My Superman

Lately I've been gathering things for inspiration to start the new line of Olde Alice. I have most of the ribbon and some of the fabric for my half of the new line (Emily will do the other part, and honestly I have no clue what she is going to do.. all I know is she has a lot of rope she is working with) that I bought at Tensil Trading. Now it's just a matter of sitting down and doing it. But I thought I would share a bit of things that inspire me. Mostly pictures.. though music and strangely 'So You Think You Can Dance'.

Electropop!

I'm back from New York! Have been actually for about a week, but I just haven't had time to post. My summer plans entail being a cheerleading camp instructor for FCC so I have been doing nothing but cheerleading since my return. Anyways.. about our time in New York. It was of course FABULOUS. We flew up last Wednesday and came home Saturday. Emily was sick :( but she toughed through it. I knew something had to be wrong when she sat down in Juicy! So we sent her to the hotel room to sleep, and in the morning she was better. We shopped in all the typical places, 5th, Madison, Lexington, SoHo, etc... saw plays- Shreck and the Marvelous Wonderettes, and dinned at places including the Russian Tea Room, and Serendipity. We found this adorable tea place called Alice's Tea Room (I mean c'mon, an Alice themed tea room?!?!!!!) but the wait was over an hour and half and Emily was starving. So it's on our list for next year. Thanks to Kelly from Moon and Lola, we were told about this extraordinary vintage ribbon, tassel, fabric, etc shop called Tinsel Trading in the Meatpacking District. Needless to say, we came out with many goodies for Olde Alice. Me and Emily are working on a new collection and hopefully it will be ready by mid June. If you're interested and want to know more, feel free to email me! Well I hope that everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend.. we went against the trend and headed to the mountains instead of the beach.
Be Well! xx Rachael

Me and Emily after Shreck
I'm wearing Lily and I'm not sure of Emily's dress label, but her killer jade earings are KJL.



Me and Emily at Serendipity
I'm wearing an Anthro Teal shirt with Design History Sweater and Kate Spade Owl Necklace. Emily is wearing Anthro Shirt and Moon and Lola Earings

Why I Am

Brand Plug:

Whitley Kros
A self proclaimed gypsy child, her clothes absolutely reflect that. She designs out of LA and showed her collection at LA Fashion Week. Some celebrity fans include Blake Lively, Kate Hudson, Taylor Momsen, Rumer WIllis, and Taylor Swift.

Here's some pictures of the latest....





The Raleigh Cardigan.. I had to.

All Along the Watchtower

Quick post, lot's of pictures. This shoot comes from US Vouge December 2003.. In case you were unaware, my obsession with Alice in Wonderland is growing vaster by the day. I think I will have to get this editorial blown up to put in my apartment. Not joking.

Be Well xx Rachael

Barnacles

I will do anything right now to avoid writing my Religion Final. And I mean ANYTHING. I've relocated writing places, facebooked, texted, and still, I only have three paragraphs. Good job, Rach, good job. So I thought I might do a band plug here.. Along with being completely obsessed with fashion, I'm also totally into music. So much so, I got my iTunes privileges taken away earlier this year.. yeah, it was bad. But the band I'm choosing to tell you all about right now is Ugly Casanova. I picked them because I feel like probably not a lot of yall have heard about them and I feel I need to broaden my reader's (all 3 of you) horizons. So Ugly Casanova.. The lead singer is also a member of Modest Mouse. He started the band and use to sneak around playing small shows. The band got signed by SubPop and since then it's been magic. The nature of their music is more raw than Modest Mouse, something you would picture being played in the background of a druggie's life. So if you're into the type of thing that isn't average, music that speaks to people, or just someone making art for themselves, then this is probably for you. Who knows, just give them a try and see if you like it.. Don't worry I won't be offended if you don't. That's the beauty of art.

Tracks to check out: Barnacles, Cat Faces, Parasites



Be Well! xxRachael

Zero

I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long.. It's finals and I have been preoccupied with studying and finding ways around not studying. Me and Emily are going to New York next week for a few days.. just gonna shop, see plays, and soak up the city. Not too much has been going on. I've become obsessed with Beach Music and seek out beach music concerts to go to at least once a week. Something about the warm weather and the end of school. Um....... I promise I'll come up with something more interesting when all my exams are done. So until then I'll just leave you with a picture of tonight's episode of Gossip Girl.

Whatever could Georgina and Chuck be talking about?

