Jill Laine Style

Hello Stylish Ones!

We’ve all heard about green living, recycling, how to be environmentally conscious, and what steps we can take to better love our planet.

Today I want to show you how you can be ‘green’ via your style, by taking average items in your closet and repurposing them in unique ways. Not only do these tips save you money and save your clothes from the landfill, they’re also going to take your style to the next, exponentially fabulous, level!

By now you’ve probably heard me preach about clearing closet chaos, so that you’re wardrobe reflects your highest and best style. I still stand by these principles. And yet, in every closet, we will have some basic, needed items that are less-than exciting, and only moderating interesting. These are the pieces that can be given a big punch to bring them to superstar style status.

Photo: Trendmill.com

Exhibit 3: Basic pearl necklaces, chain necklaces, and ribbon

On their own, one strand of pearls is uninspired.  But wrap those pearls together with other pearls, some basic gold chains and tie them with some yummy grosgrain ribbon and you have your new favorite statement belt! Coco Chanel would be proud. Or at the very least, not appalled. 

If you haven’t already, check out my friends at Green Living Magazine, they have the best tips on living a beautiful, and green, life.

JL

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In Neruda’s poem ‘Ode to Wine’, he writes:

Day-colored wine,
night-colored wine,
wine with purple feet
or wine with topaz blood,
wine, starry child of earth,
wine, smooth as a golden sword,
soft as lascivious velvet…

Drink it,
and remember in every
drop of gold,
in every topaz glass,
in every purple ladle,
that autumn labored
to fill the vessel with wine. 

This year many designers are referring to wine as ‘oxblood’. I prefer Burgundy, Bordeaux, or Merlot, they sound more civilized, less barbarian.

It’s great to know about wine, but to become a true cognoscenti you must find the perfect pairing for your particular shade. Black is too safe a guess, that’s what everyone picks. You, Stylish One, get extra points for creating a different flavor combination. 

Burgundy: This gorgeous, deeply red shade looks so elegant when worn with camel. To take your palette to the next level, add in delicate notes of rich blue or green. 

And with a leopard print? Best in Class!

Photo: OneCharmingLife.com 

Merlot: A marriage of red and plum, merlot finishes with a pleasing berry undertone. Stunning mixed with grey or navy blue, look for this to pop with nuances of mustard, or even tangerine. 

Photo: www.surabhimittal.com

Port: Unabashedly plum in color, this varietal knows how to make an style statement with rich brown or winter white. Deliciously ripe and at full stride when enjoyed with red, gold or aqua.

Photo: www.Cosmopolitan.co.uk

Here’s to loving wine in all it’s incarnations,
and always,

To Your Style!

JL

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Hello Stylish Ones!

Once again the magic of fall is upon us. Any day now we’ll be seeing pumpkins in stores, watching the leaves change color, and planning our Halloween fetes. So what are you waiting for? Is your fall wardrobe set on ‘go’? It’s time to start thinking about packing up your summer garments in lieu of a richer, more savory fare. Last week I talked about boots, this week I’m giving you my picks for the best fall 2012 fashion trends that you’ll want to add to your style arsenal!

Hands down, fall is always my favorite season for fashion. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia of going back to school that forever runs through my veins, but something about this season sings to my style soul like no other. It’s been my pleasure to scour the runways and bring you my favorite trends, drum roll s’il vous plait!

Color Cue: Colorblocking is still on trend, as are vibrant hues and traditional fall classics. Enter stage left: rich reds, paprika, orange, electric blue, navy, burgundy and wine. Did someone say bordeaux or burgundy? One of each for me. To find out more about the color trends this fall, check out my video for SheKnows.com here.

Peter Pan Collars: I love the way these collars bring a touch of vintage, lady-like flair to any outfit, be it a classic sheath dress or basic tee. You’ll see these from super luxe to simple chic, and if you’re a crafty type then take a spin with your own DIY version. 

Photo: Marni for H&M

Baroque Opulence: It’s Russian Zsar meets Fortuny, get ready to be blown away by the baroque fabrics and rich, lavish touches of opulence this fall. Velvet, fur, gold threading and tassels, I say yes to all! Best when worn in small doses, these pieces will add instant glamour to any outfit.

Photo: Dolce & Gabbana runway show

Leather: Although typically worn by those tough and subversive types, this year leather goes mainstream. Expect to see it in unexpected ways: from sweetheart collars to pleated dainty skirts, this leather takes your gran’s style and shakes it up a bit. If you like your leather more rock-star chic then get yourself a pair of leather leggings or shorts.

Equine Prints: Horse lovers, rejoice! This fall you’ll find equine inspired sweaters, prints, and accessories to fan your flame of My Little Pony desire. Better luck next time, cat people.

