Color Me Sad

I am feeling very blah right now. Mr. Southern Helle left for school, marking the beginning of our 6 month (geographic not legal) separation. It also marked the day I became a (gulp!) single mother for my stepdaughter. Considering I was a free-wheeling single without any children just four short years ago, you can see how this almost sends me in to a panic attack. Sometimes I still feel like a kid and I wonder how the hell I am going to guide and raise a fourteen year old on my own.

Today's clothing choice even reflected my current state of mind: grey and black. Initially it looked like I was going to a funeral so I added the teal tights at the last moment for a pop of color. Fake it 'til you make it. Besides, let's be real... who can be completely gloomy when they are wearing bright teal tights? It did brighten (ahem...bad pun) my day just a touch.

Dress: Modcloth
Vest: Humanité
Tights: Target
Shoes: Madeline Stuart at Ross
Necklace: Forever 21
Ring: New York & Company
Bracelets: Claire's Boutique

Incognito PJs

Every once in awhile you find that outfit that is so comfy, you feel as if you are wearing pajamas. But it is your little secret because you look relatively pulled together. This is that outfit for me. The centerpiece is this cardigan/vest thing-a-ma-jig I bought at Humanité during our girls' weekend in Bryson City. I am not sure how to describe it but I love it. I have layered it over dresses and belted it over jeans but my favorite easy combo is worn over a long sleeved shirt with leggings.

Cardigan/vest thingie: Humanité but I found the green version here on Modcloth
Long sleeved shirt: Kirna Zabete for Target on mad clearance
Leggings: American Eagle
Socks: Target
Boots: American Eagle

The One That Almost Got Away

I saw this dress online on both Modcloth and Ruche. I kind of stalked it. It even made its way in to my cart but I never managed to pull the trigger. Then it sold out. And I was sad.

Luckily, I stumbled across it again, this time in person, while Leather Peacock and I were in Bryson City, NC at the Humanité boutique. The dress was now stalking me. So I succumbed. Gladly. It is the perfect little corporate dress but with a funky print that I really dig.

Dress: Humanité
Shoes: Merona at Target (Not to brag but only $7 on the clearance rack!)
Cardigan: Forever 21

Breakfast At Tiffany's, A Peacock's Gotta Show Her Colors

Last weekend I drove down to NC to visit my most awesome blogmate and to attend Aqua Fedora's Breakfast at Tiffany's event (and to hopefully find a dress for my command's Christmas party). I was looking forward to the cupcakes, mimosas, and early shopping. However, my LBD was more suited to a night at the club than a 10AM Tiffany's style shopping expedition. I used the opportunity to show off my new coat from Humanite and an amazing but super comfortable dress from Modcloth.

Coat: Tulle picked up at: Humanite
Dress: Modcloth
Shoes: Jessica Simpson, Dillards
Purse: Picked up in a small shop in Capetown, South Africa

Girl's Weekend 2012: Mildin' Out

When I called Southern Helle in desperate need of a getaway from work and she suggested a low-key spa retreat in the mountains, I jumped at the idea. As I move up the military food chain, my work has progressively gotten more and more stressful, and a chance to truly recharge and relax was a perfect idea. Lakeview at Fontana is nestled right off the main road but far enough away to forget it all but making the next happy hour. Our girl's weekend package came with three spa services. One of the ones I chose was an all-in-one massage with Grace, their masseuse. She definitely has magic hands and with the aid of hot stones turned my tensed out body into a puddle of blissed out goo by the end of the house massage. I am already mentally planning our return trip and pondering if I can just schedule three massages. They were that good!

Bryson City is a quaint mountain town but had lots of quirky interesting shops to feed Southern Helle and I's shopping addiction. It definitely has its own personality and I quickly found several have to have items, a christmas present and the shop, Humanite. If you haven't heard of it, read Southern Helle's post about trip to see how Erin also uses her store to give back. We had arranged an after hours trip there through the spa that included wine. After hours shopping with a glass of wine in hand is the only way to go! Among the many purchases included an amazing orange militaryesque coat that I am sure will be featured in a future post and a green and yellow dress with cut outs on the back. Anyone who knows me, knows that coats and jackets are my downfall and I could almost fill a closet with my coats alone. If I had had another glass of wine I probably would have done even more damage to my credit card! But, we had more Bryson City shops to explore.

High on shopping and wine

Why hello Mr Scarecrow

Preparing to explore Bryon City shopping
Between the natural beauty of the area, the five star treatment from everyone and everything at Lakeview at Fontana, Grace's amazing massages, the savory crepes from The Cork and Bean, Humanite, mountain music and good beer from Nantahala Brewery, and the chance to escape the world for a few days with my best friend by me, this past girl's weekend was one of the best in Southern Helle and I's 15 year friendship. the only true question left is, Is it too soon to go back?

The Spa's mascot, Sylvester, or as we affectionately called him Chunk, for his never-ending appetite.
Navy Blue Turtleneck: Victoria's Secret
Dress: Francesca's Collections
Black Boots: DSW Warehouse
Jeans: The Limited
Leather Jacket: Wilson's Leather
Purse: Marshall's
3/4 Length Blazer: Target

I Make Credit Cards Cry And Scarecrows Smile

Yes, the main objectives of this year's girls' weekend were to unplug, relax and recharge but Leather Peacock and I simply can't go anywhere without a huge shopping trip. After spending most of the day getting pampered at Lakeview at Fontana's spa, we headed to downtown Bryson City. The staff at the hotel had arranged an after hours shopping trip for us at a local boutique. And there was wine. They knew how to hook us.

Prior to our private shopping trip, we perused a few other stores, picked up some cute jewelry and even got a jump start on some Christmas shopping. Most of the stores were amping up for Halloween and had their take on scarecrows out front. I am one of those people who can't resist posing (usually in a ridiculous manner) with statues. Turns out scarecrows are no different for me. The more wine I consumed, the worse it got.

Around 7 p.m., we met the lovely and stylish Erin Smith at her store, Humanité. This woman has fabulous taste, as reflected by her store's selection. Fueled by a great selection of wine and Erin's keen eye for styling, we ran through her store like a pack of hyenas, snatching up all kinds of goodies.

Style is a enviable thing to have, but without substance, it really is just smoke and mirrors. This is where Erin and Humanité will always hold a special place in my heart. Inspired by a mission trip to Africa a few years ago, Erin hand-picks Fair Trade, organic and reclaimed items for her store AND commits 10% of her store's profit to charitable organizations. Check out her story here on the store's website. We enjoyed her hospitality and making our credit cards beg for mercy but knowing that we could help contribute, even in the smallest way, will last much longer than any trend.

Cardigan: Modcloth
T-shirt: Forever 21
Skirt: Forever 21
Tights: Target
Oxfords: Ruche
Purse: Modcloth

Still early but you can tell by my hand placement that I am already starting to get fresh with Mr. Scarecrow

My favorite: Scarlett O'Scara!!!

I am sure lap dancing a scarecrow was a good idea at the time

I couldn't even manage to put my wine glass down long enough to model my new ring and bracelets picked up at some random shop in Bryson City.

Erin Smith, owner of Humanité, fashionista and humanitarian. She also has great taste in wine!

Humanité is located at 130 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC