RENT THE RUNWAY: TV DAY 2

Although getting up before the sun is a challenge for me, this Moschino dress I got to wore today for the Chicago Blogger Network + Rent The Runway WGN Morning News segment was totally worth the extra under-eye cream. I've had such a great time the past two days getting to know more about Rent The Runway, hanging out with some of my favorite bloggers, and meeting the LOVELY Lucy Sykes (I may have felt a little fan-girlish around her). Oh, and we got to see the original set of Bozo the Clown. Typical day at CBN.

We all wore dresses that a celebrity has recently walked the red carpet in. Being that mine was worn by Alicia Silverstone, I tapped into my inner Cher Horowitz (duh!). I now have a legit excuse for my bad driving and indecisiveness on what to wear, right?

Thanks to Jess for coming to my rescue with insanely comfy black heels! Watch me thankfully NOT fall on my face in the segment here.

Love this dress!

Amanda of Unicorn Stylings, Me, Lucy Sykes, Sara of Project Soiree, and Liz of Sequins and Stripes.

Clowning around with some gorgeous bloggers.

In the middle of filming.

Here are the deets on my look! I wore a Moschino Satin Bow Surprise Dress (retail: $1,695, rental: $200), Nicole Miller Black Crinkle Clutch (retail: $250, rental: $25), and Janis Savitt Montana Blue Drops (retail: $175, rental: $25). To purchase my whole look it would cost almost $1,900, but you could rent it for $250!

And just because the RTR crew are that amazing, they're giving 15% off through the New Year! Just type in WGN15 or WCIU15 at checkout! Now there's really no reason for that ugly sweater.

xx Jill

RENT THE RUNWAY: TV DAY 1

There are MANY perks for interning at Chicago Blogger Network (ex: brunch with Kelly Osbourne) and working with Rent the Runway is just one of them. If you're living under a very unfashionable rock, Rent the Runway is your extremely rich best friend who you can borrow clothes from for a fraction of the retail price (without having to pay for dry-cleaning after!). Not only do you have the choice to rent for 4 or 8 days, but they'll send you 2 sizes for free, so no worrying about having to wait for the proper fit. And did I mention you don't pay shipping? How did women survive before them? 

To celebrate the season, myself and other CBN fashion bloggers modeled the perfect Holiday looks from Rent the Runway on WCIU You and Me This Morning! You can checkout some photos, along with the segment, below.

Lauren of The Girls of Lincoln Park, Helen of Glossed and Found, and myself.

Can you tell I was nervous?

Rent the Runway dressed me in a Shoshanna Shuffle Dress (retail: $305, rental: $50), Carlos Falchi clutch (retail: $995, rental: $45), and Kenneth Jay Lane "Love Me" Earrings (retail: $175, rental: $25). That means my whole outfit retails at almost $1,500 and you can rent it for under $150. Think about that next time you splurge for a wedding you don't even want to attend!

Check out tomorrow's post to see a whole new look I wore for WGN!

xx Jill

GOORIN BROS.

Hats are a great way to fight the cold while still adding a little punch to your everyday marshmallow jacket (we all got 'em). Goorin Bros, the BEST of the best in the hat biz, is teaming up with Chicago Blogger Network for a Holiday Cocktail Party tomorrow from 6-9PM.

Enjoy 15% off their holiday hats while also enjoying some delish cocktails.

Drinks and hats... Two things that'll make you feel good in this cold weather.

xx Jill

MARCIANO PRINTED PRINTS

Granted, I am surrounded by beautiful Marciano product every day at work, but there's a reason to my obsession... Marciano has some amazing prints! From denim to leggings, you will find something you absolutely love. From damask to floral to checkered print, you can have it all. I myself just picked up a the chinoise printed denim today, so I had to share what else I have my eye set on. Love what you see? Head over to GUESS (605 N. Michigan Ave.) to see what else there is!

Cropped Trouser Pant in Metallic Damask Pattern ($198.00)

Skinny Jean No. 61 in Chinoise Print ($158.00)

Belinda Baroque Legging ($158.00)

Skinny Jean No. 61 in Floral Burnout ($158.00)

And you can't forget my Marciano feather printed denim and Navajo-inspired printed Elin Kling for Marciano denim!

