Beauty is Not Skin Deep...But It Can Start There

First off let me say, we are thinking of and praying for all of our friends and family in Minot.  You are at the top of our thoughts here at Lena K and all over Fargo.

Now on to the idea behind this blog post...  I know that beauty comes from within but who doesn't want to be beautiful on the outside as well?  Obviously, great clothes are a passion of mine but beauty products like makeup and skin care are also something I'm slightly obsessed with.  Lately I have been struggling with my skin and seeking help from the dermatologist and other places with well-known skin care lines and nothing seems to give the results I'm looking for.  Cue my friend Tracy...

Tracy came to visit me one day to tell me about this great skincare line that she is repping called Rodan + Fields.  Sound familiar?  They are the wonderful ladies behind ProActiv and professional dermatologists that are still working with clients today.  The Rodan + Fields line started out being available in high end department stores like Norstroms, Bloomingdales and Henry Bendals and was the number one clinical skin care line there but it just wasn't reaching people like they hoped it would.  They recently pulled the line out and started allowing individuals to rep it, which is how it's come to us in Fargo.

 

I am very excited to start using the products myself...so much so that they are now available to all of you when you shop at Lena K (at least when I'm in the store)!  They have lines to battle aging, sun spots, blemishes and sensitive skin and they've all been proven to work wonders.  Something that really caught my attention was that these lines are formulated to treat skin conditions NOT skin types.  I think that was a problem of mine in the past, my skin type and condition didn't pair up according to the current products on the market. 

The excitement around Rodan + Fields is also prominent all over the industry right now.  Rodan + Fields products are being featured in my favorite magazines all the time...Lucky, Vogue, In Style, Glamour and so many more plus they are up for an Allure Beauty award this year.  They have also been on the today show more than once with the amazing AMP MD system.  If you haven't heard about this great tool, you need to!  (More on that later...it deserves a post all to itself.)

The very best thing about Rodan + Fields is that you can try it risk free for 60 days!  Yep...you can use it and see how it works for you.  If you're not happy with it, it can be returned for a full refund, even if the bottles are practically empty.  My cabinet at home is full of partially used products that were supposed to give fabulous results but didn't.  It is sad to think of all that wasted money I could have spent on something else like a great dress or a fabulous pair of shoes. 

I've given you more information than I'd planned to when I started writing today so now is a good time to sign off.  We are going to have a kick off party for the line tentatively scheduled for July 7th but if you can't wait, stop in and see me any time and I'd be glad to give you more information.  I hope you are as excited as I am to try Rodan + Fields!

xoxo
Karissa

Patterson J. Kincaid



As many of you already know, we have been welcoming quite a few new brands to Lena K this Spring.  One I'm especially excited about is Patterson J. Kincaid.  I love the California Cool vibe that comes with wearing this line's special pieces.  Here is a little fun background...



Patterson J. Kincaid was launched in the summer of 2009 under the apparel group responsible for Elizabeth and James (and who doesn't lust after the pieces in that amazing collection!).  The idea was to develop a line of "effortlessly chic basics essential to any modern girl's closet".  PJC reminds me a lot of something we used to carry here...Joie...with an amazingly comfortable yet stylish aesthetic.  The line was designed in mind of the vintage lover that wants pieces with a more approachable price point.  Everything in the line is typically under $200 including sweaters.



PJC has been featured in Cosmo, Lucky, Marie Claire, Elle, Glamour and many other publications and on celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Blake Lively.  We have new collections from PJC coming in all the time.  Stop in and check it out!!

Mother Knows Best

We are so excited to welcome Mother denim to Lena K!!!  Mother shipped its first collection in January to select stores and has been selling out all over.  We have been eagerly awaiting our first delivery since we saw the line last Fall and can't wait for all of you to check it out!

Here is a link with some interesting background on the line...
http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/when-it-comes-to-jeans-mother-knows-best/

We have two styles in stock right now, The Runaway Skinny Flare and The Rascal Crop Fray...

