Meet Jaime Haywood of It’s A Jaime Thing! You won’t find better wedding and style inspiration anywhere else.
How and when did you become interested in fashion?
I have always loved fashion, but didn’t really start learning more about it until I started reading www.fabsugar.com. I became addicted to “fab finding” on that site…and then I later started my blog, www.itsajaimething.com which forced me to delve deeper into the fashion industry to keep up with the latest trends, etc.
Describe your fashion/shopping expertise?
1. I think it’s important to shop for things that flatter your body type, no matter what the size on the tag says. Especially with women – because as we all know, a size “12″ can be labeled a size 10 at one store and a size 14 at another. It’s so confusing! So don’t shop based on size, shop based on what makes you look and feel good.
2. Remember that being stylish doesn’t mean looking like everyone else. Your style is what you make it. Don’t be afraid to get creative. You don’t have to follow the trends. Some of my favorite pieces are the “classics” - items that work well with anything and can be dressed up or down. However, my husband likes to call me a “hippie” from time to time. He knows I have my own “style”.
3. Even if you think people normally wouldn’t like your style, if you love it, that’s what matters – so if you love it, and walk around confident in it, confidence is sexy and that is what will make what you’re wearing look stylish. Clothes don’t make you look good, YOU make the clothes look good. So be confident…confidence is very attractive. I said confident, not cocky. ;)
4. You don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks. While I truly admire many of the famous fashion designers out there and the lines they create, keep in mind that they’re not the only fashionable designers out there. Just because something is expensive or has a name brand attached to it, doesn’t mean it’s going to make you look good.
With today’s economy, I think it’s important for us to explore our avenues for fashion…you know, take the scenic route! By that, I mean shop around. Find the good deals. Shop independent designers. Sales. Looks for less.
Sites I highly recommend are www.like.com, www.shopstyle.com, www.wishpot.com, www.etsy.com, www.ebay.com and any vintage or resale shops. Sure, they vary from town to town and you’re not always going to find what you’re looking for, but if you go in with an open mind and keep your eyes peeled, you’d be surprised at what you discover!
My sister is amazing at finding great deals. She inspires me and sometimes helps me find great things. So find someone who inspires you and let them help you! But make time for it, because as we all know, shopping for a good deal can be time consuming.
Do you remember your first pair of heels?
Yes I do! I remember when I was really little, I used to love playing dress up. Going to my aunt’s house was always a special treat because her feet were so small, so all of her high heels would fit me! She would always let me go in her closet and try on her shoes, it’s a memory I’ll hold onto forever. I believe she was the first one who gave me my first pair of heels.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
You’d be surprised. I have a lot of shoes, yes, but not as many as you’d think, being that I’m a shoe addict and all. If I had to guess, I’d say I have about 15 pairs or so. The thing is that I only buy shoes that I absolutely fall in love with and I’ll only buy them if it’s a good deal and I’ll actually wear them. So the shoes I do have, I truly love and wear them all the time! I love shoe shopping, but you don’t have to always buy a pair to enjoy them. For me, walking into a great shoe store is like walking into an art gallery. Shoes are art! So even if I don’t buy them all, I find the simple and free joy of admiring them.
What is your favorite pair of shoes that you own?
My favorite pair of shoes…that’s a tough one! Like I mentioned in the last question, I love every pair I own.
A few shoes from Jaime’s collection
Favorite shoe designer? Why?
Do I have to pick just one? That’s too difficult. I’m going to attempt at being daring and name a few. Prada, Mui Mui, Christian Louboutin, Carlos Santana, Giuseppe Zanotti, Betsey Johnson, Steve Madden, Chinese Laundry, Enzo Angiolini and Seychelles are just the start of my favorites when it comes to designers and brands.
I love them because their shoes are like art. I LOVE when there is fun, funky details making them unique like no other. I also love super sexy shoes. Artsy, Funky, Sexy, Fun…that’s a “Jaime” shoe!
What shoe trends are you loving/hating this season?
This season, I’m LOVING the bold, bright colors portraying the Pantone picks for Spring 2009! I also love that designers are becoming more daring and adding embellishments to the actual heels of their shoes…whether it’s feathers, rhinestones, ribbons or even an interesting heel shape, it makes me smile, BIG!
As popular as they may be, I’m not a fan of the gladiator style shoes. It’s totally my own personal opinion, if you’re into that look, great! My feet, however, just can’t “rock” the look – so if you can “rock” it, go for it. We all have our own personal style and tastes in shoes…right?
