Cool Men's Clothing, Myers Park, Microbrew + Giveaway

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Shirt: Lucky Brand, other fav. Shorts: Lucky Brand/Irving and Fine. Boots: Charlie 1 Horse. Jacket: Gap. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Belt: old, similar. Necklace: thanks to Melvin Jewelry. Rings: Melinda Maria, custom by Diamonds Direct, Tiffany. Bracelets: J. Crew, thanks to Chelsea Charles, belonged to my Grandmother. Earrings: Luv Aj.

Charlotteans, there's a new men's store in town.  Located in the heart of Myers Park, Jilson's Men's Consignment carries an ever-changing variety of top quality threads including jeans, pants, shirts, sport coats, suits, shoes, accessories and more.  I cling to the philosophy that you don't have to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks, so when my running mate, John, let me know he was on the market for some fresh, new duds, Jilson's was the perfect time and place to apply my mantra to men's dressing.  With a sampling of brands including Brooks Brothers, Gucci, Hermes, J. Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo and more, Jilson's did not disappoint. After a full morning chasing my boys, the cold Natty Greene's Kevin offered me upon entry, kept the pleasantries coming. Fellas, the Jilson's Grand Opening party is this Saturday, June 1st.  This is the perfect time for you to check out the store, as well as the exotic luxury cars on display, and enjoy some complementary food, Natty Greene's brew, Outland Cigars and a few Giveaways. Visit the Jilson's website here for additional information including store hours, consignment and more. Perfect in time for Father's Day...

Jilson's Giveaway

New Ike Behar tie + two Natty Greene's Beers + two Outland Cigars + one sleeve Dunlop DDH Golf Balls

To enter:

1) Mandatory Entry: You must follow of the Queen City Style by Email, Bloglovin' or Facebook.

2) Like Jilson's on Facebook for a DOUBLE entry.

3) Follow Jilson's on Twitter.

4) Follow Jilson's on Instagram

Please let me know in ONE comment the ways you have entered.  This Giveaway ends Saturday, June 1st, and the winner will be announced the following Monday. 

Thanks so much for reading, and we hope to see you at the party! 

xx-Whitley

High Tea

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Dress: Jungal (old) from Constance Boutique in Asheville. Pashmina: Belk. Shoes: Steve Madden. Clutch: Coach. Gloves: Belonged to my Grandmother. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Bracelets: thanks to Chelsea Charles, belonged to my Grandmother and Grandmother-in-law and Bakelite thanks to summerbird.

I bought this dress when I was 19 at my first loved boutique back home in Asheville, Constance Boutique, and it has been one of my favorite go-to dresses for summer ever since.  When the day for the first annual Pret-a-portea at the Duke Mansion finally arrived, and the weather was forecast to be low 70's and sunny, this dress was the first that came to mind.  It was a gorgeous Sunday to honor some of Charlotte's my stylish philanthropic icons, and we were able to make a generous monetary donation to The Lunch Project. This would be the second event at the Duke Mansion I attended wearing this dress.  Anybody in the Queen City have an upcoming event and need a date?  I would be thrilled at the chance for third time's a charm.

As ever, thank you for your readership.

xx-Whitley

You Dress Me

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Boots: Charlie 1 Horse. Shorts: Lucky Brand/Irving and Fine. Tank: Gap. Necklace: Melvin. Bracelet: Chelsea Charles. Ring: Melinda Maria. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar. Belt: similar.

I am often asked for suggestions on how to look unique in every day attire.  Here in the Queen City there are molds that can sometimes dictate every fad from what we wear to what we eat to what kind of car we drive.  My general reaction to those fads is to run the other way as fast as possible. Not quite that dramatic, but nevertheless, my response as it pertains to dress is to wear A) typically whatever everyone else is not wearing and B) whatever makes me feel good. Admittedly, I'm obsessed with my cowgirl boots. I wore them all winter.  It is approaching 90 degrees outside, and I am now wearing them with jean shorts.  A reader recently recommended I pair my boots with white shorts. Well, here it is, my outfit for the day.  So, You Dress Me. Would love to hear your thoughts and have some fun with this.  Tweet me. Email me at thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com. Message me on Facebook, Instagram, however!

I'm hoping for some really awesome outfits!

xo-Whitley
PS-Love THIS bracelet?  Stay tuned for a Giveaway!

Shopping On A Time Crunch

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As you may know, I write a contributing monthly style column for Charlotte Parent magazine.  This has been a wonderful outlet for me to channel my love of writing.  I always enjoy getting feedback and hearing about things you want to read.  If you have any ideas or requests, please email me at thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com.  I would love to hear from you.  In the meantime, this month's article goes out to all of you who can relate to me in the below photo.  Be sure to pick up a copy each month at any Harris Teeter or pediatrics office in Charlotte, or if you are not in Charlotte, you may read the articles on line here.  As ever, thanks for reading! 

--Whitley

4 TIPS FOR SHOPPING ON A TIME CRUNCH

Regardless of whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or work outside of the home, we all know shopping with children can be challenging. Carson Tate, one of Charlotte’s leading time-management experts and a managing partner at Working Simply, shares the tips below for finding more time to shop.

