All I Want For Christmas Is A Peplum Shirt!!

Christmas is all about giving and spending time with family and friends. The most stressful part is finding that perfect gift for the fashionista of the family, I have the perfect idea.Let me introduce the peplum shirt. This particular shirt happens to be the number one item that every girl needs in their closet, the skirt-like area that sits right at the waistline will show off your curves and the different colors of the shirt are magnificent. Many retail locations have this item for little or nothing, and the material of the shirt is very comfortable. 

From previous posting I have mention an online vintage boutique that I absolutely love which is Mila and Fire Vintage.  These two young ladies are outstanding at helping young fashionista's find different pieces that suits their personalities and also their body types. On their website they have a contemporary leatherette peplum shirt that has a silver zipper going down the back. The material is leather of course which is perfect for the winter and it comes in all sizes. The price of the shirt is $30.00 which is very reasonable especially when they offer different codes for free shipping and even some percentage off. You can pair the shirt with a nice colorful skirt and even a nice pair of skinnies. Purchase this shirt at

MilaandFire.com. (www.milaandfire.com).

We all have and love and hate relationship for Forever 21 but around the holidays they have the best deals .They have a Love21 contemporary line which appeals more to the working women.  Throughout this particular line they have an abstract metallic peplum tank top that is to die for. The material is very rich, it has a ruched sweetheart neckline and it has a cut out back with an etched button loop. This item will be perfect to wear to one of the office holiday parties, under the shirt i would recommend putting a burgundy color long sleeve blouse underneath just because the temperature may be fairly chilly, you can pair some black skinny pants or even a nice black pencil skirt with the shirt .Now to complete the ensemble you can wear a pair of black pumps with your favorite accessories but not too many accessories just because you don't want to take away from the shirt. The price of the shirt is $22.80 and you can purchase it at forever 21.com (www. Forever21.com).

Now I know I was supposed to keep it on the affordable side but this peplum shirt at Zara is the bomb. The material is 100%cotton and the embroidery on the shirt will channel your vintage side if you have one. You can pair this shirt with a pair of leather skinny pants and some black pumps or even red pumps. I would recommend that you wear no jewelry just because the embroidery of the top would take away from any jewelry. This outfit can be perfect to wear on date night or even girls night. The price of the shirt is $129.00 so hopefully Santa has a big budget... (www.Zara.com).

I know Christmas is about giving and spending time with family and friends but after you purchase all your gifts for your loved ones you can sneak a gift in there for yourself. This season try to go visit any of these stores and get the peplum shirt so you can celebrate your holiday in style.

Fashionable Coats!!!

With the weather changing there are so many fashionable coats to choose from. Out of all the coats that are offered which ones will have you warm, in style and savy?

Let's say you are invited to an very fancy event and you need a nice coat to go over that long draped gown . Forever 21 offers an faux fur cropped coat that is an perfect fit for that hot party grown. The price of the coat is very affordable and the material is outstanding. While wearing the coat you feel sopshicated and beautiful.

When the work week is such a drag you can't wait until the weekend comes. The coat to wear for that weekend fun would have to be a nice puffer coat which can be very sexy. You can cinch your puffer coat with a wide belt that will show off all your curves. Old Navy offers a nice army green puffer coat at an great price, you can wear any color belt with the coat. So while you enjoy your weekend fun try to enjoy it in style.

In relationships you always try to have a date night. The date night can included an nice candlelight dinner and a movie. Of course before your dream guy comes and picks you up you are deciding what outfit to wear, what shoes to wear and what coat to wear. NastyGal.Com offers a lot of vintage coats that are perfect for the fall. There black flasher trench coat is totally chic it is draped in the front with side pockets, and the coat also has a sash that can be tied in the front. This piece is perfect for date night and once your guy sees you in that statement trench coat he won't be able to keep his eyes off you. Purchase this coat at NastyGal.Com for $98.

Running errands can be fun but sometimes stressful. While running errands you want to be stylish but warm depending on the temperature. Designer Roswell offers a cozy wool inspired coat that is really nice and chic. The coat is draped in the front with plaid prints in shades black, white and taupe. The coat will look amazing over a nice shirt and a pair of high-waisted skinnies. Purchase this coat at NastyGal. Com for $128.

No one likes to be cold everyone likes to feel warm and cozy. Finding that perfect coat for whatever you are doing or going can be a task but remember to stay stylish but savy. Having that fashionable coat can always make that simple but somewhat chic outfit become that statement piece that you see grace the runway.

Is She Color blocking?

With the right clothing and accessories, color blocking is both easy and fashionable. If you are trying to Color block you should choose a bright color like fuchsia, Kelly green, cobalt blue, purple or orange.  You can also opt for neutral tones if you feel that those shades will be more in comfort zone.  If you are able to work with just two colors you can always take it up a notch and add one or two more colors to your ensemble. One way to accomplish this task is to choose a different hue of your non-neutral shade.

Take a leap out of your comfort zone and pick a color that isn't expected. Pink, yellow, orange, red, blue and green are possibilities that are endless. With Color blocking you can't be afraid to experiment with different color combinations.

If you are wearing white and orange together try adding a nice coral piece to your outfit, if you decide to wear a fuchsia piece you can wear a shade of purple or pink. Most blues usually go together I would recommend wearing bright blue with baby boy, if you chose a different color that you are already using you will create a cohesive look.

