Hello & welcome back to Jones Magazine!

For today’s post I’m going to be writing about Sophia Amoruso. If you don’t know who she is, I’m going to tell you a little bit about her. She is my fashion and businesswoman inspiration all in one. Hope you all enjoy! 

How she got started:

Sophia Amoruso had humble beginnings. She was working as a security guard at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University when she opened up a vintage store on ebay. She called this store  “Nasty Gal Vintage.” She went to thrift stores and found vintage items to list on her store. At the young age of 22, Amoruso styled, photographed, shipped and made captions for each piece all by herself. She did all of this from her tiny bedroom. Amoruso’s, Nasty Gal Vintage began to blow up and within 6 years she was earning $100 thousand dollars in yearly revenue with steady growth. 

CEO, Author, Creator: 

Soon Amoruso’s business took off more than she could have imagined. Her early revenue just kept increasing and Nasty Gal gained a large social media following. In 2011 she reached $23 million in revenue and at the peak Nasty Gal was earning $100 million in annual sales. She also had over 200 employees, this small ebay vintage store became a fashion empire. She was named into the 30 under 30 list. This led to her becoming a published author. She released the book #girlboss as well as Nasty Galaxy (I have read both and HIGHLY recommend). As if Amoruso wasn’t already cool enough, she has a show based off her autobiography on netflix called Girlboss (again, I’ve watched it and HIGHLy recommend). Amoruso stepped down as CEO of Nasty Gal and has created a company that produces editorial content, videos and podcasts called Girlboss Media.  This company encourages women to follow their personal and professional dreams. 

Sophia Amoruso is a determined and empowering woman. She serves as an example that with hard work and passion you can do anything you put your mind to regardless of circumstances. This post is just a small look into her inspiring life. If you’re interested in learning more about her I recommend you read her books, watch her netflix series, listen to her podcasts and check out Nasty Gal!!! 

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“Clothing is ultimately the suite of armor in which we battle the world.” -Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

Hey friends! Welcome back to another post on Jones Magazine, I’m so glad you’re here. 

As we know fashion recycles through the decades, things that were “in” during the 80’s, 90’s, etc come back around. So, for today’s post I’m going to give you 5 ways to make a modern, trendy look have a retro vibe. 

1. Cuff your denim- Adding a cuff to your high waisted jeans (preferably  mom jeans) will make the look feel more vintage. Pairing those cuffed jeans with socks and high top converse or white air force ones will take it to the next level of retro. 
2. Tuck in your shirt- Take that oversized graphic tee and tuck it into your high waisted jeans. Pair that with a belt and some white sneakers to make the outfit look more put together while still adding that retro flare. P.S. Adding some distress to the graphic tees always adds to the vintage feel.
3. Accessorize- When making a modern look more retro the base of the outfit is very important. However, adding jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, etc can pull the look together. If you’re going for an 80’s vibe try hoop earring and statement pieces. If you’re going for a 50/60’s vibe try cat eye sunglasses. The little ways you accessorize make a big difference.  
4. Colors- Colors are really important for a vintage look. Each decade had a unique way of adding colors. In the 80’s neon was in style, that trend has recycled and neon is popular right now. Adding a pop of neon to your look will help give you that retro feel you’re going for. Or if you’re going for a more classic vintage look, stay monochrome like an all black or all white look. Colors can add a unique vibe to your look. 
5. Hair/Makeup- This is a great way to take any outfit to the next level. Hair and makeup styles have changed and evolved throughout the decades just like clothing has. I think taking a look that was popular and making it your own would be an amazing way to make your modern looks more retro. For example, in the 80’s they wore their hair super big and curly. Giving that a modern twist by adding curls and some eyeliner would give you a retro look. In the 50’s red lipstick and winged eyeliner were in. Adding that to your look will make your vibe seem more classic and vintage.

Retro looks are fun and allow space to get creative, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. Thanks for reading, don’t forget to like and comment!! 🙂

Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by! This week we’re going to lean more into the lifestyle part of this blog and talk about self care. I’ll touch on why self care is so important AND how to implement it into your life. Enjoy! 

Self care is a topic that I think every single person can relate to and benefit from. I think it has the power to change your life and help you live a fuller and happier lifestyle. 

