Get Your Green On (My Client On The Today Show!)

So yesterday was a very exciting day for one of my awesome brainy babe clients, and because it was exciting for her, naturally, it was exciting for me.  Michelle Icard is THE expert on providing guidance and resources to tweens and their parents during those difficult, sometimes downright excruciating, middle school years.  Strapped with a cape, AKA her namesake business, Michelle In The Middle, she speaks to adults in order to help ease adolescent social stress. Um HELLO!!! Where was this Glenda The Good Witch when I was in middle school??!

Anyway, Michelle nailed her segment, and represented the 704 like nobody's business.  The opportunity to help her choose the perfect dressing was great fun.  We had several winners, but when she put on this emerald green "house dress for the 21st century working mom" (I just made that up), her entire bedroom suite lit up like Oz.  We wanted something brainy and sophisticated, like Michelle.  A solid to stay it on the conservative, more business than fashion side, but still possessing head turning qualities. I think we hit the jackpot!

If you have children of any age (in other words your spouse acts like a child at times), this segment is for YOU.  And just because it is St. Patty's Day, I've selected a few green numbers for you.  Shop them all HERE if you are unable to see the below dresses!

Spend A Little....

Spend A Lot... 

Street Style: Midtown + Kristin Hayes Jewelry

This was my Madonna shot.  I think it all came together in my head that this Midtown needed an outfit like this.  It is thrown together with this sorta gaudy, sorta cool 80's mixed mashed type of style.  I think about the old Midtown Mall, which previously served the community for decades, right where Chelsea is riding up the escalator by Best Buy at what became today's Metropolitan. Chelsea looks very late 80's/early 90's sexy and hot yet demure behind those red lips, side swiped hair and gobbed on mix and matched accessories.  Basically, I cannot ever get enough of my special friend Kristin Hayes' vintage caviar for jewelry.  QC Exclusive  just included her in their current issue.  Check it out on news stands all over the QC.  I can't help but wonder if they secret shopped my Instagram in order to further popularize my not for long hidden gem soon to be super star.  Having two young boys, I knew just what to expect on an escalator, but Zach capturing this photo was so impressive to watch.

Model: Chelsea Lewis, Photographer: Zach Alston, Hair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Keepsake Subtract Dress and Miss Mochilla bag from KK Bloom, Vivetta Botanica Shirt from Capitol, BCBGeneration Carnival Dress Sandals from Sloan Boutique.

Click HERE to shop Chelsea's outfit.  Also, be sure to nab the current issue of Southpark Magazine to see lots more of Kristin Hayes Jewelry, as well as Carolina Bride in January.  Your bridesmaids will covet your taste and style.

Olivia Palermo Guest Bartender

The lovely, always on time style maven Olivia Palermo strikes again.  This time as a guest "bartender" for the fantastically affordable and religiously on trend jewelry site, Bauble Bar.  I've featured below some of my favorite pieces from the collection. Click on each image for product info, or simply shop the entire collection HERE.  You'll find the perfect gift for your accessory-loving girlfriend, just in time for the holidays.

noteworthy.

I am very excited to share with you the launch of my friend, Emily's, new digital magazine and website, noteworthy.  As the title states, Emily is sharing a little bit about a lot of things stylish, only which however, she views as "noteworthy."  I'm tickled she asked me to be a part of her launch!  I sat down with Emily to give her my two cents on one of the season's hottest trends, the flare denim jean.  I appreciate Emily speaking accurately on my behalf in that, while I do love the flare jean, a trend is personal and should never be forced.  Without further adieu, if you've had those bell bottom blues since the last (not so) fair attempt with boot cut jeans in the late 1990's, I'm excited to share with you my top picks for this season.  See the entire list and more over at noteworthy...

