gorgeous peonies from Grange Hall Urban Flower in Dallas
Love Leslie Pritchard of Again and Again’s Turtle Creek home! The color of the drapes is my favorite!
I remember when I walked into this fantastic vintage store for the very first time. I was 18 and had just arrived in New York City for the summer. I was taking a Design and Management course at Parsons School of Design with my good friend Christopher, who’s intense shopping habit rivaled my own. We walked into the amazingly curated store and I remember having never seen quite like… ANYTHING! He settled on a pair of gorgeously worn leather Ralph Lauren boots he still has today. I’m almost positive that I’d just purchased and Hermès scarf that day (a black and white Twilly) and was on a spending freeze- maybe this time’s the charm!
I am so happy they are hosting trunk shows in Dallas and Ft. Worth this week, you must not miss them!
DAY #5 - Society Stylist’s Little Black Dress Experiment Tours America
NONSENSE & SENSIBILITY - HALEY SCHULTHEIS - Dallas, TX
Photo Location: The award-winning Solana Complex– Westlake (Dallas), Texas by internationally acclaimed Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta.
ABOUT THE LOOK
DRESS: Ann Taylor “Little Black Dress”
TANK: Black Lace tank by Rodarte for Target
JEWELRY: Vintage gold chains from the Atlantis Home Collection, bangles from Elements boutique
SHOES: Yves Saint Laurent Iconic Patent Tribute Pump from Neiman Marcus
MAKE-UP: Tom Ford Beauty Private Blend Lip Color in Pure Pink
Because, of course, I can’t do something quite like everyone else, I couldn’t see myself standing in front of an ordinary landmark for my photograph. No, I most always opt for the extraordinary, so I took a trip out to this beautiful complex close to the DFW International Airport for my little black dress photographs.
The Solana compound is a gorgeous award-winning complex by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta with waterfalls, lush landscaping, vivid colors, and the bold contemporary look for which Dallas is known.
For fall, I was feeling inspired to layer a lot of luxe gold vintage jewelry as I knew it would surely make a statement paired with the Little Black Dress. I piled on necklaces from Dallas’ very own Judy Aldridge of Atlantis Home from the Atlantis Dry Goods Collection.
The best part is, the look is refined enough to go from day-to-night and I wouldn’t hesitate to wear this mélange of accessories to work. Paired with my Yves Saint Laurent patent leather Tribute pumps, I’m confident I would attend my daily meetings in style.
And, with a pop of Tom Ford Beauty’s Pure Pink lipstick, a last minute dinner with friends would not pose a problem.
Hope you enjoy my take on the dress, classic with a twist of vintage glam. I can’t wait to see all of the other looks!
XO,
Haley
DISCLOSURE: Everyone in the “tour” is participating voluntarily and no one—
is being financially compensated for their involvement. I was provided the Ann Taylor dress to style my look as well as a number of gifts from tour sponsors to include in posts throughout this month.
MANY MANY THANKS TO:
Ann Taylor & Sponsors
Valerie Elizabeth and the girls at Society Stylist
Judy Aldridge of Atlantis Home
and of course, my mother.
TEA FOR THOUGHT: What happens when you want to throw a modern day tea party with serious shock value? Well, that all rests in the dress and the audacious personality of your tea set. A great resource to start is THE ENGLISH TEA PARTY with their collections of vintage tea sets, pure gorgeous glamour.
To balance the antique worn charm of the cups, I love this teapot by Fornasetti for the perfect modern twist. Isn’t it the coolest? Even the gold rims match!
Spoons, creamers, sugars and such? Try the tea essentials from the Luminescence Peacock tea set de Horchow: so quirky and fun! If your tea set actually matches in 2010, it better be a family heirloom.
And, next, you are most probably in dire need of that perfect tea party dress. After all, the dress makes the party. Of course, the piece below from Oscar de la Renta would be a perfect standard go-to if you are a rule books kind of lady.
with a pair of these equally astounding FENDI shoes made of the most delicious chiffon and leather..