Funny How It Is

Few quick things...
First: Brand Plug. Agh I have loved Stretsis ('sisters' spelled backwards) since the first time I saw Bridgit on Fashionista diaries walk into her interview with Seventh House PR firm in an adorable frock with glasses printed in the pocket. I had honestly kinda forgotten about them till the other day when they popped in my mind. And thank God they did. Their new collection for S/S 09 titled, "Rebellious Sweethearts" is the perfect culmination of girly and geeky. In short, I AM IN LOVE. So I pretty much just wanted to put in a quick plug for them.
Second: I'm trying to get better about documenting the things I wear, and I happened to take a picture (another myspace style) of what I wore on Sunday. This time, with a camera phone. I know.. ridiculous. But the dress I'm wearing is really cool... it's reversible. The other side of the dress has three giant monarch butterflies printed on it. I'm not entirely sure who the dress is by, since I haven't been able to locate the label yet. But when I figure it out, I'll be sure to post.
Well I hope that you all have a wonderful week, I know I will with Dave Matthews coming on Wednesday!
Be Well xx Rachael

STRETSIS S/S 09 Collection




??? Dress, Nine West Shoes, KJL Bangle

Back to Tennessee

Well I'm blogging from Religion class right now.. I know, sneaky. I had to upload pictures from my camera during class too so basically I'm a pro at not paying attention. Anywayssss..... Hope everyone had a fab Easter. Me and Emily went to Hilton Head Island for a little beach and Lily Pulitzer time. We drove down with my mom on Thursday night (she got a speeding ticket) then me and Em drove home on Monday. Of course when we saw a sign in Lumberton for a Western Cowboy Shop RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY, we had to stop. The owner greeted us with a friendly, "Hey Cowgirls" and helped direct Emily to her first pair of Cowboy boots. Thank God, now she can stop wearing mine!!
So yesterday I woke up all early and everything to go to class and what happened...? It was CANCELED. Ugh made me so mad, I could of been at the beach for an extra day! It monsooned here yesterday as well which sent me and Em to the movies to see Fast and Furious. We already say the Hannah Montana movie and LOVED IT.... ah it only confirmed my thoughts of moving to Tennessee the DAY AFTER graduation. Now I think I have Emily on board with me. But anyways.. yesterday was dull overall. Pretty much this whole week is supposed to be uneventful until Saturday when it's supposed to be 78 outside. YAYYYY!!!!!
I hope everyone is having a great HUMP DAY!!
Be Well! xxRachael

Sorry for the "myspace" type pictures but it's all I could do yesterday. Wearing a Juicy dress, Lux Grey Sweater, Leopard Print Skinny Belt from J.Crew, and Vintage Cowboy Boots. Jewelry: Earrings by Moon and Lola, Massive Orange ring KJL, Bangles (back to front) KJL, No name from Charlottes, Vintage



Me and Emily in Hilton Head on Easter Sunday wearing our Lily dresses.

Mandolin Rain

It's been a while since I posted last. I'm sorry... things have been CRAZY. So I'll do a quick update... Reader's Digest Style. School=Hard. Classes are winding down (Less than a month left!!!) And teachers LOVE to give you lots of exams all the same day. Then the weekend consisted of birthday parties for a friend, a little outside shopping where I bought an AH-MAY-ZING pair of Frye sandals (picture below) then on to my brother's school play. It was their rendition of Music Man. Then on the the Farmhouse for a little chill music and some Final Four action. On Sunday I played around with some crafts and made this bracelet with the bow. It's seersucker.. blue and yellow and frayed on the edges. I'm currently obsessed with it. I made two... both just practices. Me and the rooms (Emily) make headbands with vintage adornments. Our company is Olde Alice. Very appropriate since we are both obsessed with Alice in Wonderland. Emily is taking pictures of the headbands real soon and when she does, I'll post some pictures. Email me if you're interested in them.. they are all for sale. And i guess the bracelets are as well.

Bracelet!!



Farmhouse Band

Frye Sandals


Well I hope everyone is getting all pumped for Easter!!!!
Be Well!
xx Rachael

When the Sun Goes Down in Georgia

I hate Mondays. Morning comes to early, and it seems like there are just no breaks with my class schedule this semester. And so naturally on a Monday I would have writers block and be frustrated by even the smallest of inconsequential things. Things like finishing drawing store layouts for my Visual Merch class, or the fact I had to show my ID when I picked up my delivered food. Needless to say, I've been rather pleasant tonight. *Sarcasm* And the most frustrating thing is that no one else seems to be having a creative slump like me. So this post may be less than up to par. But I like to try and find positives in things and at least it was sunny outside, and Greek and Gossip Girl came on tonight. And I wore a cute outfit to school. J.Crew Cafe Chino's, a Black Ruffle sweater kinda like the one pictured here just with sleeves, and a black 2x1 sheen fabric shirt underneath. But the most perfect part of the outfit was this ridiculously cute barrette that my fabulous roommate Emily has. I am constantly 'borrowing' her clothes and accessories and when she goes home for the summer I have no clue what I'm gonna do. Now that makes it sound like I'm using her for her stuff, which I'm not...totally. She is a great roommate and an awesome best friend. (See Em, I mentioned you). Oh the Barrette is by Cära and she got it at Nordstrom.




