Giveaway: Shyanne Boots

There comes a time in every Alabama-transplant-midtown-Atlanta-tower-working-yuppie girl's life when she realizes that Lucchese boots don't particularly gel with a closet of J. Crew pencil skirts.

Thus another reason for Fridays. And Saturdays and Sundays.

I threw open the box lid, inhaled that comforting new-leather smell, and popped on this pair of Shyannes for a evening jaunt across the state line to Auburnville in support of a music-makin' friend. I must declare, they scuttle quite well across the Sky Bar dance floor.

For someone that holds the same standard for eligible bachelors (dance floor preparedness), the shoes, at least, are working for me.

This Friday, one lucky reader is granted her wish from Boot Barn's Shyanne collection.

One entry each for:

• leaving a comment (include your email address)
• tweeting about the giveaway and link back to this post (tag @EAStallings and/or @BootBarn)

You may enter as many times as you please, ma'am.

End date: Friday, Aug. 17th at midnight.

Enjoy, lovelies!

Extra bright, I want y'all to see this.

Can I haaaaaad it? Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

I have a second big announcement:

Post-Alpha Dee Grand Convention in Pheonix in dos weeks, the LC's are taking our much-needed celebratory vacay together--after what I think will always stand as one of the most trying years of my life. SB11 side-by-side didn't happen, and seeing that we're obsessed with one another, a last shebang NOT around a place-of-business (aka The ADPi Srat Castle) was in order.

The southwestern desert.

7 girls.

Summer.

All of age.

Ya follow me?

Photo courtesy of We Heart It.

That's right. Vegas, baby. Which I have begun calling  Ve-has in my head for fun. Megan's the resident blonde--I mean, Southwestern expert--so of course, she knows Vegas. We're only doing 2 nights, and we've staked claim to some DEALS. Let it be said: It helps to be a member of a 215,000-strong organization.

We also have geniusly purchased a veil and "I'm the Bachelorette" sash to trade wearing while hoppin' town. Good gracious. You'd think we never got any attention in our whole lives...

All I wanna wear? Bright, shiny sparkly stuff. Clearly, if you know me, I don't jam a lot of sequins on the reg. But Megan has told me I need "Vegas clothes and shoes." Examples:

I think this outfit is glorious.

I think this jacket with a little black dress rules. Photo courtesy of We Heart It.

And I think these shoes are ballin'. Photo courtesy of I Spy DIY.

Well, because tigers hate pepper and love cinnamon, and I love tigers, lehsgo buy a Vegas dress, y'all.

Blog post title: "All of the Lights" by Kanye West.

Raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a small-town Southern man.

Oh, heyyyyyy. Photo courtesy of Bearings.

This is what happens in my head when I walk past the men's clothing section:

"Oh. My. Gosh. That shirt is so freakin' attractive. I just wanna look for a minute..."
"Really, Ashlyn? Why? You do not have a boyfriend. A brother. Your father does not need that."

"But it's so pretty. Five minutes. Ahhhh--LOOK AT THAT ONE! And those bowties! Hot. I'm melting."
"Yeah. You still don't need to waste time. Have you run yet today? You should probably go run now."

I mean, classic girl: I see clothes that would look good on a handsome guy and my mind starts clicking--these pants, that shirt, with some perfect driving mocs and we in bidness.

Thus when I got tipped of to Bearings, "a Southern lifestyle guide for men," at around noon in Atlanta this week, I became a subscriber by 9 p.m. Duh.

Launched by two Atlanta gents in 2008, Bearings celebrates the slightly-rough-around-edges-but-I'll-open-every-door-for-ya-darlin' well-dressed Southern boy we all know and love. The weekly newsletter pops up in your inbox every other Thursday (just enough, yes?) and features a well-editted list of 5 uncluttered elements. Think, DailyCandy--but for a Southern fella.

Whiskey. Photo courtesy of Bearings.

Because I know there are guys that read this blog (and I love your "good post, ash" texts),

I recommend you subscribe.

I was lucky enough to chat with one of the creators, and got a heads up that while Atlanta and Nashville boast personalized city newsletters, more are on the way. Until then, the Southeast version will float ya just fine.

