JAIMEN LEE

The last Your Questions Answered post was far too long ago. So sorry for that but if you ever send me a question, know that I promise to answer it — just sometimes a bit delayed!!

1. silvershinesthepavement asked:First of all, hi. and second of all, i ABSOLUTELY love your blog! i had stumbled upon it a few times and i finally i decided to follow you, and now i look forward to your posts the most. i love your taste and mixing of prints and fashions!! Side question! I love your vintage Liz clairborne sunglasses! where did you find those? i am an avid thrift store shopper, but i always feel like I buy stuff and never know how to pair it? or my friends tell me i pick stuff that looks like a grandpa. any suggestions? again, i love your blog! thank you so much for reading this! :)Wow thank you so much, that really means a lot. I love thrifting and often find myself having the same problem. Typically the best solution is taking a few good minutes to survey your current wardrobe, namely on-trend items you own and are having trouble pairing with what you already have. Keeping that in mind when searching for vintage finds usually makes it a lot easier. For example, I went on a search for a grandpa v-neck sweater after not finding anything in my wardrobe to pair with my leather jeggings. Also, tell your friends dressing like a Grandpa is AWESOME!
2. leaven asked:Hi Jaimen, I’m opening up an online store this fall leavenlifestyle and was wondering if you would be interested in modeling for it?Sounds cool. Email me at jaimen.sfetko(at)gmail.com with more details!
3. madamagda asked:I got a fabulous pair of wedges that are made of a denim looking fabric and cork wedge and I have been dying to wear them, but just haven’t been able to figure out what to wear them with. Any ideas would be very helpful, please and thank you!First of all, these sound amazing!! Anything jean, even shoes I think allows for the same rules as wearing jeans — meaning, it matches with everything. Make yourself think of them like that and I think a world of wearing opportunities will open up. Since were now in fall, I think cropped pants with socks and your shoes would look awesome. Also black or gray stockings and a shorter skirt or dress with the wedges will make your legs look sky-high!
4. betweentheskyline asked: I was just wondering why you did you live in China before and where did you live in China? Btw, I love your sense of style. Its adorable You’re so sweet! I lived in China twice - once in 2000 and the second time in 2004, both times in Xiamen, a city next to Hong Kong. Both times were for my Father’s job. I was in high school the first time so I attended an International school and after returning home to NY promised myself that no matter how old I was, if the opportunity came up again, I would seize it. So I put my college PR studies on hold to travel back to Xiamen in 2004 and attended Chinese college. It was amazing and we’re going back again this Christmas to visit my parents who are now living in Beijing. Can’t wait!
5. yaknowquestionmark asked:love your lovely blonde hair! Do you professionally dye it? and how often? also love your style, glad i stumbled upon your blog!Thank you! I actually dye it myself using professional products (Redken Double Blonde Double Lights). I used to have it professionally done but asked the colorist about six years ago what ‘recipe’ she used and jotted it down. I purchased the products myself and have been doing it ever since. I’m all about saving money and instead of paying $75 or more, I now pay about $4 each time, plus I’m able to do it on my own time and whenever I feel like it (roughly every month).
6. nothingiscreatedequal asked:Cool looks… N.I.C.E ….Favourite designer?Too many to name but if I had to pick one, I’d say Tucker by Gaby Basora. I’m obsessed with silk, flattering feminine cuts and pattern. Tucker makes the most amazing blouses and skirts of every length with dreamy and crazy patterns like polka dots, geometric shapes, geese and leopard. Plus, if you’re in the city, Tucker often has sample sales which makes them a bit more affordable.
7. taykomary asked: I know you have limited space living in a city and all, but where/how do you store all of your clothes?Hi Taylor! Very strategically. We have a huge galvanized pipe running the width of our bedroom and I hang up most of my tops there (color-coded to make finding things easier.) I have a storage bin for tank tops and one for dresses underneath my bed, a dresser for all my bottoms and old milk crates stacked with sweaters. Oh yea, and another mini-dresser for stockings and t-shirts and belts. For as much as I have, it doesn’t actually appear overwheming. I just really try t make sure I can find and see everything easily so I don’t forget about it and every once and a while do a big closet clean to make more space. Before this apartment though, our closet was minature so it was a huge issue and I was forced to give away a lot of things! New York is all about a curated closet and pretty much guarantees no crap, rather things you know you have and know you will wear.
8. kcm asked: How did you get Tobi to sponsor you?They don’t! That’s a discount code for my shoppers and you can email them to get the same for your blog!
9. wonderflo asked:Hi there lovely :) Just found your blog and I’m in love! I am doing a visual study project for Art in school and my topic is “Fashion as a Social Identity”. I was wondering if I could interview you about fashion? It would really help me out with my project, as I am trying to get different sources of information rather than just Google searching or the internet. If yes, please reply and I’ll send you the questions. If not, thanks for your time anyway :) xx Hope to hear from you soon!Sure! just email me (jaimen.sfetko(at)gmail.com)
10. malcriada9 asked: Hi! I am pretty new to your blog and really enjoying it! I did a search and couldn’t find anything, so can I ask you what kind of camera you use? I am on the fence as to how much of an investment to make into a new camera, photography class, etc. for my new blog. Thanks for your time! I use a Canon G10 and love it!! It takes knowing some basics if you really want to get great depth of field or a certain type of lighting but with that said, produces some great photos simply on auto settings. It’s definitley easier than a full SLR but offers many of the same effects that are easier to learn, even by reading a few articles online. Good luck!
11. avant-gardegalore asked: HI(:I love your style and I was wondering If you could point out some really unique dresses for my sweet sixteen..I have been looking for a really long time but cant find anything specialHappy almost birthday! Considering you’re turning 16 I’m going to make the assumption you’re looking for a budget-friendly dress. I love Modcloth for affordable yet amazing dresses — awesome prints, lace, peter pan collars gallore! Also Fancy Treehouse has a shop companion to her amazing vintage-full blog and her dresses come in a variety of sizes, colors and prints, plus they’re all priced under $50. Hope you have a great party and love the dress you end up choosing.
12. bradshawllen asked: I love your new outfit post!! I’ve really been wanting some faux leather pants or leggings! Do it!! They’re the perfect alternative to jeans when wearing a looser, longer top.
13. gwennypoo asked: Hey! First off, I love love love your style! Second, I don’t know if you’ve ever answered this - but what foundation do you use? I’m currently on the hunt for the best one out there and your skin looks flawless! Any help would be greatly appreciated :)Thank you! All my friends make fun of me for my obsession with flawless skin!! I actually hate foundation — ever Bare Minerals — it just makes me feel suffocated, so I use concealer in all the places where its needed and where its not, just let my skin show through. I have about 20 concealers to be honest, but my go-to is Cover FX. Its actually marketed as a heavy compact cream foundation but I use it as a concealer around my eyes, nose and on pimples and discoloration. The trick is taking your time — start with a little and keep layering. It definitely takes longer than being able to just throw foundation on, but the look is more natural. Layer with a super-fine colorless powder. I have a new mineral one from Korres, colorless with a bit of sparkle that I love!
14. envy-storenvy asked: Hey! :-) Sorry to bother you, my friend and I are trying to save for college. Would you mind helping us promote our tumblr or site? It would mean a lot to us, but it’s okay if you can’t & thanks in advance ! No bother at all! And awesome that you’re saving for college. Smart girls!! xoxo.
15. buymine asked: Do you have a clothing item that you would sell online to raise money for a cause?Sure! Email me with details. God knows I need to get rid of a few things!
16. eat-cigarettes asked: First of all, I love your blog! Your fashion sense is amazing. Second, I saw the “Threes Company Throwback” post and I was wondering where you got your glasses from?Awe! They’re actually from my husband’s Grandmother - vintage Liz Claiborne. I wear them almost everyday!! I’ve seen some great vintage sunglasses on eBay in case you’d like a similar pair.

