Color Yourself

One of the hottest trends this summer is bright and colorful nails! And what better way to celebrate the warm weather and the fact that it’s summer than with exciting new nail polish colors! With colors like Sea. I told You, I’m his Coral Friend, If the Fuchsia Fits, and Banana Bandana (from OPI) there’s no way not to have fun when you get your nails done. Now don’t be afraid to try out this trend. Just have fun with it and pick your most favorite wacky color. . . and remember, you can’t go wrong as long as it's bright and flashy!

Happy Colorful Summer!!

Tis the Season

Tis the season- Wedding Season that is!  This means lots of invitations to lots of different weddings.  It can be hard to decide what is appropriate to wear to a wedding.  To help you out I have chosen four different looks for four different kinds of weddings.

 The Plaza in June

This is your formal, uber chic, big to do wedding.  So maybe the wedding you will be attending is not at the Plaza, but non-the less this is the wedding of the season. Everyone and their mother’s will be attending.  So what do you wear? In look one, I have chosen to wear my most chic and fancy couture dress. I have paired it with opera length pearls and a green satin clutch to add a pop of color.  This look can be worn for both black-tie and cocktail attire.

Country-Club Nuptials

This is your classic wedding.  Ceremony at the church followed by a reception at the country club.  I have chosen to wear a summery royal blue dress with embroidered details at the neck and hem. This is not the wedding to wear your flashiest dress or jewelry. Choose a look that is a bit more on the modest side.

 A Southern Affair

Nothing is more garish at a preppy southern wedding than edgy couture. Stick to pastel tea-length or eyelet dresses and strappy elegant heals. 

Beachfront Blowout

The long, printed maxi dress was made for exotic locations. Since you've spent your savings on a ticket, skip the shoe splurge and slip into metallic gladiator sandals.

 

Dress Like Me

Today I am wearing my skinny J Brand jeans paired with a blouse I bought at a thrift store and a really old Robert Rodriquez blazer that I still wear to this day! I am wearing this to work today and since I work in a more casual atmosphere this is totally fine.  This is also a great outfit for “casual Fridays" at work- for some of course.  Since it's still a little on the cool side here this look works great for me, but for some this might be too warm of an outfit at this time of the year.  Instead of jeans you could pair the top and blazer with white shorts or a skirt of your choice. Or you could switch out the blouse and put on a white cotton t-shirt under the blazer. Decide what is best for your day and find inspiration in this outfit to help you create your next look.  

Flip-ity Flop-ity

What is the easiest shoe to throw on and go during the warm summer months? That’s right, Flip Flops! I just love flip flops- they are just too easy! I usually throw my flip flops on with whatever I am wearing: a sun dress, shorts, jeans, etc. Nine times out of ten they work with everything. Now there are a lot of flip flops out there and I think it is important to choose a flip flop with some style. There are some flip flops that are a little on the dull side. Don’t let this be your flip flop’s case. Choose a flip flop that is fun and full of life. They are a casual shoe so why not add some pizzazz to them, plus it’s an easy way to spruce up your ensemble for the day.

Above I have shown some of my favorite flip flops that are out there. All of these have an extra element of excitement to them- none are just a simple ole flip flop. The brands shown above are Havaianas, Mystique, J-Crew, and Bernardo, plus all of the shoes shown are a reasonable price-anywhere between $24-$140. With thousands and thousands of flip flops to choose from pick a style that fits you and your personality. Have a couple different pairs in your closet so anytime you are out and about you have a fun and stylish shoe to throw on and go!

Dress Like Me

So once a week I thought I would do a blog called “Dress like Me.” I will take a picture of what I am wearing for the day. This way you can see some of my outfits and get a better understanding of who I am and what my style is. Also, most importantly I want you to find inspiration in my outfits and be able to apply it to your wardrobe. Hopefully they will help spark ideas of how you can put together your clothes so you can create stylish new looks with the clothes you already have in your closet!

Here I am wearing a little black cotton v-neck dress. . . nothing fancy. I have paired it with a chunky yellow necklace and my turquoise gladiator sandals, there my fav-which gives my simple black dress instant style and pizzazz! This is a great summer weekend look- lunch with the girls, trotting around town doing errands, or even a casual summer night out. Whichever you prefer, this is an effortlessly casual and chic look!

