OOTD: The Perfect Summer Holiday Dress

Dress: Primark. Sandals: Primark. Hat: Primark

Bloggers as influencers is something I think many people, particularly the traditional media, still doesn't really understand. Yet as a reader of blogs as well as writing my own, I see it in action daily. This dress is just one example of 'influencing' in action. When I headed to the Jaywing PR Blogger Brunch to chat all things SEO, marketing and monetising, I was lucky enough to listen to Hannah Gale talk about her experience as a full-time blogger. She was wearing this gorgeous dress and as soon as the brunch ended, I found myself heading straight to Primark and buying the dress for myself  - how much more influential can you get?

I love Primark for Summer because for me, Summer is the season of fast fashion. I prefer to spend my money on great quality boots or a fantastic coat in the Winter, but in Summer I can experiment more with my style. Realistically, a dress like this isn't going to be worn day in day out as much as I love it - it isn't suitable for my job and because it needs to be worn without tights, there are limited days it can be worn thanks to the Great British weather. However, it's perfect for holidays and at just £13, I'm sure to get my money's worth. 

I wore it here to wander around the gorgeous streets of Palma and it was perfect for a hot Summer holiday. It's a great length for feeling glamorous yet cool and I adore the off the shoulder design which covers that not-my-favourite part of my arms. The elasticated and tie waist ensures that my figure isn't lost and it's the perfect versatile Summer dress - so thank you Primark and Hannah! 

What do you think of the dress? When have you been influenced to buy something thanks to a blogger?

Jess

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OOTD: A Slinky Summer Maxi Dress

Dress: Superdry c/o House of Fraser. Heels: Primark. Necklace: eBay

Can short girls wear maxi dresses? If you type this into Google, there are 2.21 million results. Some of the headlines include "16 Trends Short Girls Should Avoid" and "Short Girl Fashion Rules" so it's clearly a topic which short girls have asked many times before.

Well, what a load of old rubbish - wear what you want as long as it makes you feel good. And I feel great in this beautiful maxi dress from House of Fraser* Superdry isn't a brand that I would ever normally look at but this stunning slinky dress jumped out at me when I browsed the maxi dresses on the House of Fraser website.

Which reminds me - did I mention I'm going on my first 'travel blogger' holiday in two weeks? Jet 2 Holidays and BH Mallorca are sending me away to Magaluf for a week and I absolutely cannot wait. I am in serious need of a week of sunshine and cocktails - and lots of Instagram holiday spam!

This maxi dress has gone straight in my suitcase as it's the perfect holiday dress for trips to the beach and dressed up for evenings. The cotton material is super comfortable but the strapless back makes it a little more dress, meaning it's versatile enough for me to even wear it to a wedding this weekend.

I also couldn't resist wearing my Time Turner necklace - my new Harry Potter themed jewellery to add to my geeky jewellery collection. My brother bought me it as thanks for helping with his dissertation - I feel like Hermione whilst wearing it! Finally, I popped on some gorgeous tan coloured lace up heels from Primark and let the dress take centre stage surrounded by the beautiful flowers of Hyde Park.

Are you a maxi dress wearer? What do you think of this outfit?

Jess

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OOTD: Ready for Summer with Bon Prix

Dress: Bon Prix* Shoes: Clarks. Bag: Bon Prix*

The weather seems to be trying its best to bring us the sunshine. Yet however hard the British weather tries, at this time of year I can't stop thinking about getting abroad and onto a beach! When BonPrix challenged me to create a 'High Summer' look for a beach holiday, I couldn't wait to get stuck in and shop their holiday collection,

I'm having a real midi dress moment right now. A simple knee length dress, with an elasticated waist and a-line shape, is my go-to style for all occasions. It's perfect for work, days out, weekends away - and a beach holiday. The length is flattering, stylish and, most importantly, not too short. I feel like an old lady saying it, but I am loving an appropriate length hemline!

My only issue with this pretty Bon Prix dress is the neckline - the wrap style means that it is far too low to be worn on its own, but a simple vest top solves the problem. I teamed the dress with my favourite new shoes from Clarks. I'm so obsessed with this t-bar style I bought the Taylor Palm shoe in all three colours - I'm truly living by the motto that "if the shoe fits, buy it in every colour!"

