Fresh Style: Coast to Coastal

As I write this blog post, I'm home after a breathtakingly beautiful wedding of my dear friend and Fresh Jess brand director, Byron Gronseth. It was a night surrounded by a few of my favorite souls, and one invitee - and integral part of the Fresh Jess team - photographer Sarah Lovrien was at home accepting an award for her work. Witnessing the celebrations of the labors of two of my favorite people - labors of love and hard work - last night have left me thinking about what this is all about. This life of friendships and success on our own terms. 

I feel very strongly about keeping only the people who uplift you in your life, and I also firmly believe in manifest destiny. We attract people through the energy we put out there. People who live a life of purpose, with goals and the will to focus on those goals, and with a sense of giving back however they can are the ones who truly catch my eye. Sarah Lovrien might make me look fly, but her passion, fire and commitment to her craft and to herself - challenge a better version of herself every day - inspire me and others in ways she might not be aware of. As she takes the time to honor her recognition from CreativeLIVE, I want to let her know that she inspires me to be a better version of myself too. Through her lens, I have seen myself in ways I'd never really imagined, and she's enabled me to literally take my outfit photos and editorial visions for Fresh Jess to another level. Thank you!

One more note: Coastal is among my favorite boutiques in Seattle, and one I'm proud to have shopped and supported probably its entire existence. I am a big fan of surf and skate brands like Roxy/Quiksilver, Volcom, Billabong, Gentle Fawn and Seattle-based Casual Industrees, and Coastal pretty much corners the boutique market for brands like that here in Seattle. Check them out on Alki!

Vintage Levi's denim jacket (similar) / Anthropologie flower print bustier / Black vegan leather asymmetrical skirt via Poshmark / Zara strappy heels / Necklace gifted from my aunt, found in the Philippines! / Nike FuelBand cuz I gotta stay fit

Aces Interview: Jasmin of Vintage Vandalizm

My next Ace is a fellow blogger who's inspired me with her laser-like focus on crafting a personal style that's all retro but decidedly refreshing and different. I write once a week for the Independent Fashion Bloggers and thus pay a lot of attention to the fashion blogging landscape, and I can say with 10000% confidence that Jasmin Rodriguez's Vintage Vandalizm is one-of-a-kind. I had the good fortune to meet Jasmin in person at IFBcon, where I spotted her while speaking on a panel, and had to run up and tell her what a big fan I was of her blog. I was surprised by how humble and shy she was in real life! She's one of my favorite people to see whenever I'm in NYC.

She's got legions of fans all over the world just like me - and also critics, haters and copycats. Some try to emulate, others straight up duplicate - but none of Jasmin's imitators come close to her clear and unabashed love for rockabilly and other fine vintage eras. She lives and breathes the lifestyle as much as the modern world will allow. This is why she's no trendy throwback (what up Katy Perry) - Vintage Vandalizm is the real rockabilly deal. Her commitment to this life & style is what makes her one of my favorite bloggers on the interwebz.

Vintage Vandalizm-Jasmin Rodriguez

What's on your playlist right now?

• Lots of Lana Del Rey

• Pervov Stelar

• The Great Gatsby Soundtrack

• The Weeknd

• Niki and the Dove

• Frank Sinatra

• Ella Fitzgerald

• and some rockabilly compilations.

Describe your style.

I'd like to think of it as a marriage of the timeless beauty of vintage & the gritty rawness of my vandalized city, NYC.

Vintage Vandalizm-Jasmin Rodriguez

Who inspires you?

I am deeply inspired by the classic hollywood actress' of the 40s, 50s, and 60s like:

• Debra Paget

• Ivonne De Carlo

• Diana Dors

• Grace Kelly

• Eartha Kitt

• and of course Elizabeth Taylor.

What are you reading?

Right now I am enjoying listening to many inspiring TED Talks like my recent favorite by Shawn Achor, who says that we have to reverse our perspectives on success. He says that we are taught that "We must be successful to be happy;" but in fact..the happier and more positive we are, the more successful we will be :).

Vintage Vandalizm-Jasmin Rodriguez

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I am working on a few projects to be finished by next year but you will have to stay tuned to find out ;). I am also excited to be attending Lingerie Fashion week and NY fashion week before my big move to Vegas. I am pursuing my dreams and though it is quite scary to leave a place I called home for 26 years, I am ready for the big change ahead of me.

Thank you!

Find Jasmin at VintageVandalizm.com.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Fresh Style: Women in Business w/Six Twenty

Happy National Women in Business Day! Celebrating days like this might seem trivial to some, but when women are still making less and underrepresented across the board compared to our male counterparts, there's still a lot of work to do. I am proud to be a business owner who also happens to be female (and a 'minority'), and I absolutely respect and treasure my lady peers and inspirations out there.

I'm partnering today with Six Twenty, founded by Angeli Tarsadia Reddy. Angeli started the company with the mission to create the highest quality clothing at ridiculously good prices, refining the lengthy process that often leads to higher pricing behind the amazing basics we all wear to death. By existing solely online, Six Twenty eliminates the traditional retail markup and brings you their own designer quality essentials from the factory straight to your doorstep.

six twenty_fresh jess

six twenty_fresh jess

I'm honored to be among 30 women entrepreneurs Six Twenty is celebrating today! You can follow all of us & how we styled our Six Twenty basics using the hashtags #BWD and #SHOWUSBASIC.

One piece of advice I've found so critical throughout my time as a business owner?

