What is J's Everyday Fashion?


About J’s Everyday Fashion

Imagine a fashion magazine full of women just like us – moms, college students, professionals, in all shapes and sizes, on a budget and dressing for the challenges of everyday life. There would be no models, no Photoshop, no fancy backdrops, just real women talking real fashion.  I want that magazine to be a reality someday. For now, I bring you J’s Everyday Fashion. Not a personal style blog, but the study of one girl’s closet. How far can you make a small (couple hundred dollars a month) budget stretch? Do the trends and outfits we see in magazines really hold up in real life? I share it all with you here – the failed attempts, the experiments, the successes, what I wear to events in my own life, but also what I might wear if I were in your shoes (working in an office, being a mom, etc.). This website is all about empowering women – to give them fashion without the frills, that hopefully you can use and apply to your life in a very practical way. And someday… I’ll bring you that magazine, too.  :-)


About J

In so many ways, I am an unlikely candidate to be the author of this website. I'm more Type A than creative, and I'm a tomboy who will always love watersports more than fashion. I used to see this as a weakness, but now I realize this is my strength. I can talk about fashion with all kinds of brains - athletes, engineers, accountants, etc. - and I love sharing the logic behind fashion and teaching others to fish, aka answer the unavoidable question of "what do I wear"? each morning.

Despite being a tomboy, I've always loved fashion magazines and in college I started experimenting with my personal style. I didn't have any real-life fashion role models growing up, and so magazines were it for me. I always felt that I was not creative enough, or pretty enough, or had enough money, to pull off what I was seeing though (which is what I want to change about fashion journalism). 

Fast forward to May 2010. I had graduated from KU with degrees in Journalism and Communication Studies, and worked in corporate marketing for about 5 years in Boston and Orlando. I had more than my fair share of style disasters in those years, but I also studied the art of fashion and was enthralled with figuring out how to bridge the gap between what I was seeing in magazines, and real life. A friend at work encouraged me to start posting my outfits on Facebook. I came up with a name, took photos, posted them, and expected nothing. I remember thinking “there is a reason 'everyday' fashion doesn’t exist in the media –no one will like this.” But I was wrong! Within weeks, I was receiving notes and emails from women who were encouraged by my story. Something clicked, and I could feel that this is where I belonged. Always a journalist at heart (I used to make fake magazines with paper and bind them together with string when I was 8), but also as someone who was just a girl, navigating personal style like everyone else, and wanting to encourage women everywhere that they were not alone in their personal style journey, and that fashion is not just for the rich and famous.

The economy being not-so-great, I lost my job in corporate marketing in fall 2010. It has been bumpy at times, but I feel beyond blessed to be experiencing great success with J’s Everyday Fashion and other freelance gigs as my full-time job now (I am the Shopping Insider for VISIT FLORIDA and I also do style seminars, more here). There’s nothing I am more passionate about than making women feel good about themselves. I hope this website inspires you to try something new. I hope you feel welcome to enjoy fashion no matter who you are or where you are from, and embrace your "mistakes" right along side me. I hope you receive practical advice that you can put into action. And I hope at the end of the day, you feel great about yourself – because when you look great, you feel great too.

Thank you for joining me on this journey! Let’s get started!

Best,
J.

J’s Fashion Commandments:
  1. Style and creativity can be learned. Exercise it like you would any other muscle. 
  2. You don’t need tons of money to be stylish. 
  3. You don’t need tons of time to be stylish. ("Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" - Matthew 6:25) If you hate what you are wearing, it distracts you from enjoying the good stuff in life (your family, your job, etc.), so you certainly should spend some time thinking about it. But sometimes all you need is to spend a little more time up front (whether that be in your closet or at the mall), and that will save you hours of angst later! Hopefully my shortcuts will help you be more efficient.
  4. Following outfit recipes is a great time-saver and creativity exerciser, it’s not “copying.” (This is why I use inspiration photos, and also because I want to share the entire organic process I use for getting dressed.) More here.
  5. There are two halves to being more stylish: your shopping strategy and your styling skills. My blog aims to help you with both. 
  6. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding your own personal style. Dressing like someone else is not a great idea, but trying a look you saw on someone else can actually help you define your own style better. (So feel free to try out the looks I post.) 
  7. It’s not about how much new stuff you can cram into one closet, it’s about how many ways can you wear the same item over and over again? 
  8. Fashion mistakes are half the fun. Don’t be afraid to make them! Finding your personal style takes plenty of trial and error, so I will always encourage you to try new things along with me. More here.
  9. At the end of the day, if you love it, then wear it! I think we are often too concerned with telling other women what they are wearing is not “right" (exceptions: church and work dress codes, and nudity) or worrying about what others might think. Confidence is everything. If you like it, go for it no matter what anybody says. I know I do. :-) 
Updated 7/11/12.

