Motivational Monday

Yesterday at the Lexington location we had a tailgate with food, drinks and lots of cute tailgating outfits!  Ten percent of the proceeds went to the amazing organization Dress for Success.  We have to say as a whole this event was a great success!  There were hot dogs, music and a lot of laughter.  Not to mention the cutest little cookies designed like referee jerseys and footballs!  Adorable!  We want to thank everyone who came out to support this cause.  We can't wait to see you all in your Bluetique outfits at the game tomorrow!  Go cats!

 

 

The store looking game day ready!

 

 

Courtland (Leslie's boo) was in charge of the grilling expertise.

 

 

Jaci being goofy.  But those were some pretty darn good hot dogs..

 

 

Catherine and Chaney working the store (and the frame).

 

 

Elizabeth and Howie cheesin'!

 

 

Jaci and her daughter Brooklyn making goofy faces

 

 

Brook & Lauren.  Such cuties.

 

 

These lovely ladies bought Bluetique apparel to donate to Dress for Success & enter the raffle!

 

 

And so did these ones!

 

 

Catherine giving love!

 

 

This little guy was all over the party.  Having a ball.

 

 

I'm really artistic.

 

 

The firefighters down the street came over to join in on the fun

(and help us out with the hot dogs and cookies!)

Today!!!!!

See you there!

Hello from Harrisonburg!  Jacquie here – guest blogging like a boss!  This is me –

 

And I am the manager at the Harrisonburg, VA Bluetique.

 

This is my crew (good looking aren’t they – love these girls!)

 

I asked Elise what I should blog about as I have never blogged.  Like ever.  She said whatever I am in to.  Well, I’m into quite a lot (theatre, knitting, sewing, raising a teenage boy).  But the one I’m into that I feel compelled to share is empowerment of the female kind.  And as I am addicted to Pinterest (really who isn’t) here are my favorite empowering quotes.  For women rock and we rock hard.

And even though it’s not directed specifically to women it is completely true:

 

So what am I trying to say?  Find your strength, be unapologetically yourself and for heaven’s sake take your shots!



Today we have a guest blogger with us, Holly Larson, MS,RD, from GrassRoots Nutrition, to talk about 5 ways to prevent the freshman 15.  Throughout the semester Holly will be doing a variety of blog posts on how to stay healthy despite the pitfalls that college might throw at you such as disgusting cafeteria food or one too many late night trips to T Bell.  With just these five simple steps in mind you could keep your figure in check until Spring Break.  Thanks Holly!

Preventing the freshman 15 

You’re trying to juggle roommate quarrels, flirting with cute classmates, navigating your professors’ assignments and composing the perfect outfit to wear tonight. The start of the school year is a busy time and your health status may be the last thing on a long list of other priorities. Enter: the Freshman Fifteen.

Students do tend to gain weight at the beginning of college, and many folks continue to do so throughout their college career. While the independence and new responsibilities of college life are a big transition, establishing and maintaining a healthy foundation will only help you to be more successful - if you feel great, it is easier to take charge of your studies, work and play.

There is no magical formula; health is a lifestyle. Try incorporating these tips and tricks into your routine and watch your energy (and not the scale!) soar.

• Drink water: dehydration is routinely mistaken for hunger and is a common source of fatigue. We’re drinking too much junk: sports drinks, energy drinks, juices and sugar-laden coffee drinks. They can all lead to calorie overload and and a bad case of the muffin top. Focus on plain water, drink throughout the day and carry a reusable water bottle with you to stay on track. Dropping a few frozen berries or peach slices in your water adds great flavor without any sugar or junky chemicals.
• Eat breakfast: Many studies support the benefits of starting the day with breakfast. Focus on a reasonable portion, something with protein and something with fiber. It doesn’t have to be complicated; a half of a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread is one easy option, a smoothie with frozen berries, yogurt and spinach is another.  Hard boiled eggs are an easy thing to fix over the weekend to have on hand for those busy mornings. Tuck an egg into a whole-grain pita with some veggies and hummus and head out the door!
• Play time is positive time: for better or worse, we’re influenced by the people surrounding us, especially our friends and family. Those with a healthy social circle tend to be healthier too. When you’re ready for some down time, choose a trip to the rec center, a hike in the woods or a game of tennis. Video games, pizza and beer may be effortless, but they’re not doing your body any favors. Try some fresh veggies and  hummus or a fruit and yogurt smoothie while flipping through the latest fashion magazine. Take time to cook dinner with friends; the best conversations seem to happen over a nice meal when the TV is off.
• These boots are made for walkin’: The more we depend on our own power for transportation, the better we feel and the less money we’re spending on gas, bus tickets and car expenses. Unless you’re running late and making a mad dash to class, a walk is a great way to burn off some energy and arrive to class focused and ready to learn. Walking to the grocery store nixes splurge purchases and taking the bus allows you to focus on the scenery and not the other drivers.
• Veggies: we need to eat more of ‘em, plain and simple. Try to eat a veggie at all of your meals and snacks and focus on the non-starchy veggies. Starchy veggies such as peas, potatoes and corn have many nutrients, but also plenty of calories. Mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, kale and green beans are all wondrous, low-calorie choices. Tuck leafy greens  into your morning eggs or smoothie, pack pea pods and carrot sticks for an easy and portable snack, have your chicken salad on leafy greens instead of an oversized bun and grab an extra scoop of steamed broccoli with your dinner.

For more information, tips and tricks, visit Grass Roots Nutrition, LLC in Oxford, Ohio. Grass Roots Nutrition is your source for accurate and reliable nutrition recommendations. Visit Holly online at www.hollylarsonrd.com and follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/hollylarsonmsrd, twitter @HollyLarsonRD and see what’s cooking in her kitchen on pinterest. Have a delicious, healthy day!

