A Signature Welcome

I’m excited to share an amazing service that is going to make your holiday shopping/wedding planning painless and chic! Didn't think I could kill those two birds with one stone did you? A Signature Welcome is a brilliant “creative gifting studio” that specializes in full-service wedding welcome gift design—you know those adorable welcome baskets that you find in your hotel room? They do those, but they do them next level bonkers. They curate stylish and personalized products (often using local brands) for each of their clients to create a totally unique and customized welcome gift for their guests. They not only have an eye for special products, but for design and presentation as well. Their work is thoughtful and stylish. If you are a bride or in the market for exceptional corporate gift ideas you’ll want to know A Signature Welcome.

But wait there’s more! This holiday season A Signature Welcome has curated two sizes of a gourmet food box and a “Holiday Shoppe” filled with adorable, chic gifts that totally take the guesswork out of holiday shopping. Think Turkish towels, Rifle Paper Co. coasters, tote bags and more. If you order by tomorrow, November 25th, you can take advantage of free hand-delivery if you are in Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Athens and Augusta! The (adorable, beautiful) ladies behind A Signature Welcome are also hosting holiday pop-up shops in Augusta, GA and Raleigh, NC on December 3rd and Charleston, SC on December 10th! You can email them at info@asignaturewelcome.com for info about the pop-ups and for more info on custom gifts, wedding welcomes or delivery options!

All images c/o Lauren Jonas Photography

Do The Carlton

Yes. Citizens "Carlton" Retro High Rise Jean.

Perfect. Get them here or here in black.

The Great Bandini

Whilest I don't usually talk about "under" stuff, I wanted to share a really useful product I picked up and have been pretty much living in of late: The Bandini from Barely There. This is not a complex thing, it's a really easy solution to a lot of "wardrobe malfunction" type problems. Wire-free, super comfy, but the best part is that you can really manipulate it to go under anything. Strapless, one strap, two straps-all in one. The other VERY IMPORTANT thing I'd like to highlight from a style standpoint is that the Bandini can serve as a exposed bandeau or cami. I have a few things that dip too low in the front or on the sides to really wear comfortably (non-aggressively), but if you put say, a hot pink bandeau under it you pull the look together and keep yourself crowd-appropriate. Getchu one.

Earn Your Stripes

I want the heck out of this sweater. Featherweight cashmere from J Crew. Perfectly casual.

*Side note: I invented that hairstyle.

Do Me A Favor...

A.L.C.'s "Jess" Stretch Suede Skinny

EMERGENCY! If you are a size 10 you need to go IMMEDIATELY to The Outnet and buy these super-out-of-control stretch suede skinny pants from A.L.C. They are simply amazing, they are on sale, and they are almost gone. Come Fall, you'll thank me. Please someone do it, for all of us whose size is already gone. 

Sandal Staple

I think casual footwear can be tough; you don't want to invest too heavily because it needs to be good for running around, outdoor use, concerts, garden parties, the beach, you get what I'm saying. The point is, a lot of times it just seems easier to throw on a pair of Rainbows. They're comfy, they're neutral, maybe people won't notice you're wearing them. But that, my friends, should not be the answer. They flip flop most certainly has its place, and I could most definitely be lecturing myself ("but they're so commmmfortablllllllee") but you should have another option for those multi-purpose occasions. I love these Milos sandals by Fiel as the go-to. The single toe and bow are really nice, distinctive touches that make it a stand out; while the black and tan color options give you subtlety and versatility, all at a fairly reasonable price. 

Goldfish

Pick your jaw up off the floor. I go cross-eyed every time I look at this Tory Burch fish necklace. Unbelievable. Wear it with this Cheap Monday Melinda dress for a ridiculously chic high/low look. 

To Splurge Or To Steal?