Dove huntin'. But don't say that first word to my dogs. Else they will go absolutely balistic. Photo courtesy of Bearings.

Bring on the button-down-wearing, outdoorsy, dog-lovin', well-mannered, liquor-handling, grill-mastering MAN. And then tell him to read Bearings.

Or, uh, if you're me, just read it anyway.

Blog post title: Yes, that is Alan Jackson. Which is a dang-good concert, for the record.

10% Off at Buffalo and Company!

Wildlife Series Tee Shirt. Photos courtesy of Buffalo and Company.

A coupla months back, I waxed poetic on the branding of Buffalo and Company. Grounded with the idea of creating Southern, classic American products that aim to represent the rugged, dust-and-dirt man's man, the company makes me grin--I've got a thing for guys a tad rough around the edges. (Freud would probably attribute this to having a huntin', shootin' fishin', bushoggin'-at-the-family-farm father. You know, the kind that broke his arm being thrown off a buckin' bronco at the Auburn frat rodeo circa 1980. The last time he wore pink was probably when my darling sister graced earth in 1991.)

True, a pair of seersucker pants on the right gentleman makes me swoon, but the scruffy, devil-may-care type is the way to my heart. Enter Buffalo and Company--I'll have what they're having. 

So when Xan came to me with a discount offer for my readers, duh--no brainer. Polos, tee shirts, fishing shirts, leather goods, baseball hats-- Check out the product line at Buffalo and Company and get 10% off with this code: MISSMAGNOLIA

Word on the street is they're perusing for a few good men. If you're interested or know someone who may want to be a B&C campus rep, give Xan a shout.

Hemingway Fishing Shirt. So maybe no fish bit last week and my friend pulled his golf clubs out and we drove balls into the field instead. I adore this shirt despite my luck.

Buffalo Polo

Charcoal Rip Stop Hat

So welcome my newest (okay, first, but like anyone's counting) advertiser--Buffalo and Company! Whatcha think?

.

Ahoy: Kiel James Patrick

I know, I know. I'm bandwaggoning a bit with this one, but I have kept my crush quiet too long.

Let me begin by saying I'm quite certain in another life I lived on a coastal city. The water FASCINATES me. Sand? Nbd. Say the word "harbor" and I Pavlov's-dog-salivate. Hemmingway has always charmed me. (original draw? The fact that he was besties with F. Scott Fitzgerald, my true favorite. And F. Scotty was married to--drumroll--Montgomerian Zelda Fitzgerald. They met at Montgomery Country Club. Now that I've played Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon BY MYSELF, I'll cool my jets.)

So when I saw Kiel James Patrick's woven silk stud earrings, I flipped a lid.

Because now, I believe I need little nautical earrings* for when I go to the beach. Or lake.

* I theme dress. Case in point: I wore a Mexican print skirt out on Cinco de Mayo** night. My mom is a teacher, it's in my blood. Judge me.

** Yes, to those concerned about my previous post, I finished the paper and went out for the 5th. Good call, Ashlyn. Viva Mexico!

I do not discriminate--their Vicker Lee headband collection rocks as well.

Am I allowed to wear headbands now that I'm a college grad? Sure. I mean, Blair Waldorf does, right?

Dear loyal Plash family readers: I love you. And your island. Melissa, tell anyone how I couldn't bait a shrimp last summer on your daddy's boat and you're going down. It will destroy my sailor-y street cred.

I needed help. I'm used to worms. Photo courtesy of Mallory.

Welp, 'til I move to Charleston, I'll just adorn my ears with the tennis racket studs. That suits my landlocked/rubico courtside style a little more. Pinkie-promise I won't wear them while playing. Come on, didya think I was THAT bad about theme dressing? :)

Hot like Mexico.

As the last political science paper of my collegiate career is due tomorrow (The Media's Effect on Foreign Policy in the Persian Gulf War--riveting, I know.), it's looking like Cinco de Mayo festivities shall be celebrated on the Seis. Tequila and Microsoft Word probably don't mix.

