Style Junkie - One Year Anniversary Celebration!!!

If you consider yourself to be amongst the fashionable elite and you haven’t checked out Style Junkie, it’s seriously time to reconsider your style status. Celebrated by many style conscious and trend-savvy socialites, Style Junkie has quickly become the source for trendy shoes, handbags, and accessories. The fashion forward lifestyle boutique is known for its innovative ad campaigns and chic events.

I had the opportunity to collab with Style Junkie’s owner, Andrea Fenise, during a styling session for a LoveNuArt Magazine cover. Andrea, a major player on the Memphis fashion scene operates with the philosophy when you look good, you feel good, and she’s helping women get there, one closet at a time.

Commemorating its one year anniversary, Style Junkie will premiere its spring lifestyle collection to the city’s fashionable professionals and tastemakers. Guests can expect an awe inspiring high-fashion runway show that promises to deliver a fusion of fashion and art. This chic celebration will take place at the Style Junkie Boutique @ 639 Marshall Ave in Downtown Memphis. I definitely plan to be in the building, won’t you join me?

For more information, email info@stylejunkieboutique.com or visit www.stylejunkieboutique.com

Giveaway Winner!!!

Thanks everyone for entering the contest. It was certainly my pleasure to read your comments on this fabulous clutch and to have you follow my blog.

So now to the winner, right. Well.............................................................................let's give a big round of applause to ATHOMPSON!!!! I will be emailing you shortly to confirm and you'll have 48 hours to respond.

My next giveaway will be a bracelet/earring combo from my handwrapped collection.

Be sure to check out my new series of posts dedicated to Black History Month, entitled Color Me Cultured.












Thanks again ya'll for all the support and love!!! SN - I hate typing the word ya'll but I'm from the south and I use the word a million times a day. For those who aren't used to saying and/or hearing it. It looks mighty funny and sounds even funnier, but it's just my dialect.

Good Night, Beautiful People.

-Kim

Color Me Cultured - Because style is optional, but culture is essential

Bruce Oldfield – Distinct Style at its Best

I was watching/listening to Good Morning America earlier this week (which has become a weekday necessity for me as I get ready for work) and their sometimes overly obsessive coverage of the royal wedding. Now, I’m not one to really care about the happenings of royal affairs, but I do remember as a young woman who was growing into a love of style, my fascination with Princess Diana. I can vividly recall being totally enthralled every time I saw her on TV. She was like the Jackie O of England – always pomp, ever graceful, and forever just freaking fresh.

Anyway back to me and the news….so whilst applying my makeup, I overheard the upcoming story revolving around the infamous wedding dress to be worn by Kate Middleton, Princess in waiting. Note-to self, Princess Diana was always on-point and from what I’ve heard and seen on the news, Kate Middleton definitely has noteworthy style…Kim, you might want to watch this story. La-dee-dah, putting on makeup and the news comes back on, which was my queue to step away from the bathroom mirror and get in front of the TV.

To my surprise, there sat this captivating black man with a distinguished British accent speaking on style and fashion and I’m thinking, who is this Bruce Oldfield guy and why is he not in my style radar? One of Princess Diana’s favorite designers, Bruce Oldfield was rumored to be the designer of choice of Kate’s dress. He denied all speculations, not to mention Kate prefers that the designer’s identity be kept a secret.

Check out this dapper debonnaire at www.bruceoldfield.com

Well Mr. Oldfield, if you‘ve dressed past and present style icons such as Joan Collins, Sienna Miller and Rihanna, shame on Kate for not choosing you to design the wedding dress of the century. But who am I? If style were a lifespan, I would be thirty-something, no longer desiring to follow the trends and fads of the masses, but slowly constructing my own distinct and flair.

Vintage Style sewing pattern - Designed by Bruce Oldfield.

I don’t have much time to detail Bruce Oldfield’s work or accomplishments, but believe me when I tell you, this man has style and he definitely has my attention.

Bruce Oldfield, designer with Dress of the Year 1985

OAN1: Don't forget, the clutch giveaway ends today at 8:00 pm central time
OAN2: I'm planning a trunk show in the Memphis area this Saturday
OAN3: Check me out at www.URchocolateboutique.com

Goodbye for now, Beautiful People,
Kim

Clutch Giveaway!!!

Good Morning, Beautiful People!!!

Ok, sorry about not posting the contest yesterday...technical difficulties and all that kind of stuff. Now this is my first, but definitely not my last giveaway.

So here we go, it's so easy. Simply follow my blog and leave a comment with your email address. Easy, right? So you must leave your email address in the comment section to be entered. The contest ends Sunday, February 6th at 8:00 p.m.

The winner will be chosen via random.org, announced here on the blog and emailed Sunday, February 6th at 10:00 p.m. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email. If a winner cannot be contacted or does not respond, another will be chosen after 48 hours.

Must be 18 years old and live in the United States to win. I'll ship, no charge!

