Rockin' the Work Wear

Shopping for work clothes can be boring and overwhelming... especially when you're young and stylin'!  And it's even more overwhelming when you are on a budget. 

NEVER FEAR, MY FASHION FRIENDS!  I AM HERE!

Throw away your mama's pantsuit like you're fierce as Storm!  Rip off that ill fitting Sears jacket like you're The Hulk!  Make that 90s knit sweater into your kid's next Spider-man costume!  And let's start rockin that work wardrobe like you're the next CORPORATE AMERICA!

Here's my list of tips for making work an everyday runway show:

1. First and Foremost: Invest in staples such as nice pants, jackets, skirts, and dresses, as you will be wearing them over and over again.  Drop 1/2 your budget on these items!

2. Only buy great fitting jackets and sweaters that you know you will wear often, as they are versatile and neutral in color.

3. Consider your personal style.  If you only like pants then only buy pants.  Don't waste your money on skirts that you will never wear.  But "mix those pants up".  Buy a few different styles in black and other neutral colors such as tan, brown, and gray.  If you love both skirts and pants, again mix it up.  Just try not to buy 10 of the same style pants and skirts, just in different colors.  You will bore yourself and your friendly fashion superheroes to death.

4. Buy more tops and accessories, and less "bottoms and jackets".  Tops and accessories tend to be cheaper and more fun!  So this is where the boredom comes to a screeching halt;)  Pick out tops that are stylish or trendy AND COVER YOUR CLEAVAGE.  (You can also utilize camisoles if needed.)

5. Think about buying tops you can wear to work AND with jeans on weekends.

6.  Have some beautiful, classy jewelry pieces,  but don't be afraid to buy the fun, cheap jewelry to "fun it up"!  Few people notice or care the value and different jewelry can completely change the exact same top and bottom you wore last week!

 7.  Consider your work environment.  If you are surrounded by conservative types, it is probably a good idea to err on the conservative side yourself.  This does not mean you have to look drab though.  Spice up your outfits with trendy jewelry and fabulous shoes!

8. MOST OF ALL, love what you are wearing and be true to you!

Do itashi mashite

Poppin Tags

Shopping is truly a sport.  And as such, it requires practice and learned skill.

Most men don't get this.  They don't understand that if we don't practice shopping on a regular basis, we will get rusty and start looking like genderless "Pats" with our hair in a strange mullet, sporting polyester pants and Christmas sweaters.

No Husband Wants This.

I have learned, though, that even the most practiced shopper can lack goals when they shop and end up with buyers remorse in the form of a leopard print jumpsuit.

In order to avoid this sad state of affairs, here are some tips!


1. Before venturing out on a shopping spree, take a peek at your closet first.  We are often attracted to the same items again and again.  In fact, it is pretty common to see a clothing item as new when it is actually one you already own, especially if it is a year or two old.

2. Have a goal in mind.  For instance, if you are wanting to shop for the upcoming spring season, then put that goal in the forefront of your mind.  If you don't shop with a purpose, you will end up spending a lot more money and on items you don't need or even want that badly.

3. Think outside of your "box".  If you're a seasoned shopper, you've learned what looks good on you, thus you go for the "same old same old" in the store.  Challenge yourself to try new things!  I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised to find some styles that look amazing on you!

4. Know what colors look good on you.  A good guideline is to hold up a silver or platinum piece of jewelry, and then a piece of yellow-gold jewelry to your skin.  If the silver or platinum looks better, you have cool tones.  If gold  is better, you have warm tones.  If both look good, you have neutral tones.  Cool tones look better in silver, grey, magenta, jewel tones.  Warm tones look better in earth tones, gold, copper, bronze colors.  Neutral colors can usually pull off either!  NO FEAR THOUGH LADIES!  If you are cool and love, love, love gold, just don't wear it close to your face.  Instead, pick a black shirt and a gold jacket.

5. SHOP THE SALES!  Most seasoned shoppers are good at this, but I have met a few sales snobs at times:)  It is also worth browsing through the sale racks because you just never know what it may hold!  It could have a very "in" top, just in a lot fewer sizes and one could be yours.

