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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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Style Sessions We Recommend

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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Style Sessions We Recommend

Ornamental Jewelry for Your Holiday Outfit

Following up on yesterday’s post on sparkling holiday attire is a round-up of ornate necklaces that can instantly make any outfit fit for a party. Click or scroll below to see the local selection of beaded bibs and dramatic chain necklaces from Peridot in Cooper-Young, CrazyBeautiful and The Attic in Overton Square, and Muse downtown. 

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