BELK BASH

Belk partnered with the Junior League of Birmingham to put on a sophis soiree at The Summit store September 8. When I first heard of the Parisian/Belk merger I did not know what to expect and felt a huge feeling of loss for Birmingham. Over the past several months I have done my Belk research and discovered that Belk's goal is to keep the upscale brands that Parisian carried while adding on new ones. In addition for anyone who has visited the Charlotte store, this shopping mecca is in fact upscale, charming, and leaves nothing to scoff at. So as I entered the soiree at The Summit with valet service and pralines being prepared for guests outside in a huge copper pot, I realized that this wasn't your typical retail event, this was a swanky affair. As guests entered they were offered champagne or vodka tonic. Trays of tenderloin, smoked salmon, and mini hamburgers made their way passed while tall models showcased several designers.

My husband and I made our way through the crowd to familiar faces and found many young professionals in the mix. The band played jazz and a full bar was open to guests. My husband's favorite was watching a Cuban cigar man hand roll cigars. (This is also a favorite activity for him to watch during the holidays at Neiman Marcus in Atlanta). It was during this time I learned that Belk's plan was to double the size of its Summit shoe department. Every fashionista loves a huge upscale shoe department! Am I easily swayed by pralines, gift bags, and shoes? No, but I certainly am impressed with our new Belk.

A BAMA BELLE'S FIRST TIME AT FASHION WEEK

by Rebecca Mummert
I don’t know about you, but I have always watched snippets of fashion shows on TV and looked at photographs in magazines and just felt very removed from the whole thing. All the people lining the runway to watch model after model parading in ridiculous get-ups that I, for one, would never be caught dead wearing. I can remember being a little girl and watching fashion shows for what seemed like hours, mesmerized by the music and expressionless faces. Then, suddenly, the show was over, and I kind of shook my head out of my trance and went about my day, not giving much thought to it until the next time I stumbled upon a show while flipping through the channels.

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All that changed about three months ago when I moved to New York City to work in the fashion industry and live with a girl who eats, sleeps and breathes fashion. Cameron, who works at a fashion PR firm, is fashion to me. “Can I borrow your skinny jeans? Can I wear that fun necklace? Do you think this goes together?” The poor girl probably wishes she had her closet back!
Last week New York Fashion Week arrived with the same pomp and circumstance I can only compare to the start of college football season in the South. In the weeks before “kickoff”, all the girls were talking about what shows they have been invited to and what celebrities would hopefully be there. The girls who work in the industry all but disappeared for the two weeks surrounding Fashion Week - late nights and long hours doing any and everything to help the label they work for be a success. Compiling guest lists, printing name cards, calling invitees, dressing models...exhausting work and not too glamorous, but thrilling nonetheless!

Soon the models began rolling into town, and it was like a migration of a rare bird species. “Model spotting”, as I like to call it, is pretty easy to do, really. Just look for the super tall, super skinny-legged girls with messy hair and no makeup. The water cooler talk at my office centered around model spotting for several days - "There was a group of models on 23rd and 5th last night," or "I saw the skinniest one ever in SoHo!" If physical appearance doesn’t give away their model identity, just look for the carefully propped portfolio conveniently peeking out of their bag.

Thanks to my sweet roommate, I got invited to two really great fashion shows on Tuesday. The first was Monique Lhuillier at 11:00 AM in The Tent at Bryant Park. For all you new fashionistas – Bryant Park is the main hub where all the action of Fashion Week takes place. I used my lunch hour to head the 20 blocks up Broadway for the festivities. It was a rainy day, but it wasn't so bad of a commute since the subway entrance is at the end of my street, and I exited a block from Bryant Park. I left my big red galoshes at work and braved the rain in my super sassy leopard print heels - had to try to glam it up a bit! That was my problem with going to fashion shows – what in the world to wear?! Of course, black is always the safest bet, so I opted for a straight black skirt and a crisp white button up with fun jewelry and “the” shoes – hopefully I’d look like I knew what I was doing at a fashion show!

