JCrew Holiday Gift Idea Set and Print Mixing Set

The shopping Season is upon us and certainly cannot be ignored.  I would be sharing gift ideas from my favorite stores on the blog every now and then till the end of the shopping season and the first store on the list today is JCrew. I love JCrew pieces for their quality and great prices and the fact that they also have Mens' wear and Children's wear. I shop for my Kids and nephews and nieces at JCrew during the holidays and it's quite a joy. Check out my pick(s) from the store this season.

                                          





                                                     Jcrew Gift Idea by ojomrs featuring j crew jewelry




Another reason I love JCrew is that they have beautiful sweaters and printed skirts that you can pair together during the cold season for beautiful print mixing like the collage set below that features all JCrew items. There is a 40% discount sale going on presently with the code "HOLIDAY." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jcrew Gift Idea by ojomrs featuring j crew jewelry

Harley of Scotland stripe top
$245 - jcrew.com

J Crew cap sleeve top
$79 - jcrew.com

J Crew leather sleeve coat
$485 - jcrew.com

J Crew wool blazer
$245 - jcrew.com

J Crew textured skirt
$355 - jcrew.com

J.Crew thick heel shoes
$305 - jcrew.com

J Crew leather man bag
nordstrom.com

J Crew brown leather tote
jcrew.com

J Crew j crew bangle
$165 - jcrew.com

J Crew j crew jewelry
jcrew.com

J Crew faux fur scarve
$130 - jcrew.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Shoe lovin' - Camo Boots! and Black Friday Shopping tips..

Happy Shopping Friday! I hate to say Black Friday and I still do not understand so much why the Friday after thanksgiving would be termed Black Friday? with all the shopping deals and discounts going on in stores and all the precious, beautiful family time and activities and outings after the Thanksgiving holiday? I do not care if you get "black-out" deals from the stores or on-line, it should be called "Great Friday" or "Shopping Friday" or "Deals Friday" or whatever but certainly not Black Friday in my opinion..Lol.


That aside; I hope you had a great Thanksgiving yesterday with your Family and Friends. if you are going to do some shopping this weekend, here are a few tips that you might need and it is centered on this pair of boots/booties that I purchased about four years ago from victoriassecret on-line. Since camo color is trending right now and it is boots season, I figured it would be a great idea to talk about this pair of boots in a shoe-lovin' /Black Friday Shopping Post.


This pair of booties which are actually quite worn out now because they are a couple of years old and I wear them a lot are one of my best purchases over the years for the reasons below;

• They are of very good quality and in a classic color (camo) that never gets out of style
• They pair with a lot of casual styles because of the neutral color
• They are a versatile pair: they can be worn as booties or boots because of the clasps attached to them. (See the attached Pics)

 

 

 

So when it comes to Black Friday Shopping; you have to plan ahead of time what you want to do. Do you want to shop online or go to the stores? or you want to do a little bit of both? If you are not a savvy online shopper and do not have much experience shopping on line, this is not the time to start. As for me, I enjoy shopping online and I pretty much know how the sizing and return policies go for my favorite online stores.

 

 

 

Online Shopping Tips

 

 

 

• Have a list of all the things you want to purchase and a budget on hand.

• Have a list of your favorite stores and check out all their deals and discount promotions before hand

• Register your e-mails online with your favorite stores and they would send you promotional mails about their Black Friday deals before hand.

• Read about a stores shipping and return policy online before you make any purchase or call the store to talk to an associate. (you can even do a live chat with an associate on line these days).

• Make sure you know the sizing chart of the store you are buying from and it is better to go up a size than to size down when you are not sure of the sizing chart.

• Find out if your favorite store would let you ship to their local store for free so you can cut out shipping costs for your purchased item (you just drive to the store to pick up your delivery when you get the delivery e-mail)

• Finally, read reviews of items before you make any purchase. They give you detailed information on what and how other buyers feel about the item and the store.

                                          In-Store Shopping Tips

 

 

The on-line shopping "tips" outlined above is also great information to have/know before you go to shop in-store. Most Black Friday shoppers said they enjoy the thrills of going to the stores on Black Friday and scouting and hustling for their favorite item as opposed to sitting comfortably on their couch to shop on-line. If this is you, consider some of the tips below;

 

 

• Wear very comfortable shoes and clothing and dress in layers when the weather is cold.

• Carry a messenger bag or cross body bag so nothing gets in your way

• Pack a light lunch or snacks with you because you might not have time for a sit down lunch

• Make sure you have a full gas tank in your car incase you need to drive from one mall to another. You do not want to waste valuable time at the gas station buying gas instead of shopping!

• Know the store's opening and closing information before hand before you head out of your home.

• Have a list of your items and a shopping budget on hand.

