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.

GoodWill Good Deeds Week + Me

Goodwill Industries recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary. In observance, Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont teamed up with Charlotte Today for Goodwill's Week of Good Deeds, one for each week day. Goodwill was so kind to include me in this celebration.  As I said in a teaser on my Facebook page, it's not about the designer shades, fancy handbags or shoes. THIS is what it's about.  Thank you again Goodwill for letting me share this wonderful experience with you, sweet Raven and my friends at Charlotte Today!

What To Wear New Years Eve

Chelsea and I are here with a mega round of party outfits, and if there is one thing I love it is a party frock. I've said this before, and I'm okay saying it again.  I have been collecting little cocktail dresses since way before I was of age to even hold a cocktail.  But does that really matter?  As you can see I had a hard time choosing just a few, so if your senses can handle a cocktail dress overload, just click on the plus symbol next to the dress and shop 'til you drop!  Refill your bubbly and keep on scrolling for a look at Chelsea's fun outfits. That pouty lips skirt. Oh me.  Oh my.

Give The Gift Of Style

Looking for that perfect holiday outfit, but don't have anything to wear?  Or perhaps you simply don't have the time to shop. Whatever your wardrobe woes this holiday season, I'd love to be your help.  We'll have you looking better than the rest, and most importantly, absolutely feeling your best.  I am offering a three hour wardrobe consultation for $175 (regularly $225).  This holiday season treat yourself, your daughter, son, sister or spouse to something totally awesome and fun.  As we all know, confidence never goes out of style!  

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.

Organize Your Closet

Here's your quick and easy, free advice folks!  My friends over at Simplicity, Charlotte's organization guru squad share the quick and dirty on how to organize your closet.  Check it out for yourself, or learn more about Simplicity here.

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.

Fashion, Metaphorically Speaking

You may recall my trip this spring to Pawleys Island where I took pleasure in participating in a fundraiser to benefit the Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art.  I had a wonderful time presenting a fashion show of sorts styling clothes from some of the local boutiques. One of the Grand Strand's magazines, Sasee, a women's lifestyle magazine, covered the event, including an interview with me!  The entire experience was so fun, and I felt very honored to be a part of it all.  But then, I returned home to an email from the editor saying the owner of the magazine wanted to know if I would be willing to be a contributor!  I am much obliged for the opportunity. I think I may have written my most meaningful piece to date in the September issue.  I was actually at Pawleys Island when I wrote it, engrossed in the curiously powerful novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany, not my typical thoughtless page turning of InStyle, Lucky or Domino Magazine, so I think the novel must have had an impact on the tone for my writing.  At any rate, I am excited to share it with you, and if you would like, you may read it here.  While I am writing a style column, you will see fashion is a metaphor for so much more.

Altuzarra For Target

Target is back with their most recent high fashion collaboration.  This time it's with Joseph Altuzarra. Blending French sophistication with American ease, the designer aims to "instill a feeling of power, confidence and beauty in women everywhere."  The line features Altuzarra's signature sleek tailoring, feminine dresses, shoes and belts.  Sure it's about the clothes, but I think one of the most attractive elements of this campaign is choosing Czech model and actress Eva Herzigova for the face of the collaborative line.  You may shop the entire line on both Target's website or via one of my favorite on line shopping sites, NET A PORTER.  I think the latter's styling does wonders in marketing the line.  Shop a few of my favorites here... 

BCBG Max Azria New York Fashion Week Spring 2015

All Images via here.

Presented during New York Fashion Week, the spring 2015 collection from BCBG Max Azria offered a throw back to all things sleek, simple and luxe. While I'm typically drawn to things a little more out of the box, if you will, I found the designer's lineup for the future spring/summer to be a breath of fresh breezy air matching that of the dresses sent down the catwalk. The pastel colors, soft straight hair and dewy fresh makeup up were easy on the eyes, while the clothes appeared equally so to wear.  The show kicked off New York Fashion Week with a bang.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to be watching from the front lines, but you can enjoy the live streaming here on New York Fashion Week Live.  I'll leave you with a few of my current favorite BCBG shopable frocks.  Enjoy!

