It has been snowing here in Missouri since last night and and continued throughout most of today. It is very beautiful outside. Watching it snow is so peaceful.
Designer Camilla Olson gave me the opportunity to try her newly designed Modal maxi dress, which retails for $130 on her website. The dress, designed, cut and sewn in the San Francisco Bay Area, is 95% Modal and 5% Spandex. The dress, available in Periwinkle, Soft Olive, Everglade, and Light Gray, is machine washable in cold water.
The maxi dress is super soft, smooth and oh so comfortable. The silhouette is simple and elegant; and works well for a variety of occasions.
I styled the dress three ways for this review.
First of all, I wanted to show you the maxi in all its splendor, without any accessories. The dress glides on the body. The waist is so detailed in its construction that it cinches me in and is very flattering. I have tights on underneath the dress because I did not want to show any lines. It is also winter and I have on wedge boots. I am muscular and the dress is very flattering on my shape. Please make sure you wear a brassiere that smooths you, proper undergarments is a must to me in all clothing.
On a cruise this dress can be rolled up and ready to go. When I went to the Caribbean this would of been perfect.
JT in the Modal Maxi Dress
Secondly, I styled the Modal Maxi Dress for a date night out with the hubby or maybe going to see a play or a concert. Styling the dress with a Guiliana Rancic faux leather jacket, Coach purse and Poetic Justice wedge sandals with tights was a lot of fun and great to look edgy and feel comfortable at the same time.
Modal Maxi Dress Styled With Pink Faux Leather Jacket
Finally, I styled the dress with a play on colors. Loved it!
The Modal Maxi dress, paired with a Bob Mackie jacket and brown Vince Camuto wedge boots work well. The colors are different; but they compliment each other.
JT Modal Maxi and Bob Mackie Jacket
A side view of the dress, so you cansee the side slit.
Side view of Modal Maxi Dress
I have enjoyed styling the Modal Maxi dress and will continue to style it in different ways because it works with so many of my jackets and blouses.
The dress works for all seasons and I can attest to it being a chameleon in my wardrobe.
Thank you Camilla for giving me the opportunity to have such a beautiful Maxi dress. These honest opinions are strictly my own.
Season 5 premieres tomorrow evening (January 4th) on PBS stations everywhere. It is hard to believe that the new season is here. My wife and I have been watching since it premiered, back in 2010. We have watched through the trials and tribulations of Mary’s love life, the enduring terrors of the First World War and the survival of Downton in the social changes of the Twentieth Century.
www.pbs.org
Last season, I debuted a new feature on our blog — Day after Downton.
In these posts, I wrote my thoughts about each episode and offered questions about what would be happening in the following episodes. I invite you to take part in the conversation about each new episode. What did you liked. What did you not like. What do you think will be happening next.
The only thing that I ask is that this conversation is for anyone who has not already seen or read about the future episodes. I don’t want any spoilers posted in the comments sections.
Looking back at Season 4,
what do you think will happen as Season 5 begins?
Who will Mary settle on for her new suitor?
Will Rose settle down and leave the wild life behind?
Will Bates and Anna’s relationship get back to normal?
Will Branson stay at Downton or move on with his life?
What will be the next horrible thing will happen to Edith?
Which of the downstairs staff be the next to leave Downton?
The colors of fall are vibrant and bold. Please don’t be shy and embrace the season.
I created three style boards and the clothing and accessories are from MODCLOTH.
The first style board is so fun because I love adding a sweater with a cute critter on the fun but sophisticated at the same time. The skirt takes the sweater from casual to dressy. This look can go for work, church or anywhere in between.
Into The Woods
The second style board has awesome burgundy, gold and brown tones. This look is feminine and edgy. Experiment with texture and step outside of the box, you will be amazed what you can create. The cardigan with the appliqué is one of my favorites and the boots gives the look an edge. It’s easy to coordinate like colors but it takes your own flair to add a different color.
Blushing Mum Girl
The third style board below is floral fabulousity in the skirt and is accentuated with the green hues of the cardigan and gold blouse. Be prepared for tons of compliments with this outfit. The infinity scarf adds depth and additional warmth if you are in a cold office space.
Autumn Leaves
Please notice the style boards include modcloth.com jewelry and accessories because each piece finishes the look perfectly.
I don’t know about you but if I go out of the house and forget my rings or necklace I feel naked like I am missing something.
I had a lot of fun styling the fall looks. Modcloth thank you for asking Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com to showcase fall, it was easy to do because your clothing and accessories are unique and beautiful.
