Fall 2011 Fashion Trends

I always go to harpersbazaar.com to look at the fashion trends for the upcoming season. With Autumn right around the corner, I thought I would bring you the top fashion trends for the season. 

1. Crimson Tide

Roll Tide Roll Baby!!  This color trend will definitely be an easy one to follow with football season coming up :) Crimson can be the perfect pop of color for any outfit.  My favorite crimson item for the fall is this Red Elephant Elizabeth Ruffle Blouse from Elizabeth McKay.  When you purchase this blouse $100 from the sale goes to benefit the University of Alabama 's Act of Kindness Fund. This fund helps to provide emergency assistance to UA employees and students. Visit emckay.com to find out more.

2. The Clash

The Clash trend is all about mixing patterns.  This is one of my favorite things to do, however I always am self-conscience about doing so.  Lily Pulitzer makes mixing prints effortless. This super cute Kelsi Dress is the perfect way to clash prints for the fall season. Visit lilypulitzer.com for more mixed prints.  

3. Cloak & Swagger

When the weather turns cooler I love to throw on my favorite sweater poncho from Old Navy. I found a new favorite from Ralph Lauren's Lauren Collection, the Zary Lambswool Plaid Pancho. Visit ralphlauren.com to find more great fall outerwear. 

4. Luxury & Demand

The Luxury & Demand trend is all about the fur. You don't have to purchase a real fur jacket to represent this trend.  I found some great faux fur items at one of my favorite stores, Ann Taylor's LOFT.  I love this Faux Fur Collar Cardigan. Visit loft.com for more faux fur.

5. Great Lengths

Maxi dresses were huge for spring and summer, and they are still in for the fall. Long skirts and dusters are definitely apart of the Great Lengths trend as well. I know tradition says no white after Labor Day, but I could not help myself when I saw this gorgeous dress from Lacoste.  This maxi comes from the Lacoste + Malandrino Collection. The Pointelle Dress Maxi is also available in black. Visit shoplacoste.com

6. Suit Yourself

The description is in the title. This super hot trend is all about work wear and fabulous suits for women. One of my favorite places to shop for a well fitted suit is The Limited. Visit thelimited.com for a variety of work wear options.

7. Coat of Arms

I love my winter coats! Every lady needs a statement coat as a staple item in their coat closet. A statement coat could feature a bold color or big buttons. My favorite coat for the upcoming season is Double-Cloth Townhouse Trench from J. Crew. I love the buttons and the color. Visit jcrew.com to see all the colors.

I hope these trends help all my Southern Ladies get ready for the cooler weather! I would love to see pics of y'all wearing these items. :)

How To: Cook an Engagement Chicken

The editors of Glamour magazine have done it again! They have published a book I think all southern ladies should have in their kitchen, “100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know” The book all started with one recipe, Engagement Chicken.  An editor at Glamour gave a recipe for an easy roast chicken to an assistant in the office.  The assistant was in need of a dish to make for her boyfriend.  She cooked the meal and he loved it.  A little while later he proposed to her. J After hearing what a delicious dish the chicken was, three other women in the office prepare it for their boyfriends.  Shortly afterward, all three men proposed to the women.  After hearing the success of this chicken, the Glamour editors published the recipe.  They heard from more than 60 women that they were proposed to shortly after cooking the meal.  So, they decided to publish a book with all kinds of recipes women should know about.  I fell in love with this book as soon as I flipped through the pages.  The recipes range from easy to calls for some work.  The recipes are tag with one shoe for easy and up to three shoes for harder.  Too cute! ;) So far I have only tackled a few recipes in the book, such as, Bring It Anywhere Banana Bread, Super Bowl Guacamole, and Promotion Rib Eye.  I have yet to cook Engagement Chicken for anyone, but I hope to soon! ;)

Engagement Chicken

Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs

·         Serves 2 to 4

·         Tagged with two high heels: Requires a little more effort, yet doable on a weeknight.

Ingredients

1.       1 whole chicken (approximately 4 pounds)

2.      ½ cup fresh lemon juice, plus 3 whole lemons-including 1 sliced for garnish

3.      1 tablespoon kosher or coarse sea salt

4.      ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

5.      Fresh herbs for garnish (4 rosemary sprigs, 4 sage sprigs, 8 thyme sprigs, and 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley)

Step 1: Position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400^oF. Remove the giblets from the chicken, wash the chicken inside and out with cold water, then let the chicken drain, cavity down, in a colander for 2 minutes.