House Reveal: Hall/Boys' Bathroom

Last month I shared my inspiration board for a new hall bath design.  Because this bathroom is shared by our two boys, ages six and three, as well as any guests, I wanted to come up with a design that would be fun for the boys but still chic for everyone else. After a trip to my favorite interior design store in the entire U S of A, Furbish Studio, in Raleigh, NC, I was able to add some whimsical pops of color to the room which was originally planned to be Kelly green, white and navy, designed around the Serena & Lilly alligator shower curtain.  

The bathmat was a gift my mom graciously picked up in Georgetown, SC, and my talented, sweet mother-in-law painted the watercolor.  Reminiscent of our family sailing trip around the BVI, the picture depicts your back toward the Soggy Dollar Bar, birthplace of the deliciously refreshing Painkiller, looking out onto White Bay, Jost Van Dyke.  It's safe to say I'm happiest near blue green waters.

The capiz shell sconces I eagerly snagged from West Elm right after we moved into to the house. These are the closest I'm able to find, and I'm very excited to have just purchased the pendant shade version recently for our foyer.

The orange bikini girl is a print made by a long time family friend.  I wish she still produced them!

My girl, Jessica, painted the Beverly palm print, and the Turkish towels and cute little donkey are from Furbish Studio.  Those are my two friends (one real life friend anyway) in the picture taken at a very long ago Carolina Cup!  Good memories, they never fade, but I'm so glad we have this one documented on paper...

And last but certainly not least, those crazy fantastic crazy snake prints, also from Furbish Studio.  My new favorite is this donkey.

And there you have it, viola!  Until the next itch to change comes a creepin'...

How To Be Chic At Any Price This Fall

Am very excited to be talking shop with Belk VP of Trend Merchandising, Arlene Goldstein, in today's Charlotte Observer.  With a bevvy of trends from which to engage your wardrobe this fall, Arlene and I weigh in on those we love and how to wear them.  As the below image states, grey is the IT color for fall.  I dig it.  You may read the entire article here. Thank you to the folks over at the Charlotte Observer for including me!

Burning Torch

Dress: Burning Torch (here's one) from Our Place. 

Are you familiar with the line Burning Torch?  If you like Free People and Lucky Brand, you need to check out Burning Torch.  Donna took me to the most beautiful field of sunflowers, a true hidden gem, located in York County just beyond Rock Hill and near Historic Brattonsville.  Sadly, bloom season is now over, but if you would like to visit next summer, this is how you get there. With more than 10 miles of trails and two stocked fishing ponds, this little spot is a wonderful place to sneak away any time of the year.  Happy Friday y'all!

Tastemaker Tuesday

Shirt: Andrew Gn from Capitol.  Skirt: Crinoline gifted from a client!  Shoes: B Brian Atwood also love these and these.  Black Ring: Melinda Maria. Pillows: West Elm, World Market and arianna belle. Chair: Kartell, or this is a great price.   Photography: Zach Alston.  Hair and Makeup: Deme Jamie Fourtounis.

If you, like me, love all things stylish... fashion, entertaining, interior design, home and gardens, architecture, food and wine, and on and on and on... you gotta get on board with Peachy the Magazine. From Dallas to New York City to Chicago to Santa Barbara, Charleston, Charlotte, Birmingham and more, Peachy delivers straight to your in-box all of the most stylish city's most stylish things to you, and it's your lucky day!  Peachy is giving away a free subscription to readers of the Queen City Style.  Just plug your email address in HERE.  And so, as you can imagine, when the publishers over at Peachy recently asked me to contribute as one of their Tastemakers, I was all kinds of keen. Since my personal style aesthetic is typically an eclectic mix of high and low, we decided to use the outfit above as outfit inspiration.  Every girl needs a big fat crinoline in their closet.  Am I wrong?  Each of the below looks incorporates one super luxe item, like the blouse I'm wearing above, but at a much reduced price.  Paired with one of a kind accouterments and more accessible add-ons, get ready to knock 'em dead.  Trust me on this.

