Making it Work

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Somedays...no matter how fashionable one may feel inside, it is challenging to put it together on the outside. Today, the sun has graced us with its presence. Take advantage of these seldom days and put some color on. Whether it is a blazer, a sweater, or some amazing cropped pants, make a statement with the color.
Top selections on my list, for warm weather this year, are violet purple, sky blue, all variations of reds and pinks and my very favorite, Kelly green. If at a standstill of where to start, take inspiration from nature. The colors are finally coming out, and there are so many too choose from.
As always, have fun with it!
Jenny

Faux or Fur

Image by LunaDiRimmel via Flickr

There have been a lot of discussions, both personal and professional, stirring on whether it is okay to purchase these luxurious garments made from animal's fur or hides.  I, personally, am torn.  There are so many amazing pieces out there, especially when it comes to boots, jackets and handbags.  With real leather having such an amazing look, feel and lasting quality, it is hard to go back to faux.
Then there are the furs! Although never appealing to me in the past, in recent trends amazing vests and even boot linings have been exposed.  However, my ethics have yet to allow me to purchase anything.
For those of you who don't know, or who believe the materials used to make these items are coming from dead or 'used' animals, they are not.  Like fabric, most design houses sources animals for these materials.  Without getting too graphic, it is a sad tale.
What do you think? How do you feel? Do you research companies prior to purchasing garments with these fabrics? Would love to hear your thoughts...

Fashion Fair PDX

Image by fuzheado via Flickr

If you havent' been reading, I am a feature editor on Fashion Fair PDX.  Love writing about fashion.  Check it out today - www.fashionfairpdx.com.
Recent articles include: How to Dress for your Body Type, Boutique Spotlight on Mabel and Zora and How to  use your Home to Inspire your Wardrobe.
Happy Holidays....

A Few of My Favorite Things

Image by Osei (Ozzy) via Flickr

Now that the holidays are in full swing, I decided to share some of my current favorite things, when it comes to fashion.

Talbots new collection! I am loving the romantic embelishments found on almost every piece of their current collection. Check it out at http://www.talbots.com/.

Rachel McAdams is fabulous! She is so inpiring to me.  I love that she is this high profile actress, who still finds time to garden at her beautiful Canadian home. Check out the recent photo shoot she did at http://www.instyle.com/.

Cinnamin popcorn is divine! What a perfect time to celebrate cinnamin popcorn. It is hard to find throughout most of the year, but during the holidays you are sure to find it in almost every store.

Sonia Kashuk's pencil case! Not only is her case perfect to hold make-up and other necessities, but it is also a perfect holiday clutch. Check it out in store or on-line at http://www.target.com/.

Thanks for reading. I have decided to make my blog a new way to share my favorite finds in the fashion industry.  Today is a great day to be a follower. Stay tuned for holiday favoite steals and deals.

XOXO - J

Is Summer Finally in the NW?

With the sun beginning to shed light into our overcast skies, we need to show the love by sporting our beautiful summer wardrobes.

Of course Spring/Summer 2011 has been in my brain since last September. As designers, we are always thinking about the season that we aren't in, ironically. So, I could not be more excited to finally share what my mind has been on for so long.

V-neck dresses are so beautiful, light and flattering for summer. My collection, being inspired by nature, is so flattering on women. The colors make your natural skin glow and your eyes pop, in a good way. :)

Here is the gorgeous Marie dress - ready to look beautiful. Not on the website yet, but plenty of my other looks are. Check them out at http://www.belladonnamarie.com/.

Starting a fashion label is not easy. Let me rephrase...starting a label is like turning your brain on 24/7 and realizing you need more energy than Dutch Bros. can give you in one day! Despite all this, I am on the top of my "roller coaster" ride.

One of the many things I am in the midst of doing, is trying to get editors from my favorite magazines to notice me. I have a one in several million chance to get in here, but I am going to use all the creative cards to make my dreams come true...

Elle, InStyle and Lucky are 3 of my favorite magazines, and have been since I was a young girl. They are so different, yet equally likeable, and are all very needed must-have items on any trip. I love having my magazine with me on the road, at airports, in hotels, poolside, and of course my coffee table, bedstands and office desk in my house.

Elle is all about editorial, giving us stories and beautiful things to aspire to. InStyle is our 'non-gossip' way to keep up on our favorite celeb's style. Lucky is our all-access pass into local boutiques across the nation. I could be in all three!

