Found on Scout & Molly's Facebook:
This gorgeous, royal blue one-shoulder dress is too cute. It's a new arrival to the shop, and going for $64.
So what if it's like 30 degrees outside. We as shoppers need to plan ahead for warm weather — and I know I'd look damn-fine in that dress come May when I can bear to show my legs again.
See what else has arrived by checking out their page.
Lately, I've found myself really attracted to the color turquoise. It's peeking its pretty face all over my wardrobe.
So of course, as I'm checking out L.A. East's Facebook photo album of their new Chan Luu accessories, my eyes were immediately drawn to this baby:
I. Want. This. Wrap-Bracelet.
If you want too, you should definitely head down to Rea Road to scoop up one of their new styles. Half a dozen of those new styles have already sold out.
9852 Rea Road
704-341-5962
www.LAEast.net
Who knew the secret ingredient to gorgeous jewelry would be right in your coffee canister or local produce section?
Local artists Nancy Hernandez, Maria Del Pilar and Maria all work together to create line of gourd jewelry. They takes the skin from a gourd and naturally dehydrate it. Afterward, they use vegetable dyes to paint it and garnish the finished product with a protective glaze. One necklace in particular is made from dozens of melon seeds, each painted different colors and then strung in layers that produces a rainbow-like effect. The line is exclusive to Pura Vida Worldly Art.
Teresa Hernandez, the shop’s owner, says, “It’s amazing that people can look at everything and see what they can create with it. Things that we normally throw away can be saved and made into something beautiful.”
Each piece can take up to several hours to create, but is normally completed in batches to keep up with demands. Earrings run at about $20 and necklace/earring sets range from $30-$36. Pura Vida Worldly Art is located at 3202-A N. Davidson St.
Bands are known for their impeccable talent of keeping things together, and Cat Babbie’s leather creations are no different. Her belts and wrist cuffs are currently being sold at Boris and Natasha (1213 Thomas Ave.) and have been a hit amongst patrons.
When you walk into the store, it’s hard not to notice the mannequin wearing a rainbow-like frock, but it’s really the thick leather belt, loosely draped around her midsection, that’s the eye-catcher. It, too, is laden with colors. Swirls that look like leaves appear to be carved into the light brown leather. A single flower in the middle is bright yellow with orange and red accents.
According to shop owner Hope Nicholls, the leather accessories came about when she saw her friend Cat wearing one of her creations. She inquired about it and for the past few months, she’s been selling them in her shop.
“She starts from scratch, from raw leather. She cuts, hammers and colors it,” says Nicholls. In effect, “every piece is a little work of art you can wear.”
Her adjustable wrist cuffs are especially popular as they are unisex and “contain an enormous amount of work.”
Needless to say, they are bestsellers and cost about $74. Belts are $99. Cat also accepts personal orders for handbags, as they aren’t yet sold in the store.
With consistent 90-degree weather, we can all agree that summer has officially hit the Q.C. It is time time to pull out your grills and get ready for your 4th of July cookouts ... or just those Saturday afternoon pool parties. Why not greet your guest in style, and in style, I mean Etsy local style.
No one will be able to confuse who the hostess is when you are wearing these adorable aprons from Abibi: Be a Kitchen-ista. How could you? These aprons are just a-dor-able!
This half apron with two polka dot pockets has a back tie is only $15. With such charm, that price is a steal.
As the Queen City's 90 degree days continue, I find it increasingly more difficult to find comfortable, lightweight clothing to wear every day. So, you know what that means right? Shopping trip! And wouldn't you know it, KK Bloom has lots of new spring/summer pieces that just arrived at the store. Some of the trendy fashion brands they carry are Splendid, Susana Monaco, Isabel Lu and Esley. They have a fabulous assortment of tops, skirts, rompers and one of my favorites, maxi dresses. You can find looks to go out with the girls in, for a hot date or just something cool and casual for a day of more shopping. This Spring, KK Bloom has added a new designer, Charlie Jean, and I must say I simply fell in love with this Charlie Jean romper. It's perfect for a hot summer day.
If you're looking for a good deal on off-season merchandise, be sure to check out KK Bloom's 50 percent off rack. There you can find lots of great designer pieces, like lightweight cardigans which I'm sure will still be on trend this year. I love finding cool items on sale and stock piling them. That way when the season rolls around, I almost have a whole new wardrobe. Visit KK Bloom today. Trust me, you'll be sure to find something you love.
T. Strong is a TV personality, personal stylist and fashion journalist who contributes commentary on Creative Loafings Klepto blog in addition to writing for several other national media organizations. To learn more visit www.StyleMayvin.com or follow therealtstrong on Twitter.
