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Navigate with Style

Charting the style of daily life...with the mouth of a sailor.

why don't you...

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...try a pair of Over the Knee boots this winter? OTK boots can be tricky to wear but here are some basic rules of thumb (ugh, I loathe that term) to keep the look chic, not cheap:

* a flat sole or low heel is always less slutty than spindly stilettos.

* stay far away from patent leather...I love Pretty Woman just as much as the next chick but that doesn't mean Viv's cheap looking, shiny boots are stylish.

* cognac leather or black suede tends to look more refined than black leather.

* a fold down style means you can go OTK when you're feeling sassy but UTK when you're feeling less so.

* a  more streamlined look is generally best...lots of buckles, rivets, straps or ruching is just too much for these tall suckers.

I really like these OTK boots by FRYE thanks to the subtle and casual Western details and low heel. For a cozy Autumn look, wear with leggings and a chunky, oversized sweater.

baby...

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...I'm having one!

While being pregnant the first time was awesome, this time around I'm a little more tired, emotional and achy. To combat the not so hot symptoms of pregnancy I'm relying on the following staples:

* Origins Ginger Gloss - the scent of ginger helps ease nausea and this moisturizing body oil keeps my growing body moisturized! 

* Target now carries a diffusion line from Ingrid & Isabel called BeMaternity. The seamless leggings and ruched tank are perfect foundations for cardis, dresses and long blouses.

* I've stopped my regularly scheduled facial peels until this kid arrives so I've stepped up my manual exfoliation to compensate. Pangea Organics Facial Scrub is organic and gentle yet effective. 

* As for my nutrition, Luna Bars, Emergen-C packets and bottles of water stashed in my handbag, car and at home save me constantly.

More to come!

xx JDF

going offline...

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Hurricane Sandy must not like my blog...my server in Lower Manhattan is drowning. I was going to post some absolutely brilliant content this week but alas, you'll just have to wait.

Best wishes to those on the Eastern Seaboard who have WAAAAAY more serious issues than not being able to post about blush, leggings and the latest spa craze.

xx JDF

brow basics...

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Eyebrows can make a big impact - either good or bad, depending on how you allow them to frame your face. The best advice I can share is to find and commit yourself to an expert who will handle the shaping and taming. Then, with the right tools you can easily maintain between appointments.

* I adore the Anastasia Brow Wiz tool because the tip is super fine and the spoolie at the other end means you don't have to use a separate brush. Apply using short strokes to define your brows and fill in any gaps then use the spoolie to blend the color for the most natural look.

* Clear mascara (no need to spend lots of money on this) is the best for taming unruly brows. Mine are a little curly so this is a must for me. Plus, I enjoy a little bit of shine for my brows. I've always been jealous by how Demi Moore's brows seem to glisten!

* Invest in a great pair of tweezers with a slant tip. I only advise grabbing obvious stray hairs and always plucking at a distance from the mirror to lessen the chance of over-harvesting. Tweezerman is my brand of choice because they offer free sharpening for the life of your tweezers.

There are brow "trends" from time to time but I say ignore those and stick with a classic, full and well groomed shape. No need to channel Brooke Shields but for crying out loud, stay far, far away from pencil thin Pamela Anderson brows!

Why don't you...

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...dress up as PSY for Halloween? Grab some round, black sunglasses, find a colorful tux at a thrift shop, slick back your hair and learn the dance (if you haven't already).

OR

...dress up as Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium? Don the most gigantic faux nails you can find, grab a blonde wig and tease it high to the sky, practice a Long Island accent and learn her "reading" style.

OR

...transform yourself into Bea Arthur? Grab a caftan/muu muu/house dress, add some plastic beads or a boa and an old lady wig and you'll be set. Switch the grey wig for red, ditch the boa and add a colorful cat eye to become Endora from Bewitched.

Don't worry - there's still time to pull a fun and easy costume together before Halloween!

those beautiful Bluths...

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​I'm a big fan of Arrested Development and have often thought of the wonderful line of beauty & personal care products that could have graced the shelves of drugstores everywhere had the show not been cancelled...

Million F***ing Diamonds Anti Aging Cream - Imparts a luxurious and youthful shimmer. Use sparingly to avoid possible lung poisoning.

Blue Myself Cream Eye Shadow - Guaranteed to last through the most intense paint drum banging show.

Ostero Hair Gel - Give your brownish areas pretty points that will stand out at any charity gala! 

