Fashion Week Finale Series-Sunday

So, New York Fashion Week is over.  Another week of clothes, jewelry, makeup, and overall fashion craziness is gone until the fall fashions are shown during the NYC Spring Fashion Week.  BUT I have a treat.  Each day this week I am going to feature a Runway Ready look for everyday, occasions, work, etc. that will feature both exclusive designers and affordable designers, as well as everyday staple pieces that can be found everywhere.  Also, each look will feature handpicked selections from my Chloe + Isabel by Kristy collection.  Here is the first Runway Ready look for you!

Since today is Sunday, and here in the South we always dress up for church, football, everyday really.  I wanted to do a special fall runway ready look that can work for Sundays out, church, work, or whenever you want to get dressed up.

This look features a gorgeous neutral Alice + Olivia dress and Valentino shoes and bag.  For the makeup, I chose to go with MAC, Marc Jacobs, and Dior for berry and neutral colors--VERY HOT for fall.  The necklace featured is the Color Code Plum Three Row necklace from Chloe + Isabel's Fall Botanica Collection.  The ring is also from the C+I fall collection and is the Le Rococo Statement Ring in the gorgeous plum/berry color.  The earrings are a great everyday essential--the Pave Hexagon Hoops.  These complement the statement ring and statement necklace without going too overboard in the jewelry department.

This first Runway Ready collection is to die for and will be a hit anywhere you decide to go this fall.  For more information on the jewelry featured visit Chloe + Isabel by Kristy.

Q & A with Hadley Hartz, a True 'Southern Belle'

One of my favorite reality shows that I've seen was the show Southern Belles: Louisville that aired on SOAPNet in the summer of 2009.  I loved it because it was filmed in Louisville (my second home and where my mother-in-law & sister-in-law live) and because it seemed so much more real than shows like the Real Housewives series and similar shows.  If you watch the show, you can tell that the girls are all very real and are great people.
After starting my 2nd master's degree this year, In one of my classes we were asked to do a Q & A interview.  I thought about who I could interview, and one of the first people who came to mind was Hadley Hartz from the show.  I knew she had started her own fashion blog recently, and I thought she would be the perfect person to interview.  I wasn't sure if she would be able to do an interview with her busy schedule, but I was so surprised and thrilled when I got an email back immediately saying she'd love to!  So we set up a time to talk and here is the awesome interview I did with Hadley, and I can say that she is awesome, too! And here is the interview!  Enjoy!

A few years ago Hadley Hartz was just a regular girl in Louisville, Ky.   She was working as a personal assistant for a local film producer when she was given the opportunity of a lifetime.  She was asked to be one of the stars of the show “Southern Belles:  Louisville” along with Kellie Frey, Shea Johnson, Emily Gimmell, and Julie Smith.  When the show ended in June 2009, Hartz had been able to discover what she wanted in life through her opportunities on the show.  Now a professor at Jefferson Community and Technical College, the 29-year-old has expanded her resume to include fashion and beauty blogger.  The blog is called Hadley’s Reality, and through it Hartz has seen even more doors open for her.

Q.  How did you end up as one of the cast members of the SOAPNet reality show, “Southern Belles: Louisville”?

A.  While the show was holding casting calls here in Louisville, my boss and I went out with one of the show’s producers, and he made the comment that I should have my own TV show.  A few months later, he called and said that ABC/Disney wanted me for the show, and I thought he was joking.  I was so surprised!  I did the interview with them and was added to the show.

Q.  What was your experience as part of the cast of a reality show?

A.  It was actually a lot different than I expected it to be.  It was not as intrusive as I thought.  They just asked what they could film each day, and they pretty much stuck with that.  Filming did take a little longer than I thought it would at 8 months, but it was a great experience.

Q.  Do you still keep in touch with the girls from the show?

A.  Definitely.  In fact, I just had lunch with Kellie the other day.  I see Emily a lot, too.  Julie moved to LA, so I don’t get to see her anymore, but Shea, Kellie, Emily and I are still here in Louisville.

Q.  How has your life changed since the show?

A.  Being on the show actually opened up a lot of doors for me.  It was interesting to see yourself on TV through a different set of eyes.  I finally saw that I wanted to pursue teaching, and it helped me realize what I really wanted in life, especially in a man.  Now, I’ve got a really great guy, and I love him.

Q.  How did the show help you decide to start your blog Hadley’s Reality?

A.  Being on the show helped me become better known here in Louisville and in other areas, too.  I was constantly getting questions about what I wore on the show, my makeup on the show, and things like that.  Eventually, I thought that instead of just constantly answering questions individually, I would make a website so that everyone could see what they needed.

Q.  You always have really great fashion finds on your blog.  How do you determine which ones you want to post on there?

A.  Believe it or not, it’s actually pretty random.  I love finding the great discounts at the vintage and thrift stores, so I’m always excited to share a great deal with everyone.  I think there is an art to vintage shopping and I love sharing that with everyone.

Q.  Do you enjoy shopping at the vintage and thrift stores more than department stores and boutiques?

A.  Absolutely.  The other stores are great, but for the price tag, I think about how many clothes I could have at a vintage store.  I remember buying a dress for the show that was around $500, which is probably the most expensive outfit I own.  I always look at it and think about how many other things I could have gotten.

Q.  What are your favorite fashion items to shop for?

A.  Purses would be number one.  You can get a great leather purse for around $4 at a vintage store, and if you bought the same one in a department store you’d pay $50 or more.   The items I’d pick next would probably be belts, long skirts, and high-waisted pants.

Q.  What would you say your favorite outfit is?

A.  My maxi dresses are my favorite because they are a whole outfit by themselves.  You can dress them up or down, and they go so easily from summer to fall with the right accessories.

