They have parties for purses?

Early this week I was invited to a purse party by one of my husband's college classmates, who just so happens to live 2 subdivisions down from us (small world)! I wasn't really sure what this purse party entailed, but when someone offers this BoiseBombshell an invitation to shop I accept, it was really a no-brainer for me :-) Apparently when I got ready for the party, I was channeling my inner Carrie Underwood. Check out this hair...

....anyhow, the open-house style soiree was for Gigi Hill. What is Gigi Hill you ask?

Gigi Hill was co-founded in 2009 by 2 soccer moms (each are wives, mothers of 2 and business professionals), Gabrielle Desantis-Cummings and Monica Hillman. These woman are major bombshells. They had a vision and they went after it, with gumption in true bombshell style. Gigi Hill offers a variety of patterns, sizes and shapes. From makeup bags and wallets to diaper changing pads and backpacks, Gigi Hill offers just about every purse-type essential you can think of, even luggage and tablet covers!!! In my opinion, Gigi Hill is like a "chic-er" version of Vera Bradley. I know, I know, Vera Bradley does offer a variety of prints and bags, but mainly in a cotton fabric. Bradley bags offer a classic quilted look, while Gigi Hill offers a variety of fabric options including micro-suede, various nylon/vinyl finishes and even leather! Sign me up! These bags are fabulous. Plenty of storage compartments are offered in every bag, regardless of size and are designed with practicality in mind, not that fashion and utility have to go hand in hand, but it's nice when they do. The bags have sleek insides that are easily cleaned with a wet cloth and also have clear interior pockets, so you can see all your goodies, instead of digging for things like this bombshell does.

Similar to the co-founders of Gigi Hill, our host today, Becca Allen, is also a wife, mother of 2 and working professional. The girl has her doctorate degree in physical therapy! :-0 I swear in order to be a Gigi Hill gal you have to be superwoman ;-) Becca started as a Gigi Hill stylist earlier this year, in April. She does 3-4 parties a month, depending on requests from others and her own availability. Basically, it's like MaryKay for purses :-)

Hello travel partner!

In all honesty, I was a little taken back by the prices at first. But after hearing that you have 30 days to return a bag, if you're not absolutely in love with it and hearing about all the practical pockets, "cleanability" and that Gigi Hill will replace bags that break within 1 year of purchase, I was convinced. The bag quality is what your paying for. I ended up purchasing the Natalie in the "athena black" pattern, along with the Rita wallet, also in "athena black." The wallet has 18 card holders, multiple zippers and storage compartments. I think you could fit a small child in this wallet haha. Each pattern comes with a preselected interior, which is probably my least favorite thing about Gigi Hill. I think it'd be ideal to be able to pick out your own interiors, but I am sure the fabulous co-founders will soon catch on the that detail. People love to customize their purchases, especially us bombshells.

The Rita in Athena Black

Check out all that storage!

The Natalie style was a hit! Not really this glossy, my flash made it look funny.

Ah, that's better. I ordered this in the Athena Black to match the wallet.

 The website and catalog pictures don't do the patterns justice. The "athena black" appears much glossier with bronze accents online, when in real life it's black with rich brown accents. Becca had to tell me 3 times that the "athena black" I was holding in my hand at the party was the same "athena black" pattern I was seeing in the catalog. I can be such a handful to shop with sometimes. :-) Becca was such a wonderful Gigi Hill stylist and offered honest opinions about various bags and patterns. Becca made sure to explain certain pattern sand how it looked in real life, versus how they were appearing in the catalog, such as the diagonal plaid Windsor pattern. You could tell it was important to her that we ended up with a bag we loved, not a bag out of obligation. 

Convertible purse/backpack. Great pattern!

I would've bought this, but I felt like it would prolong my school days.

Laptop carrier

Love the pink interior!

Popular Pattern - Great fall colors!

"Cow-Hide" Pattern

Becca was also telling us ladies about some fabulous bundle deals currently offered by Gigi Hill. See more about them here. I am absolutely obsessed with the "men's" travel line, JM Porter. I put "men" in quotes because I think it would work just as well for a woman. See the JM Porter Collection by Gigi Hill here. 

