FALL WISHLIST

The holiday/shopping season is fast approaching and we have to prioritize ladies! I am still compiling my wishlist but I'm so excited about it that I absolutely have to share it with y'all. 

Here are my top five things I definitely want to acquire by the end of the year:

1. GiGi New York Uber Clutch

I think the later it gets in the day, the less you want to carry around a full handbag. There are days when I just want to grab something small with my phone and keys and go. that's it - no fuss. I want it to be good quality where it won't fall apart and for it to still look professional. 

I like these Uber Clutches by GiGi New York because they're gorgeous to look at, are real leather, lightweight and I can get my initials engraved. Choose from various colours and various leathers but get the same result-a  gorgeous, quality, luxury piece.

2. Cool- Girl Jewellery by Namesake JM

Grand Pearl by Namesake JM

A unique piece of jewellery elevates your outfit in a way that nothing else can. This Fall I'm going for chic pieces that can be worn to make casual outfits look more sophisticated and formal outfits look more modern and youthful. I like this piece in particular because it's unexpected but still looks slightly vintage.

3. The Ultimate Red Lippie

picture taken from Violet Grey

There is something about a red pout that is feminine and powerful. I was going through Violet Grey's instagram feed when I spotted this and fell in love. I immediately looked it up and it is called 'Brat Pack' by Lipstick Queen and is listed at $50USD (sigh) so, much to my dismay I stopped myself from ordering it immediately. But I mean...I WILL have this by the end of the year because look at it. Beyond gorgeous! Ugh!

4. Luxe Sleepwear

                                                  

You might be wondering how I'm gonna keep warm in something like this at night. Well, I live in the Caribbean and it doesn't really get cold here. When I spotted this line I knew I had to have it. Luxurious material meant to actually be comfortable and sexy. It's a blend of jersey and silk which will wear well in both the dryer and the washing machine. Watch this space for more information on how you can get your hands on this gorgeous line.

5. Travelling Essential

                          

Travelling during the holidays can be a ridiculous hassle especially now. I generally feel less stressed when everything I've packed is organized and I can easily reach for what I want. These gorgeous leather pochette will be available for the rest of the year from Namesake JM. You can fill this pochette with up to 7 items and no less than 3 items at reduced prices that will make your holiday that much merrier. It will make shopping for your family a breeze - one bag can take care of everyone. Watch this space for more information very soon!

What is on your wishlist this season? Share below in the comments section for a chance to win a coupon from Namesake JM today only!

Till later!

*Jane

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How To Wear the Pantone Colour of the Year : Radiant Orchid

Every year, the Pantone Colour Institute issues a 'colour of the year' and retailers scramble to stock their stores with different shades of the tone. It is a very trendy affair and people get very excited about it BUT you don't have to go and drop dough, and I thought it might be a good idea to show you how you can incorporate this colour into your wardrobe. 

Read on for details:

Ladies

Texture

For this season, texture still has a pretty big role on the scene. Snakeskin, silk and lace are in high demand - look for pieces in shades of radiant orchid to update your look. If you're not comfortable mixing textures yet then pair this shade with burgundy, other shades of purple and grey as a homage to street style.

Midi-length

This is the new length of skirts and pants for now. The midi length lends to a more lady-like style right below the knees and above the ankles and it emphasizes the now-trendy ankle straps.

The Return of Colour

For a while, beauty trends were riding on neutral and dark colours but with Spring approaching, there is a re-emergence of colour. Radiant orchid has been seen on lips (think MAC's heroine), with eyeliners and eyeshadow and even with blush. Try your hand at this colour this year.

Men

Typically, I don't like any shade of purple on men, but if the shades are muted and paired with the right colours then it can be stylish but still masculine. You want to stay away from a monochromatic look with this colour or you'll just end up looking like a grape-flavoured popsicle.

Instead, pair it with charcoal grey, buff/tan and black and contrast it with textures like suede. If you are hesitant about the colour then try it out with a pair of socks and/or a tie and remember that the darker the shade the easier it will be to pair with other colours in your closet.

Will you be wearing Radiant Orchid this year? Tag me in a pic on instagram or twitter to show me how you'll be wearing it.

Till later,

*Jane

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Trends to Leave Behind in 2013

Happy New Year Lovelies!!!

I hope you all embrace this year with excitement, faith and hope and that you get the chance to step out of your comfort zone and try something new at least once. As I say goodbye to 2013 there are some trends that I will be glad to see gone.

Here are a five trends I'm ready to leave behind in 2013:

1. The High- low Trend

source

This was not something I tried myself because I didn't find a skirt or a dress that was flattering enough and at a price that I was willing to spend. I knew in the back of my mind that this would not last very long and wouldn't be recycled in the next few years to come. If you invested in this trend then try your hand at converting your high-low dress or skirt into a mini to get more wear out of it in 2014. Dresses and skirts on the 2014 runway are trending toward the midi length which is midway between your knees and your calves.You can try this in a sleeker style with a pencil skirt or with a full skirt (think Grease the movie).

