welcome back kid


REMEMBER THAT TIME I was a style blogger and then didn't post for a year? That did happen. But what really happened is that I moved to Colombia and saved children from a burning building... and then a drowning school bus... and then.... OK. What really happened is that I was working intensely and my time/attention/energy/will-to-blog was zapped.

But now, the kid is back. Welcome.

Love,
JaKenna

jakenna + nike


When all is said and done, we have a lot of living to do. I think it's natural for mid-twenty-somethings to go through mini-mid-twenties-something crises and start with questions. Am I doing the right thing? Is this how I imagined my life to be at this point? Am I working at the right job? Am I happy? Is there enough champagne in my mimosa? But I had a moment during this Nike shoot. I was standing on top of my rooftop, the Manhattan skyline was glimmering in the distance and a crew of the dopest Nike folks in the world worked around me as a photographer snapped pics. Of me? This little mid-western girl. And I realized that I'm making some pretty awesome life decisions. No need for a mid-twenties-something crisis here. I've got plenty of champagne in my mimosa. And lots to celebrate :) Thanks to everyone who made this day as awesome at it was.

Love,
JaKenna

brrrr: vintage sweater + broach


Peek-a-boo. I see you argyle socks and vintage broach :) It's chilly, but you keep me warm.

Remember when I said I was excited to start blogging again? Allll the way back in my last post? I think I'm most excited about the NIke photos about to launch in a few days... Whaaaa did she say Nike? Hells yeah, I did. Hells yeah. Stay tuned.

Love,
JaKenna
Vintage Teal Sweater & Broach
Ralph Lauren Argyle Socks

stylelist + jakenna changing: 1 turtleneck, 6 looks

IS IT CHEESY to say that I almost teared up while reading and clicking through my Stylelist feature? Christina Anderson, the Fashion Editor, writes beautifully and somehow makes me sound... well, like me. Or the me I hope to live up to someday :) And Raydene Salinas takes the most stellar pictures. Thank you both so much, for a fun- and fashion-filled day!

Full Feature: 6 Ways A Turtleneck Crop Top Can Take Your Wardrobe From Summer To Fall

Love,
JaKenna

mango jackets: under $100

I JUST BOOKED a trip to Peru (aaaaahhyayayayy) and I'm moving to Brooklyn in October. Read: I have a very teeny tiny budget for anything fashion/clothes related. So, I went on a mission: Operation Find Fall Jackets That Rock Your Face But Not Your Bank Account. Observe. 3 Mango jackets for day/night/anytimeyouwanttolookawesome.

Gold Hardware Biker Jacket: Pair w/skinny jeans. Zip it up. Exclamation point with bright pumps.
Smoking Suit Jacket in Orange: Matching shorts! I can look like the Kate Moss of oranges!?
Zipper Jacket in White: Resist the urge to zip up. Leave open, pair w/a cobalt blue tank, be happy.

Love,
JaKenna

snoozerloser + jakenna changing















SECRETLY, I'VE ALWAYS wanted to be a witch. From ages 6-11, I was a witch for Halloween. Hocus Pocus might as well play as background music to my life. Sabrina? My role model--wait, you flick your wrist and your room is clean? Jeal.So, when Sonia Tay, the design mind behind SnoozerLoser, asked me to work with her on a witch-themed fall collection, my nose twitched and my mind conjured up the glorious scene of Jack, the pumpkin king, singing to the moon from a curled mountaintop.And in reality, the shoot was more than I could have imagined. Sonia has an incredible eye and her taste for skeleton themed, silk-screened dresses and blouses goes right along my addiction to biological anthropology. Skull, don't be jealous. I'll be posting separate looks of my favorite pieces in the coming weeks. Be on the lookout, my friends :)

jakenna 2.0: topshop + steve madden

SOMETIMES BEING A secret agent spy affects my wardrobe choices. JaKenna! We need you in Bogota to assassinate the world's most deadliest man. ON IT! Oh wait, can I grab my combat boots? My outfit really isn't the same without them and I don't think I can effectively kick with sling back peep toes... This blog post will self destruct in 10 seconds. 

