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!

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 

Want It, Need It

Stella & Dot Necklace, ASOS Heels, Monserat De Lucca Bracelet, Leith Dress, Bel & Beau Skirt, Nasty Gal Blazer,  Kate Spade Bag, Bauble Bar Necklace, Ily Couture Tee      

Shut the front door! Bauble Bar has an "emoti-charms" collection with all our favorite icons. I'm known to have more emojis in my texts than actual words. I would say oops but really, #sorrynotsorry. And if that doesn't fulfill your dancing twins with cat ears little heart then you have to check out the past Moda Operandi trunk show collection by Edie Parker and Del Toro. The sale is over but you can still admire the wacky styles. Would you wear your current emojis for all to see?