"Keep going. Past the critics, past your limits. When you are disillusioned or want to quit, that's when your will and passion helps you persist."

Zara Black Strappy Heels

Six Twenty black tank_Fresh Jess

Six Twenty Essential Tank in black / American Eagle boyfriend jeans via Poshmark / Zara black strappy heels / Tobi sunglasses (similar) / Christys' black wool hat

FJ @WWDMAGIC: Style Diary

WWDMAGIC exists for the sole purpose of getting fashion into the hands of style mavens all around the world. It's only fair, then, to give you a recap of my outfits during my week in Vegas!

Fashion events are always fun, because the opportunity is ripe (and it's encouraged) to show off your personal style. I loved seeing all the MAGIC bloggers come together, because we all had very distinct tastes and ways in which we'd put an outfit together. Some trendy, others classic, vintage, girly or practical (we were logging in miles on those show floors after all.) I'd packed mostly basics in black, white, grey and denim that I knew would pair well with whatever gifted items were waiting for me. I'd inadvertently steered towards more of a tomboy look (was just thinking practical but stylish!) Somehow, it all came together.

L: Jack by B.B. Dakota leather vest (on sale!); lululemon 'Free to Be' bra ; Premonition Designs asymmetrical skirt, ShoeMint 'Gina' wedges

C: Vans hi-lo dress (similar); red creeper booties c/o TUK Shoes

R: White hi-lo tee (similar); Zara culotte skort; Zara city bag (new version); Vans boat shoes

I adore my affirmation bracelets c/o BCBGeneration! Thank you!

Lace bustier via Poshmark (similar); white Zara tank; Parker faux leather track pants (on sale!); Lace overlay sweatshirt c/o Dolly & Molly; Nike Dunk Hi wedges

(Photos via Kelsi Smith)

Center: BCBGeneration spring '14 leather cutout & tulle dress

R:BCBGeneration "I'm Serious" sweater

Army Brat tie-dye sweatshirt c/o Young, Wild & Serene; Arielle crossbody bag in dusty plum c/o Rabeanco; BCBGMaxAzria leather shorts; Dolce Vita boots via Poshmark; old necklace

And just so you know what my typical airport uniform looks like :)

Black Zara tank & American Eagle boyfriend jeans via Poshmark

Read all my posts from WWDMAGIC here.

Fresh Style: Endless Summer (Dope) by Sarah Lovrien

Fall may be coming soon or whatever, but we're still enjoying 80-degree weather here in Seattle so I'm gonna go ahead and post these long-overdue shots from my early summer shoot with Sarah Lovrien. She's the best. Seriously.

I felt so much more comfortable in front of the camera this time compared to my 30 Fresh shoot. This time around, I chose four outfits that represented what I wore a lot this summer. Lots of boyfriend fit and tomboy feel, lots of unabashed, totally owned sexiness. I can't wait for you to see the rest! For this particular sequence, Sarah played with black & white treatments to add even more depth to the photos. I couldn't decide which ones I liked more, so I mixed up a few of each!

Keeping true to holding it down for my city, the thought process behind these shoots always include careful consideration for the perfect location. In the summertime that clearly is Alki. I personally am a big fan of Alki beach all year 'round, but the beach just comes alive during the summer. No matter what time of year, you're guaranteed to catch an amazing landscape of sky, land and ferries juxtaposed against the moody waters. 

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Fresh-Jess-Sarah-Lovrien-summer-2013

Stampd L.A. "Dope" bodysuit / American Eagle boyfriend fit jeans via Poshmark / Shoemint "Gina" wedges / various baubles

All photos credit Sarah Lovrien.

FJ @WWDMAGIC: Fresh Finds

WWDMAGIC is like one giant closet full of amazing gems, and us bloggers had a ball of a time trying on our fave finds and getting to know some of the designers and faces behind the showcasing brands. It was so hard to pare down my personal favorites, and some I didn't even get photos of! Nevertheless, here are some of the freshest finds (in my eyes) on this season's WWDMAGIC show floor:

1) Dakota Collective by B.B. Dakota: I'm already a big fan of Jack and the general B.B. Dakota collections, so when I got a look at the denim-inspired spring collection for Dakota Collective, I was enamored. This top though! I'm a big fan of basics, and Dakota Collective had a stellar lineup of leather jackets, denim, leggings and basic tees in shapes both classic and re-defined for the modern chick.

Dakota Collective_WWDMAGIC

2) Trashy Diva: I mean, look at this setup right here. What's not to love about Trashy Diva? They live and breathe retro through their timeless dresses and separates. Everything I saw in the booth was so lady-like yet so sexy at the same time; I especially fell in love with the French Quarter print a-line full skirt. Mallory, a.k.a. Miss Malaprop and team were total sweethearts and all smiles throughout the show.

Trashy Diva_WWDMAGIC

3) JOA - A clear favorite among the WWDMAGIC blogger team, JOA had all separates in every trend, fabric and style you could imagine. I saw a lot of matching textured pieces across the show floor, but this one incorporated the nude/neon dichotomy perfectly.

JOA_WWDMAGIC

4) Flying Tomato gets props for its insanely beautiful booth alone. Well, that and its abundance of ethereal, summery maxi dresses.

5) Free People is absolutely owning that boho niche, and these upcoming seasons they've got some printed jumpsuits and fitted overalls to add to your (my) wardrobe.