Leather Daddy Tanning Oil SPF 2 - Apply liberally for a healthy glow that says, "Daddy Likes Leather" skin..

Scholarly Pursuits Personal Lube - For those intimate moments....

Just Woke Up Hair-spray - Get that sexy bed-head chic look with this highly effective, aerosol spray.

Candy Beans Body Splash - Now you can smell like a whole thing of candy beans.

Gangee Artificial Tears - For when you'd like to cry but you just can't spare the moisture.

Glisten Toothpaste - New & improved with a flip top cap. Never leave the f***ing cap off again!

work with what you've got...

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I've always loved buying and wearings all sorts of jewelry but I've cut my shopping budget so I've been challenging myself to mix and match what I already own for new looks.  Sometimes I wear a few rings of different styles on the same hand or layer bunches of necklaces together. These days I've been really into bracelets more than anything.  Cast your eyes upon my new favorite, reworked combinations:

I have favored gold jewelry for quite a few years now but I'm slowly getting back to my silver pieces --- as evidenced by my one silvery combo.​

Why don't you...

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...make your own organic body oil? The supplies are easily purchased from most natural foods stores. You'll need a clean container to house the oil (I buy squeeze bottles from a bakery supply outlet), a bottle of organic, food grade oil such as grapeseed, avocado or sesame oil and your favorite essential oil. My fave combo is avocado oil with lavender but play around with different variations until you find what suits you best.​

Your homemade concoction will be less expensive than traditional body oils and totally customized (use more than one essential oil for even more customization). I adore making my own organic moisturizer that my whole family can use and can't even remember the last time I purchased a prepackaged body product.

What's your favorite essential oil? I'd love to hear what blend you come up with!​

blast from the past...

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As a small girl growing up in the awesome 80's, before I was even allowed to wear makeup, I received a Caboodle as a birthday gift. At the time, I used it to organize toys and my stash of candy. By the time I got into preteen cosmetics I was a master at organizing my teal and pink Caboodle and I used it for years to keep my Bonne Bell lip products and clear mascara neat and tidy. Although I can't remember what happened to it, I cherish the memory of my  ​girly tackle box.

Until very recently, I hadn't even considered that Caboodles were still around or that I would own one again, this time in my mid 30's. Thanks to my near constant presence online, reading blogs, stalking social media channels and pinning everything I desire, I discovered that Caboodles are still manufactured! Even better - Plano, the parent company, had reissued their original 1987 peachy pink and white case, sold exclusively through their Facebook page for a limited time. Naturally, I got in on that action. 

My Caboodle just arrived and without delay I've started transferring my cosmetics to the case. Bonus: it turns out I have room for even more cosmetics!   ​

Totally RAD!​

​ps - for other Caboodle styles and products hop on over to their website.

Fashionable Friends...Lyndsey!

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I met Lyndsey while enduring the cattle calls of sorority recruitment in college and then we both ended up pledging to Pi Beta Phi. That was, um...yeah, 15 years ago!?! Her cute and funky personal style is right in line with her cute and funky personality. Lyndsey is pint sized, her laugh is infectious, and she's a longtime Hillary Rodham Clinton admirer.

1. Three words to describe your style: classic, sporty, funky

2. Desert island beauty product: sunscreen

3. The outfit that never lets you down: swimsuit                                                                                Editor's note: uhhh...you know this chick is funky if this is her answer.

4. Signature fragrance: Dune by Dior

5. Fashion Hero: My best friend Morgan. She can make a slammin' look out of anything, at any time, with any amount of money.

​Thank you, Lyndsey! Pi Phi love forever...

xx JDF

You can't beat one of a kind...

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Earlier this week I had the thrill of being able to watch a one of kind piece of jewelry being made...for me...from scratch. Ron Ostlund, Jr. is a local talent that produces cool works of art like clocks, lamps and jewelry from scrap metal. Plus, he's completely self taught...

​Check out my pix below from the 3.5 hour session:

the sheet of copper is cut and buffed into shape...​

the collar starts to curl and take its shape once the hammering begins...​

the final, shining product...​

There were tons of little tweaks done to the piece as it started to take shape and it was interesting to see how each small change made a huge impact. Watching a flat sheet of metal transform into a wearable work of art was fascinating.

HUGE thanks to Ron for allowing me to help create my own piece and for letting me sit in on the making of...​