TRENDOLOGY » inspiration

SASSTASTIC: J.CREW Kids

Jillian — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:03:34 +0000

Not that I’m an ageist but… it kind of hurts my feelings that these J.Crew kids are so fly. Like, how am I 24 and still trying to figure out how to get dressed every morning? Okay, I get that a stylist totally put their outfits together and they were definitely told to act all sassy/precocious but you get my drift, right? There are some really creative kids out there. And I’m not talking about Tavi. Living in NYC, I see kids all the time that have the most creative looks. Left to my own devices, I would always take cues from youngins when it comes to getting dressed. But alas, I work in an office. And even though it’s a fashion company, I don’t think anyone would take me seriously if I started wearing tulle skirts to meetings with clients. Maybe when I own my own company… until then though, I’ll take this as an excellent reminder that your clothes should always be fun and never too serious.

I definitely just ordered those Minnetonka’s on the right, in the same gray suede color. Would it be weird if I added flowers to them? I kind of don’t care if it is weird. I think I might add flowers to them.

I die.

Oh my goodness. Could this little girl be any more fantastic? Seriously. I wish.

All weekend, every weekend.

I had a friend named Megan that used to dress/look just like this. She was cool.

The sunglasses are the perfect touch.

No adjustments necessary, I’m wearing this to work next week.

Because even in the rain and mud, you want to be a little bit fancy, right?

If I thought that I could wear a tulle skirt to work and not get harassed on the subway…yeah, I totally would do it. Just like this. Also, peep her nails.

I’ve given you ample warning, friends. Don’t be surprised if you see me wearing some goodies from the J.Crew kids’ section. At the very least, the socks.

Zara, Knee Highs & Middle School Trauma

Jillian — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:24:23 +0000

I had to take a break from blogging this summer. I was feeling uninspired and disenchanted… I enjoy blogging so much more when it doesn’t feel like a job. Because…I have a job, a fashion job, that uses my energy from 8:30-6, five days a week. Factor in sleep time and soccer time and well, there really hasn’t been much time left for the blog. But I can feel Fall, lurking… and I’m totally into it.

It helps that the industry throws ton of money into Fall propaganda – aka, lookbooks. One of my favorites so far has been the casual lookbook for Zara! Anyone who has received a fashion related email/gchat from me in the last couple of weeks has seen it. Personally speaking, it’s a game changer. It’s got me thinking about my fall wardrobe in a very different way. Most notably- I’m craving long skirts. I don’t think I’ve really wanted a long skirt since middle school…about 10 years ago.

The length is a little impractical in a dirty city like New York but an ankle grazing, sock exposing, jersey skirt makes me a little giddy. I especially love the middle look – with the long plain sweater, belted at the natural waist for definition – plusssss a parka, and an artfully tied scarf. It’s cold enough in my office to get away with this but.. I think it’s still a little early to break out all these layers, no?

This one time, in 6th grade… I had a glorious neutral colored stripe dress and matching knee highs. I very proudly wore it on a chapel day at school. Sitting around with my advisory group, I started to feel like maybe I had gotten the hang of the private school fashion scene. That is…until, Emily, who was considered extremely fashionable, decided to inform everyone that it was stupid to wear knee highs with dresses. They should obviously only be worn with skirts. Seeing my now “embarrassing” outfit, she offered me a half-hearted [ie-mean girl], “oops“. I still loved my dress but I think that was the moment that I gave up on knee highs. Trying them again will be an emotional challenge. Chuckles.

Do you have any Fall challenges?

Gidget Goes Hawaiian

Jillian — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:48:55 +0000

Look at the shorts on Moondoggie! I want a pair in that exact wash.

I will also take the top.

And any of these bathing suits.

Music Monday: Macy Gray

Jillian — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:52:26 +0000

What I would have posted if I hadn’t been so exhausted:

It may be the most enjoyable song on my i-pod right now.

Lilith & Me: Part 1

Jillian — Sun, 02 May 2010 05:10:00 +0000

Sometimes hanging out with your friends is not only fun but it is also educational. Sitting down to some noodles with Jo tonight, we discovered our mutual love of LILITH FAIR and Jo informed me that the tour was making a comeback this year. Say Word?! The 13 year old girl inside of me, the one who begged her Dad to take her* , is rejoicing at this news. Finally, I will get to live out one of my childhood desires!

