An Unexpected Meeting With The Butcher’s Son

Posted on | February 29, 2012

Sometimes you wake up in the morning and have no idea what the day has in store for you. No matter your planning sometimes things change. This last year I have worked very hard to make room in my days for unexpected opportunities. A hard earned change that paid off today.

For the past year the growth of the food truck business in Dallas has been phenomenal and I like many others have followed a number of the popular trucks on Twitter.  For months now I have been religiously watching The Butcher’s Son truck feed and haven’t found the right opportunity to work a visit into my day. Until today, that is.

As I scrolled thru my Twitter feed this AM, I was just passing their AM announcement tweet when the street name jumped out at me. That is REALLY close I thought. I should go by and get some lunch. As the morning drug on I got busy and then out of nowhere the fire alarm started sounding in the building and the announcement came on to evacuate. By the time I got my shoes, jacket and purse together the emergency was deemed a false alarm. But there I was, ready to go. I looked out the window and what was right in my line of sight? The Butcher’s Son food truck.

If I didn’t go now, I was never going to go. I mean the only thing better would be if they brought it up the elevator but with the beautiful weather I knew I quick little walk would do me some good.

A crowd was gathered in front of the truck when I arrived but everyone there had already placed their orders and were just waiting on their goodies. I didn’t even bother to scan the menu as I have known for months what I wanted to try. The “Johnsonville’s Famous Double Brat” sandwich.

Less than five minutes later I was on my way with a delicious sandwich and most importantly, the knowledge that I had just incorporated a completely impromptu opportunity into my day. What a great feeling!

INVITATION: Lifetime’s 24 Hour Catwalk Wrap Party

Posted on | February 28, 2012

Candle Room Holds Lifetime’s 24 Hour Catwalk Wrap Party for Dallas designer Ashley Burghardt and debuts the Ashard Richly 2012 Spring Collection. 

Finding a love for fashion at age 6, Ashley Burghardt has taken her fashion career by storm. Burghardt, named one of the top 20 designers in Texas in 2011 by Texas’ Next Top Designer, is Lifetime’s 24 Hour Catwalk winning designer. Burghardt not only was the winning designer, but also took home a $10,000 prize.  Burghardt started her accessory line in 2009 , combining her and her husband Richard’s names; hence, “Ashard Richley.”

 

Stock up: Tees,Tanks & Leggings 15% Off $5

Posted on | February 27, 2012

Who couldn’t use from fresh tees, tanks and capri leggings for spring? Target is running a sale on their Mossimo basic tees, long & lean tanks (great if you are tall, like me) and capri leggings for just $5 this week. You can save an additional 15% by visiting the Target website and downloading a coupon for 15% off Mossimo apparel. Don’t miss this great sale!!! I am adding it to my to-do list today!!!

Don’t Miss The Academy Awards Red Carpet Tonight

Posted on | February 26, 2012

The annual event that- puts designer’s gowns on the map, rewards actors and actresses talents’, stresses even the most talented stylists and causes everyone else squeal with excitement- is here.

It is Oscar Sunday. Tune in to the red carpet event starting at 4:30PM CST to see the latest trends in gorgeous gowns from favored designers including Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan and Marchesa, Which actresses will wear which designers? Who will look amazing? Who will miss the mark? Don’t miss out on all the excitement. Think you can predict the winners? Download the ballot and makes your picks at home.

PATRON Magazine Presents Couturier Marta de Diego

Posted on | February 25, 2012

Fashion: You Got That Where?

Posted on | February 24, 2012

On my couch, at home I have this gorgeous blanket.  It is super cozy and warm and always a conversation piece. During the winter, I must snuggle with it at least three times a week. My friend often remark, “you find the BEST stuff.” Quickly followed up by “Where did you get this?”  My response is often surprising.  This fabulous blanket- that looks like it was purchased at a great hidden boutique- was actually purchased at a sporting goods store. Admittedly, I was NOT looking for  blanket for my living room when I visited the sporting goods store, but it is a great illustration for the shopper in each of us.

The lesson here is that you seriously never know when or where you can find a fabulous item for your house or your wardrobe. Certainly we are always keeping our eyes open and on the lookout in stores such as TJ Maxx or Marshalls for “something” but are we doing the same when we are simply doing basic errands?  Perhaps we should.  Have you ever been shopping some place and found the BEST item in the most unlikely place? 

My favorite place to look for interesting pieces to add to my wardrobe? Hotel gift shops, especially those run by The Ritz Carlton. The hat I wear in my avatar picture came from The Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey, and shockingly was just $37.32.

You truly can find some hidden gems in the most random stores.  Often in beauty salons or spas you can find the work of local artists featured. You’ll primarily find jewelry pieces that tend to be very unique or even one of a kind.  It would be a little crazy to think “Hey, I need accessories, I should visit the beauty salon” but if you just keep your eyes open to these unexpected shopping moments you can really build your wardrobe and home collection without even trying.

Where will YOU discover your next “unexpected” fashion find?

Editor: Valerie Elizabeth

Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse

The Pin Show TONIGHT

Posted on | February 23, 2012

It is back and sure to be better than ever. Tonight The Pin Show unveils the latest designs from some of Texas’ newest and hottest designers. Join hosts Hamilton Sneed and Lisa Petty at the Fairmont Hotel’s Regency Ballroom. Check out The Pin Show website for more information and to get your last minute tickets.