If you wear a skirt and shirt together you will be able to color block with ease, but if you decide to wear a dress you should wear a blazer, cardigan and a pair of tights.

Wearing accessories is a must with color blocking with the right belt or clutch you can bring a whole outfit together. The bolder the accessory, the better; try to wear wide headbands, bangles and some cuffs, and most importantly try to stay away from accessories that are too detailed.

Color blocking is all about stylish simplicity and it is also about letting your wardrobe shine while just wearing your simple pieces.  I highly recommend that you try Color blocking this fall any of your simple pieces laying in your closet.

Stylish Plaid Shirts

The plaid shirt is a fun classic shirt that every guy and girl should have in their closet. Most college students prefer this style of shirt only because it is very comfortable, affordable and most importantly it is very stylish. Many retail locations have many fabulous plaid shirts that are very affordable and that are in season.

American eagle offers a nice, sexy casual line of plaid shirts that range from $29.99-$44.99. If your style is on the preppy side they have an AE Plaid Button Down that will have you staying in the preppy direction.  The fabric is 100% cotton, it has buttons coming down the front, and it also has a button down collar. On the side of the shirt it has a single chest pocket with an embroidered eagle. To complete the preppy look you can pair the shirt with some nice stonewash jeans and a cardigan.

The Gap offers a more expensive line of plaid shirts. Their shirts range from $37.99-$49.95. One particular shirt that caught my fashion eye would have to be their convertible sleeve plaid shirt. The shirt is 100% cotton; it has long convertible sleeves with button cuffs and button tabs. The collar on the shirt has inside denim lining and on the side of the shirt it has two button flap pockets. The color of the shirt is a royal gold with some accents of blue mixed in; Just like the model you can pair the shirt with a pair of light grey jeans and a pair of brown boat shoes to complete the look. This look can be worn on a date night or you can wear the look for a night out with the guys.

 For my fashionable ladies Urban Outfitters has a classic flannel button down shirt from BDG that has an allover print. The shirt has buttons going down the front, the cuffs on the shirt have buttons and the fit is relaxed. Throughout all the prints the black checkered flannel shirt seems to be the one that everyone likes according to the reviews. This shirt can be paired with some of your favorite ripped jeans, leggings or even your favorite vintage dress. Once you purchase this shirt it would be one of your favorite purchases. I would recommend that you purchase a bigger size just because it will give you a looser fit and you will have enough room for layers.

 Believe it or not plaid is in this season, I personally feel that it will never go out of style. Most importantly you can wear your plaid shirt with almost anything in your closet.  According to many designers fashion is about taking the next step and thinking outside the box but most importantly you want to make sure that you are comfortable, with that being a known fact I recommend going out to one of your favorite retail locations and purchasing a plaid shirt.

Fashion Fun With Leather

Welcome to the season where many designers are making affordable and stylish leather pieces. The Leather trend is one that is very popular among many, as we all know Kanye West is no stranger to leather. He rocks his leather skinny pants with almost everything; he has also introduced his chic girlfriend Kim Kardashian to the trend as well.  

During Fashion Night Out many designers and stars were out wearing their leather pieces. At the Alice +Olivia show in New York Angela Simmons wore an all black leather look with a nice bright bold lip, and fashion stylist June Ambrose also rocked a nice leather jacket over her black and grey cocktail dress. While most of their pieces are very costly there are affordable designers that offer the leather look as well.

In some of my previous postings I have used many looks from Top Shop (www.topshop.com). The reason why I recommended Top Shop is because they offer many fashion forward pieces that are affordable; they have a Ruch leather skirt by Boutique that will have you runway ready for the fall. The price of the skirt is ($190); the color is oxblood which is a nice dark burgundy which happens to be the color for this fall. You can pair this skirt with a nice grey sweater, black tights and some black booties.

Leather or not is the new collection that is offered at Urban Outfitters this fall. The collection offers skirts, tights, shorts and even some shirts that have some type of leather. Urban Renewal offers fitted leather shorts that are pierced with remnant leather accents, a zipper appears to be on the back and depending on your body type they can fit high waisted. The price of the shorts is ($59); you can purchase the shorts at (www.UrbanOutfitters.com). You can pair the shorts with a nice vintage shirt and a pair of your favorite heels.

 Take your fashion to another level by adding some abstract of leather to your wabrobe. Have fun with the leather pieces that you find and wear. If you happen to get stares and frowns when you wear your leather pieces just let people know if Kim and Kayne can pull it off so can I.

Step into fall in Style

When it comes to fall what comes to mind? Could it be the color change of the leaves, the temperature dropping or the early boot sale at your favorite store?

In my opinion fall is the perfect season for fashion, you get to experience Fashion Night Out in your local area and you get a chance to experience outstanding boot sales. This fall will offer a wide variety of boots, including the ultimate boots for the season; the riding boot, wedge boot; lace up boot, moto boot, Chelsea boot, and the hiking boot.