63 comments:

  1. These are all the reasons why your blog is one of my favorites!!!!!

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  2. Love this and your blog J, you rock! Everyday in the morning I look forward to your blog to see what outfit you're wearing and I always find inspiration and ideas - and love that they're all at affordable prices! Thanks for all your hard work and giving us women what we want to see and hear :)

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  3. I'm so happy to have discovered your blog. I too feel that magazines focus too much on what celebrities wear to the red carpet. I like your "normal" clothes, bought at stores that I can afford to walk into, and stylish and casual enough for everyday wear. You are a new source of inspiration.

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  4. I love your site! I found you on Chicisimo and clicked over to your blog. You put together hot outfits from normal stores and your sense of style is enviable. I'm writing my own blog as well and will definitely be checking back to your site for inspiration!

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  5. Love your blog! Just found it through the internet and your style drew me in. Great taste and I'm definitely going to be using some of your ideas :) I shop at all the same stores but sometimes don't know how to put everything together. Keep up the great work.. and fashion!

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  6. J, I just found your blog last night while skimming the pictures on LOFT on facebook. I LOVE IT! I was up later than I should have been going through your outfits. Thanks for the inspiration! I do have one question for you. I saw your makeup routine and loved it. Could you please do a video or post about your hair routine? Your hair always looks so shiny and gorgeous!

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  7. hi, i just have found your blog, lets just say i will be visiting daily!!!!amazing!!

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  8. So excited to find your blog! I've spent entire too much time going through all the different outfits, and love it!

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  9. Just found your blog and loving it. I need help in the fashion department.:) Will be back often.

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  10. SO glad I found your blog!

    It's great inspiration for ladies like myself who don't have a lot to spend on clothes and don't live in a large city with access to as many stores.

    Keep it up!

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  11. I love this. It really reminds people that you can look like a million without breaking the bank. Being a recent college graduate, money is tight and I have lots of places to be with outfits to wear but I don't have all of the funds. Thank you so much for the inspiration. Your blog is lovely and I can't wait to read more of it!

    xo-Lexa

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  12. I seriously just had a life change from following your blog and taking into account your styling tips. THANK YOU!

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  13. I'm a fashion blogger myself experimenting with my style the last one and a half year.Your blog gave me a whole different perspective. I've done lots of reading in the bloggosphere and I have to admit yours is the most inspiring every day fashion blog out there. It's consistent and very explicit and it gives off the vibe that you really want to help us women all over the world.
    I especially like how all your pieces are not expensive and how you make use of everything in your closet. A big big big thank you.
    I feel like I found my personal stylist!

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  14. I'm new to your blog and decidedly unfashionable, but drawing a lot of inspiration from you! Love the "rachael ray of fashion" idea!

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  15. I just found your blog and I must say that I am hooked! I love your style ideas and how the outfits are so well coordinated. I only wish you could come to my house and put together outfits from my closet for me! I find that I buy pretty nice pieces but have a hard time putting them together to achieve that "wow" factor. I will definitely be putting your ideas to use with my wardrobe, Thanks!!!

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  16. I love your blog. I found myself reading it for 2 hours straight. But the one thing I noticed you failed at what fitting other body types. It seems all the looks you oull are geared for tall, slim women. What about those that are not 5'8 or 110 lbs?

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  17. Thanks everyone! If you ever have questions, please email me or post on my Facebook page so I can answer you individually! :-)

    Anonymous, one drawback of using my own closet to teach fashion lessons is that I'm just one body type to show them on. Stay tuned for Sept 2011 where I will be featuring 16 other fashion bloggers of all different shapes and sizes, and also please tune into my show on IzonOrlando, where I will be giving women of all shapes and sizes full makeovers! A huge part of why I'm doing that show is for that exact reason - to have the ability to show fashion on other women. You can watch the pilot online right now! http://www.izonorlando.com/2011/05/js-everyday-fashion-season-1-pilot-colleen/

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  18. J, can you implement a feature so we can search easily your outfits? Let's say I search "red" or "skirt" and all the past outfits comes up? I remember seeing something with animal print so I searched and searched but I did not remember the exact day or title of the post. This is something you may want to create ;)

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  19. i am overjoyed about finding this blog! :) Can't wait to keep reading!

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  20. I was going through many fashion blogs until I came across yours...and its just what I wanted to read! Truly amazing! I love the way you show how to make an everyday outfit from the magazine looks and styles...its always confusing but your blog shows us how to do that with everyday items. Great work!!

