Performing acoustic at a Relix Magazine party, his presence pulled me in – the raw intimacy in his voice, the intensity of his
gaze, his quiet sway and the yearning in his voice as he pleaded, “If you wanna come ovvverrrr… Come over and get highhhh. We can listen to
the Darkside of the Moon.”

I’ve been hooked ever since. And judging by the slew of swooning ladies
who circled the stage for Charlie’s “dance break” at his last
Wilmington show in January, I take it I’m not alone.

Lucky for us, his soulful swagger is coming back through the Southeast. It just so happens, he’s playing a gig at The Soapbox May 22nd (my birthday!) andpacking the house at The Pour House May 28th in Charleston.

I figured now couldn’t be a better time to get to know Mr. Mars a
little better. I caught up with him on the road during his drive to
Baltimore for a show. In between tolls, we discussed matters of style -
from the red leather pants he can’t seem to get rid of, what he wore to
the Emmys on the arm of WEEDS star Mary-Louise Parker (his reported
girlfriend) and what it means when he’s watching The Big Blue.

Where do you
consider home now?

“Definitely Mississippi. I live in Oxford. Been there since 2000. It’s a pretty small town, laid-back. When I am home, I mostly sit on the porch with friends, watch movies, hang out, socialize with friends. I
live on the town square where most of the nightlife and restaurants are. It’s a small town, but with a really happening nightlife.  There’s about 15,000 people going out every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to art openings, that sort of thing. It’s
a college town. Kind of like Wilmington…”

What do you wear
when you’re traveling?

“Thong and crocs.” (laughs – Disclosure: Anyone who is friends with Charlie on Facebook knows he is not
particularly fond of crocs.) I usually wear whatever I had on the night before. Not a lot of difference between what I travel in and what I wear on stage. Not really a sweatpants kind of guy. I don’t feel right
unless I’m styled out, ya know?  No time to be slacking.”

What are three
items of clothing you never travel without?

“I have a leather day bag that I pretty much live out of, Acqua Di
Parma cologne and a pair of sunglasses.”

How has your style
evolved?

“It definitely changed with the times. I used to be into, like, bootcut
jeans with rips in the knees, Harley boots, old t-shirts. Now, I like
nice sportscoats and vests. I really enjoy clothes. It’s what I spend
my money on outside of the basics.  It’s hard to look at
myself from the outside. I don’t put a lot of thought into it. I buy
nice things and travel with a small bag so I bring a few things that I
really like, that are well made, and look good all the time.
Sportscoats are always good.”

Describe an outfit
you feel most confident performing in.

“I like wearing a sportscoat with a really comfy tee, a good pair of
jeans and my boots by John Varvatos. It’s an outfit I could go to a
restaurant and look okay, beat around the house in… it’s functional
and looks good with everything.”

Style Icon?

“Steve McQueen was cool.”

Style Tips:

1) “Spend the extra money for the quality because a) not many people
will have it and b) you’ll be wearing it long after everyone else’s
shit has fallen apart.

2) “Black leather jackets can be worn just about anywhere. Zip up your black leather jacket and you’re good to go.”

3) I don’t like baggy clothes. It kind of bothers me.”

Is there anything
you don’t wear, but can’t seem to get rid of?

“Expensive items. I can’t bear to throw them away. Red leather pants 10 years ago – can’t believe I ever wore them in the first place.

Favorite color?

Ocean Blue.

That reminds me.
What is it about the movie Big Blue that you always seem to be watching
(frequent Facebook update)?

“Watching Big Blue is code for ‘I’m not doing shit.’ Just relaxing.
Love the movie. It’s one of my favorites. If you haven’t seen it, you
should. You’d like it.”

When you walk out
the door in the morning, what would be your accompanying theme song?

“Oh Baby Youuuu (sings). YOu got what I neeeeed. What’s that guy’s
name? Oh yeah, Biz Markie.  That’s the one.”

Favorite places to
shop?

“John Varvatos in New York and Hinton & Hinton in Oxford, MS. What about Billy Reid?
“Definitely Billy Reid.”

Which cities have
you performed in that you found to be surprisingly stylish?

“Nashville is pretty hip and also New Orleans.  Heading to
Nashville the day after Wilmington (May 23).”

Which show, photo
shoot or appearance were you most nervous about? How did you decide
what to wear?

“I went to the Emmy’s last year. That was pretty nerve racking. I went
to John Varvatos to get a tux and had it tailored.”

What was your
favorite part of the Esquire photo shoot? Did you pick
out your own clothes?

“Getting to spend time with all these musicians I really like and
admire. They brought a bunch of options  and we got to choose
whatever we were comfortable in mixed with our own clothing.”

Did you meet Mary
Louise Parker (Charlie’s reported girlfriend) for the first time when
she arrived to shoot your video for “Darkside of the Moon?”
(see video below)

“No, we had met once before. Since my first single was about getting
high and she is the star of WEEDS, a show all about getting high, it
just made sense. I asked her shortly after we met if she’d do it.”

What would Abigail
wear when she’s listening to the “Darkside of the Moon?”

“Pajamas. Or, a thong and a tank top, preferably.”

To read more on Charlie, click HERE.

Thanks to Beanie + Cecil of Wilmington, you
can arrive to the party in an authentic Carrie Bradshaw attire wearing
one of two Halston Heritage dresses Carrie wears in the Sex and the
City 2 – a perfect LWD (Little White Dress) or a metallic disco number.

