Kristin's Favorite

Over the past ten years of owning J. LaMore, I have met some of the most incredible people. Some of my closest friends today are from friendships that developed through the store. Lucky me!

One of my all time favorite families who shop at J. LaMore are the Oster's. Karen is the mom, she lives in Beloit, and Kristin is her daughter who lives in Madison. They have been shopping with me since 2002 and I think the world of them! Kristin just stopped in J. LaMore today to drop off a gift for me, to thank me for "always being so nice!" Funny thing, here I thought that they were the ones always being so nice. I love it when they come in, we joke around, try on a bunch of clothes and just have a great time. Karen has sold ME many things, often times saying, "Jennifer, you really need to have this, try it on for me." Such incredible people, I adore them both. Kristin's gift included her favorite items, Fresh brand sugar lychee bath and shower gel and Pacifica Brazilian mango grapefruit body wash! Yum! I can't wait to try them! She said her "favorite" of the two is Fresh gel. It smells amazing! I'm hoping I love it as much as she does and will feature it as my weekly favorite giveaway!

Thank you so much Kristin for the gifts. It's so incredibly thoughtful of you. Thank you Karen for being so sweet to me and for teasing Jim! He loves it!

Jennifer

The "Lingo" Generation

I came into the store this morning and logged onto the J.LaMore website to read the most recent blogs that were posted. I read the "Old & Experienced vs. Young & ...?" post and felt the need to add my opinion. I agree with Clare on many of her opinions, but I do think there are some exceptions that some people are unaware of or have not seen yet.

This past fall when I entered my Sophomore year of high school I was excited to see how all my friends had changed, what everyone would be wearing for the new year, but I was surprised by the new "lingo" everyone was starting to use. Originally I was use to reading abbreviated words in quick text messages and maybe if a phone conversation was cut off , so I was not totally unaware of the vocabulary being used. The first week of school I was starting to notice that the people around me were not using complete words such as: perf, most def, tots, hilar, probs, etc. After weeks and then monthes I had decided I could not listen to this any longer and that I would not join in with the new trend of speaking. Until recently, I assumed that this was only a young high school trend that people were using, I did not at all begin to think that people past college were speaking this way until I started hearing stories from my mom, older friends, and people from work that we're also annoyed with this new language.

Tying back to Clare' s position, I think the reason she is having to start to deal with people using incomplete words is because some people have become so used to shortening their words that they are unaware of when to seperate their everyday life from their professional life. Unfortunetly I think this is a growing issue because the people I see are recognizing this "lingo" as a cool trend to follow. Although there are exceptions out there of people who realize that speaking with incomplete words will not get you far or give you a respectable reputation. What I usually think to myself when I hear young people talking this way is, "Don't you hear yourself?" I think that is exactly what my generation needs; to hear themselves speak and recognize that it is not something that should be used in a professional environment and possibly only used here and there in their social life.

Raquel

Old & Experienced vs Young & . . .?

It's fantastic being a guest writer. By "guest" writer I mean one who writes on someone else's website. I'm a friend on jlamore.com and I have access to all sorts of 'benies' like the friends blog. As a guest I get to (almost) say whatever I want whenever I want and then run like hell.

Jennifer LaMore has some rules about writing on the 'friends blog' and they are: "No opinions on religion or politics. Everything else is fair game. Have fun." That was the note I received more then three years ago and the user name and password is still stuck on the side of my monitor at home.

In the early days, the friends blog was completely different then it is now. Today its become a much bigger site and the readership is in the thousands per month and growing . The topics frequently change and have matured, the writing has greatly improved and it's just a lot more fun.

I have changed since the early days as well. I have changed jobs, changed where I live and got a new boyfriend. (I'm hoping, in the near future, I'll change where I live again.)

All of this is an introduction to my latest thought. Old & Experienced vs Young & I'm not sure what to call them! When I changed jobs I entered a work place where a lot more young people are in positions I feel they don't deserve. They seem to be placed in these positions because they have tech skills and have grown up in an era where tech is so much more important then people skills or worse - actual job related skills. These 'kids' are barely out of diapers (21-25) and having a conversation with some them is painful. I mean a serious work related conversations. The know it all self centered attitude is amazing as I feel I'm just getting good at this demanding job at age 35. My contact list has grown considerably and my past accomplishments are what got me this new job in the first place. (I was hired to land a big contract with a client I worked with in the past.) I don't see any of that in the new generation of workers. They seem to demand the respect they haven't even come close to earning. Receiving a thank you note just for showing up on time is not an accomplishment and if I were to actually take these young co-workers to a job site location I swear the client would fire us. I don't want their ignorance to be a reflection on me.

