It’s safe to say that many times we rush through life as carelessly as we rush through traffic. We don’t pause often enough to enjoy the simplicity of our day to day as our social calendars and personal/professional obligations leave us over-booked and over-extended. Ironically enough, there are a handful of “over-extenders” who enjoy this sort of chaos. For those persons, they function best under pressure, they can’t concentrate unless one appointment is stacked on top of the next and they get a sense of euphoric satisfaction knowing their inbox is full and outlook is cross-conflicted. On the outside, they appear stressed, rushed and pre-occupied with agendas and appointments while on the inside they are calm, serene, focused and determined.

As the Holiday season approaches, our lives, our days and our nights will only become as jam-packed and jet-setting as a presidential candidates’ campaign trail so of course it is our job at STYLE to step in and provide you with features and fashions to help prepare you for the hectic social season ahead. With a look book of what to wear as you “Maintain and Prepare for the Holidays ahead” thanks to Fashion&Beauty, a preview by Wine N Dine & Scene N Heard that provides you with the most fabulous places to “Host and Have your Holiday Parties” as well as a smashing STYLE Exclusive and a hot STYLISH Careers profile of a hip “green” clothing line called LastDays are all in this month’s issue.

And because yours truly is one of those seemingly stressed but, oh so serene over-extenders; someone who can’t concentrate when my day has no hiccups, I leave my fellow “OEs” with a quote to keep you calm as you canoodle into the Holiday storm. It is one for those whom may not be as over-extended (the spouse, the best friend or the boss of the OE) to get you through the rush and rigor that we call our life.

As one very shabby chic and mini-media/fashion mogul, Ashley Olsen told PEOPLE Magazine in 2004 as she compared her chaotic life to the abstract painting Number One by Jackson Pollock.

“Some people look at it as complete mayhem, or just paint splattered on a canvas, and yet there’s so much emotion behind it,” Ashley explained. “Some people will never, ever get that. No one knows what it’s been like for us, and we don’t expect anyone to know, good, bad or amazing. But we do expect people to respect the decisions we make.”

Ciao!

Always Stylish,

Joy Hunter

Editor-in-Chief

October Editorial Blog

I’ve blogged about Power Players before and for those that may remember, that is a good thing because the definition has not changed. In life, there are two types of people and personalities…go-getters and sluggers. A go-getter gets it done without delay and with integrity and in the best way possible while a slugger is exactly that, a slug. There are times when even the biggest of leaders get tired, exhausted and need a mental break but only after their work has been completed and only after they have gotten the task done. Why all of the Power Player, ambitious chit-chat you ask? Simple, because this month we are featuring 25 of the Most STYLISH individuals in Charlotte and they are go-getters, power-players and fearless leaders in their respective communities and/or professions. I have a tremendous amount of respect for someone who is kind, humble and professionally amazing and after having the pleasure of speaking with and interacting with quite a few of our nominees, I can honestly say that this type of person does exist.

If you had the opportunity to celebrate with us at our Launch Party, I hope that you were impressed. STYLE is an attitude and not a clothing choice, it is in your work and play and not only your speak and it is the platform that you can boldly, fearlessly and proudly stand upon to scream of your love for all things STYLISH from the top of your lungs. So, seize your moment and as I said at our Party…you never know if next year that Power Player will be you so strive for big things and big things will happen.

Always STYLISH,

J. Joy Hunter
Editor-in-Chief, Charlotte STYLE Magazine

Life imitates art, they say. My heart is heavy as I write to you my ever
STYLISH reader so the light and fluffy montage is out and the strong and
fearless mantra is in. I took a test (Gallup’s StrengthFinders, to be exact)
this past week at the suggestion of a wise colleague who was curious to see
what my signature themes were. The basis of this test/assessment is to
uncover your five dominant strengths. While mine were about as close to
accurate as it gets, there was one that impressed me most, maximizer. The
test results told me that “excellence, not average is your (my) measure.”
After reading that line, I could not help but share that very powerful and
inspirational statement with the most sophisticated and intriguing person I
know, that being you.

As the fashion industry is hard at work preparing for another season of new
looks (think cropped leather jackets, black leather leggings or wide legged
trouser pants), vintage inspired detailing (bold colors, ethnic prints,
textured tights) and powerful yet avant garde pieces and products (sky high
Jimmy Choo, stacked bangles and a funky pair of Frye Boots)…I encourage you
to work just as hard to not only rock this new look but rock it with a
glamorous authority that commands the attention of every comrade and
colleague alike. Whether your distressed leather boots are from Madden or
Michael Kors it makes no difference. The icon wearing them is just as iconic
as the designer who created it. This same confidence was evident and uber-
contagious as we shot three of Charlotte’s most beautiful women in this
month’s beauty feature, Natural Woman.

