Drybar Blogger Party

I will begin this post by stating that Charleston needs a Drybar. Right on King Street.

It would flourish (do you hear me, Alli??). 

If you're unfamiliar with Drybar, it's pretty much a girly salon that only does blowouts. No cuts. No color. Just $35 blowouts. Just think of the pretty hair possibilities for your girl's nights, various parties, dates... As simple as hitting up Drybar before hand.

I had been dying to try it out as I had heard a lot about them (there are currently only 14 locations but they are practically doubling that # by the end of 2012). So I contacted Drybar about putting together a little party, blogger style of course, while we were in NYC for Blogfest. Drybar took it to an awesome level and hosted us (of course this meant only a limited amount of people could join in on the fun which kinda sucked - picking and choosing - not my thing - it caused me anxiety for real). Regardless, Drybar was all sorts of amazing- head massages, iphone docking stations, champagne... Good stuff. And the founder, Alli Webb, even showed up and joined in on the fun! That's one example of a woman with a good idea and executing it to perfection.

I really wish we all would have taken a "Before" picture! But here's the "After"! 

{From left to right: Erika, Erica, Christine, Naomi,

Amanda, Melissa, Me, Tobe, Mackenzie, Gaby, Meg, and Alli}

{Christine in hair pretty progress, and the founder, Alli}

It really was a fun time and everyone's hair was gorgeous. Upon our departure we were sent off with Drybar umbrellas and the adorable Joss & Main girls (did I mention they showed up too? Such a great shopping site!) gave us gift bags that had iPhone/iPad charging batteries. Brilliant. 

So to sum it up, awesome place. If you have a Drybar in your city, I'm jealous of you. If you travel somewhere that has one, make an appointment!

Living Vintage

How about this for a cool idea... Take an iconic vintage photograph and create a space or outfit inspired by that very image. Well that's exactly what designer extraordinaire Angie Hransowsky and the vintage curating maven Lauren Lail teamed up to accomplish at Novel in downtown Charleston. And they didn't just do one photograph, they did two. The outcome, Living Vintage, is perfection. What's even better, all of the items used in the collections are for sale...

Inspiration Photograph #1:

And the interpretation...

Inspiration Photograph #2:

And it's interpretation...

Hmmmm... those floral pants look familiar don't they? Oh yeah, I was wearing them in my Blogfest recap yesterday :) They're mine now (I said everything was on sale!). And I dream of purchasing that peachy sofa in the first set of photos, and pretty much everything else. No surprise, Angie and Lauren are quite the dream team. Both gorgeous, too. Congrats on a successful event, Ladies!

Photography by Julia Lynn.

Blogfest 2012 Recap

Hi Everyone! I feel like I've been away from my blog for ages. I had a bunch of posts pre-written and ready to go last week while I was away, and then I took full advantage of enjoying the holiday weekend. But I'm pumped to be back :)

So I want to share details from Blogfest in NYC last week. SUCH a great time. I mean, what's not to love about getting away for a girly trip with friends who understand your love of blogging, pretty interiors, and fashion :) Here are two of my ultimate favorites (+ a special addition, Margaret Russell, holy shitzballs).

{Amanda, Me, Christine, and Margaret}

Alright, I had to start out big :) Margaret's super cool. But so are all of my bloggy friends. They all mean so damn much to me and are super duper cool. I'll say it again, bloggers are cool in real life too! We all had such a fun time last week!

* Managed to squeeze in lots of time with my good friend Marysia

* Bloggers love colored skinny jeans (yes they were everywhere)

* Bloggers still love peonies

* Amanda, Alex, Me, and Roxy

Did I mention that it rained a lot last week? Good thing I brought my Loeffler Randall rain booties!

* Amanda, Me, and Sue

*Laura brought along her watercolor prints and I got to pick one!

* House Beautiful's new "Print to Pin" function. So cool.

* Meg, Me, and Erika (love these two!)

* Me, Naomi, and Alex (2 girls that are my people for sure)

* Loving my moroccan glass at the New Traditionalist Party

* One of the incredible displays at the New Traditionalist Showroom

* Hanging with Mr. Call. He's totally awesome.

