J. LaMore Fashion Magazine "Where friends shop together!"

Frigid Fashion

2011-01-07T14:12:00.003-06:00

It's cold in Wisconsin (surprise surprise!) I'm the kind of person who is cold all day long, no matter if the thermostat is cranked up or if I'm bundled in a cozy blanket! To help my winter chills I always wear heavy sweaters- but I'm sick of the same old look. I've now grown to love wearing "outdoor" jackets as "indoor" jackets. For example this adorable C.C. Couture jacket could be worn over a hot LBD for a chic going out look... but I'd wear this with a pair of skinny jeans and metallic flats for a day-time look. And it all works out because my winter jacket is one size too big so I can afford to wear bulky jackets and sweaters underneath it. Oh the things you learn when growing up in Wisconsin...

Hope everyone else is staying warm!

Julie
Madison, WI

Positively Positive

2010-12-02T16:24:00.001-06:00

Ah the smell and flavor of a freshly brewed cup of coffee while I catch up with my friends in the Facebook world. It's one of my morning rituals, one that when it's interrupted, I feel a bit out of whack. One of the first pages I must check every day on the social network is Positively Positive. It's where I get my mojo for the day along with a good dose of positivity.

From inspiring video's to motivational quotes, this page will help jump start your day too!

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these." - George Washington Carver

Jennifer

Road Trip Fashion

2010-11-30T10:13:00.003-06:00

Every once in a while we all hear the call in our heads: Road Trip! The name alone reminds us of several movies and the first one was Animal House. Who could forget all those drunken guys piling into a car and driving to a bar to see Otis Day and the Nights!

Then the gals jumped on board with Thelma & Louise taking the perpetual road trip that launched the term into pop culture. Now taking a road trip means many different things and looking the part has become important, especially since you probably have a destination in mind and some things to do once you get there. How many road trips have you been on that lead you to Vegas and the term "Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." The slogan itself is based around the road trip mentality.

Jumping in a car and driving somewhere cool and fun with a group of close friends takes you back to the road trip roots and being comfortable and looking fantastic when you get there is a must. Chances are you're going to be late and you won't have time to change unless you're digging deep into road trip lore and can change in the car.

Try these riding boats from Diego Di Lucca for a comfortable fashion choice for the car ride as well as this Susana Monaco sweater. Not only that, you will look amazing in them wearing skinny jeans and tall boots when pumping gas and getting the head turing looks and occasional snide comments. Those comments are great conversation pieces for the next leg of the trip.

Even if your road trip is a shopping excursion to Chicago or some other big city looking the part is important because you're going to have to eat something and going to a great spot after the day is done is probably in your itinerary. If you're not checking in to a hotel you have to be comfortable all day long and the above out fit will fir the Road Trip Fashion dress code perfectly.

J. LaMore

The Miraculous UMF Manuka Honey

2010-11-27T13:06:00.003-06:00

UMF Manuka Honey was first introduced to me a few years ago when I got some as a gift. It is a honey that comes from New Zealand. I did some research on it and found out that it was supposedly "medicine."

Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, is the only worldwide standard in identifying and measuring the antibacterial strength or quality of some strains of Manuka. It guarantees that the honey has the special UMF antibacterial property and a UMF rating of 10 is the minimum recognized. The honey has both natural hudrogen peroxide antibacterial property and its own natural antibacterial property, and these are very stable, unlike the antibacterial property common in most honey.

You can use the honey for wound dressing, it may be effective in helping relieve stomach ulcer symptoms, gastritis, sore throats, and when applied topically, in assisting the natural cure of skin ulcers, wounds, burns, boils, cracked skin.

The higher the UMF, the more expensive it is. The jars are labeled with a registered trademark UMF label in New Zealand. I absolutely love it. I always have a jar, and use it whenever I have a sore throat, cough, cold or flu symptoms. It's better than pumping oneself with over the counter medicines that don't even work. Try it. I think you'll be amazed. Lila.

My New Little Black Jacket

2010-11-13T12:05:00.000-06:00

I'm truly obsessed with this little number from C.C. Couture. It will be perfect over all of my LBD's, that's for sure, but I also see myself wearing this gorgeous piece with my favorite pair of skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots. This one's definitely going home with me today!

Jennifer

Gorgeous!

2010-11-12T14:06:00.000-06:00

Not only is she absolutely gorgeous and a fabulous actress, she can sing! Gwyneth rocked the stage at the Country Music Awards, singing her hit "Country Strong." You have to love a gal who has accomplished so much and it still working to achieve more. Kudos!

Enjoy!

Jennifer

Finally.... A Great Leather Jacket for Fall 2010!!

2010-11-03T15:55:00.005-05:00

I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say they are looking for a hot new leather jacket this Fall. They must be hard to find, which is why it's even MORE exciting that J. LaMore has this new absolutely amazing Truth & Pride Rocker Jacket! I love the neckline and cross body zip. Totally "rocker" but still a flattering fit.

I'd love this jacket worn open over this tunic, my skinnies and those Diego di Lucca Boots! Hot hot hot!!!

Julie

Madison, WI

You Decide:Time Traveler?

2010-10-28T17:30:00.000-05:00

Prior to today, I'd never given the theory of time travel much consideration. Sure I had heard of it, but only in science fiction type movies. While having lunch with two friends today, one mentioned a story she had read earlier today regarding an Irish filmmaker who believes he has spotted a time traveler in a vintage Charlie Chaplin film...from 1928.

The filmmaker, George Clarke, posted the clip from the 1928 film, "The Circus" which shows a very manly looking woman talking on a cell phone. Cells phones didn't hit the market until the early 1980's, so how could he/she be chatting on one in 1928? Perplexed by the appearance of the modern device in the very dated film, George Clarke took his discovery a step further, suggesting in a YouTube video that the cell phone-toting futurist is a "time traveler."

I've watched the video several times, and while it is a bit long, it's definitely worth pondering. Theories are rampant, saying she's talking to herself, or perhaps she's clutching her hearing aid in an effort to hear better? In my opinion, she (actually I think it's a he) looks like he's talking on a phone. What do you think?

Enjoy!

Jennifer

Genius Idea

2010-10-19T13:44:00.001-05:00

Fruit of the Loom's "Pick Your Perfect Pair"

Listen to this great concept - a bra with cups that are sold individually, for asymmetrically busted women like you and me! I've always just "dealt" with my uneven cleavage, comparing breasts to snowflakes, no two are alike!

Fruit of the Loom has been around for generations and they seem to be reinventing themselves with this genius idea. "Pick Your Perfect Pair" bra allows you to mix and match cup size to get the perfect fit. With front hook closure, getting an exact fit is a snap. Available in basic black and white plus cute polka dot patterns for only $5 a cup. http://www.shopfruit.com/.

Jennifer

Reedem Your Groupon & Let the Fun Begin!

2010-09-29T13:00:00.003-05:00

Congratulations on scoring a great deal with J. LaMore and Groupon! Your Groupon can be redeemed online or in-store starting Thursday, September 30th. Either way, the deal is yours! Shopping in-store? Stop in with your Groupon, have a glass of wine, and shop until your hearts content. Please know your Groupon is not valid on sale items or with any other offers.

Follow these simple steps to redeem your Groupon online:

If you don't already have an online account, create one by clicking on this link:

https://shop.modernretail.com/login.asp?type=myAccount&sid=119&shopperID=43520AEB9CBF4CD38D7A11F1731E9EDF

Once you've entered in your email address, create your own personal password for your new account. Now, get out there and go shopping! Add all items you would like to purchase to your shopping bag. When you're finished shopping, click on checkout. Remember, your Groupon is not valid on sale items or with any other offers.

At checkout, redeem your Groupon by adding your unique Groupon number (found on your Groupon) in the "coupon" section. Please know, the unique Groupon number is NOT the bar code number. If you're one of the lucky ones and purchased two Groupon's and would like to redeem them at the same time, only enter one code in the coupon box. Please enter the second code in the comment section. Your updated total will be emailed to you prior to your card being charged.

Have questions? Give us a call, 608-238-2119, or send us an email! We'll do everything we can to help make your J. LaMore and Groupon shopping experience fantastic!

Jennifer

Fashion

2010-09-28T18:29:00.003-05:00

You know, I have always loved fashion. Ever since I was a little girl and then into my teenage years. I used to babysit a lot because my father wouldn't let me date, but at least I had money to buy clothes, which, of course, I had to change into, in the car, when my mother would take us to school. But, I had an interesting conversation with a co-worker the other day. By the way, my love of fashion has never ceased, and this conversation led me to really think about why I love clothing so much because, after all, it is only a materialistic obsession.....NOT.

So, my male co-worker just came up to me and told me that he didn't understand why I liked to dress up every day because it was a waste of my time since men don't really care what a woman is wearing. They basically just care what is underneath and just want to tear a woman's clothes off. Well, this was disturbing news to me, so I started asking many of my male friends on their thoughts on this view. It definitely varied.

One man who has been married for 25 years agreed with this theory and told me that women "only dress for other women". Another man, who is in his fifties, from L.A., completely disagreed, and said that maybe it was only a Wisconsin theory. I had no clearcut answer. I know that no one will ever change my opinion.

I am now 41 and have two children, and I have realized that I don't dress for the public or for my husband, who might not care, but for myself. Everyone has a vice or chooses to spend money on certain things, HD TVs, video games, etc. I love walking out of my house feeling good about myself, and that has a lot to do with how I dress myself. And I don't necessarily think that a woman needs to spend thousands of dollars; I could go to Goodwill and come out with a cute outfit. For me, I feel confident and beautiful and like a woman when I dress stylishly, and style is so subjective. I like my style. With all of the stresses in life such as kids, a job, etc., I get excited to pick out my outfit for the day and wear it confidently.

I remember when I had kids I told myself that I would not turn into a slob, since I stayed at home. I went out and bought a Juicy Couture velour sweat outfit, and my husband freaked that I spent $200 on a sweat outfit. Well, for me, personally, that outfit helped me stay confident as a new mother, not knowing what the hell she was doing, and I really believe it prevented me from developing post partum depression. I am not knocking PPD because I know that it is real, but I think that taking care of myself, including my baby, helped me from developing it.

So, just food for thought. I love studying designers and their train of thought as they create their new lines, and I really love creating a new look for myself.....for myself...and no one else.

Lila

Mixing Prints

2010-09-28T18:08:00.003-05:00

I am a child of the eighties' fashion, and I have always loved mixing prints as well as textures, if done in the right way. I know that this can be tricky, but that's why I think this is fun. I think it looks amazing when disparate patterns click, and the result is an artful collage.

There is definitely a method to this mad plaidness. I like to find tops and bottoms linked by a common color scheme or mood. I also like it if the top and bottom are paired together in different proportions and definitely different textures. A loose top with slim pants or jeggings and vice versa. This may sound weird, but sometimes I think of animal prints as almost neutral. Mixing textures is also important, such as wearing a chunky cable knit with a simple cotton top that is thin and lightweight.

The outfit on the left is an example of the perfect match with color scheme and texture. This is a ruffle tweed pencil skirt by "Sine," and it is paired with a silk top by the same designer. The top also has hints of purple in it, but the overall look works. Both of these pieces can be found at my favorite boutique in the entire world, J. LaMore. Yes. In Madison, Wisconsin. Lila.

Tim's Rules to Dress By

2010-09-11T11:56:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite fashion personalities is Tim Gunn. I absolutely love Project Runway. He brings such spark to the show. Recently, I came across a little blurb that he wrote in regard to dressing, so I thought I'd share.

1. SILHOUETTE: "When getting dressed, think of your body as a series of thirds; the worst thing you can do is cut yourself in half. Pair a top that ends at your waist (one third) with long pants (two thirds), or wear a knee-length dress that goes no longer than the bottom of your kneecap.

2. PROPORTION: "If you have something loose and blousy on top, whatever you wear below should be sleek and well fitted to serve as a counterpoint, and vice versa".

3: FIT: "Most women wear clothes that are too big--that's the comfort trap. Women don't want to feel constrained, but I say, if you want to dress to feel as though you never got out of bed, then don't.

Lila

8 Things You Need to Know About...You

2010-09-07T16:19:00.000-05:00

I came across this short, witty article in the October issue of Glamour Magazine and thought it was brilliant. After navigating through a health crisis, author Wendy Shanker (pictured left) discovered the secret to happiness is getting to know yourself. Here (in her words) are the things she's learned that every woman should know:

The number of a doctor who knows your name and listens to you. "Your grandma was right: If you don't have your health, you got nothing. The truth is, I used to think I couldn't live without my weekly manicure; now I know I can't live without my health. Getting ill taught me how important it is to always have a team of people around me."

A way to think about someone other than yourself. "You don't need to build an orphanage or throw money at a charity (not that I'm stopping you). You can help out the new girl at work or babysit your big sister's kids. Focusing on someone else will help drown out the loop of blahs in your head. For me, it was better than Xanax."

Whom or what you're addressing when you cry out, "Oh my God!" "Is it a spirit or a feeling you get in nature? A person, like the dude at Geek Squad? Gwyneth? Maybe the phrase is just a Valley girl expression to you, but exploring your spiritual path could be one of the great adventures of your life."

The ability to decipher whether you're tired, PMS-ing or you just need lunch. "Now I know when to see a shrink and when to treat myself to a meatball hero."

At least two "superhero" skills. "Mine: I always carry exact change, and I always order the most delicious think off the menu. My alter ego is Entree Girl."

