The art of photography. . . !

Hi friends and fellow bloggers: As the photographer for J. LaMore I shoot thousands of images every week of fashion models for countless promotional campaigns. I love it but doing this will never give me the chance to take a photograph that becomes listed in the top 100 photographs of all time. I don't have the time to explore the challenge, if you can call it that. Those kinds of things happen instantly, without warning or a plan. You're just there at the right place at the right time.

As a long suffering artist and painter I never used to think that "photographers" were deserving of the notoriety that some of them receive and that they weren't in the same league as the old (or current) art masters. I understand it's not completely fair to compare the two but I think you know what I mean.

In my mind, photographers didn't seem to suffer enough, if at all, and taking a picture is so much easier compared to, let's say; painting the Mona Lisa or the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel! How about Picasso's, Geurnica! Anyone! I rest my case. It's very similar to my thoughts on music where you can only sing the blues if you've suffered. In my mind photogrpahers were rich and didn't suffer anything.

I used to think that painters were artists who created something and photographers took pictures of what someone else created and were not artists, they were photographers. How hard is to take a picture? I was young and obviously not very bright at the time and I considered myself an artist who occasional took photo's. But was carefull how I phrased it.

And then it happened! I saw the above photograph a long time ago and was completely mesmerized by the fearful and haunting look of this young girls eyes and I had to know more about this photo, who took it, and what was going on at the time that made her look so fascinating. Every time I see this photo I can't stop staring at those beautiful eyes! Have you ever seen a pair of eyes like this? They almost look like they belong in an animal. That's a powerful image and it's one photograph taken in a split second. Imagine that! I discovered that there was no need to compare the two mediums, they were both at the same level in so many ways.

I was hooked on photography ever since and it only took one photograph, widely considered the most recognizable photograph of all time to do it, but I was hooked on one photo none the less . . ! (For a close up of those eyes, click the image to view it large in a browser window. Amazing!)

This photo was taken in 1984 as part of a National Geographic "Green Eyes" project tracking the genetic traits of green eyes passed down through the Mongols during the time of Genghis Kahn. (1206-1227) National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry took the photo and when it made the cover of National Geographic in 1985 it was instantly vaulted to the top 100 portraits of all time. At the time of the photograph no one knew the girls name and she was known to the world only as the "Afghan girl."

It wasn't until 17 years later that McCurry went back to Afghan with his famous picture that she was identified as Sharbat Gula. Sharbat was thought to be twelve years old at the time and she had never been photographed before or since. You can read about what happened to Sharbat here. Incredible!

I never forgot this hauntingly beautiful photograph which gave me a new found respect for photographers. I can easily drop the brushes now and pick up the bag. Unfortunately, photography is a hell of a lot more expensive than painting but I love it. I'm a photographer now and occasionally I'll paint.

Jim
jlamore.com

Alternative sweeteners

OK. So I still love my diet Coke, but I have tried to stay away from sodas and other foods that have artificial sweeteners that are well-known to cause cancer in lab rats.

There are so many different types of natural sweeteners that are available now. Lately I have been experimenting with these alternative sweeteners and just wanted to share a little bit about what I have learned with everyone. This is based on my own research and do not in any way come from the FDA.

The first sweetener that I would recommend is agave nectar. Pictured to the left is the blue agave plant, one of many different species of agave (from which tequila comes from actually). Agave is basically a sweetener produced in Mexico from many different species of agave. It is expressed from the core of the gave and resembles honey. It can range in color from light to dark, depending on the degree of processing. The amber agave is light and mild, while the medium tastes like caramel, and the dark tastes like molasses. The dark nectar has a higher concentration of the plant's natural minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium). It is 1.4 to 1.6 times sweeter than sugar. It has a very low glycemic index.

Xylitol and Erythritol are both sugar alcohols that are found in the fibers of fruits and vegetables, verries, corn husks, oats and mushrooms. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as table sugar. Originally coming from the birch tree, it has a very low glycemic index, having very low effects on insulin levels. Erythritol contains 60-70% of the sweetness of table sugar.

Finally, one of the most popular sweeteners is stevia. Stevia is a generic name of 240 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family, known for its sweet leaves. It can be up to 300 times as sweet as sugar and has a zero effect on blood sugar levels.

I have tried all of the sweeteners, and the first question that I get is: "Is there an aftertaste?" Well, there is. I'm not going to lie to you. Stevia has the most aftertaste while xylitol and erythritol have somewhat of a cooling effect (like cough drops). Xylitol probably has the least aftertaste. Agave nectar has no aftertaste at all. It's like a light syrup. Whenever I try something new, it definitely takes some time to get accustomed to different tastes and/or textures. But, I love that we at least have an alternative to regular table sugar, and I don't know about you, but I'd like to keep my pearly whites for a long time!!!!!

Lila

Style anatomy of a super hero.

Hey everyone... I'm Terra. I'm a new J. LaMore blogger. I absolutely love style and fashion but I was also raised by the biggest sci-fi fan. And you are about to get a glimpse into my dorkdom.

I really love super hero/super villain stories. I would never call myself a super fan, but I certainly get giggly giddy when I hear about another movie coming out. Yes the action scenes are incredible and I wish I could be the one with the super dazzling powers. But more importantly, I wish I had some of the clothes.

My most favorite of all super hero movies thus far is Watchmen. It's one of the dirtiest, most haunting glimpses into our potential for self-destruction. Fun stuff, yeah? I'm currently reading the graphic novel and it's incredible.

Not only do I love the story the most, I absolutely love the style the most too. Silk Spectre and Silk Spectre II are like pin ups straddling the line between sexy and ridiculous. Imagine kicking major tookus with a pair of four-inch garter heels. I can barely stand on one foot to put my boots on.

