19

Oct

Ask Alexis: Help me find a nude shoe!

Q: Dear SCDD, Help!!! Where can I get some super awesome nude shoes: Flats, pumps, stilettos, etc? Also, “nude” means nude for YOUR skin type…right??  -Sincerely,  Desperately Seeking Nudeness

A: No need to be desperate, diva!  As the above photo shows, there are plenty of options for nude, tan, or beige footwear. From Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, Nine West and Aldo to Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Brian Atwood it’s pretty easy to find a neutral shoe that flatters your skintone.  Check out all the options available at Heels.com!

The hue doesn’t have to be an exact match to your complexion; one or two shades lighter is perfectly fine.  And don’t limit them to your beige, tan or brown ensembles.  A nude pump, flat, bootie, peeptoe or platform can be worn with (just about) anything!

Do you have a fashion dilemma?  Wondering what to wear on a first date, job interview or to a social event? Ask Alexis!

*Top, clockwise: Tory Burch “Reva” leather flat, Christian Louboutin “Very Prive” open-toe pump, Rebecca Minkoff “Solange” wedge booties, and Christian Louboutin “Bianca” closed-toe platform pump

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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18

Oct

The Secret of My Success

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The ballerina bun I’ve been rocking has gotten so many unexpected compliments that I thought I should come clean.  I use a very nifty bun-maker made by Conair, which I purchased at Ulta for $4.99.  The kit contains a ponytail holder, 4 hairpins, and the bun-maker (It looks like a fake donut. Seriously. But it’s actually magic in a box.).

All you do is brush your hair into a ponytail, then slide the bun-maker over it until it meets your scalp.  Wind your hair around the form – tucking it in as you go – secure with a pin, and voila!  For extra volume or to try the messy bun look, tease your ponytail with a rat-tail comb, then wind, tuck and pin.  This makes a great protective hairstyle if you’re avoiding heat, and seriously, it takes less than five minutes to do. It’s perfect for Monday mornings or when you have very little time.   And it just looks polished no matter where you’re going. I’m wearing my bun in a topknot, or sometimes at the nape of my neck.  Apparently you can buy even larger hair donuts at beauty supply stores; I can’t wait to style even more height-defying buns!

(And for some #Throwback Thursday fun: I’m the one with the bun in the last photo, circa 1986. Thanks Mom!)

Images via conair.com

13 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

C'est Si Bon/Love That!/The Look

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17

Oct

Fab freebie from Ebony!

I heart Ebony. I really do.  Not only because I (sort of) got my start in print there, grew up flipping through the copies on my parents’ coffee table, and stopped at the Fashion Fair counter for my first compact, but I’m really loving Ebony after its recent redesign. What’s even more fabulous?

Not only is the legendary magazine offering scholarships during next weekend’s Magic City Classic, it’s also offering a free, year-long subscription in honor of the Classic!  Get yours now by clicking HERE.

And Amy DuBois Barnett: if you’re reading this: hire me!

 Image via Ebony.com

13 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Birmingham Live!/Love That!

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16

Oct

Saks Friends & Family starts today!

Enjoy 20% off online-only purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue (with some exclusions, and jewelry is 15% off) today through October 17. Use FRNFAM2 at checkout. Click HERE for more information and details on exclusions.

From October 18-21, enjoy the Friends & Family discount in store and online.

Saks Fifth Avenue also offers free standard shipping on orders of $150 or more (now through October 27) with code FREESHP3.  See website for additional details.

Image via Saks

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute off the Press/Shopping is My Cardio

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15

Oct

Ugh

What’s your biggest beauty pet peeve? (One of our biggest no-no’s is illustrated above. Here are two more that get a big “No ma’am!”: VPL and painted-on eyebrows.) Share yours in the comment section!

Image via Hey Dollface

13 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

Learn From My Mistakes!/Something in the Milk Ain't Clean

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12

Oct

Inquiring minds want to know…

…what do you do when someone copies your look?  Don’t you hate it when you take the time to put together a new outfit, or try a particular hairstyle, and then someone runs out and copycats you down to the smallest detail?

I’m always perplexed when someone (especially an adult) does this. Sure, designers produce and stores sell multiples for a reason, but you know what I’m talking about:  when someone attempts to take over something in particular that may be your signature.  I usually lean toward being the bigger person and overlooking the poor soul who hasn’t the creativity to develop her own personal style (and throwing shade in private). 

What do you think? Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery or is this busted behavior? 

Image via SomeEcards

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/He Said She Said/Something in the Milk Ain't Clean

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11

Oct

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Uncategorized

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10

Oct

Thinking Pink

Aunt Helena and Uncle Henry, sometime in the 1960s

My Aunt Helena loved anything bright, shiny, luxurious and unapologetically feminine. She loved pink, and leather (but not together), and stacking her bracelets on both arms so that you heard her approaching before she actually appeared.  She believed little girls should have velvet drop-waist dresses, so she sent me one in sapphire blue with a lace collar when I was about ten. She believed in wearing fur and driving her chocolate brown Cadillac as fast as it was legal to (and sometimes, a little faster). She loved laughter, high fashion and good gossip; her voice was music to my ears, and I loved it when she’d visit us from Dallas.

My Aunt Helena died of breast cancer when I was thirteen.  We would have loved picking out Louboutins and having cocktails together, but we never got the chance.  I miss her.  And so I’m wearing our signature color and stacking my bracelets this month, for her.  She taught me that it is perfectly acceptable to sparkle – literally and figuratively. (Oh, and the bigger the diamond, the better!)

Whether you race for the cure or make strides, please support research for a cure. And please, please don’t forget to do your self-exams!

XOXO Alexis

13 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

First Person Fabulous

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09

Oct

Haute off the press: Cam Newton to Launch Collection at Belk

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Carolina Panthers quarterback (and GQ cover model) Cam Newton is launching MADE Cam Newton, (a menswear line) with Belk.  The collection will debut in stores and on Belk.com next Spring.  According to Cam: 

“As a man born and raised in the south, I have always known Belk as a benchmark for quality apparel and a destination for clothing that is both functional and stylish. Developing a collection for Belk was a natural fit from the beginning, and we designed the MADE collection with an authentic approach,” said Newton. “I’m happy to bring my vision to a clothing line that provides comfortable, on-trend clothing to men and that reflects my personal style.”

The collection will be comprised of “fashion-forward, versatile, professional apparel options for men, and in fall 2013, will also include accessories and shoes.” Celebrity fashion collections can sometimes go left (hello, House of Dead Wrong), but having seen a few of the casual and professional looks, I have to say the pieces are a sophisticated breath of fresh air (no signs of this or this).  I can’t wait to see how the line will be received here in Alabama (I’m sure the Auburn family will be “all in”). 

Your thoughts?

Update: My source told me “tees will start at $28 and a blazer will be around $120, [offering] a wide variety of prices for any budget. [Belk and Mr. Newton] created this collection for people to be able to purchase what their wallet allows…we wanted to offer a variety of choices.”

Images via Belk, Inc./PRNewswire

13 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute off the Press/Shopping is My Cardio/Something in the Milk Ain't Clean

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08

Oct

It’s hard work, but somebody’s gotta do it! – A

Image via Instagram (@tongueinchic1)

13 years ago Short URL Comments

Shopping is My Cardio

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