Life lately via Instagram (& 25% off sale purchases)

travel styleRag & Bone jeansBric’s luggage, Nine west loafers
Ann Taylor tote, AC scarf c/o, J.Crew blazer, Nine west loafers

The above has been my comfy travel uniform as of late…spring is nowhere to be found in Boston, to the utter dismay of my floral dresses and sandals collection. My Rag & Bone jeans above were a splurge earlier this year but have proven their worth given how often I reach for them. The brand is on Shopbop’s F&F; sale exclusion list, but the code (SPRING25 for 25% off – ends tomorrow April 9th) surprisingly worked when I tried it at checkout! Shopbop has just a few sizes left, but good old Nordstrom is automatically matching the 25% off (discounted price is already reflected in the item listing) with a full range of sizes in stock.

I don’t really discriminate by brands and wear both LOFT clearance jeans and “splurge” jeans alike, but there’s something about the texture, comfort and resiliency of R&B; denim that makes me willing to pay more. With the 25% off, I picked up a more destructed pair (starts in sz 23! I got my usual 24) which have been on my wishlist after coming highly recommended by my friend Kelly. If destruction is not your cup of tea, their strongly reviewed “Kensington” wash looks like a perfectly versatile, slightly-faded option.
shopbop lip mug

Reiko Kaneko mug (also on sale with 25% off) – a small gift to self from earlier this year, and a nice pick-me-up each morning at the office!

I’m also in desperate need of sunglass variety and would appreciate any recommendations for flat nose bridges. I’ve had such poor luck with fit, I ordered the following (all on sale as part of Shopbop’s 25% off event), with fingers crossed that at least one will sit properly on my face: Rayban matte classic aviators in a neutral gradient, Karen Walker Harvest in a unique silhouette, and a more delicate Karen Walker “special fit” pair. The special fit line in itself was intriguing to me…per the description, “They are designed with less curvature of the frame, a narrower distance between the lenses, and high nose pads to prevent the frames from sliding or resting on the cheeks.” Hmm! I’ll have to report back on if this is the solution that flat-nosers like myself have been waiting for.

floral top striped skirt outfitLOFT floral tee (old), Chicwish skirt in XS (cut shorter), Sole Society Cadena heels c/o

I threw this on one morning and had a good long pause before leaving the house. Even though the pattern mixing followed my rules of big scale (large florals) vs. small (thin stripes) and keeping within a similar color family, I thought the combo was a little crazy for my typically conservative self. Nick gave an unexpected nod of appreciation, and I ended up loving the look more as the day went on. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with with your pairings, and push yourself out of your comfort zone every so often!
coconut oatmeal fruit breakfast bowl
If I lived on my own, I’d probably be eating my guilty pleasures of ramen or frozen pizza every other meal. I’m thankful for health-conscious Nick who is always working to sneak in something more nutritious. This breakfast I actually loved – “no-cook refrigerator oats” (followed this general process) made with coconut milk (not the thick kind in cans, but the lighter ones by the almond/soy milk section) topped with a little honey, fresh fruit, and granola. Yum. 
pho bun rieu banh mi We were driving around in the middle of nowhere after a morning of picking wedding rentals (good golly, why are there so many types of chiavari chairs?), and stumbled upon a gem that was N&H; Saigon subs. If you ever find yourself in the Raldoph, MA area, give this little place a try. It was tasty and filling with very friendly and genuine service (unexpected at an Asian restaurant) by the husband + wife owners.
golden retriever lola modcloth striped skirt
The best days at the office are when puppies come to visit. Having a stare-off with Lola (in my J.Crew pumps + Modcloth skirt).

 
All images via my Instagram – follow along here!
When you purchase through the links on this blog, I may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

When you purchase through the links on this blog, I may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

For Daily Posts

Leave a Comment

53 Comments

  1. Jean wrote:

    I'm so happy to hear that! : ) Leopard print with eggplant sounds so elegant and slightly unexpected.

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  2. Jean wrote:

    Thanks ladies for the input! The Gucci ones are very cute. Also love the cat eye shape.

