her steeze.

we're everywhere.

2012-01-22T18:59:00.003-05:00

we've laid this blog to rest but you can find us on:

twitter: @sgbvintage
facebook: sgb vintage
tumblr: her-steeze
instagram: @sgbvintage

oh and our new retail site launches in february ... sgbvintage.com

xxx!

remember when we used to rock: pajamas @ parties.

2011-04-22T14:27:00.003-04:00

if my memory serves me correctly, pajama parties became popular in the early 90s thanks to the release of the movie, house party 2 (1991). starring 80s/90s rappers, kid n play, play comes up with a masterplan to earn kid's tuition money back - a pajama party where men pay an entry fee and women clad in their pj's enter for free.

i will tell you every tom, dick and harry wanted to throw a pajama party after watching this movie. i wasn't quite in high school yet, but i went to at least two. during that time, dressing provacatively wasn't really our steeze. we still rocked baggie jeans and knee length shorts so no, we weren't wearing lingerie to these parties. we were innocent (ahem, clearing my throat) in flannel (ok maybe polyester) pj pants or shorts and tee shirts. nowadays, these teens ... i can't imagine what they'd rock to a pajama party. enough to make me blush, i'm sure.

check out this scene from the party with toni tony tone singing and a dance off between kid n play vs. tisha campbell (gina from martin) and her friend.

h & m launches shop site.

2011-04-21T18:28:00.001-04:00

am i late? or is this new news.

h & m has finally launched a shop site. that's pretty decent news.

http://www.hm.com/

vintage tv: stevie wonder stops by sesame street.

2011-04-17T15:54:00.006-04:00

this is classic. one of my buddies on the book posted this and it made me so happy. this first aired in april 1973, 4 years before i was born but i grew up on some sesame street. and reading rainbow. and pinwheel. remember them? shout out to pbs for that good, wholesome programming. and in my best ol' head voice: this is what kids need to be watching today! i said it like i meant it too. steve wonder and his band stop by sesame street and perform the sesame street song with his talk box. scroll to bottom of page and click the music player to mute the background music.

and as an extra bonus, here he is performing superstition on sesame street. check out the kid at about the :40 mark. he knows what good music is.

vintage music: troop - spread my wings.

2011-04-15T23:45:00.009-04:00

ahhh the 90s. the era of dance moves with names, coordinated outfits, box hair cuts, gumbies, shags, a little dippity do in your hair to make it look "good", hair cuts with designs, peroxide-dyed hair, actual music groups that repped actual r&b music without underlying wanna-be rapper motives. and so much more. all which you'll see personified in this troop video. troop definitely didn't enjoy the popularity and longevity of ronnie, bobby, ricky and mike (if i like the girl, who cares who you like ... sorry, i couldn't resist) but they made a little noise in the late 80s to early 90s. i loved spread my wings but all i do is think of you (1990) was my song. what?! i used to sing it like i meant it. and i liked i will always love you (1991), too .

yo this is what i miss about music. the genuineness of it. i know i sound like a broken stevie wonder record but you know we rep old school extra hard on this blog. i mean does r&b even exist anymore? you know what would be hot? an old school concert or award show tribute that brought out all these lesser-known 80s/90s groups who we done forgot what they looked liked. right? i'm talking troop. shai. guy. intro. h-town. hi-five. silk. let's not even get into the solo acts.

so little known fact: troop got their break when they won a talent contest on the puttin' on the hits tv show in the late 80s. who remembers puttin on the hits? i do - think along the lines of star search. another little known fact - do you know what troop sounds for? it's actually an acronym for total respect of other people. until this day, that cracks me up for some reason. it's random as heck.

check out the 1990 hit, spread my wings. this video is full of old school trends for him.

halimah + jeffrey = forever. and ever.

2011-04-13T21:37:00.003-04:00

i've told you before, i love a jeffrey campbell shoe. the guy's shoes are amazing.

these may not be for everyone but i'm loving them.

buy them here. $139.95

vintage music: she works hard for the money.

2011-04-09T08:05:00.007-04:00

shout all to all of my superwomen working hard for their mula ... my fellow lady entrepreneurs, mommies, 9-to-5'ers, bosses, government workers who are happy that the congress folks got it together to avoid a shutdown, bosses ... this donna summer, 1983, grammy-nominated classic is dedicated to all of you.

donna summer came from the 70s disco era and then went on to achieve success throughout the 80s and early 90s. she owns 5 grammy statues and has been sampled a gazillion times by some of your favorite performers.

i love these funny 80s videos. i appreciate a video with a story, these days the videos are so templated. watch:

"so you better treat her right!"

click music player at bottom of screen to mute background music.

gwen does elle.

2011-04-06T09:14:00.003-04:00

on whether lady gaga, rihanna, and katy perry have taken a page out of her playbook when it comes to style: “really? i don’t see myself in those girls. i usually put pants on. i see these girls as more going for the sex-symbol thing. i was more, in the band, like a tomboy. of course, i think every girl is sexy, so there’s going to be a little of that. but i see a lot of younger artists going more toward the sexy thing.” love her. dress is givenchy by riccardo tisci / may issue

source

gordon gartelle inspired air questo 2 dunks.

