The Ultimate Guy's Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving will be here in a few short days, and then the countdown to Christmas begins. Are you trying to think of the perfect gift for the guys in your life? No matter what “type” of guy you love, we think he’ll love our jeans.

Also, remember that we’re hosting a huge Thanksgiving sale this Thursday, 11/27 (Thanksgiving) through Monday, 12/1 (Cyber Monday), so it’s the perfect time to buy the best gift for the man you love! All jeans are 40% off with FREE SHIPPING (for both men's and women's jeans) when you use the code THANKS through 12/1. Afraid you’ll get his size wrong? No worries—we now offer free shipping for all exchanges and returns! We’ll make sure that he ends up with the size that fits him best. Shop now.

JLeer jeans are perfect for…

The Tech Guru

He’s brilliant, always has the latest tech device, and can solve your computer problems with his eyes closed. He lives, eats and breathes apps, html codes, and shortcuts. He sends you the best YouTube videos, and will probably invent the next big social media platform. When you go to the Apple store, he’s usually offered a job at the Genius Bar. Whether he’s a graphic designer, a video-game fanatic, a software engineer, or just loves to be connected, our jeans are an obvious go-to gift that he will love! Whether he’s an iPhone fiend, a Droid dude, or a Galaxy guy, his beloved smartphone will always be within arm’s reach, and he’ll look great wearing them.

The #1 Fan

Because of him, you personally know the names and statistics of all of the players on his favorite (or fantasy!) team, and you know that on Sundays (and Thursday, and Saturdays, and Mondays) the television will be set to ESPN. His rec-league team is the best in the league, and he’s probably been named MVP. He doesn’t just know about this season, but is a walking dictionary of sports legends, statistics, and plays. He’ll love that our SmartPockets leave mere inches between him and his fantasy football app, that they’ll guarantee that he can get into the stadium easily, and that they are perfect for tailgating. Plus, they’ll definitely go with his favorite jersey.

 

The Artist

Maybe he’s a photographer, a writer, or loves to paint. Your house includes countless renditions of his work, and his personality shines through his unique style. He’s creative and talented, but also loveable and smart. Although his creativity creates his work, he’s also business-savvy in a way that gets the attention of others. He loves to express himself, and that translates into his wardrobe as well. The entrepreneurial side of him will love that our SmartPockets allow him to stay in touch with clients with ease, and the artistic side of him will love them for a variety of reasons. JLeer jeans are a favorite amongst photographers, who love having somewhere to stick their lens cap. They’re also great for holding paintbrushes, memory cards, and any other tools of his trade.

The Handy Man

He’s strong and tough, and takes care of any spider that comes your way. He’s great with repairs, and can help you navigate a Lowes Hardware store like a pro. Flat tire? Don’t call AAA, call this guy. Leaky faucet? He’ll be right over. Your yard will always look immaculate as long as he’s around and he’s fascinated with what makes things tick. Replace those worn-out jeans he loves with JLeer jeans, and watch him come up with his own creative uses for the SmartPocket.

The Musician

His fingers are calloused from strumming the guitar, and he has the best taste in music of anyone you’ve ever met. He still makes you mix-CDs, and you’re excited for the day when it’s his voice playing through your stereo. His pockets are currently stuffed with guitar picks, set lists, napkins with potential lyrics, and his iPhone (to listen to Pandora for inspiration, of course). The problem? He can’t get to any of these items easily, and they’re cramping his style. Cue: the best gift ever. Buy him a pair of JLeer jeans that go with his unique style, but that will make his life ten times easier.

No matter what your man's interests are, we're sure that our jeans would make the perfect gift for him, and what's better than 40% off + free shipping? Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Shopping!! Remember to use the code THANKS at checkout!

Click here to shop now!

                        Xoxo, JLeer

By Amelia Beamer

An Artist We Love: Arsena Schroeder

Last month, we were excited to announce our very first sponsorship with singer/songwriter Arsena Schroeder. Today, Arsena released "You Made," a free (!!!) single from her highly anticipated upcoming album For My Artist Child, which is currently available for pre-order and will be released on December 2nd, 2014.

