The Jay + Renae Collective...is official!

So today was the launch...and boy was it awesome! All that fretting and hand wringing was for naught. It was perfect as perfect can be...with the small exception of being completely late to set up by no less than an hour. Purely due to my constant flubbing of the little interview point that I had written up for myself!

But...the day was an absolutely gorgeous spring day with megawatts of sunshine. Quite honestly, the most beautiful day we've had all year. The perfect number of guests arrived. There was an overwhelming interest in the jewelry - in fact I felt a little unprepared!

Robert and Aston of Limestone Films were right there holding my hand AND capturing every fun moment on film. I honestly don't think this would have been nearly as incredible without their presence. So here's a huge shout out to Limestone Films - Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I also want to thank all of you for being so supportive throughout this entire adventure. Your encouraging words and assistance (in many forms) was a tremendous help in getting this dream off the ground. I am honored to have such an amazing group of supporters around me. A huge thank you to all of you (you know who you are)!

So what can you expect next? More of Jay + Renae of course! The Website (that's right, I meant to capitalize that) will be the next main focus. The Website is slated to launch on April 9th (if all goes according to plan). Then the interview with Natalie on the Inspiration Show! (That has me a little nervous but excited to share Jay + Renae with a broader audience). 

So keep tuned. You will be the first to know of any new exciting development!

Until next time...

xoxo

Moving...Forward

Okay, it's been a bit crazy of late - getting ready for our much anticipated trip to our soon-to-be-new-home/city. Yes, I'm moving. Bye-bye beloved San Francisco. Hello, Toronto. Burrrr...as I understand it, there's actually snow there and it's not even a ski town. Even as a former east coaster, this is a bit tough to adjust to after more than a decade of perpetual fog..., I mean moderate weather.

I may just need to borrow this coat...

Photo courtesy of Atlantic-Pacific
Loving how a soft leather jacket is layered beneath an overcoat.
I may need to steal this idea for my upcoming trip...

But everything is still moving full steam ahead! The trunk show event has been finalized for March 23rd and Robert and Aston of Limestone Films will be my house guests(!) and attending to film the entire event. I feel like we're friends already!

Robert and Aston of Limestone Films
The friendliest couple I will soon have the pleasure of meeting. They will be capturing the heart of Jay + Renae on film and bringing it to life. 

I've also been working on a whole new collection to be photographed by the talented Clarissa Schneider. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at me working out the details...

Putting together the hand stamped charm necklace collection.
Finally! This collection has been on the sketch pad for nearly a year now so I'm really excited to finally include it in the Jay + Renae collection. 

Mixing gold with silver to add a layer of interest and versatility.
This new hand stamped charm collection will include the ability to customize and personalize your very own necklace. Look out for photos of the completed pieces in an upcoming post...

I hope you've enjoyed this update. Thanks for taking this journey with me. Let me know what you think of the new collection...leave your comments below!

Until next time...

xoxo

Fashion Tip of the Week

This tip of the week comes straight from InStyle.com. It's a rule I abide by whenever I shop for the perfect (aka comfortable) pair of jeans!

Image courtesy of InStyle.com

In Style says...Know your stretch.

The secret formula for a soft but formfitting T? 95% cotton, 5% Lycra spandex. For jeans to hold their shape, they need at least 2% Lycra

Here's to a fun and stylish weekend!

xoxo

Jay + Renae

Fashion Tip of the Week

I've decided that Fridays are the perfect days for my Tip of the Week post. After a busy week of work and play, it's time to wind down. The weekend is just around the corner - a perfect time to try out a new trick before another week starts and the craziness begins all over again.

This week's little Fashion Tip is: Use a Spray Bottle.

Instead of an iron that is. So picture this. You're getting dressed and the shirt that you thought you had hung neatly in the closet is actually found under a pile of clothes that you promised yourself that you'd take care of, oh just a couple of weeks ago. You have only 10 minutes to finish getting dressed, pack your son's lunch, put your face on and change a poopy diaper. So you pull out the iron and ironing board...not!

Enter your trusty spray bottle. Mist that wrinkled mess of a shirt down with a little water and pop it into the dryer on the lowest setting (but not the air fluff - you need just a touch of heat). 5-7 minutes later while you blaze around completing the rest of your morning routine on warp speed - presto! You have a wrinkle-free shirt, hot out of the oven (dryer). Of course it will never have the precise smooth flatness of an ironed shirt, but who wants to look like a stiff board anyways?

This trick works for all manners of things - pants, cashmere sweaters, jeans (great for those stretched out pairs that you want to get one more wear out of before throwing them in the wash!) and of course any shirt of your choice.

If you haven't tried this already, prepare for an easier life - at least where ironing is concerned. Let me know what you think and share your own fashion tip with me in the comment section below!

Until next time - may you have a stylish and wrinkle-free weekend!

xoxo

Jay + Renae

The Pocket Stylist

So I promised "How To" tips and I am here to deliver! Introducing my long standing style bible:
The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr.

My personal style bible.
Find it here.

Be warned: this book is not for the faint of heart. If you dread taking an honest look at yourself (naked is not completely necessary, a pair of skivvies will do just fine) or your closet, then it's best that we bid each other farewell and part as friends. Because this book is all about getting down to the nitty gritty of personal style. You won't see any fashion fluff here. And I for one am all about getting the lowdown on creating a sense of true personal style. If this sounds like you, then read on!

Here's what you can expect.

• A comprehensive breakdown of style options for different body types with a simple way to identify your own body type.
• How to shop like a pro stylist using tricks and tips that Kendall Farr personally uses to style the most fashionable of celebrities and fashion magazine shoots. 
• A list of must-have basics that no closet should be without.
• How to customize a fit to work with your unique silhouette.
• How to work current trends into your existing wardrobe.
• Finding the right underpinnings to make everything fit and look the way you want it to.
• And of course, how to accessorize to create a truly personalized look. 

And all this comes straight from a pro stylist who has worked in the industry for nearly twenty years (more now, since this book's been out for a while now). You can check out her style blog here. She has styled the likes of celebrities, magazines, ad campaigns and private clients. But most importantly, she actually cares about each person looking her best, regardless of the label she's wearing or how trend-on her outfit is. She brings her years of experience in the field working with numerous clients to breakdown fashion and style in a way that is truly approachable for the everyday woman. Thanks be.

. 

I hope you glean some helpful tips from this book. I'd love to get your feedback. Let me know what insights you discover about yourself while reading it - I think you may be surprised (I certainly was)!

Until next time!

xoxo

Jay + Renae