Travel // Packing Essentials, Part II

It's safe to say that I have spent a considerable amount of time on the road this year, and I like to think I've got the traveling thing down to a pretty exact science.  Of course, your system might not look anything like mine, but it's one of my more asked about topics, so I thought I'd share some of my current must-haves with you... just in time for summer vacation!  Keep reading to find out about a few of the things that I just can't go without when I travel...

Update: Totally forgot that I did another similar post last year, so be sure to check out Part I of my travel essentials as well!

Concrete Catwalk // Cherry on Top

A cherry-colored vintage tuxedo blouse on top, and you'll have to keep reading to see the crisp coral shorts on the bottom!

This was my best effort at looking professional (or at least somewhat put-together) for a dinner meeting on a hot night in the city... Two things I learned: just because a blouse is somewhat sheer doesn't mean it qualifies as a breathable item, and shorts make a totally appropriate, and dare I say necessary, stand-in for trousers when the thermometer surpasses 100 degrees.

Speaking of warmer temps... G and I are currently in Kansas City for a few days of visiting friends (yay!) and then are heading out to spend the weekend at the lake with his family.  I've got a few great posts scheduled, but am honestly looking forward to spending much less time online, so keep an eye on the place while I'm gone - will ya?  (And of course, follow along on instagram and twitter if you miss me too much!)  :)

Have a great weekend!

Top to Bottom:
Earrings - DIY by me
Sunnies - Fred Flare (similar)
Top - Vintage, thrifted (similar)
Shorts - c/o Ann Taylor
Belt - J. Crew (similar)
Bangles - Vintage, various
Ring - c/o Sorrelli
Watches - Michele, vintage & c/o kate spade
Heels - BCBG (similar)

In the Kitchen // Entertaining Simply

Sharing a moment in the kitchen with my Chrissie-pie

Very rarely do I turn down an excuse to host a get together, and when Simply Orange asked if we'd like to share an evening of sips and snacks with a few friends (their treat!), I jumped at the chance.  Opening our home to others is something that I truly love, and in keeping with the "Simply" theme I knew I wanted to make things easy and casual, but still totally delish.

Keep reading for the full spread and find out how to make the yummy "Simply" cocktails we're drinking out of my new vintage ship tumblers. :)

Concrete Catwalk // Mixed Greens

This turquoise-y tunic (not to be confused with the teal top) is one of my favorite vintage finds... the shift shape, woven texture & quirky mixed-green colors make for the perfect top to a basic pair of bottoms.  Keep reading to see how I style it up with distressed boyfriend jeans and mismatched tan leather accessories...

New Features & FAQ

Happy Friday, Friends! 

I'm excited for yet another great summertime weekend in the city with my Sweet G and our pals, but am also looking forward to make some updates/small edits around here on the blog.  I've been thinking about adding a few new features for a while now, but really would love to make sure that everything still feels relevant/interesting/useful for you when you swing by.  I LOVE having you here, and want to do my best to make it one of your favorite little corners of the internet.

SO... see below for a few ideas that I've had swimming around in my brain, and I would love to know what you think.

• Fitness: Resources, encouragement & reviews
• Beauty: Tips, tricks & tutorials
• Shopping: Sale notifications, style how-tos & notes on current trends
• Blogging/Business/Life: What I've learned along the way

I feel like I have so much to say and share about the topics above, and these are the areas that most of my online consulting clients hire me to help them with these days, but I'm never sure if S&P is the proper place to talk about them in a post-able format.  Maybe just a few of the aforementioned peppered in here and there? ;)  Anything I've left out?  What would you like to see most?

Lastly, I've been collecting the occasional FAQ-type queries over the last few months, and desperately need to just sit down and answer them all, but I figured I'd at least give a little shout out to let you know that now's the chance to find out whatever it is that you'd like to know... Feel free to ask away either by email or in the comments of this post, and I'm really looking forward to hearing what you're curious about!