What's really worth splurging on. "In my case, it was more important to have a beautiful bed to crawl into when I needed to rest than to have a new bag to show off. The Ralph Lauren European shams were worth every penny."

Your breaking point. "In relationships, with friends, at work or when you're doing something physical. You know how yoga instructors say, don't push to the point where you hurt yourself" T They mean it. And it applies to everything."

A go-to wish for anytime you're near a fountain, about to blow out candles or see 11:11 on a clock. "It's very generous of you to ask for world peace or protection from oil spills, but I like to think the gods are willing to grant you something personal every once in a while. My wish list? The continued stability of my health, for which I am so grateful; the possibility of starting a family of my own; another Madonna tour; a constant flow of funny things to write about; and most of all, an appreciation for what life serves up every day. As one of my favorite daily meditations reads: May you experience love, joy, wonder and wisdom in this life, just as it is."

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! Hmmm...what are my superhero skills?

Jennifer

Emily Rossum in linQ!

2010-09-02T10:39:00.001-05:00

I love it when stars are seen wearing pieces we carry at J. LaMore! Emily Rossum is wearing one of our favorite's, the linQ "Dawn Snake Print" dress! She's so adorable!

We styled the dress with black tights and pumps, but it also looks amazing worn with the cute suede shoe bootie Emily has on.

I had already planned on getting this dress, now it's a must have in my book! If it's good enough for Hollywood, it's perfect for me!

Jennifer

Manicured Brows?

2010-09-01T15:41:00.001-05:00

Lately, to my surprise, fashion magazines are showcasing models with unruly eyebrows. The first time I saw a young model with a bushy band above her eye, I immediately thought she must be a relative or friend of the designer. There's no way anyone would intentionally feature those caterpillar like brows. Silly me, I'm the one who's clueless.

It appears this is a "hot trend" in makeup right now. Not only are the brows bushy, they look like they've not been touched with wax strip or tweezers, ever. Feathery and untamed are gracing fashion runways and magazines at a blazing speed. I have to be honest, I just don't get it.

Compare for yourself, which style do you like better? Overgrown, over penciled and thick? Or refined, waxed, and shapely?

Is it time to reschedule our waxing appointment for the year 2012?

Jennifer

More Sizes Available Soon!

2010-08-31T10:59:00.001-05:00

This Bec & Em top almost completely sold out the first day we received it. No surprise, it's gorgeous on and the price is easy on the pocket book. If you missed out and your size is gone, I was able to order a few more pieces and will have more stock by Thursday.

Email me if you'd like me to put your size aside!

Jennifer

Fall fashions

2010-08-30T17:54:00.013-05:00

The perfect fall jackets:

My favorite time of year is fall. And the greatest part of fall is seeing what's new in fashion. The beginning of fall is so beautiful, not yet very cold; well, in Madison ,Wisconsin. The transitional pieces for fall are so much fun.

I welcome back the jackets, coats, and blazers that are still lightweight enough to wear over those summer tank tops or pretty blouses. These jackets are simple, but have such beautifully tailored details: sharp lapels, well-defined shoulders, finished cuffs, and nicely tapered at the waist. They aren't the traditional business-like wool jackets/blazers, but the new fall jackets are professional, yet functional. They translate from day to evening perfectly.

The second trend that I have seen on the runway has been animal print. Actually, this is nothing new. I have seen some sort of animal print every season, in the fall, winter, spring, or summer. It is a fashion staple that will never go out of style. I've seen animal print in cocktail dresses or in blouses. I love anything animal print. I would wear this particular animal print blouse with shorts for now or wide-legged trousers in the fall, which looks perfect since the blouse is tapered at the waist.

OK. I can go on and on forever with the new fall trends, but I'll stick to what I find to be the trends that have struck me as most important.

I love the simplicity of clothes in general. A great black dress, a classic animal print blouse, the classic blazer or wrap in great fall colors to wear over those summer tops or dresses that you're not ready to put away.

However, I think that a woman can be chic without going over the top. Simple. But I also love luxury. Even if your outfit isn't screaming typical luxury with fur, leather, or something else that is typically considered luxurious, I think that you can add luxury to your outfit, especially with a great piece of statement jewelry.

The following are my favorite pieces. Appropriate for any season and any fabric or color.

Everything in this post is available at J.Lamore.com or at J. LaMore on Monroe Street in Madision, Wisconsin.

Lila.

Trader Joe's Baked Salt & Vinegar Chips!

2010-08-22T10:31:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure why I chose to buy a bag of the Baked Salt & Vinegar chips on my last visit to Trader Joe's. Generally, I'm not a fan of baked chips. I love the idea, but they never taste great. I think I must have been incredibly hungry and thought, eh why not give them a try?

After checking out, I got in my car with the bag of chips and promptly opened them up. To my amazement, they were absolutely delicious! Crunchy, salty, and tangy with no hint of being a baked chip. They taste like their oil fried buddies but have a fraction of the fat and calorie content. I believe there are other varieties of the Trader Joe's brand baked chips, which I will definitely be trying the next time I shop.

Yum!

Jennifer

Love this top

2010-08-14T16:04:00.002-05:00

Hi Jennifer & Friends! I know it's been a few months but I'm back and need some fall fashions. I was just going through the "what's new" page and saw this gorgeous sweater and had to write about it.

It's getting cool at night in London and that is the first sign of fall and I have an itch to buy some clothes. The color and the look is so me!

Anyway, I thought I would get back to writing on the friends blog and this was a great place to start.

Clare
London, England

Skin Care Goodies- From Acne to Wrinkles!

2010-08-08T21:47:00.012-05:00

As I've talked about many times before, I'm a Sephora addict. I went in the other day to get an express make-over on my eyes, and I came out with a gorgeous new eye pallet by Urban Decay (called Naked... the best colors ever, and it comes with eye liner and lid primer), and some other goodies!

I got talking with the girl, and I mentioned how I wanted to find a product that gave the same results as a chemical peel, but that I could do at home. I normally get chem peels about 4 times/year and I've always loved them, but they get expensive and it's so hard to get an appointment (my doctor is booked until the end of September)! She recommended this "Peeling Groovy Facial Serum" by Bliss. It's $65 for this little bottle ( I know, that's a lot)... but, the product supposedly evens out your overall skin tone, minimizes pores, and clears up skin, all while you wear it overnight and underneath your normal moisturizer. I've only used it one night, but I can't wait to keep using it and let everyone know of the results! The product reviews on sephora.com are all AMAZING. There are a few negative reviews stating that the product hurt when applied. It sure didn't hurt my skin, and helllloo, pain is beauty ;)

"I NEVER EVER thought my skin could look this good. Just finished my first bottle, moving onto my next :)"

This other product that she recommended, but that I did not buy yet, is this microdermabrasion exfoliate from Dr. Brandt. I felt it in the store, and the crystals are so fine and it feels like a great quality product. I used to get microdermabrasion in the doctors office, and for $75 you can get this small jar of it to use 1-2 times a week that is supposed to last 6 months! Although it's expensive, the benefits and the ease seem worth the money. Again, the reviews on sephora are amazing.

'Hands down.. the absolute best product on the market. Fine grained granules gently clean & don't irritate. Excellent!'

'After used Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion exfoliating cream skin becomes lively, it has natural color breathing again. Nice massaging removes all dirt, stains and pimples from skin ... the best product I've ever used'

So hopefully I've found some truly wonderful products. I'm really excited about the peeling groovy, and I'm hoping to get the Dr. Brandt product soon! I will let everyone know when I do and how it all works.

P.S. I'm a week and a half into using my Nivea "goodbye cellulite" lotion. So far I haven't noticed anything dramatic, but the results are supposed to take at least 2 weeks with full results in 4, so I will keep everyone in the know!

Julie
Madison,WI

My Laquette Set on Polyvore (www.polyvore.com)

2010-08-05T18:14:00.004-05:00

Laquette by Lover_of_Fashion on Polyvore.com

Some fashion tips for fall!!!

2010-08-03T17:02:00.009-05:00

I love ruffles. Sometimes ruffles can be too much, such as looking like a "pirate" shirt or a little girl's shirt. I love tops that keep the ruffles to your collar. I would definitely pair a cute top with jeans or a fitted jacket. I wear the beautiful top above with denim cutoff shorts and camel heels.

For the transition to fall, I would start with a cute, favorite summer dress. I would wear a t-shirt under it or a cardigan or wrap over it, pair it with a huge, colorful scarf. Drape it, whatever, and wear the outfit with high wedge boots. The first three looks would be perfect for just draping over a summer dress that you're not yet ready to put away.

Also, t-shirts and jeans are always in style. I would pair any of the three top looks with your great tees and jeans, especially skinnies, with different distressing, with ankle boots, high heels, wedges, or platforms. 90% of the designers this season for fall sent leggings down the runway. I am so happy that leggings are still the "bomb" and hopefully will never go out of style.

I love the jeans on the left. The wash is perfect. It matches bright colors as well as grey or black. Just remember that if you have fitted jeans, you can wear a more slouchy, deconstructed top, and vice versa. Speaking of deconstructed, most of the blazers for the fall are, such as the one on the left. Reminiscent of the eighties!!!!

All of the fashions here are available at www.jlamore.com. Check it out. Lila.

Your Fashion Calendar: What to buy when

2010-08-02T14:22:00.003-05:00

Being fashionable sometimes involves some work. Today, MSN Beauty & Fashion posted this monthly schedule to aid in building and maintaining a fashionable and functional wardrobe year-round. It shows you when to stock up, look for end-of-season sales and spot new trends.

January
• Scour your favorite fashion mags for a preview of the best looks from designers' spring lines.
• Secure your spot on the waitlists for the most covetable pieces.
• Couture collections are shown in Paris. Look for trends that you can work into your own wardrobe.

February
• Spring clothes land in stores. Look out for the season's key pieces.
• Assess your wardrobe and determine what pieces are missing or need refreshing.
• Act fast: The best shoes and bags sell out first.
• Fall fashions debut in New York, Milan, and Paris.

March
• Spring fashion is in high gear in stores and in the magazines.
• Tear pages from magazines of your favorite pieces to help you shop.
• Check the Internet for the fall collections. Pick your favorite looks now.

April
• Time to transition into your lightweight wardrobe.
• Try swapping your suits for springy dresses.
• Buy a trench! If you have a classic khaki already, get a new one in black or crisp white.

May
• Start thinking summer! Pull out your sandals, shorts, and sundresses from storage and see what needs to be updated or refurbished.
• Don't put it off: Get out there and shop for a new swimsuit. Give yourself time to find the perfect one — this is one area where you especially don't want to be left with too few or ill-fitting options.

June
• Prefall lines are in stores. It's a good time to buy basics and classics.
• Stay chic in the heat with breezy pieces and strategic layering.
• Summer-sales alert! Scour the racks for any designer goodies you may have missed out on.

July
• Get your first peek at the newest trends and essential pieces for fall.
• Call stores and secure your favorite pieces now, before they hit the shelves.
• It's Paris couture time again. See what trends will influence fashion in the upcoming year.

August
• Fall fashions hit stores. Pull out the to-buy list you made in February and run to your favorite shops.
• Check your closet to see what cold-weather items need new life. Do your boots need resoling? Time to buy a new coat?

September
• The new season is at its peak. Fill in your wardrobe with fall's best suits, jackets, and coats.
• Don't forget to score the It bag, shoe, and boots!
• Spring collections make their runway debut in New York, Milan, and Paris.

October
• Spruce up your wardrobe with extra touches, whether that means cool jewelry, fun belts, or sexy shoes.
• Buy your LBD and all your evening accoutrements now. The holidays will be here sooner than you think.
• Sales alert: look out for deals on coats and cashmere.

November
• While you should start making headway on your gift lists, think about personal pieces like lingerie. You know you could use some new unmentionables.
• Make sure you have everything in order for all the parties next month.

December
• It's all about the holidays, and shopping is at a fever pitch. Don’t forget to buy something for yourself.
• Resort collections make a splash in stores. Now’s the perfect time to buy for warm-weather vacations.

There you have it! A fool-proof way to keep your wardrobe fresh and in-style.

Keep checking back at jlamore.com for fall trends and new pieces!

Mandy
Creative Director

One of my favorite shows.

2010-07-31T17:28:00.003-05:00

I used to watch this show as a kid and one of my friends recently sent me this. I just had to share it with everyone.

Hollywood Squares
-------------------------

These great questions and answers are from the days when theHollywood
Squares game show responses were spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now.

Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course.

Q. Paul, what is a good reason for pounding meat?
A. Paul Lynde: Loneliness!
(The audience laughed so long and so hard it took up almost 15 minutes of
the show!)

Q. Do female frogs croak?
A. Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.

Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you
be?
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.

Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.

Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a
woman?
A. Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.

Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you
think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's
married?
A. Rose Marie: No wait until morning.

Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A. Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.

Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say 'I Love You'?
A. Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.

Q. What are 'Do It,' 'I Can Help,' and 'I Can't Get Enough'?
A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment.

Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands
while talking?
A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll
give you a gesture you'll never forget.

Q. Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A. Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.

Q. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get
any during the first year?
A.. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.

Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.

Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps.
One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.

Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A. Rose Marie: Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.

Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.

Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose
do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?

Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.

Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the
habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the Army.

Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected..

Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head,
what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your
elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?

Q. When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him...

Q. Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has
actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A. Charley Weaver: His feet.

Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?

A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh

Too Many Changes on American Idol

2010-07-30T13:31:00.001-05:00

I truly don't know how many more changes I can take with the American Idol show. I just read an article mentioning the Kara DioGuardi AND Ellen will not be back for the new season. Come on Fox, who's left?