Step 2: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place the chicken breast-side down in a medium roasting pan fitted with a rack and pour the lemon juice all over the chicken, both inside and out. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper inside and out.

Step 3:  Prick 2 whole lemons three times each in three different places with a fork and place them deep inside the cavity. Chicken cavity size may vary, so if one lemon is partly sticking out, that’s fine. (Tip: If the lemons are stiff, roll them on the countertop with your palm before pricking to get the juices flowing.)

Step 4: Put the chicken in the oven, lower the oven temperature to 350^oF, and roast, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, turn the chicken breast-side up. Insert a meat thermometer in the thigh, and return the chicken to the oven and roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat thermometer reads 180^oF and the juices run clear when the thigh is pricked with a fork. Continue roasting if necessary. Keep in mind that cooking times in different ovens vary; roasting a chicken at 350^oF takes approximately 18-20 minutes per pound, plus an additional 15 minutes.

Step 6: Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. And here’s the secret: Pour the juices from the roasting pan on top of the sliced chicken-this is the “marry me juice.” Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon slices.

Glamour Girl Tip

Carving a bird takes lot of practice, so don’t expect it to be perfect on your first try. The most important thing is to have a sharp knife (preferably one made specifically for carving). Start by slicing the breasts, removing as much meat as possible, and then remove the legs and the wings (using kitchen shears works well too). Don’t worry if it looks messy; it will taste just as good!

I would love to hear success stories from all my southern ladies! ;)

Southern Hair: Glamour Finds Your New Fall Updo!

Glamour magazine is one of my favorite magazines to read.  You get a little bit of everything with Glamour; fashion, cooking, beauty, love advice, career advice, and inspiration.  Sounds a little like Southern Lady Style! ;) I found a great article about the new updos for fall 2011 in their September Mega Issue.  Rihanna is on the cover, and this issue is their biggest one of the year.  :)  The five updos featured in Glamour each have a 3 step process, and range from easy to harder to do.

The first updo is called the twist & go top knot.  This super cute style is nicknamed the “off-duty model updo” because according to Glamour, “When models get out of a fitting, they throw their hair up into a tight knot on top of their head.” 

Step 1: Use a brush to pull your hair up into a high pony, then fasten with an elastic.

Step 2: Start twisting your hair, then fold it in half, making a pseudo-chignon. Leave an inch or more at the end loose (depending on your hair length). Secure with a second elastic.   

Step 3: For extra credit, flat-iron the loose ends, and flip them to the side. Finish with a light coat of hairspray to hold the look in place.

The second updo is called the fast, smooth & sleek.  This slick style is reminiscent of how Grace Kelly used to wear her hair.  The style is very elegant and glamorous. 

Step 1: Squeeze a walnut- sized amount of gel into your palm, and work through hair from roots to ends.  Focus on top and sides.

Step 2: Use a brush to slick back the sides so they’re taut (you can even pull it all into a pony to make it extra tight). Gently brush the top up and back, leaving a bit of height and slight wave. (If you have short hair, stop at this step.)

Step 3: Twist the entire length of your loose hair (or pony). Fold it under, and secure with pins.

The third updo is called the high style in no time.  This style is similar to the sixties girl-group style.  It looks a lot like a Brigitte Bardot hairstyle, cool and sophisticated. 

Step 1: If your hair is thin, use mousse, then blow-dry hair roughly to give it volume. Make a deep side part, pull a piece of hair across your forehand and secure behind your ear to create a faux bang.

Step 2: Gently flip your head over, and use a brush to tease the top layer all around the crown.

Step 3: Stand up, and twist the teased top layer into a French twist, and secure with pins, leaving the bottom half of your hair down and loose. Set with hairspray.

The fourth updo is called super-romantic waves.  According to Glamour, this is a tousled, romance-novel-esque style.  The look is suppose to look messy and innocent.  Only 20 minutes and 20 bobby pins and you can accomplish this look. J

Step 1: Wavy types can scrunch their hair with mousse, then roughly blow dry. No natural curls? Apply dry shampoo, and wrap pieces around a curling iron for texture.

Step 2: Tease around your crown for a little volume-but too much height will look old-fashioned.

Step 3: Randomly twist back small sections, and pin under-Gilbert used about 20 pins, so don’t skimp!-to hide all the length.

The fifth updo is called a little braid, anywhere.  A tight mini braid makes this bun inspired look more polished. This is the hardest of all the updos, but the following steps will make it easier to do.

Step 1: Apply any styling cream, and make a deep side part. Separate a small section above it.

