Happy weekend, y'all! Head over to my girl Kale Me Kelly's blawg for a peek inside my big ol' bag. Love you, mean it. See you on Sunday!
ALL TASSEL, NO HASSLE.
You guys know I love a good accessory or seven. The bag charm trend has really come on in full-force this year, and I have to say I am totally on board. Not only are these little additions cute and versatile, but they make a great gift as well. Can you believe we are in 'gift ideas' season already!? Dead. The best part about mine from Mel Boteri is that it doubles as a charm on a wine bottle. Hostess with da mostest.
MEL BOTERI SUEDE-LEATHER TASSEL CHARM IN 'VINO'
From now until the end of November, use code "Gilty" to get free monogramming on your Mel Boteri tassel! ($30 value!)
GOT A BIG PURSE WITH A PURSE IN IT.
What a productive little Monday, here at GILTY HQ. I slept in (praises!), gymmed it up, had a grand slam at Arden's Garden and followed it up with my fave spinach smoothie + banana. "She really has her life together!" one might think, but the reality is I ordered $37 worth of chinese food last night for myself and then drank wine while watching Intervention. Everything in moderation guys, it's fine.
I snuck out of ATL for one night this weekend to visit my friend Elisabeth's old stomping grounds in Athens, GA. Packing lightly is not my forte, so naturally I brought 5 pairs of shoes and bags full of other smaller bags. My little flat leopard is an easy new favorite! I found this Dana Gibson beaut while bopping around Buckhead antiquing with my mom. I beelined for it, because I cannot say no to a pouchlet OR a leopard of any kind.
BELT IT OUT: BURGANDY JUMPSUIT.
It's almost V-day and you know what that means. I am seeing all shades of RED. You guys know I love a good jumpsuit and this one dead serious called my name from across the room. This is another amazing find from Shelvie Jean and it is $42. I meeean…STEAL. I paired it with my old faithful H&M blazer and those French Connection pumps I picked up on NYE, accessorized with my stackable rings from shopalix.com and finished it off with a French Connection clutch. A little monochromatic dressing can go a very long way. Links to shop are below these 763 photos of moi!
This would be such a chic Valentine's Day moment! Unexpectedly sexy, while still keeping it classy. GILTY 101, y'all. Class stays in sesson.
SIDE NOTE: I just added a link to ATL's best March pawrty...LEPRE*CON. Click on the gorg glittery icon at the top of my page for a special discount. Tix are only $10 for now! Aren't you lucky.
SIDE NOTE: I just added a link to ATL's best March pawrty...LEPRE*CON. Click on the gorg glittery icon at the top of my page for a special discount. Tix are only $10 for now! Aren't you lucky.
GRAY AREA.
The Arctic Blast is upon us, y'all. Do not want. Despite the rude temperatures, it does give us a chance to rock some pretty fierce outerwear. It's all about the silver lining...or in this case, the gray one. You guys might recognize this jacket from my first FALL HAUL post back in August. Loved finally getting to take her for a spin around Buck-hood. Obsessing over the contrasting black zippers would be an understatement.
JACKET / J.CREW SCARF(similar) / TOP / DENIM / BAG(similar) / BOOTIES / NECKLACE
This bag was actually a gift from Peru & I'm obsessed with it. It's by Michelle Belau.
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| Photography by Moet on Stella |
I'm off to Baltimore to party it up with my very best friends from college. Literally cannot contain my excitement to run around in the freezing & celebrate #williamandmolly with those idiots. Make sure you are following along on IG here and here for a first-hand look at all the fivish debauchery. See you guys when I get back!
MEL BOTERI BAG REVEAL.
Happy Monday, my Gilties! I was literally jumping out of bed this morning with excitement to share my bag design with you guys! Ok, I may have fake cried a little when my alarm went off and then snoozed 3-7 times, but it was so warm in there. Sue me.
When we were mapping out this baby bag, I knew she would be beautiful, but the real deal is here and it is beyond. Beyond, beyond. Softest leather I have ever felt & it is so versatile too! Just look. Look now.
I just audibly sighed. Check out my 'Lola' bag & the rest of the Mel Boteri line here. As a special gift to you kiddies, the discount code 'GILTY' will get you 15% off of my design from now until December 15th! Check out more of my custom design experience over on Mel's blog. Happy shopping! Santa said it's fine.
When we were mapping out this baby bag, I knew she would be beautiful, but the real deal is here and it is beyond. Beyond, beyond. Softest leather I have ever felt & it is so versatile too! Just look. Look now.
OVERALLS: EXPRESS (similar here)
CROP TOP: EXPRESS
The chain strap is removable, so voila..Lola becomes a clutch. Are you dying? I KNOW!
EARRINGS: KATE SPADE
BRACELETS: J.CREW (similar here)
SHOES: SAM EDELMAN (similar here)
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| Photography by Moet on Stella |
LINE TO LOVE: MEL BOTERI.
