Santa Baby: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust

When I saw this Rolex watch in the current issue of Conde Nast Travel, I was unable to turn the page. I sat motionless staring at the luxury timepiece as if I was willing it to jump off the page and magically appear in my hands.

It never fails that I like the most expensive items. I need (want) it!!!! I've been an awful good girl ;-)



picture courtesy of Rolex

Winter White

Street style at its best.

xx.

M

For Colored Girls

I saw the film a while back, but wanted to wait and ponder on this movie for awhile before I did my promised blog entry. I actually didn't mind this film, even though it got panned from critics. It was way better than I thought it would be. Tyler Perry did an amazing job reconstructing this book of monologues into a sequence, that actually made sense. It was a hard movie to sit through at times, as sometimes the truth about your culture hurts the heart more than expected. The cast was all A list and I was amazed by every one's work. All except one person, and I will mention that later. The highlighted performance for me, was Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, and Phylicia Rashad! This movie was highly anticipated for me, and I didn't leave feeling numb like most African American women I know did. I left enjoying peoples work, it didn't make me feel the way I wanted it to. The one moment that got on my nerves was the cough, that Janet Jackson, kept doing ( I am sure directed to do so) it was so unbelievable and took me out of the moment. As they "indicated" that she was getting sick from her homo-Down Low- boyfriend. I know many people with HIV who don't walk around with a random cough. It would have been a stronger choice to just surprise us the audience, with the sickness, with the papers at the end, instead of giving away the final surprise! BAD ACTING CHOICE OR BAD DIRECTION!!!!! Other then that, everything seemed quite on the up and up! I enjoyed the actors work, and I would love to give kudos to the beautiful new comer:Tessa Thompson!!! Now to the performance I hated in the film, and it was so disappointing for me, it was Whoopi Goldberg. Her performance was contrived and not honest enough for me. I will state this by saying I am a huge Whoopi fan, and will devote my next blog entry to her. I can't dog my girl without giving her praise. I think Whoopi is an actress who needs a good director to help her along to find her character. This did not happen for me in "Colored Girls"! This film is all about the folks acting, and a must see for great performances!!!

Monday Inspiration: The Holstee Manifesto

I saw The Holstee Manifesto on Golden Parachutes yesterday and it truly resonated with all that I am going through right now so I'm sharing it here. Hope it inspires someone out there too!

Thanks to Marian at Haute Travels who pointed me in the direction of Golden Parachutes.

For more information about Holstee click here.

6126 by Lindsay Lohan Spring/Summer 2011 Handbag Preview

Lindsay Lohan's 6126 Spring/Summer 2011 handbag line debuted at the chic Ace Hotel and company President, Richard Luna, and Creative Director, Paz Wolf, walked me through the charismatic collection. With details chosen by fashionable Ms. Lohan herself, the collection is bound to be a hit. Synthetic, lightweight leathers, including eye-catching snake skins in metallic washes, were eco friendly, and cross body messengers as well as lace, studs, and tassel treatments were up on the trends. With simple branding identifications left to the hardware, the bags were classy and totally appealing to women of all ages.

To learn more, see more, and to purchase 6126 by Lindsay Lohan, click here.

To see my coverage of this collection at iheartheels, click here.

xx.

M

Fireplace Fashion

'Tis the season to dress cozy.

xx.

M

Black (Velvet) Friday

What I wore:

Look One:Velvet Blazer by Funktional, Body Suit by American Apparel, Zoe Boots by Sam Edelman

Look Two: Velvet Long Sleeved Top by Emma & Sam, Sequin Shorts by Top Shot, Shoes by Christian Louboutin

Look Three: Velvet Dress by Emma & Sam, Neclace: Stylist's Own-Purchased in London, UK.

Photography by Naomi Nishi

Styling and Modeling by Megan Averbuch

In honor of Black Friday and my absolutle love for velvet, this photo shoot with photographer Naomi Nishi took on a "black velvet" story.

To learn more, see more, and to contact Photographer Naomi Nishi, click here.

xx.

M

Cherished Feet

In spirit of today's Thanksgiving holiday, as well as the upcoming holiday season, today is dedicated to Cherished Feet. Founded and headed by the well known New York socialite and long-time missionary, Karen Koeningsberg, this non-profit organization focuses on providing impovrished children with their first steps to a brighter future. Parasites can enter the body through bare feet and many children in devloping countries spend their days walking barefoot in unsanitary soils that have become the breeding grounds for bacteria and a variety of lethal organisms. Cherished Feet has made a commitment to make a difference by providing these children, whom range from toddles to those of 18 years in age, with quality shoes. Although this organization is newly established and only a few month old, with friends like fashion designer Richie Rich, and a solid team behind her, Ms. Koeningsberg was able to collect 3,000 shoes in just one weekend. Always one to start her own team, rather than to join one - a trait she inherited from her mother, with whom she has traveled on approximately 30 missions - Koeningsberg will travel to Haiti next month to hand deliver every pair of shoes to children in need. Her determination, motivation and positive energy and attitude are certainly contageous as she embarks on her journey to not only educate and create awareness, but to "live up" to her charity and carry out her missionary duties. Cherished Feet, along with all of those who pitched in and were one of the thousands that donated footwear, have definitely given the world something to be very thankful for.

3,000 Shoes Collected

Karen (center) with the Cherished Feet Team

Stay tuned for more information on how you can help as well as information on the Cherished Feet Gala, taking place in Spring 2011.

To learn more, see more, contact, and to help by getting involved and becomming a part of the Cherished Feet Team, click here.

Now, go enjoy that turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving!

xx.

Belles&Rebelles

The Stylish Life Wishes You A...

Autumn Gold

The perfect golden moment.

xx.

