Royal Tenenbaum

Photography: Ellie Lacey and on Instagram, Shoes: Thanks to Julie Lopez, Sunglasses: Love Obsessed, Earrings: from ChezElle. Ring: Melinda Maria.

I actually have not seen the movie The Royal Tenenbaums, but for some reason when I saw these dark and moody images Cousin Ellie took, immediately I thought of Gwyneth Paltrow's character in the movie.  Perhaps it is the fur and side barrette, or again, the dark patina of the images.  It was a fun opportunity to wear this blush and metallic vintage dress I love so much from Charlotte's Hong Kong Vintage and my Julie Lopez python pumps.

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

Photography: Ellie Lacey and on Instagram.  Pants: ASOS. Blouse: Cynthia Rowley. Jacket: Vintage from summerbird. Shoes: Brian Atwood. Hat: Eugenia Kim. Square Ring: Melinda Maria. Cross Bracelet: Thanks to blydesign. Earrings: from ChezElle Boutique.

I call this one of my "train wreck" or "sh&t mess" outfits.  I love it.  I just keep going and going and going. Coco said take one off.  I put one on.  I love it so much I just can't stop.  Michael said it too.  Don't stop 'til you get enough.  On this day, I just could not get enough.

Lace + Lace

Blouse: Vintage. Skirt: Thanks to The Boulevard at SouthEnd. Shoes: Cole Haan.  Purse: Chanel.  Earrings: Thanks to Chloe + Isabel by Ashlyn Milosch

More amazing photography by my very talented cousin Ellie.  Her eye from behind the lens is so hip and chic, and I love the hint of patina on her photographs.  It has just been very fun to spend this treasured time with family. This pink lace blouse is another piece I recently inherited from the sweet woman I have yet to meet and so badly want to.  (Read and see more here). I We spotted this fantastic old building and Airstream from across the highway while we were shooting Piles + Pipes.  I hope you have survived last week's rush of winter weather!

Halston + Warhol + Studio 54 Party!

The Mint Museum will be hosting a MOST exciting exhibit March 7 to June 14 featuring two of the greatest in the world of fashion and art. During the second half of the twentieth century, few figures are as iconic as fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick and pop artist Andy Warhol. Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede is a captivating exhibition that, for the first time, unites the work of these two legendary men, offering a unique perspective on the intersections between their lives and creative practice. Organized by The Andy Warhol Museum in collaboration with Lesley Frowick (niece of Halston), Halston and Warhol integrates approximately 40 of Halston’s creations, including the iconic pillbox hat designed for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and his signature Ultrasuede shirt dress, with a broad selection of paintings, photographs, and videos by Warhol.  This morning I attended a media tour of the exhibit, and I promise there is no level of disappointment on display.  In anticipation of the big Studio 54 Party to kick of the museum's exhibit, of course I had to wear Halston, in some fashion, to the party.  I found the below Halston IV dress at a vintage boutique in Brooklyn after scouring the internet like a hawk.  Of course this is not how I will be styling it for the event.  Just you wait...

On a personal note, my Grandmother sent me to see the one and only Liza Minnelli perform in New York City in 1999, right after I graduated college.  I was living in the city, and my Grandmother was too frail to travel to attend the show with me.  But I will never forget her call... "Daaaahhhling, Liza Minnelli is puhfawmen' in New Yahk City, and you simply must go.  I am sending you."  Seeing the Halston dresses and Warhol's work of Minnelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Bianca Jagger and others... It takes me back to Nana's stories and my own imagination in my head transforming me to that very special fantastic place in time. 

