The Hot Pants of 2012

Coloured denim is one of the hottest trends this season. The bolder the brights and softer the pastels the better! These pants are out to make statement, so break out of the blue jean habit and jump into a pair of coloured pants. This trend is sure to follow us right into the fall as well, with rich colours and jewel tones dominating the lower half. I’ve complied a few tips and tricks to make this trend easier to pull off and embrace!  

The easiest and most flawless way to wear coloured denim is to pair it with neutrals. Try a chambray shirt, or a silk white blouse over your pastel cropped jeans. Throw on a pair of wedges in a brown; add a belt and some fun jewels and you’re good to go. Blacks, browns and whites are easy with any pastel coloured pants. They’ll make your pants pop without being too bold. Watch out for pumpkin or bumblebee syndrome when wearing bold colours with black. Avoid pairing black with orange and yellow, and shoot for a brown or cream instead. Bold pants can lead to simple elegance with a pair of ballet flats and a crisp white button down. 

Colour blocking your bright pants is another great way to embrace the trend this season. Colour blocking is the art of pairing solid coloured, bright pieces together. It can be bold and attention grabbing with coloured pants but it’s the trend to master this season. The key is to find a theme, whether it be brights or pastels. Once you decide which way to go, embrace it and run with it. If you’ve got a royal blue jean, try a fuchsia top with turquoise accessories and if you’re really daring try a coloured shoe too! One of my favourite colour combinations is turquoise and coral. So rich and summery, it’s the perfect combination for this season

Pulling off one colour head to toe can be tricky and intimidating, but it’s been done! To do it well, make sure all of the shades you plan on wearing are identical! A pale pink top and a hot pink pair of pants will not make a statement. However, a hot pink top and pants can make a serious fashion statement. 

Another option to pair with your pants is to try a print! Leopard print looks great against a bold red. Nautical stripes look great with turquoise or pastel purple. Polka dots are really popular this season so try using this against pastel or bright pants. 

If you’re embracing the coloured pant trend, try a pattered pair! There are floral pants on the market right now that are the perfect summer in New Brunswick addition to your closet. Keep the accessories and pairings neutral with a patterned pant. Let the patterned pants do the talking! They’re fun for a Saturday filled with market shopping or great for a night out with the girls, and they’re sure to get you noticed!

*This article was printed in KV Style on June 22, 2012 and written by Kiera.

Love your Summer whites!

The flowers are in full bloom, the grass is long and luscious and summer wardrobes are in full swing around Southern New Brunswick. One of the most coveted and popular looks each and every summer is the beautiful, crisp, clean look of white. From dresses, to blazers to jeans, white makes an appearance each and every summer and is guaranteed to make an impact. 

Women often fear white… for numerous reasons. Whether it is because you’re a mom with sticky 5 year old hands at your side all summer long, or a busy woman who often forgets she’s got a full coffee in her hand while running to catch the elevator, white can be tough. The key is to keep them white by investing in great fabrics, key pieces, proper undergarments and a great stain remover. White can be a bit high maintenance to wear, but the payoff is great and sure to turn heads all summer long.

White instantly turns skin, fair or bronzed, into radiant and healthy looking. Admittedly a white dress looks fabulous on sun braised skin, but those who don’t worship vitamin D on a regular basis shouldn’t be afraid. The key is to pair white properly with other colours to avoid the washed out look. Try a white pant with a bright blouse to keep some colour close to your face. If you’re planning on wearing a white dress to the upcoming family reunion, be sure to watch your accessories. Try adding bright coloured jewelry, like turquoise or coral. Avoid wearing white shoes and a white bag and instead try metallic and browns to bring out the white without being too matching.

When shopping for whites, be sure to notice fabrics and their transparency. A good white dress should always be lined for protection against very sunny afternoons. Check to make sure the white pants are thick enough to hide undergarment lines. Look for heavier fabrics that hang on their own without clinging too tightly to the body. Fabrics like cotton stand a better chance at fighting against ketchup stains and can be bleached if needed. 

Be sure to have the proper undergarments on hand when wearing white. White will often show up under a white dress. Your best bet is to find skin toned undergarments with soft seams to make sure you’re not showing more than you anticipated. You may need to bring the garment with you when lingerie shopping to make sure the coverage is there. 

