Monday night, I judged a Paul Mitchell Hair Competition and it was so much fun. I found this dress at a thrift shop and couldn’t wait to monochrome it up with my lovely Lola sandals and vintage earrings.
Dress – Thrifted BB Dakota
Petticoat/Bag – Thrifted
Strappy Heels – Lola
Earrings, P pin – Vintage via Mae’s
Lips – CoverGirl Outlast in Everreddy
Who doesn’t love a delicious drink? Whether it’s a cocktail or a refresher or a wake-up, drinking is a huge part of our lives. Enter Pink House Alchemy, creators of sensational botanical based syrups. I had a to-die for lavender lemonade at the farmer’s market last year and had been thinking about it non-stop. When I had the same deliciousness at the Little Craft Show this winter, I quickly decided I had to try this at home. I bought the herb, lavender & rosemary syrups. They were divine the few times I used them before they were relegated to the back of my home bar for two months. I re-found them and began to wonder, should they be refrigerated? I emailed Emily Lawson, the alchemist (or owner) herself. She was incredibly kind and directed me to Ross, PH chef/alchemist, who had recently made the syrups shelf-stable. Ross replaced my syrups with bigger bottles, he also gave me three new ones to try! Wasn’t that just so lovely of them? I decided to utilize my new additions and organized a little happy hour with my gal-pal Mallory Berry of MGB Photo. 
The PH folks had given me a pineapple rosemary shrub (a “sipping vinegar”) and I saw a lovely little margarita recipe (below) on their facebook. Let me tell you, this is the real deal. It was so incredibly yummy that things got a little out of hand. Go get you some.
Photo Credit: MGB Photo
More about PH, via PINKHOUSEALCHEMY.COM: Pink house alchemy is a company dedicated to taste experiences. Inspired by complementary patterns in roots, barks, fruits, herbs, and botanicals. pH works every day to find new and perfect connections between ingredients. Who knew carrot, rice vinegar; sugar and toasted coriander seeds are a dreamy sweet treat? Simple syrups, bitters, shrubs and timeless classics such as falernum, are where the alchemists put these discoveries to the test!
Purchase syrups & shrubs from Pink House at Arsagas, ONF or on their website.
More recipe suggestions from Pink House:
Blueberry Thyme Gin Fizz: 2 oz. Hendricks Gin 1 oz. pH Alchemy Blueberry Thyme Simple Syrup 1/2 juiced lemon 1 egg white. Shake with ice. Pour. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with sprig of thyme. Enjoy.
Rosemary Rhubarb Flip: 1.5 oz. Hendrick’s Gin 1 oz. pH Rosemary Rhubarb simple syrup .75 oz. fresh lime juice 1 egg white Add all ingredients into a shaker and dry shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and continue shaking until frothy. Strain and garnish with a fresh rosemary spring.
Pink House Cooler: 2 oz vodka 1 oz Pink House Alchemy Strawberry Basil simple syrup juice from 1/2 a lime top with sparkling water and garnish with fresh basil
Lavender Hummingbird: In a pint glass: Ice 1 oz pH Alchemy Lavender Simple Syrup 1 squeezed lemon Sparkling water
French Lavender 75: In a shaker: 2 oz gin (the alchemist prefers Hendricks) 1 oz Lavender One half squeezed lemon Shake with ice, pour in martini glass Float champagne on top Garnish with lemon twist
I’ve always been enamored with tattoos. I admire the people who have a veritable art gallery on their bodies but I’ve never (not even once) come close to getting one myself. Come to think of it, I’ve never actually stepped into a tattoo parlor. Wow. Anyway, I recently came across the coolest thing. A new-ish brand of modern (dare I say chic?) temporary tattoos: Tattly. Tattly is an online retailer/supplier that provides many of the designs hipsters, young professionals or kids could desire in a washable, 2 for $5 format. What could be better? I attended a birthday get together last weekend that claimed to require neck tattoos for entry. It felt like the right time to don my “to live, to learn, to love” ink right across the chest. While I happened to be the only party guest in compliance, I didn’t mind because this amazingness was fleeting. Your thoughts? The vast variety of tats are shoppable on tattly.com and a curated selection is available locally at Shindig Paperie. If you’re STILL not impressed, there is one more thing. Tattly offers the option to customize tats for your business, brand, bash, basically anything…this is big.
