Vintage Corporate Cute

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Suit: Belonged to my Great-Grandmother. Purse: Made by my Great, Great-Grandmother. Best bet is to search ebay, but here's a neat modern day bag and here. Shoes: Cole Haan from Constance Consignment. Turtleneck: CAbi. Tights: J. Crew. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Hair Comb: Jewelmint. Earrings: old, love this pair. Bracelets: My Great-Grandmother's, Grand-mother's, Grand-mother in law's, Stella & Dot. Rings: Tiffany, custom by Diamonds Direct.

I live in a banking city.  More banking resources are headquartered in Charlotte, NC than all but one U.S. city, New York City, of course.  We are also in the South, so by default, there are lots of rules on acceptable work attire.  Many of my friends work for a bank, and there's not much room for creativity in dress.  I suppose the point of this post is to show all of my corporate followers a way to dress appropriately so, yet still look cute and even better, not like everyone else with the black pants and cream blouse or navy suit and one and half inch pumps.  I wore this suit for one of my first interviews in New York City 14 years ago.  I had it tailored to fit.  I'll never forget walking down Madison Avenue and the number of times I was stopped over this suit.   It remains one of my absolute most favorite pieces.  So, my message today is to shop your local vintage and consignment stores.  Not only will you find something completely original, you will likely save a lot of your money and get triple your investment on the quality. There are so many other things I want to say about this outfit, but perhaps in another post.  Can you tell it's a favorite? :)

For the love of timeless, classic style...

Thank you so much for being here!  Whitley

Don't forget to enter the Meredith Jackson Design Jewelry Giveaway HERE!

Smelly Cat

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Blouse: ASOS. Shorts: Piperlime and here. Turtleneck: CAbi. Boots and Tights: J. Crew. Purse: Chanel. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Hair Comb: JewelMint. Earrings: from J.T. Posh. Bracelets: Belonged to my Great-Grandmother, Grand-mother, Grand-mother in law, Stella & Dot.  Rings: Belonged to my Grandmother here's my other favorite, Tiffany, Diamonds Direct.

When I spotted this shirt on my favorite on-line shopping site, ASOS, I was kind of drooling.  Then my super-stylish pal, Jenny, (seriously check her out) insisted the shirt was made for me.  So, done and done.  That's when you buy it.  If you love it, and you can afford to pay for it in cash, you get it.  I could go on for days about the shirt, but I won't.  Instead, if you like it yourself, it's on SALE now.  If you're in the Queen City, check out Smelly Cat Coffeehouse in NoDa, Charlotte's Historic Arts District.  The neighborhood is Charlotte's closest answer to my hometown of Asheville, NC.  Arts, culture, good eats, music, creatures of all kinds and more!  Oh, how about the fact that Donna has photographed Mother Teresa?!  Yes, Mother Teresa and me.  Unbelievable.

Love, Peace and Hair Grease, xx-Whitley

A Christmas Ball!

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Skirt: My Grandmother's. Turtleneck: CAbi (old), similar one. Jacket: My Great-Grandmother's. Purse: Chanel, here's one.  Boots: J. Crew (old). Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Earrings: from J.T. Posh. Bracelets: My Great-Grandmother's, Grandmother-in-law's, Grandmother's, Stella & Dot. Rings: Tiffany, Diamonds Direct.

I'm not exactly sure where my Grandmother got this skirt, but I know it came from some far off country during her world travels with my Grandfather.  Some of the coolest things she owns she purchased during her travels, and I was always so fascinated by the garments.  You could just tell they were made different from all the rest.  This skirt is no exception.  It has always been one of my favorite inheritance pieces from her; definitely a top pick for my holiday go-to attire. Do you have any favorite holiday pieces?

I hope you and yours have the happiest of holidays and a very Merry Christmas!

Let there be love, let there be light!

xx-Whitley

Shorts + Arooji's Wine Room

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Shirt: Anthropologie (old). Shorts: Piperlime and here's another pair. Turtleneck: CAbi, here's one. Boots: J. Crew. (old) here's a pair. Jacket: Gap.  Purse: Coach. Belt: Target. Tights: J. Crew. Sunglasses: Blinde, similar pair. Bee Earrings: Jewelmint. Other Earrings: made by a friend.  Bracelets: My Great-Grandmother's, Grandmother's, Grandmother-in-law's, Stella & Dot. Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, custom at Diamonds Direct. 

Donna and I had so much fun shooting over at Arooji's Wine Room.  If you live in the Queen City, head on over to the Shops at Morrison and cozy up to a glass for yourself... Great food, tasty vino, delightful environment and friendly conversation.  Here I go again with this is one of my favorite outfits, but really it is.  I think it totally speaks to my more common "boho" style by day, and it's so much fun to pair shorts, tights and boots!  Do you agree? 

We are all still grieving the heartbreak in Connecticut.  We have to treat one another with love and kindness. I am praying for those families affected, as I know we all are.  Thank you so much for taking time to be here with me.

I hope you are having a loving week!

-Whitley