Easy Pay Store

For this next chapter in a photographic homage to my Dad, family and heritage, @richardisrael and I took to downtown Fort Mill, the corner of Confederate and Main Streets, to visit the location of my Grandfather's store, The Easy Pay.

For 43 years my Grandfather owned and operated The Easy Pay. It was named this because he offered layaway to customers who needed this option for purchasing home goods and supplies. More or less the town general store, my Grandfather sold everything from paint to small appliances to hunting and fishing supplies, tools, toys, farming supplies, even Good year tires.

I remember as a child arriving to visit my Grandparents, we would go to The Easy pay first to put new tires on my Dad's car, a shiny silver 1977 Volkswagen Bug Convertible that I loved so much it basically was my sibling.

In an article published in The Fort Mill Times, at the time of closing the store, I love that my grandfather said if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn't change a thing. I always fondly recall my father telling me my Grandfather's mindset was competition breeds business. In the article he explains "the money is in selling things, but to stay in business you have to have good service." At the end of the day, it's how you treat people, no?

I always love going back to visit the store. For decades after Paw Paw closed the store, The Knife Shop existed in its location. The front of the house now plays home to @theimproperpig restaurant while the back of the house has more recently served as brewing headquarters for @amorartisbrewing. I enjoyed talking to management for a down home friendly tour where my Grandfather's office once was.

After reflecting there, I took Richard across the street to the Police Department to show him my Grandfather's plaque in the Fort Mill Hall of Fame. For almost two decades, he served on the once small-town school board. Just look at it now! I sure hope the town of Fort Mill will continue to do everything it can to preserve the historical integrity and charming architecture of its most darling downtown!

📸 @richardisrael
👒 @lucchese x @resistol1927

SHOP THE EDIT + GET THE LOOK

Giveaway: Specialty Shops SouthPark + Oh, by the way, I´m an INFLUENCER!

Happy almost weekend er´body! If you follow along my adventures over on my Instagram page, you likely know of my partnership GIVEAWAY with Charlotteś SouthPark neighborhood luxury retailer, Specialty Shops. For those of you who have been following along the Queen City Style from the beginning, you know it all started with me brazenly embracing the philosophy: ¨I am first and finally my only model.”

When this all started, all I had was myself. I was a free entity, and so I was my own writer, idea pitcher, model, bookee, marketing tool, publicist, admin, business manager, what have you. Except photographer. My husband —children in tow— took all of my images for the first few years. They patiently tolerated my vision or desire to create images, which I realize seemed silly at the time—and a lot of the time. BUT, they did it, and the show went on, and the business was built on that.. and here we are almost 10 years later, body guard Brandon in tow, making my own tarts in a restaurant grade kitchen with highly acclaimed Italian chefs and being fed grapes. Ten years later this November to be exact.

Still with me? Okay great. I knew you would be! And so when I received an email from the marketing director for Specialty Shops who was seeking help with an upcoming project, I excitedly replied, ¨Ill be happy to help you!” The marketing director expressed an interest in engaging social media to help bring attention to some great local businesses who have been hit hard by the pandemic (Oh holla if you hear me. Cause I hear you…. being dubbed ¨NONESSENTIAL¨ and all). And so of course, I replied again, ¨Iĺl be thrilled to help, and I can recommend some great influencers I know would be PERFECT for the job!¨ And to that she replied, ¨No, we want YOU as the influencer. Surely she wanted to hire me to CONSULT. Yes, but nope. They wanted me as the influencer.

And so… 10 years later, while it has never been my MO to be an INFLUENCER, here I was being hired to do the very thing, which turns out to be the very thing I was doing from Day 1. And let me tell you, in doing so I got to experience something I do not experience in real life. I experienced THE most delightful day of pampering, and I got to do it alonside THE BEST artists in Charlotte with all the creative freedom to do what I absolutely LOVE doing most—bringing attention to others by way of smiles and telling stories through quirky, fun, fashionable images—I could not have been more thrilled with the opportunity and pleased with the images and outcome. Even Brandon got a little pampering of his own over at the SouthPark Barber Shop.

