The Concrete Catwalk

Don't lose touch...

2011-12-09T08:19:00.001-06:00

We've Moved: TCC is now Style & Pepper!

2011-12-05T05:00:00.000-06:00

If you've been following this blog for more than a few days, you're probably aware that we just started an exciting adventure in our new city of Hoboken, New Jersey. We are absolutely loving it so far, and could tell from the moment we got here that it's going to be a great change of pace for us.

Another exciting change that I wanted to share with you today directly involves The Concrete Catwalk and all of our readers and friends:

We've officially changed our blog name to Style & Pepper, and our new web address is now styleandpepperblog.com!

(Now would be a great time to update the info in your blog reader, bookmarks tab or otherwise, and if you subscribe via email, go ahead and enter your email address into the nifty box in the sidebar to the right in order to keep receiving a daily dose of spice, straight to your inbox.)

You may have noticed that I've been publishing the occasional non-style-related post here on the site, and it has been great to hear your feedback on the different topics and features. I've realized in the past several months that I really love sharing more than just my quirky outfits, and that you might also be interested in seeing my take on living a stylish, healthy & happy life. As I've introduced new types of posts and broadened our content, the name "The Concrete Catwalk" has slowly started to seem less and less relevant. The voice and theme of the site will hopefully seem to stay the same (including the outfit photos on my NEW concrete catwalk), but the internet location has changed.

If you're wondering about the reasons behind this decision, it's really twofold. The first reason is that Style & Pepper is also the name of my wardrobe styling and consulting business, and I'd love for the blog and the biz to feel more connected. The second reason is that I feel like it gives a much better clue to what the blog is truly about -- personal style, shopping tips, healthy cooking, DIY fashion & more!

A few important things to note:

Our old url, theconcretecatwalk.com, will redirect to our new site, but the feed will now come from styleandpepperblog.com so please update your reading method accordingly! I want you to continue to have the chance to stay connected, and would hate to disappear on you!
My email address has officially changed to jessie@styleandpepper.com (note: different from the blog address, but now attached to my business website). Drop me a line to say hello if you'd like!
I'd love to connect with you on Twitter (I'm @styleandpepper - but if you already follow, you won't have to change a thing!) and we've had to create a new Facebook page altogether, so please "like" us there for post updates, shopping deals, events and other fun tidbits. Unfortunately, if you already follow The Concrete Catwalk on Facebook, you'll have to re-like the new page to stay connected.
Lastly, if you're a fellow blogger who has been kind enough to share this site with your readers, if you could repoint the link to the right spot, we'll love you forever!

I'm so thrilled about the positive changes happening all around me - especially here on my internet home - and as always, am so glad to have you along for the ride! You're welcome to email me with any questions about the above changes, and feel free to help me spread the word about the update! You're all gems, and I love you!

XOXO - Jessie

outfit post: thankful

2011-12-02T08:33:00.001-06:00

happy friday, friends! i know thanksgiving was last week, but i'm feeling extra blessed this morning. our movers finally arrived with our things yesterday, and we are having honestly having such a great time getting all set up in our new home and new neighborhood. in case you've missed any of my instagrams (i'm @styleandpepper if you'd like to follow along!), our bay windows overlook our darling little street, and we can see the hudson river along with downtown manhattan from our front room! i pinch myself EVERY time i glance outside. :)

we're realizing that we brought WAYYY more stuff than we thought, and are going to have to pare down quite a bit of our furniture and a lot (and i mean a LOT) of my clothes/shoes. at first, i felt a little panicky about tackling the latter, but after living without everything for a week and a half, i realized how much i can actually do without, and i'm actually looking forward to downsizing. (i know. i can hardly believe i just typed that, either.) it's great news for you, because i'll hopefully be selling the good stuff online, and i'll be sure to let you know where you can find it all when it's ready!

today's outfit post features what i wore on thanksgiving day and these are the very last photos we took in kansas city. i love these shots so much because they remind me of the fun afternoon that g and i spent together on our last day! also, you KNOW how much i love silk scarves and this pretty vintage one from veil vision has been so fun to style up in different ways, and has been a style-saving accessory for the past two weeks. :)

we'll have some great posts for you next week featuring a NEW concrete catwalk (expect changes to both the photo backgrounds AND the blog - can't wait to share!), so stay tuned for that and i hope you have a fabulous weekend!

