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Navigate with Style

Charting the style of daily life...with the mouth of a sailor.

Fashion,Fashion

The September List

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This month's to-do's...

 * Swap your bright or beachy tote for a structured bag or day clutch in a rich fall hue like navy or mustard. Perhaps the 3.1 Philip Lim collection for Target has what you seek.

* Summer wreaks havoc on skin and hair. Get funky with exfoliation (manual or chemical - I dig both) to fight all that pesky sun damage. Deep condition tresses with a nourishing mask. Repeat this process weekly for the rest. of. your. life.

An old fave. Bold look yet so lightweight thanks to thin leather backing. No droopy ears for me.

* Bracelets and necklaces have reigned supreme the last few seasons so it's time for your earrings to have a moment. Bring yours out of hiding or pick up a new statement pair to switch things up. This lovely pair is temporarily part of my "Mumma Off Duty" collection - pieces I can only wear when my kids are being monitored by another adult. Babies are quite grabby...and slobbery.

 

* Remove the last dregs of neon nail polish and go for a ladylike lacquer in nudes and chocolates. Embellish a nail or two with metallic foil or tiny studs. 

* Embrace the Back to School spirit, even if you won't be cracking a textbook this year. A new notebook, tablet stylus or lunch bag will surely make you more productive at work. 

* Follow New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014 trends via Pinterest and the live show feeds for a week long punch in the face of high style.

 

paint chip palettes...

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When I'm feeling uninspired, I look for cues from various sources. Sometimes I find myself in the paint aisle, browsing the sample cards of Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Ralph Lauren. These cards often give me some ideas to play around with which also helps me to imagine new ways to introduce various hues into my ensembles.

INSPIRATION: Tone on tone. Focus on textures to break up the monochromatic look and mix with neutral or metallic accessories for depth. ​Favorite tonal combos of mine are fuchsia with petal pink, burgundy with red or orange, violet with lilac or emerald with mint.

INSPIRATION: Complementary colors. While choosing paint for my living room, I gathered cards that featured color schemes for entire rooms. I walked away with paint cans for my house and a color plan for my Spring/Summer wardrobe.

INSPIRATION: Pattern play. I've now seen cards that feature patterns and the above and below combos look a little Proenza Schouler to me. Fun!

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top 10 style tips of all time...

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Here's what I consider to be the basics of style --- learn them, know them, live them.

1. Always bet on accessories. This is where I tend to invest because I typically get the most mileage out of my accessories and jewels than I do with an individual piece of clothing.

2. Invest the time and money to have a proper bra fitting by a pro (not a high schooler at VS). No matter the size of your cans, the perfect bra can make all the difference. Trust!

3. Nude pumps are the absolute best footwear staple. The best, Jerry. The best. Splurge here for maximum comfort and wear.

4. Know the trends but ignore them if they aren't perfect for you. I can't and don't wear midriff bearing shirts, turtlenecks or gladiator sandals, even if they're the latest and greatest trends on the runways...you're welcome.

5. Become a master editor of your own closet. We all need help with this from time to time so ask a trusted (and stylish) friend for assistance in weeding out. Sell everything that doesn't work and use the profits for something your closet is missing.

6. Embrace color. Maybe not every color and certainly not all at once, but color is your friend.

7. Own at least one GREAT animal print piece, whether zebra or leopard. Animal prints can be tricky and tacky so look for a classic print in a timeless silhouette or go for a pair of shoes or a handbag instead.

8. Don't swoon over sales. Sometimes a low price is too hard to resist but resist you MUST if the item in question isn't already on your list of must haves. This is something I'm personally working on this year...

9. It's better to be overdressed than under...fo shizzle.

10. Stock up on high quality basics - they'll never let you down. Preach!

​

My jewelry drawers!

Did I miss anything? Do you totally agree? Beg to differ? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @navigatewstyle!

xx JDF

​

fashion week faves...

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I rawwwther enjoy New York Fashion Week, albeit from afar. Thanks to the internets, most shows are now live streamed via multiple channels online. While Fashion Week is jammed with loads of designers, looks, front row celebs and emerging trends, I always like to pick my personal faves. Whether or not these trends or pieces end up in stores is an entirely different story...

In no particular order:

* I have always loved long leather gloves because they make me feel way more glam than I am. A ton of designers showed them in all colors for next Fall. Thankfully, I already own quite a few pairs so I'm all set. Quite frankly, I'm not sure why long leather gloves would ever be out of style...

* While fur was flying on the runways, I like Marc Jacobs' take the best. A fur collar or cape (faux or real) will certainly take outerwear up a notch.

* I loved the banded heels at Michael Kors ...espesh the orange ones and ESPESH with camo!

* I am a J. Crew girl through and through so it's no surprise that I am in love with them season after season. While there are always so many pieces I adore, it's the styling that gets me. The mixing and matching is not something I'm naturally good at so I admire the cool pairings the J. Crew team comes up with. I especially dig an over sized, orange clutch that I. MUST. HAVE.

