Of course with brisk weather, you need cozy knit hats, scarfs, and sweaters to keep you warm!
If you have a neutral colored coat, brighten the winter doldrums with colorful sweaters and knit accessories! Save on your everyday pieces, and splurge on a few cashmere numbers you can wear from year to year! First up: Sweaters:
This year, opt for more than your traditional turtle and crew necks. Jazz up your wardrobe with tie neck options or fun tunic length sizzlers with fun patterns, hues, and prints:
Sweater Dresses:
This is one of my absolute faves as you can simply slip this on with a pair of boots and tights and be on your way! I personally have one dress in black and gray that I wear all the time, then a few other fun frocks that can work for a night out or dinner date:
Scarves:
Swaddle your neck in a long scarf that goes well with your personality. Of course have one black, ivory, and gray scarf on hand, then get one in your favorite color (I have this striped baby blue that I LOVE):
Hats & Gloves:
Go crazy with berets, knit caps, fingerless gloves and more:

Guys, join in the fun with quirky cardigans or brightly colored crewnecks:
Hey Bombshells!
Today we have another guest blogspot from Danielle of The Style and Beauty Doctor who gives us the rundown on how to choose a great foundation. This oughta be good!
Enjoy!
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The quickest way to look like a makeup novice (or Lil’ Kim) is to wear the wrong color foundation. Every day legions of women are reaching into their makeup stash and pulling out thick, cakey foundations that are too red, too yellow, ugh—just straight up too wrong. To save thousands of women each day from the tragic side effects of bad foundation, I’ve created a handy guide on how to choose the right foundation for your skin tone.
Step 1: Determine your undertone.
Most undertones fall into these categories:
Yellow/Golden Olive Pink/Red Blue
Many cosmetic companies make it easy for you by labeling foundations according to undertone. They may also use Warm/Cool/Neutral as labels as well. Here’s how that would look:
Yellow/Golden (Warm) Olive (Neutral) Pink/Red (Cool) Blue (Cool)
The quickest way for you to figure out your undertone at home would be to :
a.) Take a good look at your skin (in natural light) to see if one of the colors listed above seems to shine through the most. If you (like me) have different undertones in your face than on your neck, go with the ones in your neck. You want your foundation to match your neck. Or if you want to get fancy, you could use two different shades. Many women of color have skin tones that get slightly lighter towards the center of the face so you can use a darker foundation on the outer edges and a lighter one in the center.
b.) Take a look at the veins in your arms do they look green or do they look blue? If they look green, your undertones are more than likely yellow or golden (warm). If they look blue, your undertones are more than likely pink/red or blue (cool).
c.) Grab a pair of silver and gold earrings. Do the gold ones flatter you more? If so, you’re warm. If the silver pair flatters you more, you’re cool. If you look good in either one, you’re neutral (meaning you’re neither warm nor cool).
d.) Don’t get wrapped up in the misconception that a single racial or ethnic group is always a certain undertone. If I hear one more person say that African American women all have warm undertones, I’m quitting this makeup business!
Step 2. Determine your skin tone.
Once you’ve found your undertone, next determine your skin tone. Try two or three foundation shades in your undertone that appear to be close to your skin tone. In three separate spots on your jawline (as close to your neck as possible), blend the shades and whichever one disappears into your skin (when in natural light) is the winner. But before you start throwing confetti around, wear your winning shade for a full day to see if it remains the same color at the end of the day. Sometimes foundations tend to oxidize as the day wears on causing your foundation to mix with your skin’s oils and appear darker.
If you tend to tan in the warmer months, get a sample or smaller size of the darker shade to mix in with your main color to make sure your foundation matches your skin year round. PLEASE do NOT make the mistake of wearing a foundation that is either too light or too dark.
Step 3. Determine your skin type.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and let it air dry for 15-20 minutes. How does your face feel? If it feels supple, you have normal skin. If it feels very taut and dry, you have dry skin. If it feels very moist or oily, you have oily skin. If you’re only oily in the T-zone (forehead and nose) you have combination skin.
Based on your skin type, you need to pick the right foundation formula for it. Even if you have the right undertone and shade, if you have the wrong formula, your foundation can make your skin appear too dry or too oily. Cosmetic companies make it easy for you by labeling things by skin type, but here’s a rule of thumb:
Normal Skin: Liquids work well, but this type can also wear powder, creme, or mineral formulas.
Dry Skin:Liquids designed specifically for dry skin or creme foundations work well. As do some mineral formulas. Oily/Combination Skin: Powder and mineral foundations work best. So do some liquid formulas designed specifically for this skin type.
For all skin types, Blot Powder and Fix+ Spray (both sold at MAC)are must-have items for touching up shine throughout the day without interfering with your makeup. Blot Powder is great because it absorbs shine without adding color to your makeup. Fix+ Spray is a blend of vitamins and caffeine in a spray that leaves skin with a soft, dewy finish. It also helps prevent the “cake face” effect.
Step 4: Determine your coverage amount.
If you already have an even complexion with very few blemishes, a lightweight orsheer foundation (or even a tinted moisturizer) will work to enhance your beautiful skin. This is also a good option for daytime makeup.
