A word on impeccable men's fashion

....and that word is MAXWELL

A classic beauty...

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of watching a documentary of the life and music of Phyllis Hyman. Learning about her battle with depression was heart-wrenching, but her voice was phenomenal and her style was amazing.

She was a tall and beautiful woman who was often asked to model because of her statuesque grace. With fellow PA native and first black super model, Naomi Sims as a fashion role model, midway through her career Phyllis hired a stylist to help her create a signature style. She loved hats and bold shoulders and wore them with a regal sensibility. As we look to the Fall's bold shouldered fashions, I am certainly reminded that fashion is extremely cyclical and what was old always has a chance to become freshly interpreted.

It is a pity that Phyllis is no longer here to serve up her bigger than life style, but she will certainly inspire for many years to come.






Beyonce and Lady Gaga would kill for that blazer!

Shopping is just a text message away

I was flipping through a magazine and perusing a Dillard's ad, when something caught my eye. I noticed that there were text codes next to the merchandise....you can actually BUY these items buy texting a code! That is so easy, that is darn near dangerous.

This super convenient opportunity is provided to us by ShopText. For users this service offers you the chance to shop, request samples and save via text coupons. After the transaction is complete, receipts are sent both to your phone and to your email.

I predict that this way of shopping is going to increase in no time, so in the best interest of your wallet and bank account, please show some restraint and step away from the phone...lol

Cocky guy may bring classic back.....

There is an exciting rumor going around that the always dapper and often edgy Kanye West is taking his summer internship at Gap seriously and may be looking to design a special collection for the troubled retailer. I could not be more pleased with this news and truly hope that this becomes reality.

Gap has struggled for some time now to remain relevant in this new world of anti-cookie cutter fashion and designer jeans and tees. When is the last time you purposely visited Gap and paid full price for anything there? There are much "cooler" options in the mall to choose from. Don't get me wrong, in theory there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Gap, I always have a basic pair of jeans on hand however, it is no longer a must for the average shopper.

The collaboration of Gap's Executive Vice President of Design, Patrick Robinson and Kanye should hopefully send us all in a tizzy and running to the nearest Gap for khakis and jeans. I, for one would like to see this retailer back on top. Kanye debuted as an artist dressed head to toe in Ralph Lauren (the king of prep) and convinced us that preppy was cool again....lightning can certainly strike twice. What do you think?






*Be sure to check out my latest entry on the Examiner*

Moving on: When it is time to let go

I have a dear friend how has decided to live her dream and go back to school to pursue a professional dream and this exciting journey requires her to move out of state to a much colder climate in the mid western part of the the United States. When I offered to help her pack up her home, she asked if I'd help her pack up her closet instead. Since I love to be in the thick of people's closets, I quickly agreed.

When the doors of her closet opened, I was greeted to a bevy of clothing, including some items that were as much as half her age! We toiled away for hours and it became clearer than ever to me that women are extremely emotionally tied to their clothing. Our closets become almost like yearbooks that chronicle different events and stages in our lives.

The problem with hanging on to everything is that you have a harder time, standing in your closet and being inspired to dress for the day according to who you are now. You also become equally challenged in shopping to compliment the hidden treasures that exist in your wardrobe. To combat these issues, purging is necessary quite often and as I eluded to earlier, this can be quite an emotional stress. My friend and I joked that she may need a drink to endure the process, but I was quite surprised that she was very ready and had the perfect mind-frame for someone faced with a big move. It was very obvious that she was at a point in life where she was ready to let go of the old and embrace the new. Can you say the same?

There is no time like the present to breathe new life into your wardrobe and you can not imagine how much easier getting dressed in the morning will be. Make the leap and let it go......you won't regret it, trust me.


Inside the fashion insiders' wardrobes - Times Online

The Fashion Show Finale: There is something to be said about being a lady....

"I enjoy being a girl!" If I have repeated that quote once, I have repeated it a million times, and it certainly rang true last night when watching the finale of The Fashion Show on Bravo. Designer Anna McCraney may not have presented a traditional cohesive collection, but she succeeded in designing a dress for every woman. In the mind of the average woman, isn't that what matters most?

