Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.
– Coco Chanel
Don’t forget to enter SCDD’s chic giveaway! Comment on 12/21’s post and you could win a copy of Commander in Chic!
Fashion Flashback: The Friendship Bracelet
My short trip down Memory Lane this week paused to remember the summer of 1988, when our babysitter taught me how to make friendship bracelets from embroidery thread. Armed with a safety pin to anchor the bracelet to my jams (come on, you know what jams are), I made as many as my allowance allowed, then my friends and I traded them. Though I never became very advanced in terms of technique, I could spend hours with my Walkman on, looping and tying to my heart’s content.
Anyway, these updated, blinged out versions by Courtney Prince are way more chic and add a bit of boho glam to an outfit…feel free to purchase me one!
Image copyrighted/owned by Courtney Prince
Don’t forget to enter SCDD’s chic giveaway! Comment on 12/21’s post and you could win a copy of Commander in Chic!
A Girl’s Gotta Have it: The Go Cup
Blame it on my birthday this week: I’ve been thinking about all the accessories of my long-over childhood, like that Hello Kitty lunchbag and thermos I just had to have in fourth grade.
I know, I know…how chic can a “go cup” be? But if you’re from the Deep South, you understand its importance-nay, necessity-in adulthood: in the French Quarter you can carry (note: not operate a motorized vehicle with) your drink on the street if you have your beverage of choice in a non-glass container. And for those of you who don’t indulge, did you know Starbucks gives you 10 cents off your drink order if you bring your own tumbler?
This super cute and festive Prize Ball thermos by Kate Spade ($35) has a party on the outside to match whatever party beverage you prefer to pour inside it!
Speaking of which, if you’re in the vicinity of a New Orleans Original Daiquiri shop or Fat Tuesday, make sure you try the Cajun Eggnog daiquiri! Please indulge responsibly.
Recommended Reading: Mikki Taylor’s Commander in Chic
From the beautiful photography to the warm commentary to the priceless “Mikki-isms”, this book is a style resource to have at hand. Celebrating the effortless style of FLOTUS Michelle Obama and jam-packed with Ms. Taylor’s expertise from years as Essence ‘s final-word beauty editor, Commander in Chic was such a great read and wealth of information on building one’s personal style that I couldn’t put it down…it was more like having a one-on-one conversation with a style-savvy friend!
As Ms. Taylor notes, “At the end of the day, style in the broad stroke is about being on purpose. It’s about being comfortable in your skin and not following the trends but setting them. Finally, it’s about being your most bold, empowered self and using that awareness to color your world–from your inner and outer beauty to your fashion sensibility, from the love that you share to the hand you lend in service to others. It’s about showing up ready to stand and deliver and not only looking the part, but being just the woman for the opportunity at hand. That’s what being a “commander in chic” is all about. And we, like Michelle Obama, are just the women to do so.”
Whatever your politics are, who can’t agree with that? Fab ones, I loved this book so much that not only did I purchase one for myself, I’m giving a copy away! So tell me how you “keep it chic”: how do you express your personal style (and I don’t care if you shop the Salvation Army or Neiman Marcus)? Leave a comment below between now and December 31, 2011 and a copy could be yours!
(Because) You’re Worth It.
Lately I can’t get those old school L’Oreal ads out of my mind, the ones featuring coiffed and glamorous models or celebs cooing “I’m worth it” just before the final shot (who always looked like they didn’t have a day job, side hustle, or household to manage, much less a care in the world). Years after those ads hit the airwaves their message continues to resonate, because I think women sometimes (often?) forget they are worth it. And I don’t mean in a high maintenance, “I need diamonds and caviar” way. We deserve to take care of ourselves. We deserve excellent mental and physical health, which means taking the time to eat well, exercise regularly and rejuvenate through relaxation (Hello, girls night! Or bubble bath, good book and comfy pjs night. Etc.). We deserve to present our best selves with makeup, hair and clothing that expresses our personality and style at its loveliest, even if we have to do it on a budget. We also deserve a little bit of luxury and pampering! We deserve healthy, loving relationships, which begins with loving and affirming ourselves and choosing others who support and affirm us to be in our circle (now’s the time to cut out anyone who doesn’t fit the bill, Facebook “friends” and real-life frenemies included). And we owe it to ourselves to be fiscally smart and prepared for the future, whatever it holds (so girl get your money straight, or go back and get that degree!).