XOXO - Jessie

In the Kitchen // David's Tea

I'm a coffee girl through and through, but a new gem has recently made it's way into my brewed beverages of choice.  After stumbling across David's Tea while strolling through the West Village with my mom a few months ago, it has become a nearly weekly stop on my list of favorite spots to grab something tasty to drink.

The kind Canadians behind the brand were nice enough to send the Summer Sampler my way, and I've loved experimenting with the different flavors and types to find the perfect combinations.  I'm even thinking about posting some delicious and healthy snack pairings either here or on my instagram feed in the near future - is that something you think you'd be interested in seeing?

In order to quell the intimidation I felt about making loose leaf tea for myself, they also sent along the proper tools and equipment I needed for brewing everything at home.  The glass mug and infuser set (shown above) is perfect for counter-top steeping and the Noble glass travel mug has a strainer attached to the inside of the lid and has proven to be the perfect container for taking my tea on the go!

So far my seasonal favorites flavors are the spicy yet sweet "Mango Diablo" (shown above) which has chili threads and dried mango bits in it, and "Swampwater" which is fruity and fun due to the tiny animal shaped sprinkles mixed in with the tea!  Other go-tos when I visit the shop include Jessie's Tea (DUH), Birthday Cake (tastes like frosting and has real sprinkles mixed in) & Strawberry Ginger (this one tastes best iced) - I honestly have made it my mission to work my way through the whole menu!

I don't think that tea will ever fully replace my beloved cup of joe, but I'm happy to say that I have a new-found appreciation for this storied drink and would highly recommend it to anyone willing to give it a go!

Are you on Team Coffee or Team Tea?  Do you have a favorite flavor of David's that I just have to try?

Disclaimer: I value you SO much as readers, and I consider review opportunities very carefully before entering into an agreement with a brand.  The items mentioned above were given to me courtesy of Davids Tea, but I'm not being compensated for the post otherwise.  The review you'll find here is 100% my own opinion, and I'm happy to share something I love with you in this way - Thanks for reading!

Concrete Catwalk // Perfect Palazzos

You've seen these zig-zag palazzos before, but the big secret is: I wear them way more often than you'd probably guess.  Give me a comfortable waistband, a statement shape and a quirky print with a metallic thread woven in, and you've got a happy gal on your hands. :)

Keep reading to see how I styled them up for Summer and find the winter version right here, if you'd like!

Peppery Picks // Plain Ivey Jane

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

As a verified bargain-lover, I'm always excited to find great resources to help me scoop up stylish finds for less than full price.  That's why I was happy to find that one of my favorite spots to score deals in Austin, Texas now has an e-commerce site that I can shop at from all the way up here in the Northeast!

Plain Ivey Jane is an overstock boutique run by sweetie pie Sarah Reeves, and every single time I've been to her store, I've found a new favorite (including pieces by DVF, Theory & James Perse).  Above you'll find a few of my current must-haves from the shop, and in case your closet is in need of a little pick me for summer, I've got a little surprise for you, as well!  Enter "PEPPER" as check out to receive 20% off all clothing purchases (including sale items!) - how awesome is that?!  With the added discount, it's quite possible that the poppy colored tulip top you see above will be in my very near future. ;)

Regardless of where you are located, you may also want to follow PIJ on twitter or Facebook to find out about other great deals and to be first to know when new goodies hit the racks of the shop.  Be sure to take a peek at the other goodies available, and as always, Happy Shopping!

**This post features sponsored content from one of our S&P site partners.  If you're interested in having your product, shop or business featured here, please visit this info page and feel free to message me for more details!**

Concrete Catwalk // Teal Topper

 Double the blues for date night downtown... see below for the full look and outfit details!

Concrete Catwalk // Local Love

The best time of year is officially here, friends!  Sunny weather, generous amounts of daylight, bare skin and fresh organic produce from the neighborhood farmer's market.

