Diary #2 - Letters

I miss writing letters. I know it may sound weird, as I was born during the email era...but still, I did enjoy writing them. I used to have a pen pal in Bremen, Germany. I couldn't stand her!! Let me correct that, I hated writing her letters because they had to be in German. We even met twice. No, I didn't randomly meet her. She was "given" to me by my middle school teacher. I wonder what ever happened to that girl. Although I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders the day we stopped writing each other, I do wish good things for her. Seriously!

Something to think about: Letters are wonderful, if they are from the right person.


Smooch!

Diary #1 - Secrets

When I was younger, keeping a diary was the dumbest thing you could do. It was basically documenting your crimes. I was never a stupid kid but my love of writing always got the best of me. I just couldn't stop writing stuff down, and every time my mother was cleaning the house a'la search warrant she would get a nice little update of what was going on in my life. This happened every single week and I was equally shocked, every single time. Anyway...fast forward to now...not much has changed...I still keep a journal, I have for years. Not too long ago I asked my <3 if he wanted to read it and he gave me a "you are a weirdo" look and said 'later'.

Rule # 1 in journal keeping: Unless you're planning on writing your secrets in a language that only you speak don't write it down. Remember....as soon as it hits that paper, it's not a secret!

Smooch!   

My ASOS picks for Fall...

Leather Biker With Leopard Pony Effect Panel
Click, click...

Crop Skinny Pant With Pintuck Detail
Click, click...

ACT Suede and Wood Platform Ankle Boot
Click, click...

Flat Zip Contrast Clutch
Click, click...

Smooch!

Beyonce Banned in China! By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

We love her more today than we did yesterday after watching her perform on the VMA’s and proudly announce (without announcing, as is the Carter family  media policy) to the world that she’s pregnant with her first child. Congrats, Honey Bey! However, she’s not quite as esteemed in all parts of the world – China for one.

1 of my fave Looks from Tibi

How 2 make EggPlant Parmesan in 5 easy steps...

This is a recipe I learned from my friend Jamie Thompson in NYC, obviously I have to give her the proper credit, otherwise she may actually come after me with an actual eggplant (you know how insane these chef's can be). All jokes aside, J makes some of the best tasting food I've ever had...after my mommy and my H's mommy. Sorry J-dizzle! Anyway...enough with the insults:) One of her specialties is her Eggplant Parmesan, so this is me 'BORROWING' her style. Here we go:

1 + 1 by Beyoncé// I love this song...

How to Love - Lil Wayne

At Bloomingdales with Current & Elliott...

After a long day of being not too productive...don't know what happened to me...hmm...I decided to stop by the Current & Elliott/Kate Spade event at Bloomingdales. The girls from C&E were there, which I thought was awesome and so was Deborah Lloyd, creative director of Kate Spade New York!

Designers Emily Current & Meritt Elliott of Current & Elliott

The event had a great group of people:) Love it and I'm actually a fan of Bloomingdales. Their service is always great (my opinion). Met a girl that works there for Kate Spade, and I hope she doesn't hate me for forgetting her name, but I have to say that she knew everything about the products. I love that! Her approach was so pleasant and friendly and she did it in a way where I didn't feel as if she was trying to tackle me a'la Reggie Bush into buying something.

Alex Crawford - A woman I admire!

Alex Crawford, a mother of 4 and a three times winner of the Royal Television Society Journalist of the Year award is to me one of the most brave women in journalism. We have seen her in some of the most dangerous locations in the world from natural disasters to wars and most recently in Libya reporting for Sky News.

The Spice of Life, by: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Chef Art Smith 

Without a doubt, if my metabolism were slower I could easily be Oprah, circa 1992. But, I’ve been unfairly blessed with an ability to eat absolutely anything I want without the unfortunate consequences (I’m not bragging, just sayin’). I’m told it will catch up with me shortly. In the meantime I take full advantage. All of that to say that I love food! Some people have a fetish for clothes and shoes. Mine is food. When my budget allows, I will spend my measly extra on great food and great ambiance every time. So the Oprah inside of me was super excited to read that her chef will be opening a restaurant in Atlanta.

Braised short ribs with vegetables and farmer's cheese

According to Shukorina friend, LuxeCrush.com, Art Smith, who has successful restaurants in Washington, DC and Chicago, will open his latest culinary outfit in Atlanta at Buckhead’s Intercontinental Hotel. 

Set to debut on September 26, Southern Art and Bourbon Bar will surely be the new place to go in the city. The restaurant will begin taking reservations on September 12. How long do we think it will take to get in?  What ever it is, me and my inner Oprah will wait patiently for a chance to sit at the “Artisan Ham Bar” and the “Vintage Pie and Cake Table.” Seriously? A ham bar? So excited!

