Sales in Beckley & Lewisburg!

Hi everyone! It's Jess again, filling in for Kim! I promised to fill you in on my fashion finds after my Beckley shopping trip. Good news! If you're looking for deals, look no further! Visit the southern part of the state and find serious sales in Beckley & Lewisburg. Last week I hit Crossroads Mall in Beckley and found major discounts at stores like Belk & American Eagle. My mom found tops with adorable prints, bought 2 classic button-downs, and fell in love with a pair of Jones New York black pants that will take her from day-to-night! All for under $100 at Belk! I picked up some Ugg look-alikes from American Eagle for under $30!

In Lewisburg I was in style heaven at Yarid's, where there was a shoe sale to end all shoe sales! Burberry ballet flats & Stuart Weitzman heels for less than $100! I snatched up a pair of Juicy Couture peep-toe patent leather pumps for only $50!

Where are you finding fashion treasures? WV LIVING wants to know!

Plum Perfect!!!

If you haven't yet heard of Shepherdstown's PLUM Jewelry, be prepared to fall in love.



Plum is one of the newest shops to hit the historic town of Shepherdstown, WV. Cari Aliveto Rosen, designer and owner of plum, crafts one of a kind sterling silver pieces completely by hand. She specializes in hand stamped jewelry, which gives clients anopportunity to customize their jewelry in many ways.

PLUM is located at 133 1/2 W German St in Shepherdstown.

Winter Issue is Out!!!

Check out the latest issue of WV Living Magazine now on the stands. To find a store location near you, please visit http://www.wvlivingmagazine.com/.

Scarves: the coolest accessory!

Scarves are the perfect mix of fashion meets function as we settle into a cold January! They're the coolest accessory of the season and bound to keep you warm while you're looking hot.

Whether dyed to match a sweater or created in a bold checked pattern, the scarf is a must-have! Recently, I stumbled onto a great mix of scarves at the High Country Boutique in Lewisburg.

From Akihiko Izakuro and Randall Darwall to Giselle Shepatin and Marcia Phillips brands- they have everything you would ever need to look stylishly wrapped.

The focus at High Country Boutique & Gallery is clothing and accessories for women who want a functional wardrobe with an artistic flare.

Owner, Donna R. Toney, sells mostly Eileen Fisher because the designs meet her intention: basic clothing shapes that can be personalized with accessories. There is an ever changing selection of American Art jewelry, jackets, as well as, antique African beads.

The gallery is a unique collection of art, fine crafts, art jewelry and clothing, and home accessories. Donna has a great selection of African fine craft and Shona stone sculptures from Zimbabwe, resulting from trips with her husband, John Francis, a native of South Africa.

“Each time I travel, the world gets smaller. Wherever I am, I look up and realize that everything I purchase for the shop is ‘from under the same moon."

The High Country Boutique is located at 122 West Washington Street in Lewisburg. To find out more visit, http://www.highcountrylewisburg.com/index.html

New Year's Eve Fashions

It's that time of year where we gather together to ring in the new year, and if you're anything like me, you agonize over what to wear. In this time of casual dress codes we are often left confused about what we should seek out for our New Year's Eve celebration.

Luckily, this year sequins are trending and you can't brouse though a store without finding several styles. Check out this simple top we found at The Limited (right).

Women are also reaching for assymetrical necklines, whether in simple tops or cocktail dresses. They are bound to turn heads and help you feel festive. Check out the fabulous dress (right) found at the Shops at the Greenbrier Resort.

If you're truly daring, you may want to opt for a playful cocktail dress. Color, lace, feathers and florals are all in style this season! Check out this dress (left) found at Elizabeth Michaels in Parkersburg.

No matter what you choose to wear for the last night of 2009, we wish you the best in the coming new year!!!!

WV LIVING's Kim Parrish on ShopNBC

Hello fashion lovers! It's Jess, filling in for Kim! I hope you're following WV LIVING's very own style editor Kim Parrish on ShopNBC! The Kim Parrish Collection was featured this morning as the Sunrise Special on ShopNBC. One of the fabulous items is this gorgeous Ruffle Trim Wrap Top and get this - it's only $27!! The top is designed with a cute ruffle trim that frames the face, giving the piece a feminine touch. For the ladies out there with a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, shop with the KP Collection for classics that will never go out of style! If you missed the morning show visit http://www.shopnbc.com/

How did you like WV LIVING's latest Winter issue? The fashion spread includes items from all over the Mountain State. Now sold at Wal-Mart, pick up a copy today, for YOU and a friend!

Alright, I'm off to Beckley for a day full of shopping! I'll keep you updated with my fashion finds!

