by The Perennial Style | Jan 22, 2014 | Style, Uncategorized
The fact is, sometimes it’s hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then – to make the walk a little more fun” – Carrie Bradshaw
When I think of fabulous shoes, the one and only Carrie Bradshaw comes to mind. For the woman who introduced the world to Manolo Blahnik, it would only make sense that her first shoe collection would be in collaboration with Manolo – Yes ladies, you heard that correctly, Sarah Jessica Parker is launching her very own shoe collection! The line, SJP, in collaboration with George Malkemus (of Manolo Blahnik) and Nordstrom is set to launch exclusively in selected Nordstrom stores on February 28. SJP strives to reinvent colors as neutrals, giving your look an energetic yet sophisticated update. Gayle King and Adam Glassman of O, The Oprah Magazine, got an inside scoop of the new collection, and let’s just say I cannot wait to get my hands on a pair! Take a peek at the video:
Images via
Be sure to stop by Northpark Mall in Dallas on March 9 to see Sarah Jessica Parker present her line in person! To see what other cities SJP will be visiting, click here
by The Perennial Style | Jan 21, 2014 | Beauty, Uncategorized
Growing up an hour from the Florida coast, I spent every weekend on the boat soaking in the summer rays. I practically lived in bikinis and the idea of sunscreen seemed optional, rather than necessary, since I tanned easily and never burned. As I got older, I began to understand the importance of protecting my skin. We read all the time how sunscreen will protect our skin from wrinkles and sun spots, but my sisters and I learned the hard way that the sun can cause much more damage than what meets the eye. After losing our father to melanoma in 2010, we decided to take serious action to protect our skin. As a girl who was constantly bronzed in all the warm seasons, the idea of being “pale” was a little difficult to get used to, so I took action and tested out a plethora of fake tanning methods. Though I always love a good spray tan, I occasionally leave looking more like a pumpkin than a beach babe. While the Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer is great for slowly building a base color, I am more of an instant tan kind of gal. After a few failed attempts of store bought tanning lotions, Blair discovered this Sun Laboratories Ultra Dark Self Tanning Lotion and I instantly fell in love. This endless jug of Caribbean color will give you a fresh glow in a matter of minutes and continues to soak in over a few hours, leaving your skin streak-free and perfectly bronzed after a quick shower. We’ve shared this little secret with our friends in Dallas, but now it’s time to share it with all of you. Go ahead and give it a shot. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Click here to see where you can order our favorite Sun Laboratories Ultra Dark Self Tanning Lotion
by The Perennial Style | Jan 17, 2014 | Style, Uncategorized
Spring is in the air! After four months of waiting, Peter Pilotto finally reveals the lookbook for his newest collaboration with Target. Pilotto doesn’t stray from his signature patterns and wild colors in his Target collection with pieces priced under $80 in women’s apparel, swimwear, and accessories – quite the discount from his runway collection which can cost up to $2,000. Celebrities like Selena Gomez, Kristen Stewart, Amanda Seyfried, and Leighton Meester are all fans of Pilotto’s collections. I’m loving the mix of structure and color in the flirty-yet-professional pieces that would add a little pop to your everyday work wear. The collaboration launches February 9th at Target stores, Target.com, and Net-a-Porter.com as well. And remember, be sure to stop by early before it’s all gone!
by The Perennial Style | Jan 14, 2014 | Style, Uncategorized
No woman’s wardrobe is complete without a timeless black cocktail dress. I learned this lesson early on from my grandmother , Virginia Dawn Justice Gray. My grandmother was born and raised in West Virginia, so she was no stranger to the Greenbrier Resort. Dawn has always held a special place in my heart as I credit my creative side to her, as well as my middle name, Gray. Dawn always had impeccable taste, so I’m not surprised that her style would carry on over the years. I found my grandmother’s prom dress recently, and I was shocked to find that not only was it the perfect size, but also a classic style that I could wear today. I learned her senior prom was held at the Greenbrier Resort many years ago, so I felt truly honored to be able to wear her dress over the holidays this year in the same room she wore it over 60 years ago. The mix of lace and velvet on this dress, as well as the tea length hem, embody some of fashion’s newest trends. Like they say, you can never go wrong with a little black dress!
Get the Look:
by The Perennial Style | Jan 13, 2014 | Dwell, Hotels, North America, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, United States, West Virginia
This year we decided to spend the holidays at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Though I absolutely love going home to Destin, Florida any chance I can take a break from the office, something about the mountains feels more like Christmas than the white sandy beaches. If you are not familiar with the Greenbrier, I recommend you add it to your bucket list. Since 1778, the resort has been a desirable vacation destination for many with its fascinating history of the underground Bunker established by the US government during the Cold War (Learn more about the Bunker history here). What I love most about the Greenbrier is the lavish décor designed by the famous Dorothy Draper. Colors and patterns explode through the historic resort giving a one-of-a-kind elegance that guests have come to love about America’s Resort. Dorothy Draper is also credited for the interior designs of the Dallas Stonleigh Hotel penthouse suites (see our posts here and here), among many others. Since retirement, Draper’s protégé, Carleton Varney, continues to serve as the Designer/Curator for the Greenbrier Resort and as President of Dorothy Draper & Co.
The Greenbrier Resort is home of the Greenbrier Classic PGA Tour event, which is the oldest course currently used for a PGA Tour. This was the view from our lunch at Sam Snead’s at the Golf Club. The mountains and the horse-drawn carriage made me wish I could stay there forever! 
Christmas Eve after dinner at Prime 44 West
The Resort had endless hallways of boutiques, which led to a little a little retail therapy. The shoe store was obviously a favorite of mine, considering we stopped by everyday! However, our matching Greenbrier robes below definitely take the cake as my favorite purchase of the trip – who says we are too old to match? 
Like we mentioned before, Lanz gowns are a tradition in our family. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without them!
We stayed busy all week with the numerous activities available at the Resort. My favorite was the bowling alley in the hotel. Other activities included ice skating, horseback riding, golf, swimming, croquet, hunting, falconry, tennis, and more. For those of you looking for a more relaxing vacation, I definitely recommend stopping by the spa for a little R&R followed by afternoon tea in the ballroom.
We were sad to say goodbye to the Resort at the end of the week, but the countdown until next year has begun!
For more information about the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, check out their website here.
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