OOTN

Hello There! 

Friday night Tim and I went to a poetry reading at 6th Ave. Baptist Church. Here are a couple of shots of what I wore. I am so ready for Fall!!!

 Chartreuse top: BCBG, BCBG Max Azria 

 Navy Pants: BCBG, BCBG Max Azria 

Fuschia Shoes BCBG Girl, T.J. Max

Chatting It Up With Ryan Christopher

I am so grateful for the opportunity to speak with celebrity stylist and native of Birmingham, AL, Ryan Christopher. He was truly a joy to interview. Often times when you meet people, you don’t get a true sense of who they really are. However, in my recent interview, I left knowing exactly who Ryan Christopher was….. and I wanted to know more about him! He is a gem, a real down-to-earth guy and he has a great spirit.   And yall, he didn’t shy away from giving me fashion advice on what to wear when I went to see Michelle Obama at the Sheraton.

The interview was my first personal interaction with Ryan Christopher though I have seen him on numerous occasions while shopping at Saks.  Ryan and I often shared pleasantries like a smile a time or two.  At one point, I thought he had stock in the Dior Boutique! J  Every time I saw Ryan, I noticed how immaculate he was. He was so well put together. His clothes looked as if they were tailored just for him and he always had on a pair of amazing sunglasses.

What I didn’t know then, was that Ryan has worked with numerous celebrities including LisaRaye McCoy, Jennifer Williams of the hit reality show “Basketball Wives”, Floyd Taylor, son of Legendary Blues Singer Johnny Taylor, and others. 

BAS: What is your full name?  

Ryan Christopher: Christopher Ryan Clark. When I entered into the industry I realized that I need to make my name stand out considering that is all you have in this business. So I decided to transverse my first and middle name.

BAS: Where are you from?

Ryan Christopher: I'm from Birmingham and I'm still based in Birmingham. My work is mostly in Atlanta, but I still live in Birmingham.

BAS: What’s important to you when styling clients?

Ryan Christopher: Personality!!!!  Some people can pull off stuff where others can't. Have you ever noticed a girl wearing an amazing dress, but it just wasn’t working for her? That is where confidence comes in.  A woman must always be comfortable in what she is wearing. If she isn’t, it shows. It is important to dress your client for their personality.  I never want the clothes to wear my client, the client should wear the clothes.

BAS: How did you get in the business?

Ryan Christopher:   I put on my first fashion show at Miles College, my alma-mater. Through this fashion show I gained so many contacts. I developed a relationship with Saks and some other vendors. I was also asked to do a fashion show in Nigeria.

BAS: What would you say to an aspiring stylist?

Ryan Christopher: Learn all you can. Don't be afraid to intern because that's how I learned a lot. You must have an eye but there's definitely a business side to it. A stylist once told me that you always see with your eyes. You can take a little of their process to help with your process.

BAS: Who would you say was your favorite client to work with?

Ryan Christopher: I have been blessed to work with wonderful people and I love them all the same.

BAS: What does personal style mean to you?

Ryan Christopher: Just really being you. Fashion/style is really just you...how you express yourself. When you stray...that's where the foolishness comes from.  Like someone trying to dress like Lady Gaga. Lol! Her personality/attitude is the reason she can pull that off…but the average person cannot.

BAS: Any advice for the Plane Janes of the world?

Ryan Christopher: Get style in your life....image is everything.

Mrs O

Birmingham, you looked beautiful today as we warmly welcomed Mrs Obama to our great city. Of course, she looked chic and classy in her simple navy dress. Her hair and make-up were both simple, yet fabulous! I love our first family.

Green and nude dress form (BCBG)
 Gold and nude belt (BCBG)
pewter shoes ( Sam Edelman) 

I wasn't ready! 

Transitioning from Summer to Fall

Transitioning from Summer to Fall

Happy Tuesday Birmingham! I truly have lost my mind the last couple of days shopping. I guess I'm going to continue to use the excuse that "it's my birthday!" HA! I have found so many great buys, that the little fabulous girl that lives inside of me couldn't resist.  On Saturday, while shopping in Downtown Homewood, I was able to find 3 dresses and 2 shirts for about $120.00. Yes, and one of the dresses was $70, you can do the math to know how inexpensive the other items were. Today, I went to J.CREW and they had 40% off  their sale items, Score!  I bought 4 skirts, 1 pair of pants, 2 sweaters and a belt for $186. YES, I think I need to say it again $186! All of the items that I purchased are transitional items or items that can be worn in the summer and fall.  I think it is important to go shopping in the latter part of a season. Never buy things that you can not wear more than a couple of months. That is coming from the money caution, business woman that lives inside of me.  I also bought something else, but i will wait to tell you about them when  I receive them.  Happy shopping! I will upload a YouTube video to show how these items can be transitioned and also to show you how I will wear them! :) 

