Southern Women's Show + Ticket Giveaway

The Southern Women's Show is back in Charlotte August 28-30 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Uptown Charlotte.  If you've never been, this is a fun and relaxing yet informative weekend just for the girls.  Thanks to the Charlotte Observer, this year, I am excited to participate not just as a viewer but as a special guest where I'll be on the Spotlight Stage talking to teachers about how to look great dressing the part!  If you are at the Southern Women's Show, please come by and see me!  As a presenter, I've been given a few extra tickets to giveaway to my readers.  If you and a friend are interested in going any day, please email me: whitley@thequeencitystyle.com. I'd love to send you tickets! 

WHEN: August 28 – 30, 2015 Fri: 10am-8pm, Sat: 10am-7pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

WHERE: Charlotte Convention Center in Uptown Charlotte

HOW MUCH: $12 at the Door, $10 in Advance, $7 for Groups of 10 or more in advance.  Teacher Appreciation Day is Sunday, August, 30th!  Faculty and staff get in FREE with school ID!

Back To School With Goodwill Industries

Today I was joined by three beautiful young students (can you guess who that handsome blonde boy is?) for a look at back to school fashion presented by Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.  Goodwill has got it all!  Discounted clothes for children of all ages, name brand fashions your teen or tween will love and even furniture and electronics for the back to college student!  I had a great time, as ever with the fine folks of Goodwill and Charlotte Today.  It is such a privileged to be able to use my work as a platform for spreading the good word and mission of this organization.  Check out our presentation below by clicking here or  the image.  

Alice + Olivia On Sale!

One of my very favorite modern day designers is Stacey Bendet, CEO and Creative Director the fashion house of Alice and Olivia.  The global brand launched at Barneys in 2001 and is currently sold in over fifty countries. In the Queen City, you can shop Alice and Olivia at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.  I adore this three piece suit of shorts, top and jacket I used in one of the looks in the May issue of SouthPark Magazine.

Shop my favorite current Alice + Olivia items below on Sale up to 75% Off!  Now is the time to do it ladies, because these are the best prices you'll ever see for these one of a kind pieces, and once their gone, their gone! 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Boho Style

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale continues, and while I was perusing to see what I should take advantage for myself, I realized everything I dog-eared had that cool, laid-back bohemian edge that always appeals to the stylist in me.  Here are a few of my favorites to share with you. This really is the smartest time of year to shop.  It's just before the beginning of the season at the best prices all year! Happy Shopping! (If you are unable to see the below images, please click on the blog post title to see the entire post).

Ultimate Guide To Charlotte Boutique Shopping

I recently was asked by my friend and genius jewelry designer, Chelsea Charles, to share my personal picks for boutique shopping in Charlotte in conjunction with her partnership with Marriott Hotels.  Chelsea has been engaged by Marriott to help them highlight all of the amazing things Charlotte, NC has to offer, and I am delighted to be able to share my favorites with Chelsea's fans and the team at Marriott.  To learn more about it and for a chance to win a trip anywhere in the country, click here for details. When shopping, make sure to photo your finds for Instagram and use hashtag #DesignCharlotte. So, HERE'S my list!  Did I include your favorites?

THIS Friday: How To Be A Media Savvy Mom

Mom Matters is an event series from Charlotte Parent that brings moms together to hear from local leaders and specialists in the fields of wellness, media management and work-life balance. These two-hour luncheons are a dynamic and engaging way for moms to learn new approaches to parenting and family health.  This year's topic is focused on How To Be A Media-Savvy Mom.

July 10, 2015  Topic: How to Be a Media-Savvy Mom
Asbury Park Grove, 9300 Bob Beatty Road, Charlotte, 11:30am-1:30pm

Here's why I'm proud!  One of my amazing clients, Michelle Icard, is a  speaker. 

Melanie Hempe, Moms Managing Media
Charlotte mom Melanie Hempe is passionate about helping families balance technology with childhood. She offers busy parents easy-to-follow scientific information and practical solutions for real homes with children of all ages, and is one of the founders of Moms Managing Media. 