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  3. Jean wrote:

    Very cute! Thanks for the recommendation, Allene!

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  4. Jean wrote:

    Hi Phoebe – this was so informative! I had no idea Rayban has an entire line of such glasses but now I'll be on the lookout for the "F." Also you're the third person to recommend TC Charton this week so I'll have to check them out for sure.

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  5. Jean wrote:

    Thanks for the recommendation, LeeAnn! And my mirror was a lucky find from Homegoods. Before that though, I was about to purchase a super similar one from Horchow / Neiman Marcus called their french floor mirror.

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  6. Jean wrote:

    Hi Lisa – I agree this is true for case-by-case price matching, when you ask a sales associate for the match. However I love when they do automatic matching like they did for Rag & Bone jeans during this particular sale. Even though sizes were sold out for the same style on Shopbop, I noticed the item (and the full range of sizes) was marked down on the Nordstrom site for the duration of the Shopbop sale time automatically!

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  7. Jean wrote:

    Sarah, thanks so much for your kind words!

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  8. Jean wrote:

    Wow, these are new to me! Thanks for sharing the tip…

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  9. Jean wrote:

    Hi Vivian! As for a tailor, I go to a kind man in Chinatown on Knapp St. He doesn't have a store name that I know of and only speaks Cantonese, but I have many non-Chinese friends that go to him for straightforward jobs and just communicate through gestures. He is located across from the grocery store on that alley/street, and you can see his sewing machine through the big window. His hours are supposed to be 10AM-5PM, but he tends to work on his own hours and sometimes closes up earlier FYI

    For cobbler…I don't have a go-to one per se but have gone to both Alton's in Brookline by Coolidge Corner, as well as Rinaldi's in Park Square building by the Arlington MBTA station. Both were okay!

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  10. Jean wrote:

    Hi there – sorry I didn't see your comment until now! I hope you had an amazing time…am very envious over here!

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  11. A Golden Tulip wrote:

    Lola…my heart melts.. <3

    Hems
    agoldentulip.blogspot.com

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  12. Jean wrote:

    I didn't know RB made juniors! Thanks for the tips.

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  13. Jean wrote:

    Aw thanks, Stephanie!

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  14. Jean wrote:

    Thank you for taking the time to share your recommendation, Garima! I love a good tortoiseshell print.

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  15. Jean wrote:

    Sapporo in Japan? How fun…two very different places! Yes I'll be posting about some basics to pack for traveling as I'll be doing the same in late May!

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  16. Jean wrote:

    Hi there – still waiting for the package!

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  17. mybeautrip wrote:

    Love all the pics and the stripped skirt is so beautiful!
    xxx

    http://www.mybeautrip.com

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  18. Anonymous wrote:

    Hey Jean, did you end up keeping anything from your recent jcrew factory haul?

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  19. Julia Mazzucato wrote:

    Your dog is the cutest!
    Julia
    Little Miss Haute Couture

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  20. garima khokha wrote:

    Hey Jean, read that you need recommendation for sunglasses. I am very petite(4ft 10") and struggle to find the right pair that would fit my frame. You can try Dolce and Gabbana model DG4171P. It's available in black, totrtoise shell and nude. It's worked for me. xx Garima

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  21. Gina wrote:

    Hi, Jean.
    I just found out about your blog, and I fell in love with it. I am planning to go on a trip to sapporo and paris in the beginning of June, and hopefully you could put a post on stylish outfit for the trip.have a nice day.:)

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  22. Stephanie wrote:

    So glad I found you on the Boston Globe website! I love your style and am a petite girl myself. Keep up the good work!

    Posted 4.11.15 Reply
  23. eudorrra wrote:

    Definitely try on Cole Haan's C630 style. They bring them back every few years and I've had pretty good luck finding them well below retail on Amazon or 6pm.com so I always make sure to have a back-up pair. I've found they're a way better fit for me than Ray Ban Wayfarers, and even a narrow nose bridge pair of Marc Jacobs sunnies I spotted on the cheap at TJ Maxx.