Puebla dresses available at La Mariposa, $44

Ahh, Cinco de Mayo! Here you are again. 

Let us trace my history of loving Mexico:

Forget princesses. For my 6-year-old birthday party, I went with a lovely Mexican fiesta theme. We wore sombreros and dined on mini tacos. Mother claims I bossed every one around.

For my 2nd grade state report, I chose New Mexico for its OBVIOUS connection to its southern neighbor. I spelled Albuquerque wrong on every page, meriting my first "F." Mrs. Furlow lovingly dried my tears and allowed me to rewrite my report and I got the nerdy 100 I was accustomed to. F --> 100? Only in grade 2.

In 6th grade, our class hosted Latin America day for the entire elementary. Mrs. Baker asked me, the resident ballerina, to choreograph a dance for 10 girls, so duh--I went with J Lo's "Let's Get Loud." What a jam.

In high school, I got bit by the French bug and remained a francophile til, well, now. But when my fashionable Texan sorority sister first wore a traditional Puebla dress with cowgirl boots, my former love came soaring back.

I want one soooooo badly.

That's what you're supposed to drink a 'rita in.

He didn't even go to class, Bueller.

Photo courtesy of Elle.com

Reading MyScoop's recent article on Sloane Peterson's style was a reminder that Matthew Broderick accounts for approximately half the reason I will always stop channel-suffering if Ferris Bueller's Day Off is on.

The other 50%? Effortlessly cool Sloan Peterson and her Ray Ban's.
Duh. Girl crush since age 10.

<--Proof the cool kids didn't have to wear neon in '86. Photo courtesy of ShopStyle.

Like any good journalism major, I Googled her. Findings? She has a real name (Mia, they claim), everyone wants that jacket, and then I found this article. Which I shall hence regurgitate here because it's funny:

THE GUIDE TO BEING SO CHOICE aka "How Sloane Peterson from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Taught me how to be an Awesome Girlfriend."

Get along with his friends. If you don’t get along with his friends you are done. seriously. That is number 1. Even if you think his friends are uptight weirdos or hypochondriac freaks, HEY, he is friends with them for a reason, so cut the crap. You’ve probably got some weird friends too...

Rein him in, but only when necessary. You are his girlfriend, not his mother. If he wants to sing to the city on a giant float, let him do it. He’s a big man and he can deal with the consequences. You can nicely remind him, Look, if you do that there might be trouble, but if you throw a b**** fit and give him the silent treatmeant you will look retarded when he has a new girlfriend on his arm from the impressive stunts he’s pulled.

Be funny. “He’s licking the glass and making obscene gestures with his hands.” Simple as that.

Be confident. Look, one of the reasons Ferris loved her was because she was cool and classy lady, she didn’t stress. She uttered the words and believed “He’s gonna marry me.” She probably knows if her boyfriend was running through a backyard and saw 2 girls tanning he probably would stop and say hello, but she also knows that he would spend hours of stress and risk his neck to get her out of school to just see her. Relax. You have him. He’s not going anywhere, and if he talks to other girls who cares--YOU are the one he wants to marry.

Say Eloquent S***. Did Sloane ever use the word “like” as much as you do in your daily conversation? No. Drop the habit that makes you seem like a dumb valley girl and trade it for stellar vocab terms like “warmth & compassion” and “devastatingly handsome.” Once you’ve mastered talking like an adult, you’ll be able to spew pearls of poetry like “The city looks so peaceful from up here…”

Pack lightly. Ever notice how tiny Sloane’s purse was? The bigger the purse, the lamer the girl. Its called baggage for a reason.

Be able to keep up with the boys. Hey, if you’ve got cramps, take a freggin' midol and strap in. You don’t ever wanna be the girlfriend who is a drag and never wants to go out. A girl who can say she cruised with the top down in a convertible, swung by the Stock Exchange, and took in a Cubs game all in one day, is sorta girl who you wanna keep around.

Look bad-a in a jacket with fringe. The End.

Southern Charm

I do believe I kinda want this. On a really long chain around my neck. Just sayin'.