2011-04-05T19:13:00.003-04:00

yo. i never watch 106 & park. but love that i turned it on today just in time to hear questlove and jimmy fallon talking about questlove's gordon gartrelle inspired air questo 2 dunks specially designed for nike. quest said his design was inspired by the classic gordon gartrelle episode of the cosby show. in the episode, which is my favorite, denise agrees to make theo a shirt for the prom by the fictitious designer, gordon gartrelle. never seen it? what?! click here now. straight classic.

photo source

remember when we used to rock: grunge.

2011-04-05T15:06:00.004-04:00

soon after i noticed kurt cobain as a trending topic on twitter, i realized that today was the anniversary of his death. 17 years ago today, kurt cobain, lead singer of nirvana, died from a drug-induced suicide. as twitter fans remembered him, it reminded me of the anti-fashion grunge trend of the 90s. you remember? the unkempt, i-don't-give-a-%#*$ look that teens clung to back in the mid 90s. cobain epitomized grunge: his band's music was gritty and raw and he certainly didn't fuss over his clothes.

now i can only speak from my own little interpretation of grunge. i realize it may have been different from those who lived it. i didn't listen to grunge music and didn't know much about nirvana at the time other than their popular song "smells like teen spirit" that seemed to cross color lines and appeal to young blacks, too (thanks mtv). with that said, i think it's pretty safe to say that the grunge trend influenced my love for thrifting which later sparked my love for vintage.

back in the 90s, me and my girls jumped on the trend and would catch the 22 or 55 across the city to different thrift stores to pick out the grungiest levi's (the more holes the better) or tops that looked like they could have been worn by any one of the brady's. we made it look flyy. plus, thrift shopping was cheap so that definitely worked for us. although the look appealed to us, those like cobain who pioneered the look, had no intention of creating a grunge trend. grunge was just what they were. years later, you can still catch glimpses of grunge fashion. think the olsen twins. or even denise huxtable. did/do you rock grunge?

while looking for images, i came across this cool blog called fashion. grunge. style. check it out.

teyana "tribal" taylor.

2011-04-04T20:40:00.003-04:00

teyanna straight owns this tribal shoot she did for vibe magazine. werk!

source

mr. big stuff.

2011-04-02T09:19:00.003-04:00

yesssss! talk about swag. heavy d had it. he put it down for the big boys and was oh so cool. i love this video. it's why i love old school hip hop. back when it was pure and real. mr. big stuff appeared on heavy's 1987 debut album, living large. back then rappers weren't too cool to dance a little. and like a few other rappers of the 80s era, heav' had background dancers who killed the whop and every other 80s dance. i love it. this reminded me of the 80s coca-cola fashion trend. this video is full of old school fashion trends.

click on the music player at the bottom of the screen to mute the background music.

dame dash opens a vintage thrift shop.

2011-03-28T15:21:00.009-04:00

dame dash, roc-a-fella records co-founder and jay-z's former bff, just embarked on a new venture: a men and women's vintage thrift shop called local 172 trading post. the shop features hand-picked, premium vintage wares and is located in the tribeca section of nyc.

that's hot. i want to check it out.

chrisette michelle's new do.

2011-03-28T09:51:00.004-04:00

" ... her weave looks like some curly fries."

-jeezy

chrisette was seen out and about this weekend sporting her new do. she swapped the low, boy cut for a curly mane.

it's just hair, yawl.

i dig it.

christian louboutin said.

2011-03-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

“... there are so many bad addictions. better to

be addicted to shoes than something else.”
-christian louboutin

i see a danika bracelet in my near future.

2011-03-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

like this:

or perhaps this:

$65.00

sui generis! shop danika jewelry here.

elizabeth taylor: 2.27.32 - 3.23.11.

2011-03-23T10:02:00.003-04:00

"when people say, 'she's got everything',

i've got one answer - i haven't had tomorrow."
-elizabeth taylor

sgb is on model mayhem.

2011-03-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

are you? friend us.

find us here.

oh and you can also find us on tumblr.

why red bottoms are red.

2011-03-22T15:08:00.000-04:00

so what's the story with christian louboutin's signature red sole? per shoerazzi.com, the red sole came about by accident:

louboutin was working on a shoe in his studio when he felt something was missing. louboutin then “realized that the black sole of the shoe was too dark.” a nearby assistant was painting her nails red with chanel when louboutin grabbed it, painted the shoes' sole red and voilà; the red sole was born.

there you have it.

source

rare and random vent.

2011-03-22T14:57:00.003-04:00

if i trashed rooms or hit people every time they pissed me off, i'd be in jail. so would you. i am so over the bratty, self-entitlement nature of these kids these days. that includes your boy, blondie. tip: forgive yourself and move on. you can't make anyone else do the same. boy bye. click here for the background. p.s. - i'd love to talk about the ridiculous fans who refuse to call a duck a duck. but i suddenly realize that it's not worth the time it takes to type it out.

vintage wardrobe leasing.

