* I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation with this post for the Macy's Martha Stewart event. However, as always, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own. *
Y'all - I got to see Clinton Kelly up close!!!
I attended a recent event of his over at Macy's and was lucky enough to be there as media and sitting in the front row.
It was really a lot of fun, and I absolutely adore him. There were so many things that he said that were so important that I found myself emailing notes to myself so I wouldn't forget them. No worries, I'll be sharing them with you shortly.
First, have a look at Clinton.
How cute is he, right? He totally walked out, started talking and made the entire audience feel at ease. It was if we were old friends. He's hilarious, entertaining and real. He never once made me feel like I wasn't cool enough to be at a fashion show!
One of his first and most important points of the night was advice for us all.
Now, onto the fashion. There were several rounds of outfits for the six models participating. Each "round" had a style appropriate for the youthful model, the curvier model and the mature model.
Even Clinton didn't love the word mature, but it was hard to say the over-50s crowd or something like that, because it just sort of came out wrong that way.
One of the first things I fell in love with at this event was a pair of shoes.
Sometimes you just have to rock an amazing shoe.
Now, you may not know me well enough to know that I'm all about accessories. Give me a handbag and I'll love you forever. I also love a striking pair of shoes. I don't usually find them in my size, or my need for comfort, but I still enjoy looking at a beautiful design.
The first outfit our young model was wearing was really put together, and relaxed. Except for the shoes. The shoes aren't relaxed at all. They're stylish and classy.
And Clinton spent a lot of time talking with one of the attendees of the event about her personal style and what she was wearing, and explained the importance of a little height in the heel when you're wearing a short pant like the ones shown here. He explained aspects of proportion and how when you look longer you look thinner - which makes sense, of course. * Note to self, start wearing a wedge or something more than flip flops when going out. It'll give you some length that you need at 5' 2-1/2" tall. *
I've compiled a few pictures together here to showcase more of the outfits. If I didn't I'd have a post filled with just pictures ... which could work but isn't my style (get it?).
This dress below was possibly one of Clinton's favorite pieces of the night. It's in the collage above, but worth a closer look. He was really clear that you have to be able to pull it off before you can even consider wearing it, and that was pretty visible right away when you look at this beautiful model wearing it. The dress is really pretty and colorful, and the flowers against the white are a perfect contrast.
And lastly, some of my favorite outfits of the evening.
This dress is my absolute favorite. It helps that it's for the curvy girl, which, as you know, I am. I just love how the bottom part falls on the model and how the top of it is perfectly fitted. I'd imagine I'd need a lot of tailoring to get a dress to look that perfect on me, but I learned from Clinton on Rachael Ray the other day that you can take $30 and a tailor can pretty much revamp a piece of clothing to fit you perfectly in a blink. Something to consider.
I also really loved the white outfits that were modeled. The curvy woman in the long picture of this collage looks beautiful. I'd love that outfit and would buy it immediately. The tall blonde woman in the short-shorts? I couldn't pull that off, but she looks really cute. And Clinton shared a warning about cross-body bags for those of us with larger busts. He advised that we be wary of them because they "separate the girls," and he also shared some words of wisdom for those who tend to opt for showing a lot of skin. "If you do a short short, don't show a lot of skin on top. It looks like you're trying too hard." Wise advice.
And I love the fitted dress with splashes of color on the "mature" model. It looks amazing on her. I don't know if I could wear something like that - but he's made me want to try.
And so, here's me.
I'm not quite smiling, but I dressed up for the occasion, so that has to count for something, right? And I felt really good in this dress. I haven't worn it in years, but pulling it out and sliding it on? Felt great. I felt pretty. Oh! And Clinton didn't look at my shoes, which were probably too comfortable and flat for what I was wearing, but sometimes I've just got to go with what I have on-hand and make it work.
In the meantime, he left us with a load of advice that I really hope sticks. For me and for other women out there who might not take a moment to think of things like this.
* I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation with this post for the Macy's Martha Stewart event. However, as always, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own. *
Young: OMG! Love it! Balmain is a genius.
It's super pretty, isn't it? Yeah, it is. I love it. I love that the chain has a few spots that you can latch it on, adjusting the size. I love that I don't have to worry (it's CZ, so it's valuable, but not crazy pricey, ya know?) that my daughter might tug it off my neck, or that my crazy hectic self might lose it and be devastated. Because, yes, I'd be sad, but it's not a family heirloom or anything, so that works for me, as well. I like how shiny it is, too. I'm a girlie girl after all, I suppose. 
Trip to Antigua (I forget exactly when ... March of '03? '04?)
Most recent shot taken this past month:
