26

Mar

ICYMI: Alexis visits Good Day Alabama for National Nutrition Month

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Who knew eating healthy could be so chic?

I had a blast on Fox 6’s Good Day Alabama this morning with Mike Dubberly, sharing healthy meal options for National Nutrition Month from T-Fal, Carrington Farms, Cenergy Nutrition and BistroMD! (NO, I am not a nutritionist!)

Check out the video by clicking HERE! (When the page opens, you may have to click ‘Videos’ at the top, then ‘Good Day Videos,’ then ‘Cooking Healthy for Your Family’.)

P.S. Stay tuned for a suakoko betty update and the announcement of the giveaway winner!

 

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Birmingham Live!/Haute off the Press/Love That!

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21

Mar

Are you #SuakokoBettychic?

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Happy Friday, darlings!

Yesterday I told you one of Spring’s hautest looks will feature multicultural prints and influences. Today I’m happy to share a new label you should know: suakoko betty. This line is the brainchild of Charlene Dunbar, an Atlanta-area designer who marries traditional West African textiles with contemporary silhouettes (“suakoko” means “place of new beginnings” and to Dunbar, “Betty” represents the everyday woman).

Born in Liberia and reared in Atlanta, Charlene’s design sensibilities have been shaped by the strong, stylish women in her family as well as Liberian and American culture. Her work caught the eye of Belk when she entered (and won!) their Southern Design Showcase. Her thoughtfully conceived, artfully crafted pieces will launch in select Belk stores (yes, including Birmingham!) and online at belk.com this month.

When I saw the designs, I knew you would love them too, because suakoko betty embodies confident, bold women who express themselves through their personal style (if that’s not you, darlings, I don’t know who it is). The silhuoettes flatter a variety of physiques, and are so eye-catching that you’re sure to stand out when you enter a room. I can’t wait to get the Peplum with Skirt dress! What also makes this line special is Charlene travels to Africa herself to source and choose the fabric, but the pieces are made in the United States. You can shop the line ahead of the launch via the suakoko betty website and Etsy shop and at The Beehive Atlanta.

In anticipation and celebration of line’s launch at Belk, I am giving away a suakoko betty clutch, similar to the ones shown in the slideshow (which won’t be a part of the Belk collection). I have one, and it is a definite statement piece that I know will transform the simple palette I normally stick to.

There are SIX ways to enter:

  1. Comment on this post: “I want to be #suakokobettychic!”;
  2. Share this post on Facebook (tag me and use the hashtag #suakokobettychic);
  3. Share this post on Twitter (tag @SameChicSouth and use the hashtag #suakokobettychic);
  4. Sign up to follow this blog;
  5. Like SCDD’s Facebook page; and
  6. Follow @SameChicSouth on Twitter.

The winner will be chosen on Monday, March 24 at 5 PM; stay tuned for my conversation with the designer herself next week!

Images via suakoko betty

12 years ago Short URL 8 Comments

C'est Si Bon/Love That!/The Look

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20

Mar

Hello, Spring!

Get into it, darlings! I couldn’t wait another day for the seasons to change – and with it, my wardrobe! I wear a lot of seasonless pieces (which is easier on the budget), but I’m looking to breathe some new life into my look this year.

Pantone has already declared Radiant Orchid to be the color of the year, but there are numerous other options to play with this Spring, as shown here:

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I’ve already stepped out of my comfort zone by incorporating some rich blue into my life by way of J. Crew, as well as with Essie’s baby blue “Bikini So Teeny” nail polish. And I’m kinda loving it!

Now that we know which colors are haute this season, which trends should you be considering? I rely on Belk’s uber-glam style maven Arlene Goldstein’s trend reports, and this year we can look forward to what she deems “fierce, yet feminine looks with delicate and daring statements.” Her top three style statements this season are the

  • “Jetsetter”– featuring multi-cultural, ikat and camo prints and elements which speak to your spirit of adventure (perfect with the gladiator sandals and flats you’ll be wearing as well!),
  • “Feminine Charms” – exuding  elegance and marked by appliques, florals, lace, sheer fabrics and fit-and-flare silhouettes in white and navy, and
  • “Clean Slate” – for those of you who prefer minimalist chic, geometric elements, classic yet graphic black and white and edgy statement jewelry.

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The only trend I’m not looking forward to? The return of the chunky-heeled shoe. Ugh. But there’s plenty to choose from, and these smoking-haute stilettos from Dolce Vita ($179.99) are on my lust-list.  And as if we needed another excuse to shop, Belk has a Spring Fashion Sale going on now!

Belk_DolceVita

Ready to rock a new trend? Stay tuned: we have a *giveaway* planned for tomorrow!

Images via Belk

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Birmingham Live!/Shopping is My Cardio

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19

Mar

Love. This.

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This Collection Eyelet Jumpsuit (in pink and navy, $298) by J. Crew has “Spring” written all over it. *sigh* One more day to go, darlings…just one more day!

I love the ease of one-piece dressing, and this lovely look will suffice for a variety of occasions.  Jumpsuits can easily read “astronaut in training” or “baby onesie” if the fit is off or if there are too many embellishments. J. Crew gets it right by showing that easy does it…effortlessly.

Image via J. Crew

12 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon/Shopping is My Cardio

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11

Mar

“Blood, Sweat & Heels” star Demetria Lucas (and more!) to attend natural hair expo March 29

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Toss some sequins, darlings!