6.  Finally, in keeping with my "poppin tags" theme, don't be too cool to hit up your local Thrift Shop!  There are tons of lovely ladies who drop things off.  They may be tired of their clothes but they could be new and fabulous to you!

Neni Zac!

Just Say No To SwEaTpAnTs.

My 9 year old daughter adores sweatpants and wears them daily.

I am not sure what I did in life to deserve this. 

 In a previous blog I threw out my favorite fashion quote: "It's a slippery slope into sweatpants and a minivan". . .

 The good news is she can't drive yet.

We were headed out to help cook for our church fundraiser and my daughter said, "Mom, I'm going to wear jeans so I don't get my sweatpants dirty."  

That happened.

Under Armor is great, but does it have to take over the better judgment of my sweet, beautiful, little girl?  …… SIGH…...

JUST SAY NO TO SWEATPANTS!

Yeah yeah yeah.  I can hear your collective protests from miles away.  But Caroline- they're really comfortable!  But Caroline- they're like BUTTA!  But Caroline- you're being a snotty noseragdoll!

BLAH.  That's how I feel about that.  What do sweatpants do for you besides make you want to vegetate and sleep?!  NOTHING.

AND WHEN I SAY NOTHING, I MEAN NOTHING!

Have you ever checked out your backside in sweatpants?  Have you??  Probably not.  And you know why?  Because you know DAMN WELL that your patootie looks like the broad side of an eighteen wheeler.  And you know that your legs look like two lumps of poo.  BIG POO.

Now, in the privacy in your own home, I am FINE with these silly things.  And of course, if you are gonna work that booty out, they are fabulous!  But to wear out in public for any other reason than to strive for that donkey booty?  This is just not necessary.  UNLESS your goal is to end up in the WINNERS OF WALMART.  Yes, my friends.  I went there.  That's how much I dislike sweatpants.

No need to panic, lovely ladies.  The good news is there are alternatives for comfort.  The pants pictured below are satisfactory examples of comfort.  The streamlined workout pant allows for freedom of movement and lounge friendly style in a much less clown like manner.  Fabulous?  No.  Acceptable?  Yes.  Lululemon carries amazing and very flattering workout pants.

Yoga pants are also a better choice.  Victoria's Secret has super cute yoga pants.

**BUT!!!!! MY BEAUTIFUL STYLE MAVENS**
PLEASE DO NOT ONLY WEAR EXERCISE ATTIRE DAY AFTER DAY AFTER BLESSED DAY!

God gave you a beautiful, womanly figure.  Throw some styling jeans or leggings on that bod!  Wear a flirty skirt from time to time!  Yell, "I AM WOMAN!  WATCH ME WALK AWAY AND EAT YOUR HEART OUT!"

DU AR VALKOMMEN!

Get your strap on!

These 50 degree days are giving me some serious Spring Fever!  I am finding myself dreaming of crop pants and sandals and margaritas on a deck with the sun shine warming my painted toes.

This Spring you best be ready to Get Your Strap On!  And I'm not talking just a strap or two.  Nope.  I am talking lots and lots of straps.  So many straps that you can rest assured that pinky toe of yours ain't going nowhere!

This season is all about getting your strap on, whether it's in platforms, gladiators, or this fun, funky sandal.

Pair these fun, metallic finds with a white crop pant, metallic top, and fun earrings, and you're well on your way to that happy place called FABULOUS!

Dobro pozhalovat' 

❤️ V DAY ❤️

Love is in the air.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing.  NO, not here in Nebraska, but somewhere I bet these wonderful things are happening... sigh.

Here in Nebraska, it is 24 degrees and cloudy.  I don't even remember the last time I saw a real live bird.  Maybe snow geese.  Pooping on our pond.

So you can imagine how creative us Nebraskans need to get to make Valentines Day one of wonder and light.