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

M e e t  A r s e n a

Born in Pittsburgh, Arsena Schroeder doesn't really "feel southern," even though she's lived in Charlotte, NC since she was five years old. 

"I feel more at home when I go up north," the twenty-three-year-old artist said, "especially in [Washington] D.C. ... that's where I started playing music."

When listening to Arsena's songs, it would be easy to mistake her for a life-long musician,. You'd probably be shocked to learn that she's only been creating music for five years, since the day she decided to teach herself guitar chords with a series of DVDs. Before picking up the guitar, music was present in Arsena's life in many ways. Her elementary school’s music class exposed her to classical music. Gospel songs were staples at the church she attended with her mother. She was on her high school’s dance team that performed routines to the brassy school songs of the marching band. 

Last week, we had the chance to sit down with Arsena to talk about her free single: "You Made," her upcoming album: For My Artist Child, life as an artist, her inspiration, her love of JLeer jeans and much more. 

We were excited to sponsor & outfit Arsena and her husband Stephen with JLeer jeans to wear to her official listening party, and we couldn't wait to hear their feedback on the product. (The verdict? They both plan to wear them on her upcoming tour!) Check out what she loves most about our jeans in the interview below & shop the same styles that Arsena loves, The Skinny Mary in black wash & her The Lady Mary Straight leg in medium wash. Also, we now offer free shipping for exchanges & returns to ensure that you get the perfect size for your body, so don't be afraid to shop now!

Arsena rocking our Skinny Mary style in our black wash

I n f l u e n c e s 

“Generally speaking, growing up here in Charlotte, in inner-city black communities, people listened to R&B and hip-hop,” Arsena said, “Do I like R&B and hip-hop that much? Not really… it was more like, ‘I’m a child, I want to be popular, this is what everyone’s listening to,’ but in my private time, I’d be sneaking like ‘Oooh, let me hear some other stuff.’ ”

With a list ranging from The Beatles, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake to Paramore, Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae, Arsena became fascinated with performers that played their own instruments. Today, she plays the guitar, the “guitalele” (a guitar and ukulele hybrid), performs her own vocals, and is learning to play the keys.  She also writes all of her own songs.

“For me—I can’t speak for all songwriters, but that’s the difference between songwriters and entertainers. Entertainers—they pull from fiction, and you know, might sing about things they’ve never experienced. They don’t usually write the songs. I can’t process that side of the business. I don’t disrespect it, but I can’t understand it,” she said, shaking her head.

When Arsena writes a song, she writes the lyrics down, but because they are so truly "her story," she describes them as becoming quickly ingrained into her memory.

"I write the lyrics down," she explained, "I used to have a book, but now I just write on random pieces of paper. And somehow, they just get ingrained in you. I don't ever refer to that piece of paper again--it's just in my head... For me, it becomes an emotion, a feeling, a vocal inflection. To actually type it and look at it is really weird--it feels foreign... I'll usually write at the top of the page, you know--this is the intro, this is the chord progression for this verse, and then just like the lyrics, you keep playing it. You just remember it."

L a b e l s

Arsena’s combination of geographic and musical influences, and her ever-evolving passions have made it difficult to stick her with a label, genre-wise. Although she is very openly a Christian and described her music beautifully as being “dipped, bathed, and soaked in my faith,” in a 2013 interview with Breedlove Music, she also stated in the same interview that: “The Abundantly EP is a snapshot of where I was in my life during the years I wrote the songs. I was a new believer so the songs express my newfound faith, joy, and desperation."

When writing For My Artist Child, Arsena challenged herself to break free of this genre.

“I’m a Christian, but over time with this project, I really challenged myself to write it in a way that people from all walks of life will listen to, enjoy, and get something from it—this is not to dumb down my faith, but just to challenge myself as a songwriter and to push myself to connect with an audience who might be different from me,” Arsena explained. “I find that with these new songs, all kinds of people can really find things that they can connect with.”

