HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I had an amazing time last weekend at 12th & Broad's Christmas party.  My best friend Codie who you may know around town or from her contributions to The Tennessean & her plus size style blog, A Brunette is a serious party queen and knows how to throw down.  She helped put together this fun event - in addition to being a founder of 12th & Broad. If you haven't checked out what the fuss is all about, I highly suggest you get with it. 

You can find 12th & Broad on Facebook or visit their newly launched website HERE. 

I hope you're all having a great holiday season and I'm looking forward to seeing you all out and about!

EXPLORING NASHVILLE'S APRICOT LANE + CLUTCH GIVEAWAY!

Are you ready for one of Nashville's best kept secrets?  

Apricot Lane in the Gulch is one of the most adorable boutiques I've visited thus far - and it's safe to say I've been to quite a few - it's stocked full of everything you might need to get your spring and summer wardrobe started off right. Need a pair of denim cut offs for under $45? How about a perfect spring dress? You'll be ready for festival season in no time. 

You can find all of these beautiful things and more at Apricot Lane. You'll have a hard time leaving without purchasing everything, I promise. So be prepared. 

*Spring Dresses Under $100*

Pink & White Dress: $75 + Color Block Dress: $47 + Bird Print Dress: $60

Studded Carry-All Purse: $51 + 

Peach Woven Clutch: $39

Can you believe these adorable floral shorts are only $26??

The most important part of my shopping experience anywhere I go is how pleasant and helpful I find the associates - and you won't find a sweeter more helpful bunch anywhere! I had such a good time browsing through all the beautiful pieces and was so impressed by the quality and selection. 

Thanks, Apricot Lane!

Now for my favorite part:

VEGAN LEATHER TURQUOISE CLUTCH GIVEAWAY

You know you need this for your stylish spring wardrobe. You'll be the envy of all of your fashionable friends!

How to enter:

"Like" Apricot Lane Nashville on Facebook HERE

"Like" Le Minimalist on Facebook HERE

And be sure to leave a comment below letting me know you've done both. 

Contest ends May 1st! GOOD LUCK!

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK INDUSTRY PANEL

The stylishly smart side of fashion - industry panels - will be presented this coming Wednesday, April 3rd in our fair city as we all gear up for the lovable madness of Nashville Fashion Week. 

I'm excited that some of my favorite people will be speaking on my favorite 'business of blogging and fashion' topics including Amanda Valentine of Project Runway, the owner of the brilliant fashion-for-all website Thompson Fifteen, Chelsea Eager along with a panel moderated by Nashville fashion icon, Libby Callaway and many other big names in our fashion industry. 

Check out the full rundown in their press release provided below:

AND remember, panels are FREE but they do ask for a donation. If you want to be sure and reserve your spot, click HERE so they can send you your confirmation ticket. Space is limited, so get going ladies.  

- Katie 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 22, 2013) – Nashville Fashion Week is proud to announce the 2013 Fashion Industry Panels, which will take place Wednesday, April 3, 2013 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Emma's Bistro (9 Lea Avenue) at The Trolley Barns at Rolling Mill Hill.

 

Industry Panels are free for all Emerging Designer applicants, All Access Pass Holders and ticket holders, however reservations are required for admission and there is a $10 suggested donation at the door. Reserve your space at www.NowPlayingNashville.com.

INDUSTRY PANEL SCHEDULE: 

 

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

THE BUSINESS OF ATTIRE: HOW TO BUILD A FASHION BRAND 

Experts dish the nitty-gritty of growing a fashion company from the ground up. A must for all designers as well as anyone who wants “real world” insight into how the fashion industry works.

Moderator: Sophie Simmons, designer/owner of a small luxury fashion company 

Panel: Design, development and production specialist David Perry of The DSP Group; entertainment attorney Robert Darwell of Sheppard Mullin; designer and Nashville Fashion Fund 2012 winner Lauren Leonard of Leona; NFW 2013 designer Cally Rieman of Kal Rieman; retail recruiter for the Nashville Downtown Partnership Crissy Cassetty

 

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

MUSIC CITY RETAIL ROCKS! SELLING FASHION IN NASHVILLE

Leading local retailers tell what it takes to run and buy for a fashion boutique. A variety of different business models will be explored, including online, direct sales, and traditional designer-driven stores.

Moderator: Elizabeth Broyhill, veteran Nashville retailer and brand and media consultant 

Panel: Nashville-based designer and boutique owner Kayce Hughes; Thompson Fifteen owner Chelsea Eager; Sevier Skirts founder Suzanne Sevier Rowland; Kathy Hadley of POSH Boutique; Whitney Dunn, co-owner of The Perfect Pair

 

3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

LOOK SHARP! SELLING THE IMAGE

Pros weigh in on how strong visuals, good press assets and a solid social media plan sell a brand. It’s a boon for anyone who’s curious about the world of marketing and image. 

Moderator: Libby Callaway, fashion writer/media consultant 

Panel: 2013 Project Runway contestant and fashion designer Amanda Valentine of Valentine Valentine; Bismarck Phillips Communications (BPCM) owner Carrie Phillips; Nashville Pinterest superstar and social media expert Lauren Zwanziger; Next Model Management agency director Alexis Borges; fashion/celebrity stylist and former contributor to Vogue andLove, Sally Lyndley 

 

Tickets, the full Nashville Fashion Week schedule and additional details on each industry panel moderator and speaker can be found at www.NashvilleFashionWeek.com.