Our local market just kicked-off last night and I was so excited to fill up our new Scout tote with goodies and meet some of the new farmer's/bakers/canners who will be helping to fill up our bellies this season.  There's just something special about knowing that your fruits, veggies, eggs, cheese, bread and even olives and pickles have come from less than a few miles away.

Keep reading to get a better peek at one of my new favorite dresses and tell me: what's YOUR favorite part about summer?

Splurge or Steal // Chambray Pull-over

Elizabeth & James Alex Cotton Parka - $188 (orig. $375) or Men's Chambray Pop-over Hoodie - $75  

Today's Splurge or Steal is the perfect representation of what I wish I were wearing on this rainy day (preferably snuggled up on the couch with tea and my puppy), but instead, I'm trying my best to look chic amidst the drizzle for a long day of meetings and events in the city. (... Meh.)

I recently purchased the "steal" you see above from the Land's End Canvas men's collection, and can't wait to show you how I style it up for summer (so many ideas... with a sequined skirt, as a swim cover-up, or patterned palazzo pants!), but I think the "splurge" is just as cute (and not ridiculously expensive because it's on sale at theOutnet.com!). 

Is it totally outrageous that I bought a men's shirt for myself?  Please tell me I'm not the only one that ever shops in the men's section of my favorite stores.  Which of the looks above do you prefer?

Press // USA TODAY Women's Health

Maximalism!  I completely forgot about this little magazine feature that appeared in last fall's USA Today's Women's Health publication, but when I almost put on this very same outfit today, it reminded me that I never took a moment to share it with you here!

I received a phone call last summer asking if I thought I could help the magazine portray the "maximalist" trend, and I couldn't say yes quickly enough... You probably already know that I love a good over-the-top look and I had so much fun choosing from the many different ways to share my own take on how to wear it.

An oversized faux flower, bright colors, stripe-blocking, clashing animal prints & multiple watches?


I honestly don't know how I could step out the door in anything else. ;)

Concrete Catwalk // Swing-y Skirt

A swing-y skirt and sheer stripes for a Saturday night... see the rest of the look, plus outfit details below!

Concrete Catwalk // Neutral in Nude

Baring arms and legs, and feeling neutral in nude... More outfit photos and a brief update below!

Style Search // Gold Flats

1.) Lanvin - $155

2.) Michael Kors - $112

 3.) Loeffler Randall - $162

4.) See by Chloe - $125

5.) Libby Edelman - $85

6.) Marc by Marc Jacobs - $225

7.) Fendi - $355

8.) DVF - $200

Alright, friends - I'm humbly requesting your help this morning...

My everyday, hoof-it-to-the-subway-and-then-change-into-fab-heels gold flats have recently kicked the bucket (Ha), and I've been hot on the hunt for a replacement pair ever since.  I love that I can wear them with any outfit, but that they are comfortable enough to cover a lot of ground and light enough to throw in my bag.  Because I'm expecting to get a lot of use out of them, I don't mind spending a little more than I ordinarily would... but I also wouldn't mind finding a deal - you catch my drift?

Please let me know if you've seen any fabulous pairs that would fit the bill, and feel free to share in the comments on which of the above is your favorite!  Thanks, chickadees! ;)

Concrete Catwalk // Polo Picnic

A sporting event involving champagne picnics, beautiful horses & stylishly dressed spectators?  Sign me up!

See below to find out what I wore to the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic, and check out my post from the weekend to see my dining al fresco must-haves!

[Out of] the Kitchen // Picnic Essentials

We're heading out to the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic at Liberty State Park today with a fun group of friends, and I'm so excited to watch the pretty horses set against a beautiful view of the Hudson.  Admittedly, I'm a sucker for anything that involves eating outdoors, and that's why it seemed perfectly appropriate to have today's round-up include some of my favorite picnic necessities, plus a super cute blanket-lounging look.

