Art And Auctions

Had a lovely Saturday night at one of my favorite places, the NC Museum of Art, lending a helping hand for the Art of the Auction event. The event featured both silent and live auctions to raise money for our beautiful state museum. I was the "bodyguard" for the beautiful collar necklace from Carole Tanenbaum, which was a hot item in the live auction. I also really adored "Pink", a painting by artist Annie Wharton. What I felt was super chic about this piece was that the canvas was wrapped in this gorgeous orangey-red vinyl, which almost made it look as it the canvas was lacquered. The picture does not do it justice. I wore this most exquisite Lela Rose dress from Vermillion, you may remember it was one of my faves. I also had this gorgeous blingy bracelet by Palm Beach Vintage from Fleur (people kept asking if they could bid on it)! See above for some of the other new jewels at Fleur-I considered taking them all and making a break for it. Are those yellow earrings not perfectly rad????

More short hair and me in Lela from Vermillion

Palm Beach Vintage from Fleur

My gold and silver Sam Edelman Allie heels (on SALE!)

Stunning collar necklace from Carole Tanenbaum, via Vermillion

"Pink" by Annie Wharton

Inside the live auction

She Shells

This is the perfect summer statement necklace! It's made of cowry shells, which were used as the first form of currency in Africa (#knowledge). The necklace is handmade in Mali, and you can find it at Proud Mary. (And I hear there are only a few available, so hurrrryyy!)

Shop With A Purpose

If you're in the Raleigh area, mark your calendar for next Tuesday, April 30th to head over View Bar on Glenwood South from 6:00-9:00 PM for a fundraiser benefitting Embrace Autism. April Gumaer with Stella and Dot, MK Fish of Organize It, and Tomi Lane with Pampered Chef will be giving a percentage of their sales from the event to The Autism Society of NC. There will also be door prizes, swag bags, and a silent auction! You know I love shopping for a cause! Visit their event page on Facebook for all of the details! (I've got my eye on this adorable bracelet!)

Tough | Proud | Brave | Free

Rue La La is based in Boston...

All net proceeds from the sale of this tee will go to the Emergency Medicine Fund at Mass. General Hospital. They have both a men's and women's version, and they are offering complimentary shipping. 

The Helpers

via STHR

As I try to comprehend the cruel uncertainty of the world we live in, I try to remember, find, and focus on the joy that also surrounds us. I am overwhelmingly grateful and relieved that some dear friends and their family are safe and sound today. I am also humbled when I think of the people that ran towards danger, without a thought, simply on instinct to help strangers. As Mister Rogers said, "Look for the helpers." Let's focus on the good.

Elephants in hats are good.

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

Pattern. Texture. Textiles.

The anticipation is killing me. Proud Mary's new collection on pre-sale this weekend. My order: one of everything.

Akola Project

Check out these gorge Akola Project necklaces from Moon & Lola; the necklaces are handmade by Ugandan women are trained by the organization in an attempt to uplift the women and their families out of poverty and into steady, gainful employment, and hopefully better lives. Don't you just want all of them? The necklaces are from $38-78, and are actually hand-rolled paper beads! Love them, and love doing something good.

Get Glam This Weekend

Happy Friday all! It has been one of those never-ending summer weeks, but we made it! If you happen to be out and about and looking for something to do in Raleigh this weekend, might I a make a suggestion? The third annual All Dolled Up event will be held this Saturday (June 23rd) (BTW JUNE 23rd???? WHERE DID JUNE GO?) from 3-8 pm downtown at Spy. This even will benefit Dress for Success Triangle NC, a most worthy cause whose mission is to outfit and mentor women aspiring to enter the workforce. I've had the chance to participate in some of the other events for Dress for Success in the past, and have always been so moved by what they do for women. My FAVORITE hairstylist extraordinaire Dawn Carrington of Glam Lounge will be at All Dolled Up, along with stylist and makeup artist Debra Goodyear providing beautification services as part of the event! Dawn is stunning(as evidenced by the pictures below) and the sweetest person, every time she's changed her hair over the years I have been convinced I need to copy her-and being the hair genius and psychologist that she is, has always convinced me of the opposite. (She's right, I am not responsible enough for bangs.) She is also a new mom to the most precious baby girl. 

Tickets for All Dolled Up get you a choice of three pampering services such as hair styling from Glam or a manicure or facial. It's a pretty indulgent afternoon or evening treat for a great cause! 

"Women helping women is a beautiful thing with proven potential for powerful change, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate seven years as the owner and founder of Glam Lounge," Dawn says. "I admire the hard work of Dress for Success leaders and clients, and Glam Lounge looks forward to pampering the guests who come out to support this great cause."

