OOTD: White Stripes

Here's one of the dresses I got from Alloy which I was really excited about. I'm mad about stripes right now and this long sleeve bodycon mini can be worn so many ways! It's also incredibly warm which was a nice surprise. A lot of people are afraid of horizontal stripes which I don't get...they key to wearing stripes is petite frame=wide stripes; full body=thin stripes it's as simple as that. It's also flattering to break up the pattern with blocks of solid color i.e. my blazer and tights. Definitley will wear this more than once ;)

DEETS:

Blazer:Torrid Dress:Alloy Tights:Avenue

ACCESSORIES:

Necklace: Vintage Boots:Steve Madden Bracelet:Tiffany+Street Fair Rings:Vintage
Earrings:BabyDoll Gems(I never take them out)+Gold Hoops

OOTD: Give Me Body

It's my birthday weekend and I started the festivities at one of my favorite parties. Here's what I wore. I'm beyond tired and thus not in the mood to ramble on about it lol but it's a bodycon dress from Torrid...super comfy and very danceable. Party 1 down, 2 more to go *here's to getting older/better*

DEETS: Dress:Torrid Vest:Vintage Tights:INC Macy's

ACCESSORIES - Boots:Robin Faryl Necklace:It's actually a vintage belt with snake head I wear around my neck Shades:Dolce Gabbana

Ahead of of Fashion: The basics of Style

Have you ever seen someone trying clothes that are very fashionable and very nice, but the person is just not pulling them off? They're proof that even great clothing does not equal great style. And that lack of a few simple basics will impair any look. How can you avoid this problem? It’s Simple. Chase a few basic guidelines.

Good grooming

This has got to be the number one way to make or crack a look. Prada was not meant for pit stains. No one looks good with straggly, greasy hair, chewed up fingernails, gross skin, unplucked eyebrows, and leg stubble. Take care of your skin. Take care of your hair. Take care of your cleanliness. Take care of your nails. In other words, take care of yourself.

Nice clothes

I'm not talking about luxurious clothes. Style is priceless, but doesn't have to be overpriced. I'm talking about taking care of your clothes, as you should yourself. PEOPLE - USE AN IRON. An iron is your friend. More notably, it is your clothing's friend. Love your iron. It loves you too!
Also, don't forget lint rollers, shoe polish, safety pins, and a good, strong stain remover.

Moderation

Please, do not do accessory overkill. I saw a girl the other day wearing giant hoope earrings, a beaded fringe necklace, a lariat, bangle bracelets, and those gross little butterfly hair clips. ALL IN ONE OUTFIT. Words cannot describe how wrong this is, so I'll let you use your imagination.

Find What Works

Like Cher in Clueless, I don't believe mirrors. Pictures are much better indicators of how you look. So find a really good picture of yourself, one you really like. Why do you like it? Think of what is satisfying you, whether it's the color red, a great hairstyle, good lighting, or falling in love. And make the most of it with every outfit.

It's all in your head. Or, on it..."

I mentioned on the Fatshion Insider Facebook page that I was really trying to make an effort to wear the things in my closet. It's said that we wear 20% of our wardrobes which sounds about right to me. This isn't a major post, just a simple headband. I have a ton of hair accessories because I really do love them but lately, never throw them on. Anyhoo...a simple gals night out with one of my besties. Grabbed dinner had a drink and I thought "what the hey! wear a headband". So here it is. This is a few years old from Forever21. It's a simple black headband with a cream colored ribbon piled in the shape of a flower but the zipper detail takes it from uber girly to cool (at least I think so).

Into the Wild

I really love animal prints and usually they work best in small doses but for some reason when I got dressed I decided to pop on my animal print flats with this outfit and I liked the way it looked. The truth is ya never can be completely sure something won't work unless you put it on. Often times when I'm shopping with people they say "oh I never would have tried that" and I never really understood that line of thinking...if you don't try something on how do you know it won't look good on you. So anyway...here's to "Trying it on" *cheers* P.S. it's completely FREEEEZING so the look on my face isn't mean it's just...frozen ;)

DEETS
Blazer:INC Blouse:Lanebryant Jeans:Avenue

Accessories

Necklace:Vintage Ring:Ashley Stewart Braclet:Tiffany Shoes:Me Too Shades:Gucci

Peppermint, Green, Earl Grey

This post began as a birthday wish list but has transformed into a designer spotlight. How you may ask? I was on Saks.com plucking pictures of things I fancy when I noticed all of the clothing was from the same designer. There's a brand I love called t-bags...I have a few dresses that I scored from Off Saks this summer (see picture below). The Los Angeles based brand is a straight size brand who does plus sizes for select retailers including Saks and Saks.com. The pieces are a little pricey but totally worth it, the quality, the details down to the hangtags are perfection. I'm completely obsessed with the pieces below and pretty much want everything. I'm going to stalk Off Saks until a few of them pop up (you know I hate paying retail for anything, it's against my religion). So if you're not familiar with the line, get to know them...they are FLY ;)

Me in a t-bags dress in Turks & Caicos this summer. Oh how I miss those summer days!!!

OOTW continued

Weekend part 2 - I really don't care for indoor photos because there's no light like sunlight! They are always dark right? Anyhoo I was having fun with my mini cuz Jalyn (17) who is completely adorable so here they are!

How cute is she! Future publicist/marketing exec like her cuz xoxo

DEETS:

Jacket:Calvin Klein Tee:Calvin Klein Tights:Let Go

ACCESORIES:

Necklace:Forever 21(years ago) Boots:Robin Faryl

OOTW(Outfits of the Weekend)

So, I had a pretty fun weekend which began with a visit from my cousins. We went to a very cute bistro for brunch in Harlem and it was FREEZING. I'm still getting my head around this whole.."winter" thing. I'm seriously not a fan. I don't normally do 2 posts in a day but here are photos of what I wore to brunch.

