Wear That | Jenny Hamilton Style

April 6, 2011

Sun and Skies

We have some work looks to catch up on. This one was weeks ago when I was craving a little sunshine and on a camel/black/red hiatus.

I don’t distinctly remember where I bought most of these pieces except the belt – at J. Jill. I had to use a pair of scissors and cut it short, shaping the ends into a length that (hopefully) looks like it was always meant to be. The dress is a cobalt blue knit wrap dress, the cardigan is a neon yellow, and the necklace is a funky score ($30-ish) from Artswork in Le Claire.

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April 1, 2011

May I Have Another, Sir?

With this crazy cravat-ish tie on this black and white print, I feel a little English today.

Hmmm, this still needs a little polish… How about a jacket?

Voila!

Tweed jacket by J. Crew, Blouse by H&M, Dress by Zara.

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March 30, 2011

Change of Heart

Big meeting today with senior management. I started to wear this look. And I thought I needed to keep everything fairly conservative on top to balance out the shoes.

Thankfully, my husband pointed out that the jacket with the skirt was a bit frumpy (see post from yesterday), so I changed into a shorter jacket. Voila.

Beige and black second hand Chanel jacket (from a celebrity closet, but I can’t tell you!), ivory silk blouse from Brooks Brothers, black knit pencil skirt from Trina Turk, spike pumps by Valentino, fan earrings by Jewel Mint.

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March 25, 2011

Fashion Friday Tip: Instant Hem

I don’t know the first thing about sewing. If I was talented enough to be on Project Runway, I would be the participant that all of the others hated because I would be the one asking everyone else to make my clothes. The problem isn’t Project Runway, however, but that there isn’t a single pair of pants or jeans with a short enough inseam that I can wear them off the rack. And, there are times (many, actually) where I haven’t had time to run something out to a tailor.

What do I do? Voila, Denim Hem Tape. It’s a no-brainer, do it yourself-er that I am never without.

Have a great weekend!
Jenny

Church Mommy: Fuzzy Wuzzy

Crazy week! I am behind at work, at home, and the blog. I’ve also fallen off the exercise wagon and gained five pounds that I can no longer write off as water weight (my sheath dresses don’t lie, ugh). Despite this, I was determined not to skip out today. Here is my outfit for church, which I took weekend before last (because we also skipped this past Sunday).

Fuzzy gray J Crew cardigan (which frankly looks better belted – there’s nothing like adding a few visual pounds of maribou feathers on top of a few actual pounds courtesy of the Girl Scouts). Black silk shell by Theory, black knit pleated skirt by Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein gray patent pumps. The necklace is fun, versatile, and was about $30. I found at ArtsWork when I lived in Le Claire.

And baby’s outfit? All Matilda Jane! Shoes by PediPed;)

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March 19, 2011

Friday Q&A: Style Blogs, Seven Day Challenge, and Stats. Whew.

[Ed note: I was traveling yesterday and didn't get my post up. But, I am going with better late than never.]

Dear JHS,

I am enjoying your blog! I am also wondering if you have any others to recommend. I am in a style rut at work, and I need plenty of ideas.

Signed,
Kathleen

Dear Kathleen,

I am right there with you. I was in a rut lately, myself (see below).

Style blogs are the perfect inspiration. In fact, I have posted on this subject once before in my Top FIVE Wednesday column. Today, however, I want to highlight a few additional office style/workplace fashion blogs you might enjoy:

The New Professional
Employed Panache
Capitol Hill Style

These women inspire me with their realistic take on fashion, both in recognition that we all have different budgets, and that we should be able to have a little fun with our workplace style.

Enjoy and best wishes.

JHS

Dear JHS,

How did your challenge go? (To not wear red, camel, or leopard for seven days?)

Signed,
Devoted

Dear Devoted,

It’s true. I was in a style rut. And it was obvious when I plugged my SD card in the computer and downloaded three looks in a row that revolved around bright red – a jacket, skirt or dress – and some form or camel or leopard print. I realized then that I might be taking a good thing too far. See, e.g.:

So, I did without for an entire seven days as you can see from some of the pictures I posted this week. It was refreshing to get outside my comfort zone. And doing so inspired my Impressionist Mommy post, which was fun.

Cheers,
JHS

Dear JHS,

I am curious about your readership and the concept for your blog. Is it about fashion? Is it an online journal? Where might you go next?

