A Diva State of Mind

I came across this list on Instagram a few weeks ago, but apparently it appeared on vogue.co.uk in 2012. My bad for being a year late!!  Tom Ford, one of the world’s most stylish men, provided his thoughts on what he thinks every guy needs.

I agree with this list however I will  give some flexibility to #3. Everyone isn’t good at playing sports so at least like sports and workout! And when it comes to #15, we’ll assume nice teeth = perfect teeth since we know no one is perfect

I could take the time to go into detail about each one and explain why they’re important, but I think it’s pretty self explanatory.  But if you need a little more info as to why these things are important, check out This Little Lady. She does a great job of breaking it all down.

What do you think about the list? I’m especially interested in hearing from the guys. Do you agree?

This Labor Day weekend, many will travel to Philly (myself included) for the second annual Budweiser Made In America Festival. Created by Jay-Z and Budweiser, Made in America is a two-day music festival featuring Beyonce, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and more!

If you plan on attending the festival but don’t know what to wear, hopefully this post will provide you with some inspiration!  The key to dressing for a festival is comfort. You’ll be standing and walking around all day; but remember, you can be comfortable AND stylish at the same time.

When I think of dressing for music festivals, I automatically think of wearing a printed tee or tank and cut-off denim shorts. It’s easy, cute and comfortable.  The key to taking a look like this to the next level is by pairing those pieces with the right accessories.  Since you’ll be standing and walking around a lot, pair your cut-off shorts with wedge sneakers or combat boots. The studded boots add a little edginess to the look. Since you want to keep your hands free for food & drinks, add a fringe cross body bag. Seal the look with a headwrap (very similar to a headband) and red lip!

As much as I love the look, I’m surprised I didn’t do a post on boyfriend jeans sooner!

Ladies, do you have those days when you want to wear a casual chic outfit but you just don’t want to wear skinny jeans? They are cute, but sometimes you don’t feel like wearing tight jeans. Believe me, I understand! I’ve been leaning more and more toward printed loose pants and I love my pair of boyfriend jeans.

Boyfriend jeans are great because they can be worn with just about anything! You can dress them down with flats and wedge sneakers or you can dress them up with heels. During the spring, I wore mine with a sweater and ombre pumps to work for casual Friday.  I’ve also paired them with a crop top and sandals. During the fall, boyfriend jeans will look great with booties (closed toe or peeptoe) and sweaters, jackets or blazers.

A friend inquired about where she could buy boyfriend jeans. Great places to shop include Top Shop, ASOS, and H&M. Other retailers to consider are below: 

More Gap…

 Do you have a pair of boyfriend jeans? If so, how do you wear them?

Kelly Rowland defined casual chic while celebrating Michelle Williams birthday last week in LA. The gorgeous songstress attended the birthday festivities in a t-shirt, leather skirt, Giuseppe Zanotti Metallic Pumps and Alexander McQueen clutch.

I absolutely love this look; I’d wear it in a heartbeat!  It’s soooo effortless and easy to create. My go to for a casual chic outfit is usually a blazer and skinny jeans, but thanks to Kelly Rowland, I’m inspired to wear my leather skirt with a t-shirt (I need to purchase some metallic pumps)! If you’re inspired to rock this look too, check out these pieces below to create the look for less:

 

 

HOT!

You aren’t the only one who shops at Topshop; Beyoncé does too! The diva appears to shop there often. She has been seen in a variety of Topshop pieces so it was no surprise when she posted another Instagram picture last night wearing a Topshop ensemble.

Beyoncé mixed prints by pairing a Chevron Print Tube Skirt with a top that looks like a variation of the Aztec Crop Top Tee.

Both pieces are available at Nordstrom. The top is $24 and the skirt is $44. The top is also available at Topshop.

Looks like Beyoncé has been inspired by her sister Solange lately. Solange is the queen of mixing prints and Beyoncé has been embracing printed ensembles a lot lately which I think is great! The spring/summer season is the perfect time to to have some fun and add color and prints to one’s wardrobe.

What do you think of the crop top and skirt? Would you wear those pieces?

Photos: Beyonce’s Instagram/Nordstrom

Last night during Jay-Z’s Samsung commercial, Vivi stated on twitter “I need Jay’s ‘Go Home!’ shirt. ASAPtually.” I thought I would search online to see if I could find it because I was wondering where he got it too!

Jay-Z’s “Go Home!” sweatshirt is by Surface to Air x Aaron Young. The 100% cotton sweatshirt features a ribbed crew neck, ‘Go Home!’ front dripping graphic, long sleeves, and a ribbed hem.

The sweatshirt is $170 and available at Farfetch. Either this is a hot item or very exclusive because there are only two left in each size!

What do you think? Would you wear it?

It’s time to get excited about another collaboration!

French designer Isabel Marant, who is responible for making wedge sneakers popular, is teaming up with H&M for a designer collaboration scheduled to hit stores November 14, 2013. The collection will feature clothing and accessories for teenagers, women and men. For H&M, Marant will create a collection of must-have pieces inspired by her signature style: urban attitude, boho elegance mixed with a rock n’roll spirit.

About the collaboration, Marant says:

“I am flattered by this collaboration. H&M works with the best designers, and this invitation is an exciting honor. I aim at creating something real – something women want to wear in their everyday lives – with a certain carefree style. I think this is very Parisian: You dress up, but don’t pay too much attention to it, and you still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be combined following one’s own instincts, and my take on fashion is all about personality.”

I haven’t shopped most designer collections up until this point, but this is one I may be in line outside H&M on F street for in November!

What do you think of the new collaboration?

Celebrity stylist June Ambrose (clients include Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige) may not be returning to VH1 but we still get to see her in action on Jay-Z’s Life + Times website. Ambrose signed on for an original video series titled “Style Boost with June Ambrose.” The first episode features Ambrose giving Life +Times internship winner Joyce Wright a makeover.

I have to admit, I’ve heard about Life + Times, but never really checked it out until now. Looks like I’ll be tuning in to watch June Ambrose in action and of course take a few notes (yes I watch styling shows and takes notes! You should never stop learning).

Her “Styled by June” show on VH1 was about giving celebrities, who hadn’t been in the public eye for a while, a new look. She worked with Jaleel White (aka Steve Urkel), Da Brat and Audrey O’Day (of Danity Kane) just to name a few. I’m interested to see the direction of this new series on Life + Times; will she be giving makeovers to non-celebrities only? Will she be helping to revamp someone’s image like she did on the old show? We will see!

My client Celia is a HUGE Beyoncé fan. When we first started working together, I asked her to pick out looks from her favorite celebrities to use as inspiration and the only celebrity style she referenced was Beyoncé! A month ago, we found her leather shorts from ASOS. After seeing the outfit Beyoncé wore in NYC yesterday, I knew had to create a look for less post for Celia and anyone who wants to try the leather shorts look this season.

Beyoncé wore a $700 Helmut Lang White Era Blazer, but you don’t have to spend that much to look just as fly! Check out these pieces below to recreate her entire look for a date night, summer party in the city or dinner with girlfriends.

Photo: @BeyonceLite