Run For Your Life Runner Fashion and a KK Bloom Gift Card Winner

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Hi Everyone!

Just in case you weren't able to decipher yesterday's note (though I'm sure you were, because you are all so smart, creative and can read), here's another crack at it.

  

Got it?

Run For Your Life!

I'm sure you got it, and yes, I know I look terribly silly.  Anything to whip out the old cheer leading moves.  In case there is any question, that second pose is the number four.  I worked hard on this, so if anybody has a better body number four, bring it!  If you read the Queen City Style on a fairly regular basis, you know I enjoy running, so I am super excited about the upcoming post series.  I'll be collaborating with Run For Your Life to share with you four of my current favorite runner outfits.  Like the room to outfit interpretations, I could not hold back on an opportunity to get creative, so I'll be interpreting each runner outfit with an ensemble using only items from my closet.  To make this all the more fun, there will be a giveaway at the end!  One lucky reader will be the winner of a $100 gift card to use on your favorite running outfit, a pair of shoes or whatever you'd like at Run For Your Life!  Can't wait to see if you're the winner?  Run For Your Life is offering a 15% discount to anyone who mentions the Queen City Style with your purchase.  I hope you enjoy, and of course, I can't wait to hear which outfit is your favorite!

Click here to see if you were the winner of the KK Bloom $50 Gift Card Giveaway.

For the love of exercising in great style, thanks so much for reading!

Whitley

Just This One Thing

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Happy Weekend Everyone!!

I've got just this one thing to say...

Have a healthy, active and fun weekend!  I'll see you Monday!

Whitley

J. Crew Love: Nautical Stripe Shorts and Embroidered Jacket

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I'm back to loving all things J. Crew for this post.  I haven't bought shorts in probably five years.  All of the ones I have are worn and have lost their fit.  It's all about the fit.  So when I hopped over to J. Crew South Park for a little one on one with my girl Meghan, J. Crew Personal Shopper Extraordinaire, I was super excited that she pulled these shorts for me to style.  Since then, I've been wearing them a lot.  Most recently, I wore them casually on Independence Day Eve.  If they weren't so well made, they'd be on tap to join all my other worn out pairs!  This look is everything I love about J. Crew: tailored, fun, classic and cool.  To offset the variation in pattern, I added my Grandmother's flaming red sash, taking classic to vintage classic.  For a more casual look, I unzipped the jacket to reveal a basic solid aqua tee underneath and exchanged the neck tie for a splash of color tied to my clutch.

Shorts: J.Crew, Jacket: c/o J.Crew, and here's the print in a dress. Shirt: c/o J.Crew, Wedges: Michael Kors (old), here's a similar pair, Clutch: Coach, (old), but here's a perfect summer bag. Sunglasses: Blinde, here's a similar pair. Sash: My Grandmother's. Necklace: Cache (old). Rings: Melinda Maria, Tiffany, Custom by Diamonds Direct. Bracelets: Stella & Dot here and here, J. Crew. Earrings: old, but here's a pair I love.

If you haven't already, be sure to enter the $50 Gift Card Giveaway from KK Bloom!  Today is the last day to enter!

For the love of cool summer style, thank you so much for reading!!

Whitley

Color Blocking In Style

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It's EVERYBODY everywear time again!  Many of you have been complimentary of the photos on the Queen City Style and have asked who is taking them.  That would be most wonderful man in the world.  I have a photography crew consisting of the aforementioned Captain, Precious Peanut #1 and Precious Peanut #2.  When taking the pictures, I try to think of wide open spaces with sidewalks or paths.  PP #1 takes his scooter, and PP #2 is strapped into a stroller full of snacks to help him through the agony.  I gave most wonderful man in the world this moniker for a reason.  He is not perfect, though at times I half jokingly explain that it's not easy being married to Mr. Perfect.  Honey, I know this is embarrassing, but I just want to share who the wonderful, patient and kind man behind the camera is.  Due to my photographer's absence I was not able to get together a fresh outfit for this month's EBEW theme: Color Blocking.  As I'm pretty obsessed with color, many of my posts already incorporate color blocking.  So, here is a little montage I put together.

