I went to FASHION WEEK!!!!!! I am important!!!

Actually, the title is a little misleading. If you call sitting on your sofa at 6:30pm in your pajamas eating and blogging before a friend calls and invites you to a fashion show free before 9pm...then yes I went to Fashion Week. The truth is Boris Kodkoe, the hottie from The Soul Food Miniseries, was launching a clothing line and invited the public (the first 100 people could get in free). Let me tell you, I like FREE. I am proud yet embarrassed to announce that my friend and I were literally el numero UNO y DOS (first and second for all you slackers:)

My friend knows I am into clothes and invited me. Long story short, we got there first, we people watched, I got sleepy, took a couple of pictures and was back in bed to watch Will and Grace. I wish I could say that I am getting old but I have never been one to go out.

It was kind of cool to pretend that I was part of the media as a pretend blogger although I don't even have a camera but you couldn't tell me nothing. This was my 1st LEGIT fashion show. Church fashion shows don't count.

Supposedly Kid Capri was supposed to dj but when we got there, of course it was BUTT early so they had other dj's. I would call it a party if people were dancing and if the DJ didn't have a penchant for playing 80's Old School R&B. I am talking about songs like " Ain't nothing going on but the rent. You got to have a J.O.B. if you wanna be with me". (You have to be over the age of 30 to know that one right there).

Anywho, the show started and Sir Hotness...aka. Boris introduced the line. I am not quite sure how Boris is tied into the company but he was hustling. He even encouraged the average person to become representatives/consultants for the company...I guess kind of like selling Avon but not so much?

I don't know if it was his own brainchild or if he is just the celebrity spokesperson but he seemed genuine in his interest. The line is called ZIAMI and it is for men and women. I think the niche is for the everyday person to wear affordable custom fit clothes. Some of the stuff was cute...especially the men's line. Shirts were 30 bucks and suits were around $100 and up. The line also monograms all the orders for you...if you are into that sort of thing. It sounds like a great idea but something tells me they probably only go up to a "certain size' for custom clothes but hey everyone in the world can't be Real Woman sizes:) It's definitely worth looking into though because the prices were phenomenal and I actually like the stuff.

Anyway, I scooted my first in line tail right up there with the professional photographers and whipped out my camera phone. I dared anybody to make me move or I was going to get really loud! Not really...I would have scurried away like the coward I am:( But luckily, I saw other camera phones too. By the way, this Blackberry Pearl camera phone is pretty darn good!

I took a few shots and then the sleep started to really creep up on me. We decided to leave but I would have called it a successful night out anyway because otherwise I would have been home watching reruns of Project Runway until I fell asleep on the sofa...basically my nightly routine.

As we were leaving, we ran into Kid Capri. WTH? How are you the DJ and you are just walking in the door! We stopped him and let him know that Houstonians partied on time. His response..."We do it all night long in New York". That's when I glanced at the time and felt embarrassed...it was only 11ish.

That didn't stop us from chopping him up:) He was cool and took a quick pic with my trusty camera phone and we were out.

All the pics in this post were taken by me, obviously, with my camera phone. So if a pic is not clear...let's just call it "artistic". Heck, I am so gangsta, I am going to use only the pics I took for this post meaning I am not going to shoplift more professional pictures from the internet or Boris's website. I believe in me. YES. I. CAN.

Here is the link to Boris's clothing line for your perusal. http://ziami.com/ws/

So in the end...I did go to Fashion Week! HA! By the way, that's me on the red carpet. Granted my friend took the pic with my phone and we were first in line so we had time to play celebrity...but it's stil the red carpet...actually it was blue:)

You know, the more I think about it...the clothes in this line look alot like the clothes sold at Zara's (in the Houston Galleria and they have more in NY). The clothes are cut more European style which I am not completely convinced works for us curvy women but it would be a great gift/investment for the men in our lives:)

Just you wait!

I am not a Rihanna fan. I don't think she can sing one lick nor do I understand why the media follows her so much. But I will say that I saw a picture of her in an outfit that I absolutely worship. I just absolutely WORSHIP the look of a men's crisp shirt with skinny jeans or wide legged cuffed khakis and a skinny belt. That is so flattering on so many levels.