  Alabama State Charm, James Avery, $85

Get the Look: It's Complicated

Head over to The Love List to see my post about the design style of "It's Complicated."

Photo credit: PointClickHome and Remodelista.

Some movie sets seem to come with a pedigree. Remember the pristine colonial house in Father of the Bride? What about the homes Lindsay Lohan trounced about in The Parent Trap--a most lovely London townhouse and California vineyard home. Tick off the British cottage and L.A. house in The Holiday, and the Southampton beach escape in Something's Gotta Give and you're starting to crack the family tree of It's Complicated.

Nancy Meyers is the wizard director behind some of our favorite glossy chick-flicks. Unbeknownst to most, however, is that Meyers is also dreams up the beautifully designed homes of her characters.  "Besides being a master with pen and camera lens, Meyers is a dedicated design devotee as well," Traditional Home magazine notes of Meyers.

Photo credits: Traditional Home.

Get The Look

Here at The Love List, we think a casual, entertaining-loving Southern belle could create a similar look with these tips. (And a non-Hollywood budget!)

1. Build accents from a neutral wall color, like Benjamin Moore's Linen White or Tapestry Beige, Farrow & Ball's String 8, or Full Spectrum Paints' Mushroom.

Read more tips...

Girl crush.

Oh girl, you be lookin' so good. Photo courtesy of ABC.

Usually, TV's not really my "thing." (Check that--news or CMT or Gossip Girl, I watch.) However, this past summer, dear Sloanie coaxed me in to my first screening of The Bachelor, and BAM--I was hooked. Between the drama, eye-rolling cheesiness, ballin' dream dates, and guys that just KEEP taking their shirts off, it makes for good 'ole TV.

You can bet I'm not missing an episode of The Bachelor this season. 

And while Jake totally has more whiny girl moments than me (I'll take my fellas a tad scruffy, thankyouverymuch), someone has caught my eye: Precious Corrie Adamson, the Auburn grad/stylist that has glided into the top 5 is just so adorable!

And get this--girl's got a blog. So if like me, your budget doesn't allow for Ms. Adamson to raid your closet (lemme graduate first), we can glean some stylish insight.

And that deserves a big War Eagle, Hey.

More Bling for Your Buck

Photo courtesy of {this is glamorous}.

Navigating the counters of faceted gems and jewels is slightly intimidating--which makes closing in on a 'deal' seem nearly impossible. We spoke with experts at Bromberg's Fine Jewelers, Barton-Clay Jewelers, Levy's Fine Jewelry, and Sanders Jewelry to find out their go-to tips on how to get the most bling for your buck...

Read the rest of my story on MyScoop...

{on a personal note, here's the most adorable tip I learned from Sperry Snow, Barton-Clay's resident Southern gentleman.}

"I'm traditional and I like for the girl to be surprised," Snow said. "I tell boys, 'Tell her your parents want you to pick out a nice watch as a graduation present, and you need her help picking it out.' If he brings her in, 9 times out of 10 that girl winds up over here looking at the engagement rings." Thus her style preference is less elusive and get an idea for what she wants."

Baha. Brilliant. And girls will be girls, apparently. I know I would.

Moore and Giles Leather Goods

Head over to The Love List to see my guest blog about Moore and Giles!

When the going gets rough, a Southerner gets going. That's how Donald Grame Moore handled losing his job during the heart of the Great Depression. Since its 1933 founding in Lynchburg, Moore and Giles leathers now grace some of the most prestigious and artfully designed interiors in the world.

Polished, timeless, and like any good Southerner, maybe a tad rugged 'round the edges--these bags exude enduring allure. Leather has long been an icon of style and sophistication, and the mission of Moore and Giles is to reveal its inherent beauty and preserve the natural character.

Photos courtesy of Melanie Rebsamen and Brooks Morrison at Moore and Giles.

Continue reading my guest blog on The Love List...

Planning ahead.

Last semester of college = final glory days of living in a sorority house.

And in my (premature) future-apartment-planning mindset, I'm like a cat distracted by shiny objects when I see pretty interiors. Take these from 25-year-old designer Ryan Korban. They're polished and traditional yet allow for lots of personality. I'm in love--these were promptly drug to the "Future Apt" folder on my desktop.