I'm pretty excited about it-I might look like a real person come Saturday night! Advance tickets are available online, and will also be available at the door. 

Sunday Funday

Patrick Dougherty installation in Iris

On this dreary, cold Sunday I had the pleasure of enjoying a meet-and-greet brunch for the Contemporaries Board of Directors at the North Carolina Museum of Art's restaurant Iris. Besides the lovely company, I must mention the lobster+asparagus+Gruyere omlette, which was to die for. If you have not dined there it's really not to be missed; the restaurant (named after museum benefactor Iris Cantor) is stationed at the entrance of the museum's new building, bathed in natural light and dominated by the huge Patrick Dougherty installation that almost appears to be living. Our lunch was followed with a quick docent-led tour (Lindsay was wonderful if you're planning to take one) that was full of interesting information about some of the museum's most interesting pieces. There is so much to see, but I just wanted to share these pictures of the two installations that have meant the most to me since the new building was opened. The other piece I have been so taken with is Roxy Paine's Askew, I call it The Tree, that sits on a knoll in front of the new building. It changes every time I see it; it's amazing: the light, the weather, the time of day completely changes its mood. 

Visit the NCMA's website for a much more informative review, Iris' hours, and membership!

Askew today

Balboa + Towne & Reese

Some of you may have already seen this on the Facebook page, but it’s definitely worth a second look. This is one of my favorite birthday gifts; the Sydney Necklace, born of a collaboration between Balboa Jewelry and Towne & Reese in Charlotte. The Sydney Necklace was created to honor Balboa co-founder Sydney Boone Gaylord, who passed away in 2011; all of the proceeds from the necklace will be donated to KinderMourn. KinderMourn provides services for families experiencing the death of a child and children grieving the death of a family member or friend. This organization has provided support for Sydney’s children, and helps many families dealing with similar situations. Children need such a huge network of support in coping with loss, organizations like KinderMourn are critical in helping fill the gaps that parents and family can’t while dealing with their own grieving process. I can’t think of a more cheerful symbol to honor a loved one lost. I love mine!

They are available at Charlotte’s in Raleigh, as well as through the Towne & Reese website

Don't Matter If It's Black Or White

My Columbia favorite Van Jean has posted some insane options for the quickly upcoming Black & White Ball for the Columbia Museum of Art (yeah, Friday, October 28th, last minute shoppers!), and these are my three faves (although there's not a one I don't like). I mostly want to say that whoever goes with the Tibi option posted above will be my personal style hero. I've been lusting after this look for several weeks, and if you wear this, you will be fabulous. 

Check Van Jean's Facebook here for their complete lookbook, or call them at (803) 252. 4339.

And if you're in Columbia you should most certainly plan to go to the Black & White Ball, see ticket and event information here.

Pampered Puppies

The Largo Lounger

I do not necessarily consider my dogs to be sophisticated (well, one is-the other one is very pretty, but not so much an intellectual), but these dog beds are certainly for the discerning dog. These beds by NEST in Gainsville, Florida are not only decor-friendly, but are eco-friendly as well. The beds are hand crafted (in the US, which I love) from locally sourced sustainable hardwoods. That's a business model I can totally get behind. The cushions are filled with a hypo-allergenic fiberfill made from recycled soda bottles, and are coated with an EPA-approved fabric protector to keep germs out! They're pricey, from about $490-$750, and they also have cushion beds starting at $135. But you're getting a great looking, custom, socially responsible product for your best friend!!! The cushions come in a variety of great looking prints (see below), and you can even submit your own fabric to coordinate with your decor. (If I hadn't already been told I would be committed if I get another dog, I'd ask them to throw the little guy pictured above in with my order.) You can shop NEST's beds on Taigan. 

Visit Taigan:

www.taigan.com/shops/nestfordogs

or NEST's website:

www.nestfordogs.com

The Florida Lounger

Hank & Waylon, my best buds!

Tornado Relief!

The very talented jewelry designer Hyla Dewitt is pitching in to do her part for the victims of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Alabama recently. For the month of June she will be donating $10 from the sale of any of her wrap bracelets to relief programs providing aid in Alabama. Having recently driven through Alabama, I can assure ya'll that they will need and greatly appreciate anything we can do to help! The wrap bracelets come in tons of styles and colors, and are a fantastic price! 

"Roll Tide" $45

Check out the choices here:

http://www.hyladewitt.com/jewelry.php

Or here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/HYLA-DEWITT-JEWELRY/214586413614?sk=wall