 

Online OOTD

sweater (coming soon)//pants//necklace

boots//clutch

When asked who their style icon may be, how many of us ladies do you think would say Marilyn or Audrey or Jackie?  Hands down the classiest ladies of this century, these women are inspirational to our generation not only for the way they dressed but for their charisma, self confidence and overall leadership.  Let me preface this post by saying I am just as obsessed with Marilyn as the next girl and the amount of times I've sat in bed and watched Charade on a Sunday morning is getting embarrassing.  But sometimes I find myself wanting more.  Cheating on my muses if you will.  Not all of us are going for the whole blond bombshell look or have the lithe figure of a little boy combined with the eyes of a feline. To fill my own hunger for extra style inspiration, and maybe yours too, here are some other ladies to look for next time you're on Pintrest.  Maybe you will find your own female figure you aspire to be!

 

1.  Ana Karina

Born Hanne Karin Bayer, this gorgeous French lady changed her name after being found homeless at a café in Paris by an advertising agency.  It was the one and only Coco Chanel whom suggested she change her name to something with a little more glamour to it.  Karina became known for her collaborations with the director Jean-Luc Godard in many of his French New Wave films including A Woman is a Woman where she won best actress.  Funny where a set of doe eyes and the right haircut can get you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Lisa Bonet

She may be known as the lady who snagged Lenny Kravitz  but she should get props for more than just that small feat.   After competing in beauty pageants at a young age, Lisa snagged the role as Denise of The Cosby Show and the rest is history.  I, however, think her dreads are worthy of a million roles in themselves.  Bonet is the classically cool inspiration for the bohemian at heart.

 

               

 

 

3.  Charlotte Rampling

Born in England in 1946, Rampling's acting career transpired not only English cinema but French and Italian cinema as well.  Fun fact: the tabloids have always been hard on celebrities for their slip ups.  She was once accused of being in a ménage trois after claiming to have lived with two other men when in actuality it was a case of high rent which brought the three in close quarters.  Anyway, I admire Charlotte for her chic, simplistic dressing which whispers (doesn't scream), "I drink bourbon on the rocks and I am down for whatever."

 

 

 

The thing about all of these women is they have a sense of style that is uniquely them.  You can read so much about them from the way they dress and carry themselves.  They all look..what's the word..comfortable!  I don't think any of these women looking in the mirror before they leave the house thinking "I want to look good to make my ex jealous" or "Is this trendy enough?".  They dressed for themselves and I think that is magical.  In many ways, I am not featuring these women to say you should channel them when you go shopping next but to say you can be like these women too and if you dress like yourself and are comfortable in what you wear.  You too will exude this kind of attractive effortlessness that makes you have a certain je ne sais quoi.  This is all really cheesy I know.  I've been watching too many rom coms recently. Pardone moi!

 

 

 

Motivational Monday

 

Today marks the beginning of a new thing on the Bluetique blog. 

Motivational Mondays!  Because who doesn't need a little sum sum  after an amazing but exhausting weekend.  Celebrate the start of a new week!  Think of the opportunities and adventures ahead :)

Greek Sorority Goodies

Am I the only person in the world who didn't know that PBTeen had cute Greek paraphernalia?  I hope not, because I am sharing this vital information with you, readers!

 

 

 

Check it out here.

You Need This

Like guys?  Like animals?  Genius sites here.

 

Prefer your animals with their tongues out?

 

Men with their Dogs

 

 

 

Prefer your pets of the more feline variety?

 

 

Cute Boys With Cats

 

 

 

 

 

I think I'm in love.  This morning we had a photo shoot at the used book store Black Swan Books down the street and let me tell you it is the most precious place I have ever seen.  If you are ever in Lexington and have an hour to spare I would recommend curling up in one of the nooks at Black Swan with a cup of jo.  I can't wait for you all to see our new fall looks styled in such a cute space! 


Like his store here!

Karen Walker Sunglasses Ad

Is there anything cuter than little kids styled like grown ups?  I think not.  Hence the appeal of J Crew ads.  If I told you I picked up the magazines in the store to actually looked at the clothes and not the little child models looking so chic and precious I would be lying.  Karen Walker followed this cue in her recent sunglasses advertisement seen here.  Love!

 

 

 



Happy Hump Day

 

 

 

one//two//three

four//five

Our Fall Must Haves

 

 

 

one:  a monogrammed clutch in tan leather

two: a soft cozy pullover for cool nights

three: leopard print flats to accent a casual outfit

four:  a sweet dress for Keeneland!

five:  a fall scented candle to come home to

six:  a fall inspired statement necklace

seven:  a personalized monogrammed flask (also for Keeneland)

eight:  a tortoise shell bracelet to add to the arm party

Caitlin

 

Catilin of Southern Curls and Pearls looks so fall ready in our Everly Nine Lives dress.  We love how she paired the look with a chic burgundy clutch, brown riding books and simple gold jewelry for a look that could transition from day to night.  We have been following Caitlin a while and you always know when someone is looking at her blog if you here them whisper "aww" and "omigosh" with an adoring look on their face.  This means they have seen pictures of her Siamese kitten Prince George.  As a fellow cat lady, I can say he might be the most precious thing I've ever seen in my entire life.

 

 

If you like cats and fashion, follow Caitlin right meow!

 

Amazing

For those tervis tumblr fans, say hello to the wine tervis tumblr.

Found on Haute Look now.

 

Playing around in the store.  Have a rad day!

Remember Today

 

Reppin' my flying monkey skinnies, d'orsay flats, new zebra bracelet & BRAND new blisters courtesy of the New York City streets this past weekend!  Yay!

top / jeans / purse (in stores)