Thank You Ms. Davis

I only watched an hour or so of the Oscar presentation, but I watched the red carpet from 6:00 to the start of the show at 8:30. There were some gorgeous dresses and dashing suits, but what really caught my eye was Viola Davis' hair. Why you might ask? I am so happy that she has the confidence to wear her natural hair. Rock the fro! I feel like Hollywood can be so confining sometimes. I understand that actors need to be chameleons in order to completely become into a character, but I feel like everyone looks alike on and off the set. Most of the black actresses (at least the mainstream ones) have straight hair, either chemically relaxed or woven in. Don't get me wrong, I think if that's how you want to wear your hair then more power to you. But I find it very hard to believe that 100% of the black actors want the same exact hairstyle. The same. Exact. Hairstyle! Give me a break! I see so many people walking the streets with natural hair, you're telling me that none of those natural ladies lives in the LA/Hollywood area (insert side eye here). I've been natural for 8 years now, and my mom just went natural a year ago (her hairstyle looks like Ms. Davis') so I know we are out there. So kudos to you Ms Davis, and thank you. Thank you for bucking the norm and wearing your hair in it's natural state. Thank you for letting America know that straight hair isn't the only style that black women can rock. And thank you for just being the beautiful, stunning (I mean look at her bone structure and smooth skin!), phenomenal woman that you are.

P.S. Your dress (Vera Wang) was out-of-this-world gorgeous! :o)

Photo curtsey of Allure

Photo curtsey of Fashion Police

OOTD - Pretty in Pink

Hi ladies and gents. Welcome back to the work week. This is just a quick OOTD inspired by Curvy Girl Chic (check out her blog here). I loved that she was wearing a pink skirt in the dead of winter. Granted she does live in a warmer climate (California I think) but I tried to modify it to fit the weather we've been having here in Boston. Plus when I found the skirt at The Gap (apparently I've been on a Gap kick as of late) on final clearance for $11.00 I knew the fashion gods were telling me to go ahead and recreate the look.

Outfit Details;
Skirt, Sweater, and Belt - Gap

OOTD - So much to do. So little time

Quick OOTD ladies. Sorry for the background - it was a long day and I was just getting to the gym at 10:00 at night. On a brighter note I've been relatively successful at getting my workouts in on a regular basis. I've been going 6x a week for about four six five weeks (wow I've lost track). There was only one week that I knocked it down to four times, which I still think is pretty good.

Anyway, as I was getting ready to change for my workout I realized I hadn't taken my OOTD picture yet! Sacrebleu! I suppose a locker room picture will have to do.

Outfit details: Sweater - Sanctuary, Tee - H&M, Necklace - Banana Republic, Skirt - French Connection, Boots - Born

Closet Desires: Spring/Summer 2012 Edition

Never! It is never too early to think about the upcoming season. All the magazines have images of the spring trends and it seems like every show I watch is on vacation or filmed in a warm, sunny locale. So I've started to think about the things I'm going to add to my closet for the warmer months. I live in dresses in the warmer months, but I do want to update my look just a little bit. Here's my wish list.

Jumpsuits/Rompers

Joie Joleen

Jumpsuits and rompers have come and gone. (And come and gone. And come and gone.) Now they are back - I've been seeing them on my guilty pleasure reality shows on E, Vh1, or Bravo and every time I see one I think "I gotta get that!" They can run the gamut from easy-breezy to sophisticated to glitz and glam. Needless to say I am excited to wear one. Now the question is are they actually wearable? How does one go to the bathroom? Especially if it's not a tube top like the one pictured. Honestly, I don't even care - that's how bad I want a jumpsuit and romper, haha. I am excited! Now they are pretty hard to pull off fit wise, especially if you aren't the same size top to bottom or if you are taller or shorter than average height - both of which I am. The trick for me here will be to either find one with a long torso or a high rise. Either way I'm determined and oh so excited about this item.

High-Low/Asymmetrical Hemline

BCBG

Business in the front, party in the back. Who knew the mullet look could actually be so cool. This is another look that isn't necessarily new this season, but there are so many ways to interpret it. I like all versions of it - the extreme (like the one pictured from Nordstrom) and the less exaggerated versions. Both bottoms and tops have utilized this trend. I don't know why, but the asymmetrical hem top is just oh-so flattering. I already own a skirt, a dress, and numerous tops with a high-low hemline but a few more won't hurt :o)

Color Color Color

Gap "Always Skinny Flood Jeans"

Sam Edelman "Marina Pump"

I love all color - and it is so in this season from brights to pastels. Pants, dresses, skirts, accessories - doesn't matter what it is it'll just add a little pop to my wardrobe. I'm excited for the pinks/corals, greens/yellows, and of course my favorite color purple! And because the colors run the gamut everyone can wear this trend - add a belt or some fun bangles or go for the gusto and do it all over! I'm going to go the accessory route when it comes to bright colors (I love wearing a monotone outfit with a pop shoe). For the pastels I'll look for dresses and jeans. 

