NEW BLOG: Jules in White

I have a new blog revolving around weddings!

Check it out at www.julesinwhite.blogspot.com

xoxo Jules

I'm Alive!

Hello Fashionistas/os!
It's been a while.  I haven't stopped blogging, though.  I've been tending to my very neglected tumblr blog. I wish I could say I had time to write several times a week, but with my schedule this summer that will not be possible.  Here's an update on me:

• I perform six days a week and my only off day is on Thursdays.  Thursdays are usually filled with catching up on my "social life" and family, of course.
• I am also a sales associate at BCBGMAXAZRIA!!  (This is new, so I am very very excited!)
• I am working on my own personal endeavors.

Trust me, I have plenty of topics I need to blog about.  When I find time, expect to hear about my new favorite T.V. shows, trends, and WEDDINGS.  I have an undying passion for weddings and wedding planning that I wish to share with all of you!

Keep checking back and I promise I will catch up soon.  In the meantime, check out my TUMBLR.  I update it almost daily because I am simply posting pictures that I love/am inspired by.  Hopefully the pictures will inspire you, as well!

Reflection on the Media

The Workaholic

I am a workaholic.  I have known I’d be one since I began high school.  I am a perfectionist and I love to stay busy so what better way than to make money while doing so?  It’s not so bad because I happen to have one of the coolest jobs this summer.  First of all, I work six days a week until my contract ends in September.  I start getting ready at 1:00 p.m. before I leave at 2:20 p.m.  This includes strategically curling tiny sections of my hair and pulling it out of my face, applying smokey-eyed makeup and awesome plum lipstick, and stretching out my body and………vocal chords.  So what is this job, you might ask?  I am a full-time professional performer at Kings Island!  I am now legally a professional singer/dancer. Anyways, what is the point of this post?  Well……I am thinking of taking on asecond job.  I may be crazy, but I would love to have something to do in the morning and then drive straight to my Kings Island job.  I already had a job set up in the winter to work for BCBG Max Azria over the summer, but then I scored my current job.  I am going to see if they wouldn’t mind taking on another worker for a few mornings a week.  I’m not sure if they are hiring anymore, but I might as well try.  

So there it is……

Love,

Jules - The Workaholic.

As seen on my Tumblr

"We like the same things and I like your style."

Who hasn't already fallen in love with Zooey?  With her feminine style, unique voice, and adorable personality, what's not to love?  She is gorgeous and incredibly humble.  These are some photos I stumbled upon that capture my love for vintage bathing suits.  My next trip to the fabric store will include me purchasing spandex and beautiful trims to make my very own suit.  I have been dying to make one for a several months now.  Thanks, Zooey for inspiring me once again.  On ward!

new pixie market picks

Here are my latest Pixie Market picks that have inspired me and sparked some ideas.

I especially cannot wait to recreate my own version of the black lace dress seen above.

Bon Chic, Bon Genre

I admire a countless number of fashion designers and each for quite varying reasons. Perhaps I am drawn to the exotic colors in a particular collection or I find the style and fit of the designers’ garments to be particularly flattering on my body type. No matter what the reason may be, I get my inspiration through different designers and their savoir-faire. Although I am influenced by a variety of designers, there is one particular man who never ceases to amaze me. From season to season, he creates beautiful garments that make most every woman of all shapes and sizes feel confident. Who is this man I speak so highly of? Meet Max Azria.

Max Azria is a very talented designer who understands the shape of a woman. He has several successful lines including Hervé Léger, BCBGeneration, Max Mara, Max and Cleo, Max and Miley, and my favorite BCBG Max Azria. In each of his clothing lines, he emphasizes the importance of feeling comfortable. It is almost impossible for a woman to act and feel confident if she feels uncomfortable in the garment she is donning. The fibers you will find most commonly in his garments are rayon, nylon, and spandex. Azria’s creations have a very flowing drape and it usually clings to the body to show off the curves. Thanks to the use of these stretchy, form-fitting fabrics, women are able to “mold” the garment to their body shape.

Beyond the conceptual ideas behind the design-process comes a strategically planned construction-process. While paying close attention to body shape, Max Azria places each ruffle, gather, pleat, and dart in the most flattering way possible. Making the customer look good is rather important, not only for self-esteem, but because it makes the designer look good. Most of Max’s designs can be described as sophisticated, sexy, and feminine. His garments range from a beautifully tiered halter dress with gathers to a tight and clingy “power skirt”. The “power skirt” is not to be worn by the shy and modest. It is for the bold and confident woman with nothing to hide.

