Archive - Charlotte, NC

09/02/11

Love it: Cottage Chic's Fall Collection

Good thing it’s September because I’m ready to drop my summer act and come to terms with what I’ve determined will be one, of many, fall fetishes: Cottage Chic. Admittedly, my love for this shop transcends the seasons—so many different kinds of goodies under one (adorable bungalow) roof—but their autumn inventory brings a whole bevy of new things to love.

First, I love a good coupon (like this

Posted at 12:30 AM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/14/11

Local Love! Charlotte Jewelry Designers in Real Simple

It's always a thrill to see local Charlotteans show up on the national stage... especially when it is in the pages of one of our favorite magazines. Today I was flipping through the July 2011 issue of Real Simple when not one but TWO captions caught my eye! The first was a pair of earrings by Erin McDermott, a lovely local gal whose jewelry we recently snagged for one of our bridal fashion features for the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Charlotte Wedding, and then, on the following page, another pair of earrings from locally-based label Towne & Reese!

Have you spotted a local...

Posted at 03:00 PM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (0)

01/12/11

When "Like" Turns into "Must-Have"

Last week, I experienced a whole new kind of shopping euphoria. I found, bought, and was delivered a new watch using only social media. On Wednesday afternoon, I was idly surfing Facebook when Monkee's of Lake Norman posted their product of the day... a small rack of ADORABLE wrap-strap watches in two perfect colors. I've been looking for a wrap-strap watch for months, and these were just rock-and-roll enough to add something new to my wardrobe, but just neutral enough to be worn every day. I "liked" the post on Facebook, and sent them a comment asking how much they were. Seconds later, I had a Facebook comment reply, "They are $36." From there, I tweeted at

Posted at 10:01 AM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (1)

08/13/10

Love It: Vintage Pendant Necklaces

Ever since we shot our Fall Fashion Feature for the September Issue of Charlotte Magazine, all of us here in the office on Morehead Street have become quite impatient waiting for fall weather. It seems everywhere I turn there is a cute trench, pair of boots, varsity-style sweater or adorable velvet blazer that is just SCREAMING for me to buy it and wear it. And I would... except that it is still 1 billion degrees outside.

Finally though, I have found a covetable autumnal item that can be worn IMMEDIATELY. These to-die-for vintage pendant necklaces from Laura James Jewelry. Each one would have fit in perfectly with our Fall Fashion Feature outfits, and I think they are going to fit in very nicely with my end-of-summer wardrobe...

Posted at 02:21 PM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/20/10

Trend Report: Birds of a Feather

It's no secret—feathers are this fall’s must have trend. Don’t worry, boas won’t be making a comeback anytime soon. Instead think chic clothing and accessories with an airy, ethereal feel. Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch—you name a designer, and he or she probably sent some pretty fabulous plumes flying down the runway at the most recent fashion week.

Don't fear any sort of “Big Bird” effect. Feathers are used sparingly to add a smidge of whimsy edge to your look when the weather begins to cool off. Need some convincing that feathers are for you? Just take a gander at this to-fly-for pair of Manolo Blahniks (above) available at Neiman Marcus for $825.

Will you be wearing feathers this...

Posted at 11:01 AM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/28/10

Spa Getaway Package at Ritz-Carlton

When I am stressed out, I go to my happy place. That happy place involves a luxe hotel, a sumptuous bed, and me being blissfully relaxed after a 90-minute massage.

Well, I can have my happy place and bring three friends along for just $319 with the Ritz-Carlton's new Girls Gone Mild package.

Now through September 6, you can book a night at the Ritz in one of their Deluxe Rooms (up to four can be in the room), and you'll get a bottle of champagne, a $100 voucher for the spa, and 10% off of all spa treatments. They'll even throw in a 4 p.m. late check out - which you'll definitely need if you plan on taking a post-spa nap....

Posted at 12:47 PM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/07/10

Love It: Cross Body Bags

Look, I love my over-sized handbag as much as the next girl, but all that space comes with some drawbacks. Namely, whenever I carry a big 'ol bag, I find myself stuffing it to capacity just because I can. Magazines, Nalgene bottles, snacks, extra pairs of shoes - I'll cram them all. All that overpacking eventually leads to a bag that is too bulky and heavy to fit on my shoulder and instead ends up hanging awkwardly on my bicep.