OOTD - workaholic

Happy Valentine's Day! Just a quick OOTD from the office. The good thing about my desk is there are two full length mirrors for trying on samples so it's easy for me to pop up and take an outfit pic before heading out to a Speed Dating mixer with some girlfriends.

Outfit details: Cords (J. Crew), Sweater (so old I can't remember where it's from), shoes (Vince Camuto).

I Love Fashion Week

Fall Fashion Week has hit New York City once again and I was lucky enough to attend the Cynthia Rowley show for work. Unfortunately I wasn't able to bring the camera (poor planning on my part) so the next best thing was the iPhone - thank goodness for technology. 

Some of the highlights: mechanical jumpsuits, lady-like dresses with high-low hems, leather and sequin detailing, and lots of great jackets. It's amazing all the work that goes into a 15 minute fashion show. Enjoy this short snippet of the final walk and have a fabulous weekend!

OOTD - Long Days Night

Just got in to the hotel after an early start and a very full work day. The lighting in here isn't the best but I absolutely loved my outfit so I had to take a few pictures before I changed into my jamjams and crashes into bed.

Outfit details: button front shirt (J. Crew), mini pants (J. Crew), sweater (Gap Outlet), flats (J. Crew), ring ( TJ Maxx), bracelet (gift)

OOTD - Meating the ladies

Hey lovelies! Just a quick OOTD. This past weekend I went out with some friends to a Brazilian BBQ. For those of you who have never been to a Brazilian BBQ it's like carnivore heaven. Basically there is a buffet that contains salads and cheese, soups and chowders, side dishes and fruit. Then there are meat people (I have no idea what they are really called) come around with different meats on huge sword like things and they carve off what you want. If you've got the stomach space they just keep on coming. It is completely awesome for a little meat lover like me. Yum yum yum-yum-yum!

 What do you ladies and gents think of the new photo local? My only issue with it is the spotlight on my forehead - not too cute.

Don't sweat the style

It's always amazing how fashion, or at least how you feel in your clothes, can effect your mood and your motivation. Take exercising for instance :) If I fall off my exercise bandwagon (which happens more often than I'd like to admit) what brings me back if a few new workout outfits. There's nothing like going to the gym feeling like you look like a million bucks - and looking like you know what you're doing, even though you just secretly shadow the fittest looking person around the gym and do what they do to ensure you get a good workout, ha ha!

Here are some of the latest things that I'm loving for my workouts:


You guys know that I have larger than average feet. So I under NO circumstances will ever ever EVER buy a white pair of sneakers. Doesn't mean I don't want attention on my sneakers, I just don't want to look like I've got two 40 foot yachts on my feet. These sneakers fit the bill - fun and bright, and not white :) Plus New Balance is my favorite exercise shoe brand.

New Balance 1400 Running Sneaker

I'm tall, so I prefer capris when I work out, that way I don't have to worry about finding a pant with a long enough inseam. My body type is most flattered with a legging/tight style as opposed to a flare/boot leg style.

NIke "Time Out" Capri

prAna "Prism" Capris

I am currently obsessed with Under Armour's burnout tees. I have two and if I thought I could get away with wearing them every day to work out believe me I would. I bought them at Nordies during one of their sales and I haven't seen them since. Good news! They're on sale at UA.com. I gotta snap some up!

Under Armour "Victory" Burnout

What do you wear to your workouts when you want to feel good about your health and your body?

OOTD - Winter Wonderland

I awoke this morning to snow on the ground and the cars. Wait a minute! That wasn't there when I went to bed last night! Hmmm, I'm going to have to rethink my outfit today. I can't let a little snow cramp my style to out come the most snow worthy shoes I have in my closet (save my Sorels). Enter my furry wedges by Franco Sarto :)

The rest of the outfit itself is pretty simple - Banana Republic gray long sleeve tee and tiered black knit skirt (which, PS, I bought for a whopping $5 on final clearance!), pink ruffle front sweater from Nordies Rack, and warm black tights by Hue. My go-to watch (Michael Kors) and ring (TJ Maxx) and I'm ready to head to work - whether I like it or not. Oh well, at least I'll be warm and stylish.