     2. Cut-Outs 

source

There were sexy cut outs and then there were those awkward cut outs where you saw more of someone's body than you ever thought you would like to remember. While I enjoyed this all throughout summer, I'm glad it's slowly being phased out and we can get back to beautifully constructed full-bodied dresses. 

     3. Daytime Pajamas

source

This was a difficult trend to pull off if you went head to toe. Wearing a pajama style silk/satin shirt or pants was easier to pull off if they were worn separately with dark jeans or a chambray top and heels. Ditch the pajama bottoms but you can get more wear out of the tops but cuffing the sleeves and tucking it into a pencil skirt or printed shorts for a more modern look.

     4. Giant Floral Print

source

Florals came back in a big way in 2013 and a lot of women scooped up this trend in the two piece style. Spring is coming around again and you can expect florals to re-emerge but in a subtler, hazier way. Break up your two-piece and wear one piece at a time. Try a floral top with solid- coloured tailored cropped pants and your a-line skirt with a trendy scuba jacket and a scoop neck shirt for 2014.

     5. Wedge Sneaker

source

This was the ballet flat of 2013. It married style and comfort and rode the punk trend all the way through from 2012 onwards. The look going into 2014 is daintier and more ladylike with strappy sandals, kitten heels and ballet flats with ankle straps. A comfortable sneaker will always be useful though so don't toss it quite yet just put it to the back of your closet.

What are you happy to get rid of in 2014 and what trend are you most excited to try? 

Till later lovelies,

**Jane

P.S: I am working on writing a book over the next couple months so I will be scheduling posts for at least three times a week. If you have a question then contact me on Twitter or on Facebook.

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100 Posts!! Thank You & a Giveaway!!!

Today I've arrived at a milestone with this blog - today will be my 100th post! I have so many people to thank for their unfailing support throughout the years. I decided to start this blog back in 2007 when I was reading over 20 blogs daily and becoming super saturated with inspiration and needed to find an outlet. For the last two years though I've really dug into it and started becoming a tad more disciplined and consistent with writing and posting.

I remember the first time I told someone I had a blog. It was a semi-breakthrough. I've been writing since I was six, in the back of my exercise books, on scrap papers everywhere but never quite sharing with anyone what I was scribbling away about. This blog has provided me with an outlet that allowed me to talk about things that most of my friends never really cared about, and making me reach out to people who had the same questions I did without ever meeting them. It was recently when I noticed that more than half my conversations with people online and via messaging services were about one or another of my posts that I had finally created a space where I could engage others in things they would have otherwise spent time googling or asking a clueless boyfriend. I love this! And as Jamaica grows more conscious and aware of beauty and the art of being polished I hope I can continue to have a space where all this can be discussed without fear of judgment or critique.

Now, let me move on before I turn this into a novel. I want to thank each and every person that has taken the time to read my posts - whether you came here looking for a single post or if you've been reading from the start. You may notice that some posts are gone and others have been edited. As I continue to try to improve the blog there will be changes but the purpose of the blog will never change.

I must give a special shout out to the following persons who have not only stuck with me on this journey but have literally pulled me along the path when I was feeling uninspired or lazy:
 - Tea - for always always checking to see that I was putting out new content and recognizing the effort when I put extra work into a post. I love you for your unfailing support
- Ollie - for seriously being the first guy not to roll his eyes when I told you that I had written a post for guys on my beauty and style blog and for reading every male post and barraging me with questions and ideas every time
- Leah bear - for trying a lot of the diys - you're a peach!
- Trudz - for encouraging me to make this most recent step and taking this leap of faith. Your encouragement seriously meant a lot to me.
- Wubz - I could be writing about sniffing paper and I know you would support me. Thanks for the ever present support.

To all my other friends and family who have tolerated, humored and supported me. I'm indebted you and inspired by your encouragement - thank you mucho!!

Now....

I will be giving away to the winner one of two prizes. 

If you are female then you will receive:

A makeup bag stocked with my all-time favourite makeup products :

Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara, L'Oreal True Match Blush, Revlon Kissable Lip Balm Stain, Maybelline Unstoppable Liner, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream. (The blush, stain and bb cream will be in your shade and will be purchased after the winner has been identified.)

If you are male you will receive :

A $5000 gift Certificate to Totally Male to be pampered and polished for the day in the privacy of one of the best spas in Jamaica. Work out those sore muscles from your last game with a massage or get a facial and finally get rid of those ingrown hairs and bumps before taking a special lady out to dinner. 

