Freshest Sounds: Gyptian, Juicy J & French Montana

These three songs are getting the heaviest rotation right now. These videos are not too shabby visuals to accompany them either!

My bestie Paula and I found out that reggae superstar Gyptian was in town and had to make our way to the show. I've had Nah Let Go on repeat since then! The show was so much fun. I need more small shows in my life!

Nicki is absolutely coming all the way correct in French Montana's "Freaks." I am in love with the sample of Chaka Demus & Pliers' "Murder She Wrote" bass line. If Sean Paul's "Like Glue" and Nicki's "Beez in da Trap" videos had a baby, it'd be this one. If only I could express how much I love both of those songs & videos, then you could understand the extremity of how I feel about this one! The dance club atmosphere in this video is the kind of party I live for. Last time I experienced something like it was at Webster Hall in NYC for their Halloween party. Bums me out there isn't much like it here in Seattle.

Juicy J & Young Jeezy together over some Big Sean ad-libs? YES PLEASE

What's in your playlist right now? Tell me in a comment below!

Fresh Style: Cherry Bomb

When the sun is out in Seattle, we do not take it for granted. It almost feels as if the entire city's mood is lifted when the clouds part! I took the opportunity to take some outfit shots during one of said sunny days last week. The anticipation of spring is creeping up on me, and was the inspiration behind this outfit.

This is basically what I look like when I'm out meeting with clients or working out of their offices. I'm a big fan of light, sheer shirts of all flowy shapes and patterns. I've always wanted a pair of waxed jeans, and what better color than in the perfect shade of cherry red. Simple but fresh! I'm accessorized with an amazing pair of sunnies I found at Beacon's Closet in Williamsburg, vintage heels and Europe's George, Gina & Lucy (GG&L)'s Felicitas satchel.  I can fit everything in that bag, including my tablet or laptop! 

There's a little music video for you at the end of this post, which this post is titled after. Enjoy a little Hawaiian music for your Thursday!

Cropped 3/4 trench (old, similar here) /  Quiksilver Women sheer printed top, Big Star 'Scarlette Wax' jean, and George, Gina & Lucy (GG&L) 'Felicitas' satchel c/o Bollare / vintage heels / sunnies from Beacon's Closet / Stella & Dot 'Love & Light' bracelet

Fresh Faves: Poshmark Rules Everything Around Me

In keeping with the true essence of Fresh Jess - which is to share with you what I'm interested in - I feel obliged to tell you how obsessed I am with Poshmark right now. The amount of time I've spent on there since co-hosting their Winter Essentials Party in Seattle in January is insane. For those who aren't familiar with Poshmark, it's an app that allows you to sell from  your closet and buy from others. I have many reasons why I'm so taken by Poshmark right now, so I've packaged them neatly into a top 10 list:

1) The app is clean and simple to use. I like to keep my iPhone screens simple so I only use a few apps, and they've made it far to easy to log on and peep the latest listings from people I'm following, hot items  being shared in their Posh Parties, and comments, likes & new follows from my fellow Poshmarkers. The thrill of the find is always there at my fingertips!

2) The faces behind it are super-friendly and are willing to start dance parties with us at events when no one else is dancing and great music is on:

3) This AMAZING blush pink tunic with raw edges and chains dangling off of it:

From @SheelaGoh's closet. Now in my closet!

4) This score of an Opening Ceremony varsity jacket:

From @MeganPierce's closet

5) Whenever you sell something on Poshmark, you can get PM credits or redeem the balance (PM takes 20% of each sale.) I only spend as much as I sell, so basically it's like a clothing swap with stylish ladies around the country!

6) These elbow patches on this sweet knit Zara sweater

From @JoannaLord's closet

7) You can play negotiator and score even better deals by bundling several pieces from a seller's closet at once. I've been looking for the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans for awhile, and got another pair of pants too.

From @Nemon's closet

8) With the ability to comment, like and follow people on Poshmark, it's inherently a shopping social network. I've met a lot of cool girls who I already know have amazing fashion sense. Shoutout to @Jojo who's shopped with me. She's awesome! Shop her closet here.

9) Dolce Vita booties on the come up! Such a deal on these.

From @IAmCameron's closet

10) They're growing! It's always fun seeing a start-up find success with the masses. It recently launched an iPad app, secured a $12 million funding round and saw 10x increase in growth over the last 100 days. Insane! (source: VentureBeat)

I feel like I should say that Poshmark did not pay me in any way to write this post. I just felt compelled to write it since I've been spending so much of my time on there lately. All of the items featured in this post are now part of my closet, like treasured finds from hours of thrift or consignment shopping, only from the comfort of my phone!

If you want to join me on Poshmark, use my code "HUWKM" when you download the app, so you can get a $5 credit to start shopping! See you on PM!

Fresh Jess Loves Room & Board: #RoomToOutfit Giveaway!

There's nothing like a statement piece to really make an outfit stand out, right? 

The same can be said for a stellar piece of furniture to bring an entire room together. One of my goals this year (part of my 2013 theme, "Be Responsible") is to get more comfortable in the space I'm in. That includes my physical space, and dressing up my home a bit more. I am a tragic victim of a busy lifestyle in that my place doesn't have any kind of thoughtful decor theme to it. That's why I was delighted to work with Room & Board on a fun project to feature the 13 new products in their 2013 collection.

First off, a tour of their University Village location to see all of the new collection pieces up close and personal. I love walking through the store vignettes and seeing how certain pieces can come together. I may know my way around a closet, but I have no idea how to style a room quite like these!

So, what is this fun project Room & Board and I are doing? Well, Room & Board is partnering with bloggers on a #RoomToOutfit Pinterest board collection. After the tour, I went home and used the 13 new collection pieces as inspiration for the various outfits and fashion pieces featured on my board. 

Peep the full Fresh Jess Loves Room & Board #RoomToOutfit board on Pinterest!

Some of the new 2013 collection. See them all on my Pinterest board!

All of the outfits!

Now you know I always look out for my readers. Room & Board and I are giving you a chance to spice up your abode with a $500 gift card!  How do you enter?

1) Head to Pinterest and follow me: Jess Estrada

2) Like, repin or comment on one of my #RoomToOutfit pins - one entry per action!

3) Not on Pinterest? Just leave a comment below and tell me what your favorite piece is from Room & Board's 2013 collection!

It's that simple! Contest closes

Monday, March 4th at 11:59p.m. PDT. 

This is probably the sweetest prize I've given away so far. $500 to spend at Room & Board? Are you kidding me? You'd be crazy NOT to enter! Multiple times!

Follow Room & Board on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook.

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.