The riding boot is one to invest in just because this particular boot last for a very long time and can be worn in all kinds of weather. I suggest pairing this boot with a pair of skinny pants or a skirt long enough to cover the top of the boot. Many designers are offering a stylish riding boot this season, one particular designer/brand that caught my eye is the Hunter Leather Crest Riding Boot ($495.00) which can be purchased at Neiman Marcus or Hunterboots.com(Hunterboots.com)

Every girl loves to feel a bit taller than they already are. The wedge boot gives you that extra height, the jewel tones and luxe fabrics are the trend for fall. You can try and pair these boots with a nice pencil skirt for the work day or for a night out on the town you can pair the boot with a short mini dress. Try visiting pourlavictoire.com to check out the Leather Pour la Victoire Wedge boot for ($300); the style of the boot is unique and different.

Chains, Metallic’s, and even some studs take your fall boot to the next level. The Chelsea boot is the perfect vintage find that will have you back in the groove of things. Pair this style of boot with a pair of skinny’s or minis and black tights. Saks Fifth Avenue offers a leather Chelsea boot with a chain by the designer Elizabeth and James ($395).

So with this fall quickly approaching let’s try to step into the season in style.

Back to School In Style

 Summer is slowly leaving us which means it is time to hit the books again. Kids and even adults are preparing for back to school shopping, which can be a hassle just because you have to get everything that is needed which includes the perfect outfits. 

Ever hear parents say that you are not going to school for fashion?  That you are at school to learn and that is it. Well with that being said you still want to make that first impression.

 The only question is what will be your style for this school year? Are you going for the preppy chic look, the rock star look or the fashion forward look?

The preppy chic look is one that is very easy to style just because you can wear a lot of sweaters, button-ups and  trousers that you were unable to wear last school year, if you prefer to have a fresh look Top Shop. Com (www.us.topshop.Com) has the best options for the preppy chic look. Their knitted stud shoulder sweater is beyond beautiful the burgundy color goes perfect with the fall season and it is very lightweight, under the sweater I would wear a white or black collar shirt and then pair their petite Moto Paisley Jeans with the sweater to complete the look.

For those that want to stay in all black for the school year the rock star look is a perfect fit. Alice and Olivia (www.Alicaandoilvia.com) would be the place to visit. You can purchase a pair of their front zip leather leggings; paired with a long sleeve scoop leather blouse and a nice studded motorcycle vest to finish the look.  I would wear all gold accessories for the look to polished.

The idea of being fashion forward for most would be wearing your favorite designers from head to toe. Finding looks for this particular style may be very hard just because you want to stay true to yourself and also the designer. Southmoonunder (www.SouthMoonUnder.com) offers a large variety of designers which offers options for men and women.

For the upcoming school year the fashion forward style is one that is popular among most teenagers and college students. A fashion forward teen can get a pair of blank colored stretch skinny corduroy pants to complete their fall wardrobe pair the pants with a free people leopard print blouse. A college student can wear this look to class with a pair of flats and when it is time to unwind they can wear this look with a pair of black wedges.

This school year it is all about the books of course, but don’t forget the fashion that comes along. With any style you wear this school year just remember to remain fashionable while you collect all A’s on your report card.



Be Inspired With Menswear

From bow ties, collar shirts, oxford shoes to even tuxedos, menswear has been the best trend out. This particular style has many options including fashion tuxedos, cowboy and military inspired looks, and many more.

The many style options offered by this particular trend will have you feeling chic, powerful and in charge. At the Met Costume Institute Gala in 2009 famous pop singer Rihanna won the crowd over with a Dolce and Gabbana tuxedo. The pop singer also inspired us this summer with her Red and Pink tuxedo number while she was visiting in London. We can say that Rihanna is one girl that loves fashion and rocks this trend well!

Designer YSL is offering a phenomenal women's line from which many celebs have been spotted wearing menswear pieces. Celebs have been spotted rocking these pieces to premieres, parties and even fashion events; by them showing just how versatile this trend can be it has became very popular among the fashion industry. With fall just around the corner YSL menswear inspired line enables women to dress in style, be influential and show their power. 

If you feel like the tuxedo look is not your preference maybe you can try the popular cowboy style. For this look you will need a pair of cropped jeans, plaid shirt, cowboy boots or a trendy blazer, but in order to wear this look your confidence level has to be high.

You can purchase a pair of cropped jeans from the Gap or replace the jeans with a pair of denim cutoffs. For the best selection of plaid shirts I recommend urban outfitters they offer a variety of colors and styles. Cowboy boots are always an easy find especially; with fall right around the corner many stores are having a sale on boots. Throwing on bright color blazer can complete this outfit. Top Shop (www.TopShop.com) offers a yellow structured blazer with a rolled sleeve, which is very versatile and can be paired with just about anything. Try rocking it to complete your cowboy look or even to create your own tuxedo look.

 Remember fashion has no limits, if you like to wear menswear or if you prefer to wear women’s wear just make sure that you remain true to yourself and your confidence level is high.

Fashion Fix for Your Fingertips

Trips to the nail salon are always fun, exciting and enjoyable. Manicures and pedicures are weekend traditions, and picking a color or brand is the best part.

Opi is one of the most popular brands; they have nine different collections filled with alluring nail colors. Their collections offer over a wide variety of colors different colors to match your mood and fashion sense. Wearing these colors can bring out your bold, stylish, romantic, enticing, adventurous and entertaining personality. For instance, their bright collection is filled with bolts of bright colors; ranging from Blue My Mind, Bright Lights Big Color, Purple with a Purpose, and Green-wich Village which make bold statements. Sporting colors from this collection adds fun to your fingertips and a jolt of color to your style. Opi can be purchased a any target, Ultra, beauty stores and even your local nail salons.