That's why I am ditching my giant hobo bag in favor of this sleek little number by Marc by Marc Jacobs It is big enough to fit all the...

Posted at 09:00 AM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (1)

04/22/10

Love It: Earth Day Couture by Adele Wechsler

A few weeks ago I blogged about the cushy new title of "Mother Nature" that had just been filled at The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte. While completing her duties as an ambassador of green education, Mother Nature gets to wear a gorgeous custom-designed gown from eco-friendly wedding gown designer Adele Wechsler. Well, yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing that ethereal drawing come to life - not only on Mother Nature, but in the form of a wedding gown Adele introduced at the recent New York...

Posted at 09:32 AM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (0)

04/19/10

Love It: Tretorn Sneakers for J.Crew

Okay, I need your help, Shop Talkers. Am I losing it? Because I think these are super cute... which means I have actually rationalized a pair of $70 canvas sneakers. That's not okay. But they are cute, right? Maybe it's because I was brought up wearing all manner of colored Keds and Keds Slip Ons, but these make me feel nostalgic and playful and youthful. I want to wear shorts and play outside when I see these shoes. I want to eat ice cream out of a cone or race a melting ice pop. They SCREAM summer. Yes? Am I right or am I totally crazy to want to pay this much for a childhood reminder?

Help me.

Posted at 05:54 PM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (2)

04/08/10

Love It: Mother Nature Makes Her Debut at Ritz-Carlton

In a tough job market, it's good to know that Mother Nature can still score a gig. The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte (the city's first LEED certified hotel) is celebrating Earth Week by introducing a brand new member of its staff on April 21- Mother Nature herself, a costumed green queen wearing an eco-friendly frock designed by Adele Wechsler - a design diva known for her earth-conscious (and totally gorgeous) wedding gowns. The designer will even be on hand at the event to introduce the gown. Once she's on the job, Momma Nature's duties include delivering eco-friendly toys, games, snacks and seedling plants to young 'uns staying at the...

Posted at 10:28 AM in Love It | Permalink | Comments (0)