I'm getting my hair done tomorrow so my brown curly locks will hopefully be blonde ones. I'll let you know how it goes.
Be Well! xxRachael

L.E.S. Artistes

Over Christmas break I was asked to make a masquerade mask for the Diabetes Association Gala that would be held in February at the Duke Washington Inn, in Durham. I was pretty excited about this opportunity, especially since Nicholas Sparks would be signing my mask. I chose a Nights in Rodanthe theme and named the mask Adrienne. When I got back to school I turned my mask in to the head of the Fashion Department (my dear friend Dr. Ellis) and she was so excited and proud that there on the spot she handed me another. She told me I had free range and that Alexander Julian (a menswear designer out of Chapel Hill) would be signing it. So I thought for weeks and probably dissembled the mask three times before I was happy with the final product. Well she loved that one as well. Alexander loved it. I loved it. The time comes for the Gala and mine were auctioned off for $250 and $150. All the proceeds went to ADA and everyone was very excited. I told Dr. Ellis I would be more than happy to do a mask for her the following year and she said she would remember me. So today when after my Visual Merchandising class she asked me to do another mask for next year. I was thinking to myself this is quite a bit earlier than the previous year but sure I would love to. She then mentioned I would be making the mask ELLIE SAAB would be signing. I stood frozen with my mouth wide open. ELLIE SAAB?!?!??!?!?!??! Oh. MY. GOODNESS. So for all you other fashion junkies, please revel with me in this moment. My own mother, who I called screaming said, "Oh that's nice, who is Ellie Saab?" I could of killed her. Joking, but it kinda brought me down a few levels when she couldn't relate who this master of all evening wear was.

Below I have included pictures of the masks from this past year... Nicholas Sparks and Alexander Julian. If you have any suggestions as to what the Ellie Saab should look like, I would love to hear them!!




The Blue Mask is for Nights.. It's covered in sand then has moss, sea glass, shells, coconuts, and various crystals. At the top is a crete paper flower, and various feathers. On the sides are cascading ribbons.

The Pink Mask is for Alexander. It is covered in tissue paper at the bottom and Styrofoam flowers. There are crystals, rosettes, vintage broaches, and broken china pieces on it. The top has a cluster of feathers, and a paper painted flower.

Be Well!! xxRachael

Our First Dance

I've recently become a bit of a blog loving FREAK. I have about 10 blogs I MUST read religiously, and believe me, I check them multiple times a day. So with this new fascination regarding what other Fashion Junkies were seeing and writing about, I became a little jealous. I thought to myself, I could so do this... So the past few weeks I have been researching what kinds of blogs are popular, what are these people posting about, and what makes them stand out. I realized through my research that there just aren't blogs about Southern Fashion out there. I mean I'm sure there are, but I just couldn't find any. I love all things avant garde and ridiculous but sometimes I find myself saying "Raleigh is not ready for that". Now don't get me wrong, I am an envelope pusher. Frequently people question my fashion statements because they are just that: statements. Therefore my mission here is showing my fellow Southeners some things they wouldn't necessarily pick out or put together. I want to broaden your horizons. If you don't like it, that's straight.

Here are the Five Things that currently I don't think I can live without:

1. Locavore Nail Polish from Rescue Beauty Lounge... I ordered this the other day from the website and I never want to take it off. I'm known at the Nail Salon as the grown up girl that likes the little girl colors. But this perfect mix of green gold and purple GLITTER is just not something I can say no to... Ever.


2. The New KJL Accessories... specifically these three items. KJL has always been a fav- especially since my roomie works at a boutique where they carry KJL, I get to cash in on her discount (!!!) But they have really stepped things up. I see them taking this new bohemian direction with some of their pieces for Spring and I could not be a bigger fan. I must order all of these pieces as soon as I recover from my last trip to Nordstrom.




3. I've never really been a huge fan of orange but recently it's been growing on me. Maybe my days at the tanning bed are paying off, so the color doesn't look absolutely disgusting on me, but I can see the two of us quickly becoming friends. I feel l need to add this Metallic Silk Mini from J.Crew to my Spring Wardrobe.


4. Maybe it's my latest craze about Friday Night Lights (the TV show) or the fact that I've really been craving Dallas lately, but All Things Texas makes the list currently. I just want every day to emulate the Texan style. Everything from the BIG BLONDE HAIR to the Cowboy boots, I feel like I must do. Maybe I'm really just waiting for Tim Riggins to step out of my TV and tell me how cute I look in my dress. (Lucky Lila Garady)

5. Marc Jacobs Purple and Gold 'Mackenzie' Quilted Bag. I first saw this bag when I was looking through the new Nordstrom catalog and instantly fell.in.love. I want want want it. It's rediculous, obnoxious, and way too expensive for my poor college student budget, but I long for it. It's unpredictable. And I really don't see that many people willing to put the absolute unconditional love into it that I would. That makes me want it more. And I guess it does support those Pirates....


Well that's all for now.. But I look forward to updating!!!
Be Well xxRachael