2011-03-22T06:00:00.003-04:00

you need vintage? well what a coincidence. i have vintage.

women's vintage clothes and accessories available for leasing for your fashion shoots, shows, events, productions, etc.

inquire at halimah@sgbvintage.com or visit the sgb site at sgbvintage.com.

i got you.

christian louboutin said.

2011-03-22T05:59:00.000-04:00

“i would hate for someone to look at my shoes and say,

‘oh my God! that looks so comfortable!' ..."

-christian louboutin

jessica white is simple & fierce.

2011-03-21T21:38:00.002-04:00

jessica white at a party in nyc this weekend.

she's not even doing too much and i'm loving this entire look.

iris van hersen x united nude.

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

one word: yes!

i mean are these brilliant or what?

smooches.

2011-03-20T21:44:00.003-04:00

halle berry plants one on the great muhammad ali's cheek. on saturday night, halle was recognized for her charitable contributions at ali's annual charity event in phoenix, arizona.

source

spring has sprung.

2011-03-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

today is the first day of spring. ahhh. oh how we've missed you.

today is special for a gazillion obvious reasons. 1 being rita's is giving out free water ices all day. go get yours. you know you want to.

p.s. - have you checked out the new sgb site yet? of course you have.

launched: sui generis boutique vintage.

2011-03-10T09:50:00.004-05:00

we've launched. finally! check us out at sgbvintage.com.

we've changed our direction, ever so slightly. but what hasn't changed: we're still the #1 source for the dopest, most wearable, most sui generis, fashion-forward vintage in this part of town. was that enough superlatives for you? ha! yes, we bring you flyy vintage pieces hand-picked specifically for the modern fashionista. and that's not all. check out the about page for more scoop.

stay in touch with us here and on our tumblr page: her-steeze.tumblr.com.

more to come.

i'm so wishy washy.

2011-02-19T13:43:00.002-05:00

guess who's bi-zack? well kinda.

i couldn't stay away from you lovelies too long. tumblr doesn't seem to crave my blogging urge. i loved it for the first week like a kid loves a new toy. then suddenly it wasn't too exciting anymore. i felt ... disconnected.

but the time off was good. i brainstormed mentally to the point of exhaustion. and from it God revealed my new direction. i'm working on a new biz endeavor and will be letting you in on it shortly. new website and new blog to follow.

i'm stoked.

so stick around for a while. it's going down. basement.

ttys.

her-steeze.tumblr.com.

2010-12-01T21:39:00.001-05:00

bye blogger. hello tumblr. come visit me.

that's all folks.

2010-11-23T10:12:00.003-05:00

one saturday afternoon back in 08, september i think, i randomly decided to start a blog. i said i'd do it until i no longer felt like it anymore.

the other day lanvin debuted at h&m. i saw flicks from my friends on the book of the crazed crowds and long lines and wristbands. i said to myself, i'd never do that shit. gasp. although i can't be the only fashionista who wouldn't brave the chaos for lanvin at h&m, it was a very defining moment for me.

love fashion. always will. i get it from mom and pop dukes. but it's time to concentrate on some other things. like interior design. nowadays, i'm obsessed with interior decorating and planning how i'm going to decorate my new house. and i like reading really good fashion blogs by others. it's so many out there. and just not enough hours in the day to put the energy into running my own daily blog. time for a lane change.

so with that, i'm exiting stage left. her steeze lives on. i'm keeping that name for some future plans. and i may make a grand entrance on tumblr. i like tumblr.

to all 11 of my readers (lol, ok maybe 38) friend me on the book. let's stay in touch.

shoelace necklaces by sarah clendening.

2010-11-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

$20

shop here

sn: support independent designers! they're dope.

if i were a rich girl: burberry blazer.

2010-11-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

this is the type of blazer is classic. you can wear it over and over, year after year. and you only have to scrape up a measely $1,995.

check out another view at burberry.com.

cheap wine.

2010-11-23T09:58:00.000-05:00

$7.99 or less

gotta love cheap wine that actually tastes great. my personal fave is pinot grigio by yellow tail. i keep a bottle on deck. and i'm pretty sure it'll taste great with your turkey on thursday. cheers!

stuff from knock knock.

2010-11-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

toodles (or ciao, sincerly, etc.) stamp, $10

paper tweet notepad, $4.50

vouchers for your co-workers, $8.00

find these and a bunch of other interesting and totally (un)necessary things from knock knock, a tongue-in-cheek gift and stationery shop.

rihanna inspired my new hair-do itch.

2010-11-22T09:36:00.006-05:00

the eagles played (another vick-tory, thank you) so of course that was on my tv screen last night. but i did catch a peek of rihanna opening the ama's. i realize that popular belief is that this blog stans for ms. rih rih. and we do. most of the time. she has her misses, especially lately. but for the most part, i dig her steeze. she has that don't-give-a-$hit youthfulness about her - i've always kinda liked that.

with that said, i thought her performance was cute last night. i said "go rih rih" as she winded and dipped it low. no, she doesn't blow like a monica but she has an unique sound that will grow on you. ok, well maybe.

so on to the new hair do itch. my short black do is my signature but somehow her curly-fry red weave had me inspired to switch it up a bit. nothing spectacular but kinda cute. who am i kidding? all of that hair on my head would drive me coo-coo. i'd be ready to pull it out in a day. two days tops.

pretty elie saab gown, too.

her performance:

the closet of my dreams.