It is hard work being the owner of a fashion label, but worth every extra shot of espresso. Can you really complain when you get to talk about fashion all day? Plus, who doesn't like going to Dutch bros. twice in one day?

(What do you think about the way I put these press kits together?)

French is IN when it comes to Fashion

As most of you know, I am a designer from French descent. In France, everything is fashionable. The woman go to coffee in the morning, and somehow look like a million bucks!

Belladonna Marie is inspired by French woman, in fashion, culture and everything that entails being a beautiful European. Or, at least trying to be European. ;)

Last Saturday, we were downtown Portland, exploring Meet the Fleet. We were in the middle of all the action, when this beautiful woman on a bike rode by. All I could think of was, "Have we been warped to Europe, somehow?". She was like a picture out of a beautiful storybook or great international, fashion magazine.

Not only was she a sight to see, but it was also in the way she carried herself that made her so iconic. If only we could all be so fashionable...Here is the inspirational photo. Good luck!

Belladonna Marie Launched!

After 9 months, that's right - 9 months of planning, I finally launched my brand and company, Belladonna Marie!

The launch party was a smashing success! With over 75 VIPS and over 100 attendees, we celebrated Belladonna Marie all night long.

There were swag bags given away, with over $250 value, which included an exclusive Belladonna Marie scarves!!!

I am exstatic on the success of the entire party and thankful for the support I am receiving from friends, family and people in the fashion community.

If you haven't bought your first Belladonna Marie, remember fans get an exclusive 30% off, through Friday. Check out the website - http://www.belladonnamarie.com/ - and contact me today!

Belladonna Marie

With less than two weeks away, I have to blog about the biggest event that is happening in my life! I am about to launch my line, for the first time, in front of some of Portland's very own VIPs, also known as my close friends.

Having kept Belladonna Marie and all that it entails on the DL for the last 9 months, I cannot wait to finally show it off to the public. This collection is definitely a reflection of myself - classic and beautiful.

The launch party is going to be amazing and I can't wait to celebrate with all my pals. June 4th...here you come! Get ready for posts of the party to be finding their way onto the blog, and into social networks shortly after the release....

See you at the party!

Mercury Madness

A week ago, today, my friends and I rocked it out at the annual, Spring Mercury Fashion show. I must say the people of Portland's Mercury know how to put on a show!

Some of my favorite designers of the night were Liza Rietz, (liza-rietz.etsy.com), Janeane Marie, (janeane-marie.com), and Isaac Hers (phloxpdx.com). Each of these designers understand their niche and remain true to that. I actually felt cheated when only 4 looks of Janeane marie were showcased. I turned to my friends with a "was that it?".

Although all of the designers had something great to offer the audience, I believe the one that made us all think was Adam Arnold. Totally unexpected, we watched in awe as models came out in sleeping-bag-like apparel and slurpees! That's right - we all had to take a double. With laughs and appreciation, he definitely made a point. As noted in the program, our society has fallen in love with comfort! Comfort food, comfort activities and yes - comfort fashion.

All said and done, Mercury provided a great night to enjoy my gal pals and speak fashion. Because that, my readers, is really what it's all about.

Sunday Mornings...

Sundays are special days, to me. Most Sundays are special in and of themselves, because for must of us we don't have to work. Although this is not entirely true for me, I at least get to see my husband on these days.

Last Sunday was Mother's day!! Being a mom for almost 2 years now, I was extremely appreciated yesterday; dressed in a distressed denim mini and a royal blue, ring-collared tank, I felt like a beautiful, yet comfortable mommy.

Sunday is a day for relaxing, celebrating the weekend and embracing the chance to be with the people you love. Where fashion is concerned, however, for most people all sense of sheek goes out the window. There is nothing entirely wrong with this. I love seeing people out in there yoga pants and windbreakers. I must admit, thankfully, that Mother's day brought out the fashionista in everyone.

Everywhere I went, I saw women celebrating themselves on the most special Sunday of the year. Floral, strapless dresses, Designer denim and strapless, flowy blouses, and more than any garment strutting Mommy Sunday was the maxi dress. And why not - having the most flattering cut and extremely breathable material, mom's dream about garments like this.

