green & simple, form-fitted silhouettes. Also, there was a lot of leather & fur in some collections this season (heyoh, ready for fall), which I wasn't too happy to see, although I'm hoping most of it was faux. Suzanne Rae & one of my faves, Rachel Zoe, used faux fur, which is a stellar move on their part to set a good example. I just really feel that faux fur looks almost identical to real, so why not go faux & be animal-friendly (I'm sure it's also more cost effective)? Look how "maaaj" (RZ would be proud) it looks:

Rachel Zoe uses faux fur. Images via LA Times.

After taking a look through many of the beautiful & amazing collections*, I picked out my favorite looks that I would choose to wear on a red carpet or if I were a billionaire (wishful thinking!). I'm always impressed by the runway & it's an awesome way to pull inspiration for daily wears - even if you can't afford runway looks (I definitely can't... maybe someday).

*All runway photographs below are not mine & are credited to Vogue Magazine & Style.com.

Love almost all designs by the above designs. I was hoping for more of that twirly fabric Siriano is known for, but really loved his rocker looks, nonetheless. Can you say boyish chic? So fierce.
I love everything Alice + Olivia. Also boyish chic. Dream to afford it one day.
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Zac Posen's dresses are beautiful. Victoria Beckham's streamline silhouettes & sharp collars are amazing. I love her fashion sense & her clothing always has an edge to it, which I love. Again, the collars, boots & colors are definitely boyish chic.
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Derek Lam's use of lace & collars is so chic. I love this purple color dress here, too, & this floral handbag.
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My goodness, Oscar de la Renta's runway was whimsical & refreshing with some retro touches. I adored the blues - beyond uplifting in all the more serious colors of other runways. The hair styling was spot on & also retro-inspired. I just think his collection is pure fun. And this last dress, which he called his "swan lake dress" is amazingly adorable. I could totally see a young actress like Hailee Steinfeld in this on the red carpet.
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Jason Wu surprised me this year - it wasn't what I was expecting, but I still loved it.
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Donna Karan stunned me. I loved her looks from the sheer to the structured silhouettes to these hats. The looks were really cohesive from top to bottom. She channeled a retro look that created this character of a woman. I don't know why, but I picture her being a spy. Haha! This was one of my favorite collections.
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Ahhh, Marchesa... Whimsical, magical & beautiful. The way the sequined, lace 'vines' grew over the model laid over this sheer fabric - was just so creative & lovely. I can see all of these on the red carpet & I can't wait to. This collection feels like it was made for a dreamland setting. I'm completely swept away by it.
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*All runway photographs are not mine & are credited to Vogue Magazine & Style.com.

I'm hoping to get into the city again for the Spring 2013 NYFW this upcoming fall. I'll bring my SLR & take some street style photos, which I've really been wanting to do. Definitely going in for FNO like I did this past fall, but going to remember my external flash this time! For sure. Haha.

What were your favorite looks?

xx. Jillian

Inspire me: magazine edition.

2012-02-15T11:15:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon March's edition of InStyle magazine yesterday & got really inspired by some of the ads & photoshoots. Some of the color palettes were really beautiful & there were also a lot of boyish chic inspirations, which will be fun to pull from. I also just really like some of the imagery. I give myself morning challenges several times a week to pick an image & draw it. It gives me practice getting back into really drawing, since I spend a lot of time either on the computer or creating jewelry. I love to get back to the raw & organic. I also have significant trouble drawing lips so it helps to practice it so I can master it... one day! Hope this imagery* inspires you too...
*all images via InStyle Magazine.

Loved this retro photo shoot. Beautiful shots/fashion/makeup.

Left: I'll use this as one of my exercises (7 for all Mankind ad). // Right: Spring fever colors & retro looks (Kate Spade ad)

Left: Summer colors, rustic texture... love this! // Right: Men with puppies are on a whole other level.

Left: Menswear inspiration: cool, simple & effortless. (JBrand ad) // Right: Love this color palette.

Adore Jennifer Aniston & her moto boots.

Beautiful imagery in a greenhouse & incredible Emilio Pucci dress!

What's inspiring you this week?

xx. Jillian

How do you live in love?

2012-02-15T10:59:00.002-05:00

Let's keep this week of love going: by showing love to my stellar, February sponsors.

This month I've been blessed with a bunch of amazing sponsors! Thank you for supporting Boyish Chic. It really means so much to me. I've carried over some sponsors from last month, but I also have some new ones so be sure to check them out below. If you'd like to become a sponsor for March, please click here. I'm also available to do reviews of items that I can style to also fit into the Boyish Chic aesthetic.

For February, I asked each sponsor to send me a photo of themselves doing something that they love. It's really stellar to see what each sponsor sent in! I also asked them the following: It may be the month of Valentine's Day, but love extends beyond this holiday... I'd love to know how you live in love in your everyday life?

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"Because it's Valentine's Day, Jillian asked us to talk about how we live in love in our everyday lives! We love this because there's so many opportunities to show people you love them even when it isn't Valentine's Day. Because we're best friends, we wanted to share how we show our love for each other. The best thing about our friendship is the fact that we've always been there for each other. Whether it's venting about boys, dealing with the stress of college together, or just laughing over stupid youtube videos and stuffing our faces with cupcakes. We think the best way to show love to another is to just let them know you're always there. Life is hard, but it's a heck of a lot easier when you have someone you know you can turn to."

Madison and Lauren of Awkward Girls

Blog

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"I try to live in love everyday by doing the little things: playing with my son, making my husband his favorite meal, visiting a friend, sending an email. I have also really tried hard to learn to love myself so that I have the strength I need to then in turn help others. I have found that when I feel better about myself, helping others comes naturally. So that has been my #1 goal this year!"

Megan of And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson

blog // facebook // twitter // bloglovin'

"Photo of me and my husband being adventurous in the great outdoors-- hiking is a favorite!"

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"Showing love should definitely extend to every day of the year, not just Valentine's Day. I try to put those words into action by doing little things: putting notes in my husbands cooler for work when I make his lunch, buying dog treats at the store for the puppy, and feeding the baby that's growing inside of me with healthy foods :)"

Heather of Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Blog // Facebook // Twitter // BlogLovin'

"I realize I’m not “doing” anything here but this was taken while traveling in Spain with my best friend and that is one thing I love to do – travel and spend time with my friends!)"

How do you live in love in your everyday life?
"My hubby and I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day but one thing that we do together to live out love in our everyday life is working with the youth group at our church! As the youth director, my hubby is somewhat obligated to do this but I really enjoy helping him out and hanging out with them when they meet! My life has been blessed in so many ways by them!"
Skye of thumbprint designs

SPECIAL: "I am offering a discount code to my reader/shoppers for 10% off using the code GRAND10 at checkout!"

blog // shop // twitter // facebook // pinterest

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"I live in love everyday by remembering to take in the little moments with my daughter and boyfriend. Even if it's blowing bubbles in the bath tub or an extra kiss before Cory leaves for work, we make sure to remind each other how much love we have for one another."

Chelsea of Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles

Blog // Twitter // Facebook

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"I just try to do the little things. Be friendly to whoever you encounter, regardless of who they are. One friendly person can go a long way in someone's day, giving them the energy to push through whatever is before them. I try to be that friendly person whenever I can."

Jason of Dogwood

(This band is made up of two members: Jason Pfund & Nick Bowden)

Facebook Band Page

"I LOVE going to Disneyland! I grew up 45 minutes away from the most happy, magical, fantasy-filled place on Earth and was able to frequent it often. Makes me happy to be there with friends and family :)"

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"I know that I can feel more love towards people in general if I am able to serve them. Whether that be doing the dishes before my husband gets home, or helping a woman with groceries when she has a crying baby, or going out of my way to be involved with family and friends. A phone call and a simple note can go a long ways people!"

