Morning dolls!!! I'm excited to introduce you to one of my favorite face's to see walking into the stores! Kim is a doll! She is super nice, kind, genuine and all around awesome lady! She is our featured socialite this month!!! LOVE HER! She just went back to London (where she's from) and I told her she must take pictures and track her S&T international looks!!! Kim looked AH-mazing I must say and I love her interview!!! I asked Kim the same questions as our other VIP's and here's her answers...
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| { This pic is of me in my Favorite S & T dress...I wore it even to my bridal shower last year! } |
Introduce yourself to our bloggers:
I am Kim Rowley-Powers. I moved here from London, UK 8 years
ago. I moved because I wanted a change in life-style after having my two
children. I am definitely a risk taker…. I bought a Hair Salon in Altamonte Springs
(
Hair Systems) without even viewing it. Life has completely changed for me from
being an Accountant for 17 years for Reuters Ltd to owning my own business. I
have been blessed with having some great friends here in Orlando; the best team
of Stylists and staff and a Loyal Clientele.
Tell us 3 random facts about you:
- I have 2 children, Jade 12 and Oliver 9
- My husband is Craig Powers and I married him last year in
Oct 2011, here in Florida.
- As all my family is in London, my second family are my friends
and Staff at
Hair Systems. Without their support, I think I would have gone
back to London especially experiencing 4 hurricanes in my first year here!
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| { Pic of me and my hubbie...in my vintage S & T sweater dress } |
- How
would you describe your style?
I would say sexy sophistication,
particularly for the evenings. I love dresses and heels – a must for me, being
only 5 ft. tall. During the day, I love to wear fun summer dresses or legging
& jeans with a cute top, but I try to stay elegant at all times.
- Who is
your favorite runway designer?
Valentino for his great style,
colors & eye-catching details, but I also love Chanel for elegance. Louis
Vuitton for purses. Jimmy Choo for shoes.
- What’s
the one essential item you couldn’t live without?
My IPhone that’s for sure. It has
all my personal and business phone numbers in it; my calendar and access to all
my emails; plus photos of my family and friends. It’s funny how we rely so much
on technology. I used to remember a list of phone numbers, but not anymore!
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| { I even wore S & T/ 4th & Ocean on the flight to London. My fav necklace and new favorite denim jacket. } |
- Which
store best suits your personality? Sophie & Trey or 4th
& Ocean?
I would say that Sophie and Trey
best suits my personality, as I am able to buy more dresses there for day and
evening wear. However I do love 4th and Ocean for basic T-shirts;
cardigans; shorts and my new favorite REUSE denim jacket (pictured above). I recently went home
to London and it was an essential item in my wardrobe.
- How
long have you been shopping at Sophie & Trey?
I have been shopping at Sophie and
Trey for the last two years. My friends Carol and Valerie told me about this
little boutique that was in Lake Mary. I had to go and check it out; they know
I love to shop. Plus it reminded me of the small unique boutiques that we have
in London.
- How
many times a week do you stop in the stores?
At least once a week to check what
is new, but I have been known to visit the stores 3 times a week…to my
husband’s dismay!!! Plus if I like an item on Facebook, a simple phone call
ensures that the item is guaranteed for me!!!
- What
do you like most about Sophie & Trey?
I love the staff at both stores.
They are all so friendly; personable and very helpful and attentive. They all
know my style now and are able to suggest outfits and are fantastic in helping
me chose for a particular event. I also love the fact that both stores always
have new pieces coming in on a daily basis.
- What’s
one thing you would change if you ran the stores?
I personally think both stores are run
perfectly. The only thing I would like is to have more size smalls and mediums
of everything, but I totally understand why they don’t carry a large number of
everything. That way you feel special and unique and know that someone else
won’t be wearing the same outfit as you at an event.
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| { Full length pic of the dress at my shower . } |
- What’s
your favorite purchase you’ve bought from one of the stores?
My favorite purchase has to be my fuchsia
pink one shoulder dress (See Pic above). I loved it so much, that I got it in teal. I
have worn the dress on many occasions and get so many compliments. I love it so
much, that I even wore it for my bridal shower (even though I had bought
something new for the occasion). The color and vibrancy makes me stand out.
- Why do
you prefer shopping at Sophie & Trey and 4th & Ocean?
I love shopping at S & T and 4th
and Ocean because you always receive a warm welcome from all the staff and it’s
close to home, plus I love the fact that they have forever new merchandise in
the stores. I also love their on-line websites plus Facebook pages for up to
date fashion ideas.
- What’s
your favorite event we’ve done so far you’ve attended?
I loved the Spring 2012 fashion
show. We could see the models on the runway outside the shops and then go &
make our immediate purchase. But I have to say that Dani’s skinny
margaritas were outstanding at the Beach Party!!!
- Any
ideas or suggestions for events, sales, window decorations, etc. that you think
would be beneficial for the stores?
Perhaps offering a discount for
special occasions such as Valentine’s Day – 10% percent off on all red items; discount
for green items for St. Patrick’s Day; orange/brown for Thanksgiving etc. But I
generally think the stores window decorations; events; sales are all being
managed fantastically.
- What
is your go to outfit?
