We've Moved

Please join us at our new URL: http://www.ladylanguage.com/blog

We will not be posting or answering comments at this location and will eventually redirect this site. All of our sidebar widgets and links are being updated on the new site and we are still working on a few things, but come on over and let us know what you think!

Monday's Muse...The Queen Diva

Inspiration has many forms. I often find it by reading, listening to music and playing with my children. But lately, my biggest inspiration has come from my favorite blogs and blogger friends. So, every Monday, I am going to take a moment to share the blogs and sites I enjoy visiting.

I will begin by thanking Elaine of HipNChic Designs who literally helped plant this seed. I have been trying to figure out how to incorporate some "link love" into my blog without sounding like an advertising board. I realized that all I need to do is focus on the blogs and people who make a difference in my life or the business.

Elaine has impacted my business greatly after meeting her only a month ago. She runs an organization for women entrepreneurs on the internet where we gather for business advice, promotion and general support. It is a wonderful community where I have met many women with similar goals. Elaine is a talented artist who owns HipNChic Designs, and she is a very sweet, compassionate woman with a great sense of humor (no wonder I like her). When I saw that she has five children (plus her 31-year old baby), I realized that she is truly phenomenal, if not a bit insane. I have two children and that's my limit while owning a business. If I had five, the only thing I would accomplish daily is feeding them, cleaning up after them and trying desperately to get some peace and quiet. So cheers to Elaine and thank you for being a great inspiration. Oh yeah, she finds time to blog too. I think she is a robot.

All right my friends, our new blog design is almost ready so we may be away or down and redirected (I am not sure about all of the moving technicalities), but we'll be back better looking and blogtastically functional shortly.

Friday Q&A - Advice For Rounder Shapes

Q: I am having a hard time finding clothes that fit well and look nice on me. I am short and more “round” with not much of a waist and about a size 10. I couldn’t find my “type” on your site and was hoping you could recommend some styles. I've been told to wear babydoll or empire waist styles but I look pregnant in them.

Currently, our site focuses on three major body types, Pear, Hourglass and V-shape. We also provide an area with fit solutions. We realize that there are a lot of body type variations we don't fully cover and are more than happy to help. I would describe your body type as an apple (or as you said, round) and depending on the babydoll or empire style, you add bulk to your thick waist. Try these recommendations and see if you find a better alternative:

Tops: V-neck and deep scoop neck styles will create the illusion of a waist. Higher collars will bring attention to your neck and face and away from the middle. Tunics work nicely if your torso is shorter and you have longer legs. Interest in the sleeves such as dolman, raglan or bell shaped can be flattering. Tight tops and sleeves do not work well. Try this Dolman Sleeve top $58 from Anthropologie:
Jackets: Styles with structure and matte fabrics and nipped waists. Try a simple fitted blazer like this Stretch Broadcloth Jacket on sale for $58 from Max Studio:
Dresses: Shift dresses with princess seams or those that have a defined waist are polished and sleek. Try v-neck wrap dresses or scoop neck shirt dresses and anything cut on the diagonal. Strapless dresses can look amazing on your body type if you have nice shoulders and arms (or add a short cardigan). Keep the patterns medium sized in soft colors like this floral strapless dress $29 from ladylanguage:
Bottoms: A-line and straight skirts with a flat front (no pockets or sashes) and straight bootcut pants work well on your body type. Keep the skirts at knee length. Wool Bootcut Trousers on sale for $39 from ladylanguage:

The Perfect Handbag...Part Three

We have learned how to spot affordable quality and timeless silhouettes. We have covered the most common types of handbags and how to choose the perfect one based on your lifestyle and body type. We should also point out that above all your personal style rules. And a final tip, a big bag will make anyone look smaller and they are a hot style in 2008. So get ready for one of our longest shopping posts EVER...

Favorite Online Handbag Stores
Online boutiques carrying affordable handbags and designer deals:
6PM, Ebags, ChineseLaundry, Endless, DivaBoutiques, ElliotLucca, SmartBargains, MyPurseWorld, DesignerExposure, ShopSuey, BagBorrowOrSteal, BagHaus, InTheBag,

Favorite Handbag Blogs
We don't provide daily or weekly coverage on handbags, but we follow these sites and highly recommend them:
The The Purse Blog, The Bag Snob, and two new promising break-outs Never Enough Bags, and A Little Bag Obsessed.

