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Thursday, May 31, 2007

Tight Up Short

"Hey you girl in a de tight up skirt/Ya make me head swell 'til me blood vessel burst/Hey you girl in a de tight up shorts/Ya speed up ten more beats to me heart."--Red Rat, "Tight Up Skirt."
Hey Y'all,
So summertime weather is in full effect, and what better way to keep cool that poppin on a pair of shorts? Worn properly, they epitomize sexy, and can make you look young and fresh.
Let's take a look at celebs to see how to rock 'em:
Keep it casual like Beyonce in a pair of loose white cotton shorts...

Or channel Nicole Richie's cool factor in a pair of button cuffs...

For nights out, dress 'em up with stilettos sandals a la Christina Milian...

Or pop on a pair of bold colored pumps a la Kelis...

Too shy for high hems? Take a cue from Amerie and wear a set of bermudas...

...but make it more summer appropriate with a pair of wedges.
For rules as to what NOT to do, one need look no further than songstress Mariah Carey.

Daisy Dukes are OUT...

...as are hoochie-fi-hoochie pum pum shorts.
Keep it respectable with the following:

Top Row: Linen Safari Short, $17.80, www.forever21.com; Tibi Jet Set Bermudas, $75, www.anthropologie.com.
Bottom Row: Sateen Shorts with Piping, $58, www.ardenb.com; Lux Bright Canvas Resort Short, $38.00, www.urbn.com.
Smootches!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Style File: Genevieve Jones

"Jones, the latest "It Girl" to burst onto Manhattan's social scene, may have no regular job but is nonetheless a vital cog in the fashion industry's marketing machine. Dressing up and having her photograph taken, Jones helps fashion and luxury-goods companies pitch their products simply through being associated with her."--Teri Agins, 'How 'It' Girl Scaled World of Fashion, One Party at a Time', Wall Street Journal, Sept 14, 2006.
So for this week's Style File I switched it up a bit. Instead of profiling a singer, rapper, or America's Next Top Model, I decided to take a look at one of the few African-American 'socialites' (including Bonnie Morrison and Rachel Roy) New York Magazine deemed worth mentioning in a recent article:

...Genevieve Jones.
Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal did an *amazing* investigative article on Ms. Jones last September. Everyone wanted to know: How did she become a socialite? Teri found that Genevieve made her way into upper crust society by befriending the right people (like Zac Posen) and being bold (for example, jumping in front of Andre Leon Talley and dancing with him at a Donna Karen party). Unlike her colleagues, she didn't go to college, is a little old ( 31, not 27 as she claims), and lacks a trust fund. Mystere et boule de gomme.
Whoever she is, her style is one of a kind. Let's take a look:
Ms. Jones updates classic black dresses with fringe details, sequins, and embellished bags...



Remixes summer whites with ruffles, understated baubles, and side swept hairdos...


Accentuates her small waist with belts over both coats and dresses...


And keeps top designers seduced in thigh skimming dresses and shorts...


Classy.
Want the socialite look? Start with these pieces:

Top Row: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hammered Silk Satin Dress, $170, www.saks.com; Clu Ruffle Trim Dress, $100, shopbop.com
Bottom Row; Necessary Objects Lace Babydoll Dress, $68, www.nordstrom.com; Hamptons Belt, $11.80, www.forever21.com.
Smootches!
PS Missed the article? Read more about the enigma that is G. Jones here.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Real Style: Habana Outpost

Hey Y'all,
So I live in Brooklyn (lighters up!), and make regular trips to an amazing restaurant in Fort Greene called Habana Outpost. Picture this: Outdoor seating, Frozen Mojitos, Sunshine, Old School Hits spun by a DJ, and the most beautiful, eclectic, fashionable mix of brown people in the nation. It's the bomb.
I dropped in a couple weekends ago, and saw this beauty...

..and knew she had to be on the Fashion Bomb.
I was feeling her retro sunglasses, bouffant hair do, and the contrast of her large sweater with skin hugging top, tights, and belt. So cool. So Brooklyn.
Smootches!
PS Visit Habana Outpost at 757 Fulton Street at South Portland (C to Lafayette). It might be a trek for some, but you'll love it, I guarantee.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Memorial Day Mail Bombs

Happy, Happy Friday!
I'm sooo excited about Memorial Day! I'm not going anywhere fancy, but the vacay is much needed. Before I ship off, a few mail bombs.

This time around a got a little bit of help from my new *fabulous* interns: Suzie, Elita, and Rachel! You'll meet them in a few weeks. For now, let's get to it:
Reader Madia asks:
Do you have any idea where I can find this dress?

Reader LongLeggedLife wrote in, and suggested that Beyonce’s Dress was this $50 frock from H&M.

The blog Nitrolicious wrote about it here.
I initially thought Bey might’ve been wearing the brown version of this $800 Melissa Odabach Elizabeth Lace Kaftan...

...but I’m not sure.
What do you think?
Does Beyonce shop high or low?
Next up reader Monica H appreciated my Style File Intervention on Serena Williams, and asked:
Do you know who made this dress?

She continues, "I love it. I'm so glad that somebody has stepped in and helped Ms. Williams with her fashion choices."
Thanks Monica!
Well although Serena's guns made her look a bit masculine in that particular frock, I'm sure this $475.00 Catherine Malandrino Printed Silk Halter dress ...

...will look smashing on you!
Lastly, readers have been clamouring to know what Mommy Solange...

...is wearing in this picture.
Reader NicJac said:
"Check out the hotness that is Solange's black/white dress! Can you tell me where I can find it or a cheaper version?"
Takisha also exclaimed:
"I seriously need to know where I can get the dress that Solange has on in this picture of her and Beyonce shopping in Milan. I really need your help with this one. I LOVE IT!!!"
See? This one was a toughie, so I solicited the help of the Fashion Bomb 'terns.
TFB 'tern Elita didn't find an exact match, but said that this $1,240 Cotton-silk-elastane dress by Piazza Sempione..

