FABULOUSLY FREE FRIDAY!!!

Ooh, la la, look what we are giving away today! The Marcella tankini in its strikingly gorgeous teal & orange print - this one is a real head turner. Top that off with the unexpected detailing of mini pom pom trim at the neckline. One word - ADORABLE! Read below to find out how to win.





All you have to do is leave a comment about your love of LAYERS! One winner will be drawn at random each Monday, then announced on the blog. The winner will have 24 hours to respond. If you snooze, you lose and another winner will be drawn. All entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm MST Sunday August 2nd, 2009. One entry per person. If you are a Facebook Fan, your love for LAYERS has earned you the right to leave an additional comment for another chance to win!

Come On, Does It Get Any Cuter Than This?!?

We are absolutely head over heels in love with our newest arrival, the Darla. RIDICULOUSLY cute!!!

The Bachelorette - and the final rose goes to.....

ED!!! I've gotta give props to our girl Jillian for her choice. She & Ed seem to have great chemistry and honesty and really love each other. Not to mention, they make and ADORABLE couple. I hope they ride off into the sunset together & live happily ever after. Ahhhh, so cute.



Now, this post would not be complete without a mention of Reid. The poor guy looked like he had on the clothes he wore the night before and ride and was chauffered to the rose ceremony in a minivan instead of a limo. Awwww Honey Bear!



Consensus around the office at Layers: great season! What did you think?

SALE!!!

20 % OFF SUMMER COLLECTION AND LAST CHANCE SALE STARTS NOW!!!
Offer ends Wednesday 7/29/09 at 11:59PM MST. Excludes all basics and all swimwear.
Use promo code SUNNY20 at checkout. Enjoy!

Instant Style Fix - Aviator Sunglasses.

A foolproof way to add instant and effortless chic to ANY outfit, aviators are a favorite of A-listers such as Jessica Biel, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Miley Cyrus, Heidi Klum, Lindsey Lohan, Jessica Alba, Nicole Ritchie and wayyyyyy too many more to count. Not only do they look great on all face shapes, they are unbelievably versatile and compliment any look from urban & edgy to boho & feminine.






One of the most popular among celebs are the Ray Ban aviators, which range in price from around $130 - $230. Don't know about you, but I NEED a pair!!

Annabelle.

Meet the newest member of our Summer '09 Swim Collection.

The Latest Lucky Girl to Score a Fabulous Freebie.....

is Melanie - congratulations! Here is what Melanie had to say: Oh Layers, you always have the cutest things!

Thanks! Email rachael@layersclothing.com your size & color preference within 24 hours to claim your prize.

I know - it's what you've been anxiously awaiting all week, right?

It's FFF time, baby! Today's fabulous giveaway is the Juliette shirt - available in Caribbean or Watermelon. Oh so pretty, with feminine cascading ruffles this tee is incredibly soft, comfortable and not too clingy, making it flattering on every figure. Love her! Read below for details on how to win.



All you have to do is leave a comment about your love of LAYERS! One winner will be drawn at random each Monday, then announced on the blog. The winner will have 24 hours to respond. If you snooze, you lose and another winner will be drawn. All entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm MST Sunday July 19th, 2009. One entry per person. If you are a Facebook Fan, your love for LAYERS has earned you the right to leave an additional comment for another chance to win!

LAYERS Beauty Tip of the Week

I know, trying out a new foundation can be risky business. There is always that high possibility that you may end up with something you that makes your skin look too shiny or worse - like your face is spackled on. HUGE disappointment when you have already forked out the cash for a product & get stuck with something you don't like.

Fortunately for you cuties, I have done my research and am more than happy to let you in on my secrets. YSL's Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation is my absolute favorite.

It provides great coverage & evens out your skin beautifully without being too heavy. Also, I hate to point out the obvious, but it has an attached foundation brush! I love it! You just squeeze the tube a little to get the foundation onto the brush & apply. So awesome.

