Bold Pattern Dress: Jade & White

Hi friends –

I hope your week is going well. Patterns are in, be it squares, lines, polka dots, of graphics, they are everywhere. I usually wear sold colors, mostly because they look better on camera. On a personal basis, I prefer solids because I like sleek lines and classic styles. Plus they can be easier to mix and match, and make one look slimmer. Having said that, I have been incorporating more patterns into my wardrobe and having fun with it!

This dress is fun to wear – and probably one of the pieces with the boldest patterns in my closet! I can match it with different styles of shoes & jewelry, which is always a plus. In winter, I can wear it in with boots, or tights and booties.

The dress came with a wrap around belt made of the same material. For this look, I changed it up by adding a white belt, jade jewelry, & pewter heels.

Hope you like the look!

Do you have dresses with bold patterns? Or, do you wear solid colors more often?

Hugs,

Paola

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Dress: Kohl’s; Shoes: Coach, Macy’s; Belt: Ann Taylor; Necklace: Tiffany & Co; Earrings: Jade & Silver, Lolita’s Creations; Ring: Macy’s Fine Jewelry; Bracelets: jade (purchase d on vacation in China)

Photos by: Lola Raggio

Jazzing Up the Black Jacket

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Hi friends,

Black is one of my favorite colors to wear! It is easy to match an goes with practically everything…and, it’s slimming! Black never goes out of style, plus you can wear it year round. My closet includes at least one item in black for each category: shoes, sandals, boots, tennis shoes, belts, scarves, pashminas, gloves, hats, jewelry, and of course all types of clothing and undergarments! I have lots of black pants, skirts, and cardigan sweaters (I take one of them practically on every trip). The most common shoe color in my closet is black. My favorite jacket is a black leather one. So, you get the idea….I love wearing black!

The jacket I am wearing in this outfit is part of a suit, it comes with a black skirt. I decided to jazz it up by mixing it up with red tapered pants, a leopard belt, and a bold gold necklace! The red pants lighten up the outfit and add color to it! Since the jacket is 3/4 length, I wore heels to elongate my legs. I like how the red stitching on the jacket adds a special touch of uniqueness. I wore this outfit to work and a theater performance in the evening. It was so comfortable & fun to wear!

Hope you like the look!

Do you have black clothing & accessories? How do you match them? Do you have a favorite item in black in your closet?

Let’s stay connected – I post almost daily on Facebook:Paola Hernandez-Jiao: Latina Life And Style, hope to see you there as well! Leave your comments or let me know what other looks you’d like to see or topics you’d like me to cover.

Hugs,

Paola

DSCN8911 DSCN8923The outfit can be worn with the jacket closed.

DSCN8945 2Or, with the jacket open, which is how I chose to wear it during the day.

DSCN8931 DSCN8962 DSCN8963The leopard belts adds an additional touch of style to the outfit, don’t you think? I wear this belt often, it was definitely a good purchase!

Jacket: Kasper (Macy’s); Pants: Calvin Klein (Macy’s); Tank Top: Zara; Shoes: Nine West; Belt: Ann Taylor; Necklace: Forever21; Jewelry/Gold Necklace: Lolita’s Designs; Bracelets: Coach & Forever21

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The Vest Suit

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Hi friends,

Before I worked in the television industry, I worked at city hall and in politics. In those positions, I used to wear suits everyday. So, I have quite a few suits in my closet. In part, it was easier to wear a suit everyday because I just chose one from the closet and matched the blouse, shoes and necklace. It was a more conservative work environment and I dressed the part. Plus, back then I was younger than everyone in the room (by 10 – 20 years), so I thought suits made me look older and more professional.

Now, I work in the television industry and can be more creative with my outfits, and sometimes wear business casual attire. It’s fun, but sometimes it takes more time to select my outfit for the day, and decide what I will mix and match. I seldomly wear two piece suits, let alone three piece suits. I do wear my suit jackets, but match them with other skirts or pants. Since the weather has been chilly, I have been pulling out some of my suits. Luckily, they still fit, ha!