Q.  You also blog about makeup and beauty products.  What are your favorites in those?

A.  I love having a tan, and I always go for the faux tan instead of tanning beds.  I used to go to a local tanning salon and get the spray tan, but then I discovered a product by L’Oreal that is a gel tanning product that is great.  For makeup, I am in love with Bobbi Brown products.

Q.  What is your day-to-day makeup routine, and how do you switch it up for nights out?

A.  There is actually a huge difference from what I wear to work and when I go out.  At work, I normally don’t wear much makeup, and my hair is usually up.  I want to make sure I look clean and sophisticated since I teach at a college. But at night, I go all out.  I usually wear my hair down and curled, and I always make sure to put on great makeup.

Q. What are your top fashion and beauty tips?

A.  Definitely number one is dress for your body type.  We all can’t wear the latest fashions, and we shouldn’t try.   If it looks good on you, then wear it.  If not, don’t.  Also, always wear heels to look taller and thinner.  And when you are taking pictures, always do a “skinny arm” pose.  Put your hand on your waist or hip where your arm is away from your body.  You’ll look thinner all over.

Q.  You obviously love fashion and beauty.  Do you think that you will ever pursue a career in beauty and fashion instead of teaching?

A.  I love teaching, but teaching doesn’t necessarily let you make big bucks.  I’ve always wanted to open up my own vintage store like the ones I shop at on Bardstown road here in Louisville, but I’ve always been nervous about it.  But recently, someone approached me about starting my own purse line, so I’ll be working on that soon.

Q.  That sounds like a great opportunity.  Have you gotten started on the purse line?

A.  I actually already decided on a name for it—Haute Little Mess.  I am planning on selling them locally in Louisville first, then branching out online, and finally my own store.  I’m really exited about it.

Q.  Do you have any final tips for other fashion and beauty bloggers?

A.  I see so many blogs where people write what it seems like they think other people want to hear, but I find that if I’m truthful about everything I write, people enjoy reading the post more.  Be true to yourself, and you’ll definitely be successful.

Thanks so much again to Hadley for letting me do the interview!  Good luck with Hadley's Reality & Haute Little Mess!

Ready, Set...POSE!

Do you ever wish that you could window shop from your phone?  Ok, technically you can do that by just browsing the Saks or Neiman Marcus website on your phone.  But what if you could go shopping with your girlfriends in NYC or LA while you are in Nowhere, Noplace and normally shop at Bob's department store?  Or just simply see if someone agrees with your opinion on an outfit or accessory before you make the mistake of purchasing something you will regret later?

Well, in the age of social media technology, you can.  No, this isn't a new Facebook game or a trending tweet.  It is a unique iPhone app with the appropriate name of Pose.  It is a photo based fashion app where you can share stylish finds, fashion, beauty, & more with tons of friends.

So how do you Pose?  It's easy!  You sign up for an account, then you can start snapping photos of your fashion & beauty finds, and you upload them to share with your network, which can include other people on Pose as well as your Facebook & Twitter friends.  You can also just keep them private if you want to keep a record of your purchases or wish-list items.  Once you share the item, it has its own page where friends on Pose can "love it" by pressing the little heart on the screen or share it via Twitter, Facebook, or email.

The interface is great and is quite stylish itself & you can see your current feed, which includes your network of Pose friends.  You can also touch to discover which will lead you to either Posers (the most stylish shoppers handpicked by Pose), popular poses, and featured poses based on the recent poses you have "loved".

Pose seems to be a mix of a photo-based twitter mixed with Foursquare since you can actually post the

store name, brand, item, & even price, which are pulled based on your location using the iPhone location tracking.

The only downfall to this is that many retail stores, especially the high end ones such as Louis Vuitton &Dior, discourage taking photos & have been known to ask you for your camera or phone until you are finished shopping.  This might not be as big of a problem when it comes to clothes, since you can snap a pic in the dressing room mirror.  But I don't see this issue getting too out of hand; in fact, I'm sure many stores will end up using it to their advantage.  So head on over to the App Store & start Posing!

Disclaimer:  The above app was downloaded by me for my own personal use.  I am not affiliated with Pose, Apple, or any other companies mentioned.

Jelly Pedi? Yes, Please!

It’s no secret that we ladies love to be pampered, and one way that we enjoy doing this is to get pedicures.

Every woman deserves to treat themselves to a relaxing pedicure every once in a while, right?  Right!

Normally the pedicure experience involves a very relaxing massage chair, warm bubbly water, and maybe some aromatherapy or your own private pedicure room with ambient light.  So relaxing and wonderful!  But, what if I told you that there is an even more relaxing pedicure that is becoming popular in salons across the country?  That’s right, ladies, the newest pedicure rage is the oh-so-relaxing jelly pedi!

Let me explain exactly what a jelly pedi is…

A jelly pedi creates a truly luxurious pedicure experience by transforming the warm water into a soft, translucent, fluffy jelly that will melt all of your daily stress away.

The mixture is made of natural plant oils that, when added to the hot or warm water, create a smooth gelatinous mixture that will send a thousand sensations of luxury through your toes & soles.

The essential oils, aloe vera, and light fragrance will melt the stress and anxiety away while removing toxins and stimulating blood circulation to relax your muscles.  How wonderful is that!

Having experienced the luxury of a jelly pedi myself, I can attest to the fact that it is one of the most relaxing experiences I’ve had, and it was well worth the few extra bucks to get that instead of my regular pedicure.  Want to experience the latest rage among Hollywood’s leading ladies and experience the most fabulous treatment ever for your feet?  Check with your local salon and ask for a jelly pedi!





FTC Disclaimer:  The product mentioned in the above article was paid for by me.  I am not affiliated with the makers of the Jelly Pedi.