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