Arsena’s music is also commonly labeled as “neo-soul,” and while that doesn’t necessarily alienate potential listeners, Arsena isn’t crazy about the stereotype it conjures.

“I think when a lot of people hear that label [neo-soul], they think of a black girl with curly hair and a guitar—and they’re like ‘Oh it’s neo-soul,’ –but well, I think I have elements of, for sure R&B, but I think there’s also a very indie-folkish influence as well.”

So what genre does Arsena fall under? She is a self-proclaimed “acoustic soul” artist, because she performs solo acoustic for the majority of her shows. All of the shows on her upcoming tour are “house concerts”—Arsena’s favorite type.

“Basically, you have someone that likes your music that wants to host you in their house. You turn their house into a venue for the night and they bring their family and friends, and they’ll usually do a potluck dinner if you want and we usually just get really intimate and people can ask questions about the songs,” she explained. “I love them because you can really engage and connect with people in a way that you can’t at a traditional venue.”

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

C o n n e c t i n g  &  I n s p i r i n g

Connecting with others seems to come naturally to Arsena, not only through her music, but also through her easy-going personality and goal to inspire others through her journey. Even if you’ve only just met her, she has a genuine spirit that makes it feel as if you’ve known her for ages. For My Artist Child consists of twelve songs, all of which were inspired by people and experiences in the musician’s life. This was a challenge in itself to Arsena, but she also wanted to challenge herself to push through and bring life to challenging creative song ideas. The result: For My Artist Child will include several full-band songs, a few full-band acoustic songs, a solo acoustic song, a rock song with a "dark, haunting" sound, and even a DJ/dubstep version of one of the songs--a bonus track. 

“This album is really the first time that I’ve ever written songs that people have inspired,” she admitted, “It makes me so vulnerable.”

Arsena explained that the free single, “You Made,” available here today, was inspired by a failed friendship. Her goal with all of the songs on her new album was to write songs that would cause others to contemplate the feelings and messages that her songs evoked, while also enjoying the music. In addition to writing about a failed friendship, For My Artist Child also includes a song about the artist’s relationship with her rarely-there biological father.

“Someone might hear the song about my father, and not think about that at all. They might think about a problem within themselves. Maybe they are a father, and you know, it connects with them there,” she said.

Also on the roster is Arsena’s first-ever love song, written for her husband.

“It’s called “Words Just Won’t Do,” she explained. “He kept asking for years, like, you sing all these songs…where’s a song about me? …I have a lot of songwriter friends that find it easy to talk about their love life, but for me it’s different... words just won’t do—boom, I ended up going with that theme."

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

F o r  M y  A r t i s t  C h i l d

The title For My Artist Child is a nod to Arsena’s journey via Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, a 12-week guide aimed to help creative individuals reach their highest point of creativity through spirituality (check out Arsena's blog post about the twelve things she learned from The Artist's Way here).

“A term used in the book a lot was your ‘Artist Child’ and how your creativity is like a child and needs to be taken care of and nourished, because you don’t want it to die off. When I started writing for the album, I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to write something for my artist child, rather than writing what I think sounds cool and hip,' ” Arsena stated.

The album is available for pre-sale for both hard and virtual copy here and will be released and sent on December 2nd.

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

A r s e n a  &  J L e e r

here

Arsena wrote a fantastic blog when we decided to sponsor her music that answers the question of why she would pair up with a jeans company as an artist, and that delves into her personal beliefs about building relationships with other individuals, projects and brands that you personally believe in. We are proud to represent her, and excited that she wanted to represent our product as well! Check out the blog post here!

When asked about her opinion of the product, Arsena's answers showed exactly how JLeer solves everyday dilemmas, as well as those particular to the world of musicians.

"I have two pairs of JLeer jeans now and my experience has been awesome. Before I had them, I always put my phone in my back pocket (doesn't everybody?) So the SmartPockets are very convenient. Not [keeping your phone in your back pocket]-- especially in the car-- I mean, you shouldn't text and drive, but if I have to grab it really quick, I don't have to do all of this," Arsena said, wiggling and digging into her back pocket while giggling. 

