Passion For Fashion

A Great Time!

2009-02-07T06:18:00.001-08:00

I know I'm late, but this is a really great time in history. With the inauguration of Barack Obama, our nation's first president of color, we, and I personally, have a lot to celebrate. Whether you're for or against his politics, this truly marks a an amazing time in our lives. This is a wonderful achievement for America, and another step ahead in our nation's progress.

Not only is it a great time in history for our political landscape, it's a great time in history for fashion. I'm not only thrilled about our new president, I'm just as psyched about our fashion-forward first lady. You know how I feel about fashion, and to have a Black first lady who is being pegged a fashion icon in-the-making, excites me to no end.

I am looking forward to seeing her selection of colors, her style, the small details, (like those FABULOUS lime-green leather gloves she wore on inauguration day), the children's clothing....This is like a dream-come-true for me.

In fact, I was recently inspired by Michelle Obama. It was time for me to purchase a new wool coat. I've been skating by with a combination of a full length down coat for the really brutal days, and a black and off-white wool jacket for the not-so-cold days. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything for the "other" days.

Last year, I tried to be "cost-effective" and purchase a $99.00 wool coat from H&M. It was quite lovely - nice collar, belt around the waist, and I got a lot of compliments on it. Unfortunately, within two months, it was pilling and looked quite shabby.

The moral of the story is, for certain items, you can't be but so thrifty. I should have done a better job of inspecting the fabric, and really eyeing the overall quality of the coat. Well, that's a lesson learned. You need to really invest money in certain items in your wardrobe. This includes anything you wear often - coats, handbags, shoes...In the long-run it really pays off.

You're probably thinking, "okay, what does this have to do with Michelle Obama?" - well nothing...yet! So last weekend, I said, "I've had enough," and I went out to find a coat. After all, this is also a great time of year for winter bargains.

Sure enough, I get to Macy's and one of the first coats I try on, is "the one." It's a black wool Calvin Klein number that comes down a little past the knees, with wide pleats at the bottom. Really cute! $128.00 marked down from $400.00 - you can't beat that!

It's a nice heavy coat that is well-constructed and I can see myself wearing it for several years. I'm really pleased at that acquisition. So here's where Michelle Obama comes in...I bought red leather gloves. I thought it would be a nice idea to throw some color in the mix, like she did with her inauguration outfit. Now it's a small detail, and of course I'm not the first woman to sport red leather gloves, but that little shot of color really makes the difference.

And the gloves were $16.00 at Kohl's. Between the winter clearance and 15% coupon, I really made out like a bandit.

Anyway, I'm going to ride this high for a while - a Black president, a fashionable first lady, a new quality wool coat, and a pair of red leather gloves. Life is good!

Dressing for Success

2008-12-20T06:06:00.000-08:00

We've all heard the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover," but the sad reality is, people DO judge others based on their appearance. My belief is if you present yourself in the best way possible whenever possible it will benefit you the majority of the time.

I recently came across a quote by Tom Ford, former lead designer for Gucci, stating "...dressing well is a kind of good manners, if you ask me. ...I find it's a show of respect to try to put on your best face and look as good as you can."

When I read that, I was like "Wow, I totally get where he's coming from." Firstly, I feel as though looking good makes you feel good, and secondly, when you look your best, you create opportunities for people to view you in a positive light.

DISCLAIMER: I fully understand the value of inner beauty, personality, and intelligence. However, when people first lay their eyes on you, they're not looking at all those things - they're looking at your outer appearance.

Someone recently told me that I always look nice and asked where I find the time...and I thought to myself that it really doesn't take a lot of time to put together an outfit that is flattering. It takes a little time to build a wardrobe that contains flattering, functional, and flexible clothing that you can easily piece together into stunning ensembles. But once you get that task out the way, getting ready every morning should be relatively simple.

So I urge you to invest the time to assemble your ensembles.

When you shop, keep in mind that you should have other things in your wardrobe that you can easily coordinate with the pieces you're considering
Take the time to arrange your closet so your clothing is easily identified and accessible
Plan ahead!!! Take a few minutes to think about ways you can mix-and-match to get the most value out of your purchases
Think outside the box. Try layering, pattern-mixing, and adding a few "conversation pieces" to your wardrobe. (e.g. a statement ring, patterned hose, a vibrant color to brighten up an otherwise dull ensemble)

The time you invest in looking good will pay off in the long run. Remember, looking the part is half the battle!

-You'll feel your best when you dress for success!

I'm Baaaaaccccckkkkkk!

2008-12-20T05:37:00.001-08:00

You know...it's been many months since I made my last post, but during that time, I've thought about blogging many times.

I got married in September, and in the months leading up to the wedding, there was so much going on, that I just had to let the blogging go...but that has not curtailed my love of fashion and my desire to fit myself into that industry in some way, shape, or form.

