fashion for a cause

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Always love a fabulous fashion event in Kansas City!
Tickets are available now for the 2011 Fashion for A Cause event at the new Club Level of Arrowhead on May 13th.
The event benefits Truman Medical Centers' Women's Health Programs.

blog meetup

. Head's up if you're a Kansas City (or closeby) blogger! We'd love to see you there.

a garden party

Here's what I should have done today: laundry, study.

Here's what I did today: laundry, play in the yard, attend adorable garden party at one of my favorite vintage shops, sit outside on a patio with bbf/beer/guacamole, go for a loooong walk with my puppy... and then study. a little bit.

It was 78 degrees here today. Seventy eight. So obviously this excuses the reduced study time, right?

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Photos snapped at Donna's Dress Shop Garden Party (her cute shop was filled with fresh flowers and happy shoppers with lemonade umbrella-worthy drinks in-hand.)

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I fell in love with the most amazing purple sequins top. Walked away from it... now wondering if I should call Donna and ask her to pull that beauty behind the counter for me (if it's still there! yikes!)

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ahhh Blue Moon. You little lover.

I hope you had an equally Spring-y day!

shatto

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Last weekend Husband I and jumped in the car for a trip to the countryside to tour Shatto Milk's farm. I fell in love with Shatto for their milk bottles a long time ago (check out my post on their adorable packaging here!) and when I found out you could visit their farm, hang out with baby cows and see how the whole process goes down we were on it.

As a vegetarian I'm totally aware - and admittedly weirded out sometimes - by the idea of consuming milk. Especially when you start factoring in growth hormones (which Shatto does not use!) and the unknown factors of where the milk is coming from, how the cows are treated etc. I liked seeing the entire process from cow to bottle and being assured that the cows seemed very happy and well taken care of. Plus they use glass bottles (hello fresher, environmentally friendly way to go!) Shatto also recently started making cheese and ice cream. Um yespleasethankyou!

Also just love seeing a local business thriving - Shatto set out to provide Kansas City with fresh tasty milk and now has a waiting list of stores and restaurants that they can't keep up with!

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The tour starts in their bottling plant where they do 3-4000 bottles/day. Then you can check out the cheese room (heaven) and sample some of their flavored milks - rootbeer is my favorite! Next you watch how the cows are actually milked. I liked seeing that the person milking them knew each cow's name and that the cows seemed pretty content. The final stop is a pen where you can milk a cow by hand (I failed) and pet the couple-day-old baby cows!

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When this one checked out - and then began licking - my purse, Husband told him 'don't worry, its not one of your relatives -its fake!'

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hemline

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I've been searching for a new cross-body purse (my current favorite is black and wintery, needs to be packed away for next year). I came across this cute number from Hemline - dare I say, I like a colored bag? It would stand out among my black/brown/tan/gray lineup and would add a little pep to my wardrobe. While I'm in there, better check out these heels (again-color!-who knew?) and cute summer dress.

quirk

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So excited for this weekend - quirk {the magazine} is releasing its second issue! I love that this online magazine is done by a crew of amazing chicas from Kansas City, can't wait to see what they come up with next! In the meantime, click here to view their first issue.

Images from quirk.

ink mag

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So excited to see fellow Kansas City blogger (check her out here) featured in Ink Magazine's KC's Best Dressed last week! I'm adoring the belt-as-a-bracelet in the top image. Congrats Jessie!

egg and a smile

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Ok so despite my sandal efforts to keep the snow away... it snowed. A lot. Saturday was a blurry mess that ended with a hike through six inches. Sunday it perks up and melts it all into a wet muddy mess. But I'll take it. We're on track for the 60s by Tuesday!

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Random snap of the fabulous chipped paint in Birdies (cutest undergarment store ever).

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And a happy shot of Husband's 'egg and a smile' from our favorite breakfast joint, Succotash (if you come to KC you can't skip it!)

