Categories
designers texas

The deep south is your oyster

When I stumbled upon Pearl Southern Couture I instantly knew that I wanted to feature the brand on Slow Southern Style. Designer Amber Perley was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and graduated from LSU with a degree in apparel design, textiles, and merchandising and a minor in photography. She’s been designing clothing in some capacity since she was a little girl so fashion design was the natural career path for her.

Founded in 2008 the line features “classic pieces that reflect a lifestyle that can only be found south of the Mason-Dixon Line.” Amber draws influence from the rich heritage of the deep south and its unique cities.

From the “hippies in Austin” to the “parties in New Orleans” Pearl Southern Couture offers something for every southern belle. The best part of this line is that all of the collections are designed and manufactured in Dallas.

For a full list of retailers click here.

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Categories
i heart southern style

She’s into parties

 What’s a party without pictures? I can’t believe that it has already been a week since I Heart Southern Style took place.


Scott and I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out and it seemed like everyone had a blast. This was our first event and it went off without a hitch. Much love goes to everyone who helped promote, we had a great turnout and couldn’t have done it without your support!





Those Cordina Mar-GO-ritas really hit the spot! If you aren’t familiar with the product think Capri Sun but for adults.  Of course we also had Dorsey from Bayou Teche Brewery on hand to talk about his great beer. Sis, hubbie and I managed to sample both. 
I’d also like to point out that I am taller than my sister. When you’re 5’1 you have to revel in these small (no pun intented) height victories.  😛








Megaphone NOLA  performed, which really added a fun element to the evening. These guys were hilarious and they also teach improv classes so check them out if you think you want to be a wise guy (or girl).







What a good lookin’ group!





Ashe of Dramatis Personae and her boyfriend Garren





I spot Scoop Adventures in that crowd!


I also have to give huge thanks to the vendors and door prize sponsors. Everyone had a great time perusing the individual designers and local shops wares. Another big thanks goes to Chris and Anne of Skip n’ Whistle for providing the space and Webb’s Bywater Music for renting out the PA equipment.








We were also treated to the very first performance of The Breton Sound. Big thanks to DJ Eugene of Action Action Reaction for spinning before, during and after the comedy and band.





Me and one of my best lady friends, Leslie. She’s not only a fantastic friend but also runs Eatventful, NOLA EatsBeauty Unmade and has two of the cutest kids you’ll ever see. 





Here I am with Elijah and Melvet from Buffalo Exchange. Ladies and gents these guys know how to pick out an outfit! Go see them for some sartorial advice.


Of course what sort of fashion writer would I be if I didn’t talk about what I wore?





I purchased the Ark & Co dress especially for this event from Funky Monkey. The platform heels are Tory Burch. I got my hair did the day of from Nicole at Twisted Salon. My hair never looks this good, wish I could have her do it everyday for me!  Note that I’m keepin’ it classy with that garbage can right behind me. Can’t get too high and mighty now.







For even more pictures from the event, taken by the lovely Julia Pretus,  visit the album here.

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Categories
events news

Slow Southern News

Scene Magazine is having a film and fashion party at Rubenstein’s on Wednesday, October 13th from 6:00-11:00pm. Drinks provided by Old New Orleans rum.

Yvonne LaFleur is celebrating her 41st anniversary at her Hampson St. store on Thursday, Oct. 14th from 5-8pm.

Eiffel Society is playing host to Petcetera and the Humane Society of Louisiana’s Bad to the Bone: Rescued on the Runway. The event features a fashion show with adoptable dogs, including food and a costume contest. Everything takes place on Saturday, October 16th from 6-9:30pm.  $20 at the door, or $15 in advance. More info can be found on Petcetera’s website.

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Categories
hammond northshore saints

Ruby: The Jewel of Hammond

For those of y’all on the North shore that complain about lack of places to shop you obviously haven’t been to Ruby.

Laura-Lea Reid opened Ruby on November 4th, 2003 as “the downtown original” in Hammond, Louisiana.
Ruby’s specialty is women’s denim including brands like Citizens of Humanity, Joes, and James. Other brands include Alternative Apparel, Dish, Ben Sherman, and Niven Morgan.

This is also the only place in Louisiana to purchase Billy Reid. In case you’ve been hiding out in summer humidity  hibernation Billy Reid, Laura’s brother, won GQ’s best new menswear designer in America and also has a new line of workwear for Levi’s .