A Suit of Course

What is the most classic and conservative thing you can wear to work? A suit of course. A suit is a wonderful way to portray yourself at work- a suit says your professional, focused and hard working. Of course in some industries a suit is more of a required attire, but none the less you can never go wrong with a suit at work. Above I have shown three different ways to wear your classic suit. I am wearing a white Theory suit, which I have had forever, literally. I chose white instead of black to mix it up a bit. It is summer now and everyone is always in a black suit so why not do something different. The suit over the years has developed a not so “cool” reputation. It has a tendency to be conservative and boring at times, but this is not the way it has to be.

When buying a suit make sure you buy one that fits and flatters you. Make sure the jacket is fitted enough that it gives you a waist. The worst is when a woman puts on a suite jacket and it looks like she crawled inside a box of fabric. I know you want to look professional but this doesn’t mean you have to completely give up style and looking good. I mean, HELLO we are women and God gave us all curves so it’s ok to show them off a little, it’s who we are! Also, make sure your pants are long enough to wear with heals and that they are not too loose on the legs. Of course you don’t want them skin tight but a little fitted is always better then baggy. Also, you don’t always have to wear your classic white or blue oxford button down starched shirt. Mix it up a little.

Above, I have shown how I mix up the way I wear my suit. I have also mixed up my suit by pairing the pants with a different blazer. Now I work in the fashion industry so this is totally acceptable. I understand if you work in a more regimented profession, but this is just an example of how you don’t always have to play by the rules. Change it up a little, have fun, and be different. All three of these looks are professional and conservative, but still show my personality through my clothes, and guess what? I still look like I have a figure and some style.

Now, if you are finding these looks just won’t cut it at work then trying pairing a classic black suit with a fun and different blouse. Take inspirations from what I have done above and apply it to your wardrobe and work environment. And remember looking conservative doesn’t mean you have to look uptight and boring. Play with your clothes and have fun with it. . . Life is too short to look boring!

Spring Cleanin' Time!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial weekend! Now that’s its officially summer, you know what that means, it’s Spring Cleanin' Time! If you haven’t done so already, its time to clean out and change over the clothes in your closet. Living in NY this is a must for me at least twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. I always put away the winter close and bring out my summer clothes! I have found when tackling spring cleaning there are three steps that make the process so much easier.

1. Before putting away your winter clothes go though everything. If you did not wear something this season or last then it is time to give it away. If your clothes have holes in them, your sweaters have pilling on them, or it looks worn to death then give it away! I know it is hard to part with your precious clothes, but it’s so important to clean out and edit your old clothes to make room for new items next season. Know that I definitely struggle with this all the time—I have a tendency to be a packrat and never like to give anything away, but I bite my lip and do it anyways

2. Now its time to put away your winter clothes. A great space saving way to store your clothes are “Space Bags.” Oh yes, these are the big plastic bags you see on infomercials. You put your clothes in then and suction the air out so the bag is almost flat. I have used these for a couple years now . . . I Love them! I usually put my sweaters and turtlenecks in them and stick them under my bed. I also use canvas like drawers that have cedar in them. I put the rest of my clothes in them and stick them under my bed as well. Cedar is really great when storing clothes. Cedar keeps your clothes clean and fresh and most of all keeps bugs and moths from getting into your clothes and eating holes in them. Thank goodness for bed skirts because under my bed probably looks like a war zone but non-the less, it is organized and my clothes are kept safe during the off-season.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15966920
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=106378&RN=1007

3. So now that everything is put away its time to put out your summer clothes. I like organizing my hanging clothes by short sleeve, skirts, pants, dresses, etc. This makes it easy for me to find what I need when going into my closet looking for something to wear. Everyone is different in how they like their things organized, some maybe like their clothes organized by color, but it’s important to find a strategy that works for you. A great space saving tool when hanging your clothes are thin hangers. It’s amazing how thick and bulky hangers take up so much space on your clothes rack. My favorite hangers are from Bed Bath & Beyond. They are thin, rounded corners, and velvet covered so your clothes don’t slide off.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14000887

Make time to clean out your closet at least twice a year and use these three easy steps to help the process go more smoothly! It does take some time, but when all said and done it feels so good to have everything organized and clean. It’s frustrating when you know you have something but can’t find it amongst the mess. Keeping your things organized helps to eliminate unneeded stress in your life. . . So get Spring Cleanin'!

Season's Must Have

What is this season's must have? It's the "ROMPER." This is such a great and versatile summer piece. For you that don’t know what a "romper" is-- it’s a one piece, top and pants sewn together. Kind of like the dress, the romper is something you can just through on and go.

Above I have show three different ways I wear my "romper." Of course there are a hundred different ways to style the romper, but I have chosen three styles that are summer chic and easy! The romper shown above is from a small boutique in SoHo I got a couple seasons ago. Now that they are the seasons must have, finding one shouldn't be a challenge. So find this season's staple piece and there is no doubt you will look like a fashionista all summer long!

