Wear This To the Golf Tournament

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Any golf fans out there?  This week is the Wells Fargo Golf Tournament at the gorgeous Quail Hollow Country Club here in the Queen City.  I'm expanding on the idea of today's post from the mommy style column I wrote earlier this week for Charlotte Parent Magazine.  I realize this is not exactly the most practical attire for walking the course six+ hours or even maybe two holes, but it certainly does make for chic daydreaming.

Jacket + Shorts/Shoes/Tank/Hat/Bag/Sunglasses/Sunscreen

If you see me on the course, fore!  Whitley

And The Bead Goes On: Part II

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Blouse: Belonged to my Grandmother, (kinda really love this one). Skirt: J. Crew (old). Shoes: Sam & Libby (old). Earrings: Belonged to my Grandmother. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair.

Do you remember this post from The Mint Museum?  Donna and I visited the And The Bead Goes On exhibit showcasing a plethora of fantastic beaded garments; some vintage, and a few by young local design student, KevinVain.  There were several dazzling sequin items included in the display. I could find no more perfect reason to throw on an all time favorite that belonged to my Grandmother, this over the top pouf sleeve gunmetal sequin blouse, unlike any other I've ever seen. I've played dress up in this top from the age of four, and admittedly, I still do. While this particular exhibit recently ended, I can't wait to have a look see at The Mint's current fashion ticket, "Elegance and Ease: Dior, Balmain, Saint Laurent.  Get the details here. 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

xx-Whitley

Fishing In Style (Of Sorts)

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Here is another round of shots from my trip back to my Alma mater, Chapel Hill, to shoot with my old friend Roy Rice of Roy Rice Photography.  Roy is well known for his ability to beautifully capture the aesthetics of the stillness that surrounds us.  Roy and I thought it would be fun to spice things up a bit for both of us through a collaboration of fashion and nature.  The second picture is probably one of my favorite pictures taken of me, ever, along with this one.  All I can say about this shoot is that I was appropriately dressed for the frigid, just above freezing temps in the first few pics, not so much in the last two.  If you are man or woman and you could bring yourself to comment below with a virtual high five of any sort, that would be fan-frigging-tastic, because no amount of coffee and bourbon could make even a single chill bump down to my ice cube surrounded boots subside.  That would be really sweet of you.

For the love of suffering in great style,

xo-Whitley

Check out Roy's photography here on his Facebook page, and follow along for breathtaking views from back home in the Tar Heel state.

Ready To Wear

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If you live in the Charlotte area, I invite you to join me Sunday afternoon for the first annual Pret-a-Portea at The Duke Mansion presented by Sonya Barnes & The International Fashion Style Academy.  Events of the day include High Tea and a day of Fashion meets Philanthropy honoring some of Charlotte's Style & Philanthropic Icons.  A spring fashion show will take place, highlighting the designs of three emerging designers, including Flow By Tara Davis, the gal responsible for creating the adorable dress I'm wearing in the below image.  Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Lunch Project.  The Lunch Project's goal is to provide long-term financial support to enable Tanzanian mothers to prepare nutritional meals to school children so they will be better equipped to learn. Please click here for more information, and RSVP here.

Hope to see you there for some most fantastic Ready to Wear!

xo-Whitley

You Will Run Again

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If you've followed along here for a while, you probably saw this collaboration where I styled hot summer trends for ladies runner fashion.  Spring is here, which means I'll be hosting another Run For Your Life Giveaway very soon!  This past weekend, I traveled to the Outer Banks to run a half marathon and visit family.  My whole crew went, as well as one of my closest running friends. Sunday was a gorgeous day for a race, just one day before the Boston Marathon.  I recently ran my first marathon, qualifying for Boston in 2014.  I always knew it was the big dog of marathons, but it was until this past Monday that I realized the magnitude and symbolism of this race.  The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots Day, a day much like New Year's Eve in Times Square.  It is a day for bringing people together, celebrating months and months, if not years of hard work toward a singular goal.  Four hundred and fifty runners from the Charlotte area competed in Monday's race. At least three were injured; one critically.  My heart goes out to everyone who worked so hard for this momentous day and to anyone impacted by this horrendous event.  President Obama said in his speech today, "You Will Run Again".  He is a smart man, regardless of your political views, as any marathon runner knows the last thing you ever did was try to stop her from running again.

I'm pictured with the first and second place female winners.  The first place finisher (middle) hopped on a plane to Boston immediately after this picture to go run the marathon.  (tough chick).

Talk about another tough chick; Carla finished behind me by maybe a minute.  She is 51 years old and placed first in the Female Master's Division. Amazing.

