NYC In Pictures

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I have been very busy since my return from NYC; busy with all the regular life stuff, both Precious Peanuts started preschool (I'm going to have eight hours to myself every week... major excitement), as well as other activities.  As you know, last Thursday marked a big night of fashion here in the Queen City with Style Night Out.  Then on Friday I had the pleasure of assisting Lipp Boutique at a fundraiser they hosted for the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.  I look forward to sharing photos from both of these events with you, but first, here are a few photos from my amazing time to NYC.  I learned so much at both conferences I attended hosted by Independent Fashion Bloggers and Lucky Magazine.  Obviously everyone shared a love for fashion, but beyond that, everyone was genuinely interested in each other and so supportive... a big 'ole stylish love fest! Awesome learning opportunity + Fabulous Fashion + Fun Girls = My kind of event!

Day 1: IFBCON.  Here I am with my awesome partner in crime for the week, Nicole Gordon, of Manners and Moxie.  Nic and I found each other via the fashion blogging world, and, for me, it was love at first sight.  I was immediately drawn to Nic's unique, eclectic and fun sense of style. When we discovered we are both natives of South Carolina, our friendship hit the ground running.

When I asked for recommendations on what to wear the response was fairly unanimous in favor of Woman Shops World Harem pants.  I took two pairs and wore these to IFBCON.  The super chic Ashley Garner of Elegant Idiosyncrasy, editor and talented photographer, took this photo.

I got a ton of compliments on the pants, including more than one from the gorgeous, talented and very sweet stylist, Mary Alice Stephenson. Very fun.

Two more beautiful ladies I've developed friendships with and was so excited to meet in person, Karla Maria Gonzalez of Shoe Signature and fellow Queen City blogger, Elspeth Crawford.

A panel of some of the most successful bloggers in the biz...

Pardon the less than stellar pics.  I did not take "big fancy," so I did best I could with the digital. Here's a shot from the closing Q&A with Editor at Large of Harper's Bazaar, Derek Blasberg, as interviewed by model Coco Rocha.  Pretty cool.

Day 2: LuckyFABB... Fabb-u-lous!

Here are a couple pics of me and my outfit outside the LuckyFABB conference held at the impressive New York Times Building.  I experienced an iconic NYC first on my way there. It rained the day before, and as I was waiting at the crosswalk, a cab flew by and splashed nasty NYC curb water ALL OVER my dress.  It dried quickly.  I laughed, shouting expletives at the same time.  

Here's a snapshot of the opening dialogue with Lucky Editor in Chief, Brandon Holley and Macy's, Inc. Chairman, President and CEO, Terry Lundgren.  Not a bad way to start an all star day.

Moving right along... Q&A with three more powerhouse bloggers and moderator Lauren Sherman, Executive Digital Editor, Lucky, Leah Chernikoff, Executive Editor, Fashionista, Annie Georgia Greenberg, New York Editor, Refinery29 and Leandra Medine, Founder, The Man Repeller, respectively.

The one and only Rachel Zoe, chatting it up with Lucky Editor in Chief, Brandon Holley.  She was humble, adorable, insightful and well dressed. :).  If you are near a Neiman Marcus, be sure to go there for a taste of her new jewelry line.  Her tassel necklace...what does she say?... I Die.  True.

Jean Godfrey-June, Executive and Fashion News Director, Lucky, conversing with Lauren Conrad.

And the closing conversation, one of most delightful highlights of the day, Simon Doonan, Brand Ambassador, Barneys New York and Anna Sui, Fashion Designer.  Both of them.. adorable!!

Later in the eve Nic and I took it to a fun private soiree at Piperlime the night before their big grand opening event.  If you are not already familiar with Piperlime, check them out here... one of my most favs!

The party was hoppin'...

Rachel Zoe's Picks... The store in just like the website, except it's all in person!

Nic wearing one of her mother's vintage dresses... arrow through my heart!

I hope you enjoyed my NYC review in pics!  I am trying to figure out a way to get myself there at least once a month, so if you think you might have a way to help facilitate that, please do not hesitate to let me know. :)

Thanks for reading!  Whitley

All My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready To Go

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I love this song....

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go. I'm standing here outside your door.  I hate to wake you up to say goodbye.  But the dawn is breaking this early morn.  The taxi's waiting, he's blown his horn.  Already I'm so lonesome I could die. So kiss me and smile for me.  Tell me that you'll wait for me.  Hold me like you'll never let me go.  'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe I hate to go...

My mom took me to see John Denver at an outdoor concert in Black Mountain when I was a young girl.  It was a moment I'll never forget.  SO... by the time most of you read this I will be en route to the greatest city in the world, New York City!  It's fashion week, and I'll be attending two fashion blogger conferences, LuckyFabb, organized by Lucky Magazine and IFBCON, hosted by Independent Fashion Bloggers.  The keynote speakers are, respectively, stylist Rachel Zoe and the legendary model Iman.  I'm pretty freaking excited.  In the spirit of sharing that excitement, I thought I would show all of you what's in my packed bags, I mean BAG.  That's correct.  I am NOT checking a bag on the plane for NYC Fashion Week!!  Woot! Woot!  I'm pretty proud :). Anyway, here's how it all went down...

In addition to my toiletries, camera, book, healthy snacks, sunglasses, etc., above are five outfits, one of which I'll be wearing on the plane.  This outfit would include my fav new garment-harem pants!  What to wear to these conferences is all the buzz and several people have suggested I wear them, so I'm taking this pair by Woman Shops World, along with my Gap denim jacket and sequin top from my mother-in-law.

And this pair, styled with a crisp white wrap blouse and my trusty denim jacket again...

Then, there's this flirty little thing I call my house dress, which I've had for about 10 years, paired with Steve Madden nude pumps, vintage cuff and beads.  Love it.

Palazzo pants from Anthropologie I last wore here, (here's a sweet pair), paired with a fitted wrap blouse, and my newest accessory; a gold and black geometric print cuff from Sloan Boutique.

Then I have this loose fitting, silk blue dress with embellishments that I love, paired with a black jacket from an old J. Crew work suit, BCBG pumps and lots of funky accessories, of course.

I rolled all of the clothing items tightly, put shoes into individual shoe bags, cut out any unnecessary toiletries, taking one purse, one clutch (my fav JJ Winters from Lipp Boutique), my small digital camera and... 

Voila!  I'm ready to go!  I cannot believe it.  The last thing I want to spend my money on is checking a bag.  Uh Oh.  What am I going to do if I go shopping in NYC?  Uh, how am I not going to go shopping??

Wish me luck!  Can't wait to share my experiences with you when I get back to the Queen City!

Ciao Baby!  xx-Whitley