Wear your state, wave your flag, and be proud of your home...It's fashionable!

Let’s talk about pride for the places we live.

For ages now, people have worn clothing to represent a sports team they love or a college that they attended. Showing team pride is no secret- In Ohio, it’s the Buckeyes. However, it wasn’t until recently I noticed people starting to show pride in the places that they’re from as well, not just the sports teams that play there.

Anytime I’m in England, there are no lack of Union Jack’s in clothing, socks, shoes, and even underwear- residents wear their flag with pride. A few months ago we started carrying necklaces and charms in the store that have our state shape on them (Ohio). Each time I got these necklaces and charms in the store, we would sell out of them in days. I began to realize that this trend wasn’t going away, it was in fact escalating. No matter where people are from, right now, it is fashionable to love your home- and display that pride in the outfits you wear.

Two weeks ago, Carnaby Street Style started carrying shirts made by a company that represent home pride and the idea of loving where you are from. “Be Proud Ohio” is a great company started by two Ohio natives with a desire to make a product that Ohioans could wear with pride, to showcase the state that they love. The company’s product description reads, “Let these products represent your deep love for this place: a community with a pulse that runs beyond its borders. Wherever you end up, be proud of your home. “

These words, “Be proud of your home” resonate with me, and I love that, right now, there is clothing, jewelry, socks and various other products that help people all across the state and globe show pride for the places that they live.

So wear your state, wave your flag, and be proud of your home- It’s fashionable! And you better believe I’ll wear my Ohio necklace with pride (But when the World Cup starts next week- I’ll also have my England team jersey on).

Emma

Boutique Owner and Everyday Girl

Let's Talk Lace...

There’s a lot of detail that you will see added to fashions this upcoming season. Rhinestones embellished, studded, floral, crochet and pleather paneling….just to name a few. But despite how great all of those extras may be, my favorite is a touch of lace!

Lace used to be primarily made of silk or linen... but those days are long gone. Now you can find lace in a variety of different fashions because it usually made from cotton thread or synthetic fibers.

A lace panel in the front of a dress adds a flirtatious touch. A criss-cross lace back adds a little bit of mystery. A lace sleeve on an otherwise ordinary tee adds a sense of style. And a dress or top that is completely lace gives a sense of sophistication and class. Lace can say so much.

How will you wear your lace?

Emma

Boutique Owner and Everyday Girl

Let’s add floral to our fashions and blooms to our backyards

The sun will eventually come out, and the snow will eventually stop falling and believe it or not, in about a month, we’ll start to see some flowers bloom. But until then- we can enjoy the flowers that are blooming in the fashion world.

Dresses, tops, pants, scarves, and jewelry- floral patterns are not in short supply in the fashion world.

On my trips back to England, I’ve been seeing floral patterns for a few years now, and figured it would only be a matter of time before Ohio picked up on the trend. In their March issue, People Style Watch published about floral in fabrics, they say, “Bold, oversize blooms are fresh on feminine dresses, slim pants and more.” And that’s exactly where you will see them-dresses and pants, among many other places.

And hopefully, if we will it to be, the flowers will eventually not only be on our clothing, but also be growing in our backyards.

Let’s add floral to our fashions and blooms to our backyards.

Bring on Spring.

Emma

Boutique Owner and Everyday Girl

The World is Your Runway...

On the wall of the store we have a quote, “Every day is a fashion show and the world is your runway. So, always dress your best and walk with confidence” (Coco Chanel). This quote did not find its way onto our wall by accident. I carefully went through hundreds of fashion quotes until I found the quotes that resonated most with me and what I wanted the store to express.

I truly believe in the philosophy that if you look your best you will, in turn, feel your best. Throw on a pair of stilettos and – though it may be painful - it will add some sass to your step. Put on some makeup and style your hair - your walk will become a lot more confident.

Now, I’m not sure if there are statistics to prove this, but I know for me it’s true. If you have work to get done at home, put on a nice outfit, shoes, or even underwear and you’ll be a lot more productive than if you’re lounging around in your sweatpants. Walk in to a business conference wearing a cute (but professional) blazer and some adorable shoes - you’ll probably shake a lot more hands and make a multitude more introductions.

For me, when I’m dressed to impress, I begin to impress even myself. When I don’t feel good about myself, I don’t feel any desire to show anyone else who I am. But, when I feel good about the way I look, I present myself in a completely different way.

So, put on some lipstick, style that hair, throw on some cute shoes or a nice pair of earrings- don’t worry about what anyone else thinks of you. It’s said that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. In my opinion ….dress for your confidence level. If what you’re wearing makes you feel confident, your personality and character will speak for themselves.

The world is your runway…so let’s start the show!

Emma

Boutique Owner and Everyday Girl

To Infinity and Beyond

As it seems to be continually getting colder and colder with no clear end in sight, I thought I would take this moment to show my appreciation for an accessory that I could not be more thankful for right now. This is basically my love note to the infinity scarf. Whoever came up with the concept of attaching the two loose ends of a normal scarf together and creating one continuous circle of warmth, is my hero today. So here’s just a few of the reasons I love the infinity scarf.

First, this is not just a cold weather accessory. While, it keeps you warm and stylish in the cold winter months, the infinity scarf is also a very fashionable piece to spice up a spring outfit.

Secondly, the options are endless. There’s wool, acrylic, cotton, viscose, chiffon and lace. There’s knitted, crinkled, crocheted, hand stitched, and threaded. If you’re looking for an infinity scarf, right now, you can find it, in any color, any style or any material.

Next, there are no loose ends to worry about. The infinity scarf is just what its name says, infinite. It is one continuous circle. You don’t have to worry about what to do with either end of it, you just wrap it and voila.

Finally, there’s not just one way to wear it. Everyone thinks that because it’s a circular scarf, there are less you can do with it- quite the opposite actually. If your ears are cold and it’s snowing rapidly-like it so often is here in Ohio- use one of the ends of the scarf as a hood - two in one. Want to add something fresh to an outfit? Hang the infinity scarf around your neck and belt it- chic and stylish. Wearing a beautiful dress but need something to cover up your shoulders? Use an infinity scarf as a shrug- effortless.

The infinity scarf lives up to its name. There are infinite ways to way wear one, infinite styles, infinite colors, and infinite materials they’re made in.

The scarf that is one continuous circle is one of my wardrobe must-haves.

So in the words of the great Buzz Lightyear, “To infinity and beyond!”

Emma
Boutique Owner and Everyday Girl

Here's to the Elephant in the Room!

After attending shows, seeing new collections and ordering from the upcoming spring lines, there was one trend that was apparent. You could say that it is “stampeding” through the fashion world. You could say that it’s getting its “trunk” into everything this spring (haha, okay enough with the puns). It’s the largest living land animal and it is one of the most prominent motifs this upcoming season. Yes, you’ve guessed it - THE ELEPHANT. 

Animal motifs often appear each season and this year we can’t get enough of the elephant. Jewelry, scarves, tops, and dresses are just a few places you’ll see the elephant “marching in” this spring (okay, I couldn’t help myself). This animal may be big, but in the fashion world, its portrayal is elegant, refined, and actually quite cute.

We’ve had owls, mustaches, chevron, lions, the infinity sign, and various other creatures and symbols - so why the elephant? Apart from its fashionable demeanor, there’s actually a lot more to an elephant than meets the eye. Symbolically, elephants depict virtues such as strength and honor. Elephants find families very important and so they portray a great deal of loyalty. They’re also well known for being very determined creatures. Some say that wearing an elephant is a symbol of your determination to overcome any obstacle.

Here’s to the elephant in the room!

Emma

Boutique Owner and Everyday Girl

My name is Emma and I (undoubtedly) love fashion!

My name is Emma and I (undoubtedly) love fashion! I love shoes, scarves, a good necklace, a cute sweater - but most of all - I love seeing the way others take fashion and style and make it their own. The way they style their hair, add a splash of color to a monotone outfit, complement their outfit with jewelry and scarves. So, I set out to follow a dream - start a boutique that offers affordable, trendy clothing and accessories that gives men and women the opportunity to take the latest fashions and create their own unique styles.


I love reading about the fashion trends; I love going to shows and seeing what styles are going to be popular; I love the inspiration that comes from a Pantone™ color pallet and learning what the color of each season and year will be (this year it's “Radiant Orchid”). As the saying goes - “Fashion is my passion". But, using that fashion to create individual style is a true art.


As the owner of a clothing store, I am lucky enough to get the inside scoop on the upcoming trends, fashions, colors and styles. As an everyday citizen on the other hand, I am lucky enough to see different ways that everyday people take that fashion and make it their own.


What is the color of the year? What’s with all the mustaches? Should I wear tights underneath my shorts? What are wardrobe “must haves”? How many different ways can I wear a scarf?


I open this blog with one hope - it gives everyday people like me a place to come for ideas and inspiration on how to create your own style using tips and tricks from both the fashion industry and the street. I truly believe that when you create a style that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin, then you will walk with confidence.


Here’s to walking with confidence!


Emma
Boutique Owner and Everyday Girl