Posted on 2nd August, 2010 | | No Comment

Posted on 22nd July, 2010 | | No Comment

In interviews and at events, I constantly get asked the same couple of questions - why are the ways bras are sized so confusing, and why can’t I get a decent bra without breaking the bank. Well today I received a package from Bra Company Barely There. They have done away with band and cup sizes all together, releasing a line that’s sized from S-XL! A pretty genius idea if you ask me. I’m excited to try mine out (size L). Oh and they cost around $30!

Posted on 19th July, 2010 | | 2 Comments

Today, amidst the chaos of coordinating next week’s Today Show segment and calling in samples, doing an interview for Life and Style Weekly, arranging desksides with my publicist, and caring for a teething-screaming-crawling everywhere 10 month old, and scheduling cake consultations for said 10 month old’s 1 year birthday bash - you know, a usual day in the life, LOL, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my journalistic and one-woman-force-to-be-reckoned-with idols of all time, the incomparable Joan Lunden. Not only is she mega smart and talented, she’s also super nice and down to earth.

We chatted about her life in Maine and Greenwich, her retreat camp for women, and her lifestyle “brand,” which includes a new home line for QVC.

Here’s a preview of the piece that will be running in my September column for The WAG.

Famous journalist and Greenwich resident Joan Lunden has forayed into the world of home fashions with a line recently launched for QVC and Walmart.com called Joan Lunden Home. I got the chance to chat with the former news anchor about her new collection.

Jené: Tell us a little bit about your collection and what inspired it.

Joan: My husband Jeff owns children’s camps in Maine so when I started my camp for women (www.campreveille.com), I had to figure out a way to turn boy’s bunks into a “bed and breakfast” style retreat, and so, I did linens! That was sort of the start of it. As far as inspirations for my designs, I just look back at my career, what I’ve seen, the places I’ve gone and what I’ve had access to – dozens of countries, interviewing kings and queens, presidents, touring their private residences and getting a glimpse of their décor - that’s what really inspired me. Each part of my collection has a “story” behind it inspired by the stories I’ve covered as a reporter.

Jené: How would you describe the décor of your Greenwich home? Did your life in Greenwich inspire your designs at all?

Joan: I feel so fortunate to be able to decorate my homes in Maine and Greenwich. My home in Maine is full of beautiful rich woods – a true lake house. In Greenwich and my previous home in Rye, everything is so green and beautiful when you look out your window so my home has lots of glass to sort of bring the outdoors in. I love waking up and seeing the greenery and the foliage of the seasons so my fall throws are in beautiful harvest gold, rust and spice and deep reds, all inspired by Autumn in Greenwich. In my home, I have a lot of quiet colors like the beiges, and bronzes, interspersed with pops of colors based on the season. In fall, it’s the deep reds, and in the spring and summer, I “freshen” up with turquoise and pinks. My house is a “palette” that I can play with according to the season.

Jené: What are your favorite decorating tips to share with our readers?

Joan: The easiest way to freshen up your house without spending a fortune is to change your linens, pillows and throws or change your tabletop. So I did coverlet sets in fabrics that feel soft and luxurious like silk but are synthetic so it’s washable and affordable, and throws in faux mink and faux rabbit fur. I think people nowadays want to feel good about what they purchase and not guilty about it, but they want it to look like a million bucks. You can dress a whole bed for hundreds of dollars, not thousands, and still have it look fabulous.
Jené: Those who know you know that you throw a great party. What are some of your tips?

Joan: Really, entertaining is my passion. I love throwing parties and decorating the house for them. Being organized is the biggest thing and for me, it all starts with my pantry. I have all those organizational boxes. I keep the pantry stocked with random things so I’m never without any important details – like confetti in different colors so at the last minute I can dress a holiday table or decorate for a birthday party. My biggest tip is to do as much as you can in advance – set the table a couple of days before, buy gifts for kid’s birthday parties in quantities, have them wrapped and save them for when you need them, you know, eliminate any “last minute” stress.

Jené: You’ve written books about cooking, healthy living, raising children, and now your home line. It seems like you really are a lifestyle brand. What is it about your lifestyle that you think others could learn from?

