Last night’s NOLA Fashion Week shows were full of black magic! Although that was the name of Blackout’s collection, the first show I attended, Izavel also lacked in color. Don’t get me wrong, that is not a bad thing! Color is not needed when you have such an interesting collection of structural shapes, getting more intricate with every look. 

Snapped some pics with Lana in between the shows. Loved our outfit combo of stripes, polka dots, floral, and black & white with pops of pastel! 

Blackout. by Ashlie Ming was so wearable, I could see so many people in any one of the looks from this collection. The last look stood out from the rest of the all black collection with a flowy, light pink dress with splatter print and a mesh scarf. That was my personal favorite, and would wear that any day! 

And now, for my own fashion show, on the crosswalk catwalk! I call this collection, Stripes, on Stripes, on Stripes. 

I don’t need a blogger boyfriend photographer, I have Lana’s (well fiance now). Thanks Myrt for the pics!

And as I do my outfit credits, I realize it’s almost all from Forevs! Yay fashion on a budget! 

Top: Thrifted // Jeans + Vest + Shoes + Necklace + Clutch: Forever 21 // Tassel Earrings: Old Navy

Keeping this short and sweet since I have other posts from Fashion Week to catch up on. But here are a few pics from Saturday at the NOLA Fashion Week kickoff party at the Civic Theatre. The last 2 photos are from Tate Tullier, the official NOLAFW photographer this season. Check out his blog for more pics from the night, behind the scenes shots, and to catch anything you may not have been able to attend! 

Up next, Tuesday night’s runway shows from Izavel and Blackout. + what I wore.  

New Orleans Fashion Week starts Saturday, and as I’m sure all of you know, it is a fabulous week full of dressing your best, fashion shows featuring some amazing local talent, and the parties! Before you get too wrapped up in planning your outfits for the events to come, I wanted to focus on another amazing aspect that NOLA Fashion Week offers to everyone, educational workshops! This season NOLFW is offering 6 workshops throughout the week. There is really something for everyone, so take a look below to see what is offered and reserve your spot, for not only a fashionable, but educational experience during NOLA Fashion Week! *Use the discount codes provided below when purchasing tickets. 

NOLA Fashion Week educational workshop coordinator, Lana Hunt says,

“As part of the Nola Fashion Council’s goal to create and incubate a sustainable fashion industry in the region, New Orleans Fashion Week not only produces a growing number of runway shows and presentations each season, but hosts a slew of educational workshops open to the public. Geared toward the fashion focused community and industry professionals, NOLAFC has offered over 28 educational workshops over the past five seasons led by industry experts from brands including Vera Wang, L’Oreal Professionel, Anthropologie, J.Crew, Tommy Hilfiger and Goorin Bros. This season brings design intensive classes like sustainable dyeing techniques, draping, photography, marketing and more. “

SATURDAY, MARCH 2ND

Sustainable Dyeing: Discover Nature’s Sources of Color with Stephanie Ramirez. 

10AM-1PM

In this class, you will learn the principles of dyeing fabric with beautiful colors using only natural dyes. Each student will experiment dyeing different fibers using various natural dyes. Students are also welcome to bring additional materials they’d like to experiment with! Need an update to your apartment? Bring in some fabric to dye and make curtains out of! Or have an old or stained dress that you don’t want to part with, this is a great way to bring it back to life! >> RSVP

Jason Kruppa Beauty Photography

10AM-2PM

Jason Kruppa is a New Orleans-based photographer specializing in fashion, portraiture and fine art, with extensive experience in photojournalism, wedding and commercial work. During this workshop, students will have the opportunity to work closely with a team as they plan, shoot and edit a fashion editorial. The instructor will discuss the importance of storyboarding, communication, making a mood board, and the role of each team member in the process of creating the look and shooting the photos. The workshop will also feature demonstrations of how to use available light and studio light, both together and separately, for dramatic impact.  Students will be assisting the team throughout the day and are encouraged to ask questions for the benefit of the group. >> RSVP

Madame Grés Draping Techniques with Dr. Lisa McRoberts

1:30PM-4:30PM

Dr. Lisa McRoberts trained with Madame Picot, Madame Gres’ personal assistant, through the Paris Academy at the International Textiles and Apparel Association Conference. During this demonstration, participants will experience draping pleats and stitching them using historic couture techniques on an empire bra panel.  This couture technique may be used on any part of the body, in any designs, while affording the participant techniques that do not require previous sewing experience or the use of sewing machines. Madame Gres herself was an untrained architect that taught herself this highly respected technique. >> RSVP

MONDAY, MARCH 4TH

The Business of Fashion: DIY Style

10AM-12PM

A workshop on how to jump start your fashion business with just you in mind.  Class will be led by Kendra Jones Morris of Rural Revolution, a company committed to empowering women through fashion. About Rural Revolution: As a company, Rural Revolution believes in the power of employment and self-expression as a means for women to help sustain themselves and their communities culturally, economically, and physically. We believe in partnering with established co-ops when possible and forming new ones when needed. >> RSVP

Millinery with Sigourney

6PM-8PM

The class will take the attendees through the processes of designing and constructing a cut-and-sew hat, it will cover the reshaping and repair of felt and straw hats, and also touch on how to add trims to existing hats. Sigourney Morrison received a bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design from LSU, had a private label starting in 2009, and is currently the Custom Production Manager at Goorin Brothers. >> RSVP

SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH

ALG Style and NOLA Tweetheart Present: Style and (Social) Grace

11AM-1PM

The class is ideal for retailers in need of boosting their brand recognition and learning the value of social media. Learn how to have your voice heard and maximize on potential customers! This class is also fantastic for those interested a developing a more refined voice or point of view. (Bloggers, Writers, Photographers, this means you!) Lastly, new graduates and students learn how to present yourself to the fashion world, potential employers or more importantly how to be taken seriously about what you do or want to become!  >> RSVP

DISCOUNT CODES: ‘STUDENT’ that gives 30% off for students and ‘EDUAW13′ that gives 20% off

For more information on the workshops offered or fashion show schedules visit NOLAFW.COM

Happy Valentines Day! To show my love to my followers I am doing a giveaway for this awesome printed clutch courtesy of Brianne Faye. This clutch is hand screen printed on canvas with micro suede lining and inner pocket with a value of $55.

