Can't stop the crop.

Jeans: Easy Pickins // Shoes: Easy Pickins // Top: TJ Maxx // Hat: H&M // Purse: Rebecca Minkoff // Lips: Clinique Chubby Stick in Grandest Grape

Today I bring you a spring-inspired outfit with lovely pieces from Easy Pickins - a women's clothing line that toasts high fashion at affordable prices. And it's true! EP has really great and trendy styles, that don't break the bank.

For this post, I'm wearing the Rock With Me Jeans (this girl loves acid wash), and their classic black bootie. The instant I put these jeans on, I fell in love! I always look for a thicker jean fabric when wearing high-waisted pants (it makes me feel more secure). They have a good stretch, are a durable fabric, and cut just in the right place on the waist. WIN!

I opted for a long sleeve crop top (in a fun aztec pattern with my favorite cool colors!) to pair with the jeans. I really like to experiment with wearing crop tops this season. Like so many other pieces in a girl's wardrobe, the crop top is all about proportion. A good rule of thumb for wearing a crop top is to pair with a more conservative bottom (high-waisted pants or pencil skirt). This way, you can show a little skin while still making this trend feel ladylike. Also, it's still 40 degrees in NYC, so pair with pants to stay warm!

I finished the look with Easy Pickins' Classic Black Bootie - an absolute FIND. They are comfy and just the right height. I chose more basic accessories (black shoes, gray hat), as the crop top is a brighter pattern. Added a cuff (very in this season!) and voila - this "hopeful springtime" look is complete.

How do you like to wear your crop top? Share in the comments below.

To shop this look - head over to EasyPickins.com, and don't stop the crop, ladies!
x
sjb

A BIG thank you to Easy Pickins for sponsoring this post.

My first profile!

Today is a surreal day. I am BEYOND excited and humbled to share with you my featured spotlight, today on bSmartGuide, a women's lifestyle site where I am now a regular columnist. This profile talks about my personal story (we're getting deep here, people), and I feel is a true milestone in my journey.

I so appreciate the outpouring of support. Thank you all! 

Love to all, 

SJB 

How to survive (and thrive!) in NYC.

Hello, friends! Today, I bring you my bSMART column on tips to survive (and thrive) in NYC! Head over to bsmartguide.com and check it out! P.s. it's also printed below. 

x 

sjb

5 KEYS TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL WOMAN IN NY

1. Preparedness 

To be a successful woman in a city like New York, you have to be ready for anything. Rain? Snow? Apocalypse? Flu outbreak? No worries, I’ve got my ENORMOUS purse, filled with the essentials to get through my 12 to (sometimes) 18 hour days. Most New York women can be found carrying hand sanitizer, an umbrella (it always rains when you don’t have one), hat, gloves, change of outfit (last minute dates do happen), a variety of medications, headphones, make up...a friend of mine once pulled a tire gauge out of her purse - “What if the cabbie didn’t have one and I was late to a meeting?” (WHAT?!).

Oh, and then you have your gym bag, which also possibly doubles as a lunch box. The real point is that in a city like New York, you never know where your day will lead. In a way, this is an amazing feeling, the opportunities feel endless. And hey, amidst all the schlepping, you are getting a good workout (one thing to check off your busy daily list).

2. Ability to Prioritize 

New York has a true smorgasbord of things to choose from on any given day. Should I go to happy hour with the girls? Wait, maybe I should go to the gym? Or maybe I should meet that guy (but I should probably save money on dinner)? Ugh, I really just want to lie at home and eat ramen while watching The Biggest Loser. These are the inevitabilities of being a New York 20-something. We have so many opportunities, and feel compelled to live it up while we’re paying an absurd amount to live in our city abode. Yet sometimes you have to take a step back and prioritize what really matters to you at this moment to be a successful woman. New York forces us to be PRESENT in the moment, because each moment is so critical. The ability to be “here & now” is a beautiful thing.

3. Tough Skin 

Last week, I was standing on the bus and sneezed into a tissue, in the armpit of my jacket. I feel that this what we’ve been taught is the “polite” and “sanitary” way to sneeze in public. Apparently, this was not polite or sanitary enough for one of my fellow bus riders. “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING SNEEZING ALL OVER ME? SOME PEOPLE ARE SO RUDE! YOU SHOULD JUST GET OFF THE BUS.” For the rest of our 14th street crosstown ride, she was complaining under her breath about my apparent rudeness. I clearly apologized, but being the sensitive person I am, I was kind of embarrassed. Then I realized - stop being an idiot and toughen up. In life, some people are just going to yell at you. Life isn’t fair a lot of the time. Get used to it. To be a successful woman, you can only try to be the best you.

4. Flexibility

There are quite literally 20 (to 75) things that can go wrong on any given day in NYC. The subway is delayed. You spill coffee all over yourself on your walk to work. They ran out of bagels at your favorite bodega when you’re already struggling through a hangover. You forgot your umbrella (ALL too common). There are no cabs when you desperately need to get to that meeting (even MORE common). Your heel breaks in the sewage grate (hobbling is in, right?).

New York moves so fast, sometimes we forget that we can take a step back and breathe, and realize that it will be ok. You can be a little late to work. Coffee stained shirts are so in this season. There will always be more bagel mornings (hallelujah). Rain-soaked hair is so in season (re: new looks for 2014). No cab? Take the subway and save the $10 (thanks, fare hike). We practice our flexibility every day. These challenges make you a successful woman and more versatile person. They remind us that we’re human. They give us the power to believe we can overcome. And THAT is a very powerful thing.

