Weekly Whistle: All About Leopard…Meow!

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Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

Phew….it is already Wednesday, really?! This week is really flying by! Oh, I cannot wait for the Fourth of July festivities on Friday…and apparently neither can my neighbors because they have been shooting fireworks from late afternoon until midnight…since Monday. *wink* Oh, I am lacking some serious sleep…I think I need another Starbucks run *wink*

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Anyway…we are not here to discuss my neighbors and their celebrating–we are here to chat about this week’s Weekly Whistle! Whoo hoo!

This week’s Weekly Whistle is all about leopard…meow! Typically a fall pattern because of its warm earth-tones, leopard has surprised us all by popping into our summer wardrobes – from blouses to swimsuits! To read more about leopard + tidbits of the pattern’s history + fashion tips, check out my latest edition of The Adventures of the VIP on Real Media here.

Now, let’s check out the outfit details!

Pst…come back tomorrow for Three Ways to Wear Thursday for more lovable leopard ensembles!

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Blouse: Express, Johnson City [Tennessee] Mall

Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Ballet Flats: Jessica Simpson, Belk (Birmingham, AL)

Necklace: Charming Charlie, The Outlet Shops of Grand River

*BLOOPER* Photographer: Act a little tough--give me a tough-girl pose.  Me: *poses as pictured* Photographer: *laughs* That was not tough...that was sassy. Me: I like being sassy *wink*
*BLOOPER*
Photographer: Act a little tough–give me a tough-girl pose.
Me: *poses as pictured*
Photographer: *laughs* That was not tough…that was sassy.
Me: I like being sassy *wink*

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

I missed the Birmingham, Alabama Snowpocalypse

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Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

My goodness! I am so happy to be back home in Birmingham with my Charter high-speed internet and a Starbucks that is 2.1 miles from my house; however, spending time in my hometown was nice–spending time with old friends and family, revisiting some of my favorite photo shoot spots, and taking walks in the pasture listening to the calm silence that exists in the middle of nowhere…

Now, enjoy some photos from our adventure! Please note that my mom is quite possibly the worst iPhone photographer ever *wink*

Diet Dr. Pepper--when you are stranded without a Starbucks...it is the next best thing *wink*
Diet Dr. Pepper–when you are stranded without a Starbucks…it is the next best thing *wink*
Ziva (Giant Schnauzer), Mattie (Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier), and the VIP taking a walk in the pasture. Ahh....the fresh air.
Ziva (Giant Schnauzer), Mattie (Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier), and the VIP taking a walk in the pasture. Ahh….the fresh air.
Revisiting an old photo shoot spot with the furbabies.
Revisiting an old photo shoot spot with the furbabies.

After two days of being in Louisville, we were finally given the “clear” to head back to Birmingham. Roads were still a bit icy in patches, but God blessed us so greatly because we could have been stranded on the side of the road rather than stranded in the hometown :)

There was still a bit of snow to enjoy once we got back to Birmingham:)
There was still a bit of snow to enjoy once we got back to Birmingham:)
Leaving my mark in the snow *wink*
Leaving my mark in the snow *wink*
Ziva (Giant Schnauzer) and the VIP being silly with Paw Riley's scarecrow.
Ziva (Giant Schnauzer) and the VIP being silly with Paw Riley’s scarecrow.
Ziva is a snow baby rather than a snow bunny *wink*
Ziva is a snow baby rather than a snow bunny *wink*

Check out the video below to see Ziva enjoying the rest of the snow while sporting one of my sweatshirts–yes, my dog is spoiled rotten *wink*

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

30 Day J.Crew Challenge: Bring On the Brights

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Hey, y’all! Today has been crazy at the VIP’s house because I have been cleaning out my closet for something fabulous…what? Shh….I cannot tell y’all right now. Whew! I am truly exhausted…Okay…okay…okay…y’all are not here to listen to my whining about how much I need an extra hot Pumpkin Spice Latte right now…So, let’s talk about the 28th J.Crew Challenge outfit!

With the cooler weather ahead, it is time to bring out the corduroy pants…the brightly colored ones, of course! No matter the season, never be afraid to play with bright-on-bright ensembles! So, come on, my fabulouses…scream it with me, BRING ON THE BRIGHTS!

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Flannel Shirt: J.Crew Factory, The Outlet Shops of Grand River

(get the look here)

V-neck Tee: J.Crew Factory, The Outlet Shops of Grand River

(get the look here)

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Scarf: J.Crew Factory, The Outlet Shops of Grand River

(get the look here)

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Shoes: Jessica Simpson, Belk

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Hair: Brantley Willis of the AIA “The Salon”

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Wrap Bracelet: Beadsoul by Lisa Hamilton

(get the look here)

Bracelet: Sparkle Cat Studio by Stephanie Grantham

(get the look here)

Earrings: BluKat Design by Heather O’Cain

(request a similar look here)

IMG_4413Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Accessories Challenge: First Strapless Dress of Summer!

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Hello, VIP fashionistas! Let’s kick off this amazing week with an amazing VIP Accessories Challenge! For those of you who are just now joining me on my blogging adventure…or for those of you who simply forgot what a VIP Accessories Challenge is–don’t nod your head no…it’s okay–we all forget things–especially me. I forget to take my laundry upstairs pretty much every single day–Anyway…an Accessories Challenge is where I take one outfit and swap out ONLY accessories to create a variety of looks with ease! Oh….fashionistas can never have too many accessories!

Now, without further ado…I present to you the VIP’s Accessories Challenge with a sunshine yellow strapless dress from Deep South Pout in Starkville, Mississipp! Whoo hoo!

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VIP TIP:

Mixing metallics is a fun and easy way to create a superbly chic look that adds pizazz to any and all summer ensembles! Who said you cannot mix gold and silver together? Well…it was not the VIP!

