Dressing Up

iPhone photos don't do these dresses much justice, but we still had to show them to you. They're worth every sparkle, ruffle and rosette. Come see for yourself.

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Another monthly dose of Graffiti.

Ombre of Choice

We've been patiently waiting for these ombre jeans by Freedom of Choice (more about this designer later). Kyle Anne is the first taker. More up for grabs for just $88.

Way better than a partridge in a pear tree, right?

Street Peep Shayna

You can't see Shayna's sapphire blue eyes in this shot but they're her best accessory. They match her Parameter dress perfectly. Another case of the right dress, for the right time, on the right girl.

Holiday '09 Kick-Off

Thanks again to everyone who came out for the Open House! Our door was swinging all night with so many of you stopping by. We hope the rest of everyone's holidays are just as filled with friends and family. We found a bit of time to take a few snaps, so here they are to share.

Betty & Melissa

Betty stopped by the Holiday Open House wearing her Vivianne Westwood Melissa shoes from last Fall. So comfy & great, they were almost the perfect black flat that got away. But we thanked the fashion gods when, the very next day, the NEW black Melissa flats arrived! They're perfectly flocked and smell so sweet, just like last year's but with a zebra lining that's a sassy reminder that they're vegan.

If you haven't heard about Melissa shoes you're missing an earful. They're made from recycled plastic that's been infused with breathability and a fragrance that smells like baby dolls (or My Pretty Pony). Besides working with high-end fashion designers, Melissa partners with world-renown architects and product designers to create some funky shoes that look like art objects (stop by, we have a few on display).

This company's stuff is so innovative and intriguing, and in the end surprisingly practical. They're a dose of eco-friendly, all-weather, high-fashion awesomeness for a really great price. Just ask Betty.

Looking For Some Winners

Our Holiday Open House was a great time; lots of love, food, and shopping (all the things a girl needs). The next day Stella did the honors and pulled out two names from our big $100 Gift Certificate Drawing jar. Both of the winners said they'd never won anything before! We love that, so good job Stella and congrats Mary and Cindy.

We're going to pull a third and final winner today so hurry over if you haven't already signed up.

xoxo

Street Peep David

We don't know much but here's what we do know about David 1) He looks super cool in this Fresh Karma piece (it's from Wild Flower BTW). 2) He's an amazing dancer (we saw him perform in the NCSA Fall Dance a couple of weeks back). 3) He's got great legs!

Get To Know Yourself

Look up your birth chart before stopping by to pick up a "Nobody's Perfect" astrology tee by Wildfox Couture. According to them when your sun is in Virgo, your moon is in Taurus and your rising sign is Leo, you're a bossy, perfectionist who's always right:) Don't they make self-deprecation look great...So fun! XOXOXOX

Mad Kelly Men Lane

The Dresses of Kelly Lane & Mad Men

We can't gush enough about Kelly Lane. Of course we love her because she's originally from North Carolina but we also love her sense of color, texture, and construction; they're truly unique. Kelly has a strong appreciation for beautiful fabrics, American craftsmanship and the artistry of fashion...and all of this makes for some gorgeous dresses that you don't see every day.

Cut to Mad Men. We could blog about Kelly Lane without referencing this awesome retro-drama centered around an advertising agency in the early 1960s but it wouldn't be as much fun. We love the costumes, the hair, the sets, Don Draper! Watch the first three seasons then tell us you don't want to redo your kitchen in knotty pine. While Kelly's dresses are softer and gentler then what women wore back then (no girdles or pointy bras required), whenever we tune in, her designs somehow come to mind.

So our point is this. If you adore, crave, or simply appreciate the aesthetics of Mad Men and love to wear contemporary design combined with hints of vintage in easy to wear eco-friendly jersey fabrics you need to stop by and try on some Kelly Lane. You won't be disappointed.

Kelly with her Spring '10 collection; No Girdles Required

shoes & socks, shoes & socks, shoes & socks with a soda on the side

We've been looking for the cutest socks around and finally found Sock It To Me! More than eye candy, they're comfy too.

Their socks are awesome but the Sock It To Me! site might be awesome-rrr. Check out their Design-a-Sock contest.

Do We Have This Dress?!?