1. REST– Resting is incredibly important. Rest means something different for everyone. For some people rest is doing a face mask and taking a nap but for others rest could be hanging out with friends. Personally, I find my rest in going for a hike or doing something spontaneous. Anything that helps you to recharge and refresh your soul is rest and it is an important thing to intentionally make a part of your lifestyle. 
2. BOUNDARIES- Setting healthy boundaries is a great way to take care of yourself. Setting these boundaries can positively affect your mental wellbeing as well. I know first hand that boundaries can be hard to name and stick to but, if you are dedicated to the outcome you will see a transformative effect on your life. Here are 2 examples of boundaries that I’ve implemented in my life that have helped so much.

• Learn when to say no, you can’t be everything for everyone. It’s healthy to know your limits and be confident enough to step into them. I believe that learning to say no is not only a form of self-care but also a form of self-respect.   
• Take responsibility for YOUR actions and emotions, you’re only responsible for the way you react and the way you feel. Often times we think that other people’s emotions are our responsibility and although that usually comes from a place of compassion it can become draining. 

3. SCHEDULE IT– When it comes to self-care our excuse is usually that life gets in the way and don’t have time. I think that it’s so important that you intentionally schedule time for self-care. This doesn’t mean you have to take hours out of your schedule for self-care, it could mean listening to a podcast, doing yoga or just taking a long shower for just 20 minutes before you get your day started. Once you schedule that time, guard it because if you allow it that time will change your wellbeing for the better. 

I really hope these 3 tips helped you out and remember that practicing good self-care takes time and a lot of trial and error. You can’t love the people around you if you’re drained and tired. It’s important to find your rest and listen to your body. I’m going to leave you with a challenge this week. Do one thing everyday that leaves that makes you happy. And remember you are worth taking care of. 🙂

This is Kiera (so beautiful right?) and I had the privilege of interviewing her for this week’s post! Kiera is passionate, driven, kind and has AMAZING style! I asked her five questions about what fashion means to her and I’m so excited for you all to get a glimpse of how wonderful she is. 

What does fashion mean to you?

Kiera views fashion as more than trendy clothes and instagram pictures, although we can all agree that those are always fun. She views it as a form of self-expression and the way that looks is different for each person. Which  is a beautiful thing. “It allows me to show my personality without having to say words,” says Kiera. It’s no secret that Kiera’s fierce and bold personality shines through her fashion. She says, “It is empowering and reminds me that I have to love myself before I can love others.” What a powerful and true message, such a wonderful representation of what fashion truly means to Kiera. 

How did you get into fashion?

Kiera has loved fashion ever since she was a little girl. She loved watching movies and shows that showcased beautiful clothes, like America’s Next Top Model. “I became obsessed,” says Kiera. She grew up sketching clothing designs for her barbies before she was even able to pick out her own clothes. She received a sewing machine and that changed the game. She was able to explore her passion and creativity in a hands on way.  Kiera says, “I was given an outlet that let me create clothing that was just for me, some ideas were good, others weren’t great.” This outlet only fueled her love for fashion and she hasn’t stopped loving it since. 

Who are some of your style icons?

Kiera pulls inspiration from many different places and her style icons come from all different styles. She loves the “timeless” and “classic” look of old Hollywood star, Audrey Hepburn, as well as modern icons such as Kim Kardashian. Talking about Kim K she says, “I know she is a controversial person but it is true, the amount of confidence and creativity that she has in her style is something to be admired.” She also expressed how important it was for her to have women of color to look up to when she was growing up. That being said, Kiera  greatly admired Tyra Banks and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as fashion icons as well as advocates. She says, “they both do more than just have amazing fashion, they do a lot to advocate and speak about the things they care about, that is something to aspire to do.” Using the audience you have to speak up about what you are passionate about is a beautiful and inspiring use of that platform. 

What is your favorite current trend?

Kiera says, “my aesthetic is all over the place, but it fits me perfectly.” She said her favorite trend at the moment, if she had to pick, would be matching sets. “The amount of matching sets in my closet is out of control,” she says. Matching sets allow you to take a look and make it your own. Kiera loves that the pattern/color is cohesive throughout the whole outfit and you can make that outfit unique to your personal style. She likes to style her matching sets by adding jewelry, sunglasses, hats and different shoes. It’s like a blank canvas and you get to make it your own. “It takes my creativity to a new level.”

How does fashion allow you to express who you are?

