SouthPark

'Tis the season for college graduations!

Though long waiting periods and a wonky cap are the conventional associations with commencement ceremonies, that does not mean you can not celebrate the occasion in style. After all, who wouldn't want to look their best for such a big day? 

While a cap and gown in the sweltering heat may not leave much room for an elaborate ensemble, that does not mean you cannot showcase your remarkable style with minimalist touches . So in honor of your accomplishments  -- weather and mandatory attire notwithstanding -- here are a few tips on looking fab for your graduation day.

Start with your shoes

Need inspiration for your graduation 'fit? No better place to start than with your shoes! Decide whether your goal for the day is comfort with a pair of swank flats or celebratory glam with sky high stilettos! If you don't want to sacrifice comfort for style, wedges are also a worthy option for your graduation footwear. If you are in need of a little guidance on your search for chic shoes, take advantage of a free appointment with a Nordstrom personal stylist!

Play up your best features

On your graduation day, you are one in a sea of many donning the obligatory cap and gown. Why not stand out with a more personalized look? For instance, if you have a gorgeous eye color, try defining your eyes with a complementary eyeshadow color. For brown or blue eyes, aim for earthy colors such as gold or copper. Green and hazel eye colors also pair well with purple hues. 

Also, if you've got a great pucker, make your lips pop with a universally flattering, bold lip color from renown beauty brand, MAC Cosmetics. Try MAC's Ruby Woo, Girl About Town or Rebel lipstick for a perfectly pretty pout. 

Accessorize

The right jewelry can transform even the most basic outfit into a chic look. Not to mention, on your graduation day, accessories enable you to showcase personal expression while providing depth and sophistication to your conforming cap and gown. Rock a trendy watch, chandelier earrings, bangles or a statement necklace on your graduation day to add some flair to your garb. For a huge selection of stylish accessories, head to Aldo Accesories for affordable, on-trend pieces. 

Use these tips to look fab for your graduation day, then shop these stylish options today at SouthPark mall! 

Some may say that Memorial Day is the unofficial summer kick off. I say the commemorative holiday is the official kick off to great sales. Splendid savings abound, avid shoppers (such as myself) can take advantage of discounts from their favorite fashion retailers.

So, if you plan to hit the mall this week for Memorial Day savings, check out some of the sales from major retailers that I’m looking forward to this year.

Nordstrom

-  Save up to 40% on a wide array of new markdowns from fashion-forward brands during the retailer’s annual Half Yearly Sale for Women & Kids from May 22 to June 2nd.

-  Drop in the store on May 25 for MASCARA MADNESS! Buy any two mascaras from any brand and get the third one for free of equal or lesser value.

Macy’s

-   Shoppers are invited to The Great American Summer Sale, in honor of those who served our country. Save 20 to 50 percent on the entire store, including women, men and children’s apparel.

Belk

-  The weather is hot and the pool is now open! Take advantage of up to 40% off of swimwear for the entire family.

Dillard’s

-    The annual Dillard’s Memorial Day sale kicks off the weekend before the holiday so shoppers can take advantage of exclusive savings on items throughout the entire store, including up to 40% off clearance items

While the above-mentioned sales are amazing, they are only a few out of hundreds of amazing deals starting this week at SouthPark. Be sure to check the mall’s website for updates on Memorial Day sales throughout the week!

While the high temperatures may only allow us to showcase our personal style with the bare necessities, one thing is certain: Sunglasses are the ultimate fashion accessory during the warm weather season.

Whether you’re beating the heat in a sundress, a romper or denim cutoffs, sunglasses easily complete your ensemble and instantly pull your look together. Though your shades also protect your eyes from the sunlight, luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort.

Big, small, modern or vintage, no matter your preference, sunglasses come in a variety of vivacious designs and trendy shapes. Check out three styles that are hot for the summer season!

Cat-Eye

Made famous by classic Hollywood starlets such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, cat-eye sunglasses are here to stay. To get the look, try this pair of vintage-inspired, embellished shades from Aldo.

Aviators

Not only are aviators trendy, these sunglasses offer a universally flattering look for both genders. This season, reflective aviator lenses are all the rage. Achieve the classic look with the original Ray Ban aviators, available at Nordstrom.  

Oversized

If you’re like me (above), oversized sunglasses are a wardrobe staple, essential for providing glamour to even the simplest outfit.  For a chic add-on this summer, rock this pair of Michael Kors shades from Macy’s.

No matter what size, shape or sort of sunglasses you choose, you are guaranteed to make a statement this summer. Swing by SouthPark today to purchase any of these styles today!

Warm weather is here to stay and skin is in.

Sheer fabrics, lace insets and midriff baring crop tops are all the rage this season, and -- while I love all of the aforementioned – strategically placed cutouts in dresses are by far one of my favorite warm weather trends.