Free People_WWDMAGIC

6) LUSH Clothing: I'm already a big fan of Lush but I had to include this incredible nude leather skirt with the intricate pattern stitch detail. There's a lot of the asymmetrical leather skirt trend going on this fall; with black tights and a pair of over-the-knee boots, this skirt could be the star of the show. Here's a similar one in black & white laser cut print.

Lush Clothing_WWDMAGIC

7) Darling: I will never tire of these feminine dress shapes, especially with this neckline and shoulder cut. I loved Darling's booth filled with these sweet dresses and separates, along with fun accessories and trinkets.

darling clothes_WWDMAGIC

8) C. Luce: While I am not normally one for something so girly, I couldn't walk past this brocade/feather number without doing a double take. The feather skirt with black fringe is just so perfect agains the leaf brocade print, and again I love that neckline.

c. luce_WWDMAGIC

9) BCBGeneration: If the 90s are making a comeback this upcoming season, then BCBGeneration is leading the charge. The BCBGeneration booth was dripping with plaid and other grungy 90s-ness alongside new classic pieces like the leather cut-out dress with pink tulle bottom (like the one I'm modeling in the second pic!) They also had the SkyBox decked out like a 90s teenage girl's bedroom, complete with a daybed, inflatable furniture, Date Line phone, Clueless quotes adorning the walls and in the VHS. The bloggers and other booth guests could hang up in the SkyBox and enjoy nail wrap treatments, blowouts, help ourselves to the candy bar and get affirmation bracelets made. So rad!

bcbgeneration_wwdmagic

10) The indies: Bri Seeley & Courtney Allegra:

There's something special about watching an independent designer realize their dreams. It was such a treat to spend some time with Seattle native Bri Seeley and meet Courtney Allegra, while perusing some of their latest collections. Two ladies with totally different styles but equally bad ass. Watch out for them!

bri seeley_Magic market week

courtney allegra_pool tradeshow

Read all my posts from WWDMAGIC here.

Beast Mode! Marshawn Lynch x Target Tees In Stores Now

While we're savoring every last bit of summer, it's clear to see the signs of fall creeping into the air. Leaves changing, clouds hanging out a bit lower & longer, and my personal favorite - NFL football in full swing! Seahawks fans, check out your nearest Puget Sound area Target for an exclusive Beast Mode tee, designed by the Skittles monsta himself!

Marshawn Lynch for Target Pro Merch

Marshawn Lynch for Target Pro Merch

The Pro Merch™ exclusive for Target Marshawn Lynch tees retail for $19.99. There are two different designs each for men & women, and you can cop yours through December (and possibly through the playoffs!) - that is, if they don't sell out before you can get to one.

“For me, it’s all about ‘Beastmode,’ and collaborating with Target has given me the opportunity to bring my hard-nosed, in-your-face playing style, plus my love for the Seattle fans into this new collection.”

Target’s Pro Merch™ exclusive collection partners the retail giant with various NFL players, reflecting their signature styles, distinct personalities, favorite pop culture elements and notable quips, keeping their fans in mind throughout.

Marshawn Lynch for Target_Beast Mode women's tee

GO HAWKS!

FJ @WWDMAGIC: The Haul

Everybody loves a sweet swag bag, right? Well, no fashion blogger project would be right without goodies to keep us looking, smelling and feeling fresh. WWDMAGIC was no exception, and boy did they treat us right!

Fresh Jess_WWDMAGIC_The Haul

I was so excited to see what was in my pile of gifted goodies from a few very kind WWDMAGIC vendors. It truly was like Christmas morning in the blogger team war room over at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Quiet concentration on opening and unwrapping led to some fabulous surprises. I tried my best to get a photo of everything in one shot!

WWDMAGIC_Fresh Jess_The Haul

The TwoPointOh team also stocked us with some amazing beauty products. Those L.A. Fresh makeup remover and cleanser wipes came in so clutch after a long day or night out of show floor and parties. I've been wearing the Jouer matte base, 'YES to Carrots' lip balm, Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' mascara & Flower Beauty 'Chocolate Lily' lipstick almost every day since MAGIC Market Week ended!

WWDMAGIC_Fresh Jess_The Haul

Special thanks to all the kind vendors for their lovely goodies!

• BCBGeneration "I'm Serious" sweater
• Young, Wild & Serene Army Brat tie-dye sweatshirt
• Lush Clothing black/white striped dress & bag
• TUK Footwear red platform creepers
• Bettie Page black/black 'Gilda' heels
• Imoshion mint hobo handbag
• Lolly studded tee, logo tee & book
• YMI bootcut jeans
• HOBO International mini-wristlet
• Ivanka Trump grey jumbo classic handbag
• Dolly & Molly bag & lace overlay sweatshirt
• Ipanema black 'Maya' sandals
• Kixies over-the-knee socks
• BooTights boot socks
• Peek-a-Boot socks
• Kreepsville 666 "Vampira" tee

Stay tuned for more of my FJ @ WWDMAGIC coverage! Outfit diary, new discoveries, favorite picks, oh my!

Summer Style Recap w/Emilee Goo

In the season of endless peaches and cherries comes opportune moments to dress for those hot summer days. Every morning is a different challenge to dress depending on my mood. Sometimes I'm feeling preppy with a pop of pastel and other times I feel like mixing and matching my prints. Some may say it's a fashion faux pax to mix florals with stripes or even stripes and animal prints, but I like to take advantage of a mix not usually taken. Usually, I pick one piece of clothing i want to wear for that day and choose the other pieces along the way to somehow match in a somewhat functional outfit for either work or play.

