My First Jewelmint Piece

Happy New Year fellow fashion and beauty gurus!  I wanted to kick off my first blog post (much overdue I know and I apologize!) of the year with a YouTube video!  As you know from my previous posts, I am a huge fan of Jewlmint jewelry.  I got my first piece, the coveted "Victorian Charmer" necklaces.  I love them and I receive many compliments on them and I wanted to share my piece with you.  I realize the video is very amateur and that my camera cut me off on the end, but the product is what's really important.  I love my 14K Gold- plated VC necklaces!  Enjoy.

xoxoxo Claire

P.S. Promo Code: chicago89 will give you 50% off of your first Jewelmint piece.  What piece do you like the best this month?  Let me know in the comments below!

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

Things I'm Ridiculously Excited About Episode #2

I've only worked a total of 4 shifts (one shift involving solely training hours) and I have already found something that I just can't live without any longer.  I'm in deep doo doo.  I will preface this with the fact that I find horses beautiful and magestic creatures but that I have never myself owned or wished to own a "pony" not even as a little girl.  Not sure why I felt I had to clarify but... Look for yourself:

Anthropologie you dirty rat.  You are trying to steal all of my earnings!  I'm telling you, it might not look too amazing on the form, but in person and layered under a coat and scarf this sweater is just the sweetest and most feminine thing! I've seen it on a couple of my coworkers and apparently half of our staff already owns it. I tried it on in the fitting room today.  The very last size extra small was hanging up to be brought back on to the floor and I took a second to try it on.  It felt warm and fuzzy and not scratchy and wool-like at all. I'd love to pair this sweater with my new fuzzy black weatherproof boots for a winter stroll or out to coffee with friends.


*SIGH* Maybe it'll go on sale soon.
Here's hoping that you get the piece of your dreams from your recent "wish list".

Love,
Claire xoxox