I am so going to replicate this look soon. I am actually thinking about going to Target and trying to replicate the look for "cheap" but I need a model or a sucker whichever sounds politically correct, to photograph. I can't wait. When I wear the outfit or find someone to do it for me, I will just throw the real life picture up here but for now...we'll just look at Rihanna rock the Men's classic shirt! I love, love, love.

The best part of it is that it will look great on women of all ages and shapes. I just pictured a certain graduate from Ball State University rocking this (you know who you are). Maybe one day, I'll convince you to wear it. (You can wear your silver Anne Klein shoes...he he he)

The best thing is we all probably have this outfit in our closet...just steal your man's shirt (son, brother, cousin) and put on great accessories. Skinny jeans woud look fab like Rihanna but a wide leg jean or khaki would be a great alternative. Whatever floats your boat.

I think the key is to have a shirt that is a size larger than your own so that it can baloon correctly at the waist. The other key is to not try too hard...the look too contrived.

I will call this the "Morning After" (after church:) look...that's when you just grab your man's shirt and walk out the door looking absolutely FAB.

I guarantee that Rihanna paid a kidney for that shirt. I am sure it is a designer something or other...or it just might be her boo's shirt...but nevertheless...the look CAN be achieved:) YES. WE. CAN!

I included some options to achieve the look on your own (or my own). The shirts are from The Gap and Target. The jeans are from Urban Outfitters ( I have a pair...and they stretch) and the skinny belt is from Target.

Hint, hint. The larger woman should wear a wider belt with the Men's Shirt but bring the belt up higher...That way you can have that Coke Bottle shape that our men love to see:)

Practically any high heel will do...this will be a FAB look for a casual dinner for the Fall season...although in Houston, we only have ONE season...HOT!

I promise to update this post with some real people...not that Rihanna isn't...it's just that I don't know her:)

In completely random news...Ladies that are Real Woman Sizes...16 and upwards...check out Old Navy's Exclusive line...Every piece is too cute.

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/division.do?cid=5585

http://www.oldnavy.com

Hanger vs. The Real Thang

We'll just call this simply The Hanger Vs. The Real Thing (cue Jill Scott's Real Thang in Stereo). This is a dress made by T-Bags that is super comfy and super cute. LOVE LOVE LOVE. It can be dressed up or down...I usually wear sandals with this because the dress is so long. One thing about these necklines though is that you have to be confident. I hate to see a woman wear a lower cut top or midriff shirt and have their hands/arms covering them the whole night! What's the point?

The key is to to be tasteful with the assets. Again, these are my opinions which don't add up to 30 cents in most people's wallets:)

Notice the distinct between those evil skinny models and moi'. I am only posting to show what works for me. I am not posting because I think I am super fly or anything like that. Just to show how different clothes can look on different body types. Don't get me wrong...I'm still working on being a brickhouse but I can look good in the interim...can't I?

Sorry I don't have a full shot of me in the dress but it is super long. The material is really thin too. Typically a sweetheart neckline compliments those of us that are "blessed" up top:) As I look at this...this would look really cute with a fitted White Tuxedo jacket with the sleeves pushed up and of course a fierce clutch!

Now, if I can just have someone invite me to a dinner party so I can wear it:)

I Want That!!

Everyone has a personal style. The problem is achieving that looking within your budget...if you have one like me. I stumbled across pictures of Tracee Ellis Ross from Girlfriends. If I had to channel one particular character or person for whom I love all their clothes, it would definitely be Joan from Girlfriends. The mix of Boho Chic and classic styles are the only reasons I watched the show. Often I would watch the show on mute purely so I can check out the clothes.


Anywho, it got me to thinking about style icons. I feel like I am pretty consistent in what I like...it is either really classic or really bohemian...the mixing of the two is just the coup de grâce!

So for pure amusement and to give you an idea of what I love, I threw a bootleg montage of looks that I love! If I could have the wardrobe of Joan Clayton on Girlfriends and ALL of Lana Turner's clothes in Imitation of Life, you wouldn't be able to tell me nuffin!

