Hippie Chick

Rae Francis is giving us a little sneak peak into their Spring '12 lookbook. I'm crazy about their retro-boho stylings for their upcoming spring collection. Now, while I know that I am too old and too fat to wear crop tops, I love these and I will totally wear them with a super high-waist jean or layered with a light cami. The romper is amazing; it will be perfect with sandals or with a chunky necklace and heels for going out. I can't wait for these looks to hit stores. On a side note, Ariel and Christina, the ladies of Rae Francis are opening up a pop-up style store called Wanderers, which will soon open in Palm Beach. 

The Lady In Red

Tibi's exquisite "Imperial Lace Boatneck Dress". Stunning in color and construction. It's perfectly lady-like, but yet, you're still the Lady in Red. You can belt and accessorize your way into several looks with this dress. And look at how fabulous is looks with Tibi's Satin Bow Mary Janes I raved about a few posts ago!  

Via Tibi.com, $517

Cashmere Cocoon

Sweater, Bop Basics, via Shopbop

This great cashmere sweater (Snuggie?) from Shopbop is a perfect wardrobe addition for Fall. I love it as pictured with the leather pants (suede leggings anyone??) or with a pair of jeans (skinny or bell) or some J Brand cords. I think it could be cool belted and bloused over a skirt. It comes in some great neutral colors, and at $295-for cashmere-it's a great, versatile piece. 

Feeling Funky

Steve Madden Gaayle

I'm kind of liking the retro-inspired looks from Steve Madden for Fall. A lotttttt of platform suede situations. Both of these are right around $100. There's a lot of the 70's look going around. Chunky heels, bell bottoms, corduroy,  hippie hair...I personally love it. I've been told I am hippie-esque. I think both of these options would be great with big old bell bottoms, BUT I think you could throw them on with a great pencil skirt and wear them to the office!

Steven by Steve Madden Cathi

Both are via Piperlime!

Stylish Stingray

This line Leighelena, from Austin, Texas is one of my newest obsessions. A few months ago I found one of these cuffs at a friend's house and immediately attempted to steal it. I'm a big fan of stingray, I love it's unique texture-it's a very tactile leather. She also does a thinner double-wrap version which I love and think is a bit funkier. The designer, Leigh Navarro makes her entire enamel line by hand, and these cool pendants come in two lengths. I love the idea of doing several of them at once, similar to how they're displayed here. She also adds a little signature vintage postage stamp on each piece, a tradition she began to honor her grandfather who started a stamp collection for her as a child. Leigh has recently opened a store in Austin, and is being carried in numerous boutiques. 

You can visit the store in Austin: 

1215 Corona Drive

Austin, Texas 

78723

or visit her website:

http://www.leighelena.com/

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Not Quite Ruby Slippers

Via Net-a-Porter

 These glitter-encrusted booties from Miu Miu make me smile. A little reminiscent of Dorothy's ruby slippers, no? I love the warm pops of color with the suede trims. They would be fantastic with a simple dress to add some glam. 

Via Saks

Furry Floor

If you told me I would be recommending fur for your floor, I probably wouldn't believe you. I don't know that it sounds like something I'd be a fan of. But I think this "antelope" rug has changed my mind. Seeing it in the room above, I realize it has a very soothing effect. It's a fantastic neutral, and honestly, probably hides dirt pretty well. I think it adds a modern sophistication to this little nook. It's available at Eatman's here in Raleigh, and can be done in any size. 

Little Bow Peep

This Bowknot Pocket Shiftdress from BHLDN is absolutely stunning. I am a huge fan of the marigold color-I think that almost anyone can wear it. This dress is so simple, but yet totally a statement dress. Not to mention, it's a great price coming in well below $300! It is perfect for an upcoming October wedding in Charleston. BHLDN.com is a fantastic resource for wedding needs, from bridal to wedding guest; if you haven't seen it you MUST check it out, it's a very Anthropolie-esque site and feel with some really extraordinary pieces. 

Taigan It To The Streets

Hobe Gold Mesh Cuff

Get out of here with this. I love this so much I don't even know what to say. This vintage gold Hobe mesh cuff is courtesy of vintage jewelry dealer House of Lavande in Palm Beach. If you don't know about the Taigan website, it's definitely worth checking out. It's a collection of boutiques all curated by Julia Reed (they also have a blog called "Fetch"-as Taigan is a dog), who has been a contributing editor to Vogue, among other publications. 

Peruse the amazing finds at House of Lavande here:

http://www.taigan.com/shops/houseoflavande

1960s Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane. Stunning

Quintessentially Stylish

If you are from the Raleigh area and have ever had to make a purchase from a bridal registry, then you are probably familiar with Quintessentials. It has been a mainstay in the gift and bridal niche here in town, and in the past two years has gotten a refreshing facelift! Raleigh native Kristen Anderson decided to relocate the store (but only a few doors away in North Hills) and expand the space and their offerings. 