Anthropologie Estrellado Drops $58, J.Crew Crystal Cluster Bracelet $78, Cleobella Chandi Wristlet $136, Anthropologie Azusa Shell Blouse $118, Anthropologie Sequin Belt $48, Jason Wu Snake Print Strappy Cage Sandal $537, Crinoline Skirt $59.99

Thu Thu Aerial Cord Dress $370, J.Crew Crystal Tassel Earrings $68, Melinda Maria Band Ring $98, Time’s Arrow Zipper Continental $186, J.Crew Ribbed Tights $27, Rachel Zoe Ankle Boot $277

MSGM Floral Print Cotton Dress $286, Etsy Opal Abyss Studs $48, Revolve Clothing Vivien Sunglasses $60, Gap Denim Jacket $70, J.Crew Tortoise And Stone Cuff $78, Steven By Steve Madden Sandal $119

This Is What Powerhouse Looks Like

Last night, cozied up tight in a room full of spirited, local powerhouse women, and a few equally successful men, I attended a unique and brilliant event at the Foundation For The Carolinas. The event, Elizabeth Street Capital, is the brain child of American fashion designer, Tory Burch, CEO & Designer of Tory Burch. Elizabeth Street Capital is an initiative set forth by the designer's foundation and Charlotte's own Bank of America, designed to provide women entrepreneurs in the U.S. with access to affordable loans, mentoring support and networking opportunities.  After vino, passed hors d'oeuvres and crudites, a brief panel discussion was led by the three you see below, Tom Montag, Co-Chief Operating Officer and Andrew Plepler, Corporate Social Responsibility Executive, both of Bank of America, and of course, the gal in the middle, Tory Burch.

Following the discussion, 14 of the Queen City's most successful female entrepreneurs and leaders in their respective fields shared brief personal tips of advice and wisdom for all prior to leading two round table discussions. I wanted to share a few that resonated most with me.

• Prior to founding the Tory Burch brand, the designer was the President of the internationally known luxury goods conglomerate, LVMH.  It was when she worked there, pregnant with her third child that she decided to switch gears and launch her own brand, working from her apartment.  She let us know she asked for help, a lot of it and from a lot of people.  The answer wasn't always yes, but she was tenacious.
• My friend Joanne O'Brien Beam, Chief Development Officer & Director of Non-Degree Programs, Wake Forest University Charlotte Campus (her own Alma Mater), insisted don't take the YES people.  It's the NO people who keep you hungry, learning and successful.
• Dee Dixon, CEO/Publisher, Pride Communications, hit a home run with the crowd when she delivered "Ladies, it's okay to want to make a LOT of money!"  I don't Ms. Dixon personally but I can't wait to give her a high five the next time I see her in spin class at the Dowd Y.
• Clary Hilliard Gray is the daughter and business partner of Liz Hilliard, Creator & Owner, Hilliard Studio Method.  Liz shared the duo's well known brand and philosophy encouraging women to Be Powerful.  Clary politely encouraged "don't be afraid to get rid of the people who are not supporting you and your goals," something that really resonated with me.  
• Leeann Shattuck, Chief Car Chick, Women's Automotive Solutions, explained that 80% of the time you may reach and not achieve, but it's the 20% of the time you do that makes all the difference.
• One of my round table discussion leaders, Sherre Demao, CEO/Strategy Maestro, SLD Unlimited Biz Growth Inc., shared her personal experience in running a business included a shift to the "General Contractor Model".  She encouraged small business owners to understand your own strengths and weaknesses and allow people on your team to do the high level stuff.  She also spoke of understanding your Psychographic; the reality of your market. It is important to know how your potential clients live, how they breathe and how they view money... who is truly going to buy your services
• Last and certainly not least, one of Charlotte's most well known leading women, Joan Zimmerman, CEO, Southern Shows, Inc. through relational humor stated, "There has been an alarming increase in things I know nothing about!", and "The future is for learners because the learned wake up in a world that no longer exists."

