Remember Me?

It's nearing 2am and I'm sitting in bed where I have been for the past week straight it seems with fashion magazines, papers and books scattered everywhere. I guess I should mention the pile of candy wrappers too! Yes, it's finals week and I'm finding another reason to procrastinate finishing the final project that is due tomorrow by 3pm. I've still got plenty of time right? I decided to do a quick blog post becasue I felt it was a little necessary after I have been M.I.A for nearly the past two months. Which I apologize about and I really want to try to make it a goal to post more. Maybe that could be my New Years Resolution?! My family and I went to Geneva a few weeks ago, which if you live in the Chicago area is such a cute town with some of the cutest boutiques. I love stopping in small town boutiques and finding some of the best fashion finds. Here are just a few outfit posts from that day. Just a few notes about the pictures.. 1) My sister took the pictures as the sun was setting so the sun was kind of all over the place. 2) I realize my boots are very dirty, please excuse that ;)

My outfit* 

Top: H&M

Bottoms: Express

Jacket: GiGi's Boutique 

Boots: Nordstrom

Purse: Forever 21

The Debut

Today is the day!! The day where I will be posting my very first outfit post. I have been skeptical and unsure if I wanted to start posting daily outfits but I have finally gained enough courage to do so. I am one to hate when my mother wants to take a picture of just me and I was not blessed with a trait that makes me look like a modeling guru when posing for pictures, like so many other blogs I see. When I went through much debate when deciding to post outfits I finally realized its not about me, its all about the outfit. Overall, I have learned that by posting outfit posts I can really learn through them and hope that other bloggers can be inspired by my outfits. My favorite thing about looking at other blogs is the daily outfit postings and it is so intriguing to see all the different styles and way of interpreting a certain trend. So here goes nothing.

My Outfit* Sweater: H&M  Tank: Charlotte Russe  Leggings: Express  Shoes: Target  Jewelry: Windsor, Forever 21, Express

When* I work at Express and I wore this to work because it was the first day that really felt like fall and all I wanted to wear were my pajamas. This is such a cozy and comfortable outfit, the poncho like sweater reminds me of being wrapped up in a blanket. I basically live in these leggings during the fall/ winter season so I'm sure you will being seeing these again and again. Happy lazy Sunday to you all in the blogging world! :)

Inspired Design

This past week has been Chicago's fashion week, Fashion Focus. Of course when great fashion events are going on I can't pass them up so last night I attended one of the headlining shows, Inspired Designs. It was put on by the one and only Mario Tricoci, who I might add is adorable in person, and Vitamin water. The runway show was put on at Millennium Park and despite the record high winds and downpour of rain it was a fabulous night. Five Chicago fashion lines were featured including Imaginary People, J. Cheikh, Michelle Tan, Narcisse and last but definitely not least Reddoll, which was my absolute favorite. This event also concluded the model search of Mario, Make me a Model where he announced not one but two winners. Wanted to share with you some photos from the talented designers. Enjoy some Chicago fashion!

Cant forget about the menswear designs

Love this coat

How fun is this Princess dress?!

My favorite design*Reddoll

Mario Tricoci

My outfit* Dress: Delias Sweater: Express Belt: Forever 21

Sorry my pictures are not the greatest quality, models can walk faster than you think in 6 inch stilettos, but I hope you were able to get a small glimpse at the wonderful designs. Let me know what your favorites were!!

About Me

My lovely bloggies I apologize that I haven't posted in a few weeks. It seems as though I am growing up and school and work are taking over my life, which leaves me no time for fun like blogging. When did this happen and how do I make it stop?! I'm gonna try my best to post more this week. All that aside when I have been looking through blog's lately I have seen that many bloggers have a cute tab for an "About me" section and since I don't have one I decided to do a post on that today. I know it's very generic and I'm probably really boring and have nothing exciting to say but try to bare with me. I always enjoy reading about other people and getting to know the people of the blog's I read so I thought it would be good way for you to get to know me better. Here we go!!

Name: Jessica Lynn Hogan

Age: 22

Residence: Rockford, IL
Occupation: Im a student at the Illinois Institute of Art majoring in fashion marketing and management. I work at Express as a fashion expert/ sales associate. Overall, such a fun job and love being able to get an idea what the fashion industry is like and how it works.. Oh and the extra discount doesn't hurt either.

Favorite Fashion Designers: This question is almost impossible to answer and it tends to be one of those silly questions my teachers ask us on the first day back to school to get to know everyone in the classroom. Honestly, I think I answer it differently everytime but overall some of my all time favorites are Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Tory Burch and of course Chanel.

Item of clothing you would never throw out: My grandmothers jewelry. When my grandma passed away a little over a year ago I received some of her jewelry. I was really close to her and I remember her wearing the rings or bracelets  I received so I love that I have a little piece of her still with me. Also, my north face down winter coat. I got it last year for Christmas and I literally don't know how I survived without it during these cold Midwest winters. It kept me toasty warm the whole winter and I will never want to go through another winter without it.

How would you define your personal style: My style I think is trendy but I like to make it my own by trying to put a twist on it or by adding accessories to pull it together. My style is very feminine and classy. I like to buy things I know are timeless and I can keep for awhile.

What is your own fashion trademark: My pearl earrings that my parents got me for my 18th birthday. I never leave the house without them whether Im wearing an over sized hoodie or a LBD (little black dress) I am always wearing them.
Dream job: I would love love love to work for a major fashion magazine and be a fashion editor. Attending all the top designers fashion shows and setting up the photo shoots for the magazine would be such an amazing job. I mean what girl who loves fashion wouldn't want to do that. It's also always been a dream of mine to open up my very own fashion boutique. I will do everything and anything to make this happen someday.

Favorite accessory: My sister gave me a bracelet she got me when she was in Door County and it hasn't left my wrist since. Over the years we have always gotten bracelets together when on vacation or when one of us has visited somewhere and those are probably some of my favorite accessories. My sister and I are really close so I guess they are my favorite just because it reminds me of a special memory we shared or our "sister bond."

Favorite Color: Pink!! but I also have started to just love black and white together because it looks so classy, like I said I guess I'm growing up.

Favorite Makeup: Love Marykay. My aunt sells Marykay and I'm lucky enough to help her with some of her work and my pay is free makeup. It will be a sad day when I actually have to start paying for makeup.

Favorite Food: Hands down its ICE CREAM! Anyone that personally knows me knows that Im the girl that eats it everyday and am always wanting to make a run to the local ice cream place. And yes I do eat it out of the tub in my bed sometimes.

Favorite destination: CHICAGO!! I love the city and hope to make a move there next year sometime. I'm also a beach girl so any nice beach in the south. Love to stick my toes in the sand and feel the sun soaking in.

Favorite discovery: Travel size antibacterial gel. I am a freak when it comes to antibacterial gel. I am always using it so I love that they have travel sized one's I can keep in my purse. I just stocked up and bought 10 at Bath and Body works so I'm all set to be germ free.

Your vice: Clothes!! I have an obsession.

Something you splurge on: Shoes and purses. It's a staple I use everyday so I don't mind spending a few extra dollars on something I know Ill use a lot and will keep for a few years.

Inspire

 Just wanted to share with you some photos that show some things that I am currently obsessed with or that just inspire me in general. I love looking at fashion photos because I always get really inspired to try new things. Hope they will inspire you in some shape or form as well. Happy Sunday! :)

Long Blazers 

    

Lace

Fedora

Gold embellishments and pretty up do's

Statement Jewelry

Lace up boots

Statement shoulders

                       Denim boyfriend button up                      

Mixing colors

Braids