Styling the ladies of "Teen Mom 2"

It's not often that I get to style a reality star....well, actually, I've never styled a reality star. So to get a chance to style Jenelle Evans and Kailyn Irwin (Lowry) of MTV's "Teen Mom 2," was certainly an experience!

The two young ladies stopped by the Pasión offices to support the cause of cancer awareness. So my creative team and I were charged with the responsibility of styling them and Ryan Dunson of the rock band Rookie of the Year. 


Needless to say, the ladies looked great in their outfits and their Pasión shirts!

TO SEE SOME OF THE OFFICIAL "AFTER" PHOTOS, CLICK HERE!

Let me know what you think of their new looks. More pictures to come!

Hair styling diva Jana Edwards Culbreth was responsible for the ladies' awesome tresses!

Check out my girl and fabulous makeup artist Monique Soto at work on Kailyn Irwin!

Yep, that's Pasión!

Tootles!

Cyber Monday Shopping Tips

Before you get up bright and early to shop on Cyber Monday, check out these tips to shop smart!

Trunk Show: Bellanca Boutique

It's not very often that we get a high end trunk show in Fayetteville. So imagine my excitement when I heard that the Virginia-based Bellanca Boutique was hosting a show at the Huske Hardware House in downtown Fayetteville.

The owner Regina C. White is a Fayetteville native and an accessories designer in her own right. Aside from offering her own earthy jewelry and handbags, White's chic boutique also sells garments and fun avant-garde accessories by the likes of designer Jenine Cotrice Addison ("Project Accessory").

I was a sucker for White's awesome speckled feather earrings! I had no choice but to buy them!

Best of all, White doesn't replicate her designs, so you're always getting a one-of-a-kind piece.

Be sure to check out her online boutique at BellancaBoutique.com. I know I will!

Tootles!

Black Friday Shopping Tips

Have plans to go shopping on Black Friday? Be sure to check out these tips before you do!

TruStyle: Holiday Shopping 101: Black Friday from TruStyle TV on Vimeo.

So much to do, so little time!

Sorry I've been gone for so long! So much has been keeping me busy as of late! 

But there will be many blog posts to come in the next few days. I'll be posting videos and behind-the-scenes photos on my upcoming photo shoots and more. 

But in the meantime, check out my guest blog post on the fabu blog Bow Tied Beauty!

And check out my new website www.jessicadevault.com

Tootles!

The Love of Layering!

Before you pack up your summer clothes to prepare for the cooler weather, rethink how you can repurpose them in your fall wardrobe.

Below, I'll offer some tips on how you can use a summer skirt and incorporate it into a look that's perfect for the fall.  Check it out and let me know how you layer up your looks for the fall!


TruStyle TV "LOVE OF LAYERING 2" from ABOVEPAR on Vimeo.

Pasion: The Second Installment

If you missed the first installment of the Pasión, ad series, be sure to check out Part 1.  I've styled for videos before, but this is certainly one of the biggest productions I've been a part of.  And it's been tons of fun!

So check out the continuation of the ad series below!

Enjoy!



Tootle!

New Hair!

I get bored with my hair. One minute I have black hair, the next it's blonde. One minute it's straight, the next it's naturally curly. Having one basic hairstyle for months at a time just doesn't sit well with me!

So recently, I changed my hair color. My hair stylist gave me a custom color, with reddish, blonde on top and a rich red on the bottom. She straightened it out for me, but I'll undoubtedly return back to my tight, natural coils in the coming days. 

Let me know what you think!

Tootles!

A Taste of Pasion

I've been super busy as of late, and tons of things to post. But until I get a chance to slow down and write, check out a snippet of the Pasion project I've been working on....

Let me know what you think!

More clips to come....



Tootles!

Cover Story: Fall Fashion!

Yay! The fall fashion spread is out!

I was fortunate to work with photographer James Robinson, who knows how to get that moody lighting that I love so much, and model Jessica Lucas, who did an awesome job, as well! 

Let me know what you think!

Cloche and scarf, T.J. Maxx; turtleneck and sweater, Gaiam.com

I tried experimenting with the first look on this page. In my head, it looked totally different! But a true fashionista has to take some risks. While it wasn't the most conventional look, it was fun to experiment.

Tootles!

Styling with Pasión!

On Sunday, I got a chance to work on a really cool project! I can't say too much, but I can tell you that I was able to style a photo and video shoot for Pasión,  a new clothing line coming straight out of Fayetteville, N.C.! 


Aside from providing well-made garments for the masses, Pasion will donate a portion of its proceeds to cancer research. If you're near the Fayetteville area and want to learn more about this up and coming brand, be sure to check out the Pasión runway show at the Ribbon Walk & Ride For Cancer at Festival Park on Nov. 5. 


Considering I had to style the models for the photo/video shoot and the upcoming runway show, I knew I'd need to enlist the help of my fashion assistants Marquelle and Kimberly.

My fab styling team!

Now don't let the words "assistant" fool you. Both are them are stylists and strong fashion gurus in their own right. We've worked together before for a web show I was working on called TruStyle. So I knew I could count on them for this massive project. 


I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!  But until then, here are some more behind-the-scenes shots!

Whose the woman behind Pasión? Denise Strother (right), who is the owner of ERA Strother Real Estate. She's joined by fellow Pasión staffer, Sunday.