When Paula left the show, I was disappointed I wouldn't get to hear her senseless ramblings, but didn't feel it was a show ending departure for me. Heavy sigh, Simon left. He was at times quite cheeky, but that's what we expected and loved about him. He was the one all of the contestants wanted approval from. Without him, it was going to be up to Randy and Kara to dish on the Idols. Heavy sigh, Kara's leaving.

Reports say she was fired by execs in an effort to continually mix up the show. Boo. Kara has a music resume second to only a few producers. Her critiques of the Idols were more than simple words, what she had to say came from the bottom of her note singing heart. Beyond her expertise, she added so much panache to the judging table. Why? Why Kara?

The role of Ellen on the panel was a humorous one. She lightened the mood, lifted the spirits of the contestants, and made us all laugh. I enjoyed her as the newest addition to the crew and will miss her jokes and smiling face.

Rumors have it Steven Tyler from Aerosmith and J. Lo will be replacing Kara and Ellen. Granted, both newbies have incredible music talent, I just wish it could go back to the good old days.

Jennifer

Nivea Bikini Challenge

2010-07-29T21:16:00.004-05:00

Ok so that image isn't the most appealing to look at... but it's what I believe to be true results shown on the Tyra show from the Nivea Bikini Body "Good-Bye Cellulite" Challenge! The challenge includes a healthy diet, working out, and using the Cellulite reducing Nivea lotion and serum for a month. 86% of women noticed tighter and firmer skin and less cellulite!

I'm not doing the specific challenge, but I am using the lotion! I'm not sure if I'll be posting any before pictures on here... but maybe some after shots if it really works. I'll be sure to share my positive or negative feedback of this product after I've been using it for a while. A product like this could change the way women feel about their bodies (if it really works!)

Julie
Madison, WI

Jessepalooza

2010-07-29T14:56:00.000-05:00

On February 3, 2010 my best friend's daughters' brother Jesse died from complications of type 1 diabetes. He was only 13 years old. There are no words to describe the incredible sadness his passing has had on all of his family and friends. In honor of Jesse, this Saturday at the Capital Brewery, will be the first ever "Jessepalooza."

Jesse's mom Michelle explained her motivation for Jessepalooza was threefold. "First, we wanted to honor Jesse the way he would want to be honored which is through music and people laughing and having a great time remembering him. Second, to raise money to find a cure for this hideous disease and third, to have a way for his friends and family to get together and remember him each year.”

I truly believe this will be a wonderful day and such a great way to celebrate the life of Jesse. Jessepalooza runs from 12pm to 9pm this Saturday at the Capital Brewery in Middleton, WI. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. There will be plenty of music, plenty of refreshments, and lots of laughs. Hope to see you there.

Jennifer

Odd Beauty Products, No Thanks!

2010-07-29T14:13:00.001-05:00

Remember press-on tattoos? Now there’s press-on eyeshadow—promising makeup artist quality shadow in a matter of minutes. How does this concoction work? According to the Eye Envy directions, you smooth the applique over your eyelid; tap it into place to ensure even color transfer and peel back to reveal the shadow creation. There are dozens of looks to choose from: the trendy smoky eye, bold leopard print to zebra.

The smell of bacon can make even a vegetarian’s stomach grumble. What about bacon lip balm? Sound too weird or delicious? You decide! Justin Esch and Dave Lefkow, the originators of the bacon-based J&D’s Foods and products like BaconPOP microwave popcorn and Bacon Salt, believe everything should smell like bacon—and that includes lip balm. The Bacon Lip Balm, $3.99, which they claim is the original, is described as “a constant reminder of the awesome power of bacon.”

Sparkle and sequins are all the rage in fashion. Now, you can put some sparkle in your smile—literally. How? DecoDent Tooth Jewelry makes jewelry—such as ruby-colored crystals or sapphire blue crystals—specifically for your pearly whites. Just like in fashion, a little sparkle goes a long way; one jewel stone is all you need to jazz up your smile. Interested? Talk to your dentist about DecoDent, which are applied with adhesive and can stay in place from six months to three years.

I don't know about you, but these odd beauty products are a definitely no for me! The last thing I need is leopard eyes that go with my bacon lips and diamond teeth.

Jennifer

Rodarte x Ballet x Natalie Portman = Black Swan

2010-07-23T16:07:00.000-05:00

Black Swan is a new ballet-thriller film (I know, reserve judgement for a second) starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. Reasons this excites me: I love Mila Kunis and especially Natalie Portman, I LOVE ballet (Center Stage remains one of my most-beloved DVDs), and the costumes for the film were designed by Laura and Kate Mulleavey, designer sisters of fashion label Rodarte. Rodarte's main aesthetic is an intricate layering of textured and distressed fabrics, which produces a sort of goth-romantic look. Their label has quickly been recognized by fashion critics as one to watch and they recently reached out to mass-market customers through a Target collaboration collection (of which I own much).

Rodarte makes perfect sense for a dark film revolving around ballet and I can't wait to see what they've produced for it. (Costume at pictured at left is the first one to be released.) As far as the film itself, the trailer has yet to come out, so whether it's any good remains to be seen.

Mandy
Creative Director

{via Fashionologie}

Your daily funnies: The Zoeinator

2010-07-19T14:27:00.000-05:00

Funny or Die regular Amy Phillips has become the ultimate Rachel Zoe impersonator in her hilarious spoof videos of "The Rachel Zoe Project". If you haven't seen them yet, check the series out here.

In the most recent episode, "The Zoeinator," Rachel Zoe makes a cameo to combat her robot impersonator and save the fashion world. Its baananaas.

The Zoeinator - watch more funny videos

Mandy
Creative Director

Tassel's the thing

2010-07-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

Trend alert! At the 16th Annual SAG awards, Kate Hudson made the sartorial decision to highlight her gorg backless dress with a diamond tassel necklace by Cartier. Kate is not the only one to embrace the vintage-inspired trend, Ivanka Trump has created various tasseled pieces for her own jewelry line and it has also been seen on the likes of Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell.

Sautoir (French for long, opera-length) Tassel necklaces were popular during the 1910's and 20's, which is why they have a refined, antique feel.

If you're feeling the trend, check out our "Tassel" Necklace by jenny designs. This necklace can be styled many different ways as it is open-ended with two tassels, allowing it to be tied at any length.

Mandy

Creative Director

Cute Animals

2010-07-17T12:01:00.002-05:00

I’m a sucker for cute animals. I love them, and I even love the ones that are so ugly they are actually cute. Dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, even bugs can be cute. I love the website dailysquee.com for my “cute animal fix” of the day. They have the funniest videos and photos with captions that are always ADORABLE. I also love cuteoverload.com. If you love cute and funny animals, I highly recommend these blogs!

Look how cute this guy is. Guilty!!

Julie
Madison, WI

San Diego Ocean's Foundation

2010-07-16T13:19:00.008-05:00

I'd like to shamelessly promote an organization that my sister is working for in San Diego! We all like to help out in one way or another, but if you are in the San Diego area, or if you just feel like helping a good cause, check out http://www.sdoceans.org/!

From their Facebook page:

The mission of the San Diego Oceans Foundation is to promote ocean stewardship by leading community-supported projects that enhance the ocean habitat and encourage sustainable use of the oceans resources.

What does this really mean? SDOF recruits and trains community members to assist with our marine programs. These volunteers work at the grass-roots level where they learn new skills and become educated in marine conservation efforts.Then the magic happens! Our volunteers become ocean stewards and begin personalizing their commitment to the sea. We've hooked them (not literally) and that's how we spread our message of ocean stewardship!

Whether you help out an organization like this, or donate towards efforts to clean up the gulf of mexico, anything you do to save the ocean is a wonderful gift! After living in Australia for 5 months and seeing how beautiful the ocean can be (I admit, I used to be scared of getting in,) I now know the importance of programs and non-profits like San Diego Oceans Foundation and their huge contribution to protecting and saving the wildlife and our oceans in general.

Follow them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/sandiegooceansfoundation for some thoughtful, and some hilarious, updates.

Julie
Madison, WI

Drew Barrymore on the cover of Elle.

2010-07-13T06:45:00.002-05:00

Hi Friends: One of my favorite celebrity personalities is Drew Barrymore. She just has a down to earth attitude and doesn't believe she's the greatest thing in the world like so many celeberity types do. Most celebrities just kind of annoy me and if you live in LA you would know what I mean. Here's a portion of the interview she gave Elle.

On taking stock of where she is now: “For three years straight, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, and as of last December, I just didn’t have anything left. I’ve been so aggressive about living life to the fullest and being plugged into everything, but now I’ve ripped the plug out of the wall and put it on the floor for a while. I’m thinking about the same things as when I was 15, about spirituality and who I am, who I want to be. It’s cocoon, pupa, larva, and fuck, I’m reborn!”

On the media’s misconceptions of her: “I make movies. I have a passion. Puppies and daisies don’t accomplish anything. That’s not me at all.”

On being single: “If you’re 35 and single and it’s a choice, it feels fine. So I didn’t settle with the wrong person yet. Big deal!”

On her upcoming role in Going the Distance: “I like that it’s not a traditional romantic comedy, with the story line of, ‘Oh, I slept with this guy, but when I woke up, I found out he’s the CEO of my company, and we’re going to live happily ever after once we go through all these crazy perils. I talk shit with my girlfriends. And it can get dirty.”

On why she’s not afraid to get older: “I don’t want to be vain or fearful, and I don’t think I’ll do anything [in terms of plastic surgery], but if I want to do something, I will. From my perspective, there’s no reason to be afraid of aging, because if you age, you’re lucky! The alternative is death.”

On child stardom: “I was raised in unique and trying environments, but they were also amazing platforms for me to have an extraordinary life. Going through hell as a kid made me sensitive to what others in this world go through too.”

Lynn
Los Angeles, CA

Kombucha Revenge

2010-07-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

Since Lindsay tragically suggested that Kombucha had something to do with her SCRAM anklet going off , which led to the fermented brew being pulled from shelves, I can only say happy trails to the news she's heading off to jail. Ouch!

After violating her probation by missing some of her mandatory alcohol education classes, Lohan has been sentenced to 90 days in jail followed by 90 days in rehab. “I did everything I was told to do, I thought I was being compliant,” Lohan told Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel through tears. “I'm not taking this as a joke, it's my life and career. I don't want you to think I don't respect you and your terms.”

Lohan said she had a tough time making the classes because of her work schedule, but Revel wasn’t buying her story. “I couldn't have been more clear [about my orders],” Revel said. “There are no excuses.” Lohan will have to surrender to serve her sentence on July 20. She will continue to wear her SCRAM anklet until then. The good news for Lohan is that due to prison overcrowding, she’ll probably only serve a fraction of her jail sentence – then it’s on to three months in rehab.

Sorry Lindsay, I know I've been bit harsh on you, but seriously...you messed with my Kombucha.

Jennifer

Jonny Lang in Madison at the Overture Center

2010-07-07T11:52:00.000-05:00

I love music, pretty much any and all genre's. A few years ago my friend Joanna introduced me to an incredible artist, Jonny Lang. We saw him perform live at the Barrymore Theater, here in Madison and it was truly amazing. Jonny is brilliant on the guitar and his vocals are soulfully mesmerizing.

Naturally, when we heard he was coming to Madison again, we knew this was a must see event! We've rounded up a group of girlfriends and are heading to the Overture Center this Sunday, July 11th for a guaranteed fantastic time! Here's a glimpse of Johnny at his best:

Hope to see you there!

Jennifer

Independence Day Sale!

2010-07-01T15:52:00.001-05:00

Wow, the 4th of July has arrived at lightening speed. It got all of us thinking at J. LaMore how quickly the summer is going to pass us by, which prompted us to run a summer sale!

Shop today through Monday, July 5th and save 20% on your entire order, in-store and online. Just use promo code "july4" at checkout to receive the extra discount.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Jennifer

4 Must-Have Beauty Tricks from Carmindy

2010-06-28T16:03:00.001-05:00

One of my longtime favorite shows is TLC's What Not to Wear, which features makeup artist Carmindy who is known for giving WNTW participants natural-looking, real world-ready makeovers. In this month's Glamour I found some tips from the makeup artist herself:

1) You can pull off red lips.
"Try a gloss and don't swipe it all over. Put some on your pinkie and dab it onto your lips--you'll get color and shine, but it won't look gooped on."

2) Look fresh after a long flight.
"Hydrate halfway through by spritzing your face with water, then reapplying moisturizer and lip balm."

3) Customize your moisturizer.
"Add a couple of drops of essential oil and liquid luminizer to any bottle of unscented body lotion. It smells great and gives your body a glow."

4) An easy skin refresher:
"Fill up your sink with [lukewarm] water, add a cup of apple cider vinegar, then splash your face about 10 times. Rinse with cold water. It's the best toner!"

{Source: Baze Mpinja @ Glamour}

Mandy
Creative Director

Easy & Delicious Caesar Salad Dressing

2010-06-28T12:33:00.001-05:00

I love Caesar Salads, but often times find the restaurant dressings to be too heavy for my taste. This recipe uses olive oil instead of mayonnaise which creates a light and delicious topping for your romaine lettuce!

Ingredients:

3   anchovy fillets (packed in olive oil)
1   tsp. salt
4   garlic cloves (minced)
1   TBSP. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1   tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1   tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/3 C. extra virgin olive oil
1   C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a small bowl, mash the anchovy fillets, salt and the minced garlic to make a paste. Set aside. In a small food processor, combine lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and mustard. Pulse to blend. Add the anchovy mixture and pulse again. Add the olive oil and mix until all ingredients are blended well.

