By Katrice
The summer is the best time to get out and explore your city. So, I'm giving you the who, what, wear. Now, you'll have no excuse for not enjoying Atlanta to the fullest. If you're not in Atlanta, use citysearch to see what's haute in your city, and get to it.
1 Atlanta Tribune Young Professionals Business Exchange
LOFT at Castleberry Hill
July 9, 6-8 p.m.
By Katrice
Before today, I have done little that I would describe as adventurous. That was then, this is now. I took an introductory flight lesson with Shane from American Flyers today. It was so wildly outside of the box for me, that I'm still not sure of how to encapsulate my experience. But, as with all of my adventures ... I'm glad I tried it. Next time, find me in the passenger seat.
Lots of pics. xo
Flight simulation training
Flying around Stone Mountain
What a beautiful view. (Thinking I could sell these as postcards.)
Buzzing the Gold Dome
Thank goodness we made it back in one piece.
A celebratory lunch at The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant with trusty photog, friend Kam.
Restaurant-made potato chips
Light cotton tee, Forever21
Cargo pants, Express
Sandals, Old Navy
By Katrice
By Katrice
I love makeup. Call it high maintenance, girly ... whatever. It's all likely applicable, relatively speaking. A few new shades each season, tips from the pros in my fav magazines; I love it all! I've gotten so into it, thanks to a couple of makeup artist friends, that you'd think I was an artist myself by the looks of my stash and brushes. Think: 20 different shades of pink lip gloss. (It's a seemingly endless search for the perfect one.) I'm still getting there though.
In the meantime, here are just a few of my fav tips and tricks for Summer 2010.
Set your makeup with mist. Artists swear by it for a freshened, energized and natural-looking finish. Just spray it on after your make-up to add a touch of radiance.
Put a summer spin on your smokey eye. According to CoverGirl, when it comes to creating a smoky eye makeup look that'll "wow", the trick is to blend, blend, blend!
Ahhhh summer weddings. I don't know very many women who have the nerve to do their own makeup on their wedding day, but Tiffany's DIY tutorial is so glam that you just may want to try.
Who doesn't want to have a gorgeous complexion??? If you don't know where to begin, take this Complexion 101 quiz and make a smooth transition from winter to summer cover-up and foundation.
Go nude! On your lips, that is.
Take a break from your blush and bronze it up. The right bronzer can give you a sunkissed glow that you'll be instantly addicted to. Drop by your go-to makeup counter for a quick color match or take your pick of the many brands offered in drugstores. Remember, the right shade is key.
Happy second day of summer!
By Katrice
Estella Boutique, the earthy, feminine shop of Tameka Raymond is like an oasis in the middle of Roswell, Ga. I feel as if I've happened upon a sweet little secret that on one hand, I want to keep tucked away; my own retail sanctuary. And on the other, can't wait to share with every fashion-lover in my circle. They will certainly be indebted to me for this find. (Thanks Kam!) If you want downtime cool, she has it. Dinner fabulous, she has it. Career sophisticated, she has that too. And the bonus: You'll have been styled by Ms. Raymond herself. Well, not exactly. But, it will feel like you have been -- as every piece is handpicked by the veteran stylist herself.
Aside from combing the racks of Estella, I sat down with Tameka for a chat about her newest venture.
Why the name Estella?
It was my maternal grandmother's name, and she passed away in December. In Persian, it means star, which I thought was so pretty. So, it's an ode to her.
This area of shops is one of the city's best kept secrets. How did you decide on Canton Street as the home for your boutique?
Besides it's proximity to my home, I just love the feeling of the street. My paternal grandmother lived in an area of California called Clear Lake, and it was very similar this neighborhood. There's something so endearing and sweet ... it feels like Pleasantville. It's also very historic and full of character. This building is actually the oldest in Roswell.
How would you describe your selection?
Some of it is based on my personal taste and style. Then, I also thought about my demographic -- teen moms, stay-at-home moms and retired women. It's not a boutique of trendy things. I filled it with classic pieces that could go with anything.
What is your favorite item in the store?
A striped linen blazer by Olive and Olivia. I live for that blazer.
If you could live in one wardrobe item, what would it be?
