what I wore: dress – gracia c/o plato’s closet, heels – bcbg, coat – marvin richards (my mother in law gave me this!)

This past weekend, we went South for the wedding of one of Ro’s childhood friends. It was a  lovely wedding complete with so many gorgeous flowers that I was tempted to break in later and steal them all. This Gracia dress (which normally costs $120+) was a gift from Plato’s Closet for my feature on them for NWAFW :). Love.

The Window Shopper by MGB Photo

*window shopper photo by Mallory Berry of MGB Photo

So… you can see that I love Mae’s (let me count the ways). This collage is a mix of outfits from the past year or so, each one contains an element from Mae’s Heirlooms .. Click à here for all things tagged with Mae’s on The Window Shopper.

Mae’s Emporium (or Heirlooms – it’s listed as both on various outlets) is unlike any store I’ve ever been in. It holds the stuff of dreams. The vintage/antique bauble boutique is housed in a room the size of a tin can. It’s very small but packed to the literal brim with sparklers and trifles from almost every era. Jessica Graham, the lady of the shop, opened Mae’s nearly five years ago after a stint of successful trunk shoes. The shop has since become an institution for avid collectors and date-party-bound sorority girls alike. She, along with the two close friends that convinced her to set up shop, is and has always been a vintage jewelry enthusiast. They saw the opportunity to translate their zeal into a completely individual offering for our area. The shop has a short week {w-s 11 to 4ish} but it’s not for a lack of merchandise. At any time, there are pieces from the 1860s to the 1980s and almost every time in between.  Jess loves the history behind each shiny thing and that inspires her to travel far and wide in search of pretties. She tries to stay close to home for most searches, though. She (like most of us) attempts to keep her money in NWA when she can, plus she has two adorable young sons.

In my opinion, what’s extraordinary about Mae’s isn’t just its distinct place our community; it’s the range of items available, the multiple price points (multiple options for $8 to $800, most in the bottom half of that array), and quality wares. A rival just doesn’t really exist anywhere else. Take a gander at the gorgeous, expertly-styled snaps on the store’s instagram, maintained by Jess, of course.

I feel like this picture is a perfect representation for what happens each time I stop in Mae’s. I’m like, “I’m here! Make me sparkle!” I feel like I’m bursting in, bull-in-a-china-cabinet style, every time I walk into the teeny shop. Blink and you’ll miss it from the outside, the small space is a veritable treasure trove past the front door. Personally, I have always preferred pretty over practical in a gift, especially from a man. Every holiday that implies gift-giving, I tell Ro (my hubby) that I want something sparkly. He usually delivers. But, I have no qualms buying jewelry for myself. I could complete any ensemble with something fabulous from Mae’s.  I’ve worn my finds all over the place, to my rehearsal dinner, to Razorback games, to events, to work, to everything. Each piece is one of a kind and reminds me of a special time in my life.

Jess, on the origin of her store’s name:

Seven years ago (while I was still doing independent trunk shows) I bought a locket to chop for parts from a dealer in Texas. I unpacked the box of estate spoils to find a handwritten note that warranted a change of heart…the note read;

“I hope that you enjoy this necklace. I have owned it myself for over 25 years and it’s time to pass it on. It belonged to one Ella Mae Prothrow- a gift from her husband, Samuel “Boss” Cain, for her birthday. That would have been in May of 1885- give or take a year or two. Her beloved husband died in a mill accident the very day he gave her this. She wore it every day until she died at the age of 92 and never remarried. Theirs was a great love story I have cherished and I hope you will too. It should be worn and shown- enjoy!”-Fanny B

After such a tale how could I do anything to it but preserve it? Not only does that piece hang in Mae’s under glass, but we took her name as well- and MAE’S it was :)

Mae’s is partnering with Lola on the runway Friday night of NWAFW 2013 (3/15). I know I can’t wait…

Details:

All jewelry from Mae’s, styled by Jessica Graham & Payton Bridewell

Dresses/Shoes – Payton’s own

Black Dress – Ann Taylor (thrifted) | Floral, White Eyelet, Teal Dresses – Vintage (Cheap Thrills)

what I wore: fabulous spandex dress – vintage td4 by eletra from cheap thrills (find it on etsy), thigh high boots – aldo, socks as gloves

