Saturday, September 27, 2008

Who Says Flasks are Just for Boys?

Not a chance.
(From Urban Outfitters, via HWTM)
At only $18, those are worth buying in each design!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Furry Boots in September?

If there's one thing I hate most in this world, it's to be cold and wet. (I didn't realize wet was going to be an issue today, which is why the furry boots won over the rain boots. Oops.)

Lisa S. must have read my mind this morning, as I was well past eying the opportunity to sport my furry boots that I've missed since the temps warmed up. Check out her post and then cast your vote (before next Friday at midnight) on my blog homepage as to whether you're pro-Boots-with-the-Fur-in-September or hoping for a veto.

(Sorry, embedding polls into blogs don't usually pan out so well for folks using readers... so just click through for two seconds - if you can - to vote.)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

This is a Good One

From my inbox this morning, Bakers Shoes (who I loved a lot more when they first opened up shop and were hella cheaper - but that's beside the point) is doing a "50% off any Bakers handbag with the purchase of a pair of shoes or boots" sale.
(The email picture is a little sketchy since I opened it in Outlook 2007, but we can't all be awesome email marketers, now can we?)
Obviously, branded handbags are excluded... but if you're going to be buying boots (the glorious return of boot season is upon us my friends!), then you might as well enjoy a nice handbag, too!

Question of the Week

Question of the Week (well technically, last week as I'm a bit behind on my blogging): "Lisa, what do I wear to watch race practice (other than ear plugs)?"

What a fabulously southern question from reader, friend, and fellow blogger - Lisa S.!

I LOVE dressing for "all-american" events. My recommendations were nice jeans, boots, and shirt/top varying on the weather. And of course, obligatory awesome sunglasses if it's a day thing. Here's the caveat on the boots though - make sure they're broke in boots... because if you're going to be in them all day and they're new... your ankles will be destroyed afterward.
Lisa's Race Day Wear
(that can be either Lisa in this particular story)



Sunglasses - Isaac Mizrahi for Target - $19.99


Top - Old Navy Twisted Neck Top - $10.00 (sale!)


James Jeans are my absolute favorite - any bootcut will do. Prices are usually around $180.00 but you can stock-up for half that at Accessorize with Pi Phi while supporting a great cause(more info to come soon)!


Last but not least, my Justin Boots (exact model shown above) have now been re-soled 2 times... they're THAT essential. Price... unsure? Probably less than $100 for boots that will last a lifetime.
Lisa S. also suggested, "I thought MAYBE the pink John Deer hat". I definitely support the John Deere hat and I double support the pink with the ribbon - any day or place is a great one for supporting breast cancer research!Whatever you do, nix any sort of heels. I did that ONCE at Panthers' stadium... big mistake. It was a much longer walk than anticipated from the BF's aunt's parking spot to the upper deck seats. (I may or may not have demanded a piggy-back ride from said BF on the walk back after the game.)

So how did it go? Be sure to check in later this week for the on location report from Lisa S.!

Exciting stuff coming to my little blog all the time, huh?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Currently Digging: Hostessing Blogs

Oh man, just what I needed... more adorable blogs to add to my Google Reader (which is out of control lately... everyone's doing blogs now)!

Thanks to GR Recommendations, I was exposed to this awesome post: Built NY + French Bull = Cool Wine Totes. The picture alone got me hooked (and really wanting those, too):
Alright Swanky Tables, you've made the cut! I subscribed.

And an all-time favorite shout out goes to Hostess with the Mostess - a saying that many of us have embodied for years and one girl was clever enough to turn into a business and website!I love Jenn's blog because it's not full of a lot of stuff... just really great pictures to inspire awesome entertaining... without breaking the bank either!

Monday, September 22, 2008

From the skirt! Editor's Blog

I hope that all of you Raleigh readers can come join this great event. I can't wait to meet you there, if you do make it!


Party with skirt! and Dress for Success

Update: We’ll be giving away some great prizes at our event! Tickets, jewelry, gift certificates...watch this space for more info!

The most awesome party ever happens this month, and you are so invited. skirt! has teamed up with the Triangle chapter of Dress for Success to hold our first-ever skirt! After Work event.

What is it? A skirt drive to benefit Dress for Success.

What should I bring? Skirts, of course! But we’ll also be accepting jewelry, scarves, belts, and other interview attire.

Where? The gorgeous, delicious 518 West Italian Café on Glenwood South.

When? 5:30 til 7:30pm. Tuesday, September 30.