Things have slowed down a lot, but of course, I'm still busy, but I decided that I absolutely NEED to blog, but I'll start off slowly, this way I won't feel pressured or overwhelmed. I will blog when I feel inspired to do so!

Let the blogging begin!!!

P.S. Of course I'm including some of my wedding pix....

Photographs courtesy of Tom Smith Photography www.tomsmithphotography.net

Weekend Wrap Up

2008-04-27T17:58:00.001-07:00

I always look forward to the weekends - you get to sleep late, relax a little, and catch up on some much-needed shopportunities. I didn't go out with the intention of acquiring anything, but some situations presented themselves to me and I had to jump on them.

Cosmetics Finds

You know that I’ve touted the benefits of Benefit’s Bad Gal Lash and Christian Dior’s DiorShow Mascara in the past; however, in the interest of pinching pennies, I’ve been trying to scale back my spending to save for the wedding.

My DiorShow is on the verge of drying out, and since I’ve been looking for a cheaper alternative, I decided to give Revlon’s Fabulash a try. I’ve actually used this in the past, and I recently read that it works really well.

I visited my local drugstore and purchased the Fabulash. I also purchased L’Oreal’s True Match Bronze Glow in Neutral Deep Bronze (Retails for about $8.00) to give my face a little shimmer. I couldn’t wait until I got home to try my products, so I sat in the car and gave myself a mini-makeover.
I applied the bronzer to half my face so I could compare to the other side, and I generously applied the Fabulash Mascara. I was really pleased with the mascara. It volumizes and lengthens and really makes my lashes pop. And at $8.00 you can’t go wrong.

The premise of the bronzer is really good, because you can wear this solo or combine a little with your tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation for a sheer glow. However, I had to look long and hard to notice the shimmery flecks and they weren’t that visible. Maybe I need the next shade for more intense color. If I try the deeper color, I’ll let you know how it works out.

Shoes Cure the Blues

My girl Steph has been lusting after these BCBGirls spectator pumps for several weeks, maybe even months now. We’ve seen them retail for $110.00 and they don’t seem to be going on sale any time soon. I’ve been trying to encourage her to wait it out - until some kind of coupon became available or for the price to decrease, but her patience has been wearing thin.

This weekend, I happened to find myself in Burlington Coat Factory, and of course I headed straight toward the shoe section. BCF has some really good deals on shoes with notable brands such as Nine West, BCBGirls (see where this is headed?), Baby Phat, etc.

As I perused the shoes, I noticed a bright pink box (a BCBGirls box) laying randomly at the end of an aisle with what looked like “Steph’s shoes” inside. Now I told Steph I’d keep my eyes peeled for the shoes, and here they were. I picked up the box, checked the size, and they were her size!!! I quickly sought out the price tag and they were an amazing $49.99, a mere 45% of the original cost.

So to make a long story short I picked up the shoes for Steph and she's ecstatic. But I’m happy I was able to make a fashion fantasy come true and I also snagged a cute pair of Nine West pumps for myself for a mere $39.99.

Life is great!

Shoe Therapy

2008-04-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

I was feeling a little down today and decided to go for a walk. It was absolutely beautiful outside and I headed straight to Macy's to check out the latest and greatest in the shoe department.

Since it was af ter 2:00 pm I managed to avoid the usual lunch crowd and was able to navigate through each section in a leisurely manner as sought some much-needed shoe therapy.

As I eyed the Nine West, Marc Fisher, Enzo Angiolini, BCBGirls (you get the idea), footwear, I felt a sense of calm o

vercome me. I made a mental list of future prospects, including price, I envisioned the outfits I could wear with each pair, and even tried on a few.

I paid special attention to the clearance rack, but to my dismay there were no "must-haves" in my size. Of course I had a coupon in my pocket - just in case, but I wound up leaving the store partially satisfied and significantly less stressed.

When I got back to work, I took a trip to "Fantasyland" (a.k.a. the Neiman Marcus website) and teased myself by browsing throught the exorbitantly priced shoes. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE these mules by Christian Louboutin. They're so incredibly sexy and I feel as though I MUST have them. (I mentioned that to my fiance while he was half-asleep hoping that the subliminal message would sink in.)

What is it about shoes that draws me in? Is it the fact that a cute pair of shoes can take you from drab to fab in a matter of seconds? Or is the fact that shoes are another opportunity to make your statement to the world? I would have to say it's both and then some. Shoes make me feel sexy, strong, confident, and invinceable.

I also stumbled across these, also by CL, and it's taking all my restraint to prevent myself from adding them to my online shopping cart.

And how about these?

I'm a little saddened, yet also somewhat thankful that I have this upcoming wedding to pay for to keep me in check. If not, I could have easily done a lot of damage in Macy's AND on the Neiman site. I find that when I'm feeling down, looking at shoes makes me feel good, but buying shoes makes me feel a WHOLE lot better! I actually get an adrenaline rush.

