Chokers are a seriously hot trend right now, and it’s no surprise – chokers have long been considered high fashion since the mid-19th century, and always seem to resurface on the trend radar every few decades. They are super versatile and can be found in many styles – from vintage to Goth to boho-chic, dainty to thick – and can be made out of many different materials, from velvet to lace to beads, or can be wrought in silver, gold, and other metals.   There is a choker out there to go with any outfit for any occasion. But what is so magical about this seemingly simple concept for an accessory that has made it endure for a over a hundred years?!

Cue history lesson…taking place in lush royal palaces and fine theaters…

Chokers became a widespread phenomenon after Queen Alexandra of Denmark was always seen wearing a choker to cover a small scar on her neck. There’s practical high fashion for you! But the point is, chokers started with royalty, and royalty inspires elegance, sophistication, and decadence. Naturally, to emulate these characteristics they held so dear, the upper classes began to wear chokers too, starting with simple bright ribbons, then evolving to include intricate beadwork. Chokers even became a trend among ballerinas dancing the most popular ballets in the late 19th century. Let’s face it – perhaps we love chokers so much because they highlight one of our most feminine and alluring features – the neck!

Luckily, today chokers are not so steeped in these aforementioned themes. They’re just fun! Chokers can be used to project any vibe you’re feeling: royal, flirtatious, forbidden, boho, or beautiful. Whichever story you want to tell the world about yourself, a choker is the perfect accessory. Experiment and change it up by trying different styles with different outfits! Above all, wear what tells your story, and what makes you feel unique and beautiful – that’s what the choker is all about!

Come in and let us help you try on our many different styles of chokers by Chan Luu, Kendra Scott and VSA, to find out a perfect look just for you!

We hope that we inspired YOU!

XO

Inspire Me!

written by Kelsea King

Dear Graduating Daughters, Granddaughters, Nieces, and Friends,

I am a dress, that symbol of classic femininity, grace, and all things lovely. As a dress, my appearance and style has changed and evolved a lot over the years, but I am still designed to accomplish the same monumental task: I turn girls into women, and something so much more. I will do this for you too, today, on your graduation day.

How time has flown by! You are a woman now, no longer a girl playing dress-up with her mother’s pretty things. Now you have your own pretty things–your own high heels, a closet full of clothes, makeup, and jewelry.  And you have me–your new graduation dress that shows off your beautiful style and timeless elegance. I am so glad you picked me! I fit you just right, and help highlight all that makes you you–your beauty, your individuality, your sweetness and sophistication.

Dress by Fifteen Twenty, Earrings by Lenora Dame, Wrap Bracelet by Chan Luu and Pink Clutch by ShiraLeah

In the coming years, you will have many occasions to wear a dress: dinners, showers, parties, your wedding. You will choose those dresses as carefully as you chose me, making sure it is the right color and cut, has just the right amount of detail, and shows off your best features as only a dress can do. But you will always remember the dress you wore on your graduation day.  I don’t mind that you must hide me with your cap and gown. Today is not so much about how I look, but how I make you feel. You have accomplished so much, and today you should feel confident, proud, and strong. Don’t worry, your dress will be there with you, close to your heart, every step of the way across that stage. And once we take that walk, you will be ready to take on the world. You can do anything! Be beautiful, be brave, and dress to impress. Most of all, be inspiring.

Love and congratulations from,

Your Inspire Me! Graduation Dress

We hope that we inspired you!!!

written by Kelsea King, model is Brittany Krugh

Dress by Taylor,  Earrings, Necklace and Bracelets by Rachel Marie Designs, Purse by Brighton

Dress by Taylor, Pearl Bracelet/Necklace by Bittersweet Designs, Earrings by Chan Luu

What exactly is a skort? It could most simply be described as a piece that looks like a skirt from the front, and a pair of shorts from the back. Wikipedia says that the skort was invented by Montgomery Ward in 1959. Originally this piece was made up of a skirt with a pair of attached bloomers. Attractive, right? The skort was invented to give us ladies more freedom of movement to do activities such as gardening, cycling, and cleaning while still maintaining a feminine look. Eventually, the skort evolved along with women’s fashion into the piece we know and love today: a pair of shorts with a piece of fabric across the front or all around.

