Received an urgent fashion request from Carrie for what to wear to an upcoming formal dinner. Here are the details: I’m corporate reserves manager for an energy company (engineer undergrad, MBA student now). I coordinate all of our engineering results and translate them into financial results. And I communicate extensively with our bankers which also…
Jessica McDougall » Blog
Monthly Archives: January 2008Hokey smokes! Let me introduce you to the world's largest vending machine located in the A concourse of the Dallas airport! Take note, this is only one half of it. Here's an image of the other (drugstore) side. It had everything! You never know when you'll need an emergency full size heart Valentine's candy box…. Wow. That is ridiclous. So are your boots! I love them. Bravo to you for flying with style. I always leave the tall boots behind when I fly for fear of not fitting them on the way back. I would love to see your suitcase! I met it’s packed perfectly. I have flown once in my life so I had no idea that these vending machines existed !!! This is totally amazing to me. ¥ Good one Jess! You’ve got me laughing hysterically about this post?!! I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for this monster of a vending machine the next time I am at DFW! xoxo Wow, that is insane! I can’t believe they have a box of candy in there. That’s nuts. They probably adjust it for seasonal items. Well, you know the old saying “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” – I guess it holds true! wow! i love the juxtaposition of items…i wonder who gets to select them? that could be a fun job. i also think its interesting that so many of the things are full-size products! like an entire regular box of qtips. Holy Freakin’ Crapola! That is one big vending machine! WOW!! Yeah, that is big!! Is that a glue stick I see in the drug store part? LOL geez louise…too many choices! I could probably waste a good amount of money in that with the right layover. How cool is that? It looks like the ipod vending machine I saw at Macy’s the other week. Makes me wonder what will they think of next but the thing is…it’s already been thought of! And implemented! Love your outfit today, by the way. Shoe suggestions for my sista who wrote, "Hey, what's your favorite tennis shoes right now?" These are THE BEST shoes for walking/running that I've ever tried. They're not the cutest, but they will allow you to exercise with little to no discomfort. (You can find them in other colors online by searching for Saucony… I have those Pumas too!! They are really light weight – perfect for kicking around but I wouldn’t recommend them for actual workouts. Hi Jessica, Great shoe suggestions! I could use a fun pair for kicking around in. Hi kribss, love the snoopy outfit- he’s my favorite too! where can i find those shoes to go with the outfit?? Amy sent me a link to this post listing the eight key fashion trends for 2008 (as originally posted here). She wanted to know how I feel about what they said and what I think the upcoming must wear colors, styles, fabrics, etc are. Before I get to a response for the second half of… Fabulous photo! Well said. I’ve learned the hard (and costly) way to ignore what is trendy and go with what you like. I also struggle with image–what is it I want to project? I especially got caught up in that in the corporate world, with the whole “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have”. Love the picture above. I also love your advice as well. I also apply the same rule to decorating. Very well said. I believe in sticking with the classics. And I agree, discovering what you like best from a long-range of time is the absolute way to go. Happy Birthday to my nephew and pal Simon Edwards… As you soar into your sixth year in this world, may all your hopes and dreams come true. You have impacted the lives of many with your beautiful smile, your deep thoughts, and your energy for life. You're on a path to greatness, Simon. And you… Happy, Happy Birthday, Simon. HI Krystn! Hey Jessica…love reading your blog. I stumbled upon this: polyvore.com, on another blog and it seemed like something you would be interested in. Who knows…maybe its something you’ve already seen/done. Jess, I love this photos of Simon from Thanksgiving at the beach this year. Thanks for being a great auntie! Love, Mom He certainly has impacted the lives of many. I loved the variety of themes he celebrated with this year. So, so cute…and with such great parents! Deligtful things I'm devouring right now… Vintage photographs of Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe, especially the black and white piece above that hangs in my office, and is from the last photo shoot before her death. • Marta Writes. Her take on how everyone should be blogging and her mini mart. • Looking at fashion… I just read this article about 8 of the upcoming fashion trends of 2008. Would love to know how you feel about what they say & what you think (if different) the upcoming must wear colors, styles, fabrics, etc are. I read Marta as well. She’s awesome. Keep of the great writing Jessica. Marta Write is a favorite blog of mine as well (as yours!) Your style is quite iconic. And I can’t wait to see more from the photo shoot. What a lovely post. Hi Karine, euh…. it is Brigitte