Okay, back to reality! Until after the wedding, I'll continue to salivate and fantasize.

(All shoes featured on this page can be found at Neiman Marcus)

I Need a Makeover!

2008-04-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing that a lot lately, and that got me asking myself "What steps does a woman need to take to give herself a new look?"

A makeover can range from simply a trip to the cosmetics counter at your local department store to a wardrobe overhaul. So if you've decided that it's time to present a new and improved version of yourself to the world, I've outlined some steps to help guide you through the process.

Step 1: Before you decide whether you're looking to make a few tweaks here and there or you're looking to totally reinvent yourself, you really need to define exactly who you are. If you're casual and low maintenance do you really need an intricate new hairdo and a 12-step beauty regimen? Makeovers are meant to enhance the already existing you, not turn you into someone you're not. (Although sometimes it can be a beautiful thing to reinvent oneself)

Step 2: Go through magazines and compile pictures of "looks" that you like. (makeup, hair styles, outfits, etc.) This will help you guide you as you consult your hairstylist and navigate through the boutiques and malls.

Step 3: Think about how much time you'd like to spend maintaining your new look. Will that $150.00 you shelled out at the MAC counter for those new beauty products require an extra 25 minutes in the morning that you just don't have?

Step 4: Think about how much your makeover will cost you - in the short and long term. Yes, you have a cute new 'do, but how much will those weekly salon visits set you back?

Step 5: If you're feeling a little intimidated and don't know how to move forward, enlist the help of a friend or acquaintance whose style you admire. Some are born with the gift of fashion sense, so lean on them for support.

Depending on what you've decided to upgrade, take it slow. No need to run out and do everything at one time. If you've decided to cut your hair, you may want to go shorter in stages. If you're really unsure about those high-waisted slacks you've been eyeing, carve out a day to focus on just trying on trying on bottoms. (Make sure you bring an honest, but tactful friend with you.)

Step 6: Once you've begun making the desired changes, step away from the situation and try to look at yourself through someone else's eyes. Because you've made choices and changes that reflect who you are it shouldn't be too difficult to embrace the new you.

The good news is:

If you cut your hair too short - it will grow back
If that new shade of red lipstick doesn't cut it - you can wipe it off (and you may even be able to return it to the store, depending on where you purchased it)
And if those skinny jeans make you look too skinny or not quite skinny enough, there's a style out there that will fit you perfectly - you just have to keep looking!

Every once in a while I get bored with myself and feel the need to make occasional "upgrades." It's easy to fall into a rut, and small changes can really boost your confidence and make you feel good about yourself. So seek out the looks that inspire you, grab a fashion forward friend, and have a happy makeover!

Wedding Shoes News!

2008-04-22T11:00:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited! I received my wedding shoes in the mail on Friday! I didn't think I'd be able to find anything both stylish and affordable, so I resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to pay quite a few dollars for my wedding shoes.

The run-of-the-mill dyeable shoes are usually not the most fashionable, and the styles that are more "up my alley" start at $100.00. So I said, "Fine, I'll just bite the bullet and pay what I have to pay." But in the back of my mind I was still hoping to stumble upon a bargain. I happened to be on Amazon.com last week and came across these babies by Nine West. I wasn't really too keen on the heel, because I envisioned something more sleek, but I said "For $26.99, I'll give them a try."

So I ordered the shoes last Wednesday, received them on Friday (with free shipping) and when I tried them on with my dress they looked PERFECT! Without giving any details about the dress, let's just say...the shoes and the dress balance each other out perfectly!

I'll be adding crystals to the middle of the bow just for some extra sparkle. I have another secret about my shoes, but you have to wait until after the wedding to find out!

"Purse-onality"

2008-04-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

I've always had a penchant for nice clothing and accessories, but it wasn't until the last several years that I've really started looking at handbags as a major investment. You know how much I love shoes but a handbag, at least for me, can oulast a pair of shoes by a number of years.

Quality handbags can be really expensive, so if you're just looking to start with the basics, I would get one in each of the following colors:

Black

Brown or Cognac

Other neutral (e.g. gunmetal, pewter, beige, or tan)

Those are the basics and can be worn with most of your outfits. If you're willing to take a walk on the wild side, get a handbag in a bold color to add a little personality to your looks. Orange, green, mustard, or red will certainly do the trick. Although they may not "match" all your outfits, you'd be surprised at how well they'll complement many of your looks.

I love Coach leather bags because of their high quality and richness. In November I purchased a lovely red leather signature satchel which I absolutely adore. The color really makes the bag stand out and I'm able to wear it with so many things. And I happened to get my hands on a "Friends and Family" coupon which saved me about $125.00.

