something for the gentleman

With the Royal Wedding still on the brain (and some sacred quiet time while my daughter is napping) I thought something for the fellas would be appropriate.  I was completely unaware of the history of the tuxedo and during my research discovered the story behind its creation from London's bespoke tailor Henry Poole. 

In 1860, Henry Poole made a short evening or smoking jacket for the Prince of Wales to wear at informal dinner parties at Sandringham. In 1886, a Mr. James Potter of Tuxedo Park, New York visited London and subsequently was invited by the Prince to spend a weekend at Sandringham. He was also advised that he could have a smoking jacket made by the Prince’s tailors, Henry Poole & Co.
When the Potters returned to New York, Mr. Potter proudly wore his new smoking jacket at the Tuxedo Park Club and fellow members soon started having copies made for themselves which they adopted as their informal uniform for club “stag” dinners. As a result, the dinner jacket became known as the Tuxedo.  http://www.henrypoole.com/

Henry Poole



What dreams are made of

Although the official wedding picture will not be released until tomorrow, as promised, here are a few pictures of the stunning Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on her wedding day.

The dress:  Kate chose British designer Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen to design her wedding dress and according to style reports she couldn't have made a better choice.  I couldn't agree more!  Kate looked simply stunning!

Kate's dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar.  The skirt mimics an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats.  The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, is reflective of the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen's designs.  The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was handmade and included hand cut English lace and French Chantilly lace.  This created a unique and organic design which incorporated the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.  Kate's veil is made of layers of soft, ivory tulle with a trim of hand embroidered flowers which was held perfectly in place by a Cartier tiara.  Source: Hilary Moss, Style News Editor at The Huffington Post
 
The jewels: Kate's jewelry was also simple and stunning.  Brilliantly and seamlessly combining old and new.

The Cartier "Halo" diamond tiara was made in 1936 and was purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI)  for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) just three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King.  Princess Elizabeth received the tiara from her mother on her 18th birthday.  Kate's earrings, custom made by Robinson Pelham, were a gift from her parents and were inspired by her family's new coat of arms.  Catherine's traditional wedding band is made by Wartski and is purely Welsh gold.   Source: Hilary Moss, Style News Editor at The Huffington Post

The bouquet:  A long lover of flowers and their symbolism I couldn't pass up the opportunity to include the details of Kate's bouquet which included Lily-of-the-Valley = return of happiness; Sweet William = Gallantry; Hyacinth = Constancy of Love; Ivy = fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship & affection and Myrtle which is the emblem of marriage and love.  A sprig of myrtle has been used in the bouquets of all royal brides since Queen Victoria.  The sprigs for the bouquets come from the same myrtle bush she planted on the Isle of Wight in 1845.     

 

Goldbug Studio

If you can manage to pull yourself away from Royal Wedding TV coverage tomorrow Goldbug Studio's FOLLYSTORE begins their annual sale at 11:00 am.  The production studios warehouse space opens only once a year to the public.  Goldbug Studio + FOLLYSTORE are located in Raleigh's Five Points  - 518 Pershing Road.  If you can't make it on Friday, don't panic, the sale will continue through the end of May.
FOLLYSTORE hours through May 31 are: Monday-Friday 11-4 and Saturdays 11-6. 

http://www.goldbugstudio.com/

Goldbug Studio designs have been featured in Barneys NY and have also been spotted in the office of Jenna Lyons, creative director of J.Crew.  Don't miss this unique opportunity-it only happens once a year.
Below are a few of my favorites and some of Goldbug Studios bestselling pieces.

embellished animal masks

 Alphabet City Series Crown of J's as seen in Jenna Lyons office at right

Jenna Lyons - creative director of J.Crew

glass glitter birds

golden swan place card holders

glitter snowflake

i heart

In 2007 Claiborne Swanson moved from San Francisco to New York where she worked as Anna Wintour’s assistant. After getting married in 2009, she left Vogue and began pursuing her love of photography.  Frank's photography exhibition "Indigo Light" features an installation of 29 portraits - all of women closest to Claiborne, like her sisters Veronica Beard and Alexis Trania.

“Fashion has always had a strong presence in my photography,” "it is not meant to dominate the portrait but instead add dimension –  My goal is to find something that takes your breath away… I dream to shoot my vision of spirit and soul.  I set out to take portraits that capture women in their greatest beauty and truth, whatever that may be.”

The photographs below immediately struck and inspired me...even taking me back to my own college days when I was studying photography.  My 1998 photography exhibition was part of my final graduation project and these photographs remind me in many ways of the fashion images I photographed, developed and installed over ten years ago.  

On a second note if you are not familiar with Claiborne's sister's label, Veronica Beard, be sure to check out the line which is based on the concept of the tailored men’s blazer with interchangeable sweaters that zip in and out. The sweaters are sleeveless so the bulky arm problem is eliminated.  Perfect for easing into spring and, upon summers end, taking you seamlessly into fall and keeping you looking your best through winter.  You can find the line locally at VERMILLION in Raleigh's North Hills or online www.vermillionstyle.com & www.veronicabeard.com

Be sure to check the end of this post for a few favorites!

