Menswear For All This Fall

Good Evenin' Y'all ~

I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend - remembering those who serve(d) our country, and finding hope in the 10th anniversary remembrance of 9/11. Our church service was all about hope, and I'm so thankful that I have hope, no matter how bad things in this life get.

This weekend I made a quick trip home to my parent's and enjoyed some quality time with family and grandparents. My sweet cousin Dan and his beautiful new bride Lindsey were also in town and it was wonderful to see them again! The drive back to my BigCity was quick+easy, and may have included a pitstop at the J.Crew outlet ... :)
With fall weather rapidly approaching, I scored a pair of slate colored matchstick corduroy pants and a sweet sweater with a zipper on one shoulder. My pants were 40% off and my sweater was 30% off, and then a 15% discount ... worked out to get it all for less than the pants alone at full price!! 
Earlier this weekend, my Momma and I scored some fall deals at Loft, all at 30% off and received $25 gift cards! I think all I lack are boots now to have a good basic fall wardrobe!

In the meantime, I put together a pretty awesome Men's Wear Fall 2011 moodboard ... hoping to see lots of these trends in person this fall :)

 

That's all I have for tonight... resting up for the work week & looking forward to FSU's first BIG GAME of the season next Saturday!!! 

xoxo
B

Southern Gal Seeking Fall

Hey Y'all!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend thus far ~ mine has been relaxing and enjoyable with a bit of browsing the mall, a Tarjet run, get together with friends & such... nothing out of the ordinary and sometimes you really just need a weekend like that!

I know we're still a month + 2 days away from the "Official First Day of Fall" - and yes, it's still a blazing 97 degrees here with 110% humidity, but I'm already dreaming of cooler days and wardrobe changes. Football games that are enjoyable outdoors and decorating for fall!

North Georgia in October ~ Heavenly!

As I was wandering the mall yesterday, I found myself in the shoe department of {sadly} the only decent department store in this BigCity... and although I was there primarily to scoop up the cute Sperry Topsider sandals from this summer {thank you patience, now at 50%off!}

Finally Can Stop Wearing My $10 Tarjet Sandals with ZERO support!!!

I just couldn't help but look longingly at the first shipment of boots to arrive. {mind you - wearing shorts+tanktop and still too hot} I couldn't even bring myself to try a pair on {boots+shorts}.

But I know this fall I will have to break down and buy a pair of boots. For the past 5 years I had an awesome pair of suede black knee-high boots and they served me well, even traipsing around NYC  at one point. But then they bit the dust. So now comes the difficult part - black or brown? Heeled or flat? Leather or Suede? Honestly, I have the hardest time buying boots because they're such an investment and you wear them maybe 3 months out of the year. All griping aside, I do need a pair. And at 5 foot barely 2 inches, I tend to look dwarf'y in a boot that is higher than mid-calf with no heel. It's just a fact of life.

So here are my top choices for fall - 

In search of fall, I'm also in search of my beloved Burberry jacket that I purchased a couple years ago. Amidst all of the moving, I've yet to find it & quite frankly, that worries me!!!! Maybe it's still packed up in the winter stuff that is shoved under my bed ... hoping so!

Handsome Man's Ma sent him a care package this past week that included a Pumpkin Butter candle. Heavenly. I seriously can't resist fall scents, and just when will Starbucks roll out those Pumpkin Scones and PSL's?? {Pumpkin Spice Lattes} ... well the company is actually running a promo on their Facebook Fan Page to determine which city loves PSL's the most, and that city will get the fall menu ONE WEEK EARLIER than the rest of the country!! The fall menu is available to every location on September 6th. Y'all, that is only 16 days from now!


What's your favorite fall item? When do you start to decorate for fall? I promise I'm trying my best to take life day-by-day, but all this girl wants is some cooler weather!!

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday! 

xo

B

Local Lovelies

Hey Y'all! 

