Outdoor Shower

I am so excited I can hardly stand it. After all these years, we finally got an outdoor shower at the farm. I think this is one of life's foremost necessities! During the day or at night, and especially if you have a patch of trees where you can hear the branches sway in the wind and the leaves bristle, the birds chirping all around. Everyone needs to bathe in the great outdoors under an open sky.

It also makes a great photo shoot location for my new "Instagram dress." That's what I call it, because I have a very stylish friend who is known for making late night Instagram purchases scrolling from her phone in bed, and then Voila, the next time you see her, she is looking so cool in her new dress or headpiece or whatever and low and behold it's from Instagram! Perfectly paired with my @rankandsugar vintage army top, fav silver boots and Ice, Ice, Baby trucker cap.

But let's be honest, the real genius here is my carpentry creative extraordinaire pal, Ric, who built the outdoor shower. In frames 4/5, you will see Ric brings a whole new meaning to the term wet bar. And the little crescent moon on the door!!!

Dress // Shirt // Hat // Boots

Photo: Richard Israel
Outdoor Shower: Ric Jones

Where The Wild Moms Are

Where are the wild moms?? They are hiding in the bathroom wearing the hottest denim jumpsuit known to woman drinking champagne, of course! Styling Cate Gutter is nothing short of a joy and a pleasure. I mean have you SEEN a prettier face?! Painfully pretty I’m telling you. Class class act and a Southern heart of gold. Read more about Cate and her design firm here. I mean you don’t have to have a powder room this good looking to hide and drink champagne but I know that’s where I would be if I did!

Photos by Richard Israel

You know I had to get in on the champagne action…

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Jumpsuit (Now on Sale) | Shoes and Here

The IT List 2020: 1-5/26

If you keep up with me on the Instagram, I hope you’ve been enjoying so far seeing this year’s stylish set on The IT List, as seen in SouthPark Magazine. If you don’t do the Instagram thing, that’s quite alright; I’m excited to also introduce you to each of this year’s featured men and women here! You can also go grab a copy of your own at just about any Harris Teeter and Auto Bell in the Queen City, as well as the mall or Reid’s Fine Foods! Introducing the very stylish first five on this year’s list…

Natalie Frazier Allen

Growing up in New York City influenced Natalie Frazier Allen’s love of high-low styling. “I am accustomed to valuing everything from Bergdorf’s and Bloomingdale’s to styles you see on the street and subway,” says Frazier Allen, 54. The former attoreny and founder and CEO of The Arts Empowerment Project loves pairing everything from NYC and her travels with items she finds in pop-up shops around Charlotte.

Yele Aluko

“I consider myself a modern-day Renaissance man,” says Yele Aluko, chief medical officer at Ernst & Young. Aluko is inspired by nostalgia and things that tell a story, including a vintage pocket watch he is currently eyeing. “I enjoy being distinct from the mainstream,” Aluko says. “Style is not a fad or fast fashion; it’s about who you are and who you represent.”

Sonya Barnes

Sonya Barnes’ signature color is red, including her favorite pair of signed Sarah Jessica Parker heels that the actor encouraged her to wear often. The life and style strategist for women has her eye on a Gucci caftan to add to her closet. “I love modern elegance with a bit of visual interest. I love timeless pieces that have been reimagined“, says Barnes, 52. 

Troy M. Barnes, Jr.

As a style advisor for Neiman Marcus, Troy M. Barnes Jr. knows style when he sees it. He believes your mood works in tandem with what you wear. “My favorite pieces are my hats. They’re the bridge between generations and all people,” says Barnes, 34. “ A good hat will start a conversation between strangers and develop a friendship that lasts a lifetime.”

Lashawnda Becoats

Not putting style in a box is how life coach, model and Pride Magazine editor Lashawnda Becoats puts her fashion foot forward. “ I love remixing traditional womenswear with a touch of masculinity. It allows me to express my love for both men’s and women’s wear unapologetically, says Becoats, 49, Who calls her style tomboy chic. “ in fact, if you see me in a dress, look down — I’m usually rocking a pair a fly kicks on my feet.”

Written: Shameika Rhymes
Photography: Richard Israel
On location: Johnson C. Smith
On location hair and makeup touch ups: Josiah Reed
Production Assistant: Isabelle Pringle