Purchases of a Shopaholic: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Day 30: Finale!

Today completes "30 Days of Fashion" by Brett Auston. I went for nautical stripes. I love stripes-- especially on knit dresses, tees, and sweaters. I found this Splendid top on sale for $39.99 at Anthropologie-- originally $98. Splendid is one of my favorite brands so I always get excited when I find their items on sale. I'm pretty sure this certain item was on sale because it is listed as a dress from Splendid and a top by Anthropologie. So it seems there was some confusion. Since I am only 4'11, it worked fabulously as a dress on me. The perfect ensemble for casual Sunday Funday.

... I am Wearing
Splendid Striped Dress
Tory Burch Miller Silver Thong Sandals
David Yurman White Agate Earrings + Ring
David Yurman Silver Ring
RayBan Multi-Colored Sunglasses
Silver Headband from Three Sisters Boutique (Spartanburg, SC)

I hope you enjoyed Brett Auston's 30 Days of Fashion... More exciting challenges and blogging to come!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Day 29: Grove Park Inn

This evening the family celebrated Belle's 25th Birthday. Instead of going to DC again, Belle decided to come back home to the Carolina's. So we had a nice dinner at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. We ate on the terrace overlooking the mountains. It was such a beautiful evening. And my favorite part-- getting dolled up for the celebration. I love fine dining. Martini's + Filet Mignon + Dessert = Food Overload. Fat Kid Club!

I am Wearing...
Shoshanna Dress from Three Sister's Boutique (Spartanburg, SC)
Turquoise Necklace + Earring Set from Three Sister's Boutique (Spartanburg, SC)
Jessica Simpson Gold Sandals... found in the back of Belle's closet today.
Gold Clutch... found in Mother's closet today.
Make-up by MAC-- the new semi precious collection.

Three Sisters

My Wonderful Mother AND My Photographer in One!

The Grove Park

The NC Mountains are Breathtaking!

Sisterly Love! Happy Birthday, Belle!

Friday, July 29, 2011

This Weeks Obsession...

... Hair Tinsel! I love trying new things with my hair. Since I started dying my hair as a freshmen in high school, I have been every color in the rainbow-- including hot pink! But even that was done in a stylish, tasteful manner. I've had short hair and long hair, a bob and many layers. I love to experiment with new looks. This week I wanted something new. However, I want my hair to grow longer and I honestly think the brunette look works on me. Naturally I'm a blonde. But I always say-- I'd rather be a Jackie than a Marilyn. I did add a few highlights to my brown locks- subtle change. No big deal. Head Too Toe Salon and Boutique in Tryon, NC has tried some fun hair trends lately... 1st the feathers and now they have hair tinsel! Of course I had to try it out. It just seems so fun. So I have a little "bling" to my brown hair now. I chose the multi-colored tinsel and the gold to put in my hair. It is supposed to last for a few weeks but I can easily take the strands out if I need to. Go get your hair tinsel put in today! It's so youthful and vibrant!

The Colors I Chose: Gold + Multi

The Finished Product

Fall + Winter Trends 2011

Fall is just around the corner! And I am so happy about that. But before we can begin shopping for Fall, we must understand the trends for the season. Yes, there are people who actually get paid to predict fashion. I would love to be a trend forecaster. Stylesight is a website that usually only professionals use. But since I am a student at AI, I have access to such amazing resources in the industry. As I was browsing the website today, I found trends all the way through summer/ spring 2013. For those of you who don't know the industry, I bet you think I made a typo. Nope! Trend forecasters predict a minimum of 2 years in advance. So much time and energy goes into that t-shirt you will put on today.

These are the trends I found for Fall/Winter 2011...

The trends can be labeled under four themes:
1. Composition
2. Hyperreal
3. Evolution
4. Rave

And these are the trends simplified...

--Use of Bold Polka Dots and Sharp Geometric Shapes

--A Return to the Brightly Colored, Futuristic Sixties

--Dark Tribal Looks

--Use of Wild and Primitive Furs

--Vibrantly colored Exotic Skins

--Use of Jewel Tones and the Profusion of Roses

--Frugal Quaker Styling

--Revival of Traditional Folk Patterns

--The Return of Mid-Century Patterns

Day 28: Uptown Girl

Today, my mother came to visit me in Charlotte. I love when mom comes to visit because that means shopping! I bought 2 stylish outfits that you will later see for Fall. Before we headed to Southpark, we met my oldest sister, Kate, uptown Charlotte to eat lunch. Kate works at the First Presbyterian Church pre-school in Uptown. So we had a nice little girls lunch. Mom and I were early so I took some photos uptown-- such good scenery! And mother has become quite the photographer!

.... My look: I was going for very casual with a pop of color and trendy accessories. Very country meets city-- the story of my life. I went heavy on the black eyeliner. I love eyeliner and I just felt like going to the extreme. Emotions really do dictate style!

You can see the heavy eyeliner in this picture

I am Wearing...

JCrew long sleeve plaid shirt (bought on sale at the beginning of summer)

7 for All Mankind Cropped Jeans (available at 7 for all Mankind Southpark Mall)

Tory Burch Miller Thong Sandals in Nude

Kate Spade Bow Necklace (given to me as a bridesmaid gift)

Ann Taylor Handbag (bought on sale during Spring)

Ralph Lauren Sunglasses (bought them 4 years ago)

Kate Spade Hand-in-Hand Bracelet (still available at www.katespade.com)

David Yurman Rings (www.davidyurman.com)

As for the eyeliner, it is MAC liquid last liner in Black

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

10 Must Haves for Fall

I am so over this 100+ degree weather outside. With July coming to a close, it’s about that time that I get really anxious for the fall season. I’m becoming bored with sundresses and sandals. The idea of wearing a sweater, jeans, and boots thrills me.

I recently read that orange would still be a huge color for fall. For spring, the color was coral. For Fall, the hue is a rusty coral and reddish-orange. Another color we will be seeing much of-- mustard. I love the color because it can act as a neutral or stand out by itself. Shades of purples and plum and darker colors of green will also be seen throughout fall collections. It seems that fashion/trend forecasters have given us a broad range of colors to work with this fall. And I’m loving it!

I have a long wishlist for this fall season. But I am going to share with y’all some key pieces that I think will be crucial to looking trendy for this season.

Slouchy Boots