Cobalt and faux fur

Vest: swapped: T-neck: Old Navy; Jeans: H&M; Boots: Go Jane: Earrings: H&M

I don't wear turtlenecks as often as I used to, but they still come in handy even
during the mild winter weather we've had in DC.  

I'm short on words at the moment, so...here's to a positive and productive week!

Style Profile: Comme Coco

Images courtesy of  Jennifer of Comme Coco

This month's style profile is from Jennifer of Comme Coco.  Jennifer has a fab sense of style and her passion for blogging/fashion definitely come through in her writing.  Now let's get to the questions!

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your blog and how did you come up with the title? 

Jennifer: My blog title came to be when I was looking up quotes for my personal Facebook page. I rarely put up personal statuses and usually use quotes to convey the message that I want for that day. While looking up quotes, I stumbled upon Coco Chanel’s quotes and realized that I LOVED them all and could relate to them. So I decided to title the blog “Comme Coco” which is French (my 1st language) for Like Coco.  I did contemplate changing my blog name a few months back to ‘The J-Face’ which is the name given to the pouty face I always make in pics but was recommended not to because Comme Coco is synonymous with me now.  It's my brand lol.

Shen Dove: How would you describe your personal style? Have you seen your style evolve since you started your blog? 

Jennifer: Wow, my personal style… well it's never really the same but the silhouettes I wear tend to stay the same (if that made ANY sense)! I dress with my moods.  I could care less about trends and what the magazines are telling me is "cute" or “in”… I will wear it as long as I WANT to.  Like overalls... I love overalls. When I was in high school I had overalls in EVERY color/fabric and silhouette. If I could find cute ones, I'd wear them now. With that said, I love menswear, rocker chic, and anything studded lol. I haven’t embraced the whole girly girl feminine look even though I think it looks A.MA.ZING on a lot of women, it's just not me.  If I wear something frilly, I almost ALWAYS have to toughen it up by throwing on a leather jacket or a studded belt or wearing it with combat boots or a newsboy hat. I don’t know why but it's just me lol. My style hasn’t really evolved much but I have found with having a blog that I have more of a “ I don’t give an “F,” I'm going to wear it anyway" mentality. I have definitely gained much more confidence from exposing myself daily on the internet (oops that sounded kinda bad huh).

Shen Dove: How has the city/town you live in influenced your style? If it hasn't please explain one or two factors that have influences your style.

Jennifer:  To be totally honest…DC has not influenced my style at all. I love this city more than anything, but I am still a Midwestern girl from East Lansing, MI (SPARTY ON!!).  Most of the clothes I wear on the blog are things I had in college or styles I've worn since college. I'm a sucker for really big flared jeans and wide legged pants. In college I had a MAJOR obsession with Silver Sisley and Charo jeans because of there extreme bell.. we are talking 24 inch opening.. SWOON!!! I'm still saving up moolah for the Elizabeth and James Extreme Jimi jeans… I am not super inspired by others when it comes to my style. Of course I read blogs and will see outfits in mags or even on the street and think “OH I like that a lot” and I may take something from that style but all in all, everything is me, myself and I. What truly inspires me is being happy with myself. There was a time when I wasn’t happy with myself and/or I had the wrong people around me who took advantage of my weak state and it made me sad a lot. I had a hard time figuring out who I was but once I did, my style was indestructible hahaha. Now that I am 110% ridiculously happy, it shows through my style. I think we are the masters of our style and we are the captains of our closets : )

Shen Dove: Spring will be here before you know it.  Are there any items that you are particularly excited about wearing next season? 

Jennifer: Knowing me, it's going to be the same stuff but but remixed.  I do like neon so I will probably throw in a little neon here and there but other than that, I'll probably wear the same old silhouettes that I am known for such as wide leg pants, body con skirts, layered tanks and leather…. I also want to use more accessories. I definitely will do the hippie handband thing around my head but of course I need to find a super A.MA.ZING studded one to wear.  I also love the Ralph Lauren collared halter shirts and definitely plan to wear one with an oversized bow tie. I do plan on changing up the materials/textures of what I own (wear more silk etc…).   OH and shoes… I SO NEED to upgrade my shoe game.  I can officially say it’s the WORST!!!!

