Win $100 to H.C.B. Boutique! [now closed]

Win $100 to H.C.B. Boutique! [now closed]

Peplum top $34 / blue jeans $36 / purse $48 / necklace $26 / shoes $30
Peplum top $34 / black jeans $42 / necklace $22 / shoes $30

I'm so excited to introduce H.C.B. Boutique to you guys today! Short for Hilary Caroline Boutique, the owner (that's Hilary) opened her online store in summer 2012. Everything I'm wearing I borrowed from Hilary for a little try-on session, and will be sending back (except for the ankle boots... might have to hold onto those!) You guys are in for a real treat though - one lucky reader will win a $100 gift card to H.C.B. Boutique, and everyone gets 20% off before 12/22 with code "HappyHolidays." To enter the giveaway:

1. Stay in touch with H.C.B. Boutique by "liking" their Facebook page.

2. Leave a comment on today's post.

A winner will be selected on 12/26. U.S. residents only. Good luck!

Above: I would be more than happy to add peplum tops like these in every color to my closet! They are so festive for the holidays, and are super-comfy with their soft, stretchy material. Consider sizing up; the small (pictured) fit snug. 

Peplum top $30 / blue jeans $36 / necklace $22 / purse $42 / shoes $30
Striped top $34 / black jeans $42 / necklace $26 / purse $48 / shoes $30
Lace top $28 / blue jeans $36 / shoes $30

I'm equally obsessed with the sleeveless version of this peplum top, and H.B.C. stocks tons of other cute tops like this striped silky top and crochet lace top. I'm also a huge fan of both pairs of denim I tried - both the blue and black skinnies fit like a dream (and ran true to size).

Multicolor sweater $42 / blue jeans $36 / boots $54
Aztec sweater $40 / black jeans $42 / boots $54

The outfit on the right might be my favorite of the whole bunch, I love the sweater! I also really dig the pattern on the left sweater, although I'm convinced I look silly in crop-tops. ;-) Sweater on the left also fits snug in the arms/elbows, so consider sizing up. 

High low dress $44 / necklace $22 / purse $42 / boots $54
Pattern dress $34 / necklace $26 / purse $48 / shoes $30
Maxi dress $42 / necklace $22 / shoes $30

You will find dresses galore at H.C.B. Boutique - my favorite is the high-low dress on the left, I love the boho vibe and can see myself wearing it for both dinner and errands. The middle print looks great with cognac and turquoise and would also work with boots and leggings (I would size up because of length). The far right dress is a super-comfy option that works with sandals on the beach, or heels for the holidays.

Which outfit or clothing item is your favorite?

This post is brought to you by H.C.B. Boutique. As always all opinions, reviews and editorial decisions are my own. 

Congrats to our winner!

Building A Capsule Wardrobe: The Little Black Dress

Building A Capsule Wardrobe: The Little Black Dress

"When a little black dress is right, there is nothing to wear in it's place." -Edith Piaf

During the 1920s Chanel created a little black dress which popularized black dresses for women. After her lover Boy Capel died in 1919, Chanel wore and made black dresses inspired by the women in mourning she had seen in the French villages as a child. In 1929 Vogue printed an image of one of Chanel's black dresses in their article on Parisian Fashion. Implying the popularity and instant long term appeal of the 'LBD', Vogue dubbed the dress 'the Chanel Ford', linking it with the popularity of Henry Ford's Model-T motor cars. 

Ford was known to have said "any customer can have a car painted in any colour that he wants so long as it is black". 

Practical, flattering and sophisticated, the little black dress could carry women from the afternoon through the popular cocktail hours. Made from crepe de chine, the 'Chanel Ford' dress featured a slashed neckline, a bodice that bloused slightly at the front and sides, a tight bolero at the back and diagonal pin-tucks across the front. It was simple, elegant and very in keeping with the modern way of life. Over time the dress grew to become a staple in the wardrobe, as women heeded Chanel's advice. 

"One is never over nor under dressed in a little black dress."

In 1961 the world went a little mad for the wardrobe of Holly Golightly, elegantly portrayed by Audrey Hepburn, dressed in Givenchy for Breakfast At Tiffany's. Personally this one is my favorite. Adopted each generation in a different way, the little black dress is synonymous as the essential item in a women's wardrobe. Today it can take you across any occasion, it can be styled simply or paired with accessories. I love that a black dress offers a reliable outfit in my wardrobe that I can turn to knowing I will have something to wear, no matter the occasion. Somehow, even wearing the same one again and again, (something a little taboo of a printed or coloured dress) is not an issue. Should you choose to wear a little black dress again and again, it is simple attributed that you have 'style', are 'classic' and elegant. 



