Later this month, I’ve been asked to style a photo shoot for Dioptics Sunwear.  It’s my first official stylist gig, and I couldn’t be more excited! (Big thanks to my friend Jackie for passing along my name.)

From now until the end of February, I’ll be perusing my favorite blogs and compiling outfits that I think will be appropriate for the shoot locations–one of which is the beautiful, made-for-photos Robert Hall Winery–and thanks to the magic of technology, you can follow along.

I’ve created two boards on Pinterest (one here and one here) that you can follow to see all the outfits I’m putting together for the shoots.  Here are a few of my favorite outfits that I’ve found so far for the mass market shoot.  The thing I love about these ensembles is that you can mix and match the pieces in every look.  Sidenote: Lots of capri pants in these photos, so don’t forget my capri pant recommendation for the vertically challenged.

Beginning Thursday night, my life was a series of picture perfect moments, starting with a charity event at my favorite spa (where I left with multiple pieces from Heather Gardner’s jewelry line)  and ending with an adorable backyard birthday party for a friend’s little boy. (In case you couldn’t tell from the photo above, my friend who threw her son a birthday party is the same one I threw my friend Valery’s shower with. I know. Her decorating style is to die for.)

In between events, I managed to fit in a date night with Hubs, a long run on the beach and some time to relax and catch up on some reading.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from the past few days.

A close up of my date night ensemble.  The denim jacket dates back 11 years to my senior year of high school and the jewelry is some of my new stuff from Heather Gardner, including the Triple Layer Petite Crystal Ethiopian Necklace and the Petite Swarovski Crystal Necklace.

Hubs has no idea that I took this photo.  Isn’t he cute? In case you’re wondering, I’m using an app called pixlr o’matic for these photo.  It’s available on the Apple AND Android market and has a few cool features that instagram doesn’t.

Hubs and I took dessert to go on date night and were pleasantly surprised to find that Tahoe Joe’s Ski Jump Chocolate Cake comes with it’s very own ski bunny.

And yes, in case you’re wondering, there is more to tell about my weekend.

]]> http://thestylegeek.com/stylish-living/coastal-glam-001176/feed/ 0 http://thestylegeek.com/fashion/on-track-001172/ http://thestylegeek.com/fashion/on-track-001172/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:56:21 +0000 Jenn Prentice http://thestylegeek.com/?p=1172

Ok. While the pictures may indicate that I’m on the tracks, I’m really on the fence (see what I did there?) about this outfit.  I like the shoes (Nine West-on sale here) with the jeans (Miss Me) and I like the top (Forever 21. Similar here.) and the blazer (Target. Similar here.) separately; but when you put it all together, it seems to give off this weird cowgirl meets businesswoman vibe that was not exactly what I was going for.  (The train only adds to the Wild West feel, methinks.)

I don’t know. What do you all think about this outfit? Good together or better as separates?

Boundaries.  In case you were wondering, I have none.  I honestly can’t remember the last time I said no to something.

I say yes to everything. I accept every invitation.  I volunteer when asked. I work extra hours.  Until something overlaps.  Like the jewelry party I RSVP-ed to this weekend and then forgot to back out of after I discovered I had a work conflict (yes, a work conflict on a Friday night). Or, I go until I have a personal implosion, which usually ends with an emotional explosion on poor Hubs.  The explosion sounds a lot like this:

Me: I’m just so stressed right now.

Hubs: Why?

Me: I’ve go to do (insert long lists of items here) on top of work and nevermind any personal things I might want to do for myself (like blogging), there’s never any time for those.

Hubs: Why did you say yes to (insert long list of items I just rattled off here)?

Me: Because I would feel guilty if I said no.

And there it is. Guilt: the root of my lack of boundaries and the cause of my current stress. Even as I type this, I feel overwhelmed by all the things I’ve told people I would do, yet I feel guilty that I’m not doing more.  I always feel that I could be doing more.  And more always comes at the expense of me.

So why am I telling you all of this? I’m sharing this because to the outside observer of this blog, I’m sure my life looks pretty charmed.  And let’s be honest, I have had some amazing experiences in the two and a half years since I’ve started The Style Geek, but I’ve also had some less than stellar moments–some that I chose to share and some that I did not.  The impetus for wanting to start a series called The Style Geek In Real Life (TSGIRL, which I mentioned last week) is to demonstrate to those of you reading my blog or any of the other fabulously curated lives available online, that sometimes we as bloggers paint a picture of our existence that is far rosier than the reality.

Here’s how this is gonna work.  True to its original intent, The Style Geek will begin to focus exclusively on fashion and technology related content (not much of a switch from what you’re already seeing).  Peppered throughout most of my posts, however, you’ll find links to posts on my new blog jennprentice.com that will give you a behind-the-scenes look at that particular event, day or week in my life.  Jennprentice.com will also become a hub for the long form content I often shy away from sharing on here.  In other words, The Style Geek will be a place to share the glam; jennprentice.com will be where I share my heart.

Like her post about the macarons, all of Emily’s other posts indicate that her life is pretty close to perfect (or at least it looks that way in pictures).  As if Hollywood wasn’t bad enough, social media and the blogosphere has given us girls a whole slew of women to compare ourselves–and feel inferior–to.  While I don’t doubt that many of the ladies who put their lives online each day do lead a fabulous existence, the truth is that all of our lives (celebrities, bloggers and social media mavens included) often look a little more like MY macarons: sticky, difficult and kind of a disaster.

Unfortunately, many of us fail to remind ourselves of that aforementioned truth as we look at the fabulous outfits, careers, families, houses, etc that so many of our favorite personalities–or even some of our closest friends–put on display online.  I mean, seriously, how often have you navigated away from a blog or even just logged off of Facebook feeling discontent because at least 10 other people are leading a life that is far more fabulous than yours? It’s a vicious cycle, and it has to stop.

