Guest Post on Sunny Slide Up: Salsa, Ceviche, & Margaritas!

A few weeks ago, I guest blogged over on Sunny Slide Up about my favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes.

The recipes are fresh and healthy and perfect for any type of spring and summertime celebrations.

Check out my post and let me know what you think!

What is your favorite, no fail, side dish that you bring to backyard cookouts?

Projects

The last month has been filled with projects. The nearest and dearest to my heart is my professional website where I geek out about inbound marketing and content curation. I tried to get it up last year but failed to do so because of my lack of knowledge of the technical side of Wordpress. Paying someone to set everything up was not in my budget at the time and neither were hosting and other associated costs. There had to be another way.

Earlier this year I ran into Brian (of NoDa Brewing Company) at a Bobcats game and our conversation turned to creating websites and other topics that we geek out about. He introduced me to Squarespace and it changed how I view website creation and design. I stalked the Squarespace website for information, Googled my little heart out, and met with Brian later in the week for a real live demo… and to pick up a growler of beer for Easter weekend. That weekend I signed up for my 14 day trial and began the building process.

I am a big fan of simple and clean design. White background, black text, and a handful of accent colors. My website was complete in 10 hours during the first week of the trial. I purchased the service and, without breaking anything, connected it to my domain that I had purchased over a year ago.

Now it’s time to concentrate on in the Queen City. With the renewed focus will come the re-branding that I have put aside while working on other projects. I want to clean up the design and finally connect it to its own domain.

I’m sticking with Blogger for now and will need to figure out how to transfer my domain from GoDaddy to Google Apps without breaking anything.

So here is my plea: if you know anything about domains and Google Apps and Blogger, please help! I am willing to pay with a delicious homemade dinner (for those in the Charlotte area) and a growler of your favorite beer (if you are over the age of 21).

{Queen City Travel} China

I’m having a hard time believing that it’s May already. Where has the time gone?!

Recently, I downloaded an app called Timehop that digs through my past postings on Facebook, Instagram, and Foursqure and tells me what I did that day a year ago (or two, or even six!). A year ago I traveled for six weeks in a row. SIX! My “tour” began in Las Vegas, NV then on to Hollywood, FL, St. James Island, NC, Weehawken, NJ, New York City, NY, San Antonio, TX, Raleigh, NC, Richmond, VA and ended in Washington DC. Phew!

This spring has been light on travel. I made a last minute trip down to San Antonio for an industry show in March and a trip to see the in-laws for Easter, but that’s about it. Not enough for my travel-soul to feel full…

However, that’s about to change. I’ve been anxiously awaiting my visa to arrive because I’M GOING TO CHINA!!! That is if/when the Chinese Government approves my visa.

Nail biter!

To say I’m excited is an understatement. My last trip to China in 2008 left quite the impression on me and I never thought I would get the chance to go back.

We still need to book the hotel in Shanghai and figure out what we want to do and see while we’re there. Have you been to Shanghai? If so, what would you recommend we do, see, and eat?

Green Jeans Consignment Sale & Contest

Monday night I received an email from Diana to see if I wanted to come out to the Green Jeans Consignment Sale on Tuesday night, style an outfit for a competition, and get the chance to shop the sale early. But of course!!

I have been curious about Green Jeans for a while now. A friend of mine introduced me to them about a year ago when we talked about cleaning out our closets and making some money on the things we no longer wear. Since I’ve never consigned or successfully sold anything on eBay, I was all ears. Months passed and the March SouthPark sale was announced. Unfortunately, I had too much going on to organize, tag, and drop off my racks of clothing at the sale. Also, I wanted to shop before I sold to make sure that is what I wanted to do next time.

The answer is now a definite yes!
(Is it August yet?!)

The space that GJC is using in the Lake Norman area is fantastic. Lots of windows and natural light, makes for a very pleasant shopping experience. The sale was PACKED with goodies, packed! So many amazing designer and name brand clothes for amazing prices.

For example, I fell in love with this Talbot’s silk dress (only $14!!):

And this gorgeous St. John skirt for $20 (sold by the one and only Dwell by Cheryl):

Unfortunately, neither one fit well and I’m in the same boat as Diana of The Chic Life. I want a more paired down wardrobe of things that I love, that are comfortable, and fit right. Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean I have to buy it.

