06

Sep

Straight from the A: Fall Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Lela Rochon gives fashion advice in ‘Waiting to Exhale’

Hello darlings!  As many of you are celebrating fall weather, with football season and back-to-school, I thought we should chat about two of my deepest fashion pet peeves this time of year: the question of wearing white and/or leather (hopefully you aren’t wearing them together!).

Should one wear white after Labor Day? This is a hotly contested issue in the South.  Yes, it’s time to put away the seersucker and linen, but by all means chic ones: please don’t be afraid to wear white.  Wear your white  year-round, but bring your look into autumn with the warmer colors of the season (plum, teal, sapphire) as accents.  Or keep it basic: one of my favorite ways to wear white is to pair white jeans with a black turtle neck and leopard flats or smoking slippers. 

Now as for leather pants and jackets and winter boots, please don’t break them out when the temperature is sweltering (unless you want to get talked about for “leather-wearing in the summertime.” ).Two possible exceptions? Leather skirts and sheaths. This Banana Republic dress ($298) is EVERYTHING, but even though it’s sleeveless, it may not be a good look until the weather cools off.  If you’re going to rock a skirt, keep the length classy (!) and balance the strength of the skirt with a lighter top (unless you’re going for “biker chick”).

I don’t care if these boots are Givenchy.  Please don’t try this look at home.

  

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Images via Tumblr and YB&F

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

The Look

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05

Sep

Fashion faceoff: RNC vs. DNC edition

Who wore it best?

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Ann Romney in a crisp red silk, belted taffeta shirtdress from Oscar de la Renta ‘s pre-Fall 2012 collection  (which may have cost close to $2490, from the looks of a similar dress sold on Net-a-Porter) with black low-heeled open-toed pumps…or First Lady Michelle Obama in Tracy Reese’s arm-baring custom rosy pink and bluish gray toile dress with J. Crew’s suede “Everly” pumps in rhubarb ($245)?  Mrs. Romney chose a bright red nail polish and gold accessories while Mrs. Obama chose a soft taupe-grey (very similar to Sally Hansen’s ‘Commander in Chic’) and almost no jewelry. Both women had flawless hair and makeup (no stiff hair “don’ts” here). 

Mrs. Obama’s ensemble seemed to be more of a bold risk with its keyhole back, tonal fabric, seaming, scallop detail  and cutaway silhuoette, which also showed off her toned arms.  Mrs. Romney’s sartorial choice was a twist on the traditional 1950s shirtdress, with its demure neckline and sleeves and full skirt. 

So, darlings, which look gets your vote?

Images via Huffington Post, US Magazine and the Daily Beast

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/The Look/Who Wore What Where

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21

Aug

Haute or not? Steve Harvey Women’s Collection

The Steve Harvey Women’s Collection debuts at K&G stores today.  I heard all about it via his radio show this morning as one of his daughters promoted the line (I kept waiting for someone to yell “Think like a man; dress like a lady!”).  The collection, which include accessories, hosiery, separates and dresses (in solids and prints composed of polyester/rayon/spandex blends), are sold for $49.99 or less.  The line is marketed as “fashion that works for the office and beyond” to women sizes 8-24 who want look fabulous on a budget (which is commendable), but I don’t see anything particularly special or inspiring about the pieces.  You can purchase a silky secretary blouse with a necktie, a nondescript pencil skirt or a paneled dress from Saks to Macy’s to Forever 21 right now.  And the double breasted belted jacket should be avoided at all costs.  However, I did appreciate seeing the pieces on “real” women; winners of a model search were styled in some of the pieces and are featured on the website.

Personally, I’ll pass.  But I wonder if we’ll see Mrs. Harvey wearing it?   And will you be heading over to K&G to check out the line?

Image via K&G

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Haute or Not?/The Look

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20

Aug

SCDD Public Service Announcement

If you have naturally curly strands that tangle or snarl when wet, then RUN (don’t walk!) to get a bottle of Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in conditioner and detangler.

Available for $11.99 at select Target locations, the product detangles with ease and leaves my curls silky smooth. I apply two to three half-dollar sized amounts to my hair while wet, saturate from the roots to the ends, and comb through my strands with a large tooth comb or a Denman brush. As someone who has been tremendously tender-headed since birth but has a head full of hair, I can say Knot Today works like a charm, allowing me to comb out my hair with virtually no stress to my scalp and minimal hair loss as a result.

I’ve found that the 8 ounce bottle lasts for at least 8-10 shampoos or conditioner washes, and it is alcohol and paraben-free.  And as the website notes, “[it] can be used as a regular rinse out conditioner for wavy hair or as a leave-in for thicker curlier hair types. [Knot Today is] an excellent product to use after removing braids and extensions.”

Buy it, try it and thank me later!