Step 2: Starting from the back, braid forward (or French braid). Secure braid with elastic; pin it behind your ear. Leave a section at the front of the braided side loose; the soft, face-framing piece offsets the hardness of the taut braid.

Step 3: Pull the rest of your hair into a low, messy chignon, and secure with an elastic.

I would love to see pictures of all you southern ladies sporting these fabulous updos! :)

Girls Raised in the South

Girls Raised in the South

Southern Belle, Southern Lady, Southern Girl, and Country Girl are all nicknames for girls raised in the south.  Recently I found a great article, “How to become a Southern Belle.”  All the attributes listed in the editorial were traits that have always came naturally to me.  Girls raised in the south are charming, well-mannered, sophisticated, and have fabulous style!  A southern lady always has manners.  She is polite and uses the phrases, “yes sir and ma’am”, “excuse me”, and “thank you.”  Southern girls respect their elders, although everyone is referred to sir or ma’am, no matter how old they are.  Country girls call everybody baby, sweetie, sugar, and darlin’.  A southern lady is always dressed to impress, and enjoy wearing dresses, heels, and pearls.  A southern lady can also wear jeans, a t-shirt, and cowboy boots or flip flops and still look presentable.  J  Not only are southern belles always well-dressed, they also stay neat and clean.  Hair, nails, and make-up always look impeccable.  A southern girl is family oriented and her parents will always be momma and daddy.  When girls raised in the south receive a compliment, they say thank you and return the compliment.  A southern belle is always smiling.  J  Country girls have hospitality at all times.  They are always nice, welcoming, and generous to everyone, even to people they do not particularly like.  They always have sweet tea in the refrigerator as well.  Southern ladies are smart and finishing school is a priority.  They rarely cuss or try really hard not to.  Southern girls are spiritual and have a relationship with God.  Southern ladies are very strong women and always have a positive attitude.  Overall, girls raised in the south are down-to-earth, genuinely, sweet southern belles. 

www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Southern-Belle 

Southern Blogs

Since this is my first blog, I really drew inspiration by researching other Southern bloggers.  These are some of my favorite ones J

1.       Southern Femme    (southernfemme.com)

This blog was created by a Southern stylist who after living in New York City for a little while decided the South was calling her back.  She currently lives in Alabama where she educates, styles, and coaches women on their wardrobe. She also produces and styles for local magazine photo shoots. 

2.        Southern Fashion Bloggers    (southernfashionbloggers.wordpress.com)

Southern Fashion Bloggers is a place where bloggers from all over the Southeast can connect, share ideas, collaborate on projects, and promote their blogs.  The site was founded by Christy Lorio and Leslie Almeida.

3.       Elizabeth McKay    (blog.emckay.com)

Elizabeth McKay is a Southern designer who uses colorful, bold, prints on dresses, tops, and bottoms.  She uses luxurious fabrics and classic silhouettes when designing.  Her blog is dedicated to highlight her successes and her inspiration.

4.    All Things Southern & Preppy    (southernandpreppy.blogspot.com)

The title says it all.  This blog is based on everything southern and preppy.  This blogger is a big family person, and she offers a little bit of everything on her blog. 

5.      Diary of a Southern Belle    (savannahsouthernbelle.blogspot.com)

This blog offers information about the blogger’s wedding, sewing, and crafts.  She also gives her top 101 things she wants to accomplish. 

6.      Little Southern    (littlesouthern.blogspot.com)

This blog is all about a southern girl who is loving life and the adventures she goes on.  Her posts range from books to gardening to jewelry.

7.       Sweet Southern Prep    (sweetsouthernprep.com)

Sweet Southern Prep offers daily thoughts on everything southern and preppy.  The posts are all about style, fashion, trends, and manners.  This blogger lives in North Carolina with her husband, kids, and dogs.

8.       Preppy Paper Girl    (preppypapergirl.blogspot.com)

Preppy Paper Girl is a blog dedicated to the crafts the blogger creates.  She is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and sells her creations on etsy.com.

9.  A Blonde Ambition    (ablondeambitionblog.com)

This blog is dedicated to personal styling and fashion.  This blogger started her blog as a creative outlet for all her thoughts and ideas.  There is one unique page titled, “Poofy Hall of Fame.”  This page is a hall of fame of hair poofs. Love it! J

10.        Pink Preppy Lilly Lover    (pinkpreppylillylover.blogspot.com)

This blog is all about photography, fashion, pink, and green.  The blogger uses Pink Preppy Lilly Lover as an inspiration board for all things beautiful and lovely.

Please go and check out these blogs!