Another sighting of a Press Darling! OK, so the picture isn't that great (we grabbed it from a YouTube video), but we're pretty sure this is the Rojas dress we have at the store. Mollie, from So You Think You Can Dance, wore it on their "Meet the Top 20" episode a couple of weeks back. Their costume department went to town with tutu feathers and patches, which make it look really crazy. Our version is actually really cute. What do you think? Is it the same dress?

SYTYCD dress

wild flower dress

Quote, Beija-Flor Rocks!, Unquote

When jeans change someone's life it's worth blogging about, don't you think? Just like the Beauty Editor at People StyleWatch, our customers have been raving about our newest denim line, Beija-Flor (pronounced "beige-a- floor"). Across generations, lifestyles, occupations and body types, here's what a few have said:

When she took them on a long trip to London, Heather, from Ego Hour, was amazed that they really "don't stretch out". She wore them a ton and they kept their shape.

Because of the rise and contoured waist, Kim, owner of The Garage, says, "Winston-Salem no longer has to see my 'plumber's butt' when I change a keg or stock bottled waters. Plus they just feel like sweats."

Our very own Anne can't resist giving away all her cute jeans to her daughter but she said, "these I'm keeping for myself. I'll have them for years."

Cissy, who just turned 50 (happy birthday!) and loves her Beija-Flors, said "They form to my curvy body better than any jean I've ever owned. They're as comfortable as leggings."

After Monta bought her second pair she announced, "I'm giving all my other jeans away."

The line is woman-owned by a mother-daughter team and grew from their love of all things Brazilian (where women are known for their curves). Their jeans have memory stretch, are contoured to eliminate gaping in the rear, and have a rise that's higher but still looks modern.

Beija-Flor means hummingbird in Portuguese; at Wild Flower it means "my favorite jeans ever".

Street Peep Wonder Woman

Members Only jacket and Big Buddha bag by Wild Flower. Lasso of Truth and indestructible bracelets her own.

Playing Favorites

Look for one of our favorite Graffiti Ads, featuring Fresh Karma, one of our favorite upcycled lines, at one of our favorite breakfast joints, Mary's of Course, during one of our favorite months, November.

The Art of Boot Packing

If you're anything like us your 10+ lbs boot collection has quickly lost it's ranking when it comes to packing for a fall trip. With all the new weight restrictions on luggage, finding that one perfect pair (that can go from day to night, country to city) is money in the bank.

Well Seychelles has it figured out with "Meteor Shower II". With a side zipper, for easy on and off access, you can even wear them on the plane without holding up the airport security line; one less thing in your bag means two more things to bring back. Can anyone say Barneys!

Street Peep Amy Jo

This is Amy Jo wearing her new dress by Kelly Lane and her "surprisingly comfortable - I worked in them all day" boots by 80/20. It's so cool how her bag (which she's had for years) ties it all together; more proof that if buy the colors you're attracted to you're bound to already have something in your wardrobe to wear them with.

Big Buddha Bags

Aren't these Big Buddha bags great. Large enough for all your stuff but light enough to carry all day. For $78 who can resist? There are more at the store. Stop by and take a look see.

Harajuku Happiness for the Holidays

One of our favorite people in the world is the UPS man; he's like Santa. Well, yesterday the FedEx guy showed up with Harajuku Lover's and it was like New Year's Eve. We turned up the music, started to dance and snap some iphone photos; the only thing missing was the champagne.

For Holiday '09, Gwen Stefani, creator of Harajuku Lover's, partnered with Japanese illustrator, Sachiko Kanaizumi, to deliver a limited edition "Wonderland" tunic that's the softest $68 you'll ever put on. And the $88 "Chalk Board" jacket she created is just as fun, with its bat wings and illustrated hoodie liner. Of course, the highly stylized "Zip This" pants ($88 too) match both of the other pieces perfectly (when the paparazzi show up it's best to be coordinated:).

We've noticed a new sophistication to the Harajuku line. Maybe it's because Stefani turned 40 this year and she likes to wear her own stuff. So while you might not want to be a rock star, age should no longer be an excuse to NOT add a piece of Harajuku Lover's to your holiday wish list.

Sweater Love 'O Sweater Love

So Stella was our fit model yesterday when these scarves and mittens (all by Preloved) came in. They're made from recycled sweater sleeves and come in every color imaginable. Stella wanted to buy them all but we told her to save some for the customers. Better hurry!