Autumn Tales and Adventures Pt. 1

Being on vacation is seriously the best. I just got back from North Carolina a couple of hours ago now, but I wanted to take advantage of this moment to look through photos and blog because I have like...a second before I get ready take off again on another adventure! I would like to apologize in advance for the overwhelming amount of photos that are about to appear on the screen. If you're not in the mood for photo stalking, I suggest you stop reading right now.

Otherwise, I shall regale you with tales of the beauty and wonder that is the Blue Ridge Mountains.

riding boots/aldo  dress+jacket/UO     

My friend Brian and I had a lovely brunch at Mayfel's to start the day. Before that morning, I had never experienced the joy that is an omelette with avocado, brie cheese, and chorizo sausage. Now I have and it totally changed my life. Brian's hamburger had an egg on it. A meal for the history books. 

There is an antique store/vintage showroom in Asheville called The Screen Door that is a must do on the agenda anytime I'm in the state. It...is....legitimate, most definitely one of the best upsell stores I've ever been in. Period. Every single booth has its own really detailed point of view and the sellers actually take the time to style the items, which to me makes a world of difference and vastly sets the store apart from most of the others of its kind I've been in. Not to mention, their stock is outrageous. I've never met any of the sellers, but they must be vintage savants.

Everytime we go, I walk out with at least one purchase. This time it was the lovely typewriter featured below. I've been searching for a really old typewriter for a while and the few I've found in Jacksonville were all almost $100. I paid a good deal less than that for this one! :)

If this had a strap, it would be mine....

Oh, welcome to my palatial estate. 

Mine! <3

After we left The Screen Door, we drove up Pisgah Mountain and did some light hiking to one of the falls. I was wearing a lace dress. Genius. It was okay for rock hopping, I just had to hike it up a bit. :) We got some gorgeous photos of the sunset over the mountain. Since I was a child on family vacations, I've always found the mountain forest to be so majestic. Maybe it's because I was born and raised in a state with virtually no elevation or climate shifts (ever), or because the mountains remind me of a time when everyone was together. No parents were stressed; there was no homework to worry about or chores to do. All you had to do is smile, and skip a stone or two across the creek. Or perhaps I just watched Pocahontas too many times as a child. :) But, seriously. Colors of the Wind? Epic. 

Nothin' Fancy.

I had an 8am meeting at work today on my "day off." 8 am meetings mean two things. Coffee and bagels, and definitely roll out of bed comfy attire. That's three things, actually. I'm still tired. 

shorts/vintage Levi's  bag/vintage Coach  watch+glasses/Michael Kors   blouse+shoes/UO

This Coach bag used to be my Mom's in the 90's. I am obsessed with it. Outside of not being gigantic enough to hold all of my crap, it is easily the most practical bag I own. I find myself wanting to wear it with everything....so I do. :) 

This post is sort of a small landmark for my blog. This is the very first self-photography blog post I've ever done. I'm actually quite proud of how the photos turned out. I shot models and clients for years as a photographer and was able to do some really creative things in my career. By the end, I have to admit even I was surprised by the quality of my photography and how happy all of my clients were with their photos. But, shooting one's self is quite different. The self timer is an acquired taste for sure. I have a new admiration for all of the bloggers who have been shooting themselves for years and I now feel I can relate to their embarrassment woes. Bystanders don't glance quite as peculiarly when there is a person in front of as well as behind the camera on the street. People looked at me...ahem...strange to say the least. But, that is why I picked this location. I stumbled upon this alleyway in the early days of my career as a photog and thought it was quite beautiful. The only place for the light to enter the photograph is from the sky and it creates a perfect little shadowy and yet well lit oasis. It was my "go-to" place that I could depend on for a solid set that I knew would turn out well. I figured it was as good a place as any to try out on myself! I actually think it turned out ok. What do you think?

News Alert: Fashion Developments take Huge Leap in the Jacksonville, FL Area

Warning: The following words are seldom heard from my mouth and the lament of the opposite has long been a complaint of mine. But, yesterday was a very exciting day for fashion in Jacksonville! :)

I attended Jacksonville's very first (and now annual) Fashion's Night Out at the St. John's Town Center, which also happens to be where I work. In addition to that, the first H&M opened in Jacksonville yesterday in the Avenues Mall. That's correct, before this there was not an H&M anywhere in the Jacksonville area. (??) The closest location was formerly in Orlando, FL. Alas, now the massive Swedish retailer has provided Jacksonvillians with the sheer joy of paying twelve dollars for a cheaply made and yet surprisingly fashion forward skirt. Unfortunately, the H&M location is at a separate mall about ten minutes from the location where FNO was being held (and where I was getting off work.) Therefore, I shall divulge opinions regarding the addition of the store after further investigation, as my one stop shop was more reminiscent of a very distracted and yet speedy NASCAR driver as I was trying to make it back to FNO in a hurry. 

