A Fashion Story Tour Historic Downtown Durham

Mar 21, 2016

A Fashion Story

Let’s Tour Historic Downtown Durham Part One

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I am excited to present this week’s segment of A Fashion Story for two reasons: a) We’re going to tour historic Durham (my first venture into travel blogging) and b) I’m featuring snippets of my first vlogging adventure. Exciting right?

Downtown Durham, aka the City of Alchemy and Medicine used to be a complete and total mess (Okay, so I probably added the Alchemy part, but keep reading and you’ll find out why). The abandoned cigarette factories smelled terrible and looked bad. Graffiti covered walls were all over the area. Beggars and hookers walked the streets. I kept thinking I had stepped into an episode of one of those old shows my mom used to watch called Miami Vice.

The whole area was filled with shadiness and this small town wasn’t equipped to deal with such things. And then something magical happened. The city’s government hired an engineer to turn the area into a place worthy of its historical roots. I hope you enjoy part one of our tour historic Durham adventure.

The area we’re exploring once belonged to cigarette giant Lucky Strike. Folks say you could even smell the tobacco from miles away. As you can see, the area no longer has stained walls and workers clocking out for the day. Hints of tobacco are long gone, and I enjoy meeting my friends here for weekend social pow wows.

Instead, Durham’s new American Tobacco District springs to life with the sounds of lively waterfalls (like a hundred of them), restaurants for every taste bud, and art work that I plan to feature in many posts to come. Million dollar condominiums that once housed the tobacco giant’s factories now hide pieces of artwork created from the recycled items of an era long gone.

The transformation of Durham’s new Central Park area from abandoned tobacco factory to one of the most beautiful areas in the United States was almost magical. Which is why I’ve added on the word Alchemy to describe this new Durham. Even Burt’s Bees has decided to take up shop in this new dreamland. See the doorway there behind my head?

I was super excited to explore this gorgeous place and was equally excited to wear the outfit I’m sporting in this photograph. Be proud of me as I am still on a colorful roll. However, I’m still much more comfy wearing misted pastels and earthy browns over the brighter colors. I also need to make mental notes on how to put away my phone during photo sessions. I’m a blogger, the phone is my crutch. It’s how I keep in touch with all of you. So, for now… LOL

Shop the Look:

Marled Open Front Cardigan $14.00 CharlotteRusse.com
Slub Kint Boyfriend Tee $14.00 CharlotteRusse.com
Mid-Rise Cropped Jean Leggings $59.90 Express.com
City Classified Bonzi Chain Decor Flat Sandals $29.99 Amazon.com (Similar to my Zigi Sohos)

This outfit features one of my favorite handbags of all time. No kidding. This gorgeous gem by Kathy Van Zeeland will never go out of style. I’ve had this one for almost three years, and the shell still looks brand new. This handbag is very good quality with an affordable price tag attached to it.

I bought this one from a large department store years ago. You can now find Kathy’s bags at your local WalMart. Both the cardigan and the slub tee are products of Charlotte Russe. The cropped jeans were a steal from Express, and the shoes are a pair of Zigi Soho sandals in a style that was super duperly popular last year. I posted a similar option for you all to drool over in the Shop the Look links above the gallery of photos.

You see, even those of us who claim black as our happy color can step out of the comfy zone every so often and try something new. Especially with all the gorgeous shades of pastels and taupe available in this year’s color palette. And when you add in a backdrop of rich history, waterfalls, art, and great food, of course, then I believe that’s what a fabulously good life is all about anyway.

The Photographer in Deep Thought While Planning His Next Shoot

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

The post A Fashion Story Tour Historic Durham first appeared on Live Well… Be Fabulous!

36 Comments

Sybil on March 22, 2016 at 2:01 am

awesome! love the long cardigan!

Have a great week!
Animated Confessions
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 2:14 am
  
  Thanks so much Sybil! Hugs to you!
Mica on March 22, 2016 at 3:50 am

Your pastel cardigan is lovey, such a great layering piece for spring! 🙂
I like the purple with the taupe too it’s a lovely outfit colour combination.