So, in an attempt to expose just how much your favorite bloggers and Facebook friends aren’t telling you about their life, I’ll be launching a new series called The Style Geek In Real Life (otherwise known as TSGIRL).  Starting next week, I’ll be sharing some of the more glamorous moments of my daily life with all of you on this blog and then linking to the TSGIRL version of that moment on my other blog, JennPrentice.com.  (Yes, that means I’ll finally get to start blogging over there too.) This series will be part of a larger movement I’ll be starting to encourage all of you to “Live Counterculturally” in 2012.  (More details about that to follow on Monday as well.)

If nothing else, I hope that my TSGIRL posts serve as a reminder to all of you that no matter what it might look like from the outside, no one’s life is perfect.  But like my salted caramel macarons, sometimes the sweetest moments in life lie in our greatest failures.

I just returned from spending the week in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). I’ll post some of the links to my coverage of the event tomorrow, but right now, I’m suffering from nerd overload and wanted to treat myself to a little fashion indulgence. Before I took off for CES, the lovely and talented Melissa Jean took a few photos of me in one my favorite business trip outfits.  The jacket ( which I actually wore it quite a bit while in Vegas on business last year) paired with the dress and boots seem to say to me: “I’m sophisticated and professional yet able to have a good time.”  And the scarf, well, depending on your knowledge of designer brands, it either says “I love Scotland” or “My scarf is cooler than yours.”  Also, I should give a shout-out to Kenneth Cole for making these awesomely comfortable boots.  I’ve had them for a few years, so they are super worn in (read: scuffed up) and they got me through the miles and miles of walking I had to do in Vegas.

Urban Outfitters Jacket. Similar here.

Dress: Unknown (sorry, Style Geekers)

Kenneth Cole Boots. Similar (and less expensive!) here.

Burberry Scarf.

]]> http://thestylegeek.com/fashion/ces-style-001137/feed/ 0 http://thestylegeek.com/fashion/2012-resolution-wear-pants-that-fit-001120/ http://thestylegeek.com/fashion/2012-resolution-wear-pants-that-fit-001120/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:38 +0000 Jenn Prentice http://thestylegeek.com/?p=1120 I won’t lie, I’m kind of embarrassed to make this post.  As some of you may or may not know, I lost about 15-20 pounds (depending on what time of the month it is) about three years ago.  By God’s grace, I’ve kept the weight off; but I still have–and still wear–some of the clothes from my heavier days.  The other day, I had my photo-taking-sidekick Melissa take a few pics of me in some pants that I thought looked too big, but wasn’t sure.

The result? Well, it’s worse than I thought.  Lest you think I’m exaggerating, I’ve posted some photos of me in a fuchsia top and the too-big pants and then some photos of me in a similar top and some form fitting pants.  I think these pics will make it very clear why one my New Year’s Resolutions will be to wear pants that fit.

Look at those thunder thighs!

Much better

Oh, and that beautiful brown bag I’m holding in the photo above? That’s Big Michael. The best investment I’ve ever made. And since the shirt I’m wearing is from WALMART (yes, you read that right), I could afford that investment.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing out different tablets in order to figure out which one to ask Santa for for Christmas this year.  I’ve gotten hands on with the Amazon Kindle Fire, iPad 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Nook Tablet.  I’ve made videos about my experience with the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet and I’ve even come up with a theory about what people’s tablet choice says about them.

Ultimately, I decided to add a Kindle Fire to my wish list.  It’s small, easy to use and gives me instant access to thousands of movies, tv shows, books and games.  You can check out my complete comparison on the Experts Exchange Tech News Blog or see which tablet matches your personality on Business Insider.

For years, I’ve struggled with acne, an oily t-zone and foundation that just doesn’t match my skin tone; so when I find products that work for me, I stick with them.  After years of experimenting to try to find the right skin care and makeup products, I’ve finally found a few I can’t live without.  Here’s my list of favorites for the face:

Makeup-

Almay Intense I-Color Eye Liner- Glides on silky smooth and comes in a variety of colors that match Almay’s Intense I-Color Eye Shadows (another one of my faves).  If you have brown eyes like me and you’re feeling really adventurous, try the purple amethyst eyeliner and corresponding shadows.  So pretty!

Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation- Not too heavy, not too light.  It’s truly juuuusssstttt right.

Youngblood Mascara- This is a mineral mascara that takes lashes to new lengths.

Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush- The sherbet color gives just the right amount of tint to your cheeks.  (Geez, I’m starting to sound like Goldilocks here!)

Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder- Rids your face of shine with just a few brush strokes.

Skin Care-

Ponds Cold Cream Makeup Remover- There’s a reason this has been around since my grandmother was my age.  Nothing removes makeup better.

Mary Kay Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser- You can do away with the astringent and the moisturizer.  This one bottle does it all.

Mary Kay Timewise Day/Night Solution- While the 3-in-1 cleanser really can be all that you use, I’ve noticed a few laugh lines lately and need all the moisturizing I can get.  Depending on the time of day, I apply the proper solution and couple it with the Age Fighting Moisturizer for added hydration.

Mary Kay Timewise Firming Eye Cream/Eye Revitalizer- The one place I’ve noticed lines the most is around my eyes.  The firming cream works overnight to get rid of wrinkles and the revitalizer goes on in the morning to decrease puffiness and dark circles.

Seriously, pretty much all of these products have changed my life–or at least my skin; so if you’re pulling your hair out over acne or you aren’t satisfied with the way your makeup looks, I’d suggest giving these products a try.

If you want a few more specifics about the Youngblood products, you can contact Linda over at Starbrows or if you want some details on the Mary Kay stuff, contact Erica Munger at ericam (at) marykay (dot) com.