So that's Silk Spectre II's uniform for ruining bad guys. But I also really love what she wears when she's just plain old Laurie Jupiter. Watchmen is set in 1985 so you have all of these really fabulous 80s-inspired frocks. I particularly love her gold trench. Of course it's gold. It honestly looks like the sort of material you can hack up and make into the perfect costume for concealing your identity at a moments notice. The trench has a powerful shoulder (how appropriate) to let the bad guys know she shouldn't be messed with. Of course, most don't pay attention to the subtle hints given by a super hero's fashion. Dummies.
















A bit earlier in the scene, she shows off her everyday accessories (not suitable for being jumped in an alley obviously) of black beret and classic "Risky Business" Ray Bans.

And her hair. It's so simple. When she's leaping through fire you'd think it might be a problem but not for Silk Spectre. No siree. She apparently has flame-retardant hair.

Super heroes (and villians... Michelle Pfeiffer I'm looking at you) are always sexy, especially the women. Whether they're pretending to be the "every gal" or they're giving jerks the business, they take the time to look luscious.

I'm taking a few notes from the style book of Silk Spectre. It's not like I'm saving people from a burning building or anything so I guess the idea of putting on something other than night-night pants shouldn't be so daunting.

So there it is! I love this stuff. I promise I won't post exclusively about super heroes! :) Until next time everyone...

xoxo


Terra

Pittsburgh, PA

J.D Salinger dies. . . !

Hi Friends & fellow bloggers:

I love a great story and will tell one from time to time. Telling a great story is an art and when you hear a tale that's fascinating you seldom care if the story is indeed factual. Sometimes, truth and fiction is a line that's blurred in a fog of intrigue. As for most of my of my stories over the years, a fog of humor!

When author J.D. Salinger died this week I was immediately brought back to the days of my youth when his book, "The Catcher in the Rye" published in 1951, was a must read, and still is today. I read it and loved it. I still have the book as I never returned it to the school library. The late fee must be ten thousand dollars by now. (See what I mean about truth and a good story.)

The book was an incredible story of a rebel youth, Holden Caulfield, a teenager newly expelled from prep school and his anti establishment views and attitude ring loud and clear. Reading it was a youthful right of passage, almost like getting your learners permit, but what's even more amazing and intriguing is J.D. Salinger's life after he wrote the book. He was a complete recluse. Living, or hiding, in a self inflicted way for more than 50 years in a little shack in a small town in New Hampshire. Wow! He was 91 years old. Salinger became famous for not wanting to be famous. Very Garbo'esque!

Mark David Chapman, the killer of John Lennon in 1980, said the reason for killing Lennon could be found in passages in "The Catcher in the Rye."

Salinger wrote a couple more short stories that received less critical acclaim and in 1954 he moved to a little 90 acre compound in New Hampshire and stayed there for the rest of his life. He emerged every once and awhile and was even married at one point and, had a son, Matthew in 1966. As the years rolled by Salinger grew more and more reclusive and at one point he even had his publisher remove his picture from the back book covers of "Catcher" and said he was "sick and tired of seeing his picture on the back cover and I don't want anyone else to see it either."

When Salinger said that he was "in this world but not of it" his friends and family really began to see a change in him which, of course, lead to even more intrigue about his whereabouts and his reclusive habits. "He was either crazy or the Manet and Tolstoy of our time," as a NY Times reporter recently said Salinger. Not understanding him is the way he wanted to be known. He didn't care for fame, celebrity or money. Just like the characters he wrote about. It is said that Salinger wrote about fictional charcters and then brought them to life by living them.

If you've never read the book, I highly recommend it. To this day "Catcher" still sells 250,000 copies a year in paperback and is published in 120 different languages.

Here's the first two sentences in the book.

"If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two haemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them."

Jim

Gray area

Leave it to Kate Moss. The mega model/designer was sported gray streaks in her blonde mane at the launch of her handbag line for Longchamp this week. While I do love Kate as a trendsetter--wellies, skinny jeans and boho-chic, to name a few of her personal contributions to the fashion world--I'm not sure gray streaks are going to be The Next Big Thing. [Moss claims the streaks, now gone, were actually light blue but showed up gray on camera.]

I'm all for aging gracefully and naturally; there are many women who I think look gorgeous with gray hair (ala Meryl Streep in The Devil

Wears Prada), but this just isn't working for me. The streak in the front just looks awkward and out-of-place.

Maybe Kate was taking a cue from Monsieur Lagerfeld's Spring 2010 Chanel Couture show. >>

What do you think about the fashion statement? Cutting edge or just out there?

Mandy

Creative Director

Black Orchid jeans

Hi Friends!

Jade-I wanted to tell you the Black Orchid jewel gray Skinny jeans look AMAZING on you & I also love your blog! Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani and Dakota Fanning have all been pictured wearing Black Orchid jeans....

I love the tie dye color and the distressing on the legs and you cannot beat the price!

Black Orchid is known for his innovative designs and creating the great success of J and Company jeans, reputable designer Julien Jarmoune has taken his life-long passion and talent to new heights. After extensive research of an industry dense with ostentatious designs, he realized there was something missing in the denim market: an elegant “basic” jean. Through combining his knowledge, design capabilities, and sheer determination, Black Orchid was born as a classic line appealing to women of all ages. The “unicorn” of the orchid family - the Black Orchid - is the rarest and most desired and often believed to hold unique powers. Black Orchid denim is derived from the same concept of rarity and beauty found in something so basic and affordable.
I wish there was a pair left in my size! I also have my eye on the Black Orchid "Rider Skinny" jeans. I love the motorcycle detail on the leg and the subtle distressing....Jennifer has an amazing,amazing (did I say amazing!?) eye for fashion and a wonderful sense of style so if she owns a pair then I know they must be worth trying!

Mandy

Madison, WI

"Beauty Must Haves"

Hi Friends! In the past, bloggers have told about their must have beauty products. I am a total beauty junkie. If I could live in Sephora. . . I would. I'm proudly/regretfully a "V.I.B" (very important beauty insider) at Sephora, spending way more than I should each month both online and in the store.