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  21. Like everyone else has stated- this is exactly what the fashion/ style blogging world needed- real style on a real budget! Well done. I'll be back daily- I've added you to my blog roll!

    Http://everydaymomstyle.wordpress.com

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  22. I stumbled on this blog looking for new ways to wear my cobalt blue skinnies and it is officialy my new obsession! I love that you don't use your inspiration photos totally literally,instead referring to the color palette and the general idea of the outfit in the photo. Genius!

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  23. I love your blog! Just what I needed to reinforce my goal of adding more style to my wardrobe!

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  24. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. A friend directed me here today and I can't get enough of it. Your creativity, drive and positivity about style and feeling comfortable in what you wear is inspiring. Can't wait to read more!

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  25. Stumbled upon this site when looking for some fashion ideas. Your site gives me so many ideas on how to mix and match colors that iv'e been wanting to put together. Including what shoes to wear with those outfits. I love your site!!

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  26. Love your blog! And your style. Thanks for sharing it with women.

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  27. Hey J!! Your blog is a true inspiration and I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award on my site! xo, MLM

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  28. Wow! All I can say is wow and thank you! I just found your website, I had seen some of your work on Pinterest and used some for inspiration, but being on this website is amazing!

    I want to try everything on here already and the most important thing is that the clothes, shoes, and accesories you use are not over the top expensive, so thnak you for that! I'm in love with you website! Congrats!

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  29. I came accross your blog due to a mention by Clare in Fitting It All
    In. I have to say I LOVE YOUR BLOG! Thanks so much for all the inspiration :). Will be coming here a lot.

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  30. Your blog is a work of fashion! with fashion is so interesting coming from a perspective of modesty. Perfect, much creativity, and wonderful photography. Very nice collection and I really enjoyed your blog.

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  31. I am so thankful I stumbled upon this site. Uses runway/high fashion ideas and turns them into wearable outfits that any woman can use everyday!!! Thank you and keep the posts coming :-)

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  32. I stumbled across your blog...I'm a fellow Kansas girl, and recently started my own fashion blog! I love the idea of your blog. :)

    Dani

    http://beautyinthemidwest.blogspot.com

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  33. Thank you very much for your hot tips! It's really about developing your own style. I'd like to ask though if you have any suggestions on how to re-use bridal jewelry in NYC for simple outfits?

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  34. i am a walking fashion disaster from Malaysia... and I thank God for discovering your blog. love your sharing, you're so genuine and i absolutely adore your style... gonna start experimenting but am a bit apprehensive cos i am quite fat..

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  35. This is one of my favorite new finds and I'm so happy I stumbled across your blog! Keep all the great and affordable ideas coming! I nominated you as A Lovely Blog in my latest post, too!

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  36. I came across your blog through Pinterest about a month ago and have been following it daily since. I just turned 30, became a mother, and since lost the baby weight plus some extra. All this, along with your blog, has encouraged me to be more bold in what I wear. If not now, when?! And I still can't believe I've found a fashionista that works within my price point. J, you're the best! Thank you!

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  37. I found your site through Pinterest and I've been reading through your blog for all of 15 minutes and I'm in love! This definitely going on my "favorites" list! :-)

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  38. J,
    Your blog is my new absolute favorite!!!! :) I love what you stand for! It is so encouraging to find some positive inspiration and a great role model when it comes to sorting through the confusing world of fashion! Thank you so much!!! Keep up the great work :D

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  39. I have just started teaching my self to dress stylish. I do the same thing you do, find an outfit in expensive clothes magazine and recreate on my budget. It is a blast! I sure hope you make your magazine one day, I will subscribe! I want to see normal everyday women in advertising, not tall skinny models!!

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  40. J,
    your blog has transformed my sense of style. I have no doubt that great things will be in your future.

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  41. I came across your blog via Pinterest and am loving it! Definitely going to be picking up lots of inspiration from you, as I am in the same boat of finding a solid sense of style on a small - or more like *tiny* - budget! Would love for you to stop by my blog sometime if you have a minute :)

    -Katie
    http://loverlysheblog.com

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  42. I am so glad I found your blog - I love it! I love fashion magazines too, but it did always seem so unrelatable to my life. I am engineer that works for a city, so fashion is really the last thing related to my job. I am trying to figure out how to look good and feel good (and current) without being inappropriate in the workplace. I'm not sure I always master that, but I'll get there!

    Oh, and I grew up in Kansas so I think it is awesome you went to KU -many of my friends did!

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  43. J,
    You've helped me so much! I love copying your styles. "If copying is wrong, I don't wanna be right!".

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  44. I just found your blog. I needed to know about the process!!! Maybe this will help me find my personal style :) Thanks!

