Makeup + Merlot

I love fashion.   I love me some clothes and putting together one of a kind looks.  I feel like I have a fairly good hold on this.  There is one thing with personal appearance and putting your best foot forward that I know I struggle with, however.  About Face.  While I gravitate toward a more natural, bare faced look, I wish I knew how to "do" makeup.  If I did, I could probably cover up the brown spots from sun damage.  I often think it would fun to be able to have an up-fitted look on my face that is befitting of my dress for a special night out on the town.

A makeup work shop.  With wine.  Now that's something I could use.  Bring in Cali Stott Hair & Makeup Artistry.  I've worked on several magazine projects with Cali...

Who wouldn't want to look like those girls?  But she did allow me to feel pretty darn close when I had updated marketing photos taken with the talent-that-cannot-be-touched Richard Israel. 

Now I just need to know how to do this on my own.  Le Sigh.  I am thankful to be able to call upon such a talented, wickedly witty friend as Cali when in need... which is every day... so at least she is there to rescue me on those special occasions.  Want to sharpen your makeup application skills?  Get more info HERE.  This makes for THE most fun get together with girlfriends.  Think about it for your next birthday party, shower gift or just a well earned treat to give to yourself and share with friends. 

Carolina Bride City Chic

Earlier this spring I had the most enjoyable time helping create a unique "City Chic" bridal feature for Carolina Bride Magazine. Photographer Isil Dohnke masterfully captured the essence of bustling and booming uptown Charlotte for a creative, high fashion perspective on bridal wear.  What a treat in particular it was to work with American designer, Lela Rose, in order to include one of my favorite modern bridal looks, the pantsuit. Her version, The Pearl Street, could not be more chic.  Thank you to Carolina Bride and EVERYONE on the team for working so hard to create such a one of a kind, striking bridal feature.   See more images HERE as well as a complete list of credits.

Instagram Feed Favorites

Hello Friends!  I thought I'd share with you today some of my favorite Instagram accounts to follow for the awesomest in fashion, interior design and straight up eye candy.  I mean, if you love fashion, you love great interiors, right?  And if you love fashion and great interiors, you love Dirty Harry's next of kin, right?

Are you a bride to be or simply on the hunt for the most amazing dress with movement imaginable?  I can't wait to share the Leanne Marshall gowns we styled in the upcoming issue of Carolina Bride!  We are shaking up the Charlotte wedding scene!

Insieme House:  The baddest little A-frame house you ever did see.  If you love A-frames, you won't be able to stay off of homeowner Astrid's page. If you are perplexed by those strange pointy pitched roofs, this will change everything.

Charlotte based Ellison James Designs has amassed a cult like following with their bohemian fringe accessories you can't help but stare at even if it is a trend list item of the past. All hail another fall season of fringe, fabulous fringe!

Impossible to write find the right words to caption for this one. (See!)

Dorothy Draper & Company is America's first and often described as the most acclaimed design firm.  With a portfolio roster including the Waldorf Astoria in NYC, the White House, The Breakers in Palm Beach and perhaps most notably, pictured below, The Greenbriar in West Virginia.  I'd be fine without any clothes at all, surrounded in such confident decor.

Still pinch myself every time I look at my 1/30 Stephanie Vovas signed photograph of bombshell Diora Love.  

Can't ever get enough of Kimberly's vignettes and design refreshers that she shares on her blog, Swoonworthy, from over in the UK.  The very adjectives I would use to describe my style of dress, Kimberly's design style is Eclectic Boho Glam perfection. 

Kate Spade Inspired Wedding

As I prepare to leave for the South Carolina coast this afternoon on assignment for Carolina Bride, I thought it apropos to share the Kate Spade inspired editorial in the issue now on stands.  An exercise in restraint, this project was a welcomed diversion from my normal everywhere but inside the box styling.  As my Great Grandmother would say, "well after all I mean you know," and to finish her thought I say... we ARE in the south!  Behold black and white and hot pink all over for the happy and for the WIN!  This team was so adorable, and photographer Casey Hendrickson; amazing and an absolute delight!  Personality, happy and SO much fun!  I love the soft crystal like clarity of her photos.  Thanks to everyone who participated.  If you're the quintessential southern bride, this one's for you! I  hope you are inspired, and of course, all outfit and vendor credits are included at the bottom.  Here's a little black, white, hot pink and turquoise inspiration too...

Photography Casey Hendrickson Photography
Venue Foundation for the Carolinas
Floral design Chelish Moore Flowers
Design and Décor Elegant and Classy Events
Wardrobe Styling Whitley Adkins Hamlin of The Queen City Style
Dresses J. Majors Bridal Boutique
Jewelry Aubre’s Bridal, Kristin Hayes Jewelry
Bowtie and Braces: R. Hanauer Bowties
Hair, Makeup Beauty Asylum
Invitations and Paperie Elle Dee Designs
Cake Sky’s the Limit Bridal Sweets
Dessert Buffet Amelie’s French Bakery
Cinemagraphs Meagan Abell
Table Setting Evermore Classic and Vintage Rentals
Jewelry Aubre’s Bridal, Kristin Hayes Jewelry
Tuxedo Pants The Bride’s Choice
Robes Plum Pretty Sugar
Bride and Groom: Victoria Payne and John Paul Ruth II
Bridesmaids: Sydni Brawley (white and pink dress), Carla Carter (white top, black skirt), Katia Bereznitskaia (striped dress), Mimi Vang (black top, white skirt, pink sash).

Ralph Lauren Inspired All-American Wedding

A dream commission, I was tapped to work with Carolina Bride Magazine and several other amazing vendors to create three distinct designer inspired wedding day looks. I wanted to showcase inspiration from three brands that were unique and vastly different from one another.  The first of three looks was inspired by the American fashion brand genius, Ralph Lauren, to create an All-American look. Think equestrian, rich plaids, cotton lace and all the other classic staples you could imagine to recreate a timeless affair.

Her:
Dress: Willowby by Watters Petra Gown, J. Majors Bridal Boutique, Top Hat: Morris Costumes, Necklace, Earrings and Bracelet: Kristin Hayes Jewelry, Rings: Diamonds Direct
Him:
Tuxedo: Canali, Shirt: Eton, Cufflinks and Studs: Taylor, Richards & Conger, Bow Tie: R. Hanauer All from Taylor, Richards & Conger

Photography: CAPTURE ME CANDID, Planning: STUNNING AND BRILLIANT EVENTS |Florist: THE PLACE FOR FLOWERS | Makeup: ERIN ASHLEY MAKEUP | Hair: SEAN FOLEY HAIR | Second Shooter: Bryon Bench | Jewelry: KRISTIN HAYES JEWELRY | Stationary: OLIVE PAPER | Models: Megan Hollandsworth and RJ Crumpler- Marilyn's Agency I Location: JOHNSON CARRIAGE HOUSE AND MEADOWS

Fabulous Furs For Your Winter Wedding

Y'all!  I'm EXCITED!  My first bridal editorial ever!  If you are looking for High Style for your winter wedding, go check out the 25th Anniversary Issue of Carolina Bride on news stands now!  Our featured editorial is about how to incorporate fur (real or faux) into your winter wedding, no matter your personal style!  The six looks include Glamorous, Classic, Bohemian, Minimalist, Vintage and Avante Garde.  Thank you to Carolina Bride for including me on this super fun project with a stellar team!