Jan

Or is there?

I’m ashamed to admit I’ve shopped while sad, hurt or angry, and it always leads to mayhem either in my budget or closet or both. And the temporary high I’ve experienced in these moments never lasts. Shopping while overjoyed can sometimes have the same effect as well, as I might enthusiastically talk myself into something that’s really a bad fit, style-wise. So I try not to use retail therapy too often – although sometimes there’s just nothing a new pair of shoes can’t cure. Le sigh.

What about you?

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Haute or Not?

Jan

Wishing the happiest of anniversaries to my Mother and Daddy…

12 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon

Jan

Recommended reading: Secrets of the Southern Belle

Are you a Scarlett? A Blanche (DuBois or Devereaux)? Or a Whitley (Gilbert)?

Discover, refine or embrace your inner southern belle with Atlanta Real Housewife/attorney/fitness dvd star/aspiring mortician (whew!) Phaedra Parks’ new book, which will teach you “How to Be Nice, Work Hard, Look Pretty, Have Fun and Never Have an Off Moment.” Now, this is not about scheming under moonlight and magnolias, simpering on verandas or being fake; it’s really about how to present your best self every day. As Ms. Parks notes, “Who wouldn’t want to be a lady in this day and age? Don’t we all want to be rare and unusual and cherished?” (p. 64).

Light-hearted, witty and informative, it includes recipes, bulleted tips and handy scripts regarding matters of style, etiquette and tricky situations without giving absolutely ALL of our secrets away. This guide will help you improve poise in navigating just about any social setting or occasion (including births, deaths, dating, tailgating and dressing). Brushing up on manners is always a good idea (whether you consider yourself a Southern belle or not), and there are tips from every life stage from baby to Grande Dame. It includes tips for bringing up the little belle or beau in your life as well.

My favorite tip (which happens to be something my aunt used to say): “A lady never puts in the shop window what isn’t for sale.” HA!

Image via Amazon.com

12 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon/Haute off the Press

Alexis E. Barton/how to be a southern belle/Phaedra Parks/Same Chic Different Day/Secrets of the Southern Belle

Jan

A word to the wise…

This is funny.

Seriously, it’s fun to celebrate a milestone with a little special something or to splurge just because! Treat yourself to a pair of shoes that don’t match anything you own (yet), eat a delicious cupcake at bedtime to ensure sweet dreams or enjoy a mani/pedi for a bit of pampering after a challenging week – you deserve it.

xo, Alexis

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

C'est Si Bon

Alexis E. Barton/Elements of style/Same Chic Different Day

Jan

Who wore what, where: 2014 Golden Globes

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We’re baaa-aack! And we’ve missed you, darlings! We started our year on a decidedly unfabulous note (with the flu), but have recovered just in time for awards season and red carpet shenanigans!

Last night’s Golden Globes were rather dull (we really just tune in for the fashion, anyway), but our red carpet winner SHUT. IT. DOWN. Best Supporting Actress nominee Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) is the hands down winner in this crimson caped gown by Ralph Lauren and Fred Leighton jewels. It’s no secret that Lupita is a fab fashionista: she’s recently been featured on the cover of W and will star in Miu Miu’s 2014 spring ad campaign.

But what on earth was Fashion Police’s George Kotsiopoulous thinking? This look (short pants + tight jacket + bare ankles + weird shoes) is so unflattering, and unappropriate for the occasion. Boo.

Lessons to be learned as we lean into Birmingham’s social season? Don’t be afraid of making a dramatic statement in a bold color, but keep makeup, coif and accessories simple so they don’t overpower your look. But by all means, be appropriate to your event. Dressing down or trying to hard to be “different” will only draw attention to you for all the wrong reasons.

Images via Steve Granitz/WireImage (Nyong’o), Jeff Vespa/WireImage (Kotsiopolous)

12 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Haute or Not?/Random Acts of Fashion/Who Wore What Where

Alexis E. Barton/Golden Globes 2014/Same Chic Different Day

Jan

Simple, no?

12 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon

Dec

2013 owes us nothing.

Click HERE to see why.

See you next year, darlings! *wink*

12 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon/Fashion Flashback/Love That!

Dec

#Psalm 139:14

Love this shrunken graphic sweatshirt from *Madewell ($75)! This will be perfect with boyfriend shorts, leather bottoms and my go-to pencil skirts. The shape keeps it from being too slouchy, and the simple phrase is oh-so-chic. I love an item with a cheeky turn-of-phrase.

Have you checked out the new Madewell location at the Summit? They have AMAZING customer service and lovely city-chic pieces! And they are currently offering 30% off online and in stores through December 24 (with some exclusions).

I love this piece for sartorial reasons, but also it reflects where I am right now with ALEXIS. True beauty is about accepting your perceived flaws: your freckles, your stretch marks, your weird eyebrows, your jiggly thighs – whatever – and OWNING them.

*Bien fait means “Made well” in French.

Image via Madewell