As a professional woman and aspiring/full-time fashionista, your handbag collection must include an “archive handbag”…. Pair it with denim, an easy tunic dress, or layer it in fall with a meaty sweater as you hit the flea markets. My current favorite is the Ophidia GG supreme by Gucci pictured to the left ~ right size, right length, old school panache…DONE!
So my girlfriend and I did some impromptu shopping on Saturday and, because she’s an enabler, I found myself at Ulta buying new facial cleanser – I snagged Dermalogica’s special cleansing gel because my face is still peeling just a bit as I am in week three of my Retin A treatment….. To add to my “booty bag” [is that not proper to say I ahve one…?!?!], I got a travel size of the Mario Badescu drying lotion and Origins checks
SCORE! Aren’t we always looking for a cute sandal to add a touch of pep to our t-shirt and jeans summer look? And don’t you always fall back on those white sneakers or same plain, black sandals? Booooo…. Try this Miu Miu-inspired sandal ~ and right now it’s being price-matched! It’s not only in bright yellow but also silver and black WINNING!
This little diddy here is working for me…. Ever wonder what summer items you can re-purpose for colder weather? The maxi + denim/leather jacket = you’re in business! Here are some fabulous maxi dress options that can add a little color to your winter doldrums but also spice up a warm summer day… [show_shopthepost_widget id=”3032004″]
They’ve been attempting a financial and sartorial turnaround across the last year or two ~ they let go of the popular creative director Jenna Lyons and then they revamped their overall style messaging from upscale, suburban gamine to understated urban fem. But J.Crew is still hemorrhaging… So their new strategy is to go the way of Starbucks! It’s hiring Adam Brotman as president and chief experience officer. Brotman hails from Starbucks Corp. What’s the goal? My guess is to up customer
I realize it doesn’t fit the current swimwear trends but the one-piece maillot pictured provides just the right coverage for my mid-section…thank God! The next round of resort swimwear trends for 2018 include: Sports bra tops Ribbed or seersuker Cheeky/fun If you want to stick close to the trends then let me offer these couple of style tips: Sports bra tops are most flattering on small breasted women or those that want to minimize their size Ribbed or textured swimwear
Happy Valentine’s Day!! The official portraits of former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama were unveiled February 12th at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. and it was a wonderful doozy! Both painters— Kehinde Wiley, for Mr. Obama’s portrait and Amy Sherald, for Mrs. Obama — are black! Barack Obama’s portrait will be even more of a standout at the National Portrait Gallery because unlike the others, the former president sits in front of a
We don’t need to talk politics but alas your Commander in Chief made a fashion faux pas that requires our attention. Scotch tape is not the best style fix. So today’s lesson is simple: to fix an errant tie, you have six options (but only five are viable)…. Scotch tape A buttoned blazer (thus, no flyaway tie) Create a diversion like an eye-catching pocket square! [not more than $15] Opt for a bow tie instead – duh…. [not more than $20] Rock
This is more of a fun fact for the fellas than anything else…. Clothes don’t make the man – the man makes the clothes BUT in this instance, you have a chance to “remake” yourself….or at least certain parts!
Just because it’s February doesn’t mean it isn’t bikini season somewhere! In fact, Resort season is in full swing…. So the real question most of use have is – why aren’t we frolicking in the sand and rocking our bikini right now?! Even if you could head to the sun & sand, would you know what to rock? Well, I’m channeling positive thoughts your way and want to make sure you know the top resort swimwear trends are for 2018.
I’m writing to advocate sending love to someone else this year on Valentine’s Day. Consider your girlfriends, your boys since childhood, the lady you’ve been crushin’ on but haven’t bothered to say anything to, or your kids (regardless of age)… It’s a made-up day anyway so make good use of it! Show your love and make someone feel special next Wednesday (and I find etsy does great at these kinds of gifts)… [show_lookbook_widget id=”384577″]
I’m honored and ecstatic to be speaking at the National Black Law Student Association‘s (NBLSA) annual Convention taking place in Brooklyn, NY in March! While the convention’s theme is “Celebrating Our Legacy, Advancing Our Mission”, I’ll be speaking about the power and last impact of the first impression and the importance of one’s personal brand. Looking forward to sharing my expertise and wisdom with our next generations of attorneys, judges and politicians….!!
