Shopaholic in Alabama

Can you remember the last time you saw a designer's pieces for the first time and thought "oh my goodness - that is amazing"! That recently happened to me when I discovered Jules Reid . Her designs are, in a word, stunning.  The Jules Reid line is a perfect compliment to a beachy-chic lifestyle and her pieces are so versatile. Whether you are sunning poolside, enjoying a glass of wine on the sailboat at sunset, or having dinner with friends inland - rest assured, you will find a piece of Jules Reid that is comfortable, appropriate and beautiful. And the good news: you will not be dressed like everyone else. The brand was created in 2010 when Jules broke tradition by leaving her career as a young Wall Street power broker. Jules had a dream of owning her own interior design firm. Her eye for design, mix of color and bohemian chic style quickly made her a favorite brand with the well traveled - and the rest, as they say: is history!  Jules Reid has been featured in...

TGIF! Are you getting ready for a fun weekend, or have you already started your 4th of July holiday week? Of course summer on the Gulf Coast means fun in the sun - and let's face it - the folks at Southern Tide know all about having fun in the sun. Since the brand's inception in 2006, it has become wildly popular. We love it here at the beach because it embodies the lifestyle we are lucky enough to live. (Work, beach, boat, fish, repeat).  Speaking of the upcoming 4th of July holiday, what essentials are in your beach bag? My perfect beach bag would include all the above items - which would guarantee a fabulous beach day. What's in the bag, you ask?   1.  Ray Ban Wayfarers - I'll be honest, I grew up wearing these glasses and I'm thrilled they are back and more fabulous than ever!  2.  Dior Addict Lip Glow - I love all of Dior's products, especially the Addict fragrance. Recently, I tried the Lip Glow and am now addicted (just as they promised)! ...

Hello and Happy Tuesday! I really consider this Wednesday because I have a 3-day weekend coming up, with Friday off work. You can't believe how much I am looking forward to that! :-)  This morning, I am thrilled to announce the winner of the $50 gift card from SwimSpot. (please see original post HERE ). Please join me in congratulating blog reader "Love Jenny XOXO". You are the winner of the $50 gift card with the following comment: love jenny xoxo May 29, 2012 2:58 PM i like Shopaholic In Alabama on Facebook Reply Delete Please contact me via email (lori.driver@hotmail.com) to coordinate the receipt of your gift card. Thanks to everyone who entered, and a huge thanks to my friends at the SwimSpot for sponsoring such a fantastic giveaway. Please remember to check them out if you "need" a new swimsuit, they have so many wonderful suits and styles!  Have a great day! 

Have you heard of the online retailer, SwimSpot ? I was thrilled when they contacted me to host a blog giveaway and website review. The timing was spot-on because just last week, the DH was telling me "you need some new swimsuits - yours are faded and look awful". How's that for permission to spend money? No wonder I love that man... Let's face it - we all know that buying women's swimwear can be a traumatic, intimidating and eye opening experience. In my opinion, any retailer or tool that helps me feel confident I've purchased the right suit for my body type is a huge bonus! The SwimSpot website has an amazing Bikini Builder. This will help you determine your body type and then customize your own swimsuit look. Cool, huh? You can test it yourself HERE , I know you'll love it. I played around with it for quite some time myself! Another feature on their website is the Fit Specialist. This provides different suit options based on your body type, and y...

***Just in time to celebrate the holiday season, Shopaholic In Alabama has partnered with favorite brands and designers to bring you a series of festive giveaways! In addition to giveaways, there will be Shopaholic Special discounts to help with your holiday shopping! Please join me today in welcoming Diana E. Kelly!***   True confession time: I've always had issues finding comfortable shoes that are stylish. (You won't catch me in ugly shoes just because they are comfortable. Not happening!) To make it worse, I don't really like wearing closed toe shoes and would love it if I could live in flip flops! However, there are just times when the flips are not appropriate. I've tried so many different brands of shoes - economical (Target), mid-range (Lilly Pulitzer) and high-end (Gucci). Usually by the end of the day (or night), my feet are screaming and I am left crying - wishing for my Havaianas.  I was thrilled to form a friendship with Diana E. Kelly and try her...

***Just in time to celebrate the holiday season, Shopaholic In Alabama has partnered with favorite brands and designers to bring you a series of festive giveaways! In addition to giveaways, there will be Shopaholic Special discounts to help with your holiday shopping! Please join me today in welcoming The Tracy Negoshian!*** You have probably noticed from previous posts that Tracy Negoshian is quickly becoming one of my favorite designers. During recent Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, I ordered so many new dresses and tunics, it was like an early Christmas present when they all arrived.  Tracy's designs are a favorite of preppy girls everywhere. They are easy to wear - the comfy jersey fabric is flowy, but somehow fitted just enough to be feminine. Many of the items I ordered work for all seasons here at the beach. Just last week, I wore the Sheada Tunic Dress is Navy Life Preserver to a casual holiday gathering. Say "hi" to Phillip and Angie - these two ke...

***Just in time to celebrate the holiday season, Shopaholic In Alabama has partnered with favorite brands and designers to bring you a series of festive giveaways! In addition to giveaways, there will be Shopaholic Special discounts to help with your holiday shopping! Please join me today in welcoming Francesca Joy Palm Beach!*** There isn't much I enjoy more than watching a new, up and coming designer, blossom while the world is watching. Such is the case with Francesca Joy Palm Beach by Elise Francesca. When Elise originally contacted me back in March 2010 about offering a giveaway on Shopaholic In Alabama, I was thrilled to profile a new designer. (you can see that original post HERE ). Since that time, the Francesca Joy Palm Beach line has flourished and grown.  Originally, the Francesca Joy line included paintings - and then handpainted tees and dresses. On the first blog giveaway, one lucky reader received a tank dress! Since that March 2010 feature, Elise's line h...

***Just in time to celebrate the holiday season, Shopaholic In Alabama has partnered with favorite brands and designers to bring you a series of festive giveaways! In addition to giveaways, there will be Shopaholic Special discounts to help with your holiday shopping! Please join me today in welcoming The Preppy Ladybug!*** Are you looking to update your stationery collection? Do you love preppy pink, green and everything in between? If so, you are in for a treat today!  My friends at The Preppy Ladybug   are offering a giveaway and Shopaholic special discount, and there is plenty of time to place your order and receive it before Santa arrives. (They make it easy to send those holiday gift "thank you" notes!) I recently ordered the following design in the flat note cards, along with the matching address labels. (link to item HERE ) I've been using this design for several months, and only have two left! Guess it's time to reorder. Love the coral print - and i...