Don't shoot the Messenger

Want to make a statement and still remain practical. You need the hottest look in handbags this season- the messenger bag.

Check out the latest looks in fringed bags at Tanner's Alley in Morgantown. http://www.tannersalleyleather.com/ For more than 30 years they have provided quality, function, and durability in classic leather styles at a reasonable price, and they make each piece one at a time so you can be assured of quality workmanship. They specialize in handmade leather briefcases, book bags, backpacks, satchels, travel bags and purses.

Model: Jessi Pierson, former Miss WV USA and WV native.

WV LIVING's latest issue hits the stands

Check out the latest issue of WV LIVING magazine at news stands now. To find out how you can get a copy, visit www.wvlivingmagazine.com.

Sue Wong- So Right!

Sue Wong is an exceptional designer specializing in cocktail attire and evening gowns. Yesterday, I experienced a shopping explosion when visiting Elizabeth Michaels Store on Grand Central Avenue in Vienna.

Armed with a list of events, and knowing I needed several new items for the Fall season I headed to one of my favorite boutiques in search of the right dresses and accessories.

I was so lucky to find a Sue Wong Lace Overlay Dress with a dramatic bell sleeve. Lace is so popular this season with designers as we feel a strong resurgence of the styles of the 1940's on the scene. The owner, Jane Engelke, exclaimed "that's a Kim dress!" and I knew I must have it for an upcoming wedding party.

Next, I needed a conservative dress for a rehearsal dinner event. I headed over to the Nicole Miller rack and sifted through several fabulous dresses, eventually finding the perfect dress. It was a geometric print dress with lots of gathering to create a perfect 1940's old-hollywood shape.

Check! Now that I've checked those two items off the list what's next? Well, I headed back over to the Sue Wong rack and grabbed everything in my size. After careful consideration of my conservative image and attire Ifound myself taking a walk on the wild side as I yelled "ring it up" and shoved a leopard print tribal dress on the counter. The global trend has been strong for a couple seasons but I also can feel safe in knowing that leopard prints never go out of style.

I thought I had done enough damage when Jane let me know the Whiting and Davis Handbags were on sale. 75% off!!!! I fell in love with a little elongated fringe number but option for the conservative black beaded bag, afterall I was already taking a personality risk by decking myself out in a wild leopard dress.

Ring Me up! What a fabulous shopping excursion. I love it when I can visit one shop and get everything on my list.

Leggings, a global phenomenon!

I just returned from London with a new-found love for leggings. Sure, I can be easily pursuaded and have been know to give into peer pressure a time or two but this trip caused me to fall in love with the leggings trend.

The women of London are incredibly fashionable, wearing the trends so well. They embrace the archetectural designs of the top designers with ease and typically leave the basics for others while they embrace the latest fads.

The leggings were everywhere and on everyone! From 16 to 60, the trend was unescapable! Now, as a fashion designer myself, I've been working and reworking this trend for two years, searching for the perfect fabric with the right amount of coverage for me to feel good in this trend.

So now I challenge everyone to give the trend a try. At first, you might feel a little exposed, but by the end of the day you'll be searching for more leggings in various colors and patterns.

Jessi Pierson, Miss WV USA, wearing leggings from the Kim Parrish Collection and a top from Express.

PARRISH TO KICK OFF ‘KIDS CLUB’ AT TRANS ALLEGHENY BOOKS

Parkersburg, WV, September 2009---Trans Allegheny Books located at 725 Green Street in Parkersburg, West Virginia will kick off their monthly “Kids Club” event with former resident, Kim Parrish, and her newly released children’s book called The Snapdragon Princess on Saturday, September 26th. The event will start at 1:00 PM with a reading of the book followed by an opportunity to have the book signed by the local author. The event is open to the public.

“I’m excited to launch the book at my favorite bookstore in my hometown,” said Parrish. “I’m looking forward to meeting children in the area and introducing them to a story that was inspired by my grandmother while growing up in the Mid Ohio Valley.”

National television host Kim Parrish and best-selling children’s book author Deb Landry came together on this project to explore how role models can be found in our ordinary, everyday lives. The Snapdragon Princess (Bryson Taylor Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9773738-6-4) is available nationwide.

The Snapdragon Princess, for ages 6-11, revives the legacy of a real princess in a delightful intergenerational story of family treasures, enchantment and cherished times gone by. McKenzie is an astonishing young girl who dreams of becoming a princess. With the help of her grandmother, she embarks on a journey and discovers that being a real princess is much more than crowns and dress-up.

Each month, Trans Allegheny will host a “Kids Club” featuring a reading from a local author as well as an autograph signing event. Among the 500,000 titles of used books and 1,000 new West Virginia titles, vintage wooden cases located throughout the building hold rare and collectible items.