Bri of Breezy Days

Blog

"I love getting to hang out with friends; I don't alot. This is me & my friend Dani at a dance."

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"I love to write. Writing means so much to me. It helps me express my feelings."

Abbi of True Blue Abbi

Blog

How do you live in love in your everyday life?

"I don't have a significant other or anything, but how could I live without love? I have a wonderful family and friends who are always there for me and I love them all, dearly."

Gentri of Gentri Lee

Blog // Bloglovin' // Facebook

Celebrating YOU this Val/Gal/Guyentine's Day with...

2012-02-14T09:26:00.002-05:00

Cookies I made for Galentine's Day. Yep - a day dedicated to showing my girls some love.

Happy Val/Gal/Guyentine's Day!

As I said in my guest post on Catherine's blog, I believe that every day is Valentine's Day. Every day should be lived in love - showing kindness to the world around you. That being said, I think Valentine's Day is a fun reminder to show your significant other that love (& not necessarily through the showering of gifts; you'd be surprised how much a simple I love you or I appreciate you matters). And I think a day about love goes beyond your significant other & extends to your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, pets... it's a day about love. You don't need to have a significant other to celebrate love.

In honor of that belief, please read the following & enjoy the discount I'd like to offer all of you, friends, for your lovely & amazing support...

Shop my Remedy.

My mommypie & I got a little silly with our cookie creations.... Hahahah <3.

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Enjoy your day of living in love,

xx. Jillian

What to wear for Valentine's Day // Guest post by Catherine

2012-02-13T10:59:00.002-05:00

I wasn't able to go to the IFB Conference last week, but I was able to watch it on live stream (which was awesome & saved me $100) & participate in the live chat with other bloggers who also weren't able to make it in person. I had the pleasure of talking with some fun ladies who share a similar love for fashion as I do, so we decided to help each other out with some guest posts. Today, Catherine of Indulgence is Simple sent over her guest post. Hope you enjoy it below!

Check out my guest post on her page here about DIY gifts for your friends for GALentine's Day.

xx. Jillian

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Hey guys! I'm Catherine, author and creator of Indulgence is Simple. I know way too much about flying, farming, and fashion. My blog is a diary of my outfits and lifestyle routine of a fashion obsessed college gal. I've always loved love, which makes me obsessed with the chocolate, cheer, flowers, and everything to do with everyone's ~~favorite~~ holiday, Valentines Day. Although all the love in the air is nice...we both know what I look forward to the most: dressing up. Whether it be with your girlfriends or your boo, don't be afraid to rock heels and sequins this Tuesday.

top, jacket, lips (russian red),

lashes, heels, jeans

girlfriends night out: karaoke. wine night. tacos and margaritas. card night. movie night (the vow). cookie exchange. or just plain go out.

This year, when you're tearing up the dance floor or at the karaoke bar, wear a casual outfit where the ensemble still shines with or without the jacket. A fun tank that can stand alone or with the rockin' sequins is the way to go this tuesday! ...and since you're with the girls, wear the fake eyelashes loud and proud!

dress, top, heels,

flats, gloss, blush

night out with the boo: bowling. movie (the vow). make dinner together. get take out and cuddle up in comfy pajamas (here). hit up the downtown. go to a game. video game (mario kart) night anyone?

With the boo, I would go with sweet and subtle make up to compliment a feminine dress or top. I'm all about statement pieces, so I think the collared top or bright necklace is the way to go! (P.O.C.)

Thank you so much for the Valentines Day guest blog! I hope you all check out my blog and continue to subscribe to boyish chic!

Happy Valentines Day!

xoxo,

Catherine from Indulgence is Simple

Spring fever picks - for dudes.

2012-02-10T10:02:00.002-05:00

Here's my spring fever picks for guys (you can find my picks for girls here - next time I'll do more explaining for my female picks as well). I realize I have several male readers for my blog & I also know that I haven't done too much for men readers lately. My DSW picks had a great response from some of you so I'd really like to start touching base on more men's items, along with women's. So, for you dudes out there.. this is for you! Let me know your thoughts & if you'd like me to continue to focus on menswear more often.

1. Watch, Timex // I really like how this watch feels masculine & sleek with the all-over black, but then adds a color pop of neon green in the hand. The neon makes this watch instantly more interesting & feel fresher without being overtly in your face. Perfect for men's spring-wear.

2. Relaxed tee, Zara // This tee definitely looks comfortable & still collected. This green is a nice color pop without being an overly spring-y. It's subdued, which still makes it feel masculine. Plus, it reminds me of a safari & lions & adventure... what guy wouldn't want to emanate that?!

3. Fedora, Goorin Bros // This hat is seriously boyish chic. My brother has this hat - we got it on our trip to San Francisco last summer - & it is just as cool in person. You'd get much more wear out of this hat than you would a straw one because you could wear this hat fall up until spring & you could also dress this hat down (with a tee & jeans) or up (with a blazer). It's worth the pretty penny.

4. Sunglasses, Tumbleweeds // Okay, I'm dying for a pair of these myself, but I also think that they'd look rad on guys. The wooden frame feels really beachy (like a Woodie) & that feels like spring to me. Spring's all about getting ready for beach time. Tumbleweeds also has a pretty sweet blog which you should definitely check out.

5. Jacket, Electric // Military styled jackets are rockin' on both sexes. It's a total boyish chic item that I looooove. I think guys look manly in them & girls look stellar in them if you mix in some feminine accessories & shoes. This jacket seems lightweight & will have your springing from your heavyweight winter coat into warmer temperatures.

6. Leather & twine cuff, Urban Outfitters // The khaki color and braid are very summery, which make this bracelet a perfect accessory for springtime.

7. Sneakers, Bass // These are pretty sweet because they hint at being boat shoes, without actually being boat shoes. If you're not ready to prep out on boat shoes, start with these sneakers... They're an awesome alternative. The canvas is perfect for spring in that it's lightweight & light colored.

8. Backpack, Quiksilver // If you're commuting to work or in school & not a messenger-bag-type-guy, then this backpack is a sweet choice for spring. The bright blue insinuates blue skies & summertime, while the gray tones it down & keeps it masculine.

9. Canvas satchel, ASOS // And if you are a messenger-bag-type-guy, this bag looks awesome. The yellow is spring-y without being a pastel. It still feels fresh & masculine because it has a hint of gray in it.

10. Longboard, Globe // What speaks spring/summer more than a long/skateboard?! I'm diggin' the imagery on this one & the orange wheels add a nice color pop for spring. A guy who can ride a board... pretty attractive in my book. I'll also take one of these boards, please!

11. Pants, Volcom // Also attractive, is a guy confident enough to rock shades of pink. These pants, I agree, would be tricky to wear. You'd need to match them with a manly feeling top - like a dark gray tee. Again, think boyish chic (works for men, too!): if one part of your outfit feels slightly feminine/chic (color), then make it more boyish by adding in a masculine accessory (like boots like this or this).

12. Shirt, Jedidiah // All around nice looking shirt that you could wear out at night, business casual for day or for daily wears outside of the office. The lighter blue is a nice airy color that will feel refreshing in spring.

I think spring fever for menswear is all about the element of surprise. The majority of guys don't want to walk around covered head to toe in pastels (& I'm definitely not suggesting you do) so instead, I suggest adding in small pops of color into your regular wardrobe. Spring fever is all about getting pumped for summer, which means it's just about having fun with your daily wears, even if it's just in little ways like adding a neon color pop here or there. We've all been sitting inside all winter &, I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get cabin fever; bringing some color into my outfits makes this winter cold a little happier & less exhausting. Just because you can't be at the beach right now, doesn't mean you can't start hinting like that's where you're headed... soon!

Think you'll try to rock spring fever the next few months?

xx. Jillian

boyish chic night out.