Though, some Summer days in San Francisco, my hometown aren't the most sunniest of days, there are ways to bring a little bit of brightness by adding a pop of color. For example, I paired an orange Splendid tank with my go-to army green/leather sleeved Zara jacket and some black yoga pants to the recent music festival in SF, Outside Lands.

And lastly, of course you need some funky shades to protect from the sun rays. I found a stellar steal on these sunnies at free people.

Here

is another pair currently online.

Happy Summer Days my friends!

-------

Emilee Goo is an aspiring creator and adventurer living in Seattle, WA. She's currently a senior at the University of Washington double-majoring in communications and interdisciplinary visual arts. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but is Seattle-grown and Hawaiian at heart. She has had past experience working with Nectar Communications, State Farm Insurance, TEDxUofW, UW PRSSA and BSSP. She is a fashion enthusiast thriving on travel, food, culture, art and photography. She loves to blog ever since she discovered blogging with a friend during her high school years, and is now introduced to a whole new world filled with creative people. She loves sharing her interests over at her own blog, Life of Goobers.

Find Emilee on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Aces Interview: Emma McIlroy of Wildfang

These Aces interviews are every bit as fun for me as I hope they are for you. The essence of them lie in the fact that I want to share these incredible people I've come across with you - so how could it not be a blast every time? Emma McIlroy of Wildfang (German for 'tomboy') closed out the Create + Cultivate Portland conference I attended last month with a keynote talk outlining how she and her team have created a whole community for the tomboy lifestyle on the site and beyond. I was riveted.

It seemed like there was a site or blog for literally every style known to mind, yet I couldn't think of anything quite like Wildfang. I was fascinated by how Emma, co-founder Julia & team took the marketing, branding & hustling skills they'd honed at Nike and spun it into an e-commerce site that attracted a healthy first round of funding and thousands of loyalists in a matter of months. All of this amazingness just three hours south in Portland! I asked Emma to share a little about herself and about Wildfang with all of you fine Fresh Jess readers. Enjoy!

Tell us about Wildfang.

We think tomboy is much more than just a style. It’s also an attitude. It’s about being confident, strong and paving your own way. While also being cheeky and knowing how to have fun. We don’t think our girl has ever been allowed to be herself and be her best. She's been restricted and held back for years. She hasn’t had access to the clothes and tools and sources of inspiration to allow her to be who she wants to be. That’s where Wildfang comes in.

We will free her. We will fuel her.

This isn't a business for Jules and I - it's a labor of love. We are the consumer. We share her frustrations. We wanted to do it, so that it was done right.

What inspired you to create Wildfang?

I remember the first time we had the idea. We were in the men’s department at a well-known store and I was looking at a men’s graphic tee which had a barely clad Kate Moss on the front. Jules was staring at a men’s blazer with patches on the elbows. I remember her looking at me and saying “Why don’t they make this shit for us?” And I couldn't answer her. We thought about it a lot, did a ton of consumer research and fast forward three years later - here we are. Launching Wildfang.

What are you most proud of about Wildfang so far?

I'm proud of our team. In five months we've built an online store, an offline store, a product collection and attracted the attention of thousands of young women as well as some awesome media. It's been amazing to watch girls get excited about our brand and feel like they belong at Wildfang. The support we've received has been overwhelming.

What's on your playlist right now?

• Ms Mr

• Savages

• The new David Bowie album

• and honestly, there's probably some Rolling Stones on there too

Describe your style.

My style is a lot like what you'd expect if you let Patti Smith lose in Keith Richards wardrobe.

Who inspires you?

People who take risks and are laser focused on their consumer. They don't follow the status quo and they do what feels right. Richard Branson is a hero for me.

What are you reading?

I'm currently addicted to Orange is the New Black, but I think everyone is. I'm also reading Triumph of the City. Awesome book.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I'm psyched about launching our Wildfang product collection. I'm so excited to see Wildfangs everywhere proudly rocking our gear.

Thanks Emma for the interview, and thank you Wildfang for being so fucking awesome!

Head over to the site and show 'em your Wildfang!

August Fresh: A Recap

It's been a ridiculous August and I have a severe lack of blog posts to show for it. I'm sorry my dear readers! As I'm sitting here watching Justin Timberlake and *NSYNC light up the MTV Video Music Awards, I thought it'd be fun to share some photos of what I've been up to this month. Tomorrow I'll back with the first of some seriously amazing interviews, outfit shots and recaps of my time as a WWDMAGIC Official Blogger :)

Most of my time has been devoted to LUNA & CLIF Kid Bar. It's our busiest couple of months in the year, but winding down now. I've been having such a blast at all of our events but I'm excited to have a little quiet time to blog in the coming weeks.

I'm stoked to be on the team bringing Slideluck to life this year in Seattle! Part potluck, part art extravaganza. Coming in November to Pioneer Square! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates leading up to the event.

Still getting my workouts & superfood diet on. Been traveling a lot so it hasn't been as consistent, but I refuse to give up on it completely. Never that.

Thoroughly enjoying summer but looking forward to fall, because that means SEAHAWKS FOOTBALL! Caught the last day of training camp a couple of weeks ago. Thanks Bing for having me!

My family is everything to me, and now we will have one more to add to the mix (officially!) Congrats to my cousin Erick and his beautiful longtime girlfriend Ashley on their engagement. 