Click on the link below the image to view the original post.

Green With Envy

Birthday Night Out

Splash, Dash, Dot

Channeling a Jumpsuit Favorite

White Blazer and Cocktail Dress

Birthday Night Out

Even my living room is color blocked!

Living Room Reveal

Living Room Reveal

So, I was absolutely thrilled to learn I was mentioned in the August issue of my Style Bible, In Style Magazine.  Seriously, I have been subscribing since I was 18 years old.  I remembered loving how they styled a Polka-Dot Skirt in three different ways. Shortly thereafter, the skirt I'm wearing (now ON SALE here) below showed up in the window of my favorite retailer, J. Crew.  I had to have it.  Then, I was inspired by a fellow fashion blogger, Kimberly Smith of Penny Pincher Fashion, to submit my own Inspired by InStyle look. I could have sworn I recognized Kimberly in the June issue, and sure enough it was her!  Thank you to In Style for deeming me fashionable enough to be included in your pages, to my mom and best friend for the J. Crew Birthday Gift Card which got me this awesome skirt, to my awesome friends over at J. Crew South Park and to most wonderful man in the world for taking such great photos.  Honestly, what inspires me the most is each of you reading this.  Thank you for your support and the sheer joy you bring me!

For the love of great style filled with color and joy!

xo-Whitley

This Dress And A Giveaway

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A tiny stretch of Selwyn Avenue constitutes part of one of my regular running routes.  First, I run past Selwyn Pub and try not to peer over my left shoulder with envy at all those folks sipping on their cold beverages.  Just beyond the pub, I'm usually slowing my pace to catch a glimpse of the window display at KK Bloom Boutique, which always bears lovely things.  I pick up my pace to pass Yoforia, as I get that same feeling I do when passing Selwyn Pub.  On a recent run, however, this dress in the window at KK Bloom stopped me in my tracks.  It is so amazing, that I opted to keep it simple with my every day accessories.  This dress is like butter; a paper thin swath of gauze that swirls and floats through the air with each step.  It was all I could do return it to them.  With all this talk of sipping on something cold and tasty, what better location for showcasing this dress than the patio at Nolen Kitchen.

I have a surprise for you at the bottom of this post!

Dress: Charlie Jade at KK Bloom Boutique, or love this, this and this shorter one also by Charlie Jade. Sunglasses: Blinde, or here is similar pair.  Shoes: Gifted, but here's my summer staple.  Right Arm Bracelet: Old, but here's a similar one.  Left Arm Bracelets: Stella & Dot ONE, and TWO now on SALE here, J. Crew. Earrings:  Thanks to JoJo Loves You. Necklace: KK Bloom Boutique.  Clutch: JJ Winters here, mine is from Lipp Boutique.  Rings: Tiffany and Custom by Diamonds Direct.

Want this dress?  A few remain!  The exciting part, KK Bloom Boutique is giving away a $50 Gift Card to one lucky reader of the Queen City Style!  Recently awarded by Charlotte Magazine 2012 Boutique of the year, KK Bloom not only carries fabulous garb, but they have a magnificent assortment of jewelry and accessories, including Kendra Scott, Towne & Reese, JJ Winters and more!

There are several ways to enter:

1-Mandatory Entry: You must be a follower of the Queen City Style by Email, Bloglovin' or Google Friend Connect.

2-Mandatory Entry: You must Like KK Bloom on Facebook.

Additional Entries:

3-Like the Queen City Style on Facebook

4-Follow the Queen City Style on Twitter

5-Follow the Queen City Style on Pinterest

6-Share this Giveaway on Facebook

7-Tweet Giveaway, link to (@QueenCityStyle) and (@KKBLOOM).

8-Pin an image to Pinterest & reference Giveaway on the Queen City Style.

9-Share the Giveaway on your Blog

10-Refer a friend to this Giveaway

11-Tell me how YOU would style this dress!

Please let me know in ONE comment below each of the ways you have entered. It would help me greatly if you listed 1., 2., 3., etc)

This giveaway ends Friday, July 13, and the winner will be announced Monday, July 16.  Thanks so much for reading, and Good Luck!  Whitley

And the winner is...