2010-11-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

... is actually a spare bedroom. for years i've been intrigued with the idea of converting a bedroom to a walk-in closet. i may soon have my chance. God willing.

how hot is that? bubbling. ladies, i've spent the last 4 years making 2 humble closets work. how i did it, i couldn't tell you. my vision is my own little boutique. a center island for jewelry, a full length mirror, a bench or chair.

i could store my fall and winter threads on one side and my spring and summer on the other. it wouldn't be an excuse to buy too many clothes. seriously, it wouldn't. at least twice a year i go through all of my clothes and donate anyway. but the idea of space, a good view and reaching for that blazer without knocking everything down excites me.

i needed some visuals for reference so i googled some examples. i think a trip to ikea may be in the near future:

jump spread out.

2010-11-20T07:55:00.003-05:00

yeh i'm taking it way back. who remembers jamalski? this song used to knock at the house parties. one of my buddies on the book posted this a few weeks ago and i was hype. i almost forgot about this one.

truthfully, i probably can easily decipher a total of 15 words in the whole song but whatever he was saying it was hot. i was never a huge, huge fan of reggae but i remember when it really started to get hot around our way. i think it was the early 90s, but don't quote me. dolly my baby. super cat. shabba. patra. lady saw. had us up in the parties doing the butterfly and all of that.

"when it comes to sex i have a college degree, phd in sexology ... "

Jamalski-jump spread out

and the cutest photo of the week goes to:

2010-11-20T07:41:00.005-05:00

... miss willow smith.

she tells w magazine:

"mommy & daddy inspired me to be a performer, i get my flow from daddy,

my singing ability from mommy, and the camera stuff from both.

that’s just what happens when you hang out with the smiths."

these belong on my feet.

2010-11-19T19:41:00.002-05:00

i mean are these hot or what?!

palais mohawk pumps, purple suede

yves saint laurent

nina simone said.

2010-10-29T08:45:00.001-04:00

i would like a man now who is rich, and who can give me a boat - a sailboat.

i want to own it and let him pay for it. my first love is

the sea and water, not music. music is second.

-nina simone

tougher than leather.

2010-10-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

this jacket is tough.

jean paul gautier, $3,995

neimanmarcus.com

a bit of a hiatus.

2010-10-24T21:12:00.000-04:00

... but i'll be back! wait for me.

j. lo and her twins pose for gucci.

2010-10-21T13:42:00.002-04:00

i think this is the first time i've ever seen j. lo with her babies.

but anywho, she and her super cute 2.5 year old twins, max and emme, struck a few poses for gucci's new kid's line. adorable.

source

whip my hair.

2010-10-19T11:56:00.005-04:00

yawl know this knocks. i wish people would kill the noise about willow smith (daughter of will and jada smith) being exploited. i watched her last night on one of the news shows and she's such a cute kid. she's not trying to be too grown or anything. she spoke about her dad covering the youtube comments so she couldn't read them. my perception is that the smiths are stellar parents who are blessed enough to let their kids express their unique and fabulous talents to the world. under supervision. you wouldn't do the same?

Share

usher does ebony.

2010-10-15T22:27:00.003-04:00

another commemorative cover to celebrate ebony's 65th anniversary. usher remakes sammy davis, jr's cover. can't wait to see the others. bravo, ebony.

rainkissed leaves from bath & body works.

2010-10-15T12:39:00.005-04:00

yawl know i love my lotions - soft, supple skin is a must. the hotel we stayed in last week offered bath & body works toiletries. a plus. the scent was rainkissed leaves and i'm a fan.

let me digress for a moment and reflect on the genius of bath & body works. i think it'll be around forever. it has to be #1 in sales during christmas. i know each of you get at least one gift from b&b per year.

anywho, there's a little something for everyone there. some of the scents are a little too much. back in the day, smelling like a georgia peach was sexy to me - i rocked the peach scent faithfully. but now i go for less bold scents. well sometimes. it just depends.

rainkissed leaves is a part of their signature collection. it's subtle, light, fresh and clean. there's a hint of a grassy, cucumber smell that's great to wear in the spring or summer or just a sunny day. i use it as a hand lotion but at some point i may pick up the eau de toilette or fragrance mist to wear as an every day scent.

just thought i'd share. what are your favorites from b&b?

lauryn hill said.

2010-10-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

"... they didn’t understand how female and strong work together.

or young and wise. or black and divine.”

-lauryn hill

coach returns to class.