Another popular brand you may be familiar with is Maybelline. Most young people probably know Maybelline form their makeup collection, but they also offer four different nail polish collections. Their metallic collection offers high fashion shades that have a heavy-metal edge. The collection includes four different high fashion colors; Amethyst Ablaze, Bold Gold, Navy Narcissist and Blue Blowout. These shades are chip resistant and bolder then you can ever imagine. Although most salons may not offer you this brand, you can go to your local drugstore and purchase these colors and bring them along to the salon.

Last but not least we cannot talk nail polish without mentioning Essie, another popular fashion forward brand. This brand offers colors for the sorority girl, date night, the office and vacations just to name a few. They offer colors that are bright, and offer you a conservative color as well. From sheers, purples, beguiling blues, see worthy greens to their famous summer collection you have a variety of shades to choose from. Their newest collection represents exercising and staying fit, while the summer collection shows the heat, electric energy and spending days at the beach.

Take your fashion sense to another level by styling your fingertips; give them a makeover with designs, bright colors, textures and even a new shape. Nail art represents and tells a story and if your story happens to one filled with fashion, be bold and show your uniqueness, individuality and boldness through your fingertips.

Fashion Trends for the Heat

All fashionistas beware summer is here! The heat index has reached way above 100 degrees. Here in the United States everyone has been trying different methods to remain cool; some people have concerns about what to wear to work with the rising temperatures, but I have noticed that there are many trends the everyday working girl can wear to remain cool and professional.

So this past weekend I was doing some shopping and I came across many fashion forward trends for the summer. One particular fashion forward store that offers these trends is South Moon Under. This store offers an electric mix for males and females. They have skirts, maxi dresses and even nice thin blazers that can be worn during the sizzling temperatures. One particular item that caught my attention is their Bombay Zig ZagDress. BB Dakota who is the designer of the dress wanted females to remain confident and feminine while wearing the dress. This dress is a cool, stylish, fun and professional option. To complete the look I highly recommend a pair of chic ballet flats or a pair of black or even a nice shade of blue heels will compliment the dress very well. The Bombay Zig Zagdress can be purchased at (http:www.southmoonunder.com) or you can go to any location and visit the store in person.

Now if you are a person who loves and desires labels then I have the perfect solution for you. Stylebop.com (http:www.stylebop.com), offers runway designers that every fashion girl dreams of. On this site you can find many trends that can be worn through the different seasons. With bright colors being the new trend for summer the retro orange Michael Kors dress they have is perfect. This dress will keep you cool but fashionable; by pairing it with a cute leopard belt and some black platform heels to have a complete look.

Now some women may not like to show their legs; so in this case you have the option of wearing some nice wide leg slacks with a tuxedo blazer that will make you feel very business chic. You can find many professional blazers at Stylebop.com. Most may think wearing a blazer can make them seem hot but under the blazer you can get a nice but simple cami to pair with the wide leg slacks; having the cami underneath the blazer will make you feel a little cooler when you go outside.

With August; the hottest month of the summer approaching it is extremely hard for the working woman to find something that will keep her cool during the heat and require remaining professional. But when it comes to fashion you have to surrender to a lot of things, weather changes, fashion trend changes and most importantly you have to make sure that you are comfortable with yourself. So trying to stay fashionable in the heat can be a task, but if you are a true fashionista you will be able to pull thru.

Reunited and it feels so fashionable: 70’s Fashion in 2012

Reunited and it feels so fashionable is the theme song for the runway this summer. With 70’s fashion coming back into play many designers are making maxi dresses and pants with vibrant and funky prints. These clothes create a type of boldness that is perfect for hot weather fashion.

One particular pant that seems very popular on the runaways would have to be the palazzo pant. With this pant you can do so much, like add that one blazer that fits just perfectly. The palazzo pant is the new skinny jean for the summer; it allows you to be comfortable yet chic. These popular pants can be found in many of the local stores throughout the city, like the style above from Free People.

With the 70’s trend you have a daytime look and a nighttime look.  For the daytime it is all about clean but voluminous silhouettes in earthy colors. With this look you can wear high waisted wide leg pants and a neat bow blouse.  An ideal blouse for this look has billowing or bishop sleeves and comes in silk or satin. Layering beads around the neck is also a big plus for a complete daytime look.  For the really daring, a pair of hot pants is a 70’s ultimate item.

To create a nighttime 70’s look think “sophisticated socialite.”  Choose high sheen fabrics in metallic or silk with a 70’s disco-inspired edge.  And of course you want to make sure you have a ruffed neckline under a blazer or even a tuxedo jacket that can be paired with a good sharp pair of pants.  Some may want to show off that perfect figure- wear a long, slinky gown with a very low neckline or a dress that has the ultimate slits on the side for the ultimate 70’s nighttime glamour.

 So if you love to boogie and if you love the disco, I recommend that you bring those wide leg pants, vibrant jumpsuits and silk blouses out to play. The 70’s trend is something that will never go out of style.  

The Infamous White T-shirt

So some say that you need color to complete your outfit. This may be true but what does that color do for the outfit, does it just brighten it up or does it bring some sass. Now even though the famous Jay Z said that he is going to wear black for a year straight does that make him fashionable? Or can just wearing a white t-shirt complete an outfit?

A white t-shirt can become the best part of any outfit. The shirt can fit baggy or fitted whichever you prefer. It can be worn with a pair of boyfriend shorts with a very big chunky necklace or your favorite pair of heels. With this look you are showing your casual but fashionable side. Another option I recommend with the white t-shirt would have to be wearing it over your maxi dress; with this option you can create two outfits in one.

But let's not forget the white shirt can go with any print you decide to wear. If you do decide to wear the white shirt with a mix print just make sure you pair it with the right accessories, the right shoes and even the right handbag cause if you don't the concept of just wearing that white shirt can go all wrong.

Remember that wearing color is not always the right option. Just like when Jay Z said he is going to wear black for a year straight that was his way of being different and not doing the norm. When it comes to fashion you have to practice being different, thinking out of the box and most importantly you have to be willing to take chances. So if that means just wearing that white t- shirt all summer with your favorite pair of shorts, jeans or even those mix prints I recommend that you become that different factor that the summer needs.       

Why do women compare guys to accessories?

So when you buy that new Michael Kors watch are you wishing and hoping that your date was just as clean and polished or are you hoping that they are on time. When you wear those cute ballet flats are you wishing that your guy walks in your shoes for day or two? Or are you wishing that your guy was just like one of your favorite accessories?

When we compare guys to our accessories we expect so much out of them. We expect them to hold us the right way just like our favorite belt holds around our waist, we expect them to be on time just like our new watch that goes perfect with everything, and we also expect them to keep their baggage stored away just like we keep everything in that favorite handbag. No guy is perfect and no accessory is perfect but when you try to compare them both you may be left with nothing at all.

In my personal opinion I feel that most women compare their guy to accessories because they want that guy to be perfect, they want that guy to be able to be true to them, and they also want that guy to never do them wrong. Guy's can't do all those things that your accessories do for you unless he wants too. You can have pieces in your accessories that won't last forever, but sometimes true love can last forever.

So when you know that your guy can't live up to your accessories what do you do? Do you stick it out? Do you keep buying that one accessory that you know you want him to be like? Or do you let your accessory be an accessory and your guy be a guy?

A Blaze of Color for Summer

With a sizzling summer approaching us we need colors that are sexy, chic and most importantly bright. Colors such as fuchsia, bright red, electric orange, baby doll pink, bright berries and purples are the trending lip colors this season. On a shopping trip Around Town I discovered some colors and shades from many different makeup lines that are affordable, sexy, stylish and, most importantly, perfect for every skin color.

Cover Girl has a line of colors that are summer ready. Their colors will transform your day and most importantly your lips. The top summer lip colors from Cover Girl are in the Pink to Roses collection. They have a lipstick that gives you pure lip perfection; the colors are soft but also very light and come with names like Sweetheart, Temptress, Siren, Delight and Enchantress. These colors can be paired with anything and when you wear them it gives a very flirty feel to your smile.

Revlon lip color is super lustrous and has 82 fabulous shades to choose from. Their lip colors are infused with mega moisturizers that will leave your lips very smooth and soft. Revlon’s summer colors range from many oranges and pinks such as Kiss the Coral, Fuchsia Fusion, Apricot Fantasy, Siren and Coral Berry. These colors will put you and keep you in a fashionable state of mind.

At Sephora, this store brand’s most popular line captures this season’s most sought after trend, bright orange, and offers three colors that are summer ready; Sweet Rhythm, Sweet Embrace and I’ll Lead.  With just a quick swipe you’ll feel seductive and even more stylish than before. These colors will bring a boldness to your lips that your summer crush will love.

The uber-popular MAC brand offers a variety of beach and summer ready colors. MAC had teamed with famous pop artists to promote MAC’s VIVA GLAM line of cosmetics. The rap star Nikki Minaj has a limited edition lipcolor – VIVA GLAM NIKKI, described as a bright yellow pink. This soft pink makes you feel girly but also flirty. Cremesheen lickable, Amplified, Girl About Town and Vegas Bolt are other top MAC colors you would want to take with you on a summer getaway. These colors range from hot pink to vibrant but gorgeous oranges.  Every dollar from the sale of VIVA GLAM cosmetics goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by AIDS/HIV.

While the sun is sizzilng hot let your lips turn up the heat by showing off any of these  trendy colors. Think outside the box and bring your summer in with a touch of color.

Playing on the Side

What exactly are the official rules of playing on the side or what our generation may say the side chick/male? Is it making sure that you don't call him or her after a certain hour; is it making sure you know and respect your role; or knowing that you won't be the number one priority?

Being on the sideline is never a good option. When you are on the side you get all the bad deals; lack of respect and you don't even get recognize. There are so many women and even men that have played these roles all their lives and have settle for what they think is right.

Does being on the side make you self-conscious? Does it lack self-respect? The main question is Does being on the side make you happy?

Playing that role can get old and it can lose its expiration date. Are you going to get tired of only getting half of that person, are you going to get tired of calling around a certain hour, or are you going to get tired of meeting up at places that people won't go too.