Yours,
Amanda

Dear Amanda,

Judging by the comments and some amateur statistical analysis, most of my readers are like myself: women from ages thirty to fifty, and most have or have had an office job. It is a little harder to tell how many have children, but I know some do not. I get about 4-500 visitors a week, or about 4-5,000 page views a month. I have been posting in earnest since my baby was born, or little over a year.

JHS is an online journal of sorts. I would like to write more personal essays, chronicling my life as a female in-house lawyer trying to climb the ladder of a large company. However, three things side track me.

First, the Office Mommy outfit posts are a reader favorite (and mine, too). People like to see a regular person put together an entire look. Two, I am now fairly efficient about posting photos and a few paragraphs about related topics. Posting essays take a lot more time, which I do not have.

Three, I try not to get too detailed about work out of respect for my company and colleagues, most of which are amazing folks. But, candidly, some do not care for my blog. Most everyone has one or two interests outside of work, but lawyers are a special breed who do not think their one of their own should advertise this fact. Or maybe it’s even more basic – some people think that it is unprofessional to be into fashion.

In any event, I have been thinking about re-branding the blog so I can focus on providing career advice for women trying to make it in their profession. Although I write primarily for myself, if I can encourage and support other women as we journey together in our quest for work-life management, then that would be a thrill all of its own.

So, if you see some new things going on, maybe a change in the lineup, then let me know what you think. I always enjoy and appreciate your feedback.

Happy weekend,
Jenny

Office Mommy Gets Lucky

The necklace from Anthropologie arrived intact and just in time for St. Patricks Day.

My daughter is at the doorway, calling for her Momma. She’s mesmerized by the necklace, as well as the classic navy striped boatneck top by Chance.

Office Mommy Impressionist

More DvF! Blouse is sale find on Diane von Furtenberg’s website, old cashmere cardigan, J. Crew tweed skirt, faux python vintage belt (I liked the buckle), and Jessica Simpson black cap toe pumps. Anya bag works all week.

Anyone notice anything different this week?

5 Comments

March 16, 2011

Stylish Mommy: Cassie Boorn Unplugged

As much as Cassie Boorn loves to put other women in the spotlight, she is just as uncomfortable being in it. This makes her even more fascinating: by age twenty-three, she is a successful blogger, entrepreneur, college graduate, mother of a darling boy, PR maven, and professional interviewee. She’s fun, fashionable, and here on JHS, unplugged. Here’s what she let slip after an evening of casual conversation about some deep subjects, like motherhood, career, blogging, and style.

Fantasy Shopping? Kate Spade.

Fashion Identity? Eclectic librarian.

Favorite outfit? Jeans with black t shirt, black cardigan, black shoes, fun necklace.

You dress up for…? DeVries, friends, Jenny Hamilton [ahahhaha!]

Home office uniform? Plaid pj pants from Aero, a t-shirt, and a pair of boots tucked in.

If you were in school in the 80s…? I would have had the best outfits ever.

First experience as an entrepreneur? I sold Avon in high school; I was not a passive seller, but the queen of Avon. I signed up the most sales persons in the district – much to the surprise of the ladies at the Avon awards banquet.

Inspired outfit? A flowy top, and straight leg jeans with flats.

Stylish bloggers? Maggie Mason (wears colors & bold textures), Sara Sophia (indie style), Cupcakes & Cashmere [I threatened to delete this last one - can anyone get through a post without mentioned this blog?]

One year goal? I want to be employed and alive.

Ten year goals… are b.s. I’ll do a bunch of stuff, and good stuff will happen.

Biggest weakness? Setting goals.

Started blogging because… I read about a mommy blogger, and I thought I would start an online journal. Now, it’s about millennial philosophy on work and life.

Inspiration for 56 Things to Do Before I am 25? I decided that Maggies’s 100 list of things to do was too big, so I came up with 56 things with a time limit.

Last one you completed? Speaking to a group/to the public. I spoke at Blissdom about getting PR for your blog.

How do you do that? [uncomfortable pause while she ponders whether to reveal this for free] Find media outlets that blog about your niche, and pitch them your blog.

Why interest in fashion blogging? It is following an eerily similar path of the mommy blogging dilemmas – where fashion bloggers are now is where the mommy bloggers were three years ago, and they are going to have to figure out how to do the sponsorship thing and the ethics of blogging the same way the mommy bloggers did.

Favorite Aiden quote? My dad works really hard and make lots of money. You don’t work hard like my dad. He drives combines, cleans combines, and puts them away. You just sit in front of the computer all day.

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March 10, 2011