The spring season is in full effect!

The warmer weather now calls for our softer color palettes including subtle blues, blush pinks and the occasional canary yellow. We might also throw in a couple greens and lavenders as well, lol. But, anywho – let’s get into this bomb list of some of the hottest pastel pieces under $200!

Ready?

1) House of CB’s Arno Blush Lightweight Crepe Waterfall Trench, $200

For a soft (but sophisticated) look, pair this pastel beauty with light-wash denim or a matching two-piece set. Visit House of CB for more info!

2) ASOS’s Ankle Grazer Cigarette Pants in Crepe, $48 and ASOS’s Slim Tailored Jacket in Crepe, $72

Take on the menswear trend with this cornflower blue suit from ASOS! Add silver strappy sandals and you’re all set.

3) Ann Taylor’s Yellow Folio Crossbody Bag, $118

If you want to add a pop of color to your ‘fit, try this dainty accessory.

4) Chicwish’s Crochet of Rose Pencil Skirt in Pastel Pink, $47

Blush pink has remained a go-to hue for a few consecutive seasons now. Pair your version with a denim chambray or even a matching bodysuit. Get yours here.

5) NaaNaa’s Plunge Neck Sleeveless Pencil Dress with Asymmetric Wrap Skirt, $60

A little leg never hurt anyone, right? Grab your version of this cute number right now!

6) Privilege’s Ruiz Jeweled Gold Heel, $165

I wanted to incorporate a few fun pieces as well. So, after running across these little gems, I knew they’d add a bit of attitude to our list. Cop them here!

7) The Line By K’s Gaby II Dress in Seafoam, $105

Bomb Blogger Karla Deras has launched her own clothing line called The Line By K and her products are everything! Take this Gaby II dress for instance, it’s perfect for those days where you want to look effortlessly put together. Just add heels and go! See additional purchasing details after the jump.

8) Love Cortnie’s Cotton Candy Mongolian Fur and Leather Drawstring Mini in Lavender, $170

How cute is this furry pastel mini by Love Cortnie!

9) Missguided’s Rope Detail Lace Up Heeled Sandals in Yellow, $60

Brighten up your footwork with these lovelies!

10) Disclothesure’s Blush Shelly Caped Dress, $75

I’m a HUGE fan of Disclothesure. And, their Shelly dress is the perfect introduction for spring!
Get the look here:

What do you think?

See any potential purchases?

Signing Out — Esmesha

Hey! Today we’ve got another International Bombshell (hey ya’ll!), Dilim from Botswana:

She says, “Hi, I am Dilim and I live in Gaborone, Botswana but frequently habit Johannesburg, South Africa.”

“I’m just a girl living life in search of a closet that suits me.”

 “The aim of my style and lifestyle blog, since I started it five years ago,
has always been about owning every bit of who you are and also about
connecting with people with common interest.”

“To define my style, I can simple say I like what I wear, and wear what
I like. Everyone certainly should!”
“I would please love the opportunity to be considered for your fashion
bombshell of the day feature.”

“Many thanks to you in advance.”Check out more photos below:

Cute! You definitely have a style that’s all your own, and even amongst ALL your looks, the white with red purse and shoes is still my favorite (timeless and classic!) Stay up on Dilim aka @fromheadtoheels on her stylish looks. So, what do you think of her style?

Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.

So, if you haven’t heard, Empire has launched a bomb collaboration with CoverGirl!

The limited-edition collection is based off beauty looks from the show’s leading ladies including Grace Gealey, Serayah, Gabourey Sidibe and Kaitlyn Doubleday.

In addition, each Cover Girl has her own trademark look. This will allow fans the chance to channel their favorite characters while slaying in the process! Each particular look will consist of a color palette, a mascara and a signature lipstick.

With confirmation of an Empire-edition Lash Blast Volume Mascara and personalized tips/tricks, this is sure to be an epic collection. The brand has been pretty quiet about additional details but we’ll keep you posted as the info rolls in!

I’m so excited for the cast! Can’t to see what else they surprise us with.

What do you think?

Signing Out — Esmesha

We reported on Rachel Roy’s new Curvy collection and now the designer has released a book! Titled Design Your Life, it’s a style guide that pulls from Roy’s own life and experiences:

It features sketches, quotes from icons like Maya Angelou, and informative and inspiring advice with chapters like “Letting Your Dreams Lead In Fashion and In Life”.

It’s definitely a must-read!

Get the book here.

Will you be picking up Design Your Life?

A few hours ago, Ciara took to Instagram while flaunting her enviable gams (and that killer engagement ring!) in a Versace Spring 2016 Olive Green Military-Inspired Vest Dress. The singer accented her look with the ever-popular Stuart Weitzman Nudist Sandals.

