FAVORITO FRIDAY: DENIM JACKETS

Get spring ready with denim jackets - it's finally 60 degrees today! (Which reminds me, pretty sure I left my denim jacket at Jill's.) Spruce up you look with hardware detailed, colored or printed denim jackets,  or layer your outfit with different shades of denim. A denim jacket is great from now on to the fall, so if you don't have one or need a new one - it's time to invest in a piece that is low as $25!

1. Geo Print Denim Jacket ($24.80) - Forever 21, 2. Authentic Trucker Jacket ($58.00) - Levi's, 3. Denim Biker Jacket ($69.90) - Zara, 4. Citizens of Humanity Borderline Jacket ($268.00) - Anthropologie, 5. The Jean Jacket ($118.00) - Madewell, 6. Gingham Broome Street Jacket ($248.00) - Kate Spade, 7. 1969 Denim Jacket ($69.95) - Gap

Do you have a denim jacket already? If so, which one is your fav? If not, which one catches your eye?

Jess

THE GREAT WEDDING RECYCLERY

Save this date! This upcoming Sunday, April 28th, is The Great Wedding Recyclery. Think of it as garage sale full of wedding goodies! You can buy, sell, or recycle everything and anything wedding at Loft on Lake (1366 W. Lake St) from 11 AM to 4 PM.

I recently went to one of the most beautiful weddings (everrr) filled with vintage and art deco-inspired decor. Think mercury and glass candle holders, vases, cake stands, mirror vanity plates, and so much more! I already took a few pieces home - now you have to buy the rest, so I don't keep wanting more! Head over to P+C's booth for all their amazing pieces!

Find this and you'll find them!

The wedding photos above were taken by Stoffer Photography, check them out - they're amazing!

Jess

BENETTON'S GOT THE BLUES

This brings us back to one of our first posts - We've Got The Blues - and now United Colors of Benetton has it too!

Jena Gambaccini of ChiCityFashion.com and Michigan Avenue Magazine wants to celebrate the powerful color of BLUE today, Thursday, April 25th from 6 to 8 PM at The Shops at North Bridge. The best dressed will be chosen to a win some awesome rewards on the blue carpet! RSVP to BenettonRSVP@michiganavemag.com.

How do you incorporate blue into your wardrobe?

Jess & Jill

BLANK NATION + GIVEAWAY!

Blank Nation Apparel is a women's contemporary dress line created, designed, and run by Brooke Conrady. She also has being a 2012 Designer in Residence at the Chicago Fashion Incubator Program at Macy's under her belt. Oh, and she's a new mother to an adorable baby girl. Is there anything Brooke can't do?

Blank Nation dresses are perfect for every girl, every body type, and every budget. All of her dresses are $100 and under! These dresses come in a variety of colors and prints that can last from one season to the next. And our most favorite thing about Brooke's maxis? Every size has the same length - perfect for us not-so-tall girls! If we haven't won you over yet - a portion of each sale goes to a different charity each month. Looking stylish and supporting a cause? You can't beat that!

Now to the dresses! All looks are modeled by Jill, and photographed and styled by Jess.

Not only are we showcasing her adorable dresses... Blank Nation is giving a dress of your choosing to one lucky winner!* All you have to do is like Blank Nation Apparel on Facebook and comment here saying that you did so! Want to make your chances of winning a dress even better? You can get additional entries for liking Jess & Jill on Facebook, following us on Twitter and Blogger, and grab an extra entry for each RT of this tweet! Giveaway ends May 6th, 2013.

Can't wait to win? You can order a dress at Blank Nation Apparel on Facebook or email Brooke directly.

Which dress is your favorite? 

Good luck, everyone! 

Jess & Jill

*Winner will be chosen at random using a third-party selection process. Additional styles not pictured. Style and sizes may vary.  Must live in the US.

BIG BANGS THEORY

Should I get bangs? I've been juggling with this decision for a few months, but decided to wait until after my (other) best friend's wedding. Now that I don't have an excuse to put it off - it's time to buckle down and make a decision! So, help me?

One. Two. Three.

Forgot what I look like? Here you go. This is also me with purple bangs.

Jess

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

It may come across nerdy, but I absolutely love this planet. If I see anything with a globe, map, atlas - I gotta have it! Although you should love Earth every day, it's a wonderful way to inspire awareness and appreciation for this beautiful place we call home.

Want to be a bit more connected to our planet? Wear organic cotton and use natural products, recycle Earth's creations in your jewelry, and make it Earth Day year-round with map decor throughout your home!

1. Watercolor World Map No. 6 ($25.00) - Jessica Illustration, 2. Glass World Map Box ($19.00) - Urban Outfitters, 3. Josie Maran Argan Balm ($42.00) - Sephora, 4. People Tree by Peter Jensen Solider Print Organic Dress ($108.06) - ASOS, 5. Druzy Ring (contact for price) - Love & Pieces, 6. Goat's Milk Soaps ($6.00) - Anthropologie, 7. Miniature Desk Globe ($14.00) - P.O.S.H.

