Jan

SCDD Chats with Miss Escambia County USA Katie Peavy

Katie Ellen Peavy, 19, is the reigning Miss Escambia County USA. She is competing for the Miss Alabama USA crown in Montgomery this weekend. Katie is currently studying cosmetology and plans to complete a business degree at Auburn University; she is the daughter of Cameron and Heidi Knapp.

Miss Alabama USA is Friday and Saturday. How are you feeling going into the competition? I’m certainly nervous and very anxious, but at the same time, if the judges decide I’m not ready [to serve as Miss Alabama USA], then I’m okay with that, because that gives me more time to improve.

What will you remember most about your time as Miss Escambia County USA? I’ll remember the support and encouragement I’ve gotten from everyone. Everyone’s been really helpful; I’ve had a ton of sponsors from our community and that was much appreciated. And [I’ll remember] the hardest part: working out! (Laughs)

Can you give us any info on what you’ll be wearing? I’m excited to wear my evening gown. We bought it at a Lasting Impressions trunk show, and I got to meet [prom and pageantwear designer] Sherri Hill. She was there when I picked it out, and I had the option to customize my gown. We also got my swimwear from Lasting Impressions. My interview outfit is classic and elegant; I’m just really excited about the wardrobe.

Is there anyone in particular you’d like to thank? I’d like to thank my sponsors from our community. They were just such a huge help. In a pageant like this, it takes quite a bit of funds to get everything you need and took some of the financial strain off of us. And of course my parents – my Dad has been so nice to put up with this and my Mom has been a huge help. And [personal trainer] Clinton Curry at the Brewton YMCA did an amazing job.

How do you feel about shows like Toddlers and Tiaras? My younger sister absolutely loves [competing in pageants], and I love them. My mom encouraged me to [enter one] at 17, and I loved it. If the children are into it and love it, I think it’s fine. If they didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t force them. But if they’re into it, I say let them have fun.

What would people be surprised to know about you? Most people would be very surprised to know that I’ve been bitten by a rattlesnake. That’s not something that happens to everyone. And I’m so prim and proper…it’s kind of like, ‘How did you manage to get bitten by a rattlesnake?!’ It happened the first time I met my [former] boyfriend’s parents. They took me to Camden, Alabama’s ER only to find out that they did not keep the antivenom on hand. The closest places with it were Selma and Brewton. I was very calm and collected, but I knew that if we went to Brewton my parents would be there [panicking]. So, they rushed me by ambulance to Selma instead and I stayed in the ICU for 4 days. But luckily I don’t even have a scar; they took pretty good care of me!

Images courtesy of Matt Boyd Studio

14 years ago Short URL Comments

First Person Fabulous

Alexis E. Barton/Katie Peavy/Miss Alabama USA/Miss Escambia County USA/Same Chic Different Day

Jan

First Person Fabulous: Azalea Trail Maid Kaylyn Mallory

Azalea Trail Maids, a court of 50 Mobile County high school seniors, are the city’s official ambassadors. Dressed in pastel period costumes customized to the individual Maid’s preferences and Trail standards, they welcome visitors at official events and reflect genteel Southern hospitality. Kaylyn Mallory, 17, is a senior at Murphy High School and current member of the court who plans to study international business after graduation. She is the daughter of Earl and Relya Mallory, and spoke with SCDD about her experience as an Azalea Trail Maid as well as her personal style.

Full circle: When I was really young, my brother had his graduation, and when we went I saw the Trail Maids there and I thought they were so beautiful. A few years later I got to meet them and I thought they looked like princesses. From that point on I just knew I wanted to be an Azalea Trail Maid too. [Now that I’m on the court] I love to see little girls smile and whisper to their moms “I want to be one of those” [when they see us at appearances].

Beyond moonlight and magnolias (er, azaleas): When I found out all the things [the Azalea Trail Maids] do around the community and to represent Mobile, I was amazed. There are so many things in Mobile that I didn’t know about until Trail, like all the things you can do for community service and [on behalf of] nonprofit organizations. I really enjoy seeing people seeing us and being happy that we’re there to represent them. [The current court has also appeared in Washington, D.C.’s Fourth of July parade as well as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.]

