Nothin' Fancy.

I had an 8am meeting at work today on my "day off." 8 am meetings mean two things. Coffee and bagels, and definitely roll out of bed comfy attire. That's three things, actually. I'm still tired. 

shorts/vintage Levi's  bag/vintage Coach  watch+glasses/Michael Kors   blouse+shoes/UO

This Coach bag used to be my Mom's in the 90's. I am obsessed with it. Outside of not being gigantic enough to hold all of my crap, it is easily the most practical bag I own. I find myself wanting to wear it with everything....so I do. :) 

This post is sort of a small landmark for my blog. This is the very first self-photography blog post I've ever done. I'm actually quite proud of how the photos turned out. I shot models and clients for years as a photographer and was able to do some really creative things in my career. By the end, I have to admit even I was surprised by the quality of my photography and how happy all of my clients were with their photos. But, shooting one's self is quite different. The self timer is an acquired taste for sure. I have a new admiration for all of the bloggers who have been shooting themselves for years and I now feel I can relate to their embarrassment woes. Bystanders don't glance quite as peculiarly when there is a person in front of as well as behind the camera on the street. People looked at me...ahem...strange to say the least. But, that is why I picked this location. I stumbled upon this alleyway in the early days of my career as a photog and thought it was quite beautiful. The only place for the light to enter the photograph is from the sky and it creates a perfect little shadowy and yet well lit oasis. It was my "go-to" place that I could depend on for a solid set that I knew would turn out well. I figured it was as good a place as any to try out on myself! I actually think it turned out ok. What do you think?

News Alert: Fashion Developments take Huge Leap in the Jacksonville, FL Area

Warning: The following words are seldom heard from my mouth and the lament of the opposite has long been a complaint of mine. But, yesterday was a very exciting day for fashion in Jacksonville! :)

I attended Jacksonville's very first (and now annual) Fashion's Night Out at the St. John's Town Center, which also happens to be where I work. In addition to that, the first H&M opened in Jacksonville yesterday in the Avenues Mall. That's correct, before this there was not an H&M anywhere in the Jacksonville area. (??) The closest location was formerly in Orlando, FL. Alas, now the massive Swedish retailer has provided Jacksonvillians with the sheer joy of paying twelve dollars for a cheaply made and yet surprisingly fashion forward skirt. Unfortunately, the H&M location is at a separate mall about ten minutes from the location where FNO was being held (and where I was getting off work.) Therefore, I shall divulge opinions regarding the addition of the store after further investigation, as my one stop shop was more reminiscent of a very distracted and yet speedy NASCAR driver as I was trying to make it back to FNO in a hurry. 

Fashion's Night Out was really a big success for Jacksonville, in my opinion. Our store did not participate in the runway show that was held (to the dismay of many a show go-er) because there wasn't really time to plan the show by the time we found out and we were in the middle of some structural staffing changes at the store that were taking up a lot of time and energy. But, next year, you better believe we'll be rocking that runway like nobody's business. However, I feel that there were some standout stars and, at the risk of being critical, some retailers that could have used some help. The pity is, some of the weaker presentations at the show could have easily been bolstered with the product available in their inventory, paired with a legitimately progressive and more specific point of view with the styling. Appropriately, the most well received retailer at the show was not a clothing, accessories, or shoe venue. Sweet by Holly, the venture cupcake market begun by Food Network's Cupcake Wars star Hollis Wilder, was received by show goers with the most excitement as she walked the runway and one of her shop associates rained freshly made cupcakes (in boxes of course) down upon those of us in the front row. Thanks Sweet By Holly for ending the show with a smile! Who doesn't love cupcakes? 