On a related note, for what you’ve done to this venture and this Magazine,
we appreciate you. Next month we’re exploding onto the social scene with our
official Launch Party and 25 Most STYLISH Cover event so not only is it a
“must” that you make plans to attend but, it is a “must…do…now” that you
nominate the Most STYLISH individual(s) that you know. While we at Charlotte
STYLE and myself as your Editor-in-Chief are busily fulfilling our dreams,
it is our hope, my goal and our ambition that we are not only encouraging
you to do the same but, I am believing that is already the case.

Always STYLISH,

Joy Hunter

Merriam-Webster defines a friend as: one attached to another by affection or esteem. While this definition seems quite lofty, it pales in comparison to reality. The term friend is in fact quite relative in that, many claim to have them but few actually do. The role of a friend is tricky and for many, it’s an unattainable attribute. You see, a friend is there at dawn, dusk, dinner and after a date. A friend promptly returns all calls, e-mails and/or texts. A friend celebrates your successes and supports in the best way. A friend motivates and moves you, and brings you down to size when your ego has sufficiently blown up. This is the true and most accurate definition of a friend–defined not by Merriam-Webster but by yours truly.

What I love about fashion–be it a passion, a profession or a past time– is the relationship one can have with the art. Fashion is the best friend I’ve ever had. I don’t have to worry about a rain check, a missed call or miscommunication because she will always be there. Fashion has wrapped her pearls around me many of times and will one day clothe me in her D&G and carry my weight in her Marc Jacobs–for no other reason than just because. I don’t have to call before showing up nor do I have to worry about her being too busy because that is not my friend. Fashion is as reliable as an open mall, as dependable as the shoes lined in my closet, and as fabulous as my first issue of Vogue circa 2002. This month, STYLE is inviting you out to lunch and as a good friend would, we are picking up the tab. As you scan and scroll through this month’s issue, you will see Beauty, Wine N Dine, STYLISH Careers and our Scene N Heard Exclusive. So, if you are lucky and you get the opportunity to make that one great friend in life, Charlotte STYLE would love to be that one who not only loans you her Manolos but, straps on a pair so that we can run right beside you.

Always STYLISH,

J. Joy Hunter
Editor-in-Chief, Charlotte STYLE Magazine

Over the past few weeks, I’ve decided to pick up running again. It first began as a mental game of tennis minustheincredibly chic mini-tennis skirts and sassy sports bra to wear along with. The match went a little like this: I would bounce the idea off a friend or foe and based on their reaction I would determine if I should really pick up the kicks and pull a Forrest, Gump that is. Well, I’m pleased to announce that so far the score is 10 (friend/foe) to 0 (me). That means that there is no reason in “hey” that I should stick to my mediocre routine of Pilates (although Helen’s Sat/10am class at the Dowd Y is glorious) and weekly round of kickboxing coupled with my pseudo-lackadaisical, but quite intense calorie counting hobby. Now, don’t get me wrong because I love the rush of adrenaline as much as the next person, but balancing a workout regime with a baby, home, a weekly trip to the mall and/or other multiple shopping destinations along with work and quite frankly, life was beginning to wear me out faster than the run itself.

In order to really enjoy life and exemplify STYLE in every sense of the word you need balance, inner tranquility, clear skin and Mentos-infused breath (I threw those last two in for kicks because although I’m not even entirely sure if Mentos still exist, good hygiene IS the bare minimum friends). But, putting all side chatter aside it is not always about how overtly successful you are, or how much Balenciaga you have stored in your climate controlled closet, because life is very much about balance and about balancing it all. This month while I’m taking a run in my uber-fabulous racer back tank with my upgraded kicks, my Nike Zoom in a muted blue with a sassy orange strip around the edges, I challenge you to please find that balance in your life and in your world. We will all breathe a little easier, run a little faster, look about 20 times better and pray fully…two sizes smaller.

Always Stylish,

Joy Hunter

I just caught myself pondering (as I so often do)…Is the love of fashion and the pursuit of all things luxurious a necessary component to life? This morning, Nicole, our Copy Editor and I were having another one of our intellectually stimulating conversations and she brought up a good point. She said that the decision to max-out your good Amex and MC credit by purchasing items that will make you look and feel like you’ve maxed out all your good Amex and MC credit is no worse than the person who spends nothing. While that person meets their household budget every month, they never pamper themselves or splurge on a non-necessity. And you know, she presented a valid point.