There are two things I love in a dress and they are beautiful construction, and the ability to ooze femininity from every seam, zipper and hem....Anna's dresses do all that for me and more! One of the judges stated that she could not see all the pieces hanging together in the store, but again, who cares because I can imagine each of those dresses in my closet. Anna has expertly honed her craft of allowing the silhouette to be alluring, yet tasteful, without registering as boring in anyway.

In my opinion, now that Reco (whose collection was a bit frazzled) is gone, her only competition is Daniella. I hope that she comes out on top and I look forward to seeing more from her in the future.

Be sure check out the collections and vote for Anna.......I know I will!


The Fashion Show - Photos - Anna's Final Collection - Bravo TV Official Site

The fabric of my life....right now

While we all enjoy the cheery sunshine, the heat this summer has been a bit much. Depending upon your location, the temperature can be heading well towards the 90 degree mark when you get up in the morning. Well don't let the prospect of being uncomfortably hot deter you from wonderfully cool and cute outfits. Fabric choice is the key to your comfort this summer, and I vote for cotton!

Casual Wear
Instead of throwing on a beat up t-shirt to run your errands during the weekends this summer, why not do a tee with a little detail? A V-neck tee that elongates your neck with a necklace or two, coupled with any bottom is perfect.

Work Wear
For those that must adhere to a classic business dress code, there are certainly summer weight cotton variations to choose from. Those who have more of a business casual or casual dress code can have a little bit more fun with print and shapes. Be careful not to let your creative license take you too far from professional attire. Hawaiian shirts and spaghetti straps are still not allowed.

Little Black Dresses (LBDs)
Investing in a summer version of your LBD is an extremely wise decision. Look for one that is not too fussy but special enough to make a statement. Keep in mind that you need one that is appropriate for both your cutest sandals and your sexiest heels. I LOVE this one by Ann Taylor Loft, the possibilities are endless with this one!



Style Lesson: Natural fibers are better at anytime of the year. The fabric can "breathe" better and helps to keep you cool or warm depending upon the weight.

A Little Inspiration.....

The opportunity to purchase couture fashion is something that is extremely outside of the reach of the average women, but it can be a source of inspiration to develop the evolution of your personal style. If decadent edge is your forte, then Givenchy is certainly worth examining further so that you can be ahead of the curve when the aesthetic trickles down to the mainstream.

With such a young designer (couturier) at the helm, fresh ideas are sure to keep coming. The most important aspect of couture fashion is the idea that the garment is fitted exclusively for you. Believe it or not, this is something that is within everyone's reach. Understanding your body type is the first obstacle and then finding a talented seamstress/tailor is the next objective. There really is not much that can not be expertly altered to better fit you.

Style Lesson: Next time you go shopping, think "how can this be made better for me?" with each piece that you are considering purchasing. Who says couture has to set you back thousands?

Preserving The Investment

There are certainly times in life that require that we look nothing less than fabulous. So, we venture out to find and purchase amazing ensembles that suit the occasion...and sometimes break the bank. Once you have debuted your look and knocked them all dead, what do you do with your garment next? Preservation is the key to ensuring your fashion finds are there for you in the future. It is imperative to hang, store and clean garments correctly.

I would like to echo a famous line by saying "No wire hangers!!" Just because the dry cleaner provides them does not mean that you have to use them. Everyone has experienced the misshaping of shoulders and sleeves that often happens as a result of wire hangers. It is best to use something that has both padding and grip, so that the shape of the clothing is protected and the slippage is reduced.

Plastic garment bags are not as great as you think. Plastic does not allow the fibers of the clothing to breath and can encourage the growth of mold if the temperature of your closet if wrong. YUCK! Closets should be kept dry, cool and as uncluttered as possible. There is no sense in jam packing your closet and wrinkling everything in there, you might as well have your clothes balled up in a corner. Forgetting what you have and not being able to find what you need is also a consequence of the disorder.