Sorry to disappoint you, but when we say Margaritas, we're not talking about the punchy alcoholic drink made from tequila.
Now that summer is on the horizon, I'm thinking more and more about the gym and working out. Surely, the people who are running up and down my street in the evenings are doing their part to make me feel like I need to get back into a workout routine. But a greater motivator is discovering this line of activewear, Margarita Activewear. Produced in Israel, this line offers some of the most fashionable workout clothes I've seen.
Once upon a time, I'd have told you to find these colorful goodies at Asana Activewear, a fitness apparel shop at the Morrison Shopping Center. But in February, owner Gary Schwake announced the shop was closing. Luckily, a couple of weeks ago, good news dropped for fitness fashionistas who adore the Charlotte brand: ActivewearUSA.com acquired the assets of Asana Activewear, keeping Asana alive.
We are delighted with the acquisition, said Gary Schwake in a press release. This will allow our customers to buy the greatest activewear brands and Yoga clothing from a local Charlotte company with a strong focus on customer service. Moreover ActivewearUSA.com sells activewear brands that our clientele is already familiar with, such as Margarita Activewear, ION Actif, MPG and many more.
Shop www.activewearusa.com to find the most fashionable, colorful workout clothes if you're like me, you'll want to definitely get in the gym to show off your digs. See? Fashion does equal fitness. (Bonus: Use the coupon code GoActivewearUSA for free domestic shipping through May 20.)
Whether people want to admit it or not, being environmentally conscious is very IN. My office, school and condo building all have trash cans for recyclables and that wasn't the case five years ago.
But do you ever wonder what happens to that water bottle you toss into the blue bin?
Maybe, just maybe, the water bottle you drank from at lunch will be used to help create a pair of Kinder Soles flip-flops.
From their mission statement:
Kinder Soles is a socially responsible designer of healthy and eco-friendly flip-flops. We practice social responsibility by raising the needed funds to deliver used footwear to people in need all over the world. Kinder Soles are also made from recycled water bottles and have ergonomic footbeds for proper support.
Today, Kinder Soles is a growing company with products that are eco-friendly, healthy and socially conscious. Our goal is to help people around the world and from all walks of life while contributing to a cleaner environment.
As the weather is getting warmer or hotter on some days people's toes are starting to reappear again in flip-flops. Since you're going to be showing off your feet anyway, might as well do so in something that was created with the intent of sustaining the environment.
In addition, each pair of Kinder Soles sold helps out someone who doesn't even own a pair of shoes. The money you spend helps Kinder Soles help Soles4Souls send out their shoes.
If you're interested in learning more about this eco-friendly company and checking out their merchandise, Kinder Soles will be at Charlotte Clean and Green Festival this weekend. The event, which was originally slated to happen on Saturday, will take place Sunday at CPCC.
With all the amazing spring looks, there is a need to top it off with some really fab accessories. No matter how put together your outfit is, it is always in need of the cake topper (that little piece that takes this outfit from being wow to wowzier). Where is the best place to get amazing accessory pieces? One of my favorite places, The Jewel Box (which has three locations in the area)!
Let's start with the ears! Every girl needs a pair of over-sized chandelier earrings it is a must.
Dangle Filagree Earrings - $8
Chandelier Earrings - $18
Tomorrow it will be two weeks since the earthquake/tsunami hit Japan. On Monday, the death toll was estimated to be more than 18,000 people. Can you imagine? More than eighteen-THOUSAND people have lost their lives in this natural disaster. It's almost unreal, isn't it?
News reports have also indicated that rebuilding in Japan is estimated to cost over $235 billion. Opportunities are popping up all over the place to donate money to help out, and here's another one a worthy one if you're interested in supporting a local designer as well.
Rolandas Hauser is the owner and operator of Word Apparel, based here out of Charlotte. Perusing his online shop, you'll find an interesting array of colorful T-shirts, many boasting the simple phrase "Word," watches and more. Recently, he's designed a T-shirt for sale in an effort to provide aid to Japan 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Red Cross.
"For my design I focused on the heritage and culture of Japan," says Hauser. "In these difficult times, I wanted to remind people of the beauty and pride that the Japanese culture brings to the world. They will persevere, and it is important to focus on the future, and the beauty that will return."
Hauser personally prints each shirt on American Apparel, and they are available in both mens and ladies sizes for $20. Different colored shirts are available by special request. You can specify what color you want during checkout in the 'Instructions to Merchant' section.