Tag: Alexandra Nicole

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Spring Moods and A Salute to Motherhood

This past week has been bittersweet as I assemble this spread for my final Style Sessions post. Choosing to say farewell to this endeavor has developed from shifting priorities and reflecting on life as a whole.

Over the past 3 years, the blog has given me a chance to meet an amazing variety of people. It was my hope to tell their story and capture their genuine style. The greatest joy was giving them images they were proud of and seeing their excitement for being spotlighted, particularly on a well-regarded platform like the Memphis Flyer. The Flyer’s cool factor proved to be universally known. I would be remiss if I didn’t take get a chance to express how forever grateful I am for this experience.

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As I thought about what my last post would be, I naturally remembered my first post 3 years ago as a contributor to Style Sessions. The “Fresh Air” spring fashion post developed from a simple photo shoot that honestly had no other intention but to get some new photographs of myself. It turned out to be a rewarding day of collaborating with local designers, hair and make-up artist Jennifer Ralda, and the incredible talent that is Dirk Olsen. In some ways, I wanted to relive that first spread by again pulling in local talent to help me venture out a bit more from my typical style. Right off the Memphis Fashion Week runway, the modern-day cape by Andrea Fenise became the foremost representation of the sophistication and strength I wanted to represent. Pulling in more patterns and dramatic shapes became the theme.

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With Mother’s Day approaching, the post idea soon evolved into a photo shoot with my little one (but almost taller than me) Atticus and a few fellow style bloggers who also happen to be moms. Laura, Alexandra, and Andrea along with Leighton, Jack, and Amira shared an afternoon with us to play dress-up but mostly to celebrate the beauty of motherhood. They all exude their own unique sense of style and strong identities as both fearless leaders in style and moms to, dare I say, future leaders in style.

SPECIAL THANKS

Make-up for Sophorn, Alex, and Laura by Alexandra Nicole.
Make-up for Andrea by Marnelia Roy.
Styling for Andrea and Amira by Andrea Fenise.
Styling for Laura and Leighton by Laura Boswell.
Styling for Sophorn, Jack, and Alexandra in group photo by Alexandra Nicole.

“Spring Moods” and group photos by dirk olsen.
All other photos by Sophorn Kuoy.

OUTFIT DETAILS

Kimono, Crazy Beautiful; Jumpsuit, Anthropologie; Earrings, City & State.

Cape and sequin dress, by Andrea Fenise.

Tank, The Attic; Skirt, The Ivory Closet.

Tie-Dye Tank Dress, bracelet, and necklace on Sophorn, The Attic.

Top on Alexandra, The Attic.

Dress on Laura, Free People.

Lace top on Andrea, by Andrea Fenise.

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Baby Style – Layering Up for Fall

October arrived with a preview of chilly fall weather, letting us break out our jackets and sweaters again. Not to mention all the extra fall gear like hats, scarves, and vests. Style mavens Alexandra Nicole and Laura Boswell point out the fun in layering – assembling your favorites all in one fantastic outfit. 

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Reuniting from the summer style feature, their babies Jack and Leighton show that layering up is both stylish and functional.

“Not only does layering provide warmth, but is also great for the accidental spit up moments!” explains Alexandra.

For Jack, Alexandra thinks of his wardrobe as representing a “little man.” With his polo style onesies and dress shirts, he works the persona of a little gentleman.

“Heaven knows that I don’t want him to grow up, but I love the grown-up style for the little boys. Vests are going to be a huge hit for boys this fall, along with rich colors, plaids, and stripes. I have observed a lot of yellow and olive on the store shelves as well as cable sweaters and zip ups,” she says about trends to try.

For Leighton, Laura often layers her outfit by adding leggings or tights underneath a dress or tunic then adds a wool peacoat. In this outfit, Leighton is wearing fleece-lined leggings with a plaid tunic and furry vest – all with details that scream style but won’t limit her ability to play her heart out.

“I also love putting her in cute beanies during the colder season. For myself, I love adding vests, ponchos, scarves, or capes to help bundle up,” she says.

The stylish duo shows that the key to layering is mixing color, pattern, and texture while allowing them to be able to peel away layers as they need to give them the perfect amount of warmth. 

On Leighton:
Carter’s Plaid Tunic
Gordmans Cable Knit Fleece Lined Leggings
Gymboree Wool Peacoat
Robeez Leather Shoes
Wolfpack Littles Faux Fur Vest
Bayou Belles Hair Bow

On Jack:
Carter’s Kids

Shoot location: Second Baptist Church Pumpkin Patch

Visit Laura’s blog Walking in Memphis in High Heels and Alexandra’s blog City Chic Living for their outfit details.

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The Ivory Closet Moves to Overton Square

CREDIT: Photo by Dirk Olsen

Photo by Dirk Olsen

After opening The Attic boutique in Overton Square two years ago, Alexandra Nicole has seen the success of the district grow firsthand. Overton Square has leased a diverse mix of businesses to bring in activity day and night. The increasing foot traffic has been an asset for small retail such as clothing boutiques, especially if they weren’t the first or primary destination for visitors. Sandwiched between busy restaurants, these stores become welcoming ways to pass time as people wait for a table to open at nearby Babalu’s or Lafayette’s.

With her confidence in the great synergy of Overton Square, Alexandra Nicole has leased the 27th and final space for relocation of her first boutique The Ivory Closet from Harbor Town. It became official news last week that Overton Square reached full tenant occupancy. Alexandra, with feedback from her customers, confirmed that the move would not likely lose any business from customers who were Harbor Town residents. Also with this move, The Cedar Room merchandise will merge with the men’s items at the Attic. The Ivory Closet will continue to carry the same lines that vary from the Attic classic women’s apparel but in the new space adjacent to Golden India will take advantage of a larger footprint. They hope to open this location at 2095 Madison this November.

