Way To Fall

Leafy
Originally uploaded by scarls17

Art

I've been slowly reading the Bazaar Runway Report special issue for weeks now.

It is maybe the greatest magazine I have gotten in the mail in months. It is literally* a rundown of every single fall line that was presented in Paris, Milan, New York, and London. I die:

Valentino

Lanvin

Giambattista Valli

Alexander McQueen (Wouldn't wear this, of course, but it's AWESOME!)

Pringle Of Scotland (REPRESENT!!!!!!!!!!)

I could post about 100 more, but I'll stop here...for now.


XO,
SVR










*Rachel Zoe

Fashion Victim

The other thing I did recently is a photoshoot for my brother and sister-in-law's store. First of all, go check out their website: Turnstyle. Did you go?

Jobeth asked me to come take picture so of their new clothes they would be carrying this fall in their store. I said yes, because it sounded like fun, but then I started thinking about it and was kind of terrified. Although, I wasn't. It's hard to explain. I was concerned about lighting, but I figured I'd just wing it somehow.

I don't have some crazy notion that I am a great photographer. I like to do it, but I often have no idea what I'm doing. I know a good picture when I see it, and I've taken some of them myself, but if good photographers like Terra are on one planet, then I am on another one wondering how I can get to theirs.

When I showed up that Saturday I had no idea what to expect. Five minutes in, though, and I was relaxed and having a great time. Once I had about 40 shots and several looked good, I knew things were going to be okay.

I hadn't even though about what role I would play. I naively assumed I would just be taking the pictures, but while Jobeth styled the models, I had to direct them. "Gorgeous!" "Don't bend your leg!" "Fill in the empty space!" I'm not going to lie, America's Next Top Model was my savior. I even joked for one girl to "Smile with [her] eyes!"

Lighting did prove to be one of my biggest obstacles, but we worked around what we had and even moved the furniture around to help our cause. I took 543 shots in two hours and even without Photoshop (which I don't even have and never use), I was happy with what we got. Here are some of my (unedited!) favorites:

Southern Belle

I've been up to a lot recently. Read about it...here:

I visited my younger sister, Ali, in Charleston, SC a couple weeks ago. She recently moved there with her husband and I had such a fantastic time down there. It's quite different down there, I have to say. First of all, I knew it would be hot, but I was not ready for scorching. It's one thing (and entirely okay) to be wicked hot while at the beach, but when walking around downtown, I wanted to die. I've been in cool weather mode since well, forever. While melting in Charleston, we got some of the best pizza I have ever had in my life at Mellow Mushroom.
(Note: We took some home in a box. Not that there's any shame in finishing it off.)

It also rains a lot there, but the rain never messes up the plans. On the Sunday before I left, we planned to go to Isle Of Palms beach, but when we woke up, it was pouring. We decided to head out anyway, and by the time we arrived, it was nice out again.

I also felt like a Northerner there. Never before have I said I'm from Virginia and not felt like the Southern Belle* I am. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not the slow southern feel like it is in Tennessee where people walk and talk way slower than anyone from Northern Virginia. I actually was reminded a lot of Puerto Rico.

Going out at night in Charleston is a sport unto itself. Friday night we went to Bushido, which has been featured on the Travel Channel.

Nathaniel took on the challenge and after signing his waiver (yes) he ate the first five.

Luckily for us, and him, he decided to do half now and half later. We had big drinking plans and the guy at the table next to use finished all 10 and pretty much couldn't sit still or stop sweating. He also said he exploded in the bathroom. His words, most certainly not mine!

As I was saying, Friday night in Charleston I noticed that the girl uniform was short shorts, a fancy top, and heels. My finest moment of the evening was when we were leaving our parking spot and we overheard this guy on the phone say, "You just want to fuck her in the ass!" Anyone who listens to Elliott In The Morning should already know what I said, "Anal?" I can't describe the tone, but it was amazing.

Saturday nights have an entirely different girl uniform: dresses and heels. I felt quite out of place wearing jeans. I also felt out of place because I was not so drunk I couldn't stand anymore. Nor was I sitting on the sidewalk drunk texting or trying not to vomit. I was inside, having fun.


After the bars closed, we decided to go to a strip club so Silva directed us to The Southern Belle. Unfortunately, the cover was $20 and since I have no need to see naked ladies, there was no way I was going to pay that. Especially since we got there at 3am and they closed at 4. Um, no. Silva was disappointed:(

BUT did you know that in South Carolina you can buy beer at 3am!? I still can't get over that.

I was sad to leave Ali and Nathaniel. I miss my sister a lot.


I've been up to more than just going to South Carolina, but this post is forever long right now.

XO,
SVR








*This will be funny later.