All of our clients are business men and women in their 40's and 50's and 60's and I show them the respect they deserve. Not these high maintenance Generation Y types. That just doesn't happen in their "it's all about me" attitude. All day long I hear little electronic R2D2 text message sounds of beeps, chirps, and tweeks constantly coming from their pockets and purses. Friends want to get together later, a party here, a party there. We had to impliment a new policy about cell phones in the work place.

A new book, Not Everyone Gets a Trophy, concludes that employers should be in no doubt that, for those born after 1979, unlike previous generations, “their personal life comes first” and they have a “short-term and transactional” mindset. Managers, says the author, Bruce Tulgan, should effectively practise “in loco parentis management”, holding the young to high standards and “helping them every step of the way to reach those high standards”. What? Now I have to be a mommy and daddy to these people who've been handed everything, never been scolded or held to a higher standard. Wow! It's painful but so true.

But in all fairness, there are a couple of young workers at the office who are very smart and show huge promise. The problem is, . . . all my "older wiser" co-workers know who they are and these young kids are pulled in all directions. They seemed to have given up on the self centered undeserving ones pretty early. It seems to me the pool of young, smart and driven talent has grown smaller and smaller and the pool of "I have to check my Facebook page" has become the norm.

Jennifer, you're so lucky you have a young worker like Julie MacGuidwin. I can tell she's one of the types that is pulled in all directions. I can also hardly wait to read who else you have that keep the J. LaMore machine running smooth.

Clare London, England

Meet the J. LaMore Staff. . . !

It seems that everyone I know has asked me at one time or another about the people who work at J. LaMore and jlamore.com. So this week I decided to introduce all the fun people who work here and keep the machine running smooth. Julie MacGuidwin is our resident geek and chatterbox. She can talk like no one else and it's the funniest thing. Jim, at one point, told Julie on one of her chattier days that she had to stop talking for two minutes. She couldn't do it. She froze at her desk as we all watched her freak out trying not to talk. We still tease her about it. So let me introduce Julie MacGuidwin. I asked her a few questions so you can spend some time and get to know her. - Jennifer LaMore

Five minutes with Julie MacGuidwin!

What do you do at J. LaMore?
JM - What don’t I do at J. LaMore is the better question! I spend about 70% of my time behind the scenes working on our website and doing other computer related things. The other part of my day is spent helping customers look fabulous!

How did you get the job?
JM - I was looking for a nanny position on craigslist when I came across Jennifer’s post looking for a “fashion minded person to work in retail”. 3 years ago I applied to be a sales associate, and today my job has expanded to much more than that!

How has the store changed since you started?
JM - The biggest change was the website. When I started working here we didn’t have one and one of my jobs was to create an inventory system that connected directly to the website which would be accurate in realtime. We still use it today and now look where we are! The store has also become less quiet since I started working here….I always have a story to tell or something to say!

What have you learned while working at J. LaMore?
JM - I’ve learned SO much working here at J. LaMore. For the obvious, I’ve learned all about fashion, retail, and customer service. Personally I have learned how to balance working and going to school. Along with working at J. LaMore, I baby-sit 3 or so times a week during the school year. Not to mention I’m active in my sorority as well! It’s been a challenge to get everything I need to done in all aspects of my life, but working here has definitely taught me how to do it well!

What life experiences have had a profound affect on you?
JM - Many times people travel and learn something profound from that experience. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a lot (all around the U.S., The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Greece.) I’d say these experiences affected me in specific ways… but all I really do on vacation, regardless of my destination, is layout on the beach! I have learned how to get the perfect suntan, though ;).

Tell us a funny story about yourself.
JM - I have way too many funny stories about myself. Everyday I come into work with a new one. A favorite of mine happened 3 years ago while the J. LaMore gang was walking to the "Best of Madison" party. In downtown Madison, there are vents on the sidewalk. We were walking to the party, and the other girls walked around the vent, so I assumed they did so because they had skinny heels on and they didn't want them to fall through the cracks. I was wearing thick heeled pumps and thought that I wouldn’t need to worry about it. Turned out that they all walked around it because the vent was blowing up air. My dress blew up in front of a restaurant window full of people. We had a good laugh about this one.

Drew Barrymore

Hi Jennifer & Friends: Just the other day I was watching an interview of one of my favorite actresses, Drew Barrymore. The interview was very interesting and she spoke about her new venture into directing. Barrymore is taking on this new challenge in a show called "Whip it" due out later this year. She's been working on the project for almost two years now.

When I was watching the interview she spoke about a part in an HBO movie that she did called "Grey Gardens". I remember this movie and I saw it a couple of months ago. I thought she did a remarkable job but it was the story about real life characters that provoked me to learn more about them after seeing the movie. Edith "Big Eddie" Ewing Bouvier Beale was played by Jessica Lange and Barrymore played Edith "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale.