Super honored to be included in "The Voices of Fashion" piece in 425 Magazine this month! Read the article here.

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram then you know my last week was spent in Vegas covering WWDMAGIC. Such a life-changing experience. I'm still trying to comprehend all the wonderful things that happened there, and you'll see a few posts going up in the next few weeks detailing them!

Go Places By Yourself (& More Lessons Learned from Create + Cultivate PDX)

Two weeks ago I rolled down to Portland for Create + Cultivate. As a regular attendee of fashion, tech, and blogger conferences, C+C was such a breath of fresh air from what I'd gotten used to. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to last all day (starting at 9:00a.m. and going well past 10:00p.m.) but I truly enjoyed and savored every moment. It's days like these where I find myself learning so much - not just about new things, but about myself. Little shifts in perspective, if you will. I left C+C with a lot to ponder. Here's a snippet of lessons learned in my reflections (along with my photo diary):

The perfect setting on a perfect day

Create + Cultivate Portland

Create + Cultivate Portland

Go places by yourself.

Like a lot of events, I chose to attend this one alone. It used to be scary (sometimes it still is), but I've always found that I try harder to start conversations and meet other people than when I have a networking buddy. Don't get me wrong - it's always nice to have a friend and familiar face with you, and a lot of people just don't go to things unless they have a +1. I got in the habit of going to events alone back when I'd attend them as part of my Chamber of Commerce job. I've always looked at it as 'part of the job.' Going places alone gets you out of your comfort zone and puts you in an environment that's ripe with new ideas and people. Try it sometime, whether it's an event you've always wanted to attend like I did, or just a new coffee shop or park. Try having a meal or going to a movie by yourself. 

I couldn't fit into this vintage skirt last year so I thought it merited a gratuitous selfie. 

Zara tank & heels; vintage skirt & bag; Nike FuelBand + various vintage bracelets; wooden polka-dot ring gifted from Anisa in Africa

Fresh Jess Create + Cultivate Portland

Alright. There was one familiar face. Thanks Jaclyn for a fabulous day!

Create + Cultivate Portland

Get outside of your own bubble.

When you go places alone, you are bound to get out of your own bubble. I have never considered myself a "creative" type, perhaps because I had a pre-conceived notion that 'creatives' had to be, look and act a certain way. If you would've told me I'd be right at home and really (REALLY) enjoying getting my hands dirty in a crafty way, I would've asked you if you maybe saw someone else who looked like me. Yet here I was, thoroughly enjoying making flower crowns with Riley of Erba Floral Studio; constructing my own earrings with Betsy + Iya and mixing the perfect summer farm-to-glass cocktail with Rachel of Art in the Age. 

Our team even won Best Drink (a Thai-inspired, bell pepper rinsed sage spirit concoction) and I won Best Cocktail Name (for our other drink, the Blackberry Hussy!)

Create + Cultivate Portland

Makin' earrings with Betsy + Iya

Create + Cultivate Portland

Tahitian princess vibes with my DIY flower crown taught by Erba Floral Studio

Create + Cultivate Portland

Talk to everyone.

This is one thing I continue to work on. It's one thing to work up the courage to go to an event like this alone. It's a whole 'nother thing to come completely out of your shell. I still get shy, but do my best to force the fear away and just strike up some conversation - with my table mates, sponsors, speakers, vendors, etc. I like to look at it as getting my part out of the investment - I took the time, energy and money to be here, so I better make the most out of it!

Dang Jess look at all these new people to talk to!

Create + Cultivate Portland

Katie and I caught intensely focusing on our photo art. We were talking, promise.

Create + Cultivate Portland

Everyone is inspiring.

The beauty of trying to talk to everyone is that each person presents an opportunity for you to be inspired. About humanity. About challenging yourself to do better. About your passions. About life. Some people can be like inspiration espresso shots, jolting you into a new frame of mind. For Create + Cultivate, the No Subject L.A. team brought in a few female powerhouses to do just that. How to look at things differently. 

I loved hearing from everyone, but Jeanine Pesce of Range and the ladies Emma and Tara of Wildfang especially struck me. Jeanine's perspective on trend forecasting and personal branding stems from a background I feel is very similar to mine - heavy in fashion and marketing, but with a yearning to bring more of her real passions (sports and the outdoors) into her career. Emma's tenacity, wit and fire has helped make her e-commerce site, Wildfang, a true community for tomboy lifestyle. She not only filled a business niche that's hugely missed by the rest of the industry, but she's managed to make thousands of girls feel like they have a team that's always behind them. 

Clockwise from top left: Jeanine Pesce of Range and Jasmine Takanikos; Melissa & Jessica of Stay Forever Photography; Rachel of Art in the Age; Emma and Tara of Wildfang.

Create + Cultivate Portland

Liz, founder of Sseko Designs, has a moving story of how she's helping women in Uganda attend college through her products. Everything on the right came home with me :)

Create + Cultivate Portland

Be a sponge.

I stole this from Nike's list of Maxims - look them up because they're solid statements to live by and have stuck with me long after my time working there. Anywho, absorb everything. Remember how the colors, smells, vibes, and smiles make you feel. Take those knowledge and creative bombs that were dropped on you all day and give yourself the time and space to truly reflect on them. This is what I told myself as C+C was winding down. All in all, a fun day that will leave its mark on me long after those sensory memories fade.