Michelle Icard, Michelle in the Middle
Author, educator, and social leadership strategist, Michelle Icard helps adults feel more confident about guiding kids through the tween and teen social world. Michelle is the author of Middle School Makeover: Improving The Way You And Your Kid Experience The Middle School Years, and she created the social leadership curriculum, Athena's Path & Hero's Pursuit, which is used in schools across the country. Her website is MichelleintheMiddle.com.
 

Click here for more information if you are interested in joining this year's Mom Matters luncheon.

Heels With A Twist

Looking for a stylish COMFORTABLE shoe?  I recently shared with you a little about Julie Lopez Shoes, but you can imagine my sheer delight and joy when I saw one of my corporate clients covering the Charlotte Observer's Style section last week.  I am so proud to be able to call Julie Lopez and her team both client and friend!  Check out their entire Look Book here for flats, wedges, heels and ALL shoes comfortable, Oh My!

Could I Be The Breakthrough?

People.  Do you know how old I am?  38 years old.  AND a mama to two crazy boys.  Do you think I am too old to be playing dress up and sharing my outfits here with the rest of the world?  Probably, but one thing is for sure, I know I will never stop it with the playing dress up.  I feel 25.  I am going to be on the pages of one of Ari Seth Cohen's Advanced Style books when I am old and grey.  Just you wait. In the meantime, just like my Grandmother and Great Grandmother did, I get so much joy from putting outfits together.  It's an art that fills my soul!

So, one reason I keep sharing my outfits here is because readers like you make me feel really good. You say things like "Love ya from head to toe, but even more on this inside", "You are our very own Carrie Bradshaw of a new era!", "Thank you for making our hearts sing", "Thank you for sharing your love with us" and last but not least, "There is only one you!"  Your readership and your kind words make me feel like Sallie Field when she accepted her Oscar for one of my all time favorite movies, Places In The Heart. "You like me!  Right now, you like me!"  And, so I guess part of the reason I keep sharing my passion for playing dress up with you is that I think it brings you joy.  And, that brings me joy.

A long time reader sent me an email about H&M calling for the next Breakthrough Fashion Blogger of the Year.  Can you imagine?  It seems a little comical for a 38 year old mama of two boys to hold such a title, but what the heck!  If you keep coming here and giving me Sallie Field moments, I'm gonna keep playing dress up.  So, here it goes... the below outfit is one of my very first posts.  Charged with the challenge to create an outfit of all yellow using only pieces in my closet, this is what I put together, styling a great little pair of yellow linen shorts from H&M, and to this day one of my favorite scarves, also from H&M.  So, what do you think?

Hey, She Copied Me!

I came across the above photo of the very classy and poised Emily Blunt dressed in Michael Kors at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards back in January.  It reminded me so much of the vintage Lillie Rubin dress which belonged to my Mom that I wore to the Charlotte Magazine BOB Awards party back in 2012.  This dress is one of my favorites, and since I had just won my first BOB Award, back then for Best Blog, I felt like stepping outside of the fashion box (no surprise there) and topping off my ensemble with a silk turban.   Emily and I both paired a touch of light blue with our cream gown.  This dress is good fashion on repeat!

Below are a few long flowing cream gowns I think are simple but lovely...

My Biggest Yet

I am still so excited.  This is my biggest cover to date.  Do you read Our State Magazine?  This is such a great publication... outstanding journalism, excellent photography, all things wonderful about the great Tar Heel State.  I always have a great time working on set.  I love the interest that comes with it, making new friends, hearing their stories, reconnecting with those you've worked with once before and reminiscing.  The story for this shoot was about the allure of travel by train.  There is so much nostalgia in travel by train.  I turn to pictures and listen to stories for much of my experience about travel by train.  For this photo shoot, however, I toured some amazing jewels at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. There is just such a romance about it.  Looking for the perfect gift to give your NC-loving loved one?  How about a subscription to Our State?

