Before I dive deep into this week’s Three Ways to Wear, I must say that it is absolutely freezing here, and this Mississippi-raised girl does not know how to handle it! My mom and I were huddling around the oven (yes, really–the oven) and eating pizza while my dad was posting pictures to Instagram of the beach sunset in Florida. It’s not fair. I want a warm vacay *wink*
Now, back on topic. For this week’s Three Ways to Wear Thursday, I am featuring a fabulous skirt from one of my favorite local shops here in Johnson City, Tennessee–Serendipity Boutique. This gold skirt is so simple, which makes dressing it up, down, and everywhere in between a piece of cake or easy as pie. You know…whichever you prefer–cake or pie? *wink* Personally…I am a pecan pie kind of gal.
If you live in or are visiting the Johnson City TN/Bristol TN/VA area, be sure to stop by one of Serendipity’s two locations! Their wide variety of lovely fashions are sure to tickle your fancy! :)
WAY ONE:
I first featured this awesome skirt on the sister blog S&S. Click here for more photos + outfit details.
Blouse: Serendipity Boutique | Skirt: Serendipity Boutique | Heels: Jessica Simpson, Belk | Ring: SparkleCatStudio (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT HER SILENT AUCTION HERE! MORE DETAILS BELOW!)
Info about Sparkle Cat Rescue Online Fundraising Auction:
100% of the money raised through this auction will benefit the felines rescued by Sparkle Cat Rescue.
This will be an ongoing auction as items are donated. Instructions will be with each item listed.
If you are a business or an artisan/crafter wishing to donate an item or items, please contact at sparklecatrescue@gmail.com
The average cost of each feline’s routine medical care is $200+ (spay/neuter, vaccinations, combo testing). Add to that the possibility of illness during their foster care, the cost can increase. They are 100% volunteer and rely on donations from the public.
Hello, hello, hello VIP readers! Today, I have a special interview to share with y’all! The VIP Interview with Stephanie Grantham of StephieGknits! Stephanie creates adorable knitted hats that are absolutely to-die-for! She also makes wonderful bracelets that the VIP adores!
Biscuit from The Biscuit Foundation with Munchie! What a precious little dog! Oh, the VIP is a sucker for adorable doggies!
As if her shop did not sound awesome enough, Stephanie Grantham donates a portion of her proceeds to a local nonprofit animal rescue group called “The Biscuit Foundation”, which is located in Burlington, North Carolina. Oh, fashionistas, I cannot hold back this interview anymore! So, without further ado, I present to you the VIP Interview with Stephanie Grantham!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I guess you could say I am a natural born artist/crafter. My grandmom Georgia taught me how to knit when I was nine years old and anything that was crafty caught my attention: cross stitch, needlepoint, unsuccessfully attempting to make quilts, photography, drawing/sketching. My grandmom had very eccentric taste, and I would say she is the reason I have such an eye for color in both yarns and beads. I have a lot of her old costume jewelry, and I consider those pieces art! I just love thinking about where that jewelry has been! I am now in my late 40’s, a grandmother, pet lover (mom to 3 dogs/2 cats).
In my spare time, I volunteer with a local nonprofit animal rescue group (The Biscuit Foundation) in Burlington NC. I donate a portion of proceeds from my shop to The Biscuit Foundation.
When you are not making jewelry/knitting, what do you enjoy doing?
When I am not making jewelry and knitting, I enjoy playing with the cats and dogs, gardening, photography, catching up with my favorite shows on the DVR, have the occasional whim to rearrange furniture (which my boyfriend cringes at), and reading books (yes, old-fashioned paper books). My favorites are memoirs and true crime. I love visiting my son’s family in Florida! I travel there every three to four months to visit with them. Spending time with my granddaughters is very important to me.
Describe your ideal vacation.
My ideal vacation is anywhere that involves the beach or water! Give me a porch swing and a screened in porch with a view of the water! That brings me back to my youth and all the beach vacations we had!
VIP QUESTION: What is one item in your closet you could never get rid of and why?
The one item in my closet I would never get rid of is an old gray and white Fair Isle sweater (vintage ~1950’s) that was worn by my mom when she was younger, and I wore when I was in high school and could still wear today if I chose to (I think). If you’re talking about something I wear regularly and would hate to part with, it’s my black ballet flats. Who doesn’t love their black ballet flats?
I am very passionate about my craft! I love being creative with the colors and coming up with designs that are reflective of me. I rarely, if ever, follow a pattern as I find them difficult to follow, and I just play it by ear and trust my instincts. I like to learn new techniques as I go, and in my knitting I have actually learned new stitches by mistake (my favorite being the seed stitch that I tend to always use on my hats for the brim). There is another person behind the jewelry designs in the shop, and that is my boyfriend, Jim. He loves working with natural minerals, and we both love Czech Glass and crystal. I would say that Jim’s designs are more for the earthy girl, and mine are more for the sparkly glamour girl. We take great pride in the quality of the hand-knits and handcrafted jewelry we design, and we love getting custom requests!