"Sometimes, I'll be sitting on it and I won't even realize it," she added, "and I don't know where it is. So my experience with my [smartphone] being right here has been super convenient. The alternative for me, is usually in here," she said, opening her large purse/endless abyss. "I have a lot of stuff going on in here" she said, "So it’s the bomb to have somewhere specifically for my phone."

"As a musician, I also love using the pockets for guitar picks. If I'm not wearing my JLeers, my guitar picks have to go in my bra," Arsena said, erupting with laughter. "No really, they do. But now, I don’t have to do that! I love the hidden pocket ones; both pairs of mine are hidden pocket styles." 

"Overall, I just love the fit for me—they’re comfy!" she said. "Also, I have long legs and these are the first jeans that have ever given me enough jean to where I can roll them at the bottom, and I’m like 'Ahhh, this is the best ever!'  I’ve always seen people do that, and it’s so cute, and I’ve wanted to do it, but with every other pair of jeans, rolling them would make them look like capris and that would be weird. JLeers are just a genuinely good quality of jean."

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder

Arsena also expressed her excitement over the "jegging" style that we have in the works. 

"I love jeggings!" She squealed. "I love wearing them, especially with a drapey shirt. I can't wait for them [JLeer's jegging styles], I'd probably wear them every single day," she said.

...We hope you will, Arsena! Thank you for letting us sponsor you through the exciting time of your first full-length album release, and for the free single download! Make sure to go get your free DL of "You Made" here (now!) and remember to pre-order your copy of For My Artist Child (we got to cop an early copy, and it's really REALLY good, y'all!) 

Connect with Arsena on Facebook here, and
  Follow @ArsenaMusic on Twitter & Instagram!



As always, make sure you're following us on Facebook, and Follow @JLeerBrand on Twitter & Instagram!

   Xoxo, JLeer Brand

By Amelia Beamer

Back to School in Style

Summer is almost over and--- did you hear that? It was the sound of every parent reading this blog sighing with relief. While we hate to say goodbye to warmer weather, days by the water, and stories of adventures, the back-to-school season means one thing for moms: more peace and quiet, and less muddy footprints/young adults roaming around their houses! But before your teenagers and college kids can hit the books, all great parents know that they need a few key essentials to make sure that their school year is a success.

Clothing: Luckily, we've got  you covered here. In case you haven't checked out JLeer.com lately, we've recently multiplied our denim options! Now, your teen your young adult can rock bootcut, straight leg, skinnies, and a plethora of washes, all while keeping their smart phone within easy reach--meaning they'll have no excuse not to call home all the time! Keep an eye out for our upcoming blog entry, which will feature everything you could want to know about the new styles, how they differ from your favorite classics, and how to sell them for wholesale in your boutique or clothing store if you wish!

Check out our new styles and washes here: www.JLeer.com

Backpacks: Herschel Supply Co. backpacks are taking campuses by storm, so it seemed natural that we are giving one away (filled with JLeer jeans, a JLeer t-shirt, JLeer sunglasses, a JLeer wallet & $75 to Target)! These backpacks are self-described as a "timeless product with fine regard for detail," which are manufactured by the Vancouver based company. According to the brand, Peter Alexander Cormack and his wife made their way from Wick, Scotland to Herschel, which was later coined as the name of the brand from third generation Cormacks, Jamie and Lyndon, who had been raised in Herschel. Today, Herschel Supply Co. creates quality backpacks, travel accessories, bags, and more. This brand of backpack has become quite popular on American college and high school campuses, and if you'd like to enter our contest to potentially WIN one filled with tons of back to school JLeer gear, click HERE!

School supplies: You do want them to bring home all A's, don't you? Make sure your kid (or not-so-little-youngster) is set for back to school with unique scholastic accessories that will never get confused with any other student's! Here is our top 5 list for supplies to ensure that your high schooler or college student has the best semester yet!



1.  A USB Drive Disguised as a Cute Key Chain by Lilly Pulitzer
This USB drive looks like a regular, chic keychain until it's holding your young genius's entire thesis on it! The tail detaches to allow your student to plug into any computer and transfer files back and forth, ensuring that homework is always on time and easy to get to. Plus, it looks extra cute on their key ring, and is a gift that will keep on giving!

2. Chic Splendor Personalized Notebooks
Whether for a guy ora girl, TinyPrints offers tons of styles and personalization options for notebooks, to ensure that your favorite student won't lose theirs in the mix. Whether you go for a girly print and personal monogram, or a more masculine print and the name of the subject that your student will be using it for, we guarantee that these will be winning gifts in the eyes of all pupils. Personalize your own here!



3. Home State Necklace
Even the most gung-ho college students start to get homesick eventually, so what better way to remind themselves that "home is where the heart is," while simultaneously striking up conversations with other students from their area than by wearing a necklace sporting their home state? These have been a popular fashion trend for some time now, so you can't go wrong by gifting your favorite student a small piece of home! Find your state here!

4. Season Tickets

Most students will tell you that winning the ticket lottery can be a challenge--but many schools offer season tickets to home games that would make your student's life so much easier! Check out each school's individual athletic page for special deals (especially if you are an alum or are buying them for a current student!) and save them the headache of waiting in line, pitching tents, and sometime still not receiving tickets to the big game!

5. OtterBox iPad Case
Protect one of your student's most prized possessions with the
name brand that you've come to know and love to protect your iPhone! Now, students can slide their iPads into their backpacks and tote them to class without having to worry about any extra dings, knicks, scratches, or additional harm along the way! Find the right case for your model here!





No matter what school supplies you choose, you should make sure that you've ordered a pair of our newest style and washes of JLeer jeans (you want to be the first one to have them-- obviously), as well as enter our Back to School in Style giveaway HERE for your chance to win a Hershchel Supply Co. Backpack filled with JLeer jeans + a JLeer t-shirt, JLeer sunglasses, a JLeer wallet, and $75 to Target to fill up a basket of your own with back to school essentials!
Thanks for stopping  by-- make sure to go ahead and place your order on Jleer.com & to come back soon to get the in-depth scoop on our latest styles and washes!

Xoxo,

JLeer


By Amelia Beamer

Help Dads Be Better Dads!

JLeer: Help Dads Be Better Dads!

 Here’s to all of the dads out there--the fathers, the pops, the papas, and the padres. This weekend is for the men that aren’t afraid to wear diaper bags with swagger, and those that can balance bringing bouquets to ballet recitals and wearing war paint to football championships. The built-in Mr. Fix-It in your life, that never lets your car go unserviced, and always waited up for you after dates with your high school beau or beauty (shotgun optional). During your younger years, he taught you to ride a bike, and then inevitably applied Band-Aids to treat the bloody aftermath with expert precision. His feet became even tougher from constantly stepping on Legos. He will forever hold the title of spider-squasher and bug-destroyer. Here’s to the man that was both an expert pigtail stylist, while still managing to hold down his title of Ultimate Grill Master of the Universe.

 His only fatal flaw? Every superhero has one—that’s what makes them relatable! We’re going to go out on a limb and guess that your dad’s major downfall comes in the pair (or five) of awful, shapeless dad jeans. With aid from JLeer, this no longer has to be the case! Just in time for Father’s Day, JLeer has come to the rescue with a huge sale—all of our jeans (usually $115) have been marked down to just $89.99! Now that’s something to celebrate! Make sure your dad stops wearing dad jeans forever!

Click the image below (or follow this link to get started shopping! 