A trip to the beach needs a beach bag and this gorgeous metallic bag from Bon Prix is huge. It's perfect as it fits in everything you could possibly need, even my tripod which is very impressive! I love the bronze metallic colour which I think is perfect for Summer and I can't wait to take it on holiday with me. 

What have you added to your wardrobe to prepare for Summer? What's your go-to Summer outfit?

Jess

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1920s Flapper Outfit and A Night of Poker

Dress: River Island. Shoes: Clarks. Necklace: eBay. Earrings: Asos. Headdress: DIY.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to play Texas Hold Em for charity by Ladbrokes. The event was held at the stunning SkyLounge, the breathtaking cocktail bar and afternoon tea lounge overlooking Leeds at the DoubleTree by Hilton. It's a recent discovery for me, but after trying the afternoon tea at Christmas, it's become one of my favourite places for a special occasion. 

I've never played Texas Hold Em before but it was so much fun! I must admit that I was so much braver given that I wasn't playing with real money. We quickly learnt what was a good hand and what wasn't and at one point I had a decent pile of chips. However, as the blinds got bigger and bigger, my pile got smaller and smaller, and soon I was out. You can check out a video of the evening here.

The evening was Great Gatsby themed and I was so excited to put together a 1920s outfit. I have always wanted to go to a Great Gatsby fancy dress party, as I think it's such a glamorous and impressive theme. Importantly, it's also really easy to put an outfit together and still look good.

Most girls will have a swing or sequinned dress in their wardrobe, and I grabbed this neglected velvet swing dress from the back of my wardrobe. I love the luxurious navy colour and the detailed lace sleeves add something pretty and feminine to dress.

Rather than splash out on a headband, I decided to be thrifty and make my own. I had a length of elastic and some sequins in my sewing basket, so I simply sewed these randomly onto my elastic to create a glittering headpiece. I popped on a feather hairpiece, picked up in Poundland, and secured the headband with some velcro - easy peasy!

I found a long string of pearls in my fancy dress box to finish the look (no, I'm not five, but I haven't let go of my university days quite yet!) Thin eyebrows and some bright red lipstick finished off my 1920s inspired look and it's one of my favourite fancy dress outfits, despite being so easy and simple to put together!

Have you ever played poker? What do you think of my Great Gatsby look?

Jess

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OOTD: My Redoute Style

Last year (it still feels so strange to say that, doesn't it?), I went to a fantastic blog event organised by La Redoute. For me, La Redoute is the first 'catalogue brand' I really noticed and I remember pouring over the images in the catalogue as a child, but I hadn't bought anything from them for years. Therefore, I was excited to see how the brand had changed and headed to Leeds for an evening with some fellow bloggers. We were treated to plenty of alcohol, lots of food and the highlight of the evening was the opportunity to choose an item of clothing to take home with us. I had so much fun browsing the rails and trying on clothes in the toilets with my blogger buddies and when Tea Party Beauty insisted I try a certain burgundy lace dress, I fell in love:

Dress: La Redoute* Heels: House of Fraser* Bag: New Look. Rings: Adorned. Necklaces: Primark. Earrings: Adorned. 

You know those times when your friends know your style better than you do? Hayley seriously nailed it when she made me try on this dress - the bodycon style is slightly out of my comfort zone so I hadn't picked it up for myself. However, the fit is actually really flattering and I felt really confident as soon as I put it on. The length of the dress and sleeves means that the dress feels grown-up and suitable for a huge variety of occasions, from a job interview to a party. The colour and lace material is stunning, along with a cute cut-away back detail. 

I was so impressed with the range of gorgeous evening dresses from La Redoute as well as the prices - some are reduced even further thanks to their current sale. I feel like the quality is fantastic and La Redoute really get women and what they want from fashion. At the blog event, we were provided with a huge range of sizes and styles, something which is sadly very rare at blogger events who often act like women are only a size 8, and every single girl I spoke to left feeling happy and confident about the evening. 

