The Homewood Star | December 2011 |
www.TheHomewoodStar.com
Fashion Spotlight Holiday party trends By BLAKE RHODES
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Wallace -Burke?
Flutter sleeves and fur from Doree.
Gray pumps from Shoe Outlet to pair with a merlot dress.
One of my oldest and dearest friends, Alabama native Christy Carlisle is a head designer for Kay Unger in New York City. She shared with me her expert holiday fashion tips, which inspired me to look around Homewood for sparkles and fur. What are the hot trends this holiday season? The most important emerging trends for us this holiday season are sleeves and sparkles. The sleeve has never been so sexy and young, whether full, blouson, 3/4 length, cold shoulder, or long and split, the extra coverage allows you to take a chance on a slightly shorter hemline or maybe a lower neckline. Sparkles will be easy to stand out at your holiday parties this year with lots of sequins and beads to choose from. What is the one winter must-have we should splurge on for our holiday parties? Fur, fur, fur! Faux or real, allover or trim, natural color or in jewel tone color.
Sequins and sparkles from Migi Boutique.
Are there any trends from last season we can expect to reappear? I think that three trends showed up in spring that will carry into fall & holiday: white, lace and easy shapes. White reemerges as the dominant “neutral” of the season showing up in frosty shades as winter white and pearl. The Chantilly’s and cotton laces of spring get glazed, foiled and sequined for fall. With contrast linings we used lace on jackets and skirts as well as dresses. Comfort continues from spring with easy shape blousons, sheaths, and draping galore. Are there any unexpected colors to look for? The holiday red of this year is any shade of your favorite red wine. Merlot, burgundy, and cabernet are the shades of the season! Although the wine variation of red can be a little expected this time of year, keep your eye out for Jade. The pop color of green complements the wines and winter whites so beautifully.
Christmas tree fire safety By RUSTY McCOMBS As the holiday season approaches, Fire Chief John Bresnan is urging citizens who display live Christmas trees to keep fire safety in mind. “Although the occurrence of Christmas tree related fires is low, the fires that do result from over-dried trees are extremely fast moving and can cause an entire room to be engulfed in flames in less than a minute,” Bresnan said. The moisture content of a cut Christmas tree is directly related to the fire hazard presented by the tree. Daily watering of the tree to maintain green, pliable needles that do not fall off when shaken greatly reduces the chance that a tree can be accidentally ignited. Homewood Fire suggests the following safety guidelines: • Select a fresh tree (needles should not fall off when touched).
• After purchase, cut the trunk back 2 inches to allow water to be freely absorbed by the tree. • Water the tree daily; central heat systems can rapidly dehydrate a tree. • Keep the tree at least 4 feet from heat sources. • Use only indoor listed UL approved lights. • Do not use damaged lights. • No more than three strands of lights should be connected together. • Do not use candles as the tree lighting. • Turn the tree lights off when you are sleeping or are away from home.
BOOKSMITH
CONTINUED from page 1 Everyone on staff is a compulsive reader, but each has his or her own unique interests of genres and authors. “Someone on the staff has read most any book someone wants to know about,” Reiss said. Two walls in the store are covered with signed photos of authors who have held signings and readings there: Condeleeza Rice, Philip Roth, Anne Rice, Christopher Hitchens, Geraldine Brooks, Sue Grafton, Charles Frazier, Tom Brockaw, to name a few. Some of Reiss’ favorites are Khaled Housseini, Jimmy Carter, Fannie Flagg and Pat Conroy. A signing for Pat Conroy’s South of Broad drew fans from 15 states. The store was one of six American tour stops for The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.
Earlier this year, the Booksmith hosted world premier of a documentary on bestselling author and Alabama native Rick Bragg; DVDs now available at the store The signings started small with Don Keith in 1995 when the store was still located in Highlands. As the store held more signings, the crowds grew. Reiss became more aggressive and went to New York City to introduce himself to publishers. Today he considers his Homewood store on par with bookstores in New York City or Chicago. Visit Alabama Booksmith at 2626 19th Place South. For more information on the store, its events and First Editions Club, visit www. alabamabooksmith.com, call 870-4242 or email booksmith@mindspring.com.
WALLACE -BURKE
Fine Jewelry & Collectibles
Exquisite and unique jewelry, antiques, and giftware from around the globe.
Soho Square, Suite 100 | 1830 29th Avenue South Homewood, AL 35209 | www.wallace-burke.com | 205.874.1044