Ellie and I are both in love with the fit of these jeans and even more so with the amazing feel.  (And how cute are the style names...The Runaway, The Rascal, The Wilder, The Curfew!!)  You can be sure that they will become a staple in my closet.  I can't wait to wear my first pair tomorrow!!

xoxo

Karissa



Truly Made In Heaven

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!  I was going to talk about one of my very favorite trends for Spring today but had to set that aside for another day to share my love for MiH Jeans.  I fall harder every time I get another pair!!  And on top of that the brand has such a fun back story...

MiH is the reincarnation of Made in Heaven jeans originally founded in 1969.  At that time, the brand was just as much a celebrity favorite as it is today, with the likes of everyone from Jane Birkin to Farrah Fawcett sporting the fabulous styles.  Chloe Lonsdale is the new head of the brand and she is the cutest thing (I met her at a market appointment not too long ago)!  Chloe is actually the Goddaughter of the original founder and the daughter of the original fit model so it’s in her blood.  You can read a more detailed history of the brand on their website, www.mih-jeans.com. 

The latest addition to my personal collection is the Marrakesh.  The Marrakesh is a kick flare with jet front pockets and is so great for date night!  …Plus it totally covers the super flare trend that is back for Spring and Summer.  This style is actually one of the best sellers in the line and has taken so long to enter my wardrobe because our fabulous customers keep snatching them up before I can get my hands on a pair.  The Marrakesh is actually a jean that was available in the original collection.  Check out this picture of Chloe’s mom sporting the style back in the day. 

Here is the current day version of the Marrakesh...celebrities love it as much as I do!!

I love that the rise is a little higher (at 9.5") and the pocket shape is refreshing and ever so flattering.  The Marrakesh gives the illusion of legs that go on forever and flatters all body shapes by skimming the hips.  It is the original "legs-eleven" jean!  You can be sure that I won't be able to live with just one wash in this style. 

There are so many other styles in the brand that have great fits too....from skinnies to capris to tops and beyond...but I will save telling you about them until another day.  If you haven't given MiH Jeans a try, put them on your list the next time you are in need.  You will not be disappointed!

Until next time...

xoxo

Karissa



So Very Splendid

At Lena K, we LOVE Splendid!!  I mean, who doesn't love feeling comfortable and looking fabulous all at the same time?  And even better, it's made in the good ol' USA!! 

Splendid has been around since 2002 and was started with a quest for the softest fabric that holds the most amazing colors and could be used to make the ultimate t-shirts.  With that accomplished, Splendid has evolved from a line with 9 basic styles to a collection of tanks, thermals, dresses and more, all in the most wearable and latest styles. 

This tank is by far my favorite Splendid piece.  I own it in every basic color (and some fun ones too) and will be wearing one most any day you stop in the store for a visit. 

This tank is so great for layering under sheer pieces and under sweaters for extra comfort.  The length is great for all of the jeans we wear today...it comes down over the top of the waistband and hits mid-hip so you never show too much when sitting down.  If you haven't tried one yet, you should!  ...but be warned, you might become an addict like me!

The Very Light Jersey tees are also amazing for Spring & Summer.  The light breezy fabric is beyond soft and the v-neck style is flattering on all.  We always stock the basic colors (white, black, heather grey) as well as some fun pops of color for the season.

And of course Splendid does plenty of exciting fashion bodies that change from month to month.  Right now we are most excited about the maxi dresses that are sure to be a staple in everyone's wardrobe this summer.  They can be dressed up or down and the whole while, you feel like you are in your PJ's!

Recently Splendid started expanding into more of a lifestyle brand adding shoes and PJ's.  And word is they are considering sheets!!  Can you imagine how amazing it would be to crawl into bed each night into something as soft as your favorite t-shirt?  I can't wait to see if or when this happens!!

We are expecting a new shipment of Splendid later this week so be sure to stop in and check out all the amazing new styles to keep you looking and feeling great with the nicer weather that's bound to come our way.

xoxo
Karissa





Welcome to Our Blog!

Thank you all for coming to check out my first attempt at a blog!  We have been getting requests for one quite a bit lately so I'm excited to give it a try.  I plan on writing about all sorts of different things...the history of some of our brands, styling tips, new deliveries at the store and fashion inspirations.  I would also love to share information about Downtown Fargo and shopping local.  If you have any topics you would like me (and the Lena K girls) to cover, just let me know!  Can't wait to get started...stay tuned for more very soon!

xoxo
Karissa