Red Foo & Bella Bars too…My delish, nutrish welcome to LA!

I made the skip y’all! My cross country move is complete and I am an official Santa Monican. 

Holla California Girls! I’ve SO joined the crew!

There has been SO much culture, inspiration, vitality and beauty I have (and continue to) discover, I’m bursting at my sandy beach seams to share. There is a LOT hiding up these boho chic, breezy sleeves!

But first...

Lets begin with a little Q + A:

Q) Would I describe my welcome into the City of Angels something I LMFAO’ed off at?

A) Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

One of my first days out here, I grabbed a funky fresh bite at Lemonade, an LA exclusive eatery with food "as creative and diverse as the city’s inhabitants." (#amaze) And who else came to give me a warm welcome other than Red Foo, himself?

Hi Red Foo! Thanks for the la-la love!

 

#ZebraPurse...

My next LA-lovely discovery are these delish little gems that are as nutritious as they are life-saving! 

Heard of Bella Bars? SO yum.

 

Made with simple, all-natural ingredients, these raw vegetarian bars will supercharge your body and satisfy your sassy spirit. Grab one for your bag and you can make it through the LA traffic without going all...

They're also perfect tagalongs for #TwilightConcerts on the Pier. 

(WHICH if you haven't been, GO NOW. Well, next Thursday because they are only on Thursday nights. But seriously, talk about a musically invigorating babefest. #noWords)

Let me know how you like Bellas! But first: WHICH FLAVOR WILL YOU CHOOSE?! (bum bum BUMMMMMMM!)

See ya in the sand!

XOJP

F Yeah! Flavorful Grass Fed Fulfillment

Between XA’s lunch out and the A+ salad I ate, my visit to Grass Fed was an alphabet of fun. #XAdoesLunch the right way.

The Experiential Agency (a.k.a. XA) recently took me to Grass Fed, a shabby chic steak restaurant tucked behind a pristine white storefront in Bucktown. Before arriving, I recalled it’s awarded title (amongst others) as one of Michigan Ave Magazine’s “10 Top Chicago Steakhouses” and had high expectations.

After walking into this living, breathing Pinterest board, I began to suspect if the food would live up to the hype just as much. One bite in and yep: The proof was in the puddin’. Okay, we had the Burger and Asparagus Salad but you know what I MmMmMean.

I was fortunate to celebrate National Burger Day with Grass Fed’s sophistication 
and scrumptiousness 
BUT
the cup of coffee to finalize the date, a Passion House Pour-over, made me feel more like Lady Luck her own damn self. 

I’ll C you here soon because I know you’re B lining it to that white picket fence-worthy patio already... I don’t blame U.

 XOJP 

Cotton Candy Couture: Summer Chi Style Just Got Sweeter

Spell "yummy" with a "c"? 

Since Cotton Candy Couture hit the scene, I'm spelling it with three!

This fling didn’t take long to unfurl. 

I came, I saw, I drooled. 

My eyes laid upon a frock that put my neutrals-obsessed self in the mood to channel Barbie immediately. I knew it was serious. 

Exhibit A:

Enter Jenna Zielbauer, 

owner and designer of Cotton Candy Couture and all-around glamour girl. This beauty is the mastermind behind fashions so sassy, they'll get you all hot and bothered.

(In the sexy way though. Not the whole 90-degree, way too many people on this bus type deal. No thank you.)

Cotton Candy Couture is designed for the high-heeled women of the world that aren't afraid to take fashion risks. It’s the perfect fit for the women who crave, not fear, the prying eyes of those who would never dare to wear something that makes them the center of attention. Cotton Candy Couture says the perfect dress is not the simple LBD, but rather the Little Bold Dress that will never be forgotten.

Jenna explains the typical insta-addiction:

“Remember that feeling of pure ecstasy you had as a child when you wrapped your hands around a stick of cotton candy and took that first fuzzy, sweet bite? We aim to bring that same joy to your life when wearing Cotton Candy Couture.”

...Seconds please.  

Just imagine yourself frolicking along Navy Pier or getting your taste buds rocked at RPM in one of these ultra fab looks. 

So saucy they'll melt in your mouth:

Jenna's beautiful pieces say I've got style, Don't mess and Curves ahead without being obnoxious. 

Tough job. Awesome execution.

Which look will have you shaking up your standard style this summer?

XOJP

My #HealthyCity is Chicago. But I work out at LA.

I am all about 1) my city 2) being fit.

So when I was asked to participate with SELF Magazine in exposing my #HealthyCity secrets, I was all:

So, time to spill. Everyone knows how much I love a good Nike Training Center session, but my ultra-beloved gym is LA Boxing. I beat the crap out of the bag, sweat like a badass and relieve stress in a way unparalleled by any other workout.

My go-to spot is in South Loop, but I've experienced many other locations. PS: They are all over the nation! I can truthfully say that the LA Boxing instructors are consistently awesome but don't worry, you'll learn to hate them while they're teaching. Those intense workout helped me lose lbs and tone my (#worsttroublearea!) arms like nothing else. I'll take the pain and sweat, thank you very much.

^ NOT YOU after your workout at LA Boxing.

You don't just burn 800-1,000 calories per hour smelling daisies. However, I am also a big fan of long, outdoor power walks, too.

