my everyday style: leather legging obsession!

Leather leggings had LONG been on my wishlist.  They were one of those pieces that I knew I really wanted, but just couldn't find the "perfect" pair at the "perfect" price.  You know? Plus, I knew I wanted a pair of leather leggings that were actually real leather (yike$!) but that were affordable.  Of course they had to be comfortable as well. 

Then I hit the jackpot.  Right after Christmas I spotted these on sale at Lou & Grey - sadly they are no longer available, but I will link to similar options below.  They were regularly $298 marked down to $75.  I considered that a great deal and thankfully when they arrived they fit (ordering online can sometimes be tricky - I always try to read all the reviews to get a good sense of the fit and thankfully I lucked out)!  So while they were still an investment at $75 I would consider them a really solid investment.  Especially since purchasing them I've worn them quite a few times.  

This particular pair is ponte leggings on the front and back with the leather overlaid on the leggings just on the front.  I mention this because a) it likely made them less expensive to only have leather on the front b) having the back be just leggings seems like it would be more comfortable than sitting on leather c) gives them a lot more stretch/better fit.  If you are looking for leather leggings (which you should!)... I would keep those features in mind.  They seem to make a difference in my opinion .  

One added bonus of leather leggings that I hadn't thought about before wearing them is how insanely warm they are. The leather adds a really warm layer of insulation without being bulky.  And with this cold winter, it makes the leggings not only beautiful, but extremely practical as well.

Here I paired them with a sweatshirt - love the athleisure trend - and a warm coat and scarf.  I could literally wear this outfit for the rest of the winter and be perfectly happy.  It was so comfortable.  Driving mocs are a another new obsession of mine in the past year... they are insanely comfortable while still looking pulled together.  A complete win in my book.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Outfit Details

Scarf, H&M (similar or similar)

Coat, J.Crew Factory (similar or similar)

Sweatshirt, Lou & Grey

Bag, Madewell

Similar Bag Tassel

Leather Leggings, Lou & Grey (similar, similar, similar)

Driving Mocs, Coach (similar - on sale!)

Earrings, Kendra Scott (via Rocksbox - get your first month FREE with code: jillggxoxo)

Or shop the look below...

new in navy!

We can all agree that January is just the worst.  It's so cold, the sun rarely comes out (at least here in Michigan) and we are all just patiently (or not) waiting for spring to arrive.  I don't tend to do a lot of shopping in January - there just aren't a lot of new options out there - and I like to more or less "save up" or wait for new spring arrivals.  But you know... sometimes a girl needs a little retail therapy!

This time of year I gravitate towards seasonless basics or classic neutrals as best I can when shopping.  Navy is a great color to invest in this time of year... it's perfect for winter and it's a also a great color for spring. So if you are in the mood for a little retail therapy, but want to invest wisely so that what you buy now isn't absolutely obsolete in a few months... try some of these gorgeous pieces.

striped dress, two tone espadrilles, watch, cross-body bag, navy Hunter boots, leather tote, ruffle sleeve sweater, brush-stroke top, striped top, iPhone case, raincoat, scarf, small cross-body bag, zipper dress, earrings

or shop the pieces here...

Instagram style...

Have you joined me on Instagram yet!?!? We have fun over there where I feature my daily outfits, books I'm reading and other behind the scenes fun.  Here are some of my favorite recent looks that I thought you would enjoy to see here on the blog as well...

above: plaid top, jeans (I've been wearing these non-stop!), similar necklace, boots - on sale!, book, lip gloss 

above: top, book (SUCH a good read!), flats, earrings, jeans

above: faux fur vest, sweater, mug, lip gloss (my new favorite color!), similar boots

above: striped top, scarf, sunglasses, distressed jeans, hunter boots

above: coat (or less expensive version), similar sweater, boots, gloves, sunglasses

above: coat, similar sweater, jeans, earrings, tote

Don't forget to check me out on Instagram!  I'd love for you to join me there...

30 winter wardrobe essentials...

This post is a little late seeing as we are about halfway through winter already, however I still wanted to take time to put it together for a few reasons.  One being, if you are like me you are already getting sick of your winter clothes... this post may work to remind us of pieces we already own but forgot about OR you may still be filling holes in your winter wardrobe and now is the time to do that with many winter pieces on sale now.  The other reason is that this is the perfect reminder that you don't need TONS of winter clothes to make for a cohesive winter wardrobe.  Winter is all about really solid basics like great jeans and sweaters and coats and boots that will keep us warm and stylish for the next couple of months.