Find out what how you can help on Earth Day and beyond here.

Jess

2013 EAT OUT AWARDS

Monday night I was lucky enough to work... and mingle... and eat... and drink... and eat some more at Time Out Chicago's 2013 Eat Out Awards! Chicago Blogger Network had a blogger lounge, so I also got to hang out with some of my favorite members, while also interviewing some of the nominees and winners of the night.

The food was amazing (just look at those s'mores) and I've found out about so many amazing new restaurants and bars that I HAVE to try (um, hello La Sirena Clandestina).

You can check out a full list of the Reader's Choice winners here, along with the Critic's Picks winners here!

Hope your Monday was as delicious as mine!

x Jill

COVERING THE COVER GIRL STYLE: HAYDEN PANETTIERE

The only thing tragic about seeing Hayden Panettiere on May 2013's cover of Glamour was being reminded of her misspelled Italian tattoo (this is why it's important to spell check before you ink yourselves, people.)

Hayden's looking gorgeous and summer ready, and I love the retro, beachy photos. Even if that scenery has me a little jealous. Okay, a lot jealous. And yellow is absolutely my new color obsession this season.

So let's all pretend we're on a beach, lather on the sunscreen, and get into the summer vibe with these pieces inspired from Hayden's Glamour shoot!

Photos via Glamour.com

1. Ete Swim Black Mimi One-Piece ($350), 2. ModCloth Bettie Page Little White Tie Top ($44.99), 3. Baublebar Gold Liquid Cuff ($26), 4. Topshop Brocade Cutout Dress ($118), 5. Miu Miu Bow-embellished Bandeau Swimsuit ($245), 6. Topshop Yellow Floral Pleat Calf Skirt ($96), 7. House of Harlow White Sand Sunburst Pendant ($63), 8. Delias Red High Waist Polka Dot Short ($24.50), $ 9. Topshop White Pineapple Bikini ($64).

x Jill

FAVORITO FRIDAY: COLORFUL LUCITE

I'm a lover of lucite and usually shy away from color, but with this trend, the collaboration is beautiful. And what better way to kiss the winter GOODBYE than with bright accessories? Despite the low temps, it is Spring.

1. Lucite Minaudiere ($148.00) - Juicy Couture, 2. Stuart Weitzman Theone Patent Leather Lucite Heel ($398.00) - Saks Fifth Avenue, 3. Sandy Hyuen Layered Necklace ($115.00) - Max & Chloe; 4. Sandy Hyuen Yellow Personalized Necklace ($45.00) - Max & Chloe. 5. Lucite Ring ($58.00) - Vince Camuto, 6. Betsey Johnson Crystallized Lucite Heart Drop Earrings ($40.00) - Lord & Taylor, 7. BCBGeneration Morgan Lucite Minaudiere ($54.99 - On Sale!) - 6PM, 8. Jeffrey Campbell Green Snake Scatter Flat ($135.00) - NastyGal, 9. CC Skye Bright Love Lucite Clutch ($255.00) - Shopbop, 10. Skinny Lucite Bangle ($42.00) - Juicy Couture, 11. Diane Von Furstenberg Patmos Sandal ($325.00) - Nordstrom

Hope you have a colorful Friday!

x Jill

FAVORITO FRIDAY: ALPHABET STUDS

I'm a sucker for initial anything. Besides pillows and mugs in my home, I have a 'P' necklace for my boyfriend and a 'J' ring for Jess (or Jill, depending who's talking).

What's next? Earrings! And I found TINY, but perfect alphabet studs from Catbird (they're as big as 14pt in Baskerville bold). Available in both sterling silver ($32.00 each stud) and 14k gold ($48.00 each stud), you can rock your initials, you and your boo's letters, or for those with multiple piercings - you can get a little creative. (They even have heart and star symbols and brand new - an ampersand!)

The possibilities are endless! Or as many as piercings you have...

  

I'm placing my order as soon as I can figure out what I want! I'm thinking - JD (my initials), ♥P, or JP. Decisions, decisions!

Jess

EASTER SUNDAY

I was lucky enough to come home to Florida for Easter and spend it with my family (unlucky enough to catch a bad case of Bronchitis- but some home cooked food definitely made me feel better!) One word to describe it.. delicious! But I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

I was so excited to get this bangle from Kate Spade! My mom and I now match with our "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" bracelets. How perfect for us?

Tradition of Easter baskets.

Kate Spade surprise at the bottom of my basket!

No sleep till ... BROOKLYN!

Twiggy the cat.

The table is all set.

Fresh Spring flowers.

Antipasto.

Seasoned green olives.

Paris, our Dachshund. 

Perfect Florida weather.

Stuffed mushrooms.

Artichoke bread with stuffed shells.

Eggplant.

Cannoli!

Dessert!

Hope your holiday was as delicious as mine was!

xx Jill