A Q/A with Jessica Quirk of What I Wore

What started out as a simple six question email to Jessica Quirk, author of the blog (and book) What I Wore, turned into something so much more! After her responses arrived, I informed Jessica that I would like to add a couple of photos from the early days of her blog, May 2007 to be exact, as well as current photos so that readers could see how her style had evolved over the years while still staying very much the same. She was happy to oblige, providing her Flickr account, and from there this post took flight!


What I Wore - First Photo Post

Things took a new route when I found myself focused on three simple pieces that exist in Jessica's wardrobe. A vintage dress that was her first expensive piece, around $100. An Oaxacan dress which just happened to be her first What I Wore photo*. And a leopard coat, also vintage, that she claims "is the one thing in my closet I'd grab if my house was on fire (if my husband, cats, computer and cameras were already out)."

The Leopard Coat

 

 

As you read, you will not only find questions and answers, you will find a blogger whom I admire and refer to as my online mentor. No, she doesn't really mentor me, but she does provide inspiration with sewing ideas, DIY projects and in her daily photos. I can't pose like her, but she has helped me in trying not to feel so self-conscious about the way I try to add new poses for my own blog. And though we aren't friends on a personal level, I feel that she is very down to earth not only in personality but in how she approaches style.

So, without further ado, I introduce you to Jessica Quirk.

Style My Way (SMW): For me, I was inspired to start my blog based on a Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity exhibit. I felt we as a society had lost our ability to "dress" on a daily basis. What inspired you to start "What I Wore" and what keeps you inspired to blog every day?

Jessica Quirk (JQ): I started the blog as a place to elaborate on my daily outfit photos, which I started taking a year before What I Wore was up and running (in 2007!). I keep it up partially for selfish reasons - it's a great way to remember what happened at a specific time in my life or a phase I was really into. It challenges me to shop my closet and wear old things in new ways too.  I also do it because I think there's a large group of women who are interested in looking good each day, but aren't going to go shopping every time a new trend hits the floor. My goal with What I Wore is to be inspiring, informative and relatable.

The Vintage Dress

   

SMW: I am drawn to bloggers that write about things that I too am passionate about such as fashion, travel and entertaining. What draws you to other blogs? And, what keeps you coming back daily?

JQ: I like reading blogs that are relatable with authors that feel like close friends. I'm also a very visual person so pretty blogs with great layout and design catch my eye too. Some of my favorite sites DesignforMankind.com, KendiEveryday.com, Frecklewonder.com, Blog.MrsLillian.com, and SFgirlbyBay.com (plus all of the sites on my blog roll).

SMW: I have been blogging for three years, but still consider my blog a very amateur endeavor. When did you know it was time to make your blog a full time job? What helped you make that move?  

JQ: When I lived in NYC, I had a great meeting with the found of tumblr, David Karp who introduced me to Suzanne Xie and Rich Tong, founders of Weardrobe, a personal style social media site (which was eventually sold to Google). When I told Rich about my traffic, he suggested I start working with advertisers. A few months later, with a handful of sponsor partners, I quit my job and made What I Wore my full time endeavor!

SMW: If I didn't have to go into work everyday, I'm pretty sure I would lay around all day watching TV! Because you don't work in a traditional office environment, what motivates you to "go into the office"? How do you keep yourself from loafing around all day and losing focus on your blog?

JQ: Honestly, I'd feel like a fraud of I just got dressed up each day to sit around the house. I like having a routine and part of that is getting up, getting ready and out the door each morning. Most week days I work in the morning at the office on my laptop and then use the afternoons for sewing or DIY projects. I also have a rough outline in my mind about what I need to accomplish each day and I like to work ahead if possible. It's always my goal to have a post Monday-Friday.  

The Oaxacan Dress

  

SMW: Since starting my blog, I've discovered that I love to write, share personal stories and put myself on display more than I ever thought I would. But, I struggle with thoughts of my friends thinking I'm taking myself too seriously and/or thinking I'm something more than I actually am. Did you ever have second thoughts about yourself as a blogger or did you just know this was a good fit?

JQ: No way! I love sharing, and blogging is a great outlet for me. It was also helpful that when I started my blog there was a big group of tumblr bloggers in NYC who would get together socially, so it's never felt weird for me. 