Sundays are great. Use them not only for relaxing, but also for showing off your style. Happy Sundays!

Sherlock was a Sure-Lock

Charisma, intellect, wit and adventure are just a handful of great reasons to fall in love with the new adaptation of World Literature's classic, "Sherlock Holmes". Full of unexpected characters, reinvented irony, amazing plot line and fabulous fashion, it will not disappoint.

Without giving too much away, it is the movie to watch. Inspired by old-world meets new, I may be reinventing my Fall 2011 line. Women in classic suits, men in top hats, it is all so amazingly smashing!

See it and tell me what you think.

Eco-PunK'd

Have you been Punk'd?

Did you know that you can really find eco-friendly garments in places like Target and Wal-mart? Yes, you can. It seems like everyone is jumping on the 'eco' bandwagon to get a piece of the hottest trend of the 21st century. Although many companies have veered away from this, due to recent, economic hardships, it continues to be the way to one-up the competition.



Watch out for labels, companies and garments that are not 100% sustainable (eco-friendly). Sustainable is all about taking it back to the virgin state garments come in. It's expensive and extremely challenging for those who really are sustainable, to compete with those who are 'faking it' to make the next buck.

Some of my favorite sustainable designers/labels are: Toms Shoes, Melissa Baswell (Mountains of the Moon), Lara Miller, Sofada, Loyale Clothing and of course my own label - BELLADONNA MARIE. Apart from providing great sustainable products, many of these companies go the extra mile to help. Loyale donates portions of proceeds to the environmental organization Green Corps. BELLADONNA MARIE supports Share our Strength (a non-profit organization designed to help feed starving children across the U.S.).

Don't get Punk'd! If you decided to go eco-friendly, make sure it's real. Happy Shopping!!

Fashion Bootcamp

We all know what bootcamp is, but what about Fashion Bootcamp? Fashion Bootcamp is for all of us women who want to take our beauty and fashion skills to the next level.

Crave, one of the city's greatest resources for women, is providing us with the first annual Bootcamp. This Thursday, Bridgeport Village will be filled with the most fashionable people in the area. They will be offering a $25 gift card, valid at participating BV stores, to every attendee!

Featured topics like tips and trends, anti-aging secrets, eye wear trends, accessorizing and more, will be presented at the Bootcamp. What are you waiting for - click here: http://thecravecompany.com/portland/events/bridgeport-village-presents-fashion-bootcamp/
and get your ticket today!

Fit makes everything Fabulous

Spring is one of my favorite seasons...no more winter coats and boots, hiding the skin, covering ourselves up in layers, from head to toe. Spring is here! It is time to shed light on what is under all those layers. Are you ready for that?

Fit can make all the difference. Whether you feel like America's Next Top Model or not, you can definitely look it, with the right fit. Jeans are the best example. You could literally look 10 lbs. slimmer with the right fit of a great pair of denim.

You may not be brave enough for summer swimsuits, but expiriment with what is out there for spring. Suprise is always the best reward - standing in front of the mirror and saying - "I look hot!"

Don't forget: Belladonna Marie is launching on June 4th. The line is all about feeling fit and looking fabulous! Stay tuned...

Feeling Portland's Fashion Love

One thing I love about being part of Portland's fashion world is the way, like the city itself, they embrace change. The easy-going, eco-friendly, love-the-world persona is true to Portland, even when it comes to the ultra-mini fashion world. Although the world is small in comparison to our sister, Seattle, the mega-fashion city, Los Angeles and the king of it all - New York, we are a city that understands what it means to be artists.

Truly exemplified on an international level, Portland has sent finalists and at least one winner through Lifetime and Bravo's Project Runway. What an amazing story that has been for our city! Way to go LeAnne Marshall and Seth Aaron!

I am proud to be part of Portland's fashion world, because we are not just designers making a name for ourselves, but also a family helping each other reach our goals. LOve you all!

Prepping for PFW 2010

I have spent the last 7 months planning and preparing to launch my line. As a fashion designer, and a full-time mom, I could not be happier of what is coming. I am keeping all of my inspirations under wraps, until the launch of June, 01, 2010. I will, however, be sharing some of the steps that got me where I am today.

After years of attending PFW (Portland Fashion Week), this year my plan is to be one of the presenters! Keep watching...

This is me, with one of my favorite models, on our way to PFW 2009!!!