Ode To The Olympics!

The 2012 London Olympics are in full swing, and let's face it, Olympians are so on trend right now! Here are a few photos featured on the NBC Olympic website. These photos should put some pep in your step and some Team USA pride in your heart this Monday morning!

Fireworks from the Tower Bridge during the Opening Ceremonies

Dana Vollmer sets a world record in the Women's 100m butterfly

Dana Vollmer with her gold medal!

Ryan Lochte blows away the competition for the 400m IM gold medal

Ryan Lochte with his first gold medal of The Games

Gabby Douglas and Alexandra Raisman qualify for the women's gymnastics individual all-round finals

Michelle Obama congratulates the 2012 Dream Team after their 

98-71 win over France

Kim Rhode makes Olympic history as the first US Olympian to medal in five straight Olympics. She also set an Olympic Record hitting 99 of her 100 targets. 

Kim Rhode during her medal ceremony. 

Catch the Men's Gymnastics Finals tonight on NBC! 

TEAM USA!!!

Olympic Fashion: Diane Von Furstenberg

Check out Diane's gorgeous studded leather jacket she sported for the London Olympics Opening Ceremony. The jacket is part of her pre fall collection, and is an amazing statement piece for your fall wardrobe.  

Love the jacket back to these DVF tweed shorts, 

both at Neiman Marcus: 

Shorts: $265, Jacket $1200

Theory Fall 2012

Ok, so picture yourself in shopping mode. You need two very different looks. Your work wardrobe is suffering, so you've reluctantly committed to biting the bullet and buying office appropriate duds. Your next, more exciting objective is to find a few amazing looks for a dinner date, happy hour party with friends, and a night out on the town. Where to start? Should you get the boring work clothes out of the way, or head for the fun stuff while you're still fresh? What if I told you that you could power punch your shopping and shop one collection for both looks, that there is a collection out there that will allow you to seamlessly transition yourself from corner office to night time fashionista? And...what if I told you that that collection is Theory Fall 2012? 

Yes, I know, Theory is always a great reliable source for suiting and stylish office clothes. This collection takes the line a step farther by providing beautifully crafted separates that are polished and professional, yet edgy and fashion forward. Shop Theory Fall 2012, and you will be armed for success this fall!

Theory looks above are featured by Refinery 29. See more lookbook images at http://www.refinery29.com/theory-fall-lookbook 

Favorite Things: 

Stella and Dot Bangles

These Stella and Dot bangles are gorgeous! My parents gave them to me for Christmas last year, and I seriously get a minimum of 10 compliments every time I wear them. They are great to stack, wear separately, or mix and match with other jewelry. Check out Stella and Dot here!

Fall Fashion Preview: Leather!

News flash, leather is back in a big big way this fall. Here's a great example of how to wear leather this year. Pair some leather leggings with an oversized sweater, heels, and a clutch, and you are now On Trend! 

Leather Legging Trend by katie-raines-tippett featuring a studded clutch

LAST CALL!!!

Alright, friends, don't forget to hit your local Neiman Marcus this weekend for the famous Last Call Sale. Different stores may be running the sale on different dates, so do your research before you go in. Neiman Marcus Charlotte goes in to Last Call on Tuesday, July 24th, but is pre-selling NOW! Pre-sale basically means you can hit the store before the sale starts and pick out what you want. The sales associates will hold the merchandise for you, ring it up on the day the sale starts, and place it in will call for you to pick up when the sale starts.  Pre-sale shopping is a great way to get a first look at the merchandise, and a great strategy to avoid the crowds. Neiman Marcus boasts up to 65% off during Last Call, so check it out!!

Shop Last Call online here! 

Adventure Log: Shall We Dance

As an avid "Dancing with the Stars" fan, I'm always sad when another season ends, leaving me with a glittery, ballroom shaped void in my life. So after Season 12 ended, I decided to be proactive, signing up for a complimentary lesson at Queen City Ballroom in Charlotte. Jordan volunteered to go with me for the free lesson to see what it was all about. 

We walked into the gorgeous ballroom of Queen City Ballroom, complete with sky high ceilings dripping with chandeliers and luxurious floor to ceiling velvet curtains, and we instantly stood a little straighter. We sat down and waited for our instructors at a romantic wrought iron table along the edge of the ballroom. As we waited, we watched...we watched elegant, exotic instructors from all over the world twirling across the dance floor in beautiful and captivating motion. We watched other statuesque instructors patiently coaching awkward, self conscious couples who slowly found their own confidence and rhythm as they danced for the first time. We were awestruck at the shimmering and magical scene. We were swept further into the magic when our charming instructors greeted us, quickly whisking us onto the floor and waltzing us through a seamless and power packed hour long session. At the end, we glided over to the desk and signed on the dotted line for a series of lessons, still entranced in the magic, hoping to achieve the beauty and mystery of the magical ballroom regulars. 

Experiencing the glamour of the ballroom is intoxicating. It's otherworldly in a way, drawing you in with the decadent setting, the exotic professionals, and the exhilarating music. If you let go of your inhibitions in such a setting, you can feel yourself becoming part of the magic. Go ahead, give it a whirl!

Visit Queen City Ballroom for a complimentary lesson! 

Photos below are from the Queen City Ballroom website and feature the studio and staff: 

Fall Trend Alert!

Ok, maybe you're still focused on the bathing suits and barbecues of summer, but it's never too early for a little Fall Fashion appetizer, right? My mouth is watering already...mmmm! 

First Course: Mixed Greens

Freshen up your wardrobe this fall with green hues. Green is all the rage for Fall 2012!

YSL Ring, Neiman Marcus, $495 

Mixed green prints

B Brian Atwood Pump, Neiman Marcus, $395

MARC by Marc Jacobs bag, Cusp by Neiman Marcus, $378 

Check back soon for more must have fall previews!!

Neiman Marcus + Target! This is Actually Happening

Mark Your Calendars!!

Yesterday, Neiman Marcus and Target announced a collaboration for the holiday season, and it is BIG! The stores will be offering exclusive merchandise designed by 24 top American designers as part of a pop up shop holiday gift collection. The stores will launch the pop up shops around the nation on December 1st. Click to read the full article below! The holiday Target lady will be even more amped this holiday season!! 

Neiman Marcus + Target! This is Actually Happening