	09/02/11 Love it: Cottage Chic's Fall Collection Good thing it’s September because I’m ready to drop my summer act and come to terms with what I’ve determined will be one, of many, fall fetishes: Cottage Chic. Admittedly, my love for this shop transcends the seasons—so many different kinds of goodies under one (adorable bungalow) roof—but their autumn inventory brings a whole bevy of new things to love. First, I love a good coupon (like this Posted at 12:30 AM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	06/14/11 Local Love! Charlotte Jewelry Designers in Real Simple It's always a thrill to see local Charlotteans show up on the national stage... especially when it is in the pages of one of our favorite magazines. Today I was flipping through the July 2011 issue of Real Simple when not one but TWO captions caught my eye! The first was a pair of earrings by Erin McDermott, a lovely local gal whose jewelry we recently snagged for one of our bridal fashion features for the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Charlotte Wedding, and then, on the following page, another pair of earrings from locally-based label Towne & Reese! Have you spotted a local... Posted at 03:00 PM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	01/12/11 When "Like" Turns into "Must-Have" Last week, I experienced a whole new kind of shopping euphoria. I found, bought, and was delivered a new watch using only social media. On Wednesday afternoon, I was idly surfing Facebook when Monkee's of Lake Norman posted their product of the day... a small rack of ADORABLE wrap-strap watches in two perfect colors. I've been looking for a wrap-strap watch for months, and these were just rock-and-roll enough to add something new to my wardrobe, but just neutral enough to be worn every day. I "liked" the post on Facebook, and sent them a comment asking how much they were. Seconds later, I had a Facebook comment reply, "They are $36." From there, I tweeted at Posted at 10:01 AM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (1)
	08/13/10 Love It: Vintage Pendant Necklaces Ever since we shot our Fall Fashion Feature for the September Issue of Charlotte Magazine, all of us here in the office on Morehead Street have become quite impatient waiting for fall weather. It seems everywhere I turn there is a cute trench, pair of boots, varsity-style sweater or adorable velvet blazer that is just SCREAMING for me to buy it and wear it. And I would... except that it is still 1 billion degrees outside. Finally though, I have found a covetable autumnal item that can be worn IMMEDIATELY. These to-die-for vintage pendant necklaces from Laura James Jewelry. Each one would have fit in perfectly with our Fall Fashion Feature outfits, and I think they are going to fit in very nicely with my end-of-summer wardrobe... Posted at 02:21 PM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	07/20/10 Trend Report: Birds of a Feather It's no secret—feathers are this fall’s must have trend. Don’t worry, boas won’t be making a comeback anytime soon. Instead think chic clothing and accessories with an airy, ethereal feel. Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch—you name a designer, and he or she probably sent some pretty fabulous plumes flying down the runway at the most recent fashion week. Don't fear any sort of “Big Bird” effect. Feathers are used sparingly to add a smidge of whimsy edge to your look when the weather begins to cool off. Need some convincing that feathers are for you? Just take a gander at this to-fly-for pair of Manolo Blahniks (above) available at Neiman Marcus for $825. Will you be wearing feathers this... Posted at 11:01 AM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	06/28/10 Spa Getaway Package at Ritz-Carlton When I am stressed out, I go to my happy place. That happy place involves a luxe hotel, a sumptuous bed, and me being blissfully relaxed after a 90-minute massage. Well, I can have my happy place and bring three friends along for just $319 with the Ritz-Carlton's new Girls Gone Mild package. Now through September 6, you can book a night at the Ritz in one of their Deluxe Rooms (up to four can be in the room), and you'll get a bottle of champagne, a $100 voucher for the spa, and 10% off of all spa treatments. They'll even throw in a 4 p.m. late check out - which you'll definitely need if you plan on taking a post-spa nap.... Posted at 12:47 PM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	06/07/10 Love It: Cross Body Bags Look, I love my over-sized handbag as much as the next girl, but all that space comes with some drawbacks. Namely, whenever I carry a big 'ol bag, I find myself stuffing it to capacity just because I can. Magazines, Nalgene bottles, snacks, extra pairs of shoes - I'll cram them all. All that overpacking eventually leads to a bag that is too bulky and heavy to fit on my shoulder and instead ends up hanging awkwardly on my bicep. That's why I am ditching my giant hobo bag in favor of this sleek little number by Marc by Marc Jacobs It is big enough to fit all the... Posted at 09:00 AM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (1)
	04/22/10 Love It: Earth Day Couture by Adele Wechsler A few weeks ago I blogged about the cushy new title of "Mother Nature" that had just been filled at The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte. While completing her duties as an ambassador of green education, Mother Nature gets to wear a gorgeous custom-designed gown from eco-friendly wedding gown designer Adele Wechsler. Well, yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing that ethereal drawing come to life - not only on Mother Nature, but in the form of a wedding gown Adele introduced at the recent New York... Posted at 09:32 AM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	04/19/10 Love It: Tretorn Sneakers for J.Crew Okay, I need your help, Shop Talkers. Am I losing it? Because I think these are super cute... which means I have actually rationalized a pair of $70 canvas sneakers. That's not okay. But they are cute, right? Maybe it's because I was brought up wearing all manner of colored Keds and Keds Slip Ons, but these make me feel nostalgic and playful and youthful. I want to wear shorts and play outside when I see these shoes. I want to eat ice cream out of a cone or race a melting ice pop. They SCREAM summer. Yes? Am I right or am I totally crazy to want to pay this much for a childhood reminder? Help me. Posted at 05:54 PM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (2)
	04/08/10 Love It: Mother Nature Makes Her Debut at Ritz-Carlton In a tough job market, it's good to know that Mother Nature can still score a gig. The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte (the city's first LEED certified hotel) is celebrating Earth Week by introducing a brand new member of its staff on April 21- Mother Nature herself, a costumed green queen wearing an eco-friendly frock designed by Adele Wechsler - a design diva known for her earth-conscious (and totally gorgeous) wedding gowns. The designer will even be on hand at the event to introduce the gown. Once she's on the job, Momma Nature's duties include delivering eco-friendly toys, games, snacks and seedling plants to young 'uns staying at the... Posted at 10:28 AM in Love It \| Permalink \| Comments (0)

Style, Shopping and Fashion in the Queen City

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