I’ve gotten a few ups on my recent manicure. This is a rare occurrence for me, as I rarely do my nails (well). I got some nail stickers at walgreens – they come with around 40? – so you can squeeze several uses out of them. When you’re done, you just peel them off! The whole sticker thing is pretty genius. It’s super easy to do and it ends up looking pretty fly, if I do say so myself.
photo credit: Helaine Williams, AR Dem Gazette
The #NAMPENCIL c/o NA Martin
Make-up: Kory Tyler Simpson | MAC * Photos: Mallory Berry | MGB Photo * Styling/Concept: Payton Bridewell | The Window Shopper
Nancy Martin has created something wonderful. That something is a slim-fitting pencil skirt for the gal on the go. The skirt can be wadded up, tossed about, even stuffed in a plastic bag then pulled out and worn again…Can it be true?
Nancy Martin is an attorney as well as one of a handful of fashion designers living in Northwest Arkansas. She conceptualized her skirt operation (aka NA Martin) in January of 2012 and took the line to production in June of the same year. Amazing turnaround, right? Nancy is a lovely lady with a timeless look. I don’t know her well enough to say whether it’s her enormously chic eyewear or her gorgeous hair. Nancy is svelte, poised and polished. She describes her personal aesthetic as “the classic prep look with a twist of counter-culture.” She craves contrast in her wardrobe, putting outfits together that are “simple yet elegant; a mix of the extravagant with the down to earth.” That philosophy extends beyond her attire. She prefers the juxtaposition of high end with low or rough around the edges in all things. Nancy references “a velvet chair with unfinished wood, “ as an example. But, there’s nothing rough about her or her line of pencil skirts.
Nancy Martin models her creation c/o NA Martin
She created her functional/fashionable pencil skirt to give the fashion conscious lady a “perfect basic” that could take her from the boardroom to the dining room to the bar and beyond. Nancy explains, “this skirt is designed for women of all ages who have active lives. Women who may work or volunteer during the day but need to attend a dinner or meeting at night. Women who want to be able to always count on this basic in their closet. The style is timeless and ageless because of the fit and length. “ She loves the versatility of her creation. She suggests pairing the pencil with “a mesh top with pumps, a white t-shirt with espadrilles or a starched oxford, belt and ballet flats for work.” I concur. It was with that sense of versatility and contrast that I set out to style her skirt in two ways.
Look #1: skirt > NAM Pencil in Black hat > Vintage lace top > Plato’s Closet necklace > Beehive heels > MACA Clothe
Look #2 skirt > NAM Pencil in Black fanny pack > Thrifted heels > Vince Camuto headband > Forever21
Nancy goes to NYC to pick out her fabrics/materials/patterns each season and the skirts are made in the USA! This Spring/Summer look for white, cream and pink pencils with an emphasis on texture. Looking forward to Fall ’14, the pencils will be dark gray, ottoman and olive with a quilted texture.
Find the NAM Pencil online, by appointment or at the following retailers as of Feb 2014:
Klothe Bentonville, AR
Town & Country Fayetteville, AR
Grand on Oak Conway, AR
Women’s Exchange St. Louis, MO
NA Martin Designer, Nancy Martin
Nancy on her inspirations: I have always loved fashion and art. I grew up with lots of art in our home and with an appreciation of art and music. I love to look at the photos in fashion magazines and create my look from them. I love to travel and do so whenever I can. I think there is no better way to be inspired. Every time I come back from a vacation, I see the world differently and with new enthusiasm. One of my favorite models is Kate Moss. For me she has the look, versatility and body in which to wear anything.
I truly enjoyed styling the #nampencil skirt and working with Nancy. There’s something incredible about borrowing an item from the actual designer. I think the future looks bright for this jack-of-all-skirts; NA Martin has set the bar high & tight. – The Window Shopper
Clockwise from top: 1. Grey Dog by MGB Photo; 2. Mayapple Salon by Celi Birke for NWAFW, 3. Mertins/Lola by MGB Photo for NWAFW; 4. Vintage from personal collection by Darcy Munoz for Hello Luvvy; 5. Grey Dog by MGB Photo; 6. Mayapple by MGB Photo for NWAFW; 7. Black Cherry Vintage by Leea Lee; 8. Savoir Faire by MGB Photo for NWAFW
ahhh isn’t it fun to have talented friends?
with Mallory & Leea at the Stop Shop Fayetteville event
with Taylor & Lindsey of Guillotine Hair Lounge
a snapshot of the finished look
with Ro at the watch party
The Window Shopper 