Check out three "rompers" I found on shopbop.com that are super cute and stylish!

http://www.shopbop.com/shawl-collar-romper-rachel-pally/vp/v=1/845524441845287.htm?folderID=2534374302023681&fm=search-viewall-shopbysize

http://www.shopbop.com/occult-romper-vena-cava/vp/v=1/845524441839652.htm?folderID=2534374302023681&fm=search-viewall-shopbysize

http://www.shopbop.com/denim-tube-top-jumpsuit-alice/vp/v=1/845524441844236.htm?folderID=2534374302023681&fm=search-viewall-shopbysize

White Jeans. . . hmm?

Well, today is another rainy day in the city- I sure hope this rain stops before Memorial weekend! Speaking of which, Memorial weekend is fast approaching us. . . YAY! I have heard some people talking and had some ask me what I thought of white jeans and especially white pants before Memorial Day. The rule of no white pants before Memorial Day is dated, old, and does NOT apply anymore. If you want to wear white pants in the middle of January, GO FOR IT! It is just important to make sure you pick a pant that is made from a “wintery” fabric. Obviously don’t wear linen. Pick a fabric that is thicker and warmer- like a velvet, corduroy, or heavy jean. Pair it with a warm cozy sweater and you will look Wintery Chic!

As for white jeans - if you want to wear them that is just fine. Always keep in mind your body type. White jeans have a tendency to show every nook, cranny, bump, and divot your legs have to offer! Always be cognizant that your jeans are not too tight- this is also not flattering especially with a color that shows every flaw your legs have. That being said, I am torn on how I feel about white jeans. Sometimes I think they look great on people and other times I feel why not just stick with denim? I feel it is a decision you need to make for yourself, remember it’s about what makes you feel good! I think if you have a more womanly, curvy, and/ or pear shaped figure, be careful when approaching the white and or colored jean look. You are the body type that will have the hardest time pulling this look off. But none the less it can be done, just stick to white jeans that are boot cut. Boot cut jeans help to bring the right proportion to your legs- this way you don’t look thigh heavy. Your legs look long and lean, which is what we all want, right?! I think as a general rule of thumb, if you are a curvier woman you should stay away from cigarette and skinny jeans altogether. I know these are in style at the moment but not every style is for all people. You want to wear what is most flattering on your body.

Now if you have a narrow and less curvy body shape, or toothpick legs then white skinny jeans are great for you. Just remember nothing too tight. Even toothpick legs have some flaws that can be unflattering when suctioned into white jeans.

For both body types pair your summery white jeans with a fun and colorful blouse, nothing too tight. Make sure your top comes down at least six inches past the top of your jeans, or you want your top to fall right at the high middle of your butt. This is especially important for fuller body types. There are always exceptions to the rules but as a general rule this is a good one to follow.

How to pick the jean that is right for you? Finding a pair of jeans that you just love can be a challenge to say the least. You need to be in the mood to shop and be willing to try every style and brand on. Every brand fits differently, and it is important to try everything on to make sure you are getting the best brand for you. I really like jeans with a little stretch in them. The stretch keeps the jeans from becoming loose or baggy throughout the day. That is a pet peeve of mine- when you put your jeans on in the morning and they look and fit great and by the mid to end of the day you look like you have a diaper on under them—ick, so unflattering! For me the stretch in my jeans keeps this from happening, my jeans remain the same size all day! My favorite jean is the J Brand Lovestory Bell Bottom Jean.

Jeans are the easiest and most versatile thing you can put on. So make sure to find your Lovestory jean and “Work It Girlfriend!!”

Inspired Fashion

In today’s fashion world it can be hard to know what to wear. Doesn’t it seem like fashion is changing each week, and that everything is in style? Well this might be the case, which makes it that more important to find yourself some inspiration. Finding inspiration can allow you to narrow and focus all the different styles that are out there- helping you to develop and create your own personal style. For some of us fashion comes naturally and for others it is more of a struggle. For those that struggle with fashion, that is perfectly ok, not everyone is good at the same things. I think fashion is a form of creativity, and if you are more of a left brained person then this can be more difficult for you. That is why I think it is important to try and find fashion inspiration that can help you to create your own style!