My winter wardrobe is the one I really invest in.  Warm winter coats and boots don't come cheap and if you buy right these investments should last several years.  The same goes for sweaters and jeans... I don't want anything that is falling apart, stretching out or pilling mid-season.  Go for investment pieces this time of year and you won't regret it.

Accessories like scarves, a few delicate pieces of jewelry and a great bag or two can go a long way as well.  For bags I like to use a big tote this time of year (easy to sling over the shoulder with all the layers on) or a cross body bag to leave your hands free for mittens or gloves - or a nice warm drink!  And warm socks are ALWAYS in style this time of year... below I featured the pair I can't live without!  High quality snow boots like Ugg and Sorel are absolutely essential for keeping your feet warm.  And for days when it's not too snowy or cold, ankle boots, riding boots or even a pair of sneakers works for looking stylish - if it's warmer where you live or you get a random mild day a gorgeous pair of flats is always nice to have on hand.

This is the season for layering as much as possible, coats or jackets with tops and sweaters and scarves... layer it all on!  Being freezing cold is never in style.  So here are my top 30 winter wardrobe essentials... I hope this inspires your winter wardrobe in a positive way. I know that many of these pieces are similar to items that I own and love and depend on in my wardrobe.

coats/scarves

camel coat, faux fur hooded anorak, leather jacket, blazer, plaid scarf, grey scarf

sweaters

striped sweater, cream sweater, turtleneck sweater, grey cardigan, cream poncho

tops

grey sweatshirt, striped top, chambray top, plaid top

jeans/bottoms

leather leggings, dark skinny jeans, distressed jeans, black jeans

shoes

sorel snow boots, riding boots, ankle boots, ugg boots, sneakers, flats

accessories

tote, cross body bag, delicate ring set, necklace, warm socks

Or shop the pieces here...

my everyday style: tweedy!

The good news!?!? We are over half-way through January (ugh, January is the absolute worst!! Who's with me?).  The bad news!?!? It's colder than cold here.  I'm doing my best just to get dressed each morning.  Much less looking remotely stylish.  I find myself reaching for a lot of black and whatever warm and cute coat I can get my hands on.  I wish I could just wear sweats and Uggs everyday... but even that gets old before long.

I featured this jacket on both Instagram and Facebook and many of you were curious about it's fit.  I randomly found it on the Anthro sale rack (which I historically don't have much luck with) for a great price and fell in love with it instantly.  It's not a super thick coat but is surprisingly warm - which is nice when this time of year I feel like I can hardly move my arms with all the layers I have on.  I also love the roomy fit for layering over blouses (like I did here) or over bulky sweaters - both work equally well.  For reference I am wearing a size small here.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Outfit details:

Jacket/Anthro - on sale!

Tie-Back Blouse/LOFT

Jeans/Citizens of Humanity

Boots/Coach (similar or similar or similar)

Earrings/Kendra Scott (via Rocksbox, get your first month FREE with code: jillggxoxo)

Or shop the pieces here...

the damage, 2016 v. 1

I hear you, I hear you... so many of you are sorely missing the old The Damage posts.  If you are new around here The Damage posts were a monthly series where I outlined my monthly shopping budget by featuring what my monthly wardrobe purchases were. About a year ago I jumped ship on The Damage posts - for a lot of reasons - but mostly because I just didn't know if they fit where I was ultimately going with the blog.  And because, I'll be totally honest, I wasn't keeping really great track of my budget and the whole thing got to be a huge drag to pull together each month.  Also, I don't love talking about money here on the blog. It just all felt a little weird to me.  It still does a little.

BUT, you gals have asked for these posts to come back time and time again.  My theory is that there are two reasons you miss these posts... one being just pure curiosity.  Am I right!?!? There is a reason why "haul" posts are so popular.  The other reason being a lot of you like the outfits I put together and if a shirt doesn't show up on the blog until 3 months after purchasing, it's hard to get a similar look.  Those are my theories. I could be totally wrong.

I want to try to bring this post back in a way that serves you gals and works for me.  This is the current plan... I am posting these first to Instagram (so follow me there!).  Then I will round up a few of them and post them here.  I can't promise this will be a monthly feature or a regular series, but I will do my best.  How does that sound?

I either was stocking up on essentials or was shopping the after Christmas sales.

above:

Coach Driving Mocs (similar) I loved the gold pair so much I snagged these at Nordstrom Rack too!