But if you tend to mix some sass with class…
Then this chic piece from Vanessa Bruno is perfection and an absolutely brilliant choice. This dress most certainly calls for these feathered t-straps by Manolo Blahnik.
And, now, la tavola (the table). With all of the most important details taken care of: the shoes, the dress, and the cups & teapot, we must move on to the next absolute necessity: the outdoor chandelier. I personally love this crystal chandelier from Michael McHale Designs and it can be kept outside ALL YEAR LONG. Now that is one fabulous (and beautiful) investment.
Now, for the majority of the seating, any chairs will do. But, it would be fantastic to have two of these chairs for the ultra-important heads of the table (whomever they may be). I spotted the ABBY CHAIR browsing the Paris Apartment the other day and was just waiting for an excuse to pretend and purchase one. The Abby Chair would be a MUST at my tea party.
Well, maybe the ABBY CHAIR on one end and the LIVCHIC HOODED on the other!
As for the table tops… here is a bit of inspiration from my favorite florist of all time (although, I’ve still only seen their website) Belle Fleur in NYC…
Looks like I’m ready when you are!
Voila : SUBLIME SHELTER AND SPLENDOR. I went in without any expectations other than knowing I’d adore the decor (and that it would no matter what be fabulous), but from the masked greeters right at the doorstep of Neiman Marcus, what unveiled tonight was talent and pure MAGIC… all from the wand of Samantha Reitmayer Sano.
I would rather be anything but boring. Sam’s styling brings life to assumed design and styling. Not only thinking outside the box, but creating her own realm, she pushes expectations in a comforting and familiar way - ordinary objects in extraordinary ways makes. one. swoon….
This is my new desk ;) - p.s. I LOVE the lamp.
Firewood together with the signature orange Hermés boxes? Mais oui!
AND NOW : placesettings to complement the beautiful centerpiece above.
After dinner, join me for some cocktails…
And, please, after midnight don’t forget to take off your shoes and lounge…
oh, yes, they are valentino.. here’s a closer look:
Ok, so it looks like I’m moving to the 4th Floor of Downtown Neiman Marcus until I can afford to have Sam style my entire townhome. Come visit?
Judy Aldridge of Atlantis Home- one of my favorite blogs!
Jane Aldridge signing a copy of Vanity Fair. * this image from heloooooo.com
With the Sartorialist. (above)
At the Ilori boutique opening with celebrity stylist, Jennifer Rade. Read my SHOOT entry on PinkMemo here!
Because I am INCREDIBLY tired and my brain can no longer function properly (there hasn’t been an evening in the past two weeks where I haven’t had an event, party, or opening of some sort), I’m going to show some candid (as in often shoddy) photographs of what I’ve been up to lately!
TIBI FASHION SHOW at THE SHAK at STANLEY KORSHAK: 10/16
This was a SUPER cool event. The Shak previewed the Spring 2010 TIBI line at the SHAK with an appearance by designer, Amy Smilovic. PinkMemo’s new intern Paige Hardison and I were able to get a picture with the designer and I snapped some pics of the models. We were there to cover the event for PinkMemo.com. The Blackberry camera just couldn’t keep up with the models (sorry for the blur). My ACTUAL camera just wouldn’t fit in my new clutch.
This was my favorite dress.. just GORGEOUS. The detailing was fantastic.
me, TIBI designer Amy Smilovic, Paige Hardison
Dallas, TX- For thirty-one days, The Society Stylist, Valerie Elizabeth, has her dress picked out for her. She doesn’t wake up in the morning deciding if it’s a skirt, skinny jeans, silk pants, shorts or jumpsuit day (but then, who’s to say accessories aren’t just as much work). Mais non! During the weeks that lead up to fall when nearly every woman is re-evaluating her wardrobe and anxiously wondering which additions she can guiltlessly make, Valerie Elizabeth has decided to partake in a self-prescribed fashion experiment. In a time when many consumers are still hestitant to buy and when they do, it is usually a purchase that leans towards a fashion investment rather than reinvention, Valerie Elizabeth has devised “The Little Black Dress Experiment” as one that will “challenge the rules of fashion and teach women how to look at their wardrobes creatively to create unique, stylish looks that utilize classic wardrobe staples as a canvas rather than a statement piece.”