Uncle Karl and Choupette

Did I hit all the trends for you here? Nooo, that’s what upcoming newsletters are for!
Here’s to a fabulous fall, and always,
To Your Style!

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Hello Stylish Ones! 

If you’re like me, the B-word is something you’ve got to deal with everyday. That’s the big B, as in Budget. 

Rather than sobbing in despair or wantonly going into debt, I am here to take a stand and declare that being utterly and totally fabulous can co-exist with being fiscally responsible. In fact, I truly believe that having a B gives you and me the opportunity to be more selective and creative in our style choices. 
It’s part of our style evolution, the survival of the fashion fittest!

1. Go through some fashion magazines or window shop to get inspired, see what’s new for the season that resonates with you and your best style. I have a mental list of the pieces that really speak to me, and what I’m looking to add to my wardrobe for the season.

 

2. Take note of what gaps you have in your wardrobe, again this goes back to having a strong foundation of basics. To really stay on track, make a list.

3. Now that you have a purpose defined, get in there and get shopping!

My all time favorite place to score major deals is a great consignment shop. Used clothes not your mise-en-scene? Good news, that’s more for me!

Although you can’t just order up whatever size or style you want at a consignment store, the right store will still have lots to choose from. And the discounts are deep, typically 40%, 50% or more off the original prices.

Here you’re sure to find most, or all, of the foundational pieces that you need (tip 2), as well as the really unique, inspirational pieces that you desire (tip 1).

What you’ll find missing at a consignment store is the brand new trends that are just hitting the shelves at the retail stores for full price. But, if you think outside the box and allow yourself to be creative, you’ll find some items that have elements of those right-now trends. At this point in fashion’s history, nothing has been done only once. There’s always something similar lurking in the wings, waiting for you to rediscover it and make it shine again!

Here’s to being being creative, fabulous, smart and frugal,
and always,

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Giambattista Valli Tassel Sandal

Bags
What better way to show your tassel adoration than with a bag, your go-to everyday item? And nothing says ‘I am yummy’ better than a big tassel pull on the zipper.

Photo: Streetfsn.com

 

Jewelry
Phu-leeze. Tassels were made for jewelry, and visa versa. Shop your favorite vintage stores for cool tassel finds from eras past, then pile on the old and new bijoux together!

Photo: http://sbeulah.onsugar.com

 

There will be plenty of other tasseliciousness to go around this season, with ornamentation on clothing as well. 

 

I have always had a penchant for tassels, so I take this trend seriously, it’s my mission to preach far and wide. So of course it’s not good enough to let other designers tell me where to put my tassels, mais non!  That means I’m stalking cool ethnic and vintage tassels on Ebay, Etsy, or Silk Road Tribal, and adding them to the items already in my closet. Care to join in my tassel madness?

Here’s to anticipating fall’s ornamentation, and always,

To Your Style!

JL

 

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Though I love shopping for bargains at sales, one thing that can be difficult to maneuver is the time factor. Who has time these days to schedule that 8am opening on a Wednesday, when all the good stuff is still available? One answer to that dilemma is the Outnet.com, a drool worthy site of deep discounts and slash and burn prices with merchandise from the site’s main store: Net-a-Porter.com. Now if you haven’t ever visited Net-a-Porter, then my fashion friend, you just haven’t lived. It’s a beautiful, carefully culled collection from the worlds best designers, bursting with inspiration, glam, and gorgeousness. But I digress. Items that are discounted significantly from the Net-a-Porter site make their way on to the Outnet, where you can search for new arrivals anytime. No need to set your alarm. But move quickly, as their most coveted items don’t last.

Case in point, check out this Kenneth Jay Lane Art Deco-esque carved jade necklace. It’s $80, down from $160.

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Watching the Olympics and the insane hardbodies that come with that level of athleticism, I’ve been inspired to take my own level of fitness up several notches. Which is why, after tackling a more rigorous workout yesterday, today it hurts to walk, move, or even sit! As I hobble around I’m reminded that whenever we go to a new level of health, be it physical or emotional, many times there is pain involved in pushing through to the next zone. And though I’m not enjoying the pain per se, there is a part of me that enjoys knowing that this too shall pass, and soon I’ll see my efforts rewarded.

Be Healthy: Take a moment to consider your amazing physical body. It’s miraculous how our heart beats, our blood flows, and our organs detoxify, automatically. Many times being kind comes in the form of chocolate, or a cookie (who, me?), when to our bodies being kind is about nourishment. What can you do to be kind to your body today? Maybe like me you want to challenge your level of fitness, or perhaps it’s about eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and less processed foods. Considering this body is the only one we get on this planet, being healthy is a kindness and an investment that will last you the rest of your life!

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