You Were Always on My... Feet?

Just a Few Gift Ideas in Case You Were Wondering

(theBalm collection at Hemline)

Shopping for anyone on Valentine's Day can be tricky. But finding that perfect gift that embodies fun, flirty, and fabulousness for that special woman in your life is the trickiest of all. Be it your mother, your best friend, or your girlfriend, we've found two perfect gifts that are sure to brighten any lady's day. 


First up, we have theBalm cosmetics: specifically Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss. Hemline stocks over 10 shades, which means you'll be able to find a shade to match every skin tone, attitude, or outfit! Whether you desire a playful pink, a ravishing red, or a natural nude, we have what you are looking for! Plus... they come with oh-so charming names such as "Spike My Punch" and "Water My Melon." What's not to love?!?


If the particular damsel you are shopping for is of a more refined nature, we have something for her, too. Hemline stocks several items from the floral fragrance line, Kai. In addition to standbys such as perfume and body lotion, we also have linen spray, a candle, and body glow. Featured as one of Oprah's "Favorite Things" in 2007, Kai continues to be one of our favorite things in 2010 and beyond!

(part of Hemline's Kai collection)

Three Looks for Valentine's Day... No Matter Your Plans!

 Look Number One: Ladies Night Out or Sexy Date with your Beau!

 

(Free People turquoise lace top, Free People black sequin mini skirt, Seychelles turquoise wedge heel, LoopNYC wallet)

  

Whether you have sexy plans with your man or are getting sexy so you can snag a man, we have an outfit for you! We loved pairing a sweet and ultra-girly top with a psuedo-tough sequin skirt. The Seychelles shoes were almost too good to be true- perfectly complimenting the color of the Free People top. However, we didn't want the look to become too matchy-matchy, so we added in the red clutch that just happened to have flecks of turquoise for coherence.

Look Number Two: Movie Night with the Girls or Date Night with Ben and Jerry!

(Free People coral peasant top, Hudson boot cut jeans, GO-Go Gear peace handbag)

 

So maybe your day of love is less about love with a man and more about love for your girlfriends... or even love for yourself.  If this is the case, we've put together a pleasantly playful ensemble that exudes a carefree, fun attitude. Just an easy pair of relaxed Hudson jeans, a romantic, flowing top in a lovely color and a cute peace bag that makes it easy to sneak in candy to the movie theater or discreetly transport that pint of Ben and Jerry to your apartment.

Look Number Three: Cocktail Party!

(Alexia Admor purple cocktail dress, Chinese Laundry suede heel, theBalm "Plump" lip gloss)

There's always some cocktail party to attend on Valentine's Day; whether it's couples only or singles only, you'll be the scene stealer in this little purple number by Alexia Admor. While everyone else is busy rockin' reds and pinks, you'll be the standout in a perfect plum. We paired it with our go-to cocktail heels, the Chinese Laundry black suede heel to make sure the dress still had winter-weather appeal (make it even more winter appropriate by throwing on a pair of thick black tights!). As the final accessory of the evening, make sure you bring along theBalm's plumping lip gloss to ensure your lips look ultra-kissable throughout the night!

The big day is only 5 days away so stop by Hemline on the Plaza or visit our website at shophemline.com right away to find your perfect Valentine's Day look! 

Love is in the Air and Our Windows Know It....

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and Hemline has been busily preparing for the occasion! We've decked our halls and dressed our dolls (well, mannequins) all in the interest of getting you just excited for the day of love as we are!

We've glittered out hearts and even managed to make flowers from bark... all in an effort to make you fall in love. Tomorrow we will be posting some of the best Valentine's Day looks around- both for those of you with a date with Mike... and those of you who have a date with Ben and Jerry.

Stay tuned! 

Designer Profile: Maria Ismert

(Maria's Piola collection now available at Hemline)

Maria Ismert is the up- and coming- jewelry designer of Piola, a collection of pieces based on a marriage between eclectic and classic. Based right here in Kansas City, we were lucky enough to sit down with Maria and find out a little more about her collection, inspiration, and her own style secrets. 

