Love is in the Air: One Day, Two Ways

Valentine's Day…

Cue the cheesy movies about love stories, romantic dinner date reservations, plethora of Hallmark cards and boxed chocolates, and general love-themed galore. I can't lie… I'm a total sucker for it all.

In anticipation for Valentine's Day, I threw together two outfits with the common theme of one vegan leather jacket.

Free People vegan leather jacket  |  Free People crop tee  |  Free People skirt  |  Rag & Bone Harrow Boot

Daytime outing. My type of outfit for a daytime date consists of your comfiest, coziest tee paired with a girly skirt and awesome black boots. The vegan leather jacket adds a tough edge and keeps your ensemble from looking too feminine and cliche. 

Shop Ruche dress (similar and similar)  |  vintage strappy heels  |  Free People necklace  |  JewelMint earrings (similar)

Date night. If there's any night that gives girls a right to don a playfully fancy dress to dinner, it's Valentine's Day. That being said, I tried to counter the classic cliche with the same vegan leather jacket to mellow out the femininity. It's a great way to take the leather piece from day to night with ease. 

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Whether you're single and ready to mingle, taken and in love, or planning on a night out with the girls, Valentine's Day is a fun (albeit cheesy, but that's how I roll) holiday whose primary message is to take the day to indulge!
From a romantic date night dress and my favorite red-hued cosmetics to a girly playsuit and a box of macaroons stamped with nostalgic candy-heart-style messages, there's a little something for everyone to make this Valentine's Day one to remember. So indulge a little and treat the loved ones in your life in something special!

1. JOIE Folle de Joie Eau de Parfum ($98)
2. Anthropologie Voluspa Metallo Candle in Saijo Persimmon ($18)
3. CHANEL polish in Dragon ($27)
4. MARC by MARC JACOBS Cat Ring ($33.60 on sale!)
5. LUV AJ Shark Tooth Necklace ($40)
6. Free People Peekaboo Slip Dress ($98)
7. Dana's Bakery Sweetheart Candy Macarons ($35)
8. ACNE Track Boots ($600) 
9. YSL lipstick in Rouge Volupte ($35)
10. Eberjey Estelle Teddy ($95)

: @jessicaswu

: @jemappellemoi

Of All the Fish in the Sea

Free People Fisherman Cap  |  Forever21 sweater (similar)  |  Zara fluted skirt (similar)  |  Deena & Ozzy platforms (similar)

Of all the fish in the sea, you're the one for me.

As an obvious hat addict (very evident if you follow my instagram), I adore coordinating my outfits around hats. I'm a firm believer that it's honestly all in the details, particular with the gorgeous braided and ribbon detailing in this fisherman cap. Bring me coffee & a good black hat and baby, I'm yours (I swear I'm easy to please).

Also, Valentine's Day is in exactly one week! Whether you're taken, single, or ready for a night with the girls, check out this fun and fabulous video I did with my good friend Amy of Vagabond Youth!

Classically Striped

Banana Republic striped fit-and-flare dress  |  Jeffrey Campbell Tardy Lo's  |  H&M hat (similar)

How gorgeous are these Autumn colors?? This is my favorite tree because it's bursting with all the rich colors of my favorite season. Even when the leaves fall, it leaves the ground scattered with a brilliant array of color. 

As much as I love black on black with a splash of another dark color topped off with a black hat, sometimes I just feel more preppy and classic. That's exactly what this dress is –  classically striped with a touch of prep and great construction. 

Give me a gloomy day & a cafe latte and I'm in love.

Victorian Gloom

Express lace top  |  |  Banana Republic fur vest  |   Free People Spanish court skirt  |  Jeffrey Campbell boots

I really believe I should have been born in the Victorian era, or possibly even Britain. Albeit a touch extravagant and luxurious, lace, fur, and a hat, the perfect outfit recipe for a gloomy weekend. Give me a hat, some boots, and a little something special and I'm good to go.

California Autumn

Zara sweater  |  Madewell dress (similar)  |  Jeffrey Campbell Litas  |  Free People Patton Porkpie hat

We're neck deep into October and still averaging 70 degrees on the daily. As much as I love Autumn, I must admit that California does not reflect the true essence and weather of my favorite season. However, as a Cali native I must stay true to what is my California Autumn. Besides, it allows me to continue wearing my favorite dresses and layer up with winter white sweaters (and of course… a hat).

: @jessicaswu

: @jemappellemoi

Textural

burnout white tee  |  Madewell metallic skirt (similar)  |  Free People Patton Porkpie hat  |  Aldo faux fur bag

I'm a neutral-colored girl, hands down. I prefer my charming oatmeals and shades of grey to flamboyant pinks and bright blues. However, I love my textures and prints. Adding different textural elements on an outfit instantly jazzes it up, making it more aesthetically appealing and enjoyable to the eye. Hence, my metallic Madewell skirt, burnout tee, and faux fur bag. But if we're being completely honest here, donning my faux fur bag wasn't initially a textural statement... I just really wish I had a cat and well... there you go.

Also, my best blogger babe Jo of Cosmic Barbies came down to FIDM to shoot some blog photos and have a lovely brunch date at Bottega Louie.

: @jessicaswu
: @jemappellemoi

LA, That's Where I Wanna Be

vintage top  |  Lucca Couture leather shorts (similar)  |  Free People Patton Porkpie hat  |  Jeffrey Campbell boots

As a Los Angeles local, I've always noticed this bridge as an iconic feature of the city – making appearances in various LA-based movies and television shows. That being said, of course I had to make a photo pitstop for the blog. Cue the unwanted honks and wolf whistles from passing cars. Needless to say, it was an eventful little photo session that made me further appreciate my wondrous city, full of its charms in the form of graffiti, grime, and outspoken inhabitants. 

I LOVE LOS ANGELES.

: @jessicaswu

: @jemappellemoi