ANTIQUING WITH STYLE: ITS ALL IN HOW YOU LOOK AT THINGS

I love ANTIQUING.   

       CONSIGNMENT SHOPPING.      

THRIFTING...

Whatever you would like to call it, I LOVE IT!

$55 for this pastel pink beauty!

It's like a game I play with my mind (and wallet!) to see how creative it can be. There is something about digging through a whole lot of 'stuff' only to find your UNIQUE treasure. For me, it's the challenge of finding something awesome that has probably been looked over by thousands of people, but maybe they just didn't picture what you could do with it. This happens a lot with my clients when they look at one piece of clothing instead of imagining what we will create with it. Last season I brought this vest-sweater-wrap thing (still unsure of what you would call it!) that was nude in color to a client. She did not get it because she was only looking at IT and not the possibilities. A piece like that turns the mundane into an outfit. To them, it is simple fact. It is what it is (I surely need their minds when budgeting or preparing documents!)

 BLUE Egyptian chandelier. I am in love! 

Anyway, I am a regular at The Buffalo Exchange in Plaza/Midwood where I take my client's wardrobe purges. It also happens to be situated right next to one of my favorite antique stores...

CLARK'S ANTIQUE MALL

le chic!

I have spent quite a bit of time there at this point, as there is usually a line at the Buffalo Exchange. Recently, I decided I would simply have to share my favorite finds with my lovely followers...

It is such an unusual piece and just so happens that the baby blue color goes with the flow
 of the navy carpet that I have inherited.

$38 for these vintage wall lights - a little touch of vintage chic!

He has tons of these old shutters that you could do so many different things with!

$65 for this amazing mustardy velvet vintage chair
$28 for the mirror!

 Given that I have been on a mission to decorate my patio, I spent quite a bit of time checking out the outside furniture options and there were a TON!!

I might be the only one who would use this outside, but regardless a vintage massage table is a cool find and a perfect place to practice Pilates in style!

$145 for the whole set

SO RETRO!

We might have found a friend for our super Selby Style mascot, Vanessa!

*Plus, Clark has quite a resume in fashion photography, so we have had plenty to talk about.
I just never know what I may stumble across.

Stay tuned for more stumbles I come across at CLARK'S during future outings!
Or, go visit him yourself at 1517 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC

-Stephanie

BORIS + NATASHA

Somehow, I have managed to never look inside of one of Charlotte, NC's longest standing and successful boutiques, which is located in Plaza/Midwood. In my mind, I had put it in a store that was too 'alternative' for my fashion tastes. However, this was only through outside indicators that I had determined this status, but while in desperate need of stylish and current male fashion for a client, I was led through their doors and was soon regretting that I had never been inside before...

I have done this throughout my life, quickly made judgements (good and bad) before actually examining what it is I am judging. As I approach 30, I have somehow naturally begun to let go of this and I am amazed at what happens when you do... 

Such as the amazing abundance of prints, color and jewelry in Boris & Natasha! 

The plethora of pieces they had in from French Connection were particularly exciting to me! 

The selection for male fashion was unreal too. 

Believe me, I have searched to city high and low for male pieces and accessories 

that are fresh, modern and have a little kick of EDGY to them... 

They even had male rings! I am loving the one with a black stone. 

Perfect for a guitarist who wants to make a statement as he plays...

The shoe collection was colorful and plentiful, as well. Another great thing about Boris and Natasha that I didn't realize was that their prices span a very wide range. There are items for $28 and then there are ones for above $200. There is a little something for everyone!

This is SUPER SALES-DUDE, Andrew. I asked him what his
3 word STYLE MANTRA is: "IT'S * JUST * ME'
I love it!!

The jewelry had to have been my FAVORITE! 

FUNKY & CHUNKY

How cute is this little guy?!

I try to live my life with more of an open mind these days and it has allowed

 me to discover a whole new world. I am constantly asking myself  

"Are you sure you don't like this or that? Try it!" 

Sometimes I still don't, but sometimes I find a whole new part of me.

I encourage clients to do the same with their wardrobes and to follow what they are drawn to NOW as opposed to following some set idea of who they labeled themselves as being years ago.

That's when fashion becomes fun and not some chore you have to get "right". 

Things change and people evolve. I am simply there to help them express 

that change through their wardrobes.

*Thank you to Boris and Natasha for letting me explore. 

**I will definitely be back for my Spring jewelry desires!

-Stephanie

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE: ANDREA

INDIVIDUALISTIC STYLE 

Each week I 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.

My first encounter with Andrea Moreno was while we were both working a "seasonal" retail gig that pretty much consisted of folding clothes and asking customers to open credit cards...  not exactly one's dream job, but a melting pot of interesting people from all across the board. 


Andrea stood out to me because of the huge smile and energy she had, each day while the rest of us moaned and groaned about customers leaving messes in dressing rooms,
and the un-ending rejection of our credit card pitches.

She stood out as...

VIBRANT , CONFIDENT

&

STYLISH

She did an awesome job at our first photoshoot together and even picked out a
few of her own outfits that radiate her personality to the outside world

Her style immediately registered to me as classic, preppy, but slightly different at the same time,
which is always intriguing to me.

It made me wonder where she had been and what had made up her life. 

What is it that influences that little bit of "different"?

I got a chance to find the answers to some of my questions...

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. 

Andrea filled me in with the same
energy and enthusiasm 
that she portrays in everything she does..

What gives you passion and inspires you in life?

I want to be happy, travel, be a professional and have a family.
To me, that is personal success.

Give me three words that describe your personal style.

CLASSY * UNIQUE * VIBRANT

What experiences have most shaped who you are?

Having the opportunity to travel the world has been one of the greatest experiences in defining my life.  Traveling is such an amazing experience because it’s always a journey of self-discovery. With every trip you are faced with different challenges
 and you truly learn so much about yourself and life.

* Look for this lovely lady in a lot of Selby Style photoshoots. 

She definitely radiates what I have built the business upon. 

-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.