Searching for the Perfect Oxford

Posted on | February 22, 2012

A few months ago I was in my local DSW shopping for a client when I spotted a pair of greyish-beige oxfords that I fell in love with. What are oxfords you ask? Some may call them brogues, spectators, jazz shoes or just dress shoes but the name oxford encompasses the feeling of youth I love so it is the one I prefer. The shoe style is evocative of a menswear lace-up and the style can vary from the look of men’s traditional “dress shoes” to a very slim-lined jazz dancers style. This particular pair was somewhere in between.

LEVITY Tami Oxford $69.95

Being a size 10.5+ it is difficult to find any shoes in my size much less something I am specifically looking for. Sadly the LEVITY oxford didn’t come in my size but I filed away the idea of it and have kept my eye out for something similar ever since.

When I am out at events you’ll typically catch me in a pair of sky high heels, often my favorite black satin pair by Fendi. For everyday, stilettos are out of the question. The truth to being a stylist is that a lot of schlepping is involved and whether it’s working with a client, redoing a closet or shopping, spending all day on your feet [whilst carrying heavy things]requires comfortable flats. Being a stylist requires they be comfortable “stylish” flats.

Have you ever tried to find stylish flats in a size 11?  I have and it’s virtually impossible. It’s like the shoemaker’s union got together and decided anyone who wears above a nine must like chunky, ugly shoes. Hello, what size do they think all the runway models wear? So in my pursuit of stylish flats, I’ve found some lightweight penny loafers, quilted ballet flats, pointy toed slip-ons and delicate flip-flops. And now, oxfords.

Before leaving for fashion week I took in my stack of DSW rewards certificates and went to work looking for some new shoes. Because the only thing better than getting new shoes is getting new shoes for FREE. I was specifically looking for flats on this trip because anyone who has been to New York City knows you will spend a lot of time walking and during the winter the combination of the ice on the ground and the stiletto is just a broken leg waiting to happen.

I had fairly good luck that day. Normally when I have a coupon and a gift card, there is nothing appealing in my size. I found a great pair of nude ballet flats, adorned with a golden crest. They are by Tahari, a line that runs fairly narrow and long which fits my foot well. Oh and the are appropriately named the “Valerie” flat. Just when I was about to thank my lucky stars and go home I spotted a pair of oxfords I thought just might fit the bill.

The key I believe to successfully pulling off any menswear trend is to take the most feminine version of it and make it your own. The pair I saw were fabricated with a product that looks like a vintage era football, very menswear. But the material was moldable, the sole lightweight and flexible, very feminine. The only bad part was the laces. They came with two sets. One pair of ribbons (a little young for me) and a pair of traditional menswear laces (a little too menswear for me.)

I tried them on and they fit perfectly. In fact the shoe ran long and I was able to get a 10 instead of an 11. Since virtually no one makes a 10.5 narrow. The laces were still bothering me though. I thought they would look better either without any [tried it but I stepped out of them] or with something very discreet, maybe a darker brown waxed style. As I pondered whether to spend $34.95 of my well-earned certificates on this pair of “close but not quite” shoes I had a flash in my mind of a necklace cord at home that would make the perfect laces. I am all about re-purposing so decision made, I bought them.

Of course, when I got home I remembered exactly where the necklaces were stored in my office before we moved six months ago. Unfortunately, I had no idea where they were now. The shoes didn’t make the trek to Fashion Week and didn’t make an appearance at all until today. Last night I was flipping thru the new Nordstrom catalog when this pair of oxfords jumped out at me and I decided I should put some thought into locating the waxed necklaces.

This morning suddenly I remembered where the necklaces might be; in a bag of gifts from events and giveaways. They weren’t in the bag I imagined but something made me open the box next to it and voila, there they were. The cool vintage key necklaces were left over from our Chanel trunk show with What Goes Around Comes Around back in 2010. I quickly re-purposed one of the keys as a decor piece for my office, cut the wax string in half and in just minutes my oxfords sported new laces and were ready to wear.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Beauty Event Preview Party

Posted on | February 21, 2012

Love being the first in line? Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas will be hosting the Beauty Event Preview Party on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 6-8PM. Join us on the cosmetics floor for bites, beverages and beauty buzz. Ready for a beauty make-over? My favorite beauty guru, business manager Brandon Navarro will be taking appointments daily throughout the event. So take some time to stop by and get a fresh look for spring, restock on anything that’s running low or try some new things! To make an appointment, contact Brandon at (214) 741-6911 x2593.

Mercedes Benz Blue On Your Nails

Posted on | February 20, 2012

Every season the tents at New York Fashion Week are packed with vendors promoting new products, giving away gifts and services and fabulously dressed onlookers taking it all in. The shows have long been sponsored by Mercedes Benz and this year was no exception. Just inside the main doors the magical people who get cars inside buildings had parked a silver Mercedes SUV. Though it certainly was a nice car what caught my eye was the coordinated display of shoes, handbags and gowns designed by Naeem Khan.

The shoes were designed in the colors of the Mercedes exterior and handbags designed in the fabrication of the interiors and dash wood grain. The controversy over whether you should match your handbag and your shoes, goes on year after year but really matching your handbag and your shoes to your car?

A closer look…

Mercedes Benz partnered with Polyvore to let “empower fashion enthusiasts to explore their personal style through a social platform that allows for the creation of virtual sets powered by Polyvore, with the Mercedes-Benz Star Style

http://www.mbstarstyle.comwww.mbstarstyle.com initiative.”

Fashion Week attendees were invited to “vote via their mobile device for their favorite set.” Each day you could take the whole coordinated look thing one step further by visiting the style technician at the Essie kiosk to receive a special Essie nail polish inspired by exclusive Mercedes-Benz vehicle paint colors.

And this is how I came to love, Mercedes Benz blue. [official name designo Mystic Blue midnight cami by Essie.]