Once you go black

I love this time of year.  Fall is the beginning of the best fashions, serious relationships, and the best holidays!  I had a great time with mi familia over the Thanksgiving holiday.  We did a little black Friday browsing after we shut the club down and wandered into Toys R Us at 4 a.m.

Are little girls playing Ouija games these days?  It wasn't so delicate and sweet when I dabbled in the game.  It was creepy and spooky and kept hidden under the bed.  I almost peed my pants when I realized there's a truth behind this.  I asked the spirits for a sign and got one.  I never messed with the game again.

This is what I remember as sweet and innocent.  My younger sister was the lucky one to get the oven.  It was fun for the first 10 minutes, but the novelty wore off very quickly.

After we browsed the toy store, we went home and got detoxified then checked out the afternoon specials.  I'm typically a "black Friday" deal shopper everytime I shop, but I walked away with this cute faux fur vest from Charlotte Russe, 25% off, in black.  My little sister got a hot pair of ballerina esque pumps that I wanted so badly, but my size wasn't available.  I'm gonna check for them in MI so keep your fingers crossed for me.

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday, now it's time to deck the halls!

Cuckoo for Coco

Chanel that is.

I've got to get my hands on one of these handbags.  It's time to incorporate Chanel into my wardrobe.  My sights are set and I have gone too long in this world without owning an exquisite piece of art.  Chanel 2.55 purchase in 2010... 'Cause a girl's gotta be "classy & fabulous."

Trash to Treasure

                

Girlfriend's giveaway sweaterdress, Banana Republic cuff, Hue tights, Urban Outfitters boots

My favorite fall staple, hands down, are my tights! I love, love, LOVE them!  I can wear my sweaterdress this short because my tights tighten up those thighs and hold in the tummy.  I would never wear this length dress without my tights, I'd be pulling and tugging at the darn thing all night.

50 first dates

The first date is a big deal. It's not just about meeting the man that you're crossing your fingers and hoping he'd be the inevitable Mr. Right, but if he is indeed Mr. Right, you have to be stunning! There are tons of components to pulling a date night look together. Focus on 4 of the W's: who, when, what, and where?

Who do you wanna be? Are you the party girl, the sophisticate, the high maintenance, the hippie, or the casual chick for your night out? Choose which of your styles you want to play up for this first date to narrow down choices for the look.
When is your date? Is it Friday night at 8 or Saturday brunch? Any plans before the sun goes down should be casual chic. Your best jeans with a flattering top and wedges works for brunch, picnic in the park, matinees, and hanging out at the zoo. When the sun is gone it's time for high heels and high hemlines and pile on the accessories. Have fun with the evening look and you'll be more apt to have fun on the date!

What/Where are you going and what will you be doing on the date? It's gonna matter what your date night locale is in order to be comfortable. You don't necessarily want to toss on your sexy lbd and drip in fabulous jewelry to play air hockey at Dave & Busters! The lbd is reserved for fine dining, the Phantom of the Opera, then grooving the night away at a swanky uptown lounge. If you're not sure what and where the date is, go for comfort and something that is transitional. Comfort absolutely does not mean sweats or anything that you'd wear to run errands in. Comfort on a date should be fashionable wear accessorized. Here is a date night look that I rocked without knowing where the night would lead.

Victoria Secret bra, blouse from the boutique I managed, F21 cardigan, H&M leggings, Tommy Hilfiger boots, all jewelry (besides studs) F21.

I ended up spending the evening on a typical dinner and a movie night out, but could have transitioned to having cocktails and two stepping after ditching the cardigan.

She's baaa-aack!

I've been away far too long! Lots of things have happened in the year's time of being away from blogging. I had a fantastic job running an upscale clothing boutique where I had carte blanche buying, merching, event planning, website developing... in short, it was mine all mine!!!! Then I lost it all. Too many variables that I had no control over (I'll elaborate in another post).

Since losing my fab paycheck job, I've caught up on some rest, Project Runway, Rachel Zoe, Housewives of Atlanta, facebook, Wendy Williams (how you doin?), and have cyber stalked clever and brilliant fashion blogs. I'm finally ready to upgrade my blog! I've got tons of new ideas for my future, career, and great ideas for this blog. I hope you can dig it.

xxx (kiss, kiss, kiss)

*Update*

One of my new favorite blogs that I've been cyber stalking, Heights of Fashion, gave me an honorable mention for sending in photos of a style inspiration of mine, Genevieve Jones. Check me out!