[1] Be clear and decisive. Make a list. Know your clothing needs from season to season, then be deliberate in your shopping. Think about the stores you frequent, and get to know a person there who can call and let you know what’s on sale. Many stores staff personal shoppers for that reason.

[2] Buy it now. When time is of the essence, you can never seem to find what you need. We have all been there. You have nothing to wear for that special occasion, so you frantically rush to the mall searching for any dress that will halfway do. Instead, when you see a dress you absolutely love, buy it then. You will get the greatest return on investment in a dress you love and actually wear.
(Right) Black-and-white halter dress by Vince Camuto, at Belk, $178.

[3] Get to know the kid-friendly stores. As an avid runner and mom of two boys, I am grateful for Run For Your Life’s play area for children. All Tory Burch boutiques provide iPads with games for children in addition to juice boxes and bracelets for good little girls.

[4] Know what brands work for you. There is no need to spend precious time hunting. Know your body type and shape, and shop the brands that you know work for you. If you know Gap makes the perfect ribbed tank, buy it in multiple colors.
(Above) Gap ribbed tanks at Gap Southpark, $16.95 each.

Whitley Adkins Hamlin keeps it stylish as a mom with two children under 5. Read her blog at CharlotteParent.com/blogs.

Milkshake Date

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Whitley:
Dress: c/o Flow by Tara Davis. Shoes: Steve Madden. Clutch: Coach. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Statement Ring: thanks to Tasha Hussey, others: custom by Diamonds Direct. Necklace: belonged to my Grandmother. Earrings: JewelMint. Bracelets: belonged to my Grandmother and Grandmother-in-law. Hair Comb: JewelMint.

Hank:
Jacket: Nordstrom. Pants: similar pair from J. Crew. Shirt: J. Crew. Tie: Nordstrom. Shoes: Hand me downs, here's a pair.

This is yet another one of my favorite posts to date.  How could it not be with my adorably precious debonair date, Precious Peanut #1?  I mentioned over breakfast that Donna and I would be shooting in the afternoon, but I did not know what or where I would shoot.  Leave it to Hanky... "Mommy, you need to call all your girlfriends, and they can be on the Queen City Style, and I'll wear my seersucker suit and be in the pictures too!"  I knew I couldn't pull together several head to toe looks with all that I had going on that day, but no way I could say no to an old fashioned milk shake date at Pike's Soda Shop.  I absolutely adore this dress made by my designer friend Tara Davis, and thanks to Tasha Hussey for the vintage chartreuse fix.  One sweet hot date!

xo-Whitley

PS-Yes, this scene from Shallow Hal was filmed at the one and only Pike's Soda Shop!

Belk Southern Designer Showcase Winners

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You all know I've been working hard to build a strong relationship with my friends at Belk.  Like most every southerner, I've been shopping there since I was a baby girl.  To this day, it continues to be my Charlotte go-to store for everything from everyday clothing to lingerie and shoes to special occasion attire.  The best part, there's almost always a sale!  Recently Belk announced the winners of their 2012 Southern Designer Showcase Contest.  I had the fun pleasure of attending Charleston Fashion Week as a guest of Belk, as well as Girls Night Out in April, where I was able to meet and interview several of the designers personally.  An intimate and personal gathering set the stage for Girls Night Out, kicking off the evening with a Q&A between designer Cynthia Rowley and Belk Vice President of Trend Merchandising, Arlene Goldstein.  We were then introduced to several of the Southern Designer Showcase Winners.  Read about them all HERE,
including the above adorable children's clothing line, Nain and Joe.

I hope all the mamas in the house had the most wonderful Mother's Day.

Thanks so much for reading... now get on over to Belk!

xx-Whitley

Spring Into The Gap

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Whitley:

Pants, Jacket, Tank: Gap.

Luke: 

Jeans, Shirt: Gap.

Of all the outfits we shot with Gap, this was my favorite.  Perhaps it's because it most reflects my personal style in real life. I just want to be comfortable.  Is it just me?  I loved the studio shoot series with Luke and Donna too.  Being in the studio makes you feel kinda big stuff, despite the casual nature of the clothes.  I've got some really creative projects on the brain, and I'm super excited to get back in there and share it all with you!

I hope you all are well.  I'd really love to hear from you... please email, facebook, tweet, whichever! 

xx-Whitley

Cowgirl Boots To The Beach

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Howdy Y'all!  I've been so busy with great things, but I have not been able to give the Queen City Style the normal amount of TLC.  Donna and I have been working on some great outfit shoots, and I can't wait to share them all with you, in addition to my long overdue interview with Cynthia Rowley and Belk Girls Night Out; so many fun things!  For now, I'm super excited to be all packed and ready to drive to Heaven on Earth, Pawleys Island, with the family.  That mini vacation will be en route to a long overdue reunion in Sullivan's Island with my six college roommates.  Not gonna lie, I'm kinda scared of what's ahead with all of these girls at the beach.  We were kinda crazy back then.  I got my boots on though. I'm ready!

I hope you are all great.

Lots of love, Whitley