Behind The Scenes

Today I had the opportunity to take a tour of a local studio and see what kind of work goes into a Belk print ad.  Pictures taken at this studio go through quite a process: from here, to India, to Lancaster, PA and back with only TWO DAYS for turnover. Our guide stated that when they first took Belk as a client, they had 14 days to go through that process but technologies have changed and demand has increased for e-commerce which has whittled down the turn time.

I thought this wall was hilarious... where models come to grab their hair extensions in the morning.

I have seen the outcome of this KitchenAid set-up a bazillion times... and here it is getting shot!

This particular office housed commercial photographers, stylists, digital marketing program managers, and a couple other interesting titles that I can't remember specifically.  Before today, I would say I had a pretty narrow view of what a "stylist" was.  My definition would be someone who dresses models in a way that is creative and thought-provoking way for a photo shoot, commercial, TV, etc...... or, hello... Stacy and Clinton!  But today I got a glimpse of how far styling can range.  Some stylists were stacking fuzzy slippers for a holiday ad, some were clamping jackets on models to better fit their less-than-average frame, some were steaming and shaping felt hats, some were sticky-rolling samples, some were ironing men's shirts and trying to re-fold them to the perfect rectangle dimensions.... and I assume there are home stylists that we didn't see in action.  According to one of the stylists we met, the more range in their position, the better.  I do firmly believe that creating creates creativity and it's an ongoing cycle.  Maybe the same philosophy works for them?  As for those stylists shaping felt hats (for one, have you ever TRIED to shape a felt hat?), if it comes in more color way, they have to near-perfect shape all of them, and then place them exactly the same in front of the camera.  I thought back to how I always assumed that Victoria's Secret must edit the color ways on all those bikinis...but now, I don't know?

Fun Fact: While a lot of product is shot in this studio, photographers fly to NYC to shoot Cynthia for Cynthia Rowley, Eileen Fisher, Free People,  Crown & Ivy, and MADE for Cam Newton.

Urban Outfitters in Herald Square

I brag on Dick Hayne, CEO of URBN Inc., every chance I get but he has really outdone himself this time! The newest Urban Outfitters located at Broadway and W 35th Street in the famous Macy's Herald Square is taking the lifestyle brand to a new level. It opened in June, but I just got to see it with my own eyes on a recent trip to NYC.  I wish we could have seen it in the daylight and not at the end of a very long day so I could have taken better pictures, but I'll try to scratch the surface of awesomeness anyway.

(That exciting moment when you get real light spots in a photo... Not added while editing).

There are "trend shops" set up throughout the store... This particular one housed tons of vintage treasures from retro prom dresses to a 90's Alan Jackson photo tee.

Of course they had their normal offering of jewelry, but in addition, there were lots of nicer vintage pieces too displayed throughout the store.

They have a vinyl shop with over 400 titles!! But it think it was the Pendleton record players that really got my heart rate up.

They have a beauty department with a a full-service hair salon and full-time barber.

As a little girl I was a sucker for glitter polish... I never really grew out of that.

Tortoise & Blonde have their own set up, offering eyewear around the $50 price range.  Not that surprising for T&B because I think they've had an ongoing relationship with UO and a history of in-store pop-up shops.

Recently launched activewear line, Without Walls, had a nice spread of space all to itself. A quirky camping scene and tents that protruded from the walls set off the active ambiance.

A huuuuugggee shoe department... Not a couple shelves on the wall... A full-on shoe department.

Tons of unique options in the home department for customizing your space. 

I'm not positive how many square feet the store was, but according to Business Insider, URBN will be experimenting with larger store size with Free People in the near future. I know that the average store visit for their garden brand, Terrain, is about 2-3 hours and they're looking to keep the customer entertained for that same amount of time here. Job well done. Here are all the things I didn't even get to take pictures of:

-Photo booth and photo printing station for your Instagram photos

-the Bikestock vending machine for all your bike repair needs

-it's own coffee shop

-a souvenir shop featuring a Philadelphia-favorite, Three Potato Four

-a book and paper goods department

Oh geez. You'll just have to see it for yourself!