* I come from a family with a strong military background so I have an affinity for olive drab and navy blue (my paternal side is Army, my maternal side is Navy - no wonder my parents divorced). Prabal Garung showed lots of military-esque colors and silhouettes. The trick here is to keep your Army-Navy surplus gear from becoming too literal or costume-y...feminine embellishments are key! Just like the long leather glove trend, the military look isn't something I'll need to spend much money on to achieve thanks to my lifelong love for the look.

year of the snake...

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Feb 10th marked the first day of the year of the snake in the Chinese calendar. While the Chinese say that saving money and being thrifty should be a top priority this year, you still might want to pick up a few charming snake inspired accessories to augment what you already own. In vibrant colors the look is still exotic but a little more playful, less serious. If a snake print isn't for you, try a cuff or some little stud earrings. 

You might not think of beauty products getting in on the snake action but for the last few years, chemists have been including synthetic snake venom to attack fine lines and wrinkles. Peter Thomas Roth's UNWRINKLE range of serums, lotions and creams utilizes Syn-Ake, an engineered ingredient that smoothes wrinkles for a youthful appearance.

from guns to glamour...

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Yes, you read that correctly. The elegant bracelets that make up the Caliber Collection from an NWS fave, Jewelry for a Cause, are made from guns and bullet casings seized by the Newark Police Department. What an amazing transformation these weapons have undergone to become stylish arm candy!

In addition to the new Caliber Collection, Jewelry for a Cause, created by Jessica Mindich, offers a lovely collection of silver Talisman necklaces that support various charities, In Gratitude recycled newspaper necklaces crafted by Ugandan women and custom bracelets that can be used as a fundraising or marketing tool for your organization. Essentially, all of the beautiful baubles by Jewelry for a Cause have a deeper meaning and purpose, making it easy to be a fan of Mindich's brand.

Jessica Mindich, creator of Jewelry for a Cause

Check out the full steel and brass Caliber Collection here.

pregnancy is hard...

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I'm firmly in the third trimester of my second (and final) pregnancy. My first pregnancy was a dream - I felt so great and happy that I could have gone on being pregnant forever. This time? Oy...

This pregnancy has zapped my energy, my hair and skin are blah and my style has slowly been sucked away. I have massive lower back pain, can barely manage a quick trip to Target (sadness) and have hormones that make me quite crabby at times. I have been doing a bit of yoga and am trying to be as organic as possible with my food and beauty choices but I can't say I always succeed on that front.

In terms of style, I do have a little bit going for me this time around. I no longer work in an office so I don't have to worry about what's work appropriate. I've embraced a very easy uniform of black leggings and tanks under cozy cardigans and have been heavily relying on accessories and jewels to keep things as interesting as possible. As soon as I get home I throw on large men's sweatpants and a t shirt...the epitome of chic, right? 

my belly at 30 weeks...check out my outie!

priority parking for the expecting...so helpful!

I know there have been many pregnant women before me with the same feelings and I certainly won't be the last. In fact, I'm so thankful to have a cadre of friends that can relate. And, in the grand scheme of things, these issues of mine take a backseat to the more serious complications of other pregnancies.

The bottom line is...I don't know what the bottom line is. I'm just a little frustrated and needed to vent. I see a nap in my near future...

A few little things that have been bringing me joy during these last few weeks:

* peppermint tea

* Origins Ginger Body Gloss

* belly hugs and kisses from my 4 year old boy

* a kick ass Alexis Bittar ring that I want to wear 24 hours a day

* perusing Pinterest for nursery decor and baby announcement ideas

Happy 2013!

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Alright, my boy is back in school and I'm ready to tackle 2013. I have some major life events coming up so this year might shake out to be one of my most exciting yet!

I have some great ideas for NWS and hope to implement some of them before Baby Fox #2 arrives. At the same time, I'm also trying to simplify a few things before my life becomes a series of short naps in between diaper changes and feedings.

Besides the arrival of my babe, here's what I'm looking forward to in 2013:

* Emerald, Pantone's Color of the Year - I can't wait to see this brilliant color show up on accessories of all sorts, in makeup (espesh the Pantone-Sephora collab), home decor and clothing. Emerald will be the perfect punch of color this spring when we've all tired of the boring neutrals of winter.

* The Swinging Sixties - Marc Jacobs sent mod black and white stripes down his Spring 2013 runway along with winged eyeliner, nude lips, creamy nails and teased hair, deeply parted on the side (sexy swooping bangs). I'm excited to try some fun Edie Sedgwick style looks this spring.

* Colorful Eyeliner - This is a trend that comes and goes every few seasons that I normally eschew for my standbys of brown, black and deep purple. This spring I'll be trying turquoise, fuschia, emerald (natch) and possibly even yellow just to keep things interesting. This is a great trend to try without breaking the bank because eye pencils can be as inexpensive as $1 from brands like Wet n Wild and elf at Target.

Of course there are many more trends to try in the coming months...what are you looking forward to? Tweet me @navigatewstyle

style resolutions...

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As Christmas and the New Year approach, I have resolutions on the brain. Of course, I have some more meaningful changes to make in 2013 but let's just have fun with my style resolutions, 'kay?

* wear more color...It's easy to slide into a uniform of basic black so I'll be integrating more vibrant hues into my wardrobe this year. 

* embrace prints...I tend to have issues with prints due to my curves but I love to have fun with my clothing so I'll be pushing myself a bit out of my comfort zone here.

* ditch nail art...I'm just a little sick of the sloppy looking polish out there. Classic mani's are where it's at! 

* get back to more organic/natural products...I haven't been as strict with my beauty purchases in the last few months so I'll be returning to my organic faves and trying out some new launches --- because I'm worth it.

* work with what I've got...I need to make more of an effort to wear what I already own, remix my closet, jewelry box, accessories. Part of the challenge here is to re-organize so I can see it all in the first place!

What are your style resolutions for 2013? Tweet them to me at @navigatewstyle

ps - My boy is now on school vacation so I'm taking a bit of a break from blogging to fully maximize my time with him. See you in 2013!

to poof or not to poof...

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If you know me but at all, you know that I adore cranial accessories. I love bows, clips, headbands, flowers, pins, feathers, turbans, hats, scarves, poofs and any other variety you could throw at me - even the fallopian tube fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice at the wedding of Wills & Kate. I wore a jaunty, minty poof on a television segment last week that drew some criticism on social media...

Like Andy Cohen says, here's what:

Style is subjective. Like any other form of expression, how stylish one might be can always be up for debate. I welcome this idea - it's part of the reason I felt compelled to start blogging a few years ago. Style can mean many different things to many different kinds of people and I like to embrace and celebrate that notion. I'm all about having fun and I love a good laugh...especially in my wardrobe. I don't like to take things too seriously and sometimes I just need some extra flair to get through the day. Sue  me. 

The critical post basically claimed that my poof was small town, not big city. On this I disagree. This person may not have liked my poof and that's fine. But to allege that such a thing would never be seen in a large metropolitan area is just silly. I have lived in Boston, Massachusetts and spent a semester of college in London. I have visited European cities and have friends from all over the world. While I wish I could travel more, I'm certainly not a stranger to culture or diversity of style. Furthermore, some very high profile ladies within the fashion industry are known for wearing such things as poofs atop their heads. Google Anna Dello Russo, Tavi Gevinson or Anna Piaggi to see some examples. In addition to women who are known for taking repeated fashion risks, there are others who occasionally step outside their comfort zone to try something new or edgy - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Yes, even Heidi Klum has had some misses. 

So, to poof or not to poof...I will always choose to poof. And guest what? I have bigger.

The offending poof...

why don't you...

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...clasp two different necklaces togezz and wear as one? I experimented with a few different styles but here are the two best I came up with:

There are some instances where the excess chain looks awkward but some necklace chains are more finished than others, as is the case with picture #2. The other thing I love about the second combination is that the purple end looked really pretty going around the back of the neck.

Play around with what you already have to come up with a no cost way to add to your jewelry options!

I'd love to see what you come up with! Tweet me pix at: @navigatewstyle

Stylish Holiday Gifts on #INsight...

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Fashionable Friends...Lorin!

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I spotted Lorin before we ever met. We were in a college lecture hall with 46 other students and their parents for a London study abroad orientation. Lorin was asking all the right questions and sporting that season's colorful Gap sweater that was all the rage. You know, the striped one from Winter of 1999. Anyway, my mother told me I should make friends with this girl while I rolled my eyes. Once in London, I did in fact make friends with her and almost 13 years later, we're still close! 

Lorin is the kind of girl you'd be really jealous of (she's charming, insanely pretty, funny) if she wasn't so damn nice! She modeled and acted for years and after earning a degree in Marketing, is now a Registered Nurse, wife and mother. This girl does it all...including a killer Phoebe Buffay impression.

A candid shot from Lorin's wedding.

1. Three words to describe your style: classic, comfortable and covered in baby drool

2. Desert island beauty product: sunscreen

3. The outfit that never lets you down: jeans, white t shirt and fun jewelry 

4. Signature fragrance: Trish McAvoy Sexy #9 in the summer and Hanae Mori in the winter

5. Fashion Hero:  I wouldn't call her a hero, but I'm incredibly jealous of Gayle Spannaus, the Fashion Director of J.Crew.  Would love to have her closet! 

Thank you, Lorin!

xx JDF

why don't you...

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...use two scarves to create one fab scarf?

Choose two scarves that are roughly the same size but with different textures, patterns or colors. Lay them flat on top of each other to line them up then twist or drape around your neck as you normally would. Voila! A new super scarf that didn't cost you a dime.