Ladies Who Do Lunch

 Mary Mahoney's

Today mom and I decided to have lunch at Mary Mahoney's in Biloxi, which all locals know is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. I'm always very picky about where I go out to eat because I'm all about "ambiance" (say it with an accent. It's fun!)  I love eating at beautiful places with cute dishes and waiters in black bow ties. Mary Mahoney's definitely meets all my requirements.
For any out-of-towners reading this, if you only visit one place while visiting the Gulf Coast, come to Mary Mahoney's. It is the quintessential Southern experience and the food is delicious. We had my wedding rehearsal dinner here. I recommend the Lobster Georgio and the house specialty, bread pudding. 

 Dress: Bettie Page

Shoes: Unlisted

Purse and belt: Stein Mart

Out on the patio. Beautiful scenery before you even enter the restaurant.

A little bee friend who visited us on the patio.

I ADORE these shoes! As you know, I'm addicted to polka dots.

Gorgeous glassed-in porch dining room.

 

Sunday afternoon

We spent Sunday afternoon at my mother-in-law's beautiful home on the Back Bay. We had her famous gumbo and Aunt Charlotte's delicious potato salad for lunch, among many other delicacies.
We celebrated my sister-in-law's new assistant principal job in the local school district and my husband's new teaching job at Tulane University!

Dress: Willi Smith (TJ Maxx)

Shoes: American Eagle

Purse: Bishou Bishou

Truly adorable print, truly adorable dog.

Matching shoes and purse not required.

Little Black Dress, How Do I Love Thee?

The Saga of the Little Black Dress

We were meant for each other. 
It was the moment every woman dreams about. No not a dream job or a fairytale wedding. Ladies and gentlemen, I have found and now possess the perfect little black dress. It is the LBD I have been waiting my entire life for. And the best part is, I got it for 65% off.

In the spring, while checking out the website "Stop Staring," a pinup brand with celebrity followers like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, I fell in love with their latest LBD. It was way too expensive, but low and behold, I came across it for sale last week on Ebay by a store going out of business. The best part is, I managed to talk the seller down an additional $10. Yes, I am an LBD lawyer! Two days later, it came in the mail and I beheld the wonder of the LBD.
"Please let it fit, please let it fit!," I prayed. I am happy to say it fit like it was tailor-made for me.

Without further ado, behold my new dress!

Dress: Stop Staring "Crush"

Shoes: Delicious

Purse: Kasper 

I'm loving Mike's derby hat that we bought in New Orleans from Shushan's. Mike has started a "bow tie Thursday" at work, and this is his first bow tie since our wedding.

Comic print heels.

I love the bodice shape and sweetheart neckline.

Love this guy!

It's important to add a pop of color to a LBD with bright accessories. 

Pictures taken at the Gulfport Galleria's 5th Anniversary party.

Pink Heart Funds Benefit

Covered "Ladies Night Out Expo," a Pink Heart Funds benefit, for the newspaper. Pink Heart provides free wigs to people with hair loss due to illness. A great cause and great occasion to wear my little pink dress! (Pink just may be the new black). It's an ultra-preppy combination, but I recommend pairing green accessories with a pink ensemble. 

Dress: Jones of NY 

Shoes: Payless

A high waist cut elongates the leg.

Cute shoes that I haven't worn in a while. They were very excited to be taken out on the town for such an important occasion.

 

Croissant d' or Patisserie, New Orleans

 Croissant d' or on Ursuline

We spent Sunday in New Orleans, LA, picking up my artwork, shopping, and visiting our favorite pastry shop, Croissant d' or on Ursuline. (Their almond croissants and chocolate cappuccino are a must for any visitors to the Big Easy).
It was a hot summer day, and the perfect day to wear my new dress.

Dress: Hell Bunny "Penny"

Shoes: Guess

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Hell Bunny really makes quality clothing. I love the thick, full skirt and the rickrack detailing on the collar, bow and bodice. 

Mike and I had chocolate cappuccino, fragipan, fruit tart, and croissants. Truly the breakfast of champions.

I'll take one of each!

One of my favorite courtyard cafes.

Photography by Mike Mucha.

A Walk in the Park

Just call me "Miss Firecracker"

Quaint old neighborhoods are one of the best things about living in the South. Today I took a stroll through a park on 2nd Street, one of the Coastal communities in my town that is still building back from Hurricane Katrina. I know when their park was rebuilt, many of the residents finally felt like they had come home.
Mike and I love talking walks in this historic neighborhood, where couples walk their dogs, wave to you from their porches, and have children's birthday parties in the park. It is such a friendly place I call it "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood."

Dress: Forever 21

Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Shoes: Kim Rogers

Purse: Hobby Lobby

Hat: Scala

Thanks, Mom, for loaning me your hat!

Shirt dresses are cool and comfortable to wear during the dog days of summer!

I love anything with polka dots, especially in red and white. When I shop, I have to make a conscious effort to "try something new," or else my entire wardrobe would be polka dots!

My favorite pair of sunglasses of all time!

 

 

I didn't realize when I bought my dress that I was channeling Gwen Stefani's look in her "Cool" video. Check it out below!

"Cool" video

Special thanks to artist/photographer Rhonda Anne Herring.

Art School Fashion Plates

The 1940s Meet the 1950s

It was the last day of class at the university where I teach art classes, and is becoming a tradition to have a costume party for our final critique. My student Flora and I decided to come representing our favorite eras- for me, the 1950s, and for her, the 1940s.

My clothing-

Dress: La Belle

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Payless 

Pearls: gift from Michael

I also love pairing this hat with modern clothes to keep the look from getting too costumey.

Flora's hat from Roadkill, a rockabilly store in New Orleans.
I am dying to learn how to do this 1940s 'do! 
Here is a tutorial:
 http://youtu.be/IH4KWLiyuK4

Not your ordinary luncheon in the grass!

Love this black lace fabric and full skirt with gauzy petticoat! 

 

The original Gossip Girls!

 

Jewelry sets the tone for the entire outfit.

Flora's shoes by Bongo.

 Special thanks to University art student George Rothering for photographing our style shoot!