Monday Madness: Bad Elf

 sheer top/ Alexandra's 

 shoes/ Kenneth Cole Reaction

boots/ Vince Camuto 

Ok y'all, this is serious. Tis the season to put away your selfishness and seek out things that will bring OTHER people joy, right? Well this Christmas elf has been baaadd. Today's Monday Madness includes the things that I've bought for myself while attempting to shop for others. UGH. What is wrong with me? Well, I mean.. look at these things though? Wouldn't they be hard for you to pass up too? I've been looking for black boots for a long time and saw this Vince Camuto pair for a really good price at UAL last week. Get this, I only tried on one shoe, and when I got home, the other one would absolutely not go on my foot!! The same pair was on Hautelook.com that night.. and yes, I bought them AGAIN!!! Ha. Oh well, now I have a nice little credit at UAL that I actually will spend on other people. And the deal I got on those snake skin pumps was just way too good to pass up. Anyway, enough of my selfishness! Do you ever slip up and by for yourself at Christmas too? Please tell me!! xo. Happy shopping (for others!). 

Style'd: Nola Fashion Week, Saturday

dress/ Urban Outfitters, sunnies/ tj maxx, necklace/ gift, watch/ Michael Kors, boots/ Nine West

Saturday was actually the first day of Fashion Week, and I was extremely excited to get it kicked off. During the day, a shopping event the we hosted was going on on Magazine Street while two local photographers taught the first of the workshops for the week, fashion photography. Theresa Cassagne and Jason Kruppa taught a very intenstive, all day, outdoor/indoor fashion photography session. I knew I'd be running around and helping the photographers with the shoots, so I wanted to dress really comfortably, but at the same time it was the first day of fashion week, so I had to look cute! This is one of my all time favorite dresses, which is Urban Renewal from UO. I've had it for a long time and haven't lost a bit of love for it! I also had the chance to style the shoots for the workshops, so super big special thanks to Armoire New Orleans for providing wardrobe for the day! Check out some of the participants' photos. Aren't they stunning?

special thanks to Graham Blackall and Donovan Fannon for sending me these! 

The models are, top: Alex Vorhoff and Teri Wyble.

Next up was the highly anticipated kick off party at Second Line Stages, hosted by Scene Magazine. Local band The Royal Teeth lit up the stage in a super fun performance, and there was MUCH dancing and rejoicing! This was a BIG night for fashion in New Orleans, so I knew I couldn't just wear any old dress. I fell in LOVE with some fabric, and had my mom make me the most major sequin maxi skirt I've ever seen. I felt a little bad telling everyone it was one of a kind, but also kind of kick ass too!! What do you think? We had such a blast that night! I can't wait until next season. 

 

 

 top/ American Apparel, skirt/ one of a kind by mama Sherlyn (my design ;) ), long necklace/ Armoire, 

watch/ Michael Kors, assorted bangles, shoes/ Steve Madden

photography by Laura Rockett 

my beautiful dates for the night, Jasmine and Laura

XOXO!! I hope you enjoyed my Fashion Week mini series as much as I did! Can't wait to do it again next season!!

Whet Wednesdays: Gold Rush

Ahhh, I have been dying over metallics lately. And there's no better time to embrace ultra shine than the holidays. I was a little hesitant to give the trend a chance in the beginning, because there is a fine line between classy and trashy when it comes to wearing precious metal turned fabric. But recently I've seen some really chic looking pieces in all their shiny glory, and many of them are extremely versatile! I really love all of these, but my faves would have to be e., g., i. and k. What are yours? x. happy shining!

A, B, D, E, F, H, M: Asos
C: Herve Lager
G: Gucci
I: Annie Blouse
J: Dorothy Perkins
K: Zara

Bejeweled by Bijoux

 

 

from left: Ruby- Kysha Marie, Saphire- Ashley Mayer, Diamond- Simi Murumba, 

Pearl- Rachel Weiss, Emerald- Shannon Rockweiler

Yesterday I was invited out to watch the modern cabaret act, Bijoux, rehearse for their premiere performance this Saturday at the Republic. I've been hearing a lot of buzz about Bijoux, but honestly had no real idea of what it was. I wasn't real sure what to expect, Pussycat Dolls or Fleur de Tease, but I was very pleasantly surprised. These ladies got it y'all.

Inspired by the movie Burlesque, Jack Frost, the mastermind behind Bijoux, set out to produce a cabaret act but with hot and modern twists. He enlisted Tamica Lee of Advanced Dance Agency for choreography and Nicholas Landry of NLE to pull it all together. "It's vintage cabaret with a hot twist," he explained. The biggest difference is that the ladies sing all of the songs live. "Most shows don't have live singing, but we've got it all," Lee said. The girls, each given a specific jewel, Ruby, Saphire, Diamond, Pearl and Emerald, embody that character with costumes, attitude and choreography. "Our show is kind of cabaret meets modern meets New Orleans, we've got it all. It's very intricate, modern choreography," Lee said.