I also recently purchased a Steve Madden leather purse which I got at a deeply discounted rate due to a sale and coupon. The original price was $135.00, but I purchased it for a mere $62.00 at Macy's. And you know how much I love a discount.

My selection of handbags is by no means huge, but the the collection is comprised of cute quality finds. Whatever your "purse-onality" make sure it's well-made and reflective of your own signature style.

Let's Face It!

2008-04-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

When you first meet people one of the first things they notice is your face. During the week I usually sport a full face of makeup, because I love cosmetics and the way they can transform you. And since I want to put my best face forward, I take the extra 15 minutes or so in the morning to create a new me.

Some women ask me where I find the time or how I even get the inspiration to create my looks, but I don't look at it as a chore at all. It's fun to me - and looking the best that I can helps give me confidence so it's all worth it.

I have yet to explore the full range of cosmetics that exist, but I have managed to try out a few brands in my lifetime. I'm going to highlight my top picks and those I use on a regular basis.

FACE
I start off by applying tinted moisturizer to my face. I've always had an aversion to liquid foundation, and tinted moisturizer is a nice alternative because it's not as "heavy" as foundation. However, it still provides a nice base, it evens out your skin tone, and is pretty natural-looking.

I'm currently using Bobbi Brown's tinted moisturizer with SPF15 in "Deep," and the cost is $40.00. I've been looking around to see if there are any high quality less expensive alternatives, but haven't found anything yet.
In the past I've used:

MAC's Studio Fix (gives a really nice finish, but gives you a more "made up" look)

Benefit's Get Even powder

BROWS

Since my eyebrows are a little on the wimpy side, I use Benefit's Browzings eyebrow kit. The kit comes with a powder to fill and a wax to set; but I typically use only the wax. It provides a hint of color, fills in any sparse areas, and smooths down the brows so they don't become unruly throughout the day.

EYES
I used to be a Mary Kay consultant and used their eye shadows exclusively, but now I use anything from Fashion Fair, to MAC, to Benefit's Show Offs. MAC's colors are really vibrant and potent, but the drugstore shadows from Revlon, L'oreal, and Cover Girl work pretty well too for everyday looks.
I do the liquid liner thing on my top lid and have the wings come out on the sides. My eyes are really small and this helps to give the appearance of bigger eyes. On the rare occasions that I line my lower lid, I use Benefit's "Bad Gal" pencil. It's bigger than your average eyeliner, but it's so soft and smooth - the color just glides on.

I finish off by either using Benefit's Bad Gal Lash or DiorShow on my lashes. If you're in the mood to be a little adventurous, try the DiorShow in blue - It's a royal blue that REALLY shows up on your lashes. Both are excellent buys and really work wonders on your lashes. Chanel's Inimitable is another good product, but at $30.00 a pop, that will only be for occasions when I'm looking to splurge. All products can be found at Macy's.)

LIPS

On my lips I wear Benefit's "The Gloss" in Kiss Me. It looks very pink in the bottle, but when you apply it, it's very sheer and goes with almost any complexion - with just a hint of color.

I also like Mary Kay lipsticks - the consistency is pretty good and the colors are pretty rich. If you're into a bold red lip, try Christian Dior's Addict Plastic Gloss in 854. It's a really rich red and it's EXTREMELY glossy. That'll cost you about $23.00, but if you're looking for a less expensive alternative, try L'Oreal's H.I.P. gloss in Enticing. It's $9.00 - less than half the cost of the Dior Plastic Gloss, and you'll get that same bold intense red.

Believe it or not, it took me quite a bit of time to put that post together. I've been so busy lately, but I've been feeling really guilty about neglecting "Passion for Fashion."

I think going forward, I'll post more frequent but shorter entries so I can stay active. I'll include more of my favorite cosmetics picks in a future posting.

"Makeup" your mind to present the world with the best face you possibly can.

What's In Your Closet?

2008-03-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

In my very first Passion For Fashion post I mentioned that I get inspired by many people and things. Last week, I got the urge to tidy up my closet, but this interest in creating a warm and inviting closet space first came to me a few months ago. I was reading my monthly issue of In Style magazine and there was an article on Kimora Lee Simmons and her closet. I admire how she has built an empire for herself, her business savvy, and her love for fashion. When I saw her closet I thought, "WOW - your closet can be a safe haven - a place to recharge your batteries, lift your spirits, make you feel happy."

When I acquire a new article of clothing, or shoes, or accessories, I just want to try on my entire wardrobe. So I actually DO put on little fashion shows for myself, try to mix things up and create new looks. It makes me feel better. And it all starts in my closet.

