The magazine has new sections (color-coded for easy navigation!), new contributors, and what most of you all will notice, a new design, manifested with a fresh cover layout. And all of these awesome changes were made without sacrificing the mission of the magazine, which is to reinforce the idea that college is more than the classroom.

Anyway, I’m especially proud because this entire process because there was a lot going on in my personal life while trying to balance the hustle and bustle at JAYE. I found out that the baby my big sister’s carrying is a girl–that’s right, I’ll have a niece to go along with the main man in my world, my six-year old nephew Micah. (We’ve already started shopping for her–printed leggings, adorable little shoes and cute tops, oh my!) I also beginning a new venture next month, and I’ve purged some of the dead weight, eliminated some of detrimental people from 2011 and am working on building new and cultivating old relationships with positive, forward-thinking folks.

Thanks to my friends, family, mentors and colleagues who have been a source of support, encouragement and inspiration. And please, check out the new issue of JAYE tomorrow, tell a friend (or 12!) and shoot me some feedback on what you think! Toodle-oo!

This morning, Fashionista published a piece centered around comments Cathy Horyn, a fashion critic at the New York Times known for her seething runway reviews and no-holds-barred commentary, shared in Hoot, the fashion magazine her alma mater Barnard College puts out. Here’s a snippet of what she had to say about the content featured on fashion blogs:

“One of the things I notice about a lot of fashion blogs is that the writing is not supported by information or a depth of knowledge about the business or the design process. They lack reporting, which demands specific skills–being a good observer, developing sources, knowing what is relevant.”

Before I discuss the specific points of Horyn’s position, let me share a little background. When my parents and I were choosing colleges, one of the lures of the school I ended up choosing was the promise that I’d be able to write immediately. I’ve always known that I wanted to be a journalist, and the industry, like many, is one that you have to practice in order to get better. So during my freshman year, I covered football and soccer to get my feet wet, earn a few clips and build up my pool of sources.

I love sports–one only has to check my Twitter each Sunday and during the NBA season for proof–but I knew that I didn’t want to make a career out covering them; however, what I did know is that the skills I were honing interviewing coaches, covering games and meeting deadlines would translate to any subject I wrote about. Fast forward a year later and a position to edit the Community section of the paper opens up. I applied, got the position and immediately hated it because there was hardly ever anything to write about! I called and bitched to my dad, and he reminded me that I accepted a position and should see it through.

After the chat with my Pops, I sat down and thought about the section I would want to read each week as a student–the people in the city that were of interest, the mom-and-pop shops that were rarely publicized and different ways the community could sync with the college to achieve common goals. As a result, the Community pages turned out to be some of the best each week, we won an award for General Excellence at the state’s annual Press Convention, and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. So I can definitely identify with Fashionista’s contention that “a hard news, reporting background is key to a successful career in journalism, even if it’s writing about fashion” because the same things that I learned on the sports and community beats of The East Texan inform how I go about editing a women’s lifestyle magazine like JAYE.

While I agree with Horyn’s thinking when she says that “the writing is not supported by information or a depth of knowledge about the business or the design process” on many of the megablogs, on a certain level, I challenge that that’s not the role of the blogger. If someone wants stories about the “business or design process,” simply stop by the newsstand and pick up an issue of Vogue or ELLE or click on the myriad of sites like the one who inspired this post, and you’ll quickly find it’s not a question of if those pieces exist, it’s a matter of deciding which one to read first.

The fabric of the blog platform is the opinion. Whether you’re writing about celebrities, dry paint on the wall, the upcoming spring collections or why Atlanta housewife Nene continues to wear those dreadful, circa-’09 off-the-shoulder numbers, the sum of most posts are grounded in a specific perspective that the reader can choose to agree or disagree with. That’s why blogs are so successful: We love to argue and prove our beliefs are more valid than the next person’s.

I think it’s dangerous to diminish the intelligence of today’s consumer, who has access to tablet editions of their favorite magazines, can read newspapers on their smartphones and is savvy enough to choose what she’s looking for out of her content. I also think it’s a little unrealistic to think that fashion obsessives around the world, who may not have the same editorial background as me, are going to think twice before clicking “Publish” on their next critique of a Marc by Marc Jacobs collection just because an old-school journalist like Horyn is tsk-tsking. (Although, it would help though if more folks would manipulate the spell-check function to their advantage, but I’ll save that for another post or Twitter rant.)