If you too are a fan of showing skin, cutout dresses offer a great alternative to plunging necklines, high-cut slits or provocative hemlines. What’s more, cutouts showcase just enough skin to draw interest (in a modest fashion), yet leave a little to the imagination. For that reason, this trend is wearable for a number of occasions, from late-night parties to sunny soirees. Here I am in one of my more casual cutout looks, prior to a friend’s dinner party:

Cutout dresses have also been seen on several of my favorite trend-setting celebrities, such as Rihanna and Miley Cyrus:
 

As you notice in the above photos, there are a few reoccurring themes. Here are three tips vital to pulling off the trend:

Simplicity is key: Keep your hair, makeup and footwear simple.

Less is more: Keep your accessories to a minimum.

Confidence is the best accessory: ‘Nuff said.

By following these tips, you and your cutout dress are guaranteed to be the center of attention with onlookers and fellow fashionistas, alike.

Check out a few of my favorite cutout dresses:

DSQUARED2 Sleeveless Cutout Dress (Intermix)

Reverse Pineapple Print Pinup Dress (Urban Outfitters)

Material Girl Juniors Dress, Sleeveless Tribal-Print Cutout Maxi (Macy’s)

Kick off the summer in style! Shop these looks and more now at SouthPark.

Image Source 1 / Image Source 2 / Image Source 3

Image via Hallmark.com

It’s that time of the year again – and I’m here to help.

This Sunday, hordes of sons and daughters will be commemorating their fathers with an assortment of thoughtful gifts. However, following the annual Father’s Day shopping routine, regrettably, not everyone will “get it right” with their gift of choice.

While money clips, t-shirts and ugly ties may have sufficed earlier, it’s a new year – and its time to improve on gifting mistakes of years past. Though your father may not be the trendiest individual in your family, that doesn’t mean he won’t appreciate a unique, fashion-forward find this Father’s Day.

Check out a list of stylish Father’s Day gifting ideas for 2013.

Bow Ties

Bowties are definitely having a moment. If you participated in wedding and/or graduation season this year, I guarantee you spotted bowties of all shapes, sizes and colors. This year, skip the humdrum Father’s Day tie offering and buy your dad a bowtie. Check out the great assortment of bowties available at J. Crew for inspiration.

Urban Outfitter’s Father’s Day Picks

You have less than a week left to get a gift for your dad. If you’re running out of ideas, or time, Urban Outfitters has come to the rescue with an exclusive gifting suite. Browse an assortment of sunglasses, canvas bags and other accessories from the fashion retailer, and then take advantage of 20% off of your final purchase!

Apple Accessories and More

Few things are more chic than up-to-the-minute technology. Splurge on your pop this year with an ultra-convenient iPad Mini or signature Apple accessories for his high-tech gadgets.

These gifts and more are available now at SouthPark mall. Happy Father’s Day!

Flashback to your childhood. Your favorite memories often consist of family road trips, extracurricular activities and playtime with friends. Such recollections are etched in our nostalgic memories, however, blue jeans are certainly an accompaniment to many of our most loved moments.

Now, fast forward to your current wardrobe.  The question is not, “Do you have a pair of jeans?” but rather “How many pairs of jeans do you own?” They may say that trends go in and out of style, but I’m convinced: Denim has withstood the test of time. 

Denim is an iconic American wardrobe staple, but this season it surfaces as a fashion essential and key trend piece. Available in varied washes, fits, styles to choose from, denim has gone from a basic bottom to a versatile outfit addition.

Whether you are rocking a jacket, dress, skirt or pant, denim is a stylish choice and fun fabrication that surfaces this season in everything from flowy skirts and dresses to structured jackets and vests.

Right now, I’m loving Macy’s denim assortments! Tried and true brands such as Levi’s, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein currently have great offerings in store for all of my fellow trendsetters.

Check out some of the affordable denim options, pictured below, now available at Macy’s in SouthPark mall!

Whether vacation plans this month entail a beach trip, an exotic getaway or frequent outings to your local pool, for many, a bikini will be a staple in their summer swimwear collection.

But let’s face it -- one plain old two-piece isn’t enough to keep up with your fun-filled agenda. Besides, you didn’t bust your butt in the gym all year long to showcase your hot bod in a mediocre bikini.  So how do you go from an ordinary bikini to an extraordinary bikini?

Take a walk on the wild side and dare to be bold in mixed print swimwear. Check out a few reasons why I encourage the carefree style this summer.

Turning heads and having fun: Two things every girl wants to do. When you rock an intermixed bikini, I guarantee you will do a whole lot of both.

Get out of your comfort zone: Some of your best fashion moments take place when you think outside of the box. Don’t be scared to be creative with your swimwear this summer.

Get your money’s worth: It may cover a little, but quality swimwear can often cost a lot. So why buy a heap of bikinis to only wear the same style over and over again?

If you’re ready to try out the mixed print swimwear trend this summer, head to Victoria’s Secret at SouthPark for an exclusive Mix & Match collection, currently discounted for the retailer’s Semi-Annual sale.