Now, let me preface this by saying that I am NO Kimora Lee, although my last name IS Simmonds, but with a "d" in it! I don't have the money, the resources, the excess, NOR the closet space that she has - but it's okay!!! You have to work with what you have. And a lot of times, excess and too many choices just confuses the hell outta me, so I'll be content with my little walk-in space. (I'm just saying that to make myself feel better btw)

Okay, so in my bedroom, I do have a small walk-in closet. Compared to what I've had in the past, (I used to live in New York City, where ample closet space is almost unheard of) my current closet IS like Kimora's. But anyway, when I first moved into this space, I quickly filled the walk-in with my belongings and put my fiance's stuff in the closet in the spare room. I didn't want to share, and I wanted the ability to control my environment. Yes, I get a little messy at times, but couple that with a man's messiness, and the whole situation can get ugly real quick.

So I thought to myself, "what can I do to make my closet a more pleasant space?" I remember reading somewhere that color coordinated hangers are a quick and inexpensive way to give your closet a quick and easy face lift. So I hopped on the internet and googled "colored hangers." I was directed to HSN's site where I found Joy Mangano's Huggable Hangers. They're cloth-covered hangers in an array of colors that help prevent your clothes from slipping off the hangers. So I ordered a bunch in the "camel" color.

Then I went out to Wal-Mart and bought a bunch of penny candy jars to store miscellaenous items such as infrequently used makeup, mini lotions, shampoos, and other toiletries that I've picked up at hotels. I also bought a huge apothecary jar from Kohl's to store my scarves. I strategically placed these things on the shelves in my closet, along with my trusty "shoe bank." (see my post of 2/22/08)

I arranged my handbags on the top shelf on top of old shoes boxes to create some dimension and put a Ginger Peach reed diffuser from Pier1 on the shelf, so my closet smells good and voila! I now had a more appealing closet.

Now I need to figure out how to organize the mounds of shoe boxes that are piled up on the floor. There are many ideas that I have for creating my ultimate closet, but I'll have to do them in stages. I need to visit The Container Store for some ideas. Each minor step brings me one step closer to achieving my idea of "closet perfection."

If you have any tips, please send them my way. As I stated previously, I just need a little inspiration to get me going.

Life is short so whatever you do, do it well and do it with style!

Timeless vs. Trendy

2008-03-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have to say that my wonderful fiance is very supportive of my blog and looks forward to reading my entries. The other night he said he loves the fact that I advocate being fashionable without the high price tags. The discussion then snowballed into other areas of fashion - but one thing I felt compelled to write about was the importance of incorporating "timeless classics" into your wardrobe.

Fashion trends come and go, and once those fads are just a distant memory, you're stuck with clothes you can no longer wear. Two major benefits of filling your wardrobe with classic pieces are:

They can be worn for season after season - I have clothes in my closet that I've been wearing for YEARS.

If you don't feel totally confident with your fashion sense, you'll know that you at the very least, look presentable to the world. I'm in the process of reading "DETAILS Men's Style Manual" and it stated that there's a difference between being stylish and fashionable, and I think sporting the classics helps you achieve "style."

You can't go wrong with tailored slacks, white shirts, classic pumps, a few really nice leather handbags in neutral colors (e.g. this Coach Madeline Leather Business Tote), t-shirts and tanks for layering (under suits, under revealing blouses, etc.), wrap dresses (which flatter many body types)

When I think about what I have in my wardrobe - a lot of items may look just like "regular clothes" on the racks, but it's the art of assembling an ensemble that really showcases your inner fashionista. If you invest in a few classic wardrobe staples...you can really stretch your wardrobe.

To spice things up a little you can:

Wear a colored handbag with a neutral outfit. Or select a handbag that complements your ensemble although it may not "match."
Add a splash of color to a monochromatic outfit, such as a red belt with an all-black ensemble, colored or animal print shoes, a colorful cocktail ring.
Wear a men's neck tie as a belt
Tie your button down shirt up mid-torso layered over a t-shirt
Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Accessories come in many shapes, sizes, colors and price points and can transform an outfit

And just get creative! Cuff your pants and sleeves, layer, mix, match, and just have fun with it...From time to time, Lucky magazine pairs a handful of tops, bottoms, and accessories to create NUMEROUS outfits. All it takes is a little inspiration and imagination. Just make sure you have a full length mirror nearby so you can honestly assess your "new looks" before you unveil them to the public!

Here Come the Bridesmaids!

2008-03-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

Okay,

So I know I mentioned that I'm getting married later this year. That's one of the reasons I've been M.I.A. from the "blog scene." Between working full time, mommy duties, and wedding planning, I barely have a moment for myself! BUT that doesn't stop me from hitting the stores and keeping my eyes peeled for a fabulously frugal fashion find.

The bridesmaids dresses were recently ordered and I've been carrying a swatch in my wallet, just in case I need to match something up with my color scheme. I happened to be passing through Macy's and saw a pair of Nine West shoes that looked like they'd match the girls' dresses perfectly. So I whipped out my trusty swatch, and sure enough, the difference in colors was negligible.