2012-02-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

chic: floral blouse & chain bag // boyish: rugged booties
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Went to a local bar/club over the weekend with my friend, Jade. I love dancing with other girl friends because you just go for the good time of letting loose & dancing the night away. It's carefree & a release for me. I grew up taking dance classes (ballet, jazz, modern, tap, pointe, lyrical, hip hop... you name it!) & it's a very dear passion of mine. It allows me to get my mind off of all the other crazy stuff going on in my life. So, here's what I wore on my night out on the town.

chic: cat eye, heart earrings, bow ring & layering bracelets // boyish: dark nail polish & watch
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blouse, Therapy // bag, PacSun // jeans, bullhead // shoes, MIA // earrings, Swarovski
watch, Aigner // silver & black bracelet, gift // beaded bracelets, my Remedy // bow ring, Forever21

Wear anything fun over the weekend?
xx. Jillian
P.S. I'm trying a new layout with the type on the image to illustrate what's boyish & what's chic about the outfits I wear - what do you think? You dig or not so much?! I'd love to hear your feedback! Thanks!

What better way to start of NYFW than with....

2012-02-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

... major tips for bloggers?! Click here to watch Independent Fashion Blogger's Conference (IFBCon) with me! I'll be tweeting about what I'm able to watch on my twitter here. Join in on the convo with me & other fashion bloggers. IFB's twitter is also posting photos & tips all day so it's bound to be an awesome time with some great education for us style bloggers.

Let me know your favorite parts & tips in the comments if you don't have twitter! Let's learn together & kick off NYFW. Booyah (super pumped for the runways...)!

xx. Jillian

spring fever wanderlust.

2012-02-07T09:56:00.004-05:00

It's been a bit warmer around here lately so I've been anxiously awaiting spring. Even the flowers are being impatient though! Haha. I took fifteen minutes to walk around outside & do some aimless wandering through my yard & woods. I found some nice inspiration & textures (which is always nice to keep in a library for future design work). The lighting was really beautiful as the sun was going down & the moon was coming up...

night & day.

Now I really have wanderlust to get out & go explore & go find sunshine & sit on a beach & wear sun dresses & walk barefoot through the grass and, and, and...

xx. Jillian

Please vote for me in Refinery29's style blogger contest!

2012-02-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Morning ladies & gents! It would mean the world to me if you would be so kind as to please vote for me in Refinery29's next style blogger contest! Please find my photo: Jillian // http://boyishchic.blogspot.com & click on the heart in the top, left hand corner to vote.

Thank you so so SO much if you vote! You ROCK!

xx. Jillian

spring fever - boyish chic style.

2012-02-03T09:30:00.001-05:00

The warm weather this week on the east coast has given me some serious spring fever! I was able to sit outside, design inside with my deck door open, roll the windows down in the car & breathe in sweet, fresh air. It was beautiful outside & it got me dreaming up pastels & summer...

1 highlight top, Nasty Gal // 2 watch, UO // 3 dress, Pins & Needles // 4 sunglasses, ASOS // 5 nailpolish, essie // 6 wedges, Lakefront // 7 lipstick, MAC // 8 cuff, Nasty Gal // 9 handbag, Fossil // 10 fedora, Pins & Needles // 11 coin purse, Poppie Jones // 12 belt, ASOS

flower image via // dress, Christian Siriano

source unknown

Happy Friday.

Here's to sunshine,

xx. Jillian

Outraged: on degrading people (including your own gender).

2012-02-02T12:09:00.002-05:00

via Sometimes Sweet

I'm posting double today because I just came across this unfortunate & sad article about how women's beauty is skin deep... written by another woman. This article was written to knock tattoos & calls them "unnecessary" (since when is self expression unnecessary?), but in its essence, the article completely degrades the entire gender of women - tattooed or not. Khoury claims "a more productive use" of women's time than self expression is to get our nails done, look pretty & have "guys drool over us"? Seriously? Where is the "importance of values & morals" in that? Completely frustrated, but happy to see women AND men standing up to this stereotypical view of what beauty is. Beauty starts within.

Read the original article here, but also please read the awesome, intelligent rebuttal of Sometimes Sweet's Danielle Hampton that stands up for women & people in general.

xx. Jillian

"What makes the desert beautiful, is that somewhere it hides a well."

Le Petit Prince

Summer dress, winterized.

2012-02-02T10:25:00.005-05:00

I got this dress while I was in San Diego last July. The pastel/cotton candy colored stripes remind me of summertime & carnivals. It brings some sunshine to this winter, so even though it's sleeveless, I still wanted to be able to wear it & put a different spin on it. So I decided to wear it with a comfy sweater, these merlot tights & cozy boots. The sweater & boots make this feminine dress & braided updo a bit more boyish, which balances the outfit out for me.

I tried something new with my hair using this hair tutorial from TBD. It was easy to get going, but I totally suggest you have a double mirror set up (which I didn't) or someone help you in order to see where you're pinning up the braids to tuck in the ends. This came out ~~a bit~~ way messy but, it was fun to do & it felt whimsical! That's what matters, right? Haha.

The necklace I'm wearing, which I also made.

Went to a yarn warehouse with my mom (the Knitting Ninja - haha) for my Remedy & had some fun...

Hello, spring!

Comfy.

Made some friends. Haha!

xx. Jillian

sweater, tag's gone // dress, Urban Outfitters // necklace, my Remedy // leggings, Hue // boots, DSW

tv to fashion: boyish chic Glee

2012-02-01T16:24:00.001-05:00

Anybody see Glee last night? It was the Michael Jackson tribute episode. The performances rocked! And the message was a good one - the Black or White edition was pretty awesome. I also loved this duel between Santana & Sebastian. Acoustic cellos & Santana rockin' the boyish chic look?! Amazing. I love that hat & blazer, mixed with more feminine booties. Something I'd totally wear. To get a similar look, try...

1 Panama // 2 Urban Outfitters // 3 Evonna // Aldo
images via & via
Go for black booties or switch it up & get a color pop with blue booties.

Even if you don't like Glee, you should check out the performances - well worth the watch. Some of their voices are unreal. Me? I'm a total Gleek.

xx. Jillian

rain, rain, came out to play...

2012-01-31T10:33:00.000-05:00

rain coat, Target // scarf, from Paris // top, left rings, gift // top right ring, Forever21 // amber ring, my Remedy

Helped my big brother, Jeremy, move into his new apartment last week. It was a good time, but it was pouring for a good portion of the day (but thankfully it was super warm out) so I rocked my floral rain coat. Love busting this sweet piece out! It's also fitted at my waist and has a cute strap so you can tie the jacket shut. Makes me smile. I'm so happy to see Jeremy happy in his new digs. His place is pretty awesome - there's a walk in closet that. is. ginormous! Can't wait for one of those someday! Haha.

xx. Jillian

Parisian boyish chic.

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite shirts because it reminds me of Paris. I feel like I should be wearing a beret with those stripes. Brings back happy memories of my travels there. I got this bag when I was in Paris & it's one of my favorite "going out" bags. I'm into fringe & I think it really adds some fun movement to an outfit because it all sways when you walk... or dance. Haha!

Layering necklaces can give something that you wear a lot, a new edge.
Here I layered two necklaces together.

I love me a cat eye & when I'm channeling my inner Parisienne, I always throw one on.
Makes me feel more feminine.

shirt, long necklace & triangle ring, Forever21 // top necklace, my Remedy // other rings, unsure

// bag, H&M // pants, Macy's // shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

xx. Jillian

sushi & jewelry.

2012-01-26T12:54:00.001-05:00

Weird combo, right? Haha. Went out to sushi last night with some of my friends who I got to know really well when we led a youth group together a couple years ago. Really great memories & a truly amazing group of people to hang with. Not to mention, the men of the group rock some pretty sweet menswear!

Gregg is a watch fanatic! He always has on the coolest ones.
Love this one mixed with his leather bracelets. Awesome.

