Inspired by Work

I am lucky.  I am working two jobs that truly inspire me.  Did I ever think that I would ever be working retail in any capacity?  No.  I have a degree in Biology from The University of Georgia aka: the Harvard of the south.  I worked my butt off for that degree.  Did Biology inspire me? You bet!  It's so interesting to learn about life, literally, the word, biology, directly translates into "the study of life".  Upon graduation, however, reality hit and I realized that finding a career that directly relates to my major right away is not exactly easy or feasible or even my desire.  I worked in sales and then casual dining before relocating to Chicago.  I decided to come to Chicago and actually pursue what it is that makes me excited, inspired, and happy.  I started by working as a stylist assistant for a Chicago-based stylist that I found online before moving to Chicago.  I had the most amazing experience with said stylist.  She was very patient and helpful and actually gave me my first paid-gig in Chicago and gave me my first experience of being on a set of a national Miller Lite ad campaign!  After that experience I have a little bit of reserve because I realize that styling is not all "Rachel Zoe" all of the time.  A stylist is not always working with haute couture designers. Often times stylists are shopping at the same stores for their assignments as us "Regular Joes" can afford to shop such as H and M, Forever 21, Zara, Old Navy, Banana Republic, GAP, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, etc.  Is there anything wrong with that? No.  But I guess in my head (and on the reality TV screen) I had expected to be going to Louis Vuitton and Versace and doing "pulls" for the shoots.  Not so.  As corny as this sounds I really do feel that I have a passion for fashion and am very imaginative when it comes to trying to pull together higher-end looks from thrift-store finds (or just urban-youngster looks from thrift-store finds).

I headed to Wicker Park again today and did some more shopping at the Ark thrift store and Buffalo Exchange.  I also made a stop to Free People and drooled all over myself as I tried on peasant skirts with embroidered patterns and doily-like designs.  It reminded me of a few pieces of clothing or leotards that I had in the early 90s.  Unfortunately, I had to put the too-long-for-5'4"-skirts down and exit the store before I tricked myself into buying something off the sale rack or using my Urban employee discount (this is dangerous).
But I ended up with some pretty fabulous pieces again!  I love thrifting.  It feels so good to find a few good deals on a couple cute pieces!

Why yes, this is a Missoni for Target dress with the tags still attached!

 

 Showing off calf-muscle?  Yes please!

Sweater-Guess  Dress-Missoni for Target   Boots-Chinese Laundry

 On left: Arche genuine leather booties made in Paris On Right: Steve Madden patent leather black flats (you can never have too many pairs of these- this is my second pair)

 Clothes for work at much cheaper than even Wal-Mart prices and a lot more fitted.

 Burnt-orange/red corduroys are all the rage at work at Anthropologie and I just happened upon a much cheaper pair of my own today and still as comfortable- these will go great with my new Chinese Laundry boots!

Knitted and Knotted sweater- a brand that we sell at Anthro- gorgeous green holiday color.  Perhaps worn with the cords?  I haven't decided yet.

And because it's Cyber Monday and because I just couldn't resist, I had to take advantage of the Beautymint $20.00 off my first customized skincare order.  I ordered the five-piece set to get the full experience.  I love skincare and beauty- and hence, will love my second job- YAY!  Reviews of my customized regimen and the results will be blogged about as soon as I try the products.  I am so excited to try them and to share the results with you!

Oh Jessica.  You could sell me poo and I would buy it. :-)  Plus, I seem to be addicted to the "mints". I just haven't been able to get behind the Stylemint yet- seems like simple tees to me- maybe someone will change my mind.

Happy Cyber Monday everyone.  What did you buy online today?

The moral of this post is: find inspiration in your work whatever it may be and be creative!  Don't just buy right off of the mannequin all of the time.  Save money and shop thrift!