If you made it alllllll the way to the bottom of this post—well then thank you very much. You deserve a gold star. So now head on over HERE for your chance to win your very own Day of Pampering sponsored by Specialty Shops, Renaissance Patisserie, Anthony VInce Nail Spa and DryBar Charlotte. Be sure to follow the instructions in the post, and Good Luck!
Photography: RIchard Israel, Hair: DryBar, Makeup: Artistry by Andre

Dress + Cape of Dreams

I recently had the, shall I say, EXPERIENCE, of wearing one too fabulous for words dress and cape by Chicago-born designer Peter Soronen. The dress, on loan to me, was purchased from Charlotte’s own, Capitol, at least 10 years ago. I really think I have never seen anything like it. Certainly I have never worn anything like it.

Dress: Peter Soronen c/o Pam Stowe from Capitol // Photo: Richard Israel // Hair and Makeup: Cali Stott

Shake What Your Mama Gave You + Shopburu

When my friends at Society Social and B Noble Styled hosted darlling Morgan and fantastic Shopburu earlier this month, I simply could not wait to finally meet her. I picked up a few of my favorite pieces from Morgan’s current line. I can never get enough of fringe or anything that shakes with a single step, and the on and off the shoulder blouse is basically a metallic rainbow on acid in the form of shirt. If you love following the whimsical on Instagram, Shopburu is one not to miss. Her clothes are fun, approachable and accessibly priced and the branding is brilliant. Morgan and her equally polite husband, Brett, recently had their third child. Thanks to Morgan, nursing and baby strolling never looked so chic. Not one to let an opportunity slip by, in light of the Coronavirus, her current campaign has been driven toward homeschooling moms. Once again, staying at home has never ever looked so chic.

Shop The Look

David Watkins on Men's Cocktail Attire

As a personal stylist, I get to enjoy styling both men and women. Obviously, styling women comes more naturally. Regardless of the gender, however, I like to rely on my resources and retail partners to also weigh in with their personal thoughts and opinions. I know what I like and not so much, but I tend to operate with a collective mindset in everything I do. I love hearing what others say and in doing so I find that I am able to keep learning and growing in my own craft. One of the local male style setters I admire most is David Watkins, founder of the men’s custom suiting line, Abbeydale. David was one of the first people I met when I started to pursue my passion for style as a career. He is one of my go-to guys for assistance, opinion, guidance and direction with men’s styling and custom suit making for my male clients. I included him in the 2018 Charlotte Most Stylist IT List in SouthPark Magazine.

On Sunday’s, over his “Sunday Morning Coffee” blog post, we get to hear a snipet of David’s thoughts on dressing. I was particularly intrigued and excited to learn David’s take on Men’s Cocktail Attire. David and I have always agreed on the importance of male dressing. Go see David at his uptown shop— I know you too will be impressed! Enjoy the article by David below, and like he says, don’t be the golf slacks guy!

From The Desk of David Watkins / Founder + Gentleman

Date: 02.17.19

OK, I have to admit, after recently being asked to attend a charity event that called for "cocktail attire" I googled it. 

Yeah, I know, I should probably know this off-hand and I kinda did, but wanted to double-check. 

One of the reasons why I always feel the need to check in on this stuff is as time goes ticking by, so does tradition. 

There are rules traditional menswear was based off of and then there are new rules for modern dressing. 

Because the whole concept of dressing well is also dressing comfortably, you need to feel good in your surroundings. 

Yes, I believe you can feel over dressed even if you may not be, according to the rules.

In leu of all of this I thought I would throw together a quick guide for dressing the part when cocktail attire is called for. 

Also, not that I would recommend breaking tradition in any manner, I’ll let you know where you can bend the rules a bit. 

So, What is Cocktail Attire? 

A term that originated in the 20’s describing a code of dress for quasi-formal events. 

I’ve often thought it was born from convenience so guys could leave the office and head straight to an event without the need to change. 

I mean, in the 20’s cats were dressing sharp everyday anyway, so it makes sense to me. 

Today, you would need to take off the tech polo golf shirt and make a lil effort.

What to wear for Cocktail Attire?

It will not be overtly formal like the evening dress (white tie) or semi-formal (black tie) dress code. 

I would opt for a sharp and sophisticated look paying tribute to the originators. 

Wear a classic, understated suit with a focus on darker tones (navy or gray for me but black works as well). 

I would most likely wear a white shirt and ground the entire look with a round toe oxford or a double monk. 

I would wear a tie, but for some, this may not be needed (bending rules here). 

