Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Hump Day, and Happy Cinco De Mayo?  Is anyone heading out to a Mexican restaurant tonight for some chips, salsa, guac and margs?  If you do, dress yourself in style!  Be colorful and spice up an outfit with pops of color.  Just because it is Cinco De Mayo, doesn't mean you need to don a sombrero and a burlap sack.  You can be just as festive with pops of color and a skinny girl margarita in your hand!  Laugh, have fun, say hola and muchas gracias, and look good while doing it!

Today, on Luckybreaksonline.com, you can find our La Jolla Dress (black with a gorge side ruffle).  Perfect for tonight and for those nights you spend dancing til 2am!  Originally, the dress retails for $115, but with a little luck, and the promo code "lucky4", you can have the La Jolla dress for 40% off the retail price.  Gotta love a Lucky Deal!

Costume Institute Gala 2010

Last night the star's graced the red carpet in New York, while coming out to celebrate the 2010 Costume Institute Gala.  There was plenty of leg (we're looking at you Gisele and Blake), and plenty of neutral tones dresses along the lines of gold and creams (Biel, Parker and Hudson).  As always, there were hits, misses and oy vey's.  Here are our highlights, from our favorites to our least favorites.  And here we go....

Best Dressed Nominee: Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston Heritage

Parker looks stunning and fashionable (per usual) in her Halston gown.  Her bronze tan offsets the champagne color of the dress, and the pleating is gorgeous.  The flower is a nice added accent to the entire ensemble.  She looked ethereal and similar to a mermaid washed up on shore.  Kudos, SJP.

Best Dressed Nominee: Blake Lively in Marchesa

The leggy 20-something blonde is one of the only stars who can pull of this micro-minidress.  Lively does it, and does it well.  She has perfected the slicked back, just-came-out-of-the-pool look, and honestly, she looks sexy and classy.  Quite a feat.  Although her dress is short, her gams are toned and tanned, and the girl looks hot.  The ruffles on the dress remind me of coral reef, which goes well with her hair.  Lively continues to turn heads and make fashion statements on ever red carpet she appears.  Fashionable, indeed.

Best Dressed Nominee: Gisele Bundchen in Alexander Wang

Another leggy blonde, but this time, an actual supermodel.  Gisele can literally wear a paper bag and people would ask where she got it.  Her body is banging, and this fashion risk turns out to be a fashion hit.  The black leather and the fringe are edgy, and when she is paired with her hunk of a hubby, Tom Brady, the two look so perfect together, its magical.

Best Dressed Nominee: Emma Watson in Burberry

This fresh-faced star looks peaceful in her white one-shouldered Burberry gown.  She certainly has made a name for herself, not only in the Harry Potter films, but also as the face of the new Burberry campaigns.  Yes, the same ones I fawn over for their gorgeous grecian-inspired pieces and the puff-sleeved lavender trench.  Watson is someone to be watched in the future, as she shows her fashionable self at launches, premieres and events.

Best Dressed Nominee: Sienna Miller in Emilio Pucci

 At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this dress, but it's her sparkly eyes and adorable look that make me love it.  Sienna is always pushing buttons and making people wonder what she's thinking with her off-beat fashion style.  I love the plunging neckline, probably because I can never pull it off, and how her hair is a little messy and a little styled.  The entire look works, and to top it off, she's back on the arm of Jude Law!

Honorable Mentions:

A little off, but I weirdly like Chloe Sevigny's Proezna Schouler modest dress.

Kerry Washington looking absolutely flawless in a red Thakoon for Gap asymmetrical gown.

Hudson revealing plenty of leg and (new boobs?) in a Blush colored Stella McCartney gown.

Not quite right...

Looking more light a highlighter than a fashion statement, Katy Perry doesn't quite hit it as she shows up in a CuteCircuit gown.

She could have done better than this!  Carey Mulligan goes for a too-casual look in Miu Miu.

Ruffles and the bow...not the best.  Rosario Dawson fails in Giambattista Valli.

What does January Jones think she is?  Part super hero (gloves and heavy eye make-up) and half iron gate, this look was not the talk of the carpet.

Weekend Recap & Intermezzo

If you're in the New York area, stop by the Intermezzo trade show!  JLee Silver will be there under the Susan Greenstadt Showroom.  May 3rd-May 5th...come see us!

StyleChicago.com's FashionChicago 2010 event was a huge success.  Thanks to everyone who came out to support JLee Silver.  We had three racks of clothing from Spring 2010 and Fall 2009, and we found some new loyal customers.  We munched on sushi appetizers, sipped SmartWater and Fuze drinks, and danced to the Dj's tunes.  It was a great spring night, and fashion was in the air.

If you're looking for a place to purchase your next JLee Silver pieces, look no further than the Gold Coast.  Head to Sofia Vintage on 72 East Oak Street for JLee and an eclectic mix of vintage finds from the girls at Sofia.

Check out this great article write-up about JLee Silver on Lady and the Blog.
http://www.ladyandtheblog.com/index.php/2010/04/26/jlee-silver-offers-chic-comfort-and-ease/

Grand Opening of Sofia Vintage!

