top 10 style tips of all time...

Here's what I consider to be the basics of style --- learn them, know them, live them.

1. Always bet on accessories. This is where I tend to invest because I typically get the most mileage out of my accessories and jewels than I do with an individual piece of clothing.

2. Invest the time and money to have a proper bra fitting by a pro (not a high schooler at VS). No matter the size of your cans, the perfect bra can make all the difference. Trust!

3. Nude pumps are the absolute best footwear staple. The best, Jerry. The best. Splurge here for maximum comfort and wear.

4. Know the trends but ignore them if they aren't perfect for you. I can't and don't wear midriff bearing shirts, turtlenecks or gladiator sandals, even if they're the latest and greatest trends on the runways...you're welcome.

5. Become a master editor of your own closet. We all need help with this from time to time so ask a trusted (and stylish) friend for assistance in weeding out. Sell everything that doesn't work and use the profits for something your closet is missing.

6. Embrace color. Maybe not every color and certainly not all at once, but color is your friend.

7. Own at least one GREAT animal print piece, whether zebra or leopard. Animal prints can be tricky and tacky so look for a classic print in a timeless silhouette or go for a pair of shoes or a handbag instead.

8. Don't swoon over sales. Sometimes a low price is too hard to resist but resist you MUST if the item in question isn't already on your list of must haves. This is something I'm personally working on this year...

9. It's better to be overdressed than under...fo shizzle.

10. Stock up on high quality basics - they'll never let you down. Preach!

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My jewelry drawers!

Did I miss anything? Do you totally agree? Beg to differ? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @navigatewstyle!

xx JDF

fashion week faves...

I rawwwther enjoy New York Fashion Week, albeit from afar. Thanks to the internets, most shows are now live streamed via multiple channels online. While Fashion Week is jammed with loads of designers, looks, front row celebs and emerging trends, I always like to pick my personal faves. Whether or not these trends or pieces end up in stores is an entirely different story...

In no particular order:

* I have always loved long leather gloves because they make me feel way more glam than I am. A ton of designers showed them in all colors for next Fall. Thankfully, I already own quite a few pairs so I'm all set. Quite frankly, I'm not sure why long leather gloves would ever be out of style...

* While fur was flying on the runways, I like Marc Jacobs' take the best. A fur collar or cape (faux or real) will certainly take outerwear up a notch.

* I loved the banded heels at Michael Kors ...espesh the orange ones and ESPESH with camo!

* I am a J. Crew girl through and through so it's no surprise that I am in love with them season after season. While there are always so many pieces I adore, it's the styling that gets me. The mixing and matching is not something I'm naturally good at so I admire the cool pairings the J. Crew team comes up with. I especially dig an over sized, orange clutch that I. MUST. HAVE.

* I come from a family with a strong military background so I have an affinity for olive drab and navy blue (my paternal side is Army, my maternal side is Navy - no wonder my parents divorced). Prabal Garung showed lots of military-esque colors and silhouettes. The trick here is to keep your Army-Navy surplus gear from becoming too literal or costume-y...feminine embellishments are key! Just like the long leather glove trend, the military look isn't something I'll need to spend much money on to achieve thanks to my lifelong love for the look.

year of the snake...

Feb 10th marked the first day of the year of the snake in the Chinese calendar. While the Chinese say that saving money and being thrifty should be a top priority this year, you still might want to pick up a few charming snake inspired accessories to augment what you already own. In vibrant colors the look is still exotic but a little more playful, less serious. If a snake print isn't for you, try a cuff or some little stud earrings. 

You might not think of beauty products getting in on the snake action but for the last few years, chemists have been including synthetic snake venom to attack fine lines and wrinkles. Peter Thomas Roth's UNWRINKLE range of serums, lotions and creams utilizes Syn-Ake, an engineered ingredient that smoothes wrinkles for a youthful appearance.

nesting...

At 35 weeks, my nesting instinct is kicking in pretty hard right now. We're also in the process of moving so I haven't been able to do much work on #2's nursery. During my first pregnancy we also moved when I was 8 months pregnant (what is our deal?) and I had to kick out the jams to get the nursery done in time. But, my son didn't really sleep in his nursery until about six months so this time around I'm trying to be a bit more relaxed...trying.

I've been pinning and shopping and planning so that I can have the groundwork done before delivery day. I'm going for a very clean, crisp and modern nautical vibe in grey and blue, in homage to the inspiration behind #2's name, the enchanting island of Nantucket, where my husband and I truly fell in love.

Here are just a few of the accessories I'm using to get that weathered, East Coast island feel:

from guns to glamour...

Yes, you read that correctly. The elegant bracelets that make up the Caliber Collection from an NWS fave, Jewelry for a Cause, are made from guns and bullet casings seized by the Newark Police Department. What an amazing transformation these weapons have undergone to become stylish arm candy!

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In addition to the new Caliber Collection, Jewelry for a Cause, created by Jessica Mindich, offers a lovely collection of silver Talisman necklaces that support various charities, In Gratitude recycled newspaper necklaces crafted by Ugandan women and custom bracelets that can be used as a fundraising or marketing tool for your organization. Essentially, all of the beautiful baubles by Jewelry for a Cause have a deeper meaning and purpose, making it easy to be a fan of Mindich's brand.