 Citizens of Humanity Fleetwood High Rise Flare Jeans 

Street Style: SouthPark II

Model: Chelsea Lewis, Photographer: Zach Alston, Hair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Alice + Olivia Luisa A-Line Midi Skirt at Neiman Marcus, Enza Costa Printed Cashmere Sweater from Denim House, Joie Paxton Laser-Cut Bootie, Ceri Hoover Pony Hair (also here) and Heather Benjamin Antique Tusk Ring from Sloan, Vintage Chanel Chain Necklace at Monkee's of Charlotte (also these earrings), Kristin Hayes Jewelry Vintage Brooch, Chain and Stone Necklace, Earrings from ChezElle, Blydesign Brass and Floral Cuff, Alexis Bittar Assorted Lucite Braclets from Denim House (also here and here), eb jewelry Studio Green Quartz Cleo Cuff

The Making Of A Photo Shoot About Trains

A little diversion from the SouthPark Magazine Fall Fashion pictures to share with you a few photos from the making of the Our State Magazine story about The Allure of Trains.  If you love romance, travel and nostalgia as much as I do, you will love this story.  This was my first time working with Our State Magazine, and I was absolutely taken by the beauty of these machines located at the North Carolina Transportation Museum.  I wanted to share a few images taken by husband and wife photography duo, Brett & Jessica, out of Raleigh. As you can see it was a grey day, but you never would have known it looking at the cover of the magazine...

What I Wear Every Day + Free Shipping Code

If I'm not the only fashion blog you follow, one thing you know about me is I love anything and everything that no one else has.  Another thing I think most others do want, however, is to be comfortable while looking good. Enter La Senorita Jolie.  If there was ever a call for every day clothes that feel like pj's for the stylish and put together, it's La Senorita Jolie. This IS a sponsored post, but I am only sharing my secret with you, because I feel 100% passionate about the product.  I wear their tees, sexy sweatshirt and maxi dresses all summer long.  I wear them on set when I am styling commercial shoots and all the time when I am with my children. Today was Fall Parish Day, which is one of two casual days at our church, and I found my new tie dye maxi and black cotton shawl perfectly suitable for the occasion.

If you're interested in hopping on the LSJ train, you can shop all their looks here.  If you're interested in REALLY hopping on the train, you might want to consider completing an application to work as an LSJ stylist. The clothing is easy to layer, understated and affordable. The product is available in sizes XS-4XL, so it's a product for REAL women.  Interested in learning more?  Check it out here, and if you order anything for yourself, be sure to use the Free Shipping Code: KMJBHC.

My Week Behind The Scenes

I am coming off of one crazy busy work weekend.  As you may recall from a previous post, this weekend I was a presenter at the Southern Women's Show.  I shared my tips for Fall and Winter Teacher Style on a budget that will not break the bank.  A HUGE shout out to my lovely assistant, Phanta.  I would have been in over my head in preparations without her.  Thursday afternoon and evening was a full one of creating outfits for the upcoming weekend's eight outfit changes for 12 models.  Thank you Phanta and Prosecco.

Earlier in the day I took an almost four hour bicycle adventure with Wild Nugget Worth over to Park Road Shopping Center, onto the Greenway, through Freedom Park, UP East Boulevard to Carolina Smoothie, back down East Blvd to the playground at Freedom Park and back on the Greenway through Park Road Shopping Center back home to meet Phanta, as well as a client, to give her this cool Free People jacket in time for Fall.

Back to that bike ride.... Most of our tours start with a visit at Black Hawk Hardware for some popcorn.  Like all the rest, this one did too.  Almost always, Willie is outside helping a customer, and we stop to say hello. I was trailing Worth, and as he approached Willie he put on his breaks.  With little reaction time, so did I.  And then I Super Womaned it over the handlebars, arms out wide flat on the concrete.  No idea how I was saved from a face brake... it must have been the Southern Women's Show Angels... I managed to make it out with only a handful of major bruises and a sore neck.  Willie came to our rescue with popcorn and a water for me and Sprite for Worth.  Needless to say, our next stop was to the bike shop for a new helmet for me.

Friday morning, clad in my DVF Supa Star Wrap dress, I loaded up my trusty rolling rack, and I was off to the show.  Thanks again to Phanta, to all the models, Marcia, The Southern Women's Show, The Charlotte Observer and everyone else involved.  We had a great first day.  If you missed it but want to know my top Teacher Fashion pics, do not dismay!  Pick up this Sunday's paper, where you'll find it all in the Style section. 

