A Guide for Country-Casual Fashion

Southern-inspired fashion isn’t just limited to 10-gallon cowboy hats, bolo ties and shiny belt buckles. Today’s country fashion is more stylish than ever. And you don’t have to be from a small town to wear the look. Country music superstars like Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan are setting new trends that anyone can wear. Here are some of today’s hottest looks:

Boot Scootin’ Boogie

Cowboy boots are synonymous with country fashion. From country concerts to everyday wear, versatile boots can be paired with nearly any outfit. And today’s country stars are no strangers to the long-standing fashion trend. Outdoor retailers like Cabela’s sell boot brands like Justin’s, Durango and Tony Lama. Not only do they offer the best styles, Cabela’s has partnerships with country celebs like Luke Bryan, Justin Hodge and Justin Moore, which makes them a credible country-fashion retailer.

Fabulous Florals

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood rose to fame after she was discovered on the hit show “American Idol.” Not only is Carrie famous for her amazing vocals, she’s one of the most stylish female singers in the industry. She’s known to wow audiences with her stage outfits and she owns the red carpet at events like the CMAs in beautiful floral-printed gowns. Carrie’s everyday style, even her fitness brand Calia, embraces fun floral prints and pops of color for a powerful and feminine look. From casual floral dresses to workout pants with fun prints, you can emulate Carrie’s style for any occasion, from a day at the gym to an evening out with the girls.

Lovely Lace

Not only does Miranda Lambert rock the stage, she’s known to rock lace in all colors and styles. From fun and flirty whites, pastel blues and reds to a sultry and sexy black lace, Miranda has been photographed in all of these lace looks. Consider a neutral-colored or pastel lace dress for daytime. Or if you’re searching for a country-inspired evening look, opt for something a little darker in black or navy. Lace dresses can be paired with leather boots, wedges or flat sandals for a casual look. Or you can pair a lace dress with a classy pair of heels in nude or black for a more polished look.

Forever Flannel

Luke Bryan is known for donning the traditional flannel shirt. Not only is the country staple engineered to stand the test of time out on the farm, more and more people are adopting the flannel trend in their own wardrobes. Both men and women can sport the versatile and comfy look. The classic button down is suitable for casual wear, or men can dress it up by pairing the flannel with a dark pair of denim jeans, leather belt, statement watch and boots or classic dress shoes for a more sophisticated look. Women can wear the look by layering the flannel over a classic white tank or, for a trendy look, tie the flannel around the waist and pair it with leggings and tennis shoes. Flannel shirts are made in all types of materials; for colder weather opt for a thicker material, or if you’re considering wearing the flannel trend in a warmer area, go for a breathable material that keeps you cool, comfy and stylish.

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Celebrate Local Artists at OCEAN MARKET During a Special Opening Featuring the Work of CHRIS STRAWBRIDGE

Paintings by Chris Strawbridge

Artist Meet-and-Greet, Cocktails, Bites and More on Wednesday, November 11th from 7 to 9 p.m. / Free to Attend

Ocean Market, a Parisian-inspired bistro located in Downtown Atlanta, will host an opening for its Local Artist Series on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 during a special cocktail celebration for artist Chris Strawbridge from 7 to 9 p.m. Open to the public, guests are invited to mix and mingle with the featured artist as they sip on complimentary libations and enjoy bites created by Chef Shane McIntosh of Ocean Market and Ocean Catering Company while perusing Strawbridge’s work, which will also be available for purchase.  Co-owners Chef Shane and Sage Stewart rotate works from local artists of various mediums every few months. The event is free to attend and open to the public. For more information about the opening night reception visit www.Facebook.com/OceanMarketAtlanta.    

Atlanta-based artist, Chris Strawbridge, has shown his artwork in multiple art galleries and festivals throughout Atlanta and his artwork hangs in commercial buildings, restaurants and in private collections. Enjoying a 30-year long career within architecture and interior design firms has influenced how Strawbridge’s incorporates line, form, space and composition. Working mostly in acrylics, grease crayon, and graphite on canvas, his art has been described as architectural, minimalistic, abstract, and sometimes even, whimsical. 

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Birchbox Man Movember

Well guys, it's November and by now we should all now what that means... MOVEMBER!

