Buford Betty Fashion Week: A very stylish interview.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the fabulous Courtney, a high schooler in our neighborhood who has caught my eye on several occasions. I always noticed her at various neighborhood gatherings... the way she carried herself, her contagious smile, and most of all - her amazing style. At only 15, she seems light-years ahead of other girls her age. When I decided to do a week of posts on fashion, I knew I wanted to get the scoop from her. It's SO refreshing to see a young girl, at such an impressionable age, laying her own tracks instead of stepping in line with the rest of the crowd. To see such individual style coming out so early on in her life tells me this girl is going to do incredible things.

As I sat down with Courtney in her parent's living room, she was grinning, perfectly poised, and ready to fire away. I knew from the start that she'd have a lot to say on the topic...

Buford Betty: Tell me a little about yourself... what you're involved in at school, your favorite classes, what you're into...

Courtney: My favorite class is language arts. And this year social studies and lanugage arts are combined... I love history as well. It's like a big storybook everyday. I play guitar... I'm not into sports at all, but I'm like in love with music. So that's my thing. I'm starting to get really involved with my church. Have you ever heard of Interact? I'm involved in that. It's volunteer community service and things like that.

BB: Very cool! Now let's get down to it and talk about style. I wanted to talk with you specifically because I've seen you around the neighborhood and you've obviously got great style. I recently polled my readers about how they put together an outfit on any given day. The results were pretty even across the board... some pieced the next day's outfit together from head-to-toe the night before, while others admitted grabbing whatever they could find that's clean as they ran out the door. I'm curious how you, as someone with such great personal style, puts together an outfit. First, do you put a lot of thought into it, and secondly, when do you actually pull it all together?

C: I do put a lot of thought into it. Normally at about 10:30 at night I'll be starting to get things together. And when I get things together, I'll go to my mom's room and they're like trying to go to bed. But I'll wake them up and say, "Mom, does this look good?!"

BB: So you actually like try stuff on the night before?

C: Oh yeah, I'll go through four things, plus the jewelry, get everything worked out, and then I always ask my mom. She's always my fashion consultant.

BB: That's really great. I remember my mom always tried to get me to pick out my clothes the night before but I rarely did! And the fact that you're a teenager is one of the main reasons I wanted to speak with you. A lot of girls your age are easily influenced about what other people are wearing. What do you see other girls wearing that drives you nuts?

C: If I see one more of the same Hollister shirt, I'm gonna scream! I can't stand it. The thing I don't understand, is Hollister, Abercrombie, American Eagle - all those - they all have the same thing. It's all from the same company. Actually my grandmother worked in a mill in Opp, Alabama and they had some kind of big line - a Kohls line and something else. It all came from the same thing, it was all the same shirt, except at the end of the line, they stuck another tag and price tag on it. To me, I think brands are overrated and it's what you do with them. Like, this (pointing to her blouse) is from Hollister, but I didn't buy it. I don't shop there because I don't agree with what they believe in with nude advertising. Why would you advertise nudity if you're selling clothes? Whatever.

BB: So do consider yourself "trendy?"

C: I do, but I don't run out and buy something if I see everybody wearing it. Of course I try to keep up with the colors that are in and whatnot, but I just like my wardrobe. I like what's practical for what I wear.

BB: Are there any celebrities or designers that you look to as style icons?

C: Audrey Hepburn!

BB: Yes, she's definitely an icon. What about other media - do you keep up with fashion magazines and the like for inspiration?

C: Um, I'm a What Not to Wear fanatic! Every Friday night that's what we do as a family. We all sit down, including my dad, and watch What Not to Wear. It's almost a religion.

BB: That's a great show! And I'm a Project Runway person. I love that show.

C: I LOVE Project Runway! That too!

BB: Very cool. Now, I find that people with great style aim to be different. They tend to think outside the box. While they keep up with current trends, they always seem to be ahead of the pace. What do you find yourself doing to stand out from the crowd?

C: A lot of things. I think everybody has those pieces that everybody has. And I have a couple of those too. But what I like to do is take something that everybody wears and make it a little bit different. Like, on spirit day, for instance... everybody was wearing a red shirt or blue or whatever and their jeans. I wore a red v-neck instead of a T-shirt, with a white lace cami and then instead of doing like a (high school) headband like everyone does, I found an old white scarf that was very 60's, that came around and tied under and I boofed up my hair up in the back and wore that instead. And a pair of Keds.

