December 02, 2014

Holiday Style with Junk in the Trunk

December 02, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

View More: http://sarahgray.pass.us/jittholiday2014

What happens when you combine sequins, three girls and the holidays? This...

It's a party when the Junk in the Trunk girls are around. Coley (above middle) and Lindsey (above right) started a vintage flee marketing in Arizona a couple of years ago called Junk in the Trunk, and it has grown into one of the biggest vintage markets in the southwest. They recently have ventured into apparel design, and created the most comfortable and stylish tank and pullover with the saying, "This is my party dress."

I love the humor and whimsy of it, and they asked me to help them style theirs for their holiday promotions. I obviously said yes because I am a big fan! I wear my tank to the gym. I sleep in it. I wear it with jeans (like Coley is below). I also love to dress it up with a tulle skirt like Lindsey is above. You can get yours here.

The off-the-shoulder pull-over is perfect for any occasion as well. I'm loving the pullover trend this fall. You can find it all over Pinterest with flouncy skirt or distressed pants. I paired mine with a fair isle knit skirt from H&M and a knit beanie. (Get yours here).

While on the shoot we got to pretend that this amazing home renovated by My Rafter House was ours. How much do you want to cozy up to that fireplace, especially when it's complete with a festive banner by The Banner Shoppe. Um...Yes, please!

After this fun photo shoot for JITT's new apparel I had a blast rockin' out the coolest up-do I've ever had thanks to Jenny Strebe of The Confessions of a Hairstylist. She does these amazing, pin-worth hair tutorials. This is one I think I can actually replicate. Go check out her site for more inspiration.

Photos by Sarah Gray Portraits

December 01, 2014

Winter Date Idea

December 01, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Our schedules get packed with extra events and gatherings during the holiday season, and it's easy to let the important things like date nights, family time and alone time fall by the wayside. Here is a sweet holiday date night idea for you and your special someone that will put you in the holiday spirit and keep you connected through the hustle and bustle of the season.

View More: http://melissajill.pass.us/cocacola

Pack a winter picnic in a cooler such as this American Retro Cooler from Coca-Cola. I included popcorn, a baguette, cheese, a pear, two candy canes and two bottles of Coca-Cola. Grab two cozy blankets to help you stay warm, and head to the ice rink. Skate until you are tired and hungry, and then enjoy your winter picnic as you watch the other skaters. If you plan your date in the evening, you can take a ride around and look at the lights to finish your date.

If you want to look special for your date, try wearing a sequin top with jeans. It's comfortable and festive. You can even paint your nails a metallic color to complete your look. I used Coca-Cola's OPI "My signature is DC" color.

Photos by Melissa Jill Photography; Styling by Alex Evjen of A.V.E. Styles

November 11, 2014

Editorial Blink Shoot

November 11, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This past weekend I had a the privilege of leading a styled shoot for photographers from all around the country attending Blink Conference. I centered the concept around contrasting color. Check out a snippet of the pin board below.

With big hair, a bubble gum pink backdrop, a killer model and some bold clothes you really can't go wrong.

Bright green, black, gold and white were all colors that went will with the pink back drop, but they also pop in natural settings.

I jumped in front of the camera once or twice to show off some sequins and my "This is my party dress" tank from Junk in the Trunk Vintage Apparel. You can pre-order your tank or sweatshirt starting today!!! Click here.

Big thanks to Ryan Walsh Photography for these photos and Savage Universal for the seamless backdrop.

Hair and makeup by Miriam Kenly and Jaclyn Cipolla from Leidan Mitchell Salon. Styling and art direction by A.V.E. Styles.

Look 1: Black off-the-shoulder top from Junk in the Trunk Vintage Apparel, tulle skirt from Lulu*s

Look 2: Faux fur coat from H&M, gold pants from H&M

Look 3: Green jumper from H&M

Look 4: Sequin jacket from Anthropologie, tank from Junk in the Trunk Vintage Apparel, and pants from Macy's.

July 13, 2014

What to Wear to A Concert

July 13, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

Ryan surprised me with tickets to see Beyonce and Jay-Z for my birthday. I am counting down the days until the big show. Since the we are headed out of town to go see it in a couple of weeks, I have started to think about what I would wear. I'm a planner. What can I say? Sequins, leather and jewels. Those are the three things that I would make sure to wear (all or just one) when headed to a pop music concert. Just think if you were performing for the show and then maybe tone it down a couple notches. I mean, let's be real, you still have to be comfortable for a three hour show.

Jackets are nice if it's cold in an air conditioned building. This one is from H&M. This GAP chambray shirt is super soft and comfy, especially when untucked. I chose a shoe with ankle straps and a lower heel so that I could walk a long way to the parking lot.

My skirt is from Haute Rogue and is sparkly and very comfortable to wear. A lot of people say sequins can irritate, but this skirt has a nice, stretchy lining that keeps the sequins from scratching and allows me to move.

I layered a couple statement necklaces for some added bling. You can check out my friend Summer's article on how to wear a statement necklace for some other ideas on how to incorporate bling into your wardrobe.

Tell me, what is your ideal concert outfit?

Photos by Amy Frances Photography

January 21, 2014

Floral Edge

January 21, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

Red roses have always been my least favorite flower. For most men, they are the obvious choice to give to women for Valentine's Day and special occasions. I love the unexpected and because red roses are so common they feel a bit cheesy. Until now...

Pair red roses with a muscle t-shirt, a black lace bra and sequins...That's anything but cheesy to me. Can I get an amen?!

Alejandra called me up randomly just before the new year and asked if I wanted to style something for fun. Stephanie, our mutual goddess- friend and makeup artist go-to, was going to model and be Ale's muse. All Ale told me was that she wanted to use some colored film she had left and photograph a graphic t-shirt and a floral crown together.

The hard and soft juxtaposition does it again! All I could think about was a black lace bra underneath a graphic muscle t, and sure enough Steph had found the perfect one at Nordstroms. Pair that with a sequin skirt also found and Nordstrom's and BAM! Magic!

I also brought a lace kimono and a black lace bralette to the location. Steph has impeccable style and just happened to have the perfect floral pencil skirt and leather pants to complete two other looks. The kicker though was the red floral crown that Ale just happened to have lying in her closet. The red flowers paired with Steph's perfect red lip was perfection!

Sometimes the best stuff just happens on the fly. This project had to have been the easiest styling gig I've ever had and one of the most fun sessions I've ever been a part of. Three girls, all friends, ooo-ing and ahh-ing over creating beautiful imagery. It can't get any better!