Christopher E. Nelson, who edits Raleigh skirt!’s sister publication Living in Style, is guest blogging for skirt! Editor Brenda Larson.

“I have a man’s toolbox, but everything else about me is pure lady,” says Louis St. Lewis, skirt!’s June cover artist and guest of honor at this month’s Raleigh skirt! after work event. And since he stands about 6-foot-4 (in boots and top hat, but still) and has a voice that can shush a crowd of other ladies when it’s time to start the program, who’s to argue?

June’s was the second skirt! cover by the celebrated and sometimes notorious Raleigh artist. The Eve issue also presented the first essay by a Raleigh-area writer, “Don’t Pity the Spinsters” by Libbye Morris, and six local Sheroes, so Triangle skirt! friends had lots to celebrate on Tuesday.

In addition to Louis and Libbye, several of our Sheroes and their nominators made it out to 518 West for after-work relaxing, networking and skirtinis (our official libation). We were pleased to present our Sheroes with goodie bags that included a framed print of their skirt! portrait and profile, an autographed print of the cover, a gift certificate from 518 West and other tchotchkes from Burt’s Bees and skirt!. We were also able to give away prizes courtesy of skirt! pals Michelle Little of One Chic Mama image consulting and Christine Engelbrecht of Total Spa Escape, who donated gift certificates, and Theatre in the Park, which donated two tickets to its August production of “Master Class.”

Raleigh’s Theatre in the Park is homebase for Evan Rachel Wood, who is another of our Sheroes. And if you’re wondering why Evan is hanging out in Raleigh talking to skirt! when she’s not working with, say, Woody Allen, then you need to find one of the 300 locations in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham that carry skirt! each month (look for the big green box) and check out the June issue. Get to know some true hometown sheroes, and come on back to read about some more outstanding women when the July skirt! hits the streets on the first of the month.

Check out some videos from Raleigh skirt!’s June after work here:  Louis St. Louis's Speech and some skirt!tinis.