Fur + Feathers + My Dress on Instagram

Can you thank God when life seems bad?  Pastor Rick does it again.  The more of that bad stuff that happens, to more I find I am able to do this.  “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV).

Temps are dropping and the holiday season is upon us!  Grocery store runs, playing with the Peanuts or work out wear to the Y...  It is time to break out the fur. 

Also, I am thrilled about my newest editorial contributorship to Scoop Charlotte.  Head over here to read my article about all things fur and feathers, and check out my top luxe, low and local picks just in time for the holidays. 

Next up, yesterday I was at Capitol shopping the 40% off sale for a client, and stumbled upon this Self Portrait frock.  This happens every time!!!  So many winners just waiting to be had.  If you love this dress (seriously my most liked Instagram photo ever!?  What??  Over the Peanuts on Halloween? Or qualifying for the Boston Marathon... Crazy!?!), you can snag it for yourself and shop all of my current Self Portrait favorites below or HERE if you are unable to see the images from your phone. 

Last but certainly not least I experienced THE most amazing facial of my life yesterday at Infinity MedSpa and Wellness. I had a facial plus some dermaplaning, which was seriously radical exfoliation.  If I could achieve one thing it would be that my face feels CLEAN and free of all the dirt and dust that flies through the air and goes into my pores.  I left feeling just that and more.  Shiney, clean skin thanks to Perri!  Get more info here!

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??)

Ready, Jet, Go!

Every project becomes my favorite to date, but this one is so good my eyes burn. For anyone that thinks this work is glamorous let me just tell you it is anything but!  I am a freaking work horse.  Blue collar to shame.  That is a small exaggeration but not really.  It all just goes back to perception.  We think everything looks good from the outside, but there is always a story.  Okay Jody and Amy DO look good.  Maybe that's why my eyes burn.  Anyway, the amount of blood sweat and tears that went into these Louboutin corset boots, but it was all worth it.  

Joseph Bradley Photography Models Amy Lee Whero of Marilyn's Agency and Jody Lee Petty.  Hair and Makeup by Jami Svay.

Dirty Laundry

Photography by: Brennan Booker. Fox Fur from Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Furs, Skirt: Zara (old), Shoes: J.Crew, similar here here and here, Vintage Patchwork Skirt from Kitsch-y-Cool Vintage at Sleepy Poet, similar here and here and here

Dissecting the Bride: Avant-Garde

My first bridal editorial is in the books.  A big thanks to Carolina Bride for asking me to be a part of their 25th Anniversary Issue in which I was given the opportunity to style and source the wardrobe for a story on Fabulous Furs. It was such fun working with the editor to come up with a neat story about how to incorporate fur into your winter wedding, no matter your personal style.  We came up with six styles.  The editorial opened with probably my favorite look, Avant-Garde.  Is there any surprise?  Night time was upon us, and the location- a park of dense woods located in Myers Park just across from the Duke Mansion, served as the perfectly dark and moody location for a daring look.

Model: Kady McKenzie, Photography: Emby Taylor, Flowers: Flowers by Lingky, Hair and Makeup: Jami Svay, Dress: Winnie Couture, Fur: Pre-Owned Cuerulean Mink Stole from Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Furs, Fascinator: Nordstrom, Earrings and Bracelets: Kristin Hayes Jewelry

Warm Coats On Sale

Baby it's cold outside!  Yesterday the winter temps finally arrived in Charlotte, and boy oh boy am I glad I've got my Carolina Blue Fox Fur from Douglas Hertzberg Montaldo's Furs to keep me warm!  I wear it as Mystery Reader at my son's school, to the grocer with cowgirl boots and with my running tights and sneaks to the Y.  Got to stay warm people!  On that note, now that the holiday shopping has come and gone, here's some fantastic finds on sale to keep you warm all winter long.  Click HERE if you are unable to view in your browser...

Fabulous Furs For Your Winter Wedding

Y'all!  I'm EXCITED!  My first bridal editorial ever!  If you are looking for High Style for your winter wedding, go check out the 25th Anniversary Issue of Carolina Bride on news stands now!  Our featured editorial is about how to incorporate fur (real or faux) into your winter wedding, no matter your personal style!  The six looks include Glamorous, Classic, Bohemian, Minimalist, Vintage and Avante Garde.  Thank you to Carolina Bride for including me on this super fun project with a stellar team!

SouthPark Mag: How It Went Down & Get It

Model: Chelsea Lewis, Photographer: Zach Alston, Hair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Adrienne Landau Fur from Denim House, MinkPink Crop Top from KK Bloom, Alice + Olivia Loran floral jacquard skirt from Neiman Marcus, Eugenia Kim hat, Joie taupe suede boots and Nima jeweled clutch from Sloan, Twine & Twig Cowrie Collar, Chakoor silver bracelet from ChezElle.

I shared this photo last week at the bottom of a previous post.  This project is one of my favorites to date, if not my favorite.  A big thank you to SouthPark Magazine for putting their trust in me and giving me so much creative freedom for this shoot.  When I met with the Editor to discuss ideas for their Fall Fashion editorial, she asked me for my ideas.  My first question was "Do you have any parameters?"  Her answer?  "Fall Fashion".  Okay. Well, let's play ball!  I had not given it any forethought, because I was just so excited for a second opportunity to express my love of fashion on the pages of this great magazine.  But goodness, the proverbial flood gates were wide open.  No trends. No boring catalog sales pictures. Just straight up art, created with an amazing team and the intent to showcase the fall fashions available at some of Charlotte's hottest boutiques.  

The cover shot, taken in Dilworth, is one of my favorites. Just about every single items the model, Chelsea, is wearing, comes from a different store.  If you are interested in how the outfits came together, the crew came to my house; my basement transformed into a studio.  I mixed up some Buffalo Trace and Coke, along with fresh muddled cherries. We turned up the music, and suddenly I was that little girl at my Grandmother's house. Mixing and matching her clothes with my Great-Grandmother's.  This skirt, that hat, these shoes, that shirt, no this one, these earrings, this necklace, another necklace, oh wait one more.  Oh hell, just put 'em all on.  And so the outfits were born.  Not too much time, not a great deal of thought, but certainly a fair amount of discretion. If you live in the Queen City, be sure to visit these stores, or you may shop the post straight from this page, below the above image.