Oh, the flash of it all.

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! I spent some wonderful lazy days in Richmond with my parents and best friend, it was a great and much needed mini break. I did score some amazing finds at the Sak's Fifth Avenue after Thanksgiving sale, more on that later as I left my camera behind. But fear not, it is in transit back to me. Let's just say there is some DVF in there! Anyways, I love coming back to Chicago after Thanksgiving break because it seems like it's instantly Christmas time. All the lights and wreaths are up and it's that final countdown for school to end (forever!!). Here's a little collage of some of my favorite christmas things:

Hello Kitty Ornaments: I'm determined to have a Hello Kitty tree this year!

Barbie Christmas Plates: Love these! They would be perfect for parties.

Panettone: This Italian Christmas treat is a must at my house, always served warm with loads of butter!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Strips: I've had these awesome plaid nails since Halloween as I've been saving them for the holidays.

Tacky Light Tours: Is there anything more fun than running around strangers' lawns?

Chanel Red Lipstick: Perfect with any party dress.

Sofia Coppola Champagne: Such a pretty bottle and would be great for making Belinis and Mimosas

Metallic Pink Tree: The tacky girl within wants nothing more than this flash!

little old lovelies.

Lately, I've been collecting images of quirky, fashionable old ladies...Why you say? Because I've always been obsessed with the older crowd. They have just sort of grown into to themselves and really don't give a damn about what other people think. In many ways they are much freer than the rest of us. Nothing makes me happier than seeing this particular lady in my neighborhood with magenta hair! She is just so striking and she must be about 80!  My best friend and I always talk about when we are old ladies living it up in Boca. We fully intend to become the quirky old ladies we love, with too much jewelry, makeup and hair dye! I personally cannot wait! I'm thinking I might design my next collection based on some of my favorite little old ladies, it could be an interesting little challenge! 

                            

wishin' and hopin'

When we were kids they told us to dream big, BIG MISTAKE! Here's a modest little wish list, in no order of importance:

This little guy (I'm looking at you boyfriend!)

NARS All About Cheeks Palette

This Apartment

J. Crew Hacking Jacket in Turquoise

Chanel Maxi Bag in Caviar

Valentino Rock Stud Flats

My Designs on the cover of Vogue! This is what it would look like, pretty awesome!

JessicaJudeDesigns.com

Blue Velvet.

It's friday and you know what that means, my day off and a trip to Vogue Fabrics. Now, before you think I'm just some hoarder of fine fabrics...true...I'm usually there getting swatches for school projects. While I couldn't find any of what I was looking for for said project, I did hit the jackpot for myself. I ended up purchasing heaps of turquoise velvet! Sounds weird, but I could instantly see a gorgeous, Halston inspired, grecian dress. In others words, disco, my constant inspiration.  I also purchased about two yards of gold chain to possibly use as trim or if that fails to make some necklaces with. I wanted to get some sort of glitzy buckles but couldn't find any that were right. This will probably turn into some over the top birthday dress. I tend to dress like I'm headed to Studio 54 on my birthday and then just meet my friends at a dive bar. What would a bright blue velvet dress with gold details call for? Bowling? Roller skating?
Here's an outfit of the day and my purchases:

Jacket: My Beloved via Presence, Shirt: Truly, Madly, Deeply via Urban Outfitters, Jeans: J. Crew

 Bracelets: Vintage, Forever 21 Bag: Gucci-vintage Watch: Michael Kors

 Boots: Steve Madden "Hoodlum"

Goes well with....

pleats please!

Today is wore a shirt dress in the fabric of the season, chiffon. It seems that every outfit of the day of mine involves some kind of chiffon piece but I just love how pretty and feminine it looks. There are so many great looks out there right now in sheer, light weight fabrics and I'm obviously loving it. I would say that the best thing to do if you are looking to embrace the sheer blouse/dress look is to invest in a few good nude camisoles. They allow you sport these sheer looks modestly without disrupting the look of the piece. I paired this dress with a brown leather belt, deep brown sweater tights and my trusty, beat up Frye boots. Simple and chic!

 

Dress: Double Zero via. Presence, Belt: Target, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Forever 21, Polish: Essie's Angora Cardi

Tights: DKNY, Boots: Frye

Happy Birthday Presence!

So, as some of you may know I work at Presence, a lovely shop located in Andersonville. This weekend we celebrated 42 years of bringing style to Chicago! Shoppers flooded in to grab up the latest in fall fashion and accessories along with cupcakes and glasses of champagne. Overall, the whole weekend was a  lot of fun and quite successful. This is my third year of celebration with Presence and each one is better than the last. We offered some pretty great deals and I  couldn't help but scoop up some new duds for myself, outfit of the days to come! Here are some images from the event including an outfit of the day:

The gorgeous ladies of Presence!

