Tax-Free Weekend

Hey kids! This weekend it's Tax-Free here in Tennessee. I know for sure that clothing items under $100 are included, but there's lots more stuff too. Check it out here.

Champion in Me

Greg Louganis' killer nose-dive, Florence Griffith Joyner's wild fingernails, Kerri Strug's ankle--these are some images from Summer Olympics past that will be etched in my memory forever. It's pretty hard to believe that styling could lead one to help create any images that have a part in the Olympics. That's ridiculous. But I kinda did...in a roundabout sort of, but not-really kind of way. Whatever. I love the Olympics. GO USA!

I just blogged at the beginning of the month about doing wardrobe for the special AT&T Wireless video for 3 Doors Down's exclusive song for the Olympics soundtrack. Dude, this song would have definitely been played back in the day as the Lady Hornets from Linville High School (yes, I was one) took the court to be soundly defeated. Makes me wanna go run a couple miles even now. Have a look--the fireworks are at least pretty impressive.

The wardrobe for the video was supposed to consist of pieces that were rock-n-roll, were maybe a little shiny and that would pop off the screen. We accomplished this by using a good bit of jewelry, a jeweled t-shirt or two and some jeans with a few tears--things with texture, in other words. One of the brands I was turned onto at Barney's Co-op in Austin was Loomstate. Brad, the lead singer, is wearing one of the t-shirts in the video. Read the link about the responsibility they take in respecting the environment and using organic materials. And the t-shirts are BUTTERY SOFT!

(By the way, I met the gal running at the beginning of the video, and she's the most ripped female I've ever seen in real life. Her abs almost poked me in the eye.)

A behind the scenes shot day-of.

Fun With Bubbles

Here are some pics from my shoot on Friday with Callan Lane, who was the aforementioned Radio Disney star. It was super-fun because I finally got to use some old school high-tops (not much demand for that among musicians here in Nashville) and get really rad with some of her outfits. I was feeling very 80s-inspired in the second one with the stripes and then the Gwen-Stefani clean but cool vibe in the one with the flower. Callan was very courageous; I'll give her that. She was pretty much up for anything "not Nashville."

This picture is pretty standard for most shoots in that there's lots of behind-the-scenes action, especially among the photography assistants. This didn't involve holding a light stationary for 12 straight minutes or anything brutal like that, but BUBBLES!! There were these great bubble machines that we DID NOT have when I was a kid. Remember having to perfect the right amount of breath to blow on the bubble juice holder with the one little hole? It was impossible! These were like bubble pistols. Very high-tech. Kids these days have it all.

Cute Things I Found at the Mall

Boutique shopping is fun, and it's where you can find those really unique pieces. But the sales are at the malls. Here are some cute things I found yesterday while I was out shopping for a Radio Disney star. You read it right. Styling jobs in Nashville come in all shapes and sizes.

These yellow thong sandals--so cute and bright! (Steve Madden, on sale for $39.99 at Belk) One of my favorite things to do when I'm putting an outfit together just to give it a little pop or make it a little more unexpected is to do just that...pick a pair of shoes that is unexpected. For instance, this yellow shoe does not need to only be worn with yellow and white. They are begging to be worn with other colors. You could just wear your plain khaki ones. That's fine, and it's safe. But why not when you throw that gray t-shirt on to run to Target, just put these on instead of the khaki? Takes your boring outfit up to at least a 7 instead of the 4 where you were sittin' before. And it still looks like you really don't care.

The next cute find is at Express. Every time I think I'm about
to do a post called "Welcome Back, Express from the Land of Gaudy Sequins", they do something else ridiculous with them, like sell a hot-pink, sequined booty-skirt. Too Mariah Carey. Let's just say, "Welcome Back, Express. I Can Finally Sometimes Shop There Now." This little converted western shirt is adorable ($59.50, and they send out coupons like GEICO with their junk mail.) You can't tell how cute it is in this picture, but it has neat snap-buttons and some shiny silver running through it, and I'm a sucker for a ruffle sleeve. Here's a dress that's pretty fun that's in stores now too.

Lark & Wolff

Probably the only good thing about a sucky economy is that the high-end clothing industry is forced to have a look at what they can do to still peddle their wares at a lower price. From GO International collections at Target to Forever 21 knock-offs, retailers everywhere are noticing that the population at large wants cute stuff, but really is starting to think twice about those extra few bucks. Urban Outfitters is one of the most recent to jump on the bandwagon. Their new designer collection is by Steven Alan. When I was a buyer at Emmaline, we bought from his showroom. The collection is called Lark & Wolff. Steven's signature, somewhat, is looking high-fashion in a disheveled, "What, I look cool? No, stop it" kind of way.

Another recent collection by designer Geren Ford (a fave) called Hawks is still selling at Urban as well. I probably like it a little better, just because it has a little more color and is a tad more feminine. Here's a good piece.

Cute Outfit of the Day and Big Sale!!

When I was little, I swear, my sister and I were both trained like bloodhounds by my mom to spot an "extra % off" sale sign. I see one and it takes me right back to those days in the Monroe Pecanland Mall...sweet, sweet Rave. Who shopped at Rave? Admit it!