Why? Because it’s a benefit for an amazing women’s cause, a chance to meet the skirt! team, as well as some of the men and women who have appeared in our issues. Oh, and did we mention we’ll be giving away prizes?

How much? It’s free to get in, and the signature skirtini will be $5 for those of you with donations. Other drinks will be regular price.

If you’re wondering what a skirtini is, this is where you come in. We’re currently running a recipe contest for the signature drink of skirt! Is the skirtini sassy, light, and fruity? Dry and witty? Or rich, elegant, and chocolate-y? You decide!

Come up with a recipe for the ultimate skirtini, and enter it here. The winning beverage will be christened The skirtini, and will be served at our skirt! After Work events every month, starting with Skirts for Success on September 30. See you there! And get mixing!
Be there or be boring!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Update: I Can SO Pull Them Off...

Remember this post from back in February?

..."Nick seems to think I'm not 'long-legged' enough to pull off the look... blasphemy. All it takes is a cute pair of wedge sandals or heels. (Although mine will most likely end up paired with ballet flats or cute flat sandals if I get them tailored.) Either way: it'll still happen."
Well, well, well Mr. Pessimistic... what have we here?Still loving these pants!

The upside of a boyfriend with UNC season tickets (while I am a die-hard Wolfpack girl), is that I can still wear silver blue seersucker pants (not to be confused with Carolina blue) clear through the entire fall season! Bonus points for me!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Reminder: Southern Proper "Tailgate and Ties" Trunk Show

(original blog post)

Check out the facebook update from Southern Proper or the facebook event to RSVP for this great event!
Host: Southern Proper®
Date: Friday, September 19, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Varsity Men's Wear - Crabtree Valley Mall, Raleigh, NC

Contact Info
Phone: 9197822570
Email: reagan@southernproper.com
Be sure to track down NCSU's Southern Proper "Belle" (and my little Pi Phi sister!) - Mary Lauren - and tell her how awesome of an event it is... because I know it will be!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Shop Express. Support Dress for Success.

Shop Express. Support Dress for Success. Sounds like a good deal to me!

The scoop is courtesy of the Triangle's local Dress for Success executive director and founder this morning:Express has designed a t-shirt - proceeds from which go to our Worldwide group. (Our logo is on one arm.)Check out what Express has to show/write about the item:MODEL.LIVE CREW








* Style: 8003256
* $15.00
* Model Live follows three models across four countries as they attempt to achieve their dreams. $5 from the sale of this garment will benefit Dress for Success worldwide, to help ensure that every women achieves her dreams.

o Cotton/Spandex
o Crewneck
o Shortsleeves
o Model Live logo
o Machine Washable
Get yours (you can buy online now for this item!) and support a great cause!

Monday, September 15, 2008

WANT: Wolfpack Necklace

Tiffany-inspired much? I love it... and I DOUBLE love the price.

North Carolina State Wolfpack Silver Tone Chain Logo Necklace

Price: $15.95

Wear your team spirit around your neck with the Chain Logo Necklace. Features silver tone team logo and toggle closure. Approximately 17" in length.
Perfect for cheering on my Wolfpack!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Me Fine’s 3rd Annual Southern Ladies Purse Gala

Another equally as fabulous event (in case you missed yesterday's post about a great event - find it here)!Me Fine’s 3rd Annual Southern Ladies Purse Gala
Unique, one-of-a-kind, and designer purses donated by local, regional, and national designers, celebrities, and generous individuals.

Date: Sunday - September 21, 2008

Where: Embassy Suites, 201 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Cary, NC 27513

When: 2pm until 5pm

2008 collection includes donations from: Dakota Fanning, Kate Bosworth, Cast of One Tree Hill, Fendi, BabyPeach, Marc by Marc Jacobs, New York Designer Felix Rey, Bano Italian Boutique, and more!
This has also been added to the calendar!

What exactly is the Me Fine Foundation? Glad you asked! From their website:"The mission of Me Fine Foundation is to voluntarily provide necessary resources and financial assistance to parents and caregivers with children being treated at Duke and UNC Children’s Hospitals regardless of race, diagnosis, religious affiliation or economic status in memory of Folden Lee, IV."If you've ever visited the NC Children's Hospital at UNC for any reason, you understand why the work of so many local philanthropic groups to support the families there is so important!