If you are a fan of Bravo’s Blood, Sweat and Heels, then you’re surely familiar with Ms. Lucas. The multi-talented blogger and author, known for her spot-on writing at A Belle in Brooklyn, no nonsense advice (you should be reading her Q&A on Ask.fm)  and her fierce sense of style will be in Birmingham on Saturday, March 29. She will appear at the Third Annual Natural Hair and Health Expo at the BJCC, which will feature tips for style and well-being, natural hair consultations, vendors and live entertainment. For tickets, click HERE.

If I sound slightly starstruck fan, it’s because I am. Ms. Lucas has a way of sharing her wit and wisdom that totally empowers readers. (She will soon release her second book, Don’t Waste the Pretty, which we are also here for.) And I can’t wait to receive some tips on styling my curls!

The expo, which is the largest of its kind in Alabama, will also feature a “Curls and Conversations” panel discussion on the impact of natural hair, popular natural hair bloggers (from YouTube’s MahoganyCurls and NaturallyCurly.com),  noted actor Lamman Rucker, Orange is the New Black star Tanya Wright and more! A press release party for the event will be held this Sunday at WorkPlay.

For more information, click HERE.

See you there!

Images via Visions Beauty

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Birmingham Live!/First Person Fabulous/Scene and Heard

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10

Mar

ICYMI: Alexis features CureDiva on Talk of Alabama

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I had an “AMAZING” time featuring CureDiva on ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama last Friday morning!

Click HERE to see the video, in which I share a travel purse with ice pack from Hot Girls Pearls ($16), a fan from Fancy Hands Fans ($21), non-toxic nail polish ($16) and remover  ($6) by Acquarella, and a two piece turban set from Titillating Turbans, $60 (the pink set shown is not online, but there are similar options available).

It was such a privilege to share these products, as well as the mission of CureDiva, which provides a lifestyle products, a supportive online community and BreastCancer.org’s edcuational resources for breast cancer survivors.

Xo, Alexis

Screenshots via ABC 33/40

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Birmingham Live!/C'est Si Bon/Love That!/Shopping is My Cardio

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06

Mar

Must-see TV: Alexis Barton to talk CureDiva on ABC 33/40

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Darlings, if you’re in the Birmingham area, please tune into ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama this Friday (March 7)during the 9:00 AM CST hour! I’ll be appearing live with hosts Ebony Hall and Nicole Allshouse to share some very special products from CureDiva with viewers! You don’t want to miss it!

CureDiva.com

CureDiva.com

“CureDiva is here to revolutionize the lifestyle of women coping with breast cancer and its after effects. It is a stylish feminine environment, uniting a one-stop-shop and community, and offering a holistic answer to all the non-medical needs of 1 out of 8 women in the world.

Shop with CureDiva: find all the stylish answers – especially designed and selected – to enable you with stylish living through your breast cancer journey.” – CureDiva.com

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been affected in some form by cancer, either through personal diagnosis or supporting a loved one through their own. My family has lost several loved ones to cancer, and I was saddened to have a god-aunt pass away early last month.  It is an honor to share CureDiva’s mission and products with you, and I hope you’ll tune in to Talk of Alabama tomorrow morning.

Images via ABC 33/40 and SheKnows.com

12 years ago Short URL Comments

Birmingham Live!/Haute off the Press/Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio

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05

Mar

Spend or Splurge?

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These will put a definite  SPRING in your step…

I’ve said before that a nude pump is an essential part of a well-considered wardrobe, but I’m adding this Spring’s hot sandal – the open-toed bootie – to the list as well. Yes, it elongates the leg just like its more subdued sister, but it adds a touch of undeniable sizzle that makes a basic black pencil skirt or even denim and a tee look fresh and edgy.

I’ll take either of these: The “Lexington” by Rachel Roy, originally $325/now $199, in natural leather with a 4″ heel or ZARA’s Leather High Heel Ankle Boot sandal with scalloped detailing, $129.99. The intricate cutouts adorning both shoes add visual interest and keep these booties from reading “Little House on the Prairie.” At such a great price there’s really no “spend or splurge” debate; you should get the Rachel Roy’s in black and the Zara pair in natural!

With a shoes that make such a bold statement, it’s best to keep the rest of your ensemble simple, and the neutral shade means you’ll get a lot of mileage out of them this season. And it should go without saying that a recent pedicure would also be essential.

I wear an 8, if anyone’s feeling generous! *wink*

Happy shopping!

12 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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03

Mar

Best-dressed: Oscars 2014

We’re just here for Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), in a custom ice blue Prada pleated gown and gold and diamond headband by Fred Leighton.

As she so eloquently stated in her acceptance speech, “No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.” Go forth and dream as big as you can, darlings!

If you have not seen Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave, I encourage you to do so. It’s a mature film for a mature audience, and one that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Images via Twitter (Follow SCDD there @SameChicSouth!)

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

C'est Si Bon/Random Acts of Fashion/Who Wore What Where

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27

Feb

I refuse to wear nude pantyhose.
I refuse to blindly buy trend pieces that have a “blink and you’ll miss it” shelf life.
I refuse to buy things that don’t fit my budget.
I refuse to entertain drama.
I refuse to accept that life should be drudgery.
I refuse to settle for just existing.
I refuse to be a victim.
I refuse to not try.

What do you “refuse”?

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

C'est Si Bon/He Said She Said

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