I know you just asked for one, but definitely a pair of jeans and an Alexander Wang tank. I'm a huge fan of Alexander Wang.
I feel like from what I've seen of your personal style, professional work and how you've stocked your store, I'd love to see an actual line from you. Is that ever in your plans?
A potential clothing line has been in the works for the past five years. It's called Hides & Dungarees. Sometimes I over think it and I am always critiquing it because it's like a dream ... a baby of mine. I haven't brought it out because I get cold feet. I want it to be right.
I've also been busy doing other things like raising my boys and working with my foundation, the Lost Ones. I spend half of the year planning for our events with the girls.
But when I do debut my line, it will be here. I would turn the whole back room into a Hides & Dungarees room.
By Katrice
I will go out on a limb and say one thing has happened to every woman at some point in her life. You've gotten what you considered to be "all dressed up" for a special occasion or event only to arrive there and feel under-dolled or see photos later and regret not having gone the extra mile to polish off your look. If you want to look like you've gone the extra mile, you have to go it. I'll admit, it has happened to me more than once. I've even felt it passing my neighbor outside, both of us in sweats. My point -- you can always embellish.
So, I thought I'd share a few finishers that ensure I achieve the styling I want every time.
The nails
If you've known me for some years, you know that I am easily considered fanatical about how my nails look. Never underestimate the effect of raggedy nail beds on your presentation. That doesn't mean you need anything elaborate; a fresh manicure (and pedicure!) will suffice.
By Katrice
One of my longstanding wish list items is a small quilted Chanel handbag in taupe. I already have wardrobing plans for it. But, until it is actually in my possession, I've found a pretty cute stand-in: Forever21's Quilted Leatherette Bag in taupe. It's my new fave look for less.
By Katrice
If diamonds really are a girl's best friend, my inner circle just got a little bit sweeter. Just call MaxandChloe.com my new bff (bejeweling friend forever). Thank goodness for the lovely chance of them following me on Twitter. In a few words: They had me at hello. My first visit to their online shop of designer fashion and fine jewelry produced the dreamy West Avenue Jewelry large monogram necklace. A gold monogram pendant has been on my splurge list for a while, and there it was. And that was just the homepage. Clicking through the rest of site opened up a literal treasure chest, eclectic enough to cover a wide range of tastes and budgets. Needless to say that monogram necklace is a definite birthday gift to myself this year ... along with a few other things.
Necklaces
2. Arcadus Bite Necklace, $112.50
3. Yochi Room 160 Key Necklace, $48
4. Kendra Scott Ava Cumulus Necklace, $170
By Katrice
My go-to pieces of clothing -- T-shirts and tank tops. If I could wear one or the other every day, I would without hesitation. And thank goodness for the reality of pairing them with a cardigan or blazer and scarf for year-round wardrobe status, and chunky jewelry, pearls and stilettos to shake things up.They're my simple pleasures. So, when I find one that is uniquely me, I snatch it up. HardLoveApparel has got me hooked. This Etsy designer's tees are inspired by her love of art and edgy fashion with every item hand-dyed, painted, or altered with precision. And the best part: No two items are alike. I think I've found T-shirt heaven.
By Katrice
I don't know one woman my age who doesn't marvel at Nia Long's chameleon-like fire. Each time we find her on the cover of a magazine or on the red carpet, our reaction is the same -- she is just fly! For me, Nia has always been relatable. From long to short hair, smoldering to nude makeup, edgy to flowy styling ... she'll always be on our radar as an icon of our generation.
By Katrice
Every so often nothing in my closet interests me. Sometimes, I feel that mood building. Other times, I don't; I just wake up one morning and trying to find something to wear is torturous. And the crazy thing is that it seems an impossible conundrum ... me standing in my closet like Alice in Wonderland. I can hear Andre Leon Talley in my mind exclaiming, "It's a famine of beauty ... my eyes are starving for beauty!" I know I'm dramatic, but I'm positive someone out there can relate. Then, just when I'm at my wits end, ready to run out and spend money on something I probably already have, I realize that I haven't spent any dedicated inspiration time with my favorite magazines. Today was that day.
I'm feeling better already.
