Damn your ass looks great!Thats how a great pair of jeans should make you feel !Everyone loves a great pair of jeans. Well maybe "pairs"... they are kind of like potato chips, ya can't just have one! I am no exception. I have gone from Chic, to Gloria Vanderbilts, to Levis 501, to Girbaud. Many have been worn to almost baby blanket soft. Others were just a bad idea to start out with. I know Fiorucci was hot in the 80's but please...I was never and will never be a Go-Go or Pat Benitar no matter how hard I try. As I reminise about the days when jeans cost $35.00, I am slammed in the face by a teenage daughter carrying a pair of True Religions's for $200.00! COME ON...
Then I have a "come to Jesus moment" and realize I am the example of the consummate consumer. I am a jean loving, gotta have them Mom. Children will do what you do, not what you say. I hate it when that happens!! So, I am the one who has her jeans nicely folded in the closet in rows by cut, designer and color. I have my favorite 'hang around the house' jeans and the black skinny leg 'fierce looking out on the town 'ones. Stop me before I go into a complete repetiore of my jean assortment. I promised this would be informational AND fun. A place I could use the ol' mommy noodle. Ok, ok, here it is.This is a list of some of the best jeans ever, or for now, I should say.

1.Madewell- What is Madewell you ask? Well... "effortlessly cool, totally original, and full of edited, Downtown-chic essentials". They are made of the high-quality Japanese and Turkish denim. It gives it a soft, vintage feel and a true indigo richness. The editorial staff from many major fashion magazines voted this their favorite as well. Personally I LOVE these jeans. These skinny jeans are the "bomb" and if Madewell was a person, she'd be my best friend! www.madewell1937.c0m There is one free standing shop at the Domain in Austin, great shop, awesome selection and wonderful sales staff.

2.Lucky Brand- Yes, the groovy shop in the mall with the hippish salespeople and the blaring Creedance Clearwater Revival cd. But, I have to tell you, for someone who loves the old school button fly jean this one can't be beat. They have a variety of styles, fits and washes. You can actually go on their website and fill out what you want in a jean fit and there's your match! Mid level pricing and they just get better the more you wear them. www.luckybrand.com





3.True Religion- Some of the best fitting jeans that make your butt look awesome. The stiching down the leg creates the perfect optical illusion of length and leaness. The detail on the back pockets doesn't hurt either. The horseshoe design is a little much sometimes but once again, your ass looks great. The rise in these is short and should be considered when trying on and bending over! Pricey and hard to justify so you better love them before dropping two c-notes on these babies. You can find them at almost any high end department store or boutique.












4. J Brand- Great mix of denim and stretch. They are "classic and sophisticated jeans with the emphasis on fit" -- with one mandate: creating a timeless product. Paying careful attention to details and clean, dark finishes, together they have created a combination of sexiness, style and comfort in women’s jeans." Available at www.jbrandjeans.com




5. AG- Adriano Goldschmied jeans. These offer something for everyone. Great fit, many different rises and lengths. Nice mix of cotton and elastan. These are the jeans that Oprah had on her show. She loves "The Club" jean, I prefer the "Angel". Either way you can have a heyday at this full service website for everything denim http://www.revolveclothing.com/. Mid to High pricing but the website offers free shipping and free returns if that helps.



6. Hudson Jeans- "Hudson jeans are inspired by the idea that the right pair of jeans should be both flattering and lavishly comfortable, while naturally complimenting individuality with a sense of style. Known for unparalleled fit and craftsmanship, the iconic union jack logo and signature triangle flap back pocket, Hudson Jeans has become a leading innovator in the premium denim market. I love the fit of these. They really mold to your body without stretching out in the legs and rear end. They also come in a variety of styles and washes. Highly priced but I think well worth it. You can find these at www.revolveclothing.com .




I do have a couple of quick gripes. Some jeans I find are too embellished or trendy.
I also don't understand the rage surrounding some that cost around $500.00 for some special "who-who" blend and finish. Give me a piece of high grain sandpaper and I can age/hand finish any pair!
Ok, one more "I HATE" the baggy, pleated , full cut "Mom" jeans.
If you know anyone who is wearing these or might have them in her closet please do her a favor and have a jean intervention. If all else fails, go in and steal them, shred them into little pieces and dispose of them in a landfill~
So, you have some of MY favorites. I am sure you have many of your own.
Please email me and tell me what kind are your favorites and why you love them. I am always looking for an excuse to get a great new pair of jeans, they will be for future "research" I assure you !

Clothing Crisis!


I have nothing to wear! I hate my clothes! Where is that dress? These are a few of the many irritating things my poor husband has to hear me say whenever I feel rushed to get dressed or have a big event to attend. Well, I recently found an awesome website that is the hub for style advice and hot trends. An interactive forum to give and get fashion advice.

