#OOTD

JCrew Blazer, Vineyard Vines Tee (similar), James Jeans, Posh Collections Necklace, Vintage Chanel Purse, Pour la Victoire Heels (similar)

Photography by Haley Cairo

My uniform is basically jeans and a blazer of sorts. They just work for days in the office, lunch meetings and evening networking events. A little casual, a little professional. While black blazers are a staple, I usually like something a little more fun, bright and patterned. It makes people remember you. Hey, you know...that girl with the funky blazers! 

PS. I might be bias but I'm loving this weekly collab with Haley Cario. Trust me I don't look this pretty and put together in person. It's totally her magic work for helping me pose and try to act natural as I stand in the middle of the road. You need to book a sesh with her asap!

Want It, Need It

ASOS Scarf, Cynthia Steffe Dress, Bootights Tights, Kate Spade Oxfords, Hattan Home Matches, Halogen Vest, Ted Rossi Necklace, Not That Kind of Girl Book, Lola James Bracelet, Decorum Styleboard        

I'm on a reading kick. I actually love to read just it seems I never have time to actually pick up a book. I sadly can barely remember to find time to read my Bible for my weekly Bible study class. Shhh don't tell my group!

So my pattern tends to be this, pick up a book and read it straight through one weekend then wait like 3 months and do it all over again with another book. It's probably not the best way to absorb information, my brain basically goes into information overload but hey if it works...

I just finished #GIRLBOSS (thanks Haley for forgetting it in my car) and keep a list running in my iPhone notes on books I hope to read. What have you just read? Was it a good read?

Halloween Ready

Hattan Home Bag, ILY Couture Tee, JCrew Ears, Blank Skirt, Kate Spade iPhone Case, Vince Camuto Booties, Hattan Home Matches, Rifle Paper Co. Card

Okay, so it's not Halloween yet but I'm one of those people (and apparently stores across the nation are with me) in believing it's never to early to start celebrating or planning for the holidays. Whichever holiday it may be! I think this outfit would be the perfect casual and modern way to dress up without spending a ton of money on a scandalous gaudy looking outfit. Don't be surprised if you see me wearing this exact look on October 31st.

Business Babe: Design Love Planner

I don't know about you but I'd be lost without my agenda book. Lifesaver. I'm old school and prefer writing my schedule to adding it into my iPhone. While I don't often stray from my trusty Kate Spade planner (I've had it for at least 5 years) I may just jump ship with the Design Love Planner by Marissa Cristina. Find out more about the designer and her planner below:

Tell us a little bit about the process and inspiration that goes into making your fabulous planners..

I have always had love and admiration for stationery and making my own stationery is basically a dream come true. I am a freelance graphic designer with a little home office and one day I decided to make a planner because I couldn't find what I needed in any of the stores I went to. I get most of my inspiration from design magazines, blogs and stationery stores. I honestly love nothing more than spending hours on end roaming around in stationery and design stores looking for inspiring new design ideas, patterns and elements. 

What has been the biggest hurdle in the process of opening up your own business in your entrepreneur endeavors?

One of the biggest hurdles has been making sure I stay on track with everything I am doing while maintaining a healthy lifestyle and also spending time with friends and family. What I found when I first got started was that I was spending all of my time working and none of my time taking care of myself and doing fun things that involved me leaving my office. I am still obsessed with my work but I also make time to do the things that really matter and most of that is thanks to me planning out my days in advance. I always make sure my time is managed well and none of my days are filled with an overwhelming amount of work so I have time to relax. 

How would you describe your personal style?

I was born in Switzerland and only moved to North America 10 years ago so I feel that a lot of me - and my style - is still highly influenced by Europe. I've always had knack for dressing well no matter where I went or what I did. I don't follow trends as much as I just buy whatever sparks my own interest and I tend to go for outrageous items that I can then combine with basic pieces I already own. Sweats is an absolute faux-pas for me even if I'm just picking up some sushi late at night or going for a walk. My theory is that you should always look your best because you never know you might run into...

What are your future plans for Design Love Planner?

The future for Design Love Planner is very bright and a ton of things are in the works and I get excited just talking about it. The line will expand into all things stationery and I can't wait to start sharing it with everyone. 

Do you have any advice for those who have a hard time staying organized?

If there is one tip I can give it's that in order to stay organized do the following: always write it down and schedule your week ahead of time so you don't always feel like your scrambling to keep up. 