...laa la la la...wait til I get my MONEY right...la la la la...you won't be able to tell me nothing right (a little Kanye West for you to get my point point across:)


I slipped in some pics of Lana Turner, Dorothy Dandridge and Beyonce'...I am not a huge fan of Beyonce's personal style because it involves way too much gold and studs but clearly her mama didn't style her this day...because that Purple dress is FIERCE and I worship it! And the Alicia Keys pic is strictly because that dress is SOO me! I love it!

Who is your style icon? Past, present, dead, alive, famous, friend or family?

I wish I could be this excited about writing papers for my grad classes...not to fret though because Oprah is going to call me any day to do a feature on me......she's just busy right now with those kids in Africa...but she's gon' call soon...as soon as she gets off the phone with Gayle?!?

HotLanta!!

So I finally made it to HOTLANTA! I will be honest, I was more focused on the shopping than I was touring the city.

I will say that the Martin Luther King Center needs to be upgraded and those King children need to stop pocketing all that money and pay for some lawncare up in that piece, they ought to be ashamed of themselves for letting the place go like it is....but I digress...

I read in my favorite magazine, Lucky Magazine, about all the places to find great boutiques and vintage stores in the ATL. Plus Atlanta just built not one but TWO...ah ah ah ah...(a little Count Dracula from Sesame Street humor)...H&M Stores. So I had to make it there.

The boutiques were in area called Little Five Points. Great Stuff! I discovered The Clothing Wharehouse that was this super organized and color coordinated store. The whole store was organized by color which made it very easy to find great clothes.

I stumbled across the Green Dress, the Blue and White Striped Dress and the Blue/Purple Flowered Dress there!! They looked to be all made in the 70's and I have no idea why but clothes cut back in the day fit me better...none of this European sizing crap of today:)

I fell absolutely in love with the Striped dress and I got it for 10 bucks because there were a few stains on there that I have to Pray to the Dry Cleaner GODS about getting out...but I have faith. The blue/purple dress fits like a dream...no alterations needed. I just have to find some cute belts for all the dresses..I'm thinking a cute Dark brown Wide buckled belt will do and a big Red one for the blue/purple dress.

I also added this pic of the black flowered dress that I got here in Houston for 20 odd bucks and had it turned into a mini...One problem...it is Poly-Freakin-Esther and is flaming hot! Not hot as in I am too cute but Hot as in I need some mini-fans on me all times to rock this dress! But I will not let that deter me...there is a time and season for everything. Unfortunately Houston only has one season...HOT...so I have to wait til Feb to rock this joint...Oh but rest assured, I will rock it.

The whole point in my bantering about these finds is the simple fact that I KNOW no one will be running around with these same pieces and they were all ridiculously affordable.

I'll post pics of me actually wearing these outfits eventually...but first I must invest in a digital camera. These camera phone pics are a little embarrassing but I've got to start somewhere.

I really wish someone would pay me to style them or shop for them...That would make me seem less of a psycho and more of a "professional".

I am officially apologizing for the "boot-leggedness" of my pictures...My only tools are my camera phone and poor bathroom lighting.

So forgive me if you happen to see a roll of toilet paper lurking in the corners or even the reflection of my dog in some pics...I'm working with what I have until the Lord Upgrades me:)

...and if God is listening to meaningless banter tonight... I'd also would love a mannequin bust to display clothes...Amen

New...Again

So, I have always dabbled in thrift stores or "vintage" stores as I like to call them. Everything from the 80's are coming back in style anyway but I personally like the 50's, 60's, and 70's look. Well, anywho...I decided to dabble back into my few "secret" retro-vintage-thrift stores and came up with what I think are cute finds.

I hate wearing what everyone else is wearing and one way to avoid that is to dig out old clothes. I came across a few pieces for great prices and decided to update them. Actually, I can't take credit for that even..one of my friends gave me the great idea to alter clothes to update the look. So, I found a few great pieces and how them shortened. I traditionally am a lover of long "maxi" dresses but Houston's heat has me looking into anything that gives these legs some air. I also wanted to post a pic of how some things look one way on a hanger but have a whole different meaning on the body.

