Weekly Inspiration: Lupita Nyong'o In Prada

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I spent Sunday afternoon at a photo shoot, then dinner with the family, then bath and bedtime routine and well, at the end of a full weekend with my Precious Peanuts, AKA Thunder Foot and Little Thunder Foot, it was all I could do to fall into bed.  That didn't keep me the next morning, however, from taking in all of the fantastic fashion from one of the most stylish nights in Hollywood.  Who was on your Best Dressed List at this years Oscars?  Lupita Nyong'o is one girl who's been tearing up headlines not only for her powerful role as supporting actress in 12 Years a Slave but also for her simple yet equally dynamic choices in dress this award season.  With her smooth dark skin, well toned arms and sweet smile, I have loved all of Lupita's choices in opting for solid colors and clean lines.  This pleated Prada number she wore to the Oscars reminds me of the thin cafe curtains at The Seaview Inn in Pawleys Island, looking over the marsh at sunset, flowing in the warm summer's gentle breeze.  Anyone else ready for summer?

I.C. London Lingerie Sale + Teaser

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So, I'm kind of a little bit scared but really excited about what's about to go down with me and Charlotte's most awesome lingerie store in the world (yes), I.C. London.  Stay tuned in the coming weeks, or keep your eyes peeled and fingers flipping through some of the city's hottest print publications... Charlotte Urban Home, QC Exclusive, Society, just to name a few. Here's a hint: Find Your Own Sexy.  In the meantime, don't miss out on I.C. London's Customer Appreciation Sale going on now through February 2nd.  Select items 30% off, and mention this post and you'll receive 20% off your entire purchase!

Snow Day!!!  

Can't wait to head out to the farm to tear up Snow Sled Hill on the Radio Flyer!

Keep Warm, Whitley

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

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I came across this local version of the popular song "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" via a photographer friend's page, and it is just too cute not to share.  Doesn't it make you want to fall in love all over again?  Such a sweet sweet tune for you all to enjoy...

Happy almost New Year everyone!  

xx-Whitley

Styling Merritt Hunt

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I recently had a blast styling blond gamazon Merrit Hunt at the Heels.com office atop the Nascar Hall of Fame building in uptown Charlotte. Working alongside Daytona Beach, Florida based photograher, Kristia Knowles and Charlotte photographer Doug Brooks, this particular weekend was one of creative collaboration and fun for all.  Thanks to one of my tres hip clients, I walked on set with some pretty fantastic 80's-inspired garb for one of our two days of shooting. I look forward to sharing more.  Any other Material Girls out there?

-Whitley

Get This For Your Girl For Christmas

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I love every opportunity I get to style and create and at 36 I pinch myself daily because there really is nothing else I would rather be doing.  Ask me two years ago, and I could not have said that.  I would drink coffee, create and sleep (as per this t-shirt I discovered by way of my friend Holly's awesome style crack blog) for free all of the time if it weren't for the cost of childcare.  When my friend, Charlotte's Godfather of photography, Jon Silla, offered me a day of fun in his studio, I knew I could not say no.  I called out for my girl Deme to make me feel prettier than anyone else can and on a whim thought how fun would it be to video document our day of flashes, music, pie, libations and laughter. Thanks to PJ Barnes for putting the icing on the cake.  So fellas, we are down to the wire on Christmas shopping. If you have not yet gotten your lady a gift, and you think she would enjoy a day of glamour, may I suggest this?  Not much brings me more joy than helping other people look and feel their best, and if mama may say, it was really fun being on the receiving end of all that shooshing!

 

If you or someone you know might enjoy a day of glamour, I would love to help you get it!

Email me: thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com

Achieve joy, have fun, be free...
Oh and Merry, Merry, Merry!
Whitley

Styling Addie McBryde

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I was so excited when young extraordinarily talented Charlotte based photographer Zach Alston reached out to me to style this shoot with him.  This was a day of firsts for me, including working with the unassuming yet undeniably stunning model, Addie McBryde and the very talented Sarah Havas on hair and make up.  We shot on location at Landsford Canal State Park just outside of Rock Hill, SC.  Despite our well laid plans to capture at least eight looks, it was comic relief achieving the five seen here.  Needless to say, this was one of my favorite shoots to date in that I was able to cultivate ensembles adhereing to my naturally unlogical sense of style.  Wardrobe consisted of current Anthropologie stunners, including items seen in the first and last photos, combined with threads from my own closet and several belonging to my Grandmother.

Thank you for letting me share my passion.

xx-Whitley

Shop Your Closet For Fresh Holiday Style

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Check out this month's Charlotte Parent Magazine.

I'm recycling a bridesmaid dress, like the 'skirt' you see here.  Don't hesitate.  You totally got this.

And sharing a couple of my favorite local accessories designers, both available for on line purchase.

Just click on the image, or get all the deets here.

Have yourself a stylish little holiday party.  Pretty please invite me!  

Tidings galore, Whitley

Favorite Site Sales + My Picks For Cyber Monday

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In real life, I am a girl who lives in nothing but casual basics.  Give me jeans, t shirts and cowgirl boots, and I am ready to go!  For your Cyber Monday saving pleasure, I've pictured a few items I could not live without, as well as a few I'd love to have. The cap toe flats I have put many clients in, and if you are someone who is on their feet during the day, I promise they are the most comfortable flats on the planet.  The Rag & Bone booties; well I don't own a pair, but I know they are the hottest thing since sliced bread. Those and the J. Brand flare jeans.