Day 2: I’d say channeling a bit of YSL here…
Valerie Elizabeth has been sporting the “Valerie Dress” by Fashion Designer Elli Grace, which constitutes the heart of every outfit, but as of day six, has certainly not taken away from its character. Nearly a week into the experiment, Valerie Elizabeth has already construed an array of looks using the beloved fashion staple, forever and endearingly coined “The LBD,” as well as pairing it daily with a MICHELE watch with interchangeable bands.
Day 5: Bon Voyage!
One of the predominant appeals of the experiment, simply reveals its authenticity; Valerie Elizabeth is actually using preexisting pieces and accessories from her wardrobe to create and compile these looks. She is chronicling her day-to-day activities, outfit compilations, and occassions for dress under “The Dress Diaries,” as well as encouraging comments and suggestions from readers regarding their likes and dislikes about past and future outfits (those that do so, have incentive with a chance at some fantastic prizes including a MICHELE Watch).
Day 6: Looking very “Italian Riviera!” Love the splash of green the pashmina brings… (*Valerie Elizabeth of course, I look like I was running around looking for tape on my lunch break in 102 degrees.. hmm)
Valerie Elizabeth does not seem to be suggesting a “copy this look” head-to-toe mantra, but is merely providing the inspiration and assertion that it can be done. You can buy the chic basics and have the pizzazz from every angle (including surfacing those lost treasures from the very depths of your closet). And, if you still need some extra encouragement, lucky for you, the face behind The LBD experiment, just so happens to be that of one savvy stylist.
Note: Valerie Elizabeth is a fashion stylist, founder of Society Stylist, ambassador for GLAMOUR Magazine, spokesmodel and author of the style blog, “The Diary of Elizabeth Hearst”. In June 2009, she was announced “Face of Dallas” by D Magazine and Max Factor.
photo credits: societystylist.com
![I KNEW IT! [ha] I have been following/obsessed with this blog since I found it about a year ago [as if you hadn’t been able to tell..]. NOW, SeaofShoes.com and Atlantishome.com have been featured in the new August 2009 issue of ….. VOGUE! What a fantastic spread and AMAZING opportunity! Whatever “it” is if ever definable in an aesthetic or visual sense… they certainly have it AND MORE. CONGRATS to them both!!](http://25.media.tumblr.com/D7UUqNjWcq5r5gz7IWFMiosso1_250.jpg)
I KNEW IT! [ha] I have been following/obsessed with this blog since I found it about a year ago [as if you hadn’t been able to tell..]. NOW, SeaofShoes.com and Atlantishome.com have been featured in the new August 2009 issue of ….. VOGUE! What a fantastic spread and AMAZING opportunity! Whatever “it” is if ever definable in an aesthetic or visual sense… they certainly have it AND MORE. CONGRATS to them both!!
This past weekend, my friends Mallory and Emily came to visit Dallas from Chicago. Mallory purchased the cute little black romper she is wearing at L. Bartlett. We ended up running into the co-owner of the boutique that evening at the Ritz, as well as the owner of The Glass Slipper! It was the perfect place to try out my new Abi Ferrin top while I still have a summer glow!
Some super stylish fellow Texas bloggers meet-up in front of Taco Diner at the West Village in Dallas. Amee, Hanh, Nini, and Judy. Check out the full-story on Amee’s adorable blog http://sheplaysdressup.blogspot.com/
*look at all of those amazing shoes!