Image via Kinky Curly

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

C'est Si Bon/Learn From My Mistakes!/The Look

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17

Aug

Meow! How to create the perfect cat-eye

Since I’ve been on a fierce kitty fashion statement kick this week, why not keep the party going?  And since the Jordin Sparks/Whitney Houston remake of Sparkle launches tonight (featuring the haute coiffures and couture of the 1960s), I thought I’d share my favorite way to create a smoking hot CAT EYE!  MAC’s Fluidline in “Blacktrack”  ($15) is perfect for adding a touch of mystery and glamour to your makeup routine.  The product’s long-wearing gel formula has a smooth finish and is difficult to mess up.   I recommend using an angled brush for precise application.  MAC’s Small Angle Brush #266  ($20) has super-soft bristles and works perfectly!

Lightly dab the brush into the pot to deposit color and apply slowly along the lower edge of  your upper eyelids.  If your hand is steady, you can apply in one continuous motion, following the curve of each eyelid. If you’re a novice, leaning toward the mirror and tilting your head back may help.  Make the line as thick as you prefer; the eyeliner is easy to remove.  For extra flair I angle the brush when I reach the far edge of my outer eyelid to create a slightly upturned swoop, but the end shouldn’t extend past the outer point of your eyebrow  Allow the liner to dry; remove any smudges and stray flecks of product with a moistened Q-tip.

Fashion flashback: check out this clip of the original Sparkle, featuring Lonette McKee and Irene Cara!

PLUS the song and film’s concept remade by En Vogue:

14 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon/The Look

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16

Aug

LOFT grand opening party highlights gameday chic

LOFT’s new concept store celebrated its grand opening in Alabama last Thursday, with a fashion party at the Summit location.  Spacious and plush, with bright and attractive displays and plenty of feminine appeal, the store feels more like you’ve stepped into a luxurious and welcoming walk-in closet rather than a store.  Focusing on fashion that would be appropriate for a gameday excursion, the pieces offer a bright color palette, pleasing patterns and prints, and even options for the petite or tall physique and expectant moms.  Touches of lace, and hades of raspberry, acid green and the ever-popular leopard print will be big this fall, and whether you’re shopping for the season’s must-have cropped pant, slim-fit denim, a bright belt, a snazzy scarf, the perfect necklace or a killer pair of sunnies, you can find it at LOFT.   

Guests enjoyed catering by Jann Robinson of jann rob!nson Culinary Living, and as they shopped and could view gameday faves worn by local hosts Amy Bailey, Holley Grainger, Holly Lollar, Alesha Oni, Amanda Saint and Betsy Wall.  Ms. Oni, who is an Auburn University alum, modeled the Marisa Ankle Pants in fire glow orange and the Lurex Striped Scarf in winter coral with a cobalt blue shell.  When asked if the ensemble was something she’d wear to Jordan-Hare she noted “It is.  I thought about what I would wear to a game, but also on Fridays [to work] for Spirit Day.  [This is] something I could mix and match.”  I agree; the pieces are well-constructed and super cute. LOFT doesn’t skimp on details; you’ll find pieces featuring pleating, ruching, ruffles, sequins and even peplum accents.  My personal fave?  The Corded Dobby Striped Trench ($148).

Ten percent of total sales from the Grand Opening event benefited the Junior League of Birmingham’s Shop Save & Share initiative.  LOFT is located at the Summit, next to Rosenberger’s Trunk.  Shop online now; all full-price pants and denim are $20 off, all sale items are an extra 50% off, and you can get a $25 savings card for every $50 you spend on full-price items now through September 8.

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Birmingham Live!/Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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13

Aug

I spot a trend….

Wearing animal print accessories can be a great way to take a neutral outfit up a notch or ten.  These patent leopard pumps with black trim and red heels are my guilty pleasure.

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Don’t you just hear Eartha Kitt meowing?

No best-dressed wardrobe is complete without a touch of leopard or cheetah!

14 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

C'est Si Bon/The Look

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08

Aug

Happy Wednesday!

What do you wear when your week needs a pick-me-up? 

These chunky-heeled cheetah pumps with cheery yellow trim are the perfect mood lifter for me.

XOXO Alexis

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Haute or Not?/The Look

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07

Aug

Fashion Faceoff: Marjorie vs. Gwyneth

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Beyonce’s bestie drew collective gasps with this snow white wonder by Tom Ford on the Oscars earlier this year.  Mrs. Steve Harvey chose a fiery red version for the Hoodie Awards in Las Vegas last weekend.  You tell me: who wore it best?

(I’ll take it in either hue, please and thank you. That cape is EVERYTHING!)

14 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

The Look

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01

Aug

Oh my…Oprah Goes Au Naturel!

Look who’s rocking natural hair on the cover of her magazine, on stands August 7!

Per oprah.com, the August edition is all about transformation.  Oprah notes: “The only way to real transformation is through the mind.”  Free your mind, and the rest will follow!

Are you loving her look?

Image via oprah.com

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

The Look

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