Bright and early Saturday morning I was off to High Point for a quick shoot with my friends at Julie Lopez Shoes.  We always have a great time on set, and I got to work with two of my favorite hotties, Jillian and Amy.

I've told you about them before, but if you haven't checked out Julie's shoes and you are on the market for a good looking, comfortable, Italian-made luxury shoe at a less than luxury shoe price, take a look. I LOVE my Layla nude python pump.  By noon, I was back down I-85 to Charlotte for another round of Teacher Style dialogue with the adorable Cristina Bolling, staff writer for The Charlotte Observer, followed by an IMMEDIATE crash in my bed before two more rounds on Sunday.

I hope YOU had a wonderful weekend.  One last thing, if you are over at Southpark Mall, be sure to grab the September Fall Fashion issue where we captured some pretty fantastic street style looks covering nine Charlotte neighborhoods.  Thanks to SouthPark Magazine for putting their trust in me.  One of my absolute most favorite projects to date!

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!

Jeans That Charge Your Phone

There is really is something for everything.  Made By Girl blog editor, Jen Ramos clued me in on this one, and its just too good not share with you.  Have you ever been out an about for the day, fretting that your battery is going to run dead before your important call comes in, or you just really neeeeeed to see what your friends are doing tonight.  Well, this is just jean-ious.  Joe's Jeans has come out with the #Hello jean, a denim that charges your phone right in the pocket. With two small children, I am always on the go.  Because I need and want to be hands free, I often carry just my phone in my back pocket along with my ID and debit card, so this jean is actually quite brilliant if you ask me. Don't believe me.  Watch here....

The #Hello jean comes in a variety of colors.  I'm thinking about the grey pair for myself, because this color is great for casual during the day or paired with heels at night.  Check them out here...

Southern Women's Show + Ticket Giveaway

The Southern Women's Show is back in Charlotte August 28-30 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Uptown Charlotte.  If you've never been, this is a fun and relaxing yet informative weekend just for the girls.  Thanks to the Charlotte Observer, this year, I am excited to participate not just as a viewer but as a special guest where I'll be on the Spotlight Stage talking to teachers about how to look great dressing the part!  If you are at the Southern Women's Show, please come by and see me!  As a presenter, I've been given a few extra tickets to giveaway to my readers.  If you and a friend are interested in going any day, please email me: whitley@thequeencitystyle.com. I'd love to send you tickets! 

WHEN: August 28 – 30, 2015 Fri: 10am-8pm, Sat: 10am-7pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

WHERE: Charlotte Convention Center in Uptown Charlotte

HOW MUCH: $12 at the Door, $10 in Advance, $7 for Groups of 10 or more in advance.  Teacher Appreciation Day is Sunday, August, 30th!  Faculty and staff get in FREE with school ID!

Back To School With Goodwill Industries

Today I was joined by three beautiful young students (can you guess who that handsome blonde boy is?) for a look at back to school fashion presented by Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.  Goodwill has got it all!  Discounted clothes for children of all ages, name brand fashions your teen or tween will love and even furniture and electronics for the back to college student!  I had a great time, as ever with the fine folks of Goodwill and Charlotte Today.  It is such a privileged to be able to use my work as a platform for spreading the good word and mission of this organization.  Check out our presentation below by clicking here or  the image.  

Vanity Fair Best Dressed List

Each year Vanity Fair, one of my favorite magazines both for their interesting journalism and first rate photography, publishes their International Best Dressed List.  This year one of my personal favorites makes the list.  Amal Clooney isn't just well dressed.  She is dressed with a striking sense of class, taste and dignity. She is exotic looking but classy and composed. Beauty, brains and refinery are always a winning recipe in my book.   See the entire His and Hers Best Dress list HERE.

Carolina STYLE Coffee Table Book

I recently was nominated one of the Carolinas Most Stylish in 2015 by Carolina STYLE Magazine.  Carolina STYLE Magazine is a fashion – based lifestyle publication highlighting the essence of fashion & style in North and South Carolina. Designed to enrich the lives of their readers through fashion-based lifestyle editorial, it is their mission to inspire our readers to look, feel and live their best.  In conjunction with the nomination, Carolina STYLE has published a coffee table book featuring all of the most stylish individuals. Instead of choosing one person for the cover, the publishers chose to include everyone. I feel very honored to be in such good company!  Recognize anyone?  You may order your copy of the book here.   