There are many ways to find fashion inspiration, but I think one of the easiest ways to do this is pick a “celebrity fashion muse.” This is someone you look to for fashion inspiration. You can check out what this celebrity wears, take notes on how they wear different items, what colors look good on them, etc. It’s a way to keep your style current, while you learn about fashion. It’s also a good way to learn what looks good on your body type. It’s not a must but it would be helpful to pick a celebrity that resembles you and your body type. This way if you’re not sure something will look good on you, you can let your “celebrity fashion muse” take the risk first. This way you can observe their results first before trying it yourself.

Why celebrities? These days celebrities have amazing stylists, and are basically a walking fashion advertisement. And because these famous people have professionals dress them they are able to have access to all the latest designer clothes. This is a good way to observe and find out what the latest trends and pieces are before they hit the stores.

All this being said, it is important not to copy your muse exactly. Take what they are wearing and use it as a guide when you go shopping. Always add your own individual twist to the look. It’s no fun to copy someone’s outfit piece for piece: it’s like fashion plagiarism! And remember fashion is a form of self expression. Always feel good in what you are wearing. If you feel good you will exude an air of confidence which is always the most flattering. So be Inspired and not a copycat!

Leggings Continued

So, I wanted to get this to you yesterday, but I just got so busy and ran out of time. I have styled three looks to wear with your leggings.  I chose to do a day, night, and work look.  The look pictured here is a day look. I think it helps when you can have a visual of what I am talking about.  This will hopefully give you some ideas of how you can style your leggings, so you can create looks with the clothes you have in your closet!  Have a great weekend!    

Dress: Alice & Olivia

Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent

Night

Top: Vintage

Shoes: Gucci 

Work

Dress: See by Cloe

Belt: Yves Saint Laurent

Shoes: Mark Jacobs

How to Wear Leggings

So after I posted “Rainy Tuesday” I got a lot of questions on how to wear leggings and what I think looks best paired with them. Me personally, I LOVE leggings! Anyone who knows me pretty well can probably attests to this! I think leggings are one of the easiest and most comfortable bottoms you can put on. That being said I guess it helps when you feel comfortable and confident wearing them- so hear are my pointers on wearing leggings so you can feel the same way I do in them.

·There are many different legging lengths. I like when the legging comes all the way to your ankles. I think this gives your leg a long and lean look. Some prefer cropped leggings. If this is your preference that is just fine, just make sure your leggings stop on the widest part of your calf. This accentuates a shapely calf muscle and can be very flattering. Also, when choosing your leggings make sure they are opaque (not see-through). Also choose leggings with a strong spandex in them- meaning choose a legging that is very tight and fitting on your leg.

· When choosing what to wear on top of your leggings, first and foremost always always make sure your top is long enough to cover your butt! This is a must- NO exceptions. I think dresses, tunics, or long sweaters are best paired with leggings. You’ll want a top that doesn’t cling to your leggings and isn't see-through. Thicker jersey knits, silks and cottons work best. A-line style dresses with an empire cut works particularly well because its forgiving on the hips, tummy and thighs. Straighter shift styles work well for those with a slimmer body type. If you have slim thighs, wear your dress/tunic as short as mid-thigh length and no shorter. If you’re leg or thigh-shy wear your dress around the knee, I prefer right above.

· Any shoe really goes with leggings. The look works with both flats and heels! If you feel a little flat-footed and short, opt for a heel. Ballet flats, wedges, fancy thong sandals and shoes with chunky heels are my favorite footwear combination with leggings.

Here is a great website with a ton of options for leggings. This page has some extreme leggings on it- make sure to stick with a tradition black simple legging as you get us to this style. http://www.shopbop.com/leggings/br/v=1/2534374302031244.htm

Easy Dress

Today I was out in Westchester to change the window.  We ended up putting a really causal chic dress on the mannequin.  As I was putting the dress on I thought to myself this is such a great piece.  All you have to do is throw it on and go.  It has enough style and design that you don't need to add anything else to it. This is also a great dress because you can dress it down for the day or dress it up for the night.  For the day, pair it with gladiator sandals and an over sized handbag. For the night put on a pair of your sexiest heals and and carry a metallic clutch.  If you want you could throw on a long opera length gold necklace or a pair of chandelier earrings. 

I know this is a Gucci dress and is out of most peoples price range, so I found two other dresses that I think are just as great and easy for a fraction of the price.  Both of these dresses are great stand along pieces for day or night. 

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=151410&parent_category_rn=133427&productId=1167450&langId=-1

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=151410&parent_category_rn=133427&productId=1139166&langId=-1

So when you go dress shopping look for dresses that are versatile.  Find dresses that have detailing on them, whether it is buttons, snaps, zippers, roaching, or intricate embroidery.  All these elements give the dress an extra style and design that make it an easy and great throw on anytime piece.  And remember you don't have to spend a lot to get great design! 