A Pair to Remember

What a GREAT way for fierce fashionistas of the Triangle to support a worthy cause!A Pair to Remember
Annual Shoe Auction and Luncheon to Benefit Wake Teen Medical Services

Date: Thursday - September 18th
Where: Woman's Club of Raleigh
Time: 11am until 2pm

A fundraising luncheon featuring a live auction of coutour shoes - all paired with dazzling indulgences and the season's hottest must-haves.
Big thanks to Cary Magazine for the email scoop on this event - you can sign up for their Social Calendar & Shopping Fix emails here (I promise - they're not like those psycho email subscriptions that fill up your email inbox no less than 5 times a week).

I've added this event to my Raleigh & More calendar on Google for anyone who would like more events of this nature and other fun stuff in the Raleigh area automatically added to your Google Calendar subscriptions.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Reminder: Chanel Movie Tonight!

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” - CoCo Chanel

Tonight at 8pm! DVR it.

If you miss it, I'm sure it will be on 95832 more times this month.

Coolest Girly Job Ever

Coolest girly job ever: entertaining expert. (Well, maybe second to Editor-in-Chief at Vogue or Elle - then you get to be both, really.)

"Hostess with the Mostess", indeed.

If you're in the NYC area, please go to this and report back to tell all of the readers here how awesome it was (because obviously it will be).Check out Jennifer's daily blog while you're at it too, lots of great eye candy.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Coming Soon: Confessions of a Shopoholic

Coming Soon: Confessions of a Shopaholic

IMDB info - no official site yet, unless Google lied to me.

Go watch the video preview on Lauren's blog... looks hi-freakin'-larious.

I Thought You'd Like to Know

Good to know info for fellow retail addicts:From Brandweek - Aeropostale Gives Away Plain White T's
I've been a Plain White T's fan for some time, but their many, many tie-ins with Greek totally solidified my fan-ship.

From the blogworld - "Peep toe pumps, boots, and d'Orsay heels - all under $40"
More reasons why Target rocks and so does Lauren for sharing the good news!
Good music and good clothes - what more could a girl ask for?

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

What All You Well-Dressed Gentlemen Have Been Waiting For...

...and also for us southern girls who love a sharp-dressed man!Southern Proper "Tailgates and Ties" Trunk Show
Preppy and Football...It's What We Do.

Date: Friday, September 19, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Varsity Men's Wear, Crabtree Valley Mall

Stop by Varsity Friday before the NCSU vs ECU football game to get all your tailgating essentials, bowties, neckties, Proper Polos, and more! There may even be a free gift with purhase like croakies and koozies!

Ladies, come by and pick something up to surprise your beau!

Also, get the chance to meet the original belles of the business. Emmie and Reagan will be visiting from Atlanta for this special event.

Feel free to invite all your friends!
Kisses to my lovely little Pi Phi - and fellow NCSU COT girl - Mary Lauren for sending me the scoop!

Up the Shopping Budget: Checks

Up the Shopping Budget
A new blog mini-series on how to spend less money on the less fabulous things in life.

First topic: Checks.

What a necessary evil. I try to go completely paperless and use my banks' bill pay online (well, not so much paperless for my banks who still write and mail the checks... but paperless for me) but there are just some instances where you can't wait 4-6 business days.

My crappy old bank would send no less than 250 checks at a time (way more than I need) and that was really expensive. I even called and asked what the minimum I could order was and they still said 250. Now that I've switched banks, I need to buy some for using oh, say, once a month? Luckily, one of my two new banks - Bank of America - boasts that you can order as little as 25 at a time - sweet.

A post from I've Paid for this Twice, Already really sparked my interest today: I had NO IDEA you could buy really cheap checks from Sam's Club. They also have checks that you can add five of your own photos to - guess who will have checks of Tank and Delta soon. You can even get business checks, fellow entrepreneurs.

There you go - no more wasting big bucks - especially on something you're just going to use to spend more bucks.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Another Returned Favorite...

I recently posted about how I was excited there was finally a reason to return to the Gap and I can't believe I forgot to include Old Navy, too.

Adrianne and I stopped in back in the Spring for the first time in years looking for some "big girl career clothes" (ie: not "big" as in plus size, but "big" as in grown up) and were amazed at how not only in professional wear but in everyday wear they had just "gotten it SO right on the first try".

As I commented on Little Southern Sister's post about the "new" Old Navy:I too have just returned to Old Navy in the last 6 months or so and have been SO impressed at how well they've returned to "just getting it right". LOVE it again (and my bank account LOVES that).Here are some favorites:
(Absolutely live in these long tanks and have them in every color.)


(Got a variation of this earlier in the summer with cap sleeves and deeper neck line... perfect bar dress.)


(Essential blazers for $39.50? I'll take one in each color!)
Have you returned yet?