Our Favorite Selections
Handbags we like categorized by bag type and lowest to highest price:

Messenger

$108 - Jessica Simpson Delfina Flap


Tote

$52 - Ava Tote
$65 - Small Patch Tote


$114.50 - Gianni Bini Jackson Shopper$220 - Chanel Bowling Bag

$298 - Elliott Lucca Aruba Woven Tote$440 - Bottega Veneta Nappa Tote$500- Patent Leather Hayden Tote


Satchel

$27.77 - Nine West Braided Satchel

$48 - Butterfly Satchel
$69 - Nine West Patent Croc Satchel

$69 - Tianni Leather Domed Satchel

$199 - Cole Haan Leather Satchel

$199 - The Sac Peace Satchel

$358 - Coach Hampton Satchel

$899 - Fendi Brown Logo Design Canvas SatchelHobo

$59.99 - Sigrid Olsen Mahe Leather Hobo
$75.90 - BCBGirls Midtown Hobo

$78 - Chinese Laundry Large Double Strap Hobo
$99 - Nine West Suede Hobo

$149 - Cole Haan Kaylie Small Hobo

$179 - Gianni Bini Madison Hobo
Clutch

$25 - Big Buddha Quilted Satin Clutch
$35 - Satin Clutch with Rhinestone Clasp$48 - Lambskin Quilted Framed Clutch

$99 - Calvin Klein Snakeskin Clutch

$100 - Yoelle Wristlet


Whew! Aren't you glad we don't do this everyday? Me too. So, I am in need of a new Spring/Summer bag that will last me while. I have one of these in mind, can you guess which one? I'll give you a hint - the bags I choose fit my body type of tall and thin. The first person to comment and guess my choice correctly will win a surprise! ***UPDATE - Linda over at Delicous Scent has guessed correctly - the Cole Haan Satchel. Also, our next contest will include purses, so don't miss it!

Awwwww....

Many thanks to Grandpa who was camera ready at the hospital. We couldn't wait to post these beautiful pictures of our new family member:

The one and only Holland Paige (to which my 11 year old Nephew says "why'd they name her that?"):


And the lovely family Michael, Jessica, Gwyneth and Holland the day after baby's birth.

Now how does a woman look that good the day after giving birth to a child? I must dig up a picture of myself the day after I gave birth because I swear I still had my gown on and looked like I had been run over by a bus!

If you can't tell, I am overcome with joy for them and look forward to cuddling a newborn baby in my arms again (a baby that I can give back when it starts to cry, that I do not have to nurse, and that I do not have to wake up with at 3am). Yes, my baby days are certainly over but I am delighted to live through Jessica. Thank you all for your kind comments and best wishes!

Beautiful Changes

While Michelle owns Lady Language and manages most of the daily operations, sisters Jessica and Stephanie have played a major role in keeping customers happy, managing shipments and selecting products for the store. As mentioned in another post, Jessica and Stephanie have actual lives that take them away from the business while Michelle is totally consumed and loving it.

This weekend, Jessica gave birth to her beautiful baby girl, Holland Paige, and our new family member at a healthy 7 lbs 14 ounces and 20 inches. We'll post some pics later this week. Jessica will be settling in to her role as a Stay at Home Mother and caring for the new baby and her sweet 3 1/2 year old Gwyneth (or as we like to call her, Foo Foo).

Stephanie is consumed with college life again, studying and writing endless reports. Between caring for her 3 children, school, and her current job at the hospital, she hardly has any time for fun.

Lady Language continues to grow and we are so grateful for all of our wonderful customers and fellow bloggers. We hope we can continue to live up to your expectations and have some great new things planned over the next few months. Michelle only hopes she has enough time and sanity to implement them!

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock...THE WINNER IS

Did you all set your clocks ahead? I am having a hard time adjusting as I can't stand losing time. Thanks all for your excellent comments over the past few weeks! Our Daylight Savings Give Away winners are:

1. Sandy
2. Iron Chic
3. Linda

and...I narrowly escaped having to find a perfect article of clothing for Lou who came in 4th! Congratulations ladies!

So I will be hopping over to find my winners shortly and making arrangements to send your lovely items. And hang in there over the next week or so. The awesome Katy over at I'm Blogging That is working on moving me from blogger over to my main URL with some design changes that I am VERY excited about. I hope all of my readers will continue to follow me and wish me luck during the transition. We'll have another good contest once the site redesign is finished.