Mike has a few staple pieces that he rocks all the time... annnd he just added two my Remedy bracelets to the collection (top right wrist & bottom left wrist)! Lookin' good, bro.

I personally really dig men's jewelry when it's on the more natural, gritty/rustic side. For instance, woods, natural stones, leather... I've been trying to work a lot of those into some men's pieces for my line, minus non eco-friendly leather (although it's crazy hard to find an alternative; if you know of one, pleeeease drop me a line!). I love the surfer/rocker look on most guys & I'm trying to bring that vibe through in my collection. Gregg & Mike nail it up above! Nicely done, guys.

Gonna be honest: I went to dinner straight from my dance workout so I did not have time to prep. Threw my hair in a ponytail, reapplied makeup & threw on red lipstick - instantly kicks an outfit up a notch without much fuss. If you're ever short on time & want to add some punch, lipstick is the way to go. Plus, I was wearing a boyish, cowgirl button down (& making weird faces) so I needed to chic it up a bit. Hahah.

Threw on some bracelets (some I made for my Remedy & others were gifts) & over the knee, black boots to make it a little bit more feminine.

Carol & me at the restaurant.

What do you think about jewelry on men?
xx.

EDIT: Forgot to include this awesome photo of Gregg & Carol! My bad.

Perspective.

2012-01-25T10:59:00.002-05:00

I'm stunned by our incredible, beautiful world.

Take a look:

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

Is this real life? This time lapse is so amazing! I can't get over it. It's so crazy to think that all of that exists above us & beyond. Moments like this make me realize how small each & every one of us are in this huge universe. And it also shows what beautiful things exist out there. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut of sameness. I forget that there's a whole world out there of things I've never even dreamed of... it's a happy feeling & a restless one. There's so much I want to see & do. I just need to make it happen. When there's a will... there's a way.

I have dreamed of seeing the aurora lights & this time lapse makes me want to see them even more. Ever since I saw Balto (geek alert!), I've wanted to see them. Hahaha, truuuue story. They look so other worldly & gorgeous. Ah! I had to share this with you because it's too beautiful to pass up.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do,

xx.

snowbunny style.

2012-01-24T10:19:00.000-05:00

This week it finally snowed! Yessssss! So happy. Famous last words, right? Haha. I figure if it's going to be cold, it should snow. Unfortunately, it turned to rain & now there's no snow left... which means it should be 75 degrees out & we should all be at the beach. Can we speed up this cold?!

The snow was really beautiful, though. I feel like the world is so peaceful & calm right after a good snowfall. I'm always taken aback by it - this time while I was shoveling the driveway. It was just silence all around me. It's also so pretty to just look out at it from a comfy spot on the couch, curled up in a blanket. Mmm.. love feeling cozy.

Last week I also finished my ring in jewelry class. This ring is 100% handmade (other than the stone/druzy in the middle). I made it out of brass & fine silver bezel wire. Started with flat metal, then cut it, soldered it together, shaped it to be round, made a bezel for the stone & soldered the two pieces together. Finished it off by polishing it... for a loooong time.

www.myRemedydesign.com

I designed the band to start thin & then get wider under the stone. I'm really happy with how this piece turned out. It's nowhere near perfect, but for my first stone setting on a ring, it works for me! I wanted to learn how to set a weird shaped stone so I picked this teardrop shaped, purple druzy. It adds a great color pop, too. I'm really loving this class & working with my hands/learning how to solder & make stuff. It's pretty awesome & I'm thankful I'm able to take the class.

I'm able to play off the baby pink of this sweater with a more
boyish, deep green & blacks. Really diggin' the color combination.
head wrap, my Remedy // sweater, H&M // tank, Therapy
jeans, bullhead // boots, had 'em for a long time!

This head wrap was hand knit by my Mommypie. She rules!
She started making these just for fun, but they have been
requested by several people so we're now taking custom orders
& we would LOVE to design one custom for you.
You can pick your colors (for the band and the flower, as well as buttons on the back)!
Email me to order: myRemedydesign@gmail.com

Hope you're having a stellar week so far,

xx.

Behind the scenes of Vogue - hippie rocker style.

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

The fashion & styling in this photo shoot looks amaaazing. Plus, it makes me really want bangs again...

via

It's like a mix behind boho, hippie & edgy rocker. The cat eye makeup makes Taylor look edgy & dolled out at the same time. I love the big hat & the whimsical, flowy feeling of the dresses she wears in the shoot. The location looks pretty sweet, too - like a glammed out, retro lodge.

via

Totally inspired,

xx.

So many buttons...

2012-01-19T15:13:00.003-05:00

... so little time.

Sifting through this huge assortment & looking for gems in the sale bin is a good time. Love seeing all the vintage & naval styled ones (like ones with anchors on them). Gives me some sweet inspiration to jump off of. I was gathering supplies for my Remedy head wrap knits & scarves by my knitting ninja Mommypie (haha!). They're going fast!!

xx.

Roadtrippin'.

2012-01-19T12:46:00.000-05:00

Blasting Two Door Cinema Club...

Drove down to TCNJ on Monday to drop my bro back off at school. The house is so quiet now without his random guitar jams. Already miss him, but happy he's loving college & making it count.

rings, Forever 21 // necklace, unknown // sweater, PacSun

The road trip down was a good time. We devoured Chipotle (yum!) & made about 2,500 stops at different stores for supplies he needed. Haha. We danced down the aisles in Shop Rite & drove through farmland (best part of that drive). Makes me want a horse, a pickup & an endless, open road. Annnnd I finally got TCNJ sweatpants - booyah! So excited to wear 'em.

Jason's stylin'. I've taught him well! Hahah.
hat, Goorin Bros

Jason & me from last summer in San Francisco. Haha!

xx.

Join me in the strike!

2012-01-18T11:22:00.000-05:00

I love the internet. I love the exploration that takes happens here, the inspiration that grows out of it & all the in between. Sure, the internet is not always a positive thing (even books can give you paper cuts), but for the most part it's an amazing source. And it can all be taken away if Congress votes yes on the Protect IP Act. Join me in writing against this act here or freedom of speech on the internet will soon disappear: http://sopastrike.com/strike/

Let's act to keep our blogs & our voices alive. Let's take a stand.

xx.

Learning how to play... the uke!

2012-01-17T11:38:00.001-05:00

My younger brother, Jason, who's one amazingly talented musician taught me the beginning of a song on the ukulele. I'm pretty awful at it, but thought it'd be funny to share. Going to keep practicing with it since one of my goals in life is to live on a beach &, let's be serious, what fun would that be without being able to play the uke?!

Hope your ears don't bleed. Hahaha! Here goes...

P.S. If you can guess what song that is the beginning of... I'll...

think you're the coolest, most amazing person ever.

top ring, my Remedy // bottom ring, Forever 21 // shirt, VS // jeans, Levis

What instruments do you play?

xx.

EDIT: Major props to my girl, Kaitlyn Carpenter who guessed what song it is! :] Made my day.

Golden Globes

2012-01-16T12:57:00.002-05:00

I have to admit, I'm an awards show sucker. I looove watching the red carpet fashion & I love watching the show & speeches. I think it's fun to play stylist for a night & say "oooohhh no, that dress!" or "YES, she looks AMAZING!" Haha. And that's pretty much a lot of the commentary between my mom and me when we watch the shows together. It's also great to see up and coming fashions & glammed out dresses that we never really otherwise see.

At the beginning of last night's red carpet, I was totally unimpressed. I thought a lot of celebrities were wearing dresses that didn't suit their body type or just weren't pretty. But, as the night continued, the showstoppers definitely appeared and rocked the carpet. This year, there were a lot more deep, rich colors and reds. I'm still not sure if I love a scarlet red dress on a red carpet - it loses its momentum, fading into the carpet. However, I do love that color came back out this year. My favorites included...