By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Knitted Bling By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

The other day I met a designer, Ameli. Get this...she knits jewelry! Isn't that original and refreshing?!! She told me that she started knitting jewelry about 3 years ago and has already formed a knit-loving following (and no, they are not grandmothers) :) We love creativity here at Shukorina!!

Ameli is a design student Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle in Germany. I could really see myself rocking these on a regular:)

Bisou!


Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

At the Parkers' & and then off to Apache...

We were invited to be apart of a photo shoot for "Beyond the Game" an organization that was created to assist the widows and orphans of Swaziland, Africa. This organization is working hard to make a difference and I was proud to meet the ladies:) Girl Power!!! Sharlinda Parker was sweet enough to open her home for the shoot. I met some really great people, love it:)

Dress: Shukorina, Shirt: H&M, Necklace: Habesha,
Bracelets: by Sabrina, Earrings: Ralph Lauren, Clutch: Monki
Q (112) 

Actress Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung!

Spotted: Actress Diane Kruger looking lovely at Frank Gehry's Tiffany & Co. dinner. 
Designer: Prabal Gurung <3
Dress: Embroidered tulle chemise with silver and gold hand-painted sheet metal sequins and feathers from the Fall 2011 collection. Gorgeousness!!! (Available @ Al Othman, Barneys New York, Barneys Beverly Hills and Wynn). 


Smooch!

Feed moi...

Last night my girlfriend Dyonne and I went to dinner at Divan in Buckhead. Although she made me site outside and risk being eaten alive by the mosquitos we had so much fun (and no, I didn't really get eaten by them:). The food was delicious, as always!!! I love middle eastern food, I always did. The service grrrrreat!!!

You guys should definitely go:)

Passion...

...relax, not that kind of passion. I'm talking about the kind of passion that moves you. The kind of passion that guides you in the right direction, the kind that blows life into your dreams. It's what makes you dare to dream and want things that are completely and absolutely out of reach to the human eye. That's why I believe that dreams are not human, they are from God. They are thoughts and emotions that God place in our hearts. When you are truly passionate about something, nothing can stand in your way of attaining it. You simply won't let anyone or anything stop you in your quest of accomplishing your goal.  Everyone should have it...that umff, that thing!

What's your thing?

Ps. Something to think about...

Our French Sister. By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

I’ll bet you didn’t know that Atlanta had a French sister.  Sister city that is.  Toulouse is the French sister city to Atlanta.  It’s a cultural designation meaning that we look to learn about our respective cultures from each other.  In addition, Atlanta joins with the French consulate each year to host France-Atlanta, a “series of French-American events centered on innovation and designed to breathe new life into the cooperation between France and the Southeast US.”  The series takes place from October 26-November 12, 2011.   

Fashion's Night Out, ATL?!

Hey dolls, this year I'm spending Fashion's Night Out in Atlanta. This is my first time here and I'm actually looking forward to it. Have only spent FNO in New york city and needless to say, I love NYC ! Soo, with that said that I can't wait to see what ATL has to offer on this fun filled night of Fashion.

I'll let you guys now where I going to be hanging out and what my fashion calendar will look like.

Smooch!

I Wish I Spoke Russian...

Doesn't this cover make you want to speak Russian. I love the Resort collections...to me this is when designers become more playful and relaxed.

Me and my husband, First Name MacBook, Last Name Pro...get it!:)

AFTER CHURCH TODAY...

Lupe Fiasco is one of my ALL TIME artists! I would love to interview him:)

Rachel Zoe Resort 2012

Have you guys had a chance to check out Stylist Rachel Zoe's clothing line "Rachel Zoe"? Her F2011RTW debut collection was great and we all know that Ms. Zoe is responsible for several of the looks on red carpets all over. Her 2012 resort collection definitely lives up to expectations. It's people friendly, stylish, colorful and happy:)

I LOVE THIS!!!

It's a wrap...

Peter (Model), Moi & Rick (Photographer)

Today was spent styling and directing a photo shoot in downtown Atlanta. I love working with easy going people, I mean who doesn't, but it really is great when everyone is able to communicate and just make things work. I'll post more pictures from the day ones I get the pictures from the shoot.

Style You...

Hello, Shukorina friends! I am suuuper tired right now, getting ready to throw myself in bed...literally! Today was spent returning emails, catching up on work and pulling clothes for a photo shoot tomorrow. The guy at Zara will be dreaming nightmares about me tonight. I made sure of that, mohahaha:) It's been a while since I style for a shoot and it will be interesting to see how it all comes together. Some of the best stores for men really are (in my opinion) Urban Outfitters, Zara, Diesel and Ben Sherman...

Go check out their collections...(all of their fall stuff may not be in yet though)

Color me Good! By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Color: African Violette from American Apparel

Nailpolish to me is like candy for your fingers. What a yummy accessory! So yummy, that I make it my business to switch colors once a week. I love trying new popping colors. For some reason I feel bare when my nails are “uncolored” (you know what I mean).