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Jessica Mindich, creator of Jewelry for a Cause

Check out the full steel and brass Caliber Collection here.

multi-use makeup...

I was recently sent the latest and greatest in foundation from the geniuses at Make Up For Ever and I couldn't be more thrilled! Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation can be applied wet for a sheer finish or dry for matte coverage - both techniques offer flawless results. The texture is super lightweight and blends easily with the included applicator sponge, making this compact a perfect "on the run" option. Bonus: the formula is paraben free!

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My shade is #117 Golden Ivory but there are 24 other shades to choose from!

Pick up what's sure to be your new fave foundation at Sephora, in store or online. $36

cheap thrills...

I'm a buyer (professionally & personally) and I've found that some of my most favorite treasures are the little prizes I find for $20 or less (some of them in the most random places or shops). Check out my Tumblr, Cheap Thrills, for a few of my favorite (inexpensive) things...

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pregnancy is hard...

I'm firmly in the third trimester of my second (and final) pregnancy. My first pregnancy was a dream - I felt so great and happy that I could have gone on being pregnant forever. This time? Oy...

This pregnancy has zapped my energy, my hair and skin are blah and my style has slowly been sucked away. I have massive lower back pain, can barely manage a quick trip to Target (sadness) and have hormones that make me quite crabby at times. I have been doing a bit of yoga and am trying to be as organic as possible with my food and beauty choices but I can't say I always succeed on that front.

In terms of style, I do have a little bit going for me this time around. I no longer work in an office so I don't have to worry about what's work appropriate. I've embraced a very easy uniform of black leggings and tanks under cozy cardigans and have been heavily relying on accessories and jewels to keep things as interesting as possible. As soon as I get home I throw on large men's sweatpants and a t shirt...the epitome of chic, right? 

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my belly at 30 weeks...check out my outie!

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priority parking for the expecting...so helpful!

I know there have been many pregnant women before me with the same feelings and I certainly won't be the last. In fact, I'm so thankful to have a cadre of friends that can relate. And, in the grand scheme of things, these issues of mine take a backseat to the more serious complications of other pregnancies.

The bottom line is...I don't know what the bottom line is. I'm just a little frustrated and needed to vent. I see a nap in my near future...

A few little things that have been bringing me joy during these last few weeks:

* peppermint tea

* Origins Ginger Body Gloss

* belly hugs and kisses from my 4 year old boy

* a kick ass Alexis Bittar ring that I want to wear 24 hours a day

* perusing Pinterest for nursery decor and baby announcement ideas

Happy 2013!

Alright, my boy is back in school and I'm ready to tackle 2013. I have some major life events coming up so this year might shake out to be one of my most exciting yet!

I have some great ideas for NWS and hope to implement some of them before Baby Fox #2 arrives. At the same time, I'm also trying to simplify a few things before my life becomes a series of short naps in between diaper changes and feedings.

Besides the arrival of my babe, here's what I'm looking forward to in 2013:

* Emerald, Pantone's Color of the Year - I can't wait to see this brilliant color show up on accessories of all sorts, in makeup (espesh the Pantone-Sephora collab), home decor and clothing. Emerald will be the perfect punch of color this spring when we've all tired of the boring neutrals of winter.

* The Swinging Sixties - Marc Jacobs sent mod black and white stripes down his Spring 2013 runway along with winged eyeliner, nude lips, creamy nails and teased hair, deeply parted on the side (sexy swooping bangs). I'm excited to try some fun Edie Sedgwick style looks this spring.

* Colorful Eyeliner - This is a trend that comes and goes every few seasons that I normally eschew for my standbys of brown, black and deep purple. This spring I'll be trying turquoise, fuschia, emerald (natch) and possibly even yellow just to keep things interesting. This is a great trend to try without breaking the bank because eye pencils can be as inexpensive as $1 from brands like Wet n Wild and elf at Target.

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Of course there are many more trends to try in the coming months...what are you looking forward to? Tweet me @navigatewstyle

style resolutions...

As Christmas and the New Year approach, I have resolutions on the brain. Of course, I have some more meaningful changes to make in 2013 but let's just have fun with my style resolutions, 'kay?

* wear more color...It's easy to slide into a uniform of basic black so I'll be integrating more vibrant hues into my wardrobe this year. 

* embrace prints...I tend to have issues with prints due to my curves but I love to have fun with my clothing so I'll be pushing myself a bit out of my comfort zone here.

* ditch nail art...I'm just a little sick of the sloppy looking polish out there. Classic mani's are where it's at! 

* get back to more organic/natural products...I haven't been as strict with my beauty purchases in the last few months so I'll be returning to my organic faves and trying out some new launches --- because I'm worth it.

* work with what I've got...I need to make more of an effort to wear what I already own, remix my closet, jewelry box, accessories. Part of the challenge here is to re-organize so I can see it all in the first place!

