Winter Fashion!

Hi bloggie babies!  So I'm sure by now you're ready for me to do something a little 'lighter', yes?  I am too, you know I have a 3 to 1 fun vs. serious ratio (on a good day) ;)

As winter is starting to relentlessly bear down on us all, I thought it would be helpful to y'all (and myself!) to explore some more stylish day-to-day fashion options.  As tempting as it is to throw on a tee, oversized long-sleeve, sweatshirt and those old Fugs...none of which match worth a darn...let's not let the fridgid temps ruin our sterling image my little style icons!

Vogue magazine does a Top Ten (best dressed) of the week, which inspired me to do the same.  I am, however, pooling from ALL those who inspire me stylistically :)  First, I will borrow from V and Marie-Claire's featurette on the youngest Olsen sister, because I am a sucker for everything linked to MK 'n A.

Look #1:

Miranda Kerr in NYC.  She is adorable--watched her on Chelsea Lately last night.  You done good, Orlando.  Tailored jackets, contrary to popular belief, can keep you just as warm as sweatshirts and are MUCH easier to layer and work with.  The puffing in this leather number gives it an added feminine touch.  The pants are a versatile color without being boring or predictable, and again very tailored and chic.  Opting for a longer shirt also adds an era of uniqueness...if you must wear leggings as pants please follow suit!  Topping the look off with buckled boots for edge, an oversized bag and sunglasses tie the pieces together.  *I wear my sunglasses in snow.  Cause I'm hot, cause I'm hott.*

Look #2:

 

Monique Pean in NYC.  Okay, so I have no idea who this is, but nice pairing girlfriend.  This is a prime example of taking summer and fall looks into winter without looking like a bone head.  Simply gather up your cutest LONGER, at least knee-length dresses in dark and light prints--depending on the occasion and other key components, and a full-sleeved oversized cardigan--embellishments encouraged!  The floral and sequins combo work wonders for that feminine pizazz.  Adding a conversation necklace and unique ankle booties makes the look all her own, so go crazy!

Looks #3 and 4:

Elizabeth Olsen, you are a doll.  I foresee big things, one of them being fashion mogul status.  This day-to-night set of winter creations is oh so easy, but oh so polished!  A few highlights:  the matched bag and belt in a sharp contrast shade from the rest of the ensemble; the collared shirt under sweater--sucker for the classic; and neutral stage shoes to add a high brow touch to the monochromatic girly top and skirt.

Now for a few of my friends' chic winter looks!  Bekah and I:  Basic with a splash of COLOR!

  Devin and I:  How to LAYER over a sleeveless dress!

Adrianne and I: Sweaters & Boots!

Oh, and the guys from Burried Life!

  

For purse inspiration, check out the Kate Spade Sample sale with 75% off selected items...extended until midnight tonite!  SALE

My personal favorite is the Windsor Square Gabrielle, made with Ostrich embossed leather.  So sophisticated!

Much Love,
xo-Carli-xo

Originally $500!:

Look #1:

Love of the Game?

Hey everyone!  After a very hectic 4 weeks, I'm baaaack ;)  Cheers to a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend--I had a fairly eventful last several days, with my aunt and uncle in town, shopping, cooking and running 5ks...woo!  I would really love if you, my loyal and beloved followers, could send me feedback regarding posts as well as topics you would like to see explored in the future :D Sound good? Oh yay!

Early this morning and end to the NBA lockout was officially negotiated.  (As if we didn't see this one coming...)  The $4-billion-a-year business will now begin its season on Christmas day.  A 66 game season is the second shortest in the league's history, due to player strikes.  Players were the party making the largest concessions, including a reduction of up to $300 million year in salaries.  With reduction figures this large, one must question the legitimacy of beginning and current salaries paid to NBA stars, as well as all professional athletes.  

The recent dealings seem to be a slight step in the right direction--likely an indirect response to the current outrage over amassing corporate greed.  These player and team owner 'sacrifices'  include shorter contracts, fewer and less extensive raises and higher taxation to better control and limit waste in the top-spending teams.  December 25 is planned to still host the triple-header scheduled pre-strike: the Boston Celtics at the Knicks, followed by the Miami Heat at the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls at the Los Angeles Lakers.  A new line-up for the remainder of the season will be drafted in the time between now and then.  As was done to accommodate the shortened 1999 season, teams will likely play a compressed schedule, and regular season games will be played through to the end of April.  

Along with pay cuts and seasonal parameters, a myriad of other issues arise under the complete reconstruction of collective bargaining regulation--drug testing, the minimum age and the use of the Development League, and ratification by a simple majority of the 30 teams and a simple majority of the 430-plus players.  In the meantime, two pending lawsuits must be thrown out and the players' union reconvened.  

