My Blog Has Moved! Check it Out!

As you may or may not know, Madison Magazine's website has been totally revamped, with spectacular results! Our redesigned site now means that our blogs can live on our site rather than being hosted on a different website (like on Blogger), which is ideal for us and our readers.

You can always catch any of our blogs (Small Dishes, Liberal Arts, Foreword and Window Shopping) by logging on to madisonmagazine.com and scrolling down the page. You'll see our blogs at the bottom. Happy reading!

So from now on, read my blog here:
Madisonmagazine.com/Blogs/Window-Shopping/

Best of Madison: What We Wore

I live for party attire. Sometimes I wish I had a job that I could wear a cocktail dress to every day—but alas, I do not. And I’d probably get tired of that eventually anyway, so for now, special occasions are all the more special!

The Best of Madison party is just one of those times when our city’s finest get to dress up and celebrate one another’s success. Restaurants, salons, stores, auto dealerships, jewelers, movie theaters, florists, arts and entertainment groups and much more came out to socialize at the Madison Club and the Hilton last Friday night and everyone had a great time.

I wanted to share with you some cool photos: the first is of Madison Magazine’s very own edit staff—left to right is myself, Katie Vaughn, Neil Heinen and Brennan Nardi. Katie is wearing a J. Crew dress and beautiful chunky, bejeweled necklace (that I want myself!). Neil chose his comfy uniform of a T-shirt and blazer (he asked me ahead of time if his outfit choice was appropriate to wear to the Best of Madison—of course I said yes). Brennan is wearing a cool blue jersey dress by Jones New York that’s very Marilyn Monroe-esque. Too bad we didn’t catch her shoes in the photo! They were sassy patent cream and gold stunners.

I sported a Juicy Couture black silk cocktail dress with feathers at the hem from bop. Because I can never wear all black (seriously—too boring for me!) I had to add a pop of color with these Nina red peep-toe heels from DSW. If they look familiar, you might have noticed them in our June Luxe for Less issue—look in the lower right-hand corner!

To check out pics from our party, go to: www.madisonmagazine.com/scenes/

Fashion-Forward Femme

Jennifer LaMore is one of those women that when you see her you automatically compliment her on what she’s wearing—although it’s probably not a question where she got it. Friends, she probably got it from her store, J LaMore, named after—naturally—herself. LaMore’s been sharing her trademark style with our city for ten years. Her mix of west coast, easy-breezy chic (tie-dye, bright sundresses, embellished tops), upscale, more conservative work attire (wool pencil skirts, blouses, trousers) and dash of sex appeal thrown in (sheer blouses, sassy cocktail dresses, sky-high heels) easily captures the many facets of a Madison woman’s life—from work to play.
As a multiple-year Best of Madison winner, I asked LaMore a few questions about her store’s success.

How many times have you won Best of Madison?
I think it’s seven times!

Why do you think you’ve done so well in the Best of Madison?
I think that people that shop here know how much we love what we do. They get such a positive vibe when they come in—and find product in here that they don’t see everywhere else. It’s such a friendly, easygoing place; there’s no pressure. We go to the east and west coasts to make sure we have the trends featured in magazines but interpreted to what people can wear here in Madison.
We try to participate in as many fashion shows and fundraisers as we can. It’s really about being relentless, and working at it, and doing everything we can to stay in front of the customers.

You said you interpret the trends from the coasts to the Midwest buyer. How do you do that?
On the west coast they tend to be on the trendier side. There are things that I see that I might love, but I’m not really certain that everyone’s going to “get it.”
Being in business now for ten years and knowing the customers as well as I do, it’s such a natural that I can’t even really explain it.

What’s your personal style?
My style is kind of definitely trend-driven in everything I choose to wear. It’s kind of free and a bit eclectic. I’m loving all of the maxidresses; I probably own five. They’re so comfortable and look cute—every time I wear them I get tons of compliments!

What trends should we look for this summer?
I don’t know if this has to do with the economy, but people are buying things that they can get more use out of—like dressier tops paired with jeans.
I’m seeing lots of plaid cotton shirts, and color in dresses and tops. Look for bright pink, orange and tie-dye.
And of course maxidresses!

Photos above courtesy of J LaMore.

J LaMore, 2701 Monroe St. 238-2119. jlamore.com

Look for LaMore at the Encore: Madison's Premiere Fashion Show at the Orpheum Theater Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m. (See event listings, below for more info). Want more Best of Madison? I’ll write more about more winners next week! In the meantime read the July story here!

New Shopping Content!

From the June 2008 Issue:

What to buy NOW at the Farmers' Market
Fab Finds: Fresh Finds

Wondering what to get Dad? We decipher what to get him this Father's Day
Style Sheet: Dads Decoded

Iconi Interiors is an icon in the making
Window Shopping: Old and New

TOP DESIGN
Meet Madison's four design stars
BONUS! Watch interviews with each designer here

New Shopping Content!

From the March 2008 issue:

Window Shopping: Stop and Shop
My monthly column highlights Three Orange Doors, an adorable shop tucked away on Fitchrona Road.

Fabulous Finds: They've Got Male—Spring Men's Fashion
Let's hear it for the boys: what to get your guy.

Style Sheet: Perfect Pet Products
Where to go locally for Fido, and check out our adorable Maltese model, Maddie!

From the January 2008 issue:
Web Exclusive Video: Window Shopping at Artisan Gallery in Paoli
I give readers a visual tour inside my January 2008 Window Shopping column.

Food and Wine Extravaganza

As a booth judge for this weekend’s Madison Food and Wine Show, my job is pretty fun. I get to visit each booth at the show and rate the booth’s overall look and the helpfulness/friendliness of the booth workers. By and large everyone is excited to be at the show and many booths go all out trying to outdo the others in booth décor.
But did you know that the Food and Wine Show is a great opportunity to pick up Christmas gifts too? Many of the vendors sell their yummy specialty foods and beverages right at the show. Pick up your favorite bottle (or case) of wine at the wine cellar or some delicious gourmet mustard to pair with pretzels. The savory possibilities are endless.
See you at the Show!

Madison Food and Wine Show: Oct 19, 5–9p, Oct 20, 12–7p, Oct 21, 12–4p. Tickets: $30/35 DOS. Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way. 270-3632. madisonfoodandwineshow.com

We Did It!

This month’s wedding photo shoot turned out spectacularly, and I hope you think so too. This endeavor was months in the making, and we can’t be more pleased with how it turned out. Once again, many, many thanks to John Urban (photography), Tim Burton (Mad Mag’s art director), MMoCA and Fresco, “I Do” Cakes by Betty, Studio Bloom (flowers), Premiere Couture (our lovely dresses and tuxedos), ANiU Salon Spa & Yoga (hair and makeup), our lovely models Annie Nelson, Joe Thomas, Abby Simmons and Paul Standring, and Mad Mag interns Abby and Jessica. Click HERE to see our exclusive behind-the-scenes video of our photo shoot at MMoCA. Hear what I have to say about the planning of the shoot, as well as hear our models’ take.