BB: Very cute! Kinda retro!

C: I love retro.

BB: I've also mentioned that stylish people create "looks" when they put together an outfit. You love retro... are there any other looks you like to go for?

C: I go with everything. Yesterday I went to school and I was more punky. It's funny because each day people will be like, what are you today, Courtney?! I get that a lot. I like to mix different genres, too. But not to where it clashes and it's obnoxious!

BB: So do you have a certain go-to store for clothing? Like if you needed a dress, where's the first place you'd go?

C: To get a dress? Not really 'cause that's spotty. But, like everyday kind of stuff? I love Forever 21.

BB: What about accessories? I love accessories... I'd rather spend my money on shoes, jewelry, and bags than on actual clothes. That's where I have the most fun. What about you?

C: Actually for a while there, the only way my parents could get me to pratice my guitar is if at the end of the month, if I practiced everyday, I got a pair of shoes. I'm not kidding.

BB: That is motivation!

C: But a lot of my jewelry is my mom's. Like this (pointing to her necklace) I found in the bottom of the basement. Or just random things... like I like to find random things and turn them into jewelry. I took a bunch of my guitar pics and heated safety pins over a candle and made it into a necklace. But yeah, I'll raid my grandmother's drawers. Or a lot of it's given to me.

BB: So it sounds like you like a lot of vintage looking things.

C: Yeah, yeah.

BB: You know, people with style tend to see potential in things that others don't often notice (hello, guitar pics!). Whether it's people, or a room, or anything really. I remember in high school I would see people and I'd be like, man... if I could just have 30 minutes with her, I could totally make her look good! Do you ever find yourself doing that? Not necessarily just with people, but with anything. It could be as simple as a sweater... and you start dreaming up all sorts of things to do with it.

C: Yes. Well, I want to be an interior designer. Actually upstairs - my playroom, I'm redecorating it right now, which is really cool. Um, yeah - if someone is walking by... I used to sit last year with two guys at lunch. It would drive them crazy because people would walk by and I'd just be like... (shakes her head). And they'd be like, oh there she goes again. There are a couple of girls and I actually said, you know - if you'd part your hair on the side it'd look really pretty. You know, the ones who part it straight down the middle and smash it down? I actually got a couple of them to do that and they ended up looking really pretty.

BB: That's awesome. And one last thing I have to ask... it's one of my favorite questions. What's the one item in your closet that you simply couldn't live without?

C: Hmm... Probably my Keds. My white classic Keds. They go with everything!

After we finished chatting, I had Courtney show me some of her favorite outfits. Here's her adorable outfit for the first day back to school this year...

And a couple of other favorites...

Courtney was so fun to talk to - so impressive and inspiring! She's gorgeous, her style rocks, and she's got a big heart. And wow - only 15! That's not something you see everyday. If that's not inherent style, I don't know what is.

Buford Betty Fashion Week: Fashion vs. Style

As promised, dear readers, a week devoted to one of my favorite topics... FASHION! I dabble in a little bit of everything on this here blog, but you know I love me some wicked style. Grab a coffee and let's discuss! So what gives? "Fashion" and "style" are words that get thrown around a lot, but what do they really mean?

One of my favorite quotes of all time came from Edna Woolman Chase... "Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." It just can't be said any better. Fashions are created everyday, bought everyday, discarded everyday. Fashions come and go. What is hot today will be unthinkable 5 years from now. I know this because I'll dig up something in my closet from a few years ago and shout, "dear God, what was I thinking?!" But, no worries... another 5 years and it'll be back in and we can call it "retro!"

"Style," however, doesn't come and go. As Yves Saint Laurent said, "Fashions fade. Style is eternal." Style is absolutely, undoubtedly something with which you're born. It's a gift and it's rare. It's a talent of sorts. I compare it to the likes of a dancer... anyone can take dance class after dance class and learn the steps, but true dancers are born - they're not taught. In the same sense, anyone (well, almost anyone) can put together a "cute" outfit, but someone with style defines "cute" on his or her own. Anyone can go out and buy the latest fashions, throw them on, and even be considered "in style." But someone with true style makes his or her own rules. You've heard people say, "she's got an eye" for this or that. It's true. There's an eye. I suppose it's in the middle of said stylish person's head, but we just can't see it. But there is definitely an "eye."

