Look for Less: Jessica Alba in Diane von Furstenberg

Jessica Alba, forever a DvF girl, wore this nude dress to the designer's 3rd Annual Awards last Friday. The long sleeved sequin number is from Diane von Furstenberg's Fall 2012 collection, for the occasion Jessica paired it with opaque tights and black Louboutins. I could do without the tights and black shoes but the dress I actually think is both adorable and sexy.

You can get the look with this nude 3/4 sleeve TFNC Sequin Dress from Asos for under $100:

Perfect for so many occasions. Just as good as the little black dress if you ask me.

Yours,

A.

Nicki Minaj for Allure Magazine

Nicki Minaj dons another one of her crazy fun wigs on the cover of Allure's April issue. The rapper, who is fond of switching up her look with wigs and haute couture outfits, plays dress up in candy colours for the magazine. "Nicki basically owns pink," said her hair stylist Terrence Davidson, who took two days to create this pink piece.

See excerpts from her interview at Allure and also check out her style timeline for her comments on her different looks.

Yours,

A.

2012 Resolutions: Beauty, Fashion and Other Concerns

Unlike the many other resolutions I've made - throughout the year, not just now that a new one is about to begin - I have all intentions to really keep these going. Really. 


Here are the essential elements I want to implement in 2012:


Beauty

• Wear more sunscreen (SPF 25 and up): One of the most significant considering I live in the Caribbean. As a brown skinned lady I tend to let this slip more than I should thinking I don't really need it but I don't want to face the aftermath so I will approach this with diligence!
• Wash all my make up brushes at least once a week.
• Exfoliate: Face and Body. Would like to get my hands on a Body Shop Cactus Body Brush to use in the shower and make my life easier. And smoother.
• Mani-perfection: I'm not really a fan of manicures at the salon (seems like a punishing experience for nails after some time) so I do my nails myself but I'd like to keep them well polished more often instead of opting out with clear polish.
• Touch my face less: Anyone who has seen Contagion gets this. For those of you who haven't, it's just not good news for your skin - or your health for that matter.
• Acquire selective vision: I vow to no longer look in the mirror and point out every flaw but to see the beautiful features before me. I may even go so far as so say, "good morning beauty!" to myself. Too far? Perhaps.

Fashion

• Be more daring: I want to experiment with more adventurous looks this time around. Timidity and fashion are not friends.  I'm growing balls as we speak.
• Travel somewhere to experience winter: And buy many fabulous coats and boots and other winter gear I can't wear in the Caribbean.
• Become a ballerina: I wish. As someone who has all but sworn off heels for life (oh the agony of those 4" & 5" gorgeous devils!) I will own many ballet flats. And moccasins. And sandals. And other flat fashionable footwear. No flipflops. Flipflops are for the birds.
• Make more meaningful purchases: This is a tough one. Everything is meaningful in the store when you see it and just have to have it. So I guess what I mean is buy what I need. Although need is subjective...
• Get with the clutch: Only when I needed one recently did I realise I am sans clutch. One of my besties gifted me a lovely royal blue one for Christmas which I adore but, I need to buy clutches. And yes, this would qualify as a meaningful purchase. "Sans clutch" I said!
• Become besties with a tailor: We all need a tailor in our lives, they are the key to success in fashion. Most of the clothes we buy are made for standard sizes and let me tell ya, as a 5'2" petite gal my size is all but standard. 

Other Resolutions

• Listen to music less when I walk around the city: I always miss so many interesting things that can add richly to my city-strolling experience. And can avoid getting hit by a bus or trolley pushing vagrant.
• Quality time with Blanket: No, not the late great MJ's son - an actual blanket. I always go to the movies with my blanket and need to do so more next year because I missed so many great movies in 2011!
• Planning and Implementation: I have so many ideas for this blog, it's crazy. I haven't been able to really venture out and do what I need to do to get it rolling but I've already started laying down plans for 2012. Here's hoping you'll be hearing from me more!

What is your resolution list looking like?

Yours,

A.

I Have A Dream...

...that one day all men will be stylish and smooth but not possess so much swag that it inflates their ego or tampers with their good nature. But it's just a dream. A dream recently coming to fruition though is one where men are paying as much attention (if not more) to their shoes as other aspects of their outfit. And no - not just their Air Jordans or other man-magnet SNEAKER.

Photo via The Brooklyn Circus

I actually did wake up today thinking of men's shoes though but I blame Gucci. Their men's shoes are crazy in the best way. The first one to catch my eye because of its brilliant hue was this Blue Velvet Moccasin (make that blue velvet with blue leather trim - need I say more?). Simple and Classic.

Understandably the Gucci budget is unattainable to most so I also went off in search of equally chic yet much more affordable footwear for the everyday male fashion aficionado working with a budget.

A suitable alternative to this US$495 Gucci moccasin is the Cole Haan Air Monroe Penny which goes for US$198. 

Note: What also makes this very guy friendly is the Nike-AIR technology in the heel which gives you sneaker comfort without the sneaker. Nice.