Love is all over the world and in order to find that love people can't just settle for anything. When you settle for playing that role of being on the side you will always get everything on the side. No matter how people may think that it is right for them to be playing the side. In the end the only thing that is going to change is the way your heart hurts.

So to all the people that may be playing that role stop asking yourself these questions: Why do I like him? Why do I like her? Why do I think I love him or her? Why is the sex so good? Why is he with her? Why is she with him?

Keep Calm And Go Shopping!!!

So as summer slowly approaches us fashionistas are looking for that one particular item that we know will start our summer wardrobe off on the right foot. Some people feel that online shopping is the way to go because you can get pieces that other people are not mostly likely to have. In my personal opinion I think that everyone should try different stores, don’t just go to that same regular store to purchase items.

So with that being said let me introduce a new and up and coming online boutique named Primp &Proper. The creator of this brilliant idea is a girl named Whitney Lane who is a native of the Washington DC Area. She is a 2010 Alumni of Temple University. Her eye for fashion is just remarkable; she can put any print or pattern together and make it look flawless. Many would say when they see her that she is very outlandish with her fashion and she is what people would call different. Whitney has that eye for fashion and she would find herself helping other fashion forward women look just as beautiful.

Her boutique offers everything that every girl can imagine. With the help of her seamstress she designs every piece with love and compassion.

Whitney's ultimate goal is to one day open up a few stores in the Washington DC and then make her business into a small franchise. She has been planning this franchise for about two years and everything is finally coming together. But no worries for you fashionistas she will be launching her store on bigcartel.com on the first week of June and her official website will come shortly after.

While Whitney  is all about  serving all nationalities she wants to make sure that her business are African American owned she wants to build her team in that fashion. With her franchise she also wants to showcase other up and coming artists, designers, photographers, models and etc. As of right now she has all women apparel but in the near future she plans to showcase other people’s merchandise and accessories on her website as well. So I highly recommend going to her site as soon as it launches and just Keep Calm and Go Shopping.

Vintage Heaven… Mila and Fire

What is Vintage? Is it those new Missoni jeans? Or is it the funky feeling you get when you wear a printed blouse? Two vibrant, fashion forward young women started every vintage lover’s dream. They started their own online vintage shop.

Mila and Fire are two friends that grew up in Washington, DC who always had a flair for fashion; their style is very unique and untouchable. Their online vintage store started very small at first, with pieces just for women and they sold them off eBay for little of nothing.

 They offered every type of vintage clothing you could think of, from outlandish prints, nice form fitting trousers for the average working girl and amazing vintage accessories. I was there number one client every week. Whenever I wore some of their pieces all eyes were on me. People would be amazed at the prints I was wearing and how they stood out.  Shopping at my favorite vintage boutiques in Georgetown, did not feel the same.  Mila and Fire vintage had my heart! Their pieces show your true personality, along with making you feel like a true fashionista.

These two fashionable women are filled with a lot of talent and they have revamped their online store to a more modern up to date site, they have also open their fashionable minds to vintage men clothing  and are doing a fabulous job.

 I can see many vintage lovers traveling to U St or even Georgetown to visit their boutique one day because these two women are beyond talented. Mila and Fire has managed to bring the global vintage fashion industry to our homes.

So if you are ever searching the web for local vintage boutiques I recommend going online to www. Milaandfire.com and check out some of their amazing pieces and I guarantee you will find something that will bring out your fashionable side.   

Should Reality TV Be Boycotted?

Every Monday night the world waits for the drama to unfold. Monday Night TV is not like it used to be all you see now is drama and more drama.  From Basketball Wives, Bad Girls Club, Love and Hip Hop and many others to follow I don’t know which one is worse. When the show Basketball Wives was first introduce to the world many thought that we would see some of the beautiful and intelligent wives of famous basketball players but we were wrong. The show actually consists of women who were either left at the altar or who were in a process of getting a divorce.

From the first season on down to the season that is airing now the drama has got to the point where it is just right ridiculous. We are seeing grown ass women arguing over who is the flyest, who said this and who is not my friend. Even though some of the things they are arguing about are some true factors that most females face when they growing up it shouldn't be shown with women who are over the age of 30. Yeah we as the viewers know that this is just reality TV but what we really don't know is why this women or even men sign up for the drama. Could be because they are money hungry? Could it be because they need and want the attention? Could it be because they are trying to get their husbands back? Could it because they are trying to get their wives back?

I don't think the show producers actually think about how these women will be portray in the limelight. I think all they are thinking about is how many more zero's they can add to their bank accounts. Can we just say that only our African American Women are the only ones that are acting crazy and childish? I don't think so, the Caucasians and the Italians are acting just the same. Women of the reality TV world need to know that they have many young kids that are watching and enjoying them to the fullest but are they watching them for all the wrong reasons. What happen to the parental controls they used to have for the computer software? Do we need that for TV?

Yes money may rule the world but can money buy you pride, integrity, intelligence and self empowerment. Yes if Reality TV was boycotted we may not have anything left to watch, but at least these women and even men that are on these shows will have their true character, true personality and even better they will have their integrity.

Does Being On A Social Network Define A Realtionship?

What Defines a Relationship? Is it Love? Is it having a family together? Is it having a status on a social network? In my opinion I feel that some people feel that having that status on Facebook makes their relationship. It makes some people feel that their partner loves them and also it makes them think that their partner is telling the world that they are taken.