Lou & Grey Leather Leggings (sold out, similar or similar)

Lou & Grey Sweatshirt

LOFT Tie Back Blouse

All of these are coming to the blog soon... so stay tuned!

above:

Everlane Striped Top

Everlane Cotton Sweater

Everlane U Short Sleeve Tee

Everlane Ryan Long Sleeve Tee

FYI, I ordered size small for all of these... they fit just like the online photo.

Others to mention... 

This coat on major sale at Anthro! I ordered a Small, FYI.

These jeans from Trunk Club... have you ever tried a mail order personal styling service? I liked this one! It was fun to get a huge box of clothes to try on at home!

So that's it... those are my recent purchases.  Have you gotten any good deals or great finds lately?  Do tell!

Shop the pieces here...

my everyday style: boots + a blazer!

Riding boots and a blazer used to be my GO-TO look.  As in, my almost everyday look.  Why the "used to"? Well, I guess I just got sick of it after a while... but then, I wore it again recently (with photographic evidence no less!) and was like 'woah baby' - where have you been all my life?!  I think I am back on the blazer + boots bandwagon again.  And I totally love it.

Blazers can be a little tricky in the dead of winter... they are perfect for fall and spring when the temps are more mild. But it's a look that can still be accomplished this time of year.  Just wait for a milder day.  This blazer is quite warm and you can easily pair it with gloves and a scarf as needed.

If I had to name one look my "signature" look... this would probably be it.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Outfit Details:

Blazer (similar, similar or similar)

Chambray Top (or similar less expensive)

Jeans (similar or similar less expensive)

Bag (no longer available; similar style or similar color or similar)

Boots - on sale! But sizes are going quick!

Earrings

Makeup/Skincare

Or shop my look here:

3 fool proof winter looks!

I don't know about where you live... but up here in Michigan we got absolutely slammed with winter weather this week.  And unfortunately, it's here to stay.  Gone are the mild winter days of December.  Not only is it hard to get out the house or out of bed on these brutally cold days, it's near impossible to get creative in the clothing department.  I want simple (and warm!) outfits that don't take a lot of thought, but that still leave me feeling put together.  Maybe you feel the same?

Today I pulled together three really easy winter looks to get us through these cold and dark winter mornings.  These outfit combos are really easy to recreate with items you may already own, or browse through them for new investment pieces you may want to add to your wardrobe this winter.  Either way... I will for sure be recreating these looks in the coming days and weeks.  You?

(photos)

A simple denim on denim look with a cozy cardigan is the perfect effortless and warm layered look for winter!

get the top look: 

chambray top, grey cardigan, distressed jeans - under $50!, leather tote (in love!)

Dress up your winter coats with a faux fur collar, they are extra warm and switch up the look of the coat you've been wearing every day!

get the middle look: 

faux fur scarf, white coat, high-waist jeans, white sweater

I always love an all black look, this one layers a sweater with a leather jacket with a scarf... you are sure to stay warm in this!

get the bottom look: 

black cropped trousers, leather jacket, black turtleneck sweater, black scarf, black flats

Or shop the pieces below...

on my radar... january 2016

Each month I round up a few random things that are on my radar lately... this month it's all about simplicity and warmth for winter.  Read on to see what is making my life easier these days...

I finally placed an order at Everlane.  I realized I was running low on simple tees for layering this winter and I love their minimalist style.  I also snagged this striped top and it's a real winner.  Actually everything at Everlane is!

I randomly picked up these invisibobble hair ties when I was out and stuck without a hair tie on a bad hair day (ya know those days!?!?) and woah! I'm a believer.  They look like old fashion telephone cords but hold your hair perfectly while not pulling or breaking your hair.  

Have you tried the aveda dry shampoo yet!?!  I could never find a dry shampoo that I liked and that also didn't smell terrible.  This stuff! This stuff!!! It works great, smells amazing and can sometimes help me get three days between washing my hair instead of the usual two.  Bonus!

I finished along the infinite sea over Christmas break.  It's great.  I really liked it.  It's probably one of my favorite books of 2015/2016!

I got super spoiled for Christmas this year, including these boots.  They are gorgeous, comfortable AND they are on sale right now. I can't imagine these will last long.  So snag them now if you like them!  They are worth every penny!

Another amazing gift I got this season is these fur lined mittens,   They are quite simply like heaven on your hands.  They make winter almost bearable. 

In 2015 I became a big Citizens of Humanity fan.  They aren't cheap but they fit grrrreat and don't stretch.  These citizens of humanity jeans are the perfect pair of skinnies.  