10 Fun + Easy Gifts for Your Recently Engaged Friend(s)

Recently, a friend at work had friends coming into town on their way back from Asheville, NC where they had just gotten engaged.  She wanted to make their one-night visit special and celebrate their new commitment, but was obviously a little limited on time.  She said "You just got engaged... what are some good gifts I can pick up after work?" 

Which inspired this post...

10 Fun + Easy Gifts for Your Recently Engaged Friend(s)

1. A fun card

If you're lucky enough to live in Asheville, you've got the perfect place for a cute &/or hilarious card for any event....Whist on Haywood Road.

2. A ring dish

Again, Whist has a great selection, but this cute little guy is from Anthropologie.

3. A bridal magazine to get the collection started

There are too many great bridal magazines out there to name... some that cater to DIY ideas, regional,  niche, etc. but The Knot is a great place to start.

4. For the bride who will readily admit that Bey is a Queen, the Feyoncé tank

Found at ThreeTwo1 via Etsy.

5. Cold feet socks by Groom Socks via Etsy

Whether it's her or him, they're bound to experience that moment of doubt.

Forever? Are you sure? 

6. Ikat monogram letters from Anthropologie
Find a letter that represents the last name they'll soon share.

7. Don'ts for Husbands & Wives from Paper Source

Mini books that contain entertaining advice for a happy marriage.

8. Share a Coke

Take advantage of the times... how easy is that?

(picture source)

9. A nice smelling candle is always a crowd pleaser.

Duncan & York of Asheville has/had my personal favorite--Produce candles:

10. Last but not least, for the animal lovers, the I Do Too bandana

Found at All Puppies and Love via Etsy

Cheers to love and friendship!

Lucky in Lucky

This past Thursday we had our quarterly corporate meeting at work to get everyone pumped up for Fall and Holiday trends and sales.

To kick off the meeting they had a "show us your best boots" contest where volunteers from the office  (which ended up being over 30 people) had to parade across the stage and they showed our boots on the big screen.

Judges narrowed it down to 3 finalists and in the end I was named for having the best boots!

I won $1000 in a Frye shopping spree.... AWESOME prize!

My legs were like jell-o right about here.

My most prized Double D Ranchwear boots.

 Free People Daisy Lace Dress/ Lucky Brand Ditzy Floral Top/ Lucky Brand Necklace/ Vintage Turquoise Ring found in downtown Asheville, NC/ Anthopologie Scalloped Monogram Bracelet

And if winning the boot contest wasn't exciting enough... they announced that **MIRANDA LAMBERT** will be the entertainment for the Belk Bowl on December 30th this year.... her concert that is free to the public starts at 4:00p.m.  I will be camped out all day for that.

Too Damn Young

....to feel this damn old!

So many things have changed in my life since my last post.

I finally became a watch-wearing 9-5er with a "big girl job" that I started about two months ago.

Some nights I even go to bed before 11pm and am considering getting my eyes checked to see if I need computer monitor glasses.

His: Diesel watch (cause every #redneckdiva has a nice Dale Earnhardt watch)

Hers: Fossil watch/ Layered bracelet from Altar'd State/ Lenny & Eva beaded bracelet

Trying to find the sweet spot between looking professional and being able to express my style has been on of those processes that makes it all feel real... I can't default to tennis shoes and jeans like I could in college, or super casual Free People clothes like I could at my URBN internship (you could really wear a crop top and shortie shorts and have purple bed head, if you so choose).

Dress from Altar'd State/ Lucchese boots from Watsonatta Western World - Boone, NC

But luckily, I don't have to give up my boots for Modern. Southern. Style.

I turned 23 a week ago.... and thanks to Austin, I'm learning to play guitar!

Oh, and AUSTIN PROPOSED! 

WE'RE GETTING MARRIED.

And I'm here to tell ya... wedding planning is a lot of fun, but not nearly as glamorous as Pinterest leads you to believe.

Not only is Austin my best friend, completely in-tune with what I'm about, and totally selfless...

He gave me the most beautiful ring I've ever seen.

Wick & Greene Jewelers

Prepare yourself to see lots of wedding-related posts.

And as for the blog, I am really excited to start back up.  

I have taken the pressure off of myself of having a big blog following, and am more utilizing it to document and share, as it should be.

Thanks for stopping by :)