2010-10-14T19:35:00.006-04:00

some folks, after all these years, still love a coach bag. i walked past the outlet store last week and it was packed like they were giving something away. while some folks feel like coach fell way off some time after they went crazy with the monogrammed c collections and the other super trendy styles. i identify with the latter group.

back in the day, my mom was on coach hard. so naturally i had a thing for it, too. i remember thinking i was cute when my mom sent me a big, black coach bag for my birthday during my freshman year in college. my housemate (what up regan!) rocked a big(ger), red one. hot. i always saw the coach brand as classic. a bag that you could pull out of your closet year after year and it would still be as rock'able as when you first got it. but it lost that at some point.

i say all that to say that coach just may be returning to the basics, according to the ladies over at fashionista. they previewed the spring 2011 collection and it's looking pretty good. i'm going to keep an eye out for the rest of the collection. here's a small preview. i'm a sucker for a big bag so i could dig these a size or two bigger:

mary j. blige does ebony.

2010-10-13T21:21:00.004-04:00

mary j. blige will grace the cover of ebony's 65th anniversary issue. the cover is a remake of diana ross' 1970 cover. the cover was gorgeous then and it's gorgeous now. love it.

i hear that taraji henson will also grace a cover as diahann carroll.

photo source

i love the ciphers.

2010-10-13T19:46:00.004-04:00

i look forward to the bet hip hop awards for the ciphers alone. while i read a significant amount of disdain from my facebook friends about the awards and bet in general, i kinda enjoyed the show. for one, with all due respect, my expectations weren't tremendously high. i mean, it is what it is.

but how can you not like the old school tributes? salt n pepa! i wanted to be those chicks when i was a young girl. although i would have liked to see bet bring the new school ladies of hip hop out on stage to sing some of s n p's old hits, i still appreciated the tribute. i learned that their asymetrical hair do's happened by accident thanks to a bad dye job from pepa's cousin. i also remembered just how many trends they set with their fashion - ripped jeans, bodysuits, etc.

of course, i liked the surprise visit from digital underground and the tribute to pac. b-o-b was good. host, michael epps was hilarious especially when he came out in the shiny suit and was imitating diddy. the dude from roc nation - what's his name? - was good, too.

but my absolute favorite are the ciphers. it made me text my brother and thank him because i really owe my love for hip hop to him. big ups to bet for the father son cipher. loved it. but the absolute best of the night was the g.o.o.d music cipher with kanye. kanye is tough. if you ain't convinced by now ...

and the father son cipher with ice cube and sons + run and sons:

see the other ciphers here.

and no i won't mention the wacka flacka and antoine dodson foolishness. oh, i just did.

lala in christian lacroix.

2010-10-13T19:35:00.003-04:00

lala vazquez arrived to espn's body issue party last night in this christian lacroix dress. i'm not loving this dress. at all. but i love lala's glow. she looks happy and comfortable and i give her one "i know that's right girl" for showing off her new body. gunnar peterson hooked her up.

my new favorite perfume.

2010-10-12T06:01:00.001-04:00

while on our beach vacation last week, hubby and i decided to replenish our smell-good inventory. i fell in love with christian audigier (you know, the guy behind the ed hardy collection) and decided that it had to leave with me.

i wasn't quite sure how to describe the scent to you other than to tell you that it smells good. but the experts describe it as: "top notes of blackberry, pomegranate and tangerine; middle notes of coconut, magnolia and orchid; and a base of indonesian sandalwood, amber and woods."

so yeh, what they said. i can also add that initially i thought it was an evening scent but i am now convinced that it can be either day or evening. it's not too heavy.

what's your favorite perfume?

at last: the magic potion for zits.

2010-10-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

ladies (and gents), that 1 oz bottle pictured above is the not-so-secret solution to zit control. trust! it's acne treatment gel by mary kay. a dab goes a long way and dries up blemishes within a couple days. note: i recommend using it directly on blemishes, not all over your face - it'll dry you out.
7 bux. cop it here.

blogger erased my follow list.

2010-10-11T19:41:00.002-04:00

i was following a gazillion blogs and now i'm not. thanks a lot, blogger. %$*#!

i'll re-follow you. eventually.

pnkElephant.

2010-10-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

when i first checked out the pnkElephant, a hot accessories e-shop, i had no idea that kijafa frink was the owner. who is kijafa you ask? the fiance of one of the best quarterbacks (don't hate) in the nfl, michael vick (e-a-g-l-e-s).

i'm a fan. it's a cute and simple site with cute and affordable rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. did i say affordable? glad to see that someone hasn't forgotten about the every day fashionistas (with every day bills) who still want to look cute without skipping their car note payments. right?! right. here's some of my favorites:

black stud bow bracelet, $12

spike ring, $10 (also available in silver)

cage ring, $14 (also available in pew and gold brass)

long layers neclace, $20 (also available in silver)

mama needed a new pair of shoes.

2010-10-11T05:59:00.000-04:00

so what did she do? she bought 2!

so what's up with the peep toe craze? i can dig it but i can barely find a shoe without an open toe. like these suede wedgies by bcbg. it was love at first sight. i guess i better stock up on some opaque socks and fishnets.

and i'm sure you've seen what i like to call the nana shoe trend. you know the shoes that look like someone's great, great grandma used to wear. not sure how much justice my iphone snapshot does for these but they are quite sexy. it was also love at first sight.

oh how i love shoe shopping.

bundle up.

