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.

shopping guide: white hot!

Again, this is a bit of a re-run if you receive my newsletter... you would have seen it there first! But it was too good not to put out here. White can seem so harsh and unforgiving of a color during fall & winter... and even a bit in spring. But when summer hits it feels like a glass of cold water tastes. Like a breathe of fresh air or a light breeze on a hot day. Just... ahhhhhh! Don't you think?



(details: 1. Fossil Watch, Lord & Taylor, $95 2. Flower Collar, TopShop, $85 3. Linen-Blend Boyfriend Shirt, Old Navy, $24.50 4. Tory Burch Flip Flops, Jildor, $45 5. White Boot Cut Jeans, Lands End Canvas, $49.50 6. Melie Bianco Metallic Trim Bag, Piperlime, $73.99 7. Schuyler Dress, JCrew, $99.99)

Mother's Day Indulgences...

I just love to celebrate holidays... any excuse to have a party! Valentine's Day, Fourth of July and my birthday are a few of my favorites. But Mother's Day is just in a league of it's own.

Of all the holidays on the calendar - this is the one I have EARNED. Somehow cleaning up puke, endlessly sweeping up crumbs, folding laundry over and over, changing diapers and all the other less glamorous parts of motherhood (wait, are there even "glamorous" parts to motherhood at all?) - well, all this hard work pays off for a day of spoilery every May.

My husband is super thoughtful when it comes to special holidays like these... schedules for "activities", menus for homemade meals and hand written cards start popping up (along with a few gifts here and there!) and the thought that goes into it all makes it the most special.

Any of these indulgent and girly gifts would make for a big smiles on Mother's Day morning, no?

(Golden Shadow Earrings, Swarovski, $59)

(Calf Hair Ballet Flats, JCrew, $228)

(Drama Tie Feather Necklace, Juicy Couture, $148)

(Bon Shopper Tote, Kate Spade, $225)

(Chanel No. 5, starting at $95)

(Aviator Sunglasses, Tory Burch, $175)

I would gladly take any of these great gifts... although with life going at a break-neck speed lately I think I am going to simply ask for a day "off" - or two, and maybe breakfast in bed too!

weekend fun...

ShopStyle is having a fun little contest in partnership with Tory Burch... here are some entries I did for it (couldn't resist the fun excercise!)

Be a doll and click on over and rate them... if you've nothing better to do! Then, Happy Weekend!

More Tory Burch...

More Tory Burch...

More Tory Burch...

I'm falling...

Here's a trend I have noticed this spring that I have to admit, I am falling for. Low priced jelly shoes from high priced brands. Let's discuss...

Kate Spade, $60


What they may lack in comfort (although... I can't say for sure, I just predict a few blisters, maybe like a new pair of flip flops?) the arguably make up for in looks and bold colors.

Diane Von Furstenberg, $75


This pair from DVF are calling my name from the mountain tops and I think I am about to cave (also, *spoiler alert* this pair was included in my Spring 2010 looks:book!)

Tory Burch, $145


I've never met a shoe by Tory Burch that I didn't love.

Tory Burch, $95


Case in point.

Marc Jacobs, $80 (from $160)


This is me getting Marc Jacob's Mouse flats within reach. Whether you "jelly" or not... it's tempting, no?

JCrew, $55


This is JCrew talking me into a "flat" version of wellies. My knees are quivering. I think it's working.

See by Chloe, $75


See by Chloe has me believing. In what, I'm not sure. Must be a crush.

So are you falling for these "designer" jellies?

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!

About this time of year I start freaking out when I see the new fall lines and want to snatch everything up. All of the new hues and cozy looks are alluring, but even more so I begin to worry I will literally be left "in the cold" in my summer wear.

As we move from summer to fall I thought it would be appropriate to give some tips on how to transition pieces so that they work for both seasons. Hopefully it will stretch your budget and your creativity a bit! (Also a quick shout out to reader Amy that recently wrote me an email asking for some of these exact tips! Here you go Amy!)

Layering is really the key here... I'll show some "summer" wardrobe pieces all dressed up for cooler months below...

summer to fall three ways. by Jill GG featuring Miu Miu

one. notice a maxi dress under there? Recycle your easy, breezy maxis into cool weather wear with chunky cardigan and boots!

two. flats and jean skirts are summer wardrobe staples. With tights and a cozy top, this outfit is set for when the temps drop!

three. don't pack away those flirty, flowy tank tops. Simple pair them with a tailored jacket and boots and your warm through winter! To keep things fun and interesting don't forget to add some fun bangles in bright colors!

work it wednesday (on Thursday)!

Again... Wednesday just blew right past me and here I am on Thursday still pining for a Work it Wednesday, how about you?

I am going to go super basic... the easiest of the easiest, the most comfortable of all, the classic, the timeless:

the white t-shirt.

Who doesn't just love a white tee? Especially when the temps soar I just love the feeling of a simple white t-shirt on my shoulders (tanned, of course!). Always in style, but need not be boring:

white tee three ways by Jill GG featuring Dior sunglasses

Here are a couple of great white t-shirts at several price points:

$

More Charlotte Russe...

$$

More Patterson J. Kincaid...

$$$

More James Perse...

What is your favorite way to rock a white tee?

monday cravings.

Mondays are never an easy pill to swallow. Let's make it better by dreaming of pretty things. No?

Animal prints done tastefully never get old to me.

More Williams-Sonoma...

I want to wear this with some easy jeans and a white tee.


Something about the warmer temps and tanner skin that makes me crave sweet and flowy tops.

More Free People...

I love big, huge bags. Especially when they are grey.


I just don't think I will ever tire of Tory Burch flats. yum. yum.

More Tory Burch...

What do you crave these days?