Once inside the tent, I waited in line for about 20 minutes - all the shows start late, or so I've learned. I was supposed to be standing room, but just before the show started there were empty chairs so I got to sit! It looked exactly how you'd expect, just as I’d seen so many times on TV as a little girl - the long runway with a throng of photographers at one end and the audience on each side. Before the show started, there was a small group of photographers in the middle of the runway taking pictures of celebrities on the front row. Thankfully, I had grabbed a seat by a fellow Southern girl who was as star struck as me. We hit it off right away as fashion show buddies and star spotters.
We saw singer Leann Rimes and her husband, actress Michelle Trachtenberg, socialite Ivana Trump, and a host of other familiar faces we couldn’t quite put a name with! In between our front-row scanning and celebrity watching, we tried to focus on the fashion show going on!
What struck me the most from the show was how unbelievably skinny the models were. They had terrible posture and had the most expressionless faces ever! Photographers were piled one on top of the other at the end of the runway…I’m such a ham for the camera, I couldn’t stop thinking I would just have to smile when I struck a pose if I were them!
Monique Lhuillier makes gorgeous wedding dresses and ball gowns, so the majority of the looks had long flowy skirts. Only one model tripped up as she reached the end of the runway. Her arms jerked, but she straightened right away and only slightly cracked her blank, expressionless face. I felt bad for her but couldn’t help but enjoy it and wish she had given us more of a facial reaction!

The show was over quickly – lasted maybe 15 minutes? – and Monique came out and took a quick bow. All I know is, the show felt like it was over before it started, and I needed a lot longer to get pictures of the celebrities, audience and models and to take it all in.
After the show, back in the main area of The Tent, I saw Carmen Electra broadcasting for Full Frontal Fashion. She's very tiny, but her skin-tight dress was most unflattering in person!

Back on the street, I had just put my camera back in my bag and opened my umbrella as I waited for the traffic light to change. Who pops out of a Town Car five feet from me but Ivana Trump. I saw her bleached blonde hair and saggy, skinny, tan legs trotting toward me as she hopped into another car and sped up 6th Avenue. She was so close to me I could have grabbed her, but it happened so fast all I could do was stand there with my mouth open.

So, I'd already had a pretty fun day and was pleased with the celebrity sighting I'd been able to do, but next on my fashion show calendar was Just Sweet - Jennifer Lopez's new line. It started at 9:00 PM and was at Eyebeam, a warehouse on West 21st Street between 10th and 11th Avenues. Again, I was supposed to be standing room, but when they finally ushered us into the room – 45 minutes after the “start” time - we were quickly directed to split up and fill seats. The chairs were set up all over the place (not the typical look of the earlier show). The runway for the models took them on a diagonal path through the crowd with the photographers waiting at the end. The runway then zigzagged twice back up through the crowd to exit at the entrance. I was on the front row on the stretch just before the models exited backstage.

When we walked through the black curtains into the room, the first people I saw were the cast of the Fashionista Diaries on Soapnet! My roommate and I are addicted to this show, so I had to keep myself from talking to them like I actually knew them!

My angle for this show was not the greatest for celebrity spotting, but that didn’t stop me from craning my neck and practically turning completely around in my seat to see who was near. Just before the show started, Tommy Hilfiger slipped in! I watched him quite a bit, but I couldn't get a good picture.

The show was really cool, and I paid more attention to the clothes than I did the first show of the day. I loved the models' bright make up by Flirt Cosmetics and long wavy hair. I marveled at how their skinny mini legs could balance on the platform stiletto heels! The models passed by me so close I had to be careful to keep my feet off the runway so I wouldn’t trip them.

During the second set of clothes, a model dressed as a fairy sat on a swing and rocked back and forth the whole time the girls walked. It was a nice and whimsical touch, but the swing was positioned right beside the models entrance/exit spot. I found myself being very entertained by watching the exiting models start, stop, wait, and stumble as they tried to pick the best time to pass by the swinging fairy.

After the models’ final parade around the room, I looked up and there stood J. Lo herself! My world was complete chaos during her walk down the runway. My camera battery was dying, so it took 40 million years for the camera to get ready to take another picture! Since I was more concerned with my camera functionality than applauding and watching her, I really didn't get the full J. Lo-watching experience. You'll have to take my word for it that right after she walked back up the runway, she stopped, Marc Anthony stood up (I had no idea he’d been sitting there!) and they proceeded to hug and kiss about 15 feet from me. It was an exciting moment marred by my defunct camera - I would have had the perfect picture!

I stood in the hallway for a bit after the show, watching the Fashionista Diaries cast and people like Mya and Marc Anthony walk out. I knew the excitement level was high when my normally never star struck friend Lauren who is always telling me, “please don’t get your camera out now!” was poking me and whispering, “Oh my gosh!” under her breath!

