Co-oPHX

Never fear, thrifters/ bargain hunters- yet another clothing swap is happening this weekend! I am extremely excited for this one because there will be food, live music, DIY booths, trunk shows, socializing and the most important aspect- the clothing swap of course!

CO-OPhx and GROWop have teamed up to host this year's Spring Swap, taking place this Saturday, April 21 at the GROWop Boutique! Read below for all the basic details you will need:

• Buy your ticket online and we may have tickets available at the door


• Bring up to 10 items to Swap, and drop them off durring their Check-In time (you can bring unlimited items to donate!!)
• Proceeds from donated items will go to CollegeTown
• Anything can be donated, well almost anything, see details at the ClothingCycle website. It will be re-used, or recycled to make a new material.


• Enjoy the event, while Swap Team sets up the swap area for boutique style shopping. People can enjoy:
• Food for sale: Butter & Me Bakery, Kaleidoscope cold pressed juice, Vegan tamales
• Free food for swappers: Build-you-own Fruit Cup, water, iced tea, kind bars
• Speakers - 4 speakers, check website for details
• Live music - Henry Rivera
• Purchase swap shirts and trendy shirts from Brand X T Shirts
• DIY Hair Chalking
• Shop the local boutiques: GROWop, Cellar Door Vintage, Annie Boomer Vintage
• Pop up bow-tie and neckwear shop
• Wishing Well community art piece
• Meeting new people

SWAP Times!

• There are 4 swaps, 2 at a time. People buy a ticket for a specific Swap Time.
• (Note: Women's Swap A, B and C are equal, they just denote a specific time and area , people may ask this)

For the past year, the founders of Co-OPhx have been spreading the joy of second-hand style while helping the community around them. Five swaps and thousands of items donated, the biggest swap yet is planned for this weekend. On Saturday, April 21st from 11am-4pm, the front yards of GROWOp, Annie Boomer Vintage and Cellar Door Vintage will be filled with clothes of participants to swap and experience a day filled with fun interactive booths and meet unique fashion-minded individuals in the area.

The swap isn't just for trading clothes either- four style tutorials from local boutique owners including Amir from Amir La Voute (remember him from MIM Rocks Fashion?), Ashley Eaton from Merry May Shoppe, Joshua Hahn from GROWOp and Adrian Leisong of Superstition Vintage. These booths will include neckware shops and how to shop vintage. But that's not it! Make sure to put your  shopping skills to the test and check out the three host stores at the swap.

So don't forget- go to Spring Swap this weekend (FB event) and come say hi to me!

Learn more on the FB page and make sure to 'like' it so you can regularly participate in the upcoming clothing swaps

Will I see you there?

XOXO
Audree Kate

 

Easy, Breezy, Summer Hair

As the dreadful summer season sets in (mainly in Arizona), the weather is scorching, sweat is unavoidable and if you’re like me, the last thing you want to deal with is your hair (ain’t nobody got time for that). Keep this summer cool with easy up-dos, braids, beachy waves and hats.

Up-dos:

   

Top Knot- Pull your hair up into a high pony, tease the remainder of the hair and twist into a bun. Secure with an elastic hair-tie or bobby pins.  At the base of the bun attach an oversized bow, flower or tie a scarf around the bun in a bow.

Braided Pony- Part your hair to the side and begin a French braid of the thicker side. When the French braid reaches your temple, continue the basic 3-stranded braid and pull back hair into a high ponytail.

Twisted up-do- Section your hair down the middle into two parts; Take one side and twist inwards along the hairline. When the first side is completely twisted, twist onto the nape of the neck and pin. Twist the other side and pin when done.

All three hairstyles can be done with short or long hair and take no more than 5 minutes. These are great dos for a summer internship, girls’ night and the beach. 

  Braids:

           

Fishtail- Split your hair into two sections and take a small piece from the back of section one and bring on top over to section two. Do the same to the other side and repeat until you get to the bottom of your hair and tie in a small elastic hair tie. Once tied, pull gently at the braid to make it fuller and messier.


Braided top knot- Flip over your hair and brush downwards so it’s smooth and tangle-free. Take a section at the nape of your neck and split into 3 sections. Begin a French braid and braid until you hit level with your ears. Gather all of your hair with the braid and secure in a high pony on top of your head; wrap into a bun and secure.

Side braid- Part your hair and French braid along your neckline until you hit the nape of your neck. Tease the rest of your hair and gather into a bun at the nape of your neck.