Find your nearest LA Boxing here and be sure to check out SELF Magazine for the 2012 round of the Best Cities for Women. Share your tips & tricks with me here & on twitter too!
@jessundressed: #HealthyCity

See you at the punching bag, pretty.

xoJP

Douek and Jones. Naturally Delicious.

Sometimes you discover a new fashion line and you dig it. Then there is that whole love-at-first-sight thing. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce to you my newest obsession, straight out of LaLa Land.

Enter the Douek and Jones line: a women's wear collection made with natural leathers, suedes, shearlings, cashmeres and silks. The pieces are sexy yet smart, eccentric while cool and always feature vibrantly clean, statement-making lines. It is luxurious. And amazing.

What really tickles my fancy about Douek and Jones?

The pieces are just as everyday wearable as they are elegant. I love nothing more than rocking a hot number while simultaneously reveling in its comfort. Hooray Douek and Jones!

On the destined day we met at her trunk show in Chicago, the London-native Nina Morgan-Jones showed me around and I took an immediate liking to her. She has a warm, inviting presence and a passion for her work that is obvious and refreshing.  

Note: Time stopped in the middle of our meeting as fringe caught my eye...#FRINGEfantasy

Douek and Jones, where femininity meets Mother Nature…and Vogue. (And the divas all get along SO well.) 

Get yours by visiting one of the Appointment Only showrooms in Hancock Park, Los Angeles or Laguna Beach. Just contact Nina at nmj@douekjones.com to schedule an appointment and for your nearest stockist. 

You’ll be glad you did my little style saint.

XOJP

Jessundressed. Reporting live. HIKE!

Reporting back! 

Friday, Sept. 21, I had the honor of being Guest Blogger Reporter for The Printed Blog-sponsored event, Robert Mackey’s VIPs for Sickle Cell Awareness. This was one seriously rewarding rendezvous. The experience served up king-size deliciousness with divine company.

The schpiel: 

Robert L. Mackey, former NFL linebacker is all about gaining awareness for Sickle-Cell Anemia and benefiting SCDAI-Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois.

Sweet guy, right? You ain’t heard nothin’ yet.

This South Carolina-born talent is also the heartfelt founder of the Lydia W. Smith Foundation. Named in honor of his beloved mother who has been living with the disease for 18 years, the foundation’s purpose is to provide financial relief to carriers and provide awareness.

Altogether, the cause is great and the party was too.

I crept up the stairs of The Conrad Hotel and caught glimpse of what looked like an open call for Big & Tall male models. After recalling this celebration was supported by the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago Chapter & National Basketball Retired Players Association Chicago Chapter—I knew I was in the right place.

Big as they may have been, their hearts were equal in size. 

Here are former NFL’ers and I making a 
Marc May - Jess - Ron Cheatham sandwich. 

Yum!

As DJ Love Jones bumped beats and Avion Tequila cocktails frequently flowed, new friends were made, but not without celebrating the old. (Poet much?)

Robert took a sentimental moment to explain how 18 years ago, his mom was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease & given 7 years to live. Her doctor advised that if she made it past those 7, she wouldn't live to see 50. 

She's 56 years old now. 

In the name of Robert’s family, the gold-hearted big guys of the NFL & NBA and to heightening awareness of the often unfamiliar Sickle Cell Disease: Cheers. 

For more information on the Lydia W. Smith Foundation & upcoming opportunities where you can make a difference, visit www.lydiawsmithfoundation.org.

TOUCHDOWN!  XOJP

Extra love to:

The Printed Blog 

and Joseph Schiappa of 
Creative Entertainment Media Group/
Christopher Foltz & Company

Staying Olympically Flippin’ Fit with NIKE

When my CheekyChicago girls and I worked out with Olympian Gymnast Shawn Johnson (left) at the #MakeTheRules event, I had an awesome time, especially trying to show her up at her own game. It was seriously invigorating.

CUT TO:

A few weeks later. Jessundressed, NIKE and Lady FootLocker teamed up for some more a$$ kickin’ at the NikeFuelHouse in Lincoln Park. We started off with a cardio NIKE Training Club workout then rocked the Shawn Johnson NIKE+ Drill Pack.

WOAH. What’s a NIKE+ Drill Pack???

...It is a customized set of short exercises an athlete does to stay Gold Medal amazing.

(Foreal in Miss Johnson’s case. Truly HOLLER-worthy. SO love her…)

Anyways, LeBron, Manny Pacquiao, Hope Solo and many more have customized NIKE+ Drill Packs too, if you want to see how you stack up to their superawesomefitness. You can track how high you jump, how fast you run, how your stats measure up to your friends’ and so much more.

Look how much fun we had!!!

You can rock out with the NIKE+ Drill Pack Gear anywhere, anytime. And its super simple to get started. And that’s exactly how I like it.

So now that you’re all “OMG, I cannot live without this mind-blowing workout technology,” come by the NIKE FuelHouse to try it out- shoes and drill packs provided. 

Be sure to check out the schedule for free workouts there, too...

More good news, if you can handle it:

Jessundressed and NIKE shall be together again in the near future for a workout sesh and more freebies to boot. TBD but stay tuned.

XOJP