.

I feel like all people have the opportunity to be extraordinary, however, not everyone takes heed of this God-given super power. 
People who go above and beyond to make others happy & feel better about themselves are exceptional. 

My Mother's nurse is the absolute best, and I feel super blessed & grateful for her.

My countdown to Spring included waiting patiently to pull these crazy vintage woven wonders out!!
With metallic & weaved accessories trending high in the fashion world right now, I know the rarity of being copied, because these hard to find pieces because a couple of these have been stashed away in my lovely atelier for ions! (check out these from the Zoe Report!)

The golden oldie clutch from Anne Klein by Calderon dates back to the early 70s! I found it in NYC a few years back at a soon to close thrift store owned by two raspy voiced sisters, both in their 80s!

The open weave bag I purchased in the Virgin Islands, I have taken really great are of it over the years, and love it!

The vintage basket bag by Princess Charming by Atlas is a recent score! I found a few months back in a tiny thrift/vintage store on the outskirts of Atlanta! It is in pristine condition! I can't wait to carry!

Do you have any vintage finds that are currently trending in the fashion world?! Do tell! I love seeing and hearing stories about chic finds!

xo, melanie

From Birthday cards to Thank you notes, I can send from anywhere there's a WiFi or Cellular connection & fast! 
For example, I am enjoying gorgeous Spring weather in Atlanta today & posting from my iPad on the patio! 
(The note shown above is a design from popular brand 'Rifle Paper Co.'! It's SUPER lovely, right?!)
It's easy to send a quick note to anyone via email, and with so many designer style choices, you can customized and create the perfect card without the tedious search for a paper version, saving time, paper and a stamp!

How great is that?! (As I take another sip of my crispy cool Pinot Grigio, put my feet up & slip back on my shades.)

Anna Johnson

Susan Bradley

I felt a ping of nostalgia as the American Craft Show came to a close in Atlanta this past week. It's hard to believe it's the 30th Anniversary of this amazing show. 30 years. Wow. 

The Craft Show is brimming with rich history of makers & artisans, who are chosen for this multi-state exhibition. Artists who spend years honing in on a bevy of passed down traditions, innate skills; studying technique and theory to create art. Even with modern day methods of creating, one can still feel the years & tears it takes to create.

The ACC is the leading arts nonprofit, giving artisans a voice and a venue to explore new ways of making and selling what they create. Many of the resources found through the ACC's vast programs give makers the ability to make a living doing what they love. 

As the show closed, I reminisced about the past years of attending the ACC show in Atlanta and the many changes made in order for it to shift and shape, grow and expand. 
Weaving from one booth to another with my fashionista friends, Ashlan, Betsy ad Shica, asking them, 'what will you fall in love with?' We came upon old loves and new ones. Two Booths stood out the most for us.  Anna Johnson and Susan Bradley. 

Susan Bradley is a longtime favorite, her clothes are stunning design concepts of wearable art. Mostly made with neoprene and vintage Asian fabric remnants, each piece is an absolute stand out. Susan has such a following that she has no need for social media nor a website, which is impressive in the day of digital everything. Having established her base of buyers many years back, she feels face to face interactions is her best selling point! I agree!

Anna Johnson was my new discovery this past show. Her Bio says it best. 
"My jewelry is in tribute to holistic life cycles, intra-nature relationships, and nature-human connectivity.

Through adornment I strive to highlight the incredibly high value of nature. Jewelry has provided me with a platform to interpret a survey of plant and animal life mixed with gems and minerals in a way that creates a direct and intimate connection with its viewers and wearers. As an artist my intention is to create soulful pieces that present nature in an unfamiliar context that will perhaps trigger people to make more conscious efforts to protect the environment. There is intense beauty all around us, I hope we, as a culture, can learn to see it and form a mutualistic relationship within it and as well as between ourselves.