Photos courtesy of Ryan Korban.

Yeaaahhh. Cause an entry-level journalism career probably has a lot of wiggle room in the budget for things like orchids and art work.

Smart Shopping: How to Get a Deal

Head over to Saving Money & Loving Life to see my guest blog for my two entrepreneurial/role model sorority sisters.

Like the sweet sounds that Chicago belts out, Carrie Bradshaw, "you're the inspiration."

When Heather approached me about a guest blog about saving money on fashion, I think my head cocked to the side. You see, I'm a more, um, how do you say..."sacrificial" buyer. 

   Example thought process:
   Spring Break 2009. Saks dressing room.
   My mind: "Ashlyn. So you really want these Hudson jeans?"
   Me: "Um, DUH. Did you just hear Sloan?" (she's my bestie)
   My mind: "Yup. She wore up and down they made your butt look awesome."
   Me: "Yeeaaahhh. Sooo...."
   My mind: "Done. I just hope you enjoyed your last supper here on spring break. No more eating."


The good news is, I'm growing up. Be it the copy of "Financial Peace" by Dave Ramsey my Grandfather gave me for Christmas, or just the fact that I can't be a 4-year-old with money any more, I'm getting better. Sacrificial spending is no way to live, especially when great deals are honestly, not that hard to find. 


CLOTHING
Frugal Fashionista. Drop everything. Click through this blog. Piece of cake, huh?
The Budget Babe. Repeat above instructions.
TJ Maxx. Never underestimate the Teej. The bigger the city, the better the selection. Stock up on Lilly Pulitzer sundresses, Juicy Couture flats, BCBG heels, and Calvin Klein dresses.
ModCloth. Check out the under $50 dress section. All a little "Anthropologie," in my opinion, perfect frocks to carry you through church, sorority formal, and game day.

All above dresses under $50. Photos courtesy of ModCloth.com.

Lulu's. Similar to ModCloth.
Forever 21.
Charlotte Russe.
Etsy. This open marketplace boasts everything from frocks to baubles, to precious aprons that would be perfect for Supper Club night.

Aprons made by Rosewater Kitchen are $26.

Web. Overstock.com, Bluefly.com
** If you're serious about fashion, consider joining sample sale websites, where you'll get the heads up on Kate Spade, Tibi, Burberry, and more at unreal prices. Gilt Group, Rue La La, and Haute Look are a few of the favorites. If you need memberships, just shoot me an email!


JEWELRY
Forever 21. I'm a pearls-watch-and-same-two-bracelets-everyday girl, but for a Saturday night out, Forever 21 is always dependable. Try this necklace ($5.80) with a LBD and sky-high stilettos. Cough*Yurman*Cough.
Girlprops. .You're a Southern girl. You've got pearls. But sometimes, you need just a little bit bigger studs. Enter Girlprops 12-pack of pearls for $3.99.
Fred Flare. Just don't be distracted by the shiny objects.


MAKEUP/PRODUCTS
Sephora. Head on over during January for a free skin consultation and product recommendation/samples.
The Cosmetic Company Outlet. If you've got a spring jaunt to Destin planned, hop into this store (it's next to J. Crew). Bobby Brown, MAC, Clinique--all major price-slashed.
T. J. Maxx. Perfume. That's all I gotta say. Okay, I'll also add that's where I get my Tom Ford Black Orchid, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, etc. Wow. I feel like I just bore my soul.
Elle's Counter Culture page. Top dermatologists and makeup artists peruse the aisles of Target and WalMart, tossing the best cheap products your way. 

Elle's February Counter Culture column points out the best your local drug store has to offer.

Web. TheFairest.com (Another sample sale site. I can give you a membership, shoot me and email!) BeautySteals.com

Other tips...

Sign up for email lists for your favorite stores--you'll be the first they alert when the sale section is updated.

Use ShopStyle.com to tailor your search, example: Black, pumps, size 7, $20-$50.

Where do you go to get a deal?