If dresses and jeans are too daunting, try a white blazer. It’s a clean and effortless look over a nice blue denim jean. Pair with a jewel tone or a pastel coloured top and you’re all set! A white bag can be crisp and be just the piece to bring an outfit together. Just be sure to watch it around dark denim and pens!

Depending on what colour white is paired with, different looks can be achieved. Black and white is a classic staple that is rich, professional and always in style. White and neon colours (like yellow or hot pink) can be bold and certainly make a statement. White and brown is casual and refined. White and pastel colours can be soft, calming and easy to wear. Try all different tops with your white jeans, and don’t be afraid to throw a coloured cardigan atop of your white dress! 

Remember that white is the summer’s go-to neutral colour, so embrace it and don’t forget your stain remover! 

This article, written by me! (Kiera Fraser), appeared in KV Style on June 8, 2012.

Style Challenge Time!

Hiya there ladies!

First and foremost, a big Happy New Year from your girls at Je Suis Prest Boutique. Thanks to all of you for making our 2010 the best year yet!

We're having a blast unpacking our new Spring deliveries (check out our facebook album for all the pics!), but we're realizing that the short, dreary winter days are still upon us for a little longer! So to make January a little less... drab, we're spicing it up a bit with a little style challenge.

Don't be scared! You don't need to be a professional blogger, or an extreme fashionista to participate in our challenge. You just simply need to love our store, and snap a pic!

Here's how it works:
Post a picture, or 2, of yourself on our facebook wall up until January 19. Found here!
Depending on the number of entries, we'll determine the select finalists.
We'll post them up, and then it's up to you guys to vote! Get your friends, family, pets... whatever you got, to vote for your favorite picture.
We'll tally the votes on January 31 to determine the winner!

So what are you playing for?
Winner will receive $100 gift certificate to Je Suis Prest Boutique
....as well as...
a one hour session with Sean McGrath (photographer extraordinaire) valued at $250.

Ready... set... snap those pics! :)

The not-so-secret obsessions of a store owner

My customers, friends and employees often wonder where I get my inspiration for what to into buy for the store, what to wear, and how to style all the pretty girls that come to us! Well my darlings, lots of research and time spent behind my silly silver laptop (that I'm sure you've caught me on more than once huddled up near the fireplace in the store!).

I'm a busy little bee reading every fashion blog I can get my hands on, checking out all the online mags and researching the online lookbooks for upcoming seasons from the lines I carry, and hope to carry! Another terrible part of my job involves a lot of online 'shopping' on a whole bunch of trendy cool websites. Tragic, really, that I have to spend my days doing something so terrible, eh?

My laptop is nearly as important to me as my never-more-than-2'-away from me black(crack)berry. They're my life lines to the big, bold fashion world that I love and live in :)

Here's a snap shot that's usual for me on my laptop!

facebook, email, blog spot, twitter, my fave blogs, an article for KV Style, simply accounting, and of course, music to rock out to!

Oh here's another fun little fact:
my desktop pic- my dream car, just to keep my sights high! (an audi s6 in blue just in case you're wondering what i'd love for christmas!!!)
and my blackberry background- my sweet pup covered in xmas lights!
What can't you live without?

Happy holidays my lovely followers!
Hope your holiday shopping is going seamlessly!
(if all else fails, follow my cardinal christmas shopping rule: 1 gift for me, 2 for others...)

This is my winter song to you! Song of the... month! (baddd blogger!)

One of my all time favorite winter songs!
Hope you're finding a little peace for yourself this time of the year :)

SJ Outstanding Business Acheivement Awards

This is the video that played at the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards on November 24, 2010. Little old me won the award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year. So nice to be recognized for doing something I love!

Thanks very much to the Board of Trade for such a great honor and experience!
We had a blast at the event and will remember it forever! :)

A funny little story...

So the store's name, as you can imagine, has some controversy around it.

Anyone who speaks the french language typically has something to say about the spelling of 'prest'...

Yesterday, Joy and I had a fun little experience for the first time ever.

An elderly gentleman, decked out in nice slacks, a newsboy cap and fancy orthopedic shoes walked into the store, bee-lined straight for me, yelling "THERE MUST BE A FRASER IN HERE". You got that right sir, my last name is Fraser. The Fraser family name (which dates back a few hundred years) has a motto, and it's 'je suis prest'... which means I am ready. Prest is the ancient spelling of the modern day, pret. So in the midst of showing him the explanation on my business card, and him telling the whole history of Frasers in his family, in walks another older man. Two men of any age in this store at the same time is a rare occurrence. This place is drenched in estrogen.