The Movember Foundation and Birchbox have a special Movember themed gift box just for you. Help raise funds and awareness of Men's Health.  So guys... Grow a moustache!  Start clean-shaven on 11/1 (or today) and grow the moustache of your choice for 30 days. 

HOW DOES MOVEMBER WORK?

• Men & women sign up at movember.com
• Choose to “grow” or “give”
• Men start Movember 1st clean-shaven and grow only a moustache for 30 days
• Get friends and family to donate to change the face of men’s health

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TRAVEL-INSPIRED LIFESTYLE BRAND, ROBERTA ROLLER RABBIT, EXPANDS TO GEORGIA

Roberta Roller Rabbit is expanding to Georgia. The travel-inspired lifestyle brand, offering exotic, sophisticated yet affordable leisurewear, accessories and home goods with a magical touch, is set to open an Atlanta flagship store in late fall, just in time for the holidays. 

Inspired by a children’s fable of a magical rabbit that founder Roberta Freymann found on a piece of fabric during her time in India, Roberta Roller Rabbit’s first Georgia location will open in the popular Westside Provisions District, a distinctive retail, dining and residential destination located where Midtown Atlanta meets the Westside. The 1,400-square foot store will have a wide range of offerings including clothing for women, children, and men, as well as accessories, gifts, and home furnishings.

“With glass on many sides, this will be the sunniest and most open of all our locations. The size gives us space to display each of our departments - women's, kids and home - in the best possible way. We are looking to make sure that the store reflects not only our brand but our surroundings as well,” says Christina Panos, marketing chief for Roberta Roller Rabbit.

The interior will also feature hand-drawn stencil art by renowned artists Lisa Wassong and Dominique Lange. Their work, which is ethnically inspired and whimsical, is present in all Roberta Roller Rabbit stores.  The Atlanta store will have its own theme that is unique to the architecture of the store and the flavor of its location.

“We love the architecture of the center and are big fans of our neighbors. We think this location is a wonderful meeting spot and will become a destination for all different demographics as the center continues its expansion,” adds Panos.   

Upon entering the store, customers will be immersed in a delightful world of colors, prints and textures. Like at all its locations, the Atlanta store will offer a range of hand block printed pieces created and produced by Roberta with artisans in India. Graphic and floral prints are named after characters in Roberta’s life. Other wildly popular prints include monkeys, elephants and fish, which capture Roberta’s love for children and complete the signature whimsical spirit that has become synonymous to the brand.

Roberta Roller Rabbit VIP Party...

Photos by RobinLori.

Roberta Freymann

Journals with a block print pattern design.

I had a fun time with my friend Michelle Havich.

Roberta Roller Rabbit

At an exclusive VIP party last week at the penthouse at Cyan on Peachtree, guests got a first look of the amazing products that will be carried at Roberta Roller Rabbit. Roberta was there to chat and mingle. Grab a preview in the slideshow above.

Roberta Roller Rabbit’s Atlanta store will be located at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Building B, Suite 400 and will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on Roberta Roller Rabbit, please visit www.robertarollerrabbit.com.

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Classic Cocktails with a Twist from Herradura Silver

Herradura Sangre Maria

Ingredients

. 2 oz of Herradura Silver

. 1/2 oz pickle juice

. 2 oz tomato juice

. 1/2 oz orange juice

. 1/2 oz lime juice

. large bar spoon of Horseradish

. 1/4 oz of Cholula sauce

. 4 large dashes of Tabasco

. 1/2 Worcestershire sauce

. 1/2 oz red wine

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large cocktail shaker, stir and strain into a large glass filled with cubed ice. Garnish with a cayenne salted pickle and a lemon wedge.

Corpse Survivor

Ingredients

·         ⅔ oz Herradura Silver

·         ⅔ oz Lemon Juice

·         ⅔ oz Lillet Blanc 

·         ⅔ oz Cointreau

·         Spray of absinthe

Directions: Spritz a little absinthe into a chilled coupe glass and set aside. Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with cubed ice. Shake hard, strain into the chilled coupe glass, garnish with a twist of lemon zest.