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  45. Wow, I have been looking through your blog for the last couple days, and I love it! What an inspiration you are. I am looking to update my wardrobe to more professional looking clothes. Also, just saw that you are KU alum, which is awesome because I am finishing up my senior year at KU now! Thanks and Rock Chalk!

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  46. Love love love your blog, J! I get nerdishly excited when I see a new post come through my email every day. :) you have my dream job...you are so blessed! Annnnd I'm pretty sure if you lived in Omaha we would be buds. ;) THANK YOU for inspiring me --and thousands of other women.

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  47. Your blog makes me happy. I love how you style your outfits. They are inspiring and you look beautiful in everything.

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  48. I first saw pictures of you on pinterest....then I clicked on your website...that I liked you on facebook...and follow you on twitter...I love how you try to recreate an outfit at a reasonable price...every day I look on your pics for inspiration on what to wear....thank you!

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  49. Hi J,
    I just discovered your blog through another blogger I follow that mentioned you. 2 things jumped out at me...1.) You are reasonable and have great style....and 2.) You are a Christian. I am loving that you are yourself and not afraid to post a bible verse or two. Thank you for that! I will be bookmarking your blog for sure!

    <3

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  50. I just came across your blog and love it! I'm a frugal shopper but like putting together looks that people think are expensive. I'm always looking for more inspiration and have already found a few pieces that I want to buy but didn't know what to wear it with or have something similar but never thought to wear it with that. Keep up the great work!

    www.frugalously.wordpress.com

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  51. I just stumbled upon your blog and I love it. I feel empowered already to develop my own personal style and try new things! Please keep up the great work :)

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  52. Came across your blog the other day and truly enjoy it. I love how you take a look, make it your own, but also make it accessible to a variety of other women!

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  53. Just stumbled upon this after somebody pinned your blog on Pinterest.. As a teenage girl with a low budget, but a high sense of fashion, it can be a struggle! Looking through your posts showed me how I can use my pieces in so many ways and to continue to be bold! This is a new favorite of mine, keep it up! :)
    Rachel

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  54. I'm a recent college graduate, first year teacher and am only working at .83 part time. As I stepped into my first "big girl" job I was ecstatic, but then began looking at my wardrobe very depressed because... how, how was I going to pull off looking professional with a wardrobe that screamed college student? That's when J's Everyday Fashion fell into my lap via Pinterest (what would I do without it? lol). I'm truly hooked and by reading through your blog and getting ideas from, yours truly, outfits; I closed my laptop and the light bulb in my closet seamed to finally grow brighter for me. I had outfit combos and so much more waiting for me in being fashionably professional at work because I was confined to thinking inside the box. Thank you so much for what you have become and created. I greatly look forward to see what you have put together on every post and how I can relate it to myself.

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  55. Love your blog!!! Looking forward to more!

    xo Dinah @ sunshine super glam

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  56. So inspirational...I pray god moves for you in your career. Great blog!

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  57. Hi J!

    I'm so glad I found your blog. Have been browsing through the posts and 'how-to' articles and must say that I'm hooked. Within just a day! :)

    So yup, I'm a fan of yours! I love what you do for two main reasons - you're the first person whos rationel of "copying" outfits actually makes sense (and this is said by the person who has ideas of great outfits but who is just pathetic at executing them properly, and thus falls constantly back to the old routine how to wear certain pieces), and for giving advice as well as inspiration of making the most out of my warderobe.

    You've made your blog reasonable and creative at the same time - that's a rare gift. Thank you!

    Greetings from Belgium + Estonia :)

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  58. I found your blog through pinterest and have been absolutely hooked since I first looked at it! It's fantastic how you took such a simple, straightforward idea and made it into an excellent blog that people like myself can spend literally hours reading and learning from! I've only been following you for a week and you have already influenced my closet in so many ways! I feel like I can really identify with your aesthetic. I graduated in 2005 as well, live in San Diego and have a similar body type (although I'm about 7 inches shorter...) but even if all that were different I can see how people from everywhere with all kinds of backgrounds could relate to your blog. Great job!

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  59. I also found your blog through pinterest and I love what you stand for. Your style is super cute and I learned so much about my personal style!

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  60. just found your blog through pinterest. My blog has a very similar direction, styling what you already own! I do it by looking for inspirations in all sorts of places, hence how i found you on pinterest! power to the frugal! ;)

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  61. I love your philosophy. As someone who has to stay on a very tight budget, I may enjoy looking at designer outfits, but I cannot afford them and so bargain hunting and using my creativity does allow me to express my own personal style. I'm sure that magazine will debut shortly!

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  62. J, fantastic blog. Found it through pinterest and just love your colours!! I will definitely put together similar outfits, thank you! :D

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