Casting Off Winter

I don't know about you, but I've endured a long, snowy, never-ending (did I mention long?), winter. We had so much snow and such cold temps, I literally had not seen the ground in my backyard since November. This week the temperature is down right tropical- in the upper 60's! And as the sun warms us up, I find myself looking at my wardrobe wondering what to wear in this in-between-stage.

This blog is a smattering of a few tips to help you make the transition into spring.

Color
If you haven't heard already, Emerald is the Pantone (color) of 2013. I was bored to death of last year's coral, as it is not flattering on all skin tones. But green is a friendly color for everyone. From nail color, to accessories and separates, be bold and know that Emerald is not just for St. Paddy's Day. Be creative. Mix & match. Go for the gold...er, green!

Hair

Tie one on...your head!

You know, I find hair trends to be so all-over the place. According to the runways, we're seeing a TON of braids, buns, parts and more braids. Some sources are saying bangs (or "fringe" for our friends in the UK) are du jour. I say- whether your hair is long or short do it a favor: get a trim and invest in professional color. No need to go lopping it all off (unless you want to). But I see too many women with trendy long hair...which needs a serious snip. Ladies: it grows back! This is the perfect time of year to trim up, sharpen the shape & maybe mix it up when it comes to color. DO remember this: you get what you pay for. Don't expect to look like Heidi Klum or Emma Watson when you hit up the local Dollar Cut Hut. Just sayin'.

Emerald enamel & gold make one affordable statement ring.

Accessories
See above hair, and think accessories! Who would have thought? Turns out one of the big things coming off runways is hair accessories- headbands, feathers, wraps, flowers...its not just for little girls. This is where I shamelessly pitch my own company, House of Josefina. Find pieces which reflect your personality. If you're a little boho chic, go with it. If you tend to be more whimsical or romantic, or nerdy-- follow your instincts. I know as I choose jewelry for my store, I try to keep multiple tastes (and budgets) in mind. Some days, you might want to rock those bright hoop earrings. Other days, you want to grab a delicate necklace that says, "I'm beautiful and feminine." The moral of this story is: accessorize! Its a quick way to make YOUR statement.

Maybe an edgy, studded leather bracelet is more your pace.

So start making the transition into Spring. Shop now. Make yourself unique. And have fun doing it!

As always, I encourage you to hit me up with any questions or comments you might have. You can also find specials and promos on my Facebook page- House of Josefina.

Casual Fridays

Let me be clear: I work in Marketing, specifically on the Creative side of the spectrum. So, the expectation of my work attire is pretty low. When I began working for my new company, I asked about the dress code. The answer was a puzzled look followed with, "Uh...don't wear shorts."

Yes- Geek Chic is an actual trend.

Lucky for everyone in the office, I like to keep a business casual vibe. Dress pants or jeans, along w/ tops, cardis, scarves, jackets...whatever. Sometimes I wear converse (gasp!). But Friday? Oh, my lovely Fridays. They are all about empowering my freedom of nerdy expression.

After just a couple of months, even the receptionist would say every Friday morning, "Oh! It must be Friday. She's wearing a Friday Shirt!" That translates to: Check out the weird Harry Potter/Marvel/DC Comics/Kung Fu shirt I'm sporting. I do not have a large disposable income, so when I do purchase a "Friday" shirt, I try to make it cheeky & original. For example, my Hunger Games tee simply says, "Mellark Bakery." Subtle, yet in my mind- Brilliant!

Super-hero style ring?

Modern Wonder Woman Cuff?

Then I put my own little spin on casual. It's not called Sloppy Fridays (that's another post). I might be rockin' my Buddha Sketchers & a quirky shirt, but I make sure I've got makeup on, am wearing cute accessories, and my hair doesn't look like I just rolled out of hibernation. Why? It just makes me feel better. I might be casual, but I still feel put-together. I'm NO runway model, but I want to look the best I can.

What's your Casual Friday like? Feel free to sound off or ask any questions. And don't forget to hit up my boutique: House of Josefina for your Geek Chic accessories. 'Tis the season! Make your Fridays...and other days just that much brighter.

Sharing Memories with Accessories

In light of a recent family tragedy, I've been thinking about those little things we hold dear. Not just the relationships. That is, of course, the most important thing we can possess- links to one another. But as a light fades, and life slips away, the living are often left with little mementos of loved ones.

My "Love" Necklace.:)

I have a ridiculous amount of jewelry. A little of it is fine jewelry. Much of it would be considered mere baubles. But many things hold special significance. The silver necklace I bought in San Francisco China Town with a friend which symbolizes Love. The over-the-top cocktail earrings & matching brooch a friend "lent" me 23 years ago. The Tree of Life earrings my sister gave my mom, daughter & I for Christmas last year. The delicate ribbon scarf my mom wove for me. The world might not lend much value to these items, but to me they are irreplaceable.

Bow earrings to reminder someone of your love?.

As I look, touch these items, it makes me feel like I have a connection to the people and things I love. That connection magically brings to life wonderful, funny, outrageous memories. It prompts over-due phone calls and late night texts full of "LOLs".

Winged necklace to remember dreams to be chased.

While its nice to have fine things. I know the most important things in life are NOT things, but the loving thoughts we associate with them.

As you do your Christmas shopping, think about not just purchasing a gift, but about telling a story and sharing something meaningful. I think it makes the gifts that much richer.

If you DO happen to be in a shopping mood, please remember to hit up my online boutique: House of Josefina. Free shipping through the end of year, a gift with every $50 purchase and maybe a chance to create some memories for your loved ones.

Welcome!

I'm not the cool girl, or the graceful one. And by the time I was 16 or so, I knew my sense of style was just fine by me. Now in my 30's I still have my own set of rules by which I dress. I know whats trending, what's hip...but sometimes choose to step outside of the proverbial box and dare to be quirky.

As a single-mother, I have been looking for a way to both expand my creative opportunities- and my income. And thus we come to the House of Josefina. My online boutique is a literal treasure trove. I'm able to offer ridiculously stylish baubles from both established houses to up-and-coming artists alike. The best part: the deals are AMAZING!

Montana Pendant by Butik Beads

This blog will focus on style. Don't get that confused with fashion. To quote the formidable Coco Chanel, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." That woman sure knew what she was talking about.

So stay tuned. Come back for a quick read. And don't forget to shop my boutique at https://houseofjosefina.kitsylane.com/join/hjZbcMv.