Jalisa’s Fashion Files

SWEATER: Michael Kors (Marshalls) // JEANS: 7 for all mankind (Marshalls) // PURSE: Michael Kors (TjMaxx) // SHOES: Ralph Lauren (Marshalls) // BRACELETS: c/o of Satya 

Hey Girlies, 

You know how much I love color, so I felt like wearing something that had subtle pops of it to make the outfit more interesting, yet appropriate for a more casual work outfit. I want to first discuss this sweater. I absolutely love the fact that it has an embellished neckline, giving the appearance of a necklace. This is perfect for those of you who may struggle with selecting necklaces to pair with your outfits; it eliminates the guess work in that department. Now, it's great that I was able to find a sweater that was reasonably priced that had this detailing already, but this is something you can totally do yourselves! In fact, I came across a blog tutorial that provides some very simple steps on how to do this on your own, which you can check out HERE). I not only like these sort of sweaters because it eliminates the need to wear a necklace (I wouldn't suggest wearing one with a top like this, it'll look too busy and will clash), I also like it because it's a great option for work. Since it dresses things up a bit for your ordinary sweater or even sweatshirt, it can make it a great wear to work option, too! 

Although radiant orchid was the color of 2014, I'm still not over it and I don't think I'll ever be! It's such a beautiful color and looks great on every skin-tone, especially those of you who are cool toned. The reason is that it has a grayish tint, which is a cool toned color. Also, since it's also very rich, I feel it brings out our natural skin tones, making us appear more luminescent, despite the slight grey tint, which can tend to have the opposite affect. 

To maintain the slight casual vibe I was going for, I paired the sweater with darker denim jeans. You've heard me mention many times that darker denim tends to give a more dressed up feel, but they're still jeans, so the texture provides the mild relaxed feel synonymous with casual looks. I also slightly tucked in a part of the sweater, which looks like I put thought into my look, but without overthinking it.

When it comes to body shapes, I would suggest this look to all because it's one that features a darker palette to the actual look, with the pops of color represented in the accessories. However, there are some minor things I'd like to add or suggest to the apple shapes and that would be to select a sweater that has either a v-neckline that's embellished or that you add to yourself, or opt out of the embellishment if you're working with a wider neckline, which I generally don't suggest for this shape. The reason being is that it add visual width to the upper body and both the apple and inverted triangles have wider backs and chests as it is and this will only exaggerate it. So, if you are working with a wider neckline, I suggest wearing a long necklace that will counteract the width of the neckline. Also, for the jeans, I'd suggest substituting the darker wash with a medium wash. Since your legs are naturally more toned and slender, the dark wash will make them appear thinner, causing your upper body to appear much wider in proportion to your legs. In short, to enhance your naturally defined legs, wear a lighter wash. 

I hope you all enjoyed this post and don't forget to check back tomorrow for some more inspiration! As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Lots of love,

Read more

Hello my lovies, 

Today's post is a continuation of the color pairing series and the color we're working with is yellow! I have to be honest, in the past, there were times I kind of stood clear of yellow because I just didn't think it went well with much. I think the main reason I felt this way was because only one shade or tone of yellow was coming to my mind and that was canary yellow. Now, I've opened my mind to the various shades, which are very pretty, and that will also include canary yellow, haha. Also, it's important to remember that when we're creating these color combinations, we don't have to just focus on two colors, one of which would be yellow and the other. We should certainly consider working with patterns and various pieces that have yellow; it doesn't necessarily have to be a top or bottom, which you'll notice in the sets I've created. You could most definitely opt for a coat, blazer, cardigan, pair of shoes, or accessories to add the touch of yellow to your look. 

I hope this post opens your mind to the various color combinations that can be achieved when working with yellow as the starter! Especially if you are like I was and just couldn't stand the color! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure you're follow me on my social media outlets (LINKS ARE ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THE BLOG PAGE!) to know when I'll be working on the next color, which will be green! 

Read more

PLAID SHIRT: Marshalls // TUNIC: Marshalls // LEGGINGS: Victoria's Secret // BOOTS: Michael Kors (Marshalls) // 1st NECKLACE: c/o Athra Luxe 2nd NECKLACE: Gorjana (c/o Reward Style) // BEADED BRACELETS: c/o Satya 

Hey Girlies!

