NashVogue

Hello readers! I know it has been a very long time since I have posted on here. Life simply caught up with me this fall in the form of Swine Flu with my one year old, business conferences for my husband, stomach bugs for me, weddings, and other family changes.

I have been hinting since the beginning of year towards some big changes here at NashVogue. With Thanksgiving this week and the new year on the horizon, I feel it is time to start putting my plans into action.

As some may know, I quit my full time job as a stock broker in March to stay home with my little one, help my husband with his business, and simply get a away from career path I didn’t like. Over the year, I have been trying to find a way to mix my love of fashion with my own abilities and have come up with a great solution. Jewelry.

I love making jewelry, wearing jewelry, and enhancing an outfit with jewelry. That being said, I am opening an Etsy store in order to sell my creations with the world. The fashion blog will stay, but will focus a bit more on jewelry. Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of general fashion goodness here and over at Blissfully Domestic!

As a little preview, here is a yummy little piece I designed for my cousin’s wedding earlier this month.

Technorati Tags: jewelry, NashVogue

The fall trends are out in full force, among them are the fall and winter jewelry trends.  One trend in particular has stood out to me as far as jewelry goes. It’s is a gothic, multi-strand style necklace, most often in black or dark silver. It is often accented with bows, flowers, or other detailing.

The coloring of the necklace goes very well with the colors popping up for Fall. Green, purple, teal, and royal blue all gain a certain  amount of glamor when worn with this necklace.

If you are looking for something that makes a statement without the bulkiness of a bib necklace, look no farther than this gorgeous necklace.

I’ve always been a shoe girl. I love them. So when I saw these faux heel crib shoes for babies at Heelarious, I just had to show you!

Unfortunately for me, I have a little boy, so I have yet to actually get any, but aren’t they adorable? Available in a variety of colors and styles, these soft-soled shoes range in price from $34.50 to $39.50. A bit on the pricey side for a crib shoe, but worth every penny.

Adorable and stylish, Heelarious shoes are perfect for any diva in training.

Technorati Tags: crib shoes, faux heels for babies, Heelarious

With Summer activities in full swing, getting wet is almost inevitable. Whether you have a pool in the backyard or neighborhood or you have a beach getaway planned, it’s necessary to have something to tote your towel, sunscreen, and maybe a book or iPod.

There are a few key things to look for when trying to find the perfect beach bag. Size, shape, color, and price are all vital to finding that perfect bag. Size is probably the most important of these. Making sure the bag is big enough to tote around everything you need is very important or you will be highly disappointed with your purchase. I personally need a larger bag because I have all of my things plus my sons things. If it’s just you, a smaller bag will do.

Shape and color are all a matter of personal preference. Do you want a tall, thin bag or a long, wide bag? Do you want the bag to match your suit, your towel, or neither? It’s all up to you.

Finally, price is second only to size. You have to make sure that the bag is within your budget, and there are plenty of options available ranging from the very inexpensive (I saw a nice on at Publix for $5.99!) to the expensive, designer bags. How much you spend is up to you.

Most of all, have fun! It’s summer, and while most of us still have to work every day, there’s no reason not to make the most of it every chance you get.

Technorati Tags: Bag, Beach, Pool, Tote

One way to make sure you have perfect fitting clothes is to have a perfect fitting bra. If your bra doesn’t fit correctly, it can cause a top to look completely wrong, but the proper fitting bra can make the same top fit like a dream.

There are two ways to make sure you bra fits correctly. First, you could fit it yourself. The fit is measured in two places, across the torso and across the bust. The measurements here indicate your cup size and number. For example, a 34B has a torso measurement of 34 and a cup size of B. Since I am no expert at measureing bra fits, check out the video below by Expert Village for tips on how to get the perfect fit.

The second way to get a perfect fitting bra is to have a professional measure you. Many department stores, such as JC Penney and Dillards, offer complimentary bra fittings to their customers. These stores often carry the basic sizes and limited styles, but I have always had a great experience with this. If you know off hand that you might have a size beyond average (for example, I am a 34C and can’t find it in any department store), places like Victoria’s Secret often provide complimentary bra fittings. They will even help you adjust the fit of the bra in store to make sure it is perfect if you are comfortable with that.