Love,

Claire xoxox

Jewelmint Jewel-of-the-Month Obsession

Happy November everyone!  The past few months since I have graduated college have brought many changes in my life.  I have started two different jobs and decided that they weren't for me as well as moved to the beautiful city of Chicago to finally be with my boyfriend of two years.  Two different jobs and a move in five months sounds like a lot but honestly I couldn't have been more ready for each of the decisions that I have made.  I've been thinking a lot about my life lately and the choices that I've made and the journey that I've had during my twenty-something years.  I realized that the things that I have enjoyed during my life have often-times turned into obsessions and I have been fanatic about certain things.  For example, I couldn't just have one Hello Kitty sticker book growing up, I had to collect them all and then never even use the stickers because I was "saving" them for a better occasion.  I couldn't just go to a play, I had to know every word to every song in Wicked and own the Grimoire book and obsess over the pictures and the actors.  I couldn't just love Jessica Simpson and have a couple songs, I collected each one of her albums and listened to her constantly, imagining that I was on stage singing her songs to my friends and family.  I can't just watch The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo, I have to move to Chicago and work as a stylist assistant and play "Claire Zoe" for a day.  I'm sure that you get the picture by now.  I like what I like and I can't help it.


Moving to Chicago brought the challenge of finding a new job that I would enjoy in this tough economy.  So far, I have found a part-time position as a Brand Ambassador with Jewelmint.  And, as with other endeavors in my life, I have become hooked!  I am obsessed with Jewelmint.  For those of you who don't know, as I didn't when I first started, Jewelmint is an extension of Beachmint, a company in San Diego started by the founder of Myspace.  Beachmint is the umbrella company over the brands, Stylemint, Jewelmint, Beautymint, and Shoemint.  These brands represent the designs of celebrities Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter, Jessica Simpson, and Rachel Bilson respectively.

(I do not own this image)

(I do not own this image)

(I do not own this image)

Jewelmint is the equivalent of Kim Kardashian's Shoe Dazzle or Kimora Lee Simmons' Just Fabulous or a wine-of-the-month club except for instead of shoes, the of-the-month product is fabulous jewelry designed by Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter.  I was skeptical at first- does this mean that I'd have to spend $29.99 every month, because, frankly, in this economy, I couldn't do that.  But what I discovered is this is not a scheme, you can skip whatever month you can't afford to buy and you can actually purchase whatever piece you want to- not just what is in your "showroom".  This makes perfect sense to me!  Tell me what you think I'll like and then give me access to everything you've got!


Currently I'm obsessed with the "Victorian Charmer Necklace".  I think it has a vintage-charm and a simple elegance to it.  As with all of Jewelmint's pieces, the necklaces are unique and are, in my opinion, unlike most any piece of jewelry that you will see in the department stores.  Here is a picture of the Victorian Charmer Necklace that I took off of jewelmint.com:

(Image from jewelmint.com)

As a new Mint Brand Ambassador I have had the opportunity to sell Jewelmint pieces at Chicago's Latino Fashion Week and I watched as some of the most interesting and fashion-forward women of Chicago took the Jewelmint Style Quiz online and purchased their first Jewelmint pieces with much excitement.  It is clear to me that Jewelmint and the other Beachmint brands are the new "things" to watch.  With the brand-new launch of Jessica Simpson's Beautymint skincare system and Rachel Bilson's Holiday 2011 launch of Shoemint, there are only good vibes on the horizon for Beachmint as a whole.  I hope you are as excited as I am to see what is on the horizon!  In the meantime, visit jewelmint.com and take the style quiz to get your showroom selections sent to your email absolutely free.  And, if you decide to purchase your first unforgettable piece, take this little gift from me to you and use the discount code: chicago89 to get 50% off.  You'll thank me later when you receive your first piece of Jewelmint treasure!  What is your favorite style in your Jewelmint "showroom"?  What was the first piece that you purchased?  Who's brand are you most excited about?  Tell me about it in the comments!

Love, xoxo


Claire 

*Note: All images were "Googled" images- I do not own these images.  All jewelery pictures are from jewelmint.com.