Lastly, thank you so so much for the sweet and encouraging notes mackenzieisat00l, mirandaweasley, michellehelen, linshayden, d-ainty, malcriada9, myfashiondistraction, miprose, letmebeyourshine, wheretheweedstakeroot, whatjanewore, suncream, cityofdevilswelive, lianhong, livealittle-breathe xoxo.

And while I wasn’t drafting this little post this weekend I was dancing at Sweet Paradise in LES for the sister’s birthday. It was crazy and I was crazy (see photo above!!)

1. sleepykarma asked: may I ask how old you are?

27

2. bluejuicedasked: How tall are you, your legs are amaaaaazing. 0_0 

woah thanks! 5 ft 6 in.

3. mostlynocturnal asked: I’ve started blogging. Have you got any tips?

Be yourself and blog about the same things you talk to your friends about – these are your true passions and you’ll never get sick of talking about them!

4. alexaaronphoto asked: Hello! I love your blog so much! You probably get asked this all the time, but is there anyway you could promote a fashion/makeup video I made?
I hate to ask, but my sister and I worked so hard on it! I don’t know how else to show people. I promise it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! If you don’t want to that’s completely fine, but it doesn’t hurt to ask! Its posted on my tumblr, its the middle post on the top row (between the girl and the indian boy) if you are at interested! Best wishes- Alexander :)

Checked out the video that you and your sister (sarazoestyle) made and its totally awesome. Keep up the good work!

5. chathrynasked: Hello! I had seen your set of photos for your post “Wearing: Monterey Bay” and was wondering if I could use a few of the photos in a photo set on my blog. I would, obviously, credit you in the post and be sure that people know that it’s from your blog and you own them. I just wanted permission before I posted anything. If not, that’s perfectly okay and I understand!