JM Porter Collection

Such a sexy weekender bag :-)

LOVE!

If you're looking for a great Gigi Hill bag or are interested in attending, hosting a party (hostesses receive special discount incentives) or if you'd like to learn more about the Gigi Hill business, please contact Becca Allen at Beccamarie20@msn.com or visit her Gigi Hill site at www.gigihillbags.com/beccaallen. She's such a fabulous gal, you'll love her! She's impossible not to adore! This was a fabulous way to end the weekend :-)

I promise to post more pictures of my actual purchases, once my products arrive in about 2 weeks. Stay tuned...

XOXO The BoiseBombshell

Work-Day Wear - It's all about the shoes...

Want a simple way to add a pop of color to any outfit? Put on some bright shoes! I love bright colored or patterned flats. I usually don't wear all of one color, such as black. When I do wear all dark or all light I add interest to the outfit by adding contrast via shoes, lipstick and/or accessories.

Top: Belle Boutique in Boise (unfortunately this store is no longer in business, so sad...)

Jeans: My typical Banana Republic skinny jeans

Shoes: Ann Taylor Loft (less than $8!)

Another great idea? Change things up by adding an edgy piece to a light/flirtatious outfit. I love wearing cowboy boots with lace. Often I'll wear lots of bangles or a bulky cuff with light silk blouses.

Boots: Forever 21 (not the greatest quality, but I always get compliments when I wear them because they're so unique)

Dress: Target (the one bad thing about this dress is that it's really "static-y", I've tried wearing a slip, nylons, no nylons, rubbing a fabric softener sheet on the inside, hair-spraying the inside, nothing works...)

I went to the store on my way home from work and this little boy behind me turned to his mom and said, "Whoa mom look at those shoes!" He was asking for a pair, it cracked me up. :-)

XOXOX The BoiseBombshell

Work-Day Wear "Wednesday"

Since I did not have time to post my weekly Work-Day Wear yesterday, I've decided there's no rule that says we can't pretend today is Wednesday. To make up for my lack of Wednesday blogging this week, I am going to post 4 very different work-day wear outfits. ENJOY!!!

Necklace: I have worn these faux pearls for about 6-7 years now. My sister bought them for me as a gift. I love tying knots in the strands.

Sweater: Less than $13 at Ann Taylor Loft.

Tank: This rose color lace tank is a great layering piece, I bought it 50% off, when I worked at Banana Republic.

Capri: Bought these at Gap in Seattle 2 years ago on sale.

Sandals: Target :-)

This is also the day I got my hair done at the Electric Chair in downtown Boise. Mattie Washburn has done my hair since we lived in Boise originally in 2008. From nearly black to blonde, she always gets me to the color I want. This time I'm trying to go blonde again, but it'll be a process. I'm going in again next week.

Top: Forever 21 - Heritage1981

Pants: Banana Republic..also purchased for 50% off when I worked at the Banana Republic in Portland (I rolled them up to be more summer appropriate)

 Shoes: Blowfish (these are the shoes I wore at our wedding)

                      A typical night at the DuPont house :-)

Top: Non-Iron Button Down from Banana Republic - A must have for work-day wear!!!

Ring&Necklace: Forever 21

Skirt: Banana Republic (I swear I don't shop there as much as it seems...)

Flats: Forever 21

This last outfit caused quite a reaction in the office. One of my co-workers asked if I was channeling "The September Issue." Another said I was very Madonna-esque, just in the sense of style of course, nothing else. What do you think?

Pants: Forever 21

Necklace: Maurices

Vest: Forever 21 (less than $5)

Shirt: I love this bright chartreuse tee from Kohl's (less than $3)

Shoes: Karen Scott @ Macy's

Love these pants. They make my legs look so much longer. Someone once told me while I was wearing these pants that if I turned sideways I disappeared. An odd compliment, but it always makes me laugh when I put these pants on.

Heels: These are really comfortable Karen Scott pumps from Macy's, relatively low heel.

Just got Harper's Bazaar in the mail yesterday. I haven't even opened it yet because I'm still working on Vogue.

Necklace: Birthday gift from Maurices.

XOXOXO The BoiseBombshell