♥
JaKenna
Lace Bustier: Victoria's Secret

graffiti'd love: american apparel chiffon + topshop pleats

YOU'RE TOTALLY THINKING: How the ef did JaKenna paint this entire mural? Oh, you thought I just had the talents in digital communications strategy, style blogging and rocking the synth? Well, you're right. I didn't paint that ish, but isn't it perrrrrrrty!?



But more importantly, isn't this outfit the cutest? The top/skirt are closet staples (remember this and this gem?), but the shoes are new. Hello thrifted Trotters from a flea market in DC. Hello!

♥
JaKenna
Shoes: Trotters

think cool: forever21 skirt + urban outfitters top

THINKING CHILLY THOUGHTS is the only thing getting me through this NYCHEATWAVE. That and the coolhaus ice cream truck... #realtalk.


Sometimes Forever 21 can surprise you. Like when this navy zippered skirt popped out of nowhere and matched perfectly with my polka dot top. Like me + Big Gay Ice Cream or brunch + bloody mary's. Just meant to be.

♥
JaKenna
Shoes: Topshop
Blue Zipper Skirt: Forever21
Polka Dot Top: Urban Outfitters

double take: a little wicked top + cheap monday skirt

I WORE THIS top yesterday. What of it?



And I was all like nu-huh, I love that crop top thiiiiiiiiis much. And she was all like no way, you love that top at least thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much. And I was like, yeah you're probably right.

♥
JaKenna
Red Vintage Crop Top: A Little Wicked
Black Sheer Skirt: Cheap Monday
Flats: Topshop

bright red: a little wicked top + converse kicks

RAISE YOUR HAND if one shirt has ever happily dominated your wardrobe.☝Guilty. 



Play dates. Vintage fashion fun was had. And Sammy Davis, Jess and JaKenna walked away happily every after. Pics from our adventure to come soon...

In the meantime, a bright purchase from the aforementioned adventure, was this crop top. I love it so much, I'm posting it twice. Tomorrow, you'll see the same top in a different look. Because. I have a wardrobe that is not Carrie Bradshaw's and I wear things more than once :)

♥
JaKenna
Red Floral Crop Top: A Little Wicked
Shoes: Converse

fine. i'll jump on the bustier train. thanks topshop.



AT FIRST, I was resistant. I thought: is this a trend for teenage hippie wannabes who I excitedly avoided at Coachella? For the wanderlust youth who think skinny straps are flattering? And then... Topshop lured me in. And I thought to myself: Deep down inside, am I a teenage hippie wannabe? Am I a wanderlust youth?

The answer is decidedly NO. BUT, give me a pair of high waisted jorts/jeans and maybe... just maybe, I'll be one someday. Or at least an awesomer, successful-er, more grown up-er version. And who am I kidding, wanderlusting is fun.

✌
JaKenna

naughty nun: topshop dress + american apparel chiffon

NAUGHTY.NUN. I mean, right? Black on black on black WITH SKULLS! Somewhere my mother is quietly muttering, Oh Child. 




You might be thinking, good bejesus it's too hot to wear all that black. You have a valid point. But I shall say that these doubled-up blacks are both sheer and therefore, both breezy. Plus, I'm wearing this TONIGHT, when the sun is set, the moon is risen and the summer night is perfect. Duh.

So, in conclusion: BE BOLD. WEAR BLACK. IN THE SUMMER. DON'T WORRY. THERE WILL BE. PLENTY OF TIMES. TO WEAR. COLOR.

♥
JaKenna
(jesus TS, what kind of name is that?)

rocknrolla: american apparel chiffon + topshop jeans

BLACK STUDDED BOOTS. Check. Black shirt. Check. Black pants. Check. Actually they're Navy... but dah-ha! Black & white pictures win again.





RocknRolla Status. Achieved.

Anyone who has seen me during the last 30 days has seen this outfit no less than 28 times. Truth. You won't see me in it tomorrow, though. False.

AND since there are SO MANY American Apparel button-up colors to choose from, you may see a variation of this look as we leap gleefully into Summer. I just want to remain as honest as possible about that :)

Dusty Violet! Tiffany! Grenadine! Oh My!

