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black and white and pink all over

What's black and white and "red" all over? That joke always confused me when I was little, mostly because I immediately ran to the Sunday paper on my parents' kitchen table and scanned each page for any red writing to no avail. Of course until I saw the pledge of allegiance written out in my 9th grade history text book I also thought "for which it stands" was all one word: forwitchitstanz... some magical, patriotic, secret password. I hope you'll keep that little admission between us, but I digress.

My mother says that it's all about perception - "your perception is your reality," she says. To my eight-year old self, when I heard "black and white and red all over" I envisioned thousands of smart words leaping in red and black print from an omniscient, white paper. But that perceived reality impacts every facet of our lives. In Boutique we always ask a customer: "how do you feel in it?" - How does it make you perceive your reality?

Boutique Girl: Carter (styled by Ivana)

On Carter
Skirt: Karen Kane $26
Top: BCBG $11

Jacket: Lux $24

Wedges: Antonio Melani $43
Handbag: Gucci $475
Necklace: $26

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Hey y'all! Down here in the south we like to introduce our new neighbors to people we know... it's the hospitable thing to do! So I just wanted to introduce you to the blogs that our other two stores have. Finders Keepers Fashions (men's and women's consignment clothing and accessories) hosts: Side Street Style - http://www.sidestreetstyle.blogspot.com/. And Finders Keepers Furnishings just started their own blog! It's still in its infant stage, but it's off to a great start! Check it out for great tips, pictures of inventory, and contact-info for decorative/home experts: Under the Orange Awnings - http://www.lookfororange.blogspot.com/.

And don't you worry... there are several style blog posts in the works. I'm in the process of moving (ugh!) so my time has many places to go at the moment.

peace * love * fashion
Casey and the Boutique Girls

Got the Blues

To be the standard color of cold and depression, blue is one of the most lively, playful colors in the spectrum. Its hues are also assigned to the two key factors of life as we know it: air and water. Granted, the shades of blue are technically just a combination of reflections of light against the dark, untamed abyss that yawns infinitely above us. But when a cloudless sky is THAT blue - the kind of blue that stops you in your tracks and makes you completely forget what you were thinking about - the reasons for the color seem irrelevant to the reaction it involuntarily commands. Blue has an endless principle to it, an utter lack of beginning or end that perhaps is why our minds, so interested in things unseen and unkown, can't help but ponder the great beyond.

Boutique Girl: Carter (styled by Casey)

On Carter:

Cardigan: St John - $53

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity - $44

Top: Kimchi Blue - $17

Heels: Enzo $43

Clutch: Finesse La Model - $250

Necklace - $18

p.s.

We took these pictures in the new dessert shop - Suno - that just opened yesterday in our shopping center. They had a grand opening last night and tons of people braved the serious storm brewing overhead for free samples of what Suno calls "the asian dessert of atlanta." The buzz is big... can't wait to try it out for myself!

I Walk the Line

We use music to take us away - to put words and tones to feelings that we can't describe on our own. There's an escape in a melody, inspiration in a harmony, and a tender cut in well crafted lyrics. I'm a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due - and I have no problem admitting when someone else's words find the soul of something better than mine.

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
~ Johnny Cash
 

On Carter

Dress: Pucci - $168
Headband: (belt for dress) - n/a (priced with dress)
Booties: Just Cavalli - $55
Handbag: Bottega Veneta - $856
Necklace - $12

Let the Light In

I googled quotes about sunshine and waded through hundreds of song lyrics, poems, definitions, and metaphors. They were all nice or cute or clever, but none of them rang true to what sunshine DOES for a person. It's a life-force... like our own microwave - speeding up the movement of the molecules (if my memory of high school biology serves me correctly) that make us who we are. Everything seems to hum under sunshine's crafty fingers. Bright mornings have an immediate effect on my winter blahs. My husband always breathes a sigh of relief when the calender rolls into longer days. Be it vitamin D, warmer temperatures, or that colorful way the rest of the earth responds to daylight - what I know about sunshine is this: I never feel as perfectly content than when I'm standing, arms open, eyes shut, under a brilliant, burning, searing blue sky.

Boutique Girl: Ivana (styled by Carter)

On Ivana

Top: Antonio Berardi $21

Jeans: J Brand $53

Heels: Colin Stuart $25

Handbag: Gucci $695

The Texture of the Matter

I won't lie to you - there's not a whole lot I wouldn't do to walk around with Carter's hair flowing behind my own shoulders in that freakishly ethereal way. It's not the color - I mean it's pretty, but I'd look weird with blond hair. It's not the length - I'm approaching 30, and long hair has an expiration date in my book. It's the texture. The light, airy, softness that practically floats in gently-coiled tendrils. But the best part: she's one of the kindest, coolest people I know. So I can't HATE her - but I can use her for pictures! And that fair, blond crown made for a great balancing point to counter with the structured, sequined, high-waisted skirt and studded top. Mixing textures is just as artistic as blending patterns or colors. Some textures play together well and some flat-out argue. The key with texture is to find another commonality between the pieces to thread them together and let the different structures find a way to harmonize. The key might be as simple as a similar line, color, piping, or detail element. I have to go back to our standard rule of thumb around here at the Boutique - don't be afraid to make mistakes. If at first you don't succeed, sky-diving probably shouldn't be on your to-do list. But fashion, my dear friends, is chock full of trial and error.

Boutique Girl: Carter (styled by Ivana)

On Carter:

Heels: Boutique 9 - $20

Earrings: $10

Bracelet: $9

Handbag: CigarBox - $29

Skirt: Tory Burch - $89

Top: $5

Vest: Byer - $19