*My dad willingly took me to see an LFO concert but refused to take me to Lilith Fair. He drew the line at Lilith Fair.

Style Crush: Yukimi Nagano

Jillian — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:43:38 +0000

I am pretty obsessed with Yukimi Nagano, she makes a girl want to cut her hair and just dance:

Carnet de Voyage

Jillian — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:12:51 +0000

Carnet de Voyage
Italian Glamour
Photographer: Giampaolo Sgura
Styling by: Edoardo Marchiori
Model: Patrycjia Garjgaylo

Childhood is Calling: Stella McCartney x GapKids

Jillian — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:55:24 +0000

When I was younger, I never realized or appreciated the freedom that I had. I only wanted to be older so that I could make my own choices. I had no idea that in some instances, I would have greater restrictions placed upon me. I know not every child is given free reign with their wardrobe but that may have been the one place that my mother actually allowed me autonomy. Looking at home videos with her, she sometimes remarks on how “wild”, I looked. I want to tell her – yes, exactly. Wild and free! When you’re a child, what you wear doesn’t have all the implications that it does when you’re “grown up”. When you’re only 8, heart sunglasses don’t make people roll their eyes and call you a hipster. If in the middle of the day you’re seen parading around in a tutu and sweatshirt, you’re not suspected of doing a walk of shame – you’re simply being individualistic…creative…a kid!

Stella McCartney’s second collaboration with Gap Kids is a welcome reminder that Childhood Is Calling.

Via Stella McCartney’s facebook.

Sprung!

Jillian — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:18:33 +0000

The clocks have sprung forward, which is one serious sign of an impending Spring. And although the recent rains have felt apocalyptic at moments, I’m trying to stay focused on the positive. Rain showers bring May flowers, etc.

A recent viewing of Return to The Blue Lagoon [don't judge!] has peaked my interest in shipwrecked yet surviving on a desert island jewelry. I really love these colorful pieces by Bimba & Lola but if you’re feeling crafty, the good thing about shipwrecked yet surviving on a desert island jewelry is that it’s very DIY. Obvi.

I dare you to find me a designer who had a more refined, yet colorful, pallette for Spring 2010. In my opinion, Nicole Farhi’s colors were powerful but whited out just enough that they are easy on the eyes and seem easy to wear. This might be my strongest color inspiration for Spring – even in the Fall, I had photos of this collection hanging in my cubicle to keep myself motivated.

Olsen Haus makes some of the best vegan shoes around. I’ve admired their boots in the past but now that I’ve seen their Spring 2010 collection, I’ve taken a liking to their sandals as well. I picked out 3 creamsicle colored designs but the collection boasts a much wider variety of looks/colors.

“Birds of Paradise” via JUCO.

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead

Jillian — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:12:37 +0000

One of the best things to happen to me in 1991 was the release of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead. It’s an epic film starring Christina Applegate as Sue Ellen Crandall, a fashionable teen who has to fake her way into the fashion industry in order to support her 4 siblings while their mother is away on vacation. Trust me when I say all kinds of shenanigans ensue – including a fashion show! In addition to the awesome plot and early-90s fashion , Don’t Tell Mom, also boasts an appearance by a young David Duchovny.

If you haven’t seen this movie, you should DO. IT. NOW. Some beautiful soul has posted it on youtube.

Here are some of my favorite moments:

This is where we learn that creative people prefer to shop at thrift stores.

Then we learn the importance of distressed denim and quirky accessories.

Token black friend – so crucial, so necessary, so important to my self esteem.

The key is to make accessorizing look effortless.

Again, extremely quirky accessories and bedazzled collars. Awesome.

I wish this were MY resume.

A one shoulder top under a white blazer? YES, thank you, Rose.

WHERE DO I BUY THESE LIZARDS?! I NEED THESE LIZARDS, ROSE!

I think I own this outfit.

Uh-oh. Mom is back from Australia! Let’s wait to tell her that the babysitter is dead.