28

Oct

What not to wear: Magic City Classic

Whose uncle is this?
No ma’am.

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It’s time for the 2015 Magic City Classic, the 74th annual face-off between Alabama A&M and Alabama State Universities, and one of Birmingham’s most fashionable events! Whether you’re rooting for the Hornets or the Bulldogs come October 31st, today we’re revisiting some tips to keep you from being fashion roadkill!

  1. LAYER. Weather can change from hot to cold and back in an instant. Shivering half-naked makes you look silly. And sweating with a coat on is unacceptable as well.
  2. Fur is FIRE (if the temperature deems it appropriate)…but please leave anything that resembles German shepherd, raccoon, or squirrel in your closet. Better yet, trash it. Simply put, if it looks like it can move with you, don’t wear it!
  3. Rock boots and stiletto heels if you must, but only if you know how to walk in them. Hobbling,stumbling and/or stomping are not sexy. If you just bought them and haven’t broken them in, don’t bother.
  4. Furthermore, if your toes are hanging over the edge of your shoes, or if the heels are missing taps or look like they’ve been gnawed by a rabid animal, please don’t wear them.
  5. This is a family-friendly weekend. No one wants to see the tattoo(s) on your exposed stomach, cleavage, or lower back. Thanks!
  6. If your ‘gators are the same color as Kool-Aid or Now&Laters, spare us.
  7. We know you’ve got school spirit, but that 1964 band sweater is not the business. Matter fact, NOTHING from 1964 is okay.
  8. No one is starching their jeans anymore, we hope! We don’t want to see any super stiff creases in your denim!
  9. If you’re wearing Spandex and are visibly pregnant, expect to be tapped on the shoulder and asked to leave.
  10. Ditto for anyone in an extra smedium vest (male or female).
  11. Wear your ice, but don’t be mad if it gets snatched. You’ve seen Birmingham on The First 48, right? Please don’t be a fashion casualty!
  12. No one wants to see your underwear (bra straps, panty lines, boxer shorts, etc.). Take our word for it.
  13. You’re not on the dance line, so why would you wear booty shorts or a leotard and fishnets to the game?
  14. If you absolutely must wear a (zoot) suit to any of the events scheduled this weekend, please remove the tag(s) from the sleeve.
  15. If your lacefront game is not up to par (and by “up to par” we mean: no visible glue tracks, it shouldn’t look like old Barbie doll hair, and it shouldn’t be perched right above your eyebrows), expect to be a topic of discussion for all the wrong reasons.
  16. Need we inform you that baby hair is for BABIES?
  17. Ladies: please keep your shoes on in the club and everywhere else for that matter. You’re welcome.
  18. Men in skinny jeans or jeggings – well, if you’re guilty of this crime you probably aren’t even reading this blog regularly – so…never mind.
  19. It’s not Halloween or Mardi Gras. Unless you actually are Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, or Lady Gaga, don’t show up dressed as a misguided geisha, Barbie, Smurfette, or wearing meat.
  20. Keep it chic!  This weekend is the time to take a calculated risk, either with your ensemble or accessories!

For more gameday fashion “do’s” tune in to ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama tomorrow during the 9 AM hour!

Images via Facebook and Finding Montauk (Nene Leakes)

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04

Aug

#WhatIWore: University of Alabama Commencement


So…if you follow me elsewhere then you already know I didn’t wear THIS to graduation. *sadface*

The zipper stuck, and I was so afraid of a wardrobe malfunction that I made a quick decision to wear what you see pictured above. The off-white lace blouse and skirt, with nude lining and exposed back zippers, is by BCBG Max Azria and was purchased at Belk/The Summit. I wore it with nude strappy sandals gifted from my parents, and of course, my mother’s strand of pearls, formerly seen HERE and HERE.

Special thanks go to James Adams, Jr. of Renovare for my hair color, cut and styling, and to Kim Colvin of Kimistry Makeup Lab for makeup artistry. After three months of wearing curls and almost no makeup, seeing myself with straight hair and a show-stopping face was a shock!

Something about the lace and the silhouette were just perfect for me (lace can be tricky to pull off sometimes). It was also very cool, which was very important since we’re in the midst of a sweltering summer. I’m still loving wearing off-white — maybe I’m in a LisaRaye phase! Although I typically refrain from outfit posts, I really felt beautiful on Saturday — and this may sound strange — like every bit of happiness I felt inside showed on the outside. Maybe I’ll begin doing a few more of them?

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10

Jun

So you want to wear a wedding jumpsuit…

Jumpsuits

You’ve come to the right place.

Yes, I am still obsessed with the elegant ensemble Solange Knowles chose for her wedding to Alan Ferguson a few months ago. Amal Clooney didn’t do too badly either, with her choice of a sleek pantsuit groom. And I loved Olivia Palermo’s wedding shorts+overskirt…tres daring!  If you’re jumping the broom soon and going for a more traditional gown, perhaps you could incorporate the look into your engagement photo shoot, bridal luncheon or bachelorette bash or even your reception/farewell ensemble.