Charlize Theron // Michelle Williams // Emma Stone
Sofia Vergara // Tina Fey // Julie Bowen
via E!

Zooey Deschanel's hair & makeup are incredible.

Not to mention, Zooey had the cutest nails ever - mini tuxes!
via Zooey's twitter

Some women who I thought had incredible hair & makeup, but not so stunning dresses were Kate Winslet (she looked goooorgeous!), Rooney Mara (sorry, I wasn't digging the cutouts as much, but she looked beautiful), Dianna Agron (flawless hair & makeup) & Lea Michelle (normally a number one favorite for me, but I didn't really get the dress last night). They all looked way lovely, but wish their dresses were different.

A lot of the men also looked flawless. A night of tuxes, bowties & fitted suits is amazing. A correctly fitted suit on a guy does... incredible things. Every guy should spend a little money on getting a suit that fits perfectly. All you need is one! Oh, and the fact that a lot of coat tails made appearances last night as well - lovely. Robert Downey, Jr, for one, totally rocked them... sigh.

Leonardo DiCaprio // Jesse Tyler Ferguson // Brad Pitt // Robert Downey Jr.
Channing Tatum // Michael Fassbender // George Clooney
via E! & the Examiner

Did you watch the Globes last night?

xx.

Inspire me.

2012-01-13T11:33:00.000-05:00

Things of inspiration this week...

I am a beach baby. I rarely ever like the cold. But, if it's going to be cold...
why not snow so I can play?!
Can't believe I'm about to write this, but been wishing for a little snow this week.
Plus, this image is mesmerizing & calming.

left to right, top to bottom:
loving her hair color, via // hair color & her blazer, via //
wish more boys wore boots like this, via

forever young, via // sunflowers = my favorite flower, via Free People
90s look, via // Count of Monte Cristo, via IMDB

Count of Monte Cristo has been on TV a bunch the past few weeks & (like Casino Royale & Scrubs for me) once it's on, I can't not watch! So many amazing quotes in this film. One favorite being:

Priest: Here is your final lesson - do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said, "Vengeance is mine."

Edmond: I don't believe in God.

Priest: It doesn't matter. He believes in you.

What's one of your favorite movie quotes?

Still have lots of work to do today, but haaaaappy it's Friday.

Cheers to you & the weekend,

xx. Jillian

Back!

2012-01-12T13:45:00.001-05:00

I think I've finally fixed all the posts that have missing images. Woof. Happy that's over. Mannnn, that was so frustrating! Please let me know if you find any posts that have missing links.

So, I've been a bit MIA the past two weeks with the holidays and then a post holiday week off to get done all that I needed to get done. I'm back! For real. Haha. I promised to post a photo of what I wore for NYE:

Jade // Me // Meredith
my dress, Nastygal // pumps, Sam Edelman

The closest lipstick color I could find to this one!

How have your new years resolutions been going? Sticking to 'em?

Also happy to announce that the flower scarf doubling as a shawl (how cool is that?!) is now available for pre-order in my shop! All hand knit by my knitting ninja of a mom, Brigitte. This scarf is made of acrylic & wool that is FSC approved ("not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests").

Just be sure to allow time for creation - these are not premade, but made to order. Also, if you'd like different colors, leave a comment or email me & I'll let you know what we offer! She also makes custom head wraps (they look like headbands & are way cute), which I hope to get online soon!

Woohoo!
Happy to be back <3.

xx.

Mishap on the blog

2012-01-09T10:55:00.003-05:00

So! I downloaded Picasa & then deleted my blog folder within that - which I thought was only on Picasa, not my whole computer.... wrong! THEN allllllll my photos on this blog changed from photos to black boxes with exclamation points in them. Ahhh! So frustrating. Today I probably won't be posting anything fun because I'll be trying to go back into each blog post to fix them :/ Hope it doesn't take toooo long! I'll be back to posting - for real - tomorrow.

In the meantime, have an awesome Monday.

xx. Jillian

LET'S GO DEVILS!

2012-01-07T13:25:00.000-05:00

Went to the Devil's game last night with my family. I've only gone to a few games, but it's so much fun as a small family tradition. Also, always find that watching sports games in person is waaay more fun than on TV. We had a blast yelling "moooooosee!" for our goalie, dancing like crazy people & jumping up and down like three year olds when we scored. The one time it's okay to say: go Devils!

The rink.

My going-to-be-sister-in-law, Danielle. (aka Dnelly) <3!

"MOOOOSEEE!"

Boys row! My brothers & dad.

We win! 5-2, baby!!

During one of the period intermissions, they have two teams of super young players come on the rink & duke it out. Sometimes, the best hockey action happens right here...

<3.

How was your Friday night?

xx. Jillian

liebster blog award

2012-01-04T13:55:00.001-05:00

YAY! The very kind Andi from Just Another Smith gave me the liebster blog award, which recognizes up & coming blogs that have less than 200 followers. Woohoo! So happy that someone thought to pass this on to me. Thank you, Andi.

I did do a Google search on the blog & haven't found anything concrete about where it originated - anyone know? - but I feel honored, none the less.

So, now I'm called to pick four other blogs who I think should also receive this award, which is crazy tough because I looove so many blogs! Also, I can't tell how many followers some of you have to nominate you or not, but here goes for those of whom I know has less than 200...

Life in a Stolen Moment - yes, Judith's my cousin, but her photography is truly beautiful & she well deserves the mention!
Talbot Taste - Meredith & Jessica Talbot have a really great blog about food & other lifestyle mentions with inspiring photos & yummy ideas.
Active for Fashion - Lauren has some pretty cool ideas & I love her Mentoring Mondays in which she picks a designer or inspiring artist & interviews them. Check it out!
Just Pandippo - I'm a new follower of hers, but she's got some great fashion styling & photographs going on.

The rules:
1. copy & paste the award into your blog 2. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog. 3. Lastly, nominate four other blogs who have less than 200 followers to nominate, as well!

Cheers!

xx.

Bring in 2012 right: taking care of YOU!

2012-01-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

When I posted some of my resolutions on Mr Taylor and His Lady's blog last year (ha! weird to write that..), some of you responded that you also needed to take some more you time. Taking me time is something I've been trying to learn for the past few years. I put others & my work first and sometimes leave myself in shambles. But, I'm changing that slowly & learning to make myself & my heart a priority. Everyone benefits from that change.

A healthier me has most to do with my heart, but also some to do with taking care of the rest of me, too - aka the outer shell. I've taken much better care of my skin the past couple years, being sure to moisturize and put time into my hair. I know upkeep of hair is expeeensive, but, hey, we wake up, live, eat, breathe & sleep with our hair. It's worth the upkeep. It's something we use/see every moment of every day. That's worth putting some extra money into! Same goes for our skin.

In December, I did a show in which I ended up meeting some awesome hand-crafting beauty babes who know their stuff. Meeting fellow vendors is just as amazing as meeting new customers because it helps me remember there are many other people in the same boat as me. I love when other vendors are kind & talkative because we're all in this handmade business together. It shouldn't be about competition. It should be about helping each other out & guiding each other. Trust me, in the end, it all comes back.

Anyways, so I was lucky enough to meet Nicci & Amy of DollyMoo. They are lovely sisters living in love by making their own body love products. Think body scrubs & oils that are all natural and handmade and use recycled materials. How cool is that?! I think it's pretty stellar. When I asked them how they figured out what ingredients to put in and how to make the products, they told me that they figured it all out by experimenting... a lot. These girls put the work in & came up with some really amazing products.

These lip balms are really soothing & smell so incredibly yummy & fresh.
My mom got me one for my stocking at Christmas. Loving it!
Only $12 AND they're handmade.

