Styled by Jessie | Style & Pepper

I’m really excited about this guest blogger today… Mostly because I just completely adore Jessie.  If I had only 10 seconds to describe her it would be something like, “So, so, so, so nice, wildly stylish, warm, and confidently cool.”  We had that situation where you know who each other are but have never really met – so the first time we did meet she gave me the biggest smile and hug and it was like re-uniting with an old friend and not a total stranger.  At the time she was also wearing the coolest vintage and sequined getup I’d ever seen so the whole experience was like being with a unicorn: so mesmerizing you don’t know if it’s real.  But Jessie is the most real girl you’ll ever meet and her blog Style & Pepper is her to a T.  Read it and you’ll get fabulous outfit posts, dashes of styling tips, sprinkles of must-have items, spicy wardrobe recommendations, and a whole helping of Jessie’s sweet nature and lovliness.  Oh, and she was the spokesgirl for Harper’s BAZAAR’s television tour, BAZAAR on Air.  And you can hire her to style you.  Just saying.  What She Wishes She Was Wearing, a la Jessie:

QUESTIONS of STYLE:

.Describe your personal style in five words or less:  Quirky, head-tilting & vintage-inspired.

.Who/What inspires your personal style, influencing what you’re drawn to and what you end up wearing?  My mood, more than anything!  I really do like to keep things interesting with a broad range of styles, and usually look to fun travel locations, movies or even restaurants/meals to inspire me.

.What is an item you cannot live without or what are some of your wardrobe essentials?  Current wardrobe essentials: sassy shorts in all colors/style/textures, vintage tops/dresses, sky-high heels & super-bright lipstick! 

.What is your most recent purchase?  I don’t shop nearly as often as one might think, and besides a recent cookbook-binge, I really had to think about this one!  I was in Kansas City, MO a few weeks ago, and found the most gorgeous vintage YSL blouse at a Salvation Army there (for $8!), so naturally I snatched it up.

.Where have you found some of your most treasured style items?  Truly some of my favorite vintage finds have come from treasure hunting at thrift stores! 

.What is your go-to jewelry routine?  The jewelry counter in my room is always my final stop before walking out the door… I try to have a good, but almost never leave home without wearing multiple watches on my left hand and my big stack of bangles on the right.  Dangly earrings when my hair is up and a statement necklace when it’s down.  

.What are some of your make-up must haves?  My current routine for running out the door: Burt’s Bees SPF15 Radiance, Revlon Age-defying concealer, Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Hotel Heiress, Maybeline Babylips in Cherry Me & Lancome Definicils Precious Cells Mascara (currently using the Emerald color and LOVING it!).

.If you could meet any designer who would it be and why?  I think one of the designers who is constantly providing me with such incredible inspiration for life/business/family (aside from producing amazing lines) is Diane von Furstenberg.  I’ve seen her at events before, but I think to actually sit down and chat with her over lunch would just be too much to handle – I would just want to sit there silently and listen to her seemingly endless wisdom!

.What’s the best style advice you’ve ever given or received?  I always tell my styling clients to use this formula when putting together an outfit: Start by picking one piece that you’re CRAZY about (and that you know will make you feel/look awesome), and then build the rest of the look around that piece according to event/schedule/functional needs!  Pepper in the fun accessories on top of a great base, and you’ve got a fool-proof recipe for success!    

I need to hire Jessie to teach me how to shop for thrift store finds!  Her style advice is so genius – worry about one thing you love rather than getting lost in stressing over every piece of the outfit… Make Style & Pepper your new spot for smart styling and endless wardrobe inspiration  Thank youuuuu, Jessie! xx 

(Photo via Style & Pepper .  Images: 01. Daydreamer LA Cutout V Tank // 02. Basic Matte Pink Sunnies by Super // 03. Miguel Ases Pyrite Quartz Earrings // 04. Marni Ruffled Silk Jacket // 05. BB Dakota Hayley Shorts // 06. Maison Martin Margiela 4 Finger Rings // 07. Reed Karkoff Kit Leather Shoulder Bag // 08. Tibi Stella Colorblock Sandals)