Create + Cultivate Portland

Create + Cultivate Portland

Special thanks to the No Subject team for a great day!

Aces Interview: Madeline Moy

Everyone I interview on Fresh Jess influences me in some way, doing inspiring things in their specific field of work and/or play. This week's Aces interview is someone I've followed on Twitter for many years but just recently have had the honor of knowing personally.

Madeline Moy and I did some project work together last year and I loved getting to know a fellow Filipina-American in the social media industry. I really admire commitment to her family while still doing great, fulfilling work and being active in the local social media community. She's also an adventurous cook who loves exploring ways to approach recipes a bit differently - she's the first Filipina I know to dive into healthy versions of classic recipes like adobo, with delicious success! You can follow her food adventures on Edible Joy.

Madeline Moy

What's on your playlist right now?

• “Treasure” by Bruno Mars

• “Mirror” Justin Timberlake

• “White Walls” Macklemore

• “Unaware” by Allen Stone

and lots of Postal Service and NKOTB since I just saw both acts in concert.

I’m an NPR nerd so I listen to a lot of podcasts of programs like “Fresh Air,” “The Splendid Table,” “Selected Shorts” and “Snap Judgment.”

Describe your style.

I like classic shapes, clean lines and bright pops of color.

Madeline Moy

Who inspires you?

My husband, Baron, is a constant source of inspiration. He always puts family first, takes care of everyone around him and is incredibly patient. And he’s a great cook! I wish I could cook like him. I always need a recipe, but he can take whatever is in the fridge and make something amazing.

What are you reading?

I’m currently reading A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain. I love his writing because he has such a distinct voice and provides vivid and unique descriptions of the places he visits and the food he eats.

I remember watching Bourdain’s show of the same name on Food Network back in 2001. At the time, there was no one else on TV like him. It’s funny to read in the book how much he actually hated making the show. A running feature in the book is titled, “Reasons Why You Don’t Want to be on Television.” Bourdain turned into a great TV personality, but he was always an outstanding writer.

Madeline Moy

What are you most excited about in the coming months? 

I’m looking forward to the International Food Blogger Conference. I’m interested in taking my food writing in a different direction and hope to learn a lot and be inspired by the people I meet at this event.

Speaking of food, there are plenty of things in Seattle that I want to eat and drink in the near future. Among other things, I’d like to order oysters from the Narwhal food truck, eat at Skillet Ballard, and have a float at the new Rachel’s Ginger Beer in Pike Place Market.

We recently bought a new house so I am super excited about making the space ours. And our son is starting kindergarten this fall. The last several months have been an incredible period of growth and change for me, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Fit & Fresh: Outdoor Refresh with adidas at Mason Lake

In the summer, many of us do everything in our power to take our workouts out into Mother Nature. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have no shortage of options, from paddleboarding and diving to running and hiking the hundreds of trails lacing the various mountain ranges surrounding us. My boyfriend and I took to Tmber this past weekend and chose Mason Lake as our trail hike of choice. 

Mason Lake sits about 4200ft. high between Bandera Mountain and Mt. Defiance in the Snoqualmie National Forest. It's a small and secluded lake accessible only by the Mason Lake / Ira Spring Trail, a 3.4 mile hike up almost 5000 feet then over and down through the forest to the lake. We wanted to hike a trail that had access to water, wasn't too long, and not too far out of the city. Mason Lake isn't nearly as popular, but fairly comparable to, Rattlesnake Ledge or Mt. Si which are also just off interstate 90. Mason Lake is just a few exits past North Bend, about a 35min. drive out of Seattle.

As you can tell, it doesn't take a long drive to get out and truly immerse yourself in all the beauty the Pacific Northwest has to offer. We're so fortunate to get a great workout in against such amazing scenery! Enjoy our trail photo diary below:

What adventures lie ahead?

I'm wearing the adidas Women adipure Trainer 360 shoes, which I quickly found I really liked! I often get raw or bruised ankles and toes from trail running or hiking, and haven't experienced any of that with these shoes. There's a lot of cushioning for a light (mesh upper) shoe.

Look closely and you can see a peek of one of many waterfalls on this hike:

Happy to be here!

Breathtaking views the entire way

As we got higher up, the fog got denser and the temps a bit colder. It was chilly once we got over the mountain (out of the sun) and almost to the lake!

We made it!

Fog cleared just enough to capture the picturesque lake.

Getting some rest & appreciating the beauty we live in.

Wearing the adidas Women TechFit molded cup bra in Blast Purple and the adipure Trainer 360 in Red Zest.

adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals. We inspire women to look and feel their best - be pretty, be tough & be confident.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas.

Miss Wu Fall '13 Premieres at Nordstrom (Interview w/Jason Wu)

Jason Wu's got a new collection exclusively for Nordstrom, and he spent some time with me yesterday to talk Miss Wu and answer a few lifestyle questions as well. But before we get into the interview, a little about what you'll find in various Nordstrom stores and online now. The Miss Wu collection is wrought with beautiful fabrics, bold colors (lots of fuchsia, chartreuse and cobalt blue), exclusive prints (confetti dot, Baroque lace, Ginko leaf and Jason's signature stripe) and impeccable detailing. Ranging from $195 - $995, Miss Wu is a clear nod to the 1960s, with a whimsical nod to the 1970s. There's a black feather evening dress, shearling moto-inspired jacket and red wool military coat that I know will do well here in the Pacific Northwest! 

