Duchess of Devine

2011-12-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

PALETTES PLEASE! I love makeup palettes because they offer options, flexibility and value. Love that!

2011-12-12T08:39:00.002-05:00

Flawless skin with a touch of glamour by STILA. A long time staff and customer favorite, STILA just keeps getting better with the addition of more sophisticated formulas. The Illuminating Foundation, infused with Mica, reflects light to leave the skin radiant and glowing. Add a plumping lip glaze, smudge stick liner and mascara for an easy daytime look.

2011-12-05T22:25:00.001-05:00

A few of my favorite gift ideas from POUT:

STILA face palette
SEDU and MASON PEARSON hair tools
JAPONESQUE travel makeup brush set
FRESH lip treatments
THE ART OF SHAVING shaving brush, razor and stand

Happy Shopping!

2011-11-30T09:20:00.001-05:00

JLC PREVIEW PARTY TONIGHT: A few ideas from VanJean & POUT to sparkle and shine at the Junior League of Columbia's Holiday Market Preview Party.

What VanJean staff will be wearing to HOLIDAY MARKET events this week:

2011-11-28T18:13:00.001-05:00

Are you ready for Junior League of Columbia's Holiday Market? See what some of the VanJean girls picked for Preview Party, Ladies Night Out and Shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T08:43:00.001-05:00

VanJean and POUT will be closed Wednesday and Thursday so we can spend time with our families. Both stores will reopen Friday at 10am. Happy Thanksgiving!

Store Profile: Souther Hospitality

2011-09-29T13:12:00.000-04:00

Pleasantly surprised when Loeffler Randall asked VanJean to be a part of their store profile series. Here's the result....

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

CATEGORY: NEWS, STORE PROFILES

In true Southern style, Melissa Blanchard graciously shares a few of her favorite things — Motown soul, 70's swagger, and the must-have Loeffler Randall shoe for fall — from her boutique, VanJean, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Store philosophy:

Melissa Blanchard: VanJean creates a unique assortment by mixing pieces from established brands with newer trends from up-and-coming designers. We sell to daughters, mothers and grandmothers — VanJean is a style, not an age.

What attracted you to Loeffler Randall?

MB: We became OBSESSED with the LR Matilde wedge boot. I used to see them in New York on buying trips, and started purchasing every variation of the Matilde. Simply put, it is the perfect daily go-to boot in fall/winter/early spring. I picked up the line for VanJean and look forward to every new design.

What's inspiring you right now?

MB: I'm excited about the influence the 1970s and 1990s are having on fashion. I love that I get my turn at wearing the long skirts and long, wide leg pants that I remember my mother and grandmother wearing in the '70s. The simplicity and clean fashion lines of the '90s feels more elegant this second time around. Plus, the uncomplicated feel of the '90s has a calming effect on the rest of my wardrobe.

What do you spin for your store's soundtrack?

MB: The day may begin with Jennifer Hudson, flow into James Brown, Amy Winehouse, Fitz & the Tantrums and end with '70s southern rock.

What is your sure bet style tip for fall?

MB: Make something fantastic your favorite and wear it every day! The Blaise flat moccasinhas become a VanJean shop girl favorite. I keep it classic with a slim black capri jean for day, and another buyer makes it crazy with hot pink jeans.

[click images to enlarge]

The Columbia fashion vibe:

MB: Tastefully cool.

What's the one shoe that will transform any wardrobe this season?

MB: Wear the Deena in nude suede with EVERYTHING. Check out how Buyer Susan Menge pairs the Deena with a feminine, patterned cocktail dress.

Now that we're all dressed up, where should we go out?

MB: Hmmm...great question. When I feel the need to strut around the Capitol City I first check out the calendar on The Shop Tart. This blog lists any happenings in Columbia worth attending.

Top three must-experience things in Columbia:

MB: Visit The Columbia Museum of Art — it's the jewel in the heart of the Capitol City.

Attend (at least for the first quarter) a University of South Carolina football game. May not be the best team, but certainly the most electrifying student section in any college football stadium.

The Indie Grits Film Fest in April — it's so under the radar that it's still cool.

More VanJean:

www.shopvanjean.com

www.facebook.com/shopvanjean

@shopvanjean

NARS at 3.1 Phillip Lim

2011-02-18T08:48:00.002-05:00

NARS created the look for the 3.1 phillip lim AW11 runway show.
LEAD ARTIST: Lisa Butler for NARS Cosmetics
TREND: Theatrical eyes
DESIGNER INSPIRATION: “I thought about the element of motion – movement and vibrations that occur when you see a really chic girl riding a bicycle,” said designer Phillip Lim. “It’s a sense of class, but it is an athletic elegance in how she carries herself, and how she looks gliding through the air.”

