The location for this shoot was the Fayetteville Country Club.
If you have followed any of my Normal Girl posts, you probably understand that I generally just love fashion blogs. Even though “The Window Shopper” doesn’t define herself as a fashion blogger (she is much more!), she is inspiring many with her style, so I want to introduce you ladies to Payton (The Window Shopper). I started following Payton on instagram a few months ago and I immediately began to love her style. She is an absolute committed fashionista. What I mean by this, is that she simply loves fashion, however individually defined. Payton is an example of how fashion should be; all personal, all fun, and all inspiring. I asked her to do a photo shoot and interview with HelloLuvvy because I believe she defines what the purpose of our Fashion section should be. It should be about expression and fun and rocking any look you love with confidence. Payton exemplifies the girl’s dream of wearing exactly what they want and when they want, and wearing it with that confident edge. Payton has been featured in Citiscapes mag, has modeled for some of NWA’s favorite boutiques, and has recently embarked on an exciting new career in fashion with Btiques. Below is a photo shoot we collaborated on and a few interview questions to pick Payton’s fashion loving brain.
Darcy: “Payton how would you describe you style?”
Payton: “My style…. I would say the first thing that comes to mind is fun. I just want to wear things that make me happy. My collection is very eclectic. I never discriminate against any decade, or style and I will try anything once. With all the thrifting I have a better understanding of what looks good on me and what I really love. I dress for occasions and locations. To me, dressing is like acting, you get to wear different hats for different events, literally.”
Darcy: “Do you think it is important to define your style?”
Payton: “No. Absolutely not, because style should be an evolving thing. People shouldn’t put that much pressure on themselves.”
Darcy: “As a fashion blogger you put yourself out there {on the internet}, and open yourself up to all sorts of opinions and judgments. How do you stay positive if they are ever negative?”
Payton: “Fashion blogging, is just a part of what I do. While it can be hard to balance perceptions, most people say really positive things to me and because of my blog my life has changed for the better. I got to be a part of NWA Fashion week, and that has led me into a new exciting career. If people don’t like what I am posting that is why there is a hide button {on Facebook}. I like to share my outfits because the responses have been positive. This makes me happy and that’s why I do it. I’m not worried about anyone else when I am doing and pursuing what I love.”
Darcy: “What would you tell women to help them not care as much about social norms in fashion?”
Payton: ” Obviously everyone is not going to care about fashion, so if you are not interested in fashion than don’t worry about it. Find a look that works for you and wear it everyday. If you are in love with fashion but you are not comfortable with your body or your fashion choices, wear what makes you happy. Accessorize with fun things, but don’t wear things just because you think it is fashionable. You should feel good in what you are wearing.”
Darcy: “Before you are going to take a “style risk” is there something you might say to your self to encourage the risk.”
Payton: “”Is it too much? (laughing)” I typically have to talk myself down rather than up, but mostly I don’t get concerned. I do consider if things are appropriate for a certain occasion and I always remind myself that my husband and I need to look like we are going to the same place. I can’t look like I am going to the ball, while he looks like he is going to play a round of golf.”
Darcy: “What are some of your goals with fashion?”
Payton: ” My goal was to make a living with fashion, social media, and in NWA; then I got a job at Btiques, so I really just want to continue growing in this path. I also want to make women more comfortable with themselves. The attitude of “only you can pull that off” is self-limiting. I don’t want women to feel that way.”
The details for the clothing in this shoot are basically as follows: thrifted. Pretty awesome! Payton informs me that she goes thrifting two, sometimes three times a week, and she always hits the dress racks. Her jewels are vintage from Mae’s Emporium and the shoes are from Target. I am pretty sure you love her even more now!
I had a great time hanging with this girl for a few hours snapping some photos and just talking about fashion and life. She is truly committed and confident. I learned a lot from her and I hope you luvvies do too. Below is her professional Bio and links to her blog and instagram. I highly recommend following her in some capacity and downloading the Btiques App for your iPhone.
Payton Rosenzweig Bridewell is a native of Fayetteville. After graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans, she spent five years working for Procter & Gamble on the CoverGirl and Olay brands. Payton has always been a fashion-enthusiast (find her on the blog, thewindowshopper.org or see her work for NWAFWstyling and modeling in publicity photoshoots for local stores) and is practically a fixture in local magazine, Citiscapes.
Payton recently left the corporate world to join the Ark Challenge-winning shopping application, Btiques. Btiques is a free service that allows iPhone/iPad users to shop local boutiques directly from their phones. The app changes the shopping game; it allows users to find, follow and shop the newest boutique looks on the go! Payton jumped at the chance to join the startup and is working with co-creators Sara Beck and Will Carter to introduce the app to the fashion-forward of NWA, Arkansas and beyond.
Payton on facebook, @mspayton on instagram, @the_mspayton on twitter
Download Btiques from the app store on your iPhone or iPad
@btiquestagram on Instagram
@btiques on Twitter
“I’ve always loved playing dress up.”