top (also seen here) - h&m (similar)

trousers - zara (similar)

blazer - vintage, thrifted (similar)

silk scarf - c/o veil vision

necklace - c/o angel court jewels

earrings - c/o poshlocket

heels (on sale!) - sam edelman, tj maxx

handbag - j. crew

outfit post: blushing

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

if you are a friend of TCC on facebook, you may have seen me mention that i've been wearing this blush faux-leather jacket a LOT as of recently (it's one of the few pieces i couldn't bear to pack up for the movers!), and for this particular look, i wanted to embrace the neutral color and pair it with a few other earthtones and soft dusty pinks.

the sweater i'm wearing underneath is another long time favorite of mine - a spectacular deal found on sale in the men's section at j. crew ($10!) and then embellished with a cut-out corner of an antique tablecloth and bedazzled with some pink and lavender rhinestones. an easy DIY to turn a masculine staple into a girly glittery piece!

jacket - c/o beauxx

sweater - DIY + j. crew

tank - old navy

jeans - gap

earrings (similar... under $5!) - clothing swap

scarf (similar) - gift (thanks, k + lil!)

handbag - j. crew

booties (similar) - charlotte russe

outfit post: green jeans

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

we have yet to take any outfit photos in our new home, so luckily i stockpiled a couple to share with you from before we left!

this casual little look was from one of our going away parties at our favorite pub down the street... already missing the our friends and our regular neighborhood haunts like crazy, but are doing our best to find great new spots here in hoboken. :)

p.s. how cute is my dancing doggie?! she did SUCH a great job on the trip out here, and is very happy in our new flat... we're rewarding her with lots of walks by the water and daily trips to the doggie park!

blouse (similar) - vintage, thrifted
blazer (similar) - american eagle (old!)
green jeans (similar) - ralph lauren via saks off fifth
belt (similar) - borrowed from husband, j. crew
necklace (similar) - gift
rings - vintage, were nana's
heels (similar) - bcbg, nordstrom

outfit post: fringe from a friend

2011-11-29T10:30:00.000-06:00

did you happen to see my post on the delightful dozen blog yet this morning? i styled up this fun fringey vest from my friend andrea of blonde bedhead last month, and the full post is featured over on the DD blog today! give it a look, and i'd love it if you'd let me know in the comments how you'd style this vest for fall!

p.s. we're supposed to get internet at our new place today, so hoping that blogging/tweeting from here on out will be done from my very own sunny window, instead of the coffee shop on the corner. :) i'm starting to get the jitters from the continual stream of peppermint americanos! XOXO

outfit post: spots on spots

2011-11-28T07:20:00.000-06:00

i'm always a sucker for polka dots, but have recently been wearing their quirkier cousin, the "spot" in un-apologetically large doses. this vintage blouse (one of my favorite recent thrifted finds) has TWO kinds of spots, and i just couldn't resist adding a few more by way of the fuzzy jacket and the printed heels.

i know, i know... the design on the heels are technically flowers, but if i squint and tilt my head to the side a little, they look pretty spotty to me!

blouse (similar) - vintage, thrifted

pants (similar) - vintage, thrifted

coat (similar) - vintage, thrifted

heels (similar) - forever21

handbag (similar) - vintage, thrifted

ring (similar) - forever21

weekend wishlist: november sponsors

2011-11-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

today is our biggest driving day, and after a week of wearing "moving clothes" and living out of a suitcase, i am reallllllly looking forward to receiving our things (either sunday or monday... fingers crossed!) and being able to actually put real outfits together again.

i couldn't resist pulling together this dressed-up weekend wishlist, and even just window-shopping for these feminine fall pieces made me excited to get dressed up and explore our new city.

all of the items found in today's weekend wishlist

come from our lovely november sponsors.

won't you show them a little love and check out their goodies

while you're shopping online this cyber monday?

shop this weekend's wishlist:

dress - $141, bracelet - $88, coat - $93,

earrings - $33, handbag - $47,

thigh highs - $25, booties - $69

east coast, here we come!