People with inherent style can see things others can't. They see potential in people, places, and things that others don't notice. When they put together an outfit, they're creating a look. And even if they spent two hours piecing an outfit together, they somehow make it look completely effortless. Bill Blass once said, "style is primarily a matter of instinct." That's not to say that the most stylish person on the planet never misses a step... but the difference is, they know they have killer style and they make it work. They have impeccable taste and it shows in all areas of their lives. So not only do they have that "eye," but they've got the confidence to pull it all together. Those with style, more often than not, are thinking outside the box and stepping outside of their own comfort zone. Their comfort zone is redefined daily. They're constantly trying new things and experimenting. Blending in just isn't an option... sure, they keep up with the latest trends and fashions - but they take it to the next level and make it their own. And they never really can be defined by just one look, because they're always coming up with new ones.

As Edna Woolman Chase implies, money won't buy you style. Labels may impress people, but I rather see someone with style rocking out a Target wardrobe. That's way more impressive - and I guarantee they'll get noticed more. I'm sure you can think of someone you know that just bleeds uber-style... whenever they walk in the room you just think, wow. What is it about them? They've got it goin' on from head to toe, and it just looks so easy.

I can probably count on one hand the number of people I've come across in my life that I think are truly gifted when it comes to style. I honestly believe it's a God-given talent, or whatever you want to call it. And yes, it reveals itself in how that person dresses and carries himself - but it's so much more than that. That "eye," that amazing taste, that crazy confidence - it can be used to do great things. A couple of weeks ago I sat down with a 15-year old girl in my neighborhood who, to me, is proof-positive that style is something you're blessed with at birth. At such a young age, she already exudes such tremendous individual style and confidence. She's truly amazing and I can't wait to share a little taste of her style with you tomorrow! Stay tuned...

So now that we've created some distance and distinction between fashion and style, I encourage you to seek out that friend, family member, or co-worker with killer style and pick their brain. What inspires them? How do they put together an outfit? What looks are they trying to create? I think you'll be amazed at how differently they see things. And shoot... if you're the stylish one - you already know it. Rock on.

Bleh.

OMG. I ate so much food last night I think I may never eat again. OK that's a lie. I just ate 3 strips of bacon like 5 minutes ago. But for real, I inhaled so many calories at the rehearsal dinner that I should probably not eat for 3 or 4 days. Hehehe... it was good. The rehearsal dinner was at one of the Sugo locations. Sugo is delish - I've always liked it. But you know how it's hard to get a true feel for a restaurant's food and service when it's a private party like that? I mean there were so many little goodies being passed around beforehand - and I was STARVING - so I of course loaded up on those. Then we had a salad... fresh mozzarella, tomato, and kalamata olives (three of my favorite things). So by the time my entree came, I was kinda over it. It was great, but I was like 80% full and a tummy ache was coming on strong. OMG and then dessert... tiramisu - like my favorite, hello! And it was fabulous tiramisu. So of course I ate like all of it. And I'm not a big sweets person generally. Yeah, so after that I was like dying to get in the car so I could unbutton my pants. The food was great, but there's just so much going on that it's hard to appreciate it like you would at a normal dinner out. Does that make sense?

Rambling. Anyway... the wedding's at 5 o'clock tonight. Now that I'm Budget Betty, I was a good girl and didn't buy anything new to wear. So here's what I'm wearing tonight...




I've been REALLY good about not shopping. Well, with our hardcore zero-based budget and envelope system alla Dave Ramsey, there's not a budget for shopping right now. But girls, it's getting hard with all these killer sales going on! I just caught wind of a huge sale on KORS shoes over at 6pm.com and I'm like sweating. But I'm holding on! For dear life! Not. Gonna. Budge.

Alright... off to go find some nail polish... My peeping toes need a touch up.

Buford Betty Fashion Week.