Sort of a nod to a misbehaved school girl. A fun ruffle skirt that zips up the front, striped tee, blazer, tights, boots and of course a necklace in the forms of lips with a cigarette. (No smoking in the girls room!)

DEETS

Coat: Filene's (cut the tag out because it was touching me sorry) Blazer:INC Tee:Avenue Skirt:Torrid Tights:Torrid

ACCESORIES Boots:Steve Madden Scarf:Target Necklace:Soho Street Vendor who's name I forget (oops) Shades: Marc Jacobs Nails:Chinchilly by Essie

OOTD: Ruffles (no ridges)

I really love these tights...I was in a mad rush on my way to a meeting so I couldn't really take thorough pics but the dress has a very cool zipper detail on the back and I don't have a close up of my necklace but hey, I'll do better next time!

DEETS

GEAR: Coat:Chelsea Studio Cardigan:Calvin Klein Dress:American Rag

ACCESORIES: Tights:Avenue Boots:Steve Madden Necklace:Barney's New York

OOTD: Baby It's Cold Outside

Sweatshirt: AvenueJeans: Ashley StewartBoots: Dolce VitaCoat: OSP

Bag: Rebecca MinkoffShades: Marc JacobsFingerless Mittens:Kangol

Pix by PLo + KB

How to become a successful fashion photographer..?

Do you want to be a fashion photographer? Fashion photography is an exceptionally tough market to break into, but if you are ready to work hard, have a good imagination and embrace the ability to take great images you are off to a good start.

A fashion photographer must be excellent in two photography disciplines. First, you need to be a great portrait photographer - second, you need to be able to create images for the advertisement market. You must be able to join the two if you are going to make it.

To be a successful fashion photographer you must also have a love of superior design clothes - without it you will never attain the heights that bring success. A fashion photographer must go up to date with all the latest fashion and have the skills to use his/her imagination to sell new designs.

Selling is the key - the fashion photographer must be able to sell his images to the fashion editor. Fashion photography is advertising and selling clothes.

To set up a reputation in fashion photography, the first thing you must do is set up a portfolio. Your portfolio should exhibit your best work and be your first selling point. The second, and equally as important as the first, is to set up an online portfolio - your own private Website.

To set up a portfolio you first must hire a model. Contacting your local modeling agencies can do this. You don't need to hire a famous model for your fashion portfolio - you need someone who will act well in front of the camera.

To be very successful you need to build a good relationship with models. Some models can be hard to work with so people psychology will play an important part. If you plan to shoot from your home studio supply a changing room for them.

If a model becomes unhappy for any reason, the photo session will be a waste of time. Let your model make his/her own suggestions - regardless of how trivial it may be, it will help to keep them relaxed and you may get results that may be useful.

Once your portfolio is created you need to get publicity for it. If you have previously published work - use them as a statement with the picture editors. You need to set up a good working relationship with all fashion editors that you'll be working with. So be professional.

Fashion photo editors are looking for brief images that clearly communicate an idea. You must, as a fashion photographer, have the aptitude to create unique settings. When you do gather a large amount of fashion images, submit them to a fashion agency: Women's magazines all over the world buy hundreds of stock shots every month. Photo agencies exist to sell photographers images - some of the larger fashion agencies have buyers all over the world. Some agencies can also re-sell your work in several different markets, and others will give you great career advice. Keep up to date with fashion magazines, study the market and always be on the lookout for varying fashion trends.

Don't be afraid to take the first step. If a fashion editor has no interest in your work - don't worry - try contacting different magazines or agencies - most great photographers have their work rejected some time during their career.

Friend and Nemesis

My pals from Friend and Nemesis (FAN) have created a jewelry line that is just YUM. Kristy Lee the designer behind the line and husband Andreas (photographer) have a unique prospecitve on downtown chic that I find very appealing. As much as I love the fun and fantasy of fashion, I'm a grown ass woman (haha) so, I don't want to look like the Jr's department got a hold of me and I don't want to look stuffy or boring either.

The FAN current collection consists of necklaces, earrings and hair accessories. I completely plan on wearing the SPIKE HAIR BAND on my birthday...some sort of punky reference to a tiara I suppose.

The holiday season is about giving and FAN is giving one of my lucky readers a pair of the CHARLOTTE earrings. Type "FAN" in the comments to enter. A winner will be chosen at random. Everyone else will get FREE SHIPPING on all orders made on December 6th (St. Nickolaus Day - Andreas is German)

Holiday Dresses (part deux)

Now that Thanksgiving has past you can take off your elastic waist pants and get gorgeous. This is just a simple round up of holiday dresses that I like which are separated into the following categories: One Shoulder, Bodycon, Sequined and Nude.

One shoulder dresses are sexy and sassy...if you are busty a good supportive strapless or convertible bra is crucial.

1. Asos 2. CurvaceousBoutique.com 3. Asos

Crazy, sexy, cool...I LOOOOVE Bodycon. Great shapewear never hurt anybody either! Cropped leather or blazers work great with these or wear it solo either way, the look is hot.

1. City Chic 2. Asos 3. Bloomingdale's or Saks

My inner rocker chic has made herself known in a major way this year. Cool sequins are the way to go. Stay clear of anything that Miss America would wear (yeck!)

1. Bloomingdale's 2. Bloomingdale's 3. Nordstrom.com

Most of us tend to flock to little black dresses but I thought these nude colored frocks where also pretty cool and also very chic.

1. Bloomingdale's 2. Nordstrom.com 3. Torrid

Here's a wildcard. THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO WEAR FOR NEW YEAR'S! *dead* I love it - Asos