How was your weekend?

dont mind if i do

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Leftovers from the weekend make for a fabulous Monday treat.
Boulevard is my favorite beer, made right here in Kansas City.
A little lemon squeeze and you're all set.
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your happy hour beverage of choice?

bobby and rhonda

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Happy Monday! I hope you had a fabulous weekend. Mine was a little cloudy because I came down with a badass cold, but managed to tuck in a great dinner with Husband and an afternoon out and about with a buddy (yoga+lunch+shopping). We stopped in Bon Bon Atelier and I almost bought a little charm bracelet that had two engraved profiles - a boys head that said 'Bobby' with a birthday in '62 and a girls head that said 'Rhonda' with a birthday in '65. I may have to go back and get it - can't get it out of my head!

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How was your Valentine's Day?

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Photo by David Prince via Desire to Inspire

p&l roof

Taken on NYE - roof of the Power&Light district with reflections from their mini-times square ball.

kale van leeuwen

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A few months ago I saw some of Kale Van Leeuwen's work in a small gallery in Kansas City. There's a lot of art that I like - but very little art that I love. I love Kale's work. Especially his collection on mannequins - just the light and reflections and colors and fashion and glowing energy. Its awesome.
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I have a favorite piece - I refer to the wall above our future fireplace as "___'s" spot. Many of the mannequin pieces have human names (I can't tell you my favorite because I'll be crushed if it disappears before I save my pennies to make her mine). But she is stunning. I visit her online a lot... which kind of makes me sound like a stalker.

Check out more of Kale's fabulous work on his website.

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ric rac roundup

Kansas Citians, don't miss Ric Rac Roundup in Westport this week! I absolutely loved the one this summer, can't wait to see what they have in store! I'm ready to check out new goodies from fabulous artists like Emmy Ray and Early Jewelry. See you there!

color+couture

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No idea why I haven't posted about this yet- but for any spontaneous Kansas City-ians out there who are free Friday night...
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COLOR+COUTURE is a show put on by IIDA (International Interior Design Association) where local architecture and design firms are teamed up with product manufacturers (carpet, wallcovering, tile etc) and create couture gowns out of these unexpected materials. Then designers get to play model for an evening in front of a crowd of 500+! Think Project Runway's more interesting challenges. The outcome is amazing. This is definitely one of my favorite events of the year.

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The show is this Friday night (doors open at 6:30) downtown. If you'd like more information or are interesting in buying tickets email me (gracesbcw at hotmail dot com) and I'll get you the goods!

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See more photos here of previous years - I'll be sure to post pictures from this year's event!

kc bloggers

After hearing about some fabulous get-togethers around the country for bloggers, Jessie and I put our heads together and decided we needed to do something for Kansas City (which of course includes surrounding areas - we love you Lawrence!)

Join us for dinner and sangria (yum yum) at La Bodega on September 10th! Pass this along to anyone else who might be interested - and don't forget to RSVP!

Hope to see you there!

the concrete catwalk

I'm totally excited to share Kansas City's very own street style blog (and one of my favorites!) with you- The Concrete Catwalk! The fabulous chica behind the gig is Jessie (you can also find her here) and she agreed to a little interview with me. dun dun dun

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On why she started the whole shabang...

Before I started The Concrete Catwalk, I would always see people with great style around Kansas City, and I would want to run up to them and say “GOOD JOB! You look great!” or “Way to take a risk!!! You nailed it!” (That’s how I came up with the idea for my business cards… I print them by hand by typing them on my vintage typewriter and on one side they say ‘We think you’re cool’ and on the other side is my web address.)

I gain a lot of my own fashion inspiration from blogs and glossies, but I noticed that after I moved here I started incorporating a lot of “local style” into my looks. What better way to encourage fellow fashionistas in my city, than by photographing and posting them for all of the blog world to see! I started TCC as a way to encourage creativity and celebrate the style of my community. It has been such a fun experience so far and I have met so many wonderful people in the process!