Happy Friday, lovelies! It's a rainy one here, but oh, it's still a Friday. The hub's in a wedding this weekend, so we've got the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner tonight and then the wedding day festivities tomorrow. It's hard to work around football schedules, but I do love a good fall wedding. In the South, the first thing you do when planning a fall wedding (and already people here cringe at the idea) is to pull out the football schedule. Now I personally can't say anything, because the hub and I did in fact get married on the day of the GA/FL game six years ago. I know, I KNOW! But we had a reason. I wanted a fall wedding, but I obviously would've picked a better Saturday than that one if it hadn't been... my parents' wedding anniversary. Their 34th wedding anniversary happened to fall on a Saturday in the year we wanted to get married - it was just meant to be. And the funny thing is... six years later... we STILL get crap for getting married on a major game day. So yes, it's a very big deal. And I imagine this couple will get the same grief for the rest of their natural lives. The groom, afterall, is a huge Bama fan. But he learned quickly to shut up and say, "yes dear."

Anyway... I hope you all have fabulous weekends. And be sure to stop by next week because I'm doing a week long series of posts on one of my favorite topics.... fashion! I had initially intended to have this coincide with NY fashion week, but well.... life. So Buford Betty's just gonna have a fashion week of her own, OK? Stay tuned for some super fun posts next week and I can't wait to get your opinions as well. In the mean time, I'll see if I can round up a few more pics from the taping last week.

Pictures from the Taping!

OK we didn't get a ton of pics (I really thought we took more!), but here are some to start... I really wanted to get some good shots of all the lighting setup in our kitchen. It was crazy bright in there. Here are a few shots around the kitchen with the lighting. There were also lights placed outside the house that came into the kitchen that you can't see...






The spot involved a food challenge, like I mentioned, and here we started piling our $400 worth of groceries on the island. They were amazed at how much we got for $400. Momma didn't raise no fool! Here's one of the crew members covering up all the brand names and labels. A shot of a brand name could blow the whole deal, so they tell us. It was a ton of food and it took them forever to do all this!





The spot is sponsored by Hasbro, so we had friends at the kitchen table playing the game in the background.




And here's a shot of the "camp" the crew set up in our den...



It was madness, but SO much fun. I think we have some more pics - the hub is still uploading. The 60-second spot will start airing around mid-November. So I better soak up these last few weeks of normal life... I mean, once this airs I won't be able to walk out of my house without cameras in my face. I'm sure of it. Hehehehe....

They did get a REALLY cool shot of our house on Thursday night and they said they'd send us a still pic of it... I hope so because it was SO cool. If we get that I'll post that one also... More to come!

Stay tuned...

...I know I'm taking two forevers to get pics up from this weekend, but they're coming! Trying to get the hub to upload them. Back soon!

Pooped.

I cannot begin to explain how exhausted I am. I seriously have an entirely new respect for actors and especially crew members... omg. We had a total blast though! The hub took tons of pics, so I'll get some up soon. Today is definitely going to require a nap though. Thank goodness I don't have ANY plans. I am worn OUT!

The life of a star.

It's rough, y'all. I'm so exhausted and I haven't even set foot in front of the camera yet! Three crew members came to our house last night to get shots outside the house. Our house looks so cool in the shots! We had a full moon - or mostly full moon last night and the sky looked pretty eery. Very Halloweenie. They took a shot of the house, shots of the moon, and a shot of one of the guys driving a car up and down the road. And they got a good feel for the lighting in the kitchen and marked where lights would need to go and used all kinds of fancy words that the hub is determined to add to his everyday vocabulary. And of course he's best friends with them all at this point, naturally. He could have an indepth convo with a doorknob - so, yeah... BFF.

We did our Whole Foods run yesterday and my mom came with. It was fun - but weird. Just getting random stuff with someone else's money. I'm heading out the door now to spend the rest of our $400 at Kroger. We spent just under $300 at Whole Foods. And I still don't know what I'm gonna wear for this thing... lots to do! Gotta run!

A great shopportunity...

Well, in the midst of all this crazy Food Network jazz, I must take a minute to get the word out on a great opportunity to shop AND benefit a great organization at the same time. It's a win-win, girls!

