…from Pinterest lately!

Have you yet discovered the beauty of this virtual bulletin board known as Pinterest? I highly recommend it.

Where does your interest in fashion design come from?

I have always been involved with art, and have a deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit. I wanted to create a uniquely branded product that fashionable women around the world could relate to and enjoy.

How did Leona come to be?

I knew for a lifetime that I would own a label, but I did not know it could happen at the age of 23. I had been working in the industry for 7 years at that time, and thought if I was going to take such a huge risk, why not now? A month after graduation Leona was born! I had been a student of the industry for so long, but I had so much to learn. It was not easy, but my first season I had to stop taking orders because I had far exceeded my original production expectations. Stores loved the product and the rest is history!

Where does your inspiration come from?

COLOR is always my starting point. I have colors that I will naturally gravitate toward and they eventually begin to tell me a story. I also have a soundtrack while working on each season–something that evokes the mood I am wishing to convey. While working on Fall 2011 I was listening to a lot of British pop, old and new.

What has been a memorable moment in this process for you?

There is something new and exciting every season, and so many stories I could tell. When I received my first call for a reorder, I cried. I had no idea the product had landed in stores yet, and someone had already sold out. It was that moment of relief I was waiting for. It was my Sally Field Oscar moment!

What challenges do you face in this business?

We haven’t done anything the way you are told to do it, and for that reason, we have challenges. We believe in giving exceptional customer service, and that means not using showrooms. We believe in having a product that tells a story about who we are: chic southern women. Our headquarters are in Nashville, TN and all of our products our made in the South. All of these things present challenges, but our passion to do things our way makes the reward of success so much sweeter.

What’s that you say? Heat index over 100 degrees across our sweet Southern states?! Get me to the POOL!

Gap

J. Crew

Anthropologie

I love carrying a big purse. Love carrying a beach bag. Love carrying a good gym bag. Love traveling with a large suitcase. But I don’t love the “Mary Poppins bag” effect when I lose the very item I am looking for to the depths of the bag. This is where I fall in love with Tili.

How precious are these? And practical too!

How many uses for these cute Tili bags can YOU think of?

Cheetah and Kate Spade?! Yes please!

Check out these sun-blockas right here!

Anyone setting sail, hitting the road, jet setting, spreading your wings, traveling near or far during these fine summer months? Whatever sort of traveling you may do, make sure you do it in style! Our “it’s time for vacation in summatime” travel-wants are looking a little like this….

“Where I want to be” graphic tee by Madewell. Yes, I will take a road trip any day!

These shades from Anthropologie.

This J. Crew tote.

This Kate Spade bangle captures my sentiments exactly.

Happy travels!

This weekend, I would love to be spotted with this draped over my shoulder….

with this tucked neatly inside….. (oh, I just love giraffes!)

with this displayed on my finger….

Thanks, Mrs. Spade, for dressing me this weekend!

Am I the only one having trouble with hump day this week? On days like this I find the only solution is to get out, get some fresh air and look super cute while doing it. This is my dream outfit for today:

In other news, the Summer 2011 is coming along beautifully. We can’t wait to share it with you all!

Shall we celebrate “hump day” with a sale or two?! Two of my faves are having major sales….so much goodness at one time!

Kate Spade

Anthropologie

Treat yourself today!

There’s no denying that I’ve got Royal Wedding fever. Not only will it be a spectacular event, but if all of the articles I’ve been reading are right, the fashions we see (particularly those on the future princess) will set trends for years to come. In the spirit of the Royal Wedding I’ve collected some of my current favorite blue pieces.

Seeing Blue: Royal Blue! by southern.flourish featuring leather pumps