Favorite shoe store(s)?
DSW, Nordstrom, Piperlime, GUESS, Aldo, Steve Madden, Bebe and even Target and Payless! Seriously, it doesn’t matter where the shoe is from, or how much it costs – it’s all about the look and comfort. If I’m comfortable, and the shoes are hot, I’ll flaunt a $12.00 pair just as much as I’d flaunt a $980.00 pair! I myself am a bargain hunter – so shoes I buy don’t have to be “hot off the runway” – they just have to be hot and affordable. ;)
Are you a heel, flat, or sneaker kind of girl?
I’m definitely a high heel girl. My favorite types of heels include peeptoes, platforms and t-straps. I prefer a 3 1/2″ – 4″ heel, but nothing higher (though I’ve attempted at a pair of 5″ heels once and let me tell you, they’re impossible to walk in!)
If you could design a new shoe, what would it look like? What would you call your collection?
Oooh, this is fun! My shoe(s) would be 3 1/2″ peep-toe t-strap platform shoes with different heel embellishments and colors. The heels would include colored rhinestones, some wrapped in satin ribbon, zippers down the back, feathers and heels wrapped in lace!
The sides of the shoes would have a scalloped edge, the t-strap would be adorned in similar material that the heels were, only a little less so the heels would remain the main focus. The bottoms of the shoe would read in my handwriting, “Love, Jaime”, since I’d personally put my love into designing each pair.
I’d be sure to make each pair affordable, under $50.00 so every shoe lover could enjoy them. The collection would be called, “Love by Jaime”. Uh oh, now you’ve got me wanting to really design my own line!!! Hook me up, Anna! Who do you know? Ha ha…
When did you start your site, and why?
I originally started my blog, “It’s A Jaime Thing”, after my very creative aunt inspired me to do so. I was looking for a way to organize all of the wedding ideas and event inspiration I would find helping friends and family plan their weddings and events, so starting a blog was the perfect way to share those ideas! I couldn’t stop planning weddings after I married my amazing husband so being able to help people in my life plan their events was such a joy!
I really enjoyed finding creative, cool wedding inspiration and ideas so I continued to write on my blog. I’d add my favorite sites and blogs to my blogroll to keep track of them, not even thinking that anyone would actually link back to me!
To my surprise and excitement, ”It’s A Jaime Thing” became very well received and each day my readership would grow. To this day, it continues to grow more than I could have ever imagined and I am very honored and so grateful to be blessed with so many wonderful readers and new blogging buddies!
Since I’ve enjoyed being able to help brides through creativity, I’ve decided to take my blog to the next level to better help and inspire them. Letterpress expert Denise, at www.bellisstudios.com is also a very talented web designer so I’m totally blessed to have her helping me work on this project and I can’t wait to share it with you once it launches!!! Stay tuned, the new www.itsajaimething.com is coming soon!
Christmas Ornaments! Jaime started collecting those too and has gotten one each year now for the past 3 years.
Besides writing about fashion, what else do you enjoy?
The main subject matter found on my blog is about weddings and bridal fashion. However, it doesn’t have to be all about weddings all the time…many of my findings would be perfect for a wedding, however they’d also work well for other events or even for your home. You know I love sharing adorable shoe finds too. Brides today are opening their eyes to different colored bridal shoes so it really allows me to expand my search for the perfect pairs out there.
Aside from blogging, I enjoy staying in or going out to dinner with my husband, friends and family. I’m an artsy crafty girl so visiting the craft store is like my own personal heaven! I’ve been having a blast helping plan weddings, showers and parties for friends and family and of course attending these events! I absolutely love going out dancing but those nights are hard to find lately since most of my friends are busy being new mommies. However, getting to play auntie is always fun too and it creates a great learning experience for when it’s my turn to jump on the baby bus! Other than that, I enjoy listening to good chill music like Norah Jones with the candles lit, drinking chocolate martinis or red wine with my very wonderful husband. ;) Even if he does think I’m weird sometimes…but that’s ok, because I am! After all, normal is boring, right?
Thanks so much for the fabulous questions, Anna! It’s great to meet such an awesome shoe lover, and I’m totally flattered and honored that you asked to interview me, as I’m a HUGE fan of your blog! Cheers!
Thank you, Jaime! You are such a sweetheart, I can’t wait to see the new site.