Please note: No compensation was given for this post, the opinions are from Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com.
Yigal Azrouël, Tess Giberson & Timo Weiland Runway Shows At Saint Louis Union Station
for Saint Louis Fashion Week
This Fashion Show at St. Louis Union Station featured a multitude of fashion lovers coming out to support designers showcasing their latest designs.
The models looked very young and the size range maybe a double-zero to four. Hopefully, in the future, we can see models who represent women who are a variety of sizes and shapes.
The designers showed a variety of designs that were edgy, yet fun and elegant at the same time.
This design of the dress below is fresh. I could wear itt to church, work, or out on the town with my hubby. This look is feminine and rocker at the same time.
Photo by Mark Schwigen for ALIVE Magazine.
This look can go from runway to everyday by adding a black tank or rayon/silk turtleneck underneath and adding a leather or corduroy jacket. Add tights and boots for a cool and fresh look.
The dress below is a very pretty look. It would be flattering on women of all shapes and sizes. A belt could be added to cinch in the waist and would give a completely different vibe to the outfit.
The designer and DJ made a splash with color blocking and bold prints, creating sharp looks. I can see putting a blouse underneath the crop top and adding a blue or khaki blazer.
Photo by Mark Schwigen for ALIVE Magazine.
Bold color blocking for men with stripe-print paints.
Photo by Mark Schwigen for ALIVE Magazine.
The night was awesome and everyone came out to support fashion in Saint Louis. They announced that over 1,000 people attended the show. Wow! What great support from the Fashion Community.
UnionStationRunwaySTLFW
I felt a little self-conscious because I did not know what to expect. This was my first runway show / fashion show. I decided to wear a pink, blue and white color-block dress. I choose red ballerina wedges because it coordinated with the dress and was an unexpected choice.
JT at Fashion Conference in front of Steinberg Hall
Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com attended the Midwest Fashion Conference on Saturday. This informative conference gave fresh perspectives on how Saint Louis can become a fashion destination. My hubby and I work near Washington University, where the conference was going on. So, we decided to walk from our job’s parking lot to the University. When we arrived, we were trying to get in — literally looking in the door — and could not get in the glass doors. No one got up and opened the doors to let us in. We had to walk back to ask the greeter how to get in. She said that we would have to knock for them to let us in.
When we all walked up the steps, someone opened the door for us to let get in. It turns out that we were trying to get in the back doors of the hall. The entrance was actually on the other side of the building; but still when we stood at the doors with everyone looking at us; but no one got up to open the doors for us.
It is ironic this happened because Fern Mallis, creator of NYC Fashion Week, spoke to people who want to break into the fashion industry. Her number one suggestion was “Be nice!” because you will encounter and have to work with various different people from all walks of life.
The first session of the day was Saint Louis Fashion Fund Presents: Fashion as a Civic Agenda
The panelists included Fern Mallis (Creator of NYFW), Stan Herman (Renowned Fashion Designer and Former President of CFDA), Gary Wassener (CEO, Hilldun Corporation), Derek Blasberg (Editor-at-Large, Harper’s Bazaar), and Timo Weiland (Designer).
Fern Mallis
Fern Mallis, Founder of NYC Fashion Week, introduced the panel.
Panelists (Left to Right): Stan Herman, Gary Wassner, Derek Blasberg, Timo Weiland, Fern Mallis
It was so interesting to hear in person from Stan Herman and Fern Mallis how NYC Fashion Week started and what it took to raise the funds for this event. I have seen videos with Stan Herman talk about how NYC Fashion Week started, so it really means a lot to hear him in this forum. To hear Fern Mallis talk about how she had to get on the phone and call Anna Wintour and other corporations to get NYC Fashion Week started. Reaping the knowledge of Gary Wassner who has worked with Betsy Johnson for years discuss how he helps designers regarding financing.
Can St. Louis have a better focus on Fashion?
The focus for St. Louis is to keep the local talent here where they will not want to get their break in NYC they want to stay here. One of the key factors was to engage the local financial community such as the banks.
Bring Production Back to The US!
Fashion Designer, Timo Weiland, discussed how he has been able to bring his production back to NYC from Asia.You can have a tighter handle on quality control in NYC. Gary Wassner discussed how by having your production in the US it gives designers an upper handle on having their designs to be first on the floor of a store and not last.
On a side note I have seen Stan Herman on QVC selling his designs of lounge sleepwear, I have a leopard robe of his, and he’s working in collaboration with Carol Hoffman amongst the major provider for uniforms. It was such a treat to see him. I was this close.