Dress: Tulle via Presence, Tights: American Apparel, Boots: Target. 

Fur, Jobs, & Versace.

Today was full of fashion fun...two jobs interviews and lots of running around in heels. I found myself wondering "Where's my coat?" all day. Yeah, it's bloody cold here all of a sudden, but a girl can't ruin her outfit for the sake of comfort right?  A little fur always helps though. I found this stole at H&M and ended up getting another about a week later. Love these things! Looking to get a white one soon.
 While I was downtown I got a chance to check out the Versace for H&M windows. Oh.My.God.So.Good. I have my eye on a few little items, gotta get a birthday dress pretty soon so why not? I never seem to make it to these designer collaboration openings though. Just the thought of standing in line and fighting over limited editions items with other lunatics like me is kind of a turn off. No, I'm more of the give it a week and see what's left after the riots kind of girl. But IF I was able to score a few items it would absolutely be the studded dress, and some good old Versace print pieces. Versace speaks to my nineties, Naomi Campbell lovin' self. This is the fashion I was bred on, giant safety pins and all.
In other news, I finally launched my new website check it out here---> jessicajudedesigns.com

Fur stole: H&M, Blazer: Tommy Hilfiger, Blouse: Presence

Fur makes me ridiculously happy. 

Booties: H&M

Pants: J. Crew, Bag: Forever 21

Cuff: Vintage, Watch: Michael Kors

So good!

Fashion Reads- Diane: A Signature Life

If you know me at all then you know that i have a deep love for Diane von Furstenberg. Her memoir, Diane: A Signature Life, is in my list of top ten favorite books. Whether you like fashion or not ( if not then I don't know what you're doing here) this is a great read. She married a prince, ruled a fashion empire and started a family all before the age of thirty. This book tells the story of a fashion star in the making, a downfall and a sudden comeback.  This book holds good advice for any young designer looking to make their way in the fashion industry. Von Furstenberg honestly shares her mistakes and successes and off course talks  in great detail of "the wrap", the famous style of dress that catapulted her into fashion fame.

 And while we are the D.V.F. train here are some of the current covetables from her fall collection, you know the stuff I'll be looking for on the Saks Black Friday sale's rack!

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Perfection!

70's geometric, enough said. 

Where would I wear this? To the disco of course!

Are these not Mary Tyler Moore shoes!

Buy it for me and I swear I'll wear it!

You got that where?

Tomorrow starts one of my most hectic weeks yet. Must get so much done before Thanksgiving break!  I spent my day in the windows of Presence creating a display for our 42nd Anniversary. I got so into this project I'm pretty much spent as far as productive energy goes, so tonight a cup of coffee is in order to get all of my other projects and school work done.

 Here are my finds from my mini shopping extravaganza over the weekend. I must say that I got most of these items from, wait for it... Old Navy! What? That place? Yeah, that place. I was heading in to pick up some basic tees and tanks and this coat literally screamed at me from across the store, "Hey! Hey you! You're looking for me over here!". Okay not really, but it certainly seemed that way! This coat was priced at $100 but was 50% off...oh yea, right up my street. I was heading out the door when I heard more crazed screams from the clearance rack, "Hey, cigarette pants over here for ten bucks!". Ten you say? I'm in. No, I didn't pick up sensible khaki, black or green, I needed fuchsia of course. These look eerily similar to the J. Crew ones I have been eyeing but at 1/8 of the price, so until those go on sale these puppies are pretty great. The flats I picked up years ago, but I didn't realize till I got to work that they too were Old Navy. So, call me a "modelquin" or whatever those obnoxious things are called, but somebody there is doing something right.

fuchsia is the new black.

Another friday has come and gone..sigh..why are days off always the shortest? I decided to forgo my weekly Vogue trip and take a little excursion downtown for lunch and little shopping. First of all, can we just take a moment to talk about Max Mara...How gorgeous are their windows?! I mean really, I've mastered the art of window shopping from the bus after five years of cruising the mag mile on my way to school, and two stores never fail to really perk up the ride..Chanel and Max Mara. When I actually have the chance to hop off my bus and check these babies out up close it's never a disappointment. Max Mara always produces the most gorgeous, clean cut, luxurious clothing. I find myself examining seams, buttons, and lapels in awe of just how perfect they are. I always imagine the older, more successful version of myself sporting these wonderful garments.

Here's an outfit of the day. In a hurry, I threw on one of my favorite sweaters in one of my favorite colors, fuchsia! And speaking of fuchsia, I found the greatest pair of fuchsia pants for ten bucks! Along with a pretty awesome leopard coat! No, it's not "the one" but it's pretty darn cute anyways. A much more exciting outfit of the day with these items coming soon!

Sweater: J. Crew, Coat: United Colors of Benneton

Beret: Presence