No controversy here: Personally, I haven’t experienced any sort of negativity or backlash [from people thinking] we represent slave times, or any animosity related to that. But I want to say that we don’t represent slavery; we represent Southern hospitality. Actually, Distinguished Young Women [formerly America’s Junior Miss] stems from Trail because people thought it was such a good idea to showcase young women, so they broadened it so more young women could participate.

About that costume: I think a lot of people are surprised how much the dress weighs and how many layers it has. I haven’t weighed mine but [I’d guess it] weighs between 40-50 pounds. It has 5 or 6 layers and about 8 different parts. It’s a little odd when people realize we have to put on the hoop, then the skirt and then the apron, and so on. At [a welcome event for the new court], you get to look at all the current courts dresses and you get an idea of what you want yours to look like. I found one that was worn by the queen from the previous year, and I tweaked it to make it more personal for me. The scalloping on the skirt and the roses are lovely. I have roses pretty much all over my dress and on my parasol and my hat. I like the elegance of it.

How long does it take to put on the entire ensemble? (Laughs) In the beginning, it might have taken (my mother and me) 30 minutes. But with time and practice you master it more, and I think I can do it in 20-25 minutes by myself.

The Court’s legacy: I’ve gained public relations skills because you really learn how to interact with people. I’m much better at communicating now, and Trail has been a really big part of that. Also, I learned a lot about teamwork and time management from coordinating things with my group.

Kaylyn’s personal style and her parents’ influence: It’s kind of laidback and carefree. I don’t go along with a lot of fads. I do like flowy, girly kinds of clothes. I love the frills and the lace. I guess that goes along with why I like being a Trail Maid. I love my jeans too though. My parents have taught me how to respect myself in what I wear: [to not choose] clothes that are too revealing. My mom tells me everything is prettier with pearls, and that makeup should only enhance your natural beauty. It shouldn’t be heavily depended on.

Kaylyn is already ready for prom this spring, having purchased her dress over the Christmas break.

“I kind of have wished I could wear my Trail dress to prom; it’s custom made and it’s perfect for me,” she laughed. (But no, she isn’t wearing her Trail Maid costume.)

Want to know more about the Azalea Trail Maids? Click here.

Images courtesy of Relya Mallory

14 years ago Short URL Comments

First Person Fabulous

Alexis E. Barton/Azalea Trail Maids/Same Chic Different Day

Jan

The Look: Skirting the Issue

Hemlines that fall gracefully below the knee to mid-calf or maxi length are one of this season’s biggest trends that will carry over into spring. Expect to see some high-low versions as well. It’s a welcome departure from the much shorter hemlines that have dominated the runways for seasons. If you dare to wear it, go for ladylike chic or edgy coolness, but remember: the “frumpy librarian” look is definitely not in season. Keep it neutral or try an unexpected color combination. I am loooving the crispness pleated skirts add to separates for the office, especially when paired with a silk blouse and cardigan or even a button down. Footwear should be kept sleek: a pump, bootie, ballet flat or smoking slipper are super cute options. Stay away from anything clunky! Whether you choose a knife pleat (a narrow pleat turned in one direction), a sunburst pleat (similar to a knife pleat except it has more of a flare) or a box pleat (a wider pleat; similar to old-school cheerleader skirts), this is a classic piece that should have a permanent place in your closet.

Here’s the look as seen on People Style Watch, in shorter versions:

Images courtesy via People and BCBG

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

Alexis E. Barton/Birmingham fashion/Birmingham style/pleated skirts/Same Chic Different Day

Jan

If a Kardashian Can Do It, So Can I

Hold your horses: I mean I can COUPON for thrilling deals, not sign up for a 72 day marriage! I clip coupons for groceries and shop sales, but I only recently discovered how to shop smarter via sites like RetailMeNot. A quick search recently returned a sales code for a deep discount at one of my favorite shoe stores; how did I not know about this?!