And that's the really funny thing.  When you've lived in Nebraska long enough, your idea of a romantic Valentines Days gets pretty interesting!
At this point, I would be happy with my babe, a bottle of wine, and some really great music, sitting in a pasture while watching calves be born.  Seriously.  Because that would mean no phone calls, no messaging, no noise, just sitting and being in the moment.  That's a rarity these days!  Even in BFE Nebraska.

As I sit here, in the moment, I find myself gazing at this favorite new bracelet I recently found.

Beautiful, huh?! It is by Jewelry Nexus.  Wrapping around from outside to inside is the inscription,

"It seems illogical to destroy comfortable cocoons & yet it must be done for the life we are meant to live must begin."

Not only did I adore the inscription, but I love the cross surrounded by angel wings.

I found this beautiful friend at the Saint Francis Medical Center Gift Store in Grand Island, Ne.  This gift shop is just darling and I always find something unique and fun there!  I did look this up on line for all of you beautiful ladies, and you can also find it and similar jewels at Amazon.com

Better, yet, I'd like to offer a similar gift to those of you loyal Style By CarolineJ readers!  Simply comment on my blog, either here or on Facebook, with your favorite Valentines Day date memory (hint- funny ones are the best:) and you will be entered in to a drawing to win an inspirational accessory.

Happy Valentines Day!

De Rien

Wearer Beware!

All right all you 80's Chicks!  

You know who you are. 

The girl who took FOREVER to let go of big bangs and spiral permed hair.  Yes, you.  And the girl who can still "backwards roller skate" to Poison and JUMP in those suckers when that song starts blaring...  JUMP GO AHEAD AND JUMP!  Yep, I'm talking to you.

First, let me reassure you that you are not alone.  I, like you, had to slowly let go of my Afro.  And I, like you, had to part ways with those roller skates.  (Hint- This is where you look the other way from my still sometimes "biggish hair" and roller blades and pretend like I am normal.)

So, like you, when I heard leggings were coming back in style, I was not thrilled.  I remember thinking, "AGAIN?! I just got used to my backside hanging out of my jeans every time I bent over!  I even got some longer shirts and learned how to sit funny to hide that blasted crack!!!  And now you're gonna hit me with leggings???"

If you were anything like me, all I could really picture were the "stirrup pants of old" with the socks over the top and the big, baggy, obnoxiously colored tops.  Little did I know that I was gonna learn to love the NEW leggings trend.

BUT... Word to the wise, my friends!  WEARER BEWARE!  There are, indeed, some tips to pulling off these lovely ladies.

First and Foremost:  In the faint light of early morning, I BEG you to double and triple check that you are wearing leggings and NOT TIGHTS!  Now I know there are some of you saying to yourselves that this pointer is ridiculous.  In fact, you may find it absurd that someone could make this mistake.  LISTEN UP!  There have been sightings of this tragic fashion fatality and suffice it to say, IT AIN'T PRETTY!

Second: When you slap on your first pair of delicious, "how are these legal?!" leggings, please DO NOT wear them like jeans.  PLEASE.  Jeans are safe with most tops because they are kinda like, what in the male world is the boxer short.  They tend to be roomier, nicer,  and gentler on the physique.  Leggings, however, are just not.  They are the "whitey tighties" in this scenario.  Better yet, they can be quite like the Speedo in this scenario.  As a result,  I do not care what kind of "hot mama tushy" you're sporting.  Unless you are aiming to send a message similar to The Motel Six motto, you are not doing yourself any favors.

INSTEAD… Follow these great fashion tips, and you will be well on your way to the LEGGINGS HALL OF FAME.

1. Choose you footwear carefully.  I would recommend trendy boots or platform heels if you really want to rock those leggings out.  Keep in mind, the boots do not necessarily need a high heel, but it's important that they flatter your leg and overall build.  If you are not necessarily a heel wearer, you don't have to do the platform route.  There are plenty of lower, more functional heels, but again, they need to flatter the line of your leg.