If you've ever been in a bridal party, you know that you typically have to purchase a pair of dyeable shoes, where the choice of fashionable yet reasonably priced styles is limited, and then take the shoes to have them dyed. So buying a pair of matching shoes off the rack cuts out one of those steps.

BUT when the shoes are 65% off and you have a coupon for an additional 15% off, doesn't that make life much sweeter? I was able to get shoes for my bridesmaids at the bargain basement price of $26.86. AND they're Nine West AND they're sexy!

I couldn't have planned that better if I tried!

Here's a picture of the shoe, but not in the actual wedding color. After all, I do have to keep a few things secret.

3/11/08 - PFF UPDATE: The shoes are also available on Amazon.com in certain colors for $23.69. Thanks for the tip, Diane!

Fall Fashion

2008-02-29T09:19:00.001-08:00

From time to time Passion For Fashion will provide you with the latest news, fashion finds, and updates from guest correspondents, who happen to be my friends. I have a very fashionable clique and we all have our unique way of rockin' not only the latest trends, but those classic and timeless styles as well.

Here's a sneak peek of what we're in store for this fall from "Ms. Kitty."

Wanna know what to rock this fall? Well get ready for a comeback of one of the greatest fashion eras ever - the 20's! Don't you just love the 20's? Get ready for dropped waists, beautiful flowing fabrics and gorgeous and vibrant colors - plum, yellow, and fuchsia are among them.

Love to wear sunglasses? Well we continue the trend of oversized sunglasses, but look for great embellishments (cut-outs, rhinestones) on the temples. For you super fashion-conscious fashionistas, Fabien Baron, world renown fashion editor, is dropping a line of fab sunglasses!

Check OK! magazine to see Eva Mendes sporting a pair. His line will consist of beautifully made plastic and metal styles imported from Japan. But be ready to drop at least $400 for these coveted sunglasses. I'm still gathering all the stats for the season, so I'll be sure to come back with some more cool tidbits.

-“Ms. Kitty”

DISCIPLINE

2008-02-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

dis·ci·pline: orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior

I admire people who are able to live a life governed by discipline. Discipline allows you to get closer to reaching your goals, it helps you live a more productive life, and enables you to have a pretty good level of consistency - if that's your thing.

Discipline is ALSO the name of Janet Jackson's new album which dropped TODAY!!! (I have it, of course!)

For those of you who don't know, I've always loved Janet Jackson. I remember her as Penny on Good Times, Charlene on Diff'rent Strokes, as Cleo on Fame. And I remember when she used to wear a key in her ear when she first began her music career.

But when Control dropped, it was over!!! That's when she really put herself on the map as a pop and fashion icon.

Janet has always had a great sense of style, and the ability to influence fashion trends. She has been a style chameleon, sporting looks ranging from all black, to military, to understated and simple. Menswear has always been a recurring look in Janet's wardrobe. Remember the video for "Alright" on the Control album? How about the video for "Lonely?"

One of my all time favorites was the clean look she sported in Love Will Never Do Without You. She looked so beautiful, but she was relatively understated.

When the album Janet dropped - it changed my life. Remember her on the cover (see below) with barely any makeup, her hair was in loose curls, she wore a pair of blue jeans, unbuttoned at the top. Janet wore no top, but her man's hands acted as her supporting "garment." What better accessory than that? I even saw this X-rated video where the porn star emulated that look. Now when you have the porn stars copying you, you know you've REALLY hit the big time. LOL!

From music, to hairstyle to fashion, Janet explores many different avenues which is one of the things I love about her. I can go on and on about Janet, but instead, I've included a few of my favorite "Janet looks."

Whatever your taste, Janet's style is so versatile there's something for almost everyone!

If the shoe fits....then BUY it!

2008-02-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes...oh how I love shoes. They can make the difference between a "regular" outfit, and a spectacularly put-together masterpiece. The other day I wore a pair of black slacks and a silk blouse. Nice outfit, but it wasn't until I put on my patent leather pumps by Aldo (Style name Friliby) with the wooden heel, that the outfit was transformed into something REALLY nice.

Okay, this is how I do the "shoe thing." I have a ceramic bank that I call my "shoe fund" and I throw all my loose change in it. When it is filled to capacity with change, I'll use all the money to buy a new pair of shoes. After all, I deserve it. Too bad I haven't actually filled it to capacity yet. There have been a couple of interim emergencies (Nine West patent leather bag, etc.) so I have yet to fill the bank to the top.

Anyhue...I've been getting a lot of my shoes from Macy's recently. They have a pretty nice selection with brands including Carlos Santana, Steve Madden, Nine West, Marc Fisher, Via Spiga, Bandolino, Jessica Simpson, etc. In addition, Macy's has the most amazing sales. Not only do they have frequent "One Day Sales," Macy's cardholders get exclusive savings and discounts.