Do you ever find yourself on vacation or living in a spot where the streets are filled with fabulous little "ohmygosh shops"?? I just have to share my love for finding those "just right" little stores. That sounds cheesy. 

But really, while living & frequently visiting the following cities - I have grown a nice collection of business cards and a list of stores and businesses that I frequent and would recommend to anyone going there and must go to when I'm back for a visit.

So here we go - favorite secret shops that I just can't keep a secret {because we really should all be supporting locally owned} 

Tampa, Fl. {& Surrounding Areas}

• Estella's "A Truly Unique Boutique" 
• Wisteria "Antiques, Home Accents & Unique Gifts"
• The Red Herring, Ltd. "Curious Goods For Your Home"
• Birdie's Coastal Cottage "Vintage furniture & decor" - Dunedin
• The Blue Moon Trading Company 
• The Cupcake Spot - Tampa & St.Petersburg
• Patti & Friends Antiques - St. Petersburg
•  The Hooker Tea Company 

 Georgia {Atlanta+Savannah}

• Kitchens On The Square - Savannah
• Dabberdoo - Atlanta
• The Flying Biscuit - Atlanta + various other cities
• Bella Cucina 
• Ooh La La - Virginia Highlands / Atlanta
• Cami Cakes 
• The Country Living Fair - Expo in October
• Scott's Antique Market - Atlanta Expo Center / monthly

A Few Of My Favorite Things

North Carolina {Tri-City Area+Sand Hills Area}

• Cathy Bason Art&Antiques - Pinehurst
• Cameron & Co. "Fine Gifts & Accessories" - Village of Pinehurst
• Pastimes "A Little of This & That" - West End 
• Antiques Emporium - Raleigh / Cameron Village
•  at Home & Southern Pines Paper Co. - Southern Pines
•  The Magnolia Inn - Village of Pinehurst *best Key Lime Pie*

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Miss Smarty Pants "Gifts & Accessories" - Magazine St. /Garden District
• Juliette Hare O'Connor "Mixed Media Artist"
• Fab'rik - Rue Royale / French Quarter
• Goodies Restaurant {breakfast on the cheap} - Magazine St.
• Belladonna Spa & Salon - great gifts & trinkets - Magazine St. 
• Mignon Faget - the New Orleans jeweler - Magazine St.
• M.S. Rau Antiques - fine art & jewelry - Rue Royale / French Quarter
• Dante's Kitchen {best.new-flavor brunch.ever.} -Dante St.

Okay, well it's all out there now. So get out & explore! Let me know of any of your favorite local spots in the South!


xo 
b

Career Chic Wardrobe

Career Chic by SouthernBean featuring rose gold jewelry

Mulberry cut out top
$620 - mulberry.com

Pink top
$350 - stylebop.com

Dolce Gabbana scalloped skirt
£835 - net-a-porter.com

Stella McCartney mid rise pants
$545 - net-a-porter.com

Valentino glamorous shoes
£505 - harrods.com

Chanel white leather heels
$245 - fashionphile.com

Emilio Pucci shoulder hand bag
€1.250 - luisaviaroma.com

Modalu ruffle handbag
€105 - pret-a-beaute.com

Irene Neuwirth rose gold jewelry
$7,920 - ylang23.com

Mulberry peace bracelet
$300 - mulberry.com

Isabel Marant bracelet
$240 - net-a-porter.com

Betsey johnson jewelry
$25 - zappos.com





Happy Sunday Evening Y'all ! Just wanted to share a fun board from Polyvore that I created for a "Career Chic" work wardrobe. Obviously, feminine, ruffles, bows, and some curve-hugging pencil skirt - bedecked with amazing heels {Chanel + Valentino} & fabulous gems. Now, any takers on who would like to let me borrow their AmEx Black to create this chic wardrobe? 

Have a lovely week~

xo
b

Fall - Forward

Hey Y'all -
Monday is done with & thank goodness. Mine was a whirlwind. Literally. Up to my old city home for some closure business and a few antique stores, then back to my little town home {for now}. Glad it's all done with and despite tons of heavy storms, all went smoothly!

