Hey Hey!
It’s Friday, and time for more mail bombs!

Yet again, I received help from my fantabulous ‘terns. They’ll all (hopefully) be making their Fashion Bomb debut next week…can’t wait!
Until then, let’s get to some piping hot mail bombs.
First up reader Mataya says:
“I’m looking for this bathing suit…”

“worn by the beautiful Selita Ebanks. Do you know who makes it or where I could find it?”
Tenacious ‘tern Elita found that the bathing suit is none other than this very affordable and very available…

Floral & Dot Two Piece from Victoria’s Secret. The top and bottom are sold separately, and lucky for you they’re both on sale (The skirt is $40 and the top is $75)! Hurry up and buy!
Next, reader Tyneka wanted to know:
“I luv the dress that Ciara wore in this picture…”

“Do you know who made it??”
I found that she’s sporting this…

…See by Chloe Gingham shirt dress for $495 at www.net-a-porter.com. But heads up: I saw this exact dress on sale for $170 at Bloomingdales!! Don’t waste your money…head to the store and get the sale price!
Next up, Monique contacted me with a wardrobe query:
“Hey girl I would really appreciate it if you could help me with a splurge purchase I made this past weekend in Miami! I bought these True Religion Jeans in stretch denim…”

“…because I am loving colored jeans for the summer and this color I thought suited my skin tone the best. My only dilemma…what color shoes do I pair?”
Hey Monique, I see you liked my yellow post! Yay! Anyway, that’s a great question. I think the jeans are so playful that you can be a bit adventurous with colors. If you’re brave, I’d suggest wearing a multi colored sandal that picks up on the color of the jeans slightly (but not an exact match!). If you’re feeling more conservative, I think a stiletto sandal in a light neutral—brown, beige, gold, even white—would complement your jeans. My suggestions:

Top Row: Dollhouse Tiby Sandals, $65, zappos.com
Blay Sandals, $50, www.stevemadden.com.
Bottom Row: Miss Sixty Christianne, $166.46, zappos.com
Tribeca Lookin Grand Sandal, $59.95, www.nordstrom.com.
Get your strut on!
Lastly, Tamika contacted me with a styling question:
“I am going to a huge b-day party on June 9th and would like to accessorize this dress…”

“…I know its super plain, but I know with all the right accessories, I can hook it up and be a diva that night… I was thinking about turquoise jewelry and I was thinking silver shoes, but I am not sure if that’s a good idea. Please help!! :)”
Hey Tamika. You’re right: go crazy with accessories! First, the way to really set this outfit off : the right clutch and shoes. Silver will look too dull, and gold will be too bright, but a neutral bronze? Just right. Next, since your neck is basically bare, I’d go with a statement necklace in the bronze/gold family. Try a long, multi-stranded number or a chain with a pendant to emphasize your neckline. Feel free to play with color a bit to offset the color of the dress (turquoise is a good option, as it goes well with pink). Because you’re going wild with the necklace, you can opt for a simple hoop earring (touch of green optional to match the necklace). A few options:

Top Row: Emerald Jade Earrings, $15, www.oohboutique.com; J. Lo Fever Sandals, $103, zappos.com
Three Inch Hoop, $16, www.urbn.com.
Middle Row: Nine West Cammera6 Sandals, $79, zappos.com
Envelope Clutch, $35, www.victoriassecret.com; Charles by Charles David Sonora Sandals, $63, www.bluefly.com.
Bottom Row: Beaded Snake Chain Necklace, $11.80, www.forever21.com; Calvin Klein “Date Bag” Large Clutch, $125.00, www.macys.com; Blossom Necklace, $15, www.boutiquefinesse.com.
Have fun at the party! And hey, send me pictures!
Smootches!
PS Call for Real Style Submissions: As much as I love snapping pix of fashionable peeps on the street, I’d love to see how my readers get down. If you’ve got style, send me a jpeg at thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Show me what ya workin with!

“Jones, the latest “It Girl” to burst onto Manhattan’s social scene, may have no regular job but is nonetheless a vital cog in the fashion industry’s marketing machine. Dressing up and having her photograph taken, Jones helps fashion and luxury-goods companies pitch their products simply through being associated with her.”–Teri Agins, ‘How ‘It’ Girl Scaled World of Fashion, One Party at a Time’, Wall Street Journal, Sept 14, 2006.