Tuesday night at local tracks across the country, a one mile run in silence was held to honor the runners of the Boston Marathon.  Ours was held at A.G. Middle School. I arrived at 8:55 to news crews galore and not a single parking space in site.  Having just completed a speed work out earlier that night, I opted to capture the moment on the sideline to share with you here.  Goosebumps all over my body.  People of all ages attended wearing work clothes, pushing baby strollers, walkers, runners; all united to tell those impacted by Monday's tragedy, You Will Run Again.

Love and peace, Whitley

Lady of Style

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I am so excited to introduce to you one of my new blogging friends, Annette Hoeldrich of Lady of Style.  As a follower of the Queen City Style, Annette reached out to me with the most lovely greeting.  She started writing Lady of Style, and I immediately fell in love.  As I've said time and time again, my favorite thing about fashion is that there is so much room for interpretation.  I find my own personal style sometimes difficult to pin down, because I love the artistry of fashion so much. I simply adore the idea that my readership consists of men and women ranging in all ages, ethnicity and cultures.  I love receiving inquiries from readers with certain requests for outfit posts.  The clients I style range in age from the 30's to 60's.  Annette recently turned 50 (a stunning natural beauty), and I now turn to Lady of Style to take cues when styling some of my own clients! Without further adieu, thanks for being here, lovely Annette...



"Would you like to guest post on my blog?"
Me? I just started blogging 3 months ago and now I receive this generous offer from Whitley? From this gorgeous woman with her fabulous blog and all those stunning photoshoots that I followed even before I thought of an own blog? Honestly, I was flattered and proud!

I came quite a long way over from Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany, an hour's drive south of Munich. Maybe you've heard about the famous Passion Play?

When my daughter started blogging I was involved to get her started and there was something on my mind: Why are there only so few blogs for women 40+?
I haven't given up my passion for fashion and style just because I turned 50 recently. There is a good reason for age-appropriate dressing but that doesn't mean we have to look frumpy! I love following trends if I can give them my personal signature: Elegance on a budget.

Finally spring arrived and I couldn't wait to get my new floral prints out. These trousers are part of the Lana del Rey collection for H+M. I love the colours and the silky fabric. Paired with a light purple lingerie top and my new white blazer (a must for this season!) I feel ready for spring.
What do you think about my purple velvet shoes? They are really comfortable and I got them on sale for 10€!

If you want to know more about me and my style, I'll invite you over to visit my blog Lady of Style.

Whitley, thank you so much for hosting me! It has been such a pleasure and fun to work with you. I am really looking forward to your post over at my place!

Hugs from Germany,
Annette

Trousers H+M Lana del Rey | Blazer H+M | Lingerie Top 3Suisses
Pumps H+M | Jewellery vintage | Bag from Thailand

Spring Purple Florals by annette-ladyofstyle 

Patrizia Pepe top, €175 / H&M h m blazer, €35 / Pants / H&M heels, €35 / FOSSIL tote, €190 / Carolee multi chain necklace, €7,66 / Accessorize stretch bracelet, €7,66 / Bounkit , €69 / Essie nail polish, €6,13

Come Follow Me + New Website!

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I'm working on beefing up my social media presence. Most of you also follow the Queen City Style on Facebook, and I've been on Twitter and Pinterest for a while, but for quite some time I've been informed I am not officially with it until I'm on Instagram.  Well, it's official.  I have totally hopped on the social media train. Without further adieu, I would love for you to come follow the Queen City Style at some of your most favorite pockets of the world.  Just click on the button.

Oh.  One last thing.  I have a personal styling business that has started to grow as a result of my little place in the blogosphere.  It is all so fan-freaking-tastic.  If you think you or someone you know would enjoy finding their personal style or fine tuning what already exists, I would love to hear from you.  Please email me at: thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com. A website is under construction at www.whitleyhamlin.com, and I can't wait to share it with you upon completion.  

In the meantime, what do you think of my new head shot?  When I talk about personal style and fashion, I always say it doesn't cost a lot of money to feel like a million bucks.  I'm thanking Donna for this one.

Muchos abrazos y besos!!

xo-Whitley

RIP Lilly Pulitzer + Belk and Charleston Fashion Week

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The top image is a favorite of my Grandparents who were always so glamorous and in love.  My Grandmother is wearing a Lilly Pulitzer skirt, and I'm wearing that skirt in the image just below it.  Lilly Pulitzer's creations were born from a juice stand in Palm Beach.  Her designs hold their value in the way they seem to effortlessly transcend time.  You know a Lilly when you spot it from a mile away.  You all know I recently went to Charleston Fashion Week as a guest of Belk.  I found the timing to be most befitting to share with you images from a very special Lilly Pulitzer fashion show sponsored by Belk in conjunction with a live auction raising thousands of dollars for the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital.  The Lilly Pulitzer creations on show were just as timeless as ever.  Shop current Lilly Pulitzer designs HERE and great sale merchandise HERE.

Thanks so much for reading, Whitley