Project Emilie: Give Thanks This Thanksgiving

Emilie would like to wish her fans a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Our holiday traditions include wearing chic outfits, spending time with our family, and doing fun crafts.  Here's a glimpse into our Thanksgiving fun!  We hope you have a great day!

Project Emilie: This Girl Loves Katydid Christmas Tees

Ho Ho Ho, Y'all.  Katydid Collection has a new line of holiday tees that will make your Christmas even more joyous.  You might remember when I was first introduced to Katydid Collection this past summer.  I loved the colorful prints and wearable pieces in the Katydid line.  Dallas-based designer, Katy Messersmith, has released her holiday 2014 line of cute, fun t-shirts to get you into the spirit of the season.  

Everyone who's lucky enough to have met Emilie knows that she lives for holidays.  When a holiday is coming up, she decorates her room and brings out her stash of themed t-shirts.  When I told her that Katy was sending us Christmas shirts, she was pumped.  Katydid's "This Girl Loves Christmas" tee is perfect for Emilie.  Ho Ho Ho, Y'all and check out Katydid's fab Christmas collection. 

We took these pictures on Thanksgiving when my cousins (Emilie's nieces), Jacqui and Julie, were in town.  They wanted to join in on the Katydid holiday fun!  Hope you enjoy these cute pictures and check out Katydid.  

Merry Christmas! 

Team #ProjectEmilie: Fundraiser for Best Buddies Champion of the Year

I'm with my buddies!  Aaron, Jeremy, and Tyler

Best Buddies has a new fundraising campaign called Champion of the Year and I'm so lucky to be involved.  Best Buddies is an international organization that promotes friendship development and job opportunities for people with special needs.  Both I and my aunt, Emilie, have been involved with Best Buddies over the years and I can't tell you how much it's impacted our lives in completely different ways.  Though I've always known the love and value special people add to our lives, I'm so happy that this organization promotes this message. 

This year, Best Buddies Texas is working on starting new chapters in the Dallas area.  There are 99,000 students in special education programs in the DFW metroplex.  Of the 236 high schools in the area, only 12 have Best Buddies chapters.  I'm hoping to change that!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO BEST BUDDIES IN SUPPORT OF TEAM PROJECT EMILIE.

A fun and inspiring event was held at Alton Lane where Best Buddies supporters raised a glass to kick off of the campaign.  Various Best Buddies representatives said a few words about what the cause means to them.  Jeremy made a lovely speech about how Best Buddies has helped him develop friendships and live an independent life.  Another one of my favorite buddies, Tyler, rocked an Alton Lane suit for the occasion.  SMU grad and magician Trigg Watson Burrage cleverly wove the Best Buddies message into his act.  It was pretty amazing!  Shortly after the event, SMU student Meredith Carey wrote a fantastic article about the campaign in The Daily Campus!

with Jeremy

Tyler in Alton Lane

Those of you who have met Emilie or have become fans of Project Emilie on my blog know how important this cause is to me.  I would appreciate your support for Best Buddies.  Follow this link to fill out a donation form to build more friendships.  Thank you for supporting Best Buddies!  

Best Buddies Fundraiser Tonight @ Vino 100 Featuring Chloe and Isabel Jewelry

Hi stylistas!  As you know, causes that support people with intellectual disabilities are very close to my heart.  I was recently chosen to raise money for Best Buddies through a campaign called Champion of the Year.  Tonight is my first fundraising event for the cause and I would love to see you all there.  Your favorite fashion model Emilie will also be in attendance!

Shay Lary of Chloe and Isabel is selling gorgeous jewelry tonight and proceeds will go to Best Buddies.  If you can't attend tonight, you can always shop online and 10% will go to Best Buddies Texas!  I love it!

The party starts at 7:00 at Vino 100 - 2090 McKinney Ave. in Dallas.  Join us for fun and fashion tonight!

Grapevine Mills Makes Summer Sizzle Again in 2014

"Hot in Pink" at Last Call Grapevine Mills! Neiman Marcus dress found here and in store.

Grapevine Mills: long time, no see...seriously!  It had been nearly a year since attending a fashion event at Grapevine Mills.  But I couldn't stay away for that long - I did some spring shopping at Last Call at the beginning of the season.  The Last Call at Grapevine Mills is the best I've been to, by the way. 

The Cool Buddies: Dionne Dean, me, Leah Frazier, Briana Roker, and Emilie in the front!

The Mills crew was nice enough to let me bring Emilie to a "real fashion event" as she said in anticipation several times over the weeks before the event.  She was even more excited because the event happened to fall on her birthday (June 12) and was another celebration.  Grapevine Mills has a team of friendly and fabulous people who make sure every shopping experience at Mills is a special one.  At the summer event, Leah Frazier, Dionne Dean, and Briana Roker were also in attendance.  They became Emilie's new "cool buddies" quickly!  These fashionable, gorgeous girls were so sweet to her, and it makes me love them all even more than I did before.  

