Guest Blogger: Fashion Files

On Friday Sara from A Dose of Pretty featured my most treasured accessories in her great new series called Fashion Files head over and have a look...

here's a little of what you can find:

Guest Blogger: Fashion Files

On Friday Sara from A Dose of Pretty featured my most treasured accessories in her great new series called Fashion Files head over and have a look...

here's a little of what you can find:

Tons of Leopard

I love leopard anything! One year it's in, one year it's out, but to me it is always a stylish statement. I am hoping to add a few more pieces to my collection...

Do you guys have any leopard pieces that you love?

Newest Purchases

Here is a little look at some of my newest purchases and finds from across the city, I love to shop! p.s. don't tell my boyfriend ;)

cute water lily belt and purse from Aldo (online)

fabulous earrings forever 21

pretty cocktail ring forever 21

lovely blue handmade glass ring from KazaDaza

pretty journals and planners form Chapters

nautical inspired scarf from Chapters

Plus remember my thrift store mason jars? well I finally added some flowers to them a few days back, and I forgot to take a picture because I was away for the weekend, so my dying hydrangeas and lavender will have to suffice.

Balisi Interview Part 3

LIZ: Any new product lines or trend directions that Balisi is taking next?

DALE: Going into spring summer collection, we will see more bold colours, a lot of details.

LIZ: What type of shopping experience does Balisi try to create for its customers?

DALE: Balisi prides itself on something called elite customer service. What that means is that normally when a customer walks through the door they are greeted with hello, and they browse around. If a customer is coming into the store or going shopping typically they are out for a specific reason, so we try our best to find out that reason. Are they going to a party? Our job is to walk the customer through the store and show them the different merchandise available to create that style. Knowing what an event is all about, we can help create a look for a customer. We go as far as researching places in the neighbourhood for hair and makeup that we can recommend to go with their new outfits.

LIZ: Given that today the general public is a lot more environmentally aware, how important do you think it is to stock eco friendly products?

DALE: We stock quite a few varieties that are eco friendly. El Naturalista is a brand out of Spain that uses natural rubbers, vegetable tanned leathers, organic dyes, and they actually manufacture them in a solar powered plant in Spain. The boxes they come in are also biodegradable. The goal is an eco conscience design. Another brand is Terra Plana, they use recycled seat belts, and recycled plastic bags for a new age twist on the recycled products. We even carry vegan leather bags.

LIZ: Balisi has gained notoriety among Toronto’s established and up and coming young stars and musicians, what is the most interesting part about collaborating with them to create their image and to promote your brand?

DALE: Musicians have to be a little bit more outside of the box, so we have to be on top of the style trends to make sure that our clients are as well. We don’t specifically cater to just celebrities, we keep all of our customers in mind, celebrities (not all of them) come and go, but a client stays.

LIZ: If you could describe Balisi in three words what would they be?

DALE: High fashion- in- one stop.

I found it interesting that Balisi doesn’t hire regular sales associates, here’s what Dale had to say: We don’t hire sales associates we hire stylists who will work with the client to cater a look just for them. You can find sales associates anywhere, at Balisi our stylists don’t get commission we all work based on a love for the art.

Wardrobe

I recently did a little spring cleaning (only I know it's not spring) okay so winter cleaning...to make room for some new purchases and Christmas gifts and I realized that I have a lot of stuff. I think come spring I will have to have a little garage sale, but in the mean time I hope to show you all some of my favourite stuff.

my ruffled bag

some costume jewellery

an eiffel tower jewellery holder!

my statement necklaces

the art of displaying...

i have definitely spotted a trend in the "art" of hanging pictures...it's no longer just a single picture on a wall or a small grouping of pictures...it's all about self expression and the more the better....there is no system to it; it's simply you and your hammer and whatever feels right...