Can you believe it's snowing, once again, here in the Northeast?! I'm so sick of it by now! This time, there isn't too much accumulating, but with the low temperatures, the ice is freezing, causing the roads to be extremely dangerous. For the very first winter, I'm just wishing for spring to come fast. I'm usually one of those people who loves to get the most out of every season, but this is ridiculous already, lol! Anyway, Eddie and I stayed over Saturday night with my mom and had an amazing time, as we always do. We ate great food, walked around, and just lounged. This is the outfit that I wore yesterday. It's very casual, yet interesting at the same time. I love wearing flannel and leggings together, but of course with a longer top underneath. I'm one of the those people who feels that leggings aren't pants, unless it's a leather like material. I decided to knot the shirt to enhance the laid back feel, yet add some interest to the look. It also places attention to the midsection, something I'd suggest doing if you're rectangular; it'll look fantastic on you, you'll definitely notice a difference. 

I'm thinking of doing a video soon on some basic things we can do to our outfits to make them look more polished or interesting. I'd show one side without using the method and the other side with it, so you can see the difference it makes. Let me know if that sounds interesting to you! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and check back tomorrow for the continuation of the color pairing series, the next color up is yellow!

Read more

Hey girlfriend!

Today's post features a look that has a "street style" mood. It's fairly basic, however, the pieces and subtle accents, provide a bit of toughness and confidence, with a touch of glam. The star of the show is the fur (faux) bomber coat. It's chic, yet glamorous because of the rhinestone detailing along the sleeves, which adds a nice finishing touch. Sometimes, we don't need to go all out in the outfit itself, just add some interesting accessories, including an interesting coat or jacket and the whole look will look polished and stylish. Yes, sometimes less is indeed more :)

COAT: Baby Phat (really old, lol!) // PLAIN BLACK SHIRT: Cynthia Rowley (Marshalls) // JEANS: GUESS (Marshalls) // BOOTS: Adrienne Vittadini (TjMaxx) // EARRINGS: Local boutique 

When it comes to body shapes, this particular outfit, I feel, would be suitable for all. The bomber style coat adds dimension for both my pear and rectangular shapes, plus it stops in the front where the waist area is, creating an emphasis where needed. My pear shapes know that I don't generally suggest jeans that have a ton of fading on them, especially in the thigh area, since it can make them appear much larger, in this case, it's okay because any enhancement is balanced out with the coat, keeping everything well proportioned. If you are petite, I don't suggest these kind of boots worn with jeans, since they can make you appear that much more shorter and wider, especially if you are either an apple or pear shape. Instead, opt for booties, which I provided in the scroll bar above that are similar in style to the ones I wore. I'm not saying you can't wear knee high boots at all, but I would generally suggest they be worn with matching bottoms, so in this case, black jeans or black leggings, to create a lengthening and overall lean effect visually. Another thing I would alter is the coat length for all my apple shapes because it'll add more volume than needed up top. Instead, opt for one that's a little longer, such as the one below. The picture shoes the white version, but it's also available in black.

I hope you found this post inspiring! Thanks so much for stopping by and check back again real soon!

Read more

COAT: Jessica Simpson (Overstock) // DRESS: Marshalls // TURTLE NECK: Marshalls // LEGGINGS: Marshalls // WAIST BELT: Steve Madden (Marshalls) // PURSE: Kate Spade (Marshalls) // BOOTS: Nine West // EARRINGS: Boutique 

Hey Girlies, 

Today's look has a very celtic and punk rocker chic vibe. I never really thought about it until now, but I wonder if celtic tradition is what inspired the tartan print we so commonly see worn in the punk rock genre, huh. I know for a fact that my mom will love this pairing, once she stops by today because she never ceases to remind me of my Irish roots, lol! It's probably an everyday discussion somehow. I'm a mutt, by the true definition and one of those mixtures that forms the lovely concoction of me, is Irish. I thought I'd through that out there for those of you who wonder a little bit more about me, yeah, I keep you guessing, since I don't really mention much of my personal life, but I have and will when it fits :) 

What I love about tartan is that it can be worn with various pieces to either enhance or subdue it. In this case, I enhanced it by working with colors that wore found in the color palette of the print. I feel that the coat also brings out that punk or celtic vibe I was going for, since the buttons are a bit obnoxious, plus it's a military style coat. Depending on your body shape, you may want to consider where you're placing the tartan because it's print, which means it will draw the eye straight to wherever it's placed. Many of you know that I'm a pear shape and I still wore a complete tartan piece in dress form. What balanced out the look was mainly the coat, since it has a wide collar, which broadens my chest area. I also have a plaid skirt that you've seen me wear also and I wear it with pieces on top that help add volume and dimension to balance out the attention that's place on my wider hips. Below are general suggestions I would make on recreating this look for your body shape. Of course there are always exceptions when styling, which is why I encourage you to continue to follow along both my blog and YouTube channel, so you could see alternatives whenever shown ;)

I hope you all found this post inspirational and recreate it on yourselves! As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Read more