Laura Lea is in the shop almost every day and you’ll  find her pouring mimosas for old friends and new customers alike. Shopping at Ruby feels less like  just buying clothes, more like hanging out with good friends that happen to stock the cutest clothes in town. Bonus points that you can have your jeans hemmed through their seamstress service, and the turnaround time is often just a couple of hours!

Every week Ruby releases a new custom designed game day tee and coming November 1st a collector’s edition wood box set will be available for sale! A limited number of four new Saints designs will be presented in a custom made wood box with handwritten tags.

 Keep up with Ruby on Facebook and Twitter for special deals and new items. Laura Lea often runs great deals on her jeans, including $50 off if you bring in an old pair!

111 E. Thomas Rd.
Hammond, LA 70401
(985)345-4745

Mon-Fri. 11am-6pm
Saturday 11am-4pm
Opens at 10:00am on Saints game days
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Categories
mannequin mondays

Mannequin Mondays

This weeks Mannequin Monday features yet another Magazine St. boutique, Ah-ha. The shop is run by the daughters of the Rubenstein family but the ladies don’t advertise and have no online presence aside from online reviews.

 Instead they rely on their great location, word of mouth, and make good use of the big, wrap around windows. I used to live just two blocks from the store and I’d always get lured in by the consistently great displays. On a dinner date to the Rum House and Sucre this past weekend their displays did again and I had to stop and inspect each and every one. This white dress with a red wrap and bold accessories certainly shows how to take a summer dress, make it fall appropriate, and look great doing it all at once.

Ah ha
3129 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504)269-2442
Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm
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Categories
cajun etsy fleur de lis gulf coast jewelry

Charmed by a Cajun

It’s been a while since I’ve done an interview but I’ve found some new names so get ready to get reacquainted! 


Laurie Rials is the owner of Cajunville, an online store that caters to brides looking for southern belle flourishes as well as jewelry lovers that appreciate icons of the Gulf Coast region. 
Tell us a little bit about where you are from and what you do.


I am a Cajun from south Louisiana. I now live part time in New Orleans in the French Quarter. I design, make, and sell jewelry and other items with a mainly Louisiana theme, primarily working with pewter charms and beads. I began my business in 2001 as “Laurie’s Lagniappe”. Even though I no longer use that name, my philosophy remains the same. In French, Lagniappe means “something extra” and that is what my pieces offer, something extra whether it is for home, for personal use, or for a gift. It is the something extra that makes an occasion special or makes one feel special.


Camping Trailer Pewter Earrings Camping trailer earrings

You are obviously very influenced by Louisiana culture, particularly the Gulf of Mexico. What is it about Louisiana that makes you want to incorporate these elements into your designs?


As I said, I am Cajun and proud of our culture and state.  The Gulf of Mexico is an integral part of our culture and livelihood as is the Fleur de Lis and Mardi Gras.  I want to bring Louisiana and our love of life to other parts of the country and world.


Louisiana Gulf Coast Stem Glass Markers 
Louisiana Gulf Coast wine stem charms

What is your customer typically looking for? I noticed that you cater to wedding parties.


Most customers are looking for Fleur de Lis items.  The Fleur de Lis has long been associated with Louisiana and since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; the Fleur de Lis has been a symbol of hope and rebirth.  The Fleur de Lis is an official symbol of Louisiana and its popularity continues to increase.

One of the items I make is stem glass markers or wine charms and they are perfect for wedding favors.  I also make candle rings that can be used on unity candles.  Cake pulls are becoming popular again and I have various themes.  I customize all these items to the wedding colors and themes.



New Orleans Louisiana Antiqued Fleur de Lis Lily Pin New Orleans antiqued fleur de lis pin

Besides making jewelry what are your other hobbies?


RVing, cooking, dancing and reading are things I enjoy when not making jewelry.  My husband and I are avid RVers and enjoy traveling and experiencing other areas and cultures.  We also enjoy cooking and making dishes Cajun.  We shop farmers markets in areas we visit, purchasing local items and cooking them Cajun.


Gulf Coast Wildlife Charm Bracelet Gulf Coast wildlife charm bracelet

Define southern style.


Southern style is not what you wear; it is how you wear an outfit.  The simplest outfit becomes elegant by adding the finishing touch, whether it is a brooch, scarf, or pendant.  It is the Lagniappe and that is how I look at my pieces.  They are the extras that give an outfit a personal touch, make the wearer feel special and have the grace and charm of the south.

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Categories
i heart southern style

Door prizes and the free ticket winner!

