10

May

Don’t miss the ‘Made in the South’ trunk show on May 14!

invite_sodeBrowse fashion, accessories, jewelry, home decor and cuisine from Southern designers at Aldridge Gardens on Tuesday, May 14, from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.  Meet over 15 regional designers and shop with special discounts throughout the trunk show.  This FREE (!) event will include complimentary parking at the Gardens as well as door prizes and giveaways throughout the day.

Vendors include Lissa Mar’s “Hampton’s-style clothing made in the South,” Moo Moo Design’s “new earrings, necklaces and bracelets made out of horn and bone,” Hot to Trot Boutique’s “horse show handbags, vintage Versace/Chanel button jewelry created in a newly renovated 1964 airstream trailer,” and Emily G’s “new “curry” ketchup, pepper vinegar, apple pie jam and more!”

See you there!

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Birmingham Live!

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08

May

Shop with Eileen Fisher Tipsters tomorrow!

EFisherlogoHaute off the Press:

Everybody needs a little personal style advice and the designer Eileen Fisher has a solution: She is sending the company’s style mavens—known as “Tipsters”–on the road. On Thursday, May 9, Belk’s Summit location in Birmingham will host an EILEEN FISHER Tipster Event at 11:00 am, complete with a fashion show and personal style advice from Tipsters, Gaetan Karr and Maryanne Morella. This event will benefit GirlSpring. 

“I find our Tipsters endlessly fascinating,” says Fisher, “because they’re so creative in the ways they put the clothes together.”

For the May 9 event, Belk has selected EILEEN FISHER Tipster Gaetan Karr, who works as one of the company’s personal shoppers. “I’ve been in retail for 50 years,” says Karr. “I used to shop the collections in Paris and Milan. Over the years I’ve learned a few things. One of them is how to be edgy–with the wisdom of age.” 

Gaetan’s co-tipster, Maryanne Morella, is a Regional Merchandise Manager for the brand’s wholesale department stores, and traveling light throughout the country is a top priority. Her carry on is always ready to go and inside, one would find her wardrobe staples: a simple black dress, a lightweight cardigan, and her signature style silver hoop earrings. “Maxi, midi or anywhere between, I love the simplicity of our dresses as the staple of my wardrobe. I personalize them with big, bold bangles and chunky necklaces to add fun and dimension.”

Shoppers who attend the Tipster Event will not only get great fashion advice, they will also have a chance to help a good cause. EILEEN FISHER will donate 5% of the event day sales to GirlSpring, a non-profit organization that provides access to reliable information and positive role models to girls and young women so they can make sound decisions and good choices.

To RSVP for this event, please call 205-968-4200 ext. 305.

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Birmingham Live!

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07

May

Worst Dressed: Met Gala 2013

I said I wasn’t going to comment on Kim Kardashian’s sartorial choices during her pregnancy. But I’m making an exception for last night’s get up. This is not a screed against her weight gain; the blowback she’s received has been super mean and wrong. But was this the best she could do? It’s giving me “Eunice Harper Higgins” vibes. *Sigh*

For more photos of who wore  what and how to the Costume Institute’s punk-themed gala, click HERE.

Kim Kardashian in Riccardo Tisci

Kim Kardashian in Riccardo Tisci

Image via Getty

13 years ago Short URL 4 Comments

Haute or Not?/Learn From My Mistakes!

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03

May

Shop the ‘Made in the South’ Traveling Trunk Show on May 14!

Shop chic with Southern Designer Collections as they present the 2nd Annual “Made in the South” Traveling Trunk Show!  Browse fashion, accessories, jewelry, home decor and cuisine from Southern designers at Aldridge Gardens on Tuesday, May 14, from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.  Meet over 15 designers and shop with special discounts throughout the trunk show.  This FREE (!) event will include complimentary parking at the Gardens as well as door prizes and giveaways throughout the day.

