Ready In A Flash with Marie Oliver

There are a lot of things I want to say about what’s going on in this picture. Number one, as a lifelong pattern mixer, I have always been drawn to the complexity of putting outfits together versus simply reaching for a dress, but when I spotted this Marie Oliver situation of a dress, I was STOPPED in my tracks! Icing on the cake? This is a North Carolina born and based company, and that is something really, really awesome. Also, it’s rare I make weekends calls but on Sundays, I wear crosses, and love this one by my long time pal, Kristin Hayes Jewelry. Throw in my favorite hardware in the form of a clutch by Addison Weeks, Primaura Jewelry and Accessories lucite hoop earrings, topped off with my Illesteva shades from Innovative Eye Care in Dilworth and bottomed off with some Coclico gold kickes from the one of a kind mobile glass shoe truck, Elston, and I am out the door in less than five!

A Sign Of The Times

The fashion editorial feature in the current issue of Southpark Magazine is so hot and bright the models even have to wear their shades!  But seriously, I can't tell you how excited this spread gets me.  Every project's outcome is a result of the sum of the parts, and let me tell you, we were definitely operating on all cylinders for this one.  As my father said when I proudly handed him a copy, "GREAT job.  You had a lot to work with here Whitley," followed by a boyish flirtatious smile.  Let's just say he wasn't referring to the clothes.  Models Taylor Sharpe and Hadley Hilton sizzle just like fiya (favorite Pink song!) in House of Landor vintage styles (and a few pieces from my personal collection), Addison Weeks jewels and sunglasses from Innovative Eye Care.  Joseph Bradley's camera lens tell no lie. Charlotte artist Windy O'Connor's home played the perfect back drop for telling our story of high style, and Adrienne McCann flawlessly maintained the vintage glam vibe with hair and makeup. What can I say?  I want it all.  Visit HERE for all wardrobe and accessory credits. 

Rose Quartz And Serenity For Your Wardrobe + Home

Supa Supa Dupa excited to share this latest editorial project.  Any opportunity to not only style but also write is like a new lease on intelligence for me.  I absolutely love what I do, but there are times I want to do things that allow me to feel a little more cerebral, if you know what I mean... like I am applying my degree or somethin'. Let's be honest, and I will take this as a perhaps unsolicited opportunity to do just that. FOLLOW YOUR PASSION my people.  It is important that you be responsible and put a roof over your head, but you need to pursue your passion.  And have the confidence to do it.  Surround yourself with Good Vibes Only. Don't listen to the nay-sayers and passion squashers.  Get after it.  It will not always be easy, but is selling widgets even if you do make a gazillion dollars really going to make you happy?  Want something you don't have?  You have the power to make it happen.  ONLY YOU.  You didn't ask, but I am all about supporting and loving on others, throwing high fives, giving butt slaps, break dancing and telling people You Is Kind, You Is Smart, You Is Important, because Lord knows good people with good vibes has been the most powerful dose by the milligrams for me during my difficult seasons.  You know who you is.

Back on the track.  The below editorial for the once primarily business focused but increasingly more community focused, Ballantyne Magazine, was so much fun. The story about incorporating Pantone's colors of the year into both your home and wardrobe this spring season includes product by some of my favorite local designers and retailers.  Don't fashion and interior design go hand in hand?!  For product and purchase information, keep scrolling.

Click on the individual image for product details and where to purchase!

When Life Gets That Way, There's Always Style (Follow Your Arrow Wherever It Points)

Watch Kacey Musgraves tell it... 

If you save yourself for marriage you're a bore. If you don't save yourself for marriage you're a whore-able person.  If you won't have a drink then you're a prude but they'll call you a drunk as soon as you down the first one.  If you can't lose the weight then you're just fat.  But if you lose too much then you're on crack.  You're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't.  So you might as well just do whatever you want.  So, make lots of noise, kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls if that's something you're into.  When the straight and narrow gets a little too straight roll up a joint, or don't (I'm from Asheville, there's no secret what we'd do). Just follow your arrow wherever it points. Yeah, follow your arrow wherever it points.