5. Patience 

We’re all stressed. We’re all busy. But to this I say that we have to remember that patience really is a virtue (alas, clichés are so accurate sometimes). You can’t always be on time. You sometimes have to wait in line. And sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. In these moments, breathe, smile, and remember that it’s the obstacles in life that show us who we really are and how to become a successful woman. And most of all, remember that you’re living in the greatest place on earth - New York City.

This article was originally printed on bSMARTguide.com. (c) Sara Jane Baker 2014. 

How to dress well in winter weather

Happy Saturday, loves! Brunching? At the park? Walking for more than 5 minutes outside? You're gonna need your puffer coat.

Check out my breakout piece on bSmartguide.com today! I'm talking stylish ways to add pizzazz to your winter wear.

x
sjb

Photo by Sam Warren

Happy new year!

Dearest friends,

 

Happy New Year! May your 2014 be filled with laughter, love, and daily celebration of personal style. As I reflect over the past year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank YOU so much for making Just Sara Jane what it is today - the love and support you all have shown me is truly amazing.

 

Just Sara Jane has a lot in store for the coming months (get ready to rock your body!), so stay tuned!

 

Let's make 2014 the best one yet.

 

May you all celebrate in style!

x

sjb

 

'Tis the Season: Libby Russell of The Sugars

In the spirit of this week, I am so very thankful for friends like Libby Russell. Libby and I met while working as tour guides in Elon University's Admissions office. We spent afternoons convincing prospective students why Elon is a fantastic school, and during this time, I found that Libby had a natural way of reminding people of the fantastic parts of life. Her sense of humor, wit, and contagious enthusiasm are just a few of the traits that this woman brings to the table.

So, this week, I invited Libby to contribute a piece on gratitude. Libby's blog, The Sugars, speaks to women in their 20's - particularly diabetic women - and empowers them to appreciate the adventures of everyday life, face challenges with a sense of humor, and remember that life can be very sweet. 

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Chances are, you have looked in the mirror and muttered some pretty rude things to yourself a few times lately. Understandable. The holidays are an insane time of year. It’s impossible not to fall behind at work, spend every penny you have, gain a single pound, or piss off your family for being drunk in front of your grandmother while pulling on your perfect party pants on every day of the week.

Our bodies are put through the junk food and hangover trenches from October through January. There are adorable little cookies everywhere. We have to eat them – it’s mandatory. Apparently, alcohol is bad for you (or so I’m told). Sleeping for 8 hours is at the bottom of our to-do lists…and to be honest, aint nobody got time for that. There are turkeys to be cooked and center pieces to be assembled. And, if anyone thinks we’re walking outside in the freezing cold to an establishment that qualifies as a “fitness facility” they’re drunk.

Clearly, it’s a serious challenge to feel pulled together enough to keep up with Santa’s list of demands. Newsflash: baby girl, sometimes you just cannot. Driving yourself bonkers trying to make it to every Friendsgiving, Thanksgivukkah, and Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl is a recipe for disaster. We so easily forget, due to the Christmas lights that have been projectile vomited over every tangible surface, what this time of year is truly about. Unfortunately, it takes a little bit of work to slow down and realize this. I have developed a practice that keeps me energized and in a good emotional space during a time where it feels like every move I make is to make someone else happy. So what is this magical gem of a life trick? Finding something about my mind, body, or spirit to be thankful for as often as possible and making a verbal or mental note of it.

We tend to drink a lot of “personal haterade” during stressful or overwhelming times. Sadly, it’s often because we don’t believe in ourselves and our ability to be impressive among the impressers. It’s not an easy task, but I challenge you to take moment to stop looking at what everyone else is doing and just say to yourself, “Girlfriend…you’re doing better than you think you are. Thank you for all that you do for me every day.” I especially challenge you to make this something you appreciate about your physical self.

Thank your booty for looking stunning at the holiday party in your new LBD. Thank your hair for cooperating during your big presentation so that you could focus on kicking the content’s ass and being a baller in front of your boss. Thank your tendonitis- ridden knees for being strong enough to take you that extra mile. Or how about your arms for being buff enough to open copious bottles of wine on a weekly basis? Don’t kid yourself; you’ve had many necessary bottles recently. You’re practically a body builder. Take a minute and look at your smile in the mirror – let yourself appreciate how quirky, charismatic, and radiant it is. Remind yourself just how many people feel goofy little warm fuzzies every time you flash that bad boy. 

See how good this feels? Trust me sister, this is not vanity, this is empowerment. It’s confidence and confidence is sexy. 

Tis the season for giving thanks. Yes, it’s always incredibly important to vocalize your appreciation for your friends, family, and privileges you’ve been lucky enough to have. But let’s not forget to thank ourselves. Courage, strength, and love start from within, and if you feel it for yourself, it’ll make the holidays that much brighter when you share it with others.

Libby Russell works at a consumer collaboration agency in the city of champions, Titletown, USA (ok, fine. She lives in Boston). When Libby is not tracking email marketing metrics and geeking out over infographics at work, she can be found in downward dog at her local yoga studio, pretending she’s not looking for Tom Brady while going on runs throughout the city, escaping to Maine where she grew up, and tinkering her diabetes insulin pump, Derek. 

Libby frequently cozies up with a large glass of Malbec while she writes for her blog, The Sugars. Inspired by an SNL skit about Paula Deen, Libby’s pieces speak to women in their 20’s – especially diabetic women – and empowers her readers to be ridiculous, bring a sense of humor to new challenges, and be grateful for every ounce of awesome they encounter in their daily adventures.