Away From The Blue Blog
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 9:47 am
  
  Thanks so much Mica! Hugs to you😘😍
Jeanne on March 22, 2016 at 10:40 am

I love every detail of this outfit! Gorgeous sandals and fabulous bag!!
♥♥♥
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.com
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 1:02 pm
  
  Thanks lady Jeanne. Next up… my Boho Street Nerd looks. 😀
kathrineeldridge1 on March 22, 2016 at 10:58 am

This is such a great post! Thanks for sharing this rebirth of Durham. Beautiful pics and loving your casual look!

http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 1:02 pm
  
  Thanks so much Kathrine! 😀
Blue Ducklings on March 22, 2016 at 11:19 am

Great outfit dear. I like the pastel and light tones 😀
Xx Blue Ducklings
http://www.blueducklings.wordpress.com
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 1:03 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by. 😀
nerline on March 22, 2016 at 1:14 pm

You look stunning.
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 2:51 pm
  
  Thanks so much! 😀
Kay on March 22, 2016 at 1:19 pm

Really enjoyed this little tour, hun! It sounds like Durham’s changed a lot over the years, it seems like such a lovely little place now. 🙂 <3 Also, I really love your outfit – the gorgeous pastel colours make me think of spring, and that handbag is just too awesome – I can see why you love it so much! <3

Kay
http://shoesandglitter.com
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 2:53 pm
  
  Thanks gorgeous! Durham has matured so very much over the past ten years. I really couldn’t capture everything in this one post. Stay tuned for part two! Thanks for stopping by luv!
chicglamstyle on March 22, 2016 at 1:32 pm

Wonderful photos!

http://chicglamstyle.com
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 22, 2016 at 2:53 pm
  
  Thanks gorgeous lady!
luxurycolumnist on March 22, 2016 at 9:40 pm

Thanks for this tour of Durham, I almost felt like I was there! We have a Durham in the UK too, in the North of England
Rachel Holliday (@thedailyluxe) on March 22, 2016 at 11:51 pm

The city center looks so cool with all those water features! This pastel look is so stunning on you- I am loving those jeans. I’m not surprised this bag is your fave either, it’s so feminine and I adore the slight iridescent glow it has!

Rachel xx

http://www.thedailyluxe.net
Chenai on March 23, 2016 at 12:04 am

I love how simple and casual this look is but still maintains a lot of style and your personality reflects from it!
http://www.anicheberry.blogspot.co.za/2016/03/monochrome-chic.html
Diana on March 23, 2016 at 1:47 am

Thanks for taking us on this tour. Really enjoyed it and you look so chic! Love your pink cardigan
http://www.effortlesslady.com
Pru Yeo on March 23, 2016 at 8:29 am

Loving your color combo in this outfit, it’s so pretty!

Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Remi Sabbah on March 23, 2016 at 10:38 am

You look fab darling! The place is exquisite and it looks like you had a lot of fun! <3 xxx
Check out what’s new on the blog:
http://www.mlleepaulette.com/frontend/index.php?r=site/blog
stopdropandvogue on March 23, 2016 at 11:46 am

These pictures are amazing! I live in North Carolina so I definitely need to visit Durham sometimes soon. Lovely post <3
http://stopdropandvogue.com
Rubén on March 23, 2016 at 11:47 am

Muy TOP!!
Me encanta tu estilo, y tu web.
Te invito a que eches un vistazo a mi web,
http://www.rubenfernandezf.com
Julia Oleynykova on March 23, 2016 at 12:48 pm

i love this pink outfit I wish I was engaged! http://www.yukovablog.co.uk/
Monika on March 23, 2016 at 7:57 pm

The pastel cardigan is gorgeous! Loved all the pictures, seems like a lot of fun. Have a great day <3

Love,
Monika | http://www.palateforstyle.com
stylewich on March 23, 2016 at 10:01 pm

I love the story and you look so pretty in pink!

Love, Liz
stylewich.com
andathousandwords on March 24, 2016 at 12:13 pm

Amazing post!! The looks you are wearing are awesome!!

x Merel
http://www.andathousandwords.com
Jeanne on March 24, 2016 at 1:25 pm

Thank you for your adorable comment! I wish you an amazing Thursday!;)
♥♥♥
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.com
Christina on March 24, 2016 at 3:19 pm

Love your pastel outfit and the metallic bag. So pretty! Really interesting impressions of the town. Have a great day!
Christina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com
Janea on March 24, 2016 at 7:43 pm

I love your pink/beige/metallic palette for spring! Great shots, and it’s nice to see the photographer. My husband takes pics of me occasionally – he puts the best smile on my face!

XO, Janea
http://thestyletti.com
LENPARENT on March 25, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Looking gorgeous as always, babe. Love the purple cardigan on you.
Have a great and wonderful Easter!
much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
The Style Galaxy on March 28, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Gorgeous look with beautiful photos.
http://www.thestylegalaxy.com/
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 29, 2016 at 2:37 am
  
  Thanks beautiful lady!
Mercy F on March 29, 2016 at 4:48 am

That’s an interesting story about Durham and you’re a good story teller, you captured my attention from the beginning ’til end 🙂 I like your jeans, very beautiful fit and not common colour.

http://www.busyandfab.com
- KaSonndra Leigh on March 30, 2016 at 11:04 am
  
  Thanks so much Mercy. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!