The Snapdragon Princess will be available at numerous local bookstores including Trans Allegheny in Parkersburg as well as other online retailers. More information can be found at BrysonTaylorPublishing.com.

Excited!

Why is everyone so excited? ....The next issue of WV LIVING is coming soon!!!



http://www.wvlivingmagazine.com/ Subscribe today and don't miss the fun!

Snakeskin can't escape my closet

Snakeskin shoes from BCBG available at http://www.zappos.com/

Snakeskin inspired shirt from Nanette Lepore available at Shetown Divas in Shepherstown.

Snakeskin inspired bag and belt available at the Greenbrier in Lewisburg.

Not Your Daughter's Jeans at Hornor and Harrison

Ask women across America what their number one problem area is, and the response will overwhelmingly be "my belly!" What woman doesn't want to look slimmer and sexier in their jeans? Look no further, Not Your Daughter's Jeans® are here to flatten your tummy, lift your butt and allow you to wear one size smaller.

Women with real curves everywhere are discovering that these three little things are just the ticket to look and feel their best. Not Your Daughter's Jeans® challenges women to try them on and not look and feel their personal best.


From http://www.notyourdaughtersjeans.com/

Not Your Daughter's Jeans available at http://www.hornorharrison.com/ in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

From the WV Living Blog by Nikki Bowman

Generosity Knows No Borders--Building Schools in Afghanistan

Since returning to West Virginia to launch WV LIVING, I've met some amazing people doing extraordinary things. One of those people is Parween Mascari, an attorney at Jackson & Kelley in Morgantown. I swear Parween must have super powers--not only is she one of the state's leading attorneys (just look in her car--boxes of briefs are stacked to the ceiling), she co-founded Generation Morgantown, serves on numerous boards and committees--and is the mother of four children. Parween is also an Afghan-American born in Parkersburg. She jokingly calls herself a "halfghan." And she is one of the proudest and vocal West Virginians I know!

Parween recently met with some Afghan judges and lawyers in D.C., who spoke about the need for chairs in Afghan schools. Chairs. The schools have no chairs so the children stand the entire day, making learning difficult. How can a child concentrate on learning when her legs are tired and aching? And even more amazing is the fact that these schools are open air schools held under trees, which makes it difficult in even the best circumstances, but impossible in inclement weather.

Parween was so moved by the experience that in response she created a company called Sultan's Daughters, and she has been selling beautiful pashmina shawls to benefit the construction and furnishing of schools in Afghanistan through the Nooristan Foundation. She has already raised enough money to build 20% of a school in a village called Pagisam. This past Friday, she held a fundraiser in conjunction with Generation Morgantown at Cafe Bacchus and raised $2,200 to further her efforts. It only takes $16,000 USD to get a school up and running!

I am never more proud to be a West Virginian than when I'm in the company of good people doing great things. Because it isn't easy. Inertia is a powerful thing. There are so many demands on our time, it is easy to say, "I wish I could..." It is a different story to say, "I will do." For those of you who read the magazine, you know that my favorite quote is from Ghandi--"Be the change you wish to see in the world." And my friend Parween exemplifies that. It makes me so proud when I meet "Do-ers" that I want to scream from the top of a mountain, "LOOK at what West Virginians are doing! We are changing the WORLD!"

To help Parween build schools in Afghanistan, please visit please visit www.sultansdaughters.com or email sultansdaughters@hotmail.com.

Spring 2010

I've just completed a whirlwind traveling schedule visiting Manhattan's Garment District several times preparing for spring fashions. Yes- I said spring. I know, we've barely worn our current spring fashions and haven't even purchased for fall and yet designers, stylists and buyers are all searching for the hottest looks. What can we learn from this early planning? We can learn that many of the styles from this spring will continue into fall and still remain strong in 2010.

So what's in style in 2010? The 1940's will still remain an influence in the early part of spring. We'll see fitted, structured suits and a definite menswear influence continuing through fall and into the early part of the new year. We'll also see the Greek Goddess style consistant in this year as well so don't throw out your draped tops and gladiator shoes. Another trend I absolutely love is the Global Influence and it will transition slightly into an Exotic flair with rich colors and an island influence for summer 2010.

So what can we gain with this knowledge for fall 2009? Well, it's safe to wear your fitted suits, harem pants, draping tops and rich, bold colors. They will be right on trend! If you haven't purchased gladiator sandals, maxi dresses and beaded tunics- run, don't walk to the sales rack and stock up for spring 2010!