2010-10-08T16:38:00.002-04:00

double breasted trench coat

by bcbg

$279 (enter columbus10 for free s&h)

love this.

oak my gosh.

2010-10-08T16:16:00.003-04:00

omg.

(oak my gosh)

oak letter panel high waisted jeans

by oak

$264

coco chanel said.

2010-10-08T06:00:00.002-04:00

"fashion is not something that exists in dresses only.

fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas,

the way we live, what is happening."

-coco chanel

vintage music saturday: anniversary.

2010-10-02T06:00:00.002-04:00

365 days! tomorrow marks me and my hubby's 1st year anniversary. we plan to celebrate quite properly. but of course.

love my baby from head to toe. my best friend. with benefits. blessed is an understatement.

here's tony! toni! tone! singing anniversary (1993).

"tomorrow will come and [boy] i can't wait, it's our anniversary."

click on the music player at the bottom of the screen to mute the background music.

breast cancer awareness month starts today.

2010-10-01T06:01:00.001-04:00

do good and be cute with this simply vera wang coin purse. proceeds go to charities that fight breast cancer. comes in grey, light pink and fushia (as seen above). $10.
purchase here at kohl's.

dr. seuss said.

2010-10-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

"you know you're in love when you can't fall asleep

because reality is finally better than your dreams."

-dr. seuss

now playing: lady saw, if i were a rich girl.

2010-09-30T20:49:00.000-04:00

rising up.

2010-09-30T19:56:00.002-04:00

not really old, not really new. my ish. rising up by the roots (philly!) featuring chrisette michelle and my man wale. good music:

would you rock a turban?

2010-09-30T19:46:00.003-04:00

... or a headwrap that looks like one? solange was spotted looking supa-flyy at the launch of guess seductive at the colony in la. turbans are the new rage although some folks (think e. badu) have been rocking them since way back. i'm loving her look. not sure if i'll participate in this trend but i'm digging it. co-signed!

heidi klums hands in her angel wings.

2010-09-30T15:41:00.002-04:00

after a 13 year collaboration, heidi klum will leave victoria's secret. She told the page six, "all good things have to come to an end. i will always love victoria's secret. it has been an absolutely amazing time."

always good to walk out on your own instead of being booted. she had a great run.

source

i'm wearing my new boots today.

2010-09-30T08:52:00.002-04:00

because it's raining and it's pouring and i'd rather be home snoring. but i'm up and at 'em. the weatherman says it's gonna rain all day and i really wasn't sure which side of the closet to pull from. although i'm pretty ready for fall fashion, part of me is reluctant to say farewell to flip-flops and linen.

vintage music: every little step i take.

2010-09-29T22:20:00.004-04:00

my hubby just showed this to me and i am rolling. remember bobby's brown 1988 smash, every little step i take? this jawn used to rock ... i just sat here reciting the whole song.

you've gots to see this spoof featuring wayne brady, 50 cent and bobby brown. hilarious. bahaaaaaaa. i can't stop laughing at tyson's no-rhythm having behind.

click the music player at the bottom of the screen to mute the background music.

mister boots.

2010-09-29T14:33:00.004-04:00

i saw these boots and i immediately thought of mister. like as in the color purple mister. kinda funny. i'm kinda iffy about these but in general i'm digging the combat style boots trend. it screams comfort and chill. there's always gonna be room for the overtly-sexy look but i appreciate the covertly-sexy steeze once and a while too. could you rock these:

werner, steve madden, $159.95

what do you think? yay? nay?

topshop heads to chi-town.

2010-09-28T10:26:00.003-04:00

lucky ducks.

according to wwd, a new topshop is in the works for michigan avenue in chicago. stores in vegas, la and san francisco are also in the works.

my only question: can dc get some love?!

source

#teamkelly.

2010-09-27T18:57:00.003-04:00

"i think it's incredibly sexy when a man is just a man."

-kelly rowland tells complex

read the rest of the interview here.

christian siriano for payless, spring 2011.

2010-09-27T06:01:00.000-04:00

word on the street is that christian siriano (my favorite winner from project runway) debuted his spring 2011 shoe collection for payless during new york fashion week.

i'll have to see it - in an actual payless store - to believe it

in the words of siriano himself: fierce!

remember when we used to rock: finger watches.

2010-09-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

i can't remember the exact year but i know we rocked them briefly. i'm guessing it was some time during the late 80s/early 90s. and i recall that we didn't rock them for the time. they were strictly fashion pieces. but of course.

here's a gold version by melodi ehsani. $15 here.

where those bloggers at, where those bloggers at, where they at, where they at, where they at.

2010-09-26T17:09:00.003-04:00

right here rihanna. and we have a mean side eye right now.

the other day, rihanna stepped out to ago restaurant in a polka dot church hat, a wife b with x'd out boobies and brown slacks. if anyone else was spotted in this get-up, you'd be questioning their use of narcotics. i think i can take it all except the hat. that hat.

but do you, rih rih. and keep us bloggers talking. sorry the photos are so tiny. i snatched them from here.

lala's full court wedding.

