Becoming the Bag Lady

I've never been one of those girls to possess a ton of handbags. I tend to buy a bag & stick with it for the majority of the year (read: until the bottom of the damn thing becomes brownish, grayish with dirt. Just ask my Herve Chapelier bag, circa '05-'07...RIP "Chap"). But something has come over me, dear readers! I'm realizing you don't have to spend a ton of a cash for your carryall, so you can afford to switch it up if you dote on a tote. I've always been one for neutral colors so I can hold my little ones near and dear year-round.

Call me boring, but I'm seriously sweating these neutral knapsacks for a 12 month span of sportin'.
(From Left: Forever 21 Flap Down Hobo Bag, $30.80; Spiegel Patent Tote, $44 (comes in three other springy colors too!); ASOS Side Zip Slouch Bag, $51.28)

Trust me, a bright green bag for spring time is tons of fun, but if you want a friend forever, go with neutrals like those shown above. And here's a tip: don't be afraid to buy from a discount site like Gilt, HauteLook or RueLaLa...buying accessories is so much easier than opening up that UPS box and finding out those jeans don't fit (...because they're too big, of course)!

Lela Rose Is a Rose Is a Rose

There are many things I love in this world. And I know "love" is a strong word, but it doesn't even begin to describe how strongly I feel about my parents, sister, husband, in-laws and sweet pup (a black lab named Monroe...the most handsome dog in the universe).

In terms of fashion, I happen to love a Texas-born designer by the name of Lela Rose. To me, she epitomizes the definition of southern elegance. Her looks are prim and proper without being stuffy or matronly; she's conservative with a twist...a plunging back here, a mesh panel or thoughtful pleat there. So naturally, I chose Ms. Roses's handiwork for the most important day of my life thus far, my wedding day!

(The result? My all-time favorite dress I've ever worn, above!)

But I'd be foolish to think I could afford this look everyday (and if you can, may I suggest you check out my sister-in-law's store Vermillion in Raleigh, NC)! But lately I've seen some nods to the craft that is Lela Rose's. Her Spring 2010 Fashion show presented extremely wearable pieces in cheerful colors.
Inspired by the two beautiful looks above, I found the following pieces to help recreate the timelessness & easily mix-and-matchable style of the sweetest flower in fashion!
Leave it to Forever21 to nod to Lela's looks with whispy prints and bold hues. It seems as though this $27.80 blush linen blazer could be an essential piece to usher you into spring! (Chiffon Leveled Dress, $27.80, Watercolor Flower Dress, $24.80)

Any of these shoes would serve you well with the above pieces. Even Lela herself supports thrifty finds, with those $34.99 fuchsia pumps (middle, above) available at Payless. The most versatile find today are these $28 Twist Buckle Gladiator Sandals (left, above), tough enough for dancing on the lawn at your favorite concert but polished enough to wear to a bridesmaids luncheon. And finally, these $39 Blowfish Denim Flats (right, above) perhaps speak to Lela's trademark pleats so much so that I must give them their own close-up, Mr. Deville.

(Left: $39 Blowfish Flats at Lulus.com; Right: $950 Lela Rose Sheath at shopbop.com)

Remember, even if you can't afford your favorite designer, you can afford to be inspired and find the looks for less. It's the thrill of the chase that excites me!

What designer trends are out there now that you'd like to recreate for 100andsouth?

Marinate on This...

So my life is sort of in transition mode currently, so bear with me until the next official 100andSouth post. For now, I leave you with a quotation to remind us that happiness comes in many forms (...like these killer Seychelles strappy heels that are on sale, perhaps?)

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly...to listen to stars and buds, to babes and sages, with open heart; await occasions, hurry never...this is my symphony." - William Henry Channing

Cream of the Crop

Lucky for me, I am a child of the 80's (and lucky for me, the hair straightener was invented right around the time I reached high school in the 90's - SCORE). Also lucky for me, this means my survival depended on "Growing Pains," a young Jonathan Brandis to pine after & a frizzy-haired Sarah Jessica Parker to look up to. You see, before she was Carrie Bradshaw, she was Janey Glenn in the greatest move of all time "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (tied with "Adventures in Babysitting" of course).
In the movie, SJP's style starts off as "Catholic-school girl" and morphs into "DanceTV badass" as noted in the photo above (MAN, I wish you could see the white lace-up ankle boots she has on under those jumpin' legs...CLASSIC). The cropped tee not only highlighted her rockin' abs, but it also helped convince the audience that she was a rebel indeed! Inspiring? I think so! But first things first.
JUST SAY NO to anything too cropped. Home girl looks like she lost half of her top on the way to the photo shoot. Keep the length G rated, adding a loose tank underneath if you're feeling overexposed.
(L to R: Alternative Apparel Molly Crop Burnout Rolled Sleeve Tee, $42; Urban Outfitters Nom de Plume YaYa Crop Top, $29.99; C&C California Twist Crop Striped Tee, $54)

Get the looks above, and you're automatically lookin' casually cool. But don't let your top influence your bottom, if you know what I mean. Keep the hem lines longer down there by wearing some skinny jeans or a just-above-the-knee length pencil skirt.