But the best thing about this product is simply that it makes your skin look beautiful and flawless and natural and THAT is what makes YSL Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation one of my beauty bag staples.

The Showdown: Kiptyn vs. Ed

Now that my favorite is out of the running, I would definitely have to go with Ed as the better choice for Jillian. Don't get me wrong, I think Kiptyn's great and smart and handsome and everything too, but his connection with Jillian seems kind of.......generic. Like the kind that develops just from exposure to someone nice and attractive, but doesn't have any depth. With Ed and Jillian, I think there are more roots. It seems that Ed's connection with Jillian is much more specific to who she is, not just one he'd have to anyone. AND, he has said he is prepared to propose to Jillian! Huge deal. Basically, I think Ed is perfect for her........except for the whole fantasy date not going as planned......




Who's it gonna be??? Either way, I guess this means now Reid is available! ;)

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congrats to Stephanie Winterton, winner of the beauuuuuuuutiful Mischa dress! Here's what she had to say:

"I love Layers clothing and am officially obsessed. The clothes are all fabulously chic and I love this dress!"

Thanks Stephanie! You're going to love it even more in person!

Mean Girls

What is the deal with "mean girls?" As a teenger I went through some tough times when a former friend resorted to horrible tactics trying to ruin my reputation. The gossip and rumors were so hurtful, I remember spending countless nights crying myself to sleep.

I get that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but the effects of some of these experiences can cause long term emotional scars. For example, I recently had a conversation with a girlfriend about some of her junior high experiences. While she was telling her story, I could see the pain as tears welled up in her eyes and it was as if she was not 40, but more like 14 and reliving that pain.

Have any of you had any experiences with mean girls? What was the outcome? What, if anything would you have done differently? Are you a rehabilitated mean girl? What is it about females that causes us to compare each other? Why don't we do a better job of celebrating each other's successes? Tell me how you feel; blogging's cheaper than therapy and usually produces better advice!

Hmmmm, What's Your Favorite Day of the Week?

Could it be FABULOUSLY FREE FRIDAY?!?!?! Check out this week's prize - the Mischa dress in Lagoon - & read below to find out how to win. Trust me, you do NOT want to miss out on the chance to get your hands on this stunner!




All you have to do is leave a comment about your love of LAYERS! One winner will be drawn at random each Monday, then announced on the blog. The winner will have 24 hours to respond. If you snooze, you lose and another winner will be drawn. All entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm MST Sunday July 12th, 2009. One entry per person. If you are a Facebook Fan, your love for LAYERS has earned you the right to leave an additional comment for another chance to win!

Whew, She Came To Her Senses!

Thank goodness Jillian finally ditched the dirtbag! Wes' rant in the limo after last night's rose ceremony was unbelieveable. Seriously, does he even have a soul?

Now that Jill has three great guys remaining, things are going to get tough. We want to know what YOU think! Who will be the last man standing?



Personally, I have a small crush on Reid! He's so cute & funny!

How LAYERS Clothing Was Born

We did a little Q&A with company owner/designer Michelle Boley. Here's the story of how LAYERS was conceived straight from the mastermind behind the brand.

R: When did LAYERS first open for business officially?

Michelle: April 2005

R: What motivated you to start the company?

Michelle: Originally, Layers was started to create pieces that could provide women with additional coverage and be layered underneath other articles of clothing. From there, it quickly evolved into a label which offers a much wider variety as I began designing dresses, swimwear, and other seasonal apparel. I wanted to bring women fashionable, affordable options that I wasn't finding in the stores.

R: What inspires you as a designer?

Michelle: I love watching old movies and sometimes feel like I was born in the wrong era! An actress's styling often sparks my interest and then I build my own interpretation of a look from there. I am inspired by fashion throughout the decades, from the classic styling of the 40's and 50's, to the bohemian style of the 60's and 70's.

R: Does modesty/religion influence your designs?