Ok. So the Khaki one with the belt was labeled as an 80's Khaki dress...It was much longer but I had it made into a Mini... I found my old trusty brown Obi inspired belt and threw on some espadrilles...and I have a whole new outfit for 11 bucks...well 22 bucks counting the ten for alterations. Notice how it looks so much different on the hanger than when I put it on...Little things like changing the length or changing buttons on a piece can make a world of difference.

I also posted some pics of shoes that would look great with my Vintage wear if I actually owned them:( A girl can dream)

Always try to find accessories that jazz up an outfit. Mix high end pieces with low end pieces (I don't have any High end pieces but if I did...best believe that I would mix it up.) Trust me there are some great finds in the resale shops...I actually am "living within my means" when I go there...I have no business shopping at anything other than Target and resale shops.

P.S....Disclaimer...I am not claiming to be the biggest baddest chick when it comes to clothes but everybody claims to be an authority on something or other...I figure I am an authority on what works for me) And it might just work for you. You can take it or leave it. If it helps...great...if it doesn't, then you can laugh at me on the inside. Either way, I wouldn't lose much sleep:)

P.P.S....If you happen to run into me in the street and I look like a buster...trust me when I say that I KNOW the rules even if I am slumming it that day:) Toodles

Things I love right now

Okay, So I have been searching for a suit because I'm trying to UPGRADE (as Beyonce' would say) my wardrobe. I haven't worn a suit in years and needed one badly. These two come from Banana Republic and the darker suit is quite pricey...according to MY dwindling bank statements but definitely worth every penny.

I love rocking a classic look with funky jewelry or something unexpected. For me, imagine rocking these suits with an afro puff (as I do) and hoop earrings and some fierce shoes!! I especially love pencil skirts on women with curves (obviously these models need to eat). I'll aspire to find pictures of real women on the streets of Houston who work all kinds of styles but right now I'm all about the classic yet slightly untraditional suit...Can't you just picture a metallic gold clutch with this!! LOVES IT!

Side note...I am going to Jill Scott's concert in a few days and have contrived a wonderful outfit in my head. It consists of a gray pinstriped pencil skirt worn with a "wife beater" (isn't that just an awful name for an article of clothing!). Really, it's a ladies white tank top from Target...I love the Mossimo Tanks(pictured above) and how they fit. (The key to a good tank top is to make sure it is a long and lean cut...trust me, you'll thank me)

I am thinking I will rock one of my few designer shoes...correction...my ONLY designer shoes...my red/black Marc Jacobs pumps (pictured above), red bracelets, afro puff, big silver hoops and a red clutch. How does that sound? By the way, don't sleep on TARGET! One day, I'll go to Target and do a "schtick" on how to find pieces there...they are the poor girl's Neiman Marcus:)

Anywho, the outfit for the concert sounds great in my head but we'll see. I wish I had some PLUM heels, clutch and accessories...that would just set it off! I am a big believer in wearing a pop of color with everything. I hate "matchy match" type outfits...Yuck. We'll see about the "concert outfit" though because if my Spanx aren't cooperating, that pencil skirt will NOT be worn! Every woman should own Spanx...They saved my life!

(That should be title of Trina or Missy Elliot's next hit..."SPANX SAVED MY LIFE") If Lil Wayne is considered a lyrical genius rapping about Lolipops, I know the Spanx song would be a hit. Alicia Keys can sing the hook since I know she wears them...did you see her accidentally flash her Spanx at the BET awards a few days ago? If she has access to trainers and chefs and she still believes in a girdle...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD!

Anyway, I digress...you'll find out that I tend to do that quite often:)

Back to the Jill Scott concert...I'll post a picture of the outfit if I wear it. I conjure up ideas all the time in my head but they often only work on other people other than me!

I just recently bought a suit similar to the picture above and must find all ways to rock it! Everything in my closet must have the potential to be repurposed! I don't have money to throw away.

***Side note: A pencil skirt must narrow around the knees in order to be called a PENCIL skirt! Just so you know, I wear a size 12.. so I wouldn't tell you anything that would not flatter the curvy woman's body. Sure, a size 2 is probably an easier palet to work with but curves just makes the difference between a girl and a WOMAN's body...as Raheem Devaughn's song "WOMAN" plays in the background! LOL!