Furthermore, I think the crop top is perfect concert-wear. I'd rock the following outfit (for under $100 combined!) to the My Morning Jacket show in Chastain Park April 23! Click to enlarge!
I'd pair my Blank Denim straight leg jeans, similar to these Forever21 Neon Stitch Straight Jeans ($29.80) with this cropped Forever21 Ditsy Floral Silk Tank ($22.80 and LOVING the zipper)! These Ecote Macrame Slingback Sandals from Urban Outfitters ($28) are strangely similar to some I have by Seychelles, and I'll accessorize by mixing prints and popping some color with this Third Rose from the Sun Scarf from ModCloth. At $15.99, that rounds out or outfit at $96.50. Just enough for a PBR from the concessions stand!

*Perk! From now until March 8, take 15% off Alternative Apparel's weekend faves collection. Get to it here and use code CWS211 for the deal!

It's All About the "Monet"*

*I was going to call this entry "I Be Strokin'" but a) I wasn't sure you'd get the Clarence Carter reference and b) I wasn't sure you'd find it appropriate...carry on!

I could sit here and lecture all of us on how I think fashion is art, Lady Gaga is a genius and Alexander McQueen's (R.I.P.) wedge platforms(?) are aesthetically, "like, aaaaaaamazing." But truth be told, I don't believe any of that (Gaga a groundbreaker? Helloooooo, does anyone remember Bjork?)...save the "fashion is art" part, there are some trends and icons that I find more on the "loco" than "lustful" side. But when clothing is inspired by art, not imitating it, that's when I find articles to be the most beautiful and swoon-worthy.

Take the watercolor trend for example...whistful prints of flowers and leaves become the canvas to creating the perfect outfit. I'll leave painted prints on my bottom half to Agness Deyn; otherwise, I might as well carry a boombox blaring Sir Mix-A-Lot's "I Like Big Butts" wherever I go...

(L to R: Urban Outfitters Heartbreaker Painted Floral Tank, $9.99; Love21 Water Painted Floral Top,$17.80; Anthropologie Brushwork Blooms Cardigan, $69.99)

I'd rock these tops with skinny jeans and platform wedges for now (white jeans with sandals the weather gets warmer), and I'd pair each item with a somewhat tough accessory to avoid looking too much like the "Golden Girls" #1 fan. Par example...
(L to R, clockwise: Harlow Sandals, $39.95; Urban Outfitters Hard Candy Sunglasses, $10; TopShop Dome Stud Skinny Best, $40)

Layer a gauzy deep-hued eggplant, kelp green or metal gray cardigan over any watercolor prints for those chilly nights, and see how many peeps start asking for digits to your exhibit!

Whatchama-collar

Y'ALL.

I am so excited about today's post, mainly because it has to do with a scrumptious little necklace that is on its way to me via brown (a.k.a. UPS). Well in fact, it's no "little" necklace at all. Allow me to explain...it's a mass of balls. Ok, that didn't help either. Why don't I just SHOW you the thing.
As I've explained before, statement necklaces are everything to me seeing that I can't adorn my ears that often (though the occasional sturdy, SOMEWHAT ouchless clip-on does come my way once in a blue moon). I just snagged this Leslie Danzis Textured Disc Bib Necklace off Gilt Fuse for $11. That's right - a Hamilton and a Washington, peeps. Original price - $70, Gilt Fuse Price - $30, Gilt Credit - $25, total with shipping, $11. Sorry, I like to talk in short, intermittent phrases when I get pumped.

If the above necklace is too bubbly for you, just feast your eyes on some of her other confections that might tickle your pickle:
(L to R: Beaded Chain & Fringe Necklace, reg. $100, Gilt price $42; Braid Bracelet, reg. $72, Gilt price $26; Ball & Chain Earrings, reg. $55, Gilt price $18)

And it's back to basics as I plan to rock my new necklace with my fave boatneck top, currently on sale at Alternative Apparel for $14.99.
With prices these good, you can afford to splurge on a new pair of Blank Jeans from Priceline or some Seychelles dancin' shoes from SoleStruck! Have at 'em!

100andSouth Classy-fieds

As I have expressed to y'all many times, Gilt Groupe is a bit of an obsession for me. I write down the best sales in my planner so that I won't forget them and make absolutely CERTAIN I'm at my computer at 11:58AM (the trick is just keep re-loading the page until the sales pop up, but I digress...) But recently, one of my buys (which was an extremely well thought-out, non-impulse buy I might add)...well...bit me in the ass to put it delicately.

Below is an absolutely gorgeous size 4 Tibi cocktail dress..."tribal" inspired beading creating an empire waist-line, 2 layers of chiffon fabric, tags still intact. A fabulous find indeed, but sadly it does not fit and cannot be altered. I desperately need to sell it, so in true 100andsouth fashion, I'd like to offer it to any of you lovely ladies (or men if that's your thing...I won't tell) for $40. And I will pay for the shipping! Let me know if you have any interest by emailing me at gennasharris@gmail.com ...happy Monday!