Now, I'm all against this hot weather we're having right now, so it's not hard to daydream about fall weather. It's crisp breezes, changing leaves, college football {Lord knows we can't count on anything professional these days}, tailgates, and new fashion trends!
I honestly cannot look at a coat these days or imagine eating anything warmed up more than 250 degrees without startin' to get some sweat beads, but I have found that retailers are pushing fall on us extra early so perhaps it will find its' way to us sooner than we expect... {hey, a girl can dream!}

Now since my stint being educated in "reasonable trends" & selling {higher} fashion at Nordstrom, I feel it's my duty to at least showcase some fall trends for 2011. Sure, many of you might not consider yourselves "fashion forward" and I, by no means, am a "fashionista" chasing the latest + greatest, but you need to know what to avoid and what to gravitate towards this fall, of course, within your personal style level. Challenge yourself to purchase at least 1 trending piece this fall - and my recommendations are a great structured bag or a fabulous pair of flats in python print!

 {Photos Courtesy of: www.nordstrom.com, www.purseblog.com & imshopping.com}

Article No.1: Dramatic Heels for Occasions - More Loafer-Style Day to Day

{if going with a dramatic heel, python + studded varieties are plenty for fall}

Yes, Kate Spade Loafer Kitten Heel

Yes, Tory Burch Reva Monarch Python flat

Article No.2:  Cooler Weather Coming

Burberry Brit Metallic Anorak

Rachel Zoe Collar Cape

Capes & Ponchos Make a Cooler Comeback! Don't run from the word "poncho" - it has a new meaning; utilitarian, wear everywhere jacket!  And capes are always a romantic, more feminine option. Follow examples below:










                                                    Article No.3: 1970's Throw-back

We're talking wide-leg pants and exaggerated shoulders! 

Rachel Zoe Wide Leg Trouser

Elizabeth&James Tie Neck Blouse

 Article No.4: Stop slouching! 

Bags Are Going Less Hobo - And More Structure.

Yes to: Tory Burch McLane Bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No No Hobo

Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

Hey Y'all!

It's only Tuesday, yet I'm already mentally in the weekend! Memorial Day weekend is my "official" start of summer fashion. This means I will finally be able to start wearing my favorite prepster style ~ Nautical Inspired pieces!!! Each summer I'm drawn to navy and white, wide strips, beachy linen pants, chunky gold and pearl jewelry & amazing espadrille wedges! It's the summer staple that will forever be in style & this weekend, it's time to bring out the stripes!

So, I wanted to bring you just a little slice of Nautical Love from some of my favorite pieces .....

Now, this year is also a bit more special because my Handsome Man & I will be celebrating 1 year together :) Our first meeting was October 30,2009. Our first date was May 29, 2010. And this Memorial Day weekend we will celebrate a whirlwind of a year together, it's had a lot of ups, a couple downs, and through it all, we've made it work! I love you Ry-Bread!!

Hope ya'll enjoy your long holiday weekend! Throw some goodies on the grille & gather with friends and family!
I'll be sure to post from our Memorial Day BBQ that Momma Bear & I are putting on, sometime next week!

xoxo
b

I Love Fridays, Vacays & All Things Pink !

Happy Friday Ya'll!

This has been a whirl-wind of a week, as I nannied and packed for a "mystery vacation". Due to ice, snow and other random acts of nature in the mid-west, the Nanny Accompanied Trip to Mexico was canceled. Being completely bummed, I was ready to unpack my 70 pound Victorinox and pout.
Just then, I got a call from Lil'One's momma - telling me not to unpack, but that we were going SOMEWHERE. As long as it didn't require flying west of Alabama! So, off to Grand Turk we go! Tomorrow morning :) yippee!!