Black & White polka dots never go out of style... Neiman Marcus blouse (similar here and more in store!)

After mingling, we all headed over to Last Call for a mini summer runway presentation.  As soon as the last model finished her walk, the shoe-obsessed gals Leah, Dionne, and Briana sifted through designer kicks that were on major clearance at Last Call.  I returned that weekend and found at RED Valentino dress for $100 (normally about $600... find another cute one here). 

"Hot in Pink" Rebecca Minkoff Blazer (found at Last Call online and in store at Grapevine Mills)

Grapevine Mills is the home to tons of retailers, most of them name-brand stores with a discount.  It's only about 20-30 minutes from North Dallas and trust me... it'll be worth the trip! 

Leah scored this chic jacket for a steal at Last Call Grapevine Mills!

They're also going to be starting a renovation with new stores this fall.  Mills really does mean more... especially Grapevine Mills!

Project Emilie: The Party Has Just Begun

Join Small 4 Style in wishing Emilie a happy 47th birthday!  The Project Emilie star had a fab celebration with family last weekend, but the fun isn't over yet.  If you've met Emilie, you know that her birthday celebration starts around April and goes through the entire month of June.  Emilie proves that you can be fabulous at any age!

We love you, Em and we're excited to see your modeling career progress this year! 

xoxoxo

Project Emilie: Getting Famous at Fashion Stars 2014

Fashion Stars for a Cause 2014 was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Raising money for the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas and meeting 11 other Fashion Stars was overwhelmingly rewarding.  But the highlight of it all was the gala last March.  I felt blessed to have 10 supportive members of my family by my side on the big night.  Everyone looked like stars in gowns and tuxes.  But it goes without saying that everyone's favorite fashion model stole the show during the Tootsies runway presentation.  As we walked the runway, each Fashion Star was given a beautiful introduction by Terry Bentley Hill.  Once it was my turn to get up there and attempt not to become fashion roadkill, Terry mentioned Small 4 Style and Project Emilie.  Seconds later, Em stood up and did her princess wave to her adoring fans.  It was so cute!

Emilie is always eager to meet new people, and it was no different at Fashion Stars.  Her fearlessness and confidence to be herself is inspiring.        

Emilie's response to her fame?  She's gonna work that runway next time!

 Meeting a new fan and bestie, Val Valentine

 With fellow Fashion Star Regina Bruce

With her new pal, the fabulous Yvonne Crum

I think 2014 is Going to be the Year of Project Emilie... What do you Think?

This morning I was just thinking about how blessed I am to have so many loving people around me.  I look at Emilie's sweet face and it makes me so happy.  Today, think about the people that mean the most to you and give them a big hug.  I want to go forward as a more mindful person by thinking about the good people in my life.  And if you get sad or discouraged, just think of Emilie.  Her pure, loving spirit always makes me feel better.  

PS - Attention Project Emilie Fans: You'll be happy to know that we've got lots of fun stuff planned for the year!  We'll start working on new photoshoots soon.  I'll give you one hint, there's going to be one involving a fan and flowing dresses.

Project Emilie: Happy 2014!

Project Emilie: Thanksgiving Spectacular 2013

Instead of cooking for Thanksgiving like we did last year, Emilie and I decided to take the day off.  We enjoyed each other's company while chatting and cheers-ing.  Thanksgiving isn't the most glamorous holiday, but it's an important one.  There's lots to be thankful for, and I could bore you with a long list.  One of the things I'm most thankful for is Emilie's unconditional love.  Anyone who knows Em, even if you've only met her once, knows exactly what I'm talking about.

Project Emilie: Partyin' With Larry North

Back in September, Larry North Fitness celebrated its seventh anniversary at Preston & Royal.  If you've been following Project Emilie, you know that she does a strict exercise program at Larry North.  I knew that she had lots of friends at the gym, but I didn't realize how big of a celebrity Emilie is at Larry North.  What's so funny is that she only works out once a week (and that's generous), yet she's had such an impact on all of these people.  Trainers, managers, and her fellow gym members LOVE her, and I think it's so cute!     

Neighbors of the gym joined in to make the evening special, including a team of stylists from The Hair Bar to do hair and makeup touch-ups.  Guests were also encouraged to help Larry raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

 Whenever swag is involved, Em is there!

 A day in the life of Emilie: multiple stylists working on her at the same time.

 Us with Larry North.  He's such a nice guy and LOVES Emilie!