Lastly, it is important to have items professionally cleaned if that is what they require. During my trip to New York last week, I happened upon a fabulous cleaners for the most delicate and expensive articles of clothing. I have to admit that seeing this really made me second guess who I am entrusting my clothes to. I have never had an incident, but I think it may be a disaster waiting to happen. I am currently on the hunt to find a place like this locally.

Be good to your clothes and they will be good to you!

Showing a Little Shoulder

Early this week the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), held their annual wards ceremony at the Lincoln Center in New York. One of the common threads on the red carpet was the display of shoulders. There were many that chose to wear sleeveless, strapless or the newly revived one shoulder dresses. I have always said that the neck and shoulder area of a woman is extremely sexy and was glad to see the choices that were made.

Here are a few of my favorites and what I like best about them below:

Picture #1 -- Nicole Miller(right) and a model in her designs looked lovely. I actually prefer the white dress that Nicole was wearing with the silver accents. I must warn that this type of dress could prove problematic to the large busted woman and distract from design of collar and bodice.

Picture #2 -- This beautiful J. Mendel satin floor length gown worn by Padma Lakshmi serves as the perfect day time formal gown. It is a pity that her hair is hiding the one shoulder neckline with bow and pleating detail. If you are tall, this type of dress will be sure to accentuate your long lines.

Picture #3 -- Rachel Roy's printed peplum dress (left) is so cute! I adore her designs, and this dress that would cleverly camouflage a multitude of hip and mid-tummy concerns is no exception. The choice of the color green and interesting texture brings what would be a very conservative dress alive. There are not many people who would not look good in this one, including Kim McDonald, who wore it well.

Picture #4 -- Alexis Bryan is wearing a black and white dress done right! This dress can be worn anywhere with a quick change of accessories. The length of the skirt and the minimal detail lend itself to the versatility of this dress.

Picture #5 -- Behnaz Sarafpour (on right)has been one of my favorite designers for some time now. There is an underlying sense of youth to most of her designs. Although this dress can be worn by a mature woman it is most suited for the young woman in transition. It is the perfect mix of fun and formal

Picture #6 -- This Michael Kors dress worn by Blake Lively screams fun and fearless. The bold color is not for the faint of heart, but has big returns. Any woman will be sure to be noticed in this dress. The color compliments a sun kissed completion perfectly and gives it an extra glow.

Picture #7 -- Michael Kors gets an A+ for this maternity creation for the beautiful, and frequently pregnant Heidi Klum. She looks comfortable in the skin AND the dress that she is in. Who can ask for more?

Picture #8 -- This white dress by Kaufman Franco is not for the faint of heart or the out of shape. This dress is expertly constructed but certainly is not forgiving and the color can be a tell all as well. This dress is gorgeous none the less.

Picture #9 -- This Thakoon dress looks like a blue cloud from heaven. This is perfect for the slender gal who needs to give the illusion of a little extra curve but just as genius for the curvy gal who needs to hide a few things. Love it!

Picture #10 -- Although this is pretty printed dress is not ideal for the designer's body type, this Tracey Reese dress is no less fabulous. How could a woman not feel soft and dainty in this one?

Picture #11 -- Vera Wang is known as the go-to designer for wedding gowns, but she clearly has a fun and edgy side. This sequined ensemble is light hearted and fashion forward enough for the event and surprising flattering to many.

Can't wait until next year!!

Let Me Count The Ways......

Previously, I had managed to resist the urge to gush with envy about the style that the First Lady has displayed...but I can no longer help myself. There have been many comparisons to the late great Jackie O., however I'd like to think that she is just Michelle O. and that is clearly more than enough.

So far, we have yet to see her looking sub par. She has proven to be impeccably dressed at every official event , but I think her personal style can best be seen in more casual ensembles. Her effortless grace truly shines through when she is out and about with the children or volunteering at a school. The First Lady's relaxed look usually consists of quintessential American sportswear at its best, coupled with a smart flat.

One of my favorite looks was worn a few weeks ago at the beginning of May to a poety slam that was hosted by the Obamas at the White House. Michelle appropriately brought boho-chic to the stage with simple capri's and a show-stopping blouse. The blouse was designed by the Brazilian-British design team of Basso&Bruno for their Spring 2009 RTW collection. While their line has only been in existence for a few years, they are known for their bold graphic and prints.

