WILD AT HEART

In conjunction with the Lincoln Park Zoo Ball, we were asked to style a look with this year's 'Wild at Heart' theme for a blogger styling contest!

What started out as a very literal photoshoot with hearts and giraffes, ended a bit more wild with a trip to the fire station (thanks to the boys of Engine Company 5!). The coolest part of this contest? The winner gets to attend the Lincoln Park Zoo Ball. How Cinderella!

This is where you come in - the photo with the most likes and comments wins! So click here for our entry and either like or comment on our photo.

Click here to vote for us!

Jill wore a Zara giraffe print top and culottes, BP. heart shaped sunglasses from Nordstrom, GUESS necklace, Love & Pieces bracelet, and Aldo heels, clutch, and ring. The whole look was styled by Jess and photographed by Adam Badlotto.

We must say, we're excited to just be in the same company as two other lovely ladies with killer blogs! If you do like our wildness (cue Miley Cyrus', "I can't be tamed"), don't forget to vote for us by 'liking' this photo or leaving a comment.

Jess & Jill

JILL'S U OF CHICAGO GRADUATION

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated."

I absolutely love this motto, and by the look of my closet and years of schooling, you could say I take it pretty literal. This weekend I graduated from The University of Chicago with my Master's degree, and with many days of little sleep and lots of caffeine behind me, I can't believe I've finally reached the finish line. And just when I thought I was done with school forever, I saw those really unique gowns the PhD students got to wear during graduation, and decided "Dr." before my last name sounds really good. Stay tuned.

I wore a 3.1 Phillip Lim blouse, French Connection skirt, Badgley Mischka heels, and vintage jewelry.

Thanks to my brother for playing paparazzi, which kept me entertained during the looong ceremony.

See?

Minus the late nights and crucial deadlines, I'm going to miss everything about my time here, including the beautiful campus.

It was one of the best days I've ever had and I'm thrilled to be a part of the University of Chicago family (even if I may be the only graduate to walk during the ceremony with a bright pink clutch).

x Jill

BLING IT ON WITH HPNOTIQ: SUBMIT YOUR GLAM NAILS & WIN!

Hpnotiq has launched a GlamLouder contest focused on all things glam and we're promoting their second phase... Nails! Here at Jess & Jill - nail colors, designs, and brands are a constant topic, so we jumped at this opportunity to get everyone to share their most favorite glam nails!

Our nails have seen glam before, but it's never been one coat and done. We've used up to five different colors per hand, glitter on one nail, half and half on the other... heck, we have even used tape in the process! Glam ain't easy, honey.

Or so we thought! We found glam in one bottle in Deborah Lippmann's 'Cleopatra in New York'. With a black nail color as a base, layer your nails with this gold glitter and sequin polish for a pop of glitz and glam!

You can find our other glam nails on our Instagram!

Now let's talk about the contest! From now until July 28th, Hpnotiq wants you to show them how you #GLAMLOUDER to win fab prizes! During each two-week challenge you can submit photos in different categories to win - including the glammest nails, makeup and overall look. Entries can be pictures you snap yourself or images you find online.

What can you win throughout the contest? One year of manis/pedis worth up to $1,200, a $1,000 gift card to Sephora or Ulta, AND a chance to win the grand prize trip for you and three friends to go shopping with Khloe Kardashion Odom in Los Angeles! Even better - the grand prize winner will star in a professional photo shoot for the chance to be in a real Hpnotiq Ad! Wait, can we win some of this?! 

For this two-week challenge, Hpnotiq wants you to show them the glammest nails, nail art or nail finish that you’ve ever seen or done. Think you can nail it? You can enter as many times as you want! Snap a pic of your own, or find a pic online.  For this round, they’re choosing 4 lucky winners to receive free mani/pedis for a year valued up to $1,200! Hurry, the entry period for the glammest nails ends at 11:59:59 a.m. EST on June 30th!

To enter, visit GlamLouder or visit Hpnotiq’s Facebook page or follow @Hpnotiq on Twitter and tweet them your picture using the hashtag #GLAMLOUDER.

Good luck!

Jess & Jill

PS. Jess had her very own bottle of Hpnotiq for her 21st birthday! 

Jess & Jill were compensated for this contest, but opinions are entirely theirs. Full rules can be found here.

CONGRATS, JILL!

'Today Is The Day' Print ($15.00) - Amanda Catherine Designs

Today is the day... Jill graduates with her Master's from the University of Chicago! Congrats to my other half for being a smartypants and accomplishing so much.

'The World Is Your Oyster' Print ($15.00) - Amanda Catherine Designs

And now the world is your oyster, so get it gurl!

Jess

FAVORITO FRIDAY: BEST TOP COAT

A decent top coat is a necessity in any girl's life. I've been through my share of different brands, but to find one that actually works and doesn't contain harmful ingredients isn't an easy feat. Until now! 

Meet Deborah Lippmann's Addicted to Speed ultra quick-dry top coat!