Michelle: Modest styling is the most timeless and trend-proof. As a conservative designer, it can be discouraging that the word "modesty" often has a negative connotation as it relates to fashion. I think a modestly dressed woman gives off an aura of allure and confidence. She has style and self-assuredness, while having nothing to prove.

R: Tell us about your family.

Michelle: I have the most patient, wonderful husband and three active, beautiful daughters. We love to hang out together, travel, watch movies and bake. My daughters and I all have a sweet tooth and probably indulge in our two major weaknesses - cookie dough or bubblegum ice cream - a little more than we should!

R: Who are some of your favorite designers of all time?

Michelle: I love the timeless look of Chanel, the clean, yet edgy looks of Marc Jacobs and the femininity of Narcisco Rodriguez.

R: What was your primary objective of starting Layers Clothing?

Michelle: I find some of the styles out there today to be a little unrealistic. It has always been my goal to take current fashion and modify it so that real women can wear it and feel great about themselves and look amazing.

R: What advice would you give to other women/moms interested in starting their own business?

Michelle: Be organized! Don't feel inadequate or get discouraged by what you don't know. Just utilize the knowledge, skill and talents you do have and be willing to learn every step of the way.

R: What is it like being a mom and a business owner?

Michelle: It can be a little crazy at times, but my family definitely comes first. I believe I am only as good as the individuals I surround myself with. I have an amazing team at Layers that supports me in both my professional and personal life.

R: What is your favorite and least favorite fashion trend of all time?

Michelle: Favorite 1 - Leggings. Their versatility is endless! I love how adding that layer can take a dress from spring/summer to fall/winter. AND they look great with any type of shoe - heels, flats, pumps, flip flops, boots, sandals, etc!

Favorite 2 - Farrah Fawcett hair. If I could rock her 70's hairstyle in 2009 and get away with it, believe me, I would be doing it!

Least favorite - I gotta tell ya.....I have nightmares about the M.C. Hammer pants I wore in the 80's.....twenty years later they still haunt me!

Karsten and Leah Johnson, COME ON DOWN!!!

Congrats to our latest FFF winner! Here's what they said:

Karsten & Leah Johnson said...

"I Love Layers! I first heard about them from my sister, and since I've been hooked! Layers has got the hottest modest look!"

Thanks guys! We can't help but agree. ;)

It's Friday - Y'all Know What That Means...........

Someone's getting a Fabulous Freebie! This week's prize will have you looking fly for having fun in the sun. Meet Kaitlyn! The contrasting prints in coordinating colors make Kaitlyn the perfect fun, flirty way to flaunt your fab phisique. Read below to find out how to win!





All you have to do is leave a comment about your love of LAYERS! One winner will be drawn at random each Monday, then announced on the blog. The winner will have 24 hours to respond. If you snooze, you lose and another winner will be drawn. All entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm MST Sunday July 5th, 2009. One entry per person. If you are a Facebook Fan, your love for LAYERS has earned you the right to leave an additional comment for another chance to win!

LAYERS Beauty Tip of the Week

I'm pretty sure almost every woman can relate to my endless hunt for the BEST mascara out there. Everything you try leaves crumbs or smudges under your eyes by the end of the day, makes your eyelashes look like scary spiders or is impossible to get off.

Well my friends, I have a solution! It is my great pleasure to introduce to you....Dior Blackout Mascara.



When I first started using this mascara about a year ago, I was asked the same question by my sister AND a co-worker: "Do you have fake eyelashes on?" I am not kidding; it's THAT good!

I have recommended Dior Blackout Mascara to many of my family and friends to much critical acclaim. Available at most department stores for $24, Dior Blackout is not the cheapest mascara option, but its seriously dramatic volumizing and lengthening capabilities make it worth it!

BTW: I've been referred to by some as their own personal "makeup guru." I have always had a weakness for amazing cosmetics and have been trying all kinds of products since high school. (I can spend hours browsing on Sephora) Ask me anything, and I will give you a recommendation!