Style Lush

The J. Crew Personal Shopping Experience

by Lawyerish

For Mother's Day, my husband made an appointment for me with a J Crew personal shopper at the store that's closest to our home.  He knows how much I hate to shop for clothing, but is also weary of hearing me bemoan my utterly lackluster wardrobe every single morning when I attempt to dress myself for work.  

This was, hands down, one of the best gifts ever.

I spoke on the phone with my personal shopper prior to my appointment, and he asked me about what I was looking for (I told him I wanted to jazz up my work wardrobe a bit, without going too far beyond reasonable business-casual dress), my sizes (turns out I've been buying everything at least one size too big for years -- so...that's why everything has been looking so dumpy on me!), my personal style (I was generous to myself and said "preppy with a touch of vintage," but really it's more like "clothed, in shades of gray and navy"), and whether I needed any specific items (I said I was looking for dresses and skirts/tops, and possibly a suit).

When I arrived for my appointment, my shopper showed me to my designated dressing room, which was stocked with items he had pulled for me in advance.  We also walked the store together and I pointed out things that I liked.  While I got started trying things on, he went around and grabbed additional items based on that.  

Some things I tried on didn't work (too wrinkly; too short; not work-y enough), but a great number of the things he had picked out for me -- most of which I wouldn't have picked out for myself, because they were bright or a print I wouldn't have thought would look good on me -- were spot-on.  He was appropriately flattering without seeming like he was digging for a commission, and he was honest about things he thought were not right for me.  

I tried on stuff for a good hour and a half or so, and then we went around the store again and added some basics that I needed (cardigans, layering tops).  He also ordered a few things for me online that weren't available in the store in my size.  I ended up getting about six tops, two cardigans, a schoolboy blazer, a suit, two pencil skirts, and a fun summery dress (my one non-work item), and I will tell you what:  it makes me really happy to have clothes in my closet that were hand-selected for me and that are a little different than what I usually wear.  I've gotten loads of compliments on my cute new outfits, and I found exactly the right shoes to go with them (at Zappo's, of course).  

Whether you're looking for one perfect item or to spruce up your seasonal wardrobe, I highly, highly recommend using a J Crew personal shopper. I will definitely be calling mine again!

Lovely Bracelets from Swell Caroline

By Sara

I'm having a bracelet moment. Nevermind that they clack all over my desk at work, get in the way when slinging the baby on my hip and cause general mayhem with a grabby preschooler, I still love them so very much. I spotted this bracelet months ago and I can't get it out of my head. Meet my newest love and want: the Formash Rome bracelet from Swell Caroline.

A beautiful leather and gold wrap bracelet for $30. Yes, you read that right, THIRTY DOLLARS. Not bad at all. And look, it comes in MORE colors:

Sigh. That just makes my accessory loving heart so happy. Not only did I find that darling bracelet, check out some of the other lovelies hanging out at Swell Caroline:

Derby Collection, $38 at Swell Caroline

Enamel Bamboo Bracelet, $18 at Swell Caroline

Mallie Bracelet, $36 at Swell Caroline

Lauren Bracelet, $30 at Swell Caroline

I totally missed sending these links to my husband for Mother's Day but that doesn't mean I can't get one for myself. Or maybe two. Happy shopping!

Style Memories From My Mom

By Rebecca

Last week, I read Caitlin's Food Lush post about the food memories she associates with her mom. It got me thinking about my mom and how I can trace a lot of my personal style back to her. We all eventually turn into our mothers, right?

When I was a kid, clutter followed me and I'd leave a trail everywhere I went: shoes, homework, books, you name it. She was always nagging me to pick up my shoes and put things away. I can hear her voice now: "A place for everything and everything in its place!" She'd vacuum the living room and say "No one is allowed to walk on that carpet for ten whole minutes!" These days, I also hate clutter, order my kids out of clean rooms, and I'd be Bill Gates if I had a nickel for each time I've asked my kids to pick up their shoes.

My mom always wears makeup and perfume. She isn't vain, at all, but she makes an effort to look nice no matter what she's doing. I still remember going with her to pick out the first lipstick I ever owned. (It was Cover Girl Almost Nude, which I was shocked to discover still exists). When I was old enough to wear makeup, she would always say as I ran out the door, "You know, you really should put on some lipstick. You look a little pale!" Today, you'll never find me without lip gloss. Although I suspect she might not approve of what some of them cost. Shhh.

My mom is a very simple and sensible dresser. She wears jeans and khaki pants and is rarely found in a dress or skirt. Her closet is full of cardigans and solid-color knits. The apple didn't fall far here, folks. I, too, wear jeans near-constantly and own (at least) a cardigan for every day of the week.

I am a huge reader and attribute my love of books to our weekly trips to the library as a child. She would let me wander the shelves, browse freely and choose as many books as I wanted. To this day, one of the things that makes me happiest is having an unread stack of books waiting on my nightstand.

My mother also has an inner beauty that has nothing to do with makeup or clothing. Since I was a small child, she has had these four words cross-stitched and hanging on the kitchen wall: Listen, Accept, Encourage, Invite. She lives by those words. Her friends are like family to her, and other people's good news is as joyful to her as her own. She is an extremely grateful person, and I think she believes the sun might go dark if you don't write a thank-you note for every single gift you receive.

When I think about the big picture, one thing I hope to emulate is how my mom is the same on the outside that she is on the outside: beautiful, practical and focused on others. She is someone who takes joy out of simple things and reflects it on her face. Her smiling, perfectly made-up face.

Happy almost-Mother's Day to my mom, and all you other moms out there.

My mom, my sister and me at my sister's baby shower. (Look! A cardigan and solid color knits! I told you!)