Enough about my Sephora obsession. I want to share my most recent favorite product (it changes weekly!). Right now, it 's definitely Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. According to sephora.com, "For those of us who are lucky enough to get away with minimal coverage, this sheer, tinted moisturizer leaves you with a fresh, dewy, no-makeup look. What's more, it protects from the damaging rays of the sun with SPF 20." As I do totally agree with the amazing benefits that this moisturizer has, I do have to say that I would recommend it to those who need more than minimal coverage as well. I'm a religious foundation and cover up user, but I do still feel "covered" when I have this moisturizer on. It is NOT a cover up- you will still see flaws if there are flaws to be seen- but of all the tinted moisturizers I've used, this is the most covering yet natural and light feeling.

To sum it up, I'd wear this product with a few sweeps of bronzer (another obsession, Nars bronzing powder in Laguna) to go to the grocery store, mall, out for the day, etc but I wouldn't wear it when I'm going out at night (I'd opt for something heavier.) So it's great for daytime wear or nighttime wear for those who don't need a lot of coverage! AND it's truly moisturizing! I'd recommend going into the store to find your color moisturizer. The colors are extremely bendable and they have great undertones (no yellow or red).

I'd love to hear others favorite beauty products! I read the Sephora ratings and reviews daily... so I'm happy to hear what you friends love and/or hate!

Charlotte
Chicago, IL

Brett Favre retirement?

Will he or wont he retire? That is the burning question swirling around the NFL and football fans around the world. Watching the Saints vs Vikings game, I was torn who to root for...I wanted the Saints to win for the city & for all it had been through or the Vikings and Brett since it may be the last game he plays in and what a great way to go by getting into the Super Bowl ...I was really surprised by the reaction of a lot of people here in Wisconsin had that did not want to see Brett win....There is definitely a line dividing the Brett fans who followed him to the Jets and Vikings and the people who felt he was a traitor for going to the ultimate rival. I would have loved having him play for the Bears! Regardless which team he played for he is an incredible athlete and really showed that he loves to play the game...I can only imagine how hard it is to walk away from something that you have put your heart into for 20 years! It will be interesting to see which team he retires with......**Stay tuned**

Mandy

Madison, WI

Go Bears!

Jordan Alexander jewelry!

Hi Jennifer and Friends~
I LOVE LOVE the Jordan Alexander jewelry...I purchased 2 necklaces and already have my eye on a few more pieces! I like the uniqueness of each piece and the different charms that are used. Each piece is its own fashion statement..... I love the layering look that has been in all the magazines but I always get frustrated trying to find the pieces to create that look. Throw this piece on and you have a stylish layered look already created for you.....!

Mandy
Madison, WI

Jeggings

Hi Jennifer and Friends!


I am all for the jeggings! I love the way they look and they are beyond comfortable :) I love all the Black Orchid styles that J.LaMore has carried, it's such a great brand. I'm so excited that you will be getting some Black Orchid jeggings in! I have to have them :)

I love this pair that Whitney Port is wearing! So adorable!

Kalyn

Should I wear a headband?

Hi Jennifer and Friends! Hi Jade and welcome to the blog I read the most. It's so fun.

Some of the young gals in my office are showing up to work in headbands and I've seen a few women wearing them in and about London. I'm curious if this is a big trend coming for spring or if its a trend someone is trying to start.

All of the headbands are wide, like the one shown in this picture and to me it looks like this model has a head wound she's trying to cover up. It's cute but I think you have to have a thin face to wear it.

I'm very interested in looking fashionable and I love new seasons because they bring new trends but if this is a rising trend then don't I have to wear my hair long and straight to look good? Isn't hair length, color and style the all important element to pull this look together.

I have to add that I think the headband in this picture is a cute and fashionable look even though I would never wear a white one but I would love to try this look but I'm a little nervous that it will look silly on me.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the headband look?

Clare
London, England

Jeggings

Thanks for the great blog Jade, you look fantastic in your Black Orchid jeans! I have to say it would be hard for me to pick one favorite pair or style of jeans. I'm all over the board just like you!

Of course, I love the Black Orchid grey skinny jeans, seriously they are so comfortable! Black Orchid combines cotton, spandex AND polyester to create a patented fabric that is incredibly soft and comfortable. For a slouchy more relaxed jean, the CJ Boyfriend jean has become my favorite style. When I need a sexy dressier jean, I reach for my CJ Joy skinnies. The dark wash and the almost legging like fit make these a great choice for a night out.

I've not carried "jeggings" (a combination of jeans and leggings) in the past but we have a shipment of them arriving in March from Black Orchid! I think they'll be a nice alternative to regular leggings and I love the denim appearance. Keep in mind with jeggings to keep it simple! Opt for styles that are clean and refined and stay away from jeggings with patterns or elaborate details. Sienna Miller looks amazing in hers!

I'd love to hear your feedback on jeggings. Fashion do or don't? I say do!

Jennifer

Where are we on Jeans these days?

Hey Ladies! Get Funky! With yours jeans I mean. Personally I LOVE jeans, they are all I want to wear, as a fashion blogger that could be limiting but not anymore. Jeggings to boyfriend, high waisted to low rise, light to bright; the choice is yours. The options in denim are endless. Right now I'm into two extremes: the super classics, like a mid-rise black skinny ankle jean or a high rise wide leg to destroyed, bleached and/or over dyed. Check out these Black Orchid Jean I got from J. LaMore they are fun, fresh and on sale! They go perfectly with my classic pieces for an eclectic look or more avant garde pieces for something a little more daring. What are your favorite jeans right now?

Jade

Boston, MA

www.lowbrowstyle.com

My smart phone is making me stupid!

Hi Jennifer and Friends! And welcome Jade from Boston! Glad to have you on the friends blog and I look forward to reading about things that interest you.

I'm fed up with cell phones. Seriously people! Sick and tired of this addictive little gadget is just the beginning of how I feel but I can't put it down, and neither can anyone else. How this feeling came about was a revelation in the most unusual way. Here's what happened.

