Boutique of the Week: Corner Stork Baby Gifts

Happy Saturday everyone! I have to tell you, my week has been a week full of babies! I finally had the chance to meet my adorable two week old baby cousin Finley, and in addition to him, one of my dearest friends had her precious little baby Kingston this past week as well. I have enjoyed meeting these two handsome little guys and have been on a search for the perfect gift for them both. During the process I was introduced to this beyond cute site called Corner Stork Baby Gifts. After some looking around I have decided it is definitely Boutique of the Week worthy!

The shop offers a creative selection of baby gifts, and clothing. Their items are very unique and are things that cannot be found just anywhere. They offer personalized gifts, as well as themed little gift baskets. If you have a new babe in your life and are looking for the perfect gift or some cute accessories for your little guy or girl I highly recommend checking this online store out! A few of my favorites below. It was very difficult to choose just a few!

Sweet Tee Three Piece Golf Set
I am in LOVE with this!
Find it here

Bunnies in the Garden
A great Easter basket gift
Find it here

Chick Seersucker Sleeper
I think this is so sweet for a little baby girl
Find it here

Big Dreamzz Pilot Outfit
So cute it's temporarily out of stock but can be found here

Baby Girl Spa Set
Such a fun idea!
Find it here

Search the entire shop here

Have a good weekend everyone!

XO

Spring Arrivals

Happy Thursday all! I have some exciting news! Spring headpieces have arrived at The Jem Boutique! In honor of the new season, all headpieces purchased today and tomorrow are 25% off! Enter this WW5927O5Z5G "spring arrival" coupon code at the bottom of the order confirmation section of checkout, and receive your discount!

All of our pieces are handmade in minimal quantity and many are one of a kind. So if you see one you like, get it while it is still available. And as always, special orders are accepted, so don't be shy to ask for something you may not see on the site. Send me an email with any questions or requests at morgan@thejemboutique.com. I would love to hear from you! Below are a few my favorite recently added bands...

The Sailor Blue
Loving this! Would be be uber cute for spring with a white cropped paint and navy top.
Find here 

The Gorgeous Goddess
This would look amazing with a little maxi dress and wedge shoes!
Find here

The New Chic Bohemian
This one is incredibly versatile. Can be worn casually with a skinny jean and nude pump, or worn for a special occasion! One of my all time favorites!
Find here

View our full selection at www.thejemboutique.com or simply click "shopjem" at the top of the page.

Enjoy your day!

XO

When Couples' Design Styles Clash by Lea Placek

Hi everyone! Lea here, with some design tips for the week.

I was recently asked to touch on a great topic... What do you do when two tastes collide when a couple lives together? Take Contemporary Glamour with rich soft lines and color against Modern decor with straight lines with bold colors, how do you make it look pulled together?

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• One might think it is easier than it seems. In fashion it is easier to pull off a soft glamorous look, but with BOLD colors, but inside the home it poses a challenge.
  
  
  
  
  
  Marie-Noelle Swiderski, the managing director of the Dubai-based interior design firm Blanchard, suggests that you both go away and do your homework. "Instead of going around shops pointing things out to each other in order to better disagree, I think people should each go their own way, collect magazine cuttings of things they like and present these to their partner, explaining why they like the things that they like in those images."

  This process will also enable you to get a better idea of your own likes and dislikes, and you may be surprised at the findings. "You'll see a picture and think you like everything but actually you might just like the leg of that sofa, or that particular colour, or that general mood. It's all very well saying you want a modern theme, but what exactly do you mean when you say modern? Show examples of what is in your mind. As they say, an image can speak a thousand words," Swiderski says.

  "This will allow you to get to know your spouse a little better, which is never a bad thing, and you might discover that you actually have more in common, design-wise, then you initially thought."

  The key is communication and compromise, says Helou. As with most areas of a relationship, it's a matter of finding the right balance. This could either mean trying to blend your differing  styles within one space or dividing your home into different areas where different styles prevail. 

  Source: sdenman@thenational.ae

  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of well blended "multi-style embracing" spaces of soft contemporary with touches of glamour and modern bold color. These looks could be achieved by adding just a few bold colored pillows, art, or lighting in a room. Or you could embrace the Modern edge more by upholstering a large piece in the room in a bold color and using mirrored and metallic accents to pop the "glamour".  The key is to have enough of a neutral base (i.e. grey walls or wallpaper, or timeless black and white palette) to pull off both looks perfectly!  

  

  Using the sofa and the art for the pop of bold against soft contemporary design

  

  Going bold with geometric window treatments and black walls!

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  Grey walls with soft contemporary lines with modern art and a pop of bold color in an accessory

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  Grey walls with mirrors and metallic for glamour, a pop of bold color in an accessory

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  Glamourous bedroom in all neutrals with mirrored and metallic modern accents

Clean modern lines with bold color and softer art and window treatments

clean modern lines with soft color

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  BOLD Lighting and trim paired with a classic neutral Hollywood Glamour Style

  
  

  I want to emphasize that I am not a certified marriage counselor, but I have come across this dilema more times than I would prefer to with clients. So, if you find yourself in this predicament, I encourage you to use todays technology to help focus you and your partners efforts to a happy medium.