My mom helped me set up & break down my table so she was also oogling over DollyMoo's products with me. She ended up buying me their body oil in Tangerine for Christmas. It's amazing. It rubs right in without leaving a greasy residue & honestly loves my skin feeling soft for hours. It smells citrusy & refreshing, without being overwhelming - sometimes heavy smells give me a headache, but this one has not.

DollyMoo body oil
$22: handmade & made with 40% recycled glass.
Plus, you can use it instead of shaving cream.
Yes, please.

Body scrub, $20
To exfoliate your skin twice a week in the shower.

Other scents I really enjoy are the vanilla, lavender & sandalwood (for dudes!). Honestly, though, it all smelled delicious & the packaging is really nicely done. You can tell the products work, too, because Nicci & Amy both have incredibly clear skin.

Be sure to check out DollyMoo's online shop & Facebook page. This is a perfect way to start the new year off right & give yourself some you time! If you're looking for a unique gift for Valentine's day for your lucky lady, dude, friend or momma (hey! Valentine's Day is a day about love - doesn't matter what kind), these ladies have got you covered!

And for Boyish Chic/my Remedy readers, DollyMoo is giving 15% off of all products this week only! Get your gifts before January 9 at midnight, using coupon code: HAPPYREMEDY

Shop indie & live in love,

xx. Jillian

NYE Eve!

2011-12-30T13:14:00.003-05:00

Happy last Friday of 2011 ladies & gents!

The new year is upon us - and thaaaankkkk goodness. I'm ready for some new year goodness. I wrote about my resolutions & some style tips for the big night in a guest post on the stunning Mr Taylor & His Lady's blog here. Check it out!

I'm headed into NYC for the first time on a NYE, which I'm super excited for. Not hitting up Times Square (& happy about that!), but heading downtown for some dancing to bring in the new year right. Woohoo!

via

I'm also psyched about my outfit. It's not the most amazing dress ever, but I like it & I feel comfortable in it. I'm still trying to find the perfect lipstick. My dress is black so I'm hoping to give it some color pop with bright lips!

via
Anyone know where I can find a bright fuchsia lipstick like this?

I went in search of some jewels yesterday with my friend, Jade, in order to find the perfect accessories. Since my dress is not too out there - it's one shouldered/long sleeved, black with a light dusting of sparkles - we thought it'd be fun to go wild with accessories. Here's what I picked out from Forever21 (hello good deals!):

I'm diggin' mixed metallics.

Purse I picked up at TJMaxx. Love the retro look & it was a steal!

A touch of leopard print... perfection.

I'll be sure to post some photos from my night & my outfit - hopefully I'll have time to snap some shots. What are you planning on wearing? Share some of your photos, too! I'd love to see 'em.

Wishing you the happiest, most glammed up, all out amazing New Year ever! Bring it in right.

xx. Jillian

polka dots & bows.

2011-12-28T13:56:00.002-05:00

I'm not feeling too great today (couldn't sleep half the night) so I've decided to get a little goofy/gif happy instead of my usual styling images. I got this adorable hat, along with this polka dot cardigan for Christmas from my momma. I think they're too cute.

The cardigan's red dots remind me of Minnie Mouse for some reason. I'm also diggin' how the background color is a light cream instead of white. It's really cozy too. Thanks, Mommypie! You always pick out the best clothing.

Cute bow!

I loooooove rings (if you haven't already noticed, haha!).

Last Wednesday in 2011. Let's make it a good one.

Enjoy your day,

xx. Jillian

Today's inspiration: "I'm a boomerang; doesn't matter how you throw me. Turn around & I'm back in the game, even better than the old me." -Gavin DeGraw

2011-12-27T10:56:00.001-05:00

I've taken a mini vacation over the holiday weekend to recoup & celebrate with my amazing family. There was lots of bananagrams, jamming, cookie baking, tree picking, cookie eating, Kung Fu Panda 2-ing & gift giving. It was really lovely. Since all my extended family lives in Switzerland, we don't have big holiday parties: just the six of us (my parents & siblings) and then their significant others come over. It's quiet - unless there's a board game involved - but it's really special. I love it when we're all together in once place.

I'm sorry I haven't been posting, but I'm back at it! NYE is this Sat - how crazy is that? - so please check out my guest post over at Mr Taylor & His Lady's blog. Tanya is so kind hearted & I'm psyched to be guest posting on her blog. Be sure to check out her other posts as well & follow! It's worth it.

Let me know how you're going to style your NYE outfit. I'm also very interested in the dudes out there - what will you wear?

Enjoy your day,

xx. Jillian

inspire me.

2011-12-23T10:40:00.001-05:00

Some of my inspiration this week... floral // retro // lace // surfer vibes.

top row & middle left two, Marie Claire magazine
middle right, National Geographic
bottom row, my photos from my week at the mall & the aftermath.

And to get us in the holiday spirit, some things on my inspiration wishlist:

velvet holiday dress, TopShop // sparkly accessory, Giant Dwarf // military jacket, VSecret

fringe purse, Urban Outfitters // unicorn cookie cutter, Amazon // sequin dress, via

booties, DSW // sequin heart bag, Amazon

What's inspiring you this week?

Wishing you all happy holidays & a very Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it's here already.

Excuse me while I go finish my gifting & wrapping & creating. Hopefully I can squeeze in some Christmas cookie making, Elf watching & hot cocoa with candy canes sippin'.

xx. Jillian

casual holiday party dress.

2011-12-21T09:50:00.000-05:00

I hardly have occassions where I get to really dress up. But, I love dressing up so I make it happen by taking a fancier dress & dressing it down to fit with whatever I'm doing. Plus, it also makes me feel more comfortable (because we all know I can't be too dressy, anyways).

Last weekend, my amazingly kind neighbor invited my family to his holiday party. He's really into trains and is part of an association in NJ so he had his party on a retro train car. It was awesome! They refurbished the cars to look exactly like the originals so they had to specially mold the hand rails and bring in vintage carpeting (which was from an old movie theater). It was sweet.

My dad inside one of the cars.

Sweet retro print.

The dress code for the party was seasonal casual. I don't really know what that means so I dressed how I would dress for a holiday party and then added on my booties & a jean jacket to dress it down a notch. You could do spin this in a totally different way & wear flats with a cardigan or moccasins with a sweater over the dress. It worked out because I felt seasonal aka dressed for a holiday party, but also casual enough that I could wear this outfit for everyday or work.

What have you been wearing to your holiday parties?

xx. Jillian

home office style: cozy.

2011-12-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year: cold has set it. I'm okay with it for now because it's the holiday season, but I'm definitely much more of a summer child. That said, I still do love me some sweater wrapping, hot chocolate sipping, snuggle weather - just wish it wouldn't last so long!

I snagged this sweater at Urban Outfitters - it was on sale for $19.99 from somewhere around $80. I put it on & instantly felt warm & cozy. Truth be told, it's definitely not the most figure flattering, but it's suuuuper comfy & the perfect sweater to lounge around in by the fireplace & watch some cheesy Christmas movies. I'm also really into the color: it's like a raspberry sorbet & I have nothing this color so I'm happy about the color pop!

This shirt I've had for... years. Honestly. It was my favorite shirt in like freshman year of college. Haha! But I still love it. It's one of those shirts that's worn, but I can't seem to part with it..

A one-of-a-kind vintage piece I refurbished & redesigned for my Remedy.
I added the mixed stones & played around with layering different lengths of chain.
It's for sale here in my shop!

sweater, UO // shirt, Forever 21 // jeans, apostrophe // shoes, Roxy // necklace, my Remedy

Hope you're staying cozy this week!

What's your favorite sweater look like?

xx. Jillian

2011-12-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

If you'd like to become a sponsor, are interested in an ad swap or would like me to style & do a review of your product, please click here! You don't need to be a sponsor in order to ask me for a review/styling.

I'd love to have you on the site for January... & beyond.