Shen Dove: Do you have a non-blogging hobby that you really enjoy? Please tell us a bit about it. 

Jennifer: FOOTBALL!!! I love watching and playing football. About a year ago I started playing co-ed flag football and fell in love with it. I enjoy it so much that now I watch regular football even more. I think because I now understand the game a little bit more that it's far more fun to watch on TV. This season I started playing on an all-women flag football team as well and I’m SO GEEKED! Everyone thinks flag is pansy but oh little do they know, it's pretty much full contact without the pads. You really have to body up to pull flags sometimes. I have torn a ligament in my knee/broken a finger/ and had my jaw partially dislocated from it….. as crazy as it sounds, I'd love to play in the Lingerie Football League…yup I said it!

Shen Dove: Do you have one goal (blog related or non-blog related) that you plan to focus on in 2012? 

Jennifer: In 2012 my biggest blog related goal is to just reach out to more people outside of the US. I love the States but I love the welcoming nature of blog readers in Europe and Asia. They are so sweet and so stylish and not as competitive. As far as non-blog related, its' ALL ABOUT Facon Magazine for me.  I was just named the managing editor for Facon Magazine and it's my goal to help the magazine be even MORE successful than it's already destined to be. What could be better than a publication dedicated to emerging fashion? Yup, I'm waiting…lol.

Shen Dove: Do you have any DC area shopping suggestions or favorite restaurants you'd recommend that locals and visitors check out? 

Jennifer: I adore the Twig Thrift Store in Alexandria, Va and I also like Frugalista in Mt. Pleasant. As far as restaurants, I'm OBSESSED with Filomenas for Italian.  I just stumbled upon Urban Eats in Mt. Rainier and I adore it.  I'm planning on hosting my 4th blogger meetup there for the meetup group I founded.

Shen Dove: Do you have any personal style rules you live by? If so what are they? 

Jennifer: Dress for yourself and your figure and you will ALWAYS be haute! Don't be a walking page out of a magazine. You are and can be stylish at ANY size. Always smile in whatever you wear because that is your BEST accessory (well that and a bomb ass leather jacket!!).

Shen Dove: Thanks for the interview Jennifer!  Be sure to bookmark Comme Coco to see the latest updates from this stylish lady.

Vested

Shirt: Old Navy; Vest: Swapped; Pants: thrifted; Belt: H&M; Shoes: Zappos (similar); 

Necklace: F21; Earrings: H&M

  When I first looked at this vest that I picked up at a World Swap Day event, I almost put it back on the rack because the tag on the vest was not my usual size. But I gave it a second look, tried it on and it fit perfectly! So that's just a lesson that you should swap (or purchase) what fits and not focus on the numerical size.

I can now say that my red pants are no longer considered neglected!

Here is a round up of the way I've worn them so far:

It will be fun to style them again when the weather warms up this spring.

Happy Wednesday!

Blue and More Blue

Tunic: H&M; Skirt: Francesca's Collections; Belt: Nordstrom's Junior's Dept.; 

Cowl: Taylor House; Heels: Nine West; Earrings: H&M; Coat: H&M

Feeling blue today....not literally, I'm actually in a pretty good mood today.  
I just felt like wearing the color blue, cobalt to be exact.

Here's to a great week!

World Swap Day Haul

Here are a few items I picked up at a swap on World Swap Day.  

Some of these items will definitely be making an appearance on the blog soon.

Red Pants Revisited

Blazer: Gap; Shirt: H&M; Shoes: Nine West; Pants: thrifted; Coat: Land's End; Bag: F21 (old)

As promised, here is the second outfit featuring my neglected red pants.  See the first here.
I'll go more casual on the third remix of the pants next week and figure out other colors to wear 
with the pants other than black and white.

