Just A Little Rae Of Light

The Levi Dress. Will reside in my closet. 

I am absolutely LOVING watching the Rae Francis line evolve! Check out this peek of their Summer line; the gorgeous campaign was shot in Palm Beach (one of the designer's home town). These are my faves, and I must say, I'm pretty obsessed. See more looks on their Facebook page, and find out where to buy! Be sure to check out their kick-ass pop up shop Wanderers which they most recently opened in Palm Beach. 

Absolutely AMAZE

Bruce Blouse and Michael Skirt. Love. 

Ian Top and Christian Short

Daniel Dress

Levi Dress

Festivus

Tucker Romper, Shopbop

Love this romper, has me thinking Spring. They just announced the lineup for Jazz Fest in New Orleans several days ago, and, just like last year it has given me an excuse to start imagining "fest" outfits. And yes, I recognize that I am the only one (besides my partner in crime Caroline) that cares what I wear at Jazz Fest. But to me it is just part of enhancing my overall Fest-perience. Anyhoo, I'm totally picturing this adorable romper from Tucker with the ever-practical Miller Sandal from Tory Burch for festing, and with these retro platforms by Very Volatile from Piperlime for out and about. Add on a few layers of House of Harlow (Monkees here in Raleigh has a great selection right now), and you're set. AND, PS, if you have never A) been to New Orleans, B) been to Jazz Fest, you should do one or both ASAP. New Orleans is an anomaly, a culture explosion. Jazz Fest is great music and spirit-from gospel choirs to Kid Rock (holler Caroline), great food and lots of drink. (Don't get me started on the drive-thru daiquiri stands that dot the streets of Louisiana). (Don't drink and drive, DO drink and ride). Florence + the Machine are playing this year, among others, that I am excited about. 

Tory Burch Miller Sandal

Very Volatile platform, Piperlime

House of Harlow, LOVE

House of Harlow

Pardon The Pucci

 

 Hello all, I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season thus far. If anyone has big black-tie plans for the New Year, I strongly suggest taking a look at this absolutely insane Pucci situation happening now at Vermillion. It might be one of my dream dresses. It is simplicity+sexy+color. Gorgeous drape and silhouette. I would probably sacrifice a pinkie toe for this little number. On an unfair note, the showroom model looks like this:

Unbelievable

 Call Vermillion: 

919.787.9780 

Merry Merry!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful, joyful holiday!!! xoxo

Move Over Uggs

I know these are a little on the casual side of what I tend to write about, but I love these hand sewn shoes from @mrsphicks. I love (and always will no matter what you say) my trusty Uggs, and I fondly remember the days of Wallabees; these Chukka shoes are a great update to the more casual footwear element of your wardrobe. The shoes are made-to-order and hand-sewn in a factory in Maine where they’ve been making shoes for over 40 years. All-American goodness here. These are the kind of shoes that eventually mold perfectly to your feet. @mrsphicks is an offshoot of the Pierrepont Hicks neckwear line that's pretty neato too. The line is new and really small (two styles currently, to be precise), but I believe they're expecting to release the full collection in January. I'm excited to see what else they come up with.  

Check out the line HERE

(PS I love the green inner-lining. Adorable.)

Friday Faves

Pierrepont Hicks camel hair tie, $140

I adore the idea of this tie, a play on the ever-classic and handsome camel hair coat. Definitely  a statement tie. One of the great gift ideas from Garden & Gun. Pierrepont Hicks has some gorgeous ties and bowties; they also have a tie case (?) that I was sort of fascinated with. 

Handmade, personalized bottle opener, $75

Another great gift idea from Garden & Gun. Handmade in the ATL by American Forge South. 

Ferragamo Tresha Biker Boot, Moda Operandi

I probably don't have to explain this. They're shearling lined, zip up Fall '12 Ferragamo biker boots for under $1000. My friend Lauren said she thought that wearing them would be like petting a unicorn. (Without the slightest drop of sarcasm.)

Native Union Pop phone, Nordstrom

This may be one of the greatest inventions I've ever seen or heard of; right behind electricity or the wheel. It's a "old-fashioned" handset that can be plugged into your iPhone. A totally weirdo friend of mine sent it to me a week ago (you know who you are, and I love you), and I thought it was great, now I'm seeing Oscar de la Renta and Andre Leon Talley using it. Comes in a bunch of kitschy colors and is super affordable. 