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 Dress: Deep South Pout

Belt: Personal Vintage Collection (Truth is…I took it out of my mom’s closet…shhh…)

Heels: Avon

Necklace: BluKat Design by Heather O’Cain

Bracelet: Belk–Trussville, AL

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VIP TIP:

A sassy twist to any floor-length strapless dress is color blocked sandals! Beating the summer heat has never been so stylish! Thanks, Gus Mayer, for a wonderful selection of spectacular sandals!

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Dress: Deep South Pout

Sandals: Circus by Sam Edelman, Gus Mayer

Peach Bracelet: Deep South Pout

Green & Turquoise Bracelet: StephieGknits by Stephanie Grantham

Necklaces:  Personal Vintage Collection (aka my mom’s closet)

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VIP TIP:

Tie up floor-dusting dresses to create a more casual style that is perfect for a coffee trip!…let’s admit it…we all love and NEED our Starbucks runs, BUT we gotta’ look super cute!

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Dress: Deep South Pout

Vest: VIP DIY–Click here to see the very first VIP DIY!

Sandals: Circus by: Sam Edelman, Gus Mayer

Belt: Target

Glasses: BCBG MazAzria (yes, these are my REAL glasses.)

Bracelet: Beadsoul by Lisa Hamilton

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VIP TIP:

I will throw in a personal testimony for all of my blonde readers out there! I was a tad bit nervous to wear this luscious yellow dress because I was afraid it would clash and look terrible with my blonde hair…BUT it doesn’t–it looks fabulous! At the end of the day, blondes can sport yellow–I am not really sure who told me they couldn’t….hmm…

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Dress: Deep South Pout

Vest: VIP DIY

Heels: OBT, Gus Mayer

Bracelet: Deep South Pout

Necklace: BluKat Design by Heather O’Cain

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Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for a peek inside my life.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vintageinspiredpassionista

Twitter: @Abbysauce_

Instagram: @VintagePassionista

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/vintagepassionista

Follow me on Pinterest to see exclusive photos, my favorite Etsy finds, and more! http://pinterest.com/VIPblog/

Check out more of my writings and photo shoot styling here:

Real Media: The Adventures of the VIP “Snazzy Shorts that Stop Traffic”: http://thisisrealmedia.com/2013/05/15/the-adventures-of-the-vip-history-lesson-snazzy-shorts-that-stop-traffic/

Town and Gown Magazine May Issue: http://issuu.com/townandgownmagazine/docs/may

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Abby Hathorn on “Talk of Alabama” on ABC33/40!

Sara McKnight, my lovely model for the TV segment, and I all dolled up and ready for "Talk of Alabama"! We both sported amazing fashions that are available at Gus Mayer (Birmingham, AL)!
Sara McKnight, my lovely model for the TV segment, and I all dolled up and ready for “Talk of Alabama”! We both sported amazing fashions that are available at Gus Mayer (Birmingham, AL)!

What the VIP Wore:

Dress: Parker (click for link to dress), Gus Mayer (Birmingham, AL)

Hat: Christine A. Moore, Gus Mayer (Birmingham, AL)

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff, Gus Mayer (Birmingham, AL)

What Sara Wore:

Dress: Christian Siriano, Gus Mayer (Birmingham, AL)

Hat: Christina A. Moore, Gus Mayer (Birmingham, AL)

I am so grateful to have had Sara modeling on the show this morning! So proud of the amazing job she did! Yay for Sara and Miss VIP!

Today was a very exciting day in the Hathorn house as the VIP was on “Talk of Alabama” on ABC 33/40! I barely slept a wink last night…amazing what a little Starbucks in the morning can do for your spirit! Anyway, I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to represent good teens all over the world today as I talked about my blog, why I started the VIP, and of course, spring fashions!

Now that I have had time to calm down and think about the segment…here are ten things I wish I would have said on live TV!

10 Things I Wish I Would Have, Could Have, or Should Have Said on Live TV:

(I am pretending that David Letterman from The Late Show is reading my top ten right now…yes, I would love to be on his show.)

10.  The pretty-in-pink Parker dress I wore was buttery soft; such a dream to wear!

9.  Sara’s beautiful pastel blue dress is perfect for Easter and the Kentucky Derby!

8. I wish I would have mentioned my newly started YouTube Channel

7.  Ziva (my Giant Schnauzer) would have really appreciated a shout out, according to the wonderful welcome I received when I got home!

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6.  I wish I would have thanked all of my tremendous fans and followers!

5.  I wish I would have explained the sponsorship of my blog better…but that is usually the job of my business manager!

4.  I wish I would have had time to tell everyone where to find me…

3.  I wish I would have answered the question “Where do you see yourself in ten years” better…I cannot think that far in advance very well…BUT in 5 years, I would like to be graduating from college with a degree in mass communications…let’s just say the “10 seconds left” thing freaked me out-no pressure!

2.  I wish I could have had more time to explain my top spring 2013 fashion trends…hmm future blog post? I think yes!

1.  I definitely should have said “Stay Fabulous”!

If you live outside of Alabama, no need to fear! You can still watch the VIP on TV by clicking here!

Cardigan: Banana Republic, Shops of Grand River (Leeds, AL)Shirt: The Loft, Shops of Grand River (Leed, AL)Skirt: JCrewHeels: Nine West
Cardigan: Banana Republic, Shops of Grand River (Leeds, AL)
Shirt: The Loft, Shops of Grand River (Leeds, AL)
Skirt: JCrew
Heels: Nine West

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for a peek inside my life.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vintageinspiredpassionista

Twitter: @Abbysauce_

Instagram: @VintagePassionista

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/vintagepassionista

Email: vintage.passionista@gmail.com

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn