December 1, 2011

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Shopping Event







































I'm hosting a shopping soiree at a local salon today and this is what I'm wearing! If you live in the Orlando area, I would love to have you join me at In Style Hair to shop Stella & Dot jewelry, a free raffle, and all the pink champagne and cupcakes you can eat! Go here for details.

About my outfit: I'm rocking not one, but two new purchases today! I've had a pleated skirt on my wish list for months, and picked up this polka dot one on Black Friday. My other new purchase is the shirt which I also recently wore with jeans and sandals for errands. Finally, it's hard to see in the picture but I'm wearing my Stella & Dot Jacqueline necklace backwards, so you can see the chain detail (it's totally rockstar that way). Are you wearing the pleated skirt trend this fall?

About my camera: I took your advice and went for no flash with my new camera. I like that you can see the details in my outfit, but it's driving me nuts how dark the wall is behind me.... *sigh* I guess it's back to the drawing board (or my old camera). Any suggestions? :-(

Shirt: c/o LOFT, $30 (recent)
Skirt: Express, $18 (recent)
Belt: H&M, $4
Shoes: Boutique 9, $70
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $171 (on sale!)


1. ASOS pleated skirt, $40.91
2. ModCloth pleated skirt, $42.99
3. Kohl's Lauren Conrad pleated skirt, $40

54 comments:

  1. Everything about this outfit make me smiles. Perfect combo of sweet and rock n' roll.

    girlintransitionblog.blogspot.com

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  2. I love this outfit, especially that skirt. I think the non-flash works best, it might not be your preference but I definitely like seeing the details over a white-white background. I wish I was in FL to go to the event, but I'm much too far away!

    My Growing Obsessions

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  3. I love that I can really see the details in your outfit!  I would rather see your outfit than the wall anyways! :)  You look great!  

    http://chicstayathome.blogspot.com

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  4. the pics look great. the details pop. and the darker wall is actually an improvement. i'm also loving the fun pose.

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  5. This is my fav outfit of yours so far this season. I LOVE the skirt! You look adorable. But J--not the duckface!! hahaha

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  6. Such a feminine and flirty look. Love your top.  It is such a classic piece that you will have for many years to come.  Cute second photo.  Showing us some personality :)  Have fun at your event. Who wouldn't want cupcakes and champagne?

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  7. Great Look!!!

    lovely

    www.ilovenystyle.blogspot.com

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  8. I am loving that outfit!  Have fun today!

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  9. This is a super pretty outfit!

    www.theprettyfactor.blogspot.com

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  10. I love your skirt!

    Are you shooting on Auto? I would find the spot in your house where there's the most natural light, put the camera mode to aperture priority (Av on your Canon, I think) and set the f-stop to maybe 5.6 or a bit higher. You might need a tripod or something stable depending on how much light there is, but it just looks like you need a bit more light in your photo! Hope that helps!

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  11. Adore this look!

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  12. I love pleated skirts and have been looking for one, but all the ones I've tried are just too long for me! 

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  13. I'm agreeing big time with all these other ladies.  The quality of your photos today are much better than with the old camera.  The darker wall is giving your pics more depth and the improvement in the details we can see is great!
    I also LOVE this outfit and wish I could find all the pieces and buy them this instant.

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  14. I love the neutral palette, it's demure but still fun!

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  15. Yay! Thanks for your feedback Denise!

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  16. Thank you! Love the suggestions, now to figure out what an f-stop is. :-) I am already using a tripod. Thanks again!

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  17. Thank you! I am by far the goofiest person you will ever meet so goofy poses might be making an appearance from time to time. We'll see. :-)

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  18. DSLR's need light...what len's are you using? Try using Av (aperture priority) and set it to the lowest aperture your lens will allow (let's more light in the camera). I also suggest buying a book on your specific model and learning the ins and outs. It really does help a lot.

    That is also why a lot of bloggers take pictures outside, more natural light makes for better and easier photographs. :) Hope that helps!