Alice + Olivia pant, Neiman Marcus

High-waisted, wide-legged, insane color. Sold. 

In love with this jacket from BleuBelle in Savannah. The fur collar detaches. I think everyone needs one of these. (Even if it's 75 degrees in December.)

Repossi Please

This is the part where I black out. These Repossi rings, currently a Moda Operandi exclusive, are out of control. Repossi has been around since the 1920s, but the founder’s great-granddaughter is now the creative director. I love the structure and subtlety of the rings, they’re something that people won’t immediately know but will grab your hand and ask about. They sort of remind me of another fave of mine, Hoorsenbuhs. Anyhoo, I continue to dream…

ATL Artist Michelle Armas

Pentaphan

I just love the internets. Whilst it can occasionally be a distraction (Facebook stalking, reading Perez Hilton), the world wide web is also such an amazing tool for artists and entrepreneurs. I stumbled across this artist on Pinterest (if you don’t know-it’s another extremely consuming new internet sensation) some time ago, and I fell in love with her work. Michelle Armas is an Atlanta-based artist who works in acrylic and oils; she works out of a studio in Decatur. Her abstracts really speak to me the most, but she does a bit of portraiture too. She also has a blog that’s very entertaining. She has a great sense of humor and I think she might like rap music, which makes us kindred spirits. Back to my original point, without the internet I wouldn’t have known about her. So let’s all thank Al Gore for inventing it. You can buy her work on her website, and she also does commissions. I would literally buy just about every piece of her work I’ve seen. These are a few of my faves.  

Antonia

Malarky 

Abraham Lincoln

Eggplant

I Changed My Mind

Klien

Kong

Bernadette
(I love that song)

Not So Baby Bibs

Amethyst necklace, Bounkit $1750, via Taigan

I’m not a huge jewelry person. Until I was in college I had a pair of hemp necklaces and a big red G-Shock watch that were pretty much my standard look. I have grown to have a healthy appreciation for sparkly things since then. Day-to-day I really just wear a few really simple things on rotation. I think it is important to have a few “occasion” pieces in your repertoire that can stand on their own, and will be long-treasured. To that end, I’m a huge fan of The Statement Necklace. I can actually pinpoint when this happened, and I can blame Ashley Harris of Vermillion who introduced me to vintage collar necklaces and told me Sarah Jessica Parker was totally into them too. Thanks Ashley. Anyhoo, I think that of all of the ways to make a jeweled splash, an insane bib or collar necklace is the very best way to go. One of these necklaces can turn the most boring black dress into the most fabulous look at the party. Investing in any of these would probably be a much safer bet than the stock market. 

Dannijo Bea collar necklace, $945

Dannijo Medine necklace, $495, available at Van Jean!!!

My ABSOLUTE favorite, Mathilde, Dannijo $745

Vintage from Carole Tanenbaum, contact Vermillion for similar styles

Carole Tanenbaum, vintage

Alan Anderson for House of Lavande, $1798

Schreiner necklace, House of Lavande, $5498

1950's vintage Schreiner amethyst and sapphire necklace, $1198, House of Lavande

And a great buy from J Crew, the bubble necklace, comes in black too! $150

Friday Faves

I am freaking out over this romper from BCBG. Phenomenal New Years  look?

I have decided to at least dedicate a little bit of my Friday to reporting some of my favorite from the week. The things that I continue to obsess over for days. (This list can tend to get kind of long, so I'll do my best to edit. This Friday I'm going with a few of the things I've added to my extremely extensive Shopbop.com wish list. I wonder every week if they have some sort of size limit because I've still got things from 6 seasons ago in mine. It's like I somehow imaging the DVF tuxedo from Fall 09 will magically be returned two years later and I will be able to snag it at a deep discount. 

BCBG Sara knot back dress in 2 colors. Love the chartreuse. 

I'm kind of in love with this look from Girl. by Band of Outsiders. It's so easy.

I have had at least 3 dreams about this dress from Mason by Michelle Mason. Can't get with the booties though.

Giuseppe Zanotti platform, perfection

Obsessed with the snuggle from Paula Bianco