Thanks so much

& looking forward to hearing from you,

xx. Jillian

Boyish Chic guest post: by B.

2011-12-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

The beautiful & witty Mrs Bridget Melnyk Granholm came to one of my shows last weekend (love her!) dressed boyish chic-ed out. And it was awesome. I snagged some photos of her lovely self & here's a little post written by her on the outfit:

P.S. Bridget, you rule. <3!

P.P.S. How gorgeous is her foot tattoo?!

Hello, world! My name is Bridget and I have known Jillian for quite some time now. I have followed her art, her blogs and her spirit since the beginning and always find inspiration in it. That's where this outfit came from. First, we need to rewind a couple weeks when I first saw the plaid, button-down shirt at Old Navy. I knew I wanted it because guys always look so comfy in a plaid shirt - why can't I have one? So I had to buy it!

But, how was I going to make it look like me?

I knew I wanted to wear it and make my outfit look "hipster"-ish so I paired it with my dorky glasses, my dark, cuffed denim jeans and my grandpa loafers. When I looked at myself in the mirror I definitely looked pretty boyish but not very chic and then ((ta-da!!)) I thought of Jillian's blog. So I decided to add the cardigan and the flashy jewelry to add some girliness to the outfit!

There you have it - my boyish chic inspired outfit! Hope you like it!

<3 bRidget

You can find Bridget on Pinterest!

2011-12-17T08:03:00.001-05:00

Getting in the spirit.

Not like I wear them year round or anything....

Haha! Happy Saturday.

xx.

Minneapolis thrifted.

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

In my trip to Minneapolis last month to visit one of my besties, we scored this stellar, houndstooth Escada jacket. I did have to leave a towel behind to fit this baby in my luggage, but it was so. worth. it.

I've been aching for a houndstooth piece for a long time now, but never found the right fit. This jacket fits me like a glove. It also has shoulderpads & was super clean (I'll admit, I'm not the best thrifter; sometimes I get overwhelmed in a store or nervous about cleanliness). Even the pockets were still sewn shut! Oh, did I also mention that this jacket was... $20?! YEP. Absolutely amazing. I'm smiling thinking about it.

Naturally, for me, this jacket is pretty feminine so I had to match it up with some other pieces that are more edgy to balance it out. So, here we go: Escada meets my Remedy meets Johnny Cupcakes.

Haha! I had to include this. Makes me laugh hysterically every time.

jacket, Escada // tee, Johnny Cupcakes // jeans, Bullhead // shoes, Converse //

amber ring & cuff, my Remedy // sunglasses, Betsey Johnson via TJMAXX

xx. Jillian

stylin' Sam.

2011-12-14T10:07:00.000-05:00

Sam Gonnelli is a lovely lady who I've gotten the pleasure of getting to know this past year. She is such a sweetheart & super smart. She pretty much rocks. Sam's also a fashionista. I had this realization on Sunday when she, so kindly, came out to my shop at Maxwell's in Hoboken. She came dressed freakin' adorably...

I'm in LOVE with this coat. Ah.

Is this... a... Betsey Johnson dress?! YEP.

Awesome retro print.

Rockin' the my Remedy tuxedo bracelet.
Boyish Chic!

How gorgeous is she?!

xx. Jillian

Rockin' my Remedy.

2011-12-13T15:02:00.000-05:00

Spent the weekend setting up shop at holiday shows in NYC for the Bust Craftacular & in Hoboken at Maxwell's. It was so awesome meeting new fans of my Remedy & making friends at both shows. It's what my Remedy's all about!

Check out how some new clients (& I) rock my Remedy:

Adam of 7Mornings rocking the new men's Nature Warrior, not yet available online.
Adam's band is local & amazing. Check them out here.

Rebecca looking gorgeous in her retro dove ring.

Sam looking beyond lovely in the tuxedo bracelet, which sold out this weekend!

Me at the event: necklace, Tribal // bracelet, Tuxedo

Obsessing over these tights. The hearts are adorable.

Live in love!

xx. Jillian

P.S. How rad does the bar look?

I tacked one of my bows on there for the show :]

Always the best addition.

Independent fashion bloggers feature!

2011-12-09T16:49:00.001-05:00

Yeahhhyuhhh! I got featured in this weeks Independent Fashion Bloggers link a la mode! Eeee! It's always such an honor to get featured & truly brings a smile to my face. Thank you IFB! You rule.

Be sure to check out the other awesome posts by other IFbloggers as well!

xx. Jillian

Links For Your Holidays!
Edited by: Collette Osuna of Statements in Fashion
At the risk of sounding like a Christmas song, isn’t this the most wonderful time of the year?

I love hearing all the Holiday music playing in the stores! Trees are getting trimmed, gifts are being purchased, and people for the most part, haven’t forgotten the true meaning of the season. I’m taking some time over the next few weeks to re-vamp my closet, bake up some Holiday goodies, and make some new memories with my family and friends. However you may be spending the Holidays, be safe and keep the ones you love near to your heart. I will see you in the New Year!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: DECEMBER 8TH

Acquaallegoria: December dressing: How to rock a festively fug-a-licious jacket
Ambassador of Fashion: Village Style: Thrifting in NYC
Arash Mazinani: A guide for those wanting to buy clothes as gifts for Christmas this year.
Boyish Chic: Home decor gift ideas for the boyish chic fashionista in your life!
Coming Unstitched: How to be a really cute snow bunny.
Ethical Fashion Blog: Ethical outfit competition winners - some very stylish and sustainable ladies
Fact This Blog is Awesome: Quick Under Eye Circle makeup tutorial
Fashion is Evolution: How I made a belt from an old Dior keychain I never used
High Point Shoulder: How to dress comfortably & warm in the winter and still be chic
In Her Glam: Style inspiration from Ashley Davenport, Victoria Grayson's assistant on ABC's hit drama Revenge
Joyful Outfits: How to wear a denim shirt in the winter
Little Miss Makeup: How to do wedding makeup the modern way
Over 50 Feeling 40: Beginning to Process how bloggers can make a difference for small businesses
Pandippo: Killer heels and a necklace stolen from my mom
Pippa Holliday: Get out of bed hair - Bed Head
Statements in Fashion: Our Christmas Home
Synthetic Elegance: Illustrated holiday gift guide
The Dapper Bun: Outfit Of The Day: Decorating the Christmas Tree
The Frugalista Diaries: DIY Jeweled Collared Sweater
The Style Confessions: Three inexpensive yet glamorous red lipsticks from the drugstore

SPONSOR:
New at Shopbop: Boots, Ella Moss, Cardigans, Pants, Jackets, Wallets, Swimwear, Cut 25, Free People, WGACA, Sauce, Satchels & Tote Bags.
PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Day in the city: makes me think.

2011-12-09T10:49:00.000-05:00

Went into NYC yesterday to get some final supplies for this weekend's shows and also to see Gary Hustwit speak at a lecture for AIGA. He's the director of the type film, Helvetica (yeah, I'm a type geek!). Gary is such a good speaker! Super personable & really easy going, his talk was all about how he was just interested in graphic design so he decided to make a documentary about it. Say wha!? Yep, that's right; he wasn't a professional graphic designer himself, per say. He was just intrigued by the subject.

So Gary up & made this film, interviewing famous designers about the controversial typeface, Helvetica. You see this typeface all the time on signage & modern store fronts. The controversy is that designers either love it or hate it. It doesn't convey much feeling & is used often, but, as Gary put it, it "leaves out all the emotion" and just gives "straight information."

Anyways, even if you're not a graphic designer, you can still totally take something away from this. Gary decided he was interested in something, so he went out to learn about it. He wasn't necessarily interested in the outcome and didn't have a plan for it. He was just into it! That inspires me to stop being so focused on what the outcome of certain things are and just enjoy the journey. It makes me want to go out and explore for the sake of exploring. Not because I want to be smart or well rounded, but just because I'm intrigued. That's a huge revelation! What an awesome way to live life. Sometimes I do that, but certainly not always. Sometimes I'm way too focused on the future instead of right now.