    Michelle
    www.pinqueblog.com

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  19. Thank you, but I canNOT believe you just accused me of duckface, lol!! I'm not making that face at all (kissing), I'm just smiling with my mouth closed!! Good Lord, woman... you gave me a heart attack for a moment... thought I had posted a duckface photo... 

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  20. Thank you greenbean! :-)

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  21. Thanks for the feedback Samantha! I wish you could come, too! :-)

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  22. Oh my gosh, I love everything about this gorgeous outfit! It's so ladylike and feminine and I definitely need both pieces... going to their websites now! I've been liking pleated skirts too! As much as I love my pencil skirts, these are such a fun departure from the norm!

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  23. I am so bummed I am going to miss your event!! But you look beautiful! Love how flirty that look is and it's a perfect choice for the event you are hosting. Have fun!

    http://irisfocusedonfashion.blogspot.com

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  24. I know what you're saying with you camera, I just got my first 'real' camera this summer, its a Canon T3i. So now I'm in the getting all the right accessories phase.  I don't know how much space you have but I saw this set-up on amazon and it seems to be a reasonable price.  
    http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photography-Continuous-Lighting-Backdrops/dp/B001G4BNZA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3BH8KHB2Z8GS9&colid=1MQIU0719SNMA
    I know this one is out of stock, but it may be a good permanent solution.  They will come with special bulbs that will be better light than your typical house bulb.

    Hope this helps,
    Amanda

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  25. PS love love love this outfit! Absolutely adorable!

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  26. OMG I want that for Christmas!! Thank you so much Amanda, I didn't know such a thing existed. 

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  27. I really like the romantic feel of this outfit! The blouse is super cute!

    http://adecolife.wordpress.com/

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  28. I recently purchases a long pleated skirt in jade green.  However, I can never really find items to pair it with.  Any suggestions?  Your look today, as always, superb:)

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  29. Just discovered your blog and LOVE IT! I am now following :) This looks is so pretty and I am definitely following the pleated skirt trend. Just got a midi pleated skirt for my bday so hopefully I'll be posting it soon!

    Come check us out and would love a follow back!

    http://confessionsoftheglitterati.blogspot.com/

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  30. Love the neutral color palette! I bet it would look good with some red or maybe even cobalt shoes too, to kick it up a notch? I want that skirt!

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  31. I love this outfit! Nice pose! I love that I can tell you're such a fun girl with this outfit and pose! I have to recreate this outfit soon! Have a blast at your party! =)

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  32. Such a great look on you - totally fresh and a little different than your usual looks (which are always lovely too).  Try using Lightroom (you can get a free 30 day trial) to edit your pics and you should get the levels you're after - the colour of the wall doesn't bother me at all though - you look great.x

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  33. Now you just made me add a pleated skirt to my xmas list!
    http://work-it-blog.blogspot.com/

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  34. i just saw these tips for indoor photo shoots on pinterest! hope they help :)

    http://my3boybarians.com/2011/10/tips-for-indoor-photography-31-days-of-photo-tips-day-9/
    http://www.itworksforbobbi.com/2011/11/getting-great-indoor-photos-this.html

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  35. This outfit is such a pretty and *SKILLFUL B.L.E.N.D.I.N.G.*
    of subtly-feminine;  tailored-classic;  and funky-classic!!    It's the
    subtly-feminine dangles, and funky-classic chain, of your Stella and
    Dot Jacqueline Necklace ............ your tailored-classic shirt and
    belt ............ your subtly-feminine, polka-dotted pleated skirt
    ............ and then your funky-classic python shoes!!



    I
    like the more "spread out," (i.e., diffuse), arrangement of the polka dots on your pleated skirt, because that seems to make it more wearable;  and ............ if you look very closely, J ............ there are (*R.A.I.N.B.O.W.*-shaped) rows of white polka dots on your pleated skirt!!    When polka dots are big or really close together, it almost seems as if a garment is too "loud," except (of course) for casual or business-casual wear;  but the polka dots on your pleated skirt from Express are ............ just right!!