Now all the hustle and bustle around Bryant Park is over, but the television coverage is still going strong. Last night I watched Full Frontal Fashion, and when Carmen Electra introduced the Monique Lhuillier show, I pulled my chair right in front of the TV for a front row seat. As I watched with my mesmerized trance, I spotted in the dark audience a red-headed girl in a crisp white shirt take a picture from about four rows back. I smiled knowing I’d been part of something really fantastic by getting to watch the show live in person. It gave me a new respect for the business, a new excitement for the fashion, a new appreciation for the months of work required for the few minutes we see on TV. But still, I couldn’t help but giggle as again I watched the tripping model’s arms flail!

RED RULES THE RED CARPET

Sunday night's Emmys brought out these Crimson leading ladies, could they be Sabanettes too? Probably not, but it does seem the season for red! Heidi Klum, Mary Louise Parker, Kate Walsh, and Ali Larter all opted for the sultry shade. So as you make your fall gala plans, keep this gorgeous glam color in mind.














Plus my favorite color for fall - this gorgeous citron yellow worn by Minnie Driver.

BIRMINGHAM, EXCELLENT

It wasn't that long ago that Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure captured our adolescent minds. Even though Keanu Reeves may not be known for his acting skills, he certainly maintains his celeb status with Generation X. He became the latest of several celebs to be spotted a Frank Stitt restaurant. Seen Friday night at Highlands Bar and Grill at a corner booth near the bar (a favorite seat of many), Keanu relaxed and enjoyed one of Stitt's fabulous meals after an adrenaline rush filled day at the Porsche Driving School.
The Porsche Driving School is a place where boys who love toys can have some intense racetrack fun and learn how to handle the best of the high performance vehicles. The track, the Barber Motorsports Park, located right outside of Birmingham, has been dubbed the 'Augusta' of racetracks. The course is challenging making it perfect for learning the skill of high performance handling. So if you have $2,000 for the one day course or $3,000 for the two-day and love the power of an engine, make your reservations soon - the courses are typically sold out 5 months in advance. Another fan of Barber Motorsports - McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey.
Reeves joins Courteney Cox, Jennifer Anniston, Will Ferrell, Sasha Cohen, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Richie, and many more famous faces to enjoy Stitt's Southern table. Some have been spotted at Highlands Bar and Grill while others have dined at Bottega, and it only seems appropriate since Stitt's restaurants boast such an incredible dining experience and great knowledgeable service. Plus it helps that Stitt is an award winning chef and has been featured in Gourmet Magazine and The Food Network. Stitt has even cooked with Martha on the Martha Stewart Show, and has received the coveted James Beard Award.

SWEET HOME CELEB-A-LIKES

Do you ever walk down our Southern streets and do a double take? There are plenty of famous faces right in our own backyard and isn't it a fun game to play too! My friends and I enjoy placing 'who looks like whom' and a fave game of ours is mixing 'Celeb A' with 'Celeb B' to get our Southern celeb-a-like!



Cameron Diaz
+ Scarlett Johansson






= Janie Mac Dixon, Notable Fashionista


Anne Hathaway
= Elizabeth Sparkman, The Arbor

Christie Brinkley
= Brittany Maness, Birmingham Broadway

Eva La Rue
= Stacey Godbee, Art on the Rocks party goer

BRADFORD'S CLOSET: THE SEARCH FOR FALL'S STAPLES (AND WE DON'T MEAN BREAD AND MILK)

by Bradford Bankhead, the trials and tribulations of stocking the closet of a savvy cost-effective fashionista!

Okay, so here is the deal, I consider myself a fashion forward (albeit incredibly neurotic) gal. My husband however, considers me a danger to our credit. As such we have made a compromise; I am now a married- fashion forward- budget conscious-neurotic kind of gal. That being said I only get a few staples to get me through each season. Some of them require investment, some not so much, either way it is a budget conscious way to keep me in the fashion loop. The following details my search for the first staple of my Fall 2007 wardrobe: the high waisted pant.

I love this pant; it is very Katherine Hepburn: it looks great and it’s tailored. Therefore, I can think of a variety of places to wear it from the office to Game Day and all things in between (not to mention it can be paired with a few things that I already own - which is a must for my wardrobe). Not to mention the waist is so high that my stomach is held in without the aid of Spanx!!