Bardot, not Bridget… Yep, I am sure of it, I am French. I received the following fashion question from Anastasia… I’m going to the Kentucky Derby in May, and I am EXTREMELY excited about it. I’ve never been, and I need help on what to wear. I know I need an extravagant hat, and I’d like to wear a color that really POPS! Just to give you… First of all, I love, love, LOVE the hat!! What a great look. The look you put together is awesome. I think if it were me, I would go with #3. The purse compliments the outfit, but doesn’t take away from the beauty of the hat. While I think #1 is a beautiful person, it just doesn’t quite work for me with the outfit. Love the second bag as well, but I think the cream works a bit better!! Sara, I reside about 10 minutes from Churchill Downs (the Derby location) and we go every single year. The derby is bigger than Christmas in my husband’s family. The Oaks (the day before) is also a blast. This outfit will look great…save $2.00 for a box of bandaids…you WILL need them, no matter how comfortable the shoe! And, as for my fashion suggestion….have several mimosas as soon as you arrive. Everyone looks better with a derby mimosa in hand! (Especially if that hand has a lucky pony charm bracelet!) i would go with choice #2 as i think the other ones would compete too much with the lovely hat and shoes. it would break up ones glance, it wouldn’t flow. does this make sense?? beautiful outfit! I pick choice # 3 especially if you wear those pony charms. My favorite color is orange and I love the dress but think the orange bag is too much. Don’t like #1 at all with this outfit. By the way I’m getting the pony charms for my niece who loves horses. Thanks!! i vote for purse number one – love the texture Such a cute look you put together for her. I love that the items can be worn again and again (with perhaps, the exception of that hat!) I like the 3rd clutch as it is the chicest and looks most upscale. Important for the Derby as well as future use! this dress isn’t available anymore, but I think it would have been a great vintage choice… I choose number two. I think I am one of the few to choose it but it’s my favorite and the one that I think would go best with the overall outfit and I love orange! Totally love the wallet – going to go order that now and I LOVE the shoes. Next time I need a great outfit for something – I’m definitely going to ask your advice! If Anastasia sends you a picture – please share it with us! wow. i love the outfit you put together. you are GOOD. I would have to go with choice #3. I like 1, but not with the dress, and while I love (and own) an orange bag, it’s too casual for the outfit. Number three works with the dress, hat, and probably a million other pieces she owns. And I have to say that I agree that anyone can wear any color, depending on the value and undertone. There are warm oranges and cool oranges, deep pumpkins to light tangerines, and along that spectrum there is a shade for any skin. I love the colorful outfit! Well everybody loves number 3! And while I think that would look great, I am actually loving the idea of choice number 2. It’s a little more unexpected which I think keeps it more fun. I absolutely love the whole look. I think the idea about the braclet is great too. I think three. It just seems to fit better. I like the classic lines for such a old fashioned event. Plus, you’ll use it again and again! oh, and i love choice three (i’m a sucker for buckles), but since it’s a little too matchy matchy w/ the hat, the brown one would prolly be the reluctant choice. killer hat…and i also hear the key cocktail is a mint julep??? or is it a mojito???? something like that. I love purse one. shows you have your own personality and style. the third one shows…stitches… I would go with choice no. 3. The first purse is a little more casual, and the second one might clash or upstage the color of the dress. The third is subtle, classic, just perfect. Jessica, I would pick number 3 with this outfit. I think the light colored classic lined clutch would go best with the dress and bring in the light color in the hat. =) Hi Sara! I love the outfit & would choose purse #3 to tie the winter white back to the hat. I also love the idea of making a charm bracelet out of the pony charms!!! Here's a good travel test: Can you pack your bags and be ready for a five-hour flight to Las Vegas in twenty minutes or less? I just discovered that I can! Because of winter storm warnings in Charlotte for late tonight and tomorrow, Jeffrey and I made a last-minute executive decision to take the final… I’d have to say no to 20 minutes – last minute. But since you knew you were leaving, it’s not 100% last minute (ie your laundry/dry cleaning was done…or you have enough clothes, that that wasn’t an issue) I do travel fairly often – nothing like you though, so I have quite a few travel necessities in the closet, ready to go. Clothes, wouldn’t take too long as long as everything was clean. I bet I could pack a bag pretty quickly, but 20 minutes is ridiculously impressive! the answer is hell yes (and probably with more creative outfits than if i stewed over it for weeks like i usually do) but more importantly i LOVE vintage lv trunks!!! i want one as an end table like nobody’s business. WOW! I could get it done, however