Michelle's choices have expertly introduced her to us as a woman whose taste lives somewhere between conservative, whimsical and bold.....what a super combination! Oh how I love thee.

It's All In The Details: Crochet Tanks

It is quite ironic how everything "cool" these days can be found in grandma's closet. Who would have thought that what basically equates to a "doilie" attached to a jersey tank would take it from drab to fab?

This Summer's crochet tank trend is very Boho-chic and easy to wear. Since these tanks are usually cut very loose or blousy, I suggest that you pair it with a skinny jean or short that fits close to the body. Although the crochet accent can be added anywhere, my favorite variation of this is the racer or T-back. Showing a little extra skin is what summer wardrobes are about and I happen to think that if done tastefully, a woman's neck, shoulders and back can be pretty darn alluring. The only drawback is the peculiar tan line that you can end up with.



Style Lesson #1: If you are not a big fan of crochet, lace accents can give you virtually the same look, if not take it up a notch.

Style Lesson #2: The placement of the crochet/lace can expose your bra. If your intent is to hide the bra (and it should be), you could wear a tank of the same or contrasting color. The easiest fix is to invest in a good convertible bra that allows you to have the option of wearing it as a strapless that sits low on the back.

What a Dream

Watch CBS Videos Online
Imagine if your closet looked like this.

My Boyfriend's Back

Not only are boyfriend jeans back, but they seem to be sticking around for a while. In the Summer of 2008 people snickered at Katie Holmes when she wore her BF jeans french cuffed with silver flats, but the comeback has continued. During the Fall 2008 they were paired with booties for the cool weather. Now, just about every jean company has a BF jean offering and they are hotter than ever this summer.

Although the relaxed thigh and the straight leg fit is the opposite of a skinny jean, they can both be worn in the same way. The BF jean is not just for the casual look with flats or sandals. Instead, it can be dressed up in a very chic way for day or evening with the cutest heels. As with any jean fit, the next decision is the wash. Since this fit is so versatile, there is no right answer, so go crazy, feel free to be creative!


Wardrobe Tip #1: Why spend extra money if you don't have to? You may have some old loose fitting jeans in your closet that don't get worn anymore....why not cut them and make them into the shorts version of the BF jean?

Wardrobe Tip #2: If you are one of those girls who are lucky enough to fit into your honey's jeans, maybe you can "borrow" those and roll up the cuffs as you throw on your cutest shoes on your way out the door :-)

A New Love Affair

Today Forever21 adds yet another brand under its umbrella. This new offering is called Love21 and is geared more toward the sophisticated woman. As the core Forever21 shopper matures they will be able to continue to shop at their favorite store.

Love21 offers premium denim and pieces that have upgraded fabrication and detailing. All this has managed to be done while keeping the price point in the same range as the Forever21 primary line. Much like the Faith21 plus size line that was launched earlier this month, this new collection will not yet be available in all stores, but will be online.

Jumpsuits Anyone?

If you have an eye for fashion, it is hard to ignore the jumpsuits that have entered the scene as a result of the Spring/Summer 2009 collections. Surprisingly this style is not as hard to wear as people think. Silhouette should be the primary concern when deciding what works best for you. This year, the designers have given us enough style and cut options to inspire the choices that you make in your local stores.

Balancing or skillfully distorting proportion is the key to wearing a jumpsuit successfully. Petite women and those with shorter legs should be looking to elongate the leg to give the illusion of height. This can be achieved with pant legs that are straight or skinny. Tall women have the luxury of adding the options of full length and wide leg versions. Curvy women with dominant hips should look to fit the widest part of them to ensure that the material falls as it should. Hips and narrow shoulders can be balanced with details that add volume, such as ruffles. Conversely V-neck and boat necks can open up narrow shoulders so that your upper-body does not get lost in the look. Lastly, those with killer legs, should be sure to wear the shorts version of the jumpsuit/romper...even plus size gals!

