Valentine's Day: Ode to the Real Ones

Happy Valentine's Day!

I wanted to dedicate today's post to everyone who's putting hard work into their relationships, whether that's with your significant other or your friends and family. Like with many holidays, sometimes V-Day seems to have an emphasis on its commercialization or the unhappy perspectives on the relationships you have or don't have in your life (i.e. Singles' Awareness Day :)) Instead of focusing on what you don't like or don't have, take some time today to reflect on the people in your life who've made you that much more whole. Or even better, take some time to treat yourself to something nice!

I'm eternally grateful for the love, support and inspiration from my best friend and boyfriend Jacob. He holds down a demanding job at one of the largest non-profits in the world and still makes it a priority to further his professional MMA career by training at one of his four gyms every single day. He's a great bulldog dad! Together, we support PAWS, Bulldog Haven NW (from which we adopted our Spike) and other non-profits.

Together, we keep each other on the healthy eating tip daily - he on Paleo, me on my superfood Resolution Challenge diet. Living near both of our families means making time for Filipino family parties (a.k.a. all-day fiesta siestas) or weekends down at his family's farm. With all of that, he remains my biggest supporter in everything I'm doing, from starting my own business to blogging all the time to speaking gigs and my various projects for Fresh Jess. Our lives aren't easy, but we both work to maintain a good balance as a duo while pursuing our individual dreams.

I'm just trying to stay on his level! :)

Who are you grateful for on this day of love? Tell me in the comments!

New York Photo Recap

I come out to New York at least twice a year, coinciding with Fashion Week. I come here to attend the blogger conferences (IFBcon, Lucky FABB) that happen right before Fashion Week, take meetings and occasionally attend a NYFW show or two. My readers have never responded much to Fashion Week recaps, so it's not a huge deal for me to cover them. 

They do, however, respond to my perspective on personal style, inspiration, and local culture. So that's the main reason I like to come out to NYC. Here's a photo diary of restaurants we tried, time spent with phenomenal friends, and a healthy dose of networking and shopping worked in :) 

This is how I do NYC!

There is nothing like catching up with friends you consider family. I spent most of my week with AlixRose & David. We got some work done (here atWeWork Labs coworking space) and some play too!

Feelin' on top of the world! At the Top of the Standard for Poshmark's happy hour.

So many new Poshmarker friends! (L) with Jessica of Domesticated Me & Naty of A Love Affair with Fashion

I love Maria of Poshmark & Kitties + Couture! Alix and I had fun dressing up at the Bollare showroom with Maria and Paulina :)

A sneak peek of our dress-up fun at Bollare! Haute Hippie & Marchesa

Planning some awesomeness with Gilt Groupe!

Nemo didn't ruin any of our fun!

Hanging out in Williamsburg and losing our minds thrifting at Beacon's Closet

Took a small break from the Resolution Challenge. Clockwise from top left: Totto Ramen, Banana Nutella crepe & mimosa at Station in Williamsburg; Maison Laduree macarons; the Nelly bathroom at VYNL (where I had the 'Beyonce' drink :))

An NYC must for me! Brooklyn Flea with my girls and David rounded out a wonderful Sunday.

Jordana of Clutch 22 was our lovely hostess!

IFB Conference Photo Diary

The Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) team put on another great conference last week, kicking off New York Fashion Week at the Altman Building in Chelsea. IFBcon is a great anchor for my week-long Fashion Week visits to NYC for so many reasons. It's a way for me to support IFB in one more way, giving thanks for the invaluable resource they provide us with this community. 

I always meet new amazing bloggers, catch up with other blogging friends and discover new fashion startups or up-and-coming bloggers when I attend. IFBcon's content is great if you are a casual or beginning blogger, with a variety of topics ranging from affiliate marketing, the future of blogging, social media and the business of blogging as a career.

Day 1 outfit: Crooks & Castles varsity jacket (similar) / Madewell Heartstripe sweater / Zara corduroy trousers & boots / Barney's Co-op collared sleeveless blouse

Seattle in full effect at IFB! Andrea of SkinnyPurse, AlixRose and Sydney of Sydney Loves Fashion

Blogger bestie Alix and I had so much fun in the Alex & Ani photo booth :)

I was so excited to meet one of my favorite bloggers in the game! Rachel Seville of Pizza Rulez & Four Pins

With my NYC blogger bestie Vintage Vandalizm; the lovely Poshmark girls and Jennine, founder of IFB

More fun in the photobooth

Oh hey Tyson Beckford!