Anna dello Russo is the new face of Macy's I.N.C

Loving this song

 

Shukorina LOVES Prabal Gurung!!!

Guess what?? One of the most talented designers and also one of my favorite designers Prabal Gurung has released these beautiful pictures of his Fall 2011 Collection. According to the brilliant designer (yes, I'm biased) the images are debuting exclusively on Style.com.

Literature is so much more romantic than flowers. By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Anthropologie

I don’t think of myself as a romantic; mainly because I don’t like flowers. They die…quickly. I don’t get it. I like things I can hold on to forever, timeless qualities like a really beautiful dress or a fine pen 

or a good book, or diamonds (I’m just saying). Those are all so much more romantic to me. 

So I was in Anthropologie the other day, and, before I go on let me just say, Anthropologie is a shrine to the ultimate femininity. I’ll share my theory on the power of the feminine some other time, but I walked in and felt like my truest ideas of romance were collected in this store. (They’re having a great sale on dresses by the way. Racks on racks of lovely, lovely dresses.)

On with it…so I was in Anthropologie and I came across a book by Paulo Coelho. I just read The Alchemist earlier this summer and I friended Paolo on Facebook so I’ve been reading his daily posts which are short and moving. So when I saw this book I just had to pick it up. It’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen and it has put me in a mood ever since. It’s called Inspirations and it’s an anthology of excerpts from some of the world’s greatest books. Each story is grouped according to the natural element that it most closely embodies – water, air, earth and fire.

Nothing But Nets - 1 4 all, all 4 1!!!

Earlier today I had a great conversation with Negin at Nothing But Nets and we were discussing their Cameroon Campaign. Nothing But Nets is an organization created by the United Nations Foundation in the effort to stop the spreading of Malaria in Africa. Right now they are inviting people to join them in their efforts to send 225,000 nets to families in Cameroon. These nets can keep entire villages healthy and alive. Malaria is the #1 cause of death in Cameroon. Every year up to 200,000 newborns die from Malaria related complications.

It's 10USD per net and this includes the training and education that comes with it. Together WE can cover and protect AFRICA!





Something to think about...


Smooch!

"The Ultimate Gentleman's Night Out" @ Roche Bobois

Moi & Annysa LaMantia (Annysa LaMantia & Roche Bobois)

Last night was the Roche Bobois event at their store in Buckhead. The place was packed and the event was of course put together by Liz Lapidus of Liz Lapidus PR. I love her parties.

Usher's World Leadership Conference & Awards 2011

To my Shukorina friends...these pictures have been hanging out on my desktop for like a month (I'm terrible, I know). Here it goes:

Usher on stage 

I was extra happy that Ted Turner was being honored for all of his philanthropic work. He truly is an inspiring man, and his message and philosophy is very simple "be of service to others", basically don't just live for yourself. It's pretty powerful.

Inspired by the 60's

Fall is around the corner, I know...I can't believe it either but yeah, it's coming. So for fall I think I'm traveling back to the sixties. What do you guys think?

My Crown...By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Headband w/ large flower, purchased at a random market in London. Picture by: Gabriel Gutierrez 

Although I usually don't complain about my hair I do at times have seriously bad hair days and as most girls I have days where I simply lack the energy to do anything about it.

Yummy Cupcakes and Girl Power

Since I do majority of my work online it only makes sense that I do a lot of skype-ing and chatting (disclaimer, just saying)...glad we got that out of the way. With that said I was chatting with my girlfriend Sara (from back home) and she told me that she just started a Cupcake delivery business. Her company Yummy Cupcake makes fresh cupcakes (daily) and deliver them to businesses all around town. How phenomenal right? This may not tickle your fancy as it tickles mine, maybe you have to really know her in order for you to be fascinated by her, but I am so intrigued by everything she does.

De-Lor - That We Loved

Glad I didn't tuck my ears! By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Prabal Gurung is a visionary designer from Nepal. I love him for two reasons besides his quintessential feminine yet modern lines – it’s as if he channels a contemporary version of the ‘60’s siren. His Spring 2011 collection was like a catty cross between Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Onassis propelled into the future. But I digress.

If this is how Prabal parties, I definitely want to party with him.
Picture: Curtesy of Fab Sugar

I also love Prabal because giving back to his native Nepal is part of  his business philosophy. Whatever part of his soul that’s driven to make women look beautiful is also driven to protect them. When he won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, he applied part of his winnings to Shikshya, a charity started by the designer and his siblings to educate girls orphaned by mothers who are victims of human trafficking. Not only that, but a portion of the sales of his knitwear are also directed toward the charity. (Vogue, August 2011)