Once again, guys, Happy, Happy New Year!
Today is ripe with new possibilities, let’s get it!
So I promised that I’d give you a taste of New Years Style.
I made several stops on Monday night, the first being a house party thrown by a friend.
I had to snap a picture of this party attendee…
…who was celebrating ’08 in a bold way with pink suede booties, an ethnic print halter top, and an emerald green clutch.
Sure, she didn’t have flashy sequins or a short cocktail, but she celebrated stylishly and in her own unique way.
What do you think?
Smootches!
PS I went to a huge party afterwards, and snapped a few pics. Stay tuned!
Fashion, News, and What Nots
*Of course celebs represented for New Years. A few looks: Mary J Blige rocks a winter white jacket over knee high boots… Angela Simmons looks sultry in a lace overlay black dress… Kelis is scintillating in citron… Mariah is white hot in this strapless. I can’t lie, I like this look.
Did celebs represent for the New Year?
Hola Chicas! I’m finally back in NYC!!! I can’t lie…going from 70 degrees, beautiful water, and blue skies to 40 degrees and gray is a bit of a bummer. But I’m excited to party it up for New Years in NYC!
So of course with the New Year comes New Years resolutions.
Last year, I had exactly five fashion resolutions. Let’s see how I did! My first was.. 1. No more cheap shoes!
Don’t buy fake luxury-brand pieces–the people you’re trying to impress will know right away you got that Louis Vuitton on Canal Street. Go for unexpected middle pieces from middle-tier brands (the ones other women probably won’t pick)
…the words of a true fashionista! I went ahead and followed Kimora’s counsel when finding a new work bag. I invested in another Cole Haan creation… It’s big, red, and fits everything! My next resolution from last year was to get… 3. One status bag.
For some reason, I stopped lusting after the status bags. While any classic should be a part of a woman’s wardrobe, I haven’t had the extra funds to indulge. Perhaps I can look into this for the New Year….
4. J.Crew in moderation.
My obsession with J. Crew used to be embarrassing. All the people in there knew me or thought I worked there! I’m proud to say that I haven’t purchased one cable knit sweater this year. I did indulge in this jacket… …and a bit of cashmere….but I’m getting better (promise)! Lastly: 5. Fashion Shows, Fashion Shows, Fashion Shows!
So that does it for resolutions from last year. For this year, I only have a few…
1. Take The Fashion Bomb International. I started with the Bahamas… … but I really want to give you guys a taste of urban global fashionista flavor. I’ve got my sights set on Europe, Africa, and even Asia. Let’s get er done!
2. Chill on the big ticket items. As you can see above, I’ve made some pretty big wardrobe investments this year. At this point, I no longer need to spend a grip on wardrobe essentials; my focus should be small, inexpensive items to complement what I have. I promise, this year, I’ll shop more vintage, more Forever 21, and spend less than $100 on any one item. You don’t have to spend a ton to have great style. Remember Kesh?? She said “Nearly everything you see me wearing costs less than a large pizza. I dress so cheap I should be homeless!” It can be done!
3. Lastly… Take The Fashion Bomb to the stratosphere! This means more updates, more shows, more cool designers and great picks. Also, more reader participation. Tell me what you’d like to see more so I can give you a better experience!
Think that’s all. What are your resolutions? Smootches!
Fashion, News, and What Nots
*Looks like the Fashion Bomb will be partying with the JI Group for New Years! …bring your flyest, cause I’ll be watching (and taking pictures)! Tix are now $175, purchase by clicking here. *Posts have been a bit sporadic with the holidays and vacation, but I promise to resume normal posting (mail bombs and all) in the New Year!
Merry Christmas Eve!
So surprise, surprise. I brought my black lappy with me to the Bahamas! And while I’m on vacation, I knew that I wanted to capture a bit of Bahamian Chic.
My cousins took me to the Carnival…
…which is basically Coney Island on a smaller scale.
I went with my early Christmas gift (a sleek Canon Powershot) determined to find some Real Style for y’all.
To prepare, I asked my cousin what was in style on the Island. She revealed:
1. Even though it averages 70 degrees here, any winter wear, including boots with fur were in.
2. Shoes and bag MUST match.
3. As long as your hair is done, the rest of your outfit can pass. She referred to a ’28 piece’ which is basically a complicated weave style that involves approximately 28 pieces (or more!).
With that information, I went out to find a few Bahama Mamas:
I snapped this couple first… …they looked fresh and clean in white shirts and jeans. Â I admired how the lady’s mustard shoes matched her mustard and brown bag (and her earrings).