I pulled this three piece, brown pin stripe suit from the closet and decided to find a fun way to match it. I matched it with a bright green pin striped collared shirt from H&M. Years ago, I would wear it with a white or pink shirt, now I am experimenting more with bright colors and contrasts. I like the look and felt more dressed up than usual for work, yet stylish because of the bright green shirt and I only wore the vest throughout the day, not the jacket.

I matched it with green heels, these are beauties, and gold tone accessories. The hair style is an updo, to enhance the shirt collar 😉

So, if you buy suits, try to buy the best quality your wallet will permit and a basic style, trust me, you will be able to wear them for years. And, if you have suits in the closet you haven’t worn in a while, pull them out, and mix and match them with fun tops, belts and accessories….let your personal style shine through!

Hope you like the look!

Do you wear suits often? How do you mix and match your suits to make your personal style shine?

Hugs,

Paola

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Suit: Jones New York ; Shirt: H&M; Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger (got them at Macy’s); Necklace: Forever21; Bracelets: Coach (gold tone), others Forever21

Photos by: Lola Raggio

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Leopard Inspiration

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Sometimes, there are fashions that are new or come back that I am just not too crazy about, or I feel are just not for me. The leopard print is one of them. I like it, but in moderation. I have a few leopard scarves, belts, and shoes, but that is about it. This is my first leopard blouse! Can you believe it?

I’ve seen leopard clothing and accessories everywhere and like how it looks on others, it just seems a bit much for me. I tend to lean more towards classic styles and solids, with a touch or two of print (nothing too crazy on the print either). Maybe it is because I work in the television industry and solids look better on-air, or maybe because I know for the most part that solids make one look thinner (unless you wear certain stripes that give the illusion of being thinner). I do like seeing leopard prints on other women. In my opinion, it is beautiful and bold if you accessorize it correctly and don’t over do it. Just a touch of leopard print, maybe a purse, shoes, belt, scarf, and either the skirt, pants or blouse (not everything together at once though, in my opinion).

A few weeks ago, I was out shopping with Lola after one of our speed walks downtown and bought this blouse. I liked the print and particularly that it is easy to care for since it is a polyester blend (dry cleaning and ironing are not required). Lola also liked it and that convinced me to go out of my comfort zone and buy it. To keep it simple, I wore it with a black skirt and accessorized it with a gold necklace.

Recently, during a visit to my hair dresser, she was wearing a short black skirt with booties, she looked stylish and classy. After about an hour, I noticed she was wearing black pantyhose. That is probably what made her whole outfit look classy for work, versus sexy (which is fine if that is the look she was going for – and could easily change into after work for a “night out” look). So, I decided to wear my booties and black pantyhose with this outfit.

I felt like a million bucks that day, stylish, yet not too over the top in leopard print.

What is your opinion on wearing leopard print? Do you own any leopard print items? What are they? How do you match and accessorize them?

Hugs,

Paola

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Blouse: Forever21; Skirt: Ann Taylor; Belt: Versace; Booties: Nine West; Necklace: Forever21; Bracelets: Coach & Forever21

ESPANOL

Aveces hay modas nuevas o que regresan las cuales no me enloquecen, o simplemente siento que no son para mi. El estampado de leopardo es uno de ellos. Me gusta, pero en moderación. Tengo algunos artículos con estampado de leopardo, como mascadas y cintos, pero nada mas. Esta es mi primer blusa con estampado de leopardo! Lo pueden creer?

Veo el estampado de leopardo en todos lados y me gusta como se ve, solo que me parece mucho estampado para mi. Yo tiendo a usar mas los estilos clásicos y sin estampado, quizás con un toque o detalle de estampado, pero mas bien uso colores sólidos. Quizás sea porque trabajo en la industria de la televisión y los colores sólidos son mejores para grabaciones, o quizás porque se que los colores sólidos hacen que uno se vea mas delgado. Si me gusta ver ropa con estampado de leopardo en otras mujeres, es bonito y fuerte a la vez, si lo combinas adecuadamente, sin los excesos. Quizás solo un toque de estampado de leopardo, quizás la bolsa, zapatos, una mascada, cinto, o ya sea una falda o blusa, pero no todo junto a la misma vez.

