Intern Search: Meet Jessica

Jul 13, 2010

The Great CHS Intern Search continues this week with the public interview process.  Each prospect was asked to submit answers to a generic questionnaire, and one post that reflected their sense of style and the kind of content that they wanted to contribute to the site. 

Posts will be uploaded in the order they were received with one today, two tomorrow and two on Thursday.  No grammar or spelling mistakes will be corrected (not that I’m qualified to judge, I just want you to know what you’re in for). 

Also, if you would like to comment–and I encourage you to do so–please only make comments about the post itself.  If you would like to e-mail comments, you know where I live. 

And, let’s begin…

Name(Pseudonym): Jessica

Age: 23

Hometown: Batavia, IL (yea, I know, no one knows where that is… it’s a suburb 45 miles west of Chicago)

Profession/Major: Research Assistant and Office Manager for 6 lobbyists near the Hill

Style Icon: SJP

Blog and/or Twitter Handle: steakandlegs.com

Any special skills (Photoshop, CSS, etc.): I have a unique ability to accurately judge someone’s character upon meeting them. But as far as technology is concerned, I know basic CSS and love to photograph with my Nikon D-SLR.

Favorite Designer: Tory Burch

Favorite Retail Line: J. Crew

Favorite Piece in Your Wardrobe: My patterned Lilly Pulitzer silk dress that I found at Filene’s Basement. I love it so much I wear it every season! Here I am wearing it in Feb. w/ black tights and a black belt.

Piece You are Currently Coveting: Currently I am coveting two accessories to add to my wardrobe. I really want the ‘Flash Kelsey’ Convertible Shoulder Bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs.  I also really want a second Michael Kors watch for the weekends. Right now I’m eying the Oversized Acrylic Chronograph Watch.

Favorite Beauty/Skincare Product: Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash

It’s Friday night. Your phone rings. It’s Anna Wintour and she wants to take you to dinner.  Quick, what do you wear?: Since I’m assuming this would leave me no time to shop, I would throw on my crisp, white Brooks Brothers french cuffed button down, with my elegant black and cream A-line, billowing skirt from Banana Republic. I would then cinch my waist with my wide patent leather black belt from Express and throw on my vintage gold cuff from my grandmother, vintage pearl earrings, and tie my hair up in a bun.

In 200 words or less, tell us how you can contribute a fresh perspective to Capitol Hill Style.

I am an entry-level employee with an entry-level salary, so to say the very least, I’m on a budget. Unfortunately, I have very expensive taste when it comes to fashion, beauty products and accessories. So I have a few tricks up my sleeve in regards to budgeting and finding sales and items that I can afford.

I am also extremely adventurous. I love conservative and preppy fashion, but I have been known to rock many extreme trends. I’m ready to present many diverse fashion trends and how best to wear them.

Finally, I love photography and I’m obsessed with my new Nikon D-SLR. So I’m hoping to bring some street fashion photos to Belle’s blog if I’m selected.

In 140 characters, tell us why you want this internship.

I love fashion and blogging and am in need of a hobby. Also, I’m a loyal reader of Capitol Hill Style and I’d be honored to be apart of it.

Ask The Edit, Style

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  1. Mary says:

    Oooo, I really like her style! I would like to see a little more prep/tailored chic here on Capitol Hill Style, and she would be a nice addition. Plus I want to know what budget tricks she has up her sleeve…

  2. Hm says:

    The Lilly dress scares me…

  3. Andrea says:

    SJP as a style icon frightens me a little, but overall she sounds like a great addition to Capitol Hill Style! I completely agree with Mary; I’m interested to see what budget tricks she will share! 🙂

  4. Megan says:

    She seems like a nice girl, but anyone whose favorite wardrobe item is Lilly Pulitzer is not right for this blog.

  5. Belle says:

    She also wrote the Street Style post below this one, so let me know what you think of that as well.

    Thanks!

  6. Mary says:

    Yeah the Lily Pulitzer threw me off (yuck, up there with Vera Bradley) but then I checked out her blog. It’s looks to be just a personal blog with her bf, but there are some cute pictures of her outfits. Preppy but feminine a la Kate Spade.

    Also, it’s funny she mentioned the Bliss facewash, I just read that it’s on super sale at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale- $29 for a 15 oz. bottle https://www.more.com/2020/6316-editors-picks-nordstrom-anniversary-sale#6 . I’m excited to see the rant Belle said she’d be posting on the NAS on Friday.

  7. ??? says:

    Seems like a nice girl, but JCrew, Lilly, and TB??? Might lack a little imagination.

  8. Belle says:

    I was little afraid when she said Lilly too. Actually, I was having nightmares about pineapple printed halter dresses, and Perez Hilton in a panda printed suit. But the dress doesn’t look Lilly to me at all, much more Kate Spade. So I guess you can’t judge a dress by it’s brand name.

  9. Megan says:

    I’m not a fan of the Lilly Pulitzer outfit either (sorry, girl), but I’m definitely in the same boat as Jessica overall — entry-level employee, expensive lusty taste. For me, I think she’d be a really fantastic addition to a site I already love!