Also wearing Deborah Lippman's Fade to Black and Bonnie Jonas Midi Rings ($12.00 at Nordstrom).

I'm not letting my bias for Deborah Lippmann nail colors get in the way, I truly love this top coat. At 20 bucks a pop, it seems a little steep for a top coat, but it's worth every penny. I'm a visual merchandiser, so I'm working with my hands all day and I'm lucky if my nails don't chip before lunch. One quick coat and you're out of the door and you won't have to retouch for days. Pretty sure this is better than any trip to the nail salon (unless you're doing gel, and of course DL has that too). 

What's your favorite top coat?

Jess

FATHER'S DAY FUNNY

In the spirit of having a very funny father, I thought I'd add a little humor to your Father's Day shopping with a little help from these cards by Cheeky Kumquat. So whether you're giving for your dad, husband, or boyfriend who you share a fur baby with (like me), these cards are guaranteed to make him laugh.

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5.

x Jill

KIND + THE COLOR RUN GIVEAWAY

KIND is awesome enough to give our readers a chance to win TWO FREE tickets to The Color Run (now sold-out!) for this upcoming Sunday, June 16th in Grant Park! 

The Color Run Chicago!

For those that haven't heard about the Happiest 5k in the World, there's two simple rules. 1. Wear white at the starting line 2. Finish plastered in color. Sounds easy and fun to us!

All you have to do is tweet this as many times as you can before this Friday! One lucky winner who tweets it the most by noon CST will win!

Already going? Don't forget to use #kindawesome to share your experience with others!

Thanks to KIND for letting us give away these awesome tickets and good luck to our readers! 

Jess & Jill

You must have a Twitter account to enter. Giveaway ends noon CST June 14th. One winner will receive two tickets. Jess & Jill will contact the winner directly, and the winner will have until 3:00 PM CST to respond with their contact information. Jess & Jill was contacted directly by KIND and was not compensated for this giveaway.

SIMPLY STYLIST CHICAGO RECAP

Simply Stylist held its first ever annual event in Chicago! Held at the Dana Hotel and Spa, there were panel talks, guest speakers, shopping, and so much more. An event that was not to be missed!

Jess with Jacey Duprie of Damsel In Dior, Catt Sadler of E! News, and Jacqueline Rezak of Rad + Refined.

Jill with Jacey Duprie of Damsel In Dior, Catt Sadler of E! News, and Jacqueline Rezak of Rad + Refined.

Jess wore a Forever 21 tiered high-low top, floral printed Marciano denim, GUESS faux-leather jacket, DV by Dolce Vita wedges, Marc by Marc Jacobs crossbody, whistle necklace and triangle charm necklace from Forever 21, and jewelry pieces from Love and Pieces.

Jill wore a Gryphon skirt, Stuart Weitzman wedges, and Nordstrom shirt and cuff.

We enjoyed brunch as we learned more about Simply Stylist with founder Sarah Boyd, and Ashley Torres of HauteLook. The ever so fabulous Marcellas Reynolds (TV host, entertainment reporter and fashion stylist) taught us about dressing for success. What we took home? Dress for the position you want, not have.

Brunch at the Dana Hotel and Spa!

Founder of Simply Stylist, Sarah Boyd.

The fabulous Marcellas Reynolds!

We then headed over to the Vertigo Lounge for a fashion and beauty panel with host Catt Sadler of E! News and with panelists, celebrity makeup artist Tia Dantzler, beauty expert Stacey Roney of Glossed and Found, blogger Jacey Durprie of Damsel In Dior, style expert Corri McFadden of eDrop-Off, and celebrity stylist Trish Townsend! These beautiful ladies inspired us with their stories of professional success and all their hard work that undoubtedly paid off. They lit a fire in us, so watch out world!

The view from the rooftop.

Fashion and beauty panel with host, Catt Sadler of E! News.

Celebrity makeup artist, Tia Dantzler.

Beauty expert, Stacey Roney of Glossed and Found.

Blogger, Jacey Duprie of Damsel In Dior.

Founder of eDrop-Off, Corri McFadden.

The beautiful host, Catt Sadler!

Now to shopping! One of our favorites and frequent faces on Jess & Jill, Jacqueline Rezak of Rad + Refined, was selling her newest and coolest pieces! (Btw, how exciting is this Instagram of hers?!) We also fell in love with jewelry pieces from Capwell + Co, Bella Colletta, and See Song Designs!

Rad + Refined

Rad + Refined

Capwell and Co

Capwell and Co

Bella Colletta

Bella Colletta

Bella Colletta

See Song Designs

See Song Designs

See Song Designs

See Song Designs

Last but not least, we snuck in a breakout session with YouTube sensation, Lauren Elizabeth. At only 18, she is taking the internet by storm. (Be our little sis, pretty please?)

Excited for #SSCHI!

Lauren Elizabeth on finding your voice!

Before we knew it, the event was over, so we grabbed our awesome gift bag (loving the Capwell + Co jewelry!), keeping our fingers crossed for Simply Stylist to do this all over again next year!

Jess & Jill