An area of key concern regarding all of these negotiations, however, is how truly collaborative they are at this level and point in time.  From even a complete outsider's perspective, it seems as though the current decision points were more of a last-stitch shuffle to pacify the public than anything else.  Player representatives appeared less than thrilled with the new developments at the press conference this morning, officials refused to answer any detailed inquiries, and the deal had not yet been shared with key committees.  What baffles a majority of average class citizens is that so much struggle and bad feeling can be precipitated over a difference of 7% in player share of the NBA's profits when the pool of earnings is such an immensely massive sum.  Profit margins may be down to approximately 5%, but the dollar amount still exceeds $183 million.  

Because player greed is a fairly clear incentive to striking, it would seem a positive development if the changes specified will indeed come to fruition.  The NBA's primary goals:  reduced overall spending and promotion of a competitive league-wide balance, have more noble roots than the desire of rich teams to recruit, trade and tax consumers however they may please.  If anyone questioned the bottom-line mentality or purely commercial nature of the NBA before the lock-out and negotiations, let us hope that these few do not still maintain the naive belief that there is more to the organization.

Okay, your turn!  Tell me what you think, and we can really get the ball rolling...Have a fun-filled Saturday night :)  I'm going bowling with some friends (flashback!) and then maybe out for a drink, good way to wrap up a Holiday break.  Here's a Pinterest present that I'm granting to you, readers:  Look for a hilarious/ inspiring/ just plain adorable clip in all of my posts leading up to Christmas!  

Love to you all,

Carli

The South Will Bow Again, and Again If You Ask Nicely…

Southern Culture: Outdated or Classic?

Many believe, and have long felt, that manners and etiquette are dying art forms and only relevant in the pages of history books.  However, if you asked someone living in the south, especially the rural south, the general sentiment would likely be quite different.  After all, the notion of 'ma'am' and 'sir' were practically born in the region, and tradition is not only important to the elderly but ladies and gentleman of all ages, one might say.  Yet, even in the part of America most hell bent on keeping sentimentality and values alive, few can deny the decline of 'politeness'.  

Perhaps this downward trend, as many men and women who remember simpler times have offered, is a direct result of the modern family.  Without home-cooked meals and a steady dose of parental discipline and guidance, children are instead being raised by televisions and on a diet of greasy fast food.  On the other hand, is it truly accurate to attribute these current social problems as a direct factor leading to the detriment of common manners?  Such is the debate.

A significant number of adults in the country think that using the titles of sir and ma'am is derogatory or condescending.  Therefore, their children's behavior is not due to neglect but instead very active parenting.  It would also seem somewhat obvious, but worth mentioning, that not everyone outside of the southern states has an aversion to an Emily Post lifestyle.  Cotillions and debutantes are not obsolete in the North, just less of a mindset and more of a hobby.  In that same vein, it becomes questionable whether stringent manners are built conscientiously or fostered by habit.

Some have made the argument that such strict and formulaic social guideposts are merely a tool by which to sugar coat distasteful opinion.  While this is likely true in certain situations, not everyone who swears by please and thank-you has a hidden agenda.  Repetition, environment, and choice (imagine that) are all reasons aside from the negative assumptions, why people young and old insist on holding doors and never forgetting to send out monogrammed thank you notes.  Perhaps instead of embracing change, we should instead embrace our differences--as it is those individual quirks which are the basis of American culture. 

For more on this topic, see the following article:

Southern Manner on Decline, Some Say

I would love feedback, as I know this is an argument which many of you have strong opinions on!  Happy November--hope everyone had an frightfully good Halloween ;)  In honor of the new month, I would like to take the opportunity to quote Wikipedia:

"It is quite common for some males in Australia, (especially in the city of Melbourne) New Zealand, and New Orleans to sport a moustache during the month of November [...] In the United States, it has recently become known as No-Shave November with growing participation from men and women alike to raise awareness of a variety of charities..."

Highlighted are some of the more humorous portions.  Also, Georgina wants to say hi: 

Xoxo,

CARLI

Presidential Debates for Dummies

With the political debates in full swing, Rick Perry announced as of today that he would not be participating in all of the forthcoming panels.  While this might prove to be a benefit to fellow candidate Mitt Romney, Perry’s team believes that limiting involvement will ultimately prove less detrimental than continuing to be a constant presence.  The notion that a potential candidate can miss a bulk of the sixteen upcoming scheduled debates, and still maintain a strong presence, is by no means iron clad.  Consequently, time will tell if Perry can hang on to a leading position based on other campaigning efforts.

Physically meeting with voters in early election states and other grass roots methods are planned to replace the television spots.  As former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and entrepreneur Herman Cain are both ahead of Perry in current polls for all of those states, a more hands-on approach is perhaps indeed what is necessary for the Texas hopeful to increase his popularity.  Perry’s percentage of support has dropped to a mere 8 percent, according to several public polls, from the beginning of the televised debates.