FEATURED: SIMON & RUBY - CREATIVE CRUSH

One of my favorite Nashville based jewelry brands, Simon & Ruby so sweetly decided to feature me this month on their blog in an upcoming monthly feature, CREATIVE CRUSH.  We had so much fun during the photo shoot - there were so many pretty things to play with and Lindsay's home and studio were absolutely immaculate! 

Along with a fun photo shoot featuring pieces from Simon and Ruby's Mexico Collection (My favorite piece being the Maggie Necklace), S&R asked me to shed some light on what makes me tick with a little Q&A. 

Visit Simon & Ruby's blog for this month's spotlight feature HERE and while you're at it, do some spring accessory shopping via their WEBSITE. You'll fall in love. Another tidbit for those of you in the Nashville area - S&R's designs are available over at Wax Nashville! 

The Maggie Necklace

{Images via Simon & Ruby}

NASHVILLE DESIGNER AMANDA VALENTINE KNOWS HOW TO "MAKE IT WORK!"

PROJECT RUNWAY SEASON 11

Very, very rarely do I find myself getting excited about television. 

I'm not a fan of reality TV, I hate politics and CSI sounds more like a sexually transmitted disease - but every once in a while I'll set my DVR to something worth while: PROJECT RUNWAY. I've been a fan of the cut throat, seven circles of sewing hell television series since its onset in 2004, howling at the screen when I saw something amazing, and scoffing at those pieces that I thought were better suited for a Macy's sale rack. 

Nothing makes me happier than watching pure, undiluted fashion related madness unfold on screen. I'm sick and twisted like that.

As Heidi would say, "One day you're in, the next you're out." 

So with that thought in mind, all of my  fashion obsessed friends should either set your DVRs for record this Thursday (and every Thursday for the next several weeks) at 8pm, or if you're a Nashville local - join Amanda to celebrate her talent and general badassery at No.308 (Thursday 1/24) for a viewing party. (Event info HERE) 

No.308 will have the big screen set up starting at 7pm until 9pm, so make your presence known, come say hi and rub elbows with Nashville's latest fashion celeb, Amanda Valentine. 

You can find more information on Amanda's ultra amazing line, Valentine Valentine HERE. (Lets just say that if holograms and unicorns had babies together, this line would be the resulting offspring.)

PLUS read more about her Project Runway debut in The City Paper, on Marie Claire, Lifetime's round up HERE, and in The Nashville Scene. 

*All photos via Amanda's Facebook / Lifetime

SONGSTRESS STYLE: AN INTERVIEW WITH ODESSA ROSE

 

 

As sweet as local honey and with a voice to match, Odessa Rose will leave a taste in your mouth you won't soon forget.

 

Odessa's folk inspired sound has oh so easily won over the Nashville natives she's performed for; most recently performing for local jean artisans, Imogene + Willie at their August edition of SUPPER & SONG, a monthly event filled with talented musicians, stylish people, good shopping and delicious eats.

 

Oh and it's BYOB too. Because, you know, that's how we roll in Nashville.

 

You can get a taste of Odessa's sultry sound in Imogene + Willie's F/W VIDEO  where she performs "Hummed Low". If you're a Nashville local you can find Odessa's EP at Imogene + Willie - all of which have hand drawn covers! Don't miss out.

 

If you're not within reach of I+W -- you can find more of Odessa's musical stylings HERE and her Facebook HERE.

 

INTERVIEW WITH ODESSA ROSE

LM: What inspires you when choosing pieces to add to your wardrobe? 

ODESSA: the color yellow. sleep deprivation. marijuana. 

LM: How do you choose your daily ensemble? Are you a planner or do you just throw something together in a hurry?  
ODESSA: i really wish that i could be naked all of the time...so i change my clothes until the outcome feels the most comfortable on my body. i never plan anything.

 

LM: What pieces in your closet can you not live without?

ODESSA: right now... my long yellow polyester sundress, my high waisted white jeans, and my blue suede heels. 

  

LM: What is your all time most despised fashion trend?

ODESSA: The 80ies. 

 

LM:Favorite Fashion trend?

ODESSA: Colorblock

LM:Do your music choices influence the way that you dress?

ODESSA: Maybe sometimes subliminally.

LM: Name five items you never leave the house without:

ODESSA: My small red notebook (that holds my id and money inside) a mason jar full of water. My two turquoise rings. A fine point pen. Coconut oil.

 

LM: Favorite designers / labels / why?

ODESSA: D&G. They make pieces that make women look stunning. Besides that, I don't have any specific favorite designers really. I love vintage clothes. Clothes from the 70ies are my digs. Long slender dresses in light pastels, high waists and leather fringe. yum. 

{All Images via ODESSA ROSE}

A LITTLE REFLECTION?

Hat: Vintage // Sunglasses: Anthropologie // Denim: Urban Outfitters // Tank: F21 // Skirt: F21 // Boots: Dolce Vita 

Pictures via Phillip Chadwell Photography