    I've tried "Asian Fit" glasses on in the past, but I find that a smaller nose bridge measurement solves the issue better if you get the "too big for my face" feeling when trying on most sunglasses. For size reference, the best-fitting pair of eyeglasses I've found (and I've tried Coach, Burberry, Lacoste, Ray Ban – everything that came in a small size!!) were Ray Ban Juniors measuring 48mm – 16mm – 130mm.

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  24. Sydney Jones wrote:

    As a girl who just can't will herself to reach that 4'11" mark, this blog is truly relatable, haha! I'm in love with your sense of fashion, so sophisticated and cute! <3
    http://www.stellar-dolly.blogspot.com

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  25. Helen's Collection Statement Jewelry wrote:

    Love the floral top!
    Pearl Jam Necklace FREE shipped from USA
    http://www.helenscollection.com

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  26. Joyce Pak wrote:

    Your instagram is so pretty! I really like that second pic with the super cute mug!

    Characters & Carry-ons

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  27. Elena Done wrote:

    Love the travel outfit. I use same when am with my kids also lol… great post.
    http://www.guidemystyleblog.Com

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  28. Anonymous wrote:

    HELP! I have a "pig roast casual" rehearsal dinner to attend TONIGHT! WWJW (What would Jean Wear)?!

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  29. Vivian wrote:

    Hi Jean,

    I'm a long-time reader who has never commented before–you've given me loads of inspiration for petite dressing over the years!

    I realized I had a question you might have answers to since I moved to Boston this year for school…I'm looking for a tailor and cobbler (cobbler especially for my poor boots after this winter!) in the Boston area; do you have any advice?

    Thanks,
    Vivian

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  30. Elva Liang wrote:

    Ditto those Gucci sunglasses. I have a pair as well and love the size and how light they are! I also have a pair of Miu Miu Catwalk sunglasses that I really love. They are a unique cateye shape that's not over the top. Here's a picture: http://www.opticalframe2014.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/miu-miu-smu-10n-sunglasses-for-women.jpg

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  31. Rachel Chan Woodson wrote:

    Hi Jean – I found these silicone stick on nose pads to be a lifesaver for me and my far-sighted & low bridged asian genetics. It completely widened the number of options for frames by an order of magnitude and I've not looked back since!

    http://www.amazon.com/AM-Landen%C2%AE2-5mm-Transparent-Non-slip-Eyeglasses/dp/B00784HT8C

    Thanks
    rachel

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  32. Sarah wrote:

    Saw you on the Boston Globe homepage last night (can't believe no one else has mentioned this yet) – loved the pics, congrats on being named one of the most stylish Bostonians!!!!!

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  33. Minau wrote:

    I love your photos! Great scarf!

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  34. Lisa wrote:

    Hi Jean,

    Just wanted to let you know that Nordstrom will only price match if the exact size you want is also available on Shopbop. I tried price matching with shoes the other day but unless Shopbop has the exact size & color and as does Nordstrom, then Nordstrom will honor the price matching. Just FYI!

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  35. Easy, Frugal Style wrote:

    I loved all the pictures! But that last one just makes me melt 😛

    Easy, Frugal Style

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  36. Just for Kicks and Giggles wrote:

    Also – where did you get the gorgeous framed mirror you use in your selfies? I've been searching everywhere for a similar mirror – decorative, light colored frame, full length but have not had any luck yet!

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  37. Just for Kicks and Giggles wrote:

    I happened across a perfect pair of aviator sunglasses at REI and am super impressed with the fit given the price: http://www.rei.com/product/870935/peppers-katama-polarized-sunglasses-womens

    Nose pads are perfect for the flatter nose bridges and the lenses are smaller which suit narrower faces. And they're on sale now! such a steal for the price!

    -LeeAnn

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  38. P wrote:

    Hi Jean!

    Rayban has a line of "Asian Fit" glasses. Any pair of glasses that ends with an "F" in the model number is an asian fit. Like these ones: http://www.ezcontactsusa.com/ray-ban-2132f-sunglasses.html
    I've ordered that exact pair and they fit better than the regular ones but my nose is so flat so it still slipped just a bit, so I ended up returning them.

    I've also had nosepads added to my glasses for about $50. My optometrist sent them to a lab to get done. I've also seen independent eyeglass repair shops also do it as well for around the same price.

    Lastly I stumbled upon TC Charton, a website that sells Asian fit eyewear exclusively. I haven't purchased from them myself but I thought the selection was decent.

    i actually ended up getting a pair of great fitting plastic glasses (that already had nosepads!) from a little shopping stall in Thailand. They did my eye exam on the spot and I had my glasses done in 30 min! i think the selection is Asia in general is so much better for the flat-nosed 🙂

    Phoebe

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  39. Joyce TeawithMD wrote:

    Love the modcloth skirt and I have the same problem with ill fitting glasses! Curse the Asian flat nasal bridge…

    Xo
    Joyce
    http://Www.teawithmd.com
    A dermatologist's guide to health and beauty

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  40. Allene Tang wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  41. Allene Tang wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  42. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Jean. If you don't mind splurging a bit more on sunglasses, I would recommend Gucci 58mm oversized sunglasses at Nordstrom (item 395765). Gucci shades are a hit or miss for me. I also have a low bridge and have purchased many sunglasses that did not work for me. But this Gucci is lightweight, doesn't sit on my cheeks, and very classy/elegant despite bamboo-looked frame. I bought a khaki color 2 years ago and loved it so much that I bought a second pair in black last year 🙂 Hope this works out for you!

    Kelly

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  43. coffeeslag wrote:

    That outfit you have with the striped skirt (from Chicwash?) is gorgeous. I love the mix of prints that you did. It actually works really well! You make me want to dress up more ladylike!

    I love the posts that you do with discounts attached. I was searching around the Shopbop site and didn't really see anything that I really wanted but now I'm tempted to get that mug!

    coffeeslag

    coffeeslag: favourite things

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  44. Elegantly Fashionable wrote:

    Love the jeans and the chicwish skirt x

    http://www.elegantlyfashionable.com

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  45. tailoredandtrue wrote:

    So cute! Love these photos and that puppy is adorable!

    http://www.tailoredandtrue.wordpress.com

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  46. Sasa Zoe wrote:

    Love these photos especially your skirt! XO

    Shall We Sasa

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  47. Soprano2 wrote:

    You've inspired me to try new things, Jean. This morning I put on a brown/black leopard print skirt with a black top, and as a lark I put on an eggplant blazer I bought from The Limited last fall. It looked surprisingly good, so I wore it to work! I never would have tried that before, I would have gone with the "safe" black blazer. It's a baby step, and I may never be brave enough to mix patterns like you do, but I have expanded my possibilities.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  48. Kiwi wrote:

    Hi Jean! I have been cursed with the Asian nose bridge as well. I've tried numerous brands in search for comfortable and fashionable sunglasses. Most Coach sunglasses really fit well and their prices are so reasonable. I also have a pair of Tom Ford ("Alissa") and Chloe ("Belladone") sunglasses. They fit extremely well despite their large size and without any nose pads. Unfortunately, I think they're more of a hit or miss. I just happen to find the model that fits me well.

    Many companies have been catching on manufacturing extended nose pads for their Asian clients, or people who need the extra support. They used to call the line with the extended nose pads the "Asian Fit", now they have changed it to "Alternative Fit". I'm sure you see why there was a need to have it changed, as not all who may need the extra support are all Asian.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  49. Federica Guatelli wrote:

    The one with Lola is amazing!!
    XOX, Gap.
    http://www.gaptoothedgirl.com

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  50. Vanolla wrote:

    I recommend the white aviator Sugar Shack Sunglasses from Brighton.com. The fit my flat and small nose perfectly. First pair of aviators that looked good on me.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply

Get the newsletter!

What updates would you like?