Here are  a few options:

Crepe cowl-neck halter jumpsuit, $650 at David’s Bridal

Lola jumpsuit, $300 at BHLDN.com

Matilda jumpsuit, $800 at BHLDN.com

Ivory Love Always romper, $185 at Trussville’s South Boutique.

Ivory Lace romper, $66 at Trussville’s South Boutique.

It’s crucial that you consider your undergarments when wearing this type of look. There should be no lumps, bumps or visible panty lines! And if the item you choose is not lined, you can either have one made at an alterations shop or you may “fake it” by wearing nude pantyhose underneath, depending on the fabric (snip the legs to an appropriate length).

Xo,

Alexis

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08

Jun

Own a piece of history from the Ebony Fashion Fair

If you’ve been reading this blog any length of time, you know my love for all things Ebony. Recently someone asked me if “black history” was my beat as a journalist and I politely explained that it was not. I see history as history: all entries and moments are important.  Ebony and the Ebony Fashion Fair are definitely a part of that.  It saddens me that the fashion show no longer struts and sashays through towns and cities. However, thanks to an auction to be held this Wednesday, we have the opportunity to bid on “the best of the best” from the archives.

Here’s more on the Ebony Fashion Fair:

Haute couture by Oscar de la Renta, Yves St. Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Lanvin, Carolina Herrera  and more are among over 500 lots up for auction. The collection includes gowns, cocktail dresses, coats, capes, separates and shoes.  And yes: the pieces have all the detail and drama you may recall if you ever attended one of the charity shows. The sale of these beautiful pieces will go on to benefit education just as they did in the past: a portion of proceeds will go to Johnson Prep. The live auction is to be conduction by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, and will begin at noon CST on June 10.

To view the catalog, click HERE. Note, you must register ahead of time in order to bid.

Did you know? Mrs. Eunice Johnson, the show’s founder and driving force, was a Selma, Ala. native. She was educated at Talladega College.

All images via the Treasures from the Ebony Fashion Fair Collection. See them all by clicking HERE.

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18

May

H&M announces Balmain collection

  H&M’s next designer collection will be with French fashion house Balmain, led by Olivier Rousteing.  If you watched the Billboard Music Awards last night, models Jourdan Dunn and Kendall Jenner wore pieces from the upcoming line. Rousteing, a favorite of Kim and Kanye, is known for his edgy, yet opulent designs with couture flourishes.

Per the release, “The collection will be available starting November 5, in around 250 stores worldwide and online, and will feature clothing and accessories for both women and men.”

Alabama shoppers can find H&M at the Bridge Street Town Center in Huntsville.

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06

May

In which I meet a Maasai chieftain + a giveaway!

I have had so many amazing experiences as a blogger, but attending the Pikolinos launch at Belk a few weeks ago is one I will never forget. If you’re not familiar with the brand, it is a line of beautifully made shoes, jewelry and accessories featuring Spanish leather and intricate beading created by Maasai women, who also receive the profits.

The Maasai Project, as it is called, gives the women a creative space as well as economic freedom. They can then educate themselves and their families…and that is a cause that really spoke to me.

I had the opportunity to see pieces from the partnership at the Summit store, and from the superb leather to the detailed beadwork, these pieces are so, so beautiful. I also had the pleasure of meeting William Kikanae Ole Pere, the tribe’s chief! He is so gracious and so warm, and his vision for empowering women has changed the lives of so many women and girls – and benefited his community as a whole.

Enjoy my highlight reel! You can shop Pikolinos’ Maasai Collection by clicking HERE and HERE.

I was gifted with a beautiful necklace from The Maasai Project and I’m sharing a little of the love with ONE lucky reader! Post “Pick Me 4 Pikolinos!” in the comments for your chance at winning a hand-beaded bracelet. ONE winner will be chosen at random this Friday!

Chief William even taught me a little of his language, Maa, and I close with this:

Ashe (“Thank you”) for reading!

Alexis20150428-074846.jpg

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19

Apr

#PinkSundayProblems: #LillyforTarget online launch is a haute mess

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If you stayed up for the Lilly Pulitzer for Target online launch, you may have grabbed items from your wish list from one of the links that were leaked early. Slow hand clap for you! If not, you may have stayed up until the wee hours (waiting for updates and frantically trying mobile links from affiliate sellers via your cell phone) only to end up empty-handed. Target’s website froze and crashed multiple times, items were added to carts only to be removed, and other items sold out within minutes. Do these seven stages of grief sound familiar?