The sooner we realize that we’re dealing with apples and oranges, or in this case, bloggers and writers, the better. Journos should be reaching out to aspiring reporters (yes, there are still some out there!) and reinforcing the importance of “being a good observer, developing sources, knowing what is relevant,” instead of imploring bloggers to subscribe to the mandates of AP Style or to fact-check their “reporting.” Because after all, there’s room for everyone–one industry doesn’t have to exterminate another to continue to thrive.

Here's Dad and me in 2002. Ah, the memories!

Note: This was originally published in the November 2011 issue of JAYE, the digital magazine I edit.

I always look forward to my dad’s vacations. He leads a pretty busy life, and his time off from work provides us with a chance to catch up and carry on in intense dialogue that leaves me in awe of his seemingly infinite wisdom. The topic at issue during our most recent discussion a few weeks ago was stress and how he manages it.

After all, we’re a stressed out nation: The economy’s recovering slower than a story line in one of those low-budget cable movies; the cost of education continues to rise, while our financial resources fight to keep up; and though as I write this, President Obama just finished an earnest exegesis of his American Jobs Act before a joint session of Congress, relief for the long-term unemployed and college-graduate pool is deterred by partisan bickering and increased cynicism from American citizens.

All of the above affects my dad, whether directly or in an oblique fashion, yet he’s always taking life’s challenges in stride. And since I had his undivided attention during the aforementioned father-son heart-to-heart, I got a master class in Stress Management 101 from Professor Michael Jones, Sr. Here’s the Cliff’s Notes version:

• Focus on the big picture. “I try to keep things and perspective,” explains my Pops. “More importantly, I try to realize whatever it is I’m going through isn’t the end of the world.”
• Remember it gets better. Dad says that stress tends to amplify the bad and tempts us to loll about in our sorrow, but “what you’re going through today will be yesterday’s news before you know it and in a few days, weeks, months and years, you probably won’t remember whatever it is that has you anxious.”
• Control what you can control. You’re not always in charge of the cards that life deals you, but according to my dad, you have a say-so in how you play those cards: “Do and be the very best you can be each and every day and the rest will fall into place.”
• Locate your center. No matter if it’s family, shopping, reading or volunteering, “you have to find the things in your life that provide you with balance” to offset the stressful events in your life. Don’t let the stresses of life consume so much of you that you forget you’re in college and preparing to embark on some of the most fulfilling years of your life, suggests my dad.

If those nuggets of advice aren’t enough, there’s 26 more on p. 106, impressively packaged by Jesica Metellus, our executive editor, in A-to-Z format. Of course, there’s plenty of fashion to help you repel those stress pangs, and whether you’re looking to escape from the minutiae of those lecture notes with a few irresistible trends (p. 27), shopping for the perfect coat to combat the cold temps (p. 49) or hunting for a few style ideas to help you rework some of your closet staples (p. 92), we’ve got you covered.

And since we’re entering the season of giving, why don’t you gift a friend, classmate or coworker a link of the magazine so they can unearth some stress-repelling knowledge? Email or tweet me your rants and raves, and as always have a ball reading this issue!

*My dad’s proof things get better with time, as he celebrates his 50th birthday this year. From advice on managing my staff and watching our beloved Cowboys every Sunday to bailing me out when I’ve screwed up and loving me unconditionally, it’s been a blessing to have been around for half of his life. Happy Birthday, Pops! 

I’ve been trying to balance personal projects, planning a few major moves in 2012 and managing my duties as the Executive Director of Ratchet Pursuits in the Association of Hoodrats R’ Us (also known as Twitter) with preserving my sexy and being an upstanding, yet cynical, member of this crumbling society. So if I’m not here putting my oh-so-talented fingers to work at The Style Professor, rest assured I’m kickin’ ass, takin’ names and poppin’ Chewy Lemonhead and Friends in my mouth elsewhere. Read on as I bring you up to speed on what’s been good in my hood:

• Guess what?! I got a Proenza Schouler PS1! Not really. But I want one. I’ll give you another try, though. Guess what?! I stopped treating my dusty, dormant, neglected YouTube channel like a pair of last season’s harem pants and have started to update with fervent regularity.In the spirit of Thanksgiving and my Pops’ birthday (which is tomorrow! Homeboy is the big five-zero!), I rambled about what he means to me and a few things I’m thankful for this year. If that ain’t enough, I also shared my unsolicited musings on Versace for H&M. Be a faithful pal by checking the video out, subscribing to the channel and spreading my awesomeness with friends, families, pets, strangers, tourists and Twitter Bots. Thanks in advance!