If you, like me, love those extra % off sales, then they're kinda everywhere right now...retailers need to clear out that summer stuff this time of year because fall starts arriving in stores any day now. I was at Belk today shopping for a client and their stuff is all an EXTRA 50% off right now, and there are some racks where it's already marked 75% off before the extra 50. Geeez!!! Soooo, you've still got a few weeks of summer left, and you can find some great pieces that'll transition into fall like this little get-up by Free People. This top, for example, can be layered over a long-sleeve shirt when it starts getting chilly with a pair of wide-leg jeans. I love it! Now it's paired with a little pair of cropped knee-shorts in the most lightweight fabric. The top is gonna run you about $25 after the discount and the pants about $30.

Some other stuff I saw: Furla handbags, royal blue Joe's wideleg jeans (for $22.00), Free People jeans for $9 (!!), some cute Lucky belts, some Sam Edelman flats, French Connection aplenty...When I asked the sales girl when the sale was ending, she replied, "Umm, they don't tell me anything around here. I'm just summer help." Thanks for that. Awesome. So, get your butt down there.

The Grove's Big Clearance

Hey y'all. If you haven't been to The Grove lately, you should stop by. The owner Lauren has brought in a lot of great lines, including one of my favorites, Plenty by Tracy Reese, AND you should have a look at her space. It's just beautiful, and Chloe, her Maltese, will greet you at the door. She has tons of comfy t-shirts and party dresses, great summer stuff on sale right now. Oh, and did I mention that she also carries guys' clothing?

West Elm's Dash for Design

Just randomly stopped in West Elm yesterday, and they are having their sale that they do a couple times a year--"Dash for Design." This is when you can buy that big yellow pillow with the hermit crab on it for half off because really, who pays full price for a big yellow pillow with a hermit crab on it?

I got these candle holders/vases yesterday ($9.99 and $6.99), which I immediately stuck some of the wild grass from my shrubbery in. Like I was just telling somebody, if you look hard enough, you're likely to find something in your yard to jam in a vase. I thought they sorta looked like some glasses that my mom may have owned in the 70s. Actually, I think my Nana still has those same glasses.

Besides these vases, there were tons of other things on sale like outdoor accessories, weather-proof rugs, pillows, and other random knick-knacks that are fun to get for cheap.

I've Been Busy...Part III

So here's where you can be jealous if you want. I'd be jealous of me. I went to Jamaica for work last week...with Kenny Chesney...and a lot of other fun people from all over to shoot the video for an upcoming single "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven." It honestly felt like part mission trip, part vacation because we were filming out in the villages, not in the resort-y areas normally associated with a place like Jamaica. (The picture at the left was actually at the place we were staying; Kenny is being interviewed here talking about songs on the next record.)

Not only did I work with Kenny for the first time, who is incredibly gracious and fun to be around, but I also met a great gal named Brook Kerr who acts out in L.A. Some of you may remember her as "Whitney" on the soap "Passions."

Needless to say, there were some moments in Jamaica while I was thinking back to how hard grad. school was for me, and how I constantly felt like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole that made me completely incredulous at how God is blessing me. Not that it's all about one's job, but since we are working more than we are doing anything else, I do believe that you are more fulfilled and God is truly glorified when you are using those unique talents and passions that He has placed in your heart. Okay, I'm done preaching. Enjoy!

Lynn Borges (hair and makeup gal) and Brook Kerr ("Jamaican" hottie in the video)
Some precious kids at the church where we filmed the first set-up
Kenny singing it up with the locals

Hud-Luxe Brentwood Closing!

I can't vouch for any clearance sales, but if you happen to be stopping by the Target that is next door, you may as well swing into Hud-Luxe Brentwood, cuz they're closing on Friday and are supposedly doing a GOING OUT OF BUSINESS sale. I can't say that I didn't think that location was pretty ill-fated when they first signed the lease, but then, nobody asked me.

I've Been Busy...Part II

After Austin, we went to Gatlinburg to shoot opening scenes for a new CMT series that is a spin-off from "Gone Country" called "Outsiders Inn." The show stars Bobby Brown, Maureen McCormick (Marsha Brady), and Carnie Wilson. Looks like it could be a hoot.

There were scenes with live pigs, chickens, and some guys who actually work on the property, who were about as country as they come.

I've Been Busy...Part I

First, we went to Austin to shoot an AT&T Wireless commercial for 3 Doors Down that will air during the Olympics. The guys actually wrote a song that folks will be able to download, and all proceeds will go to get the athletes over to the games. We shot in this huge open field about an hour outside Austin...there were fireworks, choppers...it was a pretty big production. We actually started a rather sizeable grass fire during the process.

I definitely wanna write another blog about how much fun I had shopping in Austin. I went a day early to get stuff for the guys and ended up having a ball, mostly on South Congress where there are SO many great places to buy awesome vintage and handmade stuff. One of my favorite places was this cute trailer that sold cupcakes called, "Hey, Cupcake!" I thought it was adorable. More to come on this later...