11

Sep

How much would you reveal?

If you thought the idea of a “no-buy” month was a challenge, how about going out without makeup for a day?  The ladies of The Talk (and guest Jamie Lee Curtis) did just that on their season 3 premiere yesterday, opting to appear in spa attire and bare-faced for the duration of ‘Makeup-free Monday’. 

Business Insider gave readers the big reveal:

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A round of applause to the ladies for taking a stand for authenticity. Could you go out (and not just on a random run to Target) to work or out on the town without makeup?  I don’t think I could; I don’t know who I am without my MAC Studio Fix (and you probably wouldn’t know who I was, either).

In other “big reveal” news, Jennifer Hudson recently revealed her plastic surgery to Oprah, and Jessica Simpson showed off her post-pregnancy weight loss to Katie Couric.

Images via Business Insider and People

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13 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/The Look

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10

Sep

Are you F.A.B.?

“I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!” – Carrie Bradshaw

The general consensus seems to be that looking good costs money.  And while I don’t necessarily agree that one must be clad in couture from head to toe in order to knock ’em dead, I hope this blog isn’t encouraging anyone to live outside his or her means.  That new Louis tote may be hot but it’s not worth sitting in the dark (or having to borrow money to cover essentials). And here’s another gem: you can go broke trying to save a dollar.  I can’t tell you what to do with your coins, but I can advise you that smart money management is key (unless you want to be the most fabulously dressed hobo ever).

Rethinking of my own shopping habits (which recently led me to purchase a caftan and yet another sequined cocktail dress although I have no immediate plans to vacation in Capri or hit up a party) has me stopping dead in my stilettos.  I believe one should shop for events ahead of time, but this is getting ridiculous (and pricey).  Several months ago I recommended The Frugalista Files by Natalie McNeal, and I just reread this eye-opening post by my friend (in the head) Demetria L. Lucas.  And the points made in both pieces have me considering trying a “no buy month” in which I only purchase absolute necessities. No auction-hunting on Ebay, no Etsy browsing, no random visits to my favorite haute spots for “It’s Monday/I had a bad day/Oooh! It’s on Sale!” takeout, cupcakes or clothes/shoes. No emergency blow outs at the salon, and no latte drive-bys. Whew.

Can I do it?  Would you do it? Hmmm.

Image via Google

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13 years ago Short URL 4 Comments

Champagne Taste Beer Budget/Haute or Not?

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07

Sep

Wow.

Last year this time, I was on pens and needles (get it?)…I wasn’t sure where clicking “publish” on SCDD’s  first post would lead, but what a fabulous journey it has been.  From the bottom of my stiletto-loving heart, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for reading, inspiring, sharing and supporting Same Chic Different Day.  The friendships I’ve made and experiences I’ve had during this first year are beyond my wildest dreams or expectations (considering I thought only my mother and sister-in-law would be reading this!).  Doing what you love may seem like a cliché or even impossible, but amazing things happen when you step out on faith (in the baddest ensemble you own, of course!). 

There are seriously way too many people to thank by name, but I want to thank my family and friends (old and new) for their encouragement, expertise and for talking me off the ledge (trying to make it as a writer is not always as glamorous as I might make it seem). Thank you to EVERYONE who participated in some way with the posts, and to the students in the yearbook class at Hayden High School, who made me feel like a Pulitzer Prize winner.   

This year concludes with SCDD finding itself a finalist for one of Birmingham’s Best blogs. Where will the next year take us? Stay tuned, darlings…the best is yet to come!  (See Mother and Daddy? That liberal arts education is working out!)  

XOXO Alexis

P.S.  Of course I’m wearing sequins today.

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Images via Google and Lynsey Weatherspoon Photography

13 years ago Short URL 4 Comments

C'est Si Bon/First Person Fabulous

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06

Sep

Straight from the A: Fall Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Lela Rochon gives fashion advice in ‘Waiting to Exhale’

Hello darlings!  As many of you are celebrating fall weather, with football season and back-to-school, I thought we should chat about two of my deepest fashion pet peeves this time of year: the question of wearing white and/or leather (hopefully you aren’t wearing them together!).

Should one wear white after Labor Day? This is a hotly contested issue in the South.  Yes, it’s time to put away the seersucker and linen, but by all means chic ones: please don’t be afraid to wear white.  Wear your white  year-round, but bring your look into autumn with the warmer colors of the season (plum, teal, sapphire) as accents.  Or keep it basic: one of my favorite ways to wear white is to pair white jeans with a black turtle neck and leopard flats or smoking slippers. 

Now as for leather pants and jackets and winter boots, please don’t break them out when the temperature is sweltering (unless you want to get talked about for “leather-wearing in the summertime.” ).Two possible exceptions? Leather skirts and sheaths. This Banana Republic dress ($298) is EVERYTHING, but even though it’s sleeveless, it may not be a good look until the weather cools off.  If you’re going to rock a skirt, keep the length classy (!) and balance the strength of the skirt with a lighter top (unless you’re going for “biker chick”).

I don’t care if these boots are Givenchy.  Please don’t try this look at home.

  

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Images via Tumblr and YB&F

13 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

The Look

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05

Sep

Fashion faceoff: RNC vs. DNC edition

Who wore it best?

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Ann Romney in a crisp red silk, belted taffeta shirtdress from Oscar de la Renta ‘s pre-Fall 2012 collection  (which may have cost close to $2490, from the looks of a similar dress sold on Net-a-Porter) with black low-heeled open-toed pumps…or First Lady Michelle Obama in Tracy Reese’s arm-baring custom rosy pink and bluish gray toile dress with J. Crew’s suede “Everly” pumps in rhubarb ($245)?  Mrs. Romney chose a bright red nail polish and gold accessories while Mrs. Obama chose a soft taupe-grey (very similar to Sally Hansen’s ‘Commander in Chic’) and almost no jewelry. Both women had flawless hair and makeup (no stiff hair “don’ts” here). 

Mrs. Obama’s ensemble seemed to be more of a bold risk with its keyhole back, tonal fabric, seaming, scallop detail  and cutaway silhuoette, which also showed off her toned arms.  Mrs. Romney’s sartorial choice was a twist on the traditional 1950s shirtdress, with its demure neckline and sleeves and full skirt. 

So, darlings, which look gets your vote?

Images via Huffington Post, US Magazine and the Daily Beast

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/The Look/Who Wore What Where

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04

Sep

So much for being ‘born this way’…

Photoshop fail: Lady Gaga, in the September issue  of Vogue (good call, MCB!)

Image via Yahoo News

13 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Haute or Not?/Learn From My Mistakes!/Uncategorized

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03

Sep

#Labor Day

I’m catching up on my sewing project (which means first I’m learning to use my new sewing machine) today. And no, the Sewing for Dummies book is NOT a prop!  I missed out on home economics in school, and knowing the fundamentals is essential. Don’t judge me.

And what is the project, you ask?  Well, during my trip to Panama City Beach this summer, I found a haute vintage LBD for $7!  The 1960s-era silk dress with applique accents  at the shoulder and hip has languished in my closet because it was too roomy in one place and too tight in another (further helping me understand what an actual “wiggle” dress is!).  Plus, the sleeves bothered me.  But after reading P.S. I Made This’ recent post “Black Dress Refresh,” I have summoned the courage and the scissors to “make it work.”

Here we go…

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13 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon

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31

Aug

That’s Haute: Gee’s Bend quilt inspires resortwear

Celia L. Smith shares something quite interesting in her Designer Inspirations piece for Essence.com:  BCBG Max Azria’s Spring 2013 pieces were inspired (at least partially) by Gee’s Bend, Alabama quilter Annie Mae Young.  The Design Inspiration: Layers that Bond the Eye references Young’s  “Center medallion strips with multiple borders” quilt (pictured above).

I checked out BCBG Max Azria’s Resort 2013 pieces, and they are fabulous.  The vibrant colors and intricate patterns make me excited to get shop for next spring/summer! And what an interesting way to draw inspiration from Ms. Young’s work, which has toured the country and been featured as part of a Smithsonian exhibit.  The work of the Gee’s Bend quilters, according to  “New York Times art critic Michael Kimmelman, “turn[s] out to be some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.”

To see more Gee’s Bend quilts, click HERE.

Image by Annie Mae Young, via Essence.com

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13 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon/Love That!

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30

Aug

Shop ’til you drop at Fashion’s Night Out

If you love fashion like WE love fashion, then make room in your social calendar for Fashion’s Night Out, a night of global fabulosity initiated by Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the city of New York and NYC & Company to promote and strengthen the fashion industry.  Designers, models, retailers, shoppers and anyone who’s anyone in the industry will unite in the name of style at events around the world on Thursday, September 6.

Celebrations are planned at several locations locally. Brookwood Village will host a fashion extravaganza consisting of a show (featuring local personalities) and exhibits during Brookwood Live.  Proceeds will benefit the Junior League of Birmingham’s community projects. 

The Summit has celebrations planned as well; Saks Fifth Avenue will present a fall fashion preview, makeovers (and goody bags!) and more.  Belk at The Summit will showcase its own fall fashion with free train cases for the first 100 guests, treats from Dylan’s Candy Bar and Magnolia Bakery and Serendipity 3’s famous frozen hot chocolate, and the chance to win a VIP trip for two to Charleston’s Fashion Week 2013.

And retailers on 18th Street in Homewood present FNO Homewood, “a fabulous block party offering food, fashion and fun”; click HERE for more information. Be sure to look for Birmingham Fashion Week‘s tents during FNO; they will be offering a chance to win a VIP package to BFW 2013.

Be prepared to party in the name of fashion from 6-9 PM at all locations, and dress to impress!

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13 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Birmingham Live!/Random Acts of Fashion/Scene and Heard

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29

Aug

ShopStyle is giving away a Birkin!

“It” girls need “it” handbags, right? Well, if you aren’t interested in dropping thousands on an Hermès Birkin bag, then enter ShopStyle’s giveaway! You could win a coveted vintage version of the pricey purse (if owning the status symbol – and what some fashionistas and celebrities consider to be the ultimate accessory – hasn’t lost its appeal).  To enter, “like” ShopStyle on Facebook or complete the entry form; the contest ends September 3, 2012.  Whether you get the bag or not,  taking advantage of ShopStyle’s nifty sales alerts and style advice can make every shopper a winner.

And if you want to read all about one man’s exploits as a luxury reseller of all things Hermès, check out Michael Tonello’s book Bringing Home the Birkin.  Tonello spent several years abroad and stumbled into the job; his take on the luxury reselling business is hilarious and insightful. See what he has to say below.

Image via ShopStyle

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13 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon

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