When is it Too Hot to Wear Fur in Dallas?
Posted on | November 25, 2008
Tonight we were out for my friend Lisa’s bachelorette. We started with dinner in the wine room at Dragonfly, at Hotel Zaza. We were greeted by a friendly staff and got a warm welcome from our friend Reggie who is the Director of Security there. Any of you who have visited Dragonfly have surely been greeted by Reggie’s warm welcoming smile. Though I’d guess a few of you might have been sent home with not such a warm fuzzy feeling, pending your behavior. We enjoyed a great dinner and after visiting with a few friends, set off for Rattlesnake Bar at the Ritz. Being a Friday night we not surprisingly began running into friends immediately upon arriving. As we waited for our drinks (mine being a nice refreshing Coca-Cola, since I was driving) I was surprised to see one of my friend’s husbands threading his way through the bar with our old neighbor Cliff Gonzales (owner of The Loon). As I called his name he looked at me blankly and then realizing I was talking to him, said “I’m not Kyle, I’m Owen”…(as in Owen Wilson). Oops. No offense Owen, Kyle really does resemble you…and he’s a good guy. Well, we laughed it off and that broke the ice for the evening.
Best line of the night: “I once heard that the only time it is too hot to wear fur in Dallas is when you don’t have one”
After finishing a round we decided to head over to check out the PM bar at Hotel Joule, and meet some friends who were supposed to be there. Upon arrival we found the bar to be relatively slow and no sign of our friends. Oh well. Since we hadn’t been there before we speculated maybe there was some hidden VIP room that they were in but seeing the time quickly gave up on trying to find anyone and decided to just enjoy the rest of the night. A few minutes later we turned around to find the portion of the bar we were in had been curtained off and suddenly we discovered the hidden VIP room, we were in it. Ha.
All in all it was a fun night and I think Lisa had a great send off for her upcoming wedding. Much love and congrats to Lisa and Nick!
Do we need a reason to host a party?
Posted on | November 23, 2008
So before I moved to Texas I was given an entertaining book “Fixin to Party Texas Style” that explained all the reasons one might find to throw a party in Texas and ended with the most obvious reason. Why does anyone need a reason to throw a party? Well tonight I went to one of my favorite types of parties. A Junior League party.I must say not only is the Junior League amazing for the good work they do in the community and for the great friends I have made in the League but they do have a great social calendar. Tonight was a party to announce the reason (or in this case theme) of another party. (As good of a reason as any to throw a party) Officially known as the “Junior League Ball Theme Announcement Party”. The event was generously hosted by Kenichi (props to Josh the manager there for arranging it) and it was a great set-up. They set aside the second floor and had a gentleman custom making sushi rolls upon request. They served a selection of wines as well as French Martinis. We spent the evening chatting with Steve and Vicky Bock (who were a delight) of Bachendorf’s who will once again be showing their generous support in the community by underwriting this year’s Junior League events.
Amy Leon, this year’s Ball Chair announced the theme of the upcoming ball, to be held on Valentine’s Day- February 14, 2009. BTW thank you JLD for confirming my Valentine’s reservations. One less this to worry about. The theme is to be The Copa. During dinner The Ratpack will perform and after dinner The Sultans of Swing will be there to keep the dance floor moving. This theme will work very well with the gown I was hoping to wear. We’ll just have to see if I am still as fond of it in three months…I tend to get distracted by fashion. Nancy Gopez was there (once again astonishing me on how she can be everywhere and do everything…a little thank you to Nancy on behalf of all the wonderful charities she works so hard for) Jenna Alexander was there with her charming husband and her stunning mother, Julie Turner. All in all it was a great night. Here’s wishing you many reasons (or non-reasons) to host your next party 
Sometimes Mom is Right. Breakfast with Tim Storey.
