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!

“I realized early on that accessories can make two identical outfits look totally different. They are also the easiest way to change your look each season, so you can just go wild expressing yourself.”–Brenda Townsend, founder of Out of Hand Boutique.

Hey Guys,
So taking a cue from the well accessorized lady from yesterday, I decided to cover a new online boutique called ‘Out of Hand’ ( www.oohboutique.com).

The founder, Florida resident Brenda Townsend, says Out of Hand is “for the woman who is too busy to go out and discover unique places to shop or who wouldn’t otherwise have access to anything other than the local mall.” A former Army enlistee, she uses her foreign travels to inspire the one of a kind hand made and independently designed pieces.
Though a total jewelry devotee, she says, “It’s against my religion to spend a lot on accessories!” So she offers items to her customers at reasonable price points.
Surveying the inventory I found unique items from every category for $50 or less!

Her necklaces were fierce…

Top Row: Afire Necklace, $50; Elegantly Twisted Necklace, $30.
Bottom Row: Brass Octopus Necklace, $25; Jet Set Necklace, $20.

…earrings bright and bold…

Top Row: Faceted Drop Earrings, $15; Enamel Wing Earrings, $17.
Bottom Row: Bombay Earrings, $15; Emerald Jade Earrings, $15.

…and bracelets sophisticated…

Top Row: Lapis Cuff Bracelet, $50; Laurel Wreath Bracelet, $12.
Bottom Row: Isis Cuff Bracelet, $40; Bamboo Bangle Bracelet, $12.
All available at www.oohboutique.com

As if the great prices weren’t appealing enough, you can enter the code “FASHBOMB15” at checkout for 15% off your order! The offer lasts until Thursday, May 31st.
Happy Shopping!
Smootches!
PS Want more jewelry options? I did a jewelry week a few months ago. In case you missed it:
*Starlet Accessories by Brown Graduate Christine Chow
*Sisu Jewelry by my girl and classmate Sarah Johnson
*Nature inspired Jewelry by Sandy Hoof designer Amber Cartwright
*Urban chic jewelry from Howard alum Carla Rutledge

“Brown Skin Lady…where ya goin?/Brown Skin Lady…what you doin? Brown Skin Lady…how do you feel?/…Now everybody on the avenue I know/When they see her, say, there she is.”–Mos Def and Talib Kweli, “Brown Skin Lady.”

Hey,
So I was riding the train the other day and caught sight of a young lady who was fashionable in an understated, unconventional way. I had to take a picture:

She’s not wearing the latest trends, but something about her screams ‘style’! Her red bag, shoes, and lipstick match without being overwhelming…and I love her dark aviators specs and head wrap (I’m gonna have to master the ‘head wrap’ steeze this summer for those bad hair days!).
Her wardrobe choices show that one can be stylish without being overdone. Just choose a few cool accessories, throw on some bright lipstick, and you’re set!
Smootches!
PS This is a short post, so I’m compiling a few of my fave links for today:
*Check out the latest celebrity trend of pretty pleated dress [Batch Please]
*Catch an interview with ANTM’s Dionne [Hip Candy]
*Pix of flygirl Rihanna in Essence Magazine [Fashion 4 Da Soul]
*Cool NYC Sample Sales [Style Chile]
*The latest in black news and gossip [Stereohyped]
*Top ten colleges for African-Americans [The B Life]

“I don’t feel I need to exhibit myself like a piece of meat. I want to be sexy but in a Betty Grable 50s-pin-up rather than a raunchy centrefold kind of way. I wouldn’t allow myself to be exploited in that way by anyone. I’ve got very strong ideas about the way I want to look and act.”–Amerie

Hey Y’all,
So for this week’s Style File, I decided to take a look at the singular swagger of R&B crooner…

Amerie!
She’s a master at cherry picking sexy yet sophisticated outfits.
For casual outings she shows off her physique in anything from short shorts accented by heels…

…to skinny jeans and ruffled tops.

When she hits the town, she truly flaunts her $2 million legs in dresses characterized by saucy animal prints…

…demure yet cute gingham…

and modern silhouettes…

Fly.
Want her look? You can start by copping this $242 Alice & Olivia Deco Short Sleeve Knit Dress…

…currently available at shopbop.com
For everything else, try the following low priced substitutes:

Top Row: Ruffle Front Blouse, $20, www.anntaylorloft.com; Retro Gingham Plaid Peasant Dress, $58, www.shopplasticland.com.
Bottom Row: Pleated Short, $24, www.forever21.com; BCBG Exotic-Print Matte Jersey Halter Dress, $110, www.macys.com.
Smootches!
PS Since we’re showing Amerie love, I thought it only fitting to include a few of her oldie but goodie hits.
First up, I absolutely love this song….

…it totally reminds me of summer in the city! And doesn’t that park look like Fort Greene Park? Love it!
And an Amerie tribute would not be complete without this song…

I absolutely *loved* her first CD, from start to finish.
If you did too, enjoy!
PSS From Nymag: Tomorrow through Friday: Tibi and Hollywould clothing as well as Hollywould shoes are 75 percent off. 336 W. 37th St., nr. Ninth Ave., penthouse fifteen; 5/16 (1–8); 5/17–5/18 (10–7).

Hey Guys,
So a few readers have been clamoring for me to cover Brooklyn Boutique, “Pieces”…

So I of course had to oblige!
Pieces is definitely a boutique that has the ‘urban fashionista’ in mind. It carries top designers like Vivienne Westwood, Tibi, La Rok, Sass & Bide, Anna Sui, and Norma Kamali…

…and stocks a surplus of unique, fashion forward clothes, shoes, and accessories. The owners of Pieces, husband and wife team Colin and Latisha Daring, have an exquisite eye. The name Pieces, according to Colin, came about because they chose ‘pieces’ from different collections to stock their store instead of ordering the whole collection. He says, the goal for the shopper is to find or buy, “One piece in your closet that is always relevant.”

I’ve actually been to Pieces before, but hesitated blogging about it because the prices are up in the ‘clutch your pearls’ category. For example:
This cute Vivienne Westwood top was on sale…

..at 30% off $398. This hot top by Sisa..

…was a cool $198, and this Anna Sui show stopper…

..was $269.
Dresses average $300 and up, tops start at $98, and vintage sunglasses are about $200, so…if you ever want to splurge, this is the place to go!
But take heart: if your pocket can’t permit spending on that level, you can always find a sick sale! Since I’ve started shopping at Pieces, I’ve found a few notable steals like a hot Tibi club dress for $75 (marked down from $280) and a Marie Marie tube dress for $150 (marked down from $357). You’ll never know what treasures you’ll find, so I’d definitely recommend checking them out.
Pieces has two New York locations in Harlem and Brooklyn (228 West 135th Street and 671 Vanderbilt Avenue at Park Place), but if you’re not in the city, Pieces is now online at www.piecesofbklyn.com! Check out a few of their offerings:

Top Row: Julie Haus Yacht Dress, $315; Spitfire Sunglasses, $40.
Bottom Row: Tosha Knit Wallet, $133; Tibi Square Strapless Dress, on sale for $280 (from $400).
All available at www.piecesofbklyn.com
Log on and check it out!
Smootches!
PS Stock up on jewelry with accessories cyberstore Boutique Finesse (www.boutiquefinesse.com). They’re offering free shipping all this week.