A love story: Bohemian and Southern & City.

This is most excited I’ve ever been to write a post!  I am so honored to announce that Southern and City is being stocked in my favorite store, Bohemian, in Columbia, SC!  Not only is it being carried, it is FLYING off the shelves!  Huge!

We were thrilled to be invited to partake in Bohemian’s 2nd birthday party in their Saluda Street location.  Southern and City, Mamie Ruth, and the amazingly wonderful staff at Bohemian partied the night away with drinks, red velvet cake, and giveaways!  (If you haven’t seen Mamie Ruth’s collection you should totally check it out and support another local business out of Savannah, GA.)

When building a brand, it is so important to make sure the stores you are stocked in really represent the vision you have for your company.  Southern and City relies on it’s friends, staff recommendations, and all around gut to choose the stores that represent the brand.  We are so thrilled to be able to add Bohemian to that list.  This is a store filled with vibrant colors, crazy patterns, and up and coming labels.  They take risks with whom they buy from and are always willing to support new designers.  The main reason we were sold on Bohemian?  They were excited about working with US!  We knew we weren’t just going to be another brand on the shelf.  AND, they already wanted to party with us?  A match made in heaven.

Southern and City fell in love with Columbia and thus created the love story between us and the City of Dreams.  We were ectastic to see Spring/Summer 2012 fly off the racks and in to the hands of stoked customers.  When working so diligently on a concept, fabrics, and the samples themselves, it’s easy to get a little sentimental when they get sold.  However, Samantha, Virginia, and I all agreed that these pieces went home to much deserving closets.

We can’t wait to see what this relationship/friendship/obsession that has bloomed between us and Bohemian has in store!  Working so closely with such incredible boutiques has definitely inspired us to push the envelope with the next collection.  Southern and City will be back in Columbia soon to support our new customers, friends, and fashion family.

Can’t wait to see you there!

XXX Allison

What’s up with the Weather?

Sure, weather is typically the topic brought up when the conversation starts getting dull. Right now in Southern California, however, it seems to be the only thing anyone is talking about. I was getting so excited to snuggle up by the fire, have cozy movie marathons, wear huge sweaters and enjoy my California winter.

This year it seems like the California thermometer has a mind of its own. It is the middle of February and, my friends, I just spent the day lying on the beach watching the guys surf. Is this for real; it’s 85 degrees in Feb?

Aside from abandoning my much-anticipated wintertime activities, I don’t think I am the only one who is confused about what to wear with this strange weather. Are we supposed to keep wearing winter clothes and just pretend? Or should we go ahead and switch into spring looks already? Maybe you’re not experiencing the same heat wave that I am wherever you may be. Maybe the temperature is lower than normal where you live. How do you dress for that? Should you go snowsuit-chic year round?

It can be a very interesting time when our closets switch from season to season. The spring lines are coming out (cough, cough… Southern & City), and we may be enticed to dive into those looks. It is in situations like these where I say, “Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable!” Is it a hot February day? Wear a lighter outfit. Don’t feel like you have to dress for Feb when it is disguised as July.

Whenever we are in between seasons it is more important than ever to layer. It could be freezing in the morning, hot in the afternoon and then raining at night. What else can you do to prepare than layer?

Here is one of my current fashion secrets for you: invest in a vest. Vests are perfect for times when you can’t make up your mind. They keep your core warm, letting your arms breath and all the while making a powerful fashion statement.

Whether your weather is hot, cold, or simply confused, just remember to layer your look. It will keep you looking season-appropriate while not over-heating. Remember that your look is yours, your style is yours, and your clothes are yours. So go ahead, put together your perfect not-so-wintery winter day outfit and head out on the town.

XOXO,

Kylie for Southern & City

Freshly Squeezed! Check out our article in Sweet Lemon Magazine!

I hope you all have been checking Southern and City’s Facebook page for all your updates on style, trends, tips, and tricks!  Hopefully you have seen our most recent accomplishment, an article written in the digital Sweet Lemon Magazine.  Their mission statement states: committed to “connect(ing) visionary women across the globe, providing mentors, fostering confidence, and striving for excellence. “  With a mantra like that, we were of course honored when they chose to interview Samantha Abrahart, founder, and to highlight our new Spring Collection.  Never one to turn the chance to spread our message, Samantha discussed with Sweet Lemon what it means to be a S&C follower, the ascetic of the new collection, and what all this success means to her.  If you haven’t had the chance to read it, I highly suggest clicking the link below and becoming a regular follower of Sweet Lemon Magazine.  It’s all about supporting each other and women everywhere to be successful, confident, and realize their potential.  How can you not love that?

