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?
American Town + Italian Style
If you're into fine Italian fashion, be sure to check out my latest styling project, featuring Brunello Cucinelli for Fort Mill Magazine. The story accompanying the photo shoot shares conversations with the designer from a small town with big time dreams, also highlighting Rock Hill, SC native country recording artist, Zach Ludlam, serving as a clever analogy to Cucinelli. The publishers of Fort Mill Magazine are tireless in their efforts to put a heartbeat back into Main Street while maintaining a strong focus on local business. Read the entire story here. I am proud to say my Grandfather operated the Easy Pay Store, Fort Mill's general store, for 43 years. It was located behind me in the below picture, right on the corner of Main St. and Confederate St.
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.
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.
My House Project In Print!
It has been such a fun opportunity to partner with Fort Mill Magazine, a gem of a publication, which happens to be about a little town just south of the border that is a big part of my heritage. When the owner said they were interested in featuring my completed Living Room and Dining Room Redesign in the Texture section of their newly revamped publication, I really couldn't believe it. I still can't! Go figure, yesterday when I was vacuuming in the dining room, I realized the foyer needed to be painted... a fantastically fabulous bright happy shade of plum! My husband already found the paint cans in the corner of the room. Can you imagine his tone of surprise when he asked what room I am painting purple?! In all actuality, he handled it quite well. After all, we have the rest of our lives to live in beige, don't we? You can check out the entire story here. What do you think? Is my love affair with bright over the top or just right?
Shop Your Closet For Fresh Holiday Style
Check out this month's Charlotte Parent Magazine.
I'm recycling a bridesmaid dress, like the 'skirt' you see here. Don't hesitate. You totally got this.
And sharing a couple of my favorite local accessories designers, both available for on line purchase.
Just click on the image, or get all the deets here.
Have yourself a stylish little holiday party. Pretty please invite me!
Tidings galore, Whitley
Chic Local Products For The Entire Family
This one's for ALL the readers; comfy everyday wear for you ladies, affordable premium denim for the ladies and gents, precious holiday designs for the kiddies, chic accessories and the best in athletic gear. It's all here! See it all in this month's article for Charlotte Parent Magazine.
Check 'em all out!
-Whitley
Finding Your Style After Baby + J.T. Posh Giveaway Winner!
Charlotte Parent Magazine recently contacted me to participate in a fun feature story styling a precious new mom and her equally adorable twin boys. Pre and post baby, a mama experiences lots of body changes, but duty calls, and there is much work to be done. How do you push through the sleepless nights, spit up covered clothes and find your post baby style? I share a few of my tips and own personal experiences here. Thank you Sarah, Donna and Charlotte Parent Magazine for the experience of this wonderfully fun assignment!
kristi s.
1) I am a follower of the Queen City Style via Email
2) I like J. T. Posh on Facebook
3) I like the Queen City Style on Facebook
4) I follow J. T. Posh on Instagram
Congratulations Kristi!
Please email me at
thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com
Thanks so much for reading! Whitley
Shopping On A Time Crunch
As you may know, I write a contributing monthly style column for Charlotte Parent magazine. This has been a wonderful outlet for me to channel my love of writing. I always enjoy getting feedback and hearing about things you want to read. If you have any ideas or requests, please email me at thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you. In the meantime, this month's article goes out to all of you who can relate to me in the below photo. Be sure to pick up a copy each month at any Harris Teeter or pediatrics office in Charlotte, or if you are not in Charlotte, you may read the articles on line here. As ever, thanks for reading!
--Whitley
4 TIPS FOR SHOPPING ON A TIME CRUNCH
Regardless of whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or work outside of the home, we all know shopping with children can be challenging. Carson Tate, one of Charlotte’s leading time-
management experts and a managing partner at Working Simply, shares the tips below for finding more time to shop.
[1] Be clear and decisive.
Make a list. Know your clothing needs from season to season, then be deliberate in your shopping. Think about the stores you frequent, and get to know a person there who can call and let you know what’s on sale. Many stores staff personal shoppers for that reason.
[2] Buy it now.
When time is of the essence, you can never seem to find what you need. We have all been there. You have nothing to wear for that special occasion, so you frantically rush to the mall searching for any dress that will halfway do. Instead, when you see a dress you absolutely love, buy it then. You will get the greatest return on investment in a dress you love and actually wear.
(Right) Black-and-white halter dress by Vince Camuto, at Belk, $178.
[3] Get to know the kid-friendly stores.
As an avid runner and mom of two boys, I am grateful for Run For Your Life’s play area for children. All Tory Burch boutiques provide iPads with games for children in addition to juice boxes and bracelets for good little girls.
[4] Know what brands work for you.
There is no need to spend precious time hunting. Know your body type and shape, and shop the brands that you know work for you. If you know Gap makes the perfect ribbed tank, buy it in multiple colors.
(Above) Gap ribbed tanks at Gap Southpark, $16.95 each.
Whitley Adkins Hamlin keeps it stylish as a mom with two children under 5. Read her blog at CharlotteParent.com/blogs.
My Favorite Trend For Spring
Ha! I don't have one. I don't consider myself to be a trendy dresser; typically opting for items that will stand the test of time or on the flip side, anything and everything that is totally one of a kind and different from what everyone else is wearing. I've really enjoyed my new post as a fashion contributor for Charlotte Parent Magazine. If you live in the Charlotte area, please look for my monthly column in print, and visit their website each Thursday to check out my weekly fashion blog. So, if I did have to pick just one trend I am loving, here it is! Can you guess what it is by looking at this picture? It should not come as a surprise to you.
Happy Weekend!
xo-Whitley
Guest Post On J's Everyday Fashion
Hello Everyone! I am SO excited to be guest posting today on the wildly popular J's Everyday Fashion! If you are visiting from J's blog and this were my home, I would welcome you in for a cup of tea or lemonade or the drink of your choice! In any case, I welcome to the Queen City Style! I hope you'll enjoy your visit here and that you will come again soon.
A friend introduced me to J's Everyday Fashion with a tip that J was calling for 12 bloggers to guest post while she was off to Africa. I hopped on over to see what the recommendation was all about, and it made perfect sense. Each of J's posts consist of an inspiration outfit and her own interpretation of that outfit. She credits the individual pieces she wears and gives additional options for similar items. The cherry on top; all of J's outfits are designed on a budget, so many of us can relate! With close to 35,000 followers on Facebook alone, I was as giddy as a school girl to learn I made her short list!
J recreates an outfit by the always stylish Olivia Palermo in the above photo. I've been looking for a similar black and white tuxedo blazer, so I nabbed this one for myself! At $39.99, it's a steal! Thanks SO MUCH, J, for this fun opportunity! Visit J's Everyday Fashion here to see my outfit recreation!
For the love of discovering great style at a great price,
Thanks so much everyone for visiting the Queen City Style! Whitley
PS: Dying to share with you my new video intro!!