What are your style resolutions for 2013? Tweet them to me at @navigatewstyle

ps - My boy is now on school vacation so I'm taking a bit of a break from blogging to fully maximize my time with him. See you in 2013!

why don't you...

...get more from your hairspray? I have cans and cans of spray but I only use them a few times a year. Here's how I make those cans work double duty:

* Spray the reinforced toes of nylons and tights to help prevent runs. I've even sprayed my legs very lightly once the nylons are on.

* Get gum out of carpet by freezing it with a blast of hair spray before scraping.

* Spray a light coating over my son's artwork to keep the paint and glued on materials last longer.

* Keep cut flowers for a bit longer by giving them a distant quick spritz underneath petals and flowers.

* Make your shoe polish last a bit longer with a light spray. I've very rarely polish my shoes but this does help to keep the shine from fading as fast.

Have any cool new uses for hairspray? Tweet me @navigatewstyle!

survive the end times in style...

In preparation for the end of the world, I've compiled a list to make sure you pillage and scrap for survival in style...you're welcome.

* A cross body bag will keep you hands free and allows for easing looting. Also, load up on lightweight, folding bags in case you come across more goods than your single bag can carry. 

* Look to your jewelry box for extra security. Spiked and studded jewels can help to ward off predators...think of these pieces as your uber fashionable quills, tusks and horns.

* Stock up on organic beans. Just because it's the end of the world doesn't mean you have to subject yourself to cancer causing pesticides.

* A collapsible pouch style water bottle takes up no room and no lbs when empty. Bright colors and patterns will keep your hydration on the go fun!

* Comfy wedge booties give you extra height but without the pain of a heel...the rising popularity of the sneaker wedge is no coincidence. Marc Jacobs cited the end of the Mayan Calendar as his inspiration for creating a shoe that looks super cool yet will be functional during a worldwide crisis. ***lies, all lies

* Dress in lots of thin layers. You'll need to be able to wear everything you keep because you won't want to be carting around a suitcase. Stick to neutrals for easy blending. I suggest the DKNY Classic Cozy sweater because it can be worn in so many different ways.

* Hook yourself up with a multitasking implement like a chic, printed Swiss Army knife. You'll be able to filet roadkill, open beer bottles (you should be so lucky), file your nails into sharp points, tweeze your brows and defend yourself against attackers all with one tool.

* You'll need a flashlight and it'd be useful to have a radio around just in case someone is broadcasting...I like this all in one device that even can charge your smartphone! 

* Grab a stick of eye black which will help to reduce the glare of the sun which will no doubt be bouncing off all the shattered glass. This can also be used to create a sexy, smoky eye if you've got a hot, post crisis date.

Best wishes to all!

to poof or not to poof...

If you know me but at all, you know that I adore cranial accessories. I love bows, clips, headbands, flowers, pins, feathers, turbans, hats, scarves, poofs and any other variety you could throw at me - even the fallopian tube fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice at the wedding of Wills & Kate. I wore a jaunty, minty poof on a television segment last week that drew some criticism on social media...

Like Andy Cohen says, here's what:

Style is subjective. Like any other form of expression, how stylish one might be can always be up for debate. I welcome this idea - it's part of the reason I felt compelled to start blogging a few years ago. Style can mean many different things to many different kinds of people and I like to embrace and celebrate that notion. I'm all about having fun and I love a good laugh...especially in my wardrobe. I don't like to take things too seriously and sometimes I just need some extra flair to get through the day. Sue  me. 

The critical post basically claimed that my poof was small town, not big city. On this I disagree. This person may not have liked my poof and that's fine. But to allege that such a thing would never be seen in a large metropolitan area is just silly. I have lived in Boston, Massachusetts and spent a semester of college in London. I have visited European cities and have friends from all over the world. While I wish I could travel more, I'm certainly not a stranger to culture or diversity of style. Furthermore, some very high profile ladies within the fashion industry are known for wearing such things as poofs atop their heads. Google Anna Dello Russo, Tavi Gevinson or Anna Piaggi to see some examples. In addition to women who are known for taking repeated fashion risks, there are others who occasionally step outside their comfort zone to try something new or edgy - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Yes, even Heidi Klum has had some misses. 

So, to poof or not to poof...I will always choose to poof. And guest what? I have bigger.

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The offending poof...

style books for giving (and receiving)...

Have a few fashionable ladies on your list that are a little hard to buy for? Check out these oh so stylish books that are great for giving and receiving! There's a little something for everyone here...

Grace: A Memoir

D.V.

Advanced Style

The Fashion Coloring Book

David Bowie Style

Fifty Fashion Looks that Changed the 1960's

why don't you...

...clasp two different necklaces togezz and wear as one? I experimented with a few different styles but here are the two best I came up with:

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There are some instances where the excess chain looks awkward but some necklace chains are more finished than others, as is the case with picture #2. The other thing I love about the second combination is that the purple end looked really pretty going around the back of the neck.

Play around with what you already have to come up with a no cost way to add to your jewelry options!

I'd love to see what you come up with! Tweet me pix at: @navigatewstyle