TAO Designer with Fern Mallis and Stan Herman
BUTIK Vendors were showing a wide array of designs.
Fern Mallis’s main point was to BE NICE! Make friends and be sincere, have passion – and work hard. Talk about fashion in St. Louis locally and get noticed nationally. The profile will raise as the industry raises. St. Louis had been a fashion destination with the Garment District downtown, but if everyone gets involved and puts a plan in place, it can make steps to grow fashion in the area.
Ideas of creating tag-lines and posting images downtown to start branding are all great ideas but we have to start somewhere.
Is St. Louis Ready to be the next Fashion Destination?
Fashion a Community In St. Louis
A town-hall discussion featuring above local civic and cultural leaders, moderated by Jill McGuire (Executive Director, Regional Arts Commission). Panelists include Jerry Schlicheter, president of Arch Grants; Kitty Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC) and Mobin Kahn, director of economic development and research at the Downtown St. Louis Partnership.
The beginning got pretty hot because Ms. Ratcliffe said that not everyone in New York is not fashionable; but it’s still considered a fashion city. Why did she say that? Fern Mallis corrected her and said that NYC is the Fashion Capital of the World. Ms. Ratcliffe than said she didn’t mean that and that she meant more like Brooklyn (paraphrasing). Stop now. Fern Mallis said Brooklyn has become one of the most expensive places to live now. Kitty said okay I will give you that one and the session started moving on.
The focus of this session discussed the creation of a Fashion Incubator in Saint Louis that helps designers get their start, have a business mentor, show them how to create a business plan and get their business off of the ground.
The key is to keep the momentum growing and create that marketing PR campaign and create a steering committee.
The audience was heavily involved in both discussions and are very pro-active that Fashion is St. Louis.
After lunch, three sessions were geared to Professional Development.
— The Art of Storytelling in Fashion: A look at impactful styling, photography and narration for brands and blogs.
— Brand Smart: Brainy Solutions for Creating Your Marketing Plan
— The Business of Fashion: A Look at Entrepreneurship in the Fashion & Lifestyle Space.
The panelists in these sessions discussed a wide range of topics, including blogging tips, how to create your niche, how stick with it, how to take quality photographs and how to be true to being you because your followers/readers can tell.
The Art of Storytelling in Fashion
The sessions in the afternoon made me think about my blog and how to focus more on social media presence.
Saint Louis Fashion Week started in full force with The Well Dressed Midwest VIP Blogger Lounge event.
This exclusive opportunity for bloggers to meet with local businesses was a wonderful experience. From gourmet chocolate, to all-natural skin care, to footwear and haircare. I was honored to be invited and given the chance to learn more about these companies and even purchase their products.
Here are some of the companies that were at the event.
Blissoma is an all-natural, plant-based skin care line that produces its products in downtown St. Louis. The prices are very affordable. I purchased a spray deodorant and two moisturizers. I will be writing a review of those products in the near future.
Blissoma
Vogue Footwear shoes are designed in St. Louis. The styles are on trend, affordable and stylish. It was cool to see that they also have a young girls line. Their shoe lines can be purchased at ZAPPOS, DSW, online retailers and at department stores throughout the country.
These ladies from KINK salon were so nice. I asked if they style natural hair and I heard a resounding yes. They shared a leave-in moisturizer spray that smelled great and adds a little sparkle to my hair. It was not being sold at the event; but if I wanted purchase it I could get it at one of the salon.
JT with the Stylists of KINKS Salon
All sorts of vendors that night.
Vendors and bloggers photo by JTwisdom
The Foundrie offers a wide range of handmade products, including jewelry in brass and leather with stamped lettering.
The Foundrie
The event was held at the Scape Restaurant in the Central West End, which provided food for the evening. The gourmet pizzas were delicious.
Gourmet Pizza: Photograph Alive Magazine
To end the night off with a smile, Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com won the Zettie’s gift basket of delicious cashew white chocolate and dark chocolate toffee, a Zettie T-shirt and coffee mug. The chocolate is oh-so good and yummy. Can’t wait to get a chance to write about it more.
Zettie’s Gift Basket
The swag bag included a copy of Alive Magazine, brochures, coupons, swimwear chlorine cleaner in a green drawstring bag and a beverage container.
Swag bag
It was a great night but we couldn’t stay late because we had to go to work in the morning.
The Well Dressed Midwest VIP Blogger lounge was a step up and I know that it will continue to be better each time this event is held.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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