Posted on | November 20, 2008
So I got a call from my mom last night asking if I’d like to have breakfast with she, my dad and their friend who was in town visiting. I explained how busy my day would be getting my site launched and getting invites out ready for Shannie’s upcoming shower, how Lindsey was coming to start working with me, etc. etc. Yet she insisted he was a lot of fun and I really needed to meet him. Mind you she has friends in town all the time and I quite regularly meet people and I sometimes don’t if I am busy. But as you all know there is sometimes when your mom asks you to do something or say invites you somewhere and it isn’t really asking, it’s telling. And there are sometimes that even though I am an adult, the kid in me wants to say “you can’t tell me what to do”…yet this time the adult won out and I remembered that sometimes mothers are right and they normally have our best interests at heart. Needless to say I went to breakfast and their friend, who turned out to be Tim Storey (yes the Tim Storey)…well I am glad to say I would now call him my friend, Tim Storey. What a great time we had. A fun, funny guy with great stories and a great personality. I certainly have to admit my mom was right and though it cut a couple hours out of my day I left there in a great mood and my afternoon was off to a good start. Oh and I still got all the stuff I needed to get done, done. I did make a condition on attending though, I insisted on bringing Lindsey along so good news she had a great time too. What a good way to start her first day of work Tim is here in Dallas on his book tour for his new book Utmost Living (it’s on the Top 20 list on Amazon)…I highly recommend you check it out. I think you’ll really like it. Hope your week is off to a great start as well.
OMG!!! Hollywould on Sale at Gilt-I LOVE HOLLYWOULD
Posted on | November 19, 2008
I LOVE HOLLYWOULD! No, that is not a typo. For any of you who aren’t familiar with the brand Hollywould, might I suggest you visit www.Hollywould.com. The baby of talented designer Holly Dunlap, Hollywould hit the market about the time I graduated college. To all of you mathematicians, just put your TI-83’s away and read the story. A friend of mine, Holly’s sister Lily and I shared the same sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta (lots of fun parties), the same executive board (lots of meetings) and the same major, which at a small school like Pepperdine means most of the same classes. Lily presented my favorite (by far) Senior project in our final Public Relations course. A public relations plan for her sister’s new company, yes you guessed it, Hollywould. This presentation came complete with a selection of Hollywould shoes. I think I about passed out in excitement looking at her amazing creations. Now for those of you who haven’t toured my shoe collection I admit it looks a bit like a jewelry store. I can’t help myself when I see bejeweled shoes, as I am a sucker for all things that glitter. Holly not only is a talented designer but a smart businesswoman and a talented PR girl. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one enamored by Holly’s shoes. Smart girl that she is, she sent her shoes out to all of the hot young celebrities and presented her collection to the fashion mecca rulers at Bergdorf’s, where she received their blessing. In her first year her profits more than doubled her initial investment. From what I remember hearing, the investment was made with the blessing of her family as they all chipped in their inheritance from their grandmother’s untimely death to give Holly the opportunity that she had dreamed of for years. For those of you who aren’t business savvy, this is pretty much unheard of and virtually impossible in the shoe business. Holly’s business has continued to grow and she did a visiting designer stint last Christmas with Target stores.Though I have loved Hollywood for the last eight years I bring the brand to your attention today because I just heard that Hollywould will be on sale tomorrow (Wednesday, November 19) on Gilt.com.
ABOUT GILT: As longtime friends and fashion devotees, Alexis Maybank & Alexandra Wilkis Wilson founded Gilt Groupe to offer members online access to the best and brightest in luxury brands, for a fraction of the price. They scour the market and hand select pieces from sought after designers like Zac Posen, Valentino and Diesel. All sales (women, men, children and home) start at Noon ET/9am PT and last 36 hours. Sales feature items from one designer and can be found only on www.gilt.com. The full selection of merchandise is available at the beginning of all sales and prices do not change, so log on at the start of the sale to get the best selection. Members receive an email when each day’s sales start. Additionally, each Monday at 9am ET/6am PT, they send a digest of that week’s upcoming sales to help you plan ahead.
INVITATION TO GILT: Gilt.com is a private online community. You must be invited by an existing member to join. Join now at: http://www.gilt.com/invite/societystylist
PICTURED SHOES: The shoes pictured were from her first two collections. Those familiar with the brand will notice the original tag. Her new tag has a quite different look. A pair of shoes, identical to the shoes on the left were also given to Gwenyth Paltrow. I am sure they have an official name but I call them the “Gwyneth” shoes. The red shoes and matching handbag are named “Magnolias.” And the shoes on the right were purchased off eBay nearly a decade ago when virtually no one knew of Hollywould…I am not sure if I have ever worn them but I do love looking at them and trying them on.
Valerie Elizabeth in Southern Savvy Magazine
Posted on | November 11, 2008
Valerie Elizabeth pictured with Della Temple and Leah Minge in the Savvy Sightings section of the November issue of Southern Savvy.