I have a group of girlfriends that I run with every Saturday and when we're done we go to a little coffee joint and sit and chat for about an hour. During our conversation on Saturday everyone's cellphone rang and beeped and vibrated so much I kind of lost it.

As I was jokingly critical of all my friends and their constant text interruptions, you know the kind; the kind when people stop what they're saying to you and look at their cell phone to see who the far more important message was from, we were looking at some pictures recently taken and all of them of me showed me looking down at my so-called smart phone. There were more than a couple pictures of me standing with a group of people staring down at my cell phone and it looked like I was sending a text message or returning an email. I remember the event and I remember that pictures were taken, but for the life of me I cannot remember what was so important that made me look like an idiot in all these pictures. I was embarressed and the laughter and teasing I was hearing was so deserved and it made me seriously rethink how connected I need to be.

I read the blog about the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and I love technology and how it can improve your life but what they don't mention is how addictive all of this can be. For tech companies I'm sure they want you to be addicted but from now on, I'm going to learn to turn things off or leave the phone in the car and carry on a conversation and be respectful of an other person's time. The smart phone was making me stupid, or at least look stupid! From now on I'm going to just walk away when a person I'm talking to stops the conversation and looks at their phone. How rude!

At least I'm aware that I'm addicted. Isn't that the first step of a 12 step program; acknowledge that you have a problem.

Lynn
Los Angeles, CA

The little pink pill . . . ?

Hi Jade and a 'Howdy' welcome from good ol'e Dallas, Texas! I love the friends blog because it's a secret little indulgence for me. It's also inspired me to want to start my own blog and woman's forum.

You're picture is adorable by the way!

What I want to chat about today is the female Viagra that is making the headlines and articles these days and from what I've read, a little "pink" pill is in the pipeline for release for clinical testing this year. It's only taken ten years!

I'm in my mid thirties and my "sex drive" just isn't what it used to be and it's not because I'm not interested; I'm just too tired from my life and I quit work last year to be a stay at home mom and help my husband with his family business. When I was working away from home it was much worse. I don't know how people do it. My husband's tired, I'm tired, we're all tired. When the evening arrives and I'm going to bed I would love to get romantic but the last thing I want is to get romantic. I'm so conflicted! When sleep is more important than sex - you know you're no longer in your 20's.

The studies I've read indicated that approximately 40% of women suffer from "diminished female libido" and the little pink pill is going to do the trick. I don't think my libido is the problem here Mr. White Coat! Now what! Besides, I have to take issue with drug companies always trying to figure out a way to fix a problem that may or may not be a medical situation. Can you make a pill that gives me more time in the day, that when you take it a babysitter shows up (that's free of course), as well as a bottle of champagne, a sexy teddy and some candles! Make a pill like that and I'm in! (While you're at it, if you could throw in a little better body I would greatly appreciate it. Remember, I'm no longer in my 20's.)

I could ramble on for pages on this topic but from what I've read even psychologists and MD's seem to think that if you're not 'gett'n any' it's because your libido is low. It drives me crazy! I picture the conversation in my head with one of these doctors going like this; ". . . Here's a thing that vibrates, put this tape into the VCR and rub this oil all over your body. Now, you two go and have some fun. . . . !" Can you imagine paying for that advice?

The batteries are running low in Dallas! :) Welcome to the blog, Jade!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Introducing Myself

Hi J. LaMore friends and shoppers! I am new to the blog and hope to contribute some interesting content and thoughts on all things fashion, shopping and pop-culture with my own little twist of course. I made my first purchase off of J. LaMore a couple weeks ago and was so happy with the customer service I raved about it on my own blog, now here I am!

I am 25 years old, married, have a baby and work from home so I use blogging and the interwebs to keep the crazies away. I am very excited to join the J. LaMore family, keep your eye out for for me!

Jade

Boston, MA

www.lowbrowstyle.com

Jordan Alexander Earrings

When I saw these Jordan Alexander Silver Rhinestone Hoop Earrings I knew that I had to have them :) I love to wear "rocker" looking earrings with all my fun Salvage tops that I own, I feel as if it completes my look. These earrings also come in gold which is awesome but I'm more of a silver girl :)

Kalyn

New York

Shoes that Tweet?!?!?

Ricardo Nascimento has created a pair of shoes that tweet as you walk! A sensor placed inside the sneakers track your moves and updates it on your twitter account! There's not too much information out there yet about these "tweeting shoes" but it seems like they don't have that much of a vocabulary :)
Personally I don't use twitter so these shoes are a no go for me, I'll stick to my heels!

Kalyn
New York

What Men want . . . ?

Hi Charlotte! When I read your post I couldn't help but ask myself; how many polls can a poll taker take! This is an age old question between the sexes; what men and women want from each other and I would love to know the truth. However, the truth will never be known because everyone is different and it's a mystery that can't be solved. You can't even come close so how can you take a poll on it?

Your post did generate some interesting questions in our apartment last night as I asked my boyfriend about this poll and I started with your headline-what are men looking for? His first response of course was sex, and more of it. Typical! But after the sex, then what? He was stumped. So we know that men are looking for sex at our house. I don't think you needed a pool of data compiled by a team of scientist for that but our conversation continued into and I was pleased to hear that my boyfriend loves me for the compatibility, humor, sharing, respect and temperament. Money and how rich we were never entered the conversation and neither did the bedroom. His family isn't wealthy and neither is mine. I never knew he felt that way about me. I went to sleep happy and realized that we don't communicate enough.

So, after the initial attraction when you first meet, then the sex, and then after the sex is where you find the answers to "what men are looking for". Men, when they're honest, are not that different than women and when you have an equal compatibility your relationship clicks along very nicely; money has nothing to do with it.

I would rather be poor and happy then wealthy and miserable any day of the week! Would anyone disagree with that?

Clare
London, England

What are Men Looking for?