I decided to style the dress with some simple black and gold accessories - star print heels from House of Fraser, a glittery bag, chunky rings and some delicate necklaces. I love these statement rings from Adorned, which are perfect for mixing and matching with a variety of outfits. I kept the outfit fairly simple but by adding a little sparkle, I think the look is pretty lovely - what do you think?

Jess

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Over The Knee Boots: Trendy or Tarty?

Over the knee boots are a tough item to style. I can't ever quite shake the 'Pretty Woman' vibe but they also look so damn stylish on other people, I love the trend and it doesn't look like it's going away any time soon. Today I decided to style them in possibly the hardest way - with a fur coat:

Top: Primark. Skirt: Tesco. Boots: H&M. Coat: Primark.

A fur coat and over the knee boots was always going to be a risky combo. I tried to keep the style retro with an A-line skirt in a fun 60s style print. I picked up this skirt in my local Tesco, which was a total bargain. It's such a flattering cut as it's not too short and gives the illusion of a smaller waist. I adore the geometic pattern and the colours match with so much of my wardrobe, meaning it has quickly become a favourite in my wardrobe.

Today I paired it with a sparkly metallic turtleneck from Primark. Turtlenecks are one of my favourite winter staples and this metallic version adds a bit of interest - even though it's not Christmas anymore, I still love adding a bit of sparkle! Another one of my Primark favourites is of course this stunning fur coat. I always get compliments whenever I wear it and it's just so cosy! 

Finally, I have to talk about these over the knee boots. I haven't quite managed to pull off the heeled long boot trend so I was so happy to discover this flat pair. However, I do wish they were a little longer to completely cover my knees - and I only have short legs! They feel casual and comfortable to wear but I must admit that over the knee boots are a trend which you need to be confident to pull off. Working on my confidence is a constant process for me, so wearing an outfit like this may seem like a small thing but for me, this outfit is a great way to express myself, feel more confident and go about my day feeling fabulous!

What do you think of my outfit? How do you style over the knee boots?

Jess

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OOTD: Roll With It

Oh I do love this season! Roll-neck jumpers under dresses are one of my favourite looks and today I'm sharing exactly that, shot by the lovely Skinned Cartree in Leeds:

Dungaree dress: New Look* Jumper: Primark. Boots: Clarks. Necklace: Etsy. Rings: Primark.

I spotted this dungaree dress whilst shopping in the Manchester Arndale after my wonderful stay at Premier Inn for the Sleep WellShop Well event. I think New Look is offering some fantastic clothes at the moment and I keep finding myself gravitating towards them whenever I want something new yet affordable for my wardrobe. As soon as I spotted this dungaree dress I picked it up and headed straight to the changing room. I initially was unsure whether the style would suit me but I love it, even if I feel slightly like a five year old!

I love this colour for Autumn and Winter and the dungaree style is perfect for layering. Today, I added a simple beige turtleneck which cost just £6 from Primark – it’s warm and chic, and ideal for wearing underneath my summer dresses with thick black tights. Although I talk about my ‘Summer’ and ‘Winter’ wardrobe, really I just buy clothes which I can wear bare legged in the summer, then without tights and lots of jumpers in the winter. This dress is a cord-like fabric which feels much studier than some of my more summery dress, so it’s a step towards a proper winter wardrobe.

What do you think of this outfit? What have you bought recently from New Look?

Jess

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Give It Some Welly with Joules

I don't normally share competitions on my blog, but when Joules contacted me to explain their latest competition to design their new welly, I knew I needed to share it with you all:

The competition itself is really simple: you simply pick the colour of the main boot, the trim and sole and then design your pattern. You can either choose from existing prints, including the iconic hare, stag or dog prints found on current Joules pieces, or you can draw your own design which is then added to the welly design. I'm a bit of a sucker for 'design you own' websites - I love customising Nikes with Nike ID to get as many fun and different options I can - so I think this is a really fun competition. In case you were wondering, the print on the boot on the right is supposed to be lemons, inspired by my love for gin and tonic - drawing is harder than it looks!

