Advanced Style

For many years now I have been following Ari Seth Cohen's high fashion, documentary style blog showcasing the street style of mature women and men live from the sidewalks of Manhattan and other great cities alike.  The stylish ladies he features, and their conviction to always put their most fashionable foot forward, remind me of both my Grandmother and Great Grandmother.  If the mailman was the only person she was to see that day my Grandmother was dressed to impress, masterfully accessorized, donning a perfectly coiffed hairstyle, finished off with a bright red or pink lipstick.

Below are a few recent images from Advanced Style.  Be sure to head over there, and actually, you should lock this one in your feed.  We could all take a fashion hint from these fearless style setters. 

I ordered the documentary and cannot wait to watch it this weekend with a girlfriend over wine and pasta.  I'll be sure to share my review!

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.

ZuZu Kim Clothing and Bow Ties

Since I write for a number of publications, I am constantly being introduced to new and cool fashions, brands and accessories.  One line of clothing I received a friendly hello from back in the fall is ZuZu Kim. Christina Kim, a classical pianist, created the brand by designing striking and romantic clothing for her performances. This, in turn, inspired her to create the ready to wear ZuZu Kim brand.  I was first introduced to the brand's line of bow ties I happen to think are perfectly chic for both him and her, but once I dove into the website a bit further, I realized I couldn't take my eyes off of all of her sleek and alluring collections.  Check them out here.

Airport Style

Did you catch my Taste Maker piece over at Peachy?  Two words.  Airport Style.  This day in age, it's T totally under-rated and under- appreciated.  Airport travel has gotten less pleasurable with each flight, and we want to be comfortable as the aisles and seats continue to shrink.  This doesn't mean we can't continue to put our best foot forward.  Jennifer, Black and Kate are three ladies who encompass fashionable airport style.  They are dressed relatively casual, but they key is that they are put together. 

My ever style-setting grandmother, Martha Whitley, was and is my forever style icon. From a very early age, she instilled the importance of putting your best forward forward at all times. Putting the time into your personal appearance sends a message not only reflective of the confidence you have in yourself but also the respect you have for others. I saw Nana display this penchant for confident style later in life when the mailman was perhaps the only person she would see that day and earlier in her life when she would travel. She made it seem this was perhaps THE most imperative time to make a best impression with your appearance. The airport may be the first, last and only time you saw a fellow passenger or new friend, but your finest impression would be lasting.

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. 

Roxie Glossy Leather Blue Pumps

WOW!  I've never seen such excitement over a pair of shoes, and I'm so glad you like them.  I DO TOO!  SO here you go... the J.Crew Roxie Glossy Leather Pump in Brilliant Sea.  Get 'em before their gone! 

Join Me For Style Night On East Blvd

I'm thrilled to be a part of a fun night of style, style and more style next Wednesday, February 18th.  Won't you please join me  for an evening of style hosted by one of my most favorite boutiques in town, summerbird, (think all things couture at the girl next door's price point) and the QC's leader in men's upscale consignment, Revolve Consignment.  Music will be playing, discounts will be discounting throughout both stores, fantastic art work and jewels will be on display, Three Hunters Vodka is hosting a special tasting, light bites provided for all, Jeffre Scott Apothecary will be on site to doll you up, and I will be styling the night away along with fellow stylist Julian Clark.  Oh, and who doesn't love a raffle giveaway?  Style, fun and more style.  And oh, did I say fun?  Grab a girl or guy friend, and come on!

Love It, Wear It: Mottahedeh Tobacco Leaf

Today's outfit inspiration comes by way of the stunningly colorful Tobacco Leaf Plate.  I have loved this pattern for a long time.  It reminds me of the collection in my Grandparent's china cabinet that I would stare at from the time I was a little girl.  Roosters and cherry blossoms rimmed in gold!  What could be more exquisite?

Back to our Tobacco Leaf post, according to the Mottahedeh website, this one is a design whose style has been represented at least eleven different ways.  Produced in 18th century China, 'it is a profusion in 27 colors and high fire cobalt, accented with gold'.  Who, besides Carrie Bradshaw and me, wouldn't want to wear an outfit as bold and sophisticated as this plate?  Well now you can, because Chelsea's thrown together a little fancy...