While I acknowledge that I still get mistaken for a teen on a regular basis, I do feel more mature when I wear lipstick. For years, I thought I would never wear lipstick, but it has quickly become 

my favorite makeup item this winter.

Happy Friday!

Winter White

Skirt: Target Modcloth; Blazer: Loft; Boots: Go Jane; Top: H&M

I have taken to wearing bright colors more often lately, but black and white is still one of my favorite color combinations.

This top was purchased at the end of high school when I had to trek to a suburban mall to shop in H&M because they weren't as ubiquitous as they are now.  The most unexpected pieces stand the test of time.

 I'm a bit behind on commenting this week, but will catch up soon!

Have a fabulous day! 

Old Favorite

Vest: Old Navy (similar); Jeans: Gap; Top: H&M; Bracelet: F21; Earrings: H&M; 
Clutch: Francesca's Collections

This striped shirt is a staple that I reach for over and over because of it's versatility.  

I would definitely consider it to be an old favorite at this point.

 Hope you had some time to reflect on the inspirational legacy of Dr. Martin Kuther King, Jr. today!

Currently reading: Letter from a Birmingham Jail by MLK

Lady in Red (and White)

Shirt: H&M; Pants: thrifted (similar); Shoes: Zappos; Jewelry: H&M; 
Coat: Land's End; Bag: F21 (old); Watch: Francesca's Collections

I've had these pants since the summer and don't really know why this is the first time they have made an appearance on my blog. I think to make up for this neglect, a remix is in order, so I'll style them in a different way next week. 

Have a great day!

Currently wishing for...a dash of neon yellow

Neon hues are not typically colors I gravitate to, but since getting this skirt, I thought it would be a fun to add a few more neon brights to my wardrobe.

Top Left

Top Right

Bottom Left

Bottom Right

Winter Reading List

Here are four books I plan to read (and review) this winter. 

1. A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown 
2. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 
3. The Soul of Leadership : Unlocking your Potential for Greatness by Deepak Chopra
4. 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter 

What's on your to-read list?

Comfort to the Max

Cardigan: Old Navy; Dress: F21; Scarf: Old Navy; Bag: F21 (old); 

Cuff: purchased w/gift card c/o Burlington Coat Factory; Jacket: Zara (kid's section)

 This outfit worn over the weekend is as close as I'll get to wearing pajamas in public. In my opinion, maxi dresses and skirts are comfy weekend staples that are fun to wear year round! 

Happy Monday!  Here's to a positive and productive week!

Leopard print and lace

Jacket: F21 (exactly); Top: H&M; Cami: H&M; Jeans: Gap (old); Earrings: H&M;  

Clutch: purchased w/giftcard c/o Burlington Coat Factory; Sunglasses: UO

I bought this jacket on my way to an event to wear as a topper to a black dress before the holidays.  Sorry, I didn't get a chance to take photos of that outfit.  Animal prints never go out of style for me!  This time around, I decided to go more casual and pair the jacket with jeans.  I think next time, I'll wear it with a pencil skirt and pumps. 

And don't be fooled by the lack of winter outerwear in these photos, I froze because it's cold outside!

Burlington Coat Factory Gift Card Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the Burlington Coat Factory $100 gift card is....Prissy!

Congrats Prissy! I will contact you shortly.
Thanks to everyone that entered!

This drawing was completed via Random.org

Hello 2012!

Skirt: Old Navy (exactly); Shirt: H&M (similar); Vest: F21; Scarf: Old Navy; Sunglasses: H&M; Bag: H&M

I usually create a long list of resolutions early in the year that I forget about after a few weeks, so this year I decided to forgo the long list and focus on one resolution: I will focus on living in a state of positivity and gratitude in 2012.  I like having a visual reminder of specific goals, so I will also create a vision board that I can look at daily.  Do you write resolutions or do anything else to prepare for the new year? 

Regardless of how you prepare,  I hope 2012 is a fantastic year for you!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a $100 gift card to Burlington Coat Factory!