To begin the day I have to put on the perfect shopping outfit, naturally it is my most comfy as one never knows how long this will take. One of my Summer 2007 uniforms (I usually have about three that are in rotation in any season) is a large blue Michael Stars shirt that is gathered at the bottom, gray leggings, and rainbows (keep in mind I look suspiciously like a raspberry blow pop, but it is so comfy I do not care. I am beyond thrilled about the return of leggings!! ). Once dressed and out the door my quest begins with a pit stop to fuel up with my most favorite Starbucks beverage (This is the most caffeinated and high maintenance drink they make.) A grande dirty chai latte, this is a grande chai latte with two shots of espresso add soy. With my heart rate sufficiently elevated, hands jittery, I am wide eyed and ready to shop.

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My first stop is Mt. Brook Village , this is one of my fave stops for several reasons
a) clearly, there are several cute shops to choose from b) should I hit the jackpot early on I can be back, on the sofa and into a Lifetime movie in no time
c) with gas prices so high and so many cute clothes out there who want to waste extra $ on gas if they don’t have to.
My first stop Susan G. Mathews (this is one of my favorite stores and home of one of last year's fall uniforms) however, today no such luck. As always, they had cute things, alas, none of the pants that I am looking for. Since I was in the village I popped over to SWANK 35223 which is beyond great and had just sold out of, what I am told, the “Fabulous black high waisted pants”. Instead I decided to try on some high waisted skirts – they were cute but a little big and I am more of a pants girl myself.

Next stop was Homewood. First I stopped into Theadora’s who ironically had also just sold out of pants (it would seem I am late on this bandwagon!!) However, I did fall absolutely in love with this fabulous comfy cute bone colored wrap thing. It was a long sleeved wrap made from the most comfy cotton. It was everything in my power not to purchase but I was a woman on a mission!

Slightly disappointed, hot, and hungry I headed to The Summit (I know right, why didn’t I start there). My first stop, natch, was Anthropologie where I found some wonderful wide leg pants but nothing with the high waist that I was looking for (i.e. these all required Spanx after a large meal). When I inquired about any high wasted pants I was told that they were not yet in but should be arriving soon. Dragging myself away from all the cute things and wonderful books (I swear I would go in there for the books alone, did I mention I am a closet nerd), I headed down the hill to J.Crew. Which had lots of cute short coats, that would be precious with my high wasted pants, but no pants—again I am told to wait until later in the season. Feeling most tired, I headed to the Mecca of clothing Saks Fifth Avenue where once again I was distracted by the fab bags for the fall season. I headed upstairs where I found a couple of pairs of pants by Vince - FINALLY!! Who knew this search would be so hard. Clearly you need to be way ahead of the game or you will find yourself waiting until later in the season!

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NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SCREAMS THE SEVENTIES

Just as we begin making our fall fashion wish lists, another New York Fashion Week rolls around previewing the future season: Spring 2008. Yes, that's right while the rest of the world focuses on shoe booties, leggings, and capes, the fashion world takes a week in New York, London, Paris, and Milan to focus on next year. Designers try to stay ahead of the game and the world by setting style trends and predicting what will be hot and what won't.

So far my favorite trend has been the 70's inspired resort look, so artfully done by Diane von Furstenberg, Nanette Lepore, and Micheal Kors. I can't help but see my grandmother's vintage patterns in these looks. Tuleh brings back vintage suits while Carolina Herrera never fails to impress with her flirty artistic creations.

Love this flowy Brazilian inspired dress by Diane von Furstenberg and the white suit above. Muy Guapa.









Another DVF fave! The big floral pattern going over one shoulder makes me yearn for a luau.











This short suit by Nanette Lepore with striped top just screams preppy chicette!











This look by Nanette looks very sophis making it perfect for the office or a power lunch.










So crisp, so structured and the gold military buttons make this Michael Kors design pop! And of course I adore the hat.











Picture yourself in this Michael Kors dress with black scarf wrapped around your head lounging on a yacht in Italy - it only seems appropriate! Ciao Bella!











This suit by Tuleh also has a vintage appeal and the bright orange is reminiscent of the polyester days.










Carolina Herrera never fails to impress with this intricately designed floral number taking center stage.









This white Carolina Herrera suit is perfect for Spring - great for Easter or the perfect Wedding reception getaway garb!





Spotted at the shows: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jessica Simpson, Ellen Barkin, Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley.

LANEY'S PLACE GETS LUCKY!