Cue The LBD. New to Australia, The LBD is a manufacturer and online retail boutique with a unique concept certain to revolutionize how women source and select their perfect LBD. Finding the perfect LBD until now, could prove to be a challenge. Fit, price, availability and seasonal collection changes all conspire together to make it a challenge to find the right one for each woman. Over the past 12 months, the design team at The LBD have been crafting the capsule collection, built around classic, timeless designs to create a versatile foundation wardrobe. Each LBD is available in styles to enhance the individual customer's assets. These days the average Australian adult female is an average size 14, but the LBD designed to suit body shapes rather than label sizes. Adapting necklines, sleeve and skirt styles and hemlines, there is a whole range of silhouettes to choose from, each dress is made of trans seasonal high quality fabric for year round wear. The site also features a unique Dress My Shape Guide complete with a shape guide and calculator. Each dress has been sized against its counterpart, meaning the sizes remain the same no matter which style of dress you choose. I personally find the unstandardized clothing sizing system in Australia to be extremely frustrating. I am a size 8, no a 6, no a 10... or all three, depending on a garment or brand. Not with The LBD! I calculated my size, and it fit perfectly.   

I will share my outfit post in the dress I chose in the coming days, (below is one of my styling boards I have made up featuring it) but in the mean time, I thought I would share a link to The LBD so you can check it out. I can not stress enough how useful a little black dress is in building your capsule wardrobe! 

If you have missed any of the 'Building A Capsule Wardrobe' series, check out the previous posts here. 

I will be bringing you more of this sort of post in coming weeks, so stay tuned, and please share any comments or ask any questions below. 

Happy Capsule creating! 

xx Jenelle

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House of Skye

House of Skye

House of Skye Dress, Bruug Leather Vest, Chloe Boots

In just a short amount of time, House of Skye has established itself among some of WA's strongest boutiques as both a wearable and exciting label. Employing a belief that good quality should not cost the earth, House of Skye designer Natasha distributes monthly collections drawing on icons of the late 1960's to 1970's (think Stevie Nicks). Producing her own prints and hand dyed fabrics, Natasha is dedicated to creating unique, easy to wear garments that can transcend seasonal changes. Available in boutiques Varga Girl in Leederville, This Fine Day Boutique in Maylands, Eros Fremantle, Method Clothing in Mt Lawley just to name a few. 

I was kindly invited by Natasha to visit her studio and choose a couple of pieces to wear to the recent Urban Couture festival events. I couldn't help but be drawn to this simple, asymmetrical and eye catching blue dress, knowing I could wear it for the day events with heels or boots depending on my mood. As it turned out the day was on the colder side, and directly after the runway show (which I will be sharing on the blog shortly) it poured with rain for hours, washing out the evening show which sadly had to be cancelled. 

As I was to be shooting for the afternoon I threw this leather Bruug gilet over the dress to keep my arms free. (I have just noticed that it is now half price up on the Bruug site here.) 

A special thank you to Natasha for lending me this dress to wear and share with you. I have one more to share… despite that the weekends events were a wash out. It'll be up soon. 

xx Jenelle

Photos by Laura Liy

EUROPE 2015.....LONDON: Tour of "Mademoiselle Prive" Exhibition at Saatchi Gallery + More!

EUROPE 2015.....LONDON: Tour of "Mademoiselle Prive" Exhibition at Saatchi Gallery + More!

London Boys: Nick Verreos and David Paul explore London, November 2015

Nick Verreos and David Paul at the "Chanel Salon" stairs reproduction--Mademoiselle Privé Exhibition Saatchi Gallery London UK

A couple of weeks ago, I was in London for the Debut of my NV Nick Verreos clothing line on QVC UK. Naturally I went with my better half--David Paul. We had been here before, several years back, and did the requisite tourist visits to Westminster Abbey, the Victoria & Albert Museum plus much much more, so this time around for our short stay in London, we decided to just shop and make sure to go to the Mademoiselle Privé Exhibition. 

                    Tourist Nick: Nick Verreos in front of iconic London red telephone booths

In case you are not aware of the Mademoiselle Privé Exhibition, it was a "journey" through the House of Chanel's creativity. It was organized by Karl Lagerfeld--along with Chanel--as a showcase of the original Chanel Salon, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's design origins (hat making) and fabric, chain and camellia inspirations plus a lot more, of course. 