Doing these things doesn’t mean you’re selfish; it means you are self-full. Remember ladies: we can’t run the world if we’re run down, dragging and not looking or feeling our best. If my grandmothers could run their homes, take care of their husbands and more than 10 kids each and still be fierce in the same amount of time we have to work with…I don’t have a choice! (And you don’t, either!)
Knowing your worth? Now that’s chic!
XOXO Alexis
Ask Alexis
Q: Alexis – Help! How would you suggest I dress up a simple grey draped cocktail dress in jersey for a Friday night office party? – A.C., Birmingham
A: I love a versatile dress that can be worked at multiple occasions; that way you get more for your money! And this dress is perfect because not only is it (deceptively) simple, it has a classic silhouette and a length and neckline that won’t show all your lady parts to your colleagues. So how would I take this look up a notch? Add a bit of bling: a jeweled headband, bedazzled belt, or this necklace (this one can easily go day-to-night). Or you could try an armload of sparkly jet bangles, a couple of rhinestone cuff bracelets, or some eye-catching earrings and a statement ring. The key is balance: choose a few accessories carefully. For example, you could do the headband, bracelets and ring, or the belt, cuffs and ring. Finish the look with a sleek, chic topknot, cat-eye makeup and a red lip and nails, plus a black satin or sequined clutch (not the tote you carry every day to the 9 to 5), and black satin pumps.
Be sure you’ve practiced walking in your shoes ahead of time so there are no tumbles on the dance floor; roughen the soles by walking across a sidewalk several times to give them more “grip”. If you’re not sure about baring your legs, add a pair of opaque tights (patterned may be a tad much with your accessories this time). Et voilà! You’re done fab one…now get your party on!
Note: This is not the dress the reader wore, but it’s very similar. And the model pictured is not me.
Image via Google
Got a style question? Ask Alexis! Email SCDD or connect with SCDD via Twitter @SameChicSouth or Facebook!
Fashion Flashback: The Muppets (Take OPI!)
Wocka, wocka! The Muppets are back! I browsed the “unFROGgetable” Muppets for OPI line recently and the nail lacquer is super cute…there wasn’t a shade I didn’t love! Since I grew up on The Muppet Show, The Muppets Take Manhattan and The Muppet Babies, I’m more than a little geeked. I have to say OPI Meep Meep Meep (a rich, glittery red), OPI Gone Gonzo (a sheer, glittery blue that my grandmother Dorothy would have loved), OPI Pepe’s Purple Passion (a deep raisin with – you guessed it – more glitter) and OPI Rainbow Connection (I’ll let you figure out on your own what that is) were hands down my favorites. If you normally stick to a conventional sheer blush (guily!), conservative French manicures or classic cherry red, why not get a pedicure in a twinkly shade?
The collection is available at Ulta and Ricky’s NYC.
Meep meep!
Images courtesy of OPI
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I Never Met a Stiletto I Didn’t Like
Scarlett/Sam Edelman $199
…and this lovely traffic stopper is no exception. My eyes zeroed in on it in Belk and I HAD to try it on! This shoe is NOT for the timid! The dual design peep toe – the leopard calf hair is the business in the front and studded suede provides the party in the back – is saying a lot, so if you dare to wear them keep your ensemble simple: rock a black tee and skinny jeans or a quiet but deadly sheath.
Also available in ivory/black, gold/black, and black/black.
Image courtesy of Belk
Connect with Same Chic Different Day on Twitter @SameChicSouth
One of the looks featured at the recent NAACP Night of Fashion was one SCDD has been excited about ever since chic reader R.B. Clark mentioned she rocked it at her college’s homecoming: neckties for ladies! Worn the right way (think Janelle Monae, not Colonel Sanders) it’s definitely one to try. It’s a play on menswear, but the key is to balance the look with feminine touches. So don’t bust out a vest, jacket, pocket watch, monocle and spats. The tie should have a slim silhuoette (no fat knots at your neck!), and can be worn casually with a v-neck or cardigan sweater and denim or with a swingy skirt and button down – not a tailored business suit.
Image via Google
Connect with Same Chic Different Day via Twitter @SameChicSouth
Same Chic Different Day 