And then it rained some more...

As far as Blogfest goes, for me it's pretty much a good excuse to go have fun and network. I enjoyed a lot of parts of the actual Blogfest event, but some of it was just too much and way too crowded. Like, you could barely move in some of the show homes that we toured. But all in all Blogfest was a great event and I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to attend. Kravet did a superb job of hosting. And it was full of amazing people. Amazing people that I cannot even believe I don't have a picture of to share here on the blog (you know who you are!) Oh, and I roomed with my friend Amanda again. She's the bomb, love her.

I'll have a few more NYC trip related posts this week from some other fun things I did {the Drybar party and a little trip up to Lucky Magazine's office.} I also ate way too much, shopped, and just flat out enjoyed myself. That is until it was time to go home. Basically a travel nightmare - canceled flight, sleeping in an airport (yes that actually ended up happening!)... But on the plus side, while hanging in the airport I did have the joy of witnessing two young girls get surprised by their parents with a trip to Disney World. I cried a little, I won't lie, it was too sweet. Life is good.

Note: This post was edited on May 30th. It's been brought to my attention that some of the opinions I opened up about and shared could be taken as hurtful, and that is really the last thing I want to do on here.

Hang This Wear That

I love this little series. A marriage of two of my loves, art and fashion.

 "Abstract Luna" $115 (Guache 12 x 18)   +   Chevron Maxi Dress

Delicata Pencil Skirt   +   "Abstract X" $115 (Guache 12 x 18) SOLD

Hit me up if you would like to purchase my art. Sizes are in inches.

PS, I still have a few pieces available over here.

Fleur & Dot

I'm quite enamored with Fleur & Dot's Fall 2012 collection.

I mean, right? These vintage inspired handmade pretties are too cute. You can see the rest of the collection here. And I just might have to pick up a few of the summer pieces for Lilly in the meantime...

And I know it may not be everyone's thing, but I'm really digging these moody (and vintage) images.

"The classics are always modern."

New Jewels

My friend Deirdre Zahl, the beauty and brains behind Candy Shop Vintage, just returned from a little shopping trip with the mother load of vintage baubles. And she was sweet enough to invite me over for a little preview (aka first dibs).

I'm not great at vintage shopping, but I'm really trying to be better about it. Jewelry is easier than clothes though. And I'm so thankful to have some serious vintage loving girlfriends who can help me out in this department and just bring the cool and unique pieces to me. Deirdre being one of them.

I made out like a bandit with these beauties. SO excited.

Deirdre is also in the process of creating her own line of vintage inspired jewels. It's going to be epic.

A Little Sponsor Love For May

Today I get to shower my May sponsors with some much deserved love! These ladies and their shops rock!

Poshlocket

Poshlocket's latest leather collection is so awesome. I love the metal and leather mix. Colorful, edgy, affordable pretties for all. And I'm excited that the Madison Chain Wrap Bracelet is on it's way to me, thanks so much Poshlocket!

Check out their entire collection here.

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Sarah Swanson Design

Sarah is just designing beautiful spaces left and right. Every time she posts a new mood board I get excited about how the room might turn out. Always perfection.

Isn't that gorgeous? And her Gallery Wall paintings are still flying off the shelves at only $10 each! Such a steal for an original piece. Here's one in Eileen's house.

And Sarah's home was just featured in Alberta Home Magazine - she's seriously so talented. Be sure to give her a shout if you have a space that needs some help. 

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Bellisima Bags

I just love this image of the happy mommy with her adorable little baby. They are so styling, and that bright orange bag is fantastic. How great is it that you can actually find cute diaper bags?? This sherbet satchel diaper bag, as well as a ton of others, is available at Bellisima Bags.

"Don't let motherhood upstage your style."

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Kokoon

Kokoon keeps adding gorgeous items to their spring/summer collection. So many things on my wishlist, including these. And Laine Sue is working on a new shopping website, so getting these pretty products will be a lot easier very soon!