*pics courtesy of style court, design sponge, things that inspire, tom scheerer, apartment therapy

tick tock...

to feel the void of domino closing, i went to barnes and noble to peruse the magazine section....i was hoping to fall in love w/ a new shelter magazine (but sources are limited). i love canadian house and home and was thinking of getting the subscription but it was $50+ for it to be shipped to the USA...i don't need it that much.

while flipping through my pile of magazines, i came across this grandfather clock decal by blik in O Home (i thought she went under too??)...it's a fun way to add color to your wall and its inexpensive ($37). i hope y'all have a great weekend!!

i want that rug!!

i know that madeline weinrib has been blogged to death but i just cannot tell you how wonderful their rugs actually are. i had a chance to see them in person for the first time in atl (no one carries them in charleston which is a sad, sad thing). i was left drooling. and the cotton collection is relatively inexpensive as far as high end rugs go. and while the store didn't have an extensive collection, they said that madeline weinrib will send you thread samples of any rug you are debating between. *sigh* i want to own one. the problem with being a designer is that you are constantly surrounded by FABULOUS stuff but unfortunately your wallet can't always afford it...so you just live vicariously through the fab stuff you put into your clients' homes!

trash to treasure....

so i have been doing a little shopping for a client of mine. they are moving into a new house and they sold everything with their previous home. so they have nothing to add character- no books, no accessories- everything is starting new. hence, me and my shopping excursions...best job ever by the way. the home has lots of bookshelves...which can seem a little daunting when you have nothing to put in them...so i have been out and about at every antique store in charleston and the surrounding areas. you know antique shopping is not always glamorous...in fact, i chuckle when i go to one of my favorite places here- a salvage yard. its hot as hell in there; there is no AC in the building and it is a place you have to dig. you really have to want it...and i crave the find! i can't picture my old boss in a place like this...digging for a client...but that is one of the things i love...and the perks of being a young, hungry designer. so here are some of my goodies thus far...i will be moving them into the home in about a week and i'll be sure to take some pics...but before that all takes place, i am off to GA again to add to my collection of goodies and dig through their piles of junk!

maybe its the weather (suppose to be 72 today)....

or the fact that i live 5 minutes from the beach but i think the stuff at beach dwelling is great. they have a very calming and relaxed feeling in their style of furniture and accessories. i LOVE the tideline dresser- the pulls are fab and the fact that it is on wheels makes me like it even more (i have a thing for wheels). the ella dining chairs remind me of the ones in the suzanne kasler tourquiose dr...the room w/ the mixed, matched chairs. they are super cute. and this woven blanket makes me want to curl up on my sofa after a day at sullivan's island spent laying out (i know its horrible for you) and then heading to poe's and getting a tuna taco and a margarita...ok i am totally day dreaming of a life i use to live- pre- kid.....

if i sent you a letter....

i would write it on a card like this.... stationery has totally become hip and classic and my fav- geometric. i adore these preppy note cards and if i was better at writing them, i'd send all of you one! jack and lulu (love the name, although i think if you put lulu in any name combo you've got a winner) make divine note cards. they actually inspired my business cards after receiving these from my sister-in-law (bet you couldn't guess what color it is). all of the note card designs are fab but i picked the lime tiles and windowpane orange and pink to share. another great place to get hip note cards is fabulous stationery. i am a huge fan of the metropolitan collection...again b/c they are bold and geometric. i adore the huge print of the trouble 2 note cards and large text block on stax makes a great statement....its like "hey, you totally just got a letter from SHANNON". ok, w/ that corny comment, i'm signing off...peace out and get yourself some hip note cards!

vagabond vintage

beware, i think this week's post may consist of "finds" from my magazine tear outs...

this little gem, mothology, was found on a tear page that just listed "places you need to know". last night i searched a couple of the resources and came across this beautiful shop in atl. has anyone been here? the online store consists of beautiful, vintage inspired accents for your home and the prices are really great. I adore the canvas bordeaux buckets and can think of so many great uses for these and at $21 they definitely don't break the bank! the turquoise milk glass collection would look amazing displayed in a book shelf against a chocolate brown accent wall. but i have to say i'm a sucker for anything this color...its just gorgeous. and lastly, after reading the description of these french wine glasses it made me want them even more...the 23 stands for 23 francs which was the going rate for a glass of wine in France back in the day.

i am heading to atl the first weekend of Feb. and i might just have to stop by this little diddy. i am also going to ADAC and i cannot wait to visit "Pieces"...i have been dying to see what this place is all about. If you have any other suggestions of "must see" shopping in the atl, please let me know!

how cute is this??

can you say christmas? how great is this little diddy? what a fantastic clutch from kate! the color is awesome! happy saturday! its beautiful here and the weather is perfect...a jeans and t-shirt kind of day.

red wine is definitely cool....

as if drinking wine wasn't fun enough, add this wine holder to any kitchen/dining room and you have really got something to talk about. i love the sporadic hole placements for the wine bottles! i don't know if i could keep the wine bottles in there...we tend to drink what we have at the house! but empties could display well too!