Jason-Wu-Miss-Wu-Nordstrom

How did you get into fashion design?

I was 9 when I lived in Canada, and I would read my mom's fashion magazines. There was always a lot of inspiration in them. It wasn't one 'Eureka!' moment; I just realized fashion could be a career and it always felt right.

You spent some time growing up in Vancouver. What are your favorite memories about the area?

Vancouver is beautiful. It's so serene. I live in New York City now, and it's so bustling. Vancouver is so peaceful and quiet in comparison. It was a great place to grow up. The food is very good; there's a lot of really good Chinese food as there's a large Chinese population there. I discovered fashion, art, design, and myself there. My mom would take me to antique shows, which we don't have in Taiwan. I got my first sewing machine and learned how to sew in Vancouver. My appreciation for beautiful things definitely grew there.

Jason-Wu-Miss-Wu-Nordstrom

Who inspires you?

My mother has always inspired me. The women I dress as well. Women in general, really! You can see in my work - it's all a celebration of the feminine form and femininity. It's the string that connects the aesthetic from collection to collection.

Tell me about Miss Wu.

The collection really came about organically; it's an extension of my design DNA. It's very reminiscent of my early work. While the Jason Wu collection is heading more femme fatale, Miss Wu is very feminine. Prints, srtipes, full skirt, feathers. I'm very inspired by the women of the '60s: Penelope Tree, Anna Karina. When Nordstrom approached me about an exclusive collection, it was the perfect opportunity to take affinity to that era and those beautiful things.

Jason-Wu-Miss-Wu-Nordstrom

What do you like to do to take a break?

I like to go to the spa; my favorite in New York is Mandarin Oriental. It's very peaceful, quiet and nice. I'm not hard to please! I love going to dinner with my friends. I do that 3-4 times a week. They're my friends I went to high school and college with. In many ways, I designed the Miss Wu collection with my friends. We all grew up together and somehow all ended up in New York. I guess you could say Miss Wu was designed for the girls around me.

Is that you behind your social media?

Yes! I don't do my Facebook page, but it's pretty clear that's run by my team. I send my own tweets and Instagrams. I just did my first Instagram video here today for Miss Wu (watch it here.) It's really fun. I was never good at keeping a diary or taking photos. I'm a very spontaneous person. It's nice to be able to share something in a few seconds. It's like a peek into my world; no filter, very organic. I think it's important to be authentic in that way.

Thank you!

Shop Miss Wu at Nordstrom here.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Raid The Warehouse! Gilt City Warehouse Sale Recap

Four words: Gilt City Warehouse Sale. A huge sale put on by Gilt that pops up in major cities such as San Fran and Boston. Items featured include women's and men's clothing from top brands, shoes, beauty products, home furnishings and much more. Bonus: all items are marked up to 90% off! Heaven for anyone who loves a good deal.

Now, Seattle was never on the map to host the event, but this year that all changed. The Gilt Warehouse Sale finally came to the good ol' Northwest and once I saw the event pop up online I cleared my schedule. Prior to the days leading up to the sale, I decided to educate myself by watching YouTube footage and reading endless reviews of shoppers in other cities. All they did was make me nervous.

On the day of, there were 4 different sessions scheduled for crowd control purposes. I was in the 2nd session with a couple of my girlfriends, and we thought we were in a good position to still snatch up the good stuff. We decided it was a good idea to divide and conquer by taking over one specific category - shoes, bags, clothes. Once we walked in and saw the rows of racks, pile of handbags and the stacks of shoes the plan flew out the window and it was "you're on your own sista!"

This doesn't even capture the madness of the clothing racks.

Total shoe chaos. The ladies were diggin!

The sale takes tons of patience and lots of energy. After a few hours digging through all the goodies, I ended up purchasing just a necklace. Many of the items I fell in love with had been snagged by fellow shoppers, didn't look good on me or were much more than I wanted to spend (ie: $500 dress came down to $150). I walked out of the building with my newest accessory, bottles of Aqua Hydrate, loads of VitaCoco and CocoCafe and an Uber gift card (which I may have been more excited about than my necklace.) Still walked away a happy girl!

My nOir necklake I copped! The neon got me.

My friend's Rag & Bone shoe find! Orig. $500 Sale. $99

If you went to the sale, I'd love to know your thoughts and if you purchased anything!

10 Fashion & Style Instagram Accounts You Must Follow

Nowadays, who doesn’t have an Instagram account? Fashion and style have created a huge presence on the hip social media site and I’m here to show you my top 10 picks for “Instagrammers” that are a must-follow for you fashionistas!

sydney fashion blogger instagram

1) @SydneyFashionBlogger

This Sydney-based stylist and creative producer is one of my favorite Insta-fashion accounts. Although she tends to rock a lot of expensive designer wear, including that Chanel brooch that appears in many of her posts, I love taking inspiration from her “bougie” outfits.

Beyonce Instagram

2) @Beyonce

The famous singer jumped on the Instagram bandwagon fairly late in the game but nonetheless she has an account that I turn to a lot for style tips. I bought a pair of houndstooth print loafers and leather leggings earlier this year because I saw that Beyoncé posted a photo of herself clad in sexy leather leggings and an eclectic pair of loafers.

