Time To Think Winter + Holiday + William Ivey Long

The weather here lately has been typical of the South.  We are well into November and still experiencing many warm days.  Today however, as the leaves feel from the sky like fresh snowflakes, I opened the door to a cool crisp morning.  It is almost time to retrieve my furs from storage at DHM Furs.  If you've always wanted a fur for yourself and for one reason or another haven't pulled the trigger, the vintage to vogue fur sale is a great time to shop.  Consignment is a great way to purchase something just as stylish as brand new but at a fraction of the cost.  I find standards for consignment to be high most everywhere I go hunting, so you really can find something great without breaking the bank.

With winter comes the holidays!  It is so hard to believe, but holiday season is in full swing.  The mall and other retailers are lathered in Christmas decor and sparkle.  J.Crew just published their gift guide.  Check it out HERE.  Lots of goodies for everyone. 

And while I was in J.Crew this week shopping for a client I couldn't help but reach for this adorable hot pink ruffle hem skirt now 33% off.  It also comes in a great bright bronzed topaz color.

Yesterday for conversations with the oh so talented and delightful William Ivey Long, I wore vintage House of Landor styled modern with J.Crew calf hair pumps and now vintage J.Crew trousers (I purchased while living in NYC in 2000!)  What fun it was learning from where he gets his inspiration and how all of his costume ideas come to life!  You must visit the exhibit!  Deets HERE.

Summer Camp For Your Fur

Ima keep this short and sweet.  If you cherish your hand-me-down (or new!) furs as much as I do, it is absolutely imperative that you store them properly during the hot summer months in order to properly maintain and prolong the life of your fur.  Have you ever noticed any rips or tears in the skins of your inherited and older furs?  If so, it is likely because they have not been stored in the proper temps or the skins (like your own skin) have not been conditioned over time.  I highly suggest you have your furs cleaned, reconditioned and stored with Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo furs during the summer months.  Here are the deets...

Repair your valued heirlooms that, like mine did, may look like this...

I had my Great-Grandmother's fur cleaned, conditioned, restyled and custom fit for me like new.  Here it is now!

The fine folks over at Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo Furs have been in the business longer than anyone in this area and do impeccable work!

My Great-Grandmother's Mink Fur Restyled

Thank you Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Furs for the most amazing restyle of my Great Grandmother's fur! The fur was completely reworked and altered to fit me, and since I'm so nostalgic with my hand-me-downs, they cut and sewed my Great-Grandmother's monogram into the new lining, just below mine. This is a great, perhaps not thought of, holiday or birthday gift idea!😍 Get fur restyle deets when you click on the below image.  And, yes, I do wear my fur with everything... even over my running gear!  There's no need to save it for a "special" occassion... Every day is one!

Fur Restyle At DHM Furs + Moonlight Madness Sale

I know you all know how much I love my Carolina Blue Fox Fur I got last year from Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Fur last year. I was originally pulling it for use in a Carolina Bride Magazine photo editorial, but since the coat was part of an Estate Sale going on at the time, the selling price was simply too good to pass up on a coat the color of my Alma mater!  Since that time I have developed a fond appreciation for the company not only because of the fine merchandise (new and consigned) that they sell but because of the excellent work that they do on fur restyle jobs.  The talented team of furriers and seamstresses are currently restyling a couple of pieces I inherited from family members and clients.  They are all lovely, but they are all in need of some TLC.  Just like humans and animals, furs need to be stored properly and cared for lovingly in order to maintain a healthy attractive appearance.  Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Furs is doing a wonderful job on my pieces, and I can't wait to show you the results. Fur restyling is a GREAT idea if you have pieces that do not fit but you would love to wear. 

Here are some images of my Great-Grandmother's fur in its original state.  I adore the dramatic over sized collar on this coat, but overall it was just too big for me.  You can see the holes and tears as well.  Much of this has to do with the coat having not been stored properly in transit and through the years.  The skin is dry and cracked.

Here is the fur after my first fitting.  You can see the alterations made, as well as the repairs to the holes and tears.  The fur has been reconditioned and treated with lots of love.  Amazing work!

The furrier and seamstress will also be replacing the lining that was completely shot.  They have salvaged my Great-Grandmother's monogram, and they will add it to the new lining along with my monogram.  That way we preserve the nostalgia while bringing it up to speed for its next life.  Thank you to my awesome Aunt for offering me this coat.  I'm such a nostalgic softie, and this project means so much to me!  I can't wait to show you the final results.  I highly recommend this service to anyone else who would like to wear a fur that may not otherwise fit them just right.  In the meantime, tomorrow, Thursday December 1 is a day to get over to Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Furs to shop all coats at 50% Off.  Amazing deals for the holidays!

Fur Estate Sale

If you follow me on my Instagram page, you know how much I love my Carolina Blue Fox Fur from Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Furs.  I got it last year during their Estate Sale for a major major steal.  I wear it everywhere... during the day, grocery shopping, on location, even to the gym.  My point is, it doesn't have to be stowed away until the perfect fancy occasion arises.  If you love something, you wear it!  

And so, I can't not share with you the next Estate Sale July 12-14.  There will be 100's of pre-owned furs purchased from estates all over North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and more. This is an rare opportunity to own a one of a kind gorgeous piece to add to your wardrobe.

It's no secret I LOVE to play dress up.  Heck, I've made a career out of it!  And so, here are a few of my favorite pieces that will be a part of the collection.  Statement Furs (is there anything else), furs styled diagonal across the body, caplets, bombers and shearling are all going to be BIG for fall in the fashion world, and so I've included a few of these pieces as well. And you know those little furry pom pom key chains that have been all the craze this past year?  Well, just wait to you see this furry rainbow box clutch.  This would be all over the runway right now.  I hope you enjoy the show!

And the Piece de Resistance...

I mean, can you even??  And if I didn't wear it, I would totally style it in my home like this... (What do you say Holly Phillips over at The English Room??)