it would be a basic black kind of wardrobe. You are so very organized:) Please post photo’s while you are in sin city! No way! I would fail the test big time! In fact, it might take me 20 minutes to find my suitcase. That’s really bad, isn’t it? That is a very good accomplishment! Safe travels to you! Wow! That is so impressive. Safe travels. What do you think of these socks (pictured at left)? They appear cute and comfy, but if you saw them, would you have to have them? My guess is no. It's interesting the method by which stores (especially on the Internet) display their products. The more angles they show, the more the customer can see… My jeans conundrum: I have a looong torso and short legs. I’m 5’6″, so I’m not short. I can find jeans that fit great, no problem–but in a perfect world, I’d like to balance out my top half without going too 70s high waisted (ugh). i just read my post….and i MEAN POST…not pots hahaha! i just read my post….and i MEAN POST…not pots hahaha! Hi Jessica, I so agree – I much prefer seeing a piece on a model. I love the look, but I wonder how well they would stay up. I used to wear thigh highs in my younger days, and some brands would always fall down. It’s not very chic to tug at your hose all day! How fun! Just wanted to say I love the top you’re wearing in today’s fashion choice (1/16/08) and they recently opened up a shop over at Belle Square. I’ve been waiting until after the holiday madness to head over there…maybe this weekend! Love the socks now If I could keep my big ol toe from poking holes through good socks:) The randomly chosen winner is GINNY – who is short, but has long legs. Congratulations, send me an email, and thank you to everyone for entering. Have a fashion/style dilemma? Send me an email, I’m happy to help! Congrats Ginny! Can’t wait to see the outcome! Congratulations Ginny! Congrats, Ginny! Lucky girl! I hope you fill us in on the details! Congrats!!! COngrats Ginny! Hope you find some awesome jeans! Congratulations Ginny! Hope you find a fantastic pair of jeans! |
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© 2012 Jessica Ann McDougall - Thanks for stopping by!
designdna - i have that grecian looking dress and it is soooo flattering. it’s great all strict with a belt or tied with a scarf. i wear it a lot.
jessica - Hi Sara,
Here’s a link to my favorite diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag, but comes with all kinds of fun accessories inside for your baby items:
http://bambiniboutique.myshopify.com/products/ppb-scout-journey-pack#
I got this for my sister-in-law and brother for Christmas. Their other baby bag was equally “unbaby” and very chic, a bag from Filson.
Kate Spade also offers several very cute baby bags: http://www.katespade.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1876038
My final suggestions would be one of the bags from Loeffler Randall’s (one of my favorite shoe designers) line for Target. Pass on the shoes, I ordered them and they are terrible, but the bags look cute – and could make a great “unbaby” bag:
http://www.target.com/Loeffler-Randall-Women/b?ie=UTF8&node=321251011
If you have some nice plastic bags, you can make any handbag a baby bag!
Enjoy!
Jessica
jessica - HI Carrie,
I’m glad you love the ideas. Can’t wait to see pictures. I’ll email you about Dallas.
Cheers!
Jessica
Carrie - By the way, it had totally slipped my mind what a perfect assignment this would be for you, as a Scottish girl.
Carrie - Jess — You are so freaking awesome, my friend!!!
I simply adore your idea of a symbolic touch! So, the strapless short black dress and some tartan ribbon are ordered. In fact, the dress has already shipped. I’ll be pairing it with black tights. I may have a question for you regarding shoes, but I’ll email ya…
Like I told you already, you have really encouraging me to think of fashion in a different light… as another creative outlet. And you’ve taught me that it’s okay to splurge on quality, timeless pieces.
While I don’t think I could pull off the Sex & the City Carrie’s plaid dress
What a great outfit! You are simply too good.
Thanks again, Jess. I’ll be sure to take pictures!
- C
PS – Hey – let’s touch base regarding your being in Houston.
Mary - Seriously original fashion journalism. I hope your blog gets the notoriety it deserves.
kc - you are my f*cking hero.
sara - The Pride of Scotland tartan is my favorite. I’m wondering if Carrie is single??? You’ve got to love the odds at this event if you are single! haha
I would love to see your suggestions for a fashionable diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag. I’ve tried to use bags that aren’t made as diaper bags but they don’t seem to have any pockets and things get mighty disorganized. I hate what I am currently using. I’m not even going to tell you because your fashionable self would probably gag!
Hey, here’s a thought..do you know of any Pride of Scotland Tartan print bags??
tammy t - Love this post! Looks like this was a perfect “fashion emergency” for you to help with!
t
Jeanette - Yes, fabulous ideas. I arranged a visit for my boss to travel throughout Scotland a couple years ago and Oban was one of their stops.
And with Scottish heritage, you must have a great recommendation for Single Malt Scotch ey?
Ksea Cantonwine - Love these ideas, Jess!!