♥
JaKenna
Boots: TopShop

one shirt, one love: american apparel chiffon button-up

AFTER "TAKING THE month of April off from blogging" (read: working like a crazy person/kicking serious a-town at my new job), I'm back! Staying up to write blog posts is wayyyyy better than sleeping. I'm so excited! I'm so excited! I'm. So. Scared. Thanks for that Jesse Spano. 

Moving along...

My upcoming posts will feature this simple, American Apparel chiffon button-up worn in a variety of ways. Why? Because I often look at my overflowing closet and like many of you, scream: UUGGGHHHH I HAVE NOTHING TO WEARRRR! But I do. We all do. We just need a little creativity to help us through the hard times.

Quick accessories breakdown!
Ring: Gifted from my secret neighborhood store. Sssshhhh :)
Shoes: Marni. I LOVE THEM. And now you do, too. The peep of purple sets my heart ablaze.
Sparkly Tie: C'mon. You know why.

♥
JaKenna
Chiffon Oversized Button-Up: American Apparel
Lace Skirt: Urban Outfitters
Knee High Socks: Zara
Platforms: Marni
Ring: Gifted from my secret neighborhood store :)

kickin' it casual: men's plaid uniqlo shirt

ONCE AGAIN, I'M going to gush over the photos from my shoot w/ Max Bernetz. Just lovely.

Y'all know that I like to dress like a tomboy. Exhibits A and B.
Y'all also know that I occasionally steal borrow boys' clothing to wear in my erry day life. Exhibits C and D.

This plaid Uniqlo shirt is not only stolen borrowed from a boy, but it's comfy as all hell and I can't stop wearing it. I'm wearing it right now. And I'll be wearing it tomorrow. TRUST.

♥
JaKenna

the navy series: zara striped blouse + knee high socks

IT TOOK ME a sec to figure out the best way to wear this Navy Zara striped blouse, but shaazzaaaaa I did it! And now I want to wear this outfit overandoverandover again. #DONTJUDGEME. Let's welcome this outfit to The Navy Series.

Special SHOUT to the one and only RenaReborn, where I never fail to find one-of-a-kind jewels. Like you don't love this piece. Psh.

Red Pea Coat: Forever 21
Striped Blouse + Knee High Socks: Zara
Lace Skirt: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: RenaReborn
Belt: TopShop
♥
JaKenna

jakenna & max: american apparel sheer + zara knee highs

FINALLY! PICS FROM my shoot with my favorite not-to-mention-handsome photographer, Max Bernetz, are trickling in.

Oh, hey old friend old dear old pal, American Apparel sheer shirt! Oh how I need love you. I keep finding new ways to wear this while secretly cursing past-JaKenna for not buying one in every damn color. Paired with these Zara knee high socks, and you've got one naughty very well-behaved school girl...

Sheer Shirt: American Apparel (also seen here and here!)
Pleated Shorts: Forever 21
Belt: Vintage! Christian Dior
Shoes: TopShop
♥
JaKenna

where's waldo: zara red striped sweater

LATELY I'VE BEEN choosing one piece to build from. This time, the Zara red striped sweater jumped from my closet and I felt compelled to pair it w/my sheer American Apparel top for a nerdtastic Where's Waldo getup. You love it.

Actually it didn't feel quite Where's Waldo until I added my Barton Perreira specs. And yes, they're prescription. Seriously, I can't see for ish.
Instagram makes everything cooler.

Red Striped Sweater: Zara
Sheer Collared Shirt: American Apparel
Blazer: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind
Boots: Vintage!
♥
JaKenna

holy jeans! topshop jeans + madewell shirt +urban outfitters leather jacket

FULL DISCLOSURE: THESE jeans did not come with holes, they created themselves. Why? Because I wear stuff. And I wear stuff I like... A LOT. Alas, they now serve 2 purposes:

1) Strategically placed air-conditioning vents now provide much needed circulation. We walk a lot in NYC and it's natural to sweat. IT IS.

B) 90's grunge holy jeans and plaid shirt + 80's hair band rocker curls strangely = 2011 NYC gal. You do the math.

And S/O to the cropped leather jacket! The Urban Outfitters sale rack will forever have a place in my heart for this one. You + Me = Us. 


Leather Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Plaid Shirt: Madewell
Jeans: Topshop
♥
JaKenna