Leading up to the beginning of the nomination process on January 3, Perry is already beginning to air television advertising spots in Iowa.  Additionally, on the heels of Romney’s online judgment over Perry’s debating style, the Texas governor met with a group of 1,000 Iowa residents at a dinner over the weekend.

End Article.

Now for some more personal commentary…

I still wish Ron Paul was a viable option, because he struck me as the most honest and straightforward candidate.  Quoting msnbc.com,

“Dr. Paul is the leading spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He is known among both his colleagues in Congress and his constituents for his consistent voting record in the House of Representatives: Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Dr. Paul is the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on Capitol Hill.”

Maybe if Perry can come back from an 8 percent share of the pie, Paul can himself emerge from the shadows that the media has once again thrust him into.  As momentum slowly builds and the debates become more contentious, I will be tuning in to see who is slamming whose policies and which hopefuls are continuing to voice the same diatribe; but more importantly, which candidates are rising above this type of behavior.  To quote Missy Elliot: ‘(Y)ou don’t see Bill Gates and Donald Trump arguing over who got mo’ paper’.  Bottom line: negativity and endless argument never accomplished anything.  For a full list of the upcoming debates as well as a limited commentary regarding past debates, visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)_presidential_debates,_2012

HAPPY EARLY HALLOWEEN!  I’ve decided to layer the underside of my costume’s skirt with a feather boa—take that Martha Stewart!  I’ll report back with news on the weekend’s festivities.  Also, Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bailey who had a beautiful reception Saturday evening at the Peabody; much love and happiness J  Goodnight Angels, xoxo.

 In honor of J Simp's having a bun in the oven, (I'm supposed to be Daisy Duke...), I present you with a major throwback.  Enjoy loves.

-Carlos

Occupy fever

With the current status of the economy, it is natural to try and find someone to place the blame on.  An excellent, and sometimes deserving scapegoat lies in the U.S. government, with particular emphasis on one subset of power in any Capitalist society: Big business.  This ever-increasing source of anger and frustration for those middle class, hard working Americans is blatantly apparent in the midst of the current on-going Wall Street protests. 

Occupy Wall Street has shocked the conscience of people from all socioeconomic facets, showing the strength of the human spirit.  The ‘everyman’ is lining up in droves and submitting to long-term uncomfortable conditions.  Backed with no other compensation than the hopes of spreading awareness, this type of large-scale grassroots movement is somewhat unknown within today’s culture.  The momentum and sweeping attention gained over a little less than two weeks is daunting, but will any real results come from all of the hype?

While the past weekend was the biggest turn out in New York and other countries have seen their own burgeoning calls for action, violence and other tensions are also growing.  There is no strong current consensus on what protesters are demanding from the government, as much as an overarching cry for justice and equality among citizens.  One more specific battle cry is coming from the mouths of those upcoming and recent college graduates. 

I myself feel most passionate about the issue of growing college debt, especially as the growth sees no end in sight—nor does the flailing job market.  Further, as scholarships become more sparse, the possibility of attending anywhere apart from one’s state college is becoming less and less of a reality.  America used to be the land where anything could happen; if you could dream it, you could do it, right?  Well, not anymore ladies and gentleman. 

This sentiment seems to resonate with people from all walks of life, and as the cause grows, the most important step is to continue to formulate and strengthen concrete governmental demands.  Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, consistently one of the most impoverished cities in the nation, it is no surprise that an Occupy effort has begun here; however I am also extremely proud that a city so divided can come together in such a harmonious way for something bigger than personal differences.

Having grown up in the midst of so much racial and economic tension, it is refreshing and uplifting to see a movement which is not fueled by hatred, but hope for something better.  College tuition is increasing at twice the rate of inflation and graduates still can’t get jobs to sustain a livlihood, but the CEO of Walmart still makes more in an hour than a family of two living at the poverty line make in a year.  Hard work deserves a pay off, but CEOs are not kings.  We do not live in a monarchy. 

With the recent Schnucks grocery store chain buyout, unemployment rates soar ever higher.  Those who were able to be transferred to Kroger stores have felt the merger as well—one long time Schnucks employee survived the cut only to be demoted $3/ hour and have his weekly hours decreased from 40 to not quite 30.  He has a family of four to support. 

This nation has to quit punishing those who work for a living and those who pay their way through college for a better future, because the powers that be cannot seem to fairly and properly distribute tax dollars.  In a time when accountability is everything, those ‘on top’ have run out of excuses and chances to defer to international affairs and television appearances.  When so many people in the richest and most powerful nation in the world are allowed to suffer by no fault of their own, it seems obvious what priority number one needs to be.

Titles are the WORST!