Vendors include Lissa Mar’s “Hampton’s-style clothing made in the South,” Moo Moo Designs “new earrings, necklaces and bracelets made out of horn and bone,” Hot to Trot Boutique’s “horse show handbags, vintage Versace/Chanel button jewelry created in a newly renovated 1964 airstream trailer,” and Emily G’s “new “curry” ketchup, pepper vinegar, apple pie jam and more!”

Come on out and browse at this one day only event; your summer wardrobe will thank you! There’s something for everyone at this show, and you will be supporting regional designers.

See you there!

Aldridge Gardens is located at 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover, AL 35216

Special thanks to Southern Designer Collections for sponsoring this post.  Want more info? Click HERE.

Images courtesy of Southern Designer Collections

13 years ago Short URL Comments

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

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02

May

JC Penney Apologizes

Watch:

This bold, straightforward approach is admirable.  Although rebranding itself as “jcp“, giving its CEO the boot, offering collaborations with design guru Jonathan Adler,  Martha Stewart and luxury womenswear designer Georgina Chapman (of Marchesa!) –  and introducing fresh lines like the recent Duro Olowu collection –  are smart ways to build interest and bring new shoppers into the store, ultimately a different level of effort is required to keep them. Shoppers still require great customer service, quality products and fair pricing.  Customers still want bright stores, fun events and to feel that the brand reflects what is current and relevant.  Designer collaborations are awesome but you have to really advertise them, and you also have to maintain a vibrant and responsive social media presence.  Listening is great, but implementing real change that brings actual value to shoppers is even better.

jcp is making strides to attract, engage, and retain customers through outreach efforts; its Facebook page is FULL of customer feedback. This feedback won’t help if  jcp doesn’t act on it thoughtfully and quickly.

What do you think about jcp’s efforts?   The Georgina Chapman collection is enough to get me to roll through!

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute off the Press/Haute or Not?

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30

Apr

I need this shoe.

JessicaSimpson_GinnyActually, I need the mate also…you know, so I can wear them.

The “Ginny” by Jessica Simpson ($89 at Belk and Heels.com) incorporates three BIG spring trends: the wedge, print, and emerald green.  I can’t wait to make a home for these darlings in my closet!

Image via Heels.com

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Shopping is My Cardio

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29

Apr

Fashion Recap: Belk/BBJ Women’s Summit Fashion Show!

I had a fabulous time hosting the Belk Fashion Show during the Birmingham Business journal’s Women’s Summit this past Friday at the Wynfrey Hotel! The models were Belk’s store associates, and they did an amazing job showcasing looks from Trina Turk, Plenty by Tracy Reese, Sunny Leigh, Vince Camuto and more. If you’re looking for on-trend attire that is appropriate for work and play this Spring, Belk has it!

Like my outfit? I’m wearing an antique white and hot orange Bar III Spring Collection peplum dress from Macy’s and Manolo Blahnik stilettos with a fuchsia rattan clutch (similar here, here and here). I thought I’d try some color-blocking to accent my (new) red hair!

13 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Birmingham Live!/C'est Si Bon/If We Weren't There It Didn't Happen/Scene and Heard/The Look

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25

Apr

Bargain Carousel kicks off this week!

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If you’ve never been to Birmingham’s biggest garage sale, your opportunity is here. Bargain Carousel spins its way into the community tonight with its Bargain Bash, benefitting the projects of the Junior League of Birmingham!  Bargain Bash gives shoppers the chance to browse and buy items before the official sale begins on Saturday at the former JCPenney at Century Plaza.  To purchase a $40/VIP or $30/General Admission ticket, click HERE. Bargain Bash features “food, beverages, and first dibs on over 300 cash-and-carry auction items.”  Note: pre-sale items are sold at double the sticker price during the Bargain Bash.

“The proceeds that are raised through this event are used to support more than 30 Community Projects with the Junior League’s partner agencies, which depend on the funds raised to support their missions,” said Valerie Ramsbacher, President of the Junior League of Birmingham. There will be over 100,000 items for sale including adult clothing, appliances (large and small), art, books, music, children’s clothing, electronics, furniture, heirloom items, holiday decorations, home décor, infant furniture and accessories, kitchen items, lighting, linens, office equipment and furniture, outdoors and sporting goods, rugs and toys.