The key to a great article is your words and inspirations being understood perfectly.  Sweet Lemon hit it right on point with, “big city style meets small town simplicity.”  It doesn’t matter where you live, what school you go to, or what you do.  As long as you have a sense of personal style, aren’t afraid to take risks, and are excited about fashion; you get the Southern and City vibe.  We’re all about passing it on and we absolutely love that Sweet Lemon is dedicated to highlighting women from all over the country.  Individuality is such an important part of what we do at S&C.  It keeps the engine running.  Without all of the dedicated people involved, whether it is Virgina Clausson, Senior Fashion Stylist at S&C, or Kylie and I, it wouldn’t be the same company.  Samantha keeps an eclectic group of individuals surrounding her and the Southern and City name.  She knows that it takes an ever-evolving, ever-changing, and ever-bettering mindset to make a  company fresh, resilient, and most of all successful.

I’ve included a sneak peak at the Spring collection and I hope you are just excited about it as all of us at S&C.  It has that laid back, seventies vibe that has become so popular yet everlasting.  This line is cohesive yet not something you see in your average store.  Be ready to feel like you’ve step out of the box but that you just walked in to your new obsession.

The journey has just begun for us.  We’re internationally sold in Switzerland now, how incredible is that?!  Join us for the ride and keep updated on all things Southern and City on Facebook, Twitter, and right here on WordPress.

Thank you for all the continued support and get ready for the new collection, I know we are.

Have a fantastic weekend, and don’t forget to support Sweet Lemon Magazine!

http://sweetlemonmag.com/

XX Allison

My Style Inspirations

The holidays are officially over and it’s time to get back on schedule.  This is my worst nightmare but at the same time, exactly what I need.  Packing to go back to school is always my darkest day.  I’m what you might call a hoarding packer.  Trying to figure out what to take and leave gives me closet anxiety.  I like to make sure I have everything I might possibly need with me at all times.  I will always have bobby pins, safety pins, a lint brush, etc in my purse so you can imagine what my suitcase is like.  I was beginning to have a break down about trying to fit my life in about two regular size suitcases but then I remembered the most glorious thing.  I do live in a house with six other girls.  If I forget something, I know for a fact they would definitely have something that would suffice my need in my fashion emergency.  Interestingly enough, we all have very different styles but some how effortlessly share and intermingle our clothes.  The beauty of our closet swaps is that we style the pieces so differently it is usually almost impossible to tell that the clothes are borrowed.  I highly suggest beginning this co-dependent fashion relationship with your roommates.

This is me unpacking.

Here’s a little bit about each of the girls I look to for fashion creativity.

Killoran

She is so true to her own ascetic, she also happens to be as preppy as they come.  I seriously think Ralph Lauren looks to her closet for design inspiration.  Killoran is truly a creature of habit.  She knows what looks good on her and kills it every time.  Puffy vests, plaid button downs, corduroy skirts; you name it, she has it, potentially monogrammed.  She is the first to tell you that collars are her thing and last to leave the dancefloor.

Molly

Molly has nailed the simplicity sort of style.  She is confident in jeans, a top with some crazy detail like a low back or braided straps and a wedge heel.  Not only can she make the girl next door outfit work, she has perfected the day to nightwear look.  She can effortlessly take a work dress, throw on a jacket, add some jewelry, and completely redefined her outfit for the night.

Shelley

I’ve been known to raid Shelley’s closet for the perfect pair of suede gray booties.  I am actually in love with them.  Shelley is great about finding gorgeous pieces that are perfect for her body.  Whether it is a black Ali Ro jacket that nips at the waist or a stunning new bag from some online mecca I haven’t even heard of yet, Shelley always looks fantastic.  She is always ahead of the trend but isn’t afraid to make it her own with a pair of riding boots and a Barbour jacket.

Kelsey

Kelsey has a certain whimsical fashion sense about her.  She looks great in chiffon and other breezy fabrics.  Yet, in the perfect tandem of soft and hard, she can throw a gorgeous motorcycle jacket on top of a cocktail dress and look incredible.  She is confident in her style choices and her wardrobe is flawlessly cohesive.

Maddie

Maddie knows what she looks good in but isn’t afraid to try new things.  She is a mixed bag of preppy, bohemian, and eccentric.  She somehow manages to hit all of those adjectives in almost everything she wears.  She isn’t afraid to try new things and is the first to say if she doesn’t think something looks right.  Maddie knows what looks good on her and what she is comfortable wearing.