So on a quiet Friday night, the Handsome Man gone to visit his family for the weekend, and my bag re-packed and re-vamped for the "5-Star Luxury Resort" ((as opposed to 3-Star ClubMed)) ... I decided to put together a sweet inspiration board. One completely devoted to PiNk! I truly love all things pink, and especially the Kate Spade shoes below. Enjoy the pretties and feast on this month's colors ((pink+red)).
Don't forget this month is Women Go Red, raising awareness for women's heart disease.







I'll be home in time for Valentine's Day & wishing ya'll a fabulous love-filled weekend!

XOXO
b

Fashion Show & Feels Like Snow

Writing By The Fireside ... 

I never do look forward to a warm December here in Florida, so as much as I've anticipated the arrival of cold weather, I shall do my best not to gripe about how frigid it is. At least until the end of February. By that point, I'm gearing up for bathing suit weather at the gym, and most certainly on the hunt for a bikini. . . much to my dismay, I never accomplish changing the weather that early in the season :( so I may as well not get my hopes up. 

On a more cheerful note, WINTER IS HERE, I've made 2 fires in the fireplace, put up a Christmas tree at my apartment and at Ry's.

I welcomed December on November 30th, celebrating the

Victoria's Secret Holiday Fashion Show 

on t.v. and had some of my sweet girlfriends over. 

We had cupcakes and watched the fashions, the amazing shoes, and of course, the models! Lots of fun involved, and even had a "panty swap" where each person brought a new pair of cute undies to "Secret Santa" / swap with each other! Of course, I went all out on my cupcake recipes + decorating for the party. My inspiration was a "candy land" meets "winter wonderland". Turqoise (T&Co.) + Hot Pink with Silver.  Here are a few peeks from the evening: 

 Chocolate Babycakes + Dollop of Peppermint Buttercream

Dining Room Table All Set Up For Victoria's Secret Fashion Show! 

 

Strawberry Babycakes Topped With Turquoise Homemade Buttercream Frost 

I am off to watch Gossip Girl, my vice! 

xoxo 

 B

Slight Breeze

Today was nice. It was Tuesday. Nothing out of the ordinary. But perhaps the turn of seasons is approaching. I know that as soon as I mention "f-a-l-l" it will get scorching hot again, but there was a bit of coolness to the breeze today and the humidity wasn't so treacherous.
Maybe it was all in my head, since the quarterly Nordstrom Fashion Rewards catalog magically appeared in my mailbox (ok, so no magical that I have a credit card with them...but a girl's gotta be well heeled). Of course, featuring cashmere and wool blend tights for fall, lovely warm trench coats, adorable fedora hats and accessories to boast. I read through the editorial style of the 'zine and proceeded to tear out and keep only the pages which I felt would be relevant to building (i.e.- adding on to) a fabulous fall wardrobe. It was a year ago, this time that I was a newby to the high fashion world of Nordstrom, and although I do not miss the agonizing pain in my legs and feet from 8 hours of standing in the most trendy bootie-heels or wearing SpanX under my sweater dresses, I do miss the "Occasion" of getting ready for work. I was allotted creativity without boundaries (as long as it didn't have open toes or showed my armpits) and it was truly F U N to go to work everyday and basically spend other people's money $!
Back to where I was originally going with this, is that just maybe by hope and stroke of luck, Fall will show her beautiful golden crisp self a bit early this year (by FL standards) and perhaps today was the start of it. Or maybe I'm hallucinating from the heat+humidity and just the glimpses of fall fashion was enough to make my heart believe it was a glimmer of fall weather today.
Either way, end of summer is always glorious. Boasting of good tan skin (Ok, not this year, had no time for that) and warm summer weather slipping away in the evenings, makes me yearn for a gorgeous front porch, a good swing or rocker, and a glass of Sun Tea with a mint leaf, for good measure. Until my Porch Charming arrives with the changing of leaves, I'll settle for these eye-catching beauties found all over the South.




xoxo


 b

I just wanted to share some of my favorite *BoLD* pieces from Christian Louboutin, Kate Spade, Chicos Jewelry, & Ann Taylor Loft for this summer. I'm a bit too tired to put together the inspiration board for my baby sister, Lulu's wedding shower right now ~ but trust me, I have some fabulous photo's to share! And more once the event happens :) Happy End-of-the-Weekend To ya'll! xo B

Luxe Loves on Fabulous Friday

Hello Followers (although few at this point!)I have been blogging now long enough to come up with a theme for my Friday posts ...