Medium coverage works for anyone with skin that needs a little extra help. A good foundation will provide medium coverage, but still look natural. Medium coverage works well for going out or being photographed.
Full coverage helps problem skin appear more flawless. The best full coverage foundations provide excellent coverage for troublesome areas, but still look natural. A light hand is necessary for this type. I recommend only using full coverage in areas where you need it, as it can have the tendency to look like a mask if overused. I also recommend dealing with your skin issues first before piling on makeup to cover it up.
Well, that’s foundation in a nut shell! Stay tuned for more in my “Makeup 101″ series.
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Great tips! I’m totally clueless when it comes to this–what a huge help!
Check out more of Danielle’s fabulous tips at www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com.
What do you think of our guest blogger?
Smootches!
Paula Patton looked hot in a strapless lavendar Bottega Veneta corseted silk dress lightly accessorized with strappy black sandals, and sophisticated diamond jewelry:
Splurge on the dress or save with this fun substitute and affordable accessories:


Maya Lake, designer of bomb brand Boxing Kitten (www.boxingkitten.com), recently hit us up with her fabulous Fall 2009 Lookbook:
The new seasons promises more African inspired frocks in a melange of bright colors like yellow, purple, and orange. Sophisticated ball shoulder shifts in teal play with frothy skirts in pink and green. It seems the accessories are key here–made for the girly girl and tomboy alike, Maya pairs A line skirts with combat boots and brightly colored opaque tights.
Rupaul shined last night at a Jimmy Choo for H&M event wearing a vibrant plaid suit worn with cowboy boots, a striped shirt, and a flower for flourish:
A consummate divo, Rupaul followed the cardinal rules of mixing patterns, making sure both prints shared similar brick red/burgundy colors. While I want to love this outfit, something about it makes me go hmmm…perhaps the shoes? Or the sour expression?
Tall or short, thigh high or ankle grazing, boots mix fashion and function flawlessly. Read on for 50+ hot picks in several style at multiple price points!
First up: Thigh Highs
The alluring length is the trendiest look for this fall, so save your pennies in case they’re a fly by night fad. Thankfully stores like Bebe allow you to try the look without spending a ton of money. Indulge with the rest:
Knee High Boots:
A perennial favorite, this look works both heeled or flat. Rock a knee high stiletto or wedge to work, then switch to a comfy flat for the weekend. Consider investing in these, as you’ll most likely be rocking these for seasons to come:
Ankle Boots:
Ankle boots can be alluring when worn with skirts of skinny pants. Stock up with the options below:
Performance Boots:
Winter means sleet and snow, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fashion! Look cute in all types of weather with these fun all purpose picks:
So while we were in a technological wasteland, several bomb celebrities still pranced on the red carpets of movie premieres, putting their best faces forward for the camera flashes. Several stars were on hand for the Screening Of Precious in Hollywood offering lots of glorious Hot or Hmm fodder. Tell us what you think!
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon sizzled in a one shoulder cherry red dress, accessorized with metallic peep toe heels and a flurry of curly tendrils. Slight ruching and well edited adornments dressed up the simple frock, a perfect look for a wife and hot mom!
Paula Patton also went for short and sultry in a strapless light purple banger worn with a slicked back chignon and strappy black sandals. Hubby Robin complements her nicely in an all black suit, great looks for a consistently hot couple.
Sherri Shepherd looked young and sprite for the event with long cascading curls set off by a relatively short silver sequined shift. Her silver platform sandals are undoubtedly hot, but hmm, perhaps her tailor was a little too generous with the hem of her dress…
Fashion diva Mary J. Blige took the opposite route, rocking a floor grazing halter dress with aptly placed cut outs. Her understated diamond clip ons and black clutch allow her dress to shine on its own. Hot!
Mariah Carey also went for a flowing halter gown, betting on black to pose with her hubby Nick. Snaps to Mariah for leaving the thigh high cocktails at home and going for a more mature aura. It seems her style is slowly but surely evolving. Hot!
Mo’Nique dazzled in a strapless gold sequined gown, played up by simple makeup and a slicked back bun. Mo’Nique always manages to represent well for the curvy fashionistas, and this is definitely a hot look!
And lastly the man and woman of the hour, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry looked cute and laid back in comfy jeans, Oprah profiling in a wide leg trouser jean in a dark wash, and Tyler going for a more traditional bootcut style. I’m loving the duo’s simple elegance and their ability to shine even with the most simple separates.
Today our Fashion Bombshell hits us with a bit of Halloween fun! Jay from Atlanta writes, “From some of my previous submissions you know by now how much of a Beyonce fan I am. For Halloween, my boyfriend and I dressed up as hip hop’s royal couple:”
“Peep the attached pics! Hope you like ‘em!”
Snaps for having the courage to wear a leotard! You are working it!
What did you guys rock for Halloween?
I was Cleopatra:
Today Swagger brings us a bit of mulitcultural flavor with hottie Roshani from London:
The Brit babe paired American Apparel leggings with a striped shirt and puff shouldered polka dot jacket, displaying how to rock two different patterns with flair. She topped everything off with a cute vintage purse and red lip. Hot!