The new space is open and bright, with walls of china and crystal, and gorgeous vignettes styled with the utmost care and style. I have absolutely loved walking by their windows to check out the ever-changing table settings.One of my favorite traditions Kristen has carried into the new space are the bridal registry displays; a place setting is done and accompanied with a place card with the bride and groom's name on it. I love that you can walk through and actually see everyone's setting and can compare and contrast what different brides are doing. Quintessentials carries a wide assortment of gift items as well, from hostess gifts to great gift ideas for your beau or dad, etc. I LOVE the Bird Dog Bay line of ties (and other boy things like boxers and bowties) they have added; they collar stays are packaged in real shotgun shell casings and you have to look at this adorable page on their website entitled "things Gus ate". If you haven't seen the new space it is certainly worth the visit, and they have even done a fabulous website so you can shop online with Quintessentials as well. 

Visit them:

Quintessentials at the Alexan at North Hills

4209 Lassiter Mill Road Suite 119

Raleigh, NC 27609

Phone: 919.785.0787

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm

http://www.shopquintessentials.com/

Brides take note: Great Walls of China

The men's corner

Silver Spoons

Gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous Stingray Cuffs

Reed and Barton Baby Fork and Spoon

Bird Dog Bay Gold-Plated Collar Stays. In an actual shotgun shell. How manly!

Love Those Mary Janes

Check out Tibi's Fall shoe collection. I must say, I think that Tibi doesn't always nail it with the shoes (although they haven't done shoes for that long), I am pretty much in love with what they've done for fall. I've posted about the red bootie with bow before but I am CRAZY about the black satin t-strap Mary Jane. I think that would look amazing with everything from a cocktail look to skinny jeans! View these and the rest of the Tibi collection on their website:
http://www.tibi.com/shop/shoes

Leather Leggings!

So I've sort of been obsessed with the suede leggings that I've seen for the past two seasons. This season will apparently be no different. My favorite, the most fabulous in my opinion, are these insane goat suede leggings in bronze by Vince. They're on pre-order right now at saks.com, but at almost $1000 they seem to be slightly unattainable at the moment. Although my heart feels very strongly that they are worth it; like I think they'd probably change your life. Now, in a very close second I give you the Alice + Olivia version. This is the chocolate suede version, the black suede is in store at Gena Chandler right now; I have tried them on, the fit is incredible-so comfy yet more flattering than you would ever think. And the Alice + Olivia version is definitely (in the warped reality of fashion) much more affordable at $598. They are fabulous. 

Peachy Pout

NARS is one of my all-time favorite makeup lines. I'm sure everyone has at least heard of, if not been a loyal devotee of, their infamously named blush Orgasm. Another one of my favorite staples is this peachy hued combo: their best-selling lip gloss Chelsea Girls in tandem with the Fantasia lip liner. I hate lipstick, but these two are so light I don't get the gunky lipstick feeling (or the hair stuck to lips situation). I have literally had to share this with an entire bridal party before because everyone was so obsessed with the color. NARS is at most of the big cosmetic places and if you're in Columbia, POUT on Devine also carries NARS and other fabulous cosmetic lines. 

Pants

You must get these pants. I got these pants. They are perfect. J Crews Pixie Pant. Ponte material and a little zip up the back AND they're $88. They really are perfection. They come in gray and olive as well. I'm definitely getting another pair. 

Emmy Winner

UHHHGGG! I love, love, love Julie Bowen's Emmy dress! I didn't watch the Emmy's (except for seeing Peter Dinklage win for Game of Thrones, YAY DINKLAGE!) but I did get a glimpse of the Modern Family actress's dress. Gorgeous, deep-v, sequined Oscar de la Renta. Love it, love the hair, love the makeup. Stunning all together.  

Fall Threads

Check out this adorable Fall flier from Pinecone Threads! Look at the giraffe tee!!!! LOVE! I saw one of the rompers last weekend and it was absolutely precious. Everything is handmade and eco-conscious AND great prices. 


Visit their Etsy shop:
www.pineconethreads.etsy.com

Spring 2012 Tibi

Tibi has long been a favorite down here in the South. The designer is from these parts, and they maintain a distribution center in GA. Tibi's bright colors and prints have always had a big appeal with Southern women, and I have noticed that the line has been evolving over the last few years to include a more mature look. The Spring 2012 collection (in my humble opinion) is a departure from the super-girlie look of the past. I think it's fantastic. This was an almost print-free Tibi show! Instead she's focused on simplified shapes and gorgeous fabrics. It's much more sophisticated, and I think if I were picking a color palette this is EXACTLY what I would pick. I am so excited to see these looks in the stores in several months. 

Images via style.com

Spring '12 Oscar

While we ordinary people are dusting off last year's sweaters and determining with pair of jeans we can still fit into, the fabulous people (fashion people) are celebrating fashion week in NYC-which is currently showing Spring 2012! Oscar De La Renta makes my heart sing. These are two of my favorite looks from this week's RTW collection. He never fails to amaze me with his attention to detail and drama. Obsessed. 

Images via style.com

More Missoni Mania

These are some of the fruits of a 5 AM Target trip. I'm currently not speaking to this "friend" who says that the fit is "surprisingly on the mark" and that she also got a bikini, chevron mugs, and appetizer plates online early. But she's still bitter that the luggage was $200. Sigh.