Contest starts now...1,2,3, go!!!

The winner will receive this gorgeous vintage Timothy Hitsman clutch. It's electric blue has a faux reptile finish, gold interior and includes the removable chain! Slight discoloration on the bottom right corner that gives it character, but otherwise in great vintage condition. The metal closures are also in excellent working condition. Measures approx 8' x 5'.

Just leave your email address for a chance to win! Good luck!

Mess to Masterpiece

What I absolutely love about making jewelry and accessories is that the possibilities are endless. Allow me to show you just a portion of the mess I call my workspace...

Yea it's all a big mess until I put some thought, time and energy into it and it becomes somewhat of a masterpiece.

I will one day turn this passion into a full-time endeavor, which is my long-term goal. Some days, I get tired of working the 9-5 and my mind so vividly transports me to my storefront boutique. But, not now. Just not my time. Plus, my full time is pretty cool. I work with and around people who want to change the world, social workers. Not to mention, the Division of Social Work and the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy is growing and I know God has me positioned right where he wants me.

Alright, I need some Bible time tonight.

Good night, good people.

Master Cleanse - Lasted 6 Days!!!

Good evening, good people. I know you all have been waiting for me to update my progress on the cleanse. Well, I lasted all of 6 days, 4 days shy of my goal, yet surprisingly fulfilled and pleased with the results. I'm almost certain I could have gone the other 4 days. So what stopped me? I'm so glad you asked.

Remember how I told you that you cannot expel too much energy while on the cleanse. The day of the market, which was Saturday, I just overdid it plus I didn't drink enough of the lemonade. I got in the habit of sipping the lemonade when I felt hungry and I'm guessing the hustle and bustle and excitement of the event just didn't allow time for a pang to sneak in. The crowd wasn't huge but I was set-up between two savvy young ladies, the owners of Very Prissy and X-Quay (Refashion). For over 4 hours, we chatted, laughed, and almost came to tears as we conversed about family, our city, marriage, parents and even dogs. I simply didn't have a moment to think about hunger, because our conversations were so lively and there's not much that compares to having an opportunity to talk to individuals who share the same passion as you.

Left there about close to 8, stopped by Red Box and called it a night. Sunday morning I seriously was not in any mood physically or mentally to drink anymore lemonade. I was just too weak and out of it, so I had to eat ya'll. I told my daughter that if she had been home with me that morning, I probably would have drank it and let her take care of me. But I was home alone and couldn't afford to pass out and not have someone call 911 for me.

I have not started the cleanse again, but I may at the beginning of the year. I've gained maybe 3 pounds back, but I lost enough fat during the cleanse, that the weight gain didn't phase me much. Sunday, I kept it simple and bland. Monday I just showed out and paid for it with a rough night's sleep. Today it's only been fruit, veggies and all-natural or organic foods (kept to a minimum). I don't plan on eating any more turkey; fish, that's going to take some major will-power. I'm praying for a peaceful rest tonight, cause I really, really want to workout in the morning.

So, there you go. Yes, the cleanse was tough, but the benefits were encouraging. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the other benefits. Here's a couple, cause it's time to go to bed.

* Clearer Voice - My singing voice is so much more crisp!
* Family Influence - My daughter has decided to not eat meat...we'll see how long this lasts. In the past five days, she's only eaten one piece of chicken and I can tell she's slimmed down a bit.

Ok, that's enough. Good night.

Master Cleanse - Day 3 / Today's Benefit - Acceptance

Hey ya'll. This post will be short cause I am tired. At the end of day 3 and I am so ready to get in the B-E-D. Today was a little tough, more so because I went to bed late last night trying to figure out this video camera. Still haven't got it yet, but soon I hope. I must say the toughest part of all is picking up my daughter from my parents house after work...ya'll know my daddy can throw down in the kitchen. I mean I went over there this morning to drop off their carpet shampooer and the man was frying salmon croquettes. C'mon daddy, seriously? So getting out of that house unscathed is yet another miracle-kind of like the no caffeine deal.

Anyway, I've been looking at a lot of youtube videos and reading reviews by people who are trying and have tried the detox and I've read that around days 3-5, the effect of the toxins being released begins to rear it's ugly head, mentally and physically. Well I don't believe that has happened yet, but believe me, I will tell you when it does. I'm hating that I'm not able or at least not choosing to workout. I just really don't want to expel more energy than necessary. To do so would mean I would have to find creative ways to take in more calories and I refuse to veer from the plan.

Today's benefit - I feel more in tune to my thoughts. I find myself feeling an emotion, be it happy or sad, and accepting that feeling and allowing myself to be present in that feeling, rather than quickly dismissing or suppressing it and dealing with it later while I lay in the bed replaying the actions of the day. Like, I accept right now that I'm overworked and even though I really need to make some jewelry, burn CD's for the youth choir and draft a letter to their parents, I'm going to bed.

Good night, good people.