ALLY MANN LIGHTS up a room. She's brighter than her orange blouse, funnier than 80% of the people I know and has a style that combines her Mid-West sensibility + DC practicality + NYC risk taking ability. What's not to love?

Where did you get your look?

Top: J Crew

Pants: Zara

Platforms: Forever21

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Gifted

Glasses: Warby Parker

Ring: Jeweler in Belfast, UK

Bracelets: An Athens street market

What drew you to your outfit?

I needed an outfit that could take me straight from the office to an event.

What is your favorite part?

The statement collar necklace. It was a gift from my wonderful roommate and it adds a little sparkle to my outfit… and my cubicle!

What is your strength?

My outgoingness and approachability.

Your vice?

Reality TV. The trashier the better. I’ve definitely vegged on the weekends and blown through seasons of Russian Dolls and Mob Wives… yes those are real shows.

Your resolution for tomorrow?

Prioritize and be productive.

What are you reading right now?

Brad Goreski’s autobiography, “Born to Be Brad.”

What is your favorite quality in a person?

Humor, easy going-ness and a sense of adventure.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Istanbul is next on my to-do list!

Your favorite album of all-time is...

Nevermind by Nirvana

The lost song you played on your iPod was…

Pirate in the Water by Santigold. I saw her live at Coachella this year – obsessed.

What is on your nightstand?

My iPad2, perfume and nail polish collection, Elizabeth Taylor’s “My Love of Jewelry" and a lot of dust.

Beach or ski weekend?

Beach. Hands down. I’ve never skied in my life. After growing up with Chicago winters, I don’t pay for cold weather.

Your drink of choice is…

I’m a tequila girl.

Your current beauty product addiction is…

Maybelline Baby Lips

What makes you a Stylish Bird?

Not keeping my personal style contained to a label or category; having the confidence to wear things that might make others pause; embracing colors and textures

Lover her! Lover her even more: @AllyMann

Jess is kickin' off my new Stylish Bird series, featuring the birds in my life and the birds I meet on the streets of NYC... So, without further ado:

JESS.IS.A.BADASS. And, she's a friend who will (at any time of day/night) hop in a cab and meet you for a shot of whiskey, help you move into a new apt, whisk you away to FIT for a Daphne Guinness exhibit and tell you which books you should be reading. In short, she's a keeper.

Where are the items in your outfit from?

Jacket & Dress, Necessary Clothing

Belt & bracelet, Flea Market

Embellished Ring, Forever 21

Boots, Steve Madden

Scarf, H&M

Bag, Vintage Guy Laroche

What is your favorite part of this outfit?

Well, I love leather and I was searching for a cropped leather jacket. It happened to appear in my face. Literally. I took it as a sign, so I bought it. The dress is lace and has an asymmetrical hemline. It also dances in the wind. Need I say more?

Please!

It really grabs your attention and the way the dress flows is just supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (holy crap I spelled that correctly without Google-ing). It’s perfect for summer, but I had to break it out on a 60 degree day in January.

Who is your style icon?

There’s no one I specifically look up to. My style is derived from a mélange of New Yorkers and everything around me. In a sense, NYC is my style icon. Nothing says sexy & stylish like the Chrysler building.

Your current beauty product addiction is...

Buxom Lip Tarnish in “Scandal” - My lips feel tingly and plump.

The last song played on your iPod was…

Ben L’Oncle Soul – Come Home

What is your earliest memory?

I remember the day my newborn baby brother came home from the hospital and I got to hold him for the first time. Le sigh.

The best piece of advice you’ve ever received is…

My dad always told me to look for the best in people, even when I didn’t like them. It would make me a happier person.

If you spent an entire day with your friends, what would you do?

Eat. Walk. Drink. Shop. Explore. Eat. Drink. Play.

What is your favorite quality in a man? In a woman?

Humor. You have to be some kind of funny for us to get along.

What makes you a Stylish Bird?

You can’t find real birds in NYC (Note: pigeons don’t count), so when you do you’re pleasantly surprised. I just happen to wear clothes that make people notice me every now and then. I hope you were pleasantly surprised. Tweet.

Don't you lover her? Follow Jess on Twitter and Tumblr to lover her even more.

♥

JaKenna

stylish bird: ally

stylish bird: jess