Living My Life Like It's Golden

2011 has been a blessing for myself and my family and if I have nothing else in this world I'm thankful to be alive. Regardless as to what 2011 brought you in the form of defeat or despair, know that you have been blessed with the gift of life to start all over again. 2012 will be even better if you believe it and act as if it will be one of your best years ever. Do you!

Le Look Du Jour: Patra (The Queen of Dancehall)

One would have to be living under a rock, in a cave or have not been born yet to not know who this iconic woman is. Dancehall Queen Patra was recently seen performing at the 5Th Annual Okay Player Holiday Jam.

Photos: Wire Image

Annie Ilonzeh Covers the Premiere Issue of AEON Magazine

I saw this is in the bookstore the other day and I must say this is a beautiful cover. The magazine touts itself as the Gentlemen’s guide to sex and lifestyle. AEON Men’s magazine is especially for sophisticated males aged 25-60 with a desire for style. It’s the pinnacle of the premium men’s lifestyle magazine market and covers style, culture, entertainment and more. I know we've all heard this before and I hope they're around for a while, but I seriously doubt it.

I say this because most new magazines start with aplomb and then fizzle due to the lack of advertisement dollars and subscribers and yet they highlight all of these luxury brands without a luxury advertisement inside the magazines. Or better yet, they'll start out as a niche publication and then do the old bait and switch once they make money from subscribers and become all of a sudden diversified like a certain magazine has done looking confused and indecisively ignorant of who is exactly their customers.

What's Haute Now: Urban Expressions Accessories

I want this bag to replace the one that I bought thirty years ago at a bargain before inflation hit and was stolen.

But I love these two beauties. The bags are certified vegan and PETA approved. 

I'm always on the hunt for something chic and classic that doesn't cost me an arm or a leg and is well made and affordable. My children have been asking me what I wanted for Christmas and I've been repeating the same old thing. "I want a CHANEL 2.55 bag for Christmas." Imagine the number of side-eyes I kept receiving with that comment.

After much prodding and pleading, I told my girls to get me whatever they thought I liked and I'll take care of the bag issue. We hit up our local MARSHALL'S to see what goodies they had and lo and behold I found the perfect bag's. I've never heard of URBAN EXPRESSIONS before but I wish that I could have every color they had in the store. I saw two that I really liked and couldn't make up my mind which one I wanted, so I bought them both. Urban Expressions is also available at most boutiques and stores in your areas and the following web retailers: ebags.com, baghaus.com and hautelook.com

Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or are searching for the perfect birthday gift for a friend, these stores like MARSHALL'S, ROSS, T.J. MAXX, etc. have the ultimate deals and steals if your looking for chic dresses and so much more.

I know where to go to get the best bargains to save money. What are some of your best-kept shopping secrets?

Defining Fabulous: Peggy Dillard-Toone

Super Model Peggy Dillard-Toone

These days the web is full of 'natural hair' gurus for the less experienced to follow. My inspirations were numerous and I must say that Peggy Dillard-Toone was numero uno when it came to experimenting with my tresses. When ESSENCE would feature her hairstyle how-toos...I was copying her looks and wearing them to class the next day. Thank yo Peggy for being an inspiration and a trailblazer.

There's Only One

A Glamtastic Flashback of One of the Worlds Super Models and Philanthropists: Naomi Campbell

Stunning!!!

One To Watch: Actress/Singer Celisse Henderson

The Broadway stage is now blessed with the super talented Celisse Henderson who stars in the Broadway revival of the rock musical GODSPELL. I came upon Celisse's photo in the latest issue of Vanity Fair and definitely had to learn more about her. I'm totally blown away by her beautiful voice and not only can she sing, she also plays the acoustic guitar. Henderson has compiled an incredible list of theatrical roles she has appeared in, starting first in her hometown of San Francisco and in several traveling stage plays which definitely adds to her becoming one of the toast of Broadway.

Celisse is one of those artist who has a sound that many listeners can relate to and with a voice that is smooth like honey with a delivery that will attract even the most discerning listener. 


I quickly logged on to amazon.com to purchase her latest music offering titled, Show & Tell which I know will be on continuous repeat in my vehicle and is also available on iTunes.

Celisse Henderson was born in Oakland, California and she currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. If you're in NYC be sure to check out the play GODSPELL which not only features Celisse, but also consists of an equally talented cast.



 Intro To Me by Celisse Henderson

 Baby Blue by Celisse Henderson

Photos: Celisse Henderson

What's Haute Now: Shala Monroque for Town&Country Magazine

There's nothing like a Saturday where you can kick back and just relax. This made my day once my daughter said that I received a magazine in the mail today.