• There’s a new issue of JAYE out! (Here’s where I toss handfuls of confetti.) I have the great fortune of working with a bunch of beautiful, brainy and passionate (my internal database ran out of B words–bummer!) young women who are dedicated to providing solutions to the challenges that college bring along with news and ideas that help her how to live her life as a stylish, well-rounded and vibrant changemaker. It’s our holiday issue, so there’s a ton of party outfit options, new ways to wear your hair, health news to make sure your figure stays in tact, plus stories that capture what’s going on in the world and how it impacts our everyday lives. Let me know what you think!
  
• On a personal note, I’m gonna be an uncle again! That’s right, I’m such a beacon of awesomeneess to my six-year-old nephew Micah, that my sister said, “You know what, why not bring another one into the fray?!” I’m sure that’s not how the story really went down, but since it’s my blog, I can frame scenarios how I wanna. #whogoncheckmeboo? Anyway, Baby G will be here this spring, and you can go to her supercool blog words & wardrobes for updates on her pregnancy–and lemme tell you, Miss Thing is thorough (she details her eating habits, how much weight she’s gained, how Micah’s adjusting to the idea that there will soon be someone ravenously competing for the attention that for the last 2,000-plus days has been all his)! But she’s also drop-dead gorgeous and wears heels everyday, pregnancy be damned, and y’all know that makes her alright in my book!

Weekly Regulars
Must-Read Story of the Week: “As New Graduates Return to Nest, Economy Also Feels Pain,” published in the November 16 edition of The New York Times

Tweet of the Week: “The average person has $22,000 in student loan debt. Well, quadruple that and you’ve got my debt. I always had to be above average.” –@DAdeeyo

Question of the Week: Besides the fact that I’m back posting, of course, what are you most thankful for? Tweet me or reply in the comments section!

Must-Buy of the Week: Theyskens’ Theory “Peps” mid-rise flared jeans, $88

Whether you’re visiting family on Thanksgiving, shopping on Black Friday, or catching up with friends this weekend, or indulging a marathon of Braxton Family Values, you can’t go wrong with an on-trend pair of ’70s-inspired bell bottoms. (We featured these in the resplendent gift guide in the new issue of JAYE, along with 41 other under-$100 finds–check it out!)

Style Tip of the Week: Pack think layers. For those of you traveling home for the holidays, as you pack, remember: “Light knits, turtlenecks and thermals are the way to go here, thanks to their ability to be layered with ease—steer clear of anything too bulky.” –Published in the Style Notebook “Cheat Sheet” on p. 40 of December’s issue of JAYE.

I woke up feeling pretty uninspired by everything in my closet, so I turned to a few of the pieces that make me feel pulled together, while still being unfussy and comfy. Here are the elements:

Skinny pants: I’m always looking to play with different silhouettes–boot-cut, wide-leg, flare, boyfriend–but I always default on back to my trusted skinnies, preferably in shades of black and gray. These are from BDG and I try to buy multiples each season. I don’t know what I’ll do when Urban Outfitters stop stocking their shelves with them.

Relaxed T-shirts: As much as I love getting dressed up, I can’t get enough of tees that I can mix and match and throw on when I’m pressed for time. This one’s from American Apparel (again, I have a rainbow of colors and I buy them by the bunch!) and when paired with black pants, gives me a long, lean line.

Versatile Layers: Whether it’s a blazer, denim jacket, or in this case, cardigan, I gravitate towards light layers that can be thrown on or off whether I’m inside a freezing building or outside on an unseasonably warm October afternoon. Today’s choice is from H&M and I got it back in ’08 at my first New York Fashion Week–now that we’ve got a store in Dallas, I need to invest in a few more of these all-purpose babies!