If you are more creative than me, the prizes are fantastic. The best welly designer will win a luxury break worth a massive £5,000, including 3 nights in a golden oak treehouse cabin plus lots more surprises. A stay in a treehouse is one of my holiday dreams, so I would love to win this! The winning welly will also go on sale on the Joules website, with all proceeds from the sales being donated to charity via Charitably Joules.

10 runners up will also each receive a £250 Joules gift card so there are plenty of chances to win, but it's also an easy and fun competition to enter. I've already played around with a few designs to give you some inspiration and I think even a scribble looks pretty cool! 

You can enter the competition here and the closing date is the 4th December, so get creating!

*I received compensation for this post, but views are, as ever, my own*

Jess

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OOTD: Fur Baby

I've already blogged about the wonderful Bloggers' Blog Awards, but my worry - along with most of the attendees - was definitely what to wear. I had taken a huge risk and not even packed an outfit for the Awards when I left Cambridge, relying on a last-minute shopping trip in the Trinity Centre the night before the event, but luckily H&M came up trumps. After we had finished setting up, I grabbed Corrine from Skinned Cartree to take some snaps outside of Lamberts' Yard of my last-minute outfit:

Dress: H&M. Faux fur gilet: H&M. Rings: Primark. Earrings: Platform 9 3/4, Kings Cross. Necklace: George at Asda* Boots: Clarks.

I've been loving the seventies trend all Summer, and I'm even more excited for it to stick around throughout Autumn and Winter because this means layers. Faux fur is always a favourite of mine during the colder months, so I was determined to find a faux fur gilet to wear over swing dresses and suede. After hunting through a few shops to no success, I finally stumbled upon this version in H&M and fell in love. It was nothing like I was originally looking for, but I love it. The greens, greys and blacks are fun and unusual but it also has a black cardigan back, which somehow make the gilet much more wearable - it adds just the right amount of fur rather than completely swamping me in fluffiness! 

I decided to team the furry gilet with a simple dress, also from H&M. I love polo necks in winter, as they keep my cosy and look sleek and stylish. This dress is perfect for both days out and work, thanks to its high neckline and long sleeves. The simple skater style is so flattering and I felt both comfortable and confident in it. The plain grey is perfect for dressing up or down and I thought it matched perfectly with the fur, letting the fluff take centre stage. I've been loving H&M's #FallInLove campaign this Autumn on some bigger blogs; thanks to my single status, I thought I would hate seeing so many loved-up posts but they've been nicely balanced between bloggers loving their other halves and bloggers taking time to love themselves. I hate the motto to 'love yourself before you love others' - it's not something I think should be mutually exclusive. However, I've recently realised quite how happy I am single and I'm so busy it's great to spend my spare moments focusing on myself, my friends and my family rather than dating. I'm not the kind of person who wants to be in a relationship for the sake of it; perhaps somebody will come along and perhaps they won't. Sometimes it's nice to be selfish!

Anyway, back to clothes! Because the outfit was fairly simple. I added a pile of jewellery to add some interest. I've been loving the various sets of rings from Primark recently and this set of gold and purple toned rings are some of my favourites. I adore the mix of normal and midi rings which I can stack up or wear individually, plus they're a complete bargain (even if they turn my hands slightly green - oops!) Of course, I couldn't resist adding my Dobby earrings and my favourite George at Asda necklace to complete my accessories. 

Finally, I added my brand new winter boots from Clarks. This year, I was determined to buy some sensible shoes, so of course I turned to Clarks. I'm really impressed with how fashionable these boots are and, unsurprisingly, they are so comfortable. They are perfect for walking around Leeds or London for hours on end and keeping my feet toasty and dry. Overall, I think the entire look is going to become a Winter staple for me - especially the faux fur! I might have already bought another faux fur jacket...

What do you think of my outfit? What do you wear to blogger meet ups?

Jess

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Birthday Wishlist

It's my birthday next Wednesday and I am definitely not prepared to turn 23! I'm starting to feel scarily like an adult, despite the fact my student card is still valid (a fact I am desperately holding onto until it expires!) I wanted to put together a little wishlist of some items I've been lusting after, and what better time to do it than just before my birthday?