If you don't go to church, you'll go to hell. If you're the first one on the front row, you're a self righteous son of a-can't win for losing, you'll just disappoint 'em. Just 'cause you can't beat 'em, don't mean you should join 'em....

Photography by Brennan Booker, Dress: Marchesa Notte gifted by a client, Sunglasses: Illesteva from  (also LOVE these), Addison Weeks Bendall Cuff, eb jewelry studio Cleo Cuff, Headboard: One Kings Lane, Pira Lumbar Pillow: Anthropologie, Moroccan Wedding Blanket: Anthropologie, Plaited Metallics Pillow: Anthropologie, Threshhold Curtains: Target, Lamps and Lampshades: World Market, Jewelry Box: Pottery Barn,  Desert Plate: Anthropologie, Jonathan Adler Dolls Canister, My Daily Devotional: Jesus Calling, Meanwhile There Are Letters, 

New Year's Day

As a follow up to the last post, Her Story, I hope you will enjoy these images taken by Brennan Booker.  Brennan is a young photography student at the University of South Carolina with a lot of talent.  Special thanks to assistant Clara Marzolf as well.  I really have been missing these outfit posts, and it was great to do some creating again.  We took a series of photos, and we enjoyed telling this girl's story in pictures. Follow more stories on Instagram as well.

Blouse: Belonged to my Grandmother.  Skirt: Woman Shops World.  Shoes: Thanks to J.Crew.  Bendall Cuff: Addison Weeks.  Bag: Brahmin.

Street Style: SouthEnd

Model: Chelsea Lewis, Photographer: Zach Alston, Hair/Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey. Black Sheep Skate Shop.
Indie Ella Kimono, Keepsake Playsuit, Jan Michaels Brass Flower Pin from ChezElle, Koolabura Fringe Booties from Sloan, Mere Jewelry Earrings from KK Bloom, Cleo Cuff c/o eb jewelry studio, Cross Necklace c/o Boho Beads, Addison Weeks Pink Opal Bendall Cuff

Hi Everyone!  I'm back with another outfit from SouthPark Magazine's Fall Fashion issue.  This might be my favorite of the collection.  I think it isn't any one specific element but every aspect combined.  The outfit, Chelsea's look at the lens, her natural hair, and most of all, the skateboarders cruising by and candidly jumping into the shot with a "supermodel" one by one... Zach just kept snapping, and voila!  Picture perfect.  

I can't believe it, but I have been absent for almost a month!  I was at a brewery run one night a couple of weeks ago and someone asked me, "are you still writing on the blog?"  It made me feel so good to know the Queen City Style was missed!  Times flies when you're... busy. Not a day goes by I don't think about the Queen City Style and what an important part of my life this blog has served, so thank you for being here.  

Addison Weeks

If you keep up with Charlotte style you're likely already familiar with the design duo, Addison Weeks, and the line of jewelry and home accessories by their name.  Lee Addison Lesley, and my close family friend, Katherine Weeks Mulford, are the stylish duo behind this jewelry line.  Lee and Kat met over a decade ago when they worked together using their respective degrees in Graphic Design.  (I turned to Katherine for the original design and logo for the Queen City Style!)  After two years of working together in this capacity, Lee and Katherine joined forces to create their first line of jewelry, Turq, using semi precious jewels and stones.  Fast forward to 2012 at which time the duo saw a need for versatile, high quality fashion jewelry, thus the birth of Addison Weeks.  This latest project is "both classic and modern with an emphasis on color.  The semi-precious gemstones are set in double dipped 24kt gold." In my own words, Addison Weeks is jewelry not for the faint at heart.  If you love all things bold and statement making yet totally sophisticated and wildly unique, you are going to love Addison Weeks designs.  I've featured several of my favorites pieces below, or see the entire collection here.  Happy Drooling...

Photo Credit The SoGood

Photo Credit The SoGood

Photo Credit The SoGood