Get in Line: The scene on the last day of the "Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery                                                                                  London UK



Before we left to London--after some research--we realized that the day after we arrived would be THE FINAL DAY of the Exhibition. In other words, we had no option but to go. Of course, once we showed up, there was a very long, long line to attend (it was free!). The line took about an hour and a half (not bad, considering) but yes, we did it. Here are photos from the exhibit:

 

Reproduction of the Chanel Salon iconic curved stairs--Mademoiselle Privé Exhibition Saatchi Gallery London UK

Gabrielle Chanel Hat Box and Wall Renderings--Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery London UK

                       Chanel Haute Couture--Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery                     London UK

Chanel Haute Couture gold sequin gown--Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery                                                                                        London UK

Chanel Haute Couture sequined and lace gown--Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery                                                                              London UK

Chanel Haute Couture worn by Julianne Moore and Vanessa Paradis--Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery London UK

 Chanel pleated black and white cocktail dress--Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery London UK

 Haute Couture Wool--Swaths of fabric at the Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery London UK

Chain Bucket: Mademoiselle Privé" Exhibition Saatchi Gallery London UK

Shopping, Food...

Nick Verreos--walking through the Knightsbridge neighborhood, London UK

London Double Deckers--London UK

Chinatown Scene--London UK

Shopping London:

Gorgeous Gown in the Window: Plaid gown from Emilia Wickstead boutique, London UK

 Harrods London

Foodie London:

Indian Delish: Enjoying a DELICIOUS dinner with David at "Masala Zone" Bayswater district

 English Breakfast: Eggs, Bacon, Beans...Heaven: Park Grand Lancaster Gate London Hotel Breakfast

Kabob Happy: Persian Dinner of Ground Lamb and Filet Kabob Combo at Alounak Bayswater Restaurant London UK

Cheers London! David Paul and Nick Verreos at Kensington Gardens

**NEXT STOP: SPAIN!

A GUIDE TO ABBOT KINNEY :: ALL MY FAVORITE SPOTS

A GUIDE TO ABBOT KINNEY :: ALL MY FAVORITE SPOTS

Good morning, Everyone! Hope your week is going great so far! I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few of my  favorites spots on Abbot Kinney, a cute shopping and dining destination in Marina del Rey Emil and I like to frequent.

Eclectic, fun and stylish, if you're looking for a great shopping and dining spot, Abbot Kinney is definitely on of my favorite walkable neighborhoods in LA. Aside from the fact that you can shop while enjoying warm Cali sun, what I like about Abbot Kinney the most, is the great variety of shops you can find here. Unique clothing and accessories boutiques, flower shops, furniture and home goods stores, art galleries and chic restaurants, all conveniently located within a few blocks.

A Few Personal Favorites: 

Though there are certainly a few cute coffee shops on Abbot Kinney, since I was pretty much born with a coffee cup in my hand, I like to enjoy it on the go. Normally, I head over to TOMS Roasting Co. Coffee to get my caffeine fix. The rustic decor is beyond cute and the coffee is great, I mean, what else can a girl ask for?:)

One of my go-to places to get great basics like jeans and tees is Rag & Bone, and the Abbot Kinney location is definitely a favorite by far. This loft-style boutique also features the cutest back-yard garden patio, where you can lounge around while basking in warm California sun.

I've never been much of a dessert addict. Pasta and pizza, YES! But as far as desserts are concerned, Emil definitely has much more of a sweet tooth than I do. Having said that, whenever we find ourselves on Abbot Kinney, I can never resist getting ice cream at Salt & Straw! The ice cream is absolutely delicious and selection of flavors is seriously amazing. BTW, if you happen to stop by, I seriously suggest trying Honey Lavender! :)

As I mentioned before, there are a few really cool restaurants on Abbot Kinney, but the one place Emil and I are completely obsessed with is Gjelina. The food is just insanely good, and rustic chic decor makes this place one of our favorite spots to grab dinner. If you happen to stop by, I suggest trying any of their pizzas or a smoked trout salad, which is absolutely yummy! One thing I would recommend is making a reservation, because they do tend to get quite busy for dinner.

MARISSA WEBB Ilsa dress | ELIZABETH COLE geometric earrings | TABITHA SIMMONS Blaze embellished suede sandals | CHLOE small Hudson studded cross body bag | OLIVER PEOPLES x ISABEL MARANT Daria sunglasses | RACHEL ZOE Set of 5 rings |