styled by: the elizabeth chronicles

10.18.2012

katie & rachel, the two lively and lovely girls behind 
recently took on NYC and fashion week
sporting pieces from hattie sparks throughout their very stylish trip. 
the girls were part of our "nola takes nyc" project
and they did such a fantastic job styling their picks from the store 
adding their own inspired touches here and there
and giving the pieces a distinctly "elizabeth chronicles" flair.
check out how katie & rachel conquered the big apple,
looking chic & sharp from the upper east side to lincoln center.


how cute are they?
rachel wears a floral sanctuary blouse from hattie sparks


looking casual-chic at allison parris
katie wears a golden silk romper from hattie sparks and some serious sparkle


rachel looks so modern-day, grown up eloise traipsing around the upper east side
 in a camilyn beth "sweet kelly" dress
some bright, fun heels, a dainty rhinestone necklace
and a sweet spotted clutch of her own design





katie is quirky chic while strolling the west village
in a willow & clay blazer from hattie sparks
a bright tee and flippy skirt
and a pair of tomboy-cool brown suede wedges





 rachel is polished yet unique for an afternoon in the meat packing district
in a pair of lacy dolce vita shorts from hattie sparks
a bright bag
and cozy sweater with some major statement shoulders



thank you again to the wonderful katie & rachel of the elizabeth chronicles
for collaborating with me on this project!
it was so much fun 
and i hope there will be a "nola takes nyc" part 2! 


designer spotlight: camilyn beth

10.11.2012


i first heard about camilyn beth's beautiful designs 
when i saw two of her dresses worn in a gorgeous wedding
shot by our wedding photographer, the lovely jessica lorren
cami & the darling sarah tucker are the bridesmaids wearing camilyn beth
and i couldn't get over how beautiful the designs were,
or how classic, yet unique the girls looked in their dresses.
i thought to myself...i hope to see lots more from this designer! 

at that point the store was just an idea, still in the planning stages
as was the beginnings of cami's wholesale line
as i began gathering inventory for hattie sparks
i piked up photographs from the world traveler sarah tucker 
and collaborated on gorgeous new orleans-themed prints and cards 
with the very talented shannon kirsten
both of whom are two of cami's very best friends 
(talk about a talented group!)

when cami approached me about selling camilyn beth at hattie sparks
i was thrilled!
excited to represent a designer that i really believed in
excited to be one of the first people to carry a line that i know will go far
and excited to work with such a gifted, sweet, and wonderful person. 

the camilyn beth line has been welcomed to the fashion scene in new orleans with enthusiasm 
and has been featured on the gorgeous gals of 
we're so lucky to have camilyn beth as a part of the hattie sparks family!

continue reading for our interview with cami, as well as a preview of her Holiday '12 Collection,
a link to the lookbok 
and a special invitation & surprise GIVEAWAY!

Cami is wearing the "Snazzy Suez" Jacket 
and her sister Ashten is wearing the "Schoolgirl Skirt"
Camilyn Beth Holiday 2012

Tell us what makes your line special:  I believe the Camilyn Beth line is special because of the details and energy behind the collection. Camilyn Beth clothing is proudly made in Florida and Louisiana. Every garment is sewn with a hidden inspirational quote. Each piece is made to last and made to be as versatile as the woman wearing it. 

What inspires you: My inspiration comes from a mix of classic American and modern Scandinavian style. Part of my design career was spent in Stockholm, Sweden and will forever have an impact on my designing. Many times I am inspired by a retro silhouette and from that inspiration I use modern details to create truly unique design. I am inspired by street style, vintage clothing, and effortless beauty from the USA to Sweden. 

What is your favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is waking up everyday to live out my dream. Being able to create one of a kind garments that make women feel confident and radiant. Combining my ideas, fabric, and thread to bring to life a single collection is so exciting. Doing all this and networking with amazing people who are just as passionate is what keeps me smiling and moving forward. 

Describe the type of girl who wears Camilyn Beth: When I begin a design, I start by thinking about the kind of girl that will be wearing the dress and what kind of day she will be having. I picture her going to lunch or work during the day followed by a great dinner with her best girl friends or out on the town with an amazing date. The Camilyn Beth girl is not defined by her age, but her state of mind. She is fresh, polished, and confident.  

What are your favorite materials to work with: Silk in all forms is definitely my favorite. I love the way a silk/cotton blend feels agains skin, I love the way silk charmeuse blows in the wind, and I love the structure and shine of raw silk. 