 Here are a few of our favorite Dad moments that are going viral on the internet-- we hope you’ll love them as much as we do:

 1) Rock On Dad: This awesome stay-at-home Dad has an entire gallery of photos of his son. The difference between his photos and the ones on your iPhone? Every one of his features his hand in the photo as well, throwing the “rock on” sign. Brian Reda, the dad behind the camera stated that: "The self-referential hand gesture, though, makes me part of the story. I know that sounds selfish, especially in our selfie-crazed culture, but the series is about our relationship. It's about us. It's about being father and son. We're a little team. When he glances at the camera he's connecting with Dad and the audience vicariously experiences our relationship." To see all of the (awesome) photos, click through to the gallery.

 2. Breaking Bad Dad: In this hilarious video, fictional star of Breaking Bad Walter White is honored by his television son, played by R.J. Mitte, with a tribute to all that Walt did for their family… “be it cook meth, poison a child, or kill a man named Crazy Eight with a bike lock.” If you’re a fan of the show, this is a must watch:



3. Dad Casting: World's Toughest Job: This hilarious YouTube video features actors auditioning for the World’s Toughest Job-- you got it -- fatherhood! They cover all of the bases with scenarios that dads face each and every day. Watch it, then send it to your own dad so that he can laugh too!


 To the CEOs, the stay-at-home dads, the first standing ovation in every crowd, the little league coaches, and the #1 fans. Here’s to the lunch-packing legends, the ultimate backseat driver, and the man that still sends chills up your spine when he uses your first, middle, and last name all at once. We hope that you have a day full of whatever your heart desires--whether you have an NBA-Playoffs-Watching, beer-drinking, recliner-sitting, golf-playing, Game of Thrones-watching kind of Sunday, or whatever it is that makes you happy. But mostly, we hope that you know how appreciated you are.

Cheers to you, SuperDads.

Want to know more about JLeer jeans? Head over to our 411 blog post here!



By Amelia Beamer

We'll Meet You Where Fashion Meets Function

What’s worse than being set up with someone you know nothing about?

Your cousin’s college roommate’s best friend’s little sister is single and you two would totally hit it off? That’s great. Your pastor’s son’s buddy from college is looking to mingle, and you’re number one on their matchmaking list? Excellent. But you don’t know these people until you really get to know them on your own. They could be strange enough that you end the date early, or they could be your future husband or wife; you’ll never know until you try.

The same is true of brands. Why spend your hard-earned money on a product you don’t know much about, even when it could end up being one of the best buys you’ve ever made? That’s why we’re here to get to know you, and for you get to know us. We want to show you who we are, inside and out, so you’ll understand why we’re a match made in fashion heaven.

Let’s be honest — appearance is everything when you first get to know someone. Here’s a lesson in Anatomy 101 and  the physical features that make us more attractive than the rest. You won’t be able to take your eyes or hands off of us. We can’t help it; we were made this way.

Once you’ve admitted to yourself that you’re attracted to someone’s appearance, it’s time to get down to their heart and soul. Do you share the same standards? Are you looking for the same thing in life? Though we’re new to the scene, we think that we have your best interests in mind. We’re the type to go out of our way to make sure that you’re happy. We value our customers above anything else, and make sure that this is apparent in every transaction. Our products are high-quality, and made to make your life easier. We know that your smartphone is your connection to the people you love, the work that reflects you, the photos that share your memories, and the networks that keep you in touch. We know the horror that comes with losing your phone, and the hassle that comes with having nowhere to keep it easily accessible. We’re here to fix those problems. We’re where fashion meets function. We’re here to be your new “favorite” jeans, and a brand that you can count on.

We don’t just see you as customers, we see you as individuals, each with your own stories to share. We want to interact with you — to see the photos that capture your favorite times, and to check out the content that matters to you. We want to see how you wear your jeans, and how you accessorize them to show the world your individual style. We hope that you’ll connect with us. 

If you have any questions, comments, want to see what we’re up to or just want to say “hi,” follow us on our Facebook page, Twitter account, Instagram feed, and Pinterest page!

We’ll see you soon!

Follow @JleerBrand
See what we're up to on Instagram: @JLeerBrand
"Like: Us on Facebook!  www.Facebook.com/JLeerBrand
Follow us on Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/JLeerBrand

       


Published by Amelia Beamer, who you can follow on Google+