Will you be mine? 

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY USE THE WIDGET BELOW

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Well Mardi Gras is over, so while everyone recovers from a week of parading and partying, here is a fun outfit post inspired by the Skeleton Krewe, who march in Krewe D’Etat which rolls the Friday before Mardi Gras Day. The parade starts with the walking Skeleton Krewe handing out wooden dabloons and passing out the parade bulletin. My dad is part of this krewe and every year, makes a new paper mache skeleton head to walk the route. I just recently got these floral pants and skeleton tank from Abeille (which I LOVE together), and thought it was perfect to wear to go watch the Skeleton Krewe march, and to pose with a previous year’s skeleton head! 

Top + Pants: Abeille // Jacket // Booties: Target/DIY glitter // Necklace // Skull Earrings: Armoire

All photos taken by Ciera

It’s Carnival season y’all!! And I don’t know about you, but that means A LOT of walking for me! I am on my feet all day during work, and then I head straight to the parades, parking far and walking (at my usual abnormally fast pace) to my destination. Flat boots are always a must for parades, but I have found that even my flat riding boots can feel a bit constricting and uncomfortable after being in them ALL day into the night. I have decided to try a new option this year, SNEAKERS! I have never really been a fan of wearing sneakers other than to work out, but since they have been such a trend, and more and more styles have evolved, I have grown to like them (well some). You will notice there are none of those wedge sneakers featured. Not a huge fan of those. Don’t get the point. I would usually feel too casual or frumpy feeling in a sneaker rather than a boot, these are not your average tennis shoe though. Adorned with spikes, sequins, zippers, flowers, metallics, leopard print and Mardi Gras colors, I think these are a great option to wear with your skinny jeans, leather pants, leggings, tutu’s… ya know, whatever you choose to don for some parade watching, late night partying, Mardi Gras fun! I personally chose to purchase #6. I just loved the gold and high top combo, and even if I decide that the sneaker trend is not for me, it was worth the try for only $35! 

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

I am still waiting for my new kicks to arrive but check out how blogger Sincerely, Jules styled her sneakers. Perfectly casual yet still super stylish and put together. 

P.S. those Nike’s are my FAV of ALL, so sad my size is not available anywhere!! Limited sizes can be found here. 

I can’t wait to get my new kicks out on the parade route! Hope everyone has a fun & fashionable Mardi Gras season!! 

It’s my party and I’ll wear a beehive if I want to! Not really, but I wish… hmmm, maybe for Mardi Gras! But anyway, tonight I will be celebrating my 28th Birthday at Bellocq. Here, I share with you some images of inspiration from the kind of Birthday I dreamt up in my head (or from Pinterest!) Thursday night I had a WINE & DIY night with my ladies where we made a few of my b day inspiration pins come to life that I will be sharing later! But until then, CHEERS! Happy Birthday party night to me! 

Happy 2013 y’all! I hope everyone had a fun New Years Eve full of laughter with lots of bubbly & confetti, because I sure know I did! Here’s a little recap of the few pics I have from the night. Lana and I started the night off at #Confetti13, a party with some of her Anthro co-workers, complete with a photo backdrop, oversized noisemakers, whimsical decor, and lots of confetti that we decided to adorn our drinks with the rest of the night. Next, it was off to d.b.a. when I discovered that my beaded dress doubled as a wash board while the noise maker I was holding hit against it as I walked. I played us some tunes as we marched through the quarter to get to our next destination where The Soul Rebels would take over as our musical entertainment and lots more bubbly would be consumed. Cheers to a new year that I hope brings happiness, health, love, wealth, and lots of sparkle and shine to all you lovelies! <3

Are you feeling naughty or nice this holiday season? I had the idea to make this clutch so you can choose which side to wear it on depending on your mood. I used these plastic boxes, vinyl letters, and some christmas bulbs. For the second one I used modge podge, glitter, a metal bow from a napkin holder, and a jingle bell. Sorry, this is more of an outfit post than a step by step DIY, but you get the point. You can do so many fun/festive designs on these boxes for that perfect statement bag for all your holiday parties! They really are the perfect size for all your necessities too! 

Top: Thrifted (always check the little boys section!) (Similar/Similar) // Skirt // Shoes: Nine West via TJ Maxx (Similar/Similar) // Necklace // Earrings // Rings: Buffalo Exchange (Similar/Similar) // Coat: French Connection (Similar/Similar)

InvadeNola is celebrating their 3rd Birthday THIS THURSDAY! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to post the images from the shoot that I styled for their “Party Issue” to get you pumped about their Birthday Party! Thy are a great team to work with and definitely know how to throw a good party! 

 The party is TOMORROW, so don’t miss out! Order your tickets HERE! 

Image Credits: Photography by Rachel Maloney // Styling by Jasmine Holzenthal // Makeup by Belinda Avila // Models: Alice McGilliuddy & Morgan Ford // Wardrobe from Abeille Nola & Armoire