Skinny Jean No. 61 Faded Black (on sale at GUESS!) | Karin Printed Skinny Jean ($188.00)

What printed denim are you loving right now?

XO Jess

SHOP SMALL

It's Small Business Saturday and we are happy to support our favorite local stores and brands in Chicago!

Shop small at Objets d'Envy and get 30% off with coupon code POST30. Some of our other favorite locals? Love and Pieces (1616 N. Damen Ave.), Eskell (1509 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Lori's Shoes (824 Armitage Ave.) and House of Gemmes.

What is your favorite local shop?

XO Jess & Jill

THANKSGIVING DEALS

Keep checking this post as we update with Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!

Amanda Catherine Designs: 25% off your entire purchase, use code HOLIDAY.
Ann Taylor: 40% off your entire purchase, use code THANKS.
Apartment Number 9: 20% off entire purchase.
Banana Republic: 40% off your entire women's purchase.
Bliss: 30% off select bundles online.

Brooklyn Industries: 25% off your entire purchase.

Cache: $25 off any purchase of $125 or more.

Charles David: 50% off everything at 1 PM.

Cynthia Rowley: All fall merchandise is 20% off.

DNA2050: 40% off all full-priced denim from 9 AM to 12 PM. 70% off other selected merchandise all day.

Eskell: $20 credit on purchases of $100 or more, $50 credit on purchases of $300 or more (credit expires 1.31). Black Friday contest with a chance to win 30% off any full-price item in the store.

Gap: Up to 60% online now and in-stores Friday.
Gilt: "Mispriced" mystery product throughout the site, all day.
GUESS: 30% everything and up to 50% select items. Open on Thanksgiving!
H&M: Finds starting from $5.
Haberdash: 33% off any full-priced item (excluding Alden, Apothecary, Canada Goose and Made to Measure).
Karen Millen: 30% off any purchase.
Lori’s Designer Shoes: 20% off entire store.
Macy's: Black Friday preview online now.
Sarca: 20% off your entire purchase.

XO Jess & Jill

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Turkey Thanksgiving Letterpress Card ($5.00) - Fat Bunny Press

Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers! This holiday, we're thankful for our family, friends and our everloving boyfriends that support and believe in everything we do. And thankful that they still love us, no matter how crazy we are! And we're especially thankful for you. Thanks for following us, liking us and reading our blog!

What are you thankful for this year?

Have a great Thanksgiving!

XO Jess & Jill

THANKSGIVING WEAR

Thanksgiving is a day of family, friends and food. Leaving the sparkle and fanchy schmancy for later in the year, I like to make this holiday comfortable and chic - no stretchy pants here!

Double Wrist Wrap ($28.00) - House of Gemmes, Charlie Skinny Jeans ($99.00) - Lucky Brand (store locations), Legacy Leather Large Clutch ($158.00) - Coach (625 N. Michigan Ave.), Marciano Rafina Marled Yarn Sweater ($148.00) - GUESS (605 N. Michigan Ave.), Locked In Studs ($48.00) - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.), Frye 'Paige' Tall Riding Boot ($347.95) - Nordstrom (520 N. Michigan Ave.), Faded Chambray Popover ($78.00) - J.Crew (store locations)

What are you wearing for this year's Thanksgiving?

XO Jess

AMANDA CATHERINE DESIGNS

Amanda Helmer of Amanda Catherine Designs has just the way to decorate darling without breaking the bank. And you may have seen her on the websites of you know... Oprah, ELLE Interiors, Fossil, Lauren Conrad and you've also seen her on our November Decor post earlier this month! Her Etsy shop has unique and affordable prints for any type of girl (or guy), home and gifts perfect for this holiday season!

And speaking of the holiday season... From Black Friday to Cyber Monday (11.23 - 11.26), just use coupon code HOLIDAY to receive 25% off your order on Amanda Catherine Designs! Also, each sale over $30 will receive a free gift. Want more? Follow @AmandaCathDes for a fun giveaway!

We couldn't just pick a couple prints to share, so we picked more than just a few!

"Just Be You" ($15.00)

"Wear Sequins to Breakfast" ($15.00) | "Macaron" ($15.00)

"Pattern" & "Be a Little Kinder" Set ($30.00)

"Be Silly, Be Honest, Be Kind" ($15.00) | "Paris Is Always A Good Idea" ($15.00)

Nautical Collection ($45.00)

Hello Life ($15.00) | Confetti Heart ($15.00)

"Eat More Cupcakes" ($15.00)

What art piece do you love?