Incidentally, What I Wore was the first personal style blog I read and it continues to be a daily read. If you want to continue to explore the world of Jessica Quirk, she has a new little blog idea up her sleeve, check her out here!

*All photos on What I Wore taken by Adam and Jessica Quirk.

Here's to Ann Taylor

Jacket: Levi; Blouse: Ann Taylor; Pants: Ann Taylor;

 Pants: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Ann Taylor; Cuff: Ann Taylor (gift);

Sunglasses: Prada

 Apparently, I felt very patriotic yesterday while paying homage Ann Taylor! However, this isn't exactly how I planned this outfit in my head! I originally planned to wear black pants but I just wasn't feeling the dark color. So, red it was! The denim jacket was my husbands suggested and I'm so glad he gave his input. I had pulled my 3/4 sleeve black blazer which gave it a more conservative look. And, to keep the rocker/laid back vibe going, I added the cuff. Tough, huh?

 How I've worn the pants before:

  

 

Antiques and More

 As I was cleaning around the kitchen this weekend, I had to share some of the little gadgets I've collected over the years. Some I use often and others, well, hardly ever! I'm a sucker for antiques. I guess its because of my parents. That's how we used to entertain ourselves on the weekend and actually, still do. As I got older, my dad and I would attend live auctions. Standing in the freezing cold eating hotdogs from the food truck, we never actually bought anything but it was fun to browse.

Today, my mom and I hit a local antique store and dine in their quaint restaurant. It can be hit or miss, but the hunt is worth the trip! Here are a couple of things from my collection. P.S. Not everything is an antique, but looks like one!

I gave these measuring cups and spoons to a girlfriend for her birthday, and loved them so much, that my mom reciprocated and gave them to me for mine! The stacked bowls are actual measuring cups and the little bowls, nestled in the leaf, are spoons. I added pepper to the smallest bowl, salt is in the little green bowl to its right, because I'm constantly using both when cooking. A cute, and accessible way, to have your seasonings handy! (Note the olive oil cruet isn't an antique either.)

 

 Now, here are some adorable treasures! Toothpick holders that look darling on any table setting. I love to use them in color combination with my table and I don't just use them for toothpicks. Serving iced tea? Why not use them for sugar cubes or sweetener packets. They could also hold serving picks as well. 

These are just a few trinkets I have lying around, or should I say, behind closed cabinet doors. The mint green milk glass sugar bowl and creamer would make any tea party that much prettier. And, the complimentary hobnail vase holds the perfect small bouquet of sweetheart roses or carnations. I love using little cake plates for serving desserts. Instead of one large plate, I use multiples chocked full of small bite treats. The green serving piece was given to me by my friend Jennifer when cleaning out her own cabinets. She knew a good home when she saw it!

And, instead of just using your plain ol' salt and pepper shakers, why not shake things up by using these sweet salt bowls at different points of the table. That way, your guests don't have to reach for the shakers or ask someone to pass. They can use a little or a lot from their own tiny bowl. Aren't they the sweetest things?

 You don't have to hunt the antique stores for little pieces like these. Anthropologie has amazing kitchen accessories, and it just so happens, that's where the measuring bowl and spoons are from! I also love to shop Home Goods for inexpensive pieces. And, my girlfriend Jennifer who gifted me the serving piece, has exceptional luck at T.J. Maxx! Check out these places when hosting your next dinner party or cocktail hour! It's all in the little details!

Birds Eye View

Top: H&M; Jeans: Loft; Shoes: Pour la Victoire;

Necklace/Earrings: ??; Watch: Emporio Armani (gift)

It is super muggy around here and I can't fathom wearing my hair down right now! If I did, it would definitely resemble Monica Geller's on FRIENDS when they visited Barbados. I often dub it, "Monica in Barbados hair"! But enough about my hair. Let's talk about this darling top.

I picked this up a couple of weeks agon at H&M. I don't like birds in real life, but I love them in fashion. Odd, I know. I had planned to wear these with my royal blue cropped pants, but it just felt like a jeans day. Still have plans to pair them together. And, I originally removed the self-tie, but honestly no other belt looked as pulled together.