Kokoon's clothing is so comfortable and flattering. Go find something beautiful for summer.

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Pretty Smitten

Elizabeth recently reopened Pretty Smitten after welcoming her third baby. She is one busy girl, and is still managing to knock out beautiful iPad cases, iPhone covers, and trays.

I think Lilly needs one of those trays for her room. She would love to serve tea on it! Visit Pretty Smitten to see all of her designs.

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Stella & Dot

A longtime favorite, Stella & Dot's summer collection doesn't disappoint at all with bright and fun baubles and simple accessories alike. 

I might need to make that coral Palomino Necklace mine. It would be the perfect way to brighten up my neutral outfits.

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Pretty Mommy

Michelle's latest arrivals in her Pretty Mommy shop are, as always, just jaw dropping. She's like a magical buyer who finds all the coolest things.

Beautiful, breezy, summer favorites.  Go see what else is new.

I'm Off To Blogfest

It's that time of year when I get to board a plane for NYC to hang out with my blogging friends at Blogfest. And this year's Blogfest will be a good one. I have a ton of friends going (some I know in real life and some I'm looking forward to finally meeting). The events are going to be totally rad- pretty much party after party hosted by the likes of Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Kravet, GE, and so many more. And today I'm kicking off the trip with a little "hair pretty" party at Drybar with some of my blogging friends (which will be much needed after a 6 AM flight this morning). More on that fun later.

Jenny of MFAMB came up with a little song about Blogfest. It's pretty much awesome and so right.

Will I tell Newell Turner that he "rocks my face off" like I did last year? He does still, but I probably won't. I mean, I'm 30 now ;)

Will that aggressive pack of bitter bloggers be there again scowling and throwing elbows to be first in line to meet Thom Filicia or Margaret Russell? We'll find out soon. Oh, did I fail to mention them last year? It was sort of awful, yet funny at the same time. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure they don't read my blog.

Really though, I'm just excited and honored to be a part of such a fun event. Good times ahead this week.

Oh and the forecast is calling for rain and more rain. Damnit. There had to be something, right? But on the plus side, I'm not pregnant this time (I had to hide that little tidbit at last year's event). Watch out!

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Also, I want to share that Lauren Guilbeau won the Second Street East giveaway! Congrats, Lauren! Email Michelle to arrange for your pillow cover. Thank you to everyone who entered and had so many awesome things to say. Looks like Michelle's shop was cleaned out :)

Wanted!

This Lace Dress. Every color.

ALL of this...

Neon Hoodie

Color Block Dress

Burned Out Tee (so many cute colors)

Hawaiian Button Down Shirt + Ivy Cutoff Shorts

Striped Tee

Sequin Skirt

Midcalf Dress

Striped Tunic Dress (give me this dress right this instant)

This button down sweater shirt. Love all these colors.

Oh, and this Striped Dress too.

That is all. Happy weekend, ya'll (I didn't intend to rhyme).

I'm Not A Poser Challenge

Life has moved fast and the "I'm Not A Poser Challenge" submission date has passed by. Ooops. So I'm extending the date through May 31st.

And in case you need a reminder of what it's all about...

"Remember this little post that sparked a lot of conversation? You know, about living what you pin and fantasize about? I mentioned that a challenge was coming. Well it's time that we all show our cards...

I challenge you to do something inspired by an idea that you've blogged about, talked about, wished about, or pinned.

Your project can be anything. Maybe you've been dreaming of throwing an awesome party for friends, or reupholstering a chair in a fabric out of your comfort zone. Or maybe you want to cut 10 inches off of your hair, or design a handbag. Hell I don't know what floats your boat, but whatever it is I want you to do it!

And if you do something kinda big or pretty darn cool, well then we want to see it! I'll be taking your submissions now up through May 31st. I'll just need some photos and why you chose to do what you did!"

I'd love to see someone DIY a version of this desk and pinboard
featured in the latest Lonny issue.

Or maybe dye your hair pretty pink. Anyone brave enough?

Can't wait to see what you all come up with :)