So for this week’s Style File I switched it up a bit. Instead of profiling a singer, rapper, or America’s Next Top Model, I decided to take a look at one of the few African-American ‘socialites’ (including Bonnie Morrison and Rachel Roy) New York Magazine deemed worth mentioning in a recent article:

Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal did an *amazing* investigative article on Ms. Jones last September. Everyone wanted to know: How did she become a socialite? Teri found that Genevieve made her way into upper crust society by befriending the right people (like Zac Posen) and being bold (for example, jumping in front of Andre Leon Talley and dancing with him at a Donna Karen party). Unlike her colleagues, she didn’t go to college, is a little old ( 31, not 27 as she claims), and lacks a trust fund. Mystere et boule de gomme.
Whoever she is, her style is one of a kind. Let’s take a look:
Ms. Jones updates classic black dresses with fringe details, sequins, and embellished bags…

Remixes summer whites with ruffles, understated baubles, and side swept hairdos…

Accentuates her small waist with belts over both coats and dresses…

And keeps top designers seduced in thigh skimming dresses and shorts…

Classy.
Want the socialite look? Start with these pieces:

Top Row: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hammered Silk Satin Dress, $170, www.saks.com; Clu Ruffle Trim Dress, $100, shopbop.com
Bottom Row; Necessary Objects Lace Babydoll Dress, $68, www.nordstrom.com; Hamptons Belt, $11.80, www.forever21.com.
Smootches!
PS Missed the article? Read more about the enigma that is G. Jones here.

Hey Y’all,
So I live in Brooklyn (lighters up!), and make regular trips to an amazing restaurant in Fort Greene called Habana Outpost. Picture this: Outdoor seating, Frozen Mojitos, Sunshine, Old School Hits spun by a DJ, and the most beautiful, eclectic, fashionable mix of brown people in the nation. It’s the bomb.
I dropped in a couple weekends ago, and saw this beauty…

..and knew she had to be on the Fashion Bomb.
I was feeling her retro sunglasses, bouffant hair do, and the contrast of her large sweater with skin hugging top, tights, and belt. So cool. So Brooklyn.
Smootches!
PS Visit Habana Outpost at 757 Fulton Street at South Portland (C to Lafayette). It might be a trek for some, but you’ll love it, I guarantee.

Happy Thursday!
So I have one amazing coworker who always comes to the office fresh dressed with the best bags, jackets, and accessories. One day we were talking shop (as per usual) and I made a comment about her Hermes belt…she revealed that she purchased it (along with a lot of her other pieces) from a cool high fashion consignment store called Ina. She almost fell out of her cubicle when I told her I wasn’t familiar…after collecting herself she urged me to check it out, so I did.

As soon as I walked in, I peeped many jackets, skirts, jeans, tanks, and accessories from brands like Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Marni, and Versace.

Of course the goods seemed impressive at first glance, but I had to look a little deeper. My first stop was the dress section.
I found lots of cute picks, though it seemed they skewed on the small and expensive side. For example:
This Diane Von Furstenberg summer frock was an affordable $155…

…but only available in a size 6.
This $695 Marc Jacobs ball worthy gown could be seen by some as a steal…

…but it was tiny! So was this Stella McCartney printed dress …

…for $315.
Hmh. So the apparel didn’t inspire, so I walked over to the shoe section…

..and frankly, it was off the chain gang. I found several pairs of Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Dior sandals, pumps, and flats for 50-80% off retail!
Even more shocking: They had several pairs in my big foot size (9 1/2)! That’s unheard of in vintage/consignment stores! It always seems whoever dropped ’em off was some old lady with a petite size 6 foot. Anyway, I thought the following made the trip worth it:
These Bally suede sandals were a size 9…

…and a reasonable $120.
These size 9 Jimmy Choo sparklers…

…were $140.
And this pair of size 11 Christian Louboutin cork wedges…

…were only $113!
Even this pair of size 6.5 Gucci Loafers didn’t seem so bad…

…at $245.
And this pair of size 8.5 Christian Lacroix’

…were beautiful at $275. I was thrilled.
Of course, I couldn’t forgot the purses!

The Louis Vuitton Speedy in the top left was in good condition and $435… the Chanel tweed in the back was $840 marked down from $1050. Certainly not a steal, but definitely less that you’d spend at Bergdorf or Barneys.
The cashier and I chatted, and she divulged that celebs like Chloe Sevigny and Sarah Jessica Parker come in frequently to sell their gently used wares. So at Ina you’re buying star worthy pieces at a portion of the regular price!
If you want to visit, Ina has 5 locations (including one for men): 101 Thompson Street; 21 Prince Street; 208 East 73rd Street; 262 Mott Street; and 15 Bleecker Street. Take a look at their website, www.inanyc.com for more info. They accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Cash, and are open 12-7 Sunday through Thursday and 12-8 Friday and Saturday.
You must check it out! You won’t be disappointed!
Smootches!
PS Mark your calendars. It’s that time again…

Last year was mayhem, but I walked out with two dresses and a shirt for like $200! Sick, I know. Get there early!
PSS Don’t forget Pieces’ sidewalk sale!
PSSS Eve is bringing back her Fetish line the next holiday season. According to WWD, the line won’t be logo driven and will offer a range of items, “from premium jeans ranging from $98 to $198 retail to leather jackets that retail up to $1,500.” Guess she’s recovered from that DUI debacle.

