Moving...Forward

Okay, it's been a bit crazy of late - getting ready for our much anticipated trip to our soon-to-be-new-home/city. Yes, I'm moving. Bye-bye beloved San Francisco. Hello, Toronto. Burrrr...as I understand it, there's actually snow there and it's not even a ski town. Even as a former east coaster, this is a bit tough to adjust to after more than a decade of perpetual fog..., I mean moderate weather.

I may just need to borrow this coat...

Photo courtesy of Atlantic-Pacific
Loving how a soft leather jacket is layered beneath an overcoat.
I may need to steal this idea for my upcoming trip...

But everything is still moving full steam ahead! The trunk show event has been finalized for March 23rd and Robert and Aston of Limestone Films will be my house guests(!) and attending to film the entire event. I feel like we're friends already!

Robert and Aston of Limestone Films
The friendliest couple I will soon have the pleasure of meeting. They will be capturing the heart of Jay + Renae on film and bringing it to life. 

I've also been working on a whole new collection to be photographed by the talented Clarissa Schneider. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at me working out the details...

Putting together the hand stamped charm necklace collection.
Finally! This collection has been on the sketch pad for nearly a year now so I'm really excited to finally include it in the Jay + Renae collection. 

Mixing gold with silver to add a layer of interest and versatility.
This new hand stamped charm collection will include the ability to customize and personalize your very own necklace. Look out for photos of the completed pieces in an upcoming post...

I hope you've enjoyed this update. Thanks for taking this journey with me. Let me know what you think of the new collection...leave your comments below!

Until next time...

xoxo

Fashion Tip of the Week

This tip of the week comes straight from InStyle.com. It's a rule I abide by whenever I shop for the perfect (aka comfortable) pair of jeans!

Image courtesy of InStyle.com

In Style says...Know your stretch.

The secret formula for a soft but formfitting T? 95% cotton, 5% Lycra spandex. For jeans to hold their shape, they need at least 2% Lycra

Here's to a fun and stylish weekend!

xoxo

Jay + Renae

Color Me Peach and Red: An Ode to Valentine's Day

As a child I used to love Valentine's Day. It was a day filled with red and pink hearts, lacy dollies, and be mine, you're special, xoxo embossed candies. Hard to dislike such a sweet and lovie day.

That is until you have the misfortune of graduating into adulthood. Valentine's Day, in the land of adulthood, has gotten a bit of a bad rap. And I understand.

But this year, I've decided to dip into my childhood memories and bring a sense of fun and joy back into this day. And nothing sets the mood faster than the perfect outfit!

Welcome the Valentine's ensemble: pale peach over bright tomato red. All anchored by a touch of black, brown and peach tweed. Bright red has been all the rage the past couple seasons and I must confess, I'm a bit of a fan. And I love the fresh mix of red with unexpected peach or nude. 

My Ode to Valentine's Day
Peach blouse: old from H&M similar here, Red Pants: Gap similar here, Tweed Jacket: old from Club Monaco, Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Peach and Black Tipped Flats: Me Too
These are my absolute favorite flats...comfy with elastic trim all around the top for  perfect flexibility. And they actually stay on my feet (unlike most flats)!

Going from Day to Evening made easy with a quick change of accessories...
Pyrite Wrap Bracelet / Necklace: Jay + Renae, Clutch: a thrift store find, Sling Backs: old from Stuart Weitzman

Tell me, how do you make your Valentine's Day a bit brighter? Have a favorite outfit to share? Submit it at jayandrenae at gmail dot com and have it posted here!


Until next time, Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxo

Fashion Tip of the Week

This week's Fashion Tip is: Turn those babies inside out!

Picture this. After much angst in front of horribly unflattering dressing room mirrors, you find the perfect pair of washable black pants (that translates in my book as black legging jeans). They cling to you in all the right places and drape forgivingly in all those not so smooth places. They also do a nice job of hugging your tush just right.

And they're the perfect shade of rich black.

So let's keep them that way! We don't want to repeat all that angst-ing any sooner than absolutely necessary, do we?

When it's time to wash those trusty favorite black pants (or any dark colored clothing for that matter), turn those babies inside out! Wash in cold and hang dry. Fluff in the dryer (great time to snag your trusty spray bottle) for 7-10 minutes on the lowest setting possible that still gives out a little heat. And whamo! You've just lengthened the life of those pants by 100%! (At least in terms of you wearing them as your favorite pants verses "these ratty old things"). Now that's money in the bank and more time spent strutting and less time angst-ing.

Have a tip you'd like to share of your own? Leave them in the comment section below - I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time...may you strut through the weekend in style!

xoxo                  



 

This Film Says It All...

Thanks for the feedback about Clarissa's photography (that I'm so in love with!) both here on the blog and via emails. I love getting your take on things so keep the comments coming!