Black #2 pencil skirt original price $110 

Crimson #2 pencil skirt, original price $110

My fav! Neon pink pencil skirt, orginal price $110

Best deal: striped sweater, orginal price $325.00 

Cream #2 pencil skirt original price $110.00

Birmingham Street Style

Happy Saturday Birmingham! Shopping at its best! :)

Neiman Marcus, Meet My Long Time Friend, Target

I am loving the Magic City these days! Neiman Marcus and Target are going to join together this holiday season for several collections. If you know anything about me, you know that one of my favorite designers is Diane Von Furstenburg. She, along with Oscar De La Renta and Derek Lam, is going to be one of the designers for Target! The price points will be from $7.99 to $499.00. This is great news for me and I hope for you too!

POP COLOR, CLEAN LINES AND OSTRICH

Let me start by saying I love, love, love the BCBG crew at the Summit. These ladies are always extremely helpful and a delight to shop with. It makes you feel really good when you walk in a store and the entire staff knows your name.

Clean lines! I had to purchase that Mustard blazer in the background. :) 

Pop Color

 On yesterday I had the opportunity to interview the ladies on their take on style and what BCBG represents to them. Because they always seem to make time for me and my rhetoric, yesterday was like no other day. They sat and told me everything I wanted to know. 

Color blocking

BAS: What is your target market?  

BCBG Staff: Fashion forward and career women. All ages come through our store. We have high school girls coming in looking for prom dresses, formals, etc. We also have older women coming to look for clothes for every day use. We don't have  a particular audience because we see it all...from teens to seniors.

BAS:  Why should someone pick BCBG over any other brand?

BCBG Staff: Because of the fit of our clothes. If a style does well one season, we will bring it back the next season...but in a different fabric. Our clothes have a tailored fit and looks good on most body types. 

BAS: tell me about your personal style? 

BCBG Staff: Me personally, I like to be comfortable and yet polished and well put together.

BAS: Tell me about your price point?

BCBG Staff: We tend to be a little more expensive, but our clothes are classic and they are of great quality. They will last you for years to come. 

BAS: What's in for fall 2012? 

BCBG Staff: POP COLOR, color blocking, clean lines and ostrich print. 

BAS: What would you tell the Plain Janes of the world?

BCBG Staff: Add a statement necklace or scarf, it can change your entire outfit.

Micheal Kors @ the Summit

Birmingham is moving up in the world of fashion. Designer Micheal Kors is opening a store at the Summit between Bebe and Flip Burger. The boutique will consists of 2200 square feet of fabulousness, from handbags to watches, it will have it all. How exciting is this Birmingham?! The store is set to open late August!

Birmingham Street Style

It was a little "Shady" at Railroad Park on Thursday.

                                          I really love the vintage look with the fab shades.

Thunder on the Mountain

Thunder on the Mountain was awesome this year! I had the privilege to watch the fire works with my love, his good friend from elementary school, and his family. We sat on the lawn of University Boulevard with several other people to watch the magic. It was a great show.

Michelle O is coming to see you, Birmingham!

The Obama Victory Fund 2012 and Gen44 Birmingham presents a reception with special guest First Lady Michelle Obama.

What:

Obama Victory Fund 2012 - Reception with First Lady Michelle Obama

Where:

Sheraton Birmingham Hotel
2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, AL

When:

Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Guest Arrival - 3:30 in the afternoon

Birmingham Street Style @ B.G.T.Y.

B.G.T.Y. Tour

OMG!!!!!  Last night Tim and I went to the Ledisi and Eric Benet concert and it was truly amazing!!!!
Eric sang some of my old favorites like Spend My Life With You and CHOCOLATE LEGS. HA! Ledisi truly put on a show too. I didn't realize how much of an entertainer she was! This chic danced and sang her heart out for us, and I guess Birmingham too :-). She seems to have a wonderful spirit. I left that concert feeling empowered to go and take on the world.  The name of the Tour is Be Good To Yourself. Now those words hold so true these days because women and men often suffer from self esteem issues. We do so many things that aren't good for ourselves like unhealthy eating and awful relationships. I pray that we can get it together and remember who we are and how perfect HE made us.