Clockwise: J Brand Love Story Flare Jeans, Bee Earrings Three Floor Dress Star Blaze Earrings, No Shit Givers Tee, Rag & Bone Newbury Booties, Toe Cap Shoes, Bobi Gauze Blouse, Stuart Weitzman Black Suede Bootie Baller Tee, Charlie 1 Horse by Lucchese Boots

Here's a collection of several of my favorite little sercies. I recently purchased Jessica's watercolor lips print for my home office renovation.  A few of my peeps will be getting the holiday Mr. and Mrs. Cocktail glasses or the gold urchin which is just about the most fun thing in my life since wearing jammies all day for a movie marathon over Baileys in my coffee.  Really hoping someone in my life will deem me worthy of the Eugenia Kim or Loeffler Randall.

Clockwise: Zebra Dish, Loeffler Randall Tote, Vino 2 Go Insulated Tumbler, Gold Urchin, Lips Watercolor, Eugenia Kim Fedora, Monogrammed Pillow, Mr. and Mrs. Cocktail Glasses

Save like crazy on some of my favorite sites:

ASOS 20% off site wide using code: GIMME20

C.Wonder 30% off using code: GIFTS30

Cynthia Rowley up to 65% off Fall Markdowns

Furbish Studio 25% off + free shipping any orders over $100 code: MONDAYMADNESS

Hanky Panky up to 40% off

LOFT save 50% off everything using code: CYBER50

Melinda Maria 35% off using code: CYBERMM35

Planet Blue: 25% off site wide using code: CYBERTIME

Revolve Clothing up to 75% off

Shopbop up to 25% off using code: BIGEVENT13

Towne & Reese 40% site wide using code holiday40

YOOX up to 50% off using code: THANKYOOX

Zhush 20% off all orders using code: BlackFriday

Last but not least, Keep Calm and Carry On is for distinguished beginners.  For those of you who asked me about this on Instagram or Facebook, here's where to get one of your very own. Amsterdam Hester has custom made the one below for my home office. Humor saves.

Happy Shopping!
-Whitley

Two Years

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Today the Queen City Style turns two!  As I sit here, I deliberate just what to write. This happens a lot.  I think, type, delete, type, delete.  It's safe to say I struggle sharing all that I am thinking. I want to be real with you people, and I am, but I think there also needs to be some level of intrigue. Like dating. It's no mystery though how giddily silly and excited I was creating this very first post. Lucky Magazine ran my story on their back page, and the rest is history.  I'll never forget my excitement. Who knew a career would blossom for that story, this blog?  I had no idea, but I could not be happier about it.  I am excited for every opportunity to collaborate, style and create, and I have met some of the most awesome, fun and cool collegues, clients and friends along the way.  It's been validating to know there are so many other dreamers out there like me.  If I keep going in this direction, I run the risk of this sounding more like a journal entry than a fashion blog post, so I'll sign off sharing photos and a link to the Queen City Style's very first post.  Most important of all, thank you so much for being here and being a part of my joy!

With so much love and appreciation, 

-Whitley

New Everyday Favorite: La Senorita Jolie

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Maxi Dress: Thanks to La Senorita Jolie. Jacket: Gap. Boots: Charlie 1 Horse by Lucchese. Purse: Vintage Coach. Rings: Melinda Maria (love this one) and custom by Diamonds Direct.

I absolutely love the art of creating stylish outfits, but it's not how I roll in my everyday life. If you follow me on Instagram or know me personally, you know I am wearing either running shoes or cowgirl boots paired with denim shorts or a denim jacket along with anything else comfortable. Enter my new favorite line of everyday wearable clothing, La Senorita Jolie.  Providing wardobe staples like the Gabriella Maxi Dress I'm wearing here, La Senorita Jolie is a local endeavor that launched in 2013 by fellow Tar Heel, Jennifer Dixon.  All of the pieces are made of washable fabrics similar to what you will find in specialty boutiques at a much higher cost.  Hop on over to their on line store here, and be sure to use the code LSJ-QCS at check out to receive free shipping!  If you do see me across the produce aisle, I'll likely be wearing this top or this one.  Like butta.  You can thank me later.  Want to join the LSJ team?  Details here.

Happy Shopping!  

Whitley

P.S. How awesome are the photo bombers?

New Website

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Hi friends!  I am very excited to share my new website for my wardrobe and personal styling business.  I have immensley enjoyed the opportunities the Queen City Style has paved the way for me to experience, and being able to to pursue my love of fashion beyond my own closet doors is a dream come true.  It is such a delight be able to apply my personal love for style and fashion in ways that help and bring joy to others. If you or someone you know might be interested in my personal styling services or that on a more commercial level, I would love to hear about your needs and start styling with you! Here she is...

Thanks so much for being here! Whitley

Frank Sinatra's Rolls Royce

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Dress, Birdcage, Earrings and Feather Clip c/o: J. Majors Bridal.
Photography: Doug Brooks, Carl Miller and Jennie Shantay Nieves. Makeup: Deme Fourtounis. Hair:  Jennie Shantay Nieves. Wardrobe: Yours truly. Models: Jillian Mourning and Matt Yost.

I recently had the unique pleasure of shooting Ol' Blue Eyes' Rolls Royce flanked by the lovely Jillian Mourning and handsome Matt Yost on location at this stunning home.  You really must visit J. Majors if you are on the market for wedding attire in or around the Queen City.  The boutique is wall to wall gorgeousness, but one look at this dress, and it was "the one" all over again. Is it just me or is this girl in this dress, leaning on this car in front of this house absolutely breathtaking?

Thanks so much for reading!  

xo-Whitley