Outfit Post: Blocked feat. Blue Nile

I love reading style blogs--I am inspired by them, but I often see people where trends that I think would never work on me. I admire them, but I don't try to recreate the looks.  Colorblocking is one of those things.  I could always see it working with more neutral color schemes (ie. pastels), but pairing mismatched brights?  I just wasn't sure.

But colorblocking has been so big this season (so big, in fact, that I think people are tired of hearing the phrase used) that I thought, why not?  I paired up two of my favorite jewel tones for this week's look, featuring an amazing cushion pendant courtesy of Blue Nile.  It's so amazing, in fact, that it already sold out in one color (it was only on the market a little over a week!).  So I feel pretty lucky to have this beauty for myself.

Outfit details:  top-Nicole Miller (thrifted), amethyst and gold vermeil cushion pendant c/o Blue Nile, red pencil skirt-vintage, red heels-Bamboo (thrifted)

Because of my love for 50s style, I've had my eye out for a pencil skirt.  I am a pear shape or teardrop shape or whatever silly name they give to someone with big hips and thighs and smallish boobs and waist, so I know it's not always the most flattering style on my body--even in these pictures, I felt sensitive about my post-baby belly pooch (still there, even though my baby is no longer a baby). In the end, I appreciated the curviness and the way I felt very womanly, especially when I paired the skirt with a peekaboo lace top.  And I loved these two colors together! I may be a colorblocking convert.

And if you were wondering, the answer is YES, I am wearing Spanx to smooth out the silhouette.

xo,
Amanda

Outfit Post: Sister Style

I feel like lately, Amanda and I have each been really hitting our strides in terms of personal style.  Throughout high school and college, I think we both often jumped on trends and tried to wear what was "cool" (even if that meant bib overalls or matching sweater sets, ick).  But with age, and I'll even say motherhood, you start to learn to be yourself.  You wear what you are comfortable in and what looks good on you.  I don't really care if anyone else considers my clothes "stylish", I just want to be my own person.  And I think Amanda would certainly say the same.  Our styles are certainly different from one another but we can still take inspiration from the same things....

We have extra special inspiration for this set of posts, as we are so excited to be working with Blue Nile to dress up and review some of their newest samples (which are not even available online yet!). This is an EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK for fashion bloggers, and we feel so lucky to be part of it!

Most of you probably know Blue Nile from their diamonds (just admit you played with the app and sent a link to your honey), but they also have a lot of other beautiful jewelry.  Here is a look from each of us, wearing a gold chain and gemstone necklace in varying colors, but executed in our own ways:

Amanda

on Amanda:  dress- Cynthia Rowley (thrifted!), heels-Michael Kors via DSW, amethyst and carnelian neckace- c/o Blue Nile, studded bracelet-old/random, purse-vintage

Jayme

on Jayme:  headband=leather string+vintage feather brooch, white dress- old/unknown (probably Ross?), cowboy boots-  vintage, smoky quartz and white agate neckace- c/o Blue Nile, multi-tonal beaded necklace- Silpada, gold chain and gemstone bracelet- c/o Blue Nile, rings- vintage

We come from a family of jewelers (as we probably mentioned before) and have always loved accessorizing. While we each have some nice family heirloom jewelry, we tend to wear a lot of cheap costume jewelry. We almost forgot what real jewelry was like!  When we received these beautiful pieces from Blue Nile in the mail, it was easy to see the difference.  They really sparkle, and the craftsmanship is obvious, down to the pretty toggle clasp.  The gemstones are clear and perfectly cut.  Simply put:  we were both in love! 

We have a few more posts to come in this series, with more pretty sister looks and more pretty baubles from Blue Nile!

xo,

J&A

>>>This is a style up/review of Blue Nile jewelry.  Blue Nile sent us several pieces each to blog about and share with you.  Our review is our honest opinion, which we have not been paid for. Blue Nile has provided us each with one beautiful piece of jewelry to keep in return for this style series.<<<