The mini boasts a plunging neckline, a belted waist and cargo pockets. For the runway presentation, the sultry piece was paired with sky-high platforms and a matching handbag.

I think she looks great!

What are your thoughts?

Signing Out — Esmesha

Everything that Pat McGrath touches turns to gold: whether it’s a supermodel’s gorgeous skin or her own makeup collections that have literally sold-out before most could literally get their hands on them. Well, the beauty maven is back with another stellar assortment—this time called “Skin Fetish 003”:

Included in each kit? Everything you need to take your highlighting game to the next level— a Japanese-made brush, stick featuring a highlighter and luminous balm on its opposing sides, and a pressed pigment. The latter is incredibly special, as it is a gel molded to give the appearance of a powder.

The two colorways—golden and nude—work on all complexions and come encased in her trademark sequin-embellished pouches.

You can get your hands on the beauts on April 26th at 12noon EST on Pat’s website here. The kits will also be up for grabs for Sephora VIP Rouge members on May 3rd and then for the brand’s full range of customers on May 10th, both online and in select stores.

After this, Pat’s full-fledged makeup line is set to launch sometime by year’s end. It’s safe to say that the entire industry is waiting with bated breath!

Will you be picking up Pat McGrath’s 003 collection?

Kendall Jenner was spotted out and about in NYC, sporting a Zimmermann Blue Trench, $295 Balenciaga Skinny Scarf, Level 99 Coated Skinnies, $1,350 Givenchy Black Leather Boots, and Sally Lapointe Fur Flap Bag:

Her sold-out scarf features an on-trend skinny shape.

Her boots boast a sculpted heel with a contrast red top peeking through.

Recreate Kendall’s look with the below pieces.

She never disappoints!

Would you wear it?

One thing’s for sure, Karrueche is workin’!  Fresh off the high of her makeup collaboration with Colour Pop Cosmetics, the model/actress is rumored to be a new judge on America’s Next Top Model.  According to Page Six, not only is Karrueche going to be a judge, Gigi Hadid or Kendall Jenner are in the talks to be the host of the modeling competition show.

America’s Next Top Model was canceled by The CW last year and later picked up by VH1.  The premise of the show will remain the same but the formula will be revamped. While Tyra Banks will no longer serve as the host, she will remain the executive producer.

I don’t know about you, but i’ll definitely be tuned in if these rumors are true!  How about you?  Will you be watching America’s Next Top Model if Karrueche is a judge?

XOXO – Marsha B.

Keeping up with our coverage of phenomenal female entrepreneurs, we sat down with Vanessa Bannerman, Head of Merchandising and Operations at Christie Brown, a Ghanaian luxury womenswear brand, to hear her story on Breaking Into Fashion!

Born and raised in Ghana and Canada, Vanessa met Christie Brown creative director and founder Aisha Ayensu during her high school years. They reconnected in 2007 and brainstormed launching a luxury brand designed for “that modern woman who seeks a true taste of Africa.” During that time period, the fashion industry in Africa was in nascent stages and both women were excited about the notion of building something entrepreneurial.

Although it wasn’t for another 1.5 years when Vanessa officially came on board as Head of Merchandising for the brand, she shared, “In the beginning, it was just me cheering [Aisha] on, I myself wasn’t in the retail industry per se because I worked more on the planning and analysis side. A year and a half after [Aisha] had launched, we sat down again for dinner one Christmas and I said to her I think you have a missing piece of the puzzle…for this passion you have to be turned into a business, we have to come together.” In 2009, Vanessa joined to manage the Merchandising and Operations of the business.

Believe it or not, Vanessa initially had aspirations to become an investment banker. She shared, “I left Ghana when I was 17 years old…and I got a full scholarship for school in Montreal, Canada. I was really hoping to become an investment banker…the further I got, as I finished my finance degree, the more I realized [finance] was what I wanted to do because it was a challenge, but not because I actually cared. It was much more difficult to find a job in Montreal without being fully bi-lingual [French and English].”

Her first lesson: “Find what you really like and find a job in that. If [I could] showcase my passion, I was sure there was someone out there who would forgo the fact that I was not fully bi-lingual and that was retail. In a retail world, nobody cares if you speak French…the question is can you communicate with the people who make clothing.” Vanessa started her career post-university in retail in Canada while managing her start-up role at Christie Brown from a distance. Under the advice of a mentor, she eventually became a merchant for a major retailer in Canada.

My final question: if you have $20 on a Saturday in Montreal, what do you do?  Vanessa said, “I would go to Starbucks, get myself a $2 coffee, pick up latest edition of Vogue and go shopping for my favorite basics at H&M!”

Vanessa let me know she is a big fan of FashionBombDaily! If you want to find out more about Christie Brown, check out our You Should Know feature, the official site here or follow the brand via Instagram @christiebrowngh.