Styled: Once Wed

styling fall wedding colorsY’all!  So many exciting things to post about.  Great things have been happening these past few months, and I’m way behind in the blogging.  First up, a feature on Once Wed!  This moment… y’all, it’s huge for me.  I got a call one day with an inquiry to be an extra set of hands on set for a styled shoot with… wait for it…. Joy Thigpen.  In the world of styling and event design, Joy is my idol.  Her work is impeccable, thoughtful, soft and creative.  Way before I ever started styling, I knew who Joy was and went to her website and blog almost daily for inspiration.  So after a little happy dance, I composed myself and headed out to Early Mountain Vineyards for a two-day shoot.

The design – completely conceptualized by Joy and Lora Kelley – was dramatic and autumnal with bright, warm fall foliage and a pretty astounding amount of candlelight.  But the photos – by the ever-inspiring Eric Kelley – speak for themselves.  Check them out here.

The best part (besides being incredibly humbled that I’m listed as assistant stylist)?  Joy is just as rad in person as the images that she creates in photos.  She is genuine, friendly, and encouraging.  She took my ideas and she even gave me creative freedom on a few projects.  I got the sense that for her, styling is just the creative overflow of all the loveliness she embodies.  I hope if I continue to work diligently, hone my skills, and keep gracious people like Joy at the forefront of my role models, I too might be like that someday.

If you don’t know Joy’s work or Eric’s, please do check them out and give them some love.  And, of course, I’d love to know your thoughts on the shoot.

The New Basic Pant

fashion blog

Last year, I loved the emergence of colored denim. Neons, red, mint green – the trend was (and still is) hot.  And now as fall approaches, I’m excited to see so many stylemakers sprucing up the basic pant in new rad ways.  Bold prints, shiny leatherlike materials, new colors, and velvet!  My personal fave right now is the above pair of cords.  I know they’re crazy.  I’m picturing them with a chambray button down, a drapey black blouse, or even a chunky, belted cableknit cream sweater.

young woman blog

lifestyle blog

lifestyle blog

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Happy Weekend!

Style guide

Y’all, I am thankful it’s the weekend.  I’ve been struggling with some serious allergies for the past week, and I’m hoping some weekend rest will cure me.  March is my birthday month and though winter doesn’t technically end until after my birthday, I like to consider myself a spring baby.  So here’s to spring, my friends!

It’s going to be stormy here in Cville, but I’ve got plans to wear my new hot pink pants to inspire some sunshine in our weekend.  I can’t wait to bop around First Fridays and see our good friend, Matt Kleberg, at his solo show.  Check out his new work!

And now for some fun weekend links to put some spring in your step:

Are you as obsessed with those giant paper flowers from the Ruche lookbook as I am?  Learn how to DIY here!

To the point advice for making things happen via The 99 Percent.

We have a thing for good bourbon in our house… I wonder if this tastes as good as it sounds?

Absolutely loving this faux wedding by a local Charlottesville photographer (and friend!) Elisa B. via Snippet & Ink.

I moonlight at Anthropologie, and we got this amazing romper in this week.  (See above).  I’m obsessed. The styling of the March catalogue is also a big winner in my book. Are you a fan of rompers?  Jean rompers?  I think my husband will say no… but really, was the romper made to impress men?  I think not.  And I think not it will stop me from wearing it.

Hope your weekend is full of sunshine!

New Love: Ashi Studio

Fashion Inspiration

I recently discovered Mohammad Ashi, a Saudi designer, and I’m just so taken with his couture garments from the Mode 2 collection.  This particular collection was inspired by Emily Dickinson (of whom I’m also very fond) and one of her poems about birds.  There’s nothing super crazy or out-of-the-box about his designs, but somehow they feel so fresh.  You can tell Ashi is a master of fabrics as each gown is draped so beautifully and retains a very architectural edge.  Each garment highlights a woman’s frame so well, with just the right amount of volume and curve.  If I were walking a red carpet anytime soon (or able to wear a wedding gown again), I’d be all over these.

Ashi fashion

Inspired fashion

Mallory Joyce

Couture

Ashi Studio via My Everyday Couture

In Trend: Peplum

Peplum Fashion

Peplum fashion

Did you watch the Oscars last night?  I’m usually surrounded by girls on Oscar night (sisters, friends) because we are all such fanatic fashion – I mean movie – critics.   But last night, it was just me, a very unenthused husband, and a large jar of chocolate covered almonds.  Aside from the occasional complaint from my couch buddy and the stomach ache I contracted from almond overdose, I had a fantastic time feasting my eyes on this year’s red carpet fashion.  I even led a moment-by-moment texting commentary with my mom, aunt, and sisters that sadly ended when my phone froze from text overload and died (I was woken by an onslaught of high-pitched blings from the texts I missed when my phone conveniently returned to life at 2am).

My favorite look this year must go to Michelle Williams who wore a stunning Louis Vuitton ruby gown.  The color and texture make this dress.  I’ve been intrigued by the peplum trend that seemed to take Fashion Week by storm, and I think Williams’ sophisticated choice is perfectly executed.  Besides the fashions of the Jason Wu runway, I’m loving the subtle peplum looks in bright floral prints from J.Crew and Anthropologie.  This silhouette is feminine and a bit architectural; in a great print, it’s one of my favorite looks for spring.

J.Crew peplum

 

Jason Wu, J.Crew, Anthropologie

 

Color Affair: Tangerine Tango

When I was flipping through the Lela Rose Ready To Wear 2012 images, I was completely taken by the long, painted gown.  The yellow, white, and indigo brush strokes are unexpected and add a bit of edge to the otherwise ethereal design (also love that subtle peplum!).  I was inspired to make a moodboard featuring 2012′s color of the year, Tangerine Tango.

On this cold February day, I’m looking forward to some bold pops of spring color!  Beginning with that citrus lip a la Kate Bosworth.

 

Cake via Style Me Pretty, Paper Lanterns via Martha Stewart Weddings, Lela Rose orange shift, Orange cocktail source unknown, Lela Rose gown, Bauble necklace J.Crew, Orange marshmallows source unknown, Bouquet source unknown, Kate Bosworth, Orange flowers