 
Beachy waves:

There are three easy ways to successfully attain perfect beachy waves:

1. French braid- When your hair is damp (if you just got out of the shower let it sit for 15-20 min or lightly blow dry it so its manageable) separate your hair into 2 sections and French braid your hair on each side of your head until you have two tight French braid pigtails. Lightly Hairspray or apply product and sleep overnight. When you wake up, take out your braids; run your fingers through and hairspray it. Your hair should be dry by now and have created wavy curls.

2. Curling iron- Take a ½ or ¾ inch curling iron and point it downwards against your hair (start at the base) while you wrap small and large sections around it. Pointing your curling iron downwards creates a softer curl and it helps to alternate from large to small sections for that perfect messy beach hair. Once your hair is curled, run your fingers through and hair spray.

3. DIY beach spray- Make your own DIY beach spray: 2 cups of hot water, 1T salt, 1T coconut oil, 1T hair gel/ conditioner (optional). Spray on wet hair, twist 2-10 sections of your hair and let dry.
 

Turban headbands and hats:

For those days you don’t feel like washing your hair or just really can’t tame the fro, cover it up with a cute turban headband or hat

Turban headbands are everywhere this season! Plus you can make them yourself (just grab an old t-shirt and go to Pinterest for the DIY tutorials). You can wear them no matter what your hair type is, your personal style or your mood- slap on one of these uber trendy head pieces and stand out in the crowd, in a good way.

There’s no need to refer back to your old baseball cap when having a bad hair day, test out a fedora or the newest trend of wide rim hats/fedora style- LOVE IT! Pair this with big sunglasses when you’re outside and you’ll be set for the summer sun.

Xoxo,Audree Kate 

MIM Rocks Fashion

Friday, March 29th was the 4th annual MIM Rocks Fashion by Phoenix Fashion Week at the Musical Instrument Museum and I was lucky enough to be apart of it. The top stylists in Arizona were paired with designers or local boutiques for a spring fashion show.

My adventure began at a press conference with the designers and stylists where they told us their inspirations , their collaborations with each other and upcoming endeavors. Not only was it an honor to be surrounded by such successful individuals but it was very enlightening to be able to hear their experiences first-hand.

Team 1: Yeka Bruner (Stylist) & Andrea Reiss (Diva's Boutique owner)

Team 2: Brian Swan (Stylist- Right Hand Man Image Consulting) & Bri Seeley (2012 Designer of the year) 

Team 3: Amir Saebi from Amir's La Voûte (fine men's clothing store)

Team 4: Rochelle York (Stylist) & Kim Kendall (Clothes Minded)

Team 5: Fawn Cheng (Stlyist) & Evny by Khanh (Designer) 

The fashion show itself was very well put together and the musical acts emphasized how music inspires fashion and how the music creates the mood of a fashion show. I loved seeing the variation of style and trends among the teams. 

 

 Diva's Boutique and Clothes Minded 

I loved these dresses because they can easily be transited from day to night

Bri Seeley 

I absolutely fell in love with her ombre maxi dresses- So fun and the movement is great! I also loved seeing an appearance of the extra high waisted skirt- this waistline is extremely flattering 

EVNY by Khanh 

The black hats were a crowd favorite and I loved the cutouts on each dress. It was very modern and chic. 

Shoutout to Kelcey Harris (model on right)- we grew up together and she's killing it on the runway! You Go Girl!

Amir's La Voûte

This collection stole my heart and was my favorite of the night. In the Press Conference Amir said his line is a mix of Frank Sinatra and Jimi Hendrix, and it was just that. Each outfit was sophisticated but with a splash of bold prints, funky bow ties, vests and my favorite- the white Chanel suspenders (displayed in Amir's promotional ad on the right). 

Besides the wonderful show, talented designers and stylists- I had the pleasure of making new friends with some local bloggers! These stylin' ladies were so sweet and if you haven't already, check out their blogs!

Ashley: Ashley Cooper Designs and Design Parlor Blog)

Brie: Sophistifunk

Stesha: Class and Bubbly 

Ran into fellow Prescottonian and up and coming fashion blogger Miss Shelly Stuckman! 

Mustard Dress- Forever 21 // Blazer- JCP // Clutch- thrift // Heels- second-hand // headband- Claire's

Don't forget to check out Phoenix Fashion Week's website to learn how you can attend fashion week in the fall! 

xoxo

Audree Kate

Photos courtesy of Joe Pier and Steve Yap