Either way, definitely wear a pocket square…you have to "finish" the outfit. Always. 

Are Sport Coats OK?

Traditionally speaking - nah. 

But again, know your setting and who’s in the room. 

If you’re hosting, do what you want. 

The CEO invited you…dress up a bit. 

Chances are you'll be drinking and socializing, so I want you to be comfortable. 

Stick with a dark navy and nothing loud and over the top if you go the route of separates. 

So, what did I notice at the recent "cocktail attire" event I attended? 

Most people wore suits…some sport coats and some just had no clue and wore golf pants (with white shoes!) 

Don’t be the golf slacks guy.

DW 

SouthPark Magazine Valentine's Fashion Feature

I was thrilled for the opportunity to work with one of the most talented and lovely photographers that I know, Richard Israel, along with a wonderful team of stylists and models on a recent fashion feature for SouthPark Magazine.  Richard is a wonderful portrait, wedding and fashion photographer with a style and edge all his own.  Most of all, he is a lovely person. Our models, Tonya Robinson and Tanner Junker, were totally on point, as was hair and makeup artist Teri-Lyn Hiroshige.  I had some great help from my hardworking, motivated and talented intern, Lauren. We even got to style one of Lauren's necklaces in the Central Ave. shot!  Charlotte has grown so much and continues to grow very quickly.  It was particularly fun to pair looks with some of my personal favorite spots--some new, some old--around our great city.  Take a look and see what you think!  And for the record, I think Tanner was totally sneaking a peak! ;)

Makeup + Merlot

I love fashion.   I love me some clothes and putting together one of a kind looks.  I feel like I have a fairly good hold on this.  There is one thing with personal appearance and putting your best foot forward that I know I struggle with, however.  About Face.  While I gravitate toward a more natural, bare faced look, I wish I knew how to "do" makeup.  If I did, I could probably cover up the brown spots from sun damage.  I often think it would fun to be able to have an up-fitted look on my face that is befitting of my dress for a special night out on the town.

A makeup work shop.  With wine.  Now that's something I could use.  Bring in Cali Stott Hair & Makeup Artistry.  I've worked on several magazine projects with Cali...

Who wouldn't want to look like those girls?  But she did allow me to feel pretty darn close when I had updated marketing photos taken with the talent-that-cannot-be-touched Richard Israel. 

Now I just need to know how to do this on my own.  Le Sigh.  I am thankful to be able to call upon such a talented, wickedly witty friend as Cali when in need... which is every day... so at least she is there to rescue me on those special occasions.  Want to sharpen your makeup application skills?  Get more info HERE.  This makes for THE most fun get together with girlfriends.  Think about it for your next birthday party, shower gift or just a well earned treat to give to yourself and share with friends. 

House of Landor + March 30th Trunk Show

Happy Thursday(/Friday, depending when you read this) Y'all!  I just had to share this little video my friend Mary Beth sent over to me.  

You know how much I love good vintage, and as a result you likely know my equal fondness for my vintage dress dealer, House of Landor, Mary Beth's business.  I had some updated photos taken yesterday by Richard Israel, with Cali Stott on Hair and Makeup, and of course there was plenty of House of Landor in the fashion mix.

Lots of you came to the trunk show/all day long party my great friend Pam and I hosted back around Christmas. Laryn Adams brought her amaze-balls jewelry stash, and Hallie Eban sold out all of her designs with her new line, Piet Jac Designs.  For me, this entire day was a way to share my passion for great friendship and style with others.  Back by popular demand, we'll be hosting a spring show (On my 40th Gasp! Bring It!), and we'll also be adding gorgeous Arzberger Stationers to the mix.  I just picked up my new note cards for letter writing, and I couldn't be happier.  So class. 

So, go ahead and put it on your calendars!  Bring a girlfriend or several!  Get ready to drink champagne and fall in love with the day.  It will be one filled with friendship and amazing style from each and every corner. 

The SoGood Feature

Thank you to The SoGood for the very kind and most generous article.  If you are not already linked in to The SoGood, it is an amazing one of a kind, trend setting network of artists, makers and entrepreneurs, in some of America's coolest cities, all working to serve the same purpose: to make life SoGood.  In the article I share some quick and dirty fashion advice for the new mom, the first date and more, as well as my Top Recommendations in Charlotte.  See it here.