Using chopped romaine lettuce, toss with Parmesan cheese and dressing. Top with croutons, if desired.

Bon Appetite!

Jennifer

Signorelli

2010-06-26T14:19:00.004-05:00

I have been wearing my Signorelli t-shirt almost every day when I noticed a message on the inside of the shirt. The basic message was to inspire change and a brighter future upon us. They are dedicated to raising awareness through fashion. I was so impressed that I looked them up on their website. I was so touched by what I found out.

They work closely with Africa to help fund clean drinking water, education facilities, healthcare, and the preservation of the African culture. They also give back to the environment by working with organizations that continue to make the world a better, greener place.

They give back to charities that are committed to developing more innovative medical care and developing education programs for children. They strive to help fund research for autism, create readily available resources for underprivileged children and the homeless. Finally, they help preserve and protect the planet's first inhabitants that globally safeguard endangered species, conserve natural habitats, and secure ecosystems.

You can find this brand at J. Lamore in Madision, WI. If I am going to buy clothes and also be fashionable, I tend to gravitate towards companies that actually care about our world. Besides Signorelli, J. LaMore has many other clothing lines that are committed to becoming green and making this world a better place.

Lila.

The Healthy Way to a Summer "Tan"

2010-06-25T12:17:00.000-05:00

Lately, when I'm getting dressed in the morning, I've been having a tough time deciding what to wear. The temps outside dictate a next to nothing outfit but my paler than pale body demands jeans and a long sleeve top! Why is it that the sun, something that makes us feel and look so good is so bad for us? I know, in moderation it's good for us, but seriously how can I achieve a Hawaiian Tropic tan in moderation?

I've stepped into the Mystic tanning booth, tragic. I've tried numerous sunless tanning products, which seem to work OK, but since I'm not an octopus I have difficulty reaching every inch of my body. The only proven way to get a great tan the healthy way is airbrush tanning.

Lucky for me, we have a great salon right here in Madison that provides a flawless sun kissed tan in a matter of 20 minutes. Circa Bella Salon uses the Infinity Sun Spray Tanning System, which is considered the best in the industry. It's the same system that was featured on E! Network's popular hit show "Sunset Tan."

The beauty of this system at Circa Bella is two fold. Number one, this liquid tan is a custom blend of sunless tanner combined with anti-oxidants and pure botanicals. This leaves your skin with a natural looking golden brown glow that is actually good for you! Number two, meet Shannon the owner of Circa Bella. She's a complete pro at applying the airbrush tan, making sure you have an even, natural looking tan. She assesses your skin tone to determines the shade that will give you the best tan and makes sure you get the depth of color you're looking for. It's not easy applying an airbrush tan, but she does it with ease and the end result is gorgeous.

Fear no more my pale body, we're on our way to see Shannon! Tomorrow is a new day, complete with a next to nothing outfit! (well, almost).

Jennifer

Johnny Carson and the Rat Pack

2010-06-24T10:08:00.000-05:00

This is an incredible video from 1965. Johnny Carson was hosting a show put on at the Kiel Opera House in St. Louis with the Rat Pack performing. Legend has it this is the only time Johnny sang in public. It's truly amazing. Quincy Jones was conducting the band, and can be seen in the background. Now this is music!

Enjoy!

Jennifer

The battle of the divas: Who was weirdest first

2010-06-23T15:07:00.001-05:00

Oh, Hollywood. What would average people do without you? Be a lot more bored, of course.

It seems that divas Rihanna, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga have entered into some sort of contest to prove who can be the weirdest and most outlandish, which provides endless viewing pleasure to those of us who cannot walk around in latex cat suits all day. And not only have they continued to try to “out-weird” each other, but now they are fighting over who is copying whom!

Aguilera has been receiving flack as of late for her allegedly Gaga-inspired looks, though she claims that her new look and “techno-electric-pop” sound (off new album, Bionic) was inspired by her son, the new generation, and looking into the future. Rihanna’s stylist, however, claims that Aguilera’s look is much more “Rihanna” than “Gaga,” saying “Seeing stuff — the black patent leather, the tutus and the spikes — reminds me of Rihanna more than Gaga.”

You’re all weird, I say, in the most respectful way possible. Don’t get me wrong, I love the outlandishness of these ladies. Variety is the spice of life! (Not to mention that they are all very talented.) The world would be much duller without them.

More weirdness: Miley Cyrus decided to wear a mesh monokini over a triangle top, under shorts with legwarmers. Really. Has she joined the running too? She better watch out or the divas will be after her next!

Mandy
Creative Director

[Source: NYDN via NYMag]

Our Garden

2010-06-22T11:17:00.000-05:00

Jim and I planted three large raised garden beds recently in our back yard. From tomato's to acorn squash, every thing that we love to eat and could potentially grow, we planted. I'm already anticipating our bountiful harvest, thinking of all the amazing recipes we can make!

We planted basil, one of my favorite herbs. Once it's ready to be picked, I'm making this delicious recipe I found in Bon Appetite.

Poached Eggs and Parmesan Cheese over Toasted Brioche with Pistou

Ingredients

1/3 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves

1/2 small garlic clove

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 large eggs

2 1/2-inch-thick slices brioche or egg bread, toasted

Parmesan cheese shavings

Preparation

Puree basil, garlic, and oil in mini processor until very smooth. Season pistou to taste with salt and pepper.

Add enough water to medium skillet to measure 1 1/4 inches. Sprinkle salt generously into water. Bring water to simmer over medium heat. Crack eggs 1 at a time and gently slip into water. Cook until egg whites are just set and egg yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.

Place hot toasts on plates. Top each with Parmesan. Using slotted spoon, transfer 2 eggs, well drained, to each piece of brioche. Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper. Drizzle with some of pistou and serve.

Bon Appetite!

Jennifer

Kombucha

2010-06-21T11:38:00.000-05:00

I truly couldn't believe my eyes on Saturday morning when I stopped into Willy St. Co-Op for my Kombucha fix. Every single bottle of Kombucha was erased from the shelf, the only trace that it ever existed was a short note taped to the case stating "until further testing, this product has been removed by the supplier."

I've blogged in the past about my obsession with Kombucha, even then I had no idea how this fermented brew would become part of my daily life. In the past I would make sure to grab a bottle if I had been out late the night before and felt a little "detox" was necessary. Now, I drink it everyday and I'm in a bit of a panic with this whole Linsay Lohan farce and my lack of readily available Kombucha.

There's a bit of regret in telling you this, only because I'm guessing once I mention the source to get Kombucha (yes, I found some) it could be the end of the supply. I've wrestled back and forth with sharing the store, but feel as a true friend I must help others who are desperate for their Kombucha!

The HyVee grocery store on East Washington Ave. in Madison has a plentiful supply of J.T.'s Kombucha and J.T.'s Synergy blend Kombucha. $3.69 a bottle. I'm not sure how long this will last, so get it while you can. If you'd like to thank me for the tip, just drop off a bottle or six! Kidding!

"Rejuvenate, restore, revitalize, replenish, and regenerate." Thanks Kombucha.

Jennifer

Lindsay Lohan takes down Kombucha

2010-06-21T06:24:00.005-05:00

Here we go again! Lindsay Lohan, who has graced this magazine many times for her lifestyle and stupidity, has now gotten even with us for our comments because her ridiculousness has now affected how all of us live. I'm serious friends! Her ridiculous life, as well as the silly obsession our culture has with celebrities, have now caused grocery stores around the country to pull Kombucha off the shelves. WE LOVE KOMBUCHA, and now it's gone because of Lohan.

Here's the scoop! Lohan, who is on probation for drinking along with a whole bunch of stuff had a court appearance in CA where she received a no alcohol order by the court which required Lohan to wear a SCRAM bracelet. A SCRAM bracelet is an Alcohol Monitoring System which stands for Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor. It is worn on the ankle and measures the subject’s blood alcohol level through perspiration on the skin.

Knowing she cannot drink alcohol anymore and wanting to replace it with a healthier habit, Lindsay Lohan started drinking Kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented beverage made of tea bacteria cultures. For over 2,000 years people in Asia have been drinking Kombucha for its purported medicinal benefits which include: improving immunity, aiding digestion, and improving liver function. Because Kombucha is fermented, it does contain trace amounts of alcohol.

Apparently, this set off Lindsay Lohan’s SCRAM device. I don’t know about you, but I have to wonder if Lindsay went on a bender and is simply blaming the Kombucha for it. However, it happened, it has caused an uproar in the industry.

Millennium Products Inc. has voluntarily pulled its products to determine what the exact level of alcohol in a typical bottle is. Rumour has it that some of them contain as much as 1.5% alcohol by volume. This, while still a relatively small amount, is high enough to require a government warning. The government requires any product containing .5 percent or higher to carry the warning. Currently most Kombucha products are labeled as having “trace amounts of alcohol”, not a sufficient label if the amount is more than .5 percent. Whole Foods Market has pulled all of it’s Kombucha products including Millennium’s GT and Coke’s Honest T varieties until this issue is resolved.

In the meantime, I’m stuck without my Kombucha Buzz. I’m considering brewing my own. Lindsay, you’ve ruined it for all of us.

J. LaMore

Booty call! The latest from Alexander Wang!

2010-06-16T12:28:00.004-05:00

When you're Gisele Bundchen every door you walk by opens automatically, even if you don't want to walk through it.

Cast your mind back to the Met Costume gala and Gisele Bundchen's leg-baring, fringed Alexander Wang dress. The frock—requiring a two-day endeavor in weaving strips of leather onto Gisele's body—was a refreshing departure from the customary frills and frou frou dresses chosen by many of the attendees.

It should come as no surprise that the dress was a one-night wonder designed just for the supermodel. But here's what we're excited about: Alexander Wang has recreated the sexy fringed booties she wore that night for the rest of us is a reasonably priced $615 chunk of change.

J. LaMore

Marie Claire Magazine

2010-06-15T17:12:00.005-05:00

Hi again!

I don't know if this has happened to any of you but I felt like I was in a magazine rut...I get People thru work and subscribe to US, Lucky and In Style but found that I was only skimming thru them looking at the fashion and clothes. Not that there is anything wrong with that but kind of felt like I needed more from my magazine. I happen to pick up Marie Claire last month and again this month and it was the first time I had read a magazine from cover to cover. They had , of course, the fashion and beauty items but also informative interesting articles. Plus, I really like Nina Garcia (Project Runway judge fame!) who is fashion director. Anyone else have a favorite magazine? Any good books you have read? I love reading a good book and can usually tell within the first few pages if I am going to like it our not. My favorite authors are James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark , Carl Hiassen and John Grisham

who consistently write good books.

Mandy

Sun Prairie, WI

HGTV Design Star

2010-06-15T16:31:00.007-05:00

Hi Friends & Bloggers!

Now that prime tv has had all their finales the summer shows on cable start...HGTV Design Star started its 5th season Sunday night. It is a reality based show with 12 designers with different designing backgrounds & levels competing for the title and their own show on HGTV. The 3 judges this year are: Genevieve Gorder, Candice Olson and Vern Yip who each have their own show on HGTV. The first challenge was to design a white box bedroom space inspired by the personality of a fellow designer who they were matched with. They were required to find all their items at an Asian market and a $500 budget, the designers scrambled to find items to describe their teammate. In the end, one designer was eliminated from the competition.

The winning room is to the right and the losing room is to the left. I do not have a great eye when it comes to colors and design. My husband and I painted our dining room and it took us 3 months to pick out a color and you really cannot even tell we painted it. On a positive note, the man at our local Sherwin Williams was really helpful and gave us lots of tips. We were tempted to pay him to come and paint the room! (I believe we actually hinted it to him a couple times in our conversation!).We have lived in our home for 4 years and this was the first time we had ever painted a room! We lived in our other house for 5 years and never painted...Now that we have the hurdle of our first room done, I am getting a little bolder to play with color and maybe even paint another room!

http://my.hgtv.com/design-star-judge-the-designs-2010/multigallery.esi is the link to all the rooms.

Mandy

Sun Prairie, WI

Fixing Tan Lines

2010-06-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

This clever new self tanning gadget from Solerra helps fill in strap marks or other missed sports that show up on a real or faux tan. The Solerra Tanee has a precise, angled, 1/2 inch wide sponge tip applicator to target small areas like bikini string marks or in between fingers and toes. The trick is to blend the tinted formula thoroughly after applying by running a cotton swab along any stripes or streaks on the skin. Then soften the edges so they don't look obvious.

Jennifer

Chocolate Math

2010-06-12T11:46:00.002-05:00

Impress your friends with this cocoa-inspired formula, already an Internet fad.

1) Pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate.
2) Multiply this number by 2.
3) Add 5
4) Multiply that number by 50.
5) If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1760. If you haven't, add 1759.
6) Now subtract the four-digit year that you were born.
7) You should have a three-digit number. The first digit of this figure is your original number 9i.e., how many times you want to eat chocolate each week).
8) The next two numbers are...YOUR AGE.

It really works!!!!!

Laquette "Constellation" Top in InStyle

2010-06-11T16:08:00.006-05:00

We just got our July issue of InStyle with Cameron Diaz on the cover and as I was flipping through I noticed one of our new tops from Laquette in the "Your Look" Section! The Laquette "Constellation" top is a great top for summer and will look good styled different ways. You could make it girly, like they did with a skirt in Instyle, or wear it styled in a boho/world traveler way like we did with it in the World Beat lookbook.

Mandy
Creative Director

Blonde vs. Brunette: What's Right For You?