Hola angels,

Update: I found my Halloween costume kittens!  I am going as a sultry, albeit classy, Snow White.  I had it narrowed down to a Crayola crayon, a girl scout and ole Snow baby, but ‘tickle me pink’ was a tad bland and the ‘Don’t touch my cookies’ title to the classic green uniform with a twist just didn’t seem right…

        

Here’s a pic of what I will be tweaking in order to make this costume custom Carli:

http://www.partycity.com/product/adult+seductive+snow+white+costume.do?sortby=ourPicks&pp=20&size=all

Only the headband and the ‘dress’ minus the red tutu came inside the package (typical, PC), so I will be attempting to hunt down a cheaper pantaloon or perhaps scrap buying one altogether and just neatly staple some red tool into the underside of the yellow skirt.  The gathered nature of the bottom should make this fairly easy.  Contrary to the model’s white knee high spin, I will be wearing some in translucent black which I originally bought in 2006 for a viewing of Rocky Horror Picture Show (recessionista y’all).  Depending on the weather, I have several shoe choices directly from my closet.  Soon to be discussed.

Anyhow, I’m getting way ahead of myself because I have another important fashion purchase to make before H-ween.  I have to get a really hot and preferably flashy new dress for Brook and Frank’s wedding.  After being told that I am not allowed to bring a date, you better believe that I will be looking good and drinking/ dancing up!  Browsing Macy’s ‘Wedding date’ collection online as we speak…I’m thinking either something white or with sequins, both hitting well above the knee.  Hope that’s black tie.  Love ya girl! ;)

I narrowed it down to four online dresses and am going to eventually make it to the store to see if they have them in stock.  I would love if you would tell me your favorite!  I’ll be wearing it at the end of October and then the first of November to one of Chris’ friend’s second weddings, i.e. I don’t know how dressy that will be but the guy took the ‘boys’ to Vegas for his bachelor party so I’m guessing anything goes haha.

        

Dress #1:

MICHAEL Michael Kors Dress, One Shoulder Sequin

$150.00

Light up the night in this metallic-hued sequin dress from MICHAEL Michael Kors!

details

shipping & returns

• Rayon
• Hand wash
• Imported
• One shoulder style; ruching at shoulder
• Pullover style with no closures
• Sleeveless
• Allover sequins
• Unlined
• Hits above knee; approx. 34-1/2 inches long from center back neckline
• Shop the Women's Dress Finder
• Web ID: 584042

size	color	qty
Select Size XS S M L XL  size chart	Dark Camel	1 2 3 4 5 6

         DOS:
http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?fts=sequin+cap+sleeve+cocktail+dress 
(copy/paste this link and the dress is second from the left on the top row)

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Donna Morgan Dress, Cap Sleeve Sequined Cutout Cocktail Dress

$168.00

Tripping the light will be extra fantastic when you're wearing this luminous Donna Morgan dress—the sequins give off a super shimmer.

details

shipping & returns

• Nylon; lining: polyester
• Dry clean
• Imported
• Boat neckline
• Double button closure at back neckline
• Cap sleeves
• Rectangular cutout at back shoulders
• Allover sequins
• Fitted silhouette
• Lined
• Hits above knee; approx. 35 inches long from center back neckline
• Great for cocktail dresses or party dresses
• Shop the Women's Dress Finder
• Web ID: 596302

      TRES:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=604342&CategoryID=5449#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D949

T Tahari Dress, Annette Sleeveless Gathered

$138.00

Sexy and sophisticated, this fitted dress from T Tahari flatters with a gathered front.

details

shipping & returns

• Polyester/elastane
• Dry clean
• Imported
• V-neckline and back
• Concealed back zip closure
• Sleeveless
• Gathering at front
• Lined
• Hits just above knee
• Shop the Women's Dress Finder
• Web ID: 604342

	color
	Black

      CATORCE:


http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=597707&PartnerID=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc=LINKSHARE-_-4-_-37-_-MP437&LinkshareID=neQRQBqOKtQ-FFIWkzBPS4k5QB8N7UIz9w

INC International Concepts Dress, Sleeveless Racerback Sequin Mini

Reg. $99.50
Sale $79.99

Shimmering sequins give INC's mini dress a glamorous look for your evening out! The racerback styling gives this feminine frock an edge.

details

shipping & returns

• Polyester; lining: nylon
• Machine washable
• Imported
• Scoop neckline
• Pullover styling
• Sleeveless; racerback
• Allover sequins
• Fitted silhouette
• Lined
• Hits at thigh; approx. 35 inches long from center back neckline
• only @ macy's!
• Shop the Women's Dress Finder
• INC Trend Report
• Web ID: 597707

	color
	Gold

Let me know, much love!  And no, I didn’t forget…awkward family portrait worthy costume shot... ...numero 2: *love you Bekah boo!*