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For someone who loves clothes and dressing in general, Halloween is a veritable holiday. I always look forward to it and this year I found my costume in the form of this spandex dress early this summer. I knew I had to have the dress but honestly couldn’t foresee any appropriate occasion. Then…a light bulb: Morticia Addams (a la Anjelica Huston of course). I’d been devising and conniving for months but it didn’t really come together until late last week when I found the perfect suit for Ro’s Gomez. Ro will pretty much dress as whatever I suggest but he cannot be counted on to procure his own costume. You may find it hard to believe but I really don’t mind shopping for him.  It was as if the stars aligned, I was attempting to find a semi-suitable suit for him without him present which is next to impossible. I happened upon a gray Halston pinstripe ensemble at a local thrift store that was listed at $20. I thought it might be close enough to his size but I wasn’t sure and if it happened to be too small or too short, I would be out $20, which I never enjoy, even with a bargain. I got it home and it literally fit better than some of his tailored suits. I was in thrifted nirvana. We had a fabulous time and I had an excuse to look sullen in photos – which of course, I don’t need.

years past

what I wore: top – copper key (thrifted), blazer – j ashford (similar on etsy), jeans – vintage levi via grey dog, boots – dolce vita from lola boutique, necklace/earrings – vintage from mae’s, sunnies – asos (similar here)

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Usually I don’t have pictures of what I wore on the weekend but I’m trying to get better. I typically feel awkward asking someone to take a photo because it always ends up an ordeal. Last weekend, I forced the issue. I even got a snap of Ro, looking handsome if I do say so myself.

What Ro wore: polo – curly tail, pants/shoes – asos, watch – tissou, sunnies – rayban

Happy Autumn weekend everyone! Enjoy. Also, Enjoy this super-fun guest post by my friend Anna (of Tulip Louise) on A piece of toast.

images cultivated from my pinterest

We celebrated our (1st) anniversary on Monday and to commemorate that, we are taking a four day holiday to relax & enjoy. I hope you have a lovely long weekend.

photos from my pinterest —>find me there

what I wore: dress – vintage via cheap thrills, heels – steve madden

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This dress has been around the block, as is the case with all good vintage. I first saw it in the window at Mae’s, (I was truly window shopping!) then my friend Angela wore it beautifully to a wedding (here) earlier this summer. A few weeks ago, my mom surprised me with it after my friends at Cheap Thrills told her I had my eye on it. I’d been saving it for a special occasion and our 1st anniversary was just that.

Happily celebrating one year of marriage with my sweet.

If you want to reminisce with me, there are more details here. photos by Mallory Berry.

what I wore: dress – vintage via grey dog, heels – forever21, earrings/ear cuff – claire’s

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I love everything about this fun 90s dress, especially the back, so it was the perfect choice for a Tuesday evening birthday dinner.

what we wore: seersucker suit – bespoke vintage, shoes – asos, bow tie – handmade by my grandma, shirt – banana republic, dress – vintage christian lacroix via cheap thrills, platforms – jeffrey campbell (also wore them on my wedding day!), earrings – vintage from mae’s, cocktail ring – kate spade, clutch – tj maxx

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A couple of weeks ago, Ro and I went to New Orleans for the wedding of a friend. I knew it would be a chic affair so the outfit planning began months ago.

On Ro: My mom found this seersucker suit at a thrift store and bought it for one of my brothers. They were not interested so she gave it to Ro. Coincidentally, it fit him beautifully. I learned how to tie a bow tie for the occasion so that he could wear one of my papa’s (my grandma made a bow tie to match every dress).

On me: I found this dress by accident at cheap thrills. Harriet (the proprietor) was showing me a full length leopard fur in the back room and I spied this adorable polka dot number. I asked about it and she said it wasn’t exactly for sale but she’d lend it to me. I tried it on and we both agreed that I had to have it. So, out of the goodness of her heart, she sold it to me.

We had a fabulous time.