Why would you allow a social network to define a relationship? Why should your relationship be defined by a few words on a social network? Some people use social networks to try and prove something to their selves. If you are in love and happy why should it matter what other people feel and think.

A social network is suppose to be just what it sounds like, people have made it into more then what it was develop for. It feels like now when you logged on to these sites it looks like it is a competition for attention. Some people feel that when you are in a relationship you shouldn't be on a social network, because it can cause problems within the relationship. The question is why bring your relationship on to a social network? Why allow that social network to define your relationship? Why let that social network determine the amount of trust you have with your partner?

Is it possible that people can allow the social networks to be what it is suppose to be? Is it possible that being in a relationship can be normal again?

Are We Just Ordinary People??

We're just ordinary people, we don't know which way to go, cuz we're just ordinary people. As we sing this famous John Legend song do we stop and think what does the lyrics really mean. Even though to John Legend he may be talking about love could this song have two meanings behind it. In my opinion I believe that the song can talk about us as Black People are we just ordinary people? With so many issues that have occurred in the past week we have to realize that we are nowhere near being just ordinary people. Being a Black American is very hard it is really a struggle; even though our ancestors and famous leaders fought for equal rights racism is still alive and current here today.

Even though as children we are taught to see no color but most parents teach their children the total opposite and their hearts are filled with so much hatred that they teach their children to hate other children because they are not the same color as them or even because they are just ordinary. When we go back to last year sometime around November we all came together to get Bush out of office and we wanted and dreamed for a person to be in office that looks just like us. When we finally stood in lines for hours and when we finally took and place our votes we finally got our Black President. Having a Black President caused so much turmoil because people showed their hate even more. Is this because they feel that President Obama is just a ordinary person? What is an ordinary person? Are blacks considered to be just ordinary people? Was Trayvon Martin just an ordinary kid going to the store? Is wearing a hoodie ordinary?

No one is just ordinary not even God. But the way society is going down and the way politics is sparling downward, we as blacks may stay ordinary people for awhile if we don't stand up for what we believe in. Our famous leaders and ancestors fought for many days and even years to have equal rights now it is left up to us the young generation to try and take a stand for equality. Let's learn to be intelligent leaders not followers, let's learn to stay to the front of the bus not the back, let's learn to voice our opinion no matter what the situation may be, let's not be afraid to walk into that all white bar cause we are the only blacks, let's not be afraid to say that we are African Americans, let's not be afraid to VOTE for our first black president and let's not just stay Ordinary People.

MY JOURNEY OF NO SHOPPING FOR LENT

So since Lent began on February 22, 2012, I decided for Lent NOT to SHOP and my choice to give up shopping for Lent was hard, but a good choice. My reason for choosing to give up shopping for lent was mainly due to the fact that I often found myself spending my pay check every chance I got on shopping or if I have a few dollars in my wallet I would shop. These last couple of days and even weeks has been very stressful and very tempting. Every Saturday my mother and I, have mother and daughter day. My mother loves to go shopping on that day especially since I decided to give up shopping for 40days.



As I walk through every store I take notes in my head of things that I already have in my closet that I can wear in many different ways. I also find myself trying to come up with many different reasons why I need to purchase new things. While I am doing NO SHOPPING for 40 days I find my biggest temptation is the need and want for shoes, I usually don't have that much of a need for shoes, however since I gave up NO SHOPPING shoes is all I seem to have a need for at least I think I do. One thing I can say is that it is extremely hard going into a store and seeing all these nice bright colors of pants, nice big chunky necklaces most importantly any new pair of heels that just came out. My hand just takes and rubs against that nice fabric on the jeans, my fingers rub against the beads on the necklaces and my feet just dream about being placed in those new heels.



As this process goes on I find myself being more responsible with my money, and bills are getting paid. I am saving more money than before and working with the wardrobe I already have. Throughout it all there is a lesson that we should learn during lent and that lesson is Can we go without these things forever? Is 40days really enough?

Things Women Do to Attract Men

Here we are in the year 2012 and most of us females are still single.. Why is that? Could it be becasue our standards for a guy is set so high? Are we looking in the wrong places? When you are a lonely single girl these are just a few questions we ask ourselves. But do we really sit down and ask ourselves what are we doing to attract men?

Woman do many things to attract men, but when we do these certain things do we find ourselves still single, women pick men for many different reasons but do we as women stop and think what exactly are we doing to attract men. Are we attracting men with our sparkling personalities? Are we attracting men with our high fashion? Are we attracting men in a sexual manner?

When you attract a guy with your sparkling personality it makes them look at you in a very different way, it makes them know that you are fun, loving and that you do have a heart that is filled with love.

If you try to attract a guy with your high fashion he may think that you have a good judgement when it comes to clothes, but can he love you for you or does he just love your clothes. But don't get me wrong some guys live for fashion, but just having that love for fashion can leave you still single.

Have you ever heard your mom or even your dad say how you dress or even how you talk can be the way people judge you? Well that can be true.

When us women go out for the night on the town and we have to wear that short black mini dress, or the tightest jeans or even leggins we can find ourselves selling sex.

Most males can be turn off from some women that show every aspect on their bodies, some males would like women to leave a little to the imagination. When we do that it makes us grow respect for ourselves and it also has men grow and show us respect as well.