No-Fuss Shoes: I got these desert boots a couple of years ago and rarely wear them, but when I do, I’m always questioning why they stay stowed away in the closet–they’re from Generic Surplus, one of my favorite brands.

Bundles of bracelets: I love to mix vintage cuffs (the big sparkly one) with gifts (the spiked black one) and random singles to create a mash-up of arm candy that adds a little personality to my sometimes-boring separates.

What do you wear when you’re uninspired? Let me know in the comments!

I’m flipping through the pages of JAYE’s November issue, which hits the web tomorrow (see a preview here!), and one of the most liberating aspects of editing a monthly magazine is the reality that at some point you’ve got to transition from one issue to the next, because another deadline, another cover story, another fashion season looms on the horizon waiting to bury you if you’re not ready.

There are always a few decisions I’d like to take back, but the amazing thing about JAYE is that it provides my staff and me with an opportunity to get better every 28 days. If we’ve made a mistake, I encourage my girls to “identify and rectify,” but to also leave it the error in its place so it doesn’t tag along rearing its ugly head in the next issue.

I’ve tried to convert my “identify and rectify” mantra to my own life. At some point, whether you’re reflecting on a good or bad decision, event or experience, I’ve learned that you’ve got to turn the page because there’s more to be done. Don’t spend too much of your life muddling in the would-haves, could-haves and should-haves, and don’t think you’ve arrived to the point where you’re above learning and growing, because as magazines have taught me: You’re only as good as your most recent issue. And in life’s case, you’re only as good the steps you’ve taken towards greatness each day.

Protect yourself from toxic people, who have an uncanny knack of trying to hold you hostage to your past. And watch out for those “friends” who are afraid to call you out when you’re a little full of yourself. I guess all I’m saying is live your life for today–not for what you did (or didn’t do) yesterday and not for what you hope to do tomorrow. And while you’re at it, surround yourself with the right people that fulfill and improve your life. Make it happen today. Whatever your “it” is, share it with me in the comments section.

Embrace layers. In Dallas, autumn mornings are cool and days are warmer, so to survive, I try to make sure each look is not only fashionable, but functional. For example, I’ll pair an American Apparel T-shirt with a chunky cardigan from BDG or Standard Cloth with skinny jeans. I also love throwing a V-neck sweater (Madewell and Zara make affordable versions that carry you through a few seasons for a nice price!) over a button-down and pushing the sleeves up to show off some arm candy and keep from overheating. Or you can take inspiration from celebs like Charlize Theron (below), who has mastered transitional dressing with her laid-back outfit. Find the layering formula that works for you and modify it throughout the season based on the weather.

Test-drive trends. The fall trends are on display in the magazines and on your favorite fashion websites, so pick a few that may be a little to eccentric and unconventional for your personal style and stop by Forever 21 or H&M and try to pair them with some of your favorite pieces. Whether it’s wearing one bright color from head-to-toe, like we saw at Blumarine or Sportsmax, or a mod-inspired cape inspired by the ’60s–Burberry Prorsum’s cherry-red version (below) is to die for!), use the next few weeks to identify the looks that work for you before forking over you card for a huge investment.

Stock up on basics and accessories. I try to find deals on the cheap basics and I recycle throughout the season–think long-sleeved T-shirts, colored socks and tights, scarves, and chunky jewelry to offset my streamlined separates. I stow them away in my closet and when the fickle weather finally decides she wants to stay cold for a while, I’m already prepared. J. Crew’s styling of this oversized sweatshirt is so on-trend and when you think about all the ways you can wear it, you’ll see that the $90 price tag is definitely worth it.

Any tips that I left out? Let me know in the comments section!

One of my personal goals this month is to get back to blogging on The Style Professor regularly. As you guys know, editing JAYE keeps me pretty busy, but I’ve always looked at TSP as a place for me to share my own perspectives on style and interact with different personalities across the world.

It’s an exciting time for me both personally and professionally, and as we embark the new season, I thought I’d share what will probably serve as my fall uniform for the next few months.

As usual, I started with a pair of skinny pants and pulled out one of my chunky knits that have been begging for some exposure–I love the dark purple color and look forward to pairing it with other contrasting hues–a turquoise bag that’s roomy enough for all my essentials (a reporting notebook, Burt’s Bees lip balm, Sharpies, etc.) and some of my favorite lace-up shoes.