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

photo by noah kalina via design crush

we're on the road, folks!

i can't stop thinking this beautiful note

that one of our dear friends wrote to us about our journey:

"may your kites fly high, and carry the most lovely and favorable winds"

a precious blessing that is encouraging me during this chapter and comforting me today.
there are big changes ahead... and i'm happy to have you along for the ride!

happy thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

a shot of our table at the first thanksgiving dinner i hosted two years ago

today is our last full day together as kansas city residents

(we'll be back for visits, of course),

and it seems wildly appropriate that it would fall on thanksgiving.

we are SO grateful for a full and fun 4.5 years here,

and even though we're excited about our move,

this past week and the next few days seem so bittersweet.

we've got so many fun things packed into the next 12 hours: a 5k race with friends, a matinee movie, dinner at a new neighborhood spot, and then topping it all off with cold-weather cocktails and a walk to see eric stonestreet flip the switch on the 83rd annual plaza lighting ceremony!

i'm off to make some memories, but i just wanted to pop in to let you know

that i'm so thankful for YOU, today and everyday! :)

look for a new outfit post tomorrow, and because i don't know when we'll have internet next,

i've scheduled a slew of new posts (and an exciting announcement) to go live all next week.

take care of the blog while i'm on the road and getting settled in hoboken, will you?

XOXO - jessie

outfit post: tropical

2011-11-23T07:41:00.001-06:00

i've been hoarding this pretty vintage hawaiian print dress for a few months now after seeing stella mccartney show this gorgeous number, but i recently worried that it was too cold to appropriately wear a tropical print. as i was packing away my wardrobe, it hung there just begging to be kept out of those drafty boxes, and daring me to wear it.

and you may already know by now: i'm always up for a fashion challenge. :)

... so on it went for our going away party last week. i paired it with some of my favorite cold weather accessories, grabbed my new wallet-that-doubles-as-a-clutch out of my handbag, and i was ready to walk out the door.

leave it to a girl from the southwest to pretend like it's summer all year long.

earrings - vintage, thrifted

dress (similar) - vintage, thrifted

silky cardigan (similar) - vintage, thrifted

peacoat (similar) - j. crew

cocktail ring - j. crew

thigh highs - c/o foot traffic

platforms (similar) - jessica simpson

clutch/wallet (similar) - kate spade

splurge or steal: colorblocked sweaters

2011-11-22T09:09:00.001-06:00

i have a confession to make: my wardrobe this past week has been much more cozy-knit sweaters than sparkles and feathers. we packed up all of our belongings over the weekend, and the movers came by last night to load it all into a truck and head to our new home in hoboken just a few days ahead of us.

when i was trying to decide what few key pieces i wanted to keep out until we're reunited with our clothes, i found that i kept reaching for comfy sweaters in bright colors, leggings & flat boots (plus a dressier look for thanksgiving, natch).

i love that the color blocking trend has extended beyond a season of dresses and summerwear, and so many sweaters can now be found in the fun geometric print, as well. there are of course, some gorgeous options at a pretty steep price tag, so i thought i'd try and find a steal option for you in case you're interested in joining the "block party" for less of an investment. :)

top row: see by chloe - $, vince - $275, rag&bone - $275

STEAL: old navy - $37 (multiple adorable colors!)

outfit post: neon necklace

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

i know i showed you photos (and a DIY!) of this necklace last week,

but i figured i might as well show you how i styled it up for myself!

nothing like a little neon paint (and a few other bold colors)

to brighten up your wardrobe. :)

see the inspiration for the piece and find out how to make your own, here!

sweater (similar) - j. crew

sunnies (similar) - forever21

necklace (similar) - (DIY/originally from j. crew)

clutch (similar) - macy's

pants - c/o the limited

heels (similar) - zara

bracelets - vintage, flea market

recipe: stuffed acorn squash

2011-11-18T08:40:00.000-06:00

serves 2

i made this yummy (and easy) dinner for my mom and dad while i was home last week,
and i was surprised at how big of a hit it was!

the goods:
1 acorn squash (med or large)
2 cups any kind of sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cups of thawed frozen peas
1 cup cooked brown rice
worcestershire sauce
basil, parsley, salt & pepper
4 tbsp shredded parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375/400 degrees if you're baking the squash in the oven [OR] to BROIL if you're making it in the microwave.
Halve squash, remove seeds, place in glass baking dish and cook in either microwave or oven. Microwave face down for two rounds of 5 minutes, rearranging/turning between rounds. [OR] Bake in oven for 40 minutes at 375-400 degrees. (Baking it gives more of a yummy carmelized crisp to the top, but of course, the microwave is much quicker. Your call.)
Cook rice, according to directions, while prepping the above (this meal is also a great use for leftover cooked rice!).
Heat a skillet on med/hi with a spritz of olive oil from your Misto, add garlic and sliced mushrooms and sautee until nearly cooked through: 5-7 mins.
Add thawed frozen veggies (I also threw in some corn because I didn't have a whole 1/2 cup of peas) and a few shakes each of the following: basil, parsley, kosher salt, ground black pepper. I never measure these, but just add to taste.