2010-09-26T08:18:00.003-04:00

lala's full court wedding premieres tonight at 10:30 pm on vh-1. yes, another reality show that will follow lala and carmelo as they plan their wedding. the couple tied the knot back in july. will you be watching? i will. and not just because carmelo is absolutely gorgeous. with a cute style. and a charming smile. nope. not just because of that.

am i the only one who thinks, at quick glance, that carmelo and lala look a lot like jay and beyonce?

only melo and lala always look a bit more lovey dovey.

vintage music saturday: dream on dreamer.

2010-09-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

what you know about the brand new heavies? last night, me and hubby were watching vh1 soul and he asked me if i remembered this cut. i can't say i was that down with the group while coming up but i definitely remember this song. the acid jazz and funk group emerged back in 85 out of england. dream on dreamer came out in 1994. check it:

lenny, you are not prince.

2010-09-24T13:18:00.003-04:00

i'd like mr. lenny kravitz to stop immediately. he stepped out in nyc yesterday clad in leather pants tucked into his leather knee-high wedge boots, a cowl-neck top and a man purse. i cannot.

the only man i'll accept this from is prince whose adrogyny i've managed to get used to for the past 20+ years. but lenny, you are irritating me.

someone said.

2010-09-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

"confidence does not whisper."

-unknown

put you in the pocket.

2010-09-23T22:12:00.006-04:00

highway by acne

leather and suede with pocket detail wedge boots.
$900

i dig cowl scarves.

2010-09-23T20:37:00.003-04:00

two winters ago, i found a knitted cowl scarf in marshall's. actually, my mom found it for me. we were preparing for the brick cold that we'd face during obama's inauguration. she liked it for herself but let me buy it instead. i've been in love with cowl scarves ever since. and since they've already threatened us with the same rude winter as last, i want to grab a few.

here's one i won't be getting ($195, no sirrrr) but it's flyy as hell.

it's suede and chic and comes in 3 colors - black (currently sold out), dove and cadet. i love it. check it out at hare+hart.

if i were a rich girl: rick owens shearling biker jacket.

2010-09-22T15:18:00.003-04:00

... this would be in my closet, patiently waiting for a cold day. hot, right? this would be super cute with your favorite pair of jeans.

$3,395 at net-a-porter

nicki minaj does complex.

2010-09-20T18:49:00.002-04:00

read the article here.

i'm loving the simple, black and white cover and actually find her quite interesting. in a good way. i'm gradually converting to a nicki fan. gasp!

fashionistas do read: getting to happy.

2010-09-20T11:27:00.004-04:00

you may remember back in february, when i told you that the sequel to terry mcmillan's waiting to exhale would be dropping this fall. well it's here. just in time for me to take to the beach next week.

you can buy it plus read reviews over at barnes and noble. i will be buying my copy today.

i hear she's already working on the script, as well. i'm excited.

it's beginning to look a lot like fall.

2010-09-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

... so i'm switching up my nail color and opting for more fall'ish colors. i'm up on the bandwagon for the gray hued nails. i love the look but my nail salon is slipping on their polish options. i think i'll have to bring in my own. i love the color options from chanel.

les khakis de chanel is a new trio of limited editon colors perfect for this time of year. my favorite is khaki vert, a greyish/greenish color:

the other two are khaki rose - a pinkish-beige color - and khaki brun - a taupe color.

$25 each at chanel.

vintage music saturday: i got a man.

2010-09-18T14:09:00.003-04:00

remember this one? positive k's i got a man. it hit the radio waves in 1992 and would prove to be his biggest hit. the male-female dialogue in music always seems to work, doesn't it?

love watching this video because i can count a ba-jillion old school trends. watch:

scroll to bottom of screen and click the music player to mute the background music.

vera wang said.

2010-09-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

"a woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable in her clothes."
-vera wang

now playing: prince, kiss.

2010-09-16T22:09:00.000-04:00

and i still love tupac.

2010-09-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

14 years ago today, i was sitting in my college room watching mtv when i heard that tupac had died. i was crushed.

i truly miss dude's passion, sincerity and rawness. i'd love to know what he'd be saying about the state of the world today. and while there have been so many so-called thug impersonators the only rapper to even remotely remind me of pac's spirit has been kanye.

check him out alongside ice-t on saturday night live in the early 90s. they're singing barbara streisand's you don't bring me flowers. funny!

joan rivers said.

2010-09-12T16:32:00.001-04:00

"just because it zips, honey, doesn't mean it fits."

-joan rivers

solange does fashionizblack.

2010-09-12T15:21:00.002-04:00

this cover is absolutely, positively hot.

kelly rowland turns it up for yrb magazine.

2010-09-11T15:09:00.003-04:00

i've been wanting this chick to just bust out of her shell and do her for the longest time. kelly rowland is absolutely gorgeous and this yrb magazine shoot is fierce. i root for her. and um, am i the only one who secretly awaits a tell-all book? lol. i'd be the first one on the amazon site ordering it. doubt it'll come any time soon but maybe after she's old and gray.

ellen degeneres struts richie rich's catwalk.