  1. DENIAL: “I’ve been following this since the announcement in January. I set my alarm clock and began stalking the website at 7:00. What do you MEAN the Fan Dance shift is sold out?! Is this life?!”
  2. HOPE: When you *think* you’ve successfully added all your items to your cart and prepare to check out with glee.
  3. ANGER: Prompted by the “rotating wheel of doom” and your lack of sleep or caffeine.
  4. BARGAINING: Reducing wish list from 30 items to 3.
  5. COMMISERATION: Heading to Twitter to vent.
  6. DEPRESSION: Better known as that infamous “Oops!” notice.
  7. ACCEPTANCE: *Changes into sweats and sneakers for a mad dash at the brick and mortar when it opens.*

To be fair, this is a “limited edition” collection. And with Lilly’s loyal followers and all the hype, seasoned shoppers knew it would be a free-for-all. At this point your options are to shop your local store (which is probably sold out or close to it), wait for items to show up at rock-bottom prices at Dirt Cheap (yes, that actually happens), give up all together…or spend a bit more and shop at Lilly Pulitzer. Them’s the breaks, kids. For more tips, check out Fashionista.com’s post.

In all seriousness, Target has had well-documented issues with its designer collabo launches before from quality to quantity issues (hello, Missoni and Jason Wu). I won’t start on people who snap up everything and list it at ungodly prices on eBay. To not have plus size items in store this time around is a bad look, and frankly, to hear about a swanky pop-up preview soiree+sale at Bryant Park in NYC is disheartening when there are (were?) so many loyal customers around the United States. Why not really democratize fashion by hosting launches and special events in stores in other cities (such as the Neiman Marcus launch a few years ago)?

This could be a teachable moment for Target from an e-commerce, customer service and social media perspective:

  1. Make sure your e-commerce situation is in check! Some kinks are to be expected, but the early release of mobile links, multiple crashes, lengthy delays and numerous inadvertent duplicate orders is ridiculous. Work things out FAR in advance of a launch!
  2. Keep customers informed in a timely fashion. Target’s President Jason Goldberg tweeted replies and information to followers on Twitter, but I also saw the usual canned replies from Target’s account. However, not everyone was seeing these messages across social media. The comment section on the Target Style Facebook page was in shambles.
  3. Offer something to sweeten ruffled feathers. A massive goodwill campaign will be needed to win back some of Target’s customers, and even that may not be enough.

Your thoughts? How was your #LillyforTarget experience?

Happy shopping!

Xo, Alexis

Screenshots via Target, Gigi Goes Shopping, Lisa Vingerling and Twitter

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07

Apr

Get to Gus Mayer this Thursday!

20150406-122642.jpgGus Mayer invites you to enjoy an evening of fashion, fun and (TAX FREE!) shopping this Thursday.  Come celebrate StyleBlueprint’s Faces of Birmingham, browse Spring’s hautest trends at Gus Mayer’s Trend Bar, receive beauty tips from the Color Lab and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 4 to 8 p.m. There will also be fashionable giveaways throughout the night!

Gus Mayer is located at 225 Summit Boulevard / Suite 700 in the Summit shopping center.

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19

Mar

Ask Alexis: I need #BooBooKitty’s jumpsuit!

Q: Help! Where can I find the red-haute jumpsuit Anika Calhoun wore on the Empire finale last night? – Wannabe Boo Boo Kitty

A: Dear Boo Two,

That jumpsuit was a great look for Anika (played by Grace Gealey)! The simplicity was amplified by the color, which denotes power and passion – perfect for the Empire’s scorned, scheming debutante. Find a similar one via BCBG Max Azria for yourself in store or online at Saks Fifth Avenue! The “Rosanna” Cutout Jumpsuit ($298; available in Red Berry and Black) features princess seaming and darts to give it shape, on-trend wide legs and strategic cutouts for sex appeal. For a precise fit – the bust line and back strap should fit “just so” – take it to your tailor. As the silhouette adds plenty of drama, keep your shoes simple (a la Anika’s nude pump).  And to take it from day to dinner, simply add a structured blazer or moto jacket! I’ve shared my love of chic jumpsuits before; they are so easy to wear with a statement necklace or cuff!

Were you on the edge of your seat during Empire’s two-hour finale too? Wowsers! The Dynasty-esque catfight viewers have been waiting for all season went down (and while we absolutely don’t condone violence, here’s a look at the jumpsuit in question).

Happy shopping! – Alexis

EmpireCatfightGif

For more on Empire, click HERE.  To watch full episodes, click HERE.  And please follow SCDD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

Grace Gealey via Fox, jumpsuit images via BCBG.com, GIF via TrendyGif.net

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06

Mar

Looking for fun, one-of-a-kind pieces to add to your jewelry collection? Then you’ll want to check out Towne & Reese’s line of accessories. Budget-friendly and super-wearable, their earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings add a little something extra to your casual and dress attire. I’m drooling over this turquoise statement necklace, the perfect pop of color for neutrals this spring and summer!

I like it so much that I’m giving away the “Mary Grace” necklace to one fab reader! Delicate, with just the right amount of sparkle and an on-trend fringe accent, it’s just what your sundresses and tunics need! For one entry, post “I heart Towne & Reese under today’s post. Head over to our Instagram page @samechicdifferentday for two more ways to enter: 1. Like the “Mary Grace” post and 2. Tag a friend in the comment section! You have until this Sunday at noon to enter.

You can shop Towne & Reese online HERE, or find it at Belk! Come check it out during Girls’ Night Out next week, when almost everything will be 20% off!

Xo,
Alexis

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