2. 
   Ashley KirbyJuly 9, 2012 3:51 PM

   1. Following
   2. Liked KK Bloom on FB
   3. Like you on FB
   4. Follow you on twitter
   5. Follow you on Pinterest
   6. Shared on FB
   7. Shared on twitter
   8. Pinned image & referenced giveaway
   11. I would style with tons of bangles, funky earrings, dressy black wedges & my gold Rebecca Minkoff clutch.

Please email me at thequeencitystyle@yahoo.com, so I may mail you your Gift Card!  Thanks to everyone for reading and for entering this awesome Giveaway from KK Bloom!

Wave It Proud

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Independence Day eve most wonderful man in the world and I took the uptown bound train to see Coldplay perform at the arena.  

  

WOW.  What a show. How could the performance have possibly been better than the last, you ask?

Confetti Everywhere!!

Well, when you are just about within reaching distance of Chris Martin laying down on the stage doing his gyrating thing that he and Gwenny probably practice together (hey... yoga!!), then you are feeling just like the temps.  HOT. HOT. HOT.  

Everybody was given a wrist band with a light sensor.  Amazing!

Well, not completely sure about all that on the ground stuff, but the Jordan-Worthy leaping across the sky moves (OMG.  Did you follow me there?  Killing myself.  Go Tar Heels!  Sorry, could not be helped.) ... that is some gooooooood stuff.  If you haven't seen Coldplay perform live, do not stop to collect $200, just GO!  If you have, then you know of what I'm speaking.  Given the day ahead of appreciation for our freedom--and the gazillion degree temps--I reached straight for this pair of shorts and tank (of which I must own in 14 colors-perfect fit).  And, a few photos...  

I've received lots of inquiry about these shorts.  Would you expect anything other than J. Crew?  You should get a pair!  They are available in red and white or blue and white stripe.  FYI, these shorts run one size big on me, and they have stretched just a bit after a couple of wears.

Tank: Gap. Shorts: J. Crew.  Sandals: Nine West (old), but here's a cool pair. Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Aviators.  Earrings: Gifted.  Right Arm Bracelet: Old.  Left Arm Bracelets: Stella & Dot here and now on SALE here and J. Crew. Rings: Custom by Diamonds Direct and Tiffany.

Image Via

For the love of stylin' with great pride and joy...

I hope you and yours had a wonderful day... of rest or celebration!  Whitley

Romper Ease

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Yesterday I shared with you some cocktail party outfit ideas as an alternative to the little black dress.  As I mentioned, I've really been in to wearing shorts for an evening out on the town.  They are comfortable and cool in this 100+ degree weather we are experiencing here in the Queen City.  They are so versatile, because you can style them with different accents and accessories for so many unique looks!  Another thing I'm in love with right now is the romper.  Talk about easy.  There are so many fun options in both short and long lengths.  I think it is a playful alternative to wearing a dress.  I recently snatched this number from the 75% off sale rack at one of my favorite boutiques, KK Bloom, voted Charlotte's 2012 Best Boutique by Charlotte Magazine.  Using the scarf as a headband, pearl necklace and woven clutch, I've styled it in sophisticated manner below, but last week I wore it out for dinner, paired with tough metal accessories for a  much edgier look.  One other note of interest, I am SO excited to let you know KK Bloom will be offering a  $50 Gift Card Giveaway here on the Queen City Style!  Stay Tuned!!

Romper: Wink at KK Bloom. Shoes: Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan. Clutch: Coach (old), but here's one, or here. Pearl Necklace: J. Crew (old), but here's one I like. Pendant Necklace: An old ring belonging to Grandmother, turned into a necklace.  Earrings: Gift from a friend. Sunglasses: Blinde, here's a similar pair. Sash: Old Navy (old). Right Arm Bracelet: Custom Made by Clewis Reid. Left Arm Bracelets: Stella & Dot here and now on SALE here, J. Crew.  Right Hand Ring: Melinda Maria.  Left Hand: Tiffany and Custom by Diamonds Direct.

For the love of styling fun and free, hope you have a wonderful holiday!!

xo-Whitley