If you are a “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) enthusiast, you will want to make sure to visit the “DIY Duds Corner” featuring donated pieces by JLB Members that have been transformed into treasures for your home. Join Marianne Strong of Marianne Strong Interiors; Bargain Carousel Chair-Elect, Sarah Peinhardt, Designer with Gresham Smith Partners; Interior Designer Marianne Gilchrist; and Sidney Bragiel, Stylist for Entertain Decorate Celebrate magazine, to see their vision of upgrading Bargain Carousel merchandise to make it your own.“There will be lots of washers, dryers, refrigerators, bedframes, antiques and baby furniture,” said Elizabeth Burgess, Chair of Bargain Carousel. “These are always our most popular items.”

In 2012, over 1,400 tickets were presold the day before Bargain Carousel opened its doors. People began lining up six hours in advance. This year, patrons may pre-purchase up to four (4) tickets at $10/ticket for the Saturday Sale on Friday, April 27 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Bargain Carousel 2013 will begin on Saturday, April 27 at 8 a.m.  Tickets for Saturday are $10 a ticket from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. and $5 a ticket from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Bargain Carousel continues on Sunday, April 28 (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.) with free admission and half price merchandise. A special note for the Saturday Sale is that all tickets are numbered and shoppers will enter Bargain Carousel in the order of their ticket number. 

To order Bargain Bash tickets and for more information about Bargain Carousel 2013, the most exciting spring shopping event in Birmingham visit www.bargaincarousel.net or call 205-879-9861.  Century Plaza is located at 7580 Crestwood Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35210.

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Birmingham Live!/Shopping is My Cardio

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23

Apr

I don’t sweat; I sparkle

Pray for me.

Pray for me.

Jillian Michaels is my new BFF. We have a love-hate relationship: she loves to torture me in the name of exercise, and I hate every minute of it…until those endorphins kick in. At the end of this “strength/cardio/ab” circuit workout, combined with sensible eating (guess who’s keeping a food journal via My Fitness Pal?) and alternating lunchtime walks and stair climbing with visits to the gym (and tracking my progress with the Nike+ Running app), I better see real results or she’s getting kicked to the curb.

I checked this DVD out from the local library (because I’ve been burned before – ahem, Abs of Steel), and It. Is. Kicking. My. Butt. Which is probably a good thing. I’m not craving Cokes (as much), and water never tasted so good.

Lessons learned thus far?
1. Make small changes to your diet and build on that, and be sure to incorporate a cheat day. As in ONE cheat day. Don’t beat yourself up when you start craving steak and cupcakes…because when you work out, you’ll definitely feel hungry!
2. Just do it. It’s not fun or cute to sweat this hard, but neither are heart disease, diabetes, or a muffin top. Lace up your sneakers and get after it.
3. The 30 Day Shred is a 20 minute workout. Who can’t find 20 minutes to devote to getting healthy? If shredding is not for you then power walk, roller skate, join a Zumba class…just do something that will make you break a sweat.
4. My upcoming class reunion was motivation enough for me, but build in rewards so that you have something to look forward to.
5. Have epsom salts on hand. You’re going to need them.

I’d post “before” pictures but the interweb really doesn’t need to see my tummy.

Are you on #teamtwopiece, or are you making an effort to increase your fitness level? Leave a comment in the comment box! Let’s encourage each other.

*I’m many things, but doctor, nutritionist, and personal trainer didn’t make the cut. I’m not offering or claiming to offer any professional advice; I’m sharing my own experience. Get checked out by a professional before you start any weight loss or fitness plan, and proceed with care.

Image via Wal-Mart

13 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

C'est Si Bon/First Person Fabulous/Learn From My Mistakes!/Losing It

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22

Apr

Must-see: Dove Real Beauty Sketches

O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us.
(O would some power the gift to give us to see ourselves as others see us.)

Robert Burns, Poem “To a Louse” – verse 8

Does this give you something to think about? How do YOU see you?

13 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Love That!

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