Add rice and when everything is warmed through, turn off heat and finish with a drizzle of worcestershire sauce.
Stuff cooked acorn squash with rice mixture, top with divided parmesan cheese, and place under broiler for 5 minutes, or until cheese gets melted and bubbly. (Keep an eye on it, so it doesn't burn! Every oven is so different.)
Remove, let cool, and serve!

Such a tasty meal of "comfort food", but super good for you! Let me know if you have any questions, and would love to hear your thoughts if you end up trying it for yourself!!!

What yummy things are YOU planning on making this weekend?

outfit post: shared style

2011-11-17T07:58:00.000-06:00

i can't quite remember who spotted it first, but christine and i both fell for this flowy gown with lots of layers at the modswap event during NYFW. what are two friends supposed do when you can't decide who's going to be taking it home? share it, of course!

i wore it first just a few weeks ago, and then shipped it off to christine in our future hometown of hoboken, and she's rocking it on her blog today, too. check out how she styled it up, and tell me how you'd wear it in the comments!

sweater (similar) - H&M

earrings - DIY

necklace - was nana's

dress (similar) -

handbag - vintage, thrifted

coat (similar) - vintage, boomerang (KC)

shoes (similar) - tj maxx

as seen on: fashioni.st

2011-11-16T12:30:00.000-06:00

photo courtesy of fashioni.st

hey, fun! i was featured on the fashionist last week...

see mai's post here, my own rundown on the outfit here,

and the DIY for the tassle booties here!

shoe lust: jeffrey campbell darian

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

buy them for yourself here

i know some of you are going to balk at this,

but words cannot describe what my heart did when i saw these shoes!

let's just say there was flipping and flopping.

i love the shape, love the finish of the leather, and of course the punchy colors.

pretty sure i need the pink to get me through the dreary winter.

outfit post: dressed down dinner

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

i've been thinking a lot about "uniforms" lately, and i must say,

jeans, a blazer and fabulous heels are one of my main go-tos after the temperatures drop.

there are just so many different combinations possible,

and it's such an easy way to look put together without too much effort!

this little combo was just right for a dressed down dinner party with friends.

i've also been reaching for dozens of different combinations

using my maxi skirts and chunky knit sweaters.

what's your fall uniform these days?

(p.s. i'm wearing this same shirt again today as i fly back from AZ to KC,

and i love it just as much with leggings, a drapey sweater & booties!)

earrings (similar) - betsey johnson

tuxedo jacket (similar) - j. crew

tee - c/o beauxx

toothpick jeans - j. crew

heels (similar) - shoe loft (kc)

lines bracelet (similar) - aldo

circle bracelet - c/o poshlocket

shopping: leopard print denim

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

current/elliott vs. spoon

i've loved the look of leopard print denim for a few months now,

and because the need for covering my legs with warmer layers is rapidly approaching,

i'm searching much more intently for some interesting non-blue-jean options.

i love this pair from current/elliot, but the $198 price tag isn't in my budget at the moment,

so i'm thinking about trying out this less expensive option at macy's.

have you tried this trend yet?

i love how the pants could still act as a neutral even though they are patterned,

and my mind has been busy creating outfits around them lately...

would love to hear what you think!

outfit post: birthday brunching

2011-11-10T23:02:00.001-06:00

birthday outfit #3: brunch with girlfriends

i've had this skirt for a while now but i don't think i've ever worn it on the blog.

i think after seeing it on at least a dozen other fashion bloggers,

i knew i needed to style in a way that was completely outside of the norm.

in order to add some contrast with the texture and colors,

i paired it with this bright vintage boy's sweater that i found in NYC in september,

and loved the way the boxy shape plays off of the more feminine piece.

necklace (similar) - j. crew

sweater (similar) - vintage, hell's kitchen flea market

sequin skirt - j. crew

handbag - vintage, was mama's

boots - c/o MIA shoes

see what i wore to birthday brunch last year, here!