Hair stylist Ashley Hill and makeup artist Monique Soto prepping the model! 

If you look closely you'll see me in the shot, adjusting the model's outfit!

Here's a quick glimpse of the Pasión models....

Yep, all of those people are apart of the production!

Last shot! 

Fall Fashion Shoot

Wow, I’ve been gone for a minute, huh?

I’ve been as busy as a bee working on a fall fashion shoot for The Fayetteville Observer’s Sunday Life Magazine. It’s the first project that I’ve had in awhile that didn’t include the help of a makeup artist, hair stylist or a couple of assistants on set. So I've been busier than usual with the extra legwork. Thankfully, one of my fashion assistants was able to help me pull a few clothes prior to the shoot.

Anyway, I’m pretty proud of the project, even though I won’t see all of the photos until later this week.

During the shoot, I had a moment to snag a quick behind-the-scenes shot of model Jessica Lucas and photographer James Robinson.

The fashion spread will be published on Oct. 30.

Oxfords, boots and flats (Oh my!)

It's time for some fall-inspired footwear. Here are a few pairs that I'm secretly coveting!

OXFORD BOOTIES

Color Blocked Oxfords  Anthropologie, $168

Backlash bootie  Poetic License, $98

KNEE-HIGH AND OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS

Steve by Steve Madden "Meteour" Wedge boots Bloomingdales, $229

Chinese Laundry "Nostalgia" Over the Knee Boot Nordstrom, $99.95

FLATS

Nora Calf Hair ballet flats J. Crew, $250

Cece Tweed ballet flats J. Crew, $99.50

Final Layout for "All Aglow" photo shoot

Here's the final layout from "All Aglow" photo shoot I mentioned last week! To view more of Elite Magazine, visit fbelitemag.com

Enjoy!

All images are sourced from The Fayetteville Publishing Company.

Halsey Collection Blazer

Someone gave me this Halsey Collection blazer that was apparently purchased sometime in the 70's or 80's. I love incorporating the old with the new, so I decided to give this jacket a shot.

 The jacket pattern is really busy, so I kept the rest of my outfit simple with a pair of Old Navy skinny jeans, Nine West pumps and boatneck tee from J. Crew.

I love the funky, crochet detailing and the oversized fit!

One of my friends loaned me a purple clutch to finish off the look.
So what do you think?

Tootles!

If I were a boy. . . I'd wear a cravat

One of my stylish guy pals told me about this awesome neckwear brand called Distinguished Cravat that's based out of Charlotte. 

What's a cravat, you ask? It's a neckband and the forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie. 

Fellas - and ladies, who plan to purchase a stylish gift for your man - take note. The Distinguished Cravats are effortlessly dapper and can upgrade any man's wardrobe.  According to the website, designer Kate Ross believes that "As the world evolves, Distinguished Cravat will continue to build the esteems of ordinary people, making an extraordinary difference, one Cravat at a time."

Be sure to keep an eye on this brand and check out the website, DistinguishedCravat.com.

Impressive detail. 

Debonair.

Photos sourced from DistinguishedCravat.com

Clubbing and the "Jersey Shore"

This weekend, I had to pay a visit to Club Barcelona in Fayetteville to see Ronnie Ortiz-Magro from MTV's "Jersey Shore." You can check out my coverage of that event at my work blog Jess in the City. 

Since I was working, I wanted to keep it cute but not too sexy. So I tend to play it safe by wearing jeans and a nice blouse, when I'm clubbing for business.

I  decided to wear a H&M cropped blazer, ruffled blouse and necklace from New York & Company, Old Navy bootcut jeans and a pair of basic black Nine West pumps. I picked up the clutch from a consignment shop.

Ronnie and I at Club Barcelona

Tootles!

My Styling: "All A Glow" Maternity Fashion Shoot

In the dead of the August heat, I creatively directed and styled a maternity shoot for the October edition of Elite Magazine.

The goal for this project was to make a maternity spread that was glamorous and sexy, unlike some of the rather boring maternity photos I've seen in some magazines. So we decided to take our shots at a lagoon in Mazarick Park and in the woods to illustrate the mother in various seasons - from fall to spring - looking fabulous and elegant along the way.

But it was 100 degrees outside and rather difficult to think cool, autumn thoughts when you can barely breathe due to the oppressive humidity! Yet, the creative team and I worked our way through it.

Raul Rubiera was the photographer for this project, and MAC makeup artist Monique Soto was responsible for the flawless makeup on model Anca Stefan.

Monique works her magic on Anca.

Anca was nearly nine months pregnant at the time of the shoot, but she did an awesome job of posing in extreme conditions (i.e. wading in a lagoon and working outdoors for upwards of 12 hours). I think she inspired all of us to hit the gym during our pregnancy, so we can look half this good!

The October edition of Elite Magazine is already on newsstands, but I'll be posting more of the final images next week. Be sure to check back to see them!

Tootles!

Fall Florals

I knew I'd be glued to my desk for most of the day, so I kept my look pretty simple. I'm wearing a sheer blouse with trouser jeans from Old Navy. 

I picked the belt up at a thrift store in Charleston. I hate matchy-matchy colors in an outfit, so I thought the belt was a great way to add some contrast to the blouse.

I found these oxford booties at a Nine West outlet in Charleston.

Tootles!