Another oldie but goodie:

What would you do if you ruled the world?

Hey!
So if you’ve been reading this blog for any period of time, you’d know that my absolute favorite store is Pieces Boutique in Brooklyn:

Filled with lovely one of a kind fashions, boutique owners Colin and Latisha Daring have an eye for unique style and offer unquestionably chic, quality items.

So when reader Tyi wrote in saying, “I’m a 25-year-old mother of two who plans on opening up a fashion boutique in Arizona–can you give me any startup advice?” I knew Latisha would be the person to ask!

Latisha, who got her start by holding shopping cocktail parties in her spare time, has been in retail since the young age of fourteen. As she said in an interview with Style Chile, ” I decided to open my own boutique when I realized that working for another retailer did not allow me to react to customer’s wants and needs fast enough.” And thus Pieces was born:

To all aspiring boutique owners she says, “Be clear on who you are as a brand and who your customer is. The rest will follow. You should have an opening budget that includes everything: rent, product, and move in or construction costs.”

She adds, “Financial structure is the key to growing an effective business, but first ask yourself the following questions: What other boutiques exist? Who are their customers? How can I compete? What is missing from what already exists? How am I going to offer something completely different? “

Now on to the nitty gritty. We all know we’re in a recession. Is it a good time to become an entrepreneur? “We’re not in a complete depression, but these times are not supportive of businesses with no experience in the industry,” she says, “Have a recession plan. You have to know how to ride things out, maximize the overall opportunity, and survive.”

In closing, she says, “Owning a boutique is a complete labor of love and major sacrifice–you rarely have a lot of time for yourself! However, having an amazing clientele of diverse backgrounds has been the most rewarding for me. I draw inspiration from my clients and thrive on their excitement from season to season. Oh yes the fact that I am my own boss is great as well.” Love it!

Keep up with Pieces on their blog, www.piecesofbklyn.blogspot.com, shop with them online here starting April 1st, and if you’re in New York, check out their boutique at 671 Vanderbilt Avenue at Park Place (2,3 to Grand Army Plaza, B, Q to 7th Avenue).

Bisous!

Reminisce with my Boutique Spotlight on Pieces from May ’07.

Tired of that same old pencil skirt? Step it up with Express’ $60 Luxury Stretch Ruffle Skirts:

In black and gray, you can easily incorporate them into your already fabulous wardrobe!

See more work ready options at www.Express.com.

Daddy’s Girl Angela Simmons was spotted shopping recently wearing a white tank, black leggings with knee reinforcements, and gold flat sandals:

We all know Angela favors the casually chic look. What do you think? Hot or Hmm…?

Oh and if you love her sandals, get a similar look for less than $100:

Left to Right:  farylrobin Wendy Flats, $80;  Cyndy Says Women’s Soul Flat Tie Sandal, $67.

Move over Christian Louboutin! I think I’ve fallen in love with a new designer: Brian Atwood. The line creates drool worthy shoes at splurge worthy prices! Today, check out these Eva Ankle Tie Sandals:

Caliente! At $795, these must be the main event. Save on a simple, affordable dress:

Ok. I’ve gotta admit: I haven’t seen Harlem Heights!! I know, I know.

BET.com is soooo slow on my computer–besides the main shows I watch online are Judge Judy and For the Love of Ray J. What can I say, I love trash TV.

So I’ve been getting bits and pieces on the cast from articles, and thankfully today AOL StyleSpotter interviewed the girls for a fashion focused piece:

Seems these ladies have great taste! The girls list Chanel Bags, Zanotti Shoes, Nicole Miller dresses and Versace boots as part of their fashion arsenals.

Snaaaaps!

Read the rest of the article here, but tell me: is the show any good?

Cruising over at Stuff Fly People Like, I caught this recent pic of Keyshia Cole logo’ed out in a Gucci Monogram Spring Jacket:

It’s hard for Keyshia to go wrong: She has a cute style and the attitude to pull this off.

But something about logos in general makes me go Hmmm…

It’s one thing to rock a bag…

A hot pair of monogram shoes…

A hat…

…or even some luggage…

But at what point do logos go from tasteful…

To utterly tasteless?

Hey!

So as the weather improves, more and more Parisians are filtering outside, increasing my chances of capturing Real Style. While sitting in the sun by the Hotel de Ville, I spotted this young lady reading a magazine, and had to take her picture:

I admired her Zoe Kravitz-esque swagger.  Her headband was cute as a button, as were her Ray Bans and tunic. She looked very relaxed, yet tres chic. J’adore!

What do you think?

The fashionable were out en force this weekend as we rung in spring! Though most still sported winter-appropriate basic black, it didn’t stop a few bright tones from peeking through–let’s take a look…

Over in her home state of Texas, Bomb favorite Solange kept it to the beat of her own drum in a tuxedo blazer, tiered tank top, and a sky blue mini skirt with cloud prints. The matching sky blue makeup and fuchsia pumps lend the outfit Solo’s signature offbeat quirk and for a look only she could probably rock…cute and hot!

Here in NYC, UK popster Estelle sported black trousers and leather with pops of color from a patterned silk chiffon scarf, silver accessories, and an electric blue pedi. I’m feeling the pieces individually but something about them all together makes the outfit a bit too cluttered, hmm…

In L.A., sexy siren Eva Mendes goes for sophisticated with a ribbed silk sheath in eggshell and scarlet suede pumps. Her tousled waves and simple yet eye-catching accessories only make the look more well-rounded. Definitely a simmering hot!

Back on the East coast, Charlie’s Angel Lucy Liu played angel to a group of young Asian women and looked dazzling while doing so. Her waist-cinched black and white skirt and short-sleeved blouson blouse are appropriately chic for an afternoon of inspiring the kids. Hot!

And up in Toronto, Fashion Bomb newbie and Canadian music personality Traci Melchor went for funky and tailored in a grey, ruffle-hemmed sheath with black piping, opaque tights, and dark grey patent leather booties. Her corset-like belt and Stephen Sprouse Vuitton speedy also give the outfit a nice edge. Hot!
What say you?
~Adri

A warm weather staple for the fashion fierce is a Panama Hat. If you’re devoted to looking laid back and cool, invest in this $325 Eugenia Kim Brooke version from Intermix:

Classy and crisp, wear it for a road trip with the girls or a plane ride to an exotic locale.
And Eugenia Kim’s name ensures quality.
See the rest of her Intermix offerings here.

It’s an easy spring upgrade!