Happy Thursday!
So I went to the gym yesterday afternoon to take my regular cardiosculpt class, and was blown away, momentarily, by the sheer volume of newbies sweating away on the ‘mills. Then I realized that (duh) tons of people make ‘Working Out’ one of their first New Years Resolutions. All the holiday goodness is just too…good!
As I said in my first post about Work out Gear, looking fly, sporting a new top, or rocking some new kicks motivates me to sweat it out.
Looking at celebs, there really isn’t much to it!
If you’re a casual girl like Nicole Richie or Rihanna, a simple white wife beater, t shirt, and pants will do…

If you’re a more active girl, like Mel B….
…splurge on a Nike issue top and matching pants.
A few options:
Top Row: LiveStrong Velocity Sport Top, $45, www.nike.com; TQM Women’s 2×1 Rib Tank, $10, www.footlocker.com; Personal Best Short Sport Top, $28, www.nike.com.
Middle Row: Adidas by Stella McCartney ‘Run’ Midlayer, $210, www.nordstrom.com
Bottom Row: Nike Enthusiast Capri, $45, www.nike.com; Workout Pants, $41, www.puma.com.

*So Mail Bombs have gotten sort’ve backed up over the past few weeks due to vacation, so I decided to get an early start today!
Michelle from Orlando, Florida loves Kim K’s look in this picture:
She says, “I think her outfit is a cute look and I like the bag because it looks like something I’d wear going to and from work...”
Get Kim’s look with the following high and low priced items:
Top Row: T-Bags Solid Off Shoulder Top, $114, shopbop.com
Harmony Wash Foxy Jean, $79, www.guess.com; Signature Stretch Silk Smocked Top, $40, www.spiegel.com.
Bottom Row: Roberto Cavalli Boots, $418, www.yoox.com; Julie K Jaye Bag in Purple, $242, CoutureCandy
ASOS Tie Back Slouch Heeled Boot, $80, www.asos.com.
Kim K’s cool and all, but am I the only one kinda heated that she’s with Reggie Bush?? Why not me????
*Deal of the Day:
Add Down Large Collar Puffer Jacket, $211, shopbop.com

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!

*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?

I had so much fun last night! New Years revelers came out in style.
I’ll do my best to give you an update tomorrow.
Until then…
Smootches!

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!

I’d had several horrid experiences with broken heels and the like. There was my black stiletto that snapped while walking down 5th Avenue; my Nine West pumps that sprung a leak by my pinky toe; and countless other tales of woe and pain.
Thankfully I invested in Cole Haan Nike Air pumps as I mentioned here…
…And the pain, broken heels, and cracks are over!
Hallelujah!
The second…
2. Chill on Chinatown!

I’d been caught in the past with a few fake items from my trip to China. Tired of the ridicule, I decided to take Kimora’s advice:

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!

When I first started blogging, I was lucky if I had an invite to one show. Thanks to the Fashion Bomb I’ve been able to go to shows large and small from Baby Phat to BCBG. And I plan on going to even more this coming February!

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!

*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!

Hey Guys,

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:

Hey!

….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?

…with undeniable style since the beginning of the year.

Also, the true test of an Uber Fashionista: Style doesn’t even stop…

*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