Supposedly, men are looking to marry wealthier women now a days. That is, women who are wealthier than they are. Did I read that right? Am I completely screwed?! As a 23 year old, I'm not necessarily in the market for a husband this instant, but I'm certainty not too far from it. And not that I would ever marry for money, but if men looking for so-called wealthier women, then I'm scared to know what I'll end up with :P!

A collection of census data and research found that this role reversal is profoundly affecting the pool of potential marriage partners. The NY Times reports, “Men now are increasingly likely to marry wives with more education and income than they have, and the reverse is true for women,” said Paul Fucito, spokesman for the Pew Center. “In recent decades, with the rise of well-paid working wives, the economic gains of marriage have been a greater benefit for men.”

According to this data, women who are college educated are much less likely to have a husband who is college-educated and in the highest income bracket as they were in the 1970's. I'm all for equal earnings, and I would never seriously analyze a relationship based upon my earnings over my "potential husband's", but I do find it interesting that men are ending up with women who are more successful than them. It's so not typical! But then again, things are always changing.

(NY Times)

I hope to find someone who is equally successful as me someday. . . but I've got to find that great success in myself first!

Charlotte
Chicago, IL

Slouchy Hats

Hi Lynn, I also really enjoy the way that those cute little hats look :) I own about three of them! I prefer to wear them like Nichole Richie is wearing hers in this picture. It's just worn with a more slouchy look :) Also Rihanna wears hers more on the top of her head, I think that both ways work very well...it's just about what works well for you!

Kalyn

New York

Staying Warm in Wisconsin

I absolutely love this Flavio Castellani "Lisabetta" Jacket...Living in Wisconsin its hard to balance looking stylish and staying warm..I definitely love the puffer look & belt detail . I have seen puffer coats in many magazines this season !! I love the black color as not to show dirt (important on the slushy days!), easier to spot me in the snow (especially the next time we get 15"!) and I definitely look chic! This is a great cold weather piece that I could see me wearing for many winters to come.With this coat I may not harrass my husband so much to move somewhere warm!

To wear or not to wear. . . !

Hi Jennifer & Friends!

I've seen younger women wear a french style hat even in warmer weather and I really like this look. At least on them.

My problem is there are so many styles to choose from but I really want to wear the little beret style hat. My other problem is that I don't think I look good in hats and the minute I put one on I feel awkward and I feel like I'm trying to hard to be fashionable.

When I went home to Colorado for the holidays it was cold and my family has a box full of stocking hats that we all just grabbed to wear outside and nobody cares how you look or if it matched. Just throw it on and out the door you go. But in LA that will not do. You wear a hat for a completely different reason.

This little beret is kind of sassy and the colors are fun. It will also cover up a bad hair day should you happen to have one. Is this look to young for a 30 something year old woman? I think it is.

Lynn
Los Angeles, CA

Jeans~ How to decide?

There are so many jeans out there today how does one choose? You have distressed, tie-dye, skinny, flare, bootcut, high waist, low rise and now boyfriend..ahh!..Do you choose by price point, comfort or designer? What are you willing to pay for the jeans~$50,

$150 or $300? I think I would be nervous to spent $250+ on a pair of jeans but I know there are some designers that are hugely popluar at that price..Are they really better than the $99 pair? $150 pair?I have always had a hard time finding jeans that fit~either they were too big in the waist or too long or just did not look right. I discovered Miss Me jeans at J.Lamore and fell in love. Most are priced at $98 and they fit perfect, really run true to size and premium quality. Their jeans are fun , flattering , super comfortable and do not stretch out at all! They also came out with clothing which include tops, tanks and leather. If you want fun quality clothes at a reasonable price, check out Miss Me and Miss Me Couture.. Just think~ for 1 pair of $350 jeans, you could buy 3 pairs of Miss Me's! So, my question to the friends blog:

Is there a difference in the jeans at the higher price points? Any thoughts?

Listen up Ladies!

This is Katherine, the lingerie lady of Madison, WI. Just spent the weekend in Chicago and was able to visit the Top Lingerie Store in Chicago, Trousseau, voted by Chicago Magazine! With this store, I have the answer to all your fun top and dress style needs! It holds all styles; including, strapless(for sizes up to G!), backless, one strap, low back, any fabulous wear you want, we can find that fabulous bra for underneath it! Stop at nothing!

The store specializes in French and English styles, sizes 30A to 46J. Styles include Chantelle, Simone Perele, Aubade, Fantasie, Prima Donna, just to name a few. Until I found this magical store, Trousseau, I was in ill-fitting lingerie and spent my days yanking my straps and pulling down my wires. I am here as your liaison to the world of beautiful European lingerie!

Many more tips to come from the lingerie lady.

Happy hunting for those fabulous wears!

Katherine

Gypsy 05 hoodie

Hi Jennifer & Friends:

I absolutely LOVE this Gypsy 05 hoodie..I really like the vibrant color and it reminds me of spring.....I am crazy for anything that has peace symbols on it......

This would be perfect for my casual Friday top for work! I found this on their web site:

Gypsy05 is more than an artistic statement; it is an expression that stands to make a difference in the world. "good planets are hard to find" is the motto that began Gypsy05's exploration to fight against environmental exploitation. Through the art of fashion, Gypsy05 aims to communicate that the beauty of nature is a marvel. Gypsy's one of a kind designs incorporate organic fabrics, low impact dyes, and water based printing in every collection as part of our mission in environmental awareness. The vibrant use of colors, airy fabrics, and simplistic silhouettes also truly express our nature inspired theme. Our story suggests the importance of smelling the roses rather than picking them; of getting inspired by the beauty of the vast ocean rather than polluting it. The message is to Recycle, Reduce, Re-planet and feel naturally confident and free while living environmentally friendly.

I really like their philosophy ~they are making fashionable clothes but still thinking about the enviornment! I think I may have to get this hoodie!

Mandy
Sun Prairie, WI

The ABC's of Christian Dior!