Thanks Marissa!

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#OOTD

Joa Sweatshirt, BCBGeneration Skirt (similar), Delman Heels (similar) 

Photos by Haley Cairo

Another Tuesday, another outfit post in collaboration with Haley Cairo! I love shopping local and 90% of my wardrobe is from local boutiques. This whole look is from Blink in West Chester. I've been shopping there, no lie since like middle school. Lately I've been digging the comfy trend. Yes, that's a thing now. I love mixing something casual like this sweatshirt with something dressy like the flouncy skirt and heels. It's unexpected. I actually wore this exact look to Main Line Fashion Week's happy hour event last week. 

PS. Local ladies and gents, Main Line Fashion Week is a great way to support local business and see what your favorite stores and designers are carrying this season. 

Want It, Need It

Geo Crafts Doormat, Piperlime Skirt, Sole Society Weekender, Jack Rogers Boots, Anthropologie Hook, Rachel Pally Top, Splendid Bootie, Isla & Lulu Dress, Serena & Lily Table, Kitchenaid Mixer

You know you're old when your want list includes a hand mixer alongside your fall booties. When did my life become this boring and predictable? Actually I know the answer to that... when I was beyond thrilled to receive a new vacuum for Christmas last year. Recently I find myself buying 75% decor and home purchases and 25% clothing and accessories when I used to be in a fully committed relationship with fashion.

When did you first notice yourself getting "old" and what have you been purchasing lately?

Arm Party

Kate Spade Bangle, Cwonder Cuff, Bauble Bar Links, Stella & Dot Cuff, Nordstrom Bracelet, Kendra Scott Bracelet, Marlyn Schiff Cuff, Fornash Cuff, Carolee Set

I've always loved this print by Inslee by Design. I think of it constantly when I'm putting together an arm party for the day. It's just so perfectly stacked with the right mix of color and texture. My arm party has recently been consisting of this trio but I'm challenging myself to add more each day. It's just so hard to type on a laptop with a full stack! Fashion girl problems? 

Business Babe: Mimosa Lane

I've been following Mimosa Lane blog for a few years now, I love the products and designs Albertina features. Girls got style. Besides being an expert curator for her blog she's also a super talented pillow designer. We all know how much I love pillows. Her pillows pack a punchy hit of color and super cute motifs like skulls, pineapples and pagodas. I just can't narrow down my favorites. While I'm deciding you go ahead and enjoy today's interview with her!

Where do you find your style inspiration?   

I love looking through magazines and blogs to get ideas.  I take what is in fashion and then I try and make it my own.  My mom is a big influence as well.  Believe it or she keeps me adventurous when it comes to clothing. Otherwise I think I would have stayed stuck in a rut.

How did you become a blogger and an entrepreneur? 

I have always loved design and after becoming obsessed with a few blogs I decided to start my own.  It has been such a fun experience and I have met some amazing people in the process.  The pillow venture was born from this love of design, patterns and color. They are a fun way to add some spice to any living space.

Mimosa Lane is such a creative and memorable blog title. Where did you come up with the name?  

The blog is named after the Mimosa flower.  I just love them.  But I also loved that people would think the blog was named after the drink, which is also fun and kind of tricky. Right? The Mimosa drink always has a good connotation, no?

How would you describe your personal style?  

Classic, with a touch of trendy.

Pillows, please! Piqued loves your beautiful pillows. Do you have any future plans for more products to be included in your store?  

I do!! I do!!  But these are slow going right now. I promise you will be among the select few to know beforehand.  Things are not 100% yet. It will be a while.  Multitasking is hard sometimes, but let's just say there is a lot of enthusiasm over here and I bet a huge learning curve coming up.

What is your current and trendy go-to product/ accessory/service? 

Necklaces or earrings are always my go to accessory.  They can really make-up an outfit without need of much else.

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest 

#OOTD

Ecru Shirt, Naven Skirt, Three Jane NY Necklace, Julie Vos Earrings, Frye Boots, Posh Collections Clutch

Photos by Haley Cairo

I like to think I'm a country girl. I swoon to Luke Bryan "shake it", dance to Taylor Swift, wear cowgirl boots, used to ride horses and own 3 acres. Okay, fine. Maybe I'm a suburbs girl. Whatever. I love this outfit because it is comfortable and is a sort of fun juxtaposition of girly girl with rugged. 

Are you guys loving this new series with photographer Haley Cairo. It pays to have talented friends. Thank you lawd. 