I also just received my Seychelle sandals in cobalt with wood soles. I had planned to pair them with this, but decided on the nude sandals. So many things to pair this birdy gem with in the future! 

Eight Days A Week

We leave on Saturday for our trip to Chicago by way of St. Louis. Staying over night before heading into the Windy City for a week long stay, then back to St. Louis to finish out the week. I am so excited to get away and getting in some much needed family time! We have a loose agenda of visiting the Shed Aquarium, the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier and a Cubs game. For St. Louis, we are hoping to hit the zoo, Union Station and can't wait to visit the "new" Busch Stadium. Side note: one item on my bucket list is to visit all the major league ballparks. 

I have been making lists left and right for McKinley and myself. It is hard enough to pack me, but McKinley is a page alone. Okay, not an entire page, but he does have quiet the list! And, because we're driving, I'm trying to keep packing to a minimum. Joel and I are sharing a suitcase, YIKES, but I'm secretly hoping that McKinley has room in his for me to slip in a few more items!

With that being said, my packing needs to be tight! In looking at the temps, and the activities we have planned, I'm trying to utilize multiple pieces several times during the trip. And, I've really tried to limit my pre-vacation  shopping but I did get a few little things to take! Printed and colored denim are so big for spring/summer. My mom purchased a pair of cobalt blue denim for me at Easter and I got these printed jeans earlier in the week. I have plans to wear each pair twice with different tops and jackets. 

For these, I plan to pair an oatmeal sweater and tank or tee for one day and a cream sleeveless t-neck and denim jacket for another. 

Loft Printed Denim

For the two days of travel to St. Louis and then on to Chicago, I plan to literally wear the same thing two days in a row! I'm not going to sweat sitting in the car, right? And, why waste a cute outfit for a car ride? I plan to be super cute yet super casual! I'm planning to wear boyfriend jeans, a long sleeve tee, my military jacket in case its cool later in the evening and this darling scarf I got at Target a couple of week ago.  Plus, a scarf can add warmth when the temps are a little cooler as the 10 day forecast is currently indicating.

Multi-Stripe Scarf

With the cobalt jeans, I plan to pair this sweet navy cardigan. I love the look of a royal and navy together. And, with possibly my striped espadrilles, darling!

Textured Drop Shoulder Cardigan

My last item was the Levi's denim jacket I wore earlier in the week. A perfect layering piece that I plan to wear most of the trip! Everyone should have a denim jacket in their wardrobe.

When packing for vacation, what is your method? Do you make lists or pack on the fly? I'm the kind of gal that if I don't make a list I will for sure over pack. I over pack anyway, but at least this way, I have a better handle on my suitcase!

I'm Blue

 

Dress: Anthropologie (gift); Jacket: Levi via Macy's;

Shoes: Pour la Victoire; Belt: Anthropologie (gift);

Bangles: Silpada; Sunglasses: Prada (gift)

So I went from mini to maxi! This dress is so easy, breezy and super comfortable. And, perfect for the muggy Tuesday we had this week. One minute it was overcast and cool. The next minute the sun was out and my hair was enormous! I've worn this dress before but changed a few things. A different belt and shoes though somewhat in the same hue. And, I added the denim jacket at the last minute, because as I mentioned earlier, it was chilly when I left the house. 

And, notice how my sleeve lengths are totally different? That's a total mistake. However, now that I look at them, I can't decide which I like better? Two turns or a simple flip of the cuff. Thoughts?

How I wore it before:

 

Orange Crush

 Top: J.Crew Factory; Skirt: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Carlos Santana;

Belt: Anthropologie; Necklaces: Set from JewelMint

My new favorite color this season is orange. And not just any orange, but  tangerine orange. I purchased the skirt several months ago and have been a little leery in wearing it. I wasn't sure if it was too short and too snug. Well, its not snug, but I'm cautious on the length.  Since I'm a huge fan of the maxi, a mini sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable. 

I was inspired by this look from Ann Taylor. Not an exact match, but pretty darn close. I'm also looking for that perfect coral lipstick. I received several suggestions from some bloggers I follow and hope to test them out soon. I'm branching out a little in the lipstick arena. I'm not one for lip color and coral is just what I need to set me free! Pucker up!!