For the third year in a row, a Charleston, S.C. chef was named “Best Chef of the Southeast”
during the annual James Beard Foundation Awards, the nation’s highest
culinary honor, held May 3 in New York City.

Sean Brock of McCrady’s Restaurant (host to
April’s Style Swap Charleston!) beat out stiff competition to continue the three-year tradition for the destination, riding the wave of success started by two other star Charleston chefs, FIG’s Mike Lata (2009) and Hominy Grill’s Robert Stehling (2008).

Photo: McCrady’s

Fashion Designer Chelsie Ravenell, who was recently
featured in the FASHION FIX as he prepared for Charleston
Fashion Week, is in the running for Charleston’s Sexiest
Bartender based on his late nights behind the bar at Torch.

Click HERE to Vote Chelsie
for

Charleston’s Sexiest Bartender

ENJOY:

* Complimentary YUMMY BITES from Homewood Suites

* Poolside signature “Carrie Cosmo” COCKTAILS

* Mini MAKEOVERS plus Botox + Latisse GIVEAWAYS

from Glo Med
Spa

* Fabulous PRIZES for “Best Dressed” Sex and the City Style Stars!

* Moroccan Belly DANCING by Samra

* SHOPPING with Eco-Luxury designer Debby
Gomulka, Bordeaux Jewelry, Torri/Bell,
Lula
Balou, Paradise Yoga, Port
City Eye , Doncaster + more!

* Event + Floral DESIGN by A Boxed Event

* PHOTO BOOTH by The Three Divas

*  MUSIC by DJ Fred Champion

* TROLLEY Rides to the Theater sponsored by Wilmington
Nissan

WANNA GO?:
Tickets are on sale NOW!

To get your ticket now, CLICK HERE.

$5 advance online / $10 at the door

*The first 50
women who get their tickets online receive VIP gift bags

MOVIE TICKETS:

Advance Tickets are for Sale NOW

Show Times: 7pm, and 10:10pm

…………………………………………..WIN IT!
…………………………………………………….

“Best Dressed” prizes for each character’s lookalike will be awarded
for both movie groups @ the FASHION FIX Premiere Party

(guests seeing the 7pm show + guests seeing the 10:10pm show)

“Best Dressed” Carrie will win:

* Limited Edition Mykita aviator sheet-metal sunglasses $500

from Port
City Eye Associates

* Latisse and Botox from Glo Med Spa

* Sense Lace Back Tank & Ruched Tunic Pants in Lagoon

from Paradise Yoga

“Best Dressed”
Miranda will win:

Earrings & Cuff from Bordeaux
Jewelry

“Best Dressed” Charlotte will win:

Palm
Garden’s Charlotte Look

*Lilly Pulitzer Bel Air Vintage Dress

(print designed by Carson Kressley from

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy)

Value: $178

* Lilly Pulitzer Paley Beach Cardigan $78

TELL YOUR FRIENDS:

The Fashion Fix Sex and the City social media campaign is about to
begin! Style Girl will be giving away free party & movie tickets and fabulous prizes at participating stores over the next two weeks.

WANNA WIN?

Follow Jess James on Twitter and Facebook and listen to Foz
in the Morning on Z107.5 on Thursdays for hints on where the
prizes are “hiding.” When tweeting details on the event, please use hashtag: “ffsex.”

Take advantage of Glo Med Spa’s exclusive specials for the FASHION FIX
Sex and the City Premiere Party. To hear how you can save over $100 on
Latisse and get gorgeous for the event with a $55 facial and a makeover
where you take home a free lipstick or eyeshadow, click HERE.

Summer Lovin’ Speed Dating and Dance Party

Front Street Brewery

WILMINGTON

WHAT: Edge of Urge and Front Street Brewery are teaming up to bring
Wilmington singles the Summer Lovin’ Speed Dating and Dance Party.
There will be two age ranges for this event – 21 to 31 year and 29
& up! The gang at Edge of Urge says, “Yes, they overlap, but
this way guests can choose their preference, be it cougar, sugar daddy,
cabana boy or arm candy!” After the Speed Dating session, an EoU Dance
Party will ensue.

WHEN: May 15 / 7:30pm – Midnight

WHERE: Front Street Brewery in The Beam Room / 9 North Front Street /
Downtown Wilmington

WHY: Door prizes for speed daters include a full outfit from Edge of
Urge for one lucky guy and girl, dinner for two at Front Street
Brewery, and more!

WANNA GO?: Due to limited number of spaces, early registration is
recommended. Speed Dating ticket prices are $8/person. Wingmen and
wingladies are welcome to attend Summer Lovin’ and watch the dating
from the sidelines (ahem, the bar) and take part in the Dance Party.
Entry for the wing-people is $3/person. Pre-registration is not
required for wingmen and wing-ettes.

For more information, email katie@edgeofurge.com.

May 25

Lori Wyatt Trunk Show

House of Sage

CHARLESTON

WHAT: House of Sage is super excited to welcome Vintage Queen Lori Wyatt! For ONE NIGHT ONLY -
stop by, sip on a cocktail, and peruse a selection of Lori’s AMAZING
vintage collection. Everything from vintage clothing to jewelry,
scarves & purses. You don’t want to miss this!

WHEN: Tuesday May 25 / 3pm-7pm

WHERE: House of Sage / 51 B. George Street