Meanwhile…

…Denzel is covering the October issue of GQ. (His hair, though! Is this a re-emerging trend for gents? The afro and the Caesar?)

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When you’re finished drooling, ladies, be sure to read the article by Michael Hainey.  Mr. Washington has this to say for African-American readers of GQ: 

“Take responsibility. One of the things that saddens me the most about my people is fathers that don’t take care of their sons and daughters. And you can’t blame that on The Man or getting frisked. Take responsibility. Look in the mirror and say, “What can I do better?” There is opportunity; you can make it. Whatever it is that you choose, be the best at it. You have an African-American president. You can do it. But take responsibility. Put your slippers way under your bed so when you get up in the morning, you have to get on your knees to find them. And while you’re down there, start your day with prayer. Ask for wisdom. Ask for understanding. I’m not telling you what religion to be, but work on your spirit. You know, mind, body, and spirit. Imagine—work the brain muscle. Keep the body in tune—it’s your temple. All things in moderation. Continue to search. That’s the best part of life for me—continue to try to be the best man.”

Images by Nathaniel Goldberg

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week may have ended yesterday, but thanks to New York Magazine, I can watch the Spring 2013 ready-to-wear shows at London Fashion Week from the comfort of my home, in my pajamas! And you can, too: click HERE to view the LFW shows scheduled through September 18.  Be sure to check out “A-Z Shows” to see runway videos of the collections presented at NYFW, with details, accessories and photos from backstage and the front row!

Image via Etsy

Best Dressed: Kerry Washington

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Scandal star Kerry Washington glows in this lovely Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2012 cocktail dress with applique detail at the PaleyFest Fall TV Preview Party in Los Angeles.  We are absolutely sighing over the hem length (just right!), the satin sash (not too precious) and the silhuoette of this dress.  We also love how she brought in a bit of texture with the snakeskin bag, and kept her hair and makeup soft.

Though Ms. Washington accessorized with bare legs and black pumps, you could also wear it with opaque tights as the temperature drops, as seen in the editorial.

Kerry Washington returns to tv as “fixer” Olivia Pope on September 27!

Images via The YB&F and Vogue

You have to try this: Artistry Light Up Lip Gloss

Makeup-free Mondays are not an option when cosmetics products as fabulous as Artistry’s Light Up Lip Gloss are on the market.  I recently had the privilege of trying it.

Artistry is a prestige brand sold exclusively through Amway, and is also worn by contestants in the Miss America pageant during competition (Miss America herself serves as brand ambassador during her reign).  The line, according to independent cosmetics consultant Karri Bentley, “has been around about 35 years and is one of the top five prestige brands in the world; it’s up there with Estee Lauder, Chanel and Clinique.”

I tried the lip gloss in “Passion” (a warm berry hue with a pretty shimmer; the gloss comes in five other shades) and was extremely pleased with the results. The packaging itself is attractive and lightweight, and showcases the product well.  One side has a rectangular mirror, which means no more digging through your purse for your compact.  When you unscrew the wand, two bright LED lights are activated, and when you apply the color, the light beams right over your lips.  No more applying lipstick in the dark, ladies!

The gloss itself is not sticky, but is very moisturizing and has a refreshing, minty effect; it makes your lips tingle but not in an irritating way (however, it’s not a lip “plumper”).  The shade flattered my complexion and was not sparkly to an alarming degree but added a lot of shine.  It’s relatively long-lasting, and there was a great color “pay off”: what you “see” in the translucent tube is what you “get” once you apply the gloss.  The more gloss you apply, the more richly the color is deposited.

Karri shares: “The good thing about Artistry is that [it offers] categories that fit any budget or skincare [need].  With each season we have our trend collection, typically in Spring and Fall, with a guest makeup artist to develop colors for the trend line.  It’s always someone who’s one of the famous makeup artists.  Whatever’s going on on the runways is what we’re putting out, but we also have basic colors. [Artistry has] everything for the person who isn’t into makeup all the way to the person who loves being fashionable and trendy with their makeup.”

What’s also nice is that Artistry offers customers a 180-day money back guarantee, so you have plenty of time to try the product and decide whether it works for you. At $16.05, the gloss is on trend with comparable brands; Artistry claims you will get “an estimated 200 applications” from the tube.

Ready to try it? Be sure to check out their Virtual Makeover!  Artistry can be purchased online or from an independent consultant. Click HERE to go straight to the lip gloss!

