From Tennessee style to TN coal ash spill
I was planning to head out to Tennessee after Christmas to catch up with some old friends and hang out with new ones. I guess I was feeling the southern state of mind, because I stopped by the Billy Reid store here in NYC before I left. It’s not unlike his Alabama store, but definitely not as cool. I mean after all, in AL, you are quite literally walking into his home. Regardless, he had some end-of-year-sales and with Billy, you know you can get high quality-with all of his construction, manufacturing, and detailing done in the states and over in Italy. I picked up a couple dresses and was crushing on the plaids (which are going to be super big these upcoming seasons… Goodbye 80s, Hello 90s). I’m still into those oversized bows around the collar, so I swiped up one of those blouses too.
I stuck around and talked with his business partner as well as the store manager, Maytol, who mentioned that they’re bringing up some bands from TN/AL to perform in store and recently opened the doors to a new Nashville store, which I regretfully admit didn’t get to go see while I was down there. If there is any time in my spring months between book talks and life, I definitely want to head down to Alabama again during “Alabama Adventure Week.” SO MUCH FUN! I haven’t been down there since 2006 when filming Alabama Chanin with Sara and Hamish for a TV pilot, but I yearn to head back out there. I just have to stay away from the mac & cheese, chocolate gravy, buttered biscuits, and sweet tea. That stuff will kill ya!
Anyway, I rocked out my best TN digs with Billy Reid’s Made in the USA plaid button down; John Patrick Organic vegetable-tanned jacket; Terra Plana recycled/veggie-tanned boots; Serfontaine organic cotton blue jeans from Kaight; alpaca-acai seed bracelet; bottom necklace a vintage recreation by The Dirty Librarian (don’t you LOVE that name? Ahem, Sarah Palin); and a bone carved necklace with Sioux horse I picked up at a pow wow when I was like 12 years old.
Summer Rayne Oakes heading to TN
So as I was planning to head to TN, a notification flashed on one of our climate change listserves. There was a report of a major coal ash slurry spill 40 miles west of Knoxville on December 22nd. Major news sources such as the NY Times were late in reporting on it- (figures) and considering this is the worst coal ash spill in history, I wanted to head down, meet with residents and survey the situation. Thanks to Garner, I was able to arrange all that. One of my newfound friends- Jeff Wyatt Wilson- from Wilson Independent – in all his awesomeness – took a road trip with me over to Kingston to film a-la VBS.TV style for Discovery Earth Live and other outlets. Dave Cooper and friends were able to get me to the heart of the impoundment break to document the residents’ stories. I let them all know that if they need an outlet to report on or have any questions on who to turn to for some answers, they know my number. More on all of this later….
Tags: fashion, style, tennessee, tennessee coal