Come to My Class!

I found out about this cool place called JAM from my friend Katrina over at Hey Little Birdie, and fell in LOVE! JAM is very unique because they sh0wcase only handmade things designed by mostly local artists, AND they also function as a community center in that they invite different artists to come a teach classes!!! They range from making furniture out of palettes (I REALLY want to take that class) to sewing handbags to making yummy brownies! It's such a brilliant idea, and a great way to build community!

So, I was invited to join in on the fun, and teach a class too! WOOHOO! I'll be sharing the top staples every gal should have in their closet, some trends to stay up to date on AND each person from the class is asked to bring five items that they own and want to know how to wear better. FUN, right?

The class is on Wednesday, September 28th from 6:30pm to 8pm. Spots are limited. You can register by sending a FB message to JAM and just mention my class. The class costs $15! I hope to see some of you there!

A Conversation with Edith Head

Like many young girls, I gave Academy Award acceptance speeches in the mirror a thousand times over, and I even dreamed of winning in the category of costume design. So, naturally I've looked up to the one of the most notable costume designers that has ever lived, Edith Head, for a long time.

She was a woman that started her career in the fashion and costume industry later in life after pursuing a career in teaching, and is the MOST decorated costume designer AND most decorated WOMAN in the history of the Academy Awards with EIGHT Oscars to her name! Eat your heart out Meryl Streep!

Edith Head started as a fashion illustrator in Hollywood, and was also one of the ONLY working women in the film industry that wasn't an actress. Heck, she started working soon after women were awarded the right to vote! Then she slowly climbed her way to the top, and dressed such memorable women as Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis and Grace Kelly.

So, when I was given the opportunity to go see A Conversation with Edith Head produced by Actors Theatre of Phoenix I was SOOO excited! I was able to enjoy the show with my mom and Ryan. We had a spectacular time learning more about this amazing woman's life, as well as seeing the amazing actress Susan Claassen carry an entire 90 minute show herself!

I was thoroughly impressed by Claassen's stamina, energy and transformation into Edith Head. The show was just as interactive with the audience as it was educational.

If you're a woman the loves the theater, fashion and enjoys hearing about women that have gone before you to pay the way to dream big, then you NEED to go see this show! It's playing at the Herberger Theater until October 2, 2011.

Project Update - Hollywood Glam meets Nautical

It has been a while since I posted some of my recent work. All of that has to do with waiting for things to be published. EEK! It is a LONG, exciting process that sure does test your patience, but it's TOTALLY worth it, right? So, because it's killing me inside that I can't share any finished products with you quite yet, I wanted to share some inspiration and cell phone sneak peeks of this bridal shoot I styled last night for Arizona Foothills Magazine. It's basically Hollywood glam meets nautical bridal.

IT WAS SOOOO MUCH FUN, especially since the project was with my good friends Marcus and Gina from Gina Meola Photography, and featured clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue and Mariee. DROOL! I also got spend time with, Ashley Gain who is a wonderful wedding planner in the Valley and modeled for the shoot along with her husband Brad!

WOMENSWEAR:

MENSWEAR:

To see more inspiration from the shoot, check out the Pinterest board!

SNEAK PEEKS (Photo Credit: Gina Meola):

Can't wait to finally reveal the project in November, so check back!

Uneven Hems

Uneven hems or graduating hems have popped up a lot this summer, and I expect you'll see them next year as well.

There are a lot of people out there that can't stand asymmetry. I love a good one shouldered dress or top, but for some reason I have never loved asymmetrical hem lines. I even own a fantastic dress that has this look, but I've only worn it once because something about drama of the atypical hem makes me feel less confident. MAYBE if I was wearing the right killer pair of shoes, but even then I'm not sure.

Do any of you have the same feeling? If not, what do you think it is that attracts you to this different style?

Photos: Ruche, Pret a Portobello, The Outnet, Pret a Portobello

ZARA Experience

I've been a LONG time lover of ZARA - an amazing retail company that offers fashion forward clothing at affordable prices. Get this though...I've been a big fan for a long time, but have never stepped foot into a store until this past weekend in San Francisco! Obviously, I had a wonderful vacation. ;) What's even more amazing is that the exact time that I finally got visit the store, ZARA finally started offering online buying of their clothes. YAY! It was great to figure out my size in the store, and get a feel of how things fit. I'm a 6 or 8 depending on the brand, and in ZARA I'm an 8. It's a European company, so things tend to fit a tad smaller than say GAP or J.Crew.

I definitely walked away with a great wardrobe addition - an off-white blazer with a hint of gold. I only had black and brown blazer until this point, so I'm glad I finally have color that will be great for spring and summer as well as fall and winter. If you missed my last post, blazers are great wardrobe builders and easily help you transition between seasons.

Some other items that caught my eye were...

This fur vest...Would look great juxtaposed to a soft chiffon or silk top!

These yellow pants with a front seam...Will make you stand out in a crowd!

These rust colored skinny jeans...Pretty color for fall!

This sequined jacket...Would easily take an outfit from day to night.

This teal scarf...It would bring color and texture to a black or gray, which is color people lean toward in the winter.

Love anything that you see? Get to shoppin'! You don't have to wait to visit a ZARA store anymore. =)