Since sharing is caring, I’m passing on a few highly recommended favorite deals and steals sites for your shopping pleasure.

1. RetailMeNot offers coupon codes and printable coupons at over 150,000 popular stores (even for groceries!). The site features an Offer Portal with top deals and coupon codes for certain popular gifting periods. The website also offers a Mac dashboard widget. I don’t think I’ll be able to ever shop again without consulting this website.

2. ShopStyle is excellent for “cross-shopping hundreds of thousands of apparel, home decorating and kids products — all in one place. Featuring products from the most popular designer brands and big name fashions, to the up and coming boutiques, ShopStyle lets users search the most stylish stores at once — by designer, brand, store, sale items, price point, and color.” Use it to set sales alerts on your favorite brands; the website sends you email blast when the item is marked down. ShopStyle also offers a free mobile app for iPhone and iPad users. Fun feature: the Community Looks section, where users can play fashion stylist and put together looks.

3. Indea L. recommends My Habit (a membership-only website, but you can sign in with your amazon.com account). MyHabit describes itself as “a private fashion sale site offering up to 60% off hand-picked selections from designer and boutique brands. Most [sales] start daily at 11 AM CT and last 72 hours. Prices are up to 60% off list prices.” There were so many to-die-for designer and boutique labels to drool over that I barely got this post written (do the names House of Harlow, Catherine Malandrino or Fendi ring a bell?)! Perks include “fast, free shipping and returns in the U.S.” The MyHabit mobile app alerts members to new designers and sales.

4. Designer Apparel is a “members-only personalized shopping experience, providing exclusive access to designer sales and customized email alerts on the top fashion brands. Designer Apparel scours the web to find the best prices and promotions so its members are the first to know when items from the most coveted designers go on sale. ” With pieces from Marchesa and Balenciaga and members-only private sales, what’s not to love?

5. Kesha T. recommends Yowza!!, a free mobile app which provides location-specific coupons to over 15,000 sellers nationwide. No more handing over tattered coupons; just show your iPhone to the cashier. Yowza!! also has a piggy bank feature which shows you how much you’ve saved.

6. Gilt City, another gem suggested by Indea L., allows you to search for deals by city. The site describes itself as “the key that unlocks the very best your city has to offer for less, [having] combed through hundreds of neighborhoods, [and] countless things to do and boiled it all down to the most sought-after experiences and services just for you.”

7. Ideeli.com is yet another members-only, designer apparel sales site that hosts a sale at 11 AM CT each day. The site and its mobile app feature “more than a dozen new sales showcase fashion for men, women and children, home décor and travel at up to 80% off.” A neat perk? Refer friends to Ideeli; if 10 become buyers you receive $250 in credits to use on the site.

8. Looking to treat your feet? Jessica C. finds super shoe deals at Heels.com. This women’s shoe mecca offers free shipping and returns, and has a loyalty program that allows you to earn points with each purchase. I also love its sales page and the fact that the site utilizes video to show you what the shoes actually look like while worn.

Enjoy!

Image via StyleHive

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Shopping is My Cardio

Alexis E. Barton/Birmingham fashion/Birmingham style/couponing/Designer Apparel/Gilt City/Ideeli/Kourtney Kardashian/My Habit/Retail Me Not/Same Chic Different Day/ShopStyle/Yowza

Jan

Please Don’t Wear Your Jammies to Work

No ma'am, Rachel Roy.

Nightwear as daywear is a trend that’s shown up on runways (and recently on the front page of shopbop.com), and I’m warning you: this does not mean your Forever Lazy footie pajamas, slinky negligees, or saggy Hello Kitty flannel bottoms from freshman year are now in style and meant to be inflicted upon the public. Those fashion choices will make you a perfect candidate for People of Walmart, not anyone’s best dressed list. If you’d like to incorporate the look into your wardrobe smartly, here are some tips on how to wear pajama-inspired looks with flair and good taste.