Want It, Need It

Sophia Reyes x Sequins & Stripes Top, Southern Proper Hat, Ambition Vest, Devon Baer Skirt, Loeffler Randall Heel, Hattan Home Mug, Society Social Stool, Furbish Studio Candelabra, Rifle Paper Co Book, Sugar Paper Card        

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Not Christmas. Okay, fine... the second most wonderful time of the year, fall! Lately as lame as it sounds, I'm mad for plaid! And layering tanks with blazers, tees with vests, etc. Oh and of course any and everything Halloween themed. Seriously, bring on the mums, skulls and pumpkin everything!

What's been in your shopping bag lately? 

Book Worm

Society Social Coffee Table, Domino Book, Impact Book, Slim Aarons Book, Hattan Home Candle, The Zhush Urchins, Rugs USA Rug, The Social Type Matches, Sugar Paper Coasters     

I can't hide my affection for coffee table books. They just have such substance with their hardbound spines and full page colored pictures. Plus, I'm not gonna lie, they are a lot quicker to "read" than a chapter book. The perfect way to display them? A coffee table. Duh.

My favorites include: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Business Babe: Rack It Up

Let me ask you a few questions... do you like to shop? do you like to online shop? do you like sales? Thought so. You're going to love Rack It Up, basically it's like Pinterest combined with Gilt. But so much better and I adore the ladies behind it, Ali and Bri. Let me introduce you!

Who is your ultimate style inspiration?

We both agree that Olivia Palermo takes the cake.

When you both founded, Rack It Up, in 2012, what was an obstacle that you faced as entrepreneurs?

I think our largest challenge was just venturing into the unknown. In the beginning it was

difficult not getting too caught up in the excitement of it all. Growing the idea and all the conceptualizing made us very eager to jump right into development and we ended up choosing the wrong team to work with. If there’s one piece of advice we could give to aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s to take your time. It’s such an exciting process when you’re just starting out but building the right team of impassioned people around you is incredibly crucial for success.

Ok, spill. How did you think of such an ingenious service for your customers?

Both of us have always been online sale shoppers. We had a mutual dislike for flash sale websites when a designer brand would go on sale at 10am on a Tuesday when we were at work. Then, there was the ticking time clock in the corner because you had 10 minutes to make a purchase decision before losing the item. The entire process was not conducive for workingwomen and often led to impulse buying. When Bri came up with the initial concept for a website to track individual items (rather than entire brands) in your personal size, we knew we had the foundation to build something amazing together. After months of bouncing ideas off each other and structuring the idea a bit more, we knew it was something we had to turn into a reality. 

What are some of the goals on the horizon for Rack It Up in the next few years? In 10 years?

We have many future plans for RIU. Right now, the site can be used in a personal way by racking up items and waiting for the sale alerts to roll in. There’s also a large community feature so you can follow your stylish friends, popular fashion bloggers and even some retailers. Eventually we want RIU to be a one-stop shop for all your fashion inspiration and online shopping needs. We’re going to be launching a dressing room feature soon so our users can take all the items they’re interested in and create and save looks. We’re also discussing a styling component so a stylist can take a look at your virtual closet and put together looks for you based on your personal style. We try not to think too far in advance because technology is always changing just like consumer’s shopping habits. So far we’ve been taking it one year at a time.

How has your friendship and business partnership helped the success of Rack It Up?

We both have different strengths that we bring to the business. Ali has a successful background in social media and communications previously working for a non-profit on all their online marketing campaigns.  Bri’s strengths are her business administration and marketing background.  It’s great being friends before business partners because business and financials are often high-tension discussions. There are days were we can debate and discuss new features or the next quarter’s budget but then send a picture of an amazing pair of shoes from Nordstrom or something funny one of us saw on Buzzfeed. It’s all about balance.

What is the story behind your most prized piece of clothing or accessory?

Ali:  My engagement ring.  The center diamond is a family heirloom.  My husband’s mother used to wear it in the center of her original ring, and when we were getting ready to get engaged she gave it to him.  I love the idea of having something to pass down one to my daughter or daughter in law one day.  It just makes it that much more special. 

Bri: A vintage gold Tiffany ring that my grandfather gave to me for my Sweet 16. I was very close with him and he passed a few days after my birthday that year. I wear it everyday and it’s a daily reminder that he’s with me.