Olivia Palermo, The Band Jacket And Me

Last week I couldn't help but throw myself a virtual deuce when I opened up my WhoWhatWear email to see none other than the one and only Olivia Palermo in the headlines wearing a jacket the publishers stamped with a big APPROVED by the one and only most impeccably dressed of all impeccably dressed women. This would typically come with no added excitement or surprise for that matter except for the fact that the jacket she was wearing, a Band Jacket, reminded me of the one I just wore in a Christmas photo shoot three weeks prior.  Even more, it resembled the one I styled on super model Amy Lemons in Charlottesville, Va. last Fall.

I'm just going to seize this as an opportunity to say I'd be lying if I didn't say I love hitting the trends before they actually become a trend.  Want to jump on the Band Jacket band wagon? Here are a few of my current favorites for your lassoing pleasure. 

Dirty Rotten

In December's issue of Sasee Magazine, I share my tips for putting on the dog and pampering yourself rotten this holiday season.  If you're ever in the Grand Strand of South Carolina (Charleston to Myrtle Beach), be sure to pick up a copy of Sasee on news stands everywhere. For the outfit above, I mixed a casual plaid shirt from J.Crew Factory with a vintage satin ball skirt and threw in some colorful accessories with a vintage gold clutch, Cole Haan pattered pumps, my favorite Melinda Maria ring, gold cuff from Chloe + Isabel and a showpiece necklace from Charles Emerson Designs. It is unexpected and interesting, and easy peasy to create on your own.

What The Hell Is A Pork Lawn?

Photography by: Joseph Bradley Photography.  Wardrobe c/o: Taylor, Richards & Conger, Banana Republic.

Styling Darin McEntee was easy an the eyes.  What more is there to say?  Oh, well he did give me a replay of the most hysterical episode of Family Fued of all time, and I almost peed in my pants in his passenger seat.  Whether you like pork or don't care for it, you NEED this for your hump day.  

Holiday Gems

Do you shop Charm & Chain?  Here are a sample of my favorite holiday gems all at 30% off through Sunday. Good luck turning away!

Let The Shopping Begin!

This holiday season, I'm gonna hit you with the coolest stuff on the market.  I love, LOVE gift giving.  I love giving things I'd like to receive and things I think remind me of the recipient.  And when in doubt, giving dope gifts is always a winner.  How can you say no to any of those funsies up there?  Happy Shopping!  Gobble. Gobble.  Furbish Studio rocks!

Styling Mollie Bradford

From a styling standpoint, this is probably one of my favorites of all time.  It's no secret I love, love dichotomous fashion.  In this case, I mixed some of the most fantastic vintage garments I could find.  If you are in the Charlotte area, surely you've visited Sleepy Poet Antique Mall. Sequestered in the middle (only because everything is sequestered in this unfathomable shop within a shop warehouse) is Kitschy-Cool-Vintage.  From costume to everyday wear, you will find some of the most unique pieces at an accessible (thank you for turned me onto this word Emily Maynard) price.  Zach Alston captured model Mollie as a China Doll dream.

Engagement Gone Gorgeous

Donna recently took these photos of my family's precious neighbors and good friends, Lauren and Sterling, along with their babies Simba and Bear, and they are just too gorgeous for me not to share.  Congratulations to these two beautiful people!  You may contact Donna here.

In The Pink With Ralph Lauren and Belk

We all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  With that comes a whole lotta pink, and there is NO shortage of this pretty color over at Belk!  Last week I visited the Belk Corporate Headquarters for an exciting announcement of all things PINK at Belk during the month of October and year round.  At the event, through a special collaboration, the Lauren Ralph Lauren brand presented their Lauren Pink line of products to be sold at all Belk stores and on line where 10% of all of products sold are donated to the Belk Women's Health Fund at Foundation For The Carolinas. I also took a tour of the Belk Mobile Mammography Bus that visits Belk stores around the country, year round, offering free mammograms to the community. I had no idea... what an impressive way to give back! View tour dates here to get your free mammogram, and of course, outfit details are at the bottom of this post!

Dress: W By Worth. Shoes: Calvin Klein (old). Earrings: thanks to Chloe & Isabel. Purse: My Great Grandmother's. Ring: Melinda Maria. Sunglasses: Kate Spade (similar here).