Speaking of blanket-lounging: There is a huge picnic supply sale happening over at One Kings Lane today... Check it out, and let me know if you snatch up any goodies!

Are you a picnic-person?  I always love seeing what everyone ends up bringing to eat/share... what's your favorite dish for these types of outdoor summer events?

1.  Straw Fedora, $23 - Gotta keep the sun outta those eyes and off the face!  I also pack my sunscreen for a daytime picnic, so that I can reapply every so often.  I swear by this quick-dry spray for body, and this under-makeup moisturizer for face.
2.  S'well Wine Bottle, $45 - Many parks and beaches have laws against having glass containers, so if you're bringing vino with you, be sure to transfer it into a sealable bottle like this one before you go!  Might also be a good idea to check on the laws about having open containers of alcohol, as well.
3.  Picnic Basket (on sale!), $149 - This is a pretty fancy option, but a lot like the vintage one we have (which was $5).  There's a much more affordable $54 version here.
4.  Collapsable Grill, $59 - How cool is this?!  For someone who no longer has a private outdoor space (meaning: no grill), this would  be perfect to tote to the park or the beach when we want to cook our food there!  Plus, I have so many "grilled" recipes that I want to try!
5.  White Linen DVF Dress (on sale!), $78 - Ok, I know I just posted about DVF yesterday, but I have been pining over this pretty dress for a while, and just saw that it went majorly on sale! (Leave it to my fave online shop, The Outnet, to deliver up gorgeous designer duds at a great price.)  A white dress will keep you cooler than any other color, and this cotton linen makes a great breathable material for those sweaty sunny days! ;)
6.  Flat Leather Sandals, $42 - Comfy, easy to slip off, and a great color for all season - love wearing that dark green as a neutral, too!
7.  Suede Satchel, $78 - Sling it over your shoulder instead of a purse and use it to hold your phone, lip gloss and wallet so that your hands are free for toting the basket and a bright striped Mexican serape blanket like this one. 
8.  Portable Low Picnic Table, $31 - Pretty sure we need this in our al fresco lives, STAT.  Would prevent SO many messes and make it easier to set your glasses and plates down without spills!
9.  Burt's Bees Natural Bug Repellant, $8 - I'm a total mosquito magnet, but HATE using harsh chemical based sprays... I've used this plant-oil based version for the last two summers, and it works SO well without the gross-smell and unfortunate side effects for people with sensitive skin.
10. Two-toned Round Tortoise Sunnies, $ - Super cute shades.  'Nough said. :)
 

Spicy Sale // Diane Von Furstenberg

1. The Denim Wrap Dress - $278 (more sizes here), 2. The Warner Flower Lace Dress - $398

3. The Capreena Mini Dress - $485, 4. The Edna Dress - $398

Diane Von Furstenberg has always been a line I've loved, but she has been totally killing it lately with her darling selection of dresses for Spring and Summer!  I love both the casual cuts and the shift-like shapes, and the soft sorbet-colors give each piece the perfect youthful glow.  All things that feel like such a timely departure from her previous, more career-focused collections.

My new-found excitement over her apparel options (combined with a long-standing desire to own her Harper Connect handbag - can't decide: black, navy or red?!) reached a nearly dangerous high recently when I found out that the legendary DVF Sample Sale is happening here in NYC next week!  See below for the time and location details, and if you're not in the area - you can still shop from a distance from the first-ever DVF Online Sample Sale!  Visit the site to sign up, and you'll receive exclusive early-bird access, and the chance to shop before everyone else.  Um... YES, PLEASE!

Perhaps I'll see you there, and HAPPY SHOPPING! :)

P.S.  Doesn't the print on this little number remind you a little bit of the mod 60s babydoll dress I wore a few weeks ago?

P.S.S.  Sending big glittery-heart-filled Happy Birthday hugs to my bestie Sara, today!  I love you so much, little Piglet, and wish I were there to shower you with gifts and fancy nail polish and funfetti pancakes in bed! MWAH!