1. Try a lacy camisole under a cardi or jacket for the office, or a vintage bustier with a pencil skirt or cigarette pants for evening. The key here is balance. If you pair these items with a super short skirt or shorts, or anything skintight, the effect will be more “streetwalker” than chic.

2. Pair silky or print pajama bottoms with a structured piece on top, like a cable-knit cardigan. Or, try a menswear-inspired pajama top with skinny jeans and a pair of fun loafers. The blend of textures will keep you from looking like you rolled straight out of the boudoir.

3. Please leave anything with a cheeky phrase on it in the store, or spare the rest of us and save it for wearing at home. Your seat isn’t for advertising to the general public.

4. Several words to the wise about leggings: I’m all for them when worn properly. And by “properly” I mean that the leggings should be opaque, not sheer, fishnet, etc. One’s legs should not look like they are squeezed into sausage casings. And a blazer, long cardigan or tunic-style top that skims or covers the rear is most flattering.

5. PajamaJeans are to be avoided at all costs. The printed zipper and pockets are…strange. There are too many other options for affordable, comfortable and flattering denim for women of all shapes and budgets to resort to something that pulls on and has a hidden drawstring.

6. The last word: be sure to wear appropriate undergarments so that your silhouette is sleek and your “unmentionables” remain unmentioned by passers-by. Smooth ripples and provide an extra layer under unlined items by wearing a pair of fleshtone hosiery that has been snipped at the calf or knee.

Image via Gawker.com

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute or Not?/The Look

Alexis E. Barton/Birmingham fashion/Birmingham style/pajamas as daywear/Rachel Roy/Same Chic Different Day

Jan

Is This What 30 Looks Like?

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I wasn’t invited to Dwyane Wade’s 30th birthday bash and thank God, because what is he wearing? A morning coat, trinkets on his lapel, SKINNY tuxedo pants, AND what looks like Stacy Adams brogues? Tell me not.

The outfit sported by Wade, Rick Ross’s “grooming” and the get-ups donned by Lebron James and Chris Bosh lead me to these important points when it comes to menswear:

1. Your wife, girlfriend, sister or mother – whatever female presence you have in your life – doesn’t love you if she lets you leave the house looking like you’re impersonating a ringmaster in a circus. Unless of course you actually ARE a ringmaster in a circus.

2. Lotion is a good thing. Especially in winter. Please moisturize your situation!

3. Beards aren’t for everyone.

4. Those tiny little fedoras just look ridiculous. They don’t make anyone look cool; they just emphasize the size of your head and remind everyone of Blossom. Please stop trying to make them “happen.”

5. The same goes for those who insist on the “I’m so cool I have to wear a winter scarf indoors” look.

Gentlemen…how many times do I have to emphasize this point? Keep it simple! The effortlessly debonair Cary Grant was known for wearing a gray suit, crisp white dress shirt, with the appropriate tie and shoes, and embodying the Every Man while still looking singularly suave. Try too hard to do something “different” and you might end up doing way, way too much.

Images via YB&F

14 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

Haute or Not?/Learn From My Mistakes!/Something in the Milk Ain't Clean

Alexis E. Barton/Chris Bosh/Dwyane Wade/Lebron James/Rick Ross/Same Chic Different Day

Jan

If the Shoe Fits…

A sharp-eyed reader pointed out that I recently cooed over the studded slip-ons worn by Idris Elba at the Golden Globes last Sunday, despite having come down hard against people who wear sneakers with formal wear in a previous post. That’s the thing about fashion. Just when you roll your eyes at someone in a Canadian tuxedo, O Magazine decides it’s what’s hot and happening for Spring.

Sigh.

But isn’t that what’s wonderful about style? We have the opportunity to have fun with it, to take one special piece, wear it in an unexpected manner and change the conversation about what’s fashionable. If – as in Cinderella’s case – one shoe can change your entire life, imagine what a wardrobe of well-considered clothes and accessories can do?

I’ll go on record as saying I prefer evening shoes with evening wear, and that anyone who deviates should have an awesome pair of sneakers (studded, bedazzled or otherwise “dressed up”) to make me reconsider. Beat-up Nikes just won’t cut it on the red carpet.

I’m not sure socks with sandals will ever be in style either, no matter what Donatella Versace would have us believe in this ad featuring Cindy Crawford’s doppelganger daughter Kaia Gerber, the new face of Young Versace.

But I’m open to being proved wrong.

Image via Versace

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/He Said She Said/Learn From My Mistakes!/Random Acts of Fashion

Alexis E. Barton/Birmingham fashion/Birmingham style/Same Chic Different Day/sneaker wars/Young Versace

Jan

S.W.A.K.

Do people write actual letters anymore? When I was retrieving my mail yesterday evening and sorting the circulars, catalogs and bills, I suddenly wished a letter might present itself. In this age of text messages, emails, tweets, BBMs and (unfortunately) pokes, I miss the intimacy of a well-written (or even hastily dashed off) missive. When I was younger, my friends and I filled pages of looseleaf or totally awesome Lisa Frank stationery (which is kind of hard to look at now without having a seizure) with girlish thoughts, gossip and daydreams about our crushes. Before cell phones, we bought stamps. Before Facebook friends and tweethearts, we had pen pals.

I still send notes, and generally stick to pale pink monogrammed correspondence cards. This year I plan to choose a set with a little more pizazz; SteelPetalPress ‘ cheeky letterpress notecard is perfect.

If putting pen to paper strikes your fancy, remember: neatness counts! There’s no point in sending a letter the recipient can’t decipher. And if you’re sending thank you notes, be sure to check out Something New: The Bride’s Complete Guide to Writing Thank You Notes by Emily Smith and Rachel Daniels. The sisters have narrowed composing the perfect thank you note down to a science!

Image via SteelPetalPress

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Love That!

Alexis E. Barton/Emily Smith/Rachel Daniels/Same Chic Different Day/SteelPetalPress

Jan

It’s Showtime!

Tasha Smith

One of Birmingham’s most elegant and entertaining evenings is almost upon us as The Sickle Cell Foundation hosts It’s Showtime at the Apollo – Birmingham Style 2012 on Saturday, January 28th! Similar to the famed talent show conducted at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater, the event features a local talent showcase and actress Tasha Smith (For Better or For Worse) will serve as host. Sharon B. Lewis (Executive Director) speaks passionately about the Foundation’s mission and the necessity of a cure for sickle cell and gave me a sneak peek into what guests can expect.

“Sickle cell disease affects the red blood cells and it causes extreme pain and can cause major organ damage,” Lewis explains. “[The Sickle Cell Foundation has] been the advocate for improved medical care and access to social services for affected families. ” Celebrities like Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins (of TLC fame) have put a face on the disease, which can lead to severe health complications.

Lewis – who is very optimistic that a cure will be discovered soon – emphasizes the upcoming gala’s impact.

“Funds from this event have gone towards making sure adults have access to comprehensive medical care. If we are who are working are experiencing tough times, imagine how much tougher it is for families facing tough times [compounded with] sickle cell anemia. [We] help families obtain prescriptions, as well as dental care and vision care. We’re able to fill in the gap, even [providing] things like transportation to the doctor. And there are many complications. It’s not unusual for a person to have numerous hospitalizations throughout the year, and it’s an ongoing cycle for them. It’s really a vicious cycle. In addition to financial needs, I hope that the foundation also offers emotional support to help them weather the storms they find themselves confronted with. We really thank the community for all of their support in the past and hope that they will continue to support us. ”

Lewis promises guests will enjoy “a fabulous evening with incredible food and this year [there will be] an extra special twist for patrons. ” The black tie event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, and a limited number of tickets and tables are available for purchase by calling the Foundation’s office at (205) 780-2355 or 1-800-735-0405 (tickets are not available online).

Image via TSAW.com

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