Hace unas semanas andaba de compras y me medí esta blusa. Me gusto el tamaño del estampado y que el material es facil de cuidar ya que es una combinación con poliéster (que no requiere de limpiaduria o mucho planchado). Aunque este estampado no es mi estilo normal, decidi salir de mi zona de costumbre y la compre! Para mantener el estilo sencillo y no caer en el exceso, me combine la blusa con una falda negra y accesorios dorados.

Recientemente, durante una visita a mi estilista, ella traía puesta una fada negra corta con botinas, se veía moderna y con estilo. Después de como una hora, note que traía puestas unas pantimedias negras. Las pantimedias hacían que su atuendo se viera apropiado para el trabajo, en lugar de verse demasiado sexy. No tiene nada de malo verse sexy, si ese es el estilo que ella estaba procurando, pero se que esa no era el propósito para su atuendo. Tenia anos que yo no usaba pantimedias, pero decidí ponermelas  con las botinas para este atuendo.

Me sentí muy cómoda con este atuendo, moderna y con estilo!

Que te parece este atuendo? Cual es tu opinión sobre el estampado de leopardo? Tienes artículos con este estampado? Cuales son, zapatos o ropa? Como los combinas?

Un abrazo,

Paola

Diagonal Green

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Hi friends,

Hope your week got off to a good start! This week started a little different because I had in interview to host & produce. Most of my shoots are held on Tuesday through Thursday, every once in a while we will shoot on a Friday. Our production crew prefers not to shoot on Mondays because we have multiple meetings at the start of the week and it is also a planning day for them. They also say that when we have a shoot on Monday morning, they spend part of their weekend thinking about the shoot. Hence, it takes some mental time away from enjoying their weekend with family. I agree, the same thing happens to me, but I am still ok with shooting on Mondays.

Anyway, to the outfit. My sister gave me this cute cardigan as one of my Christmas gifts and I still hadn’t worn it. It is so soft & comfortable to wear! Since winter is coming to an end, I decided to wear the sweater before the weather gets too warm. I wore it with a green skirt. To contrast, break the color, and add light, I wore a white tank top underneath and a white belt. I accessorized it with silver, to match the belt buckle. I received many compliments throughout my day, which is always nice!

The skirt seems to be stretching out & feels loose, so I may have to take it to the taylor soon.

Hope you like the look!

Do you have a bright colored skirt? How would you have matched the cardigan? I may also wear it with jeans, navy slacks, or white pants for a more casual look. I did consider wearing it with a red skirt…I may have to try that.

Best wishes for a great week! Make it a good one!

Hugs,

Paola

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The weather got a bit warm during the day, so I simply wore the cardigan over my shoulders. I was wearing a smaller white tank top under the white top, to ensure it was thick enough – don’t want any see throughs 😉

DSCN8343Another lis to wear the cardigan over the shoulders and only button the top button.

DSCN8363It isn’t very visible here – I wear small clear rubber bands (for hair) over the end of the belt, to hold  it in place and avoid the flap from being loose. It is challenging to find belts that fit around the waist, so I purchased a belt hole puncher and it works wonders! A very useful item!

Here’s how I wore it on the set for today’s interviews:

jessica paola on set

jessica paola front large screen on setCardigan: Merona, Target; Skirt, JCPenney (purchased in San Francisco); Top: Banana Republic; Tank Top: Forever 21 (worn under top);  Shoes: Bebe; Belt: Target; Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.

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Favorite “Go To” Floral Top

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We all have what is called a “go to” item in our closet, be it a dress, suit, skirt, top, jeans…an item we know will not let us down. I have multiple “go to” items! This one shoulder, floral blouse is on of them. I bought it for a trip to Miami. Then, I wore it in Las Vegas for dinner with friends (with other couple’s), to emcee and do the Ribbon Cutting at the Grand Opening of restaurant at Westfield Mission Valley, for my hubby’s birthday party, and recently to a baptism. I was close to wearing it to this year’s Mana de San Diego Brindis Gala, but chose to wear a black dress instead (which has recently been added to the “go to” list). I like that I can wear the top with a mini skirt or capris for a Miami brunch on the beach look, or dress it up with slacks or a skirt and heels for a dressier look. It is also good for a day or night look, by changing  the accessories, purse, and shoes! Plus, because of the materials, it is easy to wash at home & doesn’t require ironing (which also makes it a good item for traveling)! That is music to my ears! This how I matched it…to wear to the baptism! What is your favorite “go to” item?

