Guest Post: Maggie of Lifesize Paperdoll

January 5, 2013

Guest Post: Maggie of Lifesize Paperdoll

If you had told me a year ago I would have been wearing shoes made of black leather with studs and buckles on them, I probably would have told you to take your street-style-blog-loving self out of here. I am not the girl who would be seen on a street style blog in such cool shoes, let's just be honest with ourselves. I'm the girl who usually wears bows, polka dots, and bright colors. And yet- I was asking for these booties for Christmas before I could even realize what I was asking for.

I think one of the most fascinating things about blogging has been the direct effect it has had on my everyday life. At first, I didn't think it really had much impact on me aside from the relationships I have formed. Was I really doing much different? I was still just posting pictures of what I happened to be wearing on a Tuesday or a Wednesday for classes or a date right? Not much was different? Wrong. All wrong. Blogging has changed my life. Yes, I do just post pictures of what I happen to be wearing on a specific day but it's also turned into something I figured out I did with more passion than I had in other aspects of my life that I should have had passion for. Namely being school. I just declared myself an English major instead of a pre-med Biology major and I don't think I would have had the bravery nor realization without my blog to convince me that I loved being creative. And as much as I'd like to pass off how I dress as just a materialistic surface level hobby, I know in the past two years it's become more than that. It's fun. It's not something I take too seriously, but it is something I love.  And while I'm still not the cool street style blogger wearing what's "trendy" at the moment, my style has indeed changed to reflect my real life. No, I don't really wear bows anymore. I still wear polka dots, but maybe not with bright patterns and crazy tights. I'm 20, and I enjoy seeing that reflected. And I guess turning 20 means I also enjoy black booties with studs but still keeping them "me" by wearing a bunny patterned shirt?

Thank you so much Jen for letting me guest blog! It's always, always a pleasure. I adore Jen to the moon and back.

Love,
Maggie

shoes- jeffrey campbell

tights- target

dress & shirt- borrowed

belt- the gap

Read Post

7 comments

Guest Post: Sarah of Sanfranista

January 4, 2013

Guest Post: Sarah of Sanfranista

Hello there, friends and soon-to-be-friends! I'm Sarah from Sanfranista, a San Francisco-based fashion and lifestyle blog. I'm pretty new to the blogging world, and Jen was one of my original inspirations when I first started writing (want proof? check out my first outfit post ever!). Needless to say, I was super excited when she asked me to write a guest post while she's away.

One of my favorite things about Jen's blog is how she takes her outfit photos in the coolest places around New York City, which lets her readers get a slice of what her life is like beyond her cute clothes! I've had a long-distance love affair with NYC for years, and I love to see the different places she visits and what she wears when she goes there. 

I wanted to bring a similar San Francisco flavor to today's post, so I dragged my husband/photographer to Alta Plaza Park and included my favorite necklace by local artists Chime Jewelry. If you're ever in San Francisco, Alta Plaza is definitely worth a visit- not only is it an adorable puppy playground, it also features some amazing views across the bay.

I'm a big advocate of sequins for all occasions, and I had been itching to wear this dress somewhere other than a champagne bar. To dress it down enough for day, I added my favorite Maison Scotch jacket, corduroy leggings, and Sam Edelman booties, and I stuck to bare nails (ok, that last part was pure laziness). Even though dresses like these are usually relegated to New Year's Eve, I think remixing them for day is so much more fun!

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into San Francisco, and thanks so much to Jen for letting me post!

Read Post

7 comments

Guest Post: Sally of Sally Ann

January 3, 2013

Guest Post: Sally of Sally Ann

Greetings from Georgia! Hello everyone, I'm Sally from Sally Ann. I am an independent designer or clothing, lingerie, and accessories. I'm happy to be here while Jen is on vacation. While most of my tutorials on my blog are sewing related, today, I'm doing something a little different. I'm sharing a fun crocheted infinity scarf that you can make in a snap! 

You will need a skein and a half or two, and a very large crochet hook, about as big around as your thumb, scissors, and maybe a cat on your lap to help out, always required when I'm crocheting hehe. I used red yarn leftover from a previous project.

1st row: ch 20 sc. (Chain 20 single crochet). Ch 1 sc. Turn.

2nd row: dc in 2nd from hook. (Double crochet) dc in each stitch. Ch 1.

3rd row: dc in each stitch. repeat until desired length. (my scarf was 55 rows total)

To connect and make infinity scarf, sandwich ends together. sc in each stitch. Finish ends.