Hi friends and fellow bloggers!

On a weekly basis I’m going to introduce in alphabetical order a lesson on the history of fashion, the way Christian Dior saw it. I received a wonderful book for my birthday from my sister-in-law on this topic and being a fashion connoisseur I thought it would be great fun to pass along this timeless information. It will help you be better informed when you have doubts or questions about how and what to wear.

Beginning with the letter ‘A’ all the way to ‘Z’ I will chronicle the book for you complete with images from our graphic design people. Everyone was excited about the project and it was added to the ever growing list of things to do.

So let's start with a brief history of Christian Dior whom I'm quite sure everyone has heard of but don’t know too much about or how his fashion empire started.

Christian Dior was born January 21, 1905 in Granville, France to a family whose fortune came from manufactured fertilizer. His parents wanted him to be a diplomat but Dior only wanted to be involved in the arts, mostly fashion, but sketching as well. To make money he sold his fashion sketches for 10 cents each and at one point he owned a gallery where he sold works from Pablo Picasso and other contemporary artists of the time.

After a family financial disaster that resulted in his father losing his fertilizer business Dior was forced to close the gallery and was then forced to join the French Army and served from 1940 -42. After his military service he joined the fashion house of Lucien LeLong where Dior was one of the primary fashion designers for the remainder of World War II.

It wasn't until 1947 that Dior presented his first collection that was featured in Harper's Bazaar Magazine. His first fashion collection was backed by Marcell Boussac a cotton fabric industrialist and multi-millionaire.

The death of Christian Dior remains a mystery, even today. Dior was vacationing in Italy in October of 1957 when he died unexpectedly. Some reports say that he died of a heart attack after choking on a fish bone. Time magazine's obituary stated that he died of a heart attack after playing a game of cards. However, the Paris socialite and Dior acquaintance Alexis von Rosenberg, Baron de Rédé stated in his memoirs that contemporary rumor had it that the fashion designer succumbed to a heart attack after a strenuous sexual encounter. Some even think that he died because of a seizure.

There you have it! Next week I'll start with the letter A and work through the alphabet Christian Dior style. This will be fun and all of us will learn a lot about how and why we dress the way we do.

Jennifer

Olive Oils

Over the years I have done a lot of research on olive oils because it is well known that olive oil is has many health benefits, most notably its favorable effect on heart disease. The monounsaturated fat that is found in olive oil is linked with a reduction in coronary heart disease. It also has favorable effects on the regulation of cholesterol.

Now, there are many different kinds of olive oil, and I just wanted to write a very simple blog on olive oil that might help one decide which kind of olive oil to buy.

First of all, you want to choose an olive oil that is extra virgin. This means that there is less than 1% acidity and that the olive oil is produced from the first pressing through cold-pressing.

The taste depends on the time of the harvest. The earlier the olives are processed, the greener and stronger and more bitter the taste while the later the olives are processed, the taste will be more mild and buttery with a more golden color. Underripe olives are green while ripe olives are dark green or black.

Australian olive oils tend to be on the bright side in flavor.
The olives in Italian oils come from a variety of countries, many coming from Spain, where most are going to taste medium to strong. Spanish olive oils tend to have medium strength in flavor. Finally, most olives that are in Greek olive oils are kalamata, thus the Greek olive oils are going to have the strongest taste.

Obviously, there are many, many types of olive oils. Hopefully this will help a little bit when choosing one. The easiest way to choose one is to just look at the color, and this will give you a little bit of insight as to the flavor.

Lila.

So you want Madonna's body...

I was watching Regis and Kelly this morning when Kelly announced that for “Fitness Friday” she and husband Mark Consuelos would be heading to celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson’s studio in New York for Anderson’s famous “Method” workout.

I had heard here and there of the pint-sized Anderson [left], most famous for producing Madonna and Gwenyth Paltrow’s sculpted bodies, so I was interested to see just what this über-workout entailed. It turns out that Anderson’s “Method” is a combination of dance cardio and pilates/barre-style muscle toning and strengthening. Anderson’s workout is unique in that it relies on variation rather than repetition to keep singular muscles from being overworked and employs “accessory muscles” to pull everything in.

From what I have read and seen, Anderson’s workout is grueling, but does deliver results. I am personally a fan of dance and pilates workouts, frequently opting for these options over 5 mile runs, so I am thinking about ordering a couple of her workout DVDs. However, Anderson’s “Method” has been reviewed as difficult for beginners, so you might want to try other routines first if you don’t have a lot of experience with dance or pilates.

If you are looking for ways to achieve a healthy, trim body, I would definitely suggest trying workouts such as these. I have long been using yoga, dance, and pilates videos and they are definitely more fun than spending 30 minutes running on a treadmill at the gym. These workouts also sculpt leaner muscle for dancer-like limbs rather than building larger leg muscles from activities like running.

These are a couple of my favorite workouts, which are also good for beginners and intermediates looking to try these types of exercise:

1) MTV Power Yoga

2) Weight Loss Pilates

3) ZUMBA! I haven’t ever tried a workout video for this, but I have taken Zumba classes at the gym. Zumba (for those who aren’t familiar) is a mix of Latin and African dance styles into aerobic routines. My friends and I have done weekly classes together for a long time and we always have a blast! This is the most fun workout I have ever done and I always feel great after.

Happy Exercising!

-Mandy

Spring Trends for 2010

I always like to stay on top of the trends, so I was looking for whats going to be "in" for Spring 2010. I came across Jumpsuits and how they are slowly making a comeback :) I got a couple of great tips on how to wear this trend that I would love to share with you...

-If you have curves or are pear shape figure, try a halter jumpsuit belted firmly at the waist for a bombshell silhouette

-For a night time look go with luxurious fabrics like silk, details of sequins, sheer panels or even leather for an edgier look

-Match a jumpsuit with a great pair of plain or pattern tights for a more

dressy or finished look :)

Kalyn

New York

Mocktails

All the Fun Without the Hangover

I know it's a little bit too late for New Year's, but hey, there's always Valentine's Day or the Superbowl. Try these great drinks.