Whoo hoo! Shala's on the cover of Town&Country magazine and I'm looking forward to reading my issue. I tried to send a photo of the cover through my new Blackberry and it didn't work.






Shala is resplendent in looks from her favorites: MiuMiu, Valentino, Prada and Delfina Delettrez among other's photographed at Hotel Raphael in Paris.

Photos: Johnathan Becker
Makeup: Lisa Legrand

Style Inspiration From Julia Sarr-Jamois and VOGUE UK/Alberta Ferretti

The best deals are online and if you know what you like and buy from the right stores you don't have to worry about ill fitting clothes or other disappointments. Julia Sarr-Jamois is highlighting the best looks from Alberta Ferreti for Philosophy and Vogue UK's Online Fashion Week 2011.

I love Julia because she makes every thing look so effortless. Thanks to Naturellbelle for sharing this info with her followers.











The '60s silhouettes are some of the best styles to wear and the most comfortable. Enjoy!

Being Yourself Never Goes Out Of Style

There's nothing more beautiful than a woman who embraces her own individuality and style. When everyone else wants you to "Get the Look" or "Copy Her Style." Why not just "Do You?"

Let's face it a lot of grown women are still following the leader when it comes to style because they're afraid of stepping out of the box and still value the opinions of strangers. Why? I'll never know.
Instead of looking like yourself you come off looking like a Xeroxed copy of someone else when that's done. Confidence is one hell of an accessory, so wear it proudly.

The above look may not be for everyone sans the make up, but it sure is fantabulous!

Le Looks Du Jour: The Premiere of Pariah

The Lovely Kim Wayans

Actresses Adepero Oduye and Kim Wayans

Adepero Oduye, Dee Rees, Kim Wayans

Actress Adepero Oduye

Director Dee Rees

Adepero Oduye

To learn more about the movie Pariah click here.

Photos: Getty Images

Fros We Love: Top Model and Actress Porsche Thomas

By now...I'm sure everyone is familiar with businessman Peter Thomas of the RHOA fame...Peter also has a stunning daughter who also happens to be a model and actress in her own right. Porsche Thomas is equally identifiable and unique with a style and beauty that will definitely catapult her to the top of the modeling sphere. The Brooklyn born model currently resides in LA and is represented by LA Models and NTA Talent.

Photos:Porsche Thomas

Snap, Sparkle & Pop!

Sequins, paillettes and beads, Oh My! It might be the holidays, but it doesn't mean you have to come off looking like a Christmas ornament. Whatever you do, don't over do it with the sparkle or you'll blind someone. To keep the look sophisticated, wear only one piece of the sparkly, such as a jacket, a dress, pants or a top. Keep the bling jewelry to a minimum.

Donyale Luna by Avedon

My daughter's sequin jacket from Forever 21 worn with a animal print top.

There are hundreds of sites that feature looks from the high-end to the affordable to suit your taste and pocket books or better yet, check out your local thrift store for some of the best bargains in town.

Sparkle On!

Defining Fabulous: Actress and Model Alva Rogers

If you must shine, ensure that you shine in a room full of light and not in one darkened by those who tend to block your light.
~Divalocity


If you've ever seen School Daze, you've seen Alva. If you've seen Daughter's of the Dust, you've seen Alva.

And if you've seen this gorgeous cover of her for Essence Magazine, you've seen Alva Rogers. Alva is an actress, playwright, artist, lyricist and is absolutely stunning! 

Things I Love: The Aldo Stellfox Tote Bag

They say the most coveted accessories are often the must have and the most copied items in the world. Sure, we all would like a Hermès Birken bag but we also know that it's not feasible for our budgets and that's where ALDO keeps coming to the rescue of us "Budgetnistas."

I'm always on the hunt for something stylish and classic that will take me throughout the trends that often come and go. I'm highlighting a well made bag that's worth splurging on and that's the ALDO Stellfox tote bag which only cost me $55.00. I ordered my bag from amazon.com, but it's also available on ALDO'S website.

In the end it's all about personal style and what works for you. I'm not out here advising anyone to go out and buy anything they can't afford or really need to own to make them feel good about themselves because we all know that unnecessary indulgences are only temporary.


THANK YOU, ALDO!

Fro's We Love: Actress and Dancer Karine Plantadit

I swear my computer files are like that commercial where they have so many pictures that are waiting to be developed and yet they sit in the hard drive forgotten about. I've seen the beautiful and talented Karine Plantadit before and said that I'll get around to writing a blog post about her. "Well, today is the day."

 












The lovely Cameroonian native has been a dancer with The Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe, featured in The Lion King on Broadway, Saturday Night Fever on Broadway, Movin' Out, Come Fly Away and others.

Photos: NYT/Wire Image