The rules are:

1. You must be subscribed to/following my blog. You can follow two ways - you can either follow me on bloglovin' by clicking that picture of the woman in the top right section of this page OR scroll down a few from that and in the right column you will see a blue button that says 'Join this Site'.
2. You must like my page on Facebook. To get to that page click here.
3. You need to be over the age of 18 and living in Jamaica with a post office that you can get to or have an address that the mail man delivers items to your gate.
4. Leave me a comment on this post saying "#janekoysen100" to be counted towards to the contest

(Terms & Conditions

If the items mentioned are not available at the end date of the contest in Jamaica, the items will be substituted for other similar items of equal value totaling no more than $6000 JMD. The writer herein therefore makes no guarantee for the specifically named items. In the event that the writer herein dies or is injured before the end of the contest no claims can be made against the writer or her estate for the above-mentioned prizes. Please note that there is no fee required to enter this contest and the only person authorized to conduct this contest is the writer herein. I am not affiliated with any scammers, or telemarketers and this contest is not a raffle or other game as defined by the Gaming and Lotteries Commission.

All information shared on this blog is kept and tracked by Google and is therefore subject to their privacy terms and conditions that the writer herein cannot be held liable or responsible for any information submitted by others on this blog.)

That's it!

For extra entries and to increase your chances of winning you can :

• share this post on Twitter with the hashtag - #janekoysen100
• share a picture from this post on Instagram with the hashtag - #janekoysen100
• share the link to this post on Facebook from my Facebook page with the hashtag #janekoysen100 (so I can find it)

* Also !!! The person with the most shares will win a surprise treat separate from the winner of the giveaway*

THE GIVEAWAY WILL END ON DECEMBER 18, 2013 AT MIDNIGHT - JAMAICAN TIME

Again lovelies, thank you so much for coming here and letting me share my passion with you. Best wishes !

*Jane

NB: I am not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the brands mentioned - I am just a mere fan and all items will be purchased with my own money.

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Fall Fashion Trends & How I'm Wearing Them

Summer is over and so are the trends that came with it. So it's time to say goodbye to neons and high-low dresses and say hello to jackets and graphics. Here are five trends filtered down from the runway that I'm in love with, pulled from my own closet:

        1. Black and White 

This combination is everywhere and I am a super fan. The main colours of my wedding were black and white, and I consider them a personal staple in my wardrobe. This is a pretty easy trend to pull off no matter what your shape, size, colouring or age. The idea isn't new but what it makes it more distinct this Fall is how its being worn with a slight nod to the mod trend of the 60s - think Twiggy and head-to-toe black and white looks.

Top - Primark in Oxford Circle ; Skirt - diy.
 Get similar here and here

     

        2. Metallic

Bling is back in and we are seeing alot of metallics especially in accessories. I am particularly in love with the holographic clutches popping up everywhere and the shoes!! I have been on the hunt for a pair of pointed toe metallic pumps for a while now that are modern enough to not look 80s tacky. In the meantime, my nod to the trend has been with metallic and sequinned minis.

Shirt - borrowed from hubby's closet; Skirt - diy ; purse - vintage; shoes - nine west.
Get similar here ; here and; here

         3. Greys

This is one of my favourite colours to wear ever. There is just something about grey that's so effortless but dressed up at the same time, and it can be paired with gold, silver, rose gold or neon accessories. It really is the perfect neutral. A soft heather grey t-shirt or silk shirt is something you won't regret adding to your wardrobe once the fit is right, there are multiple ways to dress it up and dress it down. Here are a two ways I've been styling my favourite grey top:

Top - Kabella's in Premiere Plaza; Maroon cigarette pants - side shop in Priestfield, London; Printed cigarette pants - diy; clutch - chinese wholesale in Little Premiere Plaza - HWT Kingston Jamaica; Necklaces - L- gifted R- Claire's ; Watch - Fossil
Get them here - top, pants, clutch, watch

         4. Green/Emerald

As the Pantone colour of the year this will continue to shine for the rest of 2013. However, as Christmas approaches unless you deliberately want to dress like a cast member of Elf the musical I would stay away from greens that are brighter and move towards greens that are more jewel-toned and muted. Olive green, army green and emerald are winning tones for this season and look exceptional on darker skin tones. I am currently working on a diy pair of olive green skinny pants but in the meantime, I've been styling these two pieces I currently own like this:

Shirt - gifted from a friend; purse - vintage; watch - Fossil; shoes - get nude pair here, similar brown pair here; dog tag - borrowed from hubby; bangles - Kabella's in HWT, Kingston Jamaica

Sweater - gifted; skinny black pants - Tropical Mall HWT Kingston; clutch gifted get similar here

         5. Texture

When I mentioned this trend to a friend her eyes glazed over and she gave me that nod she does when she has no clue what I'm talking about. This trend simply means that the material being used to create the clothing you're wearing has extra detail or interest added to it. Lace is a textured material, as is anything beaded or embroidered or embellished. Lace with Leather and Embroidered silk paired with something beaded are two of my favourite pairings for the textured trend. I recently paired these two together for an edgy but sweet look:

Faux leather jacket - Wet Seal New York get similar here; lace dress - gifted, get similar here; shoes - see above ; cross - old

The weather is slowly but surely cooling down and I am eagerly awaiting those windy chilly nights when I can live in my jackets without breaking a sweat once again. What are you looking forward to wearing when the place cools down? Leave me a comment below!

Till later,

**Jane

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