dressing charlotte

My button down shirt, neglected in recent months.

The theme for this week's Dressing Charlotte is about reworking the button down, a closet staple, into something fresh for spring. I realized on Sunday that button downs haven't gotten much trend love in the past few seasons, and therefore my lonely button down has been stranded on a hanger for far too long.

And with the warmer temperatures coming soon (they are going to come, right?) a button down can be a perfect lightweight, long sleeve option. Below are three easy ways I will be sporting my oxford this season.

The V-neck of this sweater is great for the button down and I love the tone-on-tone combo.

The neck of this raspberry short sleeve sweater is just a smidge too big to
wear alone, but it pairs beautifully with the shirt underneath.

The small ruffle on the oxford collar is adorable paired
with the inset detail on this gray cardigan.

As for accessories with a button down? Stick to earrings, and let the scale match the collar of the shirt.

off the chain update: love from portugal

[Soc Chic Giveaway winners]

Daniela in Lisboa, Portugal wearing her new Jess LC necklace.

I mentioned last month that thanks to our efforts "out and about" on the internet, we have seen a big spike in international Jess LC orders and fans. Most recently we added Australia and Portugal to the list.

We always ask our international customers to take a picture of themselves wearing their new Jess LC jewels in their hometown. Daniela of Lisboa, Portugal was happy to supply us with some amazing photos of her sporting her new Southport Cluster Necklace with a stunning backdrop of land and sea.

All I can say is:

First - Thank you Daniela for the great pictures!

Second - Mind if I come and stay for a while? Lisboa sure beats Chicago this time of year!

Such a cutie!

My view of Lake Michigan doesn't hold a candle to this breathtaking sight.

Thanks again, my dear!

dressing charlotte

For Dressing Charlotte this week I channeled one of the easiest looks I have for going out to dinner in the Loop, or just about anywhere. By layering a cardigan over a halter top I stay warm and look divine. Plus, if I go somewhere else later that night, the cardigan comes off and the look is still chic.

Great halter for going out on the town

Halter + cardigan = dinner and drinks in the winter

Second string halter + cardigan

This look makes accessorizing easy- stay away from necklaces and stick to statement earrings and a great cuff or bracelet. My favorite choices from Jess LC to complete these looks are as follows:

Elm St. Metal Double Circle Earrings

Elm St. Double Diamond Earrings

Addison Three Strand Bracelet with Links

studio 1423: amber + aqua

Take a sneak peek at what we have been cooking up for Studio 1423 this week. Styles will post on Etsy Thursday morning.

If anyone is obsessing over a particular style and want to pre-order, email me at jess@jesslc.com for more details. The long chunky, creamy fossilized reworked vintage one is one-of-a-kind.

UPDATE: Sorry for not making it super clear, these are four separate necklaces layered on Charlotte.

one week - all chic: soc chic giveaway

To kick off the spring Jess LC season in a BIG way, we are doing seven giveaways over the next five days! Our entire line of Soc Chic necklaces (you know, the really popular $40 necklaces that have clever names and help social causes) are up for grabs at seven awesome blogs around the design web.

To win the necklaces, simply comment on the participating blogs' giveaway posts (click images to get directed to the correct posts). On Friday (Mar/6), each blogger will randomly choose a winner for their respective Soc Chic necklace. The winners will be announced on Monday (Mar/9) on each blog individually and all winners names will be posted here on Makeunder My Life as well.

Our NEW ETSY Jewelry Line: Studio 1423

Big news! Busy bees have been buzzing around our jewelry studio the last few weeks getting ready to launch a new sister line for Jess LC, Studio 1423. We named the line Studio 1423 because it's our actual studio number and it sounds like a cool name for a jewelry collection. Don't you think?

our logo, and actual door tag

This new line will be mostly one-of-a-kind designs or limited editions that use lots of color, texture, and fun while still keeping the Jess LC clean lines and "naturally graceful" silhouettes. And the best part is the pieces are budget friendly!

Pink Jade and Gold Necklace

We like to think of these pieces as "mash-ups" like the tunes my part-time girls Gertie and Susie listen to while they work. These necklaces and earrings are made from new, vintage, and reused materials. We plan to update the Etsy store throughout each week and we can even do minor changes to the pieces if you fall in love with a piece, but want some small alterations.

So stay tuned for more designs as we get this little puppy off the ground and let us know which pieces you are loving. Some new Studio 1423 pieces might just inspire future Jess LC designs.

Coral and Gold Necklace

Coral and Gold Earrings

Coral Slice Necklace (only $16!)

dressing charlotte

Attention: This week's Dressing Charlotte actually breaks my own accessory rule. Previously, I have advised women to avoid wearing necklaces with turtlenecks entirely. But if you have seen me around much this winter, you know I have been breaking this rule about four times a month.

Horrid!