Now I understand you not wanting to get any more credit cards, particularly store credit cards because the interest is so obnoxious, BUT, if you have self control, you can use your card (the more you use it, the bigger the discounts and coupons you receive) and make the payment at the same time.

I happened to stumble upon these babies by Marc Fisher a few weeks ago at Macy's. I had my eye on them all season, but they were $89.99 and I simply did not want to pay that much. They were on clearance and since I used my Macy's card, I got an additional 10% off. I wound up paying $34.00 for these.

Sometimes it pays to try and wait it out. The beauty of it is, if your Macy's doesn't have your size, ask them to do a search for all stores that may have it. You simply take the printed list, call the store(s) that have it, and they'll ship it to you. Shipping is deducted from your Macy's bill if you're a card holder of Gold or Platinum status.

Nine West
You can also get really good buys at Nine West. Try and wait it out if the shoes you like are out of your price range. When they go on sale, ask an associate to perform a search. Once they've located the store, they'll call the store for you, get your credit card information, and the shoes will be shipped to your for about $7.50.

I got these two shipped to me using that method. They were both $29.99 each(originally priced at 89.00) plus shipping. And they arrived within a few days of the order being placed. I had to get one pair in the wine and one pair in the black. Now I just need somewhere to wear them.

A pair of shoes a payday helps keep the fashion police away!

It's All About the Sale Racks!!!

2008-02-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

My day started out pretty well, but I wound up getting very frustrated and decided to go "window shopping," which has a way of making me feel so much better. After all, I do need to keep abreast of what is being carried in the stores and what's on sale. I also want to keep my eye on the full-priced items so when they DO go on sale, I'm poised and ready to pounce.

Did I mention that I rarely pay full price for anything? And the times I do, it has to be an emergency, or the item is so spectacular there's no way I can pass it up. Call me the "clearance rack and coupon whore" I don't care, but my expedition today allowed me to procure a couple of goodies.

H&M

Remember the dress I purchased at H&M last week? ($20.00) Well, I bought the size 8, but it was too big. I went to a bigger and better H&M and they had a size 4....and it fits perfectly. So I'll be returning the larger size...here's a picture to your left. I envision a really high sexy stiletto in silver, red, or maybe emerald green, but we'll see...

I also purchased a red bustier-type top with spaghetti straps. It has the boning and everything! $10.00. I'll be wearing THAT tomorrow.

Ann Taylor Loft

I also managed to get a really cute black and gold brocade bolero

from Ann Taylor Loft for $14.88, marked down from $99.00. Is that a steal or what?

Need a dressy outfit?

This is the best time to shop for festive and dressy outfits. The good news is you'll get something cute for your next cocktail party, wedding, or holiday soiree at a fraction of its original price. The bad news is the choice of sizes is not as extensive, but what do you have to lose?

A fraction of the price makes the purchase twice as nice!

"Eye" Need Some Advice

2008-02-19T13:16:00.000-08:00

I've always been an advocate for cosmetics, and once I actually learned how to apply them, a whole new world opened up to me. A lot of my "technique" is self-taught; however, I was a Mary Kay consultant at one time, where I picked up some tricks, and I did a brief stint as a counter manager for Benefit cosmetics.

Color is very important to me. I really like to focus on eyes with bold bright colors and long lush, lashes. In addition to brightening up your face, eyes can be a great conversation piece. I get lots of compliments on my eyes, particularly when I wear "Electric Eel" by MAC.

One of my readers asks: "I saw a girl on the train the other day with a really pretty shade of teal green eyeshadow. She only had it on her lids but it looked really nice against her skin. I thought to myself, "I could do that," meaning apply to just the lid - it's the blending that throws me off. Is that bad eye style though?"

PFF replies: I rarely wear one shade, but that's usually because if I need my eyebrows waxed I use shadow to conceal the stray hairs, BUT you can certainly do one shade. The MAC colors are really good for that because they're really intense and are a great way to segueway into experimenting with your eyes. Once you feel more comfortable you can try blending. There are no rules - if it looks nice then just do it.

To complete the look Dior Show, Chanel's Inimitable, and Benefit's Bad Gal Lash work wonders on the lashes. All products are available at Macy's and Sephora.

Ladies, say it with me:

"Eye am not going to be afraid to experiment with my eye makeup!"

(P.S. - Look at B's eyes)

Champagne Taste NO Money

2008-02-19T12:19:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we all like the finer things in life. Boy would I kill for a new handbag - like the new patent leather bag designed with Hayden Panettierre in red. ($500 @ Dooney and Bourke)

I also need some new shirts, blouses, and tops - I have more bottoms than tops. I would also like to get a pair of basic black pumps in the moderate and higher heels - Nine West has the styles I want. ("Freda" in black leather and "Nuncio" in the black and white animal print)

And what I really, really need is a new black leather belt, and a silver metal belt (had one but it broke) to spice up some of the more boring outfits.