Last week I got to live out every shopaholic's dream and create my very own Mel Boteri handbag alongside designer, and ATL's very own, Melanie Mueller. After a sleepless night of imagining myself shuffling through different leathers & metals, I met Mel in Buckhead at Beth Ann Style Boutique for a long-awaited consultation. She is literally the most adorable little ray of sunshine, not to mention incredibly talented. Before we got started, I sat down to ask her a few questions about the line:
HS: When did you first decide you wanted to start your own line?
MB: While studying at Emory Business School, I had the opportunity to work with the Marketing & Business Development team for Zac Posen. It was during my time living and working in New York City that I had my "aha" moment after seeing a clear void in the marketplace for custom fashion. I specifically saw an opportunity for made-to-order accessories unique to each woman's individual style and personality versus one-size-fits-all, mass-produced goods. I laid the groundwork for this new way of shopping during my last semester at Emory, which is when I also began teaching myself the process of designing and constructing handbags. It was about a year and a half of planning and designing before I officially launched Mel Boteri with my first line in the fall of 2009.
HS: You have so many incredible design options. Where do you get your inspiration?
MB: It is hard to pinpoint one source of inspiration. I think Coco Chanel said it best, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." So as long as I am living and breathing, I am receiving inspiration.
HS: What is your advice for someone looking to start their own line?
MB: Fashion is a business first and foremost, so unless you have a very trusted partner who will handle the day-to-day operations, educate yourself on every aspect of business that you possibly can.
HS: What is your ultimate goal for Mel Boteri?
MB: My ultimate goal each day is to inspire women to discover their unique style and to express it confidently with our custom and bespoke accessories. I believe there is a one-of-a-kind Mel Boteri design - whether is is a handbag, a shoe, or a piece of jewelry - that is waiting to be created to help tell the unique story of each and every woman.
HS: Describe the type of girl you picture as the Mel Boteri girl.
MB: She is an independent, confident woman, a natural trendsetter with discerning taste. She is passionate yet practical, and prefers to wear fashion that is a true extension of her unique personality and style. She stays up to date with what's "on trend" and the next "must have," but strictly uses this as inspiration to be the best-dressed version of herself.
Here is a sneak peek of me playing dress up in some of the Mel Boteri line, our consultation and the gorgeous bag of my dreams that is to come! <squeals>
Interested in getting your hands on your own? Of course you are! Mel Boteri handbags are available online at www.melboteri.com, and in Atlanta at Beth Ann Style Boutique. Custom and bespoke services are available by appointment only by emailing appointments@melboteri.com.
HS: When did you first decide you wanted to start your own line?
MB: While studying at Emory Business School, I had the opportunity to work with the Marketing & Business Development team for Zac Posen. It was during my time living and working in New York City that I had my "aha" moment after seeing a clear void in the marketplace for custom fashion. I specifically saw an opportunity for made-to-order accessories unique to each woman's individual style and personality versus one-size-fits-all, mass-produced goods. I laid the groundwork for this new way of shopping during my last semester at Emory, which is when I also began teaching myself the process of designing and constructing handbags. It was about a year and a half of planning and designing before I officially launched Mel Boteri with my first line in the fall of 2009.
HS: You have so many incredible design options. Where do you get your inspiration?
MB: It is hard to pinpoint one source of inspiration. I think Coco Chanel said it best, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." So as long as I am living and breathing, I am receiving inspiration.
HS: What is your advice for someone looking to start their own line?
MB: Fashion is a business first and foremost, so unless you have a very trusted partner who will handle the day-to-day operations, educate yourself on every aspect of business that you possibly can.
HS: What is your ultimate goal for Mel Boteri?
MB: My ultimate goal each day is to inspire women to discover their unique style and to express it confidently with our custom and bespoke accessories. I believe there is a one-of-a-kind Mel Boteri design - whether is is a handbag, a shoe, or a piece of jewelry - that is waiting to be created to help tell the unique story of each and every woman.
HS: Describe the type of girl you picture as the Mel Boteri girl.
MB: She is an independent, confident woman, a natural trendsetter with discerning taste. She is passionate yet practical, and prefers to wear fashion that is a true extension of her unique personality and style. She stays up to date with what's "on trend" and the next "must have," but strictly uses this as inspiration to be the best-dressed version of herself.
Here is a sneak peek of me playing dress up in some of the Mel Boteri line, our consultation and the gorgeous bag of my dreams that is to come! <squeals>
This cobalt beauty was a VERY close second place.
I loved the size & detail of this envelope clutch.
This hunter green was another one of my favorites.
Finding the perfect silhouette was the easy part, choosing the leather & hardware was almost impossible!
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| Photography by Moet on Stella |
In the end, these three were my final choices. My dream bag is becoming a reality...I can't wait to show you guys the finished product!
Interested in getting your hands on your own? Of course you are! Mel Boteri handbags are available online at www.melboteri.com, and in Atlanta at Beth Ann Style Boutique. Custom and bespoke services are available by appointment only by emailing appointments@melboteri.com.