Being single is not the best, but when you are out looking for that perfect guy we have to think about what exactly are we doing to attract men.

As women we should try to just be our natural born selves .Yes,we are known to be very emotional creatures but that can be overlook just because we have some men that are emotional as well.

When it comes to things that us women do to attract men we should try to attract that guy with our amazing personalities and our hearts that are wide open ready to show that we know how to love.

My Guardian Angel... Erma R Kinder

This post is dedicated to my loving grandmother Erma R Kinder. On March 15, 2012 will be the anniversary of an angel. In her honor I decided to do a name poem to describe my angel.

Extravagant and Elegant
Reliable; Always could count on her through thick and thin
Memorable; just like her smile and her funny comical jokes
Awesome; just like the GOD she served

Ruth; one of her favorite books in the Bible

Kind; she always help those in need
Intelligent; she was a very clever person
Neighborly; very friendly person always welcoming
Determined; to always keep her family together
Educated; she was book smart and very computer savvy
Radiant; her smile would light up a room just like a ray of sunshine

Not only will I celebrate my angel on March 15, 2012 I will celebrate her life throughout the whole month of March cause one day is just not enough.

People ask me did you ever shed a tear when your grandmother passed.

My response was No, just because I know that she is with me when I wake up in my room, she is with me with every footstep I take, she is with me with every bite I eat and she is always and forever in my heart.

Death can be very hard to take on , but when you remember the good and positive things about that person it will make you and your heart smile of joy. So I say Let's start celbrating the Life of Erma R Kinder.

Can Adoption Tear A Family Apart?

Growing up I think every young child had to do a family tree for one of their elementary school projects. Whenever that time comes we try to go to that one family member that we feel really knows the family history from beginning to the end.

But when it comes time to start drawing that tree we never know exactly how many branches we need cause in most families there are some hidden undercover secrets that most families don't want to come to light. I once heard an elderly family member say just let old dogs lay why bring those dogs to the light. When you hear that it makes your mind start wondering all over the place.

When those hidden secrets happen to come to light could it be about our family members that have been adopted by other members of the family?

When we have these adopted members in the family do we still treat them like they are apart of the family? Or do we just look at them as an outsider? Or are we outsiders to them?

When a person is adopted at any age it can be a situation where they will never really know why their birth parent actually gave them away. Are they thinking is there something I could have done better to be with my birth parents? Well of course they are thinking that cause no child wants to be without an parent, but like the old saying goes your parents knows best.

So now that these branches are getting connected to the tree and there are so many questions that go with each branch, as the questions come are the right answers being told?

When you found out that your brother or sister who you grew up with was adopted by an aunt or uncle does that start to question your relationship with them? I feel like it shouldn't just because in God's eyes we are all his children and I am sure in that parent eyes you are their children as well no matter the circumstances.

So when this tree is blooming into that big beautiful oak tree you start to wonder did you miss anybody, did you name all the generations of sisters,brothers and cousins.

If that one person was missing how would they feel? If something on the tree was worded incorrectly how would that affect the family or that person? If that one,two or maybe even third adoption happen and it was never told how would that affect the person and most of all how would it affect the family? If these things were to happen should that person forgive and forget? Or should there heart just stay filled with emptiness?

Whether a person is adopted or not a family should stick together through thick and thin. The thick can be when their is a death, a birth or even just through things that happen in the world today. The thin can be the very very small things that you may need to use a microscope for.

Anything can tear a family apart but as a family, things should not be able to break or tear that bond that your ancestors of the family created. If the bond was built with secrets or even built with adoptions it should still bring the family together as one.

So as that tree is finished and it is standing there on that long piece of paper you just stand there and look and say I Love My Family no matter the secrets and circumstances I have a beautiful family...

What is Your Addiction?

Food, Illicit Drugs, Sex, Love, Shopping, Prescription Drugs, Gambling and many others can be a lot of people's addiction. When you think of the word addiction do you think of death? Do you think this can’t be me?

Addiction is defined as a psychological/physical component; that a person is unable to control the aspects of the addiction without help because of the mental or physical conditions involved. Most people with an addiction do not have a control over what they are doing, taking or even using. When it comes to Food, Shopping or even Gambling they are considered to be Behavioral Addiction.

The addiction can get to point where it can be very harmful, when a person is addicted to something they have no control over how they are using their addiction, and it can become part of their daily life. There are so many types of addiction that most people don't even realize they have or even experiencing.

Is there a way that all these addictions can be controlled or even monitored? Can your gambling addiction put you in extreme debt?

Just eating burgers, fries, cupcakes and any other food substance make your overweight? Could shopping at Neiman's, Bloomingdale's or any other expensive retail location make you a shop alcoholic?

Are these some questions we asked ourselves even if we think we don't have an addiction?

Most people that have an addiction problem are afraid or even embarrassed to admit that they have a problem. But what they don't know is that admitting that you have a problem is the first step to recovery for a person that is experiencing any type of addiction. People that have addiction can be saved by their friends, family members or even co- workers that can and should reach out a hand and help them fight their addiction.

Fighting an addiction can be very hard, but having the chance to experience life can be very outstanding and even a blessing,  A blessing that not many people can say they were given  a chance to do.