Spot On

Sunday morning I woke up to a mere dusting of snow sprinkled around outside, it was so beautiful and serene I couldn't help but to just stare.  With my favorite glasses on of course!!!!

I chose to go with a casual look and one of my favorite caplets from Calvin Klein.  I live in an area that has an extremely casual vibe.  Seeing as how I love fashion and dressing up this can be a bit of a challenge for me at times! I never used to really wear jeans until I moved back here, and my idea of casual is still considered "dressy" to most.  But none the less I love a good challenge!  

My trick for the best way to spruce up any casual look:  add a print, some heels, and all your look is automatically updated while still having the casual aesthetic.  I found this awesome Issac Mizrahi sweater while vintage shopping here in town, and couldn't think of a more perfect time to wear it!

How do you dress for winter where you live?  Share on Instagram with #winterwear

Sweater: Issac Mizrahi

Jeans: J Brand Jeans

Boots: Jessica Simpson

Cuff and ring: BCBG Max Azria

Caplet: Calvin Klein

Glasses: Ted Baker

Chartreuse

A Girls Night Out is always needed I feel like.  There is nothing better than getting to hang out with some of your closest friends, having a few lemon drops. and enjoying some of the best apps I have ever had in my life.  This is something we try to do as often as possible, but sometimes we all just get so busy!  Last night was the first time we had one in a while, but it was like no time had passed at all. 

This dress has been hanging in my closet for months now, just waiting to be worn.  I was running a little bit late and was looking for something easy to put together and this dress just called my name.  Overall I think it took me about 10 minutes all together to get ready and be out the door!  This dress is made from a sweatshirt material, which normally, I am against and think it should be kept to just that.  However, this dress with its amazing color, and great cut, I couldn't help but succumb to this trend.  Although I am now wearing it as everyone else is getting rid of it, I still love it just as much as the day I bought it!

If you notice the zipper strip on the back of the dress is black with a brushed gold zipper.  This was my inspiration for the accessories for my look.  I also decided to embody my inner festival look for something different than what I normally do.  Overall I kept it simple, but the details are what really made this outfit!

Hope you have all had a great week!

Heat wave

( Photos by Thayne Jongeward )

Because it is freezing outside, I decided to showcase a photo shoot I was apart of last summer with a local photographer I work with.  In hopes that looking back will also help inspire looking forward to this coming summer and all of the amazing things that are planned for Fashion Rouse!

Early last summer Thayne had asked me if I could style and model in a photo shoot he was planning to enter for an online magazine, I of course said YES!  He decided he wanted to go with a "Heatwave" theme.  It was already scorching hot outside so it seemed to fit perfectly.  After pulling the outfits together for the photo shoot, next we created this frizzed out look with over the top makeup and nail color.  Overall it turned out just as we had hoped: bright, vibrant, and HOTT!  Unfortunately we weren't chosen to be in the editorial, but we did have a BLAST that day shooting and hanging out having fun!

All clothing was pulled from the Buckle, you can check out their current trends on their website here: http://www.buckle.com/womens

You can check out Thayne's work here!

 facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thaynejongewardphotography

website: http://www.thaynejongewardphotography.co/

Draped Tweed

(Photos by Jared Freeman)

The new year has brought some exciting and amazing opportunities to me.  Opportunities that I had only dreamed of!  I am so excited to share all of these amazing projects we will be working on with you throughout the year.  Fashion Rouse will be doing some awesome collaborations, new projects, a cool styling how to video, and best of all.... We will be traveling to some of the best events throughout the country! I hope you are all having an amazing year so far, and don't forget to check out tomorrows blog post for some exciting news!

Jacket: Vera Wang

Dress: H & M

Boots: unknown

Rings: BCBG Max Azria 

Bracelets: Ralp Lauren, Cara NY, and vintage

Fur Clutch: Vintage

The NEW Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole has long been a brand that consistently finds a way to intrigue me season after season.  For being a company that has been around over three decades they repeatedly find a way to use their "resourcefulness, creativity, and push the boundaries of convention."  After looking at their latest collection I felt so inspired, they are truly a brand that is universal in any social circle, city, or magazine.  Kenneth Cole has such an inspiring story of their start up that any new and young designer trying to get into the industry could learn from them.  

I love that they are always using colors that make any outfit "pop".  The prints they use are always tastefully done, and mixed with their neutral palettes and "pop" of colors, its no wonder they are always in the spotlight in a positive aspect.  I think they should be at MAGIC because they have something to contribute to the fashion industry that is unique and new.  Like many other clothing lines they are faced with the same challenges, but I have yet to see a collection from them I haven't liked.  Unlike many other brand they rise to the occasion and make a statement season after season!

You can find all of the items from the look above on their website here: Kenneth Cole

New Year Essentials

There are a only a few things in life that I consider "essential", things that go with me practically everywhere.  So I decided to start the new year off by sharing them with you!

1. A great pair of sunnies!  I don't go anywhere without my RayBan's, especially this new pair I picked up when I was in LA last time! (find them here)

2. My newest addiction: EOS lipbalm!  Since I am on the go all of the time, these are such a great size to throw into any size purse!  I don't have a favorite flavor, so far I love them ALL! (find them here)

3. A planner!  A gal always needs to be on top of her "A" game, and part of that means never running late and always knowing what you have coming up the next few days!  I opt for a leather bound planner because I have found in the past it tends to hold up better than most.  Especially since I take mine with me everywhere! (find it here)

4. A fun pen!  To keep with you planner so that you are always prepared.  I decided to use this great BB Dakota pen I got as a gift earlier this year.  It's fun size and looks like a tube of lipstick, what a great combination!

5. Julep nail polish! A newer company to hit the market but their pocket size nail polish is fast drying, and easy to take with you anywhere for touch-ups. (find them here)

6. A statement watch!  I love keeping my look semi-simple but still having something to make it "pop".  This watch is actually a men's watch, but when I saw it, I immediately fell in love!  Plus I really like the rose gold coloring, it makes it stand out even more because it's not your typical watch color. (find it here)

7. Bold and Simple rings: These rings I found on a great website that I subscribe to, they were inexpensive and I loved that they came in a pack so I didn't have to buy each ring individually. (similar here)

8. Perfume' that will always leave you with great memories! I found Chanel at a young age, and it is a scent that has stayed with me for nearly a decade now.  It is easily one of my favorites, however, I do switch between the different chance flavors every now and then just for a little change. (find them here)

9. A simple list of resolutions: such as these!  Simplify, Be Inspired, Be Original, Work Hard, and Enjoy!  

I hope everyone is having a great new years so far!  

Cowl Neck with some LOVE

I don't know about you, but there are days where I just look for a reason to get outside and soak up the sunshine! There is just something about the Vitamin D that's very rejuvenating!  And in the middle of this cold winter (without snow), it is more than welcomed.  Sunday was kind of a day to get a lot of stuff done, so it was a day to wear some comfy and casual clothes.  A brand that has always been one of my favorites is Alternative Apparel... they use the best fabric and always have the best silhouettes!  What do you guys think?  Any other Alternative Apparel lovers out there?  Check out their latest collection here: http://www.alternativeapparel.com/

Blouse: Alternative Apparel (find it here)

Jeans: J Brand Jeans (find them here)

Boots: Vince Camuto (find them here)

Necklace: Kensie

Rings: Just Fab (similar here)

Sunnies: Ray Ban (find them here)

Mani: Julep (find it here)