Finished scarf measures 14" wide and 65" long, 32 1/2" and I wear it wrapped around my neck twice. It's surprisingly warm, but not too warm. Dressing for Georgia weather these days is a t-shirt, light jacket, maybe a cardigan, on windy days, and a scarf, jeans and cowboy boots. I'm quite boring in winter, and most days can be found in high waisted jeans and a tee. For a great tutorial on how to fit your jeans, click here, and make your own skinny jeans, here.

Jeans: Gap (fitted myself)

Shirt: BCBG 

Boots: Vintage

Gold Lion Belt: Vintage

I hope you all enjoyed this fun scarf tutorial. Check out my blog for all kinds of sewing tutorials, and a little bit of what I do. Have a great day!

xoxo, Sally

Read Post

5 comments

Guest Post: Bivi of Alive as Always

January 2, 2013

Guest Post: Bivi of Alive as Always

Hi, fellow JennifHsieh readers! Bivi here from Alive as Always, filling in for Jen while she's out visiting her boy, Jeremy, in Turkey. Ah, Turkey, I've heard so much awesome stuff about the country and can't wait for Jen's photos later on. Plus, to be there with one's beloved is just right. While she's venturing in another's land, probably trying out different cuisines and exploring different places. In the meantime, let me share with you a little bit about the town where I live. Here in Kassel, Germany, there's a Chinese art exhibition I've been sharing along an outfit post called Alles unter dem Himmel gehört allen (Everything Under the Heavens Belong to Everyone). It is an exhibition spread all over the town until February.

"Ultrastruktur: Garten der Seele" (Ultrastructure: Garden of the Soul) by Xiang Yang

Today's post is made by Xiang Yang. This is probably the first ever outfit post I took at night but I love how the light works in this structure. On the artwork, there's a sign that says "Enter at your own risk!" which means it's pretty unstable. Instead of a roof, there are piles of wood sticks on top of it -- which look like they could collapse any minute. I think it's called garden of the souls mostly because this building resembles a house, a place where you can just lie down and forget the world. It's roofless probably to show us the sky to soothe our souls or so. That's just my opinion, though. I love the tree-like shapes on the glass case on the sides, connected by strings of sorts, making them look zooming out at us.

Primark coat // Marks & Spencer sweater // Dual plaid top // C&A trousers // H&M socks // All Star by Converse sneakers // flea market scarf // Mom's old backpack

Do stop by at my blog to see more artwork features/adventures/outfit posts. Oh, happy belated new year! And you thought 2013 would never come, huh? I guess we were wrong on that one. Now that it's here, enjoy it while it lasts! Cheerio!

Read Post

2 comments

Prettymints Giveaway

January 1, 2013

Prettymints Giveaway

I would like to introduce you guys to my newest sponsor! At Prettymints, they believe that fashion shouldn't be unattainable. A few quality pieces of Prettymints jewelry can transform a look in an instant.  For example, a statement necklace can upgrade a dull outfit into a bold ensemble. Me-ow. The Prettymints team works directly with jewelry designers so they can offer their customers the latest trends at affordable prices, which allows you guys to change up your accessories without breaking your bank accounts. Pretty awesome, right? Personally, I've got my eye on the Chevron Rings.

Well, they're giving you two of you guys a chance to win the Pearl Stretch Bracelet in Amethyst or Peach. They're both made with Swarovski Pearls and Swarovski Crystals and they're perfect for any formal occasion.

Also, if you can't wait to get your hands on some Prettymints swag, be sure to use the code NEWYEAR20 to get 20% off your entire order until 1/31! What a way to ring in the new year, right? ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read Post

12 comments

Twenty Thirteen Resolutions

Twenty Thirteen Resolutions

Happy New Year! For some reason 2013 doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me. Usually I find myself still writing 2012 in all my dates and emails, but I think having to plan for 2013 (in regards to my work, my blog, and my travels), I'm already pretty well adjusted. It's all a part of growing up, right?

Over the years I've stopped making resolutions and instead I create goals for myself, like a short-term bucket list. Now that I'm living on my own and supporting myself entirely (except for my phone bill - thank you family plans), I feel like all of these things are pretty feasible if I set my mind to it and budget my finances right. Bring it on, 2013! But for now, I'm going to spend the day enjoying Jeremy's company before we have to part ways for another six months. My heart is already breaking.

Are you guys writing up resolutions as well? 

P.S. Check back later in the afternoon for a New Year's giveaway!

Read Post

9 comments