a little indulgence is always in order...

While these summer days wear on the moms in the group... (myself included!) I thought it would be fun to indulge ourselves with a little window shopping.

Please be warned... none of these pieces are what I would consider "affordable", however they are all swoon worthy.

I am loving this sexy open back shirt... this top, skinny jeans and sky-high heels would make me infinitely happy - you know, in that purely materialistic way*. (Haute Hippy, Nordstrom, $195)


Good sunglasses like these would for sure hide my over-tired eyes... and make me skinnier**, right!?!? (Christian Dior, Net-A-Porter, $275)


J'adore this bag. Dang. I bet I could write better blog posts*** with this handbag on my arm. (Marc Jacobs, Bloomingdale's, $358)


This lovely tunic would be perfect for the pool and beach... I bet no one would even notice my hairy legs!**** (DVF, $210)


Well, hello gorgeous! Oh you weren't talking to me... oh, yes, the shoes. Gorgeous indeed! These would make the sippy cups***** melt from my existence. (Cynthia Vincent, Diani Boutique, $395)


Going along with my running joke (see ****)... this cosmetic bag better wake me up and put my make-up on for me for $95. Although, it is darling. (Tory Burch, $95)


* please note, I do not condone relying on "materialistic" happiness- I do however like to dream that it is a reality. It isn't FYI. THINGS will never make you (or me) happy. You do know that, right!??!
** if,IF, sunglasses could make you skinnier... $275 might be worth it - cheaper than a year of a gym membership. But again, pipe-dreams people. Until then, I'll stick with my $6 F21 sunnies.
*** you know, never mind the fact that actually writing a blog post AND having a purse on your arm at the same time would be extremely challenging.
**** in college I worked retail and always had a running joke with a co-worker... when something was over-priced we would say what that piece of clothing "better do" for us for being so expensive. You know like "those pants better wake me up in the morning and shake off my cellulite for $100" For some reason, I still get a kick out of that joke today. That was like 15 years ago. Good jokes die hard, I guess.
***** it's dumb that I get so annoyed by sippy cups. But enough already! Sippy cups are SO 2005.

hi & lo

I had so much fun doing THIS post last week... and just recently a few of these handbags jumped off the page at me. So I had to do a handbag version!

If you love the vintage styling of this handbag... like I do...
Treesje Asher Satchel, $498

Then it will be impossible to say no to this much less expensive version from UO. How summery is this bag? Perfect with jeans or a sundress alike.
Kimchi Blue Satchel, Urban Outfitters $48

I love good girl/bad girl vibe of this little clutch... but not the price tag so much...

Eyelet Clutch, Rebekah Minkoff, $365

Save yourself almost 300 big ones with this equally fun and studded clutch.
Hype Studded Clutch, $75

If pockets and zippers are your thing...
Dylan Shoulder Bag, Linea Pelle, $395

Check out this version at a fraction of the price (pennies on the dollar people! Do I sound like a used car sales man?). This bag is a perfect alternative to a diaper bag for any mom on the go!
Zipper Pocket Handbag, Old Navy, $17.99

This Kate Spade is so cute you want to pinch it...
Take a Dip Tote, Kate Spade, $195

But in real life, I think the Old Navy version is actually even more cute! It's fixin' to be my summer pool bag. How can you not love that price? This version looks bigger too!
Two Tone Canvas Beach Bag, Old Navy, $16.50

I about freaked when I saw this bag...
L.A.M.B. Freestyle Sak, $225

because THIS one from Old Navy has been on my wish list for a few weeks. Perfect for early morning soccer games on Saturdays. I can throw in snacks and sweatshirts and I'm set to go.
Crescent Tote, Old Navy, $10

What do you think? Do you think "hi & lo" should be a new feature here on the blog? I am kind of digging it!

denim obsessed...

I may have mentioned that I have a little addiction to denim... each pair is like a poor puppy at the pound. I want to give each and every one of them a good home.

When I saw these in the recent JCrew catalog I gasped and then sighed. They are lovely, just LOVELY. $175 lovely, though?



I'm not gonna lie... if I had it, I'd buy 'em.

A Hoy, Matey!

Nautical is IN for spring - ropes, anchors, blue, red and stripes... all of it! It's a fun trend to see for the spring season as it just screams sun, warmth and fun. Here's a few of my picks to get you started ...

Rope Print Chemise, White House Black Market, $49.99 (from $128)

Billabong Nautical Halter, Delia's, $38.50

Billabong Nautical Surf Short, Delia's, $38.50

Curls & Coils Necklace, Anthropologie, $42

Nautical Stripe Flat, Forever 21, $12.80

Sea Worthy Tweed Nelly, Kate Spade, $295

So will you be "jumping (on this) ship" this spring?

spring called...

they said to keep talking about them.

(so I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to go all "spring" on you all. But I have a strong urge for warm weather and amazing shoes... can you tell what kind of week I've had!?!? You know just a little something that you slip into, warm air and great shoes, and your whole being just says "ahhhhhh....", plus, I am staring down the reality that my new macBook might have just eaten up the Spring Break budget, a thought that makes me shudder.)

I figured you gals wouldn't mind going virtually shopping with me then. Common' let's go... I picked out some good stuff for us ladies! Leave all your worries behind...