Love this necklace and bracelet set! Oh, it makes me ready for a trip to the beach!
Stephanie Grantham is such a fun person with great taste in knitting and jewelry making! All fashionistas need at least one StephieGknits item in their wardrobe! It is all so cute and colorful that you could wear it with anything and everything!
Like StephieGknits on Facebook to keep up with new jewelry and knits! Click here.
Shop Stephanie Grantham’s spectacular items on Etsy! Click here.
(From left to right) April Moore, Melissa Grimes, and Courtni Tyre, the fabulous designers behind three07!PHOTO CREDIT TO DREW BOURKE PHOTO
Hello, fashionistas and readers of the VIP! I am very excited to share with y’all a fantastic interview with the wonderful designers behind “three07”-April Moore, Melissa Grimes, and Courtni Tyre! So, let’s get started…shall we!?
April Moore: “I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I come from a very artistic family, so design was a natural path for me. We are all huge University of Alabama fans, so picking a college to attend was an easy decision – RTR! After college, I moved back to the Magic City, where three07 was later formed!”
Melissa Grimes: “I grew up in Mobile, Alabama, and I always knew I wanted to go to The Capstone. After college, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my great aunt and join the Peace Corps. I spent two years living in West Africa and working with young girls who were learning to sew. It was such a rewarding experience, and it was fascinating to see how fashion can transcend cultural differences.”
Courtni Tyre: “I was born in Dothan, Alabama; however, growing up, I spent a lot of time in Florida. After high school, I decided to do something different from my friends, so I packed my bags and headed to UA in T-town! It was the best decision I ever made. Since college, I have worked in the fashion industry – my merchandising experience has given me a keen eye for staying on trend.”
“Individually, we’ve always been interested in the fashion world, but it wasn’t until college when
we realized our interest in design. As classmates ,we started to notice our similar artistic points
of view. We soon began collaborating on school projects together and developed a close
friendship. Toward the end of our college career, we knew we wanted to one-day work together
as a team in the fashion industry.”
“We support local charities such as Glenwood – Autism & Behavioral Health Center, UCP, and Urban Ministry. It’s always a blessing to contribute to such great organizations.”
What is three07 bringing to the Birmingham Fashion Week Runway this year?
“We are thrilled because this is our first experience with BFW, and we will be showcasing our exciting new collection ‘Bohemian Romance’. It’s full of feminine prints, beautiful crochets, and flowy silhouettes. It makes you feel like Summertime!”
When y’all are not making the world of fashion a better place, what do y’all enjoy doing?
“We all really enjoy staying busy outside of three07. For example, we recently created a very elaborate gown and train for the Queen of the Order of Juno’s, a Mobile Mardi Gras society. We also have to admit that we love to ‘Keep Up with the Kardashians’ and other reality TV when we can.”
Check out their website to see more three07 collections! The VIP is simply obsessed with their apparel! It is so cute, fun, whimsical, and fabulous-perfect for all occasions! www.three07.com
Don’t forget you can purchase three07’s newest collection (starting in late April) online ! www.obaz.com! Let’s count down the days, fashionistas!
Come see three07’s apparel modeled on the Birmingham Fashion Week runway Wednesday, February 26! To purchase tickets for this BFW runway show, click here.
If you cannot get enough of the VIP, check out my articles in The Real Story! The Adventures of the VIP in the Lifestyle section! www.realstorypublishing.com
On my latest adventure, my mom and I were antiquing in Springville, Alabama when we stumbled upon a darling shop-Vintage Hip (open Wednesday-Saturday 10-6).
Vintage Hip got its start just a few months ago, but judging by the parking lot and constant flow of customers…the news about this charming, vintage-inspired shop is spreading! Becky Coffelt and her daughter Hannah Cornelious dreamed it and started it…and let me say that Becky is most precious with lovely curly hair like mine!
Vintage Hip has so many wonderful, funky, charming, unique things to offer to lovers of art, vintage, upcycling, and handmade jewelry. Vintage Hip has handmade clay jewelry by Rebekah Blocher Designs from Alabama and upcycled bags by Raemissigman out of St. Cloud, Florida. They also offer repurposed vintage furniture, custom built furniture, and steller upcycled picture frames that just scream shabby chic!
As my mom and I walked around Vintage Hip in awe, we decided to pick up a few fabulous things before heading back to good ole’ Mississippi. We purchased an eye-catching folk art piece by Marion Baker of Blockhead Arts, “Man Hands Shop Scrub” organically made by Roman’s Marketplace which I added to my dad’s Birthday Bash Basket, and a darling Lenny and Eva bracelet for a certain arm candy obsessed fashionista …*cough, cough* ME!:)
Even if you don’t live near the Springville, Alabama area-you won’t regret a roadtrip just to visit Vintage Hip! It is such a strikingly fabulous shop that everyone must see! When you arrive…tell them the VIP sent you;)
Check out these links to see Vintage Hip, Blockhead Arts, Rebekah Blocher, RaeMissigman, and Lenny and Eva!
vintageinspiredpassionista.com 