Of course and thanks for asking!

6. envy-storenvyasked: Hey! :-) Sorry to bother you, my friend and I are trying to save for college. Would you mind helping us promote our tumblr or site? It would mean a lot to us, but it’s okay if you can’t & thanks in advance ! <3 

Your creations are so cute!

7. apsenniel asked: hey do you mind telling me where you got your jeans with suspenders in your Chimney Sweep Chic look? (:

Forever 21!

8. ambitionsmag asked you: I love your new theme settings! Beautiful! Thank you so much for helping me figure out how to set mine up when I was getting started :) You are a great style inspiration for me and I really enjoy your posts. I remember that you wrote about working in PR, and I am trying to start a career in that field. I was wondering if you could tell me how you got started and if you have any tips! I would really appreciate the help.Thank you so much for taking the time to look at this!

I started as an intern and worked my tail end off – doing whatever it took to impress those in charge. It was hard and often involved late nights but it was totally worth it. I’ve now been with the same company for four years and love what I do. It’s an insanely busy industry but if you love that sort of thing – go for it!

Lastly thanks to: alittlebitindividual, restlessrush, therunway, delmitejada, cyanistes, dailyshoes, kicks-n-giggles, couturewriter, deepinmysoultheresawordlesssong, lookbooknu, ivegotlittleears, be-forever-free, caligar, cutetoughfit and gracilliaputri for all the sweet notes. Thanks to everyone else for all the sweet in-post comments you are all so awesome!

(btw that kissy photo above, which should never be a normal pose, is perfectly appropriate when thanking you all!)

thank you all so much for your sweet notes and awesome questions. in an effort to be better about answering them, i’ll be doing roundups every month or so. here’s the latest:

1. shetheomniscient asked: can you recommend some other personal style blogs like yours? my dash needs some serious fashion. 

 jaimenlee answered: oh yes i can! most are on tumblr but some are on other platforms too: OscarPRGirl, Joelle Van Dyne,  Locks and Trinkets, Alyssa Bird, Stylish White Female(a major fav),  Speaking Figuratively (my bros girlfriend who just started posting daily looks), Preppy with a Twist(another major fav), What I Wore, Young, Fat & Fabulous ( a like-minded Forever 21 lover),  The Glamourai, Atlantic-Pacific, Beckerman Bite Plate, Frou Frouu, Karla’s Closet,  The Man Repeller and Chic Heroin. I have tons more but these are my go-tos!

2. be-forever-free asked: you dress awesome!! I love your style mostly because it is you!!! Where do you work??  

jaimenlee answered: thank you so much!!! i work in entertainment pr in the city.

3.cutetoughfitasked: I joined tumblr to help me lose weight, and I’ve since discovered the fashion tumblrs! And your is HANDS DOWN the best out there. Seriously - can you please be my sister so I can raid your closet and have you give me advice on how to shop and how to do my hair? Pleeeaaase????? Keep up the great work! I plan on using your “Wearing” section to help me out when I’m staring blankly at my closet. Beautiful, creative, polished. Yes 

jaimenlee answered: wow so sweet! My best advice on clothes are grab the basics like stripped tees and a good tuxedo jacket and allow yourself to grab pieces with the patterns and textures you like without thinking twice (assuming were talking reasonably-priced items, here). I’m always drawn to pairing the classic pieces with the quick purchases I can’t live without and find, with a mix of simple and over-the-top, you can’t go wrong! Regarding hair, I never have a set style in mind in the morning; I take into consideration how many days its been since I washed it and how my hair is moving. If it is one of those must-put-up days, I start pulling, braiding, pinning, etc and work with what my hair wants. Good luck!

 4. gracilliaputri asked: hi , i’mnew on fashion but when i saw your style it made me fall in love more with fashion. it was great ! i really wonder whether i can also like you, you can always match your style in every condition it is so amazing! :) *i’m sorry if my english is poor, i’m not good in english*i wanna ask about, what basic items should i have for creating a good match on clothes? thank you so much :))  

jaimenlee answered: hi there! Love love that you love love fashion too – its one of those great things in life that is always fun and no matter your budget, accessible. So regarding basics, see my answer to question #3. In addition, I think fitted black jeans as well as a flared bright-blue pair, levi’s cut-offs, a good platform, nude shoes and bag, patterned scarf and lastly pieces containing animal print, checkers, sequins and flowers are classics that can always be mixed and matched in new ways.  Xoxo.

5. special thanks to bradshawllen, temporary-lost, caligar, missstephaniealexis, wajodahh, myvl, fashionblonde, Dress Up Please, maka47, ritchielyy and Alex for your super-sweet and ultra-encouraging comments. You are all so awesome!!!