Luck of the Irish?

I recently realized that there might be a little somethin' to being a redhead around St. Patrick's Day...my luck has skyrocketed in the last 24 hours and resulted in a wonderfully unbelievable start to this Scots-Irish girl's weekend. 

Here's the scoop:

A few weeks ago, Monkee's of Wilmington started a fab new blog and announced that if you became a follower, you were automatically entered to win a $300 gift certificate to their store. The big winner would be announced from the pool of followers on March 15. Naturally, I followed their blog immediately. Local fashion updates from one of Wilmington's premiere women's stores? Check. The opportunity to win a truly generous prize? Bonus!

Imagine my delight when I received the news that I was that lucky winner!!! And so on to the bright and beautiful Monkee's at Lumina Station I ventured last night for the Diane von Furstenberg trunk show where gorgeous colors, DVF's signature prints and the optimism of summertime met me, not to mention Monkee's friendly staff!

The lovely ladies last night sipped champagne, listened to the DJ, enjoyed catered apps and most importantly SHOPPED! 

It was not easy for me to narrow down my favorite pieces BUT I found a particular adoration for these...

All of the Monkee's girls looked ab fab but owner DeeDee Shaw looked particularly amazing in this piece. 

The DVF trunk show continues at Monkee's through Saturday. Should you not be able to attend, don't worry- a whole host of gorgeous goods will meet you there anytime, including pieces by Nanette Lepore, Tibi, Milly, Tory Burch and Kate Spade, just to name a few.

And, as for my $300 gift card, the DVF Imamu top has officially brightened my closet and I have credit to spare!

PS- it has a red stripe on the back. Love an unexpected twist. (And, yes, I'm wearing it right now.)

So when Monkee's boasts that you might need a bigger closet, it's the truth. And now to plan for tomorrow's fun St. Patrick's Day...and maybe one more special find from Monkee's like that DVF green dress.

Get Shorty

Those of us in the South are due for one long, hot summer this year. Winter feels more like Spring so one can only assume we'll springboard into summer in about a month or so...and STAY there. 

With sweltering temps and high humidity just around the corner, shorts are sure to become a girl's best friend. You may flashback to your unflattering pair of chinos or cut-offs straight outta the country. But 2012's stylish options give a girl the opportunity to sport shorts on more than just the boardwalk. Whether worn for girls' nights out (I'll take the patterned A.L.C. version) or paired with flats and a blazer for work, shorts aren't just for your down time anymore.

Calypso Laila Lace Short

A.L.C. Elodie Shorts

Anthropologie Madison Shorts

Anthropologie Patch Pocket Shorts

A.L.C. Lake Shorts

I've already selected my favorites. What about you? If you don't usually wear shorts, will you convert this year?

Now off to do about one hundred million thousand lunges and get a spray tan!

Weekend Look

The weekend is near! I'm so excited!! My sweet sissy and her Superman of a husband are driving six hours to hang out with us this weekend and we cannot wait!

Usually, this blog is devoted to fashion- and dreamy, high end lusts at that- but in honor of reality and athleticism, I hope you'll appreciate what I actually plan to wear this weekend. 

Lululemon Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve Shirt

Patagonia Lightweight Zip-Neck

Lululemon Inspire Crop II

Lululemon Ta Ta Tamer

Lululemon No Show Ultimate Socks

Asics Running Shoe

My aforementioned sister and my brother-in-law are the super active healthy type. Sis turned me on to Lululemon a few years back but only officially did I fully convert. Have you given their pieces a whirl? 

Let me also embarrassingly report that on a recent (attempt to) run with both big dogs of mine, the dogs pulled me down to the ground and DRAGGED me through the grass, over a sidewalk and into the middle of the street. It hurt like hell. However, those Lululemon pants are still as good as new. Three cheers for durability!

High Fashion at Low Cost

As previously reported here, Marni X H&M drops today. Some stores hosted a sneak preview late last night and I read that all items at a store in NYC sold out in 14 minutes. Is that a record? (No, Missoni for Target has got to hold that one.)