As a side note, Ivory Closet fans can soon find other store locations outside of Memphis. Alexandra is franchising two locations in Mississippi. Details have yet to be revealed.

Special thanks to dirk olsen. Alexandra is photographed in an outfit from The Attic just behind her new location in Overton Square.

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Moms with Style – Alexandra Nicole and son Jack – The Ivory Closet

Life hasn’t slowed down for Alexandra Nicole this past year after opening her third boutique in Memphis. Nope, not even close.

Since the Cedar Room opened in Harbor Town, Alexandra has styled the fashion spreads of Click Magazine, created an online store for The Ivory Closet, and launched her own lifestyle blog, while simultaneously working on a Masters degree and planning her wedding this spring, not forgetting probably the most significant addition to her life — baby Jack.

Even other working moms would want to know how she successfully does it all, and in this particular series, how she does it all while maintaining her sense of style.

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“Take everything minute by minute with a list in hand. I find that if I wake up and think about EVERYTHING I have to do at the shops, around the house, and with my masters program while being a mommy to my 6 month old son, planning a wedding, balancing my relationship, friendships, and social life, and staying in shape so my dress will fit on my big day….I instantly melt into a puddle of extreme anxiety,” explains Alexandra.

“I make a list of everything I need to accomplish the night before, so that my head is cleared of all the tasks I must tackle before laying my head down and then I wake up and start on my to do’s. If it does’t all get done, which my overly optimistic personality gives me a 95% fail rate on my list completion, I don’t sweat it. I look at all that I have accomplished and then just add the items that I did not complete to tomorrow’s list. Yes, it is pretty much a never-ending revolving list, but it keeps me on track and my head focused.”

As this year’s Memphis magazine’s Faces of the Mid-South Face of Boutiques and Beauty, Alexandra is recognized for her skill and drive in helping others maintain their style. Owning boutiques to curate style choices and cosmetics for various types of women and offering styling and make-up services is what she is traditionally known for. Her style blog City Chic Living extends that mission even further.

Her clients and readers find a make-up tutorials and styling ideas for classic style suitable and “more feasible for everyday wear.” Particularly now as a mom, her style is all about comfort that quickly be pulled together. Here you see Alexandra in an easy one-piece outfit with fellow new mom Laura, featured last week. 

“I have been leaning towards solid pieces because it is easy to achieve a chic look and no hassle accessorizing as anything works with solids!”

“As a fashion stylist and makeup artist, I am constantly asked style questions and makeup trend advice. I love helping others out and am eager to answer any questions that my clients may have, however I feel like my blog is a great way to share more details on popular fashion subjects and questions with everyone in hopes that it will inspire someone to take interest in fashion. Also, I am the type of person that wants to have my hands in everything, try new things, and get crafty for no reason. My blog gives me the outlet to showcase different experiences and hobbies that I enjoy.” 

Through her blog, readers also see a more human side to Alexandra, sharing in her deepest moments. She writes emotionally about struggles in her life, such the recent loss of her brother.

“The biggest struggle of my life has been the loss of my little brother this past December. It has really been a challenge to hold it together but I thank God every day for my son, Jack. When times seem unbearable, I take one look at his sweet, innocent, loving face and its an instant dose of happiness and determination to get through, not for myself, but for him as he deserves a happy mommy, a positive environment, and to grow up around optimistic viewpoints.”

With this sort of optimism, Alexandra has purposefully contributed to a city she believes in. Even after traveling and living in Ireland and briefly England, she was drawn back to Memphis.

“Although it was one of the most liberating, empowering decision I ever made in my teenage years, I quickly realized all that I loved about my city. It was only after leaving the city for a while that I realized this is the place that I not only call home, but I WANT to call home,” Alexandra says.
 
“Memphis is a fabulous city with a lot of opportunity for big dreamers. It is often sold very short, but the potential that this city and its people have is unbelievable, and if we continue to unite and work as one people, we will together uncover all that this city has to offer and free the exuberant light that is busting through the seams at every corner we turn.”

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Make sure to visit the Ivory Closet online store – get first pick on items under New Arrivals before they are sold in the store.

Outfit Details
On Alexandra: Dress – The Attic. Shoes – The Ivory Closet.
On Jack: Outfit – all from Carter’s.

Shoot Location – Harbor Town

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Inspiring Women of Style – What our T-shirts might say.

Earlier this year, I spoke at the New Year Inspirational Media Brunch organized by fellow blogger Tamera Sutton. I presented this photo of me, gazing optimistically, with a quote by Nelson Mandela.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”

The words cover me like a suit of armor.  Hopeful words that could fight my fears. I flourished in those words and also realized they were meant to be shared and help others flourish. Words can be powerful and often imprinted on T-shirts to test their power. With all the graphic tees out there, I still wanted to design a few myself.

Design
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With the help of some inspiring women in Memphis, here are three other quotes as three imaginary t-shirt designs that personally keep them motivated.

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Alexandra Nicole – Stylist, Makeup Artist, Boutique Owner.

“I always say that. IF you do not live or accomplish your dreams then life is just mundane and without purpose.”

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Augusta Campbell, Fashion Editor of Memphis Magazine.
She shares a quote from the fashion icon Coco Chanel.

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 Melissa Sweazy – Filmmaker, Writer, and Photographer.

“I like this quote from Anne Lamott. Boiling down a larger quote on having confidence in your writing to this that applies to everyone – “Don’t look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance.”

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What would your T-shirt say?

Credits: Photo of Sophorn by Dirk Olsen. T-shirt mockups, designs by Sophorn. Last image used as design background via Simon & Me; shirt by Simon & Me.