To splurge or not to splurge is often the question. All shoppers are different; some can't fathom spending 3k on a bag, but would buy several pairs of Louboutins without thinking. Some will wardrobe shop at TJ Maxx and have the most amazing bag every season. Some people will wear a Lela Rose dress with wedges from Target. Everyone is different, and everyone justifies their purchases differently. I am not much of a shoe girl, thus the lack of shoe-centric posts. I really appreciate beautiful shoes, but I know I will destroy them and they never make me feel a) skinnier or b) prettier...they can enhance that feeling, but never create it. I get that from clothes. I can also understand the justification for a really special bag. Even if you don't feel a) skinny or b) pretty, you can distract people with a gorgeous bag. I also once read an article in Vogue (I think), that gave me another perspective: break down the cost of a bag on a per carry basis. So your Chloe bag only costs you 50 cents a day! That's reasonable isn't it? But when you love the look of a splurge bag but don't have the budget (unfortunately you can't pay on the per day basis), you don't want the overall style to suffer. I've got a great example for you: the Céline Tryptyque and J Crew's Biennial Satchel. Both have wonderfully clean lines and classic colors, as well as a super-convenient 3-zip pocket set up that gives you a ton of space. Céline's bag is certainly a bit more supple and has the cross-body feature, but the J Crew option has style and durability and costs about 1/10th the price of the Céline. Neither bag is wrong, it totally depends on where you choose to invest!

The Céline Tryptyque bag, contact Vermillion

The J Crew Biennial Satchel comes in tan, black, red, and white, $348.

Friday Faves

I love this beanbag chair from One Kings Lane! How friggin' fun! You could put a couple of these in an outdoor living space and create such a chic look!!! They had several different patterns and colorwaves, could also be fab in a playroom or TV room!

I am in love with these Jeffrey Campbell boots. They're perfectly "worn" and would look so good with skinny pants or jeggings! Even with a cute short trapeze-style dress. Not to mention, they're a great price. 

This "Mojave" ring by Alexis Bittar is gorgeous. Inspired by Baroque styling and Native American elements, it is quite the changeup from his standard lucite line. Such a statement! 

Via Osborne Samuel

From photographer Tim Flach's book Dogs {Gods}. I love his work. And I love dogs. If you are ever sad, go to his website will literally change your day. 

The Blythe Blouse from J Crew. A staple in my wardrobe, I have three and counting. It comes in a bazillion colors, the fit is amazing, and you can wear it with anything. It's a really cost-effective wardrobe investment. 

Vintage Gucci Glam

Vintage Gucci. In love. 

I'm dying over these vintage Gucci sunglasses. They remind me of the jet-set/Euro/Hollywood glam of the 70s. I should definitely be strolling around Italy in these. I feel like everything would appear honey-colored through these lenses. The shapes and styles of the 70s/early-80s-ish sunglasses are appealing to me. I still think the original Wayfarers and aviators from Ray-Ban are pretty much the gold standard in eye-protection gear. These are some other fun looks I found. I love the thought that maybe all of the many sunglasses I have lost over the years were found by someone loving and fashionable, and that someday they will be vintage sunglasses. 

Vintage Persol Ratti

Vintage Dior. Insane

Vintage Ray-Ban Wayfarers. As seen on JFK, the classic. 

Friday Fave!

The 31 Hour Bag, images via Barneys

Today's Friday Favorites is going to be a Friday Favorite. I am drooling over the new 31 Hour bag from Phillip Lim. I am a big bag person, as in I like really, absurdly large bags. This one is designed for people just like me. The 31 Hour bag concept is for someone who needs their bag to get them through more than just a 24-hour day. You could fit a wardrobe change AND a pair of shoes in this bad boy. Or for people who are slightly more sane (read: responsible) than I, it's got plenty of room for your iPad, planner, makeup bag, etc. It's got a great, distinctive shape, the colors are so strong (I favor the white, although I have seen some cool 2-tone versions online); I think it's the new bag to have.

Van Jean (thank you, as always,  for bringing this bag to my attention) in Columbia has the 31 Hour bag-although I imagine they're going to sell out fast. Vermillion in Raleigh is expecting theirs soon, call them to inquire. Perfect wardrobe addition for those in the new bag market. 

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