I snagged this tweed jacket from the Anthro clearance rack with a gift card I had.  It's surprisingly warm for how lightweight it is, and I love that it's nice and loose so that I can pair it with a big warm sweater.  It's still on sale - so check it out!

Shop the pieces here...

2016 style resolution: black shoes!

I am quite picky when it comes to purchasing shoes and boots for myself.  Especially since in the last few years I have overall tried to curate my wardrobe more thoughtfully.  Instead of buying whatever is inexpensive or on sale or the latest trend from Target (all of which find their way to the 'donate' pile faster than I would like) I have been focusing on investing in shoes that I not only really, really (really!) love but also that will hopefully last multiple seasons. If a shoe can last two seasons that is good, four or five seasons is even better!  But as you may have experienced or can guess, finding that perfect shoe that fits the budget and is stylish and can last that long isn't an easy task.

I recently snagged a new pair of black mocs on crazy sale at Nordstrom Rack.  But not before humming and hawing a great deal about it.  I literally walked around the store for an hour with them in hand while trying to decide.  But then I had an "aha!" moment.  One really can't have too many black shoes.  Or at least this applies to me.  (Does it work for you too!?)  Black shoes always end up sticking around my closet longer and are also the first color of shoe I reach for on a regular basis.  They simply go with everything and are (almost) season-less. So one of my 2016 Style Resolutions is to remember that black shoes are always good to add to the mix.  Do you agree?

Have you made any style resolutions for 2016? If so... what are they?

Here are some of my favorite black shoes that I either already own... or wouldn't mind adding to my collection!

top row: pumps, slip on sneakers, ankle boots

middle row: loafer moccasins, tory burch flats, lace up ballet flats

bottom row: over the knee boots (I've acquired the most awful crush on these!), riding boots, hunter boots

Or shop them below...

9 pieces | 9 outfits - winter 2016!

It's time for another 9 pieces | 9 outfits...  these posts are without a doubt the most fun posts to put together.  And you gals seem to love them as well!

The basic premise is to take 9 wardrobe staples and mix and match them into 9 looks.  Why nine? Nine is the perfect capsule of pieces to invest in each season.  Although I betting many of you have a lot of these staples in your wardrobe already. It's an exercise in stretching our wardrobe and getting the most out of the pieces we invest in.  This winter I am (still) really into neutrals and lately it seems I've really been into red as an accent color.  These outfits mirror similar pieces in my own wardrobe that I am really loving and wearing a lot this winter.

I featured a few fun and bold pieces like the fringed sweatshirt, red coat and red shoes alongside tried and true staples like a cable knit sweater, gingham, stripes and blazers.  It the perfect balance of simplicity and trend paired together. Enjoy! And happy mixing and matching!

Shop the pieces...

9 staples: striped tunic, blazer, skinny jeans, black jeans, distressed boyfriend jeans, cable knit sweater, sweatshirt with fringe hem, red coat, gingham top

accessories:  riding boots, black flats, black ankle boots, red flats, leopard clutch, black hobo bag, gold necklace, earrings

Shop the pieces...

9 staples: striped tunic, blazer, skinny jeans, black jeans, distressed boyfriend jeans, cable knit sweater, sweatshirt with fringe hem, red coat, gingham top

accessories:  riding boots, black flats, black ankle boots, red flats, leopard clutch, black hobo bag, gold necklace, earrings

Or shop the pieces below...

And ps, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter... I am relaunching it THIS Friday!

top 3 posts for easy style in 2016!

Today I am rounding up what have historically been the top three blog posts here on the blog... and it's no surprise why they have met such success.  It's because they embody not only exactly what this blog is all about (simple and classic style) but because they resonate with you, the readers who have the same goals for your wardrobe as well.

Easy wardrobe combinations, classic closet staples and laid back but pulled together style is exactly what these three posts are all about.  If you are new around here, I am sure these will become your favorites as well... be sure to visit them and pin images to refer to later.  If you are a veteran around here, you have no doubt seen these posts before.  However I do believe they are worth revisiting again.  Especially at the start of the New Year... I know that one of my goals for 2016 is to continue to  refine my wardrobe.  Perhaps that is one of your goals for 2016 as well. If so, you are in the right place!

See them all here...

50 Things every woman must own...

9 pieces | 9 outfits

how to style boyfriend jeans

What have been some of your favorite posts? I would love for you to chime in with your favorites in the comments!

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