So I HEART SOUTHERN STYLE is just a few days away. Scott and I have put a lot of effort into this, meeting almost every week for the past month and a half to hash out the details. We’ve rounded up the entertainment, the vendors, and most importantly, the alcohol. Now that the launch party is almost here I’m starting to wonder what I will do with all of my free time afterwards!

As mentioned previously all attendees will be entered to win door prizes. When you get your numbered wristband for drinks you’ll be entered into the door prize raffle.

Ruby– Saints t-shirts
Tattooagogo– Shop shirts
Ruffian Swap– 2 swap bags and free admission to an event
Eatventful– free admission to an event
Buffalo Exchange– gift cards
Swap Boutique– gift cards

And big congrats to the free ticket winner Liz Beeson! Your name was chosen randomly by my very scientific method of writing names on crumpled up old receipts and picking one. You and a friend will be on the guest list for the evening.

Tickets are $10 at the door but only $5 if you buy in advance through the I Heart NOLA shop.

 I hope to see everyone out at The Factory (next to the Maple Leaf) on October 7th!

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Categories
mannequin mondays

Mannequin Mondays

So as y’all have probably noticed I’m fairly consistent in my inconsistency. I haven’t posted a Mannequin Monday in quite a while but after reading this sweet post on Hattie Spark’s A Moment of Forever blog about how Mannequin Mondays are her favorite posts I’ve decided to try to do these more often.
That said this was taken at Hemline on Magazine St. 
I love the crane blouse on the right, which reminds me of the Prada pieces that featured cats and swallows. The open, drapey cardigan on the left is still a hit from last fall since it is so chic and easy to wear. This is a perfect piece for the south since the weather changes so much in the course of the day. Wear one with a tank top now, then layer it up under a jacket when it gets even cooler.

Hemline
3308 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 269-4005

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Categories
men's shoefty shoes

Quality versus. Quantity

I consider myself a pretty decent wife. I cook, clean (sometimes), play property manager, get the dog walked and the errands run. I don’t keep all the fun stuff so he gets the honors of makin’ groceries since I hate doing it. Overall we split up the things we do to pretend like we are grownups pretty fairly. 


 One thing I’m always on duty for is keeping an eye out for great clothing and shoe purchases. He certainly is a quality over quantity kind of guy and definitely has a way better shoe collection than me. So naturally I get a kick out of bringing home things I know he will love. I recently found two perfect, never been worn pairs via secondhand which makes me a pretty damn good partner.



I love the Freeplay Range from J Shoes, available at Shoefty. These are perfect for slipping on with shorts and would look great with cords in when the temperature dips a little.

J Shoes feature handstitching, which just means they will get better with wear. I love the striped ribbon detailing in the inside. 
I also purchased these boots by Heutchy.  Shoefty is the only stockist in town, unless you are lucky enough to find them at Buffalo Exchange. I love the detailed stitching and the heel is the perfect height.

The textural contrast of the suede and smooth leather makes for a versatile boot. These will go well with jeans or dress pants.
Shoefty
6071 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 896-8737
3312 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504)891-7443
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Categories
i heart southern style

I Heart Southern Style vendor list!

I am really excited to announce the vendors that will be showcasing their merchandise at  I HEART SOUTHERN STYLE next Thursday! It is one thing to share individuals and store’s wares with y’all online, but even more satisfying to make them available to peruse (and buy) in person! Here they are, in no particular order.

Swap Boutique– Designer consignment store on Maple St. They are getting ready to open a kids store next to the original location and will have items from both stores available at the event.

Miss Malaprop– Handmade, eco friendly fabulous finds ranging from locally made soap, jewelry, cards, etc…

Nifty Thrifty Owl– Fun, hand selected quality vintage items

Elle Dee NOLA– Handmade earrings from vintage Mardi Gras beads, jewelry stands from upcycled vintage dessert plates

Sofi Akhala– Oyster shell pendant necklaces, handmade jewelry

Branch Out– Eco friendly store in the new “Green District” on Magazine St. featuring guys and girls clothing and accessories

Skip n’ Whistle– T-shirt shop on Oak St. carrying a wide variety of designs, in addition to men’s and women’s clothing

Jolie & Elizabeth Adorable dresses, skirts, and more from two New Orleans natives

Door prizes will be announced next week so stay tuned! Also don’t forget to RSVP  Tickets are still only $5 in advance through the I heart NOLA shop but you can enter to win free tickets here!

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