Sincerely Jules Instagram

3) @SincerelyJules

Julie Sariñana is a fashion blogger and a popular “Instagrammer.” I found her account one day while browsing through some of the photos that made it to the Popular page. I enjoyed her laid-back style and how she puts together sophisticated feminine clothes and accessories with some designer pieces (like that irresistible pair of studded pointy-toed Valentino stilettos she owns!)

jnelv instagram

4) @JNELV

This Insta-famous fashionista has an urban flair to her style and she’s not afraid to take a risk with bold prints and bright colors. I love how she doesn’t try to follow any trends but instead she forges her own personal style with her eccentric clothes, accessories and shoes.

katrinacamille instagram

5) @KatrinaCamille

Another Insta-famous fashionista, Katrina Camille, posts cute and mostly casual ensembles. She spreads the pieces of clothing, the accessories and shoes out on her floor – unlike the majority of Instagrammers who model their #OOTD (outfits of the day).

Jessica Fang Instagram

6) @JessicaFang

This account is for jewelry lovers! She showcases accessories from body chains to stackable rings that you can purchase on her website: mod4rntrend.com.

karrueche instagram

7) @Karrueche

The infamous on-and-off-again girlfriend to R&B singer, Chris Brown, has the best Instagram account if you’re one for streetwear. Karreuche Tran sports clothing from Karmaloop, Dimepiece, Crooks & Castles, and Jeffrey Campbell among many others.

ewat24 instagram

8) @ewat24

The other half of football player, Victor Cruz, has an Instagram account that will have you drooling over her high fashion and designer style. Although her photos don’t typically make it to the Popular page, her everyday ensembles and red carpet gowns are going to wow you.

monicarosestyle instagram

9) @MonicaRoseStyle

The stylist to the Kardashians has created a name for herself by posting pictures of her adorable toddler, Alaia, in miniature versions of outfits that her mom would be dressed in. She also showcases her picks of the latest trends and of course, photos of the Kardashians styled by her.

3.1 Phillip Lim Instagram

10) @31philliplim

The fashion designer has a high-end clothing line but that’s why I love following the Instagram account of 3.1 Phillip Lim! I enjoy looking at pieces from his collections and taking inspiration from them. I saw his embroidered Souvenir Jacket (which looks like a floral bomber jacket) and soon after purchased my own from Crossroads in the U-District.

Who are your favorite fashion and style Instagrammers?

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Courtney Liu is a Hawaii native in the journalism program at the University of Washington. She loves clothes and styling herself and her friends. She hopes to pursue a career in public relations or in the fashion industry.

Find Courtney on  Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Aces Interview: Jen Nausin

What better way to pick up the Aces interview series than with someone as badass as Jen Nausin?

Jen is a marketing consultant and founder of Detaale, Marketing and Events. I met her (in real life as we'd been following each other on Twitter) last year at a startup networking event here in Seattle. I'd just left my job and was trying to navigate the waters of working for myself as a consultant and writer. She was CMO at a lifestyle site. Fast forward a year later and here we are on regular walking dates to discuss those consultant waters, and how they balance with living a healthy, fit and balanced life.

For me, Jen is someone who just gets it. We can talk about be(com)ing business owners, obsessing over and changing every aspect of our respective businesses while sharing ideas, connections and resources. We can also talk about balancing all of that with boundaries for family time, workouts and eating well. I've learned a lot in the short time I've known Jen and am grateful for her unrelenting commitment to doing amazing things.

Jen-Nausin

What's on your playlist right now?

During summer I love having all of the windows open and listening to classic rock favorites like Van Morrison or even some good old 90's jam band stuff by Dave Matthews. If I had to pick just one newer song to listen to on repeat it would be Move by Mausi, it is so great for jamming out on a sunny Seattle summer day.

Describe your style.

I grew up in Chicago and Southern California so my style is definitely influenced by the relaxed style of the beach and the classic styles of the city. I'm into styles that are comfortable, timeless and fun. My wardrobe staples include: lots of premium denim, tons of cozy and colorful scarves, a never ending rotation of white tops, t-shirts and button downs, and heaping handfuls of oversized, handmade or eclectic jewelry. In my most perfect world I would wear the best shoes ever created, Sanuk yoga mat flip flops, every single day.

Who inspires you?

In addition to my family, who inspire me to keep it real at home, I am very inspired by others who are living authentically. A great example of authenticity and vulnerability I've been really aware of recently is artists. I've been thinking so much about how personal art and creativity can be, and how brave, vulnerable and authentic artists are when they share their creative expression with the public. I admire their work, their creativity, their honesty, their vulnerability, and their bravery so so much.

What are you reading?

Well, call me old fashioned, but I’m a huge fan of the library. Currently I’m borrowing: anything and everything by Brene Brown, Disciplined Dreaming by Josh Linkner, Tribes by Seth Godin, and a bunch of poetry books by Mary Oliver. Habit is next on my to-read list (can’t wait to get my hands on it!) and I just was gifted UX for Lean Startups by Laura Klein, which I’m also loving it so far.

What are you most excited about in the coming months? 

Of course, I'm most excited about my marketing consultancy, Detaale. It's a newer project for me and I'm so excited to be helping organizations of all sizes do great things in marketing. I'm also really excited about an event I'm facilitating in August called Urban Campfire. It's an event focused on bringing passionate, career-minded women together for a day of fun, friends, and even a Flashdance dance party, its going to be awesome.

On a more personal note, I'm enrolling in a couple of multi-media art classes and climbing classes this fall and can't wait for the challenge of mastering new physical and creative skills.

Thank you! Find Jen at Detaale.com, on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter at @Jen_Nausin and @Detaale.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.