• Have a shopping buddy with you who knows about your shopping list and your budget

• Shop at a quick and steady pace but never run, or shove your way through the stores.

• Be polite to store associates and other shoppers

• Use changing rooms quickly and do a quick scan before you leave to ensure you do not forget your items in there

• Always pick up a gift receipt for your purchased items

• Check out the store's return policy before you pay for your items.

 

                         Final Thoughts

Know that some deals and discounts are exclusive to particular stores sometimes or they can also be on-line exclusive. So, don't expect to find/buy something in store that is exclusive on-line. Also, buy classic items that are of great quality and would stand the test of time. Do not waste your money and your precious time on low quality items or cheap and not so important purchases. Also, ensure to buy versatile items like my pair of booties above that you can convert to other uses or in the case of a clothing item; that you can pair/style with other outfits. Also check out an old Post on the above pair of boots HERE




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How to stand out at a Holiday Party

It is the season of  holiday parties and as those invites pour in, great consideration is put into gifting and dressing up for the events. In a season of trendy colors and fashion, it is always a good idea to stand out in a good and classy way. So, if you are attending that Christmas party where most ladies turn up in the season's colors of red and green or lace dresses of different colors or even the LBDs; want your own outfit to stand out? Consider the tips below.

 

 

 

Trend by Color

If you are going to a casual thanksgiving event or party; do you plan to wear a casual outfit to match the colors of the season? If your answer is yes; then you have chosen an outfit by picking one trend and ensure that you stick to it. Do not add another holiday, season or outfit trend to your choice. For example, if you plan to wear a Christmas sweater to a Christmas themed party, make sure you get a sweater in a neutral color like cream, white and grey and let the Christmas graphics or embellishment make the trend statement. Do not wear a red Christmas sweater with additional Santa Claus graphics or embellishment.


Take a look at the two casual sets below and you can tell that they are trends by color; colors of Autumn (Fall). However, the first outfit below with the cut-out sleeves or cold-shoulder top is way too trendy. The outfit set has a clash of two or three trends; seasonal colors (orange and khaki) and fashion trend (cold-shoulder top and leather)

Rather, wear a casual outfit like the one below where you are only giving a nod to the colors of the season in a beautiful mustard color sweater. I know that the sweater is off shoulders and you might say that is; trend number two but not really. the off-shoulder trend was a big trend in the Summer and it was followed by the cold shoulder top at the beginning of the Fall season. So, you have to weigh each trend to find out the one that is a little more subtle if you decide to add a second trend to your outfit.

Trend by Fashion

We all know that the velvet trend is a big hit right now but if you want to look classy at the thanksgiving party or holiday party, pay attention to how you wear the season's fashion trend. If you dress up in velvet head to toe, you'll come off a little cheesy and as someone trying too hard to be a Fashionista.

Instead of wearing a velvet dress, pants or skirts like most ladies in the party might wear, put a different twist on your outfit by using a velvet clutch or purse instead. And do remember that velvet boots and booties are also a big trend at the moment. Rather, than wearing velvet boots, why not wear velvet heels instead? That way, you stand out in your pumps. However, never carry a velvet clutch and wear velvet boots or heels at the same time. You have to pick only one accessory in the Season's fashion trend.

Dressing up might not be as easy as it seems after all...Lol. I know that there is the popular saying or idea that there is no rule to Fashion these days but if you really want to stand out in a classy way wherever you go, you have to adhere to some simple rules, "Happy Thanksgiving."

 

 

 

 

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Eshakti Landscape Print Skirt

Happy Thanksgiving Eve Friends; just a quick Post to say hi to you. I know most people are busy at this time with domestic issues and might not have time to sit down and relax to browse their favorite blogs but I just wanted to put up this Post to say "Thank-you" to anyone and everyone who stops by here today. There will be a "Thanksgiving Outfit Inspiration Post" tomorrow on the blog and Friday's Post would be a tip or two on Black Friday shopping. Most of my blog posts are prescheduled on my archives so, they are not going to get in the way of me enjoying the holiday and spending time with my family and Friends. I restyled this landscape print  midi skirt previously blogged about HERE in this post today. I love you for stopping by here.

Skirt: Eshakti (sold-out) /  similar (Dress) style HERE  / another Dress version HERE / Sweater: Ann Taylor (sold-out) Boots: Steve Madden

 

 

 

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Gingham, Vest and Velvet

Happy Thanksgiving week Friends. This holiday is very special to most people that live in America and widely celebrated but it goes well beyond eating turkey and food. It is a time to reflect on the whole year and years past and to give thanks to God for everything. I know other parts of the world also have some sort of celebration of thanks and life at this time of the year too.