He seeks Joy out, and proceeds to yell (why do old men yell?! *make note: must tell future husband not to yell when he surpasses 80*) "YOU SPELLED PRET WRONG!" in a very thick Acadian accent. Poor Joy, she didn't know what hit her. After politely informing him why in the world we spelled pret wrong, and never meant to offend him personally.... the men met each other.

Well. They duked it out in the store for a bit, then proceed to fight it out outside of the store for a half an hour (still yelling, mind you).

Who would of thought my little store would a) attract men over 80 (whoo hoo!) and b) cause a debate of epic proportions of a Scot vs. an Acadian.

*sigh*... and that my darling fashion friends, is the trials and tribulations of a store owner!

Summer to Fall with Kensie

Like most women, we love to get every ounce of wear out of our favorite items!

We love pieces that can be worn multi-season. Something that works right now, in the warmer weather, and also into the fall/winter. We're huge on it! And when I do my buying for the store, it's something that I'm constantly looking for.

Our summer's short! So when we invest in a good piece, we want to be able to bring it into a few seasons, not just one!

Here's a great example of a late summer dress.... dressed for late Summer, Fall and Winter! Check it out:

Kensie Dress $89
BB Dakota Blazer $73
Noa Noa Necklace $16

Ever tried a dress worn as a shirt?
Kensie Dress $89
BB Dakota Skirt $65
Jack Jacket $79
Black Scarf $19

Kensie Dress $89
Long Sleeve Kensie Dress $59
Jack Jacket $85
Jack Sweater $70

Song of the week!

Feather headbands are back!

Free People

I'm so excited to tell you that Free People is becoming a permanent staple at the boutique! We love the brand, and apparently so do you!

New styles arriving soon. Follow us on facebook and twitter- you'll be the first to know when we get the following piece! ;)

Kiera Fraser likes

Je Suis Prest Boutique

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Song of the week!

rockin' the crop?

Personally, I like the idea of a crop top. It's a cool new way to show off a little skin with out bearing it all! I think there's a few good ones out there... there's also a few bad...

Seems like crop tops have hit the runways, the celebs and the streets... all again! (not a good look for whitney port, ouch.)

Tomorrow we receive a new shipment of Alternative Apparel, and with it comes the Molly Crop, which I am excited to rock with a pair of boyfriend jeans, or a cute pair of jean shorts. What's your opinion? Will you be rockin' the crop?

Summer lovin'

Kensie Dress

Lucy Love Dress

Kensie Dress

BB Dakota Dress

Check out our fun NEW summer dresses!

A few reasons why I LOVE being a store owner

Hopefully my wonderful customers know that I love my job, but after a year (and a month!) of store owning, I've learned a few things about why my job may be the best one out there...

1. Going into this, I had NO idea how much work it would be! But it quickly taught me that hard work, perseverance, and sheer determination is the key to success and it has never felt so rewarding.
2. Our customers are the best, most loyal, most wonderful, most surprising people we've ever met! They teach us something new everyday.
   
3. I get to shop... all the time!, for beautiful, unique, amazing clothing and accessories. For myself, for the store... all the time! What's a better dream than that? :)
4. The rewarding and overwhelming feeling of helping a woman find an outfit that she looks and feels fabulous in. There's nothing quite like it.
5. Having the support, smiles and push from other local retailers. Saint John is a GREAT community to be an entrepreneur!
6. I could not do this everyday without the endless support from my family, my friends, my employees and of course, my customers!
   
7. Everyday brings a new challenge, a new laugh, a new reason to smile, a new lesson learned and a chance to meet new, amazing people.

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."- Napoleon Hill

Yours Truly,
Kiera

socks and sandals... no really, its cool.