Max Azria’s designs can be worn by all types of women. Whether the customer is a laid-back beach bum or a high-society business woman, there is the perfect garment waiting to be found. I could speak for hours on end about the reasons I find Max Azria so influential. Every time I enter his store, I feel the immediate urge to touch, try on, and purchase. No other designer has ever continuously had such a toxic impact on me. It is best I lock away my wallet before entering the store!

Sewing Fever

I have been swimming in ideas lately and it feels wonderful!  Last night around 10 p.m., I decided to look through my spare fabric and I came across this gorgeous vintage fabric.  The best part is, I found it for FREE in a bin at my fashion school almost 6 months ago.  I had been dying to create a flirty, vintage-inspired summer dress with a cut-out back and last night was my chance!  With "sew" many ideas, I just had to whip out my machine and create, create, create.  After six hours of cutting, measuring, pinning, and bobbin-winding, my vision was complete.  It turned out just how I had imagined it! 

***CLICK PICTURE for a more detailed view
The length is perfect for my height and it is very form-fitting.  The cut-out back is an innocent and modest way of showing some skin for the hot, summer days.  Most importantly, I try to incorporate lace into many of my designs.  It is the signature element in my pieces.  As I tell most people, I am inspired by so many people, places, artists, and musicians, but I have four key ideas that I always draw from:   black, purple, lace, and butterflies---these four ideas describe me as a designer and you can definitely see the influence it has made in my pieces.

Meet my "Wendla Romper"

I won't say rompers are my NEW favorite thing,
because I have yearned for one for about 3 years now.
I could never find one that fit the length of my body, though.
This is the year! I have had such great luck with finding rompers and I now own four!
They are all very flattering and make my legs look longer and thinner!
Who doesn't want that? Buy a romper!

P.S. Blogger is being weird, which explains the choppy formatting.

Summer In Ohio - Last Five Years

I sang this at the Showcase for Haiti. Together, we raised over $1,000 dollars and I am so proud I was able to share the experience with such a caring group of people. I woke up with laryngitis but with the help of honey, I was able to make it through. It is a bit rough, I'll admit, but I had a blast doing it! The show must go on!

What Is "Real"?

I am thrilled the fashion industry is promoting the bodies of full-figured women.  However, I am disappointed at the fact many magazines and bloggers such as Perez Hilton are referring to them as “real women”.  It is as if they are saying naturally thin women are not real.  Just because a woman has a petite and small frame does not mean she has an eating disorder.  The runway should feature women and men of different shapes and sizes but in reality, they are all real.  This world is filled with apple shapes, pear shapes, S-curves, and no curves.  The industry needs to respect all sizes and cease the labeling of what is “real”. 

Mark Fast's Runway Show featuring full-figured women

Max Azria's Runway Show featuring thinner models

They all look pretty real to me.

beautiful, HEALTHY lashes

When buying mascara, most people either look for volume, length, or curl.  What about health?  The true key to bold and beautiful lashes are the strong and healthy ones.  In reality, if you want length, you must keep your lashes moisturized just like you would with your hair.  If you want volume, you need to make sure your lashes aren't drying up and falling out.  I've seen so many woman with dried up clumpy lashes.  Woman cake on the mascara to get the false lash look but, when someone gets up close, their lashes look like creepy spider legs.

This is what we don't want.  Right, ladies?  Luckily, I have found a mascara that brings out the glow in my lashes.  When I apply Neutrogena: Healthy Volume Mascara, my lashes feel smooth, long, and beautiful.  This particular mascara contains olive oil which acts as a conditioner and adds shine.  The formula is clump-free, therefore, you can apply up to 3 layers and it will still be smooth.  As for the volume, Neutrogena claims this mascara plumps the lashes to make them 400x fuller.  I do not know if my lashes are 400% fuller, because I am not that technical of a person.....but I do know my lashes are definitely luscious!  My lashes don't fall out as much and the overall look is healthy yet still bold.  Experiment!  Try out different brands and see what works for YOU.  Just keep in mind, healthy lashes are beautiful lashes.

my obsession with rompers

Alright, alright....So I could have possibly gone overboard, but hey, I was having fun! 

This is my outfit for Kent State's "Showcase for Haiti" concert where I will be singing a jazzy/comedic song from the musical "The Last Five Years".

Hopefully my cutesy romper will bring me good luck!

"Reasons to Be Pretty" Monologue - Neil LaBute

I absolutely adore Neil LaBute's works. He is an entirely honest and witty playwright, in which I find myself laughing at the true situations I often find myself in. I am using this piece for upcoming auditions, so I hope you enjoy it and believe my character. I want to be as honest of an actor as I can possibly be and I really feel Neil LaBute has helped me in sculpting my character.

P.S. I apologize if I am speaking too softly. I recorded this in my dorm and I didn't want to bother the people in the room next to me.