BUT GUESS WHAT? I can't afford to buy any new shoes, clothing, or accessories. I'm trying to pay bills and save for a wedding later this year. What's a girl to do? :-(

I've been mixing and matching the hell outta my wardrobe. Although there's nothing quite like popping the tags off a new item, picking up a bunch of clothes from the dry cleaners runs a close second. It makes me feel as though I've just gone shopping, although I'm wearing the same 'ol stuff.

It's frustrating and discouraging when you can't just go out and shop until your heart's content, but I'm trying to learn the art of sacrifice. Until I can afford to shop, I've been trying to get really creative...decorative tights, layering, accessorizing, etc.

It helps stretch your wardrobe, but it also helps to flex those creatives muscles in your brain.

Until I find that pot of gold, I'll continue to bargain shop, mix and match, and every once in a while give in to a moment of weakness and do something naughty.

I pray for the strength to stay out of the stores!

ANTM on Wednesday 2/20/08

2008-02-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

Tune in or program your DVR because cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model is baaaaaaccckkkk! And the locale is my hometown NYC.

I love ANTM because of the level of transformation that takes place - the makeup, the settings, the clothing. For a brief second I fantasized about becoming a model and having the ability to wear unique, bold, and outlandish things. That dream never got off the ground, but I do try and keep myself looking stylish and fashionable.

When things are going badly in your life and you're feeling down, at least if you look good it can help you cope. If I felt like crap and looked like crap too I really wouldn't be able to deal.

The world is MY runway!

DW, You Done Started Something Now...

2008-02-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

Okay,

I'm really excited! Now that I have a forum I have tons of things I want to say, but before I start going crazy with my posts here's a little disclaimer:

The majority of the things I'll be blogging about are simply my opinions...nothing more, nothing less. I do not profess to be an authority on any subject I write about.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, there are SO many ways to interpret style. I like to change things up every now and then so I don't get bored with myself, but there are several things that I absolutely LOVE and have loved for years including:

Animal prints (in small doses) - Gwen Stefani can rock some animal prints!!
Black and white
Black, white and red
Camouflage
Men's attire (vests, ties, suspenders, wingtips, etc.)
Blue jeans and a white shirt or tank with red stilettos. (see "Crazy In Love" by Beyonce)
Corsette belts (See J.Lo in "Get Right")
Wide leg slacks
Belts - they can really transform an outfit
High-waisted slacks with suspenders
Sleek hair and a dramatic red lip
Long voluminous lashes
Dramatic eyes
Fishnets or stockings with a seam worn with a skirt suit. They add just the perfect amount of sexy, without being slutty
A white pant suit. (I need to get one of these)
Pinstripes
Navy, white, and red (Love the sailor look)And I LOVE dressing up. I told my fiance the other day, that I want to go out and get dressed up - like I'm going to the Oscars or Grammy's. I rarely get the opportunity to get really dressed up and I have clothes just sitting in my closet, begging me to wear them.

BTW - I just got this really cute dress from H&M last week. It's one of those tent-like dresses that are in style now. It's A-line with vertical pleats, and made from a chiffon-like fabric. There's some sparkly embroidery around the collar and it's adorable.

They only had a size 8, so I bought it anyway in hopes that it would fit. (I usually wear a 6 in H&M clothing.) When I tried it on, it was too big and flowy...I got lost in all that fabric. I threw on a belt, cinched that waistline, and it looks absolutely adorable! I just need the right belt and somewhere to wear it. But get this - it was only $20.00! I'll try and upload a picture soon.

Stay true to your inner fashionista!

Passion for Fashion - My First Post

2008-02-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

With some encouragement from a good friend I decided to create this blog. This is simply a creative outlet that will allow me to share my feelings about fashion, my personal style evolution, and allow me to engage in discussions about the things I love...clothes, shoes, fashion, beauty, and style.

I don't have a hobby, unless you consider collecting shoes a hobby, but I do love fashion and style. When I watch TV, I'm drawn to the Style Network and other fashion programming. I buy tons of fashion magazines, and I get really excited when I buy a really great fashion find, particularly if it's at a discounted price. I recently created a binder that houses the looks, fashion advice, beauty finds, etc. that I stumble across in magazines and catalogues, so I have a handy reference when I'm trying to "create a look" or get some fashion inspiration.

I get inspired by so many things - women and men I see on the street, celebrities, TV, and some of it just pops into my head. Everyone borrows from someone or something they've seen before, but the key is to interpret it so it coincides with your personal style. An exact carbon copy of something you've seen is typically not the way to go. Fashion and style are very personal, and what works for someone else may not work for you in the exact way. I'll keep this first entry brief, but I will be back soon to share my Passion for Fashion.