Thanks ladies! Check out my closet here. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest

#OOTD

Tee Shirt, Skirt (same brand, different style), Heels, Bracelet, Clutch, Belt, and Necklace

Photos by Haley Cairo 

Wahoo! Your eyes aren't fooling you... it's my first ever outfit post. I've had a lot of people ask and although I'm not 100% okay with being in front of the camera, I can't deny my beautiful clothes anymore. They just don't get to come out and play enough. 

Once each week my ah-mazing go to photographer/illustrator/Youtube star/ Mae Movement owner/ friend/ client...you get the point... Haley Cairo will capture my favorite looks. Up first this whimsical little look inspired by Carrie Bradshaw. 

PS. There's a big and fun (duh) Piqued PR x Haley Cairo collaboration coming soon! 

Want It, Need It

Rustic Cuff Monogram, Jane Mount Print, C Wonder Bottle Stopper, DVF Pumps, Pink Tartan Dress,   Pink Pagoda Print, Hunter Bell Dress, Dana Gibson Pillow, Alice + Olivia Heels, The Southerners Handbook    

Two weeks ago it was freezing, last week it was in the 90s... My summer closet is still on rotate but the stores are full of sweaters and coats...I'm stuck in the limbo of #summerfall and what's a girl to wear. Is anyone else having a wardrobe identity crisis? The only bonus is I can buy warm weather merch on super sale and get the latest and greatest fall pieces! 

Work It

The Land of Nod Desk, Lulu & Georgia Lamp, Hattan Home Notepad, Rachel George Acrylic Office Set, Le Pen, The Beloved Shop Notepad, Goodnight Macaroon Sweater, James Jeans, C Wonder Loafers, Warby Parker Glasses         

I don't know about you but I have one busy month ahead! Here at Piqued PR we have Remedi Day Spa's open house, Main Line Fashion Week's multiple events, our day to day operations for our ah-mazing clients and tons of other fun things up my sleeve. You just wait, I'm so excited to share them with you!

I'll be spending a lot of time in the office and kinda wishing it looked like this. We can play pretend for a second, right? Oh and you can bet I'd be wearing this cozy (yet still chic) ensemble. Doesn't C Wonder always have the BEST loafers? 

Business Babe: Nuance

Isn't Instagram a beautiful thing? I stumble upon so many cool people and beautiful designs through the platform. Wendee Daelhousen of Nuance is one of those. Her druzy rings make a statement and totally caught my jewelry hoarding eye but when I found out she was based in Philly, game over. Read the interview below and check out her stunning gems!

How is NUANCE’s jewelry different than other jewelry companies?

In a world where not many ideas are truly original--it's the subtle distinctions that make all the difference.  Nuance is a company built around community, honesty, creativity, equality, and human value. If we can't really be proud of what our work brings, then it's not really worth that much.  Working environment is everything.

NUANCE prides itself on supporting American small business. How do you do this?

Supporting small businesses means supporting actual people.  It's become extremely easy to both make and purchase products without thinking about where or how they came into existence. The companies I work with, help produce our boutique brand just the way we want it---from our metal caster to the company that does our letterpress carding, to the tiniest rubber ear-clutches on our earrings!  There are not that many places still manufacturing responsibly, but I'm proud that Nuance can be among those striving to do so.

Where do you find inspiration while you’re designing new products and pieces?

I go 'antiquing' a lot. I find that pairing that classic vintage feel with a fresh trendy element makes me really happy.

Describe your own personal style.

I think it's what my jewelry leans towards---trendy with a vintage/eclectic twist.

How did NUANCE get its start? Any future plans for your company?

You know, I think we're all comprised of the people, places, things, and events that we've been part of throughout our lives---which somehow makes us all completely unique, even if only, in the tiniest of ways.  I guess those 'collections' that made NUANCE possible are: my mom and grandmother---avid antiquers and jewelry collectors---who provided me with jewelry that has lasted their lifetimes and beyond; my childhood years of, nerdily, collecting rocks [trust me, it wasn't cool then]; my interior design training;  private label and boutique designing for companies like Anthropologie, Terrain, Disney, John Wind/Maximal Art; and my love of people and the community where I live.  Life is fun and jewelry is fun---and I'm fortunate enough to have it as my livelihood!  I'd love to have other people join the team who want to have the same opportunity.

What is your personal favorite NUANCE piece?

The fringe earrings and the Gold-Druzy Rings 

Thanks Wendee!

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