This also got me to thinking about magazines. This morning I woke up & was reading NYLON at breakfast. They have swimsuits in the magazine already. The fashion world is already onto next season. Where's the enjoyment in right now? In today? Who says we'll make it to next season? Yes, it's certainly good to have some sort of plan for life & to aspire to things! But, it's also good to enjoy the here & now.

I'm constantly being reminded of living in the here and now. Having my own start up, I'm constantly in the future and planning for what's next so I'll be ready for 'the now.' But it is nice to sometimes be living in this time & to not think about all the future. Also, to explore for the sake of exploring, not for the sake of getting somewhere.

Made me think.

---

What I wore for a windy evening in the city:

hat, H&M // scarf, Steve Madden // coat, Delia*s //
bag, Jessica Simpson (TJMAXX!) // jeans, Levis // shoes, Kelsi Dagger

Love the feminine bow on this hat.

top, Kirra // cuff, my Remedy // belt, vintage - my mommma's

What 99.9% of photos look like when I'm shooting with a self timer. Ha!

Cuff I made! Great accessory to push an outfit to a dressier place just with one piece.

Cat eye also adds a feminine, edgy touch without being overdone. Sometimes, I'll just wear a cat eye & mascara and no other makeup because you usually don't need much else.

Whimsical & vintage-looking, these booties are comfortable and spunky.

Plus, got 'em at DSW which means they were a steal!

So get out & go explore this weekend for the sake of the adventure.

Sweet weekend plans anyone?

I'll be selling my Remedy at the Bust Magazine Craftacular tomorrow in NYC so if you're in the area, you should definitely come by! More than 200 vendors with handmade gifts for the holidays.

HAPPY Friday!

xx. Jillian

WINNER Announced!

2011-12-09T09:56:00.001-05:00

The winner of the flower child giveaway from Kaang is.......

[drum roll]

CATHERINE!

Catherine, please email me so that Kaang can ship you your new gift :]

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who entered.

I'll have some more giveaways soon, so please be sure to keep entering.

I'd love to have everyone who enters win something at least once!!

xx. Jillian

home office style.

2011-12-08T09:41:00.001-05:00

Getting dressed for work helps wake me up, makes me feel less lazy AND it's fun. Because I work from home, I don't get out all too often during the week. Why should that deter me from my muse of fashion?! It shouldn't. I treat work at home as if I were working not at home (mostly). Plus, if I don't get dressed & hang out in pjs all day, I end up feeling groggy.

cardigan, Mossimo // top, Delia's // jeans, Levis // booties, Rocketdog

Spent the past week cramming design for this upcoming week's holiday gift shows. Woo! Been quite a week & it's not over yet. Like I've said before, I like to be comfy when I work, especially designing jewelry because I end up sitting in weird positions & huddled over for hours. It can get crazy uncomfortable. Above are one of my favorite pairs of jeans. Granted, the rips are pretty ridiculous now - they started out smaller & now they're just gaping holes, but I can't help it... I love 'em so! The slouchy cardigan I'm wearing is super silky & comfortable. It's not the most figure flattering piece, but it's nice for lounging or working.

I'm totally diggin' these cowgirl booties. They're a reddish tone (in person) & I can dress them up or down, which is perfect. They're a good staple for working & then going out at night right after work - hey, I might work at home, but that does not mean I have any more time! Hahah. I just really think they're cute & fun.

What's a staple shoe for you?

Back to work for me. TGI(Almost)F. Even though I'll be working all weekend,

it'll be worth it ~~- I hope~~! :]

xx. Jillian

foodie - holiday style.

2011-12-07T09:01:00.001-05:00

I am such a foodie. I love food. Breakfast, dinner, dessert, snacks... love. it. all. Of course, there are some things I love more than others (broccoli any day over brussel sprouts), but it all has its place. Only thing I can't really do is have one meal in place of another (i.e. waffles for dinner. I know, I know, everyone else thinks breakfast for dinner is amazing!). It's just that when I wake up, I kind of want sweet foods like cereals or bread & jam. When 7pm rolls around, I'd really like some pasta or pizza. Haha.

Anyways, I was clicking around yesterday and stumbled upon this Australian food blog, Raspberri Cupcakes, by Steph. Man, get ready to be hungry because her photography & recipes are incredible.

How cute is her logo?

The recipe I'm about to show you for Christmas pancakes with candy cane chocolate syrup (oh, yeah, you read that right) is only the start of amazing ideas she has all over her blog. I clicked through and had to stop myself from pinning everything to my Pinterest. It's all so beautifully illustrated! I want to eat it all. And, mostly, I just really want to take a baking class from Steph or, better yet, have her be my personal chef.

I have to share this recipe with you from Raspberri Cupcake's blog:

Red & WhiteChristmas Pancakes with Candy Cane Chocolate Syrup

(Red & white pancakes adapted from this recipefrom i am baker, chocolat syrup recipe adapted from DavidLebovitz, makes 16 pancakes)

For the syrup:

1 cup (250 ml) water

1/2 cup (160 g) glucose (or light corn syrup,agave nectar)

Crushed candy canes, I used about 12 medium ones,about 150g

3/4 cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (preferablyDutch-processed)

2.6 oz (75 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finelychopped (I used Lindt 70%), you can also use milk chocolate if you are worriedabout it being too rich

Extra crushed candy canes, to serve

For the pancakes:

3 cups (about 450g) plain flour

4 tbsp white sugar

2 tsp baking powder

2 cups milk (I used skim)

2 tbsp vegetable oil

4 tsp vanilla extract

4 egg whites, whisked to soft peaks

Optional: red food colouring (I used gel colouring), greencolour if you if feel like going crazy with it

Prepare thecandy cane chocolate sauce first. In a medium saucepan, whisk together thewater, crushed candy canes, glucose and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil overmedium heat and simmer and stir until the candy canes are completely dissolved.You might want to taste test the sauce at this point to see if it inpepperminty enough for you. If you want it stronger, you can melt in more candycanes, or use a few drops of peppermint essence. Remove from heat and stir inthe chopped chocolate until melted. Let the sauce stand until completely cool,which will give it time to thicken, or chill in the fridge. For the pancakesyou can either measure up all the ingredients for the pancake batter in one go,split the batter in half and add the red colouring to one half, or you canmeasure half of all the ingredients first and cook them for the white pancakes,then measure up the other half of the ingredients and add red food colouring tothat batch. I did the latter.

Place flour, sugar and baking powder in a largemixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Mix together milk, oil and vanillain a medium separate bowl. Whisk egg whites to soft peaks. Pour wet ingredientsinto the well of the dry ingredients and whisk together until nearly combined.Add whisked egg whites (and red food colouring for half the batter if wanted)and fold into batter until just combined.

Place a griddle/frying pan on medium-low heat andlightly grease with extra vegetable oil. Pour about 1/3 of a cup of batter onto the pan and lightly brown on one side, until bubbles start to appear on thetop then flip over and lightly brown the other side for about 3-5 mins or untilcooked through.

Serve warm pancakes with chocolate syrup andsprinkle extra crushed candy canes on top (take care not to have pieces thatare too sharp or too large for kids). A little bit of bacon is great with ittoo. Or if you want to skip the chocolate sauce, maple syrup and fruit is greattoo.

YUM. Don't these photographs put you in the holiday spirit? I'm dying to make these myself! If I do, I'll post some photos.

What are your favorite Christmas recipes?

Be sure to check out the rest of Raspberri Cupcake's blog. You won't be disappointed.

xx. Jillian

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a flower headband by Kaang! Contest ends tomorrow at midnight.

P.P.S. Be sure to check out my home decor holiday gift guide with special coupons & discounts.