..was a close match.
I personally couldn't figure out if Solange was wearing a dress or a skirt/shirt combo. At any rate, I found a few items that can get you a similar look for less:
Pair this $58 Button Front Bib Top from Arden B...

With this $89 Signature Jones New York Floral Skirt...

And accent with this $49.99 Kenneth Cole It's Patent-ed Belt.

And you're good to go.
Have great weekends!
Smootches!
PS The other night my buddy previewed Sarah Jessica Parker's...

...new low priced line, Bitten. Apparently everything in the collection is under $20 and will be sold at Steve & Barry stores.
A few of the pieces:


Looks pretty cute. The line hits stores next week! Visit Steve & Barry's site, www.steveandbarrys.com, for a location near you.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Boutique Spotlight: Ina

Happy Thursday!
So I have one amazing coworker who always comes to the office fresh dressed with the best bags, jackets, and accessories. One day we were talking shop (as per usual) and I made a comment about her Hermes belt...she revealed that she purchased it (along with a lot of her other pieces) from a cool high fashion consignment store called Ina. She almost fell out of her cubicle when I told her I wasn't familiar...after collecting herself she urged me to check it out, so I did.

As soon as I walked in, I peeped many jackets, skirts, jeans, tanks, and accessories from brands like Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Marni, and Versace.

Of course the goods seemed impressive at first glance, but I had to look a little deeper. My first stop was the dress section.
I found lots of cute picks, though it seemed they skewed on the small and expensive side. For example:
This Diane Von Furstenberg summer frock was an affordable $155...

...but only available in a size 6.
This $695 Marc Jacobs ball worthy gown could be seen by some as a steal...

...but it was tiny! So was this Stella McCartney printed dress ...

...for $315.
Hmh. So the apparel didn't inspire, so I walked over to the shoe section...

..and frankly, it was off the chain gang. I found several pairs of Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Dior sandals, pumps, and flats for 50-80% off retail!
Even more shocking: They had several pairs in my big foot size (9 1/2)! That's unheard of in vintage/consignment stores! It always seems whoever dropped 'em off was some old lady with a petite size 6 foot. Anyway, I thought the following made the trip worth it:
These Bally suede sandals were a size 9...

...and a reasonable $120.
These size 9 Jimmy Choo sparklers...

...were $140.
And this pair of size 11 Christian Louboutin cork wedges...

...were only $113!
Even this pair of size 6.5 Gucci Loafers didn't seem so bad...

...at $245.
And this pair of size 8.5 Christian Lacroix'

...were beautiful at $275. I was thrilled.
Of course, I couldn't forgot the purses!

The Louis Vuitton Speedy in the top left was in good condition and $435... the Chanel tweed in the back was $840 marked down from $1050. Certainly not a steal, but definitely less that you'd spend at Bergdorf or Barneys.
The cashier and I chatted, and she divulged that celebs like Chloe Sevigny and Sarah Jessica Parker come in frequently to sell their gently used wares. So at Ina you're buying star worthy pieces at a portion of the regular price!
If you want to visit, Ina has 5 locations (including one for men): 101 Thompson Street; 21 Prince Street; 208 East 73rd Street; 262 Mott Street; and 15 Bleecker Street. Take a look at their website, www.inanyc.com for more info. They accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Cash, and are open 12-7 Sunday through Thursday and 12-8 Friday and Saturday.
You must check it out! You won't be disappointed!
Smootches!
PS Mark your calendars. It's that time again...

Last year was mayhem, but I walked out with two dresses and a shirt for like $200! Sick, I know. Get there early!
PSS Don't forget Pieces' sidewalk sale!
PSSS Eve is bringing back her Fetish line the next holiday season. According to WWD, the line won’t be logo driven and will offer a range of items, “from premium jeans ranging from $98 to $198 retail to leather jackets that retail up to $1,500.” Guess she's recovered from that DUI debacle.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Style File: Eva Pigford

"I'm not your girl next door but I'm your girl down the block in your hood."--Jaslene, America's Next Top Model Season 8 winner.
So ANTM recently crowned a new queen (Jaslene)...and in the spirit of celebrating the ANTM franchise, I decided to do a short style file on the most successful, beautiful, and stylish winner of the show (in my opinion)..

Eva Pigford.
Petite and sassy, Eva truly has a style all her own . She plays up her diminutive traits by paying attention to tiny details.
She caters to her small figure by wearing short, cute dresses that elongate her legs...


And adds bulk and romance by sporting dresses and shirts with ruffle accents.



While her clothing game is fierce, Eva truly stays fly by way of an impeccably stylish haircut...

And big, bold, look-at-me accessories:


Fierce.
Get started on your own Eva the Diva-like wardrobe with the help of the following:

Top Row: Rosanna Dress, $27.80, www.forever21.com; Kenneth Jay Lane Black Diamond Cocktail Ring, $75, shopbop.com
Bottom Row: Doorknocker Earrings, $18, www.urbn.com; Marc Jacobs Red Plastic Oversized Shades, $144, www.bluefly.com.
Tyra...

...and Ms. Jay...

...would be proud!
Smootches!
PS Reader Neah was feeling the yellow post from yesterday!
She says, “I just wanted to let you know I'm with you with the love for yellow. I went out to celebrate my birthday on Saturday and just HAD to wear yellow.”
“I got the dress from Bebe. I paired it with navy and white Oscar de la Renta pumps, navy and white earrings, and a necklace I wrapped around my wrist (a girl's got to be creative).”
Loves it!
PSS ANTM stills courtesy of the fab blog Four Four (www.fourfour.typepad.com)