POM-ADE
1 cup lemonade
1/2 cup club soda
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
Ice and garnish with lime or raspberries




SEA BREEZE SPARKLER
2 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
3 1/2 cup chilled cranberry juice
2 1/2 cup sparkling water
Lime





BLOODY MARY
Tomato or veggie juice
Worcester sauce
Tobasco
Horseradish sauce
Celery salt
Garnish with: celery, olives, pickles, shrimp, lemon, lime, etc.

I basically make mine to taste without really measuring anything.

Lila.

Lingerie Consultant at Your Service

I can remember being in New York City on a buying trip many years ago and over hearing a group of ladies talking about the luxury of having their own lingerie consultant. Living in Madison, I hadn't ever heard of such a thing and of course was intrigued enough to barge into their conversation. The ladies were so impressed with the improvement in their "appearance" they were more than happy to share with me their discovery.

It was then I learned about a phenomenal service, mainly offered in larger cities, where a lingerie specialist measures and fits you to the perfect undergarments. The consultation also includes an education, if you will, about how to purchase quality pieces that will last a life time. I remember this conversation like it was yesterday, but never had the time when I was in NY to indulge myself for a fitting. Shame on me.

Lucky for all of us, I just met Madison's own resident lingerie specialist Katherine Bice. I can't wait to secure an appointment for my own personal fitting. After talking with her it became incredibly clear this gal knows what she's talking about. She has years of experience, some of which include working for Christy Horton, the owner of Trousseau in Chicago! Christy is one of the top five lingerie fitters in the nation. Katherine told me that 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size! Yikes, no wonder our shoulders and necks are aching all the time.

I highly recommend Katherine for all of your intimate apparel needs. Not only can she help you find your correct bra size, she is an expert at finding the right solution for tricky tops and dresses. Take a peak at her website, http://www.sexymadesimple.com/ to learn more about all she can do for you.

I'm hoping to have an event at J. LaMore next month with Katherine. Perhaps a little wine, a little cheese and crackers, and a whole lot of lingerie talk! I'll keep you posted.

Jennifer

Lace tights...

Here are three celebrities... Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, and Taylor Momsen with three complete different styles, but they all are wearing these sexy black lace tights.
If I saw these tights in a store I would definitely not notice the diverse way that they can be worn. After seeing how they are styled three different ways I kinda want a pair :)

These lace tights would look great with our Laila "Brocade Flower Zip" Dress and the Moloom Paparazzi Dress too!

Kalyn
New York

Ugg Teams Up With Jimmy Choo

Instyle.com reports Ugg is set to collaborate on a five-piece limited edition collection with Jimmy Choo this fall.

The pieces, which will retail from $595 to $795, are based on Ugg's sheepskin boots "with design details that embody the Jimmy Choo brand," the two companies said in a statement.

Jimmy Choo president and founder Tamara Mellon didn't seem surprised by the pairing. "Ugg Australia is the only other footwear I have in my wardrobe," she told WWD

I can't wait to see the collection! Winter in Wisconsin just got better.

Jennifer

Conan's Done ?!

Conan O'Brien has just released a statement regarding the drama about The Tonight Show. I love Conan and hope they figure out a way to keep him on the air! He is absolutely hilarious.

Charlotte
Chicago, IL

Here's the complete statement. . .

People of Earth:

In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.

Yours,

Conan

Source: http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com

Reality TV: Kell on Earth

Hi Charlotte,

I am definitely a self-proclaimed reality-tv junkie. I love them all: Project Runway, The Real World, and all the ridiculous dating shows they have on Vh1. I am particularly partial to shows that revolve around fashion, so when I heard that the notorious Kelly Cutrone from People's Revolution (a fashion PR firm) is getting her own show on Bravo, I was ecstatic!

Cutrone is a cross-over from two of my other favorite shows, The City and The Hills, where she has been boss to both Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port. She is the ultimate New Yorker, perpetually clad in black and stalking around with a deathly glare in her eye, usually turned on one of her employees. In Kell on Earth, we get a behind-the-scenes peak at Kelly's world which involves working with and producing fashion shows for some of the biggest designers in the world. But while I'm excited for all the fashion, I'm mostly anticipating the great entertainment that Cutrone herself will provide. She is cut-throat and sarcastic and while some may believe her to be harsh, I love how real she is. She doesn't take crap from people and things like, "This isn't f----- group therapy!" frequently fly out of her mouth.

Kell on Earth premieres on Bravo February 1.

-Mandy

Keeping Up With the Kardashians. . .!

I have to admit that I'm a total junkie for the show Keeping up with the Kardashians. I seriously hate "reality" TV like The Hills or any of those shows about 'famous' couples who shouldn't be famous. Something about the Kardashians keeps me watching, though!

Although Kim is a total bimbo, I think she has a really big heart. In the latest episode, she 'adopts' a stray puppy and attempts to get it the medical attention it needs. Sadly the poor doggy wasn't looking so good after the surgery. . . :(. I have such a soft spot for dogs, especially older dogs. I have a 13 year old Jack Russel Terrier and even though she is grumpy and lazy and not as fun as she was when she was younger, I still love her to death! I can't imagine my life without her.

Does anyone else watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians or any other "junkie" reality TV show?? Or does anyone have any dog stories?? Jennifer, you haven't wrote about Ruby in a while. How is she doing? Give her kisses for me!!

Charlotte
Chicago, IL

Owning a Boutique

At least a couple of times a week, someone will ask me what I like most about owning J. LaMore. I love getting asked the question, it gives me a chance to brag about what I do! My favorite aspect of running J. LaMore has always been and always will be helping YOU! I'm being 100% honest and sincere, there are very few things in life that make me happier than to make someone else feel special and important.