In keeping with the moccasin look which is enjoying its moment in the fashion spotlight, I also love the glossy Gucci Black Patent Leather Moccasin which is adorned with a velvet strip. 

Perhaps it's the shine that drew me in but when all else in your outfit is neat and sleek these shoes will be the perfect understated pop if you're timid with colour or depending on the occasion. These cost US$570 but you can get a similar look from Calvin Klein for just US$130 with the Guilford.

Next on the list were the Gucci Tan Lace-Up Oxfords. I like the detail in these shoes; the fade, the perforations, the stitching, and the embossed Gucci script. Said details (and brand name) are probably why they cost US$565.

But you can get those details in the Ted Baker Hake 2 shoes which don't have the perforations but have everything else for only US$185.

Last but not least on the list: Remember those Oxfords with tassels your grandfather used to wear that made you think he was so cool? Decades later, they're back. The thing is, had you worn these even 4 years ago you would have been ridiculed but guess what - they're cool again! Fashion is a vicious cycle. Gucci has this Black Moccasin with Tassels for US$630.

But you can achieve a similar look for US$105 with the Executive Imperials Men's Wingtip Slip-On. Though not quite as debonair, its fantastic for the same effect.

Hope these come in handy for your upcoming holiday parties!

Yours,

A.

Inspiration: Tommy Ton

We've all probably seen and admired Tommy Ton's photos via Style.com (I always do! Pause for a fan girl moment ... ok carry on) and when I saw this video today my brain literally sparked. It's so easy to shelve your dreams and fall into a monotonous "safe" existence because you think it's unrealistic or you're afraid to fail. Only in the last few months have I come to the point of pushing myself and becoming my own motivator, I'm only just beginning to apply it but I feel a sense of accomplishment for even getting to this point.

Start moving. What better way is there to spend your time than in pursuit of your passions? (oooh! that just came off the top of the dome I swear!)

"Your feet hurt, and you don't eat, and you don't sleep but what keeps you going is the love of fashion." - Tommy Ton

Video from Style Studio.

P.S.: Wouldn't you love if Tommy Ton or Scott Schuman take your picture? Not because of the publicity (I really don't really like having my picture taken unless I do a stupid face or pageant smile) but because it signifies that in a sea of people with so many beautiful and intriguing layers, you stood out in some way. i.e. you got that super bass.

Yours,
A.

Spotted: A Match Orchestrated By The Fashion Gods

I've been off the grid for a few days now and what do I return to find? This swagged out (and beyond adorable) couple captured by Scott Schuman. He has such a good eye  for finding interesting people and more importantly,  stylish people. It's one thing to duplicate the du jour, it's another thing entirely to express and represent yourself.

P.S.: Isn't this why we all love to people watch?

Yours,

A.

Spotted: A Snowy Spring

For Spring some designers went the quintessential route of bright colours and flowing silhouettes and some continued to dwell in the darkness of fall, which I actually enjoyed. Differences aside, what I loved most about many of the shows however, was the white. Oh the crisp and well tailored white. I don't know what it is about white that I find so appealing, perhaps that it looks good on everyone and just generally alludes to cleanliness (because it takes a lot to keep white looking white while you're...oh I don't know...living!). I haven't gone through all the shows yet - this always takes some time - but I've compiled 10 of my elect white (and not quite white - I'm no virtuoso!) looks of Spring.

Enjoy!

Suno:

[Photo: Alessandro Garofalo]

Balmain:

[Photo: Monica Feudi] 

Elie Saab:

[Photo: Alessandro Viero]

P.S: Someone will bewearing this to the Emmys or Oscars, I can smell it.

Christian Siriano:

[Photo: Monica Feudi]

3.1 Phillip Lim:

[Photo: Yannis Vlamos]

Chloé:

[Photo: Alessandro Viero]

Doo.Ri:

[Photo: Alessandro Viero]

Elie Tahari:

[Photo: Filippo Fior]

Emilio Pucci:

[Photo: Monica Feudi]

Emporio Armani:

[Photo: Marcus Tondo]

Yours,

A.

Street Photography

You can't browse the web in the 21st century without coming across hundreds of street photographers's websites and their body of work, sometimes flippantly but oft with intrigue. Street Photography has become much more than a hobby for many and now serves as a platform not only for showcasing designer clothes but for capturing individual swag.


Today I came across this video and story over at Another Magazine and found it edifying. I'm not a photographer, I'm just a writer with a camera on loan but these real street photographers make me want to revisit that.


Get inspired and read the story here: Everybody Street, Cheryl Dunn


Yours,
A.

The Joy Of New Shoes

While strolling through the city with my mom a week ago I stumbled upon these golden Steve Madden beauties and had to have them (and to think I was going to head straight home!). Cheers to mom for blessing me with them as an early birthday gift. Didn't wear them on my birthday but I wore them the day after and I am convinced they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. 


In short - I'm in love.

P.S.: Especially love the little eyelet cut-outs, quite the sucker for details.


Yours,
A.