Preparing for the cold...

I can't believe I woke up to frost on my window this morning! As most of my family and friends can attest to, I am ALWAYS cold. Actually both MJ and I are always cold...Must run in the family. I was getting dressed this morning, freezing, and realized I really need some new cold weather accessories. In order to keep me warm through our Wisconsin winters, I always do a lot of layering. I'll add a big scarf, a sweater over a long-sleeve dress, even a beanie on my lazy hair days. Echo Designs is my personal favorite for myself as well as for my customers for cold weather accessories. There are endless options but these are some of the pieces I'm currently loving...

Echo Oversized Ruffle Scarf - $58

 

...Similair to Diane Von Furstenburg's Ludgate Scarf - $185

The Hat is DVF too -'Carlisle Hat'- $180 ( Sidenote: I'm sure I'd get made fun of for wearing this, but I love it).

Echo's Textured Cap - $38

 

Echo's Plush Fur Neck Warmer - $38

Echo's Infinty Neck ring - $35 - Comes in a ton of color ways not to mention is the softest scarf ever.

Echo's quilted drive touch glove - $35

Echo's Bow Cuffed Glove - $35

Ruanas...A perfect layering piece. Throw it over a simple top and you're look is instantly updated. Not to mention this will keep you warm all day long!

 Echo's Pleated Ruffle Lapel Ruana - $115

Echo's Leopard Print Ruana - $58 - I've never been big into leopard, but I think this might be the perfect way to add it into my wardrobe. It's reversible too!

And in my dreams this would be my fall coat...

Helmut Lang Shearling-trimmed jersey jacket - $1,175 via netaporter.com

Instead, I'll choose a similair jacket but with a price tag that is a lot more reasonable...

Matty M - $148 at Five Hearts

Now it's back to work...Hope everyone has a great weekend and Happy Halloween!!!

Spotlight On Denim

I never used to wear a lot of denim. I'm pretty sure I lived in leggings last winter. ( We carry my favorite pair...Bobi. They're the perfect weight, never lose shape which means they never fall down!) Anyways as MJ and I were buying last spring, what denim lines to carry became the biggest debacle. How many lines should we carry, how many styles, expensive or inexpensive? I found myself in a pickle, because I didn't own any denim myself! I think I had one pair of Hudsons that my wonderful parents had bought me during a sale at bloomies two years prior. So, we began asking our friends, family, other buyers, strangers...you get the point! We received a range of  opinions...J brand, Joe's, Paige, 7 for all man kind, etc. So, we decided to become educated in the science of denim. Over the nextk few months, I bought a lot of denim and eventually decided on three lines which included Blank, James Jeans, and Citizens of Humanity. Here's the breakdown...

Blank- retails for under $100. They can be a bit edgier in their cuts as they follow the trends of the season to point; however, they always have the basic skinny, boot cut, and wide leg every season. They are pretty true to size, but I always recommend my customers to take the next size up into the dressing room. They are a great line for women looking to spice up an outfit without breaking the bank.

Kate Hudson in Blank Motorcycle Denim

Hillary Duff in Blank

Kim Kardashian in Blank's Denim Cargo

James Jeans - Retails between $98-$200. The styles we have in the store are between $120-170. I fell in love with James Jeans after I bought my first pair. I'm short, 5' 4" on good days, and I didn't need to have the pair I bought hemmed at all. They also ave the most amazing fit for women with curves..They hug in all the right places.

Jessica Alba is James Twiggy Leggings in Slate

Faith Hill performing in James High Ride Randi Skinny

Halle Berry  in James Twiggy Black Cat

Citizens of Humanity - Retails between $150-300. Most women are familiar with this brand as they have been around a long time. They have proven to be a great investment piece for me. The new Avedon Slick style which comes in many different washes has been the best find ever. They fit every body type...They have the perfect amount of stretch to them, so you can wear them more as a legging or as a pant.

Jennifer Gardner in Citizens

Kourtney Karsashian in Slick Skinny

Reese and Charleze in Avedon Skinny Legging



(all via denimblog.com)

I never thought I would be an avid lover for denim, but I consider myself quite the expert now. There's endless brands you could buy but after months of squeezing my bum into many a pairs...I am a huge fan of these particular denim lines(that's not to say we won't be adding more into the mix sometime soon)! You can invest in a higher end line such as Citizens or keep your bank account happy and go for James or Blank.  

Oh, and this is how I'm wearing my Avedon Slick Citizens today...

The Avedon Look

Avedon Slick Denim by Citizens


DKNY Faur Fur Vest

Initial Gold Necklace

Virgins, Saints and Angels Ring

Vince Camuto Women's Fays Boot
Michael kors watch

La Made Jana Tunic ...

Distressed Denim by Citizens of Humanity
Boots by Vince Camuto

Sequins, Fur, and Leather...Oh my!

Since the first post, my mom(we'll refer to her as MJ) and I have been busy opening our store, Five Hearts. We have been open 2 months, and I finally feel like I have a minute to breathe(hence why I am just begininning this blog). I would love for this blog to become not only about Five Hearts but the journey that I am currently on in my life. Owning your own business is one of the most exciting yet nervewracking things you can do for yourself. You are your own boss which means the successes and failures are all on you, ah! I'm just going to dive in and begin with my first blog post...

 The fashion scene is finally seeing glam, and we couldn't be more excited...

We did our buying for Fall this past Spring, and we couldn't have been more shocked with what we saw. We're new buyers, but we're also avid shoppers, so we were pleasantly surprised by the sparkles, sequins, color, fur, etc. from all the designers. Most designers have kept their palettes simple, shapes predictable, and textures ordinary over the past couple of years due to the downturn of the economy. That is until now...

DKNY Faux Fur Vest - $89  piperlime.com

Shearling Leather Jacket by Matty M - $145

Available at Five Hearts Now

Sequined Sweatshirt by Elizabeth and James - $365 piperlime.com

Tracy Reese Sequined Dress - $248

Available at Five Hearts Now

Like I said, it is a breath of fresh air to see designers putting more interesting pieces into their fall lines. We just peviewed Spring and Summer on Monday, and we can tell you, without a doubt, the sequins are here to stay. Invest in a couple key pieces...MJ has a leather jacket from like 15 years ago that she pulled out of her closet and is currently wearing. Not to mention, she has Frey cowboy boots from when she was in her 20's...way before Frye boots became "Frye boots".  What's old can always become new again!