To all of my friends and colleagues covering the shows starting in New York today, here’s to an awesome fashion month! (I’ll probably be posting some of my favorite street-style looks–in between summits with my fashion director to ooh and ahh over our runway faves, of course!) And to the fabulous readers of JAYE, know that my fashion and beauty editors are keeping their eyes peeled for the must-wear looks for next season–you’ll see them in our pages at the beginning of the new year!

In the meantime, let me know what you want to see on the blog. Send me your questions, ideas, and thoughts to mtjstyle@gmail.com, follow me on Twitter (@mtjstyle) and share with me some of the trends you’re most excited to wear this fall and how you’re going to make them your own–because as I always says: it’s called personal style for a reason.

Toodle-oo,

MJ

In my last post, I alluded to my adoration of all things bright this spring and summer, and yesterday’s outfit reflected just that. I balanced a bold yellow sweater with a white-and-light-blue striped button-down shirt, a pair of my favorite slacks (I have them in three colors!), and the green bag that’s turned into my go-to accessory this season.

But with a new season on the horizon, I’ve adopted a new appreciation for the warmer temps. And it doesn’t help that my favorite stores and brands have given me so much to be excited about.

In the midst of organizing my closet and my rack of “frontrunners”–the pieces that I can’t wait to wear, I decided to snap a few shots for your viewing pleasure.

Cutoff Chinos: I don’t wear shorts that often during the summer, but I ran across these and instantly added them to my shopping cart. I’ll wear brightly colored sweaters (keep reading!) and lightweight button-downs to dress them up and tanks and T-shirts for more casual look.

A Go-Anywhere Button-Down: I love the richness of this burnt orange shirt and am also thrilled that it’s so versatile. That’s a huge consideration when I shop: Can my clothes go from class to meetings to dinner to events or parties with friends? If it passes the versatility test–as this shirt did!–there’s a strong chance, I’ll snag it.

’70s-inspired Denim: I try to buy a good pair of denim each season, and most of my jeans are skinny, so I figured now is an ideal time to test-drive another silhouette. I’m smitten with the flared silhouette of this pair from the Gap and look forward to wearing them with vintage T-shirts, slouchy tanks and summery jackets.

Mellow Yellow: As my fashion team and I were planning stories for our spring issues of JAYE, I couldn’t help but be inspired by all of the bright colors that designers showed this season. I purchased this sweater in yellow and sour-apple green, and who knows you may see a little color blocking from this formerly committed-to-nothing-but-black fashion editor.

Fun Pants: I’ve been in love with American Apparel’s jumper pants forever, but didn’t wanna cough up the cash for them since I knew they wouldn’t be everyday staples. But during a recent trip, I saw that the price had been slashed in half, so I ended up buying two pair for the price of one.

Nautical, According to MJ: I called myself simply visiting some of my old coworkers at Forever 21, but when I saw these tanks on a table with a $5 price tag affixed to them, I knew I had to have one. I like the stripes, which invoke a sort of cheeky nod to nautical–I love that they’re not the traditional navy. I’m really looking forward to tossing on a easy pieces like these this summer to help me combat the unbearable Texas heat.

Going Green: Marie Claire’s Taylor Tomasi Hill is one of my favorite editors and sources of style inspiration and her the Celine clutch she carried during fashion month was equal parts practical and chic. This kelly green is so fabulous, and compliments the other vibrant colors and soft neutrals in my wardrobe.

To a Tee: So many of my looks incorporate American Apparel basics, and this summer will be no different as I’ve stocked up on tons of these oversized T-shirts to wear with denim cutoffs and cropped pants. I don’t have a lot of navy pieces, so this was a welcome addition to my sartorial arsenal.

Peanut Butter, Hold the Jelly: One of my friends calls this color “peanut butter,” and when I bought these lace-ups from Aldo, I thought of her. I’ve already gotten major mileage out of them (just check out my last post for evidence!), and I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of them on the blog.

Oh, and these photos were taken in the confines of my room, so pardon the quality. I can’t wait to mix and match them with all of my other wardrobe faves this season! What’s going to be your uniform this summer?