FaBuLoUs fRidAyS

There have been a few days where taking the mental process of thinking & researching something to blog about, really is just a far reach for me. Blame it on the random hours I work + gym time I squeeze in 4 days a week + boyfriend + social life.So today is the first "FABULOUS FRIDAY" post + you're in for a treat :) First off: Christian Louboutin: the love of my life since I could pronounce the word "shoe" ! These fabulous Lou's, blue glittery heels in all of their red-sole'd glory are nothing, I mean nothing short of FaBuLoUs. My eyes literally sparkled at first sight!!

Since my move to Tallahassee & falling in love with a monogramming store called M&M Monogramming, I have had to get at least 1 "Two's Company" bag each season. The great thing about their bags is the versatility for the price. They're always stylish, and used as gym bags, beach bags, or throw-all bags (those that I keep handy for when I need to dash out the door) ... Check out the new FaBuLoUs Styles for Spring & Summer!!

For those of you without an expensive shoe or bag fetish like my own, I have a FaBuLoUs Green craft project that involves ball jars (Love!!) & some old pi eces of shelving or scrap wood! Throw a few coats of paint on it & you've got this adorable storage piece which you can use for kitchen utensils, hair brushes + accessories, or scrapbooking/ art utensils (courtesy of Weeping Cherries) That's all I have for now ~ Enjoy your weekends & remember that Spring officially starts on Saturday :) ~B

Is It Bikini Weather Yet???

Is It Bikini Weather Yet???

As I shopped my local designer-clad mall in a jacket & scarf, I found myself longing for the days of bikini's, salty tangled hair, and sunscreen (okay, and tanner!!). The bug always hits me around February, when I have been pasty white since November 1 and my legs haven't seen the light of day except for when I head to the gym in shorts (even then, a scary sight!) So, here it is, nearly the end of February & I have begun my rigorous routine for "thigh thinner" and upped the ante on my abdominal workouts, preparing myself for summer... which where I live, begins around mid-March. The cool winds from our 1-week of Spring have subsided and it's on to blazing temperatures until November. BRING IT ON!!! I'm ready to shed my dry skin, mittens, beloved Burberry coat & jeans. I'm going to gleefully pull out the spring colored wardrobe in the next week, as I believe that it will bring good warm weather even sooner :) So, now that the sundresses & espadrille sandals are coming back out, I'm starting to dread trying on bikini's in stores. Why must they equip dressing rooms with fluorescent lighting?? It's a cruel & rotten ploy to selling swimsuits. But alas, I will go in & believe that my skin hasn't a ripple in it & that I will look fabulous once I get a tan :) Which brings me to my next issue regarding beach weather ... Sunscreen -V- Tanning Lotion. I have (with the guidance of my dear friend "Legs") succumbed to putting SPF 30 on my neck, shoulders, chest & face (keeping a hat on too!), and then using an SPF 15 tanner on the rest of our bodies. We're in our mid-twenties & it is time to say goodbye to baby oil. We'll be thanking ourselves when we don't look like the newest Cole Haan leather goods line in 2020. Please wear sunscreen this year! Skin cancer can affect everyone! My favorite products for summer are below: C.O. Bigelow SPF 15 Lip Balm only $7! Great minty taste too! A fabulous & colorful hat to shade your face!

Paraben & Animal by-product free sunscreen by Kiss My Face

Bikini's by L-Space & VIX are a sure hit for any poolside party or beach affair I can't part with mine!

Well, that about sums up my itch for summer... til the warmer weather returns ... B