Girlfriends – 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

Daylight savings happened early this morning, which means MORE SUN. Fashion Week commences TOMORROW (with Shop Local Night, LBD Party @ Vetro & 3W/L’Oreal are putting on a swanky affair at Ruth’s Chris in Rogers). Mallory, who so gracefully shot these photos will be capturing “street style” Thursday-Saturday so, you know, bring you’re A-GAME.

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!!

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
On Vanessa	LOLA	{Haute Hippie}	GOLD TWIST FRONT STRAPLESS DRESS