“I’m really into wearing bathing suits as tops right now.” Payton and her Dad
“He is always my best accessory.” Payton and her Husband
The Window Shopper
[CLICKABLES: see the original post + ALL the photos ]
THE WINDOW SHOPPER DEBUTS DYNAMIC DUO…. LOLA BOUTIQUE + MERTIN’S EYE
LOCATION: VETRO 1925 | AN ABANDONED BUILDING | ARSAGA’S DOWNTOWN | CAFÉ RUE ORLEANS ROOFTOP
CLOTHING -> LOLA BOUTIQUE | web | insta | fb |email | EYEWEAR -> MERTINS | web | insta | fb |email | blog | HATS -> CHEAP THRILLS ACCESSORIES -> THE WINDOW SHOPPER
When I started planning for Lola + Mertins, I i knew I wanted to do something different from what I had done so far. This was the last window shop we shot (although not the last post!) and so I recruited my favorite team and a new face. My friend Vanessa.
I wanted to change it up a bit this time so I asked Vanessa to ‘help me’. We’ve been posing together since church camp in 1998 (there are photos but they’re classified). Vanessa was amazing and we had a ton of fun at Vetro 1925 {will I see you there on Monday?}, Arsagas Downtown {we got a few stares + I’ll be there Monday, later} and overlooking the city on the roof of the delectable Café Rue Orleans {don’t try it at home}.
Mallory {MGB PHOTO} worked it out as always, she has mad skills with the camera. But she’s 5’nothing so she’s gotta bring her ladder {so cute}. Guillotine has literally been open two months. They have happy hour hair every Tuesday…They are freaking sick at what they do. Taylor and Lindsey tag teamed us – they gave me a faux bob which I’m going to try to get them to recreate for one of the nights I’m hosting. Kory could literally do makeup with his eyes closed. *super secret tip from him – liquid brown liner on your brows I’m going to post more on my buddies who helped me next week.
My friend, Jade Terminella is both the proprietor of Lola BoutiqueAND the co-founder/fearless leader of NWAFW. Jade has always loved animals (she has three dog babies at home). Jade joined the board of Spay Arkansas in 2007 as Fundraising Chair and her first instinct was to bring awareness for their cause through fashion. The girl moves fast and 2007 was the inaugural year of Strut for a Mutt.
Although Strut was a consistent success, Jade had her eye on
the bigger picture. She and Danielle Vaughan conspired to combine all the local fashion for philanthropy events and create an all encompassing “fashion week” in NWA. She recognized that our
community has a heart for helping others and looking fabulous while doing it.
Mertins Eye has been on board since the conception of NWAFW as the official accessory sponsor. Jennifer Esty is the stylist and marketer for the offices and she contacted me about the Window Shop. I asked her about Mertins’ involvement in NWAFW, she told me that last year they “jumped at the chance to be the official eyewear sponsor. Keeping business local, supporting local charities and doing it through fashion??? Can’t think of a better group to be involved with and cause to contribute our time and eyewear to.”
In 2006, Dr. Allyson Mertins opened Mertins Eye Care & Optical. She recognized a need in NWA for a combination of well-appointed, unique eyewear & exceptional eye care. The store expanded to a second location in September of 2011 in the Garland Center on the University of Arkansas campus. Dr. Mertins values impeccable service and has quite a loyal clientele. Her patients constantly compliment her on the eye exam, which is thorough and rather detailed. She stays up to date on the latest research and findings in the optometric industry.
Mertins offers fashion forward eyewear for every budget, recognizable high-end labels {like Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Derek Lam, Jason Wu, etc} and exclusive independent lines –
SALT.optics and Mykita, which are handmade. Mertins knows that the sartorially inclined public of our area express their personality through eyewear as much as any other part of their ensemble. Or….perhaps more, after all you don’t change your RX frames daily, so they’re even more important to a look than clothes or jewelry.
Dr. Allyson and the staff of Mertins are thrilled to be
invited back as the official accessory sponsor for NWAFW 2013…this year they will present a runway show!!
