That’s (Not) a Louis Vuitton

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!

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!

(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

Connect with Same Chic Different Day on Twitter @SameChicSouth

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

Don’t Let This Be You: The Shiny Dress Edition

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Dear God. 

First the HoneyBadger struck it platinum, and now Paula Patton has been spotted at Germany’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol  premiere in a remnant from the Star Trek costume closet.  What is it with these space-age fabrics?!  The gentlemen may disagree, but as much as we envy Mrs. Robin Thicke’s post-baby body (and we haven’t even had a baby yet), this super short AND tight AND cleavage-baring metallic mini is doing the most. 

Ms. Patton, you are the newest CoverGirl Queen Collection ambassador, and you are too fab for this!

Images courtesy of YB&F

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