2010-06-11T14:50:00.000-05:00

Better Blonde

Go blonde if you...

Have lots of pink in your skin.

A cool, baby blonde is gorgeous with rosy skin, says Matthew B. It freshens the face yet prevents the skin from looking too flushed. Conversely, rosy skin (or even just a face full of bubble-gummy makeup) will clash with warm, brown hair.

Want to cut your hair short?

Meg's messy shag. Reese's bob. Jane from Melrose Place's chic crop circa '94. "When a short haircut is really hot, it's always on a blonde," says Matthew B. This is probably partly due, says Parvin, to highlights' ability to play up a style's shape.

Need a lift:

"When I have a client who is going through a crisis or just feels down, I tell her to lighten up, "says DePalo. Blonde, she promises, adds brightness to your look—and your outlook.

Better Brunette

Go brunette if you...

Have very thin hair.

Darker strands add dimension and the illusion of thickness to fine, airy hair, says Kristen DePalo, a colorist at the Insitu Salon in New York City. Tip: To add extra depth, she recommends coloring the under-layers a slightly richer shade than the top.

Have an olive complexion.

No skin tone is better suited to chocolaty strands (or more poorly suited to light locks -- see Julia Roberts, above, as a blonde), says celebrity colorist Matthew B. of the Amato Salon in Beverly Hills. A rich brown will counteract your complexion's tendency toward sallowness, as well as make your eyes and teeth look whiter.

Can't deal with high-maintenance hair.

Keeping up with lightened locks is costly and time-consuming, while going darker can require as few as two visits a year, says Nelson Chan, a colorist at the Estetica Salon in Beverly Hills. Brunettes also have an easier time coloring at home, says Matthew B., because they aren't removing pigment (as you must to go blonde) and don't have to worry about brassiness.

Jennifer

Around the web in fashion: best bras, CFDA awards and more Gaga

2010-06-09T13:56:00.006-05:00

Finding “The One”: The perfect bra, that is. Fashionista counts down the best bras for all shapes and sizes to make your hunt for the perfect one a little less daunting. After working with a local lingerie expert, the ladies here at J. LaMore understand the importance of finding a perfectly fitted bra. {Fashionista}

[Above: Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen at the CFDA awards in NYC Monday night.]

Tech-tastic: Get fashionable with your gadgets. Designers like Gucci and Diane Von Furstenburg have created special covers for new tablet devices, the iPad and Kindle, respectively. {Stylelist}

Eco-chic reusable bags: If you feel like shelling out $295 for a reusable shopping bag, you can carry these cute ones by Prada. {Bag Snob}

CFDA Winners: Fashion’s big award night from the Council of Fashion Designers of America was on Monday and some of the big winners were Michael Kors (Lifetime Achievement Award), Marc Jacobs (Womenswear Designer of the Year), and Christopher Bailey (International Designer, Burberry). Sarah Jessica Parker also made a tribute to the late Alexander McQueen. {NyMag}

Gaga does Madonna: Lady Gaga teamed with fashion photographer Steven Meisel for her new video, Alejandro, which draws on classic Madonna—styling (cone bra), religious imagery and all. {NyMag}

Mandy
Creative Director

7 Foods To Stop Ignoring

2010-06-09T11:47:00.001-05:00

These super foods may get B-list treatment at the supermarket, but their health benefits deserve top billing.

Beets

If beets give you "clean your plate" flashbacks, it's time to give them a second chance and add them back to your list of favorite health foods. They are one of the best sources of betaine and folate, two nutrients that reduce heart-disease risk.

Tip Wash and peel one fresh beet, then shred it on the widest blade of a grater. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon.

Cabbage

Cabbage makes you gassier than the Goodyear blimp, but each 22-calorie cup is loaded with sulforaphane, a chemical that increases your body's production of the enzymes that disarm cell-damaging, cancer-causing free radicals.

Tip Top off a burger with crunchy cabbage instead of soggy lettuce leaves.

Dried plums

Prunes' popularity among geriatrics has ruined its image. Too bad, because these fruits contain high amounts of neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids, antioxidants that are effective at protecting against cancer growth.

Tip Wrap a slice of prosciutto around a dried plum, secure with a toothpick, and bake in a 400°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Goji berries

Goji berries are already a hit with hardcore smoothie fans. The natural sugars in these tiny super foods help boost the immune system and have also been found to reduce insulin resistance (which may help offset diabetes) in rats, according to one study.

Tip Mix berries with a cup of plain yogurt or sprinkle some on oatmeal or cold cereal.

Guava

The deliciously sweet yellow and pink guava has a higher concentration of the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene than tomatoes and watermelon, often considered to be the best sources of the protective red pigment.

Tip You can use the entire fruit, from the rind to the seeds.

Purslane

Pronounced "perslen," this common garden weed happens to have the most heart-healthy omega-3 fats of any edible plant. One nibble and you'll discover that its stems and leaves are crisp and succulent, with a mild, lemony flavor.

Tip Top a bed of purslane with grilled chicken and lemon vinaigrette.

Swiss chard

Like spinach? You're gonna love chard. A half-cup cooked delivers 10 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that help guard against retinal damage caused by aging, say researchers from the Oregon Health and Science University.

Tip Sauté chard with a little olive oil and garlic for a super-simple side.

Bon Appetite!

Jennifer

Reduced Price On a Great Pair Of Skinny Jeans

2010-06-08T15:23:00.000-05:00

It's a rainy 60 degrees here in Madison today. Normally 60 degrees feels pretty good, but combine it with rain and wind it feels down right cold! I was incredibly challenged this morning getting dressed, trying to figure out something cute that would keep me warm!

My usual summer dress or cute short shorts and high heels were not going to cut it today. Instead I reached for one of my favorite pair of skinny jeans, the CJ Joy Skinny. I love these jeans. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, they look like a million bucks on. The waist is a bit higher and the front pockets are actually sewn closed. Both of these features allow these jeans to fit more like a legging but look like jeans. I threw on my old Frye boots and a cute LONG SLEEVE Salvage top (boo on the long sleeves!) and suddenly I was warm and stylish.

I love these jeans so much I decided to mark them down with the hopes you will decide to try them too! They're now $77!

Email me if you have any questions regarding the fit. I suggest sizing down as they run a size or two bigger.

Let's hope for some sunnier weather soon! I'm dying to wear all of my cute summer clothes!

Jennifer

Great Way To Start The Day!

2010-06-08T14:56:00.000-05:00

I came across this adorable girl, Jessica on YouTube. It got me thinking how great the world would be if we all started each day like this!

Love it!

Jennifer

A great story from the bitchy waiter. . . !

2010-06-08T11:18:00.003-05:00

Hi friends and fellow bloggers. One of the few blogs I follow is "The Bitchy Waiter" out of New York. I strongly suggest you follow this blog and enjoy yourself. He is too funny and this is my kind of humor. Here's a story posted the other day that I thoroughly enjoyed.

At work a few days ago I came across an ethical dilemma. One of those moments where you have to make a split decision about something and the choice is not an easy one to make. The wrong decision can change a life. Should I do what is right or should I do what is easy? It was a very busy night and I had a lot of drinks to get out before the show started in five minutes. The bar was a sea of cocktails waiting for me to carry them to their rightful owners. As I headed to table 42 (Or at least I think it's 42. I don't really know those table numbers back there. You know, the one in the corner?), the ethical dilemma presented itself. On my tray was a Diet Coke (Diet Pepsi, really...), one glass of pinot grigio and two Bloody Mary's.
Waiting for me at the bar were about ten other drinks that were watering down like the polar ice caps. Two feet away from table 42, I noticed that one of the Bloody Mary's had some thing floating on the top of it. That thing was a mosquito. Or maybe it was a gnat. It for sure wasn't a fly. Well, if it was a fly it was a really small one. My mind flashed. In about one second, this is what flew through my head:

Oh my God, is that a bug? That's a bug. F***, that's a bug and now I have to go all the way back to the bar and get another Bloody Mary. Shit. I don't have time to go back to the bar to get another Bloody Mary because the show is about to start. Maybe it's not a bug. Maybe it's a leaf from the celery. No, it's definitely a bug. And we don't even put celery in our Bloody Mary. F***, just give it to them, maybe they won't notice. No, that's wrong. F*** it. No that's wrong. F*** it. No that's wrong. F*** it, it's candlelight, they'll never see it. No, that's wrong. I can't do that.

I looked at the two people who ordered the Bloody Mary's and tried to decide which one would be the least likely to notice the happily drowning insect in their beverage. The wife was old but pretty sharp. But then I noticed the husband. He had on a hearing aid and my reasoning was that if he was hard of hearing he probably had some failing eyesight too. So down went the Bloody Mary in front of the Old Man. I also conveniently moved the candle away from him to ensure bad lighting. I based my decision on what would make my life easier, and do I feel bad about it? You bet I do. I think it worked out though. He ordered a second one. I brought it to him without the fly, gnat, mosquito insecty thing.

Jim
J. LaMore

Summer Swimwear . . . !

2010-06-06T06:44:00.002-05:00

Hi Jennifer & Friends:

I've been running for more than a year now and have toned and shaped my figure like never before. I'm now shopping for swimwear which is something I haven't done in years. More like 15 years!

The only difference between then and now is that I don't actually go into the water and I never go into the ocean. I live in LA and our condo has a small but very nice pool. My swimwear is really for getting some sun so I should call it 'sun wear' even though I'm getting older now and sitting in the sun isn't something I do very often either. Maybe I should just forget the whole thing.

However, I'm going to a huge pool party and I want to look fantastic. There, I said it! I basically want to show off all my hard work.

I haven't bought a swimsuit in so long I have no idea what's in style, especially for someone in their 30's. The swimsuit I have pictured is a little skimpy but I like it. My fiance' is coming with me and his suit is so simple to buy but my suit challenge is real and important.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this suit or any suggestion?

Lynn
Los Angeles, CA

The Velvet Trend. . . !

2010-06-04T06:28:00.003-05:00

Hi Jennifer & Gang! I've been seeing a lot of velvet worn on the runways and in the fashion magazines and from what I can tell there's a new trend on the horizon. And, I have to add, that I'm not that big a fan of this look and material. I think it ages women and can look a little like you were rummaging through your grandma's closet.

If you take a look at the history of this fabric you can find yourself going all the way back to the 13th century when it was worn by Kings and Queens of England and France. Every time I think of velvet I think of movies of that period with Judi Dench wearing long flowing robes and giant cuffs and collars all made of velvet.

But circa 2010 brings us a new velvet as Giorgio Armani had an entire runway show with jackets and pants made of velvet and even furniture and accessories adorn the look. The interesting thing about velvet is that it seems they only use it when making dark clothing; blue's, black, burgundy, etc. I've never seen a light colored velvet anything, or at least I can honestly say I don't remember seeing it.

Velvet of a more current past reminds me of burned out rock stars like Freddie Mercury from Queen or even Mick Jaeger. How about a dramatic over exaggeration of a pimp. LOL! Can you picture this look? It's so vivid in my head.

Needless to say, I'm not going to pick up any velvet pieces anytime soon unless of course I try it on and look fantastic in it.

Lynn
Los Angeles, CA

J. LaMore Beauty Book: World Beat

2010-06-02T16:27:00.019-05:00

(Click to view larger)

As our lookbook grows, we get more and more requests from J. LaMore friends and visitors about it: where to find an outfit or an accessory, how to do hair styles, makeup, etc. Since we all love beauty advice, we have decided to start the J. LaMore Beauty Book feature, which will be posted to J. LaMore Magazine following each new lookbook and will give product recommendations and beauty advice on how to best capture the look.

Our newest lookbook, "World Beat", is a collection of looks that capture exotic globetrotter style. We imagined this paired with a breezy, natural, sun-kissed look. Read on to find out how to re-create it:

1) Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel in Sun Kissed: The last thing you want to put on your face on a hot summer day is a bunch of face powder. Opt instead for a blush gel or cream that will give a light, sheer tint. This cheek gel will give you a dewy glow. [Target, $18]

2) Braided Updo: Braids were everywhere on the runways this spring. For a low-key look, try an undone, low braid. For a night out, try twisting it into an updo. So many options!

3) Stila Sun Bronzing Powder: There's nothing like sweeping some bronzer over your temples and cheeks for an insta-glow. [Sephora, $28]

4) Sephora by OPI Chic Print for Nails in Tiger: GRR baby! Add a little wild side to your look with OPI's nail stickies. No mani pedi needed! [Sephora, $15]

5) L'Occitane Jasmine Eau de Parfum: Mist yourself with an exotic scent, like Jasmine, which L'Occitane says is "intimately connected with the beauty of the greatest queens of Egypt." [L'Occitane, $66]

Mandy
Creative Director

What is your ecological footprint?

2010-06-02T16:05:00.001-05:00

Hi! It's me Jennifer! Saturday is World Environment Day which reminded me of this great blog Julie wrote on Earth Day. I thought I'd post it again, to allow all of us to take a moment and think about our own ecological footprint! Enjoy!.......

Tomorrow is Earth Day! I found this fun little quiz that you can take to see what your ecological footprint is (basically it just tells you how many of earth's resources you are taking up with your lifestyle.) It asks you about what you eat, how you live, etc. We would need 4.5 earths worth of resources if everyone lived my lifestyle! What score did you get?? Post it on the comments of this blog! We did this for class and scores ranged from 3.1 earths to 6.5 earths. At least I'm average, right?!