Special Guest: Vanessa Ward Cullers | Photography: Mallory Berry | web | fb | insta | email | Hair: Taylor & Lindsey of Guillotine Hair Lounge| [web | fb | insta | 479.582.8770 | MUA: Kory Tyler Simpson @ MAC | web | insta | email | Styling: Payton Bridewell | web | fb | insta | email
| THE CLOTHES |
THE FRAMES | |||||
| On Vanessa |
LOLA | {Elizabeth And James} | WHITE ‘PARKER’ LAYERED BLAZER | MERTINS | Salt | “FULCEY” RED TORTOISE SHELL FRAMES |
| On Payton | LOLA | {French Connection} | STELLA’ CREPE CLASSIC BLAZER IN CREAM | MERTINS | 3.1 Phillip Lim | “CELIA” EGGSHELL RIMMED CLUBMASTER (ISH) FRAMES |
| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Nicole Miller} | LONG SLEEVE TUCKED DRESS BLACK | MERTINS | Elizabeth And James | “RIVER” jackie O black oversized sunnies with gold accent |
| On Payton | LOLA | {Graham And Spencer} | 3/4 FITTED MAXI DRESS | MERTINS | {Elizabeth And James} | “KENDALL” white square sunnies |
| On Payton | LOLA | {Graham And Spencer} | DRAPE TANK DRESS IN VANILLA | MERTINS | Mykita | “DAISY NO 2″ BLUE ANGULAR FRAMES |
| On Payton | LOLA | {French Connection} | ALMOND STRETCH CAP SLEEVE DRESS – BLACK | MERTINS | Mykita | “GOLDA” black round sunnies |
| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Velvet} | LEATHER SHOULDER PATCH DRESS BLACK | MERTINS | {Rayban} | CLUBMASTER SUNNIES |
| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Alc} | HARLAN JUMPSUIT NAVY |
MERTINS | Salt | “BRIGGS” SQUARE GRAY FRAMES |
| On Payton | LOLA | {Riller And Fount} | RITA’ CREW NECK MAXI IN GOLD |
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| On Vanessa | LOLA | {Haute Hippie} | GOLD TWIST FRONT STRAPLESS DRESS |
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[CLICKABLES! see the –> original post & –> all the photos]
I wasn’t exactly familiar with Artamiss before becoming involved with NWAFW. As I said, I had already worked with Mel @ Mayapple. We got along really well and I love the one stop shop she has going with Mayapple (hair/makeup/clothes). When she asked me to put a few of the Art Amiss designers in The Window Shop, I readily agreed. Black Cherry & Good Things were the shops that really wanted to participate. I’ve been a Black Cherry fan since Leea opened. She even put me in a unitard for her instagram recently. So I knew it would be fun to show a few things from there. I had seen Good Things and maybe popped in on my way to Dark Star but didn’t really know what it was about. I met Jessy, the owner/designer and found that she has a passion for organic fabric, processes or practices. That carries over into her boutique and the clothing she carries is either made of an organic fabric or the company employs green practices. I have to admit that, at first glance, the store didn’t carry clothes that I would normally buy. However, I quickly understood that what I could love about Good Things were the basic. Tanks, tees, yoga pants, jackets but mostly bralets. Jessy was not sure what I was going to do with the bralet I took for the shoot but as you may know, skin is in. Everything in moderation, right?
Celi is an art student that Mel asked to shoot for us (Mallory was out of town) and she was really good. It was cool to work with someone that has a different aesthetic and doesn’t know all the faces I’ve already made…At one point Celi told me to “do something with {my} hands”. We got into a friendly rapport.
Mel gave me two different hair & beauty looks. 1. Princess hair complete with a braided bun at the crown with minimal makeup and glossy lips 2. Messy side braid with giant false lashes on the bottom! Needless to say, we had fun.
Leea from Black Cherry came along for the party, she gave me some posing pointers, which I had trouble remembering. We talked about marriage and boys and how to get men to clean. Mel ordered pizza for the group, which annoyed me because I was about to pour into a leopard unitard. Anyway, we had a blast and I hope you enjoy!
I’ve gleaned more info on Art Amiss, Black Cherry, Good Things & Mayapple for your reading pleasure. These ladies will be showing on the runway Thursday but I know you can’t wait so you must try to stop by Arsagas at the Depot tonight from 7pm on. The coffee shop is hosting an artist appreciation exposition put on by Art Amiss. I’ll be heading there after I sip & see at Vetro 1925 (in my LBD, natch).
Good Things’ Jessy Lang majored in Apparel Studies at the University of Arkansas and then worked in product development at the Wal-Mart corporate office for eight years. She opened Good Things in 2008. She describes the store as an extension of her lifestyle and values. She explains, “I like simple, natural, pretty things. I wanted to support positive and good things in my business and also make it easier for others to support those things, and look our best while doing it.”
Jessy told me she is inspired by every girl with big dreams, a huge heart and a great sense of style. She admires women who are motivated to do great things for their communities & world but also look fabulous doing it.
Black Cherry Vintage opened in the summer of 2012. Leea Lee saw a need for a retro woman’s clothing store in Fayetteville and she’s been delivering ever since with feminine silhouettes, beautiful dresses, fun t-shirts and enviable separates. Somehow she finds the time to be an active roller derby girl & play with her (relatively) new hubby, Spencer.
MAYAPPLE SALON & BOUTIQUE | web | insta | fb | email |
GOOD THINGS BOUTIQUE | web | fb | insta | email |
BLACK CHERRY VINTAGE | web | fb | insta | email |
PHOTOGRAPHY: Celi Birke | web | fb | insta | email |
HAIR & MUA: Melissa Arens of Mayapple | web | insta | fb | email |
STYLING: Payton Bridewell | web | fb | insta | email |
Art Amiss is a not-for-profit art collective based in
Fayetteville, AR created with the express purpose of providing services for artists living in, working in, or from Arkansas.
The organization is composed of 5 board members. We host
semi-annual events for all medias and are interested in working in conjunction with artists all over the state to increase the artistic awareness in our local environments. More @ artamiss.org
The Window Shopper 