Kiera dove deeper into how fashion empowers her and how growing up she fell into comparison. She expresses that comparison is difficult for all females but it is extremely difficult for minority women. “Growing up as an African American woman I wanted to do everything in my power to fit in with the minority white culture, rejecting the beauty of my own race,” says Kiera. She has been able to rediscover her self-confidence and embraces the beauty of her skin and hair. She says that her style is just an added bonus to her self-confidence. What a beautiful thing. Embracing and loving yourself for exactly who you are is so important and special. She  says, “I am proud to be an African American woman in society and I will continue to encourage self love and empowerment.”

 I am personally so proud and honored to know such an empowering and strong woman and am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to share  how fashion enables Kiera to express and embrace who she is with you all. My hope is that you can take inspiration from this interview and learn to embrace all that you are. 

“There is no force greater than a woman determined to rise.” –W.E.B Dubois

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Hey everyone!! Welcome back to Jones Magazine, I’m excited you’re back for another read! 

For today’s post I’m doing an advice column!! I posted on my instagram story asking for any and all questions you might have about fashion/lifestyle! I was super happy with how many questions were asked and I’d love to answer them all but I decided to choose five! 

I hope you enjoy “In My Humble Opinion” and don’t forget to like and comment! 

Q: “What are some ways you can recycle clothes?”

A: I love this question! When it comes to recycling your clothes you can always donate them but I think it’s fun to get creative with it! Something super fun you can do is a “clothing swap.” Basically, you and your friends get together and swap clothes. This is a great way to add to your closet while also getting rid of things you don’t wear anymore! Another thing that you can do is upcycle. Upcycling allows you to create something different out of what you already have. It can be as simple as cropping an old hoodie or you can distress any of your denim that you want to give a new look. Not only is this super fun but recycling your clothes is really great for the environment!

Q:”I’m bad at shopping and have no fashion sense, help?” 

A: My biggest piece of advice is to find inspiration. Look on instagram, pinterest, youtube or if you want to go old school, magazines. Take inspiration from your favorite influencers or celebrities then make it your own. And don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks, find something that makes you feel confident and roll with it. As for the shopping part I suggest taking a friend with you, someone to hype you up and make it a fun experience! 

Q:”How do I know if I can pull something off?”

A:For this one I’m actually going to ask you some questions! Do you like what you’re wearing? Do you feel confident in what you’re wearing? If the answer to those questions is yes then you can definitely pull off whatever look you’re going for. Fashion is all about expression! What makes you feel confident and put together? It all starts with your mindset, if you think you can rock an outfit or a new trend you can. It doesn’t matter what other people are saying or doing, wear what makes you happy!!

Q:”How can I become more confident?”

A:Wow! This is a question I could write a book on! First things first, you have to accept who you are. These are the cards you were dealt, embrace the game and play with what you got! It’s totally normal to have insecurities, everyone does and that doesn’t mean you’re not a confident person! It’s your mindset about those insecurities that change the way you see yourself. I strongly believe that confidence comes from within. If you love who you are as a human being it will be much easier to love your reflection too. Wake up everyday knowing you have so much worth and continue to better yourself. Confidence isn’t a destination by any means, it’s a lifelong journey. And lucky for you, I wrote a post all about confidence (you should check it out)!!

Q:”What is your advice on how to stay positive during quarantine and isolation?”

A: This is a tough one because I’m still navigating through that and this craziness!! It’s so important to stay positive during all of this uncertainty but it’s also so important to recognize the severity and heaviness of it too. My biggest piece of advice is to not waste this season. Use this time of being at home and not having to be everywhere all the time to rest. And I don’t mean sleeping all day, I mean find things that bring you joy and peace. Use this unexpected time to grow and appreciate what you have. Make a quarantine bucket list and do things you never had time to do. Talk to the people you love, check on them, be there for them. This is a hard time but there is a silver lining in everything if you choose to see it. Take this opportunity to grow and share that love and positivity with the people around you! We’re all in this together!

Thank you to everyone who asked a question! I appreciate you all!! See you next time! Like & Comment

H E Y!!!

Welcome back to Jones Magazine, as always I’m really glad you’re here! For today’s post we’re going to talk about how to use fashion as motivation while in quarantine. 