Fashion's Night Out was really a big success for Jacksonville, in my opinion. Our store did not participate in the runway show that was held (to the dismay of many a show go-er) because there wasn't really time to plan the show by the time we found out and we were in the middle of some structural staffing changes at the store that were taking up a lot of time and energy. But, next year, you better believe we'll be rocking that runway like nobody's business. However, I feel that there were some standout stars and, at the risk of being critical, some retailers that could have used some help. The pity is, some of the weaker presentations at the show could have easily been bolstered with the product available in their inventory, paired with a legitimately progressive and more specific point of view with the styling. Appropriately, the most well received retailer at the show was not a clothing, accessories, or shoe venue. Sweet by Holly, the venture cupcake market begun by Food Network's Cupcake Wars star Hollis Wilder, was received by show goers with the most excitement as she walked the runway and one of her shop associates rained freshly made cupcakes (in boxes of course) down upon those of us in the front row. Thanks Sweet By Holly for ending the show with a smile! Who doesn't love cupcakes? 

Jax FNO Superstars: 

• BCBG Max Azria- Super elegant presentation suited to the retailer. There was some over the top styling where I felt like they could've gone more understated. But, the gown that ended their presentation was stunning. 
• Private Gallery- I knew I was either going to love it or hate it. I have to admit, I loved it. For me, I felt like it could've easily turned into a bad mash up of French Connection, but it was truly good styling and probably the strongest collective presentation of the night. They decided to go for a streamlined boho look and it paid off in spades. 
• Johnston Murphy- Well, that was unexpected. Johnston Murphy came out with three really  strong looks, especially in menswear. JM blew the other menswear presenters out of the water. It was sophisticated and relevant, and the only menswear retailer of the night that didn't throw a really predictable suit on their model and call it a day sans accessorizing. It totally reinvigorated my search for the perfect leather satchel. 

BCBG Max Azria

Johnston Murphy

Private Gallery

Sweet By Holly

You're allowed to have a cupcake and a margarita at FNO! #judgmentfreezone

Fashion > Functionality 

The Inevitable Wanderer

I thought this was really beautiful, a handwritten quote found on a random Tumblr yesterday. If I knew where, I would link it to this image. But, alas, I do not. It resonated. Now it's on my blog. The end. 

Sun Daze.

A little co-worker encouragement. 

Hipster babies. Nephews are the cutest in the world. 

The Deli Comb. 

LARGE coffee mug. 

Ladies' night out. Green Room Brewery. 

<3

Kitty is sleepy.

Beach day soured by a big fat rain cloud. 

Work and Life....

Considering that this has always been a personal style blog, I have exhibited a surprising lack of personal style posts this past week and half or so. For that, I am sorry. However, there is something that I have wanted to post about for some time on the blog and I am choosing to do so now. :) 

I have mentioned on this blog before that I was a journalism major in college and I specialized in long format documentaries. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to go to Central America to volunteer and create a story about an organization in Guatemala that helps people who are in desperate need. I created the following short trailer about that time and I hope you will watch! 

P.S. Regular style postings shall commence again soon! 

Caffeine and Celine...

As a result of having an EXTREMELY demanding work schedule the last week, I have not posted on ye olde blog and I feel bad about that as all bloggers do when they neglect their project. Yet, I digress.

In an effort to place some content on this thing, I would like to direct you the blog I have just started with my best friend Brian. I have mentioned B on this blog before, as he is responsible for many of the lovelier photos on this site. We have decided that since we both adore coffee and the entire culture that surrounds a love for the stuff, we would start a clever little blog! We only have one post up as of yet, but we would love for you to stay tuned as I think it is going to be a lovely edition to my Fall writing routine. Check out Bean There whenever you have a chance, please!

Lastly, I NEED one of these bags from The Quiet Riot. Just a tad reminiscent of the Celine Trapeze bag I've been forced to lust after on the arm of many an Olsen. Alas, I can not afford the Celine bag on a normal human being salary, so I evoke my right to purchase this version for Fall. Yes, please. :)

Celine Version