    ****By the way, IF any of your readers are interested, here's some beautiful polka-dotted skirts ON SALE in Aqua;  Coral;  Lime;  Red;  Navy;  and Black----(all depending on your size, because some of the colors are currently
    sold out, you know).    I had previously purchased, (from this
    website), a longer, Misses 32"-length, black polka-dotted skirt, which
    is of very good quality and just gorgeous----particularly with it's low-key-*flirty* lettuce hem!!----but to get a shorter-length polka-dotted skirt, (i.e., 29 1/2"), instead ............ you simply could look at the available Petite Sizes!!: 
    http://www.normthompson.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=7413.****

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  36. 'Really don't know *why* the link, (i.e., in my previous post), didn't work!    If you'd like, maybe try this instead:
    http://www.normthompson.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=7413http://www.normthompson.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=7413

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  37. I love this skirt on you, but pleated skirts are not my friend! I tried one on last month and it it caused way to much bulge around the waist/hip area and I really don't want to add any more than what is already there. :)

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  38. I too recently upgraded to a 'big girl' DSLR. I found The Pioneer Woman tutorials in her photography section to be really helpful (she goes into Aperture, Shutter speed etc). I even printed out some of the tips and keep them in my camera bag! Stick with the new camera and just use it as often as you can - once you get over the learning curve, you won't look back!

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  39. (sigh) I can't find this skirt ANYWHERE!

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  40. You could try setting up a lamp on either side of you and taking the shades off?

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  41. You could either set up lamps or some sort of a light source near the wall (but they the edges may be really bright), or you could stand away from the wall. The closer you are to the wall, the more shadows you will get on the wall. I love this outfit btw! 

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  42. You look stunning in this outfit. Stunning.

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  43. You are such a very simple woman with a wide sense of fashion. I adore what you have bought i n this photo. I can definitely wear something like this. Very very beautiful and so sexy still.

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  44. Haha, if you set the camera mode to Av and spin the ridged dial (there should be one right by the button you press to take pictures) you will see a number change on the screen. That number is the f-stop. Good luck!

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  45. I shop at Express all the time and I had never seen this skirt until I bought it on clearance that day! :-(

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  46. Thanks Jenny!

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  47. Thank you Bianca, great tips!!

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  48. Thanks Ally and welcome to the blog !:-)

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  49. Rona, sounds gorgeous! For winter you could wear any combination of neutrals like an ivory sweater, black or gray with a heavy statement necklace in silver or gold. If you want to try color-blocking, a cobalt blue, mustard or turquoise top would be amazing!

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  50. I dont mind the darker walls, but you could take this concept... http://www.google.com/products/catalog?pq=red+light+camera+plate+cover&hl=en&cp=9&gs_id=14&xhr=t&q=camera+lighting&tok=cMreCkyXkvy4wx4zfHCpbw&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1600&bih=799&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1809689643033355425&sa=X&ei=NgzbTo3PLdCCtgf2wKTtAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CIUBEPMCMAA

    and modify your current camera. if you have a pop-up flash, just cut a square of white paper and  tape it above or on the side of your flash. It sounds cheesy, but that little bit of light reflection really makes a difference, play around with positioning until you find what you like. :)

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  51. I too love your post, I am not real big into fashion but you do make me want to look better and pay more attention to how I look. Thank you.   As for the wall trouble, have you ever thought of a backdrop? It could be just a canvas color and it could come all the way down on the floor. Just hang up a curtain rod or something. Just dont trip. You can also bounce your light off the ceiling with a special adjustable flash. Please keep up the good work.

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  52. Love this outfit!! How cool would it be if you got a customized "J's Everyday Fashion" logo put on a paper backdrop and put it on the wall behind you. You'd look like a celebrity EVERY DAY!!! 

    For example:
    http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20550708,00.html#21089755

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  53. Love! I adore nude neutrals. LC for kohls had a similar skirt that I was eyeing online!

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  54. I am absolutely in love with pleated skirts!! Yours is gorgeous!!

    Julia
    Cup of Tea
    http://cupoftea-style.blogspot.com

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