It’s no secret that life looks a little different right now. This pandemic leaves absolutely no one unaffected. With quarantine and a stay at home order in place, that leaves a lot of people working from home. Whether it’s school or a job being in the house all day, every day can take any amount of motivation you have away. 

I’m a college student and like most, my University’s classes are fully online for the rest of the semester. I know I personally struggle finding motivation and structure during this crazy time. But I’ve been finding little ways to make this stay at home lifestyle a little bit better, so I’m going to share my tips with you all! Hope they help!! 

• ACTUALLY GET READY- It’s very easy to wake up at noon, stay in your pajamas and work from your bed every day. And I totally get that, it’s very tempting. That being said, getting up and getting ready will make a HUGE difference in your day. When you wake up do your skin care routine, do your hair and makeup (if ya want) and put on a cute, comfy outfit. Feeling put together is really important when it comes to feeling motivated. 
• ATHLEISURE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND- Like I mentioned, feeling put together is very important when it comes to working at home but so is comfort. I highly recommend you invest in some athleisure so you can still have style but you’re also super comfortable for a work day at home. My personal favorite right now is pairing black leggings and a denim jacket with a graphic t-shirt and white nike shoes. I highly recommend getting on Pinterest and looking for inspiration.
• VISION BOARDS- This is (hopefully) the only time the government will literally be telling us to stay inside and do nothing! Take advantage of that!!!! During this time find style inspiration, look through old magazines or print your favorite fashion influencer’s pictures off instagram! Make a vision board that inspires you and start transforming your style! Start shopping online and collect pieces you love! 
• PHOTO OPS- Now that you’re finding your style have a quarantine photoshoot. Set up a backdrop or a cute place to take photos. If you’re in quarantine alone that’s okay, use the self timer on your phone. Social media is SO important right now to stay connected. Post your quarantine looks and encourage your friends to do the same!

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! It’s okay to be scared and anxious and it’s okay to be disappointed and upset. We’re all feeling it in some capacity, you’re not alone! Wash your hands, social distance and remember to check on your people. Quarantine can be a lonely place so let’s take care of each other too. Even though living in uncertainty can be scary and negative I encourage you to spread some positivity wherever you can. 

I’m including a link below with a number of amazing charities where you can donate to help spread a little love during this hard time. Our medical & essential workers are putting their safety at risk to selflessly take care of the people in their communities. Let’s never take that for granted! 
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=7779

Hey friends!! Welcome back to Jones Magazine! Today I’m going to combine two of my favorite things, fashion and travel. So you’re going on a trip right? You want to pack cute outfits for those instagrammable moments. What if your luggage gets lost and you’re left with just your plane outfit? I’m here to tell you how to pack strategically so you can maximize your carry on and still have cool outfits. 

Here are some super helpful hacks for maximizing your carry on space: 

• Wear your bulkiest items, if you have a big coat you want to take with you wear it on the plane. If you get hot you can always take it off but it will save SO much room in your carry on. 
• Pack the inside of your shoes, place your shoes in the bottom of your suitcase and put anything you can fit in them. They could fit your socks and any smaller items that you don’t have a space for. 
• Know exactly what you want to pack, make a list of the outfits you want to wear and know exactly what pieces you need to make those outfits. Another good idea is pack pieces that you can rewear. 
• Share with your friends, if you and your besties are taking a trip together share your clothes. This will help you make cute outfits and still save space. 

It is 100% possible to fit everything you need in a carry on, I hope these 4 hacks help you on your next trip. Don’t forget to like and comment and check out my previous post on confidence!! Until next time!! Bye!!

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Jones Magazine, this week we’re going to talk about confidence. I hope you can use this space to find some inspiration. 

Confidence is a topic that is really close to my heart. I think it has the power to change the way you view yourself and the people around you. The key to confidence is to feel good from the inside out. This starts with owning who you are and working everyday to embrace and accept everything you have to offer. Now for what you’ve been waiting for, here are 6 tips for how to be confident so you can look good, feel good and do good!!