  

Great Detailing and Design

Date Night

So one of my good girl friends went on a date tonight and asked if I could come over and style her-- I said yes of course! Take a look at what I put together for her.  

Since it was a date and you don't want to be to casual or to dressed up I chose jeans and heals for her.  For her top I chose a flirty spring chiffon blouse that has a small and dainty print on it. I paired the blouse with a bold black and white architecturally printed coat.  A lot of people are hesitant to mix patterns, but I think it is a great way to jazz up an outfit.  

This mixture of patterns works because I mixed a small print with a large print. When mixing prints make sure you don't put two of the same size prints together.  It is important to mix up the sizes.  This allows your eye to observe and see everything that is going one.  It causes a brake between the two prints so you can process and understand what you are seeing.  Notice how you first see Elizabeth's bold printed coat and then you begin to observe her blouse.  This happens because the different sized prints.  If you were to put together two of the same size prints your eye would get lost, and you wouldn't be able to understand what you were seeing.  

So next time you are getting dressed to go out try mixing two prints together. It will give you a little extra pizzaz.  Kinda like a face lift for your outfit-- and guess what? it cost you nothing. It was all right in your closet! 

 

Date Night

My New Business Adventure

Organize it. Style it. Wear it.
with Jessica Hubble

I can show you how to take your existing clothes and create a fresh look. It’s all about organized style. Knowing what you have in your closet but also knowing how to put it together to create a style that is your best. I create a personal style guide for each client based on the clothing they already have.

I come into your home and help you organize your closet. I will help you clean out what is old and no longer should be taking up your precious New York space. Once the cleaning and organizing is finished we will go through what was deemed worthy of staying and I will help you to style your clothes. I will breathe new life into your already existing closet! Especially with the economy right now I know we are all trying to spend less on frivolous things. Everyone has a wonderful assortment of clothes in their closet, sometimes we just get tired of looking at the same things every day. I will come in with a fresh pair of eyes and create new outfits for you that you may not have thought of. I will create new styled outfits for different occasions that pertain most to you: work, lunch with the girls, going out, Sunday brunch with the in laws. Whichever occasions are most important to you is what I will focus on.

Also, during the cleaning process for some there will be really wonderful items, maybe a handbag, a wonderful dress, or pair of fabulous shoes that are still in great condition, but you just don't use or wear them anymore. Really they are just taking up your space. If this ends up being your case, I will take these items back with me and sell them for you on eBay. After receiving a BA in advertising and an AAS degree in fashion design from Parsons I am very confident I can create the best ad for your special goods- helping you to get the best return on your investment!

In addition to my two services above, I also offer the service of a personal shopper. If you decide there are essential pieces missing from your wardrobe or you have a special occasion coming up that you have nothing to wear, I can go shopping for you or we can go shopping together to help resolve the problem. I can help you to maintain an evolving up-to-date wardrobe so you can always look your best!

This is something I have always loved doing for myself and feel I have a great natural ability for styling. If you feel this is something that would benefit you, please contact me by either email or phone to make an appointment. Also, if you know someone who you think would be interested please pass my name along!

And remember. . . Spring cleaning time is here and this is a perfect opportunity for me to come help!



Jessica Hubble
Cell: 917-216-6193
jessicahubble@gmail.com

Rainy Tuesday

So of course today is another rainy day in the big apple. I looked at the weather forecast this morning and it is suppose to rain all week- ugg. Getting around the city in the rain is what most of us would call a . . . HUGE HASTLE! Never the less, we must continue our day and of course you still wanna look cute and put together. I always think on a rainy day it is best to pull you hair back (nobody likes frizzy hair), put on some big earrings, wear leggings and put your cute rain boots to work. For me leggings are my pant of choice in the rain because your rain boots fit so easily over them. I really don’t like the look of boot cut pants tucked into your boots. Girls, it just doesn't flatter your legs to have all that excess fabric bunched up around your legs.
My favorite pair of rain boots are my green Hunter boots. I know they are a little more rustic then some would like but I guess that is the Texas girl in me. http://www.shopbop.com/original-hunter-wellington-rain-boot/vp/v=1/845524441801224.htm?source=goog-ExactMatchBrands-hunter_rain_boots&source=goog-ExactMatchBrands3-hunter%20rain%20boots

Whatever your favorite pair of rain boots might be make sure to dress for your boots. This is the essential clothing for the day! Create your outfit around your boots so you can look rainy chic all day.

PS: I will try to get a picture up of me ASAP so you can see my rainy chic outfit!