Ankle Strap Sandals, Old Navy, $19.50


Pye Wrap Sandals, Free People, $132


Polished Strappy Sandals, Forever 21, $18.80


Risley Clog Sandal, Tory Burch, $275


Crinkle Flower T-Strap Sandal, Gap, $34.50


Which one is your fav? What styles do you have your eyes on for spring?

work it wednesday!

Last time I did a Work it Wednesday for "age groups" - I got a great response!

Here I am featuring RUFFLES... a MUST HAVE in your fall and winter wardrobe and so easy to wear!

ruffles three ways by Jill GG featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs

More great ruffle-ly looks:


Are you sporting ruffles these days?

work it wednesday!

I'll be the first to admit that I take a little time to warm to new trends... while I like to follow them, I am certainly not the first on the proverbial "boat." Enter the military jacket... when I first started seeing it pop up I was all: bleck, yucky, no way!

Buuuuuttt... well. Now I think maybe I like it. And you might too!


Yes, they are a bit fashion-forward and a touch "out-there" and you may ask yourself how could it even integrate into my wardrobe. Well, here it is folks, Work it Wednesday, Military Jacket style!

(for any new readers, Work it Wednesday is when I take one wardrobe piece or style and put it into three different looks for you to showcase how simple it is to make your wardrobe versatile!)

military jacket three ways by Jill GG featuring GAP

one: pulling off all black with the flair of the military jacket is just right! I love the addition of animal print flats (which I am OBSESSED with these days) and some biker chic accessories.

two: boyfriend jeans, gladiator sandals and a military jacket. Together they are a trend "power-house" without looking like a trend "three-ring-circus."

three: this is military jacket gone to work... you can simply wear the jacket unbuttoned to lessen the severity of the look.

So are you sold? I am for sure...

Interested in adding one of these to your wardrobe? Check out these amazing options:

Work it wednesday!

This summer the weather pattern in my neck of the woods has been less than desirable. Instead of leg baring shorts and skirts I find myself unusually chilly in the mornings and the evenings... and even in the afternoons at times. This layered formula is my latest "uniform" of choice... flirty floral dresses with cuffed jeans.

floral dress/cuffed jeans three ways by Jill GG featuring Jimmy Choo bags

Do you like to wear dresses with jeans? While it seems a little silly... it's oh so comfy and chic!

it's my birthday and i'll wish if i want to...

It's almost my birthday. I like to celebrate for an extended time... if you will. For pretty much the whole month (plus or minus a day). As I zero in on the "big" day I thought it would be fun to dream a bit about what might be under my "birthday" tree this year...

More Rebecca Minkoff...

This I'll take. No problem.

~~~

Don't forget to enter the giveaway - you won't want to miss out on this memory maker!

work it wednesday!

So colored denim was met with mixed reviews on Monday...

And in some ways I can relate, they are a bit different than even what I am used to wearing... but I really like the idea of them. Mixed and matched in these amazing outfits, don't you think they are suddenly more of a possibility?

colored jeans three ways by Jill GG featuring Roxy

So, the verdict?

i am noticing a trend here.

From this blog alone (JAK & JIL, if you aren't familiar with it)... it's not hard to see what's new in shoes: black, super strappy, super high-heel, super embellished shoes, anyone?

It's not so practical for me, but if I had the opportunity... I would rock it. It will be interesting to see how the trend trickles down to accessible (read: mall) fashion.







(all photos via JAK & JIL)

Interested in getting a head start on this trend? Here are some fun options:

fashion transitions!

There always reaches a point in every season where fashion literally stands still... On the runway the Fall 09 previews have come and gone and designers are thinking to Resort Wear 09/10 - which, yes, those lines have a warm weather feel to them, but they are really meant for the jet-setters when the weather turns cold. And even if we are inspired by those lines, there is no stinking way we are getting our hands on any of it any time soon...

On the "accessible" side of fashion, the mall and online shops are offering low, low prices on what is left (think: potentially low, low inventory) of summer 09 pret-a-porter. So if you are thinking your wardrobe needs a little sumthin' sumthin' - you might be scrambling to find something that fits your warm weather needs now... but let's face it (especially in Michigan), we are mere months from the first frost.

[I am particularly privy to this trend because I have a late July birthday and every year I want to go clothes shopping and every year I realize there isn't much to buy.]

So what's a girl to do?

Instead of making a quick push to fall, I recommend adding some summer-fling worthy items to your wardrobe that maybe got looked over on the first go round.

One of my particular favorites this season, and a bit daring I do admit, are colored jeans... they are fresh and fun and by simply adding a white tee shirt and some sandals you have an instant and effortless outfit. Here are some fun options:

$

More Forever 21...

$$

More Talbots...

$$$

More Paige...

Then when the weather turns, take your colored jeans and simply add a denim or safari jacket with a scarf and you are all set!

down low...

I've been a bit on the down low with blogging lately... maybe it's the sunny days, maybe it's the remnants of the holiday weekend still coursing through my veins, or maybe it's just because.

But here are some lovely, lovely things for you to behold and imagine along with me - maybe this will get me out of my funk.

More Kate Spade...

More Emilio Pucci...

More Michael Kors...

More Christian Louboutin...

Shoe dreaming always makes me feel so much better, how about you?