Below is a picture with two ladies I am proud to call dear friends and part of my inner circle! Dianne Chipps Bailey, on the left, leads the nonprofit organizations practice group at Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. She is THE Queen City's leader for representation of nonprofit organizations, senior management and their philanthropic leaders. Anne Pipkin, on the right, is a former Wall Street Investment Banker turned entrepreneur and founder of too many small businesses to name in one blog post.  If you want to know, however, who keeps my skin a healthy glow off season and who styles my tresses for all important events, that, of course, would be two of Anne's baby's, gorgeousGLO and Blo ouT.

What could be more stylish than a room full of brains, beauty and all around awesome women?

Be Powerful, Supportive, Beautiful and Kind, and you will ALWAYS be In Style.

-Whitley

Swimsuits For Every Body

I don't mean to be drawn to one pieces, but I am.  Remember this one?  Perhaps my favorite. Is it my age that finds them increasingly more sexy to me than a two piece?  Of the bathing suits I wear on regular rotation, probably three are two piece and two are one piece.  I purchased my first rash guard this past winter.  I think I like the way it hugs the body, shows less skin and leaves more to the imagination.  We are well into July as I type this and I am yet to wear the rash guard.  I slather on SPF 50.  I guess I just want the sun all over me.  Two piece, one piece, cute cover ups. rash guards... what's your preference? Check out my swimsuit picks in Charlotte Parent Magazine for every shape and size.  I'm sharing some great on line resources if you prefer to purchase your suits on line and not step into a mall, or scroll through a few of my favs above.

Head To Toe, Hold The Middle

My mother-in-law wore this outfit for her first date with my father-in-law at a pool party in August of 1971.  As you can image, with her long legs, barely there midi and the cutest smile under the sun, for my father-in-law, the rest was history!  Knowing my obsession with one of a kind fashion, Mary pulled this precious two piece out for me several years ago.  I've worn it a couple of times, and it really does make the most fun pool party outfit I could imagine wearing.  In all honesty, it is this photo shoot that lit the fire under me to get cranking on the abs.  Breeze is da bomb! More to come there. In the meantime, I've pulled a few matching crop top and bottoms for your next pool party.  Ladies, trust me on this one...

Dress You Up

I was just thinking about, for a night out, what I might like to wear.  Always it is a dress, and always, always it is with heels.  I carry my phone, ID and debit card.  Nothing else.  I prefer a dress with pockets, because I like to be hands free.  I have so much responsibility in my life (who doesn't?) so when I go out, I really want to be responsible for as little as possible.  Or nothing. Not sure how many of these dresses make the no-pocket cut, but otherwise I love 'em.

Boys' Bathroom Project Update

Last week I shared the start of my boys' bathroom redesign project.  I wanted something young and fun, relevant for two little boys but also hip enough for any guests, since this is our hall bath. The little marching alligators shower curtain from Serena & Lily was my starting point.  I finally got to experience in the flesh my interior design retail obsession du jour, Furbish Studio, when I visited their Raleigh store last weekend.  I've been eyeing these colorful snake prints for some time now via their website, and seeing them in person, well... had to have 'em!  I think they are quite genius for bridging the gap between relevant and cool for little boys and totally hip for guests.  Here's a layout of the current bathroom.  Just click on the plus signs to shop any item straight from this post!  Happy Weekend!

If Blair And Sam Can Do It...

Dress: Topshop. Purse: Chanel. Headband: thanks to ZoeLynn & Co. Sunglasses: Blinde.  Shoes: Cole Haan. Ring: Melinda Maria

I am not one to normally copycat, and my biggest fashion nightmare is seeing someone else in anything I own, but when I spotted this dress on the never subtle, always ahead of time blogging starlet, Blair Eadie, I hit the purchase button immediately.  I always joke that the models almost always wear anything new of mine before I do.  Just because I love it, means I have to have it.  Just because I love it, however, doesn't mean I actually have anywhere to wear it.  In walk model for photo shoot.  Shoes, jewels, sunglasses and dresses, including this one, worn by the ethereal Samantha Mills, get worn by everybody but... ALMOST me.  Until these photos were taken.  the Queen City Style is my little make believe stage!