It does make me think about the choices I make and what it could lead to in the future. My next step? Trying to buy more organic clothing! Jennifer, what brand is it that you carry that is organic ? I'm drawing a blank! I also try to buy "green" cleaning products, AND I recycle as much as possible! A little bit can go a long way.

-Julie

New Laquette Dress

2010-06-01T10:49:00.003-05:00

Hi Jennifer & Friends:

I was just going over all the new arrivals and fell in love with the Laquette "Heather Tie Dye" dress. This is perfect for my little weekend get-a-ways that we have planed this summer.

Almost every summer my fiance' plan at least two little escapes, as we like to call them, in a bed-n-breakfast up in northern part of England. Last year we went south west along the coast and had a fantastic time but going north is so much fun.

Now that the World Cup Soccer starts June 11th going to some of the pubs to watch the games will be especially exciting.

I have my new camera all equipped and ready to go.

Clare
London, England

Amazing Deal on Ojon Shine & Protect Shampoo/Conditioner

2010-05-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

I feel like I've been in a hair "frump" lately. I keep saying to Jim, "my hair looks terrible, I need a change." He replies, "I love your hair, you look great." (sweet, I know) Here's the deal, my hair truly looks bad! I've not been taking care of it, choosing to purchase whatever brand I can find for shampoo and conditioner instead of buying what my hair loves. Since I had a $50 gift card to Sephora burning a hole in my wallet, I dashed out the door to Sephora in hopes of putting an end to my frump.

I had my mind set on an old favorite, Ojon Shine & Protect Shampoo & Conditioner. At $24 a bottle, I was all set with my gift card in hand. After mulling about through Sephora with my basket full of Ojon, I stumbled upon the biggest deal of the century. Get this, the ususal size shampoo and conditioner are 8.44 ounces each for $24 a piece. Now, only at Sephora, being sold as a combo package.... 33.8 ounces of shampoo and 33.8 ounces of conditioner for $89! Naturally, I quickly swiped the combo deal and put my other bottles back.

I could barely wait to get in the shower this morning to wash my hair. Ah, the luxurious lather and the silky smooth conditioner, my hair immediately thanked me by looking fabulous today.

I'm hoping this packaged special is offered on a regular basis, but can't confirm it. I suggest getting yours now!

Jennifer

2010-05-27T15:00:00.002-05:00

I just recently read an article about "Facebook" that annoyed me to no end. I have had many conversations about Facebook with many different people, and everyone seems to have a different opinion about it. I just wanted to put this out there. This was an article in Newsweek, but I won't post the author's name because I'm just too nice.

The basic point of this person's article is that he wasted so much time on Facebook, imagining the good things that he could have done, such as fundraising or helping out at a local animal shelter. He then goes on to make fun of his friends' posts about meaningless things like changing the kitty litter or a camping trip. And he says that he would rather hang out at the local bar. He finalizes his thoughts by writing that Facebook is the emptiest, loneliest place on the whole World White Web, all static and white noise.

I bet to differ. What an idiot. Please. I can't even tell you how happy I was to reconnect with so many friends from high school and college, not to mention all of my friends in Madison. I don't have time to spend an hour or two talking to each and every friend. I love my friends, and I spend about twenty minutes a day on facebook. This author said he was spending way too much time on it. That was his choice. If he didn't like it, why was he spending so much time on it?

We all make our own choices. I have never had any privacy issues with Facebook, and I do not befriend people that I don't know. I am not out to save the world. I still do lots of things in the community, help people at my job, still go to the pub, have wine with friends, and still have time for my kids.

We all choose what entertains us. After a long day at work and dealing with kids, sometimes we just want to do something fun, and to keep posted on my amazing friends' lives is enjoyable for me and worth my time. Love, Lila.

The "Real Winner" . . . !

2010-05-27T06:38:00.004-05:00

Hi Jennifer and Gang! I was glued to the TV last night and watched the best closing of an American Idol season that I have ever seen only to be crushed when all of us learned that Crystal Bowersox didn't win. I was shocked!

In my opinion, and I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, Bowersox was far better than DeWyze in every area of music (voice, range, style, stage presence, etc.) and I think everyone else could see and hear it as well. That being said, how did she lose?

Some of my friends think that people followed the Simon Cowel's winking and general nod of approval for DeWyze that defeated Bowersox. I completely disagree with that and think that it was that Bowersox has a "look" that is unappealing to the voting masses of young girls. The hair, the hideous tattoo on her back and her overall appearance just wasn't good enough. One of my male friends said that if Crystal Bowersox looked liked Faith Hill it would have been a no-brainer. That's how Casey James hung around so long. It became a beauty contest and if you had to chose between DeWyze or Bowersox, DeWyze is an easy choice.

Hmmmmm. . . . ! Bowerxox is an amazing singer and I only occasionally liked DeWyze so I am sad that she was beaten and disappointed if she was defeated because she isn't pretty enough.

Lynn
Los Angeles, CA

Flip Flops!!!!

2010-05-22T10:56:00.003-05:00

So, I was just trying going through my shoes, trying to get rid of some of them, and I just couldn't get rid of any of my flip flops!!! I just love them, from the plain, solid-colored flats to my most ornate ones. I was curious, so I googled a little history of the flip flop.

I found that it is quite impossible to quote the origination of the flip flop. The history of it seems to be dominated in the Eastern culture's history of countries like China and New Zealand and in the art of places like Egypt, where one can see Egyptian figures wearing something on their feet that is close to a flip flop.

Mostly, the history of "flip flop" dates back to when people began to refer to the sandal that had no back, and obviously the sound that the shoe makes. As Western culture began to explode and spread throughout the world, so did the flip flop. It became popular footwear for hot days, for the beach, the park, and, for goodness sakes: What would college students in Madison, WI wear all winter long?

I read in a fashion magazine that flip flops were out. WHAT? I beg to differ. I'll never get rid of them. Just like my leggings. Lila.

Michelle Williams Style

2010-05-21T11:30:00.005-05:00

I'm obsessing over Michelle Williams beautiful Sonia Rykiel dress at the Hotel du Cap on Thursday (May 20) in Antibes, France.
The 29-year-old actress accessorized with amazing Ferragamo shoes and a elegant Chanel clutch for the event.
I really love the way that this all came together, she couldn't have looked any better!

I also adore her blonde hair...wish I could pull that off :)

Jessica
Stylist/Model

Skin Care with Snail Slime?

2010-05-21T11:11:00.002-05:00

Women are now especially fond of lotions and creams made with snail slime, which has numerous supposed benefits, like increasing cell regeneration, anti-aging and healing properties, acne improvement, moisturizing and improving elasticity.

Of course, most snail serum products out there don’t use the goo directly from the snail himself. It gets purified and treated before mixing with other beauty chemicals. French women prefer “pure concentrated” serum, which is less diluted than labels advertising snail extract. Although not super popular here in the U.S, you can still find some products if you hunt around online.
If anyone has ever tried any products with snail slime please let me know what you thought and what the results were!

Kalyn New York

Jiapers!

2010-05-21T10:30:00.004-05:00

Just like the legging has formed into a jegging, Huggies has come out with this cute little diapers that look like jeans!

However, they're kind of pricey. $20 will get you a pack of the jiapers (get it?), which is a little much for something that you can go through in a few days. This kid does look pretty stylish :)

Kalyn New York

Destroyed Denim is a Spring 2010 Trend

2010-05-19T14:16:00.003-05:00

Destroyed denim hasn't been this hot since the eighties. No matter what the cut or fit, jeans for spring 2010 are shredded. Some had a few rips here and there, while others had slices from hip to ankle. The one extremely cool thing about this trend, is that you can do it yourself. A few small frayed slits on the thighs of a worn pair of jeans, and you have turned trash bound denim into recycled fashion.

We have this great fitting "Distressed Rhinestone" Jean by Miss Me

Other Spring 2010 Jean Trends

Light Color- Throughout all of the wildly different jean offerings for spring, there was one common factor. It's time to take a hiatus from dark denim. Light to medium shades of vintage blue are in for Spring 2010. You will also see some pale gray and light navy.

Ankle Cropped- Relax fit jeans that are cropped at the ankle are a big trend for Spring 2010. These can be wide legged or tapered, as long as they end right above the ankle. Keep shoes small and sleek.

Boyfriend Jeans - Boyfriend jeans are back and apparently hear to stay. Wear them with a fitted shirt and sandals, to stay feminine.

Kalyn New York

Lindsay Lohan's Handbags

2010-05-19T10:51:00.003-05:00

While she's currently busy partying it up in Cannes, Lindsay Lohan is also gearing up for the holiday release of her brand new handbags.

The actress has completed a licensing deal with The California Bag Co. to offer the handbag collection through her 6126 fashion brand.
Talking about the effort, Miss Lohan said, "I’ve always loved handbags, they are the most important accessory to me. The right bag can take any outfit to the next level, giving it that finishing touch and really making it complete.”

Continuing to dish about her handbag offerings, Lindsay said, “It was really important to me to design bags with amazing fabrications and really glamorous trims also were completely functional and easily transition from day to night."

Once available, the leather bags with be sold at retail prices ranging from $165 to $395.
This one pictured above is called Blaze and is black and nude snake embossed leather with napa trim and interlaced corset gusset detail.

Kalyn New York

Footwear Returning to J. LaMore for Fall!

2010-05-17T16:53:00.001-05:00

I love shoes! It was a difficult decision to stop carrying shoes at J. LaMore. We brought in an edited selection of great shoes and boots for many years, but after a while, they stopped being profitable. How can that be? Women love shoes!

After an incredible amount of client requests, we will be carrying footwear again this fall! I've searched high and low to find some great styles that are amazingly comfortable and reasonably priced.

My favorite pieces so far are these three styles from Diego di Lucca. Not only are they adorable, they are the most comfortable things I've had on my feet in a long time! The foot bed has a super soft cushion which cradles the foot like a slipper. Finally, fashion and comfort.

The ankle bootie and the riding boot will be available in black leather and chocolate brown leather. The pump is available in black leather with silver studs. I love them all!

Feel free to email me if you're interested in any of the styles I've mentioned. I will email you the moment they arrive! (Sorry Summer, I'm not trying to bypass you and all of your sunshine, I'm just excited for Fall shoes!)

Jennifer

One last Hurrah in Aussie Land!

2010-05-17T06:11:00.005-05:00

I have one last trip planned while I'm in Australia... and last but not least I'm going to Melbourne! I had the itch to go to Melbourne ever since I met a group of guys in Vegas who lived there. They told me it had the posh, cosmopolitan touch that Sydney doesn't. While I already think Sydney is amazing... I'm excited to see how much better a city can get!

I'm going with my lovely Australian Boyfriend and I can't wait to drag him around shopping because I hear Melbourne is known for its fabulous clothing stores! I doubt I'll be able to afford anything, but it'll still be fun to look. It's also known for it's chic restaurants and hotels. We're staying in a 5-star hotel called the Como Melbourne. The room style we're staying in is pictured above. It sounds so fantastic! It's located in South Yarra which is about 15 minutes by tram to the Central Business District (Melbourne's downtown.) South Yarra is the place for all the expensive shops and beautiful historic hotels. There is a bar in the hotel called So-Bar that is supposedly a hot spot for celebs. Woo hoo!

Staying at such a chic hotel I wish I had a gorgeous dress to compliment my weekend! Those Yoana dresses are stunning. My favorite of course is the pink polka dot one. I love anything pink and anything girly, and somehow this dress does it but is still 'grown up.' It's beautiful! All the new items are stunning. And I'm still drooling over the Susana dresses...

Julie
Sydney, Australia

P.S. I got a great deal on my hotel at travelzoo.com. If you've never checked it out, I highly recommend it!! They have different pages for international destinations as well as within the U.S.

Around the web in fashion: Chanel goes Curvaceous, Schitbags may or may not be the Next Big Thing

2010-05-14T15:21:00.007-05:00

Being the regular that I am on various fashion blogs, I've decided to bring a periodical roundup of fashion news from around the web to J. Lamore magazine. What's going on this week in fashion? Read on to find out.

C is for Curves, Chanel: Plus-size model Crystal Renn walked in the Chanel Resort show, an unprecedented event on a Chanel catwalk. This sure comes as a breath of fresh air after all that Coco Rocha business a few months back. André Leon Talley, editor at large for Vogue, called the choice to cast Renn in the show “groundbreaking.” {Vogue.com}

[Left: Plus-Size model Crystal Renn]

Gown Glory: Who What Wear picks out their favorite red carpet wear from the Met Gala. Some knockouts were Diane Krueger, Emma Watson and Camilla Belle. {WhoWhatWear}

Gucci goes Couture: Gucci is launching Gucci Première, a division of custom gowns, which will meet demands for the one-of-a-kind looks celebs seek for the red carpet and other events. Gucci creative director Frida Giannini says she will take inspiration for her custom gowns from the cinema: movie heroines, like Holly Golightly, and their fantastic wardrobes. {WWD}

Bag of Schit: Fashionista meditates on the Schitbag, a “Hands-Free Designer Belt Bag,” which is, in other words, a glorified fanny pack. The makers of the bag think it is in line to become the New Status Purse, but bloggers at Fashionista don’t think anyone is going to be able to get past its unfortunate name. Would you wear one? {Fashionista}

Lady in the Iron Mask: Lady Gaga wore yet another custom creation, an ornate mask by Erickson Beamon, as she left the Almay Concert at Carnegie Hall this week. {CocoPerez}

Enjoy your fashion reading.