Thankfully, the GJC has fitting rooms, both private and communal, so that you can try things on to insure the perfect fit. And there’s no shortage of things to try on!

I walked away with a pair of designer jeans for $22, a leather Cato skirt that I used in my style challenge for $20, and an awesome snake belt for $14. Not bad! It was also charity night so proceeds from the sales were donated. Even better!

Now, the fun part! There were three local bloggers that participated in the Green Jeans Style Challenge, including me. I would love (love) LOVE if you would vote for my outfit, #3, on the Green Jeans’ Facebook page.

All you have to do is like Green Jeans Sale and then comment on the contest picture with #3.

I appreciate your vote and hope that you get the chance to come out this weekend to shop at the Green Jeans Sale in Lake Norman. You won’t be disappointed!

Cheers!

Front Row Charlotte

The invitation for Front Row Charlotte came late last year, to the attention of "in the Queen City." It made me giddy. February 28th couldn’t come fast enough! And then it did and I had nothing to wear.

This is when I asked you guys to help me decide what to wear to Front Row Charlotte. First, I want to thank all of you who voted and provided feedback. It was exciting to have that many people voice their opinions! It also got me excited about fashion for the first time in a very long time. You see, I used to obsess over fashion and then something happened and before I knew it I was wearing the same boring things week after week with little to no variation.

I have a closet full of nothing to wear.

Or do I?

Pulling the outfits together for the vote was fun and reminded me how much I like to play with clothes. I used to share my purchases and outfits on my LiveJournal ten years ago, when fashion blogs barely (if at all) existed. It’s a whole different world now.

I don’t foresee this blog turning into a full fledged fashion/style blog, however, I do see myself sharing not only the things I see and like but also outfits that I’m particularly proud of. It will also force me to realize that I do have a closet full clothes with lots to wear!

The real fun part came after you voiced your opinions and a winning outfit was selected… Accessorizing! I needed a theme and it came to me. Big flowers a la Carrie Bradshaw. There was not enough time to craft a large flower pin so I repurposed my wedding day fascinator.

Step two was the hair. After discovering that my hair is capable of holding curls with the right product mix, I curled my hair… for the first time ever… an hour before the event. Did I mention that I purchased my curling iron at lunch that day?!

5:45pm - selfie in the work bathroom.
OMG, what am I doing?!

After inhaling half a can of Chi’s Helmet Head, I rushed to Triple C Brewery where the event was held. I found parking on the corner of the street (literally) and prayed that I would not get towed. Spoiler alert: I did not get towed.

I rushed inside and was greeted by the Erica Hanks at the registration table to get my seating assignment. FYI – Erica is even more gorgeous in person than any picture I’ve seen of her.

A few hellos and hugs later, I found the ladies (Jen, Erin, and Michelle) and ordered a pint of the Triple C “FrontRow” Ale. Katie was running a little late and you can read all about her (almost) runway debut on her blog.

We mingled, took pictures, and then took our seats.

(photo via Fashionable Affair)

(photo by Thien La Photography)

There were two main things that made this fashion show stand out. First, it was for a good cause. Proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to Safe Alliance, an agency that provides shelter, advocacy, legal and counseling services to empower those struggling with domestic and sexual violence, child abuse and emotional trauma. Second, you could purchase all the runway looks in pop-up shops after the show, no need to wait till the “next season” to find the looks you loved!

Joey, Erica, and Effie welcoming us to the show

presentation of the check to Safe Alliance

I opted to Vine the looks since there were plenty of media, press, and bloggers taking pictures of the runway. If you’re not on Vine, you’re missing out! Download the app here and follow me (in the Queen City).

KK Bloom Boutique

Monkee's of Lake Norman

Olive Boutique

Lotus

the finale

with my friend Liz after the show

(photo via Sweet Tater Blog)

photobooth shenanigans

We were famished after the show, so after loading up on hors d'oeuvres provided by the Roots Farm food cart, we opted for a late dinner at The Liberty. Jen and I both ordered a burger that was the size of a baby. It was delicious. The burger, not the baby.

Painted Hill’s Natural “Crunch” Burger
pimento cheese, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, stacked with house chips

Staying up past my bed time on a school night was well worth a fabulous night with fabulous people for a fantastic cause. I also want to thank Erica, not just for the invite but for helping reigniting my passion for fashion and making me step up my game. :)