Because sometimes we could all use a reminder to know our worth and ask for what we deserve…
Wish list
I’m slowly getting into the off-the-shoulder trend for spring/summer, and am currently in love with these Collection pieces from J. Crew. In my mind I’m already in Santorini or Capri; why not dress as though my ticket and hotel stay are booked?
Images via J. Crew
Calling all DIY divas!
Whether we’re at the pool, lake, beach or just in the backyard, we all know we should protect our faces and bodies from the sun. One way to do that is to don a sun hat. They are everywhere right now, from discount to department stores. I went shopping and fell in love with a designer one that retails for $485. This hat, by Eugenia Kim, has been seen on Beyonce and is featured in the June issues of InStyle and O Magazines. It’s absolutely adorable, but it’s NOT in my summer style budget. So one way to get “the look for less” is to harness your creativity and recreate it using less expensive, but easily accessible items.
Ready to try it?
- You’ll need a straw hat with a wide brim (app. $15), sequined trim ($3 per roll), a hot glue gun and glue sticks, and chalk or a disappearing ink pen (available at your local craft store for under $5). You can often find coupons in circulars or online that reduce the price even further.
- Place your hat on a flat surface and decide what phrase you want to embellish on the brim. While you are tracing it onto your hat with your chalk or disappearing ink, plug your hot glue gun in to let it heat up. (Pro tip: dip the metal tip of the glue gun in petroleum jelly so the heated glue won’t get stringy!)
- Add glue to your handwritten outline an inch at a time and working carefully, press your sequin trim down onto the brim, adjusting it as necessary.
- Once you’re done, wipe away any traces of the ink or chalk with a damp cloth.
Why “DIY”? Personalizing it is fun and makes the item one of a kind! Also, consider the price. If you bought the designer version you’d spend close to $500 for a hat you may wear a handful of times during the summer months. Making your own version can be done for well under $50. So as I always advise, evaluate the “cost per wear” and determine the better deal, especially if you have “champagne taste on a soda budget.” And maybe spend some of what you would’ve saved on a super cute swimsuit or sandals!
Images via LookLive and TheGabulousLife
Tune in to Talk of Alabama this Memorial Day!
Toss some sequins and tune in to ABC 33/40 on Monday (May 30th): I’ll be sharing some news you can use during the 9:00 A.M. hour! And this time I’ll be doing something a little different, so this is one you don’t want to miss!
Not in the local viewing area? Try live-streaming it by clicking HERE, or catch the video when it’s posted later by clicking HERE.
Xo, Alexis
Kiss the cook!
In case you missed today’s appearance on Talk of Alabama, please click HERE.
Xo, Alexis
Get ready for Bargain Carousel 2016!
Haute off the press (release):
For some there is nothing more fun than bargain hunting! What if you could find a wide variety of unbelievable items at low prices and buying them would mean you were improving lives for women and children? The Junior League of Birmingham’s (JLB) annual Bargain Carousel makes this shopping experience a reality.
Called the “largest garage sale in Birmingham,” the event offers two distinct experiences. Bargain Bash, held this April 21, is a casual cocktail party that offers first-chance shopping of Bargain Carousel items and impressive silent and live auctions, with more than 150 items, including original artwork and VIP travel packages. For shoppers wanting the best selection and smaller crowds, VIP admission is the best choice, with 6 p.m. entry at $40 a ticket. Shoppers receive one hour of early bird shopping before general admission patrons enter. All guests enjoy food, beverages and the auctions. Guests will also enjoy entertaining commentary from Mark & Stephanie with 93.7 WDJC. VIP admission is $40 a ticket and general admission (7 p.m. entry) is $30 a ticket. All Bargain Carousel items sell for double the ticket price during Bargain Bash.
Saturday and Sunday are a bargain hunter’s paradise, with more than 100,000 items for sale including art, appliances, furniture, heirloom items, baby and children’s clothing and furnishings, home décor, outdoors and sporting goods, and much more. This year, a local business liquidated their office furniture, providing Bargain Carousel with dozens of high quality desks, chairs and other office furniture.
“Bargain Carousel’s purpose is two-fold,” said JLB volunteer and Bargain Carousel chair, Haley Holden. “The sale raises money for the League’s 31 projects serving women and children in the metro area and it allows us to sell items at deeply discounted prices to individuals who can benefit from them.”
Both Magic Moments and Every Moment Matters will benefit from a portion of the funds raised at Bargain Carousel 2016.
“Many people return to the event year after year,” said Holden. “We have our Bargain Bash faithful who can afford to come in and buy antique pieces at double our retail price that night and we have hundreds of people who line up overnight for the general sale because they know they can get gently-used necessities at a price they can afford.”
Thanks to Baptist Health System, Bargain Carousel will be held in Hoover just off of Exit 10 from I-459 in the old Princeton-Hoover location.
In 2015, more than 500 tickets were pre-sold the day before Bargain Carousel opened its doors. People began lining up the night before to reserve their spot to pre-purchase tickets. This year, the pre-sale will be held at the sale location on Friday, April 22 from 3 – 7 p.m., where shoppers may purchase up to four tickets at $10/ticket to the Saturday sale.
Bargain Carousel 2016 will begin on Saturday, April 23 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Tickets from 8 – 10 a.m. are $10/ticket and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. they are $5/ticket. It continues Sunday, April 24 (1 – 5 p.m.) with free admission and half price merchandise.
A special note for the Saturday sale, all tickets are numbered, and shoppers will enter Bargain Carousel in the order of their ticket number. For information about Bargain Carousel 2016, call 205-879-9861, visit http://www.bargaincarousel.net,“Like” Bargain Carousel on Facebook, or follow @jlbbargaincarousel on Instagram.
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Ready to enter to win a ticket? Here’s how to receive an entry: Comment “Send me to Bargain Carousel!” on this post by Thursday, April 21 at 6:00 PM CST. One winner will be drawn to receive two tickets at 6:30 PM Thursday. All decisions final.
The pleasure of your company is requested…
…this Saturday at Ann Taylor (The Summit location). Happy shopping!
Same Chic Different Day 