It is similar to other social websites where users can create a profile and add friends. This one is fun and helpful for anyone who gets stuck in a rut or wants to show off their own personal style.
Great for inspiration and it adds a digital twist on organizing your closet.
You can upload photos from your own closet or add items to your "wish" list to complete your fashion ensemble!Users can get expert advice from stylists and "friends". There is also a calendar that helps organize items by date and event. You can virtually put your outfit together in the "dressing room" and even pack ahead for your next trip using this visual format.
I love that you can also pull items from e-retailers who are on the site. They feature amazing items that are hot off the runway and you are one click away from having the perfect outfit!
www.closetcouture.com














www.closetcouture.com

Posted by SMOKEY EYED GAL at 11:33 AM Links to this post

Bang for your Buck!

Do we really need to spend a fortune to get the look we want?
Are all the high end cosmetics and facial products really worth all that cash? Is it the packaging, the advertising or the research behind the product? I think it’s a little of all the above .Many of the major cosmetic companies own these lower priced, often comparable lines!
The bottom line is, I don’t need fancy packaging if the product works! There are so many great alternatives to department store cosmetics and facial products. I pride myself on trying as many as possible to test the claims. I have drawers overflowing from mascara’s that did'nt
lump, curl or lengthen. I have finally found some things I think are a great
bang for your buck! These are awesome finds and they actually produce.
Ok, here is the short list of my faves. Not in any particular order just items
I find myself continually picking up at Walgreens, CVS, or the makeup aisle
in the grocery store.
1) L’Oreal Voluminous CARBON BLACK mascara.It's the blackest mascara you can find besides Dior SHOW
2) Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets- These are the one thing I ALWAYS
have with me. They are a quick touch up that removes any oil without smudging
or removing your foundation.
3)Cover girl Outlast All-Day Lip color- Apply once and you have lip color for hours! This works as good as the MAC one and is one of my favorite go-to’s. SimmeringSpice looks good on almost everyone.
4)Neutrogena Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads, Large Plush Pads- they do exactly what they say they will. Love them!
5)Maybelline New York Line Works Waterproof Liquid Liner- easy to apply and stays put.
6)Cornsilk Classic Translucent Pressed Powder- it has no color but is also a great little compact for quick touch-ups without the powdery finish!
7) Wet and Wild Eyeliner Pencils- for .99 cents need I say more
8) Olay Body Quench Mousse- Ultra Moisture. Just discovered this fluffy mousse that
relieves even the driest of skin. Leaves you feeling silky smooth!
9) Clairol Nice and Easy Root Touch-up- When you can’t make it to the salon, this is the quick fix that touches-up your re-growth or little gray hairs!
10) L’Oreal Ever Pure Sulfate- Free Shampoo- This shampoo is amazing for color treated hair.
Your color will fade less and it helps to protect and nourish. My color has never stayed longer!

That’s just a sampling of my drugstore faves. I have many more that I will include in another post. With all that is going on in the economy and trying to be mindful of my disposable income, these not only work great but make you feel good even before you leave the store!

Posted by SMOKEY EYED GAL at 9:05 AM Links to this post

Where do we get our style from? Is some of it inherited? I know that many of us take influences from magazines, TV., friends, movies stars, etc… But before we are bombarded with all these images is some of how we chose to adorn ourselves just innate?Raising teenage girls is no walk in the park I must say, but some day’s Iam in awe observing them and their precarious navigation through some of the toughest years in ones life. We as mothers often dress our kids very similarly to how we dress. I could never bring myself to put mine in all the smocked jumpers with their initials blazed across the frontI chose instead to “funk” it up a bit and went the Oilily route. Alwaysletting them add their special something to it. Often a tiara or a tutu was pulled on as we ran out the door. I could care less, it was their Own twist on the ensemble I had put together.I love their uncomplicated view of clothing. It was more carefree and uncontrived than us adults. They were never trying to impress or look pulled together. Sometimes a cape or pink cowboy boots were exactlywhat the day called for! And enough with the coats! Moms…heads up,
Coats are things kids wear when moms are cold!So, much to my surprised and delight, my high schooler ran down thestairs this morning with quite a fashion moment. She has borrowed snippets of her style from me, her grandmother, Gossip Girl and other
media influences. But, this one was even an eye-opener to me. She had Artfully found a discarded multi-striped tiered skirt, easily two sizes to Small (as a skirt) and turned it into this rockin’ strapless (obviously)top. She paired it with skinny jeans, a cropped J.crew jacket and ankleboots. Damn, girl! You look great, I thought to myself. Never uttering words, because she is a teenager and anything I say “might” be misinterpreted depending on the day. Anyhoo, I was pretty proud
And almost pissed that I would have never thought of that!I relished for a moment of her ability to pull together something uniquely stylish and utterly blog worthy.
I think that’s what we ultimately want when we get dressed. For some part of our clothing to say something about who we are and what we value. I saw a kid not caught up in designer duds and labels,but someone who with a little creativity and ingenuity got it right.I continue to be amazed, frustrated, exhausted and bewildered by these little people but always learning more from them than anyone else.
So, here’s to style! Doesn’t matter where you get, borrow it or steal
It, just add a bit of yourself and make it your own!