HoneeBee Quote

My go-to accessory for Deborah Lloyd, President and Creative Director of Kate Spade's go to accessory is...a great cocktail ring from Kate Spade New York or Chanel. Lloyd says she has a 1920s Chanel sparkler that has started many conversations.


image source: google images

Out the Box: Augusta Campbell

Out the Box is a series on HoneeBee Gifts that focuses on local community notables who share a bit about their gifting life...and a little more. I am excited to share this feature with you and I hope you enjoy this up and personal look at gifting. It's kind of like peeking into someone's closet...but much more fun!

The Gift: Augusta Campbell
Before my gift scouting trips I love to research places to go/shop, people to see....as well as leave time to simply explore. On my recent trip to Memphis, I had plans to chat with Augusta Campbell, Freelance Wardrobe Stylist and Fashion Editor of Memphis Magazine to get her insight but unfortunately our schedules couldn't mesh. I was sad that I wouldn't get a chance to chat with Campbell--I knew she would be able to share her city knowledge and shopping nuggets like only a native could (yep, born and raised!). 
Well, let me tell you how Augusta went above and beyond when she knew the chances were slim that we would meet up--she sent me an email sharing a few of her favorite places including specific names, things I should try and so on. Her tips were invaluable and some of the places she shared have now become my favorite Memphis spots too.  I was completely blown away by her southern hospitality! 
In addition, she is also a self-proclaimed Memphis city lover and loves feeling creative...all these things are evident in her gifting life so without further ado, let's learn more about Augusta Campbell...  

The Wrapping:  Augusta shares just a bit of her gifting life...

Best gift received:  Family Jewelry

Best gift given: A pair of almost never worn Balenciaga shoes.

My "go to" gift to give is:  Anything from Brave Design

What’s on your gift wish list: Gold jewelry, another dress by Ossie Clark

Your most recent shopping splurge: my vintage Oscar de la Renta dress for my son’s First Communion. And Grizzlies play off tickets!

I love shopping at Spruce for inexpensive jewelry and treasures for the home. 

The Bow: Let's peek into the life of Augusta, out of stylist mode...

On a Saturday afternoon you'd most likely find me: outside

Favorite quote: “You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.”-Coco Chanel

I am most inspired by: life and my family

I'd love to meet: Pablo Picasso

Bzzz...Be sure to "like" Augusta Campbell's Facebook page here.  

Buzzing around SouthPark Magazine

Be sure to pick up the July issue of SouthPark Magazine which is filled with great articles on the who, what, when, where in Charlotte. This month I was beyond excited to not only write but style the cover story entitled Fresh Brewed Fashion featuring men in the thriving local beer scene.  The article covered many aspects of the industry talking to brewers, a beer blogger and bottle shop owner...and not only did we talk beer but we also played dress up in high end suits from local boutiques and department stores like Neiman Marcus and Blank Canvas. Also, in this issue I share products men should stock up on for the summer...I did have help top local grooming hubs like Emerson Joseph and Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge. Plus, I interviewed individuals whose style is their profession...from Sonya Barnes, Image Consultant to Richard Pattison, of Taylor Richards & Conger and they shared their tips for instant style for me. 

Be sure to drop me a note and let me know your favorite place to grab a beer or even your best grooming or instant style tips for men. Look forward to hearing from you!

Gift idea: Be the best girlfriend ever by taking your dude to a brewery and sample the best local beer. 

Giftology: Cherry Blossoms in D.C. were a gift from Japan

In 1912, Japan presented the then first lady Helen Herron Taft with more than three thousand cherry trees of twelve varieties to be planted in Washington, D.C.'s tidal basin. Those trees still stand today and are the central feature of Washington's famous Cherry Blossom Festival. 

sources: the enchanted home blog, you shouldn't have book

Experience: Flawless Makeup Art

Flawless Makeup Art owned and operated by Joy Nichelle Randall is a makeup boutique catering to celebrities (did someone say Fantasia?) to the everyday gal (raises hand!).
Specializing in quick, professional makeup, Joy feels that you should look your best at all times—not simply special occasions. To help you do so, she has created the Flawless Makeup Art membership program where you can have unlimited access to the skills of Ms. Randall. Clients choose either a three or six month option for $175 and $250 respectively. 

With over 7 years of professional experience, Randall's work includes countless weddings,  magazine photoshoots and fashion shows (be sure to check her out in September as she takes on the Beauty Director role for Style Night Out) and she is sure to have you leaving her chair looking better than when you first sat down.  Plus, being serviced in her studio adds a level of relaxation that simply cannot be had at your local mall.  Not to long ago, she did my makeup for an event and the results are below. I wanted a natural look and she asked if I was okay with a pop of color and I said 'go for it'  soooo check out the look below.

Photo courtesy of The Charlotte Observer
My lips were the pop of color but I was snacking and drinking and it rubbed off  a bit:)

Bzzzz: If you sign up for the Flawless Makeup Art membership program here and use promo code  "HoneeBeeFlawless" you will receive $25 off your membership! Be sure to check additional services provided by Flawless Makeup Art by visiting their website here.

Here’s a gift: In addition, Joy shared with me that flawless is a lifestyle that does not stop with how you look on the outside, it’s also how you feel on the inside. With her job being one that does normally focus on the “pretty” it was intriguing to know that there is more than meets the eye in Joy’s world of lipsticks, blushes and eye shadows. Let's all be flawless on the inside and out, ladies! 

Gift Faux Pas: Wedding Gift Amount Deemed Insufficient By Bad-Mannered Bride

Have you heard about the bride who sent one of her wedding guests a Facebook message questioning their gift choice? How offensive. This my friend's is a gift faux pas. Read the article below from The Huffington Post:

Photo credit: Huffington Post

Wow, talk about bad manners! On Friday, we received a truly horrifying email from one of our readers that would make etiquette guru Emily Post turn in her grave. The reader, Tanya, told us about a recent Facebook message she received from a bride after attending her wedding last month. In the message, the bride expressed her dissatisfaction with the $100 wedding gift she received from Tanya and her date. You can read the message for yourself below, but we must warn you: Your blood WILL boil.
Last weekend I attended a wedding of a not-close friend with my boyfriend and as a gift we gave $100 cash. This was generous considering my financial situation. I just finished university with $40,000 in student loans, and have only found part time (12-18 hrs per week) minimum wage. I gave as much as I could and attended to show my support. 

Today I received a rude and condescending message from the bride via Facebook messenger: 

"Hi Tanya, how are you? I just want to know is there any reason or dissatisfaction of Mike's and I wedding that both you and Phil gave 50$ each? In terms of the amount we got from you both was very unexpected as a result we were very much short on paying off the reception because just for the cocktail + reception alone the plate per person is 200$ (as per a normal wedding range with open bar is about) and Mike and I both have already paid for everything else including decor, photography, attire etc and didn't expect we had to cover that huge amount for reception as well. As I know you both live together and work, so I did not see any reason for that amount, when it comes to your wedding hopefully you'll know what I mean. I hope for the best as from what we receive is what we will give back. Anyways, good luck on everything." [all sic]

It's infuriating that she had the nerve to make assumptions about my finances, and assume that I or my boyfriend had an extra $400 lying around. Those $100 were hard-earned and she didn't show an ounce of gratitude for what she did receive. That money didn't grow on a tree. If she had a minimum gift requirement, she should have specified it...or asked everyone for income statements before inviting them.

To hear the advice from HuffPost experts, go here.