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!

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28

Apr

#SallyTalksTextures recap + giveaways!

Sally Beauty has provided me with compensation for this post and my appearance at the event. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Sally Beauty Supply in Montgomery last Saturday! I had such a great time talking natural hair styles, trading transitioning tips and sharing my favorite products from Beautiful Textures!  And yes, I used the products (three of them, in fact) on my hair.

I shampooed and conditioned my hair at home, using the Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner. I have a LOT of hair, and it loved the hydrating treatment this product provides. I left it on for about 20 minutes and my hair felt really soft and moisturized after I rinsed it out. Then I blew my hair dry, flat ironed and rolled it on flexi rods for my first look, using the Curly to Straight Flat Iron Silkener. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! It smells delicious (thanks to olive, coconut and argan oil, shea and mango butter and aloe vera), and gave my hair both silky weightlessness and shine while acting as a heat protectant.  However it was really warm in Montgomery, so eventually my hairstyle had to adjust. Beautiful Textures Edges and Ends Silkener helped me achieve my bun.  It has a soft gelee-type texture and did not harden, which I like. Not only do these products support the versatility of natural hair, they’re affordable…which I’m sure you’ll appreciate if you’ve become somewhat of a product junkie!  Each product is about $7 at Sally.

Did you miss the Montgomery event, or are you interested in trying Beautiful Textures? You’re in luck, because I’m giving away a selection of products to two Same Chic Different Day readers!

PRIZE 1: full size versions of the Moisture Butter Whipped Curl Creme and the Curl Control Defining Pudding

PRIZE 2: a sample of the Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner mentioned about and a full size version of the Naturally Straight Texture Manageability System.

To enter, simply comment “Send me #BTSallyBeauty!” below. Two winners will be selected this Friday, and all decisions are final.

To see more photos from the #BTSallyBeauty event in Montgomery, follow SCDD on Instagram (at)samechicdifferentday!

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02

Mar

Join me for Girls’ Night Out at Belk!

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*Note: Belk has provided me with compensation for this post and my appearance at the event. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Darlings, shake off those winter blahs and spring forward into warm-weather fashion with Belk (and me!) on Thursday, March 12 at the Summit location! The garden party-themed soirée will feature light bites, wine and music from Scratch DJ, as well as fashion tips from yours truly. And yes: there will be discounts (20% off with limited exclusions) and giveaways!

The event is from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Belk (the Summit location). Swing by; I’d love to see (and shop) with you!

Check out a sneak peek at what I’m wearing: this lovely Ruffle-Top Slim Dress by 1 State’s Spring 2015 line (seen also in the slides how above). I was looking for an updated LBD and this is a winner! The flirty ruffle accent keeps it fun, but I don’t feel over-exposed thanks to the wide straps and knee-length hem. It can easily be dressed up or down, and I can’t wait to show you how I’ll style it this spring (hint: leopard may be involved). And 1 State has several other stylish, contemporary options on the second floor!

Not in the Birmingham area? Other Girls’ Night Out events are being held at Belk locations in Tuscaloosa, Spanish Fort and Mobile, AL (Bel-Air Mall), in Pensacola FL (Cordova Mall), and in Atlanta, GA (Phipps Plaza) and Franklin, TN (Cool Springs Galleria).

Hope to see you March 12!

XO, Alexis

 

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14

Feb

Tune in to Talk of Alabama next Monday!

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Guess who’ll be back on Monday morning?!

Toss some sequins and tune in to ABC 33/40 next MONDAY (2/16): I’ll be sharing some news you can use during the 9:00 hour! Not in the local viewing area? Try live-streaming it by clicking HERE, or catch the video when it’s posted later by clicking HERE.

Xo,
Alexis

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13

Feb

Baby it’s cold outside…

Brrr! I rarely post my personal outfits, but I love this vintage coat so much that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be photographed in it by Derrick Curry of Camera Play Photography. It was a fortunate find at Birmingham’s own Hanna Antiques Mall (sticker price: $60!). The mink collar and satin lining are in flawless condition, and it has its original buttons. I only had it dry cleaned; it was in perfectly wearable condition. It’s provenance? Loveman’s department store, which was a local treasure for many years.

It just makes me happy to wear it; vintage coats are made with special attention to quality and detail and have such character. Plus I hate the cold, so I do anything I can to feel cute in spite of frigid temps!

Images courtesy Camera Play Photography. All rights reserved.

 

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29

Jan

Tune in to Talk of Alabama this Friday!

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Guess who’ll be back on tomorrow?!

Toss some sequins and tune in to ABC 33/40 this FRIDAY: I’ll be sharing some news you can use during the 9:00 hour!  Not in the local viewing area? Try live-streaming it by clicking HERE, or catch the video when it’s posted later by clicking HERE.

Xo,
Alexis

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05

Jan

How to wear: marsala

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New year, new COLOR of the year from Pantone! This year’s signature shade is “marsala,” a rich burgundy wine that you’ll see in clothing, accessories, makeup and home décor throughout 2015.  You can wear it in small doses via your nail or lip color (my go-to’s are Essie’s “Wicked” nail polish and Guerlain’s luscious Rouge G de Guerlain L’Extrait  in Orgueil) or add it to your wardrobe. I love this ensemble from H&M because has all the right elements: layers, a modest hint of skin and a monochromatic top-to-bottom palette that wins kudos for being slimming!

Burgundy lace top, $49.95; Burgundy woven camisole, $34.95; and Burgundy suit pants (featuring the return of the wide-legged trouser, for all of you who are tired of skinny pants!), $59.95, all via H&M

Images via Pantone, H&M, Essie and Sephora

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11

Dec

#TBT: Ebony Fashion Fair

Raise your hand if you ever attended and Ebony Fashion Fair extravaganza. I miss this experience…and after having spent a semester researching Ebony, I miss it all the more. It was a social occasion that called for one’s finest ensemble-including one’s fur coat-and it presented an opportunity to see haute couture up close, something rare in Mobile and Pensacola.

Ebony Fashion Fair was the brainchild of Selma-native Eunice Walker Johnson, who was educated at Talladega College. It began in 1958 as a fundraiser for a New Orleans hospital and grew to travel to over 200 cities, raising millions for charities in the process. To see some of the glamour for yourself, the Chicago History Museum has a traveling exhibit entitled “Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair.” It’s currently in Atlanta through January 4, 2015. It features pieces from Valentino, Ungaro, Pierre Cardin, Dior, Emilio Pucci and Givenchy.

You may have heard the news that Kathy Griffin will replace Joan Rivers on E!’s Fashion Police. Brad Goreski will replace George Kotsiopoulos. While I enjoy Griffin’s sense of humor, I think this was a missed opportunity to diversify the cast. The Ebony Fashion Fair made diversity visible on and off the runway, and I believe Mrs. Johnson was ahead of her time.

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11

Nov

Hanna Antiques to hold fur sale

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I know, I know. Some of you feel wearing fur is passé. This post is not for you.

For those of you who enjoy the comfort of a mink or fox, and love the vintage charm of a gently-loved piece, strut on down to Hanna Antiques for their fur sale November 12-15! Hanna Antiques Mall is one of My favorite places to get lost on a Saturday afternoon, and owner Bonny Hanna Picard is lovely. On several occasions I’ve found absolute jewels, including a perfectly-kept wool coat with silk lining and mink collar from local department store legend Loveman’s and a pair of exquisite rhinestone clip-on earrings. The quality and prices are tough to beat, and Hanna Antiques also offers layaway (conditions apply).

If you are in search of a fur piece at an affordable price, don’t miss this opportunity! But be aware: Hanna Antiques doesn’t accept American Express!

Hanna Antiques is located at 2424 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Happy shopping!

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29

Oct

#WIW: Magic City Classic Soiree 2014

 

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What a weekend! I needed a night out, and had a blast at one of the Magic City Classic’s premier events, the Classic Soirée! This party with a purpose (raising scholarship funds for students at ASU and Alabama A&M) calls for a special outfit. Rather than my usual sequins, I wanted something a bit more subdued. I wore this blush pink tailored jumpsuit by TopShop (a UK retailer partnering with none other than Beyonce on an clothing line!), paired with my Grande Crystal Drops necklace from J. Crew. Simple, effortlessly chic, and a definite standout in a sea of LBDs.

I love pink; I don’t actually wear it often, but it’s my signature color. And while the fall color palette is decidedly darker, I like to wear “blush and bashful” as a counterpoint. The talented Kimberly Black-Crawford of Saks Fifth Avenue applied my makeup; go see her! I love a bronze eye with a nude lip; for a bit of color I mixed in a little of Trish McEvoy’s luxe Essential Lip Balm available at Saks.

And I took an amazing “usie” with the host of the Soirée; check out our Instagram page to find out more @samechicdifferentday!

Xo, Alexis

GIF via Musings of a Curvy Lady; images via TopShop, J. Crew and Google

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