Jax FNO Superstars: 

• BCBG Max Azria- Super elegant presentation suited to the retailer. There was some over the top styling where I felt like they could've gone more understated. But, the gown that ended their presentation was stunning. 
• Private Gallery- I knew I was either going to love it or hate it. I have to admit, I loved it. For me, I felt like it could've easily turned into a bad mash up of French Connection, but it was truly good styling and probably the strongest collective presentation of the night. They decided to go for a streamlined boho look and it paid off in spades. 
• Johnston Murphy- Well, that was unexpected. Johnston Murphy came out with three really  strong looks, especially in menswear. JM blew the other menswear presenters out of the water. It was sophisticated and relevant, and the only menswear retailer of the night that didn't throw a really predictable suit on their model and call it a day sans accessorizing. It totally reinvigorated my search for the perfect leather satchel. 

BCBG Max Azria

Johnston Murphy

Private Gallery

Sweet By Holly

You're allowed to have a cupcake and a margarita at FNO! #judgmentfreezone

Fashion > Functionality 

Sun Daze.

A little co-worker encouragement. 

Hipster babies. Nephews are the cutest in the world. 

The Deli Comb. 

LARGE coffee mug. 

Ladies' night out. Green Room Brewery. 

<3

Kitty is sleepy.

Beach day soured by a big fat rain cloud. 

Good Friends and Pretty Things...

First and foremost, sorry about all the blabbing. But, Art Walk was a blast last night and I want to talk about it. I forgive you if you’d just like to scroll through and look at the photos. There were some really interesting characters out and about in Heming Plaza where the event is sort of gathered. (Hello storm troopers and palm reader lady.) I went to the galleries with a couple good friends and had Thai food at this wonderful place upstairs in downtown called Indochine. Then we stopped off for a drink at this hole in the wall place after. Gotta love besties night. J

top/minkpink  skirt+shoes/UrbanOutfitters  bag/vintage  sunnies/Franscesca's  bracelets/vintage

Art Walk takes place all over downtown Jacksonville, with exhibits in the Main Library and throughout the various galleries in the area. I have to say I think the post abstract expressionism art in the Museum of Contemporary Art were my favorite.  In the interest of full disclosure (and to avoid sounding like a pretentious a-hole) I’m not like, an art aficionado.  The canvas the artist used in some of those pieces was really modern though, without being…well without being too abstract. I threw in a few photos below. Most of the art featured here was already a part of someone’s personal collection. But, what’s so great about art walk is that there are also tons of local start up artists who have never sold a piece in the plaza. I bought a pair of handmade ceramic bird earrings for 4 bucks. J

There was one girl who was  still a student selling these small sketches in which she used geometric shapes drawn with pencil and highlighter. They were sweet, dude! If she has a booth again next month, I think I’ll have to bring one home. The type of art that resonates most with me tends to have been created through the use of practical materials.  I think that probably speaks to my age, but it’s true. I like a minimalist approach to almost everything lately, including my style!

 This Mink Pink top is going to get worn…out. So comfy…so cute…I love you MP. I see it going with more maxis, high rise midi skirts, layered under awesome rompers.... Yay. So, I’m going to tack this ecote skirt, because I’m a little reminiscent of Miss Angelina Jolie here. But, it worked for the night, anyway. Ugh…LOVE these floral wedges for spring. Done. Happening all season long. J

Chamblin Book Mine is the best...

Umm..yes, please?!

Our lovely city...

Shorts and Exhaustion...

 Just a few photos today. I have been SO busy at work! I snapped these yesterday before dinner with my old friends! It’s always good to catch up with longtime friends, and I needed it! Stress much? If I’m being honest, I have to say that most of the pressure I feel is placed by myself because I really want to be great at whatever it is that I’m doing. The photo at the bottom of this page is sort of a caliber regarding the built up tensions of the day. But, I have the next couple of days off and I’m going to Art Walk in downtown Jacksonville tomorrow night. J If all goes well in outfit world, I have a pretty cute Mink Pink getup for the night that I’ll feature here this week. For now, I’m going to get some shut eye! Ah…sweet goodness of no alarm. 

whiskey lace destroyed tee/UO  shorties/Le Folles  

By the by, this is like my favorite song right now.