Kaleigh

Kaleigh has fantastic personal sense of fashion.  You can find her in a fedora, a fur vest, or even fleece-lined leggings.  She searches for pieces that hold some importance to her which always mean a bit more in my opinion. Clothes are her babies and she treats them with just as much love and tenderness.  Kaleigh can pretty much get away with wearing anything but never looks bad or like she is trying too hard, a gift I admire.

This is the crew that I’m honored to live with.  I hope that you are friends with some fantastic style inspirations and are lucky enough to be able to swap style, ideas, and pieces.  Street fashion is all about confidence and trying new things on!  A great way to do that is to borrow something from a friend or ask her advice about an exciting trend before committing.  Bounce ideas off each other!

Style is a muscle; you have to use it for it to get stronger.  Embrace your peer’s fearless sense of fashion and take a chance!

Have a fantastic week.

XX Allison

A Polished Look

One of the very first things my eyes are drawn to when meeting someone for the first time or reuniting with a friend would have to be her nail polish! I’m not kidding; I love nail polish, painting my nails and seeing what colors girls around me are sporting. No, I don’t always keep up with my nails like I wish I did, but there is always room for improvement. Have you ever stopped to think about the color of nail polish you are buying and why? Why am I drawn to the calm, neutral colors? Or what about the hot red polish? Heck, why don’t I paint my nails at all? Some people say that you wear your personality on your sleeves. Nope, I believe you wear it right on your fingertips. Here is what I think it means when people paint their nails one color or another.

HOT PINK: Woahhhhh, bombshell status. This color is chic, sexy and bold. Talk about exuding confidence! If you want to catch someone’s eye, hot pink would be the wow factor you are looking for. With the sassy fingernails you might want to put a more neutral or natural shade on your toes just to balance out your awesomeness.

CORAL: You love summer and everything that goes along with it! You can’t wait for the sun to start shinning and the temperatures to start rising. Coral is a fun and feminine color for the fun-loving girl inside you. Not only is it a beautiful and warm color but it also seems to flatter all skin tones.

OFF-WHITE: The perfect pearl color. Women who choose off-white are confident and classy, calm and collected. She goes for the low-profile colors and nails it every time. I would, however, refrain from off-white on your toes; definitely not flattering…

LIGHT PINK: Oh hello there feminine, delicate princess. Light pink is for the more conservative, sweet, perfectly dressed girls. This color would be perfect for a professional career women and someone who likes to look perfect and well put together.

RED: This color is the universally flattering nail color that portrays elegance, power and romance. Red is a great ‘date’ color for a woman wanting to attract her man. It always looks very polished, stylish and makes the woman seem open-minded. 

GOLD: This girl knows what’s in, and most other girls probably come to her for fashion advice. She is hip, young, fresh and vibrant. Gold will go with everything; it is a great go to for parties or nights on the town as well.

ACCENT NAIL: The accent nail is very posh right now. These are for the girls who want to try something new, spice up their original nails, and have their nails really be art. Try it!

GLITTER: Everyone loves glitter; don’t even try to deny it. Splash some glitter on your nails every once and awhile. Not only will it brighten up your day and bring out your inner child but it will surely add some sparkle to the day of everyone you see.

If you weren’t a big nail polish girl before, hopefully you will start to think about it now. It can be the perfect accent to an outfit from Southern & City, or be the perfect way to ‘complete’ your look. Not only will it be a fun new hobby for you, but it can also be an inside look into your personality.

XOXO

Kylie for Southern & City

10 things you need to know right now.

Have you ever seen a really fantastic idea or piece of advice and thought to yourself, ‘ I HAVE to remember that!’ I do this all the time and I usually end up forgetting completely the lifechanging information I had just unearthed.  This morning I decided to compile a list of all the top tips and must-have fashion and beauty knowledge for your reading pleasure.  Enjoy and write down!

1. To take deodarent off an item of clothing: Material on material works best.  Grab the hem of your skirt or dress and rub the afflicted area rather vigorously.  Some people prefer to use water but I find this usually just leaves the stain the same and me wet and pissy.

2. To keep fake rings from tarnishing green on your fingers: Take a clear top coat nail polish and paint the inside of the ring. Let it dry and repeat.

3. To get nail polish out of carpet: Blot the stain. Scrape as much as you can off without making it worse.  Dab the area with rubbing alcohol sparingly.  Mix some laundry detergent and warm water, cover the stain to remove the rubbing alcohol.  Blot dry.

4. As a general rule, which should be passed along to gentlemen friends, always blot.  Otherwise you are just rubbing the stain into the fabric and have pretty much comfirmed a death sentence for your favorite sweater.

5. White wine takes out red wine, genius right?

6.  Dryer sheets are a great way to get rid of static cling, which is the absolute worst.  Literally just rub the sheet all over you, I recommend investing in the unscented version.