Joan: I’m a woman’s advocate and I’m always speaking to groups and trying to inspire and motivate women to take care of themselves. Most women are so busy caring for others, they neglect themselves. That’s the main reason for developing Joan Lunden home. I call my lifestyle “easy living” and it’s something all women can adopt. Being a busy, working mom, it’s important to pinpoint the things that stress you out and figure out how to get “ahead of them.” It’s about stress-free living. I’m not Donna Karan, or a designer who makes very high end items. I wanted to create something that looks expensive but it’s easy to care for and you don’t have to spend a lot of money.

Find out more about Joan by visiting her website at www.Joanlunden.com.

Posted on 21st June, 2010 | | No Comment

I’ll be appearing on the 10 am hour on July 27th, 2010, talking about flattering fashions for fuller figures. TUNE IN!

XO

Posted on 21st June, 2010 | | 2 Comments

Thanks to The Rivertown Playgroup, Westchester Mommy and Oasis Day Spa of Dobbs Ferry, NY, for hosting a fabulous Bra Book event.
40 Moms attended, enjoyed spa treatments on the rooftop garden of the spa, wine from the California Wine Club and food from Fresh Direct, fabulous swag/goodies from The Shoppers Tote, Maybelline, Wet N’Wild, Dr. Debra Glassman and more, plus they lined up to meet yours truly and get bra fittings!
An accupuncturist was also on hand as well as Reiki Master and star of TLC’s That Yin Yang Thing, and my friend, John Fava.

Posted on 29th May, 2010 | Tags : joseph gordon levitt LA how do I Look Jeannie Mai style | 1 Comment

If you’re wondering where I’ve been lately, I’ve pretty much been, well, everywhere! I went from Boston for swim segments and styling/hosting an event for Lands’ End, to upstate New York, to Manhattan for 2 TV segments, to LA for a shoot with the show How Do I Look?

The episode I taped focused on a woman from the Bronx who not only needed fashion help, but bra help too! Right now, it’s slated to air August 7th. I had a really fabulous time with the host Jeannie Mai (pictured, with the ladies from Hanes Brands), as well as the entire cast and crew. It was a whilrwind 24 hour trip but I hope to be back soon. Speaking of the trip, sat next to actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt on the red-eye home. Nice guy, and I gave him a copy of The Bra Book of course. I felt bad I hadn’t seen 500 Days of Summer so I watched it as soon as I got home. It’s now one of my fave flicks!

On an aside, I’ll be back in LA the first week of August for an event with Frederick’s of Hollywood, in their flagship store.

XO

Posted on 29th May, 2010 | Tags : LL COOL J LX NY | 1 Comment

While backstage at a recent NBC-4 LX-TV appearance, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my favorite hip-hop artists, LL Cool J.

I had a convo with a member of his team, Claudine, a friend of my publicist’s, and was sharing with her about my book. He was apparently listening because a few moments later, he stopped on his way out of the studio to tell me that I shouldn’t give up, and I should keep plugging the book where I could, because one day it would pay off for me! I appreciated the advice from someone who is so successful in many facets. LL - you da bomb!

XO

Posted on 25th May, 2010 | | 2 Comments

We all want people looking in our eyes - and not staring straight at our boobs - but what about a bra that does both??

I found this “winking” Joe Boxer bra at Kmart…
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_027B139314110001P?vName=Clothing&cName=Intimates&sName=Bras&psid=FROOGLE&aff=Y&sid=KAx20061023×272xTier3

Posted on 29th April, 2010 | | 1 Comment

http://www.kmov.com/great-day-st-louis/The-Total-Mom-92428814.html

Posted on 29th April, 2010 | | No Comment

In my book, The Bra Book, I share my story of my battle with Tubular Breast Syndrome and growing up with 2 different sized breasts. In every event or book signing I’ve done, someone asks for a solution to this…and aside from a bra with removable padding (where you could leave it in on the smaller side), there WASN’T one…until now. Fruit of the Loom has introduced a bra with interchangeable cups - so you can have 2 different sized cups if needed!

http://www.amazon.com/Pick-Your-Perfect-Fruit-Loom/dp/B003JCHFRC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1272552544&sr=8-1-fkmr1