Photographer: Steve Foxall
Source: Southern Savvy
Photographer: Steve Foxall
Source: Southern Savvy
Valerie Elizabeth & Georgina Chapman PINK MEMO
Posted on | November 10, 2008
Valerie Elizabeth and Georgina Chapman, of Marchesa, photographed at the Vogue VIP party, at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. The party immediately followed the THE FUTURE OF FASHION: Celebrating 5 Years of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Show at Fashion at the Park. Pictured on PINK MEMO.
Photographer: Evan Caglage
Source: PINK MEMO Dallas
Photographer: Evan Caglage
Source: PINK MEMO Dallas
Back for Fall: Prep-School Style
Posted on | November 7, 2008
The prep-school look is once again hot for fall. Though I don’t advise you to go out and buy new “school clothes”, a piece or two of this trend could certainly add a youthful edge to your look. Though I have long been a Ralph Lauren fan I would heartily dissuade you from walking around looking like you just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren Home advertisement. Limit your take on this trend to just a few statement pieces and— this is key— wear just one at a time. Leighton Meister (aka Blair) may be able to pull off the overboard prep-school look on Gossip Girl but remember she is both prep-school age and she attends a prep-school. If you are new to the prep-school look or, like me, a little older than “prep-school” age be especially sure not to go overboard. It is easy to get caught up in the cuteness of adorable prep-school style but take it slow with this look, it truly is easy to get way out of hand. Mix preppy pieces with classic staples in your wardrobe. For instance, a crested blazer mixed with a bright fitted tee, skinny jeans and a heel could create a fun look for going from work to happy hour. There are always a selection of preppy styles available from Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers this season LAMB has some great looks and for the bargainista check out the Converse One Star Brodie Blazer ($39.99 at Target*).
*A note about Target: With the power to attract guest designers ranging from Monica Botkier to Proenza Schouler and staff style icons like Isaac Mizrahi, Target has really taken it up a notch to meet the needs of stylish women everywhere looking to stretch a dollar in this bearish economy. When you are looking to try out a new trend or need basic staples, Target is a great place to fill in your wardrobe with inexpensive options.
*A note about Target: With the power to attract guest designers ranging from Monica Botkier to Proenza Schouler and staff style icons like Isaac Mizrahi, Target has really taken it up a notch to meet the needs of stylish women everywhere looking to stretch a dollar in this bearish economy. When you are looking to try out a new trend or need basic staples, Target is a great place to fill in your wardrobe with inexpensive options.
I want it, I need it…don’t miss this handbag
Posted on | November 4, 2008
So have you ever seen something fashionable, or for you men- electronic- that you had to have—but you didn’t know what it was? Not just “oh that’s cool” but “I see that person across the room at 50 paces with that thing I want— though I don’t know exactly what it is—and I MUST NOT let them out of my sight so I can reach them before the-thing-that-I-don’t-know-what-it-is-but-I-have-to-have disappears. Well I, admittedly, am a fashion snob. And it is actually rare that I am out and about and see someone with something I want. If I have ever told you I wanted something you have take that as a huge compliment. Last night, however, was an exception. I was at a Junior League meeting and as the meeting began to go over the allotted time (nearly an hour over) I began to notice people around me checking their watches or cell phones for the time. As the girl next to me quietly snuck out I looked past her seat and caught site of the gleaming beacon of delight nestled discreetly on the floor. Let me just say, handbags (beautiful ones- because any bag that is not amazing is just a bag) are my weakness. This bag was stunning. It had all the elements of a great bag— unique style, interesting strap, heavy medallion crest, fine leather in a compelling shade of grey/taupe. I began to study the medallion and eventually enlisted the help of my friend Susan. The crest sat at such on angle that we couldn’t make out the initials. Susan suggested maybe it was personalized and as I contemplated that, I thought of how much this bag was going to cost me. By the time the meeting was going to break I had narrowed it down to Roberto Cavalli or Ralph Lauren purely by the look of the medallion. As everyone began to rush toward the door I just about fell on the owner in my attempt to reach her. She turned around a bit surprised, likely thinking I must have tripped, but quickly smiled and spilled the beans on the origin of the bag. SHOCKING. It is a current season Juicy Couture. As soon as I slipped into the seat of my car I went to the Neiman Marcus and looked it up, more shocking the price tag was a mere $295 (and if you order online it comes with a free Juicy Couture compact). This bag is perfect for someone with Dom Perignon taste and a Ballatore budget. If you want a classic style in a very versatile but unique color pick up one of these bags before they sell out.