1. A Bit of Fit

I love the idea of a FitBit as a great motivator to work out and just be more generally active. I’ve been struggling with my gym routine recently as I have thrown myself into working three part-time jobs and blogging as much as possible, leaving little time to workout. I love my fitness apps and the pedometer on the Nokia Lumia 735 was one of my favourite elements of the phone, as I mentioned in my Lumia review. Now I am back to using my regular phone, I miss this app and the FitBit is great for tracking general walking as well as gym sessions. Working so much, I’m also having to adjust to the lack of sleep so I think the sleep tracker would be another brilliant addition to my gadgets.

2. Give Me A Ring

As I just mentioned, I have become increasingly frustrated with my Huawei phone and hoping to invest in a new one. The camera simply isn’t good enough, particularly for Instagram, and I’ve got no more room to download any apps. Rather than irritating everyone with my constant moaning about it, I should probably just get a new one! An iPhone would be the dream, but I just can't justify the price as much as I try to!

3. Jean-ius

I’m trying to get the hang of my ‘adult’ wardrobe, especially now that I need a 'work' wardrobe, a 'blogger' wardrobe and a 'casual weekend' wardrobe (although this normally just means pyjamas!) These J Brand* jeans from Trilogy are expensive, but the kind of great quality which makes all the difference to a wardrobe. I love the skinny fit and the ankle roll ups are trendy and perfect for my short frame. A great pair of jeans looks great in all kinds of situations and it's something I think is a great investment piece.

4. All About The Eyes

I always feel frivolous asking for make-up as a gift so this is definitely something I would buy as a treat for myself, rather than expect somebody else to buy me. For me, make-up is a luxury not a basic so I feel guilty asking for something so unnecessary – although I suppose that’s what the treat of a birthday present is all about! I have been umm-ing and ahh-ing over the Charlotte Tilbury range for months now and I would love to invest in something for my make-up bag. I’m leaning towards the Dolce Vita palette thanks to its beautiful colours and glamourous packaging, although I’m tempted by a lipstick too.

6. You're A Wizard, Harry
Isn't it beautiful? I've been following the build up for the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for months now and I am so excited that it is finally published! Bloomsbury have done a fantastic job of the design and the illustrations I have seen so far by Jim Kay have been breathtaking. I've managed to resist buying a copy as my birthday is so close so fingers crossed somebody decides to treat me!

I seem to have chosen fairly expensive items for my birthday wishlist – I promise I’m not getting greedy! I think, as I get older, I’m starting to realise the value in items I need and want to invest in, as opposed to fast fashion or ‘filler’ gifts. I may not have learnt that one good quality item is better than 10 tshirts from Primark (I don’t think I’ll ever be able to quite shake that habit!) but I know the difference between what I need and what I want. This list is admittedly things that I want, and I could do without them all, but they are slightly more sensible and definitely items I would get a lot of use out of. How do your birthday wishlist tastes change each year?

*This is a sponsored post*

Jess

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A Dress From A Duvet: That's Sew George

I have finally handed in my Masters' dissertation! I can now no longer describe myself as a student (although part of me will continue to be in denial until I get confirmation that I am actually graduating and my student card expires). Now I have a little more time to catch up all things blogging and today I wanted to share a crafty post, with the help of George at Asda:

Dress: DIY from George at Asda duvet* Heels: Primark. Belt: Primark. Necklace: George at Asda*

George at Asda offered me a new duvet cover from their amazing homeware range to update my bedroom with a fresh new set of bedding. Then, they explained the twist; I was challenged to use this bedding to sew into something completely new. Using a duvet cover as a fabric for a dress is a concept which I had come across on Pinterest before and I immediately knew this was what I wanted to try and do. It's such a cheap way to get your hands on some interesting cotton fabric rather than buying by the metre. George at Asda have an amazing range of duvet covers with brilliant patterns and colours, so I eventually settled on this cute fox print for the basis of my dress.

