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?