Smoke Signals

"Don't be blinded by love, or shiny bright bling!"

This was my Valentines Day outfit. I decided to go dark and layered as a satirical play on all the red and pink around me. I usually keep a natural makeup look with just mascara and lip balm, but I decided to offset the dark colors with a pop lip of bright red matte. It's always a good idea to play it safe with makeup and colors when going a bit heavy or highlighting accessories - like I have done here with my rings. It may be hard to choose one or the other but remember you can never be too dressed up, but you certainly can be too made up. Simple hair, bold lip, dark layers with a print (I chose stripes and an ombre knee high) and highlighted accessories. If you keep at least one element of your style simple you can't go wrong.

(Ombre wool knee highs draw the eye up and cut up an otherwise monochrome outfit)

Outfit Breakdown:

Rings: my own collections and finds

Striped 3/4 sleeve: H&M

Sheer tunic: H&M

Pleather Skater skirt: Forever21

ombre socks: H&M

Booties: H&M

Street Gems

I believe the stone is a striped apricot agate.

A bracelet from a SoHo jewelry market I picked up.

Skull and hand ear cuff from L.E.S. jewelry market.

Rings. I collect them. This one is my absolute favorite which I have just gotten returned after a long year apart from it! I was never a fan of "traditional" or "classy" jewelry. Bling was not my thing. I was always more intrigued by the one of a kind, unique and rustic/folk look of the rings I've collected throughout the years. 

This particular ring was given as a gift from my love at the time we were in New York. It was custom wrapped to my finger and I got to choose which stone to use. I got it from the many NYC jewelry markets and jeweler street vendors that are flowing through  the streets of NY. You can always find the best jewelry there from independent artists and prices are always negotiable which is exactly in my price range. 

The beauty about having a unique piece of jewelry is that you know no matter what no one else will have the exact same piece as you, or the exact same story. That is why I collect after all. Jewelry to me especially holds stories that make vintage finds, family heirloom pieces and handmades not merely just a fashion accessory but a part of someone else and you as you wear it. 

Breaking Rules in Style

Being a rebel in Central Park Sheeps Meadow in style. A detour to a beautiful park on a perfect NYC Sunday??? "Ain't nobody got time for that!" Ryan takes the best candid photos of me and our NYC shenanigans.

A badass bitch in leather.

Radioactive Bones

I've had this shirt since I was 18. Five years later I'm still in love with it. I love wearing it all day and then going to a theater or dark lounge and surprising everyone. After all my motto is "you gotta show some bones to prove you can't be broken." ;) The shoes I got for a steal at Marshall's and the   heathered gray cardigan I added to bring some different texture and more importantly warmth to the outfit. It's my little brothers and probably mine until he asks for it and I get a sudden lapse of memory.

The kick ass dragon claw duster ring was a gift from my best friend Lena for my 23rd birthday last week. I'm absolutely floored at how she knows my affinity for gold, unique rings and a little edginess. She put it in a Zale's box for me and I have to say as a proposal for marriage when we tire of all the jerk men in the world, it's pretty awesome. 

OTFT BRKDWN:

Blazer -  H&M

Glow in the dark tee - H&M

Cardigan - Urban Outfitters 

Leather leggings - Forever 21

Violet zippered heels - Madden Girl from Marshall's

Ring - my own

Eye C U

source: insideout.topshop.com

This sweater is quite frankly "da shit". J.W. Anderson Sweater for Topshop.

I ♥HEART ♥ HART...

... and if you don't know why you are blind and don't take to hints well. 

Before I had always felt extremely insecure about the gap in my teeth. True story cross my heart, but when I was younger in the awkward years 12-16 I felt so embarrassed and ugly about my gap that I used to cry coming home from school and try to push my teeth together and even tried forcing them close with string. NO LIE. My teeth would be sore and since I stupidly believed that might work I would cry out of defeat and be left with sore sensitive teeth.

So for many years I did the nice, quaint closed smile in all my pictures. Braces were out of the question for me because of my fear of dentists and lack of money. It wasn't until I was a sophomore in college (18) that I started to love my gap. It was me. It was different and quite frankly it was cute and made me, well...me. Jess the girl with the gap. 

Then this gorgeous beauty catches my eye one day in a campaign and I'm just like "she's beautiful, she has a gap, the model world accepts her....*happy dance*" In your face suckaaaas who made me feel inferior for my imperfection that is my greatest perfection ;) I'm 22 now and just love my gap. Jessica Hart is so damn hot and she definitely has my girl crush. 

Jessicas are just awesome, If I must say so myself. Jessicas with a gap? Even better.

Good Will Hunting

My favorite ring. An affinity for jewelry that portrays pain ;)

When you're 5'2" knee highs are actually thigh highs sometimes

This is Jay :) aka "Kim Jong Illa" that day in backstock at worked I dubbed him. "Hey Jess, can you see me?"

It's light weather jacket time. At least on this side. Working on the men's team and sometimes unpacking shipment means I got to call dibs on some pieces I feel are perfectly unisex and rarely in an extra small. I'm a firm believer that people do too much camo overkill, guys mostly. When trying to look miilitary chique don't overuse the pattern. It is meant to be a statement pattern on a statement piece. Camo on camo or mixing camo can only lead to yourself becoming a walking parody of Swarchzengeger circa Predator (add mud under eyes for authenticity and for extra hype points) or third world country warlord or rebel drug cartel leader. Your choice. 

I immediately fell in love with this jacket and yes I even plan to do some DIY minor studding to make it a lil my own. I especially adore the detachable hood just as much as I adore my steal on this jacket as well. 60% off original retail price. God I loved my job lately.

I wear outfits on my mood and convenience as well. Just like it is convenient that since my hand is broken I can not properly shave my legs without looking like I got into a fight with a shard of glass. So thigh highs it was today...or knee highs for the fashion industry who magically think women are normally 5'10" and over.

At least it's beginning to turn into autumn, and I can double that as an excuse as well ;)

OTFT BRKDWN:

Camo hooded military jacket: All Son

Striped tee: Forever 21

Plated spike belt: ASOS

Skirt: Target

Boots: Mini Market

Ring: ASOS