“I’m not your girl next door but I’m your girl down the block in your hood.”–Jaslene, America’s Next Top Model Season 8 winner.

So ANTM recently crowned a new queen (Jaslene)…and in the spirit of celebrating the ANTM franchise, I decided to do a short style file on the most successful, beautiful, and stylish winner of the show (in my opinion)..

Eva Pigford.
Petite and sassy, Eva truly has a style all her own . She plays up her diminutive traits by paying attention to tiny details.
She caters to her small figure by wearing short, cute dresses that elongate her legs…


And adds bulk and romance by sporting dresses and shirts with ruffle accents.



While her clothing game is fierce, Eva truly stays fly by way of an impeccably stylish haircut…

And big, bold, look-at-me accessories:


Fierce.
Get started on your own Eva the Diva-like wardrobe with the help of the following:

Top Row: Rosanna Dress, $27.80, www.forever21.com; Kenneth Jay Lane Black Diamond Cocktail Ring, $75, shopbop.com
Bottom Row: Doorknocker Earrings, $18, www.urbn.com; Marc Jacobs Red Plastic Oversized Shades, $144, www.bluefly.com.
Tyra…

…and Ms. Jay…

…would be proud!
Smootches!
PS Reader Neah was feeling the yellow post from yesterday!
She says, “I just wanted to let you know I’m with you with the love for yellow. I went out to celebrate my birthday on Saturday and just HAD to wear yellow.”
“I got the dress from Bebe. I paired it with navy and white Oscar de la Renta pumps, navy and white earrings, and a necklace I wrapped around my wrist (a girl’s got to be creative).”
Loves it!
PSS ANTM stills courtesy of the fab blog Four Four (www.fourfour.typepad.com)

“Look at the stars/ Look how they shine for you/ And everything you do/ Yeah they were all yellow…”–Coldplay, “Yellow.”

So, I have a confession to make: I’m absolutely obsessed with the color yellow! It’s the perfect shade for summer, automatically brightens up any outfit, and bonus: it looks simply smashing against most skin tones.
I thought it only fitting to look to celebs to see how to rock it proper:
Socialite Genevieve Jones accents a pretty pleated skirt and sheer black shawl with a searing sunflower top…

Kimora screams cute in a canary cardigan. Her adorable daughter Aoki helps her along…

And Beyonce accents a grey skirt and hoodie with scintillating citron Louboutin pumps…

Hot.
Yellows work whether patterned or solid, but steer clear of pairing yellow stripes with black…

You could end up looking like a bumble bee!
Work yellow in the right way with these Fashion Bomb certified pieces:

Top Row: Floral Babydoll Top, $19.80, www.forever21.com; Overlasted Platform Shoe, £55.00, www.topshop.com; Double Button Cuffed Short, $18.50, www.wetseal.com.
Middle Row: Egyptian Cotton Printed Sweater Dress, $140, www.jcrew.com; Lacoste “Summer Terry” Beach Bag, $135.00, www.macys.com; Coffee Shop Fit & Flare Trench Coat, $68, www.nordstrom.com
Bottom Row: Nana Delmar Yellow Patent Leather, $98.95, Zappos.com
Lydell NYC Bangle, $25, www.bloomingdales.com; Yepa shoes, $60, www.tishshoeboutique.com
Smootches!
PS Pieces Boutique (which I wrote about here) is having a Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale!!!

Click to enlarge
50-60% off dresses?!? $60 Jeans??? I’m definitely dropping by!

“I slang in my white tee/I bang in my white tee/All in the club spitting game in my white tee/ I bling in my white tee/Serve fiends in my white tee/forget a throwback I look clean in my white tee.”–Dem Franchise Boyz, “In my White Tee.”

Hey Guys,
So this past Friday I went to a very young, urban, and fabulous place in Harlem called Society Coffee. They have cool themed nights on occasion, and this time around, the theme was all white. I didn’t get the memo, but these beautiful young ladies clearly did:

They demonstrated one way to wear all white while still looking fly. I loved their skinny jeans, metallic accessories, and stylish tops.
I’m going to a white party in a few weeks…and I’m already taking notes!
Smootches!
PS Check out Society Coffee at 2104 Frederick Douglass Blvd btwn 113th & 114th St.
PSS NYC Fashionistas: The fabulous Gabay’s Outlet (227 1st Avenue between 13th and 14th streets) just received a shipment of ready to wear from Elie Tahari. 50-80% off retail. Go during your lunch break!
PSS To any of my ‘intern’ candidates: please know that the gig is unpaid (but so much fun)! With that in mind, keep sending me e-mails, I’d love to have you!