Alice + Olivia On Sale!

One of my very favorite modern day designers is Stacey Bendet, CEO and Creative Director the fashion house of Alice and Olivia.  The global brand launched at Barneys in 2001 and is currently sold in over fifty countries. In the Queen City, you can shop Alice and Olivia at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.  I adore this three piece suit of shorts, top and jacket I used in one of the looks in the May issue of SouthPark Magazine.

Shop my favorite current Alice + Olivia items below on Sale up to 75% Off!  Now is the time to do it ladies, because these are the best prices you'll ever see for these one of a kind pieces, and once their gone, their gone! 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Boho Style

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale continues, and while I was perusing to see what I should take advantage for myself, I realized everything I dog-eared had that cool, laid-back bohemian edge that always appeals to the stylist in me.  Here are a few of my favorites to share with you. This really is the smartest time of year to shop.  It's just before the beginning of the season at the best prices all year! Happy Shopping! (If you are unable to see the below images, please click on the blog post title to see the entire post).

Ultimate Guide To Charlotte Boutique Shopping

I recently was asked by my friend and genius jewelry designer, Chelsea Charles, to share my personal picks for boutique shopping in Charlotte in conjunction with her partnership with Marriott Hotels.  Chelsea has been engaged by Marriott to help them highlight all of the amazing things Charlotte, NC has to offer, and I am delighted to be able to share my favorites with Chelsea's fans and the team at Marriott.  To learn more about it and for a chance to win a trip anywhere in the country, click here for details. When shopping, make sure to photo your finds for Instagram and use hashtag #DesignCharlotte. So, HERE'S my list!  Did I include your favorites?

THIS Friday: How To Be A Media Savvy Mom

Mom Matters is an event series from Charlotte Parent that brings moms together to hear from local leaders and specialists in the fields of wellness, media management and work-life balance. These two-hour luncheons are a dynamic and engaging way for moms to learn new approaches to parenting and family health.  This year's topic is focused on How To Be A Media-Savvy Mom.

July 10, 2015  Topic: How to Be a Media-Savvy Mom
Asbury Park Grove, 9300 Bob Beatty Road, Charlotte, 11:30am-1:30pm

Here's why I'm proud!  One of my amazing clients, Michelle Icard, is a  speaker. 

Melanie Hempe, Moms Managing Media
Charlotte mom Melanie Hempe is passionate about helping families balance technology with childhood. She offers busy parents easy-to-follow scientific information and practical solutions for real homes with children of all ages, and is one of the founders of Moms Managing Media. 

Michelle Icard, Michelle in the Middle
Author, educator, and social leadership strategist, Michelle Icard helps adults feel more confident about guiding kids through the tween and teen social world. Michelle is the author of Middle School Makeover: Improving The Way You And Your Kid Experience The Middle School Years, and she created the social leadership curriculum, Athena's Path & Hero's Pursuit, which is used in schools across the country. Her website is MichelleintheMiddle.com.
 

Click here for more information if you are interested in joining this year's Mom Matters luncheon.

Julie Lopez Shoes

I'm way over due sharing my excitement for this wonderful high fashion comfortable shoe handcrafted in the heart of Tuscany.  I was drafted to work with Julie Lopez Shoes to style their Spring and Summer catalog, and I fell in love with everything about the company... the shoes, the comfort, the fantastic mother daughter power duo running the company.  Check out all of their styles here, including my personal favorite, Layla.

BOB Awards Pre-Party: What I Wore

I posted this recent picture from the Charlotte Magazine BOB Awards Pop-Up Pre-Party on Facebook and Instagram, and Holy Thumbs Ups and Hearts!  I appreciate all the kind words, and so I thought I would share credits where due.  I was fresh off a new 'do from my girl Aurora (who has been cutting my hair for 14 years), and at the recommendation from my girl Bess over at Sloan Boutique, I quickly nabbed this Rachel Zoe dress.  I got the last one in the store, but I found it on line in case any of you would like one of your own.  PS-Don't miss the BOB Awards Party coming up in a couple of weeks. Way fun.