It’s amazing to think how something as simple as a bra can have such an effect on how an outfit looks. It is important to always wear a bra, no matter what the top. If it is strapless, get a strapless bra. There is a bra for every neckline and back-style, so mauch sure you are properly supported for the best look possible.

Technorati Tags: bra fitting, how to, measurement

Last Fall we saw a prevalence of what became known as “Statement Necklaces”. While these are still very much in swing this season, the ears have begun to make a statement of their own.

All over we are seeing what have become known as “statement earrings”. Large, detailed earrings to go with the large, detailed necklaces we see everywhere. Many celebrities have worn earrings so large, we can only wonder how their ears must feel.

Statement earrings are great for any woman. If you have long hair, they will still be easily seen through your hair. Short hair only helps these earrings to make an even bigger statement.

If you are not used to wearing earrings, I would work your way up to statement earrings. They are heavy and can become painful if you are not used to the extra weight on your ear. However, if you are an avid earring fan, statement earrings can help complete an outfit and add a touch of flavor to any outfit.

Technorati Tags: accessory trends, statement earrings

A big congrats goes out to Janice and @juliasphate for being the winners of the Teething Bling contest!! Each will receive a Donut-shaped necklace and matching bangle for their little one’s enjoyment.

Again, congratulations!!

Technorati Tags: smart mom jewelry, teething bling, Winners

Many of my readers know that I have a special little someone in my life. Any other moms out there will know how hard it is to wear jewelry with little people in your life. Especially when they are teething, like my little guy is. That’s how I heard about Teething Bling by Smart Mom Jewelry.

Teething Bling Jewelry is made from soft silicone, and is free from all the harsh chemicals we want out little ones to stay away from. Best of all, it’s dishwasher safe! Available in two different necklace styles (donut and heart), bracelets,and key chains, as well as a wide assortment of colors, there is something to match nearly every outfit you might want to wear it with. Not to mention it is a stylish alternative to simply not wearing any jewelry at all.

When I first opened the Teething Bling, I was impressed with the weight of it. Relatively lightweight, I was expecting something much heavier. The construction is very nice, with few visible seams (a common problem with silicone products).

The first thing my son did when I picked him up with it on ws play with it. He didn’t really do to much with it, but I could tell he was curious. The necklace proved it’s worth, however, when I went to put him in his carseat, normally a terrible and unhappy time. The length of the necklace was perfect to dangle right in front of him. He played and chewed on it the entire time, making this one of the few times he did not fight going into his carseat. Additionally, the clasp in back is snap closure, meaning it can be pulled off of your neck without break the clasp or strings.

The only drawback I had to the jewelry (I have the bracelet as well) was the rapid pace at which it collected dust. Even while wearing it during the day, I noticed bits of dust collect on the silicone pieces. One of the perils of silicone I suppose, but when you know it is going into a little one’s mouth, not a pleasant one.

Still, overall, I think it is a great product for any mom. In fact, when I mentioned to the company that I was a blogger, they sent extras! Lucky for you! I’m going to give away the other two sets of Teething Bling (Jade and Bronze). Each set contains a donut-shaped pendant and matching bracelet.  All you have to do is now through Easter (April 12), post a comment on this thread telling me why you and your little one would love to have some teething bling. Maybe even post a picture of you and your little one. The other way is to let others know about the contest through Twitter. Simply post the link to this article and use the hashtag #TeethingBling. One winner will be randomly selected using each method (so there are two chances for you to win!)

Good Luck!

Technorati Tags: contest, smart mom jewelry, teething bling

Happy 50th birthday, Barbie!! In honor of that gorgeous, blond fashion icon we all know and love, Canadian shoe retailer, Town Shoes, has introduced a line of Barbie inspired shoes. Capturing the glamor of Barbie herself, the line features pinks, black and animal prints in three different styles: a classic pump, a feminine peep toe, and a sexy sandal.

The pump has the signature Barbie “dip” near the heel, making it ultra authentic looking. Ringing in at $130 a pair, these shoes would be a treasured addition to any shoe-aholic’s closet. Unfortunately, for those of us outside of Canada, I haven’t been able to figure out how to order them.  There is an online order form, but shipping is only inside of Canada. We may just have to drool for now…

Technorati Tags: 50th anniversary, Barbie, town shoes