I have another discovery that I want to share with you - the amazing and incredibly talented filmmakers of Limestone Films! Robert and Aston have the rare talent for capturing the true heart of a story - any story, and I want them to bring my company mission to life on film at THE trunk show on March 23rd. This film will be used on my website to introduce visitors/shoppers to both my company mission and serve as an example of an in-home trunk show. So this is essentially the key element to the successful launch of Jay + Renae...A Modern Collective!

Once I get the green light from the ever gracious trunk show hostess, I will be flying them in from Tennessee and hosting them in my home for the duration of their stay. I'm both excited and nervous by the prospect of it all!

Here is the film that convinced me that Robert and Aston were the perfect choice for the job:

Brittany and Jimmy: A Bavarian Adventure by Limestone Films

If you don't tear up at least once, it just means that you need to watch it again. I did, and I cried both times.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you so leave a comment here and share your thoughts with me!

oxox

Found: The Perfect Photographer

So I've been on the search for the perfect photographer...

Of course, perfect is rather subjective so what I really mean is that I'm looking for someone whose style and sensibility are a perfect match to mine!

Believe it or not, I found her...and she only lives in Colorado.

No matter, it's easy enough to ship, and converse via email, phone etc... far easier than finding another perfect photographer.

Here are some samples of her work which she did for another jewelry designer whom I admire very much.

Photo courtesy of colby june
Photos by Clarissa Schneider

Photo courtesy of colby june
Photos by Clarissa Schneider 

Photo courtesy of colby june
Photos by Clarissa Schneider 

Photo courtesy of colby june
Photos by Clarissa Schneider

We're still hammering out the details but I'm very excited by the idea of working with someone so talented. I love the soft feminine sensibility that comes through each photograph. And while Jay + Renae has a completely different look, I love the idea of adding organic natural elements and counter balancing it with a bit of urbanness  - in a word, the perfect representation of Jay + Renae!

Let me know what you think of Clarissa's work!

Fashion Tip of the Week

I've decided that Fridays are the perfect days for my Tip of the Week post. After a busy week of work and play, it's time to wind down. The weekend is just around the corner - a perfect time to try out a new trick before another week starts and the craziness begins all over again.

This week's little Fashion Tip is: Use a Spray Bottle.

Instead of an iron that is. So picture this. You're getting dressed and the shirt that you thought you had hung neatly in the closet is actually found under a pile of clothes that you promised yourself that you'd take care of, oh just a couple of weeks ago. You have only 10 minutes to finish getting dressed, pack your son's lunch, put your face on and change a poopy diaper. So you pull out the iron and ironing board...not!

Enter your trusty spray bottle. Mist that wrinkled mess of a shirt down with a little water and pop it into the dryer on the lowest setting (but not the air fluff - you need just a touch of heat). 5-7 minutes later while you blaze around completing the rest of your morning routine on warp speed - presto! You have a wrinkle-free shirt, hot out of the oven (dryer). Of course it will never have the precise smooth flatness of an ironed shirt, but who wants to look like a stiff board anyways?

This trick works for all manners of things - pants, cashmere sweaters, jeans (great for those stretched out pairs that you want to get one more wear out of before throwing them in the wash!) and of course any shirt of your choice.

If you haven't tried this already, prepare for an easier life - at least where ironing is concerned. Let me know what you think and share your own fashion tip with me in the comment section below!

Until next time - may you have a stylish and wrinkle-free weekend!

xoxo

Jay + Renae

The Pocket Stylist

So I promised "How To" tips and I am here to deliver! Introducing my long standing style bible:
The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr.

My personal style bible.
Find it here.

Be warned: this book is not for the faint of heart. If you dread taking an honest look at yourself (naked is not completely necessary, a pair of skivvies will do just fine) or your closet, then it's best that we bid each other farewell and part as friends. Because this book is all about getting down to the nitty gritty of personal style. You won't see any fashion fluff here. And I for one am all about getting the lowdown on creating a sense of true personal style. If this sounds like you, then read on!

Here's what you can expect.

• A comprehensive breakdown of style options for different body types with a simple way to identify your own body type.
• How to shop like a pro stylist using tricks and tips that Kendall Farr personally uses to style the most fashionable of celebrities and fashion magazine shoots. 
• A list of must-have basics that no closet should be without.
• How to customize a fit to work with your unique silhouette.
• How to work current trends into your existing wardrobe.
• Finding the right underpinnings to make everything fit and look the way you want it to.
• And of course, how to accessorize to create a truly personalized look. 

And all this comes straight from a pro stylist who has worked in the industry for nearly twenty years (more now, since this book's been out for a while now). You can check out her style blog here. She has styled the likes of celebrities, magazines, ad campaigns and private clients. But most importantly, she actually cares about each person looking her best, regardless of the label she's wearing or how trend-on her outfit is. She brings her years of experience in the field working with numerous clients to breakdown fashion and style in a way that is truly approachable for the everyday woman. Thanks be.

. 

I hope you glean some helpful tips from this book. I'd love to get your feedback. Let me know what insights you discover about yourself while reading it - I think you may be surprised (I certainly was)!

Until next time!

xoxo

Jay + Renae