Mandy

Creative Director

Yoana Baraschi

2010-05-14T13:30:00.000-05:00

Yoana Baraschi exudes sophistication and elegance every time I see her at market. She has a whole staff of incredibly talented, competent people, but she still works the trade shows as if she's not the super star she is. Modeling her own designs, I'm convinced, once again she's a genius.

We've been carrying Yoana's designs for almost the entire time she's had her own label, about eight years. I love her innovative designs, the dedication she has to her company and her ability to be a trend setter in an industry that is unbelievably competitive. She continues season after season to stun us with her creations. I had to wonder, where did she get her passion and expertise from? I did a little digging and here's what I found out.

Born in Bucharest, Romania, Yoana Baraschi was raised in a family of artists. Her mother, Elli Baraschi, was an educator and a true fashion icon who felt that being stylish and elegant was the ultimate creative expression for a woman. Her father, Constantin Baraschi, a leading figure in the Romanian art world, was a renowned sculptor and Dean of the Fine Arts Institute. Following in his footsteps, Yoana studied drawing and sculpture from a very early age. She continued her artistic studies at the Fine Arts Institute of Bucharest where she received a BA in Sculpture. In 1978, a few years after the death of her parents, Yoana left communist Romania for Paris, where she got her first design job working for Emmanuelle Khahn as an embroidery designer. During her four years in Paris, she also worked at Studio de Style Jean Azel as an associate designer on collections such as Leonard, Cacharel, Mugler, and Faconable.

In 1983, Yoana moved to New York where she began to work as an illustrator for WWD and continued her work in textile design for various studios. She then shifted her focus in 1986 when she began working as a shoe designer for Mario Valentino and was introduced to the factories of Napoli and trade shows of Milan. During her many travels through Italy, Yoana was exposed to their fine tradition of craftsmanship, working with the best in the trade, which gave her a strong reference point for her career. It was during this time that she started I.B. Design Studio, which was created to translate European concepts for an American market. Her work had her traveling extensively throughout Hong Kong, Paris, Romania, California and India.

The turning point of Yoana’s designer career came in 1999, when she began working as Creative Director for Betsey Johnson. She was heavily influenced by not only business success the company had achieved, but also Betsey’s own originality and vision. It was this time period that allowed Yoana the courage to live her own vision and believe that she could start her own collection. In 2002, armed with her first sample collection created in her bedroom, Yoana was able to find a showroom to represent her line, received her first order from Saks Fifth Avenue, and was invited to participate in the esteemed Intermezzo Trade Show.

Yoana Baraschi now has showrooms representing her collection in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, and London and can be found in approximately 500 specialty boutiques globally. Yoana has continued to amass an impressive roster of fans among young and stylish Hollywood; Halle Berry, Sienna Miller, Paris Hilton, Rachel Bilson, Heidi Klum, and Lauren Conrad.

Wow, this is an impressive resume! Hats off to Yoana for the continued success with her collection. I feel privileged to carry it her gorgeous collection at J. LaMore.

Jennifer

Pretty little Things. . . !

2010-05-14T07:14:00.005-05:00

Hi Jennifer! I know it's been a few weeks but I'm back writing and having a great time. I just thumbed through the lookbook and the what's new and saw the new arrivals from Yoana Baraschi and I love them!

This little pink dot dress is adorable and so feminine. I can picture myself wearing this dress to so many functions here in LA. The weather has already been warm and this little dress is perfect.

The back of the dress is so pretty that I had I add the picture to show everyone. Anyway, it's nice to be back and love the fashions and the lookbook.

Lynn
Los Angeles, Ca

Celeb Talk in Aussie Land

2010-05-12T06:34:00.007-05:00

You pick up a tabloid here in Sydney (and believe me, there are just as many as you'd find in the states) and you'll see familiar celeb faces. They still talk about Speidi, Kim Kardashian's butt, and of course recently the whole Sandra Bullock baby shock, but there are also some celebs that are talked about that you wouldn't normally hear about in the U.S.

1. Dannii Minogue: Rightly so that she's talked about here considering she is Australian... but have you ever heard of her? Maybe I was a generation behind, but I know exactly who Kylie Minogue is and I'd never heard of her pop star singer/actress younger sister. Anyway, she's a pretty big celeb here! She's know known as a judge on Australia's got Talent, but she's still big in the tabloids and celeb gossip.

2. Pink: I know she is popular in the U.S., but the Aussie's take it to a different level. Everyone here loves Pink. Her music is really popular and she's actually talked about a lot (I haven't seen much negative gossip about her, luckily.) It's interesting that she's more popular here than in the states.

3. Charlie Sheen: The show 2 and a Half Men is so popular here! Charlie Sheen's recent divorce drama is highly covered by the tabloids and gossip magazines, mostly because of the effects it has had on the show.

4. Brian McFadden: Remember him?! He's an Irish singer who was in the band Westlife before pursuing a solo career in 2004. Since then I hadn't heard of him... but he's very well known here! Always on radio shows, a host of Australia's got Talent, and he has a hit single out here right now (very possible that that song has hit the U.S. as well... but I'm out of the loop on U.S. hits at the moment!)

5. Lara Bingle: She's a model who is always talked about here in Australia. Sadly, she's mostly famous for her controversies rather than her good modeling. Her most recent scandal involved her ex-fiance leaking a nude photo of her. Oh the drama...

6. Justin Bieber: OMG did the news travel to the States about the problems he caused over here? I know teeny bopper girls love him in the states- but 6 girls were seriously injured at an outdoor event held this past month where Bieber was supposed to sing! They call it Bieber Fever. Is that a term used in the U.S. right now, too?

So although all the "normal" celebs are just as popular over here, there are some others that you'll find more often in Aussie tabloids than you would in American ones. Also I've noticed that people here know EVERYTHING about the U.S. (for example, if you named an American model they'd know her.) Any news or celeb scandals that are big in the U.S. are also big here, but clearly that's not the same the other way around. Interesting how these Aussie's know everything American!

Julie
Sydney, Australia

New Lookbook . . . New Outlook!

2010-05-11T07:25:00.004-05:00

Hi Jennifer and Everyone! I'm constantly amazed at the quality of work J. LaMore and jlamore.com produces. I live in London and you guys meet and beat anything I've seen here for photo's, models, merchandising and clothing. Congratulations and who is this stunning woman! I have a feeling that she will be a big career in modeling some day and then I will say 'I remember her when, . . . . !'

On a side note, our office has moved to a new building which is why I've missed a few weeks of writing on the friends blog and it's been a mess for a month trying to work and move at the same time. But, I'm finally settled into my new cubical. (No office yet) It seems that I've spent the last two months stuffing boxes and loading and unloading my little car. I cannot believe all the junk I carry around and save. It seems to me that the bigger the space I have the more junk I collect.

This move has inspired me to take a physical inventory of my office and a mental inventory of my apartment and I have to say; it's not pretty. I love all my clothing but I can't stand my living room furniture, my kitchen appliances, my bathroom and my bedroom furniture. I don't even like the paint color anymore. I have only a few nice art pieces that hang on the wall but it seems that I should be doing better than this at my age. All my stuff is junk! I say this in all honesty. What do I spend my money on?

My fiance' and I are not saving for a condo or our own apartment or house. We have friends over all the time who never say anything to us about this but, when we go to our friends house I really notice how nice their things are.

Cleaning out my office has really hit home with no pun intended and I noticed that J. laMore has given the store a face lift and it looks fantastic. (I checked it out on the post from Mandy and Facebook) I'm going to do the same. I'm going to paint our apartment and throw away all the junk and start collecting nice things that I can be proud of. I'll take pictures with my new camera and post them here. It's time for a new beginning.

Clare
London, England

New year, new look!

2010-05-10T12:39:00.027-05:00

For those of you who haven't been to the store recently, you may not know that it's been given a bit of a face lift, namely a fresh coat of paint and a new layout. The new look premiered on the night of our party last Thursday and we received a lot of positive feedback about the changes, which was especially good news for Jim, who spent the past week on a ladder painting it.

We hope you stop by soon to check it out! It's a whole new shopping experience.

Mandy
Creative Director

10 Things Not to Purchase in Bulk

2010-05-10T12:17:00.006-05:00

Since our family is small, just Jim and me, I've never been able to experience the value associated with mega super stores like Costco. Buying in bulk for two just doesn't seem to make sense. My friends with children, grandchildren, and neighborhood friends love the super stores. In a recent conversation with one such friend, she told me she had just spent over $500 at Costco. "I love that store, I buy everything in bulk, it's great!"

I did some research and found there are several things not to purchase when buying in bulk:

1. Brown rice: Buying perishable products like eggs or milk in bulk is an obvious no-no, but there are plenty of other things out there that people tend to store indefinitely without realizing they expire within six months to a year.
Case in point: brown rice. In general, we tend to think of rice as something that just lasts and lasts, but brown rice (which happens to be better for you than white rice) has a much shorter shelf life because it contains more oil.

2. Nuts: In general, you should try to avoid buying nuts in bulk unless you're the kind of person who munches on them throughout the day. They may be more affordable in bulk, but nuts usually expire within two months.
"The high fat content in nuts (particularly in peanuts, pecans and walnuts) causes them to go rancid rather quickly," says Alejandra Ramos, a home-cooking expert and the creator of the website Always Order Dessert. "If you must buy them in large quantities, remember that roasted nuts last longer than raw ones, and shelled ones last the longest. Light, heat and moisture also affect the quality, and they have the tendency to absorb smells, so always store nuts in the fridge or freezer. This also goes for seeds and nuts like sesame seeds, flax seeds and pine nuts."

3. Mayonnaise and other condiments: Ramos also recommends shoppers avoid buying condiments such as mayonnaise, ketchup and salad dressing in bulk "unless you'll be using them right away at a large party or event." These items, she said, tend to last only six months to a year and "take much longer to get through than you'd expect."

4. Vitamins and nutritional supplements: Even stuff that's good for you may end up being a bad investment. "Unless you are absolutely certain that you won't mind drinking the same flavor of protein shake every day for the rest of the year, avoid buying the jumbo containers of soy isolate. Even the most hardcore fitness enthusiasts need variety, and these products do eventually expire," said Linsey Knerl, better known as The Dealista. "The same can be said for vitamins. Unless you are certain that you'll tolerate them well, don't stock up. Sample a smaller size of packaging for a few weeks, note any side effects, and only proceed with an 'economy-size' package if it agrees with you."

5. Spices: Even if you cook regularly, it might not be a good idea to buy spices in bulk.
Lisa Brisch, a personal chef, wrote to us that you shouldn't do it "unless you cook all the time." According to Brisch, spices lose their potency in six months to a year. "I cook for a living and rarely buy spices from a warehouse store except whole spices like peppercorns," she said.

6. Bread: Unless you like the texture of hard, stale bread, you really shouldn't buy too many loaves at once. Freezing bread works, but that leads to a freezer full of big bulky loaves of bread. Also, bread is more flavorful when it's fresh.
And according to Ramos, the cuisine expert, shoppers should not purchase baking powder or yeast in bulk. Each has a life span of about four to six months, so don't buy more than you would reasonably need in that time.

7. Tilapia: Kimberly Peterson is a Costco lover who admits to going several times a week and runs a website called Addicted to Costco. For the past two years, she's done extensive price comparisons among Costco and several other stores, including Wal-Mart, HEB Grocery and Safeway.
In general, she's found Costco's bulk items to be a better deal than buying the same things individually at these stores, but there have been a few exceptions, and one of them is tilapia, specifically the farm-raised variety. When she did the math, she found that consumers could actually get this item for less at Wal-Mart than buying it in bulk at Costco.

8. Frozen foods and meats: It's often a great deal for the money to buy a ton of food and meat that you intend to freeze, but it's important to assess just how much space you have for your buys.
According to Knerl, The Dealista, consumers should "look realistically at what you can store for long periods of time in the freezer, and weigh the savings against the possibility that you won't be able to store anything else in there while you use it up."

9. Bleach: Bleach is another item that you might be inclined to buy in bulk, but it goes bad over time. According to the Scripps Research Institute, bleach has a shelf life of six months and then starts to degrade. Each year you keep the bleach around, it loses 20% of its effectiveness, and you lose that much more of the money you put into it originally.

10. Candy: One key rule of buying in bulk is that you should beware of purchasing guilty pleasures like candy and other junk food. Otherwise, bulk buying can turn into bulk eating.
One consumer put it well on SavingAdvice.com: "If I go to my local store and (buy) 2 candy bars for $1 a piece, I spend $2 and they will last a week. I buy a box at Costco of 24 candy bars for $12, they still will be gone in a week. Even though the unit price is less, I end up spending more."

Jennifer

Haute Happy Hour... great success!

2010-05-10T12:14:00.014-05:00

J. LaMore's annual spring party and sale, "Haute Happy Hour," was this past Thursday night and we'd like to thank everyone who stopped by for making the party a great success! We always love seeing all our customers and friends who make this store a fun and fabulous place to work. At the party, everyone enjoyed cocktails, shopping and complimentary spray tans. We hope everyone who attended the event and shopped the sale this weekend enjoyed it as much as we did.

Left: J. LaMore models showed off some of the hottest spring and summer looks.

For those who entered the drawing for the J. LaMore shopping spree and other prizes: we will be announcing winners this week. So stay tuned!

Right: Mothers and daughters enjoyed shopping the sale together just in time for Mother's Day.

Left: Stylist Jess and Creative Director Mandy hard at work at the party.

Kissing

2010-05-07T15:54:00.002-05:00

Recently, I was wondering about kissing, so I looked it up. It is a profoundly bizarre act. Is there a more espressive gesture in the human repertoire?