  10. Dr. Jean Grey says:

    Dunno how I feel about her. Her guest blog post was a pretty straight rip from Project Beltway and I don’t find the girl she stopped to be very stylish. Overally, she seems like a nice girl. She’s pretty, cute and seems put together. I’d feel better about her if she was blogging more about fashion than her boyfriend and food on her personal blog. I’m eager to see your other applicants.

  11. Dr. Jean Grey says:

    I WILL say though, that I almost bought that Marc Jacobs handbag…I didn’t pull the trigger because it seemed a little too trendy for the price. If I’m going to spend that much on a handbag it’d better be something I can haul around in five years. This is why I adopted the policy earlier this year of “Just Say No” to ruffles, too. Way too trendy. Will look very dated very soon.

  12. Angela says:

    TORY BURCH?! LILY PULITZER? EXPRESS?!!!! ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?

  13. Belle says:

    Okay Ladies, we’re getting a little mean. I just had to delete a comment that was way out of bounds so let’s keep it a bit more cordial.

  14. E says:

    She seems like a normal person with an interest in fashion. Definitely room to grow–but I think she’s has some interesting things to say and isn’t growing and learning what being an intern is all about?

    I’m not thrilled with the guest post. I think it was a little long and not to be nit-picky, but “Washington” was missing it’s capitol “W” in the final answer section. I wish she would have commented so we could get a sense of her voice–not just letting someone else talk.

  15. A says:

    Her post was fun to read and I usually don’t like Lilly but that dress is super cute and she knows how to put an outfit together. Obvious too in her choice for a quick wardrobe pick. While she isn’t completely original I like that she’s relatable and her choices aren’t so wacky that I wouldn’t be able to find the pieces myself! And I’m impressed with her desire to bring another piece to the blog – using her own camera. Good job Jessica!

  16. Annie G says:

    I like her a lot! I think this blog definitely needs someone to represent the entry level worker on the entry level budget! She looks like she does a lot with a little and that’s something that I respect and adore.

    More Jessica!

  17. Abern says:

    I’m interested in the dressing-for-a-budget aspect but I’m a little concerned about where exactly she would be shopping…

  18. kw says:

    Fashion on an entry-level budget intrigues me, but I’m shocked that no one else seems to have noticed that she’d pair a white-white shirt with a cream skirt for her throw-together look. Isn’t that a big no-no for everyone else, too?

  19. B says:

    KW, I have to agree. I noticed that as well! That look sounds great except for that little faux paus

  20. mominheels says:

    A few thoughts —

    I have found that white and cream, when done well, can be very elegant. Thought Jessica’s blending was fine.

    Regarding Jessica’s store preferences – please tell me the salary where y’all work that “on a budget” still allows you to shop at the clothing stores a $$ tier above JCrew and BR because I want to come work where you work! 🙂 A good fashionista worth her Foot Petals can pull together a drop dead outfit from the likes of JCrew, BR, Ann Taylor, etc.

  21. mominheels says:

    Me again — if Nicole Kidman can do it and the Editor in Chief of Glamour says it is okay, I think the cream/white rule can be tabled.

    https://www.stylelist.com/2010/01/22/white-blazers-hot-with-celebs-can-you-dig-it/
    Nicole Kidman

    https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/may/25/fashion_experts_bend/
    Glamour Editor in Chief quote re: wearing white with cream

  22. Cara says:

    I am not crazy about this Lilly dress period, let alone with a black belt and tights. A Lilly dress as the favorite piece in your wardrobe makes me nervous for her fashion advice, as well as yawn over tired, southern, preppy DC attire. I agree with the earlier commenter who suggested they’d like to hear a little more of Jessica’s opinion rather than regurgitate someone else’s.

  23. Lauren says:

    I’d be interested to see more about her own style. Lilly and a black and white ensemble with pearls is not what I would expect for this blog. I agree with the earlier comment, that her first piece significantly resembled PB. I’d be interested to see her write an actual post.

  24. Jill says:

    I enjoy CHS because you so often mention designers and brands that I’m not familiar with (b/c I am too often stuck in a preppy/conservative Ann Taylor/Brooks Brothers rut). I don’t want more of what I already know and like. I want to keep being introduced to new and thoughtful.

  25. Hae says:

    First of all, big shout-out to anyone that is from the Chicago area!!

    Jessica appears to have an energetic and enthusiastic personality, but I think her style choices are too “blah” for what I am used to seeing on this blog. I always enjoyed opening up CHS and finding a new designer or website from which to shop. I appreciate the vibrant and cute nature of the Lilly dress, and I don’t mind preppy additions to the blog. However, I don’t agree with how she’s accessorized the item for winter. While pairing black with a brightly colored dress works, I think the pairing of a black belt and tights with a bright spring pattern just looks a little off. While the outfit to meet Anna Wintour was okay, I was a little disappointed that she didn’t describe the shoes she would choose for the event. I am not sure if this post did justice to her overall fashion sense or style, but from what I can see, I wouldn’t phone home about anything I read. That being said, good luck Jessica. All the best.

  26. Bonnie says:

    Lilly Pulitzer is the clothing version of Vera Bradley. While she seems nice, her clothing choices look to be a bit boring and predictable.

  27. sGe says:

    I like her!

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