What To Wear: BOB's Pop-Up Pre-Party

Thank you SO much to everyone who voted.  I am humbled, flattered and honored to have received the Charlotte Magazine Best Of The Best award this year for Best Stylist/Personal Shopper.  I have so much fun doing this job that I so love, and I'm super excited that I have the opportunity to style it out with some of the QC's hottest boutiques and YOU!  Please bring a friend (or a few!) and join me this Wednesday night, May 13th, 5:30-7:30pm, at Mezzo1, for a fun night of shopping, styling, cock-tailing and fun!

Of course, this night of fun is in anticipation of the really BIG night of fun, the Big Bad BOB Awards official party. This year's party will be hosted at The Fillmore.  I've been to the party several years, and it really is quite fun (read between the lines... absolutely fantastic PEOPLE WATCHING for DAYS).  Get all the details below, or click here to register.  Hope to see you there, and if you do come, please find me and say hello!

Your Head Looks Weird

If you live in the Charlotte area, next time you are at SouthPark Mall or in the area, be sure to snag a copy of SouthPark Magazine.  I very worked hard on this one, along with an amazing team of individuals, businesses and boutiques, and I am flattered, humbled and excited to be a part the May issue.  The below picture is one in the series of images where I get to show off some really amazing clothes from a few of my favorite local boutiques.  My oldest son, Hank, now 7, saw the below image come up on my facebook page.  I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction to seeing me dressed up like this.  (Let's be honest, I am a working mom of two active boys, the only time I look like this is for a photo shoot.  The next closest I come is on Sunday for church, date night or when I am meeting clients, but it is a loooong way off from this.

Hank: Mommy, is that you?
Me: (Excitedly) Yes!  What do you think? 
Hank: I don't get it.  it's weird.  Your head looks weird.  You look like you are someone else.
Me: Okay, well, does the rest of my body look like me?
Hank: Yea.
Me: Well, then do you at least like my outfit?
Hank: Why would I like it?!  I'm not a girl! (Runs upstairs to yell at little brother Worth for singing Let It Go again).

Ahh.  The honesty of a child.

Photography: Zach Alston. Hair and Makeup: Deme Fourtounis. Jumpsuit: Yoana Baraschi (from ChezElle), here in black. Kimono: Tracy Reese (from ChezElle), and here. Wedges: Jimmy Choo (from Coplon's) or here. Earrings: Kenneth J Lane (from Coplon's), similar here. Ring: Available at ChezElle. Necklace: by boe.

Spring Cleaning Tips and Trends With Goodwill Industries

I'm back with another update for my wonderful partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont!  Today I'm sharing some Spring Cleaning Tips and Trends. Click here to read the entire post over on Goodwill's WOW! blog.

I did a little shopping earlier this week in preparation for my tv segment on Wilson's World, bright and early Monday morning.  Be sure to tune in to see all of the amazing items I found, including these groovy duds that totally reflect the bohemian trend, as well this pair of fantastic brass herons.  We had these same birds at my house growing up, handed down from my Grandparents!  I think they hit the donation bin when we moved out of my house in Asheville. I'm so glad to have this most stylish pair of birds back in my life again!

Okay, if you're up at the crack of down Monday morning, please be sure join me at 6 a.m. on Wilson's World!

I Wore Self Portrait

I recently attended the Carolina's 75 Most Stylish event hosted by Carolina STYLE Magazine.  It was so flattering to be included on their chosen list of most stylish, and boy was I in good company.

Roxy Owens, Richard Petty (let's just be honest, with his signature hat, belt buckle and dark sunglasses, the man is a style setter!), Liz and Clary Hilliard, Linda Martinez, sisters Elizabeth and Jacquelyn of Twine & Twig to name a few.  

I decided the event would be the perfect place to wear this little jumper by Self Portrait.  As you can see in the picture below, when they called my name first to come have my picture taken, I had no idea what to do before the camera in a sea of people standing and watching. When in doubt jazz hands and say cheese! 

Here are a few of my favorite current pieces from Self Portrait.  You can shop them all here, here and here, including my jumpsuit.