Hemline: Why did you decide to start designing jewelry?

Maria Ismert: Making jewelry perfectly combines my passion for art and design and working with my hands.  However, I didn’t start designing my own until I went to my first bead show in college; it was love at first sight.  I wanted fun, inexpensive, and unique ideas for birthday and Christmas gifts too.   Frustrated with the current jewelry market and my own personal collection, I bought a few tools (on a very low budget) and got to work.  I began dissecting my old jewelry –a combination of vintage, garage sale finds and cheap plastics—and pairing them with more modern, colorful stones.   My friends and I began sporting my light-weight pieces you wouldn’t find anywhere else, and the rest is history…

H: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

M.I.: As a painter, I see my jewelry as an extension of my art-nouveau-inspired canvases.  I like things to pop amidst a subtle or organic backdrop.  The juxtaposition of faceted, creamy mint chalcedony with vintage gold chains or a splash of hot-pink felt hand-wrapped in gold wire was very different, yet very attractive. 

H: Who are your favorite designers?

M.I.: Scarlet Garnett Jewelry (Kansas City, MO) is amazing.  Rustic and elegant is sultry, and these girls understand that.   

H: Where do you like to shop?

M.I.: Since the 6^th grade, I’ve been swapping clothes at ATC in Westport.  There’s something about sorting through second-hand separates from perfect strangers and cleaning out your closet at the same time. But honestly, Hemline and Anthropologie is where it’s at.

H: How would you describe the woman who wears your jewelry?

M.I.: Confident and progressive, but relaxed; willing to mix it up while listening to her mood.

H: What makes your jewelry unique?

M.I.: Piola experiments with new materials and new combinations.   I never repeat the same piece twice.  Whether it’s an old sea shell paired with a mod pendant, connected by snake-skin chain, I create pieces for every occasion, mood, and season.

H: What's your style mantra? 

Your wardrobe is your canvas too; Art should be apart of everyday life.            

(Some of our favorite items- love the turquoise necklace!)

Boots, Coats, and Mittens... OH MY!

(Sam Edelman Nile boot, Wooden Ships grey hat, Corey Lynn Calter poncho, Wooden Ships doll mittens, Seychelles Dos-I-Do boot, and Free People white coat)

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not that time of year. It's time to get rid of all our our winter stuff so we can make room for all of the lovely spring diddies that have been arriving daily. 

And while we're so excited for the arrival of pastels, florals, and tissue-thin tees, we are sad we have to let all of our woven knits, cuddly coats, and beautiful boots go. 

But lucky for you, this means savings! Our winter sale continues with TWO 75% off racks and special discounts on the following items.

Winter Boots:$39.95
Scarves: $14.95
Mittens and Gloves: $14.95
Winter Hats: $14.95

Visit Hemline on the Plaza soon for these and other great winter markdowns!

Fancy Face

Hemline loves a good party. Even more than that, Hemline loves a good party where women are wearing glorious clothes. But even more than that, Hemline loves when a woman is wearing glorious clothes just because that's what she does.

Part of this blog will focus on just that: women who weren't expecting their close-up. Women who were merely out and about and fell victim to our fashion-focused camera lens. They might have been meeting friends for lunch, having a shopping day, or maybe just walking their dog...

Take this scarlet soul who we bumped into right outside our store! Casually yet carefully put together, we appreciated her sense of laid-back luxury. The wild hair oh-so slightly contained, the way the inseam on her jeans lines up with the zipper on the boots, the plaid shirt transformed by the scarf--oh, wait!-- it's a sweater wrapped around her neck! Oh, the details... And those yellow gloves oh-so secretively making an appearance outside of her pocket... 

Below is our own version of the look. 

 (Free People plaid jacket, Hudson jeans, Tullette tan gloves, Tullette black scarf, and Seychelles boot all available at Hemline)