Inauguration Fashion

Why should Michelle be the only fly chick at the galas? for the honorable suede girls that are attending DC's flyest weekend ever: Inauguration weekend, Fashion is essential. We all know its a recession, but some things are worth skipping a meal and a couple of bills for. Take advantage of this dwindling shopping season! Major retailers such as Saks, Neimans, and Bloomys have insane winter sales. Now is the only time you can get a DVF dress for under $300, Betsey Johnson shoes for $50, and Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry for a deal. Leave Bebe for the clueless party girls, remember- Style is quality, and quality lasts forever

Marc Bouwer Glamit!
Silk Charmeuse Broach Gown
Neiman Marcus Original: $695.00
SALE: $243.00

BCBGMAXAZRIA Silk Halter Gown$480.00 Sale $115.16

Tadashi Stretch Satin V-Neck Dress

Bloomingdales Original :$318
Sale: $61

A.B.S. Mauve Sateen Jeweled belt dress Retail Original $425 Bluefly Sale $179

Oscar de la Renta
Silk Sandals
Saks Original: $700 Sale: $200

*Oscars for $200-this is just a crime!

Vera Wang Lavendar Label
Jersey Gown

Saks Fifth Avenue Original $535.00 Sale $128.36

Saks Fifth Avenue Chetta B Strapless Tiered Gown$610.00 Sale $146.36

DIVA~By Beyonce

The dance concept is similar to that of Single Ladies, but this video is my absolute favorite. The dance moves are very Beyonce*esque* MeaANINg that it's cute and catchy and everyone will be replicating it in the club- I especially love that Michael Jackson inspired move from 1:15. What do you think of the video?

Ring in the New Year's Looking Fab!

Why wouldn't you want to start the 2009 looking great? Here are some fab options to ring the new year with. You'll look so great, you'll definitely get that midnight kiss!


Ruffle Dress ,Wet Seal: $15! This a steal!




LBD, Bebe: $60.40 This a splurge, but you'll get all the men in this one right here.




Teardrop Earrings, New York and Company: $5.99 Add these to either dresses and every girl needs a pair of nice teardrops




Oval Ring, New York and Company: $11.99 Diamonds (sometimes even fake ones)are a girl's best friend


Satin Bow Dress, Wet Seal: $15 Another dress at the prices I love! Hey, if you're going to only wear it for 1 night there's nothing wrong with buying a cheap dress



LBD, Charlotte Russe: $14.49 Yes! Another steal. Now make sure you dance the night away, so your ruffles look pretty when you spin




Gold Clutch, New York and Company: $7.99 A nice addition to either LBD



Ruched Purple Dress, Bebe: $60 Another Splurge, but if you have lovely lady humps, you'll make this dress look fab!




Patent Clutch, Old Navy: $10 Be daring and pair this with the fuchsia dress

A New Year

2009 is quickly approaching us, so it's time for a reflection. I think 2008 was a pretty good year my friends and I graduated from school, we got our first professional jobs, and started new chapters in our lives. The world experienced amazing highs and stunning lows, and we had moments in our lives that we will never forget. People always say a new year is a time for a new beginning and better things to come. We wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope the best for you in 2009!

This is the coat of the season

Rihanna always kills the game! She's shopping while in Paris, tres chic!

Beyonce Halo

This is my favorite ballad on her new cd, what do you think of the video?

Smokey Holidays

Put your best face forward this holiday with sultry eyes. Why light up the room when you can be smokey hot! Check out the sizzling ladies below, their eyes are truly the windows of their sultry souls.

~First things first, apply the light shadow-ideally taupe/cream color shadow all over the lid including the browbone. Then you must use the medium hue shadow only on the eyelid. Blend away!

Ohh Beyonce, this look just kills the game. After applying the medium dark hue all over the lid, line the bottom and top lid with a black liner. Use the eye liner brush dip it in the darker eyeshadow to shade over the lined bottom to "smoke" out the eye.

~Now you use your crease brush to apply the darkest color on your eye crease. You are literally createing an arc-from your inner eye to the outer. Do this softly or you will create a harsh crease. Check out the models and Rihannas crease below.

~ Apply mascara liberally to the top and bottom lashes-Some of us suede girls lack bottom lashes. Note: Apply lush false lashes to up the ante.

~Set the look with applying bronzer lightly on your skin, this will create a sultry illusion- A winter in Paris smokey eyes with a Saint Tropez face. Gabriel Union effortlessly achieves this. *Note-not all smokey eyes entail dark shadows, blue is used here.

You must balance this dramatic eye with a light nude lip, or else you will fall under the wrong holiday! Check out JLos glow

Smokey Eye Essentials:
Shadow Brush, Crease brush *bristles shaped like a cone*, liner brush, dark liner such as black, grey, or brown. 3 eyeshadows-dark, medium, light. The basic colors are charcoals, taupes, and browns. Mascara. Bronzer/skin colored blush. You want to balance the smokey eye with a nude/light pink gloss.

If this is your first time doing the smokey eye, practice makes perfect. Practice the day before the big party so that everything looks glam that night. If all else fails, holla at me and I will hook it up ;)

How to video: How to create the basic smokey eye

No Surprise: Barack Named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year"

Barack Obama is on yet another Time Magazine Cover, but this time he is "Person of the Year." The issue has really great pictures of Barack from college and the campaign trail. It's on newsstands now.

Have no Fear, the Accessories are Here

I did intern in the accessories department of a magazine, so I thought I would write about some ways to add little something special those holiday outfits in my previous post. And you know I like to be fashionably frugal, so check out some of my favorites:

Claire's: Wing Earrings $6.50


Claire's:Rope Necklace $9.50, add this to any black dress


Girl's Prop (love this company! http://www.girlprops.com/RetailScience/page1):
Rhinestone Cuff $16.99, this would look great with any strapless dress, or any outfit that exposes most of your arms


Forver 21: Loop Belt $7.80, wear over a high-waisted pencil skirt



Forever 21: Twisted Detail Cocktail Ring $3.80, don't worry about trying to match and wear this with any color (expect animal print; I wouldn't try it with zebra)

Fashionably Frugal: Holiday Parties

This time of year is so busy, but one of the best aspects of the holiday season is holiday parties. Especially getting all dressed up and spending time with friends. Oh, and who knows you just might find a Mr. Right (or just Right Now) at a party. Enjoy these fashionable frugal finds!


Forever 21: $14.50
Add a skinny gold belt around your waist and 2 or 3 gold necklaces of different lengths to jazz up this look




Charlotte Russe: $32.99
Try wearing this dress with leopard print pump, a black clutch, and big black earrings




Issac Mizrahi For Target:dress $17.99; top (not pictured) $7.49

Put a black turtleneck under the dress and add some black tights or go with out them. Wear a chunky silver necklace and a big cocktail ring




Wet Seal: $29.50

I know it's cold outsidem but this dress is very eye catching. Keep the belt and wear at least 15 bangles on one wrist






Wet Seal: $25.50
I think this one speaks for itself; keep it simple with black pumps

Mean Girls: In Corporate America

Just when you thought you left the cattiness, gossip, and drama in college, you enter the world of corporate America and realize some people just don't grow out of those bad habits. Almost everyone has seen "Mean Girls." Remember Regina, the Plastics, and the infamous "Burn Book?" Well, I sometimes feel like I work with the Mean Girls at my job.

They love to gossip about people at the work place and you know when they're talking about others because they start whispering and talking really slow, "OMG, I heard she got fired because she was doing something fishy with her expense account" or "Yea, she moved in with him and they've only been dating for 4 months." Also, I've noticed that they shoot each other dirty looks during meetings when they don't like what the other has said. I have even seen women out right roll their eyes, sigh loudly, and disrespectfully point their fingers at people.

I've only been working for 6 months and unfortunately, I don't have all the answers on how to deal with the "Corporate Plastics." But I do have a few tips:

1. Don't say anything private/personal around ANYONE. The whole floor will know by the end of the day

2. Choose your words wisely, people can easily misinterpret what you say and take offensive. Believe me, you don't want your co-workers against you because of something you said

3. Trust no one; you don't have to be friends with everyone. Remember corporate America is a game that you have to learn how to play and the best players win everytime

4. When you feel the urge to share some juicy gossip, stop and think about how you would feel if someone was talking about you. People often put up a strong "I don't care what people think or say" front, but no one likes to be talked about negitively, it hurts

What are some of your stories or advice?

President Bush Has Quick Reflexes!!