Here's part of the story - Edith "Big Edie" Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale were the aunt and first cousin of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. The two women lived together at Grey Gardens for decades with limited funds, resulting in squalor and almost total isolation.

The house was designed by Joseph Greenleaf Thorpe in 1897, and purchased in 1923 by Phelan Beale and Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale. After Phelan left his wife, Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith Bouvier Beale lived there for decades more, over 50 years in total for each woman. The house was called Grey Gardens because of the color of the dunes, the cement garden walls, and the sea mist.

In the fall of 1971 and throughout 1972, their living conditions—their house was flea-infested, inhabited by innumerable cats and raccoons, lacked running water, and was full of garbage and decay—were exposed as the result of an article in the National Enquirer and a cover story in New York Magazine after a series of inspections (which the Beales called "raids") by the Suffolk County Health Department. With the Beale women facing eviction and the razing of their home, in the summer of 1972 Jacqueline Onassis and her sister Lee Radziwill provided the necessary funds to stabilize and repair the dilapidated house so that it would meet Village codes.

Albert and David Maysles became interested in their story and received permission to film a documentary about the women, which was released in 1976 to wide critical acclaim. Their cinema vérité technique left the women to tell their own stories.

"Big Edie" died in 1977 and "Little Edie" sold the house in 1979 to former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee and his wife Sally Quinn. "Little Edie" died in 2002 at the age of 84. According to a 2003 article in Town & Country, after their purchase, Bradlee and Quinn had the house and grounds completely restored. Philanthropist Frances Hayward currently rents the home 11 months out of the year from the Bradlees.

I hope all of you get a chance to see this film and read up on these characters.

Lynn Los Angeles

Coach Bo Ryan "Best of Madison"

Hi Friends: Part of being "Best of Madison" is the people you get to hang around with. Our good friend Tim Hughes was given the job of photographing the "Best of Madison" 2009 party held at the Madison Club last night. The entire J. LaMore and jlamore.com crew was there to celebrate and do what we do best. Party! (We do a few other things pretty good too!)

I had the honor and the privilege of speaking with one of the best coaches in the country, in any sport, Bo Ryan. Mr Ryan is the UW mens basketball coach and one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Thanks Tim. Great picture!

Jennifer

More on ripped jeans!

Hi Everyone: Like I previously mentioned, I'm diggn' the ripped jean look. I see jlamore.com have similar looking tops to go with this look.

Straight leg or skinny ripped is very cool. I likew this look tucked into tall boots too! Of course, Megan Fox looks fantastic in anything she wears, but she has really grabbed a hold of this style and made it her own. Not to mention all the tattoo's she has.

Lynn
Los Angeles

Ripped up jeans. . . Love!

Hi Jennifer and friends. I have noticed a big trend happening rather quickly in Los Angeles - ripped jeans! Everyone seems to wear them now and I'm a big fan. I recently saw a pic of Kim K in these jeans and Megan Fox lives in them. These jeans are one of the sexiest looks a woman can wear, in my opinion. I love how they look and if you've been working out hard to get in shape, nothing shows off your hot 'bod' better then a pair of great jeans.

I know there are different kinds of worn out looking jeans but the kind that have well structured tears and material showing is my favorite look. The almost-a-tear-but-not-quiet-look.

I don't care for the jeans that have actual holes in them as the appear cheap or look almost home made. I'm very happy this look is coming back strong as I have several pair in my closet.

Lynn Los Angeles.

P.S. Hi Clare: I have to comment on your post about tattoo's. Nice info and I have also seen these high end salons taking in tattoo artist and molding them into their businesses. I don't have any tattoo's but a white tattoo is the only way I would get one. They look kind of cool.

Lynn

Maxi Mania

Paris, Miley, Carrie, Eva, and Nicole all love to wear the fashion friendly maxi dress! We have some great maxi dresses here at J.LaMore! My favorite is the Gypsy 05 "Circle Dye" Maxi Dress. It's so colorful and comfortable!

Every girl should have at least one maxi dress, and if you don't have one by now...you really need to try one :) They're the best trend for summer 09!

Jess

Couture Tattoo's? Not for me!

Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the email and the new assignment. I was surprised to read the list of topics for discussion but eagerly accepted the task. Wow! You gave me a wide range of interesting things to write about. So, I'm first going to write about the new trend in body art. Couture tattoo's! It's the newest trend in high end 'tats' and all the celebs (and just about everyone else) seem to be jumping on the band wagon to get. So you're probably asking yourself, 'what's a couture tattoo?'