Blood Orange

Ingredients

·         2oz el Jimador Silver

·         2oz Blood orange juice

·         ½ oz Lime Juice

·         ½ oz Agave Syrup

·         6-8 mint leaves

Directions: Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously. Strain into a high ball over cubed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime disc.

This November 2nd we celebrate Día de los Muertos, a holiday celebrated in many countries of Latin America and recently incorporated into the Halloween celebration in the U.S. as well. Graves and altars will be decorated with any possible things that were loved by those special ones: favorite food, favorite flowers and of course, their favorite tequila.

Hop on the spirit of celebration and, after painting your face as a calavera (skull) or dressing up with your last minute costume, cheer to the lives of your favorite family members or that unforgettable friend that’s no longer with us. 

Herradura Tequila got crafty and they are sharing full recipes specially designed for your Day of the Dead celebration. Cheers!

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NIXON Welcomes the ROCK LTD COLLECTION, an Exclusive Watch Collection Benefiting MUSICARES MAP FUND®

A limited collection of one-of-a-kind watches made with donated leathers from some of the world’s biggest rock stars.

Nixon is proud to announce the release of the Rock LTD Collection, a limited edition of custom one-of-a-kind timepieces featuring watch straps created with donated leather jackets, pants and guitar straps from some of music’s best and brightest. Available for Holiday 2015, the Rock LTD collection will take advantage of leathers worn by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Tom Waits, Eddie Van Halen, Steven Tyler, and Ringo Starr and transform them into extremely rare, highly collectible, one-of-a-kind timepieces:

Ozzy Osbourne – 51-30 Chrono (leather jacket)

Keith Richards – Sentry Chrono (leather jacket)

Pete Townshend – Sentry Chrono (guitar strap)

Tom Waits – Sentry Chrono (one leather boot)

Eddie Van Halen - Sentry Chrono Leather (guitar strap)

Steven Tyler - Sentry Chrono Leather (leather jacket)

Ringo Starr – Time Teller (leather swatches from personal collection)

The donated leather goods come straight from the artist's closet, giving the watchbands a worn, lived-in feel. Each watch will be individually, hand-numbered to denote the highly limited nature and will feature etched custom caseback with the name of the artist and a certificate of authenticity from Nixon and MusiCares®. Quantities are extremely limited and only available until they are gone. Previous Rock Ltd Collections have included donated leather from the likes of Anthony Kiedis and Flea, Dave Navarro, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Stephen Perkins, and Jeff Buckley, to name a few.

“I believe so strongly in the assistance MusiCares MAP Fund provides to folks who are struggling with addiction recovery that I now walk around with one boot on, having donated my other boot to this Rock LTD Collection. I will continue to wear just one boot until everyone is clean and sober just like Me.” – Tom Waits

The first delivery of this exclusive Rock LTD watch collection will be available in stores globally mid-November including, Rob Robinson, Fred Segal, Barneys (NYC, LA CHI, SF), colette (Paris, France), Selfridges (London, UK), Ron Herman (Japan), and Nixon’s first New York City retail location (opening end November, 2015). Proceeds from the sale of these unique timepieces will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund®, a charity that provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment.

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Ghouls, Goblins & Gays: Hocus Pocus Halloween RECAP

Photos courtesy Dan Lax / Jerusalem House

TheJudges

(l-r) Rich Eldredge, Kaedy Kiely, John Gidding, Jovita Moore, Jason Moattar and yours truly, E. Vincent Martinez.

For the second year in a row I've had the privilege of supporting the Jerusalem House by serving as a judge at their long-standing Halloween party, a staple in Atlanta. The judges' panel [look for our pic in the slideshow] had a blast, but that's not to say choosing a winner was easy! So much time, effort and passion goes into the making of the costumes that it becomes very difficult to narrow our choices.

The energy of the party guests combined with multiple open bars and a good DJ spinning great beats makes this the Halloween bash of the year - every year! Now in its 16th year, you know they're doing something right! But of course, it's the cause that truly matters here. Jerusalem House provides housing and services to families, children and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. 

The theme this year was Hocus Pocus. Browse through the slideshow and you'll find everything from a terrifying American Horror Story's Twisty the Clown who gave me nightmares, to superheroes and villains. From tragic to magic, it's all there!

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