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And the very important questions...

How long you've been photographing for Concrete Catwalk: 3 months

Biggest fashion inspiration: RachelBilson/SiennaMiller/CamillaBelle/mysweetfriendGigi (yousaidonewordanswersdoesthiscount?)

Hardest part of street style shots: Asking if I can take a photo!

Favorite flavor of popsicle: tangerine
Kansas City fashion is: emerging
You could live in any city in the world: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (but only for a few years)

Favorite accessory: Huge cocktail rings. Lots of ‘em.

Breakfast of choice: Spinach-fruit-and-soy smoothie and a poached egg on toast

Glitter - yes or no: Si, senorita!

Pets: Sadie the pup and Zoe the cat

Favorite person named Alissa in the whole wide world: YOU!

OK, she may have added that last question - but you know, I wanted to keep it authentic so I left it in:) I can definitely see why the hardest part would be coming up to people and asking if you can take their picture - but I'm glad she does it. I'm so pumped that someone is showing off the fabulous fashionistas (and fashionistos? is that the male version?) around our city!

queens rocket

Went to the Queens Rocket show tonight and loved it. Although it was men's fashion, my friend and I commented on more than one item that we'd like to have for ourselves (some amazing vests in particular). The show was very theatrical - they did an 'S' shaped runway that I really liked, it gave everyone a chance to see the garments from a few different angles.

Almost as fun as the show was the people watching beforehand - definitely a crowd with great style taking some really fun risks. Saw the most gorgeous dress and drooled over it for a while before overhearing her tell someone she found it at a disabled vets thrift shop. sick with jealousy.

Lovely way to spend a Sunday evening- saw a great designer and got totally inspired by the spectators.

queen's rocket

Another local Kansas City fashion event...

On Sunday, August 23 at la Esquina (1000 West 25th Street KCMO), designer and artist Jon Fulton Adams will premier his Spring 2010 Menswear collection under his label “Queen’s Rocket.” Trained in Fashion from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Adams’ aesthetic combines Edwardian and Steampunk styles, translated for the modern Dandy. Ron Megee will produce and direct the event, Shawn Sorrell will serve as artistic director, and David Wayne Reed will be the evening’s emcee. A concert by Cody Wyoming and John Ferguson’s band The Monitor, and music from d.j. Alan, will be performed in addition to the fashion presentation.

Doors open at 7:45 p.m. The runway show begins at 9:00 p.m. V.I.P. tickets to the event are $10, available at the door the evening of the event. Admission includes an exotic drink bar, dancing, the runway event, and several surprises

A few friends and I are planning to attend - looks like a very interesting show!

More information here.

dear kansas city bloggers

Hey local friends, see that nifty 'kansas city blogger' bit in my sidebar? Let me know if you'd like one too and I'll send it your way!
gracesbcw at hotmail dot com

Now go eat bbq! (just kidding, I don't like it either)

1154 lill studio

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I visited 1154 Lill Studio in the Plaza this weekend. I had received a gift certificate (awesome gift idea by the by!) and it was quickly burning a hole in my creative pocket. No patience for something fun like this! If you haven't heard of Lill before, its store where you choose a bag style and then your own fabrics for the exterior, interior, strap etc- basically you get to play Kate Spade for an hour. A few weeks later your custom creation is delivered.

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So I picked my bag - the 'Molly' -and the fabulous staff hooked me up with a big table to begin spreading out fabric ideas. I started with neat piles...and ended up with a mess! I was immediately drawn to two fabrics in particular- a black and white moroccan pattern and a yummy green and brown tweed- and started building little schemes around them. The tough part was making a decision!

If you don't live near one of their studios, the also have a website where you can do essentially the same thing - clicking and dragging different fabrics onto whichever bags you like.

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So these are the two final schemes I ended up with - I'll let you know which one I picked when it arrives and I can get some photos!