SouthPark Magazine Garden Graces

Earlier this summer I worked with two blonde bombshells + Scott Clinton on photography + Jami Svay on hair and makeup to capture some fun summer looks on location at the always beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.  It was so fun to pair one of the season's hottest trends, All Over Floral, with such a harmoniously coordinated background.  Minus the oppressive thick summer in the south heat, the pictures make me want summer to go on forever... I think they are so romantic and dreamy!  See more at SouthPark Magazine, as well as a full run of talent and wardrobe credits. 

Get gorgeous all over floral in your closet before it's gone.  Many of these items are on SALE!

This Temperley London dress seemed to bring the most oohs and aahs from readers.

I'd like to have this dress, or my dining room wallpapered in the print, or a couch covered in it!

Do you dare don this groovy floral power pant suit?  Yes, please!

I love this short and top pair, affordable luxe at J.Crew.

Shop all my last minute summer finds.  Click HERE if you are unable to see the below images. 

Three Floor + Self Portrait

The weather in Charlotte has been so amazing all weekend I have spring fever big time.  I have not seen the little nubby pointed daffodil green leaves sprouting from the ground yet, but I've heard there have been sightings.  On Saturday, I clocked some great mileage with my group early in the morning at the Anne Springs Close Greenway.  If you live in the Charlotte area and have not yet been, you really must go.  Miles and miles of trails, horses, activities for the family and more all year round. To me, it is the prettiest place to run in the area, and it is an easy peasy drive from center city.  I hit the pavement again on Sunday for another round of double digits just because I couldn't say no. Shorts and no sleeves.  

Weather this good and running in it makes me crave summer time and want to wear hot little dresses.  Three Floor and Self Portrait are two of my favorite brands for that.  If you live in the QC Poole Shop and Coplon's both started carrying the Self Portrait line a little over a year ago. This means the line is no longer a secret, but it's important to have a mindset of abundance isn't it?   I want hot summer sun and these dresses.  Click HERE if you cannot see the below images in your reader.

A Closer Look At The Fall Trend Edit + Town & Country Inspiration

Earlier this week I shared my Style Points contribution for the Fall/Winter Issue of Ballantyne Magazine.  I really enjoy this quarterly project, because it puts me in a seat where I sorta feel like the style editor of a magazine.  I can honestly say I see my work for these local and regional projects to be just as strong as the likes of InStyle Magzine, Allure, Town & Country.  I know I can do it.  I get to work with designers and their publicists to collect the proper images for my story and as a result I establish and work to build relationships with the fashion source direct.  This is a big part of being about to do my job.  I decide what the editorial piece is going to be about, I collect the images and information I need from the designers, I put it all together and then send it off to the magazine editor.  

Next, the talented art directors work their magic to put out a spread that I think looks quite impressive.  The first time I sent my work over to them I shared a similar piece from Town & Country Magazine.  Aside of my Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, filing through the fashion pages of T&C is where the style obsession all began for me.  In the early 1980's, they used to dedicated pages and pages to showcasing runway looks each fashion season.  I would cut out my favorite looks, organize and paste them into my own fashion book.  

The Ballantyne Magazine Style Points edit has been such a fun project.  Below are links to some of the hottest trends you can expect for Fall.  

Tassel Mania!  I've included a swanky belt from the uber chic and talented twin sister designers, Lizzie Fortunato, and the accessible to everyone tassel earrings sold by one of my favorite design stores on the planet, Furbish Studio.

Velvet is going to EVERYWHERE.  I included an interesting dress from my first favorite designer, Cynthia Rowley.  Not sure when it will be available to the public, but here and here are lots of great Ready To Wear designs for Fall/Winter 2016. 

Metallics.  One thing I love LOVE, including this draped front mini dress, and this Caterina Lucchi sequin pailettes calfskin backpack you can find at Our Place Boutique in Charlotte. 

Local designer Regine Bechtler rocks the puff sleeves trend just like Jean Paul Gaultier would with her eclectic handmade Peace Jackets.

I LOOOOOOVVVEEE the guitar straps this season, especially Valentino's.