So I've been perusing fashion blogs, magazines and runway collections and noticed another common theme that i just can't wrap my head around.. socks and sandals?

i feel like this is some spin off of the birkenstocks with those warm wooly red/grey/white sock combination thats plaguing the youth of saint john right now. don't get that fad, but leave it to rebellious teenagers to find ways to wear our sandals thru the winter ;) 'Whad ya motha tell ya?!'

i did a little investigation into the sock/sandal phenomena and here's what trusty urban dictionary has to say about this subject:

Socks and Sandals:

A footwear combination worn only by the fashion-challenged. If it's hot enough for sandals, it's too hot to wear socks. If it's cold enough to wear socks, it's too cold for sandals.

well put, urban dictionary.

here's the first thing that comes to mind when i think of socks and sandals:

yuck. gives me the willies just lookin at them!

right- so anyways, leave it to the evolving fashion industry to turn 'fashionably challenged' as seen above, into 'fashionably awesome'. some bloggers are looking stylishly cute in their socks and summery wedgy/chunky heels. I like the look, don't get me wrong. It's cool, and casual. And another way to break out those summer sandals well before you should.

Burberrys version in their Spring 2010 show:

Lou Lou's version in their March 2010 issue:

So orginally- before doing my research- this is what i had written about the trend hitting my personal wardrobe:

"I feel like this is one fad that i would certainly be stared down by in saint john by even the chic-est of chic."

However... after much research, i'm tempted to try this.

If you plan on it, here's a few details i've found that help pull the outfit together:

• wear a neutral colour, blending is the key here ladies...
• make sure your shoes aren't too fancy, or too detailed
• grab some thinner socks, not too bulky- no sweat socks.
• keep it casual, *not* cool for an cocktail party. more of a day look!

You should avoid looking like this-

Holly Madison at some awards show. gag me.

and more like this-

Rhianna and Leighton Meester. Tres Chic.

Will YOU be wearing socks and heels this spring?

!iT's finally here!

Our new line of AMAZING jeans have finally arrived!

They're !iT jeans- based out of L.A., they have an amazing fit for REAL girls, with real dimensions! They're unlike anything I've seen.... and i'll admit, i've fallen hard for them! They don't compare to anything i've tried before- they are DEFIANTLY worth a try.

Ranging from $95-$130, you've gotta get your hands on a pair!

Over the next few weeks, i'll update you with the amazing styles we have in store!

First and foremost are my fave jeans of the moment, and will be close to me all summer- are the ELLIES!

They're a boyfriend jean, but a crop, and a comfortable option to capris... I love them. With heels, flats, for comfort and style. (for more info on how to style the Ellie, check my earlier blog on boyfriend jeans!)

check out the whole line here!

spotted: our picks in the magazines!

Here's a recent update of items that were spotted in the magazines, and conveniently located at your uptown boutique!


Three of our most popular dresses!


And our silky, sexy shift dress!

SHORTS!

So you may think i'm a little off my rocker with this one... but i've always been a true believer in pulling every buck outta your clothes! No sense in buying something you can only wear for one short weekend of the year. Us maritime-ers know that it rarely gets warm enough to pull off a shorts, tank top, sandal combo.... so lets make use of our sassy summer wardrobes starting this Spring!

I don't know about the rest of you readers out there, but i'm addicted to fashion blogs. Especially ones from all over the world. When i'm stuck in a rut, can't find anything to wear, tear my closet apart in search of that perfect outfit and still can't find it.... I plop myself on the couch and search lookbook.nu, chictopica and a few fave blogs for some inspiration. One thing they all have in common is that shorts are running rampant. And have been all year.

The key to shorts is pairing them with TIGHTS ladies! mix and match, day or night, cute or sexy, boots or heels... whatever you gotta do to feel comfortable! This is another great way to extend that boot usage! I plan on wearing my lighter boots in the summer, with fun dresses and shorts!

Here's a look I love! So classic and chic! Easy to do too!Check out this blogger here!

and this is me!wearing all things current in store!
Noa Noa Black Jacket, Noa Noa printed tank, IT Jeans Cuffed Shorts, Tights and Boots!

What are your thoughts ladies? Let me know!

it's time!

...for some new, inspired, exciting, dramatic, intense, enjoyable, fashionable, interesting blog posts! whoo hoo! It's about time, eh?

now, it is my goal to make sure i update this regularly... because as busy as this crazy store makes me, i can, and will, always find time to make sure my customers get updates on important things! like new lines, insight into the fashionable future, and the latest trends. because without my fabulous customers, and great following, and amazing supporters, i wouldn't be having as much fun as i am!

so enough babble... on with the fashion!!