As not previously reported, Marni X H&M is only being sent to about 14 stores in major cities only. Sadly for me and all my NC-livin' pals, the closest we'll get to these goodies is DC or Atlanta. 

However, a Paris Fashion Week street style photo has recently emerged fanning my flames of Marni desire. Russian model Elena Perminova was spotted in head to toe Marni X H&M and looking like a million books. Would you have ever expected (most of) these pieces to cost under $100?

via FabSugar 

Elena wears the Patent Leather Sweater Jacket for $200, men's buttondown shirt for $40 and Silk Shorts for $50. I happen to loooove that jacket.

via Vogue.com

 The accessories here really make the outfit for me. Her earrings and both necklaces are also Marni X H&M. The earrings cost $20, yellow necklace is $50 and white flower necklace available for $40. 

All totaled, Elena sports a Paris Fashion Week-worthy look for $400! I doubt most of front row fashionistas could beat that sticker price.

I popped into the H&M in Raleigh recently (secretly hoping they'd have some Marni pieces available early. Hey, a girl can dream.) and found two great spring staples that I'm excited to sport soon, tweed shorts and an Equipment-esque buttondown blouse for $29.95 a piece. The shorts are half of a shorts suit but I decided to leave the tweed jacket behind.

via H&M

via H&M

If you get lucky and find yourself some Marni X H&M pieces today, PLEASE let me know. I'll also give you $40 for a necklace. ;)

More from Vermillion's Play on Proportion

On Friday, you may have seen the first post on the Vermillion Spring Fashion Show. My photos looked "artistic" at best but you, dear readers, deserve to see these fabulous looks in all their glory. Today, I'm excited to present you with Vermillion's own pictures shot by photographer Nick Pironio. 

Feast your eyes on the gorgeous glamour, bold colors, interesting cuts and high fashion that draws so many darlings to Vermillion...

Celine blouse & pant

Loeffler Randall shoe

Anya Hindmarch clutch

The Row blazer & skirt

Bernardo sandals

Anya Hindmarch handbag

rag & bone hat

 Pucci bathing suit

Nili Lotan top

Anya Hindmarch handbag

rag & bone hat

Bernardo sandal

Kelly Wearstler necklace

Yigal Azrouel jacket

Balenciaga top

T by Alexander Wang pants

Balenciaga shoe

Yarbie bangles

Nili Lotan blazer and t-shirt

Rachel Zoe skirt

rag & bone boots

 10 Crosby jacket & top

Rachel Zoe jean

Balenciag handbag

 Veronica Beard blazer

Celine top

3.1 Phillip Lim shorts

Balenciaga handbag

Loeffler Randall shoes

 

Carven blazer

The Row pant and top

Lela Rose necklace 

Celine shoe

Tory Burch blouse

Lela Rose pant

Lizzie Fortunato choker

Anndra Neen necklace

Anya Hindmarch handbag

10 Crosby blazer

The Row blouse

rag & bone jean

Kelly Wearstler necklace

Celine handbag

Balenciaga shoe

Rachel Zoe suit

10 Crosby blouse

Iradj earrings

Anya Hindmarch clutch

A.L.C. top

Jason Wu skirt

Celine shoe

Anya Hindmarch clutch

Balenciaga cuff

Lela Rose Fall 2012 dress

Celine shoe

Anya Hindmarch clutch

 Lela Rose dress

Iradj necklace

Loeffler Randall shoes

 Jason Wu gown

 Yigal Azrouel gown

 Zac Posen dress

Celine shoe

Diana Broussard necklace

 Jason Wu dress

Iradj earrings

Celine shoe

Anya Hindmarch clutch

all photos by Nick Pironio courtesy of Vermillion

Such a fun show!! Do you have a favorite look? I'm not even sure where to begin on mine...I ADORED the chartreuse A.L.C. top with the electric blue Jason Wu peplum skirt. I also had a deep attraction to the red Yigal Azrouel gown and that leather vest. Striped blazer? Yes, please. Striped Balenciaga top? But of course! The Row's white skirt with a navy stripe? I CAN'T HANDLE IT! 