The Herno lightweight puffers are simply the best.  You can find the fur lined one pictured above over at TRC W.

Novis rocks the school girl jumper so chic layered over a turtleneck.  You can find Novis in Charlotte at Capitol.

Lizzie Fortunato

I promised to tell you more about the designers I met at Poole Shop's annual Back To School event.  In my last post I shared gorgeous designs by NOVIS.  Equally fantastic are the jewelry and handbag designs of Lizzie Fortunato.  This team is comprised of adorable twins Elizabeth and Kathryn Fortunato.  They did go to Duke, but that is the only cross thing I can say about these otherwise absolutely delightful, adorable and talented young sisters.  See... 

I believe it was at Poole Shop that I first saw Lizzie Fortunato jewels in person.  I remember their collections consisted a lot of these unique leather, suede or fabric tube necklaces with brass detailing.

They have expanded their designs and collections, including handbags, all the while producing an intriguing, as ever, current product. Here are a few favorites I found while perusing the internet.  Many have tried to emulate the eye catching designs of Lizzie Fortunato, but there is only one OG.

NOVIS

Last Thursday I attended, along with my friend Emily, Poole Shop's annual Back To School event.  If you follow me here or on Facebook or Instagram, regularly, you know Poole Shop and it's mother store, Capitol, are two of my favorite.  Both stores bear a curated collection of the most out of this world clothing and accessories you truly can't find anywhere else in Charlotte, or the Southeast for the matter.  Thursday night's event was a star studded one among the design goddesses.  The sisters of NOVIS (the two gals second from the left) the twins of Lizzie Fortunato Jewels, the sisters of our very own Twine + Twig, and the lovely Dasha from Veda all represented.

I'll tell you a little about each of these designer's work, but today, just look at Novis' out of this world gorgeous, stunning beautiful collections.  A few pieces on Sale here. These girls are just babies, and so much talent!

What To Wear: BOB's Pop-Up Pre-Party

Thank you SO much to everyone who voted.  I am humbled, flattered and honored to have received the Charlotte Magazine Best Of The Best award this year for Best Stylist/Personal Shopper.  I have so much fun doing this job that I so love, and I'm super excited that I have the opportunity to style it out with some of the QC's hottest boutiques and YOU!  Please bring a friend (or a few!) and join me this Wednesday night, May 13th, 5:30-7:30pm, at Mezzo1, for a fun night of shopping, styling, cock-tailing and fun!

Of course, this night of fun is in anticipation of the really BIG night of fun, the Big Bad BOB Awards official party. This year's party will be hosted at The Fillmore.  I've been to the party several years, and it really is quite fun (read between the lines... absolutely fantastic PEOPLE WATCHING for DAYS).  Get all the details below, or click here to register.  Hope to see you there, and if you do come, please find me and say hello!

Lemlem + blydesign + Back Yard Baby

Me:

Shirt: Lemlem from Poole Shop. Shorts: Jessica Simpson (similar pair). Sunglasses: Rayban.  Flops: Rainbow. Earrings: Back Yard Baby. Bracelets: blydesign. 

Worth:

Shorts: J. Crew (similar) Shirt: J. Crew

I love the lightweight gauze material used in Lemlem designs.  In 2007, supermodel and actress, Liya Kebede, discovered that traditional weavers in her native country of Ethiopia were losing their jobs due to decline in local demand.  Recognizing the beauty and quality of their work, Liya started Lemlem as a way to inspire economic independence and preserve the art of weaving. This shirt from my Charlotte favorite, Poole Shop, is one of the most comfortable I own.  I'll likely be wearing it all summer long with everything else you see here... jean shorts, flip flops and shades.  I love supporting local businesses and fellow entrepreneurs.  To me, relationships are such a fulfilling part of life.  As relationships pertain to not only my personal life but my work, out of them, comes a story and greater meaning.... like these jewels I'm wearing!  I get more complements on my new favorite earrings by Back Yard Baby (made out of gold plated wire and recycled tee! email owner, Winslett) and my blydesign calf hair bangles. Get your own, and be sure to make a connection with these great small business owners and designers!