Today is the grand opening of the highly anticipated Sofia Vintage.  Although the store has been open for years, they have just moved from their North Clark location, to the prestigious Oak Street, among neighbors like Prada, Hermes, YSL and Barney's.  Their new location should surely bring them greater success.  The shopping mavens come out to Oak Street, and with a fantastic store like Sofia, they won't need to travel much further.  A few short weeks ago, Nicole Richie was in town promoting her Winter Kate line, and she made a pit-stop at Sofia before they were even open.  Sofia plans to carry House of Harlow, among other designers like JLee Silver (spoken like a proud mother), and a wide array of key vintage finds.  The opening party should be lots of fun and bring out a posh crowd, mixed in with the local celebrities.  While perusing the Sofia finds, guests will sip on cocktails provided by Three-O Vodka and light bites from Rockit Ranch Productions,  all while listening to the sounds of DJ Stonerokk.  All I know is that my mind (and eyes) will be on the intricate vintage dresses and skirts that I plan to complete my summer wardrobe with, while frolicking around town sipping on my iced tea. 

Sofia Vintage:  http://www.sofiavintage.com/

Intermezzo!

The big ENK tradeshow, Intermezzo, is taking place in a few short days, which means that this office is crazy town!  We need to tag, organize, pack boxes and just be super prepared in general!  The best of the best will be there, which means we need to be prepared and on our game (as if we aren't already).  The show runs from Monday, May 3rd through Wednesday, May 5th at the Show Piers in NYC.  Cannot wait to get out East and show everyone what we have in store for Fall 2010.  The collection is downright gorgeous, and it is definitely a different approach to the JLee Silver collection.  Stunning coats will be gracing the racks, along with dresses in woven fabrics and materials alike.  You won't want to miss this extravagant collection!

StyleChicago.com FashionChicago2010

On Thursday, April 29th 2010, StyleChicago.com will be hosting its annual FashionChicago 2010 event at 233  W. Huron (Huron & Franklin).  JLee Silver, the finest of fine Chicago designers, will be participating in this fantastic event where guests are invited to shop, munch on apps and receive goodie bags full of treats!  The event will run from 5pm-9pm, and the party will be-a-rockin' with spring trends and spring fever!  The weather forecast is looking excellent, which means everyone should be out shopping to enhance their spring/summer wardrobes!  The full information is given below:

Join StyleChicago.com on Thursday, April 29th from 5-9pm for an intimate evening of exclusive shopping with Chicago's top fashion designers.

Event Highlights:

Exclusive Designer Shopping with Chicago's best designers - powered by Clear Wireless Wines by HobNob Wines Cocktails by X-Rated Fusion Liqueur Hors d'oeuvres by Nacional 27 & RA Sushi StyleChicago.com signature Goodie Bags for 1st 250 VIP ticketbuyers (These will sell out early!) Participating Designers: * Blake Standard * K. Amato Designs * Lara Miller * Kirk James / Studio 5p1t * JLee Silver * E.G. Jewelry * Kate Boggiano * Vaute Couture * Heidi Hess * Objets d' Envy * Yana Collection * Jess Audey * Susan Elizabeth Designs * Borris Powell * Zamrie * Nora del Busto * Crescendo Apparel * Horacio Nieto * Elise Bergman * JKAT Jewelry * Sophia Forero * Paoo * Shernett Swaby...and more! Tickets are only $25 for VIP Tickets (including Goodie Bags) and $15 for General Admission. Reserve tickets. Dressing rooms provided on-site. The event will be held in an 8,000-square-foot gallery space at 233 W. Huron St., located at Franklin St. along the Brown Line in River North. VIP tickets must be purchased in advance online! We do expect another sellout - so reserve tickets today. This event was conceived by StyleChicago.com in consultation with the Stitches Fashion Program, part of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center. (Special thanks to Jason Felger and Elise Moran.) We'd also like to thank Janice Moskoff and her staff at Beta Boutique for their longtime partnership/friendship with StyleChicago.com and patient support in helping to make this event possible. Guests must be 21+ years of age to attend. Invite non-transferrable. Contemporary art installations for the evening provided by Abryant Gallery.

Check out StyleChicago.com for more information

http://www.stylechicago.com/Invite.asp?ID=5&PID=8505

Friday Things

Today's blog is full of random facts that will just have to be bullet pointed so I can get it all out!

• Yesterday, we had an Erin Campbell photo shoot yesterday in Millenium Park.  SO fun watching the girls run through the park and figure out ways to photograph the awesome blouses that will hit www.fashionheist.com in the coming weeks!  Can't believe it's so close!  The styles are perfect for Spring/Summer and were photographed to reflect the outfits that Erin and Kate would wear.  Wedges and flat gladiator sandals, sunglasses, jean shorts and white jeans.  You've gotta love a good blouse and that can as such a versatile and transitional piece throughout the seasons!

• Today in JLee Silver news, we are heading to the factory to see our completed sample line!  Cannot wait for my eyes to see the styles!  We have finished an entire sample line in our showroom, but then we head to the factory to make a bundle of them.  Really, it is so cool, and I never thought I would be involved with this side of fashion!

•  The sun is shining in Chicago, and the temps have skyrocketed to the 80s!  I feel as though this is an on-going April Fool's joke, and that soon enough reality will set in and there will be a blanket of snow (I hope not!) covering the ground.  I literally pray for no snow, but anything could happen.  

• This weekend I am attending the Final Four in Indianapolis.  Since I have no allegiance to any one team, just a fan going to support the sport of basketball, I need to choose my outfits wisely.  I don't want to favor one team with a color choice or anything, so I must keep it neutral.  I'm thinking leggings, TOMS, white shirts, jean jacket, zip-ups, light sweater/cardigans...very casual.  This is college basketball after all.

And finally...Happy Easter to all celebrating!  Go nosh on Cadbury eggs, deviled eggs, hot cross buns and ham.  Wear your Sunday best pastel colored frocks and celebrate well!