Drink Pink

April 8, 2014April 7, 2014Leave a comment

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.

Pineapple Rosemary Margarita | Mix the following:

2 oz silver tequila 1 oz Pink House Alchemy Pineapple Rosemary shrub (a shrub is a “sipping” vinegar that takes your cocktail to the next level) 3/4 oz Pink House Alchemy Herb simple syrup Juice from 1/2 a lime

(for our version, we used grapefruit flavored sparkling water)

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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

All the cool kids are doing it.

April 3, 2014April 4, 2014Leave a comment

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.

NWAFW: Elysian Feel

February 25, 2014October 7, 2015Leave a comment

By definition, Elysian is an adjective defined as “of, relating to, or characteristic of heaven or paradise.” I headed North to get a feel for the Bentonville boutique.

Elysian/NWAFW Look #1

I added this one-of-a-kind bowtie by Emily Smith The cropped carrot sweater is chic and tongue in cheek Elysian/NWAFW These pants are a great transitional item because of the colors make-up by Kory Tyler Simpson/MAC Elysian/NWAFW Look #1 Yummy lipcolor: Impassioned creme lipcolor by MAC I’m pumped palazzos are back in because I’d be wearing them regardless Elysian/NWAFW

Peach Palazzo Pants – Elysian * Cropped Carrot Sweater – Elysian * Handmade Bowtie – Emily OneManBand Smith * Heels – Forever21 * Earrings – Dillards

Elysian/NWAFW Look #2

this metal belt from 410 Vintage is an instant corset

Wear this kimono with e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g

Elysian/NWAFW

yum

Elysian/NWAFW

Kimono – Elysian * Dress – Vintage from Cheap Thrills * Hat – Vintage Metal Belt – 410 Vintage * Heels – Forever21

Make-up: Kory Tyler Simpson /MAC
Photos: Mallory Berry/MGB Photo
Styling/Concept: Payton Bridewell/The Window Shopper

Lisa & Me, Summer 2013

Lisa Wright opened downtown Bentonville’s Elysian Boutique at the end of 2012. In March 2013, shop moved into its current spot, conveniently located a block from Bentonville’s booming downtown square. When she initially opened, she kept her full-time dental hygienist job while her mom, who retired from WM corporate, worked the store. In the evenings, she would photograph her inventory and post on social sites. At the end of last year, Lisa decided it was finally time to give up on her dual career (as a dental hygienist) to focus on Elysian full-time. Fast-forward to today and the shop is already in the throes of a success story.

The lovely Lisa Wright, Elysian owner

Women of all ages and incomes shop at Elysian and Lisa aims to please them all. She endeavors to remember details about everyone who shops at Elysian, she credits her customer service for shoppers returning over and over again. Lisa, and in turn Elysian, is style-focused. The shop is stocked with multi-use pieces, items that can be worn a variety of ways. I asked Lisa for her wardrobe staples and she told me “a blazer, a pencil skirt, a pair of pumps and a tunic can get you anywhere.” For Spring, she is looking forward to mixing black & white with pastels.”

Expect whimsy with an edge from Elysian on Saturday night (March 8^th) at NWAFW. Check out Elysian’s latest stylings on Instagram, Facebook or ShopElysian.com. – The Window Shopper

NWAFW: SOHO CLOTHIERS

February 18, 2014October 7, 2015Leave a comment

I visited the new & improved SOHO Clothiers in Rogers to pick up a few transitional pieces just in time to look chic for Spring.

Look #1

Pants – Ella Moss/SOHO Clothiers | Bolero – Vintage | Bow ties – Vintage | Heels – Plato’s Closet

Vintage bowties secure the bolero

I styled the pant with a vintage bolero

The trousers are comfortably cool

I chose the slouchy black & cream pant for it’s supreme versatility. Comfortable but still dressy, the trouser can be paired with virtually anything.

Look #2

Blazer – BB Dakota/SOHO Clothiers | Earrings – Grayling/SOHO Clothiers | Shift/ Scarlet Clothing | Sunnies – Vintage/Grey Dog | Heels – Go Jane

The sequin collar of the BB Dakota Blazer adds sophistication to a simple shift

BB Dakota Blazer available at SOHO

Lipstick – MAC {sidenote: I have been obsessed with this lipstick since trying it for this shoot. I promptly purchased it. It goes on like a stain with the feel of a cream}

I was immediately drawn to the BB Dakota embellished blazer. The sequins picked up whatever color they were near, making it a wear-with-everything staple. It also had a trim fit which gives it a continuity with the outfit rather than feeling like an add-on.

Make-up: Kory Tyler Simpson /MAC

Photos: Mallory Berry/MGB Photo

Styling/Concept: Payton Bridewell/The Window Shopper

SOHO:

Leslie Claud Freeman and her family finalized the purchase of the Rogers shopping staple, Soho Clothiers on April 20th, 2013. After almost a year on the ownership side of retail, she’s as enthusiastic as ever. She speaks about SOHO with an air of gratitude, excited to see the store continue to grow, while still satisfying the existing customer base.

SOHO Reopened with a ribbon cutting on April 20th, 2013

She hopes current and new shoppers will come see the “updated” shop. Shoppers have actually been her priority long before she bought the store. Leslie was an apparel studies major at the U of A and spent several years in the fashion industry – first at Mason’s, then at BCBG. Even in high school (yes, I remember!) she always dressed to impress and had the best hair.

Leslie Freeman

When dressing herself, Leslie loves to be feminine but also comfortable. She likes an outfit (like a maxi dress) that takes her from low-key to dressy by the switch of a shoe or the addition of a blazer. But she admits, “nothing can beat a good pair of jeans”. Like most of us, Leslie is ready for spring. Drawing inspiration from magazines and stylish people everywhere, she’s stocked SOHO with color and prints. She’s especially looking forward to helping her customers find those transitional pieces (like the Ella Moss pant or the BB Dakota blazer I chose) to refresh their wardrobe. See the latest from SOHO on facebook & instagram.

NWAFW: The Perfect Pencil (Skirt)?

February 13, 2014October 7, 2015Leave a comment

NA Martin @ NWA Fashion Week

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.

the black NAM Pencil Skirt | by MGB Photo

Look #1: skirt > NAM Pencil in Black hat > Vintage lace top > Plato’s Closet necklace > Beehive heels > MACA Clothe

the NAM Pencil Skirt in Black | by MGB Photo

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