If you could have one celebrity wear your designs, who would it be: It would be an honor to have Michelle Williams, Sienna Miller, and Katie Holmes wear a CB garment. 

What is your favorite thing about living and working in Florida: My favorite part about living and working in Florida would be the sunshine. I always open all curtains during the day and let the natural light shine in. On days off I love being out in the outside getting energized and filled up on my vitamin D. 

A trend you'd love to see resurrected: A trend I would love to see resurrected would be the classic 1950's flight attendant uniforms. I can't get enough of those sweet little suits, shift dresses, and scarves around their neck. So classic!

A favorite quote that keeps you going: Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philppians 4:13

Advice to young women who want to start their own business: Advice for any young woman starting off would be to set practical goals for yourself, look at your mistakes as positives, and keep moving forward with energy until you reach your target point. 


The "Mod Molly" Dress

The "Elegance" Dress

The "Snazzy Suez" Jacket & "Schoolgirl" Skirt 

The "Charlie" Top & The "Sporty Skirt" 

The "Scalloped Edge" Dress

see the rest of the gorgeous Camilyn Beth Holiday 2012 Collection HERE

also, we hope you'll join us THIS saturday from 6pm-9pm at martine chaisson gallery
for "Cocktails with Camilyn Beth & Shannon Kirsten"


we also have a fantastic GIVEAWAY running this week
that gives you a chance to win 
a custom made dress from Camilyn Beth
and hand-painted notecards from Shannon Kirsten
simply follow the instructions below...
and good luck! 



on my radar

10.08.2012

on my radar this monday:
whimsical ceramics & yummy candles from jonathan adler
a sharp faux leather moto jacket
the perfect straight leg dark denim paired with a cozy sweater
and an acid green cuff that's sure to make a statement



perfect for stylishly stashing away your favorite indulgences


the perfect faux leather jacket
no bells & whistles, just sleek & classic with cool geometric detailing


golden quatrefoils amp up the glamour quotient on these fab porcelain coasters
they'd look gorgeous on a bar & also make a fantastic hostess gift


with notes of crushed black peppercorns, anise, balsam wood, amber & a touch of vanilla
this is one of my favorite candles to burn--not too sweet & not too heavy



i'd pair these with a chunky stacked heel, a cozy sweater, and a statement necklace


a colorblocked sweater is anything but ordinary thanks to subtle neon accents


is the perfect bit of sparkle & statement color to add to your daily stack


happy monday!

designer spotlight: ellenL jewelry

10.04.2012


today's spotlight is on Ellen Logan, designer behind the local jewelry line EllenL
and one of the sweetest girls i know.

how i came upon Ellen's line is nothing short of fate.
it was right before mardi gras, about two weeks before Hattie Sparks was set to open
and i was telling my husband: 
"i really, really need another jewelry designer. and i want them to be local."
of course, this designer also needed to have a certain aesthetic 
that would be cohesive with the rest of my merchandise, 
and their pieces needed to be affordable.
so you can imagine i was hitting some dead ends. 

the very next night we went out to dinner, where we ran into a friend of mine from TCU
who just happened to be Ellen's cousin.
he knew about the store, and told me about her line
gave me her contact information,
and once i saw the photos of her creations
i knew i had found the designer i was searching for! 

since opening, EllenL has been our best-selling jewelry line.
her pieces are consistently fresh & current
and always look sharp, sophisticated, and unique. 
her "spike necklaces" have become a trademark of hers
and consistently sell out at Hattie Sparks
some of her jewelry was even used in a feature on The Everygirl!
read below as Ellen gives us a little insight into her inspirations, motivations
and why she loves what she does!

 

(EllenL Turquoise & Red-dyed Turquoise 'Spike' Necklaces)

Tell us what makes your line special:
My line is made up of a lot of one-of-a-kinds. Every piece is custom
designed and created. They’re all unique- no one stone is exactly the
same as another.

What inspires you:
My friends and fashion inspire me. The stones themselves are
inspiring too…both shapes and colors. When I look for stones I
lean towards those that will enhance a fashion statement as well as
picture my friends that will wear them and what they’d portray when
they wear them.

What is your favorite part of your job:
I think my favorite part is the rewarding feeling I have after I’ve
created something I really love and seeing my piece on someone
else. The way other people feel when they wear EllenL. All of that…
and making my own hours!