7. Gum in hair? You can use pretty much anything creamy.  Peanut butter. Vaseline. Cold cream.  Apply and wait for a few minutes and then gently comb out.  Shampoo after.

8. To keep lipstick off your teeth and glass: Lick your lips before taking a sip.  Put your finger in your mouth and pull out.  The excess color will be on your finger instead of your chompers!

9.  A great way to repair broken eyeshadow is to add a couple drops of rubbing alcohol.  Then press the eyeshadow down with the back of a spoon or coin.

10.  Need to get wrinkles out in a pinch?  If you’re in a place that has the capacity, throw it in the dryer with a damp towel for five minutes on medium.  If not, your best bet is to hang it up in the bathroom while you take a hot shower.

If you have any other great tips leave them in the comment section!  Hope these come in handy!

Happy 2012, a year for happiness, style, and Southern and City!

Xx Allison

Time for a Closet Cleanse!

Newsflash: I moved! This may be old news to some, but new to others. Just to make sure that we are all on the same page, it’s true, I moved! Yes, technically I have been out in Southern California for three years now for school but the family must have missed me too much so they decided to join me in the sun as well. What does my family’s move have to do with your fashion obsession? Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Manhattan Beach, CA has been a necessary and natural step forward for my family. Not only is it absolutely amazing…but it helped me finally clean out my closet!

really? NO!

Let me just say, there were some things in my closet that should never been seen in public, ever. This move was the perfect time to sift through my old.. very old.. ancient wardrobe. Don’t get me wrong; I love a good vintage piece, but vintage is different than a ‘should have been buried in the past’ piece.

Just like it can be fun and healthy to do a good ‘body’ cleanse every once and a while it is as equally fun and healthy to do a good ‘closet’ cleanse. Not only will it be therapeutic to move on from some past outfit mishaps, but you will have some great laughs while going down memory lane as well.

It’s almost the New Year, 2012, wow the years keep going by faster and faster. Clean out your closets, and make room for the new trends of 2012. Keep your eyes on Southern & City to bring in the New Year. You don’t need to get rid of all your old favorites, make sure you keep some that you can work into new outfits. You know that saying, ‘make new friends but keep the old, some are silver and the other gold’?? Well, the same applies to your clothes, (just not all of them.)

shopping spree!

While you are making your New Year’s resolutions this year, consider adding a closet cleanse to your list. You never know what may come of it.

XOXO

Kylie for Southern & City

The most important holiday outfit.

Christmas has come and gone.  You’ve opened all your gifts.  Drank your eggnog, rifled through your stocking, and even watched Christmas Vacation.  Now, the time has finally arrived to find your most important holiday outfit.  This is an outfit you won’t just party the night away in, but one you will welcome in a New Year and a new you.  If you’re lucky, you received an awesome dress for this special night as a gift this holiday season.  If you’re indecisive like me, you have literally no idea what you are going to wear.  Well look no further; this is a quick guide to nailing your New Year’s Eve look.  I can’t guarantee you a midnight kiss but I can promise you’re going to look drop dead gorgeous.

There are couple different directions to take the New Year’s Eve outfit.  Obviously, you can go sparkle or bling with sequins, beading, or shimmer.  This style is probably the most popular because it’s eye catching, it screams “Hey! Look at me!  I’m ready for the New Year!”  Not for the faint of heart, this choice is all about attention!

However, not everyone always wants to be a showstopper.  This is the perfect opportunity to rock that favorite little black dress.  Make it pop with bright heels, a fun belt, or just a confident attitude.

If you’re in the mood to bring in the New Year with color, there are so many different choices.  In stores you might find neon, turquoise, purple, or tangerine.  Choose a color that works with your skin and hair palette.  If you’re jumping into this trend make sure to keep your makeup neutral, otherwise you head into Nicki Minaj territory.

Low key this New Years?  No problem!  Through on that fantastic top you always wonder is too much.  Add your favorite jeans and you’ve found a killer and comfortable outfit.  Keep jewelry and heels simple to achieve the perfect balance.

The suggestions and mood board above are just some quick ideas on how to take your holiday look from red and green to sparkle and glam.  2012 is going to be a wonderful year for you and fashion.  Keep checking www.southernandcity.com for all your style needs and wants.

Here’s to us and a fabulous New Year!

XX Allison

Presents: check!

Yep, this is about to be another blog about the holidays. Now don’t go Googling other fashion bloggers just yet. Not only do I solemnly promise to change up the topic for my next post, but this subject matter may actually prove beneficial for you. Let’s be honest, being the beginning of Hanukkah and with less than a week until Christmas, how are you doing with your gifting “to-dos”? It is never easy to find the perfect gift for your mother, sibling, best friend or boyfriend. Here are a couple potential gift ideas for the special people in your life:

1. Jewelry – Before heading home for break, I opened my first Christmas present from one of my best friends from college and, I don’t know how I got so lucky, she completely NAILED it! She literally couldn’t have done a better job. What was her winning gift, you beg? A statement necklace that she made herself (yes, I know she is the coolest) accompanied by the New York Times Bestselling book Very Classy by Derek Blasberg.

If the jewelry/book route isn’t what you’ve in mind, how about:

2.  Clothing – You can never fail your girlfriends, sister, mother and even boyfriend with the clothing option. Whether it’s a piece that he/she has had an eye on or something you think belongs in his/her closet, I promise your passion for fashion will be well received. Need some ideas? Check out Southern & City apparel for the perfect piece to spoil your loved one.

If you are thinking “D) none of the above” and still searching for the perfect present, how about:

3.  Personal – Meaningful gifts always are the most memorable and appreciated. Make a scrapbook of your favorite memories with the person or try planning a special trip and/or activity for you to do together (camping, wine tasting, road trip, concert).

No matter what direction you choose for your gifts this season, give them from the heart. Sure, it is always fun to give gifts that you like (and maybe secretly want for yourself). This year though, put some extra thought into what the people in your life want. Why not give the greatest gift of all? Watch your loved ones faces as they open their gifts this holiday season. I promise it will be the gift that keeps on giving!

XOXO

Kylie for Southern & City

Let’s talk about denim.

This past weekend while shopping I had an epiphany.  I am actually frightened to purchase flared jeans.  You too?!  When did this happen?  When did this state of terror sneak up on us?  Was it during the round toe pump saga of 2008?  The military inspiration cycle in 2009?  Could it have been the maxi skirt boom of 2010?  I like to think I have a grasp on trends and how I feel about them but for once I was totally taken aback.  How can I have such an aversion to something without even really realizing it?  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I have been officially influenced by the fashion industry.  Think back to the cringe-worthy scene in The Devil Wears Prada when Meryl Streep rips into Anne Hathaway for commenting on how two belts were basically the same color blue.  Remember? Voila, that scene was officially my life.  Someone, somewhere, with a job I aspire to have, decided I wasn’t going to buy, wear, think about, or look at flared jeans.  And I obliged.

AH!

As much as I aspire to be in the fashion industry, this situation pains me. I am a free, independent woman!  I can make my own style choices and I like to think they are usually pretty decent.  At this point, I feel awful for the sales associate helping me.  Here I am saying I want something different this season.  She keeps suggesting boot cut, bell bottom, flare and I am just WAITING for her to say skinny but she doesn’t.  In retrospect, it probably was because I was actually wearing skinny jeans at the time, touche Julia at Anthropologie.  While she is listing these eclectic styles, I can’t help but wonder why I am only comfortable wearing skinny denim.  Is it because I aspire to be a New York hipster?  Probably.  Could it be due to the fact they make me feel more Nicole and less Paris?  That’s a good guess.  However, I think the real reason we are all stuck in this skinny rut is because of one thing: that’s all anyone wears!  How can we break out of this bubble when we are surrounded by skinny!

These thoughts are racing through my mind when I decide I’m going to try something different.  I tell the lovely Julia that I would like to try a pair of bell bottoms.  She picks out a great pair, a gorgeous wash with light stitching and gives me them to try on.  I go to the dressing room and have a quick pep talk with myself.  “This time I am venturing out!”  “Hipsters could wear bell bottoms!”  “I might even start a new trend!”  And other statements of that nature, which I’m sure the surrounding dressing rooms enjoyed.  I eventually put the jeans on.  Turn to face the mirror and am instantly remind why I do not wear anything other than skinny jeans.  First off, I have about four inches of excess material dragging on the ground.  In no way do I look like I am breaking fashion ground.  I do, however, look like an extra on That 70′s show.  I quickly take them off, fold them up and thank the sales associate for her time and assure her that I was doing her a favor but not letting her see them on.

That's more like it.

I know this is a long story about something silly but I think this is an important issue!  Try something new!  It may not work, believe me it doesn’t a lot of the time, but you might just find something that suits you better!  Make a conscious decision that may go against the grain of “style” and what is dictated for you!  I am officially a skinny jeans girls through and through but I wouldn’t know that if I hadn’t tried something new.

So get out there!  Try on, try on, try on!  Get creative!

Good luck!

XXX Allison