Missing in Action

I've been M.I.A!! My apologies. I've had the opportunity to work on another side of the fashion curtain. I'll share those moments in another blog, but speaking of M.I.A, let's explore! The Sri Lanka native whose beats are head bobbing and fashion is head turning, has a style of her own. Anytime I've seen MIA, I have not been surprised with her choice of style. It's off the wall, loud, colorful, and to some can be considered obnoxious, but it is her style. Can someone look at you and know what your style is? It's nice to have a signature. It's what will make you stand out from the rest of the brood. It can be anything from a piece of jewelry to your whole image. Take a moment to look at your wardrobe and determine what your signature is.

Rain, rain go away! No, stay...

Because I have some pretty fly water repellent. There aren't many things more aggravating than spending the day in wet socks or jeans! The hair can be saved, but there isn't much to do about soggy socks other than stand under a restroom hand dryer. It is essential to tote an umbrella with you for rainy days, but two other important investments are a rain coat and rain boots.

We've come a long way with stylish boots. My grandfather used to sport galoshes that he threw on top of his shoes. Today that look is so very taboo. You can choose from a variety of rain boots, booties, and shoes. You can get a pair that are sleek with a pointy toe or round toes with fun designs. Whichever style you choose, your tootsies stay warm and dry.



For the rainy day that just won't go away, cover up your fit in a rain coat. There are many variations to this number as well. Long, short, cropped... It depends on how dry and fly you'd like to be.

Mix and match with your coat, boots, and umbrella for a great rainy day look. Once inside and out of the rain, your hair may be frizzed and your mascara may be running, but you still look good!

The Glamorous Life

How often do we have the chance to get all dolled up and be super glam? It's probably been since prom that I wore diamonds and pearls and reverted to old Hollywood glam. I've discovered a way to channel Marilyn Monroe in a very casual way. Red lips, a fur stole, diamonds, & pearls are all so glam! I wear red lips with a pair of jeans and a simple white tee running to the grocery store. My lips serve as an accessory and are simply fabulous and luxurious. The weather isn't very cold just yet for my vintage fur, but once there is the slightest chill in the air, I again will pair my jeans and white tee with my fur. These options are for the days you'd like to add a little something to your day.

Going all out is another option that I believe we should anticipate every now and again. Glamour is a seductive subtlety that can be showcased in wearing a little black dress with an updo and a string of pearls. Or a floor length silk gown with long gloves and diamonds.

It feels good to feel sexy. Either simply or subtlely, you can be glamorous any day of the week.

Comfy wear, Chic flair

I love dressing down as much as dressing up, but I like to stay fly either way. One way to maintain a chic look that's comfortable is to wear oversized tops/sweaters and wear slim fitting bottoms. Leggings, skinny jeans, tights. The oversize keeps you warm and cozy. It can hide a pouch and a tush. The slim fit balances the volume from the top and offers shape to the overall look.

An old faithful option of staying comfortable is throwing on a hoodie with sweats. Update the hoodie with this American Apparel version of a dress and slip into a pair of flat booties and you've got the look.

If you can't tell by now, I adore leggings! They are super comfortable and can be paired with almost anything. They can be dressed up and down. And there are many, many variations of the legging. Remember the stirrup? They're back! Rock the stirrup with a ballet flat, a moccasin, or have fun with a cut out shoe to show off the stirrup.

Cashmere and jersey fabric both combine style with comfort.  Almost anything cashmere or jersey knit will promise coziness while being simply fabulous.

Think twice before walking out the door in frumpy wear because it's comfortable. Know that there are options in all categories of your wardrobe to stay fly.

Suited for the job

"You gotta look good. See, when you look good you feel good. You feel good, you sell good." -Deion Sanders

Owning a basic black suit is necessary for any woman's closet. There are many variations of what a basic black suit can be... Shift dress with a jacket, skirt, shorts, slacks, or jumpsuit all accompanied with a blazer. I have learned an invaluable lesson after being caught without my basic black one time too many. Scrambling to find something appropriate to wear to a presentation left me without many options and resulted in my looking unprofessional and uncomfortable, which lended to a fumbled presentation that I already had rattled nerves for.