Get Your Stretch On With Run For Your Life

I'm back with one more post with my running partners over at Run For Your Life. Today's post is about the importance of stretching.  While I won't be running the Boston Marathon this year, I think about my training last year and all of the friends I'll be cheering on in spirit this year.

If you are a runner who likes to visit the Queen City Style, here are a few stretches to keep your body flexible and muscles conditioned.  We used the Pro Tec Foam Roller to help stretch and stimulate the muscles for the following - hamstrings - IT band - quads and calves.  Roll each muscle back and forth 10 times, and do at least three sets. By doing these exercises on a daily basis it will help alleviate muscle and soft tissue tightness of the upper and lower back, IT band, hamstring, abductors, and upper arm + more. We also used the Deep Tissue Massage Ball which targets similar muscle groups but focus on smaller areas.

The key to Running is COMFORT! Running is hard enough, so it's important to be as comfortable as possible by wearing and using the following items... Moisture wicking clothes and socks...NO COTTON, Hats and Sport Sunglasses, Proper Shoes, Body Glide, Water Bottles and Belts.  With regard to nutrition, you should put something back in your body every 45 mins. All of these stretching and nutritional products are available at your local Run For Your Life.  Check out Run For Your Life's four locations.

Spring Cleaning With Goodwill

I could not be more excited about my partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.  Today I had the wonderful opportunity to stop in again with my friends over at WCNCTV Charlotte Today to visit Colleen and Eugene and talk about spring cleaning and a few of this season's most fun trends you can shop at Goodwill while making your donations.  I won't write any more, because I hope you will watch and enjoy the short segment here! It's really amazing what goodies you will find while helping others obtain employment.  As always, thanks for tuning in here to the Queen City Style!

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!

A New Peachy!

I am so excited for my feature in the newest edition of Peachy the Magazine!  These ladies are so talented in every way, and the material is... STYLE FOR DAYS!  There is a wonderful feature on my very sweet dear incredibly talented running pal Taylor. Check it out here!

Rick Lee Photography, Model: Amy Werho, Marilyns Model and Talent Management, Hair and Makeup by Deme Fourtounis, Featuring Julie Lopez Shoes.

Halston + Warhol + Studio 54 Party!

The Mint Museum will be hosting a MOST exciting exhibit March 7 to June 14 featuring two of the greatest in the world of fashion and art. During the second half of the twentieth century, few figures are as iconic as fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick and pop artist Andy Warhol. Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede is a captivating exhibition that, for the first time, unites the work of these two legendary men, offering a unique perspective on the intersections between their lives and creative practice. Organized by The Andy Warhol Museum in collaboration with Lesley Frowick (niece of Halston), Halston and Warhol integrates approximately 40 of Halston’s creations, including the iconic pillbox hat designed for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and his signature Ultrasuede shirt dress, with a broad selection of paintings, photographs, and videos by Warhol.  This morning I attended a media tour of the exhibit, and I promise there is no level of disappointment on display.  In anticipation of the big Studio 54 Party to kick of the museum's exhibit, of course I had to wear Halston, in some fashion, to the party.  I found the below Halston IV dress at a vintage boutique in Brooklyn after scouring the internet like a hawk.  Of course this is not how I will be styling it for the event.  Just you wait...

On a personal note, my Grandmother sent me to see the one and only Liza Minnelli perform in New York City in 1999, right after I graduated college.  I was living in the city, and my Grandmother was too frail to travel to attend the show with me.  But I will never forget her call... "Daaaahhhling, Liza Minnelli is puhfawmen' in New Yahk City, and you simply must go.  I am sending you."  Seeing the Halston dresses and Warhol's work of Minnelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Bianca Jagger and others... It takes me back to Nana's stories and my own imagination in my head transforming me to that very special fantastic place in time. 

Photography: Ellie Lacey on Instagram. Dress: Vintage Halston IV from Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Earrings: from Chezelle Boutique. Bracelets: thanks to chloe + isabel by Ashlyn Milosch

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!