Monday, May 24, 2010

FASHION :: Girl Crush: Emma Watson

Riddle me this....

How did this little girl

turn into this stunner?Hermione has got it going on. Brains and beauty! When I grow up, I want to be like her. I'd also like to sit in 1950s soda shops, drinking milkshakes, dressed in an updated sweater-set and have a great British accent. Oh, and if I knew a few thousand spells, that would be a plus.

Monday, May 17, 2010

FASHION :: Inspiration: The Hollywood Black Dress

A-listers have always been commended for their fashion know-how both on and off the red carpet. Hollywood darlings have been responsible for new trends in fashion since the silent films of the 1920s. More important than the trends that celebrities spark are the fashions that stars turn into classics.

The black dress has become the epitome of class and sophistication. Here are some of my favorite black dresses from film:

Audrey Hepburn's black sheath dress in Breakfast at Tiffanys is often emulated (but I really don't think any one has pulled it off quite as well as Ms. Hepburn)
Check out the back of the dress. Gorgeous.
In a more recent film, the Ugly Truth, Katherine Heigl sported an Armani LBD.
Another great back! I want an LBD exactly like this (though not with the Armani price tag)
Ava Gardner evokes classic Hollywood glamour in The Killers (1946)
Ava Gardner was also a North Carolina native! There is an entire Ava museum in Smithfield, NC.
While I'm team Jen, you can't deny the sexual chemistry between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I bet it was the black dress.

I adore Jennifer Connelly's black dress in A Beautiful Mind. Such an interesting neckline.

Which dress is your favorite? Are there any iconic black dresses that you think belong on this list?

Friday, May 14, 2010

FASHION :: Beachwear

I may not be heading to the beach any time soon, but I am planning on going to the pool with some friends tomorrow.

Here are my beach/pool essentials for 2010:

Victoria's Secret, Top $24, Bottom $18
(now, if only I looked like her)

Classic Critter Flip-Flip, J Crew, $16.99

Lilly Pulitzer Elina Embroidered Coverup, Bebo.com, $98

Sunglasses, Target, $16.99
(I'm a huge proponent of cheap sunglasses...probably because I ALWAYS lose mine)
Reisenthal Picnic Basket, Amazon.com, $39.99
Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer, all drugstores, $9.99
(As a red head, sunscreen is an absolute necessity. It would probably be SPF 85 though!)

What are your beach basics?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

FASHION :: Lilly Pulitzer on RueLaLa

I love, love, love sample sales. Long, long ago in a land far, far away (New York City), I stumbled into a sample sale in SoHo and it changed my life. Where else can you find designer clothing at up to 90% off? It was heavenly. I became a very well-dressed middle schooler after that fateful day (Until two months later when I had a growth spurt and had to return to buying my clothing at Old Navy and American Eagle).

Unfortunately, North Carolina isn't known as the sample sale capital of the world. In fact, I don't know if there has ever been a real sample sale in the Tar Heel state.

I would lament over the sad lack of sales in the NC area.... if it weren't for RueLaLa!

RueLaLa has daily online sample sales! What? I can get my fashion fix while I'm sitting in my pajamas watching Regis and Kelly?! Life = complete.

Tomorrow, at 11:00AM ET, the Lilly Pulitzer boutique sale will be on RueLaLa. I've purchased a brand new Lilly shift dress at one of their previous sales for only $59!

There is a preview of the sale on RueLaLa and it looks fabulous!




Not a member of RueLaLa? Well, it's your lucky day. Click here for an invitation!

I'm on the look-out for a new Lilly purse/tote. Do you plan on buying anything?

Monday, May 10, 2010

LIFE :: Happy (Belated) Mother's Day


Mother's Day at the Davis household was excellent this year! Really, it is up there on the list of best Mother's Days ever.

Mama Davis is not only my mom, but one of my closest friends. We have a unique relationship that is often closer to a friendship than the typical mother/daughter roles. She can always make me laugh. Even though we've had some mom-umental (haha get it? Man, I'm cheesy) fights, I appreciate that I can talk to my mom about anything under the sun.

Mom, since I know you read this, I love you!

Yesterday morning, we had a family brunch at our house. My grandma and aunts came to enjoy the delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and grits that my dad made. My job was to provide the parfaits.


I think they turned out nicely, don't you? They were also 100% scrumptious.

I got my mom a binder from NoFo, a great restaurant in a converted Piggly Wiggly. The binder, titled "Keeping Coupons", provides an organized way to house and use all those coupons that we always seem to forget to use. Maybe this will help...


They have an entire collection of organizational binders for keeping house, holding dine-in menus, and keeping recipes. We may need to start a collection.

After we stuffed ourselves with breakfast food, we all went down to the farmer's market. I love the farmer's market. I got myself some fresh strawberries and some local honey. A couple people have told me that eating a tablespoon of local honey a day helps ease allergy symptoms. I've had awful allergies this year, so I'm willing to give it a try. Does any one have any additional allergy advice?


The rest of the day was spent watching Bridget Jones' Diary and Clueless. I couldn't ask for a better Mother's Day.

