Reedem Your Groupon & Let the Fun Begin!

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

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

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

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

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."

Emily Rossum in linQ!

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?

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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