DIY: bright baubles

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

image by tommy ton for style.com via because i'm addicted

when i spotted this tangled mess of sparkly neon goodness,

i just knew it was a must-do DIY... i mean, rhinestones AND neon?

an obvious match made in heaven. :)

i took one of my glitzy pieces of costume jewelry,

drizzled on some neon green acrylic paint and spread it around a bit with a paint brush,

and wore it to dinner with family the very next night!

see the super-simple steps below:

sneak peek of an outfit post for next week!!!

i'm excited to possibly do the same thing to a few other necklaces,

but using different colors of paint and then wearing them them all at once...

what do you think? do you have any necklaces that need a new neon touch?

by the way, i love the way the woman in the inspiration photo

is wearing hers to punch up a look featuring neutral mixed patterns!

outfit post: swapped & sheer

2011-11-09T07:17:00.000-06:00

birthday outfit #2: an afternoon of pampering at speak salon

and a shopping excursion in a new neighborhood.

sunnies (similar) - anthropologie

earrings - c/o poshlocket

pink/purple hair - kevin murphy color bug

long sleeve tee - gap

sheer cardi (similar) - modswap clothing swap

(used to belong to gemma of fade to black!)

shorts & belt - forever21

tights - vera wang for kohl's

booties (similar) - c/o aldo

ring (similar) - forever21

nails - revlon emerald city, silver screen

see what i wore last year for an afternoon of vintage shopping with my sweetie pie, here.

essentials: travel time

2011-11-08T07:30:00.000-06:00

i'm off to my sunny home-state of arizona this morning,

and because i've really had packing on the brain lately,

i thought it might be fun to share my travel essentials with you.

reading material... it looks like a lot, but i'm a bit of a bookworm,

and i need the fashion glossies for the non-electronic take-off & landing!

(like i need to justify it to you!) :)

work supplies... ipad and snakeskin case (c/o stephanie johnson),

embroidered notebook (c/o chronicle books),

DVF pouch for receipts (c/o from the lucky FABB gift bag),

business cards and S&P stickers!

SNACKS... i HATE airport/fast food so i've learned to bring my own.

starbucks via and splenda packets, gum, emergen-C, fruit/veggies,

cayenne pepper (have i ever told you how much i love spicy food?),

and thinkthin bars if i think i'm going to be needing a breakfast standin (not pictured).

beauty/etc... fave sunnies and jonathan adler case

(i love that he puts his initials on things because we share a monogram!),

hand sanitizer, advil, blotting sheets, bobby pins, spin pins, and hair tie

cocoa butter stick for avoiding those pesky liquid-induced security hangups,

korres tinted lip butter (this one is my fave and doubles as a cream blush).

now that i'm at the airport, i'm realizing that there are several that i forgot to photograph:

ziploc baggie of jewelry - i keep what i'll wear with my outfit for that day in a baggie in my purse so that i can put it on after i get through security and avoid losing it during the bustle of going through the line.
empty water bottle - i refuse to spend money on water at airports (hello $8 bottle!), so i bring my trusty brita bottle empty and use a drinking fountain to fill up after security.
gymboss interval trainer - this little guy is perfect for HIIT runs/hikes and my fave traveling workout: bodyrock.tv.
cozy pashmina (my fave is a shimmery olive green) - this one is pretty self-explanatory, but so handy to wrap around you on a chilly flight, and can also be a pretty added layer to many of my packed outfits.

i always love to hear what travel items that others can't live without

(especially because that's how i've come across most of my must-haves),

so feel free to share yours in the comments!

oh, and while you're at it: what are you all downloading to your kindles

*slash* picking up at the library these days?

outfit post: ladylike leopard

2011-11-07T14:16:00.000-06:00

birthday outfit #1: out to dinner with my mister.

headband - c/o 579 on etsy

blouse (similar) - vintage, thrifted

trousers (similar - on megasale!) - vintage, thrifted

satchel-turned-clutch - c/o handbag heaven

ring (similar) - vintage, etsy

shoes (similar) - steve madden, tj maxx

and just for fun: see what i wore last year, here!

birthday dinner, november 2010

in pictures: birthday weekend

2011-11-07T00:29:00.000-06:00

i'm just going to let them speak for themselves...

tequila flights and dinner on the plaza followed by a visit to my fave froyo place!

haircut at speak salon and experimenting with a fun new product, color bug!

*full post about this coming soon!*

mexican margs, fresh chips & guacamole at our fave spot on the blvd, el patron

homegrown party favors in vintage teacups for brunch with friends

kevin's artichoke toast at room39

cherished time around the dinner table with dear friends

many outfit photos were taken! here are some sneak peeks

and stay tuned for the first one later today!

a LOT of snuggling with this little girl who is pouting this morning

because it's raining and because her mom is working instead of playing with her.

can you tell i've been obsessed with instagram lately?

would love to have you follow me there (i'm styleandpepper) for some photo-fun!!