Image via Artistry

Wow.

Last year this time, I was on pens and needles (get it?)…I wasn’t sure where clicking “publish” on SCDD’s  first post would lead, but what a fabulous journey it has been.  From the bottom of my stiletto-loving heart, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for reading, inspiring, sharing and supporting Same Chic Different Day.  The friendships I’ve made and experiences I’ve had during this first year are beyond my wildest dreams or expectations (considering I thought only my mother and sister-in-law would be reading this!).  Doing what you love may seem like a cliché or even impossible, but amazing things happen when you step out on faith (in the baddest ensemble you own, of course!). 

There are seriously way too many people to thank by name, but I want to thank my family and friends (old and new) for their encouragement, expertise and for talking me off the ledge (trying to make it as a writer is not always as glamorous as I might make it seem). Thank you to EVERYONE who participated in some way with the posts, and to the students in the yearbook class at Hayden High School, who made me feel like a Pulitzer Prize winner.   

This year concludes with SCDD finding itself a finalist for one of Birmingham’s Best blogs. Where will the next year take us? Stay tuned, darlings…the best is yet to come!  (See Mother and Daddy? That liberal arts education is working out!)  

XOXO Alexis

P.S.  Of course I’m wearing sequins today.

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Images via Google and Lynsey Weatherspoon Photography

#Labor Day

I’m catching up on my sewing project (which means first I’m learning to use my new sewing machine) today. And no, the Sewing for Dummies book is NOT a prop!  I missed out on home economics in school, and knowing the fundamentals is essential. Don’t judge me.

And what is the project, you ask?  Well, during my trip to Panama City Beach this summer, I found a haute vintage LBD for $7!  The 1960s-era silk dress with applique accents  at the shoulder and hip has languished in my closet because it was too roomy in one place and too tight in another (further helping me understand what an actual “wiggle” dress is!).  Plus, the sleeves bothered me.  But after reading P.S. I Made This’ recent post “Black Dress Refresh,” I have summoned the courage and the scissors to “make it work.”

Here we go…

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That’s Haute: Gee’s Bend quilt inspires resortwear

Celia L. Smith shares something quite interesting in her Designer Inspirations piece for Essence.com:  BCBG Max Azria’s Spring 2013 pieces were inspired (at least partially) by Gee’s Bend, Alabama quilter Annie Mae Young.  The Design Inspiration: Layers that Bond the Eye references Young’s  “Center medallion strips with multiple borders” quilt (pictured above).

I checked out BCBG Max Azria’s Resort 2013 pieces, and they are fabulous.  The vibrant colors and intricate patterns make me excited to get shop for next spring/summer! And what an interesting way to draw inspiration from Ms. Young’s work, which has toured the country and been featured as part of a Smithsonian exhibit.  The work of the Gee’s Bend quilters, according to  “New York Times art critic Michael Kimmelman, “turn[s] out to be some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.”

To see more Gee’s Bend quilts, click HERE.

Image by Annie Mae Young, via Essence.com

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ShopStyle is giving away a Birkin!

“It” girls need “it” handbags, right? Well, if you aren’t interested in dropping thousands on an Hermès Birkin bag, then enter ShopStyle’s giveaway! You could win a coveted vintage version of the pricey purse (if owning the status symbol – and what some fashionistas and celebrities consider to be the ultimate accessory – hasn’t lost its appeal).  To enter, “like” ShopStyle on Facebook or complete the entry form; the contest ends September 3, 2012.  Whether you get the bag or not,  taking advantage of ShopStyle’s nifty sales alerts and style advice can make every shopper a winner.

And if you want to read all about one man’s exploits as a luxury reseller of all things Hermès, check out Michael Tonello’s book Bringing Home the Birkin.  Tonello spent several years abroad and stumbled into the job; his take on the luxury reselling business is hilarious and insightful. See what he has to say below.

Image via ShopStyle

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Free!Grechen offers fab giveaways

If you’re a savvy shopper or just love a freebie or giveaway (or if you’ve had visions of a Prize Patrol visiting you with designer goodies), then you need to check out Free!Grechen!  The blog features links to daily giveaways and contests from independent bloggers and boutiques. Prizes including clothing, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and more from well-known and new designers and brands are just some of the items up for grabs.  Just as fab: Grechen’s coupon codes.

*On a sidenote: we’re tossing sequins and tapdancing in our stilettos today; this is our 300th post! Thank you for your support!*

Image via Free!Grechen

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