2010-09-10T16:18:00.003-04:00

work, ellen, work.

ellen closed the richie rich spring 2011 fashion show in nyc. she donned hi-top sneaks, a shiny suit and fingerless blue gloves. oh and don't forget the itty bitty hat for a comedic gesture. gotta love ellen.

photo source

gabby sidibe does elle.

2010-09-10T13:18:00.004-04:00

am i the only one a little shocked that she made the october cover? do you like?

it should probably be noted that this is a multi-cover issue. in honor of elle magazine's 25th birthday, they are featuring several (25?) stars to grace their "favorite 25-somethings" issue.

louboutins: studded suede.

2010-09-10T06:01:00.000-04:00

studded suede boots

christian louboutin, $1,495

e.e. cummings said.

2010-09-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

"to be nobody but yourself in a world which is

doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else

means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight;

and never stop fighting."

-e.e. cummings

carlashes.

2010-09-09T06:01:00.000-04:00

does your car need a makeover? how about some carlashes? yes. just what you think. eyelashes for your car. deep down you're a little peeved at yourself for thinking these are kinda cute. go on. admit it.

carlashes.com, $24.99

source

stop acting rich.

2010-09-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

ahh, to be young and fabulous. who wants to drive sensible cars, rock sensible clothes and live in sensible neighborhoods? i'm tempted to say it's a generation and culture thing. but truth is the love for the flash and the bling crosses generational lines. young and old, we're more pressed to look rich than to actually be rich. bet you can name about 3 or 4 people who drive a hot whip even though it loses its value the minute you drive it off the lot. those same 3 or 4 people probably don't own a home, which appreciates over time. ouch.

i love clothes and fashion as much as you do. years ago, when i first bought my place, i was still shopping like my bank account was endless. it wasn't. i wasn't rocking major labels or anything like that but retail therapy was weekly. i worked in georgetown and couldn't stay out of urban outfitters, zara, intermix, h&m and club monaco. i joke that i'm officially an ole head now because paying bills is both sickening and joyful. these days, i'm just happy to be able to pay them. and i make what's left do what it do. feel me?

anyway, i saw this book - stop acting rich and start living like a real millionaire - advertised in a magazine and wanted to check it out. it's said to be a dose of financial tough love that puts wealth in perspective and explains that being rich is more than just the symbolism that we equate with it. deep down, we already know that, don't we?

if it's not too long and preachy, sounds like a pretty interesting read. however, as long as we're seduced by these beautiful stars, driving expensive cars, drinking expensive champagne, vacationing on their expensive yachts, while rocking their expensive clothes, we'll be doing our darndest to look the part. after all, why should they have all of the fun? right? hmmm, not really.

stop acting rich and start living like a real millionaire, thomas stanley

amazon.com, $17.79

sephora's studded make-up bag collection.

2010-09-08T11:40:00.000-04:00

love, love, love.

studded limited-edition ensemble comes in 5 different colors. each piece can be bought separately. price range $20-$52. check it out here.

and i'm due for another make-up bag.

her steeze: amanda from done n done.

2010-09-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

as soon as i stumbled upon amanda's blog, i knew i wanted to feature her on my wednesday post series, her steeze. i explained to her that i've become a make-up junkie this past year and although i keep it kinda simple, i love to marvel over the fun looks that she comes up with. she truly treats the face like artwork, drawing inspiration from all kinds of things (like cupcakes and watermelons and zodiacs) and people (like rihanna and raquel reed). very cool to look at.

"i would love to do lady gaga's makeup ..." -amanda

inspiration: rihanna's rude boy video

who?
amanda. i'm 22 years old and i am an international relations student at malmö university here in sweden. i will soon become a student at seville university in spain. i'm going as an exchange student and i am so nervous about studying abroad! i take my studies very seriously. i wanna be somebody! i am also a make up and beauty addict. i love everything that has to do with make up, art, and products for my hair.

inspiration: taurus zodiac

where?
i woud love to say from everywhere and anywhere. i was born in costa rica. when i was 9 my parents moved to herzegovina and then when i was 15, we moved to sweden. i guess this is why i love to travel. i'm a traveler.

who or what inspires your passion for make-up?

well, i get my inspiration from things that i see: magazines, art , music videos, people, nature. i've always been really creative ever since i was a little girl - painting, doing make up, and being creative is like a de-stresser for me. in other words, my personal therapy.

inspiration: ankara fabric

your style can be described as?

random. i mix different styles and trends. i'm not a fashion victim but i do love to follow trends.

the biggest make-up no-no is:

when people use way too much blush or too much of anything .

you're stuck for a whole week with only two make-up items. they are:

liquid eyeliner and mascara.

you have the chance of a lifetime to make up a celeb's face. you choose:

i would love to do lady gaga's make up. she has a crazy side just like me and i think she would understand my crazy unconventional designs.

inspiration: the tropics

she's such a vibrant thing ... (in my q-tip voice).

which bag should i buy?

2010-09-08T05:59:00.000-04:00

i need a new bag, yawl. i really do. i want something neutral and every day. which one do you like best:

this duffel bag from asos ($44).

or this bucket bag from asos ($144).