The Partners Card, benefitting Camp Twin Lakes, is available now for $60. With this card, you will save 20% at all participating stores and restaurants between November 1st and 9th! There are over 500 local restaurants and retailers participating this year, but there are also some online retailers participating -- so you can take advantage of this even if you're not a sweet peach. Just in time for holiday shopping! Camp Twin Lakes is a great organization, based in Georgia, that offers wonderful programs for children with serious illnesses and other special needs. They also do a bike ride in late October to raise money and one of our friends is participating. (Woo hoo! Go Erik!) So if you're planning to get your shop on in the next few weeks anyway, this could really get you some serious savings. Cards can be purchased here or they're also available at many of the participating retailers.

In other news... totally didn't make it out to do our grocery shopping last night. I was so pooped from a long day at work and had NO energy left. So I'm leaving work early today and we're going to hit up Whole Foods. The film crew is coming out tonight to get shots outside our house and around the neighborhood. And they're having dinner catered in - suweet. You know I like a free meal.

Shopping on Food Network's dime...

OK, I need ideas. I love to cook when the mood strikes, but I'm by no means an expert in the kitchen. Here's the deal... A check is arriving today for us to go buy the ingredients for this food challenge thingee. So we will be shopping tonight. With $400!

There are only two couples/teams in this challenge and we have no real guidelines on what to get. I do think this has some sort of holiday theme, as it will air sometime this year - but seriously - no real guidelines. I think the challenge is Iron Chef-ish, but I don't think there has to be one special "secret" ingredient. All the ingredients are a mystery to the two teams... but OMG - $400? And they want us to spend it all. I think we're going to go to a nicer grocery or farmer's market. I think I could probably buy all of Wally World for $400... hahaha.... That may be a normal grocery bill to some, but for us two -that's insane. So what the heck do I get?? I have no clue!!! I need rules! Guidelines! Ideas! Something! Like right now!!!


Update: So the only "guidelines" of any kind we've received so far... party food. Yep, that's it.

Almost Famous!

OMG! Do you know what is happening Friday at Buford Betty's house? Do you know, do you know? Should I tell you? Yes? OK I give... OMG! The Food Network is coming to my house Friday afternoon to film in my kitchen! OMG! And the hub and I, and some of our friends are gonna be IN it! Like on TV! Like sorta kinda almost famous!

OK not really, but I'm sure they'll be so overwhelmed with my beauty and talent in front of the camera and insist that I host some new concept show they're dreaming up. Should I start packing now? Well I really don't have a ton of details - it all happened really fast and I honestly didn't have much of anything to do with it. It all started with my friend responding to a Craigslist ad. They always have ads on there for casting calls and random stuff like this - pretty cool if you've never checked it out. She's always on there looking for little odd jobs and fun stuff like this. She once got paid $500 to open and close cabinet doors at some home show in town.

Anyway, so - last week she tells me about answering this ad and then over the weekend she got a call... they (the producers) wanted kitchen pics and she talked us into sending pics of OUR kitchen, along with hers... and we ended up getting chosen! They're sending us a check this week to buy ingredients for whatever it is we're doing... I think it's like a long commercial or something, but again - I know very little. Once I get some more info, I may have to get some ideas from the creative cooks out there on what to buy. All I know is that we're supposed to buy some ingredients for a challenge (two other couples - including my friend and her hubby - being the challenged). And yeah - no idea what to get. AND it has to be a surprise to the other couples, so it's not like we can discuss it with them! Ahhh!!!!

OK so I'll come back when I have a little more insight - and I'm hoping y'all can help! And just think... whenever this airs and you see it, you can be like, "OMG that's Buford Betty and you see that [insert ingredient here] she's working with? Yeah that was my idea." And then you'll be sorta kinda almost famous, too! Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!

PB Teen opening at Lenox Square

Get excited, peaches! Atlanta will soon play host to the very first Pottery Barn Teen store at Lenox. The store is set to open early next month - just in time for some holiday shopping, no doubt. And hey - don't immediately poo-poo on the idea of a "teen" store. It may not be on your initial must-see list, but I'd give it a look. Remember I posted a while back about some super fun accessories I found in the catalog? It's not just personalized bean bags and rad locker accessories - they really do have some gems if you're willing to look. They have some great stuff that would easily work in a nursery or young child's room. And shoot - even my room maybe! So I look forward to checking this out soon. And I also haven't been to Lenox since they expanded the main PB store... which is (for) now the largest Pottery Barn ever opened. I may not have any money to spend, but I sure can sip a Starbucks and drool. Let's go!