Next, I had to stop this group… …they had great energy, and I took note of the young lady sporting boots with fur trim.
This group… …would’ve won the Real Style award if there was one! Not only were they dressed to kill in satin, pumps, and skinny jeans, but there were so many 28 pieces, I couldn’t count! And check how second from left’s shoes match her purse and her hair. They better work!
I did catch up with some of the guys… …who seemed to keep it pretty simple in polos, t-shirts and jeans.
But then I took a close look at homeboy in the middle’s shoes…. …the tag was still on! I almost died. Perhaps that’ll catch on in New York?
Anyway I’m having a delightful time with my cousins, eating loads of cracked conch, conch salad, Rice & Peas, Guava Duff, and Goombay Punch. I’m literally in heaven.
Hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday!
I’ll be back stateside towards the end of the week.
Until then….
Smootches!
So I’m finally home! Sorry for the delay; I got in late last night and slept in (naturally) this morning. As I type, I’m watching an afternoon potpourri of the Finest Television (Maury, Judge Mathis, Judge Judy). It’s divine.
But enough about me. Another huge highlight for the Fashion Bomb’s past year: YOU!
In 2007 you guys really came out to represent like never before, showing me your style for The Fashion Bomb’s various contests, and also displaying your fierce sense of chic just because. We’ve had readers from NYC… …to the Chi… From New Orleans… …to Toronto…. From College Students… …To Mothers… And everyone in between! You may not know it, but you guys motivate ME to update this blog with fresh content every day. When I’m having a bad day and it seems that all is going down, down, down…I open my e-mail and see a positive comment or someone who has a question for me, and it clears away all the doldrums.
In sum, this blog exists largely because of… YOU! Thanks for reading! You’re the bomb! Smootches!
Fashion, News, and What Nots
*Only one more day of the year recap before I ship off to the motherland (aka the Bahamas) for next week. Don’t know if you know, but my mom’s family is straight from Nassau…so we’re all going down to enjoy the fabulous weather and Junkanoo (carnival on Christmas Day). I couldn’t find my camera charger (no annoying), but I’m gonna really try to capture the moment for y’all–true authentic Bahamian style. Buck!
So when I was thinking of who should be The Fashion Bomb’s pick for Fashionista Extraordinaire 2007 (aka the Diva with the Flyest Style), I knew there were a lot of contenders.
Would it be Beyonce, whose name makes it to Mail Bombs almost every week….
….with style scouts yearning to duplicate her look?
Kerry Washington…. …who seems to live on the party circuit with a bevy of hot frocks in her quiver?
Or someone a little bit subdued, like socialite Genevieve Jones…
….who makes it to all the see-and-be-seen events, but tends to escape your typical gossip blogs?
After some serious thought, and looking at who you guys request the absolute *most* for Mail Bombs, I must say that this years Fashionista Extraordinaire is….
…Rihanna!
Yep it is. Why?
This Caribbean Queen has been working everything from glamazon frocks…
…to more casual yet super cute sweater dresses…
…and the hottest winter coats…
…with undeniable style since the beginning of the year.
She truly mixes it up and manages to do it all, from rocker chic….
…to more classic items with a twist….
…while looking absolutely flawless.
While she might shop straight off the runway on some occasions in favorites like Gucci and Zac Posen…
…in other situations, you can tell that she takes the stylistic reins and works it out on her own.
Also, the true test of an Uber Fashionista: Style doesn’t even stop…
…with a boot on her foot.
So Kudos to you, Rihanna…
…for rocking it out Fashion Bomb style for the ’07.
Do you agree?
Smootches!
Fashion, News, and What Nots
*I leave on a jet plane tonight for Atlanta. I’m bringing my black lappy, and will try to update, but…no promises!
*Mary J. Blige and Patti Labelle don’t care a stitch about Peta, do they? …they rocked floor length furs at Mary’s album release party last night in NYC.
I’ll confess: I’m looking to rock a cute, short fur for New Years and My Birthday (Mark your calendars, January 12th!). But I’m thinking of getting something vintage…somehow a used fur seems more ethical? Or perhaps I’m delusional…
*Calling All Designers!
The Uptown Emerging Designers Market (UEDM) is a monthly market that will take place at the Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem starting in February 2008. The UEDM will allow up-and-coming designers a fun and profitable environment to display their talents and sell their creations to the general public. Whether you’re a designer of clothing, jewelry, bags, interior decor or more, the UEDM offers you a unique opportunity to showcase your designs! In addition to a selection of exclusive clothing & accessories, the UEDM will include great music, cocktails, and an engaging exhibit provided by the Hip Hop Culture Center.