Now why did this Iraqi journalist throw not 1, but both of his shoes at President Bush during a Press Conference??!??!! I'm not the biggest fan of George W., but this was a little out of control. Those had to be curse words in his language coming out of the journalist's mouth. Much like the rest of the country, Mr. Bush is probably counting down the days until January 20th.

Will Smith in Minneapolis??

What Willie? You're probably thinking the same thing as me, but Will Smith is attending a series of screenings across the U.S to promote his new movie Seven Pounds. He decided to do this tour because he was feeling out of touch with the American people and his fans. I give him props for coming out here and facing the cold; I mean you can even see his breath in the picture. The movie is in theaters Friday Dec. 19th.

The Recession is Real, But....

There is no need to let your wardrobe or lifestyle fall by the wayside!
Apparently Macy's and Banana Republic can empathize with Americans' pockets. Take advantage of the savings today!




I'm an avid supporter for Divas on a Budget, sooo...get with it or get lost!

National Mall Open On Inauguration Day

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that for the first time in history, the National Mall will be open to the public during the swearing in ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. I am already getting chills thinking about this inauguration; it will definitely be the most historic event of my lifetime (well after November 4th, 2008).

http://www.pic2009.org/pressroom/entry/open_inauguration/

Fashion worthy of a cause: Human Intonation

For Lady Adele, Hurricane Katrina, Darfur genocide, and the HIV devastation aren't just fatalities to sit back and watch, but to create social awareness for. She is the creative director for the clothing line Human Intonation. The product line consists of t-shirts which dedicates 15% of the proceeds from each sale to one of the non-profit partners. Since the launching of this clothing brand in 2006 she has showcased this line through a full force fashion show, traveled to New Orleans, and is an advocate for raising awareness.

"The New H.I." fashion show raised $1,000 for one of the non-profit partners Hands On New Orleans. The efforts of this fashion show conveyed that, "Katrina is still here." Although its no longer shown on the media, there is still devastation that has yet to be touched upon. erneda traveled with a group to New Orleans this past Thanksgiving to continue her devotion of the Rebuilding of New Orleans.

Each person can do their part in solving these major issues. Simply purchase your chic and 100% organic cotton shirt online at: http://www.humanintonation.com/

What Should I Get Them for Christmas?

Christmas is only a few weeks away and this is the most wonderful time of the year, but also can be the most stressful time of the year. There are so many holiday parties to attend, you have to spend time with your family, and you still have to buy people gifts. Thinking about what to buy people is the most difficult part of holiday shopping, so here are a few suggestions:

For your mom:



Moms spend so much time pampering others, so give her a gift certificate to get pampered. Get her a facial, massage, pedicure, manicure, or a gift certificate to her favorite salon to get her hair done; she'll appreciate it. Or try paying for a class that she's always wanted to take. Maybe she mentioned Yoga, jewelry making, a baking class, or maybe even accounting (if she's into that kind of stuff). Local community colleges offer some of these classes for decent prices.


For the men in your life:


Weather it's your brother, dad, boyfriend, or best guy friend chances are they need dress clothes. How many times have have you seen them in the same old white button down and blue tie with those tired looking black slacks. Help them change it up and buy a nice button down sweater or sweater vest. Buy a tie and a shirt that complements their complexion, but they would also feel comfortable wearing. If clothes don't please them, opt for tickets to see their favorite spots team. The Celtics, Patriots, Yankees, it doesn't matter which sport, just make sure you get the right team!


Younger Siblings:

Kids like gadgets and want to keep up with the other kids at school. Try getting them a MP3 player or an iPod. Perhaps a child friendly DVD player and some High School Musical DVDs. Or spoil them a little and get them some fresh clothes. There's nothing wrong with a little Hollister, Gap, Rocawear, or Polo on Christmas!



Older Siblings:

Chances are if they're in college or recent grads they just nice practical things like blenders, lamps, electronic devices. They would appreciate a gift card to Target, Walmart, Best Buy, or JcPennys. If you want to give them something more from the heart, try a nicely framed photo of you guys. Or maybe a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant. If they're into charities, you can make a donation to the St. Jude's Children's hospital in their name and a child will receive a Christmas gift in their name! Check out the website: http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=10180


Friends:


It's usually easier to shop for our friends, especially because they don't have everything. So keep it easy, just ask them a few things that they want and choose the best. But if you do need some ideas, O Magazine has gifts from $1 to $99:
http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200812_omag_olist

Happy Shopping!