Well, it's a tattoo done by a classically trained artist who are brought into a salon where you could get a massage, your hair done, a manni and a pedi. These salons teamed up with the tattoo artist to bring the customer the very best in your tattoo getting experience. These salons decided to eliminate the stereotype of dirty, grungy parlors and make it a high rise experience. Some of these salons will offer a doctor subscribed Vicodin or even anesthesia.

These tattoo artist's are popping up in high end salons in London, Paris, NY, Los Angeles and Tokyo. This list is too long to mention here. A co-worker I know has been to a salon like this but did not get a tattoo. She did say, however, that she was interested in getting one after seeing how luxurious it was. A glass of Chardonnay didn't hurt either.

Now, the big question is, how much is a tattoo in a salon like this? Well, a small tattoo can cost around $125 to $250 for women. Men usually get bigger tattoo's and they can spend anywhere between $400 - $700!

I then discovered that the new trend in tattoo's for women are white tattoo's. I learned that white tattoo's are high maintenance and return visits are required because the pigment is thicker. White tattoo's are subtle and can be more like a birth mark and are very popular now. There is still a definite interest in making a statement with a tattoo and some women still want to get 'sleeved' with tattoo's that cover a large portion of both arms. Yuck!

Anyway Jennifer, I have no interest in getting any kind of tattoo but getting my toe nails done and having a glass of wine could loosen me up to the idea.

Clare, London, England

New Moms..Stay at home!!

Hi everyone! I am still here, down in sweltering Miami. I check up on everyone very often, but am very busy with my 3 kiddos... speaking of kiddos, I just have to respond to Clare's blog about new moms returning to work. I personally struggled with the issue of career woman vs. mom, and "why can't I have it all?" I used to say things like I am going to do what I want to do and "nothing, not even a baby, is going to stand in my way." I used to think that the lectures that my grandma would give me about the "sacrifices" I should make to stay at home with my kids because it was best for them were so "old fashioned". I looked down upon my own Mom, who stayed at home with us and did not have a career.

While I was dating my now-husband, I began to think about the future, raising children, and my career path. After MUCH soul-searching, I realized this: like it or not, I am a woman. Therefore, I bear the children if we choose to do so. As a woman, I, personally, am a nurturing, loving, mothering human being. If I choose to raise a family by bearing children, one of the two will suffer: my career or my children. I am an achiever, and like to be successful in my endeavors. I had to choose. Which was more important to me? My future children, or my career? I chose my children. I do have a job. I work night-shift on the weekends as an RN so that my husband can stay with my kids. Do I enjoy working 7pm-7am on a Saturday night? Absolutely not- but, grandma, I now understand what you meant by making "sacrifices" for your children. I also highly respect my Mom for staying home with us.. believe me it AIN'T EASY!!!! (ask my husband- he did it last week for 5 days and couldn't wait to get back to work)

I applaud women who have made names for themselves in the workplace. I don't think every woman should be a stay-at-home mom. I love that I was given the choice to pursue a career or raise children, and I have those women at the top to thank.

I understand that some women don't have a choice whether or not to stay home. It scares me to death to see women being rewarded, actually PROMOTED, for taking shorter maternity leaves. We should be moving in the opposite direction!! Families should be supported in the workplace with LONGER paid maternity leaves, on-site childcare, breastfeeding rooms, etc. I believe, and this may piss some people off, that if you are not willing to let anything stand in your way in order to advance your career, "not even a baby", then you shouldn't have a baby!!! Go for it, girl! Pursue your career all the way to the top! But please don't bring a child into this world that you don't want to "stop you from doing what you want to do."

So, Clare, I guess I answered your question, rather vehemently I suppose, "how do women today handle their career and motherhood?" I felt the answers you were given were rather one-sided, and I felt I had to put a few words in for those 24/7 moms who never seem to get enough credit.

Amanda in Miami
PS- This is a fairly recent picture of my 3 future-fashionistas!

Another Boho Chic Favorite!

Enter "jordan" at checkout and to receive your free gift! When I did all of my Spring and Summer buying for J. LaMore I knew I needed to find the perfect necklaces to pair up with the adorable dresses I had found. I came across a Los Angeles based designer who made these great "boho chic" style necklaces. I knew it was a match made in heaven.

This week's favorite item giveaway is this fabulous necklace by Los Angeles based designer, Jordan Alexander. We sell this necklace and similar ones right here at J. LaMore for $85 and up! Enjoy this item for free this week as my gift with purchase! All online orders (while supplies last) will receive this necklace with their shipment. Enter promo code "jordan" at checkout to receive your gift. It's also available in black, so please specify your color preference in the gift message.

I'm so curious to know about your favorite things. Email me and tell me what you can't live without!

Jennifer