I Got (a) BOB

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who voted for me for the Charlotte Magazine BOB Awards this year.  Style is such a personal thing, and the fact that either you dig my style, or you think I do a great job as your personal stylist, I want to THANK YOU for taking the time to vote. Charlotte is a growing city with a lot of great fashion at its fingertips.  There are a host of talented and stylish individuals and stylists in our community, and so it really is flattering to be voted for this award.  Thank you for your stamp of confidence and for reading the Queen City Style.  My work brings me more pleasure than words can express and the fact that you come here and read what I have to say is, well, just awesome. 

I only have a couple of images from the night of the awards party.  Included is my friend and the Queen City Style Chief Creative Officer, Chelsea, along with fellow BOB Award winners and long time friends, Shelly Domenech, IC London, winner for best lingerie store and Myron Greer, Myron Greer Design Horticulture, winner for best landscape architect.  Kicked off with an all star 90's dance montage, the entire evening was a blast. Charlotte Magazine knows how to throw a party.  

I've gotten to know Ramona Holloway over the last few years.  She's a peach.  And, while I feel like I know Matt Harris since I've listed to Matt and Ramona on 107.9 The Link for the last 14 years, this night was the first time I actually had a real conversation with him.  I knighted the moment with a clearly impromptu dance floor pic. Such a fun night (in my Valentino Red on mega sale at Coplon's)!

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.

So Long, Farewell Piperlime

Ugh ugh ugh.  One of my favorite on line shopping sites, Piperlime, is closing their virtual doors. They also had a storefront in SoHo in Manhattan that, sadly, has closed doors too.  I went with Nic to their Grand Opening party.  It was so exciting to be able to step foot into the store that so quickly became one of my favorite on line destination go-to's for client shopping. Piperlime has masterfully carried (or at least I thought) a mix of everything from denim shorts to beaded sequin gowns in brands from 7 For All Mankind to Cynthia Rowley, at price points from $50 to $550.  Something for everyone.  Piperlime will close by the end of April, so get moving on the savings before the good stuff's all gone.  I've included a few of my current favorites here. 

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!

Zumba Holly, Baby!

Zumba is such a HOT trend right now. At pretty much every gym you go to you can find a Zumba class. The music is hot, the dance moves are hot and the clothing line is so different than what you find any where else.  Since this is my job, and I teach Zumba almost every day I want to be happy in what I wear to teach, and it ends up that I live in these clothes. So while I am shaking my boo-tay I can look on par while doing the job I love, and for this post I have some really great clothes to show off!

I am in love with the Peace Perfect Long leggings in pink. They have the words peace and love all over them. Super lightweight and comfortable. I paired it with the Mirror Me Racerback in sew black with a big gold Z on the front. Love this top. The Racerback is one of my favorite styles of shirts.  Great fit. I threw on the Cold Shoulder Zip-Up in thunderin grey over top. Two different patters, but wild and crazy is always fun. The unique thing about this zip-up is you can unzip the shoulders to show off your sexy shoulders for a different look.

The next look was the Funky Cropped Harem Pant in white. I thought I would never wear these, but I fell in love with them. They feel great on and give a more relaxed look. I  paired them perfectly with the Mesh With Me Tank top in Sew Black, another favorite. It is a double layer tank with the Zumba logo showing through. 

The last few tops I just threw on with my old black Zumba leggings. The Burn It Up Bubble Racer Back in Thunderin' Grey looked great with the light black leggings. I loved how it looked almost like you had on two tops but it is one, and I like the loose fit and silver logo on the front.  The Frill Me Headliner Top in White is the best sweatshirt ever! It has a funky design on front and back. I have not only worn this to teach, but I have been sporting it all over town to pick the kids up from school, to go shopping, going out to dinner...you name it!

If you need a new sports bra the lifted lightly bra is the best sports bra I have ever owned. It has double straps that give it a fun look, but it supports great and is so amazingly soft. I have the Thunderin grey which goes with anything.  Last but not least are these CUTE shoes! The Zumba Super Fly Print sneaker is lightweight and breathable and has the Z-Slide that lets you move and slide with ease.

Mix and match many of these items to give you different looks, and take 'em to the streets looking super stylish!

Olivia Palermo + Charlotte Style Icons

This girl kills it. Every. Single. Time.  Olivia Palermo and your style, be still my beating heart.  Since my Grandmother, she may be the only one I have so admired. Honestly, at times, and I say this with total poise and confidence and without fear or hesitation (because I realize the bold nature of this statement), I truly feel she is one of the few I feel who gets it like I do.  Except for maybe Blair Eadie.  And, if you are here in Charlotte, Chezelle Boutique owner, Lauren. Girl is a trend setter.  The incomparable Alex Holleman and Interior Design one of a kind, Barrie Benson. None of this copy cat head to toe preppy prissy stuff.  Straight up original, craft, strength, talent.  

One thing I do want to point out is that money CAN buy you amazing garments that not only ARE but aldo look and feel rich.  We cannot all dress this way, but that does not mean it cannot be achieved.  I would like to think I am an example of this.  More on that later... Below are a few of Olivia's recent shots for Cosmopolitan Magazine. And, yes, I have already reached out to Zach to shoot me as close to this as possible.  I have an email into said person to borrow house for location, and I hope the stores will see it their worthwhile to lend me their most magnifique clothes and accouterments!

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.