The choice to dress in BCBG Max Azria and carry pieces from LV’s collection with shoes ending in Choo and Blanik is a personal right. But, if we parade through life living, and quite frankly looking like a show pony but never giving back to a charitable cause, or making a religious contribution then what are we really gaining? While you’ll look amazing, will you feel the same? I want to challenge you to live a meaningful life where writing a check to The Susan G. Komen Foundation or the Junior League is not enough. Live a life where you put the pen down and pick up a shovel, take an elderly neighbor to the grocers, or recycle instead of trash. We are tired of discussing the price of gas like it really matters, since driving for the majority of us is a “must do”.

So, why not boycott the constant complaining about the decrease in our salaries and the increase in our expenses, and be thankful that while we may not make it to kickboxing class on a regular basis, we can always run, walk, or take a cost-free jog around the block; whether that block be off East Blvd, Trade and Tryon or University City Blvd. Now, don’t get it twisted, while I accept the challenge of doing more and splurging less, I would be remiss if I did not admit that I don’t always meet my budget. However, I have begun recycling, relishing the walks around the block with baby and Hubby and I have vowed to volunteer in the community at every feasible opportunity. This may not be the chicest of Editorial Blogs but it is my hope that it will motivate and move you to see STYLE as the way we live our lives and not just the how we wear “it”. Carpe Diem!

Always Stylish,

Joy Hunter

And just for kicks…
What my mother was trying to teach me when she thought I wasn’t listening:
1- At least once (well, now I’m just fibbing) so at least 5-10 times a day I am prone to behaving like a brat and a spoiled one at that. Those that know me best may chalk it up to “my personality” but after 24 years of good practice I have learned that everyday can be my birthday and I will cry if I want to. Why?? Because…I want to!
2- I like to dream and I like to do it with a realistic practicality that if I dream of finishing my book by the end of this year, have a waist size of 27 and no less and purchase a Lexus RX while wearing a funky pair of Fendi wedges then so be it. It adds a little more sparkle to my day when I think about grandiose fantasies with a touch of reality to them. My mom is the uber and ultra goal achiever and she raised my brother and me to not set limits or boundaries on ourselves. What you want in life, you can obtain.
3- I will never be the one to keep my house spotless and white-carpeted clean but you can best believe it will look like Mary Poppins meets Merry Maids when it is time for company. Appearance is everything so I swear to always keep that up.
4- Lying is NOT fibbing and it is not ladylike or attractive or acceptable and is in fact THE biggest sin of them all but for some insane reason it is so easy (and many times, much more polite) to do so…
5- Beauty is important, to look good is crucial BUT one day and very soon your priorities will shift and when life throws you lemons it won’t matter how fresh your manicure is or if you have selected the proper pumps for the job because if you are not lathered down in Pond’s Cold Cream and smell like anything other than Estee Lauder then you can forget making the lemonade!
Always Stylish,
Joy Hunter

There’s something to say for a stylish woman, a true power player in the sense that she can rock her own personally acquired David Yurman , purchase her own Range with the interior customized to her liking and she can own (and NOT have to rent) her 3-bedroom loft in Noda or a spacious penthouse in the Arlington. She sets her own business hours and spends her weekends as she pleases.

Now, for the fierce Forever 21 wearing fashionista or the Prada-clad promising young professional there is no need to fear because your time is coming. You may question when and what the heck is taking so long, especially as you peruse Neimans (but from entrance to Ralph Lauren) or as you drive down Queens admiring the architecture and the Acura MDX to your left as you gaze out of your ‘04 Explorer. Patience is a virtue but persistence is vital. So, if you want to be that power player then PLAY and if you want to be that Ferrari owner or Escalade driven entrepreneur then DRIVE because while Bohomenian inspired clothing may be worth rocking, a lazy state of mind is not.

This month, Charlotte Style is all about getting IT done in everything from our Beauty feature written by an up and coming Celebrity makeup artist to changing the way you shop and where you go to find that “quick fashion fix”.

We’ve even thrown in a couple extras with an exclusive “Scene and Heard” and a fresh and fabulous look at emerging fashion designers as your Stylish Team spent a weekend at the second annual Charleston Fashion Week.

I am ridiculously pleased as punch to feature a stylist, an ingénue, an inspiring visionary and the creative mind behind Charleston’s Fashion Week in our MyStyle feature of Ayoka Lucas, the style editor at Charleston Magazine AND a funky, fresh and fashionable power playee’. So, as we get ready for Spring, let’s shake off our tweed coats, shimmy out of our cropped leather jackets and kick off the knee boots BUT, let’s not forget to do it in STYLE.

Always Stylish,

Joy Hunter

So, as you’re flying down Johnston Road or navigating through Uptown keep in mind that style is an individual’s right to the inevitable while beauty is in the eye of the beholder and fashion when worn with confidence and sophistication is timeless and can be seen in every show and every season from Milanto Matthews.

Always Stylish,

Joy Hunter