Day 2 outfit: Thrifted ASOS romper (similar) / Uniqlo Heat-Tech tights (fleece tights were a must this week! Similar here) / Zara boots

Couldn't resist :)

Share the Love with Fresh Jess & Blue Nile (Giveaway!)

Fresh Jess and Blue Nile are Sharing the Love this Valentine's Day!

Starting today, you can Share the Love with a special Valentine’s Day message to your friends via Blue Nile's Facebook page and receive a $10 off coupon for you and your friend for your next Blue Nile purchases. You’ll also be entered to win a Pink Morganite & Diamond Ring, as seen on Blake Lively on Gossip Girl (ARV $1750)

Sweet, right? We're not done! I've got a pair of sterling silver Leaf Chandelier Earrings to give away also! To win these:

1) Tell me what you love in a comment below

2) Tweet me! Tweet to @JessEstrada

I will draw a winner on

Friday, February 15th at 5:00p.m. PDT.

Good luck!

Adopt From Bulldog Haven NW!

Bulldog Haven NW has a number of sweet foster bullies waiting for their "fur-ever" home! As regular Fresh Jess readers know, I am a big supporter of Bulldog Haven NW & PAWS, with one  bulldog angel in the sky and one adopted from BHNW. Look at those faces! I'm helping BHNW spread the word in hopes of finding these sweetie pies a new home.

Rosie

Alika

Jax

Kaipo

Cash

A list of available dogs can be found at Bulldog Haven NW's adoption page. If you're interested in adopting one of these bullies, please look over their information carefully and fill out an application at BulldogHavenNW.org.

Not wanting to adopt, but still want to help out? 

BHNW welcomes donations at anytime! Visit their homepage for benefit online auctions too.

For the most up-to-date info on BHNW, check their Facebook page!

Want to talk more about adopting a bulldog from someone who's been there? Email me at jess(at)freshjess.com!

Happy Anniversary, Alive and Well!

Alive and Well has had one hell of a first year! After coming on the scene early last year, they quickly grew their social media and online following. With limited runs of exclusive and in-house collections, people hang onto their every Instagram and Facebook update for the first chance to scoop up the latest gear. 

Though they don't carry much for the ladies, I'm a fan of their logo beanies & sweatshirts. It's become a tradition for me to wear Alive and Well on my flights from Seattle so I can fly with some comfort from home. A & W loves to support local hustlers, from skaters and musicians, and supporting Jacob in his professional MMA fights too.

Come celebrate their one-year anniversary party tonight starting at 10:00p.m. across the street at 95 Slide. The anniversary collection launches tomorrow morning in-store. 

Happy anniversary A&W!

Beauty & the Brand: Beyonce

If there is one thing I learned from Beyonce's GQ article, it's that she is incredibly good at documenting every move she makes. Through her massive personal archive of photo and video - some of which is featured on her Tumblr and new BeyHive Blog - it's clear this is a woman who took her career by the reins. She's got full control of her brand and likeness, and she manages to use that to bring her fans in for a closer look. I love to cover her on Fresh Jess because of her unparalleled hustle and laser-like focus on her brand. She knows she's sacrificed a lot in order to realize her dreams. Such an amazing role model for women everywhere.

Whoever her photographer is, Beyonce and the camera make a great team. She really knows how to capture many an emotion in an image. Case in point: this photo of Bey and Jay-Z at the Inauguration is the picture of hip-hop royalty. 

p.s. My thoughts on the Inauguration lip-synch scandal are this: musicians pre-record vocals over the track all the time, especially for outdoor, public events. You can read and believe what you want to, but at the end of the day, she sang the shh out of The Star-Spangled Banner in the bitter DC cold. She may or may not have had some help (from her own voice) but she did her job.

All photos via Beyonce's Tumblr

On Going Offline & Recharging

Last weekend, bf and I joined his family for a night up at their cabin a couple of hours outside of Seattle near Crystal Mountain. Close enough to civilization, but far enough out of range of phone or internet service. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I "disconnected" like that, and to my surprise, it was more of a welcome sense of relaxation than a panicked anxiety that washed over me.

I've seen friends unplug while away on vacation or as a routine part of their week or month. As a blogger and social media consultant, that notion always felt unnecessary or impossible - until I actually did it.