  With modern resources like Pinterest, Houzz.com, OlioBoard.com, and HGTV at your fingertips, you can add images of ideas you each like to your "file", and then, like getting dressed for a big event, put everything on, and then each take one image away (of the others') and viola...compromise :)

  If you have any questions or comments, please share! Also, if you would love me to help you tackle your design dilemma, send me a message or post a comment.
  
  See you next week!
  Lea

  
  

Look of the Week

Urban Outfitters Yellow Jean, Find here
Forever 21 Blush Blazer, Similar here
Calvin Klein White Tee, Similar here
Steve Madden Nude Pump, Find here
Cusp Earrings, Similar here
Armani Aviator Sunglasses, Similar here
Michael Kors Purse, Find here
Michael Kors Watch, Find here
Photography done by the talented Billie Bates

XO

Favorite Spring Sweaters

This past weekend I had a great shopping outing downtown with my mom. I scored a couple gorgeous maxis and skirts but I couldn't help but love the cute light weight spring sweaters I saw everywhere! Here are a few of my favorites (the ones I ended up purchasing) and one I plan on getting very soon.

Rachel Roy Pointelle Crew Neck Sweater. Wore this to dinner on Friday with a black skinny jean.
Can be found here

Trouve Mint Crochet Sweater . I wore this to the Vintage Market and lunch on Saturday with a taupe skinny jean.
Find it here

Linen Dot Popover,  JCrew Sweater.Wore this to work today, and it may be my favorite purchase of the weekend!
Can be found here

Similar to the Trouve Sweater above but I am a sucker for anything Free People. It has been added to my want list.
Find it here

I hope everyone had a great Monday!

XO

Weekend Recap

My weekend started off with a visit from my parents! My mom and I did a little shopping and had an afternoon wine in downtown Naperville.

Friday night dinner in the city with my parents and boyfriend at Gilt Bar. If you live in Chicago and have not gone to this place yet, you must! Amazing food, super cozy atmosphere, and a little Johny Cash! We had a great time.

A Saturday afternoon treat after the Vintage Market at one of my favorite places, Davanti's.

Sunday afternoon spent at the doggie beach.

And a great ending to my weekend...the Black Hawks game. It wasn't much of a game, as the Hawks lost 6-1 but none the less a fun time!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

XO

Boutique of the Week: Ruche

This weeks boutique of the week is called Ruche. Ruche is a wonderful online shop where vintage meets modern. They offer a diverse selection of items, anywhere from gorgeous women's clothing to stylish oven mitts. I love this site not only because of their amazing merchandise and reasonable price points but I also love the story of how they established the shop. Read here.
I've added a few of my favorite pieces. Have a great weekend everyone!

Caught in the Wind Top
Available here

Mod Revival Colorblock Dress
Available here

World on a String Earrings
Available here

This is SO Cute! Elephants Fly Children's Hooded Towel
Available here

Amazon Sights Bangle Collection
Available here
All images via http://shopruche.com/

XO

For All You Creatives Out There

I think this is very appropriate for Thoughtful Thursday. I found this posted on one of my favorite blogs and felt it was definitely worth sharing. Anyone in a creative field can certainly relate to this short video clip. I hope it provides a sense of encouragement and new focused energy for anyone feeling less than inspired today.

 

Ira Glass on Storytelling

                                                               by David Shiyang Liu

                                                                     

XO

Lea's Design Trends:Spring Edition

As I have mentioned before, I am no interior design expert! So I would like to introduce to you my go to interior design girl, Lea!

Lea is a wonderful interior designer with an amazing eye for art and design. She will be here at
The Jem Journal on a weekly basis, sharing all of her lovely insights and inspirations. It's incredible how closely related the design and fashion world are and Miss Lea will be incorporating them both for our own personal enjoyment, which I am beyond excited about!

And please, don't be shy! If you have any interior design questions for Lea, do not hesitate to ask. She would be more than happy to answer them.

Without further ado, here is Lea with some gorgeous spring design trends!
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There are some heavy hitters in the Spring color trends, in fashion, as well as in Design! Color has never been so bold and bright and we are loving it! Gone are the days of "shades of dirt". So say hello to energetic, lively, bold and beautiful!

The most evident new trend is Color Blocks; the mixing of crayon bright solids with ghost white and black. Throw in dots, florals, and large geometric prints, stir and Enjoy!

Lea Placek-Interior Designer

 

Benjamin Moore's Interior Color Pulse

A well appointed room incorporating this seasons hottest colors 

source: www.interiorking.com

"Spring" created by Kojovic on Olioboard

Fashion Forward...

Global Bizarre toss pillows to add the perfect punch to any space

source: www.Inovationsid.com

Color Trends in Art

source: www.Bellemaison23.com

Oh So very Berry!

source-pillows: www.laylagrayce.com