Photography: Ellie Lacey on Instagram. Dress: Vintage Halston IV from Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Earrings: from Chezelle Boutique. Bracelets: thanks to chloe + isabel by Ashlyn Milosch

Bergdorf

Suit:  Bergdorf Goodman, Purse: Vintage, Hat: Vintage, Sunglasses: Love Obsessed, Shoes: Cole Haan. Earrings: thanks to Geoflora Jewelry, Ring: Melinda Maria, Bracelet: Madewell 

This adorable and refined casual suit set is another one I recently inherited from a very sweet woman I have yet to meet.  I am doing everything I can to make that happen stat! (Read and see more here).  This particular outfit came straight from Bergdorf Goodman's in NYC.  I am not sure exactly how old it is, but judging from the fabric and style, my best guess would be at least 40-50 years. The purse was hers too, and the mink topper belonged to my Great Grandmother.  And, oh Cousin Ellie, I just can't get enough of you. 

Piles + Pipes

This is another outfit on my recent fabulously fantastic day shooting with Cousin Ellie (Instagram).  I've tried to hide skin in my car more times than I can count, nursing a couple of babies and now doing this outfit changing thing for the last three years... you could say I got it down pat.  No science.  More like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon slouched between two car seats, or  "hey what are you looking at creep!"  BUT, this particular day, at a construction site, was a first. Mama, I know I make you proud in so many (other) ways.  But, it's all for the ART! T-u-hee Hee.  Thanks Cousin Ellie.  You rock. And thanks cooler than cool friend since the 6th grade for the chloe + isabel earrings (and not only saying that because her Aunt dated a Rolling Stone) and thanks awesome newer Charlotte friend for the W by Worth dress up party at your enviously SICK mid-century modern pad on crack.  Last, but not least, I can't tell you how much I LOVE the creators of Julie Lopez Shoes... My booties here.. comfy for days, as are all of their Italian made shoes (recently endorsed by OPRAH).  Piles + Pipes. Nothing but love.

The Way You Make Me Feel

Blouse: Vintage.  Skirt: Alyssa Nicole  Bag: Chanel, Shoes: Cole Haan, Hat: Forever 21, Ring: Melinda Maria, Cuffs: thanks to Chloe & Isabel, Photography: Ellie Lacey, on Instagram

Christmas is in just four days!  Are you finished with all your holiday "to-do's" yet?  I'm almost finished but still have a few things to do.  I wrapped all the presents yesterday while my boys ran errands, and I planned the menu for the big Christmas Eve dinner I host for family at my house each year.  I really enjoy friends also being at our table, and this year I am looking forward to one of my best running friends and her sister joining us.

I also want to take this time to welcome my adorable, talented cousin Ellie (AKA Cousin Ellie) to the Queen City Style!  This is the second round of pictures she has taken, and I can't wait to share more with you.  I love her eye for such unique creative composition.  

Of course I know this has you asking where's Donna??  She is very much alive and kicking!  She is just in hot demand right now with her own clientele.  If you are looking for the very best in child and family photography in Charlotte, Donna's your girl! We have every intention of shooting again soon for the Queen City Style, and I can't wait to show you the bridal portraits we took of my gorgeous aesthetician friend, Sally.  Of course that will have to wait until after her big day!

Ahead From The North

Photos: Ellie Lacey and on Instagram

Skirt: Mossimo Supply Co., Vest: Ralph Lauren, Shoes: thanks to Julie Lopez Shoes, Sunglasses: Blinde (similar), Earrings: thanks to Geoflora, Black Ring: Melinda Maria, Bracelets: Calf Hair, Geometric Cross Cuff thanks to Blydesign, Necklace: Jan Michaels

As you know, it's been a long, long time since I've hit the streets of Charlotte in search of the next coolest place for pictures here on the blog.  I ran into my precious cousin Ellie a couple of weeks ago while having coffee at 7th Street Public Market.  Can I just say I love family?  On my father's side my Grandmother was the youngest of 11, so as I'm sure you can image, there are a whole ton of them.  I was so excited when Ellie asked if we could take some photos.  I'm always up for an adventure, so when she suggested a spot North of the city that boasted amazing views of the skyline, I said let's do it! This expansive piece of pavement soon to be light rail served as a fun location for several photos to come.  It's a good thing we captured it when we did, because like most every other remaining piece of undeveloped land in the QC, as we look ahead, it is only a matter of time before it will be no more.