The accessories in the Vermillion show also cannot be beat. I was not familiar with Iradj before but I LOVE those earrings in the last look. I also had to go home with something and made a clear lucite Diana Broussard necklace mine all mine. An Anya Hindmarch clutch remains on my list.

And these shots don't even show you the other fabulous items hanging on the racks...I feel I did you an injustice by not photographing every beautiful piece that was there.

Should you find yourself curious about anything, though, contact the fantastic gals at Vermillion in Raleigh. But don't wait too long- fabulosity like this doesn't stick around!

RefreshMINT

Mint chewing gum. An after dinner mint. Mint chocolate chip ice cream...

All of these foodie favorites conjure that refreshing and rejuvenating feeling that makes mint so popular. Representing a renewed sense after an otherwise arduous task- such as cooking dinner, dealing with a crowded restaurant, surviving yet another winter- mint offers the promise of an effervescent new start.

That is why this spring mint is my new favorite color. It's not that the winter was particularly tough down South. But that willingness to bring energy and zest gradually back into our lives is best represented with the beautiful pastels of Spring and mint just happens to be my choice.

No. 1- A.L.C. Molly Shirt

No. 2- Baripada Necklace

No. 3- ASOS Liquorish Jacquard One Shoulder Dress

No. 4- Summer's Swirl Espadrilles

No. 5- A.L.C. Jasper Pants

No. 6- Harvey Faircloth dress

Background- Watercolor Peony Wallpaper

And while I'm at it, I'll take those Alexander Wang heels worn by the model in the middle!

What's your pastel of choice?  

Play on Proportion at Vermillion

Vermillion's Spring Fashion Show Line-Up

If you're the type to flirt with your fashion, then Spring is gonna be your fling-iest season evaaahhhh! Say hello to cropped jackets, wide leg trousers, bright colors and peplums. (What? You didn't think Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton wouldn't start a trend now, did you?) 

I gathered this information from the Vermillion Spring Fashion Show yesterday in Raleigh. The show proved to be yet another sartorial delight, which Vermillion customers have certainly come to expect in a place where 10 Crosby mingles with Balenciaga and Anya Hindmarch rubs the elbows of sporting Lela Rose. 

I could go on and on trying to describe the eye candy but a picture is worth a thousand...er, vermillion...words...

 Tory Burch top

Lela Rose wide leg trousers

Lizzie Fortunato choker

Anndra Neen necklace

Anya Hindmarch tote

 ALC top

Jason Wu peplum skirt

Balenciaga cuff

Celine pumps

Anya Hindmarch clutch

 Yigal Azrouel cropped leather jacket

Balenciaga striped top

T by Alexander Wang pants

Balenciaga wedges

Yarbie bangles

 Carven blazer

The Row top

The Row wide leg pant

Lela Rose necklace

Celine pumps 

 Yigal Azrouel gown

Jason Wu peplum cocktail dress

Iradj earrings

Celine shoe 

Anya Hindmarch clutch

These Instagram and iPhone pics are just a few give you a glimpse of the goods. Overall, an overwhelming sense of optimism is present now more than we've seen in the past four years. The world- or at least the crowd at Vermillion yesterday- is excited to get dressed again and the stock at Vermillion doesn't disappoint. 

Some of these pieces could be tricky, but don't feel overwhelmed. Just keep in mind that proportion is always key:

Wide leg trousers with slim fitting (possibly tucked) in shirts and a substantial heel (chunky wedges if you're short; a supportive flat if you don't need height)

Cropped jackets with hip length or longer tops

Longer peplums conceal wider hips...shorter peplums create the illusion of curves- either way, a skinny waist the peplum will carve

Stay tuned for more outfits photos from the Vermillion Fashion Show!