self portrait, claiborne swanson frank

veronica beard by claiborne swanson frank

alexis trania by claiborne swanson frank

sophia pera by claiborne swanson frank

serena nikkah by claiborne swanson frank

boho dress

scarlett jacket

dickies

linen blazer

Lilly Pulitzer HOME

Palm Avenue will re-open in their new location - 2015 Cameron Street, on Wednesday, May 4 and will be the first store in the country to offer the iconic designer's new home furnishings collection.  Don't miss the Grand Opening Party on Thursday, May 12 from 6-8 pm.  Palm Avenue will generously donate 10% of the evening's proceeds to Habitat for Humanity Raleigh.  Stop by to meet a Lilly designer, enter to win prizes, and enjoy a cocktail or a sweet treat or two. 
The custom upholstery program will allow customers to mix & match fabrics and frames.  Choose from a variety of wood finishes, fabric options and trim details.
"We are thrilled to be the first store in the country to offer this timeless and eclectic line to customers" says Rebecca Byrd, owner of Palm Avenue and a North Carolina native.  "We believe North Carolina's roots in the textile and furniture industries provide the perfect location for us to invest in this new endeavor and honor our State's exciting heritage."

Carrie Loveseat

Tanglers Chest

Rowan Bench

perfect polish

In celebration of the upcoming Royal Wedding butter LONDON's, limited edition, No More Waity, Katie (a soft, elegant greige with a splash of lilac glitter) might just be the perfect polish for a little mid-week pick me up for yourself or a thoughtful thinking of you gift for a friend (No More Waity, Katie ships May 2011).  Founded in 2005 butter LONDON has quickly become a cult phenomenon encompassing all things Rock & Roll, Great Britain + Fashion.  Check out British Racing Green, bestselling Yummy Mummy (brit slang for impossibly thin, beautiful, "stay-at-home-mums") or La Moss (named for England's most famous model) butter LONDON products are formulated without the use of harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens.

ORDER IT HERE: www.butterlondon.com

butter LONDON L to R: No More Waity, Katie, British Racing Green & La Moss

butter LONDON

Raise your glass!

In what will undoubtedly be considered the ultimate reality show be sure to set your DVR for Friday, April 29, 2011 for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (England's first Royal Wedding in the new millennium)  I personally cannot wait to tune in to what is expected to be the biggest audience in TV history.  I think what I am most excited to see is the highly anticipated wedding dress that Kate will wear.  There has been much speculation in regards to the designer, design, etc.  It got me thinking about all of the beautiful options that are available for today's bride.  Enjoy the pictures below from some of today's top designers and be sure to check back for pics of Kate's dress on Friday, April 29th.  Happy Easter!

PS - if you would like to raise your glass to toast the royal couple - Metro Magazine's contributing wine editor Barbara Ensrud suggests popping a bottle of Bollinger - with many levels to choose from you cannot go wrong with any bottle or bottles that you choose.  Bollinger Champagne is a favorite of Prince Charles and has long been a favorite of British Royalty.

lela rose

melissa sweet

 

monique lhuillier

jenny packham

jenny packham

carolina herrera

temperley london 

undecorate

The term sounds so fresh to me.  In Christiane Lemieux's new book, "Undecorate: The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design," Lemieux, founder of DwellStudio, documents this widespread interior design trend.  "The idea is based on cleverness over money, taste over expense, personality over hired expertise and idiosyncrasy over polish."  WSJ writer Katie Roiphe writes; "it's a welcome development, reflective of a recession-fueled revelation that money is not the same as beauty."  "It is the idea of energy, of chaos, of motion, of mess" (think unmade beds, children's books and toys scattered about, dogs lounging without a care in the world)  It's the rise of the personal or do-it-yourself style, of beloved things that you pull together for personal reasons.  Lived-in, unfussy, creative imperfection.  "Perfection is overrated" writes Lemieux.  I heart the sound of that!

photo courtesy of Melanie Acevedo

Christiane Lemieux

Have you heard?

If you have an appreciation for unique, well made, great looking children's clothing get ready to be amazed.  Introducing Fleming Clothing.  Fleming and Kirk Samuels - the genius wife and husband team behind the label have figured out the impossible...how to keep business local and even bring textile manufacturing back to North Carolina.  Check out their beautiful children's line where you get to play designer - mixing and matching fabrics to create pieces that are uniquely your own.  GENIUS!!!

Click the pinwheel to start designing something unique!

Ashley - Girl's Ruffled Tunic

Hallock - Adjustable Pants

Maggie - Girl's Reversible Overalls



every mother counts

In a grand effort to raise essential funds for maternal health-relief efforts worldwide Every Mother Counts is an advocacy and mobilization campaign to increase support for maternal and child health.  From April 12, 2011, through December 31, 2011, Starbucks will donate $8 for each every mother counts CD sold at participating Starbucks stores to CARE, a partner in action with Every Mother Counts.  Be sure to pick up your own copy on your morning coffee run...just a small way to lend your support.  For more information and to learn how you can get involved and lend your support in an even bigger way go to: http://www.everymothercounts.org/

everymothercounts.org

 
No Woman, No Cry airs on The Oprah Winfrey Network Saturday, May 7, 2011

Christy Turlington Burns shares the powerful stories of at-risk pregnant women in four parts of the world in her independently made film.  This is also her directorial debut.

Perfect!

On my wild hunt for the perfect book display for my daughter I found this gem.  Best of all it's made right here in Durham, North Carolina. 



       Inai Inai Ba! Hana Bookcase & Book Display

 

Be sure to check out all of Mas's beautiful pieces on etsy!  AMAZING!!!!!! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/inaiinaiba?ref=pr_shop