28

Dec

Pack Light

I have a confession to make: I am a bag lady.

A fab one, mind you, but a bag lady nonetheless.  See, I carry my life around in my handbag, and it’s literally weighing me down. (Even Anna Wintour – the editor of Vogue – knows this, per Robin Givhan.)  And I realized recently that all those “what ifs” I was planning for by packing so much unnecessary baggage (sumdgy receipts! socks! reading material! condiments! emergency hair and makeup tools!) never actually happened.  I don’t make resolutions, but I have a definite goal for 2012: free myself, stop the madness and drop all dead weight.  Literally. 

While I love toting a good Speedy or duffel, I’m downsizing to something that will only carry the absolute essentials: this vermillion Coach Classic leather shoulder purse.

Image courtesy of Coach

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!

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Shopping is My Cardio

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27

Dec

This is, quite simply, perfection…

This song – sung by the incomparable Sarah Vaughn – is one my grandmother used to sing to me, and it has always reminded me to dream BIG, but to remember that realizing our dreams is often easier than we  imagine.  Sometimes our “castles in the air” are really right under our noses the whole time, waiting for us to step out on faith and grab them.  Sometimes we go around the world in search of something we’ve had all along; launching Same Chic Different Day has brought that home for me. 

As I celebrate SCDD’s 100th post today (!), I want to thank you for reading, for inspiring me and supporting my dream…you all are absolutely fabulous!  It’s been a whirlwind three months, and as SCDD grows I hope it continues to brighten your days with something a little different, a little lagniappe – and a little something chic.

XOXO Alexis

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!

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

C'est Si Bon/First Person Fabulous

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26

Dec

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!

14 years ago Short URL Comments

He Said She Said

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23

Dec

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!

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio

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22

Dec

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.

14 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon/Love That!

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21

Dec

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!

14 years ago Short URL 8 Comments

C'est Si Bon/Haute off the Press/Love That!/Reading is FUNdamental (and sexy!)

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20

Dec

(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

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

First Person Fabulous

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19

Dec

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words…

Sheree Whitfield and Miss Lawrence were on the couch for Bravo‘s Watch What Happens Live Sunday night, and while I usually have nothing to say about him (that’s Miss Lawrence) I have to say his ensemble was a little bit of everything!  From the turban to the leopard pants to the Louboutin Fall/Winter 2011 Collection Puck pony booties he gave us LIFE, chile.  But I’m a little perplexed by the bejeweled accessories decorating his face and think keeping my opinion to myself is best…your thoughts?

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Images courtesy of Bravo

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/Learn From My Mistakes!

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19

Dec

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!

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Shopping is My Cardio

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16

Dec

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

Connect with Same Chic Different Day on Twitter @SameChicSouth

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion

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