Here is the revised rule for 2009: Don't wear short necklaces (or pendant necklaces in general) with turtlenecks or strapless tops. When I look at Charlotte (above), her short necklace reminds me of a second grade Halloween story about a woman who wore a ribbon around her neck everyday, so that her head did not fall off (somehow didn't seem scary at the time). Visually, the short necklace cuts off the neck at an awkward spot and looks generally claustrophobic.

A better choice is to ditch the necklace entirely and stick to stud earrings with hair pulled back for a sleek look. Or go for a softer feel with hair down and loose with larger earrings or hoops. These are two fail-safe ways to look polished without trying.

Yum!

However, for those that want to bend the rules without looking like a scary story character, try long necklaces sans pendants. The three layering necklaces above (I am still wearing them almost everyday as a trio) visually open up the neck and chest providing balance for the narrow neck.

Delicious!

Another option is two longer graduated necklaces (or one long necklace looped twice) like this vintage necklace from our brand new Etsy Studio 1423 Collection (more details coming soon!).

So grab those turtlenecks and get some great new looks while the cold weather lasts.

intentional obsession: big watch

My new Intentional Obsession is an oversize watch. Currently, I don't wear a watch and substitute my cell phone as a timepiece. But with summer approaching, I am thinking of a watch as more a piece of jewelry or standout accessory than a functional object. Function follows form, if you will.

I have narrowed down the options, and finally laid to rest a nagging wish for this expensive Coach watch. I even shock myself when I say that my new favorite watches are from Fossil. Memories of chunky silver (cheesy) watches from high school definitely dampen my enthusiasm for the brand. But I cannot argue with good design, and these watches are the right blend of style and value for my Intentional Obsession.

So now it is time to vote! Which watch is the best choice?

Watch #1
Watch #2
Watch #3
Watch #4

post its: a few blogs that caught my eye

This week's Post Its are a bit eclectic, just they way they should be. Enjoy!

A Link Love post I made for Dolan Geiman's blog which reveals my inspiration for the next Jess LC collection.

Because of this before and after I am going thrift shopping this weekend.

The new recycled wine glasses I am coveting. Beautiful.

A great blog I wandered into.

Contemplating this blog makeover company for my site.

25 random details about my organic designer friend, Kristin Hassan, of Organik Revolution.

The easiest and cheapest wall treatment. Ever.

I am determined to make this treat of the week recipe soon.




[photo from Abby Tries Again]

dressing charlotte: silk scarves and sweaters

This week's Dressing Charlotte is a look I created for myself using my Grandma's vintage silk scarves. When she passed away, I inherited a handful of these great accessories. I am not sure how often she wore them, or what era they are from (1960's or 1970's?). But the same look can be achieved with new square scarves tied in a simple knot at the back of the neck. Think Jesse James meets Jackie O.

In the summer I like to pair t-shirts with the scarves, a straight jean skirt, and ballet flats. And dark skinny jeans tucked into brown leather boots looks polished with the shirt/scarf combo in winter.


As for accessorizing a look like this, keep jewelry simple above the scarf. Great button earrings, studs, or these little cuties are perfect. Then add some color to the hands with either a great cocktail ring or bracelet like the one below.

Armitage Simple Link Earrings

dressing charlotte

Meet Charlotte. She's the newest member of the Jess LC team. She's blonde. She's skinny. She doesn't say much. But boy does she sure look cute wearing my clothes. As a jewelry designer, people often ask me what jewelry I like to personally wear. My hope is to use this new recurring segment, Dressing Charlotte, to answer that question once a week.
Over the past two months my favorite thing to wear is a t-shirt, 3/4 length cardigan, and three of our Jess LC Rush St Long Layering necklaces. The look is polished, simple, and comfortable. And the best part is, for those who don't happen to own three Rush St Layering necklaces (yet), layering similar long necklaces in both gold and silver will achieve a similar look.

Like the look?

end of the week exfoliation: broken boots

You would think that someone who is interested in living simply would fix or throw away boots with a broken zipper. But strangely, that has not been the case for me and my tall brown boots.

These questionably faux leather boots were my "go to" shoe of winter, 2007. I wore them daily until the left boot's zipper broke last March. I kept them around because I planned on taking them to the cobbler (There are still cobblers, right? It sounds way cooler than "shoe repairman.") and wear them this winter. But I never repaired them. They have sat on a shelf looking down at me- pleading to be fixed and employed again.

Looking at these boots now, I realize I don't like them. Given the opportunity, I wouldn't buy them- and if that is the case, why should I fix and wear them? Time to walk on.

design crush: Rebecca Minkoff

It's hard to say whether Rebecca Minkoff is considered a "popular" designer. On the one hand most of the tabloid celebrities are photographed with their Minkoff handbags, and she has a strong, devoted (read: cult-like) following. But on the other hand, though I have had a design crush on her styles for about a two years now, very few of my friends, design industry related or otherwise, seem to know she exists. Which is a shame. Because she certainly exists and has absoultely amazing handbags. So here are a few of my favorites:
And this one:
And here is my very own navy Mini Morning After Bag.
You can check out their new photo shoot on You Tube. Adorable.