Here is a picture I found of my mom and I from.... 1994? 1995? Some time in the mid-1990s.
Last but not least, this is Mama Davis looking absolutely stunning. Wow.

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!

Whitney

Saturday, May 8, 2010

LIFE :: Story Time: Carolina Cup Killed My Camera

March 27th, 2010 was both the best and the worst of days. It was the day of Carolina Cup, a horse race in Camden, South Carolina.

Fraternity boys and sorority girls from all parts of the South flock to the most preppy tailgating event on the planet. Lilly Pulitzer dresses, big hats, seersucker and madras pants abound. Needless to say, I look forward to this day all year!

Unfortunately, I have awful luck when it comes to technological devices. Really, I have never met another individual who is as accident prone as myself. I should have known not to take my camera and iPhone into the land of prepsters doing kegstands and racing horses. Of course, I brought them along.

In an effort to keep them safe, I put the technological devices into my friend's purse far away from me and my accidents. I'm fairly sure my bad luck rubbed off on her.

Her water bottle, which may not have been filled with water (...), opened within the bag and my iPhone, her Blackberry, and my dear camera went for a nice little swim.

They all met their demise.

I spent the afternoon lamenting the death of all of my electronic devices.

Here are the final pictures my little PowerShot ever took:

South of the Border: a touristy spot (that is kind of gross) on the NC/SC border. We took a picture with Pedro.

Some of the lovely Carolina girlsSome of the handsome Carolina boysRidiculous menswear.

Moral of the story: I really need a new camera. Any suggestions for an inexpensive digital camera?

Second moral of the story: Don't let your electronic devices go swimming.

Third moral of the story: Fraternity boys wear ridiculous (ly wonderful) clothing.

Friday, May 7, 2010

FASHION :: Shopping Secret: Go-Jane

I have a confession to make. I'm obsessed with finding a good deal.

As a poor college student, I very rarely purchase anything that isn't on sale.

Lucky for me (and you), I have found the source for inexpensive sandals! GoJane.com is my secret source for all my summer shoe needs. The majority of sandals are between $10 and $18. Which. is. awesome.

My very, very favorite shoes are ruched white sandals that I bought from GoJane.com exactly one year ago for $13. I wore them every single day last summer and this spring until finally, yesterday morning, they died. I was near tears (exaggeration) and also in a bind because only white shoes would go along with my very cute navy skirt.

I ended up wearing my white Jack Rogers which I hate with a vengeance. Most people love them, but the wooden heel gives me the worst calluses. Comfort is key.

Due to the upsetting death of my favorite shoes, I returned to GoJane.com this morning and purchased three new pairs to compensate:
Woven Design Slingback Sandal, GoJane.com, $12.60
Patent Braided Slingback Sandal, GoJane.com, $10.50

Leatherette Sandals, GoJane.com, $10.90

So, moral of the story is that I got three new pairs of shoes for only $40! I can't wait until they arrive in the mail. I love packages.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

FASHION :: "Did You Know Dolphins are Just Gay Sharks"

First off, if you don't know where that quote came from, shame on you. Secondly, I'll give you a hint. It is from the best show on television, Glee. Third, sorry to break it to you, but dolphins aren't gay sharks.

I always get excited on Tuesdays because I know Glee will be on TV at 9pm. Really, I plan my day around it. Missing Glee would make my life a little less happy.

I would like to pay homage to Ms. Emma Pillsbury, the OCD school counselor. Not only is she a red-head (like myself), she has adorable style:

Man, she's cute. I've got a girl-crush.

Want to know where to buy any of the pieces shown above? Leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

HOME :: Dorm Room Design: Bedding

I desperately want this duvet for my dorm room next year. It's a bit on the pricey side. I wonder if I can find an alternative. Note the pink piping... so cute!


The Caroline Duvet from Serena and Lilly
. Love.


I'm fairly sure the above is supposed to be a child's bedroom. I'm still a kid at heart. It works. More dorm room design inspiration to come!

Monday, May 3, 2010

LIFE :: It's Summer!

Today I finished my last final. This can only one thing: IT'S SUMMER!!

I spent the afternoon packing up my belongings and now I'm back home. Of course, my things are all out in the car. Someday I will bring them all inside and unpack. I promise. Just not right now.

I am so glad that I have four months without school work.

Here are a few of the activities that I want to do over the summer:

Have a picnic
Visit the newly renovated North Carolina Museum of Art

{image by Scott Frances}

Go to the Raleigh Flea Market and find some art to hang on my walls
Go to some summer concerts (Backstreet Boys, anyone?)

Visit my best friends in Charlotte for July 4th

Work on my fitness. 5x a week. woo.

So, that's the plan. What else should I add to the list? Suggestions?

Saturday, May 1, 2010

FASHION :: Inspiration: Titanic

Last night I watched Titanic. It's been years since I've seen it and I completely forgot how epic it really is.

It's got everything necessary for a great movie. A great love story, adventure, history, and Leonardo Dicaprio. Leo, you make my heart go on.

The Victorian era with its ornate furniture, huge jewelry (hello, Heart of the Ocean necklace!), and beautiful dresses are my inspiration for the day. Enjoy.

 
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