The atmosphere, the earth, the water, the water cycle – those things are good gifts. The ecosystems, the ecosphere, those are good gifts. We have to regard them as gifts because we couldn’t make them. We have to regard them as good gifts because we couldn’t live without them.”- Wendell Berry
 
Anna Johnson is a studio jeweler based in Asheville, North Carolina. Johnson received her BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Her work is exhibited nationally and has received recognition such as being named as "30 Exceptional Craftspeople Under the Age of 30" (2016) by American Craft week, and by American Craft magazine as one of 15 exceptional artists using unusual materials (2015). Her work has been published in numerous publications, including  "Cast: Art and Objects" (2017)  and she has taught at Penland School of Crafts (2017).  Her compositions consist largely of found objects mixed with semi-precious and precious materials. Johnson's work is heavily influenced by nature, cultural ideas of value, and environmental preservation.

About the bones : Each piece of remains present in my work was found deceased in its natural environment and then taken through a deep cleaning process so i can honor them through my work. Ethically sourcing bones is an incredibly important part of my practice and purchasing anything of the sort is never an option." 

Anna told me her pieces will be part of an upcoming exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum, which is no surprise. As you can see, each piece is a work of art. 

This show had so many stellar moments, I wish I could share all at once! 
I look forward to see what 2020 brings for the American Craft Show & it's evolution beyond.
xo, melanie

As a stylist, fashion enthusiast and maker, I appreciate every stitch in a piece of cloth, every twist of metal in handmade jewelry, every thread woven pattern, every naturally hand-dyed to match fabric, and design that is a well thought-out execution of precision, sweat, tears and time. 
I know it has value, someone took their talents, based on a whim of a vision, and made something amazing! 

The American Craft Show is filled with creative vision! Celebrating it's 30th Anniversary this year in Atlanta on March 15th, 16th, and 17th, this amazing annual artisan's show will host over 100+ unique designers of clothing, jewelry, home decor, art & beyond under one roof at Cobb Galleria! It's a perfect time to shop for, well, everything! 

As a fan of fashion, I love perusing through all the aisles, looking for my next eye catching piece of wearable art! 
I prefer to plan my adventure in advance by going through the vendors list on the ACC website. It lists makers, images and booth numbers in alphabetical order, making the navigation process an easy one! You can click and map out your entire visit, if you wish! 

Remember craft is couture! So make sure to shop items made by an artisan or two to go with your current wardrobe at the Craft Show next week! Stand-out pieces are perfect conversation starters, you help a business grow and will look amazing too! 

About the ACC Show:
#accatlanta #accshow  Instagram #inpartnershipwith

Have your eye on a Louis Vuitton bag? Want to win one while supporting a great cause?  Plan your Girls' Night Out for 2/26 at the 2nd annual Handbag HULLABALOO benefiting Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities! 

It takes very little to have a great, low key evening. Instead of trying to turn it up on the weekends, practice dialing down. Life simplified. 

My home office desk is always filled with the things that inspire me! I love vintage finds, fresh flowers from the garden, the orchids I grow & cultivate, books, magazines (I still love paper!), fashion, smelly good beauty products and anything & everything interior design. 
It's about a lifestyle wrapped in beauty!

I am a HUGE fan of Pinterest! 
Follow me @capitoldebeaute & check out the latest feed on my boards!
Home: Shelter | Interior 
Home: Shelter | Exterior! 
It's sheer delicious inspiration from around the globe!  

Make sure your space, no matter how large or small, reflects you, and always fill with the things you love!

Here's to a beautiful life! 

xo, melanie

Saturday coffee at Sid & Ann Mashburn's is never a bad idea! 

What a stylish crowd!

Style, served up! Tablescape by me! 


Studio 54 meets Showroom 58! On me! Vegan leather dress by Prologue. See below for the accessories!
On mannequin! Vintage Oscar de la Renta | Necklace by me! 


I love to mix vintage with trends. 
-Bottega Veneta Crossbody
-Escada leather & wood belt
-Gold 'Claw' bracelet from Rachel Zoe
-Agate & Tiger's Eye bracelet by me
-Vintage Wood & resin earrings