For more information about vending opportunities or to be added to the UEDM mailing list, please contact UptownEDM@gmail.com .
*Deal of the Day: Frye Sunny Pleated Short Boots, $124, shopbop.com
Hey!
So another weekly ritual I enjoy: Style Files.
For the most part, I keep it positive, exalting the unparalleled chic of fashionistas like Tracee Ellis Ross….
Tyra Banks… ..and even Hip Hop Girlfriends… But sometimes, I have to do a Style Intervention for those women who just can’t seem to get it right. I did one in May of this year for tennis pro Serena Williams. Let’s recap:
**************************************************************************
...Serena is gorgeous, talented, and has a body I would *kill* for…and as I wrote here, her match style is fly.But while she dominates the court in bold colors and body skimming dresses…
…her red carpet choices are a bit…suspect. Let’s take a look:
This dress, in a word, is gorgeous, but unfortunately the cut makes her look a little, well…masculine. While sleeveless styles should work for her, the armholes shine a spotlight on her toned, muscular arms…
This shift dress is dull, and unflattering….
…and the cut on the top of this dress makes her look more ‘ironman‘ than superwoman.She’s worked too hard for her body to cover it up, but there are styles she can adopt to look a tad more feminine.
**************************************************************************
Not the harshest criticisms, but I knew that Serena could definitely do better.
Now….I don’t know if Serena reads The Fashion Bomb or what, but ever since maybe late July, Serena has been in deliciously chic frocks that work for her body while also playing up her femininity.
She sports the occasional strapless, along with a sleek black cut and strappy shoes… Looks party perfect in deep plum halter necks that taper in at the knees…. And though she still loves to showcase her arms, she’s amped up the girly factor in dresses that are just short enough with hems that pouf out a bit around mid thigh…
Two snaps for style!
Now if only she could help her sister….
Just kidding. But not really.
Anyway, congrats to Serena for the Biggest Style Evolution of 2007!
She’s the bomb, y’all.
Smootches!
Fashion, News, and What Nots
*I must also recognize Ms. Alicia Keys, who was a ‘Style Evolution’ subject of a post dated June 12, 2007.
Her look has changed a bunch over the years….
… But her transformation was definitely more gradual; Serena really turned herself around in a matter of 6 months!
At any rate, kudos to both ladies, and mad props to their fabulous stylists:)
*I’m heading home tomorrow before heading to the motherland this Saturday!!! I am sooooo excited! Can’t wait for some Sweet Tea and Chicken Biscuits!
*Visit Modcloth’s blog at blog.modcloth.com, and tell them what Modcloth.com items are on your wishlist! Your comment will enter you into a competition to win a $100 gift certificate! What are you waiting for?
*Even with Cavalli, H&M sales sluggish.
*The Met’s new exhibit “blog.mode” is now open.
*Deal of the Day: Dolce Vita York Lace up Pump.
Get ’em for $41.40 at shopbop.com
Happy Monday!
So it’s sad but true: 2007 is coming to a close.
Most people will be out of town for the next two weeks, so I decided to dedicate this week to looking at the Best of the Year for the Fashion Bomb!
Today, I’m going to look at one of my favorite Monday rituals: Real Style.
Asking strangers for their pictures used to be totally painstakingly nerveracking for me, but now I’ve gotten into the groove of snapping fashionable women (and men!) in the streets:
The Fashion Bomb has captured chic essence from the groves of Miami to the Bahamas and New York….
Photographed fashionistas in the Tents of Bryant Park for Fashion Week… Stopped everyone from Japanese tourists in midtown…. …to jumper wearing hipsters in the streets of Williamsburg… …and even documented the young beautiful set enjoying Prospect Park BBQ’s… …and white themed 4th of July parties… It’s been fun!
While my humble Kodak goes everywhere from Soho to the South, nowhere have I taken more Real Style pics than at Habana Outpost, one of my favorite summer chill spots… It got so excessive, one reader named ‘Mister’ wrote in, “Have you ever considered trying a place other than Havana Outpost?”
Lol!
I plan on definitely expanding in the New Year and *promise* that the Fashion Bomb will seize its international destiny tres soon.
Keep watching!
Stay tuned this week for The Fashion Bomb’s votes for Best Style, Best Style Evolution, and more!
Smootches!
Mary J Blige rocks a winter white jacket over knee high boots…
Angela Simmons looks sultry in a lace overlay black dress…
Kelis is scintillating in citron…
Mariah is white hot in this strapless. I can’t lie, I like this look.