For the week, and especially when I
want something to brighten up my day would be my orange and white vintage
spotted S & T dress. It’s vibrant and cheerful. For the weekend, I love my
sunflower blouse that goes well with shorts or jeans. I also live in my high
waisted leopard print shorts from 4th & Ocean, with a t-shirt. I
loved the shorts so much, that I got them in the brown and grey.
- What
are the 3 most worn items in your closet?
My vintage black one shouldered
dress with patterns of feathers on it. Love the fact I can wear it here in the
winter with boots; or in the summer with sandals or heels.
Secondly, my black and silver
statement necklace from S & T. Rachel had it on and I wanted it so badly,
that she took it off and sold it to me. I love it and every time I wear it, it
gets noticed and I am always telling people where I got it from.
Thirdly, my new 4th
& Ocean natural wedge heels. I love them; as well as making me taller, they
go so well with dresses or shorts.
- What
trend for 2012 are you most excited about?
I love the Hi-Low dresses. Being
petite I feel they are perfect for me. They don’t drown me like a full length
maxi dress would do.
I also love all the skinny jeans
in different vibrant colors. Great for mix and match with other colors and they
are so much fun.
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| { Love my bright yellow dress that Dani told me to try on...perfect match with my 4th & Ocean wedges. } |
- Favorite
season and why?
My favorite season would have to
be Spring. I love the feel of getting rid of long sleeves and bearing more
skin. I love dresses and all the pastel and vibrant colors associated with
spring collections. Coming from England, I love the sun here and being able to
wear all the wonderful colors associated with Florida. I was an accountant for
17 years wearing stuffy suits and boring colors. Now I can pretty much wear
anything to work, within reason!!!
- Favorite
spring color?
My favorite spring color for this
year has to be Coral – am obsessed with it. It’s vibrant and pretty much goes
well with all skin tones. I can wear my skinny jeans with a coral shirt and it
brightens up the whole outfit. As a Nail technician, I love all the coral
shades of nail polishes.
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| { S & T dress ; sunglasses and purse on the London Tube (Subway) system } |
- What
are your beach basics?
My beach basics has to be a
strapless bikini or swimsuit (No bikini lines!!!); a floppy sun hat: a cover-up
dress; Flip flops: sun screen and a good book.
Am looking forward to going to the
beach next weekend to show off my 4Th & Ocean purple swimsuit
with rhinestones and cover-up.
- Who is
your fashion icon or celebrity you look to for style tips and inspiration?
Charlize Theron…she always looks
so sophisticated and great in any color. Coming from England, I also love the
style of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. More commonly known as Kate
Middleton. She always looks so sophisticated and loved her nude dress; shoes
and purse that she had on for the Jubilee celebrations.
- How
many pairs of shoes do you own?
Ok this question is embarrassing.
I must own over 100 pairs in every color possible and every style. Some have
never ever been worn. I have a shoe fetish. However many pounds you put on or
take off, your shoes are always going to fit!!!
- Beauty
must have?
My face cleanser. After a day at
work; out for the night; at the beach…I love to wash all that grim off and have
fresh renewed skin. During the day, it has to be my Lancôme Mascara.
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| { Outside a restaurant in London. Freezing cold but I was determined to dress up. } |
- What
do you pack for a weekend getaway?
At least two pairs of shoes; one
flats for comfort and walking around during the day and Heels for the evening.
Couple pair of shorts and jeans with shirts that I can mix and match with. One
cute evening dress and matching accessories is a must.
- What
decade inspires your wardrobe?
My wardrobe is inspired from
various decades. I love the lace of the 20’s and can’t wait to wear my recent
cream lace dress. I love the 50’s for fitted waists and full skirts. The 60’s
for tight jeans and blouses.
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| { Love this floral dress! } |
- If you
could give one piece of style advice, what would it be?
To wear what you feel comfortable
in. Take your time and chose an outfit that suits your personality. Another
important advice would be to wear comfortable shoes to an event. If you’re
standing around, you don’t want to be miserable in shoes that are not
comfortable. These days, there are great heels out there, with the platform
sole. Love them.
- Random:
What’s your most embarrassing moment? Or your favorite dessert?
My recent embarrassing moment was
last year at my bachelorette party. I was wearing my teal S & T dress and
was given a Pink Tiara to wear for the night. Everyone at the restaurant told
me I looked beautiful and I felt like a Princess for the night with my Tiara
on. Well at the end of the night, when I removed it, I was mortified to find
that the Tiara had ornaments on it (Can’t mention what type here!). But it was
all in good fun and we were all laughing hard about it.
My favorite dessert would have to
be a red velvet cake made by my good friend Carol. It’s super moist and beats
any shop bought cake anywhere!
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| { Dinner in London } |
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| { A mall in London, decked out for the Queen's jubilee. } |
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| { At the Princess Diana's memorial park. } |
Thank you Kim for your inside look at not only the awesome & stylish woman you are but for your honest answers and look into your life!
Check out tomorrow's blog. There will be another sneak appearance by Kim ;)
Enjoy your Wednesday!!! Friday is just around the corner and remember to start your weekend early with our 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY!!!!!!!!
SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT!!!
XOXO