I had so much fun watching the girls rehearse. They can't only dance like nobody's business, but they sing SO well. I was thrilled to hear them belt it out mid high kick and not miss a beat. The show is super high energy, with lots of interaction with the audience. I can only imagine how much fun the show will be with a packed house and the jewels dressed to the nines.

The premiere performance is Saturday, Dec. 10 (that's tomorrow!), at 8pm at the Republic New Orleans, 828 S. Peters Street, and is open to the public. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and can be purchased HERE. Don't miss out!!!

 

For more info on the show or girls, go here: http://www.facebook.com/oxBijoux and here: http://www.facebook.com/events/243346025720487/

xo. happy cabaret! 


 

Whet Wednesdays: Sparkle Fest

 all of these are ASOS

So yesterday, I drove my Mini Cooper around town with a 7 foot Christmas tree tied to the top, total Clark Griswold style. I was literally sitting in my car giggling incessantly because of my pure joy. Needless to say, I am 100% in the holiday spirit, and nothing speaks holiday cheer like a LOT of bling! I could have made this post 10 times longer, because no amount of sparkle is too much, in my books, but you have to stop somewhere! I'm kind of gaga over both of these pairs of sequin shorts. AHH, so much love. I literally don't care what the heck I do for new year's eve, as long as I get to sparkle!!! Do you have any favorite sequin pieces? xo. happy sparkling.

Monday Madness: Neck Bling

 

dress/ Herve Lager, shoes/ Yves Saint Laurent, necklace/ Shourouk

dress/ Lanvin, shoes, Louboutin

dress/ Michael Kors, shoes/ Giuseppe Zanotti

Today's Monday Madness is one ridiculous necklace, three ridiculous ways. I clicked on the "what's new" tab on Net-a-Porter, and that baller necklace was the first thing that showed up. It kinda stopped me in my tracks. If I had this, I'd literally wear it every day. You'd be hard pressed to find something it doesn't go with. From a white t-shirt, to this stunning long Herve Lager, this is the only necklace you'll ever need! Wouldn't that second look be BANANAS for a Christmas party or winter wedding? Which is your favorite? xo. happy ogling.

VOTE TIME!! WOOT WOOT!

Hey friends!!! So I was asked to be a part of a blogger style competition for Buffalo Exchange. We were asked to style two looks, and these are mine!! You can vote by clicking "like" on my pic here. Thanks and love. xo.

Style'd: Nola Fashion Week, Friday

top/ Miley Cyrus (that's right.. Wal Mart), bandeau/ Alexandra's, pants/ H&M, 

shoes/ Michael, necklace/ j.crew, watch/ Michael Kors, purse/ thrifted.

Friday has finally come! It was the last day of fashion week, and thankfully for me, there were NO workshops! I got to rest a little in the morning and get some work done, then headed to the Ogden in the early afternoon to help out wherever I was needed. There were three runway shows Friday, in addition to the Fashion Market (email me for more info!), so the team wore our NOLA FW t-shirts and jeans and got to work. After doing final run throughs for the three shows, I changed backstage and got out front to work the crowd. These are some of my favorite pants that I almost didn't buy! I picked them up the last time I was in L.A., and was afraid they may be too much for sweet little Louisiana. Alas, they've been a hit! One lady said "You have to cutest pants here, so tell me about your tattoo." Not the best lead-in, but she complimented two of my favorite things (pants, tattoo) so she's cool! And I love that Laura caught me being goofy here, that second pic is pretty much all I want to do when she's trying to photograph me. Its a miracle we come out with some usable material!

Some of the cute team wearing the official Nola FW t-shirts. Ask me how to get one!

 

Looks from the Annie Griffin show. I was really impressed with their collection, made up of silks and linens. 

It is perfect for a Hamptons get away or sailing or some such lovely thing! 

Amanda deLeon was one of the most anticipated shows, and she did not disappoint. Her collection was 'out of this world!' That jacket was one of my favorite pieces, check out the details! And of course, who doesn't love sequin boy shorts?!

Jolie & Elizabeth closed out fashion week with a fun and upbeat show. Isn't this look perfect for sippin' mint juleps? 

What a week of stunning collections!

dress/ French Connection UK, ring/ Alexandra's, shoes/ Michael 

photography of me, Laura Rockett. runway photography, Robby Klein.

After a REALLY long, exhausting, exciting, exhilarating week, it was time to PARTY!!! After some backstage pizza and lots of laughing, the Nola FW team headed over to Eiffel Society after the last show wrapped to get our celebration on. Designers, models, sponsors and supporters came out and it was a blast! We are so thankful to everyone involved in Fashion Week, and can't wait to do it all again next season!!! For this party I threw on one of my trusty party dresses and called it a day. I love this dress because its sparkly all over without screaming LOOK AT MEEEE!! Plus its great for dancing. Hope you enjoyed the post! Let me know what you think. xo.