What can I do for you? Do you know that we do special orders? Do you know we ship items for free or if you live in Madison we will deliver your order to your door, same day if you'd like? I love to be challenged....if you have a special request, perhaps an item you don't see in stock here or maybe a brand we don't even carry but you're in desperate need of getting. Email me! I'll do everything I possibly can to help you.

Another huge perk of J. LaMore is, of course, going to market and buying fabulous items! My next buying trip is in February in Las Vegas and it's going to be amazing. There are thousands of vendors with incredible items and I will hand select every piece that we sell here! It's a demanding task everyday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, then hours of review (although, over a glass of wine!). I had a customer recently in who asked me about bride's maid dresses for her wedding this August. I inquired what kind of dress she was hoping for her bridal party and she gave me a few suggestions. I offered to look for her while I was in Vegas at market and find THE perfect dresses for her special day. It made me feel so good to help her out and she was so happy to have my expertise working for her.

Imagine you get to work and you're less than thrilled with your outfit. Arrrgghhh! It happens, even to me. Luckily for me, it's a short lived disaster as the entire J. LaMore store then becomes my closet. Of course I still have to pay for the items, but the discount is great! I think a portion of it becomes an advertising write off too. (note to self, double check with accountant on write offs!)

As you can tell, I love what I do! I feel quite fortunate to be helping such wonderful people, like you, every day! Don't ever hesitate to ask for my help, it's what makes ME happy!

Jennifer

I'm back from CES . . . !

Hi everyone! I'm back from Las Vegas and the Consumer Electronics Show and I have to tell you that as cold as it was in Las Vegas (upper 50's) it seemed like a heat wave wave compared to Madison. How do you people live here? :)

I traveled there with my good and obnoxiously generous friend and fellow techie, John Hallick from CPM. John is the tech master and so is CPM so his techie is bigger than mine. That sounded awful but that's OK, John would appreciate that. LOL

The two of us had a fantastic time talking with all the reps from the biggest tech firms in the world. Samsung, Microsoft, Canon USA, as well as thousands of others. Most of the company's at the show I had never heard of but the cool factor is very high. Science fiction of yesterday is now a reality. No one talks in gigabytes anymore, that's so last week. It's all terabytes now. (1 terabyte = 1,000 gigabytes and then it goes to exabytes. 1 exabyte = 1,000 terabytes. I can't even comprehend that.)

My interest in going to CES was to technically improve J. LaMore and jlamore.com and take us as far into the future as I can afford. CPM is moving into a new building and John & Co. want to refurbish an older building into a masterpiece of modern technology. CPM is the next Epic Software Company and if you know John Hallick and his two sons James and Eric, you would certainly agree. That company and the story behind it is simply amazing!

I had an agenda but you can't help but take in the fun and cool stuff too! 3D television is everywhere now and that will definitely be how we watch movies and sports in the future. It's very cool but I don't think I'm ready for it yet. You still have to wear the glasses and during the demonstration we saw I had to keep moving my head around to get the 3d effect with the glasses. I thought the hype was bigger than the experience but that can happen in consumer technology. Remember when CD's were the music rage? Forget about it. Now cars of the future will have USB ports and all your music will run into the digital stereo screen from that. Your entire music library of 10,000 songs on a device no bigger than your thumb!

TV's are getting thinner and thinner. Camera's and video equipment are completely incredible and everything seems to take two or three steps forward in the way of wireless. Land line telephone service will be a thing of the past (for residential anyway) as Skype is finally growing into a monster. The Google guys have their fingers in a lots tech areas and are standing behind the curtain pulling the strings of the future. Speaking of Google, we saw how they make Google maps as the company they use was there. The car they drivehas a huge spinning gyro on the roof that keeps the four camera's absolutely still when they drive and they take video's of the front, back, and both sides of every street and address in the world. Those images are sent to a satellite and presto magic, Google maps! Very high cool factor! The car looked like something from NASA, which it kind of is in a way! WOW!

Entertainment is a big part of CES and there's now a computer server (10 terabytes) that you can buy and attach to your home wireless network which will store all your pictures, movies and music which you can scroll through on your flat screen TV. What you can do is give your friends and family your wireless Internet network name and password that this server is on and they can log in over the Internet and listen to your music, watch your movies, or look at your pictures on THEIR television in THEIR home anywhere in the world. You just became your own little Netflix except they don't have to return the movie or deal with late fee's, they just turn off the TV. Unbelievably cool! That's not the future, that's right now!

Gaming is really big and games are no longer just for kids. Games haven't been just for kids for some time but it seems that a huge leap in graphics just recently happened. Your PS3 or Xbox is a hub for all things fun and the graphics and realism is astounding. That's a big reason for terabyte storage, the graphics! The line to try the games was long so I never got to try Motorstorm 2 or even the new Guitar Hero, but OMG!

CES is like a Home Depot for geeks. It's almost overwhelming and if you don't have an agenda when you're there you could wonder aimlessly though the convention because it seems nothing is beyond the limits of your imagination and everything is amazing. It's a future now kind of thing. I have an insatiable curiosity about most things so really cool stuff keeps me awake at night.

At the end of my CES experience, John and I asked each other the same question; when does it all end? Do I really need all this stuff? Does this make me happy? I left thinking about the past just as much as the future and I happily remembered the days of yesteryear of less complication and fewer headaches. And then it happened! Jennifer had a car problem during the recent snow storm and called me at the show. We Googled the problem from the smart phone and solved the 'drive or no drive' issue in a mater of minutes from 1,500 miles away. . . . I mean seriously! The planets are aligned and the world is right again! Bring on the future and the sooner the better!

Your geek!

Jim
jlamore.com

PS. I forgot to mention a device for travelers that speaks 120 languages and when you go to a foreign country you just speak normal English into the device which records your voice and then scroll down to find the language translation and hit play. What you just said comes out perfectly clear in that language. Then you hand the device to the other person who doesn't speak your language and they record their answer in their language and you can play it instantly back in English. It's also GPS enabled! I died and went to heaven!