I invested in a basic black suit. Years have passed and that suit remains in my wardrobe. I update it with belts and bows and blouses. I'm preparing for an interview and it's time for another update. Vests are a great piece for the wardrobe. It can be worn during any season. I can pair my vest with my black skirt and wear an amazing blouse under it. Another chic and modern look is to cinch my waist with a wide belt over the jacket. Both looks are professional, all the while updating and adding flair to what is otherwise simple.

Autumn, wear?

It's here. The crisp fall air isn't present just yet, but there's ragweed looming which keeps me sniffling, sneezing, and runny red-eyed. That's how I know the season has changed. My days are heat packed with the sun blazing and in the evening when the sun has gone, I'm stuck shivering in my gladiator sandals. It's not time for full on fall layered looks, so here are my suggestions of a few key pieces to add to your wardrobe to stretch out your summer swag a few more months.

Leggings & printed tights. Blazers & jean jackets. Cardigans, scarves, & boots.

Leggings and printed tights will go great under your summer flowing dress. Throw on a pair of pumps or your ballet flats and your gams will be warmer for the evening breeze. Also, printed tights are all of the rage this fall.. You will be en trend!

For the breezier nights, throw a blazer over your shoulders. It can go on top of your tube tops, tanks, dresses, skirts, and shorts!

Every fab chick should have a jean jacket in her closet. It's a staple. You can rock the jacket the same as the blazer.

I'm sure you have a few cardigans in your closet, especially if you work in an office where the air is turned up so high that it's blowing icicles onto the tip of your nose! Pair that cardigan with a tank and jeans and you are ready for the wind.

The scarf is a simple accessory that will provide color, texture, and warmth to a simple look. You can wrap a scarf around your neck for a chillier evening to go along with your cardigan, blazer, or jean jacket.

And no wardrobe is complete without a fantastic shoe...

A pair of tall boots set the tone for a fall look. You can wear this with bare legs, tights, jeans, and leggings.

A couple of pieces will stretch your summer look so you don't have to pack up the summer gear so soon.

If I could, I totally would style...

Red rover, red rover send Fantasia right over! Maybe a handful of times I have seen Ms. Barrino look chic from top to bottom. But for the success that she has, she should always be fabulous. I believe her challenge is wanting to make too much of a statement.

With this metallic "dress" and thigh high boots, it is clear that Fantasia is making an attempt to stand out. Which can be done more simply while making the same statement. Muting the metallic with a lbd that maintains a shine in silk is a more sophisticated replacement.

Choosing a blouse that has jeweled detail could prevent having to over accessorize. This billowy tunic with a pair of jeans and a solid color pair of stilletos makes a statement, all while being understated.

I love animal print, but this is not how to do it. It's too much, but not enough! I would tame the animal with this pencil skirt and rock this blue leather corset to show cleavage.

One of the easiest ways to stand out is to wear clothes that fit your body well and choose pieces that accentuate the best parts of your body. When you have body art, that can act as accessories. Don't over do jewelry and prints when you show your tattoos. It looks like too much. Keeping it simple says a lot.

Fantasia, call me girl!!

It can be "evolutionary"

It's not the case of you have or you don't. Unlike class, style can be acquired like many fine things in life. Good style that is. I've definitely come a long way. I've had some interesting looks in my past. Similarly, these chic fashionistas didn't always have it right.

The evolution of style begins with guts I believe. It had to take a ton for Nicole to make a red carpet appearance in those leg warmers.

And the now uber fabulous Ms. Stefani had to take some chances, No Doubt, in order to become the complete style icon that she has blossomed into.

Take your chance to start an evolution! It will be televised.

Style is Style

I love clothes, but more importantly I love style. Style is something that I have a hard time defining. I told a friend once that he had no style and he corrected me by saying that he has style, it's just bad style. Touché. I re-thought my stance on style which was strictly affiliated with chic, panache, and even swagger. Funky cold medina! You know? But his words made sense. Love is love; whether it's tough, unconditional, mama's, heartbreaking, or everlasting. Style is style; whether it's trendy, classic, awful, adoring, or individual. My campaign is for that unmistaken style with a sprinkle of shechicfrufru! How do you rock it?