The best thing about a jumpsuit is that it is a one-piece garment that you can put on when you are on the go. It is a no brainer for those of you who do not enjoy the challenge of putting together too many pieces. Much like a dress, all you need are accessories and you are out the door. Accessories give you the chance to have your personality shine through, as well as take your jumpsuit to different places. A simple swapping of shoes, belt and/or jewelry can take your jumpsuit from day to night.



Stay on trend this summer and find the jumpsuit that is best for YOU.

Style Lesson: Pant jumpsuits can also be worked into your Fall wardrobe in a few months by adding a blazer and booties, so don't be afraid to invest.

Play Dress-up With Mom

Time is quickly winding down. If you have not yet bought your mother a gift, then you are officially down to the wire! Be sure to put some thought into what you will be getting that special lady in your life. If you are the mom that those around you are shopping for, be sure that you are dropping some hints.

Adding to your mom's wardrobe is a gift that many would appreciate. A dress may be a great idea (as long as she wears them)for her this year. With one purchase, you get a whole outfit. If you choose to gift her the accessories, you might earn your gold star as a super-child. Here are a few ideas for those who need a little inspiration...


I love this BCBG dress! The skillful draping hides a multitude of sins. The basic color allows this dress to meld well with accessories to dress it up or down.


This is an alternate to the BCBG dress that can be found at Express. The general idea is the same and the price point is much lower.

Happy Shopping!

Beautiful Relationships

These days, many of us with champagne taste and an eye for designer style have had to be more dollar conscious. I have always always been on the quest to have more for less, as long as quality was compromised as little as possible. When designers develop new lines at lower price points that still reflect their design aesthetic, and forge relationships with departments stores everyone wins!

JC Penney teamed up with Charlotte Ronson a few months ago for the I Heart Ronson line. This is a very youthful line that is bound to help the high school and late teen get those staple boho-edgy pieces at a great price. Department store powerhouse, Macys has also linked up with Rachel Roy for the Rachel Rachel Roy line. Her pieces are not set to hit the stores until August 2009. This line is aimed at the twenty something woman who is looking for clothes that can be both work appropriate and take them into nightlife. I am pleased with what I see so far, the jewelry is my favorite part.

I happen to really love Rachel Roy's designs. Take a look at some of her pieces for the Spring 2009 collection as well as the preview for the "little sister" (Rachel Rachel Roy) Fall 2009 preview and tell me what you think.


Rachel Roy Spring 2009 Collection




Rachel Rachel Roy Fall 2009 Preview

Beyonce: What Can We Learn From Her?

Walking out into the world in an ensemble that is different from the norm takes real guts. Rather than bash these brave souls, we will pull out the lesson to be learned. After all, someone has to be daring enough to start the trend don't they?





Style Lesson#1: This look is all about the accessories jazzing up a basic outfit. Group up some of your favorite accessories and add an interesting shoe and viola!

Style Lesson #2: Beyonce's jeans are also used as quite a versatile piece. Instead of wearing them full length, she has chosen to style them as pseudo-capris by rolling them up. Your favorite jeans that were accidentally bleached or rip can serve as the DIY project to help you pull off this look.

A Great Day For Trendy Plus Size Gals

It has been over a year....I have missed you so.

Not only does today mark my return to being your blogger bud, but it is also the day that Forever 21 introduces their new plus size line called Faith 21. There has been plenty of buzz about this launching since the announcement earlier this year. Unfortunately this line is only going to be available in select stores and online. Don't let that discourage you. The more online support that the line receives, the sooner merchandise will be available in your local store.

The selection of clothes is not yet as extensive as the other sizes, but I am sure that will change. Most of what is currently available can be categorized as trendy-casual, with a couple of pieces that can be dressed up for good measure. One of my favorites is a black tiered skirt for under $20!! This skirt can go with anything and take you practically anywhere.

Styling Tip: This skirt would be best suited for plus size ladies with an hourglass, or reverse triangle shape. Ladies that have issues with the tummy area may want to select a top that is gently skims over the area and/or lightly layer.

Be sure to keep checking the website and if you are lucky enough to have Faith 21 in your area, be sure to check it out in person soon.