Currently Coveting: Morse Code Bracelets

by Leah

I think I'm in love.

I saw one of these morse code bracelets by Coatt on Whoorl a few months ago and might have left the browser page open for an hour so I could conveniently look up from my work and gaze at them lovingly every few seconds.

They're customizable by material (gold fill, silver, 14K gold), length (preset increments from 6.5 to 20 inches), color (black, pink, maroon, gray, emerald, red), and of course message (up to three letters). I don't know if I'd choose my son or husband's initials or if I'd just go with a word that makes me happy. Like "joy" or "awe." Or "tea" or "ham."

Are we allowed to have Mother's Day wishlists?

{Photo from: coattonline.com}

Three Sisters Jewelry

By Tara

Remember that lingerie shower for my sister that I was stressing out about a couple of weeks ago? Well, that was this past weekend, and I found the perfect thing to get for my sister that wasn't too creepy...

...and then I left it sitting on my dining room table in Georgia when I flew to Indiana.

So that was awesome.

However, while I was up there for the party, my sister gifted me with a beautiful I'm-not-having-a-bridesmaid-at-my-wedding-but-if-I-were-it-would-be-you Megan's Navigation necklace from Three Sisters Jewelry.

The necklace is hand stamped with the airport code for the Dominican Republic, as well as the longitude and latitude of the resort where the wedding will be held, which I think is just such a neat idea. There are also tag options for initials, names, and dates, as well as a whole collection of gorgeous bracelets with similar hand stamped charms.

And after spending some time flipping through the options, I think one of those bracelets just might have to hit my wishlist sometime soon. I mean, Mother's Day is right around the corner, after all, and Steve always LOVES when I make gift suggestions for him...

{photo credit: www.threesistersjewelrydesign.com}

Fingerprint Charm

By Blythe

I have been quietly scoping out mothers' necklaces since my son was born. I would really like something subtle, high quality, and personal. It has to look OK as a single charm, since my son is most likely going to be an only child. Also, I'm really picky about jewelry. 

Did I mention my kid turned five a couple of weeks ago? Yeah. Really picky.

I have finally found a charm that I love. Send a fingerprint and this artist will create a sterling silver engraving with a name and birth date on the back.

Fingerprint Charm by Chris Parry

Chris's Etsy shop is full of clever items, including pretty fingerprint rings, personalized bar code cuff links, and engraved guitar picks. Love.

{photo credit: Chris Parry on Etsy}

Custom Family Tree Print

By Sara

Having just added a new baby to our family and being pretty decided that our family is now complete, I've been searching for a custom family tree print to add to our (future) family gallery wall. There are hundreds of different custom family tree prints available on Etsy and I love so many of them. However, I was looking for something a little more unique than the leaves and branches emerging from the tree trunk. I was also looking for something that could be customized to just our immediate family. I think I found what I was looking for from the adorable shop Cozy Blue:

Custom Family Tree Print, 11 in by 14 in, $30

What I love about this print is the custom stamps used for the parents' names in the middle and the leaves with the kids' names "sprouting" out from the tree stump center. The print comes in a number of different color combinations and you can add as many leaves as you have kids. Love, love, love it.

Silhouettes As/At An Event

By Jessica

We've had several posts on the topic of Silhouettes featured here on Style Lush, already, but did you know that you can actually have a Silhouette artist on site at an event? I didn't until I saw an episode of Tori & Dean sTORIbook Weddings where they had hired artist Karl Johnson  for a Shabby Chic Wedding, to be at the wedding cutting silhouettes of the guests. I am completely smitten with this idea! What a completely amazing keepsake, right?

The idea of hosting an artist at other venues is catching on as well, my sister recently found Cindi Rose, a silhouette artist that was hosting a Mother's Day event at a local children's store. My mother and I both received portraits of my nephew, for Mother's Day, and now we are on the look-out for her next event. The plan is get one done of Sprog so my mom will have a complete set of her grandchildren.

And how fantastic would it be to have a Silhouette Artist at a huge family reunion? I could even see it working for a fundraising or charity event (depending on the cost of the artist, of course).

{image via Country Living}

The Happiest Mom book giveaway winners!

By Leah

Thanks to Meagan Francis and her book The Happiest Mom, three ladies are about to get happier because they just won Style Lush's latest book giveaway.

Congratulations to Moira, Laurs, and Jess! I'll be contacting you today to get your mailing info.

Thanks to everyone who entered, thanks to Meagan Francis for offering three copies of the book to Style Lush readers, and thanks to Amazon, who still has the book on sale for under $10. (Go get one. Seriously.)

"Time" for a Thoughtful Mother's Day Gift (See What I Did There?)

By Rebecca

I have wanted a big wall clock forever. For years I have been pointing them out to my husband and attempting to sell him on the idea of buying one to hang above our mantel.

This year, I was not expecting a gift this Mother's Day at all. We are buying a new house and have been consumed with the paperwork/money/details/appointments/signatures this entails. SO MUCH PAPER! I digress. But on Saturday evening, he came to me and said "I really want to give you your Mother's Day gift right now, but I'm a little nervous because it isn't a personal gift like I usually get you. I know it's something you want, though."

Never one to refuse an early gift, I happily obliged. He had me sit down on the couch and close my eyes. When I opened them, I saw that he had picked out the perfect clock! It was exactly what I had envisioned for the wall.

I guess he thought it wasn't a Mother's Day-esque enough gift because it wasn't jewelry, or a purse, or something that he usually gets me. The man is an excellent gift-giver, I must say. But he had listened and knew this was something I had wanted for a long time. Doesn't get more personal than that!

(Plus, it'll look great in the new house.)

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

{Photo credit: me!}