How to: The Carrie Bradshaw Bun

Obsessed. I’m not sure how willing I am to tease like crazy but perhaps…I’m love-love-loving this tutorial from BJonesStyle.

Classic Carrie bun:

Casual Carrie bun:

Thank you B.Jones!

It’s Spring! What now?

fredflare.com... WE LOVE SPRING

Spring has sprung – thankfully – and it’s time to reflect it in our clothes, beauty regimens and attitudes. I’m even thinking of packing up my winter clothes to lift my spirits.

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What is necessary for me to greet Spring with open arms? (You may be asking yourself) So…here is what I suggest you do. Click the pictures for links.

FIND (or purchase):  a leather/pleather jacket and/or a pashmina or wrap for chilly nights and skimpy dresses, neutral heels to go with anything

BUY FOR YOURSELF: Face: bronzer Body: a yummy exfoliating scrub Home: fresh flowers

Bronzing PowderBlood Orange+White Pepper Sugar Scrubpink-peonies-ad

DO: use cuticle oil to get your fingers pretty for the warmer months, polish for your toes so you won’t hesitate to grab your open-toed platforms

Healing Eucalyptus Cuticle OilEssie

LISTEN:  My current go-to songs: Rolling in the deep – Adele (Jamie xx remix), Howlin’ for you – The Black Keys, Baby Roulette – Chiddy Bang

TRY: Get an airbrush tan. I recently did and it changed my life. If you’re in Fayetteville call Glo. From 4-7 on Fridays, it’s 1/2 off.

Top image – Fred Flare

Jazzy New Orleans

I love this photo shoot set down in New Orleans and featuring one of my favorites – Treme Brass Band.

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Here is a Treme Brass Band Second Line

Photographer: David Gubert, Stylist: Jana Pokorny, Model: Barbara Fialho, Marie Claire AUS march 2011 via DJA

Lara – The Latest.

Lara Stone in Self Service. To me she can sorta do no wrong.

via Huffington Post and Self Service

Bridal Inspiration {Our Honeymoon}

We booked our honeymoon! AHHH! I’m so excited. We are going to Italy (Rome and Positano) for eight days. We’re staying at the Marcella Royal Hotel in Roma and Hotel Buci de Bacco in Positano.

Rome…

This is the rooftop bar at the Marcella

Positano

This is a balcony at the Buca di Bacco

The view

The hotel

An amazing video of the beach at Positano

Salivating over Scallops

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My favorite blog {this is glamorous} posted recently on sexy scallops. I loved her post so much I thought I had to share!

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scalloped notecards, papermashchloé scalloped triangle bikini | french rattan basket, summerill & bishop | pale pink shorts, h&m conscious collection

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retrosun vintage gucci sunglasses | white emma battenburg lace parasol, brollies galorechloé scalloped bikini, 305.861.1909 via terra black | macarons, martha stewart via elaina keppleraurélie bidermann fortalezza 18-karat gold-plated shell drop earrings

All via {this is glamorous} <– visit for more!

top image: top, vogue uk via jamaica byles via charles cherney via {this is glamorous}

PS. I Made This

Have you ever seen something and thought to yourself, “I could totally make that rather than paying a ridiculous amount for it.” Well, so has Erica Domesek. And she has built a successful blog, book, enterprise out of her love of crafting. She includes inspiration boards with easy step-by-step instructions. Visit her blog here and hear more about her here.

Fur Booties

Making a statement with each stride is a must…so be brave, bold, and confident when you strut your stuff. Inspired by the luscious and luxe furs gracing this season’s runways and real-ways,  these booties pay homage to the furry, the fuzzy and the faux real!  Take a walk on the wild side!I hit up my favorite fabric store Mood for faux fur.  You only need a little, so get a half yard, and save the leftovers for a future DIY.  Cut into rectangles that will measure around your ankles.  Use a hot glue gun to secure onto a sock tube (which is made by snipping off the footies).  Slip on, and slide a bootie on your paws for a ferocious combo!

Knit Circle Scarf

Fashion, art, and creativity make the world go ‘round.  When all are combined, endless and innovative magic happens.  The never-ending cycle of a circle is something that is sought after.  This season, set your sights not only on infinite possibilities, but also scarves!  The circle scarf has become a staple in everyones’ wardrobe.  Infuse the essential chunky knit to stay cozy and au currant.  Continuous knit circle scarves can be worn long and loose or wrapped up right.  Either way you style it,  circle gets the square! To create your own DIY circle scarf, simply cut off the bottom half of your sweater, hem the raw edge with Gorilla Tape by sticking halfway down, and folding over to seal.  After completely “hemmed”, roll underneath several times to hide the tape and create a soft edge.

Peplum Skirt

Put a little PEP in your step and a WOW in your wardrobe with a refined, sophisticated, and slightly sultry peplum skirt! These classic styles that were once on hiatus are premiering on the runways and back on television.  AMC’s Mad Men is in one word J’AMAZING! Take style notes from Joan Holloway who proves that pencil (skirts) and pen (necklaces) are a must.  Banana Republic is having a Casting Call for Mad Men… I wonder if Don Draper is judging? To create a retro-inspired skirt, reach for a curtain panel (use a panel with a skirted top).  Gather, and pin top (front) to create a slight pleat every few inches.  Sew and reinforce with stitching where pins are holding material in place. Flip material to the backside.  Cut to desired length and hem by stitching. To finish off the back, use kilt pins to connected material. Cinch and style with a bold belt and you’ve got a perfect peplum! P.S.- Click here to submit your best Mad Men style and enter for a walk-on role on the show.  I think my friend Jessica from What I Wore is spot on!

Bow Heels

Bow down to the bow trend, which the Who What Wear team and I j’adore beaucoup! (translation… we’re crazy over bow heels).  Inspired by the sophisticated Isabel Marant and Louis Vuitton versions, we wanted to do our own take on an chic baby bow that will twinkle your toes with a touch of talent- via Designer DIY.   Grab some textured leather ribbon from M&amp;J Trim and a sheet of Momi Paper (avail at any fine art store, (fabric with a dense weight will also work for the knotted bow). Have your glue gun, scissors, and Velcro on hand and you’re good to bow it up!  P.S.- CLICK HERE for my step-by-step directions! Make all sorts of flirty and fun bows, velcro to just about any pair of shoes (add dabs of glue to secure the velcro)!

Boxy Bag

Slap on an apron, it’s time to stir up your fashion croc pot for a super chic ‘n classy case.  Boxy silhouette bags are making a huge comeback for Fall/Winter 2010.  Louis Vuitton is bringing the sexy lady back, while Ralph Lauren continues to knock us out with versions of his famously luxe Ricky bag (yes! Named for RL’s knock-out wifey). To make a faux croc carryall of your own, purchase or re-purpose a lunchbox.  Use tools to punch two holes in each side.  Thread chain (test out a desired length before cutting) through one side, and connect with pliers after threading through the other side.  Add dome nail heads onto the bottom corners for “feet” by pushing and bending back sharp pronged corners.  Finish off with a j’amazing brooch that’s DIYing for a reinvention.  P.S.- I love all things wild and animal-eque… a la Kieselstein-Cord! 

 

 

In Court

photographer: Alexi Lubomirski, stylist: Ekaterina Mukhina, model: Constance Jablonski for Vogue Russia March 2011 via DJA