OMG!

Look what my Uggs have been bid up to!!! And there is still almost a whole day left. And you know what's so funny? I totally had these in a shoe bin at my last clothing swap and no one took them. SUCKERS!!!

Update 10/08/08: Shazam!!! SOLD to the highest bidder for a whopping $153.50! I cannot believe it! I paid only $110 for those pups like 3 or 4 years ago. I also remembered I had some pink infant Uggs tucked away in my someday closet... but you can bet your britches I listed those today! Woo hoo!

Up for grabs: FURNITURE!

OK, peaches... or even almost sorta-kinda peaches if you think it's worth the drive... here are the pieces of furniture we have up on Craigslist right now. I'm just going to give links to our listings - so click on the photos to get all the deets on each piece. If interested, feel free to email the hub via the address given on the ads, or you can email me for more info too. Thanks, all!


Pottery Barn Modular Wine Bar - Mahagony Stain - $750


PB still sells this set via the catalog/site ONLY (translation: big ass shipping charges tacked on), so this is a killer deal. Excellent condition! We're also willing to sell this one piece-meal (i.e. one base and one hutch).



Rooms-to-Go Entertainment Center - $600


My parents got this for my late gpa last Christmas, so it was only in use for 3 months. Practically brand new!!! I have no idea why the hub didn't remove that vase on there, but hey... if you ask nice we might throw that in too. ;-)



Restoration Hardware Blaine Collection Black Chest - $900


This one is honestly the hardest to see go... I LOVE this piece. It is so freaking gorgeous, but hey - it's just *stuff*, right?! We paid $2800 for this pup from the main store - not the outlet. And it is one HEAVY-arse piece of furniture. Even our big mamma-jamma movers who looked like they could crack my neck with their pinkies complained. So if you come for this one, bring reinforcements.


Again - my 2005 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition is also up for grabs! We are reposting that tonight... so I'll add that link in a bit. Love it, love it... but that's the easiest debt to get rid of fast - so buh bye. No more car payments ever ever!!! EVER!

3 Things.

1. First, many thanks to all of you who left me such sweet birthday wishes! I had a great day yesterday and *31* feels pretty darn good. The hub made me dinner last night and we just chilled and drank wine and watched Chuck together. He made me the cutest gift - he had to get super creative because I insisted on a -zero- budget for my birthday. He took an old full-length mirror we had and printed all these photos of us together and framed the mirror with them. So super cute! He wasn't so sure about it, but I LOVED it. He is good at a lot of things, but I would not label him "artsy." So this project was a challenge for him and that made me love it even more. Thanks again for all the wishes, girls!

2. Mayjah props to my fabulous city for being named the best (as in #1) city for singles by Forbes magazine. Woot woot! So, ladies, if you're single... apparently you should be down here in Atlanta. Just sayin'. (Hint, hint, bestest!)

3. As of TODAY, the hub and I have officially completed Baby Step #1 in Dave's plan!!! That calls for a major WOOT WOOT! We are so excited and ready to move on to Baby Step #2, but we're kind of in a holding pattern till the hub finds a new job. I don't think I even mentioned it before - but yes, he is looking for a new job right now, so the budget is pinched and squeezed and mooshed extra tightly. But we are making it! We've still managed to put money away somehow and also give. So prayers please for a fabulous new job for the hub so we can attack our debt snowball with some real muscle! Woo hoo! We've actually got a lot of furniture up for sale right now on Craigslist and we're also selling my Toyota 4Runner since it has a note on it. I will post pics of all that fun stuff in case any of you peaches are interested. Some REALLY great deals on furniture... so stay tuned. I've also had some really good luck with smaller items on ebay. I have a pair of old Uggs on there that have already been bid up to $75!!! I was so totally stoked... I mean they're like 3+ years old! Turns out it's the color... who knew? Makes me wonder what other gems I have around the house...