XO Jess & Jill

20% OFF KATE SPADE

We spruced up hump day with these hashtastic totes and now we're about to make your weekend even better... Enjoy 20% off your entire purchase in stores at Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.) today and tomorrow! Just print this out and get an early start on your Black Friday shopping!

What are you dying for from Kate Spade? Loving this Freeze Framed Ring and Locked In Ring!

XO Jess & Jill

COMFY GLAM

Ladies, your band-aids and Dr. Scholl's inserts aren't necessary here. We've been on the sneaker hunt for some time now, as designers have been creating many styles that balance their tomboy nature with a dose of glam. So give your feet a break, while still looking chic, by getting into these sneakers.

Chuck Taylor Shimmer Slouchy ($65.00)

Tokyo Glitter Suede Sneakers ($495.00) - Jimmy Choo (63 E. Oak St.)

MICHAEL Metallic Glam High-Top ($195.00) - Michael Kors (900 N. Michigan Ave.)

SUPERGA 2095 Lame Studs ($130.00)

Miu Miu Glitter Studded Cap ToeSneaker ($495.00) - Nordstrom (520 N. Michigan Ave.)

xx Jill

HASHTASTIC

Happy Wednesday! If you're not happy with just the fact that it's hump day and we're over halfway through the work week, then crack a smile with these hashtastic canvas totes from Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.)!

'Tequila Is Not My Friend' Terry - $248

'Is This Seat Taken?' Terry - $248

How's your Wednesday?

XO Jess & Jill

RAD + REFINED GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win a Rad + Refined style box filled with this season's must haves (retail value of over $500!) - all selected by the beautiful Jacqueline Rezak! You can enter by liking Rad + Refined and Jacqueline Rezak on Facebook or follow @RadandRefined and @JacquelineRezak on Twitter! Winner will be picked at random on November 30th! It's like an early Christmas! 

Good luck!

XO Jess & Jill

INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER BUNNEY

Fess up - you know you watched it. In fact, I bet every time you hear Hilary Duff's "Coming Clean", you can't help but think of one of MTV's most iconic shows, Laguna Beach. We admit, we were addicted, and continued to follow the girls on their way to The Hills (and may or may not watch reruns on Netflix). One of our favorites from the show was always Jennifer Bunney, the pretty best friend of Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag, so we were so excited to have the chance to interview her. But it wasn't her stint on reality television that has kept us following her after all these years, it's her beauty tips, charitable endeavors, and hella successful educational/professional career (she just received her MBA!) that we admire. Being the definition of beauty and brains, she's proved to be so much more than that high school reality show.

You have amazing skin! What is your beauty routine? 

My beauty routine at night is kind of insane right now...don't be scared. But, I swear by it even if it is a little extra work. I have also spent a considerable amount of time researching and trying products. I believe skin condition is #1 because without good skin, no make up will look good.  First off I have a hot and cold facial steamer. I take off my make up and then hot steam my face, wipe it with antibacterial astringent and clean my pores. Then I usually put on a mask, sometimes with aspirin, caffeine and vit C powder (homemade), and sometimes my favorite white clay mask by lancome. Then, I use (and this is my fav out of everything except for the steamer) P 50-classic 1970 by Biologique Recherche which tightens up all your newly cleaned pores and completely refines skin tone. After that I put on a serum, either my Skin Medica stem cell double serum, OR my Retin-A (from my dermatologist, Dr. Goldburg, in Laguna Beach). I then use dark spot corrector on my sun spots and I end the routine with pure Vit. E under my eyes. For the finale, I use cold steam for about two minutes or less to completely close up my pores (which is important after you hot steam and it open them). And go to bed. This whole routine takes me less than ten minutes and even though it sounds obnoxious, my skin is pretty flawless from it and I catch every break out before it happens. I haven't received one blemish since I got my steamer!

Secura Facial Steamer - Amazon

In the morning, I wash my face. Put on a serum (usually Skin Medica or Vit C Ester by Perricone MD) and sun screen. I use Neutrogena SPF 55 blemish free, or for hot days the 110 SPF for face. I am crazy about not getting sun damage on my face--it looks SO gross!! Then I put on makeup. Just a BB creme and mascara for work days and then I put on full makeup for weekend nights out. I use completely different products for week days and weekends because I cannot afford to clog my pores during the week. 

Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion

We see you travel a lot, as do the both of us. What's your go-to travel outfit to feel comfortable yet arrive in style?

Honestly, I don't travel in much style because I travel so often. I usually go for leggings and uggs or boots and a comfy sweater. If I am going somewhere fabulous though, like a vacation or to Las Vegas--I will def turn it up a notch. For those kind of events I will do a long maxi dress (but not for long flights because you need to wear sandals with that and sweaters look bad and its always freezing on the plane).

UGG Classic Short

We admire your dedication to your schooling. How do you manage to balance a social life with such a busy schedule?

My free time is bi-polar. One day I will be studying regulations and scientific pathway mechanisms and the next I will be online shopping for hours. Its totally unpredictable. I just think of my social life and interest in fashion and beauty as a hobby. You need both in your life to feel happy and whole so I try to make room for my "hobby". 

Have you ever been to Chicago? If so, what were your favorite things about the city?

I have never been, except on a lay over. Would LOVE to go though...

What can your fans expect from you in the future?

I am planning to still blog, in fact, I would like to start a new blog. But, I want to switch it up . I want to have my blog reflect my real thought process. I want it not to be just about beauty and social plans , but also about science and ideas and innovative thinking. I think that this type of blog will more accurately express who I am. I really need someone to manage it, maintain it, monitor comments etc... I am too busy to write it and then do all the maintenance! Any ideas?

We want to thank Jennifer for taking the time and chatting with us about school, beauty, fashion, and all things JUNCTURE. Make sure you follow her on Twitter and welcome her to the blogging world by checking out her new site, Jenn-Nora Blog!

xx Jess & Jill

LOVE AND PIECES IS HIRING!

Love and Pieces

Love and Pieces is looking for a Seasonal Sales Associate... Now! It's an hourly position with about 25 to 30 hours including weekends - pay depends on experience with the chance of bonuses for exceeding sales goals. Michelle is looking for someone with exceptional sales and interpersonal skills, high energy and an enthusiasm for jewelry and accessories. Must be honest and motivated! 

Head over 1616 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park to drop off your resume, email Michelle at info@loveandpieces.com or give her a call at 773.278.1200!

XO Jess & Jill

WINTER POLISH

We love nail polish, we really do. Take a quick trip to our Instagram and you'll see that Jess never leaves the house without her nails painted and Jill loves to get creative with her designs and never sticks to just one color. There's a lot of brands out there and a whole lot of colors. Heck, I have a whole bin full of polishes that are just a few shades different from another and some that I've only used once. But it's an addiction I don't plan to kick! With winter almost here, it's time for new collections to hit the shelves and end up in your beauty bags. Here's a few of my newest favorite colors.

Deborah Lippmann 'She's Always A Woman' Mini-Set Collection

My Prerogative | Putty In Your Hands | Raspberry Beret

$25 for the mini-set, more sets here.

OPI 'Skyfall' Collection

The Living Daylights | Skyfall | The World Is Not Enough

$8.50 Each

Butter London Holiday Lacquer Collection

Fiddlesticks | Scuppered | Jack The Lad | Fairy Cake | Scallywag

$14 Each

Zoya Ornate Holiday Winter Collection

Logan | Electra | Blaze

$8 Each

Essie Winter Collection

Butler Please | She's Pampered | Where's My Chauffer

$8 Each

My favorite place to get nail polish is Nordstrom! You can find the brands I mentioned above along with Chanel, Dior and more! What's your favorite brand of nail colors?

XO Jess

ELECTION DAY ACCESSORIES

Happy Election Day!

To get into the voting spirit, we're showing off some fun pieces that represent the red, white, & blue. If the fate of the country doesn't motivate you to exercise your most important right (because you know, that's no big deal), these unique accessories will get you movin' to your nearest voting station!

Merideth Wendell Clip on Earrings - $100 | Swarovski Erica USA Pendant - $270

Ottotredici American Flag Print Scarf - $425

Free People 'Josie' Embellished Backpack - $138 | Wildfox Billy USA Black Knit - $305

Get out to those polls!

xx Jess & Jill