M

Dear Sheer

Another sheer piece to feast your eyes on.

xx.

M

Miami Pictures/Gabrielle Union Party/I made the cut!

I partied in Miami, on my Birthday and was invited to Gabrielle Unions Birthday party. As me, Gabrielle and Tracy Ross all share the same day of Birth. Here are some of the professional pictures from the party that I found online. As previously announced I respected the actresses decision to not allow cameras! You know I always know how to find the camera and my light! LOL! The surprise was that I found a photo of me online. I made the cut!!!! YAY! Such an amazing night, and wanted to share some of the photos!

Wigged Out

What I wore: T-Shirt by Hanes, Lace top-Stylist's Own, Hair Piece/Mustache/Wig by Natalie Young of The N Young Vision

Photography by Kotaro Ohashi

Hair and Make-Up by Natalie Young of The N Young Vision

Make-up and wig artist, Natalie Young, has an innate ability to create a dramatic flair that leaves an everlasting impression. With experience working everywhere from Broadway to Fashion Week to film, editorial, advertising, catalogue, as well as with her own personal and celebrity clientele, this Jamaican born Juilliard grad is one of the most talented veterans in the industry.

Special Thanks to Natalie Young herself. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with you!

To learn more, see more, contact and work with Make-Up/Hair/Wig Artist Natalie Young of The N Young VIsion, click here.

To learn more, see more, contact and work with Photographer Kotaro Ohashi, click here or here.

xx.

M

Glamourous Grunge

Proof that Chanel can be worn by anyone, any way, anywhere, anytime.

xx.

M

Pick Up My Purse & Go…

 

Hello Lovelies! I’m taking a bit of a break from my typical subject matter to let you guys have a peek behind the curtain that is my life.

The title of today’s post says it all; I am ready to pick up one of my haute handbags and go. Calling my current state a rut is a gross understatement. In my mind, I’m selling most of my material trappings and bidding adieu to Chicago and my job. Lately I have been pretty miserable. I try to hide it because I don’t want to be a dark cloud to others. The truth is I took my current job because I was tired of job hunting. Having been unemployed for nineteen long months, I was at my wits end and my savings were nearly depleted. I took the first thing that was offered to me. Big. Mistake. My job is just that…a job. It’s not my dream job, but I give all my energy over to it because I conditioned myself to do well in the workforce years ago. I refuse to fail at anything I do.
Inside little pieces of me are being pushed out and I’m moving further and further away from the things I want to pursue. I spend eight hours a day at work, staring at a computer, poring over spreadsheets, and reading reports. By the time I make it home, all I want to do is rest which translates into no energy to blog, no desire to be around people, and my dreams remain on hold.

I wear my emotions for all to see. If I’m mad, you know it. If I don’t like you, trust me you will know from the look on my face. At work, I’m very focused on the work and I interact very little with my coworkers. I’m sure my office mates can tell that I’m not as jovial as I was when I first came on board. It’s not the job, it’s me. After three months, I had to face the reality that I do not like my job. You all have no idea how guilty I felt when I said that out loud. Wasn’t I being ungrateful? Millions of people are out of work, and I have the nerve to not like my job. I had a lot of damn nerve! Had I not spent countless nights praying for a job? Did I miss something while I was out of work? Was I too focused on working again when I should have been pursuing my dreams? I never know what to choose when I come to the fork in the road. I don’t have the security of a significant other who can handle the bills while I do me. Everything falls on my shoulders. I have to take care of myself. If I don’t work, I don’t eat, I could end up homeless. Those thoughts terrify me and keep me stuck in a job and city that each day I loathe just a little more. I’m too old to go back home to mom and at thirty-faux (*smile*) shouldn’t I have it all figured out by now?

I’m supposed to be somewhere else doing something else. Wouldn’t it be grand if I knew where and what? I have a mantra taped to my wall at work: NONE OF THIS MATTERS. I am on the path to my purpose. I am seeking a change. This is what I do, not who I am. I look at those words about ten times a day. I pray the answers come soon because I am slowly but surely losing the battle that is going on inside me.

Thanks for reading my mini vent! I'll be back with my normal fabness (is that a word???) really soon.

French Kiss

The Wildfox Spring 2011 lookbook takes on a French twist with some modern day Marie Antoinettes. J'adore.

To learn more, see more, and to shop for Wildfox, click here.

xx.

M

Paparelli Photographs Perfection

Kirby Kenny shot by Stefania Paparelli for the Grey Issue III F/W 2010

Turbans and big fur coats...Two of my most favorite things at the moment.

xx.

M

Update on The Dilemma: My Fall 2010 Bag

After much debate and browsing I chose my fall bag Monday night. Actually the bag chose me...

My new baby: Coach Kristin Hobo - please ignore my messy desk, work is busy

Monday after work I went to Nordstrom to exchange a blouse and I decided to take a peek at the handbags. There was a table of reduced bags with two of the Kristin hobos among the selection. The bags did not appear to be marked down so I asked an associate to scan it for me. Hang on to your hats kids, this is where it gets interesting...

The bag was $100 off  of the original price of $298. Score!!!! Besides the price being to good to pass up, the bag met the rest of my criteria: the option to carry across the body, roomy, and any color but black.  I promptly whipped out my debit card and made my purchase! After two days of carrying my new bag, I am quite pleased. The leather is lightweight but very sturdy and I have received a lot of compliments about the color, aubergine (isn't that fancy?) Say it a few times, aubergine, aubergine. See? Now don't you feel just a little bit fancier? LOL!!

Well I have to get back to work! Ciao!!

Drifter

LF's Winter 2010 lookbook. Always young, always fun, always cutting edge and always ahead in the trends.

To learn more, see more, and to shop at LF Stores, click here.

xx.

M