Inspiration

Total inspiration. Happy Easter!

Middle Eastern designer Reem Al Humaidan via Instagram. Let me know if anyone can find her website or more info! 

Packin' Bits

Packing for this Easter weekend and an engagement party for my baby brother and fiancée tonight! Loading everything into my Proud Mary bucket bag-complete with pom pom-the yummy mint version is still available (and on sale)!

Got my trusty travel-size shampoo and conditioner from Glam Lounge to ensure proper shine on the road. If you've been afraid of cream shadows, I have to insist that you try Laura Mercier's Metallic Créme shadows. I use Platinum and Alloy, Alloy is my base for a smoky eye or just on its own, and Platinum is the most amazing highlighter. Luminous. I love them. I also just picked up the "Brigitte" lipstick (also by Laura Mercier) which I love, and is going to be so perfect for Spring and Summer. 

Spring Buys!

Some of my recent goodies all from Fleur in Raleigh. Happy, happy, happy for Spring!

Top: Lauren Moffatt Drop Waist Dress

Middle: Shoshanna Pintucked Top 

Tribal wooden bangles 

Bottom: Troubadour cream and navy strip tee (which is the coolest thing ever + those pants are also Troubador!)

Shop Fleur here and here!

Image via Troubadour's Tumblr

A Little Spring, A Little Fall?

Image via PIPMegan

No eye-rolls, but I wanted to share my Tibi Fall '13 pre-order from Moda Operandi (my love), that does, in fact, have a hint of Spring inspiration via my current favorite style nugget, Miroslava Duma. This is Miroslava from the Spring '13 NYFW, and below is Tibi FALL '13. The "Ultramarine" skirt and top (in "bonded techy twill"-for those keeping track) totally give Miroslava's look but will be so cute with tights and booties, and a long-sleeved tee underneath. I'm also super lovey about the fisherman's sweater in a cozy winter white. 

Image via Dapprly

Tibi "Ultramarine" techy twill top and skirt from Moda Operandi

Tibi Honeycomb Sweater from Moda Operandi

Perfect Black Flats

Jeffrey Campbell "In Love" d'Orsay flat

Don't worry, I found you the perfect black flat. I know you need one. Several things: Jeffrey Campbell is one of my favorite lower-price point shoe go-tos. Good, consistent fit and they ALWAYS do a range of basics with seasonal trends. Also, the d'Orsay shape is probably my favorite shoe style. It's so sophisticated and feminine. This pair, the "In Love" flats (I kid you not, that's the name, I did not name them), has the wonderful little elastic piece at the back of the heel that helps keep them on your feet. And finally, I'll reiterate the great price.  These are the perfect wardrobe staple. Shop them here!

Pattern Play

Soo...anybody got any thoughts on these? I know that I still have yet to unveil the first season of Ramey Rhodes, but as you all know fashion is typically 6+ months ahead of where we currently are. SO, you have to start thinking that way. There's a really cool startup company out of Durham, NC called Spoonflower that allows people to design and then print their own textiles. It's pretty darn neato. So I've been playing around with designs (I can be considered no more than a total novice), and these are some things I came up with. Just playing around-chime in if you've got feedback!

Standout Shorts

J Crew Faille Ruffle Shorts

Obsessed with these faille (yes!!!) shorts from J Crew-complete with a subtle ruffle. Slight enough to notice, but without adding any unflattering volume. Also on my list are their pleated cotton shorts. Again, great detailing without being unflattering. They come in several colors including black. In assessing whether to spend $200 on shorts for Spring, I'd weigh it against these options-a lot of style without the big wallet dent. (Or buy these too. Insert smiley face.)

J Crew Faille Ruffle shorts

J Crew Pleated Cotton Shorts

J Crew Structured Cotton Pleated Shorts

Fooey

Foo dogs. Foo dogs in fun colors! Inexpensive foo dogs in fun colors!!! Check them out on 

C. Wonder.

Seeing Spots

Ahhhhhhh.....

Do you feel the sun shining down on you? These pictures make me feel that way. I'm flat out in love with these oversized (30" to be exact) dot pillows from Proud Mary's new collection. I'm planning to get several (they're available for pre-order now) to put in a living room and create some coziness. They come in indigo too! If you've been following along for a while, you've probably read about Proud Mary and the company's bold mission to employ and thus empower artisans in developing or third world countries. ("Pride not pity" is their motto...whatup.) Harper has roots now in 5 countries including war-torn Mali. Check out all the latest here.

Beautiful images by Olivia Rae James

How To

In case you folks missed this on Facebook, or don't happen to get the N & O, these are from a great Pinterest-inspired shoot I helped with (well, I loaned my hair to) that gives readers a step-by-step tutorial on going from ponytail to braided bun. If I can do it......well.....you can too. I did have a glamorous makeover by Debra Goodyear of Glam Lounge (unfortunately you guys don't get to see that), and Dawn Carrington also of Glam Lounge was the architect of the bun. They are the go-to for all things hair and beauty; they are my heroes. And they're cool. Be sure to check them out, and visit the N & O to see the full tutorial and get your bun on!

All images via Raleigh's News & Observer

Splurge And Steal: Jenni Kayne

Jenni Kayne's d'Orsay Flats

You'd have to live on another planet to have not spotted Jenni Kayne's d'Orsay flats on some fabulous foot this season. It's got a great fit, and this peachy suede works even as we head into Spring. If you're looking for something a bit less pricey the flats below from Chinese Laundry are a great alternative, same look for (a lot) less! You can't go wrong!

Jenni Kayne d'Orsay flats

Chinese Laundry "Easy Does It" Flat

Chinese Laundry "Easy Does It Flat"

Meet Elizabeth!

Head to Charlotte's of North Hills today to meet designer Elizabeth McKay at her very first in-store visit and see the new Spring trunk show! Classic yet contemporary shapes with an eye for fit and beautifully rich colors mark all of her collections. If you love patterns and prints, don't miss it! Click here for more info from Charlotte's!

Blissful

See By Chloe Anna Clutch in Bliss

This gorrrgeous clutch from See By Chloe is a beautiful creamy color aptly named "Bliss", like it could float away on a cloud. The metallic trim really warms it up too. Such a great party bag, it will go with everything.

Friday Faves

Aqua Topshop Beaded Midi Dress

Some odds and ends for your weekend! Can you believe it's March? I love the return of color in Spring; I've already noticed some of the trees trying to bloom. I love the aqua and powdery blues I'm starting to see pop up in the stores...and some neons too! I adore the color of the dress (above) from Topshop; the whole thing has such a vintage look to me-I kinda couldn't believe it was from mass-production master Topshop.

Alice + Olivia Hillary d'Orsay glitter flats

In love with these buggars. Wear these to work or play. I would also say that these could be a great option for a bride looking for a flat. They're special, sweet, and totally wearable after the fact!

3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Hour cosmetics clutch

Not just for cosmetics, use this puppy as a clutch to add some shine to your outfit.

Lulie Wallace "Flowers For Victoria"

Beautiful floral-centric artwork from Charleston-based artist Lulie Wallace. Definitely check out here cheerful online store and gorgeous website, and she takes appointments to visit her studio space at Redux Studios on St. Philip Street. 

Givenchy Spring '13. Just cause.

A Peach Of A Look

Tibi Pia Lasercut Top in Peach

There will probably be a lot of "Questing" this Spring. As some of you may know, my little baby brother is getting married this Summer, which leads to a considerable amount of outfit prospecting. Thus, the Quest. I tend to focus (err...fixate) on the fashion aspect of events like these. A wedding requires multiple outfit changes, and, in the Golden Age of social media you can feel significant pressure to avoid repeats-making this a costly, yet exciting challenge. I am also attempting to help my sweet mother find her Wedding Weekend lineup, which comes with an entirely different set of challenges. (Hee.) I like to draw up a seasonal fashion map-a list of events, what the attire might be, and then go to work planning. I web-stalk, then boutique-stalk, I like to check with my local stores to see if they've got something before I buy it online (#shoplocal). This is a roundabout way to get to my main point: I really enjoy this two-piece ensemble from Tibi. The laser-cut work is lovely, the color makes me blackout, AND you can work this look for multiple events. I could wear it together with big sparkly stuff for a more cocktail-y (yet conservative) look, and split the pieces up for a shower or luncheon. Not to mention working them into the daily wardrobe for both work and play! BTW, both the Pia top and skirt come in black if you're looking for something more subtle. Shop the look here.    

Tibi Pia Lasercut Skirt