I decided to make a simple shift dress, without the need to include a zip or buttons. I say 'simple' but it wasn't quite as easy as I thought. With the help of my Mum and after recutting a couple of sections so the foxes weren't upside down, we managed to sew something that resembled a dress. Now, I must admit, that I feel a little like Dobby in his pillowcase as the measurements somehow came up much bigger than we expected. However, for today's photos I cinched in my waist with a tan belt and added some heels to lengthen my legs. Hopefully, it's only because I know it's a duvet that I'm a little self-conscious and nobody else can tell! What do you think?

I also have some amazing unicorn patterned fabric from Asda which I am dying to turn into clothing, but I think I need to practice before I try again. I can't risk ruining the incredible unicorn pattern! Have you got any sewing tips for new sewers like me? Have you ever made a dress from a duvet cover?

Jess

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Autumn Shoe Wishlist

I own a lot of shoes. It’s not exactly a surprise is it? However, most of my shoes are completely impractical and there are only a few pairs which I wear consistently as I rely on their comfort whilst out and about. As the weather gets colder, I’ve started my yearly hunt for a decent pair of Autumnal boots and so I wanted to put together a little wishlist for you all:

For me, a good Autumnal boot should be plain enough that I can wear it with every outfit, look great with black tights and socks (my Autumn style staple) and still be sensible enough to put up with our wonderful British weather. It’s difficult to find a balance between style and comfort - why do all stylish boots always have a huge heel? If I’m commuting to London for the day or heading to Leeds for a weekend, I need flats! Luckily, Jones Bootmaker have got some great practical styles; I particularly love these leather ankle boots (4). Ok, technically they have a small heel to give me a boost, but they look really comfortable. I love the lace-up style and they would match all of my wardrobe easily. 

I also spotted these similar leather boots from Asos (2). Rather than lace-up, the buckle style is a bit edgier and the shinier material looks polished and expensive. For a more practical option, I love these Rieker boots from Shoetique (3). They almost resemble my Trespass walking boots but the tan colour will look great with Autumnal maroons and blues. I love the patterned cuff for something a little bit different as the weather gets cooler. Finally, I couldn’t resist adding this pair from Asos (1). A classic ankle boot style, I love the two-tone design of this boot. The colours are neutral and stylish and I think these boots really stand out in a fashionable way.

What do you look for in your Autumn shoe wardrobe? Have you started planning for the colder seasons yet?

*This is a sponsored post*

Jess

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OOTD: Workwear Style

You may have noticed on Twitter that I recently completed two weeks work experience at Bloomsbury as I am looking to begin my career in publishing. I don't often talk about my studies or career plans on my blog (although if you'd be interested, please let me know!) but today I wanted to give you a peek into my internship wardrobe. Fashion bloggers don't seem to share their workwear style very often, so I wanted to share my office look:

Dress: Primark. Sleeveless waistcoat: New Look. Necklaces: Primark. Shoes: Primark. Earrings: Platform 9/4, King's Cross

I commuted into London for two weeks, which took at least an hour and a half each way, so I needed my wardrobe to be comfortable and versatile. My go-to was therefore loose shift dresses like this navy blue tshirt dress from Primark. I intentionally bought this a few sizes too big in a size 14 to ensure that it was properly oversized and a more appropriate length for the office. I love the simple style, with short sleeves and zip pocket details - although unfortunately the pockets aren't real! 

To smarten up the look, I added a sleeveless waistcoat. I must admit than I was unconvinced on this slightly odd trend but once I tried one on I realised how versatile they could be. Publishing as an arts industry isn't smart in the suits and heels sense, but I still like to look formal, especially during an internship when impressions count. I think this waistcoat adds a degree of smartness without looking overdressed, which was exactly what I was looking for. I love the grey colour and checked print to layer over plain dresses like this one, which adds some detail and warmth to the look.

I wore trainers for my walk from King's Cross to the Bloomsbury office but I always took a pair of ballet flats to change into once I was there. I love these pale blue pumps which I picked up from Primark, of course. The bright blue colour adds a pop of colour and I loved the shiny buckle detail. I matched this with gold necklaces and of course, I had to wear my Dobby earrings to work with Bloomsbury, the publishers of Harry Potter! 

Do you have any workwear style tips or posts to share? What do you think of my outfit? 

Jess

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