Hugs,

Paola

Todas tenemos artículos en nuestro closet que nos encantan, artículos que sabemos “no nos fallas”, ya sean unos jeans, falda, vestido, o blusa. Yo tengo varios artículos que “no me fallan.” Esta blusa de un hombro es uno de estos artículos. La compre para un viaje a Miami. Despues, me la puse para una cena con otras parejas (amistades) en Las Vagas, para hacer el corte de listón y participar como maestra de ceremonia de la apertura de restaurante en Westfield Mission Valley, la fiesta de cumpleaños de mi marido, y recientemente para ir a un bautizo. Casi me la pongo para la recepcion de Brindis de Mana de San Diego, pero decidi ponerme un vestidito negro (que ya agregue a la lista de articulos de ropa que no me fallan). Me gusta que me puedo poner la blusa con una mimi falda o capris como un look mas casual para un desayuno junto a la playa en Miami. O puedo cominnarla con una falda o pantalones, tacones y cambio de bolsa y accesorios para un look mas formal durante el dia o la noche. Y debido al material es facil lavarla en casa y no requiere de plancha (asi que tambien es practica para viajes)! Esto me encanta! Asi es como me la combine para el bautizo recientemente. Cual es tu articulo “que no te falla” favorito?

Un abrazo,

Paola

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Blouse/Blusa: Forever 21; Shirt/Falda: Nordstrom; Shoes/Zapatos: Cathy Jean; Purse/Bolsa: Coach; Bracelet/Pulsera: Bought in New York at shop on 5th Ave (I’ve had it for a while)

HOW I WORE IT FOR OTHER EVENTS:

Emceeing a Quinceanera Expo Runway Show – it was in North County San Diego, in August, the weather was so hot, this blouse was light & perfect for the occasion!

Participando como maestra de ceremonia de la Pasarela de Quinceanera Expo – fue en el Norte del Condado de San Diego, en Agosto y estaba haciendo muchisimo calor, esta blusa es ligera y fue perfecta para la ocacion!

quince expo emcee hot summer day mic in hand quince expo emcee hot summer day

I was the emcee and had the honor of doing the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Grand Opening of Tora Restaurant at Westfield Mission Valley. Photographed with my colleagues from the television station, Azteca San Diego, Marketing Director at Westfield Mission Valley, staff at Tora Restaurant, and guests.

Como maestra de ceremonia y tuve el honor de hacer el Corte de Liston para la Apertura del Restaurante Tora en Westfield Mission Valley. Fotografia con mis companeros de la televisora, Azteca San Diego, el Director de Mercadotecnia de Westfield Mission Valley, personal del Restaurante Tora, e invitados.

floral blouse tora restaurant javoer claudia tony paola pic floral blouse group pic fam tony weiters tora rest miss valley

 

 

Kaleidoscope

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This dress reminds me of a kaleidoscope because of the beautiful variety of colors it has & the pattern! The skirt has flow to it, making it fun to wear, and of course, sticking with dresses that flatter my body type, it is v-neck and fitted at the waist 😉 I wore it to work with a business jacket and in the evening to attend the Opening Night of the Latin Food Fest in San Diego! I matched it with some nude color shoes, a light brown necklace, and simple silver tone bracelet because the dress has a busy pattern with multiple colors. I like this dress because it is fun to wear, has neutral colors with a touch of blue & acqua, and is easy to care for  – I can wash it at home & lay it flat to dry, can’t beat that! Do you have any dresses that remind you of a kaleidoscope?

Hugs,

Paola

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 Dress: Forever 21; Shoes: Levity; Necklace & Earings: Lola’s Design’s, stones with silver; Bracelet: Macy’s