Describe the type of girl who wears EllenL:
She’s confident, likes to take a risk every now and then and always
owns her own style.

What are your favorite stones to work with:
Well right now I really love the blues… chalcedony and angelite. I
also love a stone that is cut in an unexpected way- there are so many
fun possibilities with them.

If you could have one celebrity wear your designs, who would it be:
Ahh… great question!! I’d love for soooo many to wear EllenL but
to just name a few I would have to say Blake Lively, Kate Hudson,
Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Bilson, Penelope Cruz 
or maybe Princess Kate!

What is your favorite thing about living and working in New Orleans:
New Orleans is a creative place - the music, food, personalities and
culture; to me, it’s a creative persons haven. I love that young people
from all over see the need for a place like New Orleans and want to be
apart of its future!


A Few of Our Favorites From EllenL:


white-dyed turquoise, rose quartz & amazonite necklace 


turquoise beaded bar necklace


neon jade & onyx triple-strand necklace


amazonite drop earrings


a BIG thank you to Ellen for letting me interview you for this post!
come shop these pieces & many more at Hattie Sparks!


note to self

10.02.2012



just a great little reminder for your tuesday

a little happy

10.01.2012


SO excited to announce that the fantastic new collaborative site A Little Happy launches TODAY!
i have the honor of being a contributor
along with the fabulous PS Creative & Mrs. Vintage
follow along as we post ideas & inspiration for stylish living
all with a distinctly new orleans twist
(also find us on facebook)

have a very, very happy monday!

tailgating denim

9.27.2012

now that college football season is in full swing,
you most likely have the perfect tailgate outfit on the brain
by the time thursday afternoon rolls around.
and let's not lie...
you want to look good.

but, what to wear when you've grown tired of the sundress & boots combo?
or if you've been wanting to give your saturday style a little more oomph?
throw a pair of colored jeans into the mix for endless (and sophisticated) gameday options
and support your home team in major style!

now, i'm very  partial to my TCU horned frogs
but i obviously couldn't ignore some of the other big 12 & SEC teams out there.
each of the below looks were styled using denim currently in stock at Hattie Sparks!


For the Fort Worth gal: Red Engine "Cayenne" skinny jeans in Grape
view the rest of the outfit details here


For the Longhorn lady: James Jeans "Twiggy" in Cinnamon
view the rest of the outfit details here


For the Georgia peach: Red Engine "Ruby Narrow Bootcut" in Cherry
view the rest of the outfit details here


For the girl shouting GEAUX: Red Engine "Scorcher" Skinnies in Darkwater wash
view the rest of the item details here


whoever you're cheering for this saturday,
look fantastic doing it in a great pair of jeans from Hattie Sparks!

p.s. GO FROGS!


how we'd style it: fall's equestrian trend

9.24.2012


the equestrian trend is everywhere this fall
from riding-inspired getups
to equine prints
we can't get enough of this classic, preppy look

here's how we'd style this trend for fall
using jeans, a blazer, and necklace from Hattie Sparks
and a couple "dare to dream items" 
(hello proenza schouler PS1 bag)




styled by: juley

i've been reading juley le's blog upperlyne for a few years now
it's a haven of all things cool and stylish
and not only is the girl stunning, but she has impeccable taste. 
so, when the opportunity to collaborate with her popped up
i (first) pinched myself, then jumped at the chance

the first look was worn while she was in NYC for fashion week.
the idea was to use her favorite NYC neighborhood, the lower east side, as inspiration
she pulled together a very cool interpretation of classic southern seersucker by jolie & elizabeth
re-imagined for the streets of new york.
she accessorized their 'feliciana' dress with recycled metal chevron earrings
& a louisiana 'state pride' necklace from kris nations



(um, hello gorgeous!)


her second look was worn while in wilmington, north carolina
a post demonstrating how to style your whites post-labor day
she totally nailed it. 
she's wearing the camilyn beth "70's Go-Go" dress
but put her own unique spin on it by wearing it backwards 
styled with a brick-hued cardigan and luxe accessories
the little white dress gets made over for autumn.



(love the nod to nola with the fleur-de-lis pin!)

i had such a great time working with juley on these posts
a girl who's as sweet as she is stylish.
she's a consistent source of inspiration, and i always love reading about her latest culinary projects
and, of course, coveting her knack for striking the perfect casual/cool balance with her outfits.
(see why i was pinching myself?)
thank you, juley!