2.  Choose tops that cover your badonkadonk.  It's just not stylish or in good taste to "fly that booty out" like that unless you're in workout pants and headed to the gym.  If you're headed out on the town, a top that ends at the "bottom of your bottom" is fine.  It can make your look a little saucier and give it an edge.  But if you're planning on wearing them to work or as overall daytime attire, the best look involves having that top fit above the knee to just below mid thigh, again depending on your build and the line of your leg.

3.  Choose colors that will not take away from your overall look.  Just because they make hot pink leggings, does not mean you need to wear hot pink leggings.  Leave those crazed looking lovelies for the kiddos.  Nothing is cuter than all pink on a beautiful little toddler girl.  Enough said.

4.  If you feel the need to buy the leopard print leggings, like I feel the need to buy the leopard print leggings, everything else on your body needs to be neutral in color.  So, if you like black best, wear all black with them- shirt, shoes, etc.  If nude suits your fancy, top to bottom nude.  Do not be throwing on a black top, white shoes and nude jewelry.  The leopard print is the crazy, trendy focal point.  Everything else needs to fade away or else you just look like you are trying to seek attention- and not in a good way.

5.  Choose what makes you feel good.    I don't know how many times I have laid out an outfit for work, only to wake up and think, "Yuck.  I'm not feeling that today".  The worst thing I could do in that scenario is wear the outfit anyway (OK, I know there are worse things, but you know what I mean.)  Put on your body what makes you feel beautiful.

6.  DO NOT CONFUSE BEAUTIFUL AND COMFORTABLE!  My ALL TIME FAVORITE LINE comes from a Project Runway star.

"It is a slippery slope into sweatpants and a minivan."

De Nada

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

And the WINNER of the FREE Style Consultation is:

Tiffany Stevens

Congratulations, Tiffany!!!

***I will Personal Message you details***

To everyone who was so kind and gracious as to give my new venture and blog love, 

THANK YOU❤️

Anyone interested in starting out 2014 more confidant, stylish, and fabulous, please personal message me. I am open to many consultation forums, including Skype.  And while my business is young, I want to offer an affordable rate, which is negotiable based on time, venue etc.

!

Yep!  You read that right!  It is a lesser know fact that dirty hair is often easier to style and better for your hair!!!

I KNOW!  I was grossed out at first too.  But that was like 15 years ago and I've only washed my hair like twice a week since then;)  And… I have never had a complaint about stinky hair- HA!  How do I accomplish this great feat, you ask??  It's easier than you think!

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF HAIR PRODUCT!  HAIR PRODUCT IS YOUR FRIEND:)

In order to give your beautiful locks a break from daily shampooing and hair drying, it will be important to make THREE BEST HAIR PRODUCT FRIENDS.

If you are a Blondie like me (born natural, but not so much now), then simple cornstarch baby powder is your first dirty hair friend.  You simply rub some in your hands, and apply it to your scalp where you see oil.  AND, it also comes in very handy when you are in need of a root job!  If you are brunet or redhead, just get some dry shampoo.  It's a little more expensive, but the main ingredient is the same and it soaks up oil and odor just as well.

Your second dirty hair friend is any kind of shine product.  I happen to like Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum, as it is light weight and effective.  You can also get the kind you spray right in your hair.  Either way, be sure to AVOID YOUR SCALP, as you do not want to add in shine oil where you just soaked it up!  Shine product is amazing in not only adding shine, but protecting your hair from heat, and other damage.

Powder Boost is your final partner in dirty hair crime.  My favorite is Schwarzkopf OSIS Dust It.  It is pricey, though, and can be hard to find.  There are all different kinds that work pretty well, even some reasonably priced jobbers at Sally's Beauty Supply.  Powder Boost is AMAZING at lifting hair at the crown where you flattened it by sleeping on it.  Simply apply it to the scalp underneath the parts of your hair you desire some lift.  *** ALSO*** some women can get away with just using powder boost for oil and lift, just not this girl.

If you are brave enough and DIRRRTY enough, you gotta try living your life free from daily shampoos and hair drying!  TRUST ME!  Your hair AND your stylist will thank you!

BITTE SCHON!

SHOES… XOXO

"THE AIR HURTS MY FACE!  WHY AM I LIVING WHERE THE AIR HURTS MY FACE?!" unknown

At this moment in BFE Nebraska, it is 7 degrees F, "feels like -10".  Seriously.

Me and my dashing son, Sammy, are sitting on the couch watching The Croods on Netflix (after having to buy a new remote that he lost like a month ago).  As much as I ADORE my children, camping at home day after day (after working my patootie off, I might add) in this wretched, cold, Never World, is starting to get to me.  So needless to say I am looking forward to my very first FREE OF CHARGE STYLE CONSULTATION!

I am drawing the winner this Sunday, February 9, 2014., so there's still time to "like" and share away!

Now...  Onto the subject of shoes!

A girl's best friend, besides diamonds of course!  For all of you sassy pants who tell me, "Oh I could never walk in those!", listen up!  I have a few tips for pulling off heels.

First of all, there is no plausible excuse for wearing tennis shoes 24/7.  I understand they are "uber comfy" and add to the supermom effect, however, you owe it to yourself to step it up a notch at least a few days a week.  Women say they feel more confident and sexy in heels.  Which is YOU, underneath those silly crocks!  YEAH DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON CROCKS!  That's gonna have to be another blog for another day.

The first step to, "literally step it up a notch", is to do just that- start lower.  Find a pair of "inch high or so" heels that CALL YOUR NAME.  You know the kind.  Your walking through the mall, in a hurry to pick up that pair of leopard earrings you saw the other day (OK that's just me:) and you feel the universe shift a bit and pull your gaze to the left.  To the left is the sale rack of winter shoes and this pair of super cute heels literally yells out to you for rescue.  You now have a duty to rescue these beautiful creatures and give them the fame they deserve on your beautiful feet!

For those of you who are fed up with your stylish ballet flats and ready to turn some heads ASAP, then by all means GO FOR IT!  Go find that pair of bitchin' 3 inch heels and try them on!  But here's an important tip: Go up a 1/2 to a full size when you try them on.  Because high heels tend to have narrow toes and not much in the way of support, adding extra platform and space immediately makes them "comfier."  And then prepare to unveil the sexy, confident woman who has been patiently waiting for this moment.  Walk those suckers around your house.  Do some chorus line kicks- holding on to a chair of course.  Prance by your husband in your underwear!  Holler out, "I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!!!"

YOU ARE WELCOME.

Introducing: STYLE BY CAROLINE JONES

I adore fashion.  This is no secret.  So I figure, why make great fashion sense a secret to other women who may not have the time, the energy, or the "eye" for great looks?

Here's the deal.  I bet I'm approached at least once a day by a beautiful, caring, and huge-hearted

woman wanting to know where I shop, and how exactly I know my style so well.  Well, my loves,

that's just it.  I developed my own style from experience.  I learned what looks good on me and what

doesn't.  Trial and error… lots of error early on!

Here's the other deal.  I  love spending time with hard working, fun loving, caring, giving women.  I am

blessed with the best of women friends and in such, believe that we are all on the same team.  That

team is one of empowerment, support, and love.

So I am going out on a limb and giving style consultation a shot!

My talent definitely lies in overall style, meaning wardrobe, makeup, accessories. (I do not claim to be

a technically trained hair or makeup stylist. I am definitely self taught.) 

*****Do not be afraid of my "high maintenance" look!*****

I am here to please you and achieve the look you want based on your personality, coloring, etc.

The Style By Caroline consultation can look different to different women! If you want to meet in you

home and fine tune your wardrobe, GREAT! If you want to meet at your favorite store and GO

CRAZY, I am your girl! If you would be more comfortable at your favorite watering hole with some

makeup and ideas, I will never turn down a good glass of wine!

Either way, I need you, my friends to SPREAD THE WORD!  Please "Like" and Share" this post 

on Facebook.  In return, I will enter your name in a drawing for a FREE STYLE BY CAROLINE CONSULTATION!

I so look forward to working with fabulous women in empowerment and love.  Cheers! XOXO