When parents kiss their children it means one thing, but when they kiss each other it means something entirely different. People will greet a total stranger with a kiss on the cheek, and then use an identical gesture to express their most intimate feelings to a lover.

Madonna kissed Britney, Judas kissed Jesus, gambler kisses the dice for luck; someone once even kissed in a car for 54 hours straight.

After some research, I have found that : either the kiss is a human universal, one of the constellation of innate traits, including language and laughter, that unites us as a species, or it is an invention, like fire or wearing clothes, an idea so good that it is bound to metastasize across the globe.

Whatever its origins, kissing seems to be advantageous.

Come and Party with J.LaMore!!!

2010-05-06T12:55:00.006-05:00

Don't forget that tonight is the Haute Happy Hour at J.LaMore! Come mingle, drink, get a complimentary spray tan and shop! Everyone gets 25% OFF!

Enter to win a $500 shopping spree and many other prizes!

Can't make the party? Bummer! Use PROMO CODE "haute25" and shop online.

Jessica
(fellow partier)

25% OFF!

2010-05-06T12:31:00.003-05:00

How great is it that J.LaMore is offering 25% off ALL items! Who doesn't love a great SALE! I have been eyeing up the Mavi Jeans and now with this awesome deal I'm going to get two pairs :) I'm getting the Mavi "Super Serena" Jean and the Mavi "Serena Skinny" Jean.
Both of these jeans are amazing. I have an older pair of Mavi Jeans that I have worn over and over and still wear. It will be pretty nice to have a couple new pairs to add to the rotation. I highly recommend these jeans to everyone :) Happy Shopping everyone and take advantage of the 25% off!!!!

Kalyn
New York

New Lookbook & Model

2010-05-01T15:10:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone! All of us at J. LaMore would like to thank Frida's Mexican Grill on State Street for allowing us to produce our latest fashion lookbook for you viewing and shopping pleasure.

The staff at Frida's was the best and allowed us free reign to every part of the restaurant until we were done. We even corralled one of the waiters and strategically placed him in a picture with our model. It was a great way to spend a few hours. Thanks again Frida's! (Mandy and I really wanted a big Margarita)

Also, we would like to introduce Sophia, our newest model to the website who was a such treat to work with and was so much fun.

Take a look!

Jim
J. LaMore

Amazing looks!

2010-04-29T10:40:00.002-05:00

Hi Jennifer & Gang! I have to agree with Julie and say that this lookbook is amazing and I especially love this look I pictured. The Yoana Baraschi dress is stunning!

The "Secret Garden" theme brings back so many memories of my childhood that I poured over every image and it made me scrounge around for the books you based it upon. Very fun!

You're model is gorgeous and has the perfect face for this story. Love it!

Clare
London, England

Absolutely the Best Lookbook Yet.

2010-04-29T07:31:00.006-05:00

I am truly amazed every single time I look at a new J. LaMore lookbook album. Every single one is better than the next, and they are all absolutely fantastic! This secret garden themed lookbook shoot is stunning. Paige is a not only a great model, but she is also beautiful! The clothes look great, and the location is so perfect. 2 big big big thumbs up guys!!

I've been in Australia for 2 and a half months and I'm still loving every minute of it. The fashion here is pretty great! Next week is Australia's fashion week. Never heard of it? Neither had I, and although we don't often hear of great designers coming from Australia, I can assure you that there are many fabulous hidden gems!

What I love about the fashion here is that women aren't afraid to flaunt super trendy pieces. I feel that sometimes fashion in the states is a bit more reserved and women tend not to try trend items in the fear of being too out there and too much of a slave to the trends. Although I agree that it's never good to only wear what's hot at the moment, I do like that women here are more willing to try bold trend pieces that you wouldn't normal see on the city streets.

This cover of Australia Vogue is from last July, but I just wanted to show that trendy styles like this are seen on the streets everyday and every where you look! It's as if magazine covers have come to life. Or as if there are "heaps" (as they say) of women who are as trendy as Jennifer on every street corner. I love it!

I'm planning on writing a post of Aussie Lingo soon so stay tuned :)!

Julie

Sydney, Australia

Top 10 most fashionable films ever

2010-04-28T12:29:00.005-05:00

The Times of London has compiled a list of the most fashionable films ever
Below are the Times top 10

West Side Story (1961)
Belle de Jour (1967)
The Big Sleep (1946)
Atonement (2007)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Annie Hall (1977)
Factory Girl (2006)
Coco avant Chanel (2009)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Other films that made the cut include Pulp Fiction, Zoolander, A Single Man, The Devil Wears Prada and Avatar.

Jessica Stylist/Model

Movie Premiere!

2010-04-28T11:45:00.005-05:00

At Monday night's Los Angeles premiere of Iron Man 2 both of the film's leading ladies were dressed by King Giorgio.
The always lovely Scarlett Johansson wore a Giorgio Armani cocktail dress trimmed with ruffles. Gwyneth Paltrow wore an Armani jacket and shorts.I'm kind of obsessed with what Gwen wore, I pretty much love it and would wear it myself :)

I do wish that both ladies would have chosen different shoes, but over all they both look stunning!

Jessica Stylist/Model

2010-04-26T14:08:00.007-05:00

Australian musical comedy act The Axis Of Awesome is making a profound claim. They state that the same four music chords in the same progression has been used for pretty much every pop song ever. Seriously?

I'm not entirely convinced this is true, but this video illustrating their theory is fantastic. I tried to find a clean (no swear words) version, but was unable. If you're sensitive to swearing, please skip the video.

Jennifer

Simon Doonan: You do not have to dress like a “ho”

2010-04-25T16:57:00.012-05:00

If you read this blog and/or shop at J. LaMore, chances are you are a fashion-savvy person. You probably understand the power of a great, figure-flattering dress; can justify wearing killer shoes even when they kill your feet and know that having your own personal style can do wonders for your confidence. Some people do not know these things, however, and I direct these people to the book Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan, the Creative Director for Barney’s New York.

The book is not only a style manual, but also a commentary on a culture that Doonan believes has become saturated with “slutty dressing and porno-chic…typical TV boobs’n’Botox makeovers that force every woman to look the same.” Instead, Doonan champions what he calls “eccentric glamour,” which calls for every woman to find her own personal style that is not influenced by what society deems as “hot or not.”

Doonan’s writing is charming and hilarious, and, being a glamorous eccentric himself, he is able to give sound advice on how to go about making yourself your most glamorous you. An excerpt from the introduction:

“Why wouldn’t you want to be one of the fabulous people, the life enhancers, the people who look interesting and smell luscious and who dare to be gorgeously more fascinating than their neighbors?”

He then goes on with an anecdote about how he once decided to dress as Queen Elizabeth II for no reason. He stresses to the self-conscious and conformists that, “even if you walk down the street wearing a gold leotard with your lesbian aunt Sylvia’s mauve nylon fanny pack cinching your midriff, nobody is judging you. Some people may not even notice you. Most people will be enjoying you.”

The book goes on with how-to’s and profiles on those whom Doonan proclaims the glamorous eccentrics of our time: Tilda Swinton, Dita Von Teese, Iman, Lucy Liu and others.

Overall, the book is a highly entertaining read and it instills you with a renewed sense of self-confidence and an assurance that the bright red dress with feathers (or whatever eccentric piece you may own) sitting at the back of your closet that you bought on a whim, but never knew you could actually pull off, is meant to be seen. Obviously, the part of you that had to have that dress is just the glamorous eccentric in you waiting to emerge.

Part of the reason we love fashion is that it allows us to express ourselves. Ultimately, self-expression is what Doonan advocates where “conformity is the only crime and dressing down the only faux-pas.” If you want a quick read, a good laugh and some unique style advice, pick up this book!

Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely Fabulous New You

Simon & Schuster

Paperback, $10.20 @ Amazon

For more of Doonan's hilarious antics, see his website.

Mandy

Creative Director

Chanel

2010-04-24T12:42:00.005-05:00

My husband never is able to come up with a great gift idea since "I have everything." So, for the past few years he has been getting me a different coffee table book on the history of different designers. I absolutely love reading them and learn about the influence fashion has had on the change of womens' roles in life. My favorite is my biography on Chanel.

Coco Chanel was mostly known for replacing the restrictive corset with simple suits and dresses, trousers, and costume jewelry. Chanel herself dressed in "mannish" clothes, and adapted these more comfortable fashions, which other women found liberating. Many women were starting to work while their husbands were at war.

While womens' roles in the workforce and society increased, so did the hemlines. I love the classic dresses and also the evening wear. I believe that Chanel still inspires many designers today.

Lila.

Lookbook Preview: Secret Garden

2010-04-23T17:37:00.006-05:00

Today we had the lovely model, Paige, come in for a new lookbook shoot. Paige just received a contract to model for three months in Japan this summer with an international modeling agency, so we offer her our congratulations!

Secret Garden
The new spring lookbook features J. LaMore's more whimsical spring looks, from floral prints to pretty pastels and other feminine springtime styles. Included in this lookbook are brand new pieces from one of our favorite designers, Yoana Baraschi.

The new lookbook will premiere soon, so watch for it!

Mandy
Creative Director

Beyond Denim

2010-04-22T17:00:00.008-05:00

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE wearing jeans. My closet is stacked high with "the perfect" jean for every occasion. From my skinny jeans to my high waist - wide legged jeans, I'm covered and I love it. Every once in a while I find myself staring into my closet, looking beyond the denim, for something "different" to wear. Have you experienced this too?

I've been feeling this way for a while and was savvy enough on my last buying trip to find the pant brand called Georgie. Finally, a sexy alternative to jeans. The Georgie brand is known for their fit, in fact, their motto is "It's all about the fit." The St. Bart's is the number one selling style and for good reason, the fit is amazing. A low rise, relaxed leg combined with ideal pocket placement on the tush equals pant perfection.

I'm head over heals for the mink color, it's rich yet casual enough to wear with a fitted t-shirt and sneakers. The golden color is a great spring/summer tone that looks crisp and fresh when paired with anything white on top and great wedge sandals. Then there's black, say no more.

This is in no way a suggestion for retiring your denim to a lonely life in your closet, but a mere hint that maybe there is life beyond denim.

Jennifer

Happy Birthday Lila!

2010-04-22T11:37:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday Dear Lila, Happy Birthday to You!

Have a wonderful day today Lila! I hope to see you this weekend at J. LaMore! I'll have the wine ready. Cheers my friend.

Jennifer

Here we go again!

2010-04-22T07:56:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone! Photo Retouching of models or celebrities is a topic of conversation that never seems to fade away. Not only that but somehow it can pick up steam and grow in popularity. I'm bored with this topic and wish people would just get over it and move one.

This topic will never go away and do you know why? It's because some women have a burning desire to reach an impossible level of beauty and perfection which is fueled by cosmetic companies, hair product companies and any other beauty product company you can think of. (Maybe I should just get over it and move on.) Think about this for a minute. When a skin care company does a photo shoot of a model who is representing their product you can rest assured that 99% of her face is going to be airbrushed so not to show a blemish or an imperfection. You won't even see a single pore on her perfect face after they get done with her. You wouldn't buy the product if her skin looked terrible would you? It doesn't matter what the product is the model or the body part is going to be airbrushed. Nail polish, eyelashes, lipstick, makeup, etc. You name it it's airbrushed.

As a society we have progressed in every area to only expect the best of everything. Including our ads. It's not the 50's anymore. We live in a computerized world where everything needs to be perfect or we quickly lose interest. Your expectations are so advanced that idolizing an average looking person isn't going to cut it anymore. If someone is famous and their face is in an ad they better be who we think they are because if they're not you going to question yourself as to why you like them in the first place and then you won't buy the product. These companies don't want you to do that. You need to be reassured, even if making that person look fantastic isn't real. No one is perfect! No one has flawless skin, perfect breasts, mirrored fingernails, the bluest eyes, the best hair and the perfect pouty lips. Airbrushing and retouching photo's is about selling products. Nothing more!

I'm sure I overstated the obvious here but I get asked retouching questions all the time. I just wish everyone would stop being shocked when it happens. That's my opinion on the matter and I'm sticking to it.

Jim

Spring and Summer 2010 Trends

2010-04-21T16:35:00.005-05:00

This year the runway showed us everything from leather during the spring and summer season to looks of cut-aways, tie-dye, painted printed patterns and patch work jeans.

Key trends to follow
•Sheer Fabrics
•Flowers
•Printed Patterns
•Boyshorts
•Ponhco Tops
•Tight Bandu Skirts
•Nautical Styles
•Asytmrcial Looks
•Shoulder Pads
•PolkaDots

That's a lot of options ladies! Play with your looks and you'll be happy with the results :)
Jessica Stylist/Model

The boyfriend blazer still going....

2010-04-21T15:56:00.003-05:00

The boyfriend blazer has found new sophistication and will be with us as a part of 2010 fashion trends.
How to wear a boyfriend blazer you ask? There are two, simple rules for wearing the boyfriend blazer...
Make it oversized
Any boyfriend fashion trend is about wearing clothing that looks a size too big for you, hence, as if you've borrowed it from your boyfriend. It's no different with the boyfriend blazer fashion trend here. The key is to only go up one size, it shouldn't swallow you. Look to have the jacket's shoulders coming no more than an inch and a half away from your own, perfect for accented shoulders.
Roll up your sleeves
This is a crucial element of the boyfriend blazer trend. Rolling or pushing up the sleeves on the blazer goes to balance out the look by implying that the sleeves would otherwise be too long for your arms; also exposing the wrists to make the look more feminine.

Jessica Stylist/Model