LOOK: “Phillip had an image of a black swan in a green lake as part of his inspiration board – and I wanted to mimic that idea of color surrounding something black - an unexpected element of surprise,” said Lisa Butler for NARS Cosmetics. “The skin is kept clean, with a muted lip and then there are beautiful layers of green and blue on, and around the eyes."

Below are the key products used to create the exclusive look:

FACE
Concealer (NEW for Fall 2011; for now, try the existing Concealer)

EYES
Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliners in shades Rue de Rivoli and Abbey Road (NEW for Fall 2011; for now try Fuji Single Eyeshadow, and Kaliste Eyeliner Pencil)
Cap Ferrat Trio Eyeshadow (NEW for Summer 2011; for now try Cleo Duo Eyeshadow)
Delphes Trio Eyeshadow (NEW for Fall 2011; for now try the shimmering sage side of April Fools Duo Eyeshadow)

LIPS
*Pago Pago Lipstick (NEW for Fall 2011; for now try Crusing Lipstick)

All products available at POUT on Devine Street

Tibi Fall 2011: Feminine, but not frilly

2011-02-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

I was in the mood for head to toe looks this season – a multitude of shades with maybe just one pop of color – like in an accessory. The prints are twists on traditional floral scenes, watermarks, scarf prints – all with details and unexpected elements. You have to look close to catch the details in each design. The details make the items rich – but not in a shouting way – in a way that maybe only the wearer knows about. The line has all of our core aesthetic – clean details, rich prints, always a masculine meets feminine moment, and details without being frilly or overly girly in any way. I have to say personally for me this is one of my favorite collection we’ve done. – Amy Smilovic

Using Beauty to Change the World

2010-04-22T10:05:00.000-04:00

Chantecaille's Charitable Efforts - Using Beauty to Change the World

Pout suggestion for Earth Day 2010: Chantecaille. Specifically the Bengali Bronzer and the Bengali Poudre Delicate. These special edition compacts were created to honor and bring awareness to the endangered Bengali Tiger. The tigers are poached, hunted and exterminated for small and big profit. Yearly, Chantecaille creates an environmentally themed special edition compact to bring attention and raise funds for the endangered environment and the many animals at risk.

The Chantecaille brand, established by Sylvie Chantecaille in 1997, was partially created as a platform to draw attention to issues of global sustainability and fund a foundation that could support related initiatives. According to founder Sylvie Chantecaille, "Our customers are very intelligent women with the power to make a difference." Chantecaille's special relationship with them has been essential to educating a broader audience and engaging more people in bringing about positive change." It is Chantecaille's commitment and focus on both women and the planet that makes it a natural choice for our Earth Day selection.

Gala!

2010-04-16T11:22:00.000-04:00

It is no secret by now that lots of people are looking forward to the Red, Hot...Cool Gala at the Columbia Museum of Art. Recently I've had the opportunity to see the new Chihuly Chandelier - once in the daytime and once in the evening. It is breathtaking in the day and STUNNING in the evening. Those of you who will be going to the Gala this Saturday will see exactly how beautiful it is. Just like most of you, the staff of Pout and VanJean are getting ready for Gala too. So here is one suggestion from each store:

Pout recommends Mario Badescu's Summer Shine Body Lotion. It is a light weight moisturizing lotion that leaves a slight hint of shimmer on the skin. Think glow not glitter. At $10 it is a no brainer.

VanJean recommends this short black cocktail dress. It is a Notte by Marchesa which is the little sister line by Georgina Chapman for Marchesa. You get all the glamour of Marchesa with a little less sticker shock. Plus it is just as stunning as the Chihuly.

Have a great weekend!

Duchess of Devine

Natura Bisse - Pout's newest skincare line and my obsession

2010-04-09T20:12:00.000-04:00

I love this product. I have a store full of products to chose from and this is now one of my all time favs. Why? It just makes me happy! It is light and energizing mist that is a nice way to start the day or end an evening. I like that it is a very simple product - just a mist. What else does it do? Prepares the skin for any products to follow (serums, creams...) and protects the skin from environmental aggressors. Essential Lavender Oils give this mist a very faint fragrance that is soothing and energizing at the same time. Hence, why it works well as a part of either a morning or evening routine and makes me smile with every spray.

Duchess