(TOP AND SCARF AVAILABLE AT VANCE'S BLUES IN MORGANTOWN)

(TOP AND SKIRT AVAILABLE AT CONI AND FRANC IN MORGANTOWN)

SALE!!

I love a sale! I just noticed that She-Town Divas, in Shepardstown, is having a HUGE sale on their JENNIFER REALE DESIGN apparel. It's up to 40% off. This brand is so cute, boasting a mixture of bold colors and classic 60's prints in styles that are fit for a woman's figure.

At these prices you can easily stock up on tank tops and sleeveless blouses that normally scream spring. The trick is layering them under blazers and cardigan for a transitional look.

Now run, don't walk to the sales racks and collect these fantastic layering pieces and make that bold statement in your wardrobe.

Jean Ann's Fashions

Hey guys it's Jess, filling in for Kim! Jean Ann's Fashions in Beckley is a new boutique that you don't want to miss. From designer dresses to the hippest accessories, this locally owned gem will not disappoint. Maybe you need a cocktail dress for a Summer wedding or black tie dinner party. If so, Jean Ann's is the place for you! Labels like Cire, Splash, Night Moves, Evening by Allure, and Faviana New York will keep you looking stylish. And what outfit would be complete without accessories? Jean Ann's offers a beautiful selection of jewelry by Cristal D'Or, so your new little black dress won't be missing that sparkly finishing touch. There is something for everyone! Located on South Oakwood Ave. in Beckley, stop by Jean Ann's to see what they have for you!

SNAPDRAGON PRINCESS LAUNCHES ON AMAZON.COM

Tampa, Florida, July 2009---National television host Kim Parrish and best-selling children’s book author Deb Landry explore how role models can be found in our ordinary, everyday lives. The Snapdragon Princess (Bryson Taylor Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9773738-6-4) launches in August nationwide.

The Snapdragon Princess, for ages 6-11, revives the legacy of a real princess in a delightful intergenerational story of family treasures, enchantment and cherished times gone by. McKenzie is an astonishing young girl who dreams of becoming a princess. With the help of her grandmother, she embarks on a journey and discovers that being a real princess is much more than crowns and dress-up.

“Discovering that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, The Snapdragon Princess encourages us to look within our own families and communities to hear stories of inspiration and find our real life role models,” said Kim Parrish, co-author. “I wanted to write this book because I’ve seen too many people seeking role models in all the wrong places. Celebrities and athletes shouldn’t be the only ones inspiring our children - we should be their inspirations also.”

Featured in dozens of articles from TV Guide to The New York Times, Kim Parrish is a familiar face to millions who welcomed her into their homes throughout her eight years as a popular television host on QVC. In 2005, she took aim at America’s closets with the launch of the Kim Parrish Collection on HSN, her signature line of classic wardrobe basics noted for their innovative, updated twists. The collection is now featured on televised shopping channels in Canada, Europe and the United States.

Parrish says she’s most proud of her involvement, which has spanned nearly two decades, with the Miss America organization. Currently, she is the president of Miss America’s teen competition, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, which has made available more than $3 Million in college scholarships over the past four years.

Parrish says she teamed up with parenting coach Deb Landry after extensive discussions on where young girls were finding inspiration in today’s society.

Deb Landry is the author of the best-selling children’s books, Sticks Stones and Stumped, Yankee Go Home, and the co-author of The Comfort Zone with Meline Kevorkian Ed.D., and Robin D’Antona, Ed.D. She is a parenting coach specializing in social awareness behaviors and character education and has authored several interactive children’s mentoring plays on character education, social awareness, and bullying prevention. She was also part of the team that authored the Maine State Best Practices in Bullying and Harassment Prevention Manual and lobbied for the new legislation in the State of Maine. Landry also runs the Miss Maine’s Outstanding Teen competition as the executive director.

The Snapdragon Princess will be available at Amazon.com, BrysonTaylorPublishing.com and other local booksellers in August.

Books are available at http://www.amazon.com/Snapdragon-Princess-Deb-Landry/dp/097737386X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248832335&sr=8-5

Labels in Lewisburg

It's Jess again, filling in for Kim! If you're in the Lewisburg area visit downtown and stop by Wolf Creek Gallery where you'll find eclectic clothing & fashionable footwear, fine leather bags, unique jewelry, bath & beauty products and one of a kind gifts. Then head to Yarid's for a fabulous selection of fine footwear with labels like Juicy Couture, Burberry, and BCBG. Locations also in White Sulphur Springs (The Greenbrier) and Charleston. They carry some gorgeous handbags and accessories as well. Right now I'm working with Kim down in Tampa - I can't wait to come home and compare WV fashions to those in the sunshine state! Happy shopping!