 

 

Just like a lot of people, I'm busy at this time buying all the last minute needed essentials for all the upcoming holidays. I wore my velvet flats  blogged about here over the weekend although there was over two inches of snow on the ground (We had our first snow fall last Saturday and it was a storm).The flats were not warm enough for my feet but sometimes, you give up some comfort for a little bit of style. I didn't walk around in them for too long though and I was driving most of the time. The flats added a great pop of color to my casual camel color vest and gingham shirt casual style.

If you are going to be running around doing some shopping and last minute preparation at this time of the year, make sure you do it in style and I am just here to remind you of that...Lol. I may not be the most stylish person but I do try my best for a busy Mom of four kids. Thank-you so much for reading my blog. I thank God for you everyday.

Gingham top: Loft (sold out) Dress version: HERE / Denim: Loft / Vest: House of Fraser / Velvet flats:  blogged about HERE

 

 

 

 

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Ditching the Monday Blues

Say it is Monday!! Can I get a woot! woot!! Oh, is that reserved for Fridays alone? Mondays do not have to be boring. The best way to start a great week aside from getting a spiritual boost by attending Church on Sunday and giving the week to God by Faith, is to start the week slaying! Yeah, you heard me!..Lol. Apart from dressing being a form of good manners according to the famous quote by Tom Ford, dressing up does elevate our moods too and for most women, you get a burst of confidence when you make an effort to look your best.

The outfit sets in this post "is" a dose of inspiration and motivation for a stylish new week. I threw in some shades of cobalt blue in each set to help slay the Monday even more. Ditch the Monday blues by stepping up your style game and stepping into work or school looking your best. Have a great week Fashionistas and wishing you a "Happy thanksgiving week" if you reside in the great United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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So long Summer..

Happy Friday Friends; do not be surprised by the title of this post. I know it is Fall season but like I said in my other Posts, we have been enjoying gorgeous summer-like weather in my city but it looks like we are jumping right into Winter this weekend. It is raining currently and the serious cold has come in. Also, we are expecting our first snow fall this weekend. Somehow, it feels like we skipped Fall.

Since, it is flashback Friday on social media, I decided to put up a flash back Friday post to this outfit I wore during the summer. The graphic tee was sent to me from instagram.com/wearyourpraise and I love it. Graphic tees are totally up my sleeve for casual wear and the message on this particular tee is so powerful; "Never underestimate the power of a praying Wife." There are other inspirational messages and designs too and you can check some out in this blog post here. There are so many ways to dress up or dress down graphic tees as you can see and you can look chic and edgy in them. Check out more tees, tank tops and sweatshirts on Instagram at @wearyourpraise and on wearyourpraise.com and get a 10% discount when you use the code "BEAUTYOJO"

 

  

 

 

 

 

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Blue is Cool

 

 

It is Fall though we do not feel the effects yet in my state of Minnesota; maybe this weekend when it is predicted we might have some snow. Fall colors are usually rich tones of brown, mustard, burgundy, camo, emerald....well, I decided to throw in some cobalt blue colors last Sunday which really can be a Fall color too. Have you been seeing those beautiful cobalt blue velvet shoes and boots in the store?

My cobalt blue blazer paired over a graphic print pencil skirt was my church outfit last Sunday. I threw in my nude pumps to tone down the blue colors and with the beautiful blue skies  above me, I had a beautiful awesome day. I hope you are enjoying beautiful weather wherever you are...:-)

 

 

Blazer: old (thrifted) / Tee: Loft: /Pumps: Colin Stuart

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Fashion Office

Hi Fashionistas, it's a different kind of post on the blog  today and the topic of discussion is; "the fashion Office;" do you have one?  Does your home office have a theme? does it look like a creative space? does it reflect its function? Since this is a Fashion blog, the emphasis is going to be on the Fashion Office. If you are a fashion blogger, a designer, a fashion editor or just someone who works in the Fashion industry either as a hobby or as aa career, you need to have an office with a Fashion theme to keep the creative juices flowing.

 

If do not have a room dedicated as an office in your home, you can have a creative corner for a start and the key is to use that space consistently as an inspiration for creativity. To create a fashion theme in your office, you need to have props and objects that inspire you and related to your kind of creativity.  Below is a list (not exhaustive) of things you can have in your office aside from the regular beautiful furniture and a computer or laptop.

• Beautiful throw pillows and blankets
• Beautiful flower vases (natural or silk)
• Picture frames of pictures, dresses or scenes that inspire you
• A mannequin or Dress form
• A full length Mirror
• A clothes rack
• A shoes rack

Do you have a Fashion Office that has a theme and reflects your creativity and personality? What are your thoughts on having a themed Office?



                                                                 


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**All Pictures extracted from Google.com**