LOOK GOOD

• Find your style: Curate different outfits that make you excited to get dressed in the morning. I think there’s so much value in the three words, “dress for success.” Clothes have more power than we think and dressing in a way that makes you feel like a boss is setting you up for success. Personally, if I like my outfit then I’m in a much better mood. I’m not saying you have to wear a pant suit and heels every day but being intentional about what you’re wearing can have a great effect on your confidence. 
• Take care of yourself: I know this seems super obvious, but in this case I’m talking about taking care of yourself in the small ways that we neglect when we’re busy. This could mean getting your hair done so you can feel put together. Or doing your makeup, wearing your favorite outfit, getting coffee in the morning. The best part is there are no rules!! Just do something you don’t usually make time for to say, “hey self I actually really care about you.” I promise you will look in the mirror and feel so much more confident. 

FEEL GOOD 

• Get Active: This is super important when it comes to feeling good about yourself. Staying active not only helps with your physical health but also with your mental health. And nothing makes me feel more confident than when I know I’m doing something to help my mind and body. I think when you’re actively taking care of your body and your mind you’re going to feel more confident. Getting active could mean going to the gym, going for a hike or even just walking to class everyday. Taking time to care for your body and clear your mind will leave you feeling more confident than ever. 
• No self deprecating talk: Words have an incredible amount of power and what we speak we will begin to believe. To be truly confident in who you are you need to embrace and love who you are. Now, I know that is a lifelong journey, loving and embracing who you are but you have to start somewhere. I think being intentional about what we think and say about ourselves is VERY important. They way I think of it is, “if you wouldn’t say it to your best friend don’t say it to yourself.” Let’s start saying kind things about ourselves okay? 

DO GOOD

• Compliment Someone: The absolute BEST way to feel good about yourself is to make someone else feel good. Kindness goes a long way and doing good and putting love out into the world is the best way to feel confident in yourself. If I’m having a bad day and I’m not feeling great about myself I always make an effort to hype someone up. Seeing them light up and feel good always makes me feel 1,000% better. Spreading love is one of my favorite ways to feel more confident!!
• Be a good person: This kind of ties in to the last point but doing good things is linked to higher self esteem. I’m not saying you have to be Mother Theresa to feel confident, but spreading some kindness to the people around you will make you feel so much better. Being confident goes a lot deeper than just thinking you look good. Like I said earlier, it’s about loving yourself from the inside out. Doing good for those around you will only make the love you have for yourself grow and with all that newfound self love you can pour into the people around you. 

Thanks for reading friends! I know this was a long one but I’m so glad you stuck around. Leave a like and comment! 🙂

Hey friends, welcome back to another post on Jones Magazine! 

Finding your style can be overwhelming but I’m going to break it down into 5 easy steps to help you start your style journey. 

1. Look for Inspiration- Whether it’s social media, magazines, movies or even people you see walking down the street, inspiration is EVERYWHERE. My advice for you all is to look at what you’re drawn to and pick the common themes. I highly recommend vision boards, find images that you’re drawn to print or cut them out and make a collage of all the color, prints, and patterns you love. Inspiration doesn’t mean you’re copying someone else, the point of style is to take what inspires you and make it your own. 
2. Clean out your closet- It’s super important to start off with a clean slate. I recommend going through your clothes and donating anything that you haven’t worn in the last six months. If you can’t picture yourself wearing a piece of clothing and feeling good in it, it’s gotta go. Cleaning your closet, leaving only the pieces you really love will help you build a wardrobe that makes you feel and look good.
3. Choose a color palette- find a color palette that you’re drawn to or feel confident in. Personally, I like to stick with a neutral color palette like black, white, and gray. I think that neutral colors allow for tasteful pops of color to be added. Patterns are also a great way to explore your color palette and add to any look. 
4. Experiment- The best way to find your personal style is to try new things. Mix it up, find what puts you outside your comfort zone of leggings and a hoodie. Experimenting with fashion doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. For one person it could be adding color, for another it could be mixing patterns. Personally, I like to explore different trends from different decades. Right now I’m really into the 90’s retro looks and giving it a more modern twist. An example would be mom jeans, a graphic tee, layered on top of a turtle neck with nike air forces. 
5. Dress for your lifestyle- you always hear people say, dress for the life you want not for the life you have. And that’s great but I think it’s important to dress in a way that suits your lifestyle. Although style is a huge part of your personality it is important to keep in mind that you want to dress in a way that makes sense for the life you live. This can include your job, your hobbies, your location and basically anything in your day to day life. Don’t be afraid to take a style you love, that may not be practical for your lifestyle, and adapt it to fit the life you live. 

Thanks for reading!! Talk soon 🙂