I was delighted to find our very own Laney's Place mentioned in the latest issue of Lucky Magazine with Mandy Moore on the cover! Notice the electric blue velvet skirt by Erotokritos from Laney's Place in Homewood.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE RECENT MY SCOOP WINNERS!

1. Leigh Ann Courington won the Best Dressed Toga Contest presented by My Scoop. Leigh Ann won a $100 gift certificate from Swank, a premium denim certificate from Gus Mayer, tickets to Taste of the Summit, and a mini dress by Juleps and Belles!

2. Jessica Mure won a Night at The Wedding Singer for her and 3 friends, including dinner for 4 and tickets to all Birmingham Broadway season shows!

3. Carla Jean Whitley won the Back to Business giveaway including a journal, Kate Spade Calling Cards, and other fashionista office supplies!

4. Jennifer Hyde won the Best Dressed contest at the Manhattan South opening winning a gift certificate from Manhattan South and tickets to Birmingham Broadway!

5. Elizabeth Sparkman won a goodie bag full of fall beauty must haves like Lancome's Fever Gloss, MAC eye pencil, Bobbi Brown eye shadows, Lip Venom, Definicils Mascara, and much more!

Contact My Scoop at myscoopmedia@yahoo.com to claim your prize or to find out how you can win. Don't miss your chance to win fabulous prizes - check out the latest contest under Fall's Fashion Commandments! Post your commandments and win!

FALL'S FASHION COMMANDMENTS

With fall quickly approaching, I find myself yearning for crisper weather, strolls under changing leaves, and of course new clothes. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was buying jersey dresses and sandals for summer, but with every season buy, buy, buy and a time for every fashion under heaven - right? Well, even though it may sound silly to some there is nothing like that big September issue of Vogue to get a girl giddy about fall. So as I walked to my mailbox to discover my 840 page ginormous fashion bible, my heart raced with anticipation to cuddle up with fall's must haves. Shoe booties, high waisted pants, bright colors, opaque leggings, and structured handbags abounded the pages. So my shopping commandments were made (Post your fall fashion commandments and win a Contemporary Week Bag from Saks Fifth Avenue with goodies from Theory, Juicy Couture, Twisted Heart, BCBGMax Azria, travel candles, and a silk head band designed by Anna Sui):

1. Thou shalt buy shoe booties to wear with my opaque leggings and brightly colored shift dresses.

2. Thou shalt invest in more brightly colored waistless dresses!

3. Thou shalt update my handbag repertoire with a structured oversized clutch by Lauren Merkin.

4. Thou shalt invest in oxford lace up heels like the Bally Spectators.

5. Thou shalt add a fabulous sweater dress to my wardrobe.

6. Thou shalt go big with jewelry - big necklaces are a must!

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7. Thou shalt buy those Tory Burch black leather pumps with the buckle I have had my eye on.

8. Thou shalt reclaim thy real waist in high waisted pants!

9. Thou shalt honor my favorite designers Diane von Furstenberg, Tibi, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Vince.

10. Thou shalt wear my Meme's wonderful capes I inherited on those cold Southern nights or more likely for travel to colder climates.

So as I finished making my fall wish list - I decided to go ahead and check one off - the shoe bootie. When they tried to bring the shoe bootie in style several years ago it didn't work - why because it was worn alone, not with leggings. Now that opaque leggings are in style - it looks adorable and so very chic. So before leaving for a week long beach trip, I placed my order. Imagine my thrill when I arrive home tonight to find my first fall must have waiting at my doorstep - thank you FedEx angel for dropping them off safe and sound! As a strutted around the house, I realized that before I can wear my newest fashion find, I have to wait for the heavens to cool the Southeastern United States and as all of us fashionistas know there is no rushing the seasons. So for now my feet will patiently await that trip into the suede shoe booties with that nice crisp breeze against my leggings and the crunch of leaves beaneath the soles.

MUST DO: MY SCOOP PARTY!

My Scoop readers are invited to a fabulous fall party

Thursday September 27th
at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit
beginning at 6pm

Enjoy Saks Fall Want It! Campaign with 9 Must Have Items for Her and for Him for you to covet! From the cropped jacket to the shoe bootie, this is your chance to go for big fashion this fall and have everyone asking "Where did you get that?" or exclaiming "I love your outfit!" Enjoy great music, the Want It!ini and other fun drinks, 'scoop' appetizers, and of course rubbing elbows with Birmingham's most stylish.
One lucky attendee will receive a $500 gift certificate from Saks Fifth Avenue!