Last weekend I realized I need more disconnection in my life!

Fresh Jess Cabin Recharge

Social media has brought countless fascinating people in my life. Being in the game for over four years, I've seen Twitter and Facebook take off in popularity and "newcomers" Instagram and Pinterest grow huge communities of their own. With growth comes a lot of...noise. I still love social media as an information resource and to keep up with my family and friends, but there is a LOT of complaining, ranting, veiled condescendence, sometimes mean-spirited ignorance and just general negativity to sift through as well. It's easy to get caught up in absolute nonsense and other things that have nothing to do with me, and inversely, that much harder to stay focused on my task at hand or my goals.

Our night at the cabin reminded what it's like to truly be in the moment, from watching movies, taking walks through nature and playing board games. Being in the moment is one of the most fleeting, difficult things to master when you spend a lot of time in the digital space. With my 2013 theme "Be Responsible," being present in my physical space is one thing I'm spending a lot of time working on. I know I need to do this to focus better, be a better listener and to quiet the chaos fighting for attention in my mind. Finding that sweet balance between a blogger's life online and a girl's need to be offline is very high on my list of priorities!

Oh yes. Spike came too!

Viva Beyonce!

I know you've probably seen these all over the place, but I don't care. Queen Bey is on a media blitz and I am soaking up every minute of it! Catch her in the pages of GQ, singing at the Presidential Inauguration and the Super Bowl, with Destiny's Child promoting their new album, and on HBO for her "Life is but a Dream" documentary. And that's just in the next month!

Surround yourself with people who will lift you higher. I may not know you personally, Beyonce, but your work ethic and grounded humility inspire me to no end. 10,000 hours for real.

"I worked so hard during my childhood to meet this goal: By the time I was 30 years old, I could do what I want," she says. "I've reached that. I feel very fortunate to be in that position. But I've sacrificed a lot of things, and I've worked harder than probably anyone I know, at least in the music industry. So I just have to remind myself that I deserve it."

20 Hrs in Portland for 366 Days of Kicks

On the first day of my detox, I thought it'd be a brilliant idea to take a road trip to Portland with my bestie to celebrate my friend Amy Jo on the completion of her blog project, 366 Days of Kicks. The party was so high-energy, with dance performances from dance troupes in Portland and beyond (the Monsters of Hip-Hop workshop was being held the same weekend just up the road in Vancouver, WA.) 

I love that Portland has this sporty, laid-back style to it. Being in Nike's backyard makes for a style that's distinctively Pacific Northwest yet very different from Seattle and Vancouver. Amy's party definitely had the streetwear stylish in attendance that night. I can't remember the last time I've been in the presence of so many incredible pairs of sneakers. I definitely felt right at home!

Nike Sky Hi Dunks in black / Zara leather jacket (similar) / Topshop cargo trousers / Feel the Piece deep v-neck striped tee / H&M chambray shirt (similar)

Lynn Quan had her Obsessionism wares on sale at the 366 Days of Kicks shindig, and I couldn't help myself in the face of this spiked beanie. Lynn crafts these beanies, snapbacks and jewelry when she's not busy designing for Nike. Thanks & great to meet you Lynn! Find her on Instagram at @Obsessionism.

We capped off our 20 some-odd hours in the City of Roses with some shopping at the Nike employee store and Pearl District. I'd say it was another successful day trip!

Saw this quote in the bathroom at Prasad's cafe. Such a great line of mantras to take with you on the rest of your day.

Fresh Style: Sky Hi

When I first noticed the Isabel Marant sneaker wedges grace the paws of some of my favorite bloggers, my style antennae perked up. The price tag is way out of my league, but I always told myself that if Nike got into the sneaker wedge game, it'd be on like Donkey Kong. Much to my delight, Nike not only got into the game, they re-upped on my favorite Nike sneaker of all - the Dunk. You don't put almost five years into working at Nike without the brand leaving its imprint on you. You can take the girl outta Nike, but...

Nike Sky Hi Dunks in black / Zara leather jacket (similar) & printed corduroy trousers  / Feel the Piece long-sleeved grey draped tee (similar) / gla.MAR.ous chain headband / various necklaces

"Why Jess, you did your hair all fancy!"

Thanks for noticing! I spent some time on Wendy's Lookbook's YouTube channel this past weekend and just fell in love with this messy French twist. It's very simple and takes just a few minutes to do.