It may be one of those slightly intimidating pieces that looks cute on the hanger but you find yourself, perhaps half-frantically, asking, “How do I wear a skort?” “What do I wear a skort with?” “How do I style a skort?” The answer is, however you want! Make it individual. Here, Brittany makes it look easy in our jacquard skort by Cupcakes and Cashmere and striped crop top by Jack by BB Dakota. We dressed it up by adding a sparkling crystal bracelet by Chan Luu, heels by Calvin Klein, and a cute clutch by Brighton. She looks fearless and bold. It is her statement piece, saying, “I am ultra-chic, fresh, and edgy.”

What about here? In this photo, the skort lends a Romanticism. An elegance. She is effortlessly girly. Sophisticated and classy. Graceful.

A skort- or any piece-can be whatever you want, even seemingly opposite things: edgy and classic, bold and elegant, Romantic and fresh. What a skort can do is a many-layered thing.  Perhaps that is truly what style is:  creating a complex, many-layered story of your own authorship. So choose the skort with the bold pattern, the bright color, the textured material; pair it with a crop top, a button-up, your favorite tank; dress it up or down–just make it yours.

Your wardrobe is your story to the world; make sure it’s an inspiring one!

xoxo

Written by Kelsea King

There is so much to be thankful this past year, it is always a time to enjoy our families and friends and feel the energy of this beautiful season! Here are some wonderful suggestions of what to wear to get you in the mood and energized to go out and ring in the New Year!

Pom Pom hats by Avanti are a MUST this season!  On the left, Emily is wearing a black one with a sequined top by Chaudry and pants by Whitney Eve and a tassel cross necklace by Zacasha.  On the right, Sarah is wearing a white hat with a polka dot top by Zelda, leather inset pants by BCBG, a skinny tassel scarf by Chan Luu and a tassel bracelet by Rosa Gonzales.

We like mixing up different collections of jewelry together to give a unique look like these beautiful chandelier earrings by Johnny Loves Rosie, X ring by Iishi Designs and bracelets by Rachel Marie Designs.

Add a splash of color with this cute cropped beaded floral top by Weston Wear.

Another beautiful necklace by Rachel Marie Design.

Every woman should have sequins and over the knee boots this season!

We are obsessed with the layers of gorgeous necklaces by Chicago jewelry designer Dana Reed shown beautifully on Emily here.

This darling sequined Mini dress by Red 23 is perfect dress to go dancing the night away on New Years in!

The sequins shade of this cute short sleeved sequined top by Weston Wear can be brushed up and down and has a matching cardigan available too!

Add a little more shimmer with these gorgeous earrings by Dame Design and stack of tassel bracelets by Rosa Gonzales.

Animal prints and sequins are so so beautiful together especially on these girls wearing some of our favorite designers.

Here Sarah is wearing a short sleeve, black and white animal print reversible dress by Weston Wear.

Our always popular Chan Luu jewelry shines with this unique bracelet and necklace combination and our mini metallic clutch.

Rachel Marie Designs large earring studs and crystal cuff ring by Iishi Designs complete Sarah’s look.

This stunning jacket from Biya by Johnny Was is the ultimate party piece!  Worn with jeans or dress pants, this jacket will make a statement.

Add a vintage feel necklace by Rachel Marie Designs and chandelier earrings by Johnny Loves Rosie and you will be ready to ring in the New Year!

Happiest of New Years in 2016 everyone!

xo

Jeanne

Our amazing Photography was done by Brooke from Ashley Beige Photography and our gorgeous and talented models are Emily Sroda and Sarah Bader.