LOOK WHO IS STAYING TOGETHER FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!

RUNWAY FOR THE BALLET

 Runway for the Ballet is one of the most exciting 

events that I have heard about so far this 

year! Check out details about this awesome night of fashion and dance at http://ncdance.org/RunwayForTheBallet.asp!! 

You could even win our exclusive 
Signature Style Package 

if you enter into the raffle! 

All proceeds benefit NC Dance Theater!

North Carolina Dance Theatre

www.ncdance.org

North Carolina Dance Theatre and Opening Night Insiders are delighted to announce the fifth annual Runway for the Ballet, sponsored by sponsored by Carolinas Medical Center, Neiman Marcus and Shumaker, Look and Kendrick, LLC.

-Stephanie

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE - Veraciousness!!

I have decided to dedicate my Friday posts to 

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE 

Each week I will feature someone who stands tall and is always distinct from the rest. 

There are those who set out to do this intentionally,
 and then there are those who just... 

ARE.

Vera Ventura immediately came to mind upon this decision.

 Vera is one of the most creative, kind and fiercely individual spirits I have ever come across. I have been inspired by her VERACIOUSNESS in all things for years now, 

but especially in her fearless approach to style.

More notably, she is an amazing videographer and photographer with an established

business of her own creation: Veracious Productions

When I meet with clients the first thing we do is go through a questionnaire, which is meant to help me get to know their personality, passions, uniqueness and quirks. This is by far my favorite part in the whole process. I love to learn about people, what drives them and what has made them who they are. 

Selfishly, I chose to ask Vera the questions from the questionnaire I most 

wanted to know the answers to...

What gives you passion and inspires you in life?

Growing spiritually and developing a larger capacity to love,

 forgive, and accept. Continual growth and expansion of my mind academically and spirituality. Meditation. Deep friendships. Travel.

                                                                                   

Give me three words that describe your personal style.

Eclectic, vintage, and colorful

What experience has most shaped who you are?

* Exposed to the arts at a young age--I took dancing, music, and acting lessons.

* I moved away from home when I was 14 in order to live with my sister in NYC. I had an incredible amount of freedom, but also had to become somewhat responsible financially. 

*Joining a 12-step program 8 years ago and giving up mood altering drugs, 

alcohol, flour and sugar. 

*Meditation.

She is hard to keep up with, but I can't wait to see where she takes life next!

-Stephanie

WHO KNEW IT COULD BE SO CHIC TO RECYCLE?! CONSIGNMENT BEYOND YOUR STYLISH DREAMS

Recycle Boutique 

-a dreamland for me these days. 

I can consign client's closet purges, shop for new pieces

 and find amazing home decor for my new place! 

They carry new, recycled and everything in-between!

The jewelry selection is eclectic: classy, funky and modern:

 Something I discovered while shooting for the post is that one of the owners, Ginger Goff, has her own shoe line! The other owner being her husband, Gregg Goff. They are one of the sweetest couples ever and by themselves are worth the trip to the boutique.

These cute flats were designed by her and are on sale!

I am loving this little Coach bag!

Kenneth Cole

They even carry some beautiful and vibrant artwork...

Oil Painting by: Rebecca Denmark

Lately, my favorite section has been the home decor section...

They carry lots of these colorful lamps made of recycled
 glass. Such a fantastic way to add color!

In case you hadn't heard LILAC is IN!
 It is even invading faux fur pillows.
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

 

 Okay, so I am a huge fan of pillows. 

CLEARLY. 

They are fun and easy to switch around from season to season without a hefty investment.

This little pillow was my absolute favorite!
hand-painted by: Barbara Wood

                                             

                                                           They also carry an exquisite line of candles: Tyler Candle Company
                                                      Hmmm...lilac in color!


                                                            STOP BY TO SEE WHAT THEIR LATEST ADDITIONS ARE!

TRUE STYLE NEVER FADES

It takes more than nice clothes to be stylish.
 From a distance anyone can look great, but the ones you remember are
the ones that glow from inside, and usually there is something a bit "off" or "unique"
about the way they dress and accessorize. 

If I had the time to make this an essay, I would go into the millions
and millions of different facets that make up an individual's personal style.
I mean, even the way a person thinks, negotiates, and writes, are all part of that individual's personal style. To me, it seems the ones that glow, seemingly because of the clothes they wear,
are the ones that are most in harmony with all parts of themselves, even the imperfect parts. Yet, they also know how to express that through their clothing, without reservation.

Sometimes that takes a little time, but when it happens,
 it is beautiful...

          

         

*Special thanks to Ari Seth Cohen, for the fantastic photos of these eternally stylish women of New York. Ari brings us fabulous posts on his widely popular blog on this very subject, Advanced Style. Make sure to follow him, so you can keep up with these ladies!

-Stephanie

*this post is dedicated to my forever fashionable and deeply missed, Nanny.

SPRING ALERT: PASTEL MAKES A COMEBACK!

It seems  pastels are making a 

COMEBACK!

... which is quite exciting for a child of the 90's, such as myself. 

I had pastels everywhere back then, and in every shade! 

I had actually forgotten about pastels, but that is why I love fashion. 

It reminds of places I have been, how I have evolved,

 and inspires me with a constant influx of new ideas.

                   

Alice + Olivia S'12

Alice + Olivia S'12

I'm a sucker for tailoring, but this one is
extra special because it is pastel pink!
   

 *10 Crosby by Derek Lam

-photos courtesy Shopbop.com

pastels have invaded the beauty industry TOO!

Fashion Gone Rogue  is one of my favorite fashion sites and they recently featured a post with exclusive photos from Vogue Japan's February issue...

*photos by Liz Collins

Not to worry, I have collected a piece of pastel here and there along 

my daily stumbling to keep me close to my colorful roots.

-Stephanie

Spring Preview

PRINT IS IN THE AIR!

... and pants!

Stella McCartney

 There are prints of all kinds coming your way, but there is a huge focus on florals and 

tropical as you can see.

Marchesa

Marc Jacobs

 I am personally loving the print in pants theme. Spices things up a bit. Let yourself go this Spring! Have fun and let loose with your favorite print!

Current Elliott

     

Alice & Olivia

MY PERSONAL FAVORITES...

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE!!! 

- all 3 above 10 Crosby by Derek Lam 

*photos courtesy Style.com

-Stephanie

POWER PROMOTION CARD PREVIEW - THEY COME OUT TOMORROW!

When I claim to be a 'stumbling' stylist, I surely mean it. This project was supposed to take about two hours, in my mind that is how long was, anyway. That was two days ago and I still have not figured out my printer conundrum, but I am happy because I think it came out perfect for the occasion.