You know the FOUR steps to get your belt size (it’s not your waist size….): Throw on your pants/skirt how you’d normally wear it Confirm where you want to wear your belt (note: if camouflage of your mid-section is the goal then go higher up than your natural waist; if your goal is to adorn a tunic and channel your inner-boho then go lower and looser) Grab a flimsy tape measure Thread the tape measure through the belt loops and note
Sometimes you just want a “win”…a “W” in the left column so it’s not the BIG find but that little purchase that brings you some sunshine. I went out and found 100 finds under $100 that are stylish, up your smile quotient, and will add a touch of flavor to more than a couple of your looks. Ready to see them? pssst…I scooped three of them myself (including the Cosabella pjs)! Sooo many goodies under $100! Click [HERE] for more!
Tadashi Shoji Japanese-born American fashion designer Lives between LA and bustlin’ Shanghai Shanghai is known as “The Paris of the Orient” He gathers his inspiration from contemportary art and everyday culture You can find a vast array of his eveningwear collection here He started “Tadashi” because there was a lack of beautiful special occasion-wear He debuted an affordable luxury [that’s an oxymoron] bridal collection in 2017 His brand has dressed some our faves including former First Lady Michelle Obama, Kate
As you look at this photo, note that there’s an iPad Pro in the picture…and a way I am “manifesting” that piece of tech! Being organized is being stylish, and keeping it all together with a beautiful piece of leather is a bonus… It comes in four colors and, yes, I am partial to the navy blue but the print pattern is a close second. For the price, I double-dog-dare-you to find an easier, more complete, more stylish solution to
I saw this and instantly clicked to purchase it ~ this face serum is made from only four essential oils (tumeric, avocado, coffee and geranium). After talking with relatives, brow-beating beauty junkies and researching multiple blogs, I’m clear that serum is essential and that this one is a steal at under $30! If you grab it, let me know how you like it and, of course, I’ll plan to share in about a month or two any progress or status.
Not all winter boots that work are ugly…. We want form and fashion + function, right?! Case in point! I’ve been rocking my Timberland Mosley‘s for years now ~ thanks to Timberland for gifting them to me because they have been my savior through snowmaggedon and all of DCs other minor snow storms…. What do you rock when the snow/cold weather hits? Here are a few fashionable but functional options! BOOM!! [show_lookbook_widget id=”382518″]
Faux fur reads as very west cost/boho/relaxed chic. Faux fur is fun because it provides warmth in colorful and hairy swaths of material! Faux fur is perfect for the professional woman who still wants a little zest on the weekend or heading to a jazz bar with the girls or even doing lunch on the day you play hooky from work…. [show_lookbook_widget id=”382865″]
Apparently, leggings are THE clothing item to own regardless of season, money-earning potential, lifestyle, etc….and apparently, every star rocked the Alo Yoga leggings [pictured above]. If you can step back from the leggings-crazed ledge…and focus on a new year’s resolution/goal of becoming more fit then you should check out the lovely attire that is available at Carbon38 including Alo gear! Now, let’s get fit!
It’s the start of the year and everyone is either thinking about how to dig out of the ‘holiday spending’ ditch or where to spend their holiday loot! For folks who are in the former, we have seven things to avoid purchasing if money is tight…. Any type of “dry clean” only clothing Anything you may already own (but just want a nicer/newer version) Items that require tailoring…so this should eliminate a lot since most of us are not form-size!
I’m not a huge fan of the “fairer” colors but violet can be pretty and we found a few fabulous items to get you started off in the right sartorial direction this year! My favorite (new violet acquisition)….. The violet notebook (I’m a sucker for paper!!!) [show_shopthepost_widget id=”2976389″]
In full disclosure, I found an article that had several more REAL new year resolutions but these FIVE seem like excellent ones to implement IF you wanted to effect real change… Or perhaps you can adopt my philosophy which is to simply implement changes on an as-needed basis….thus avoiding the start-of-the-year shenanighans! #1: we get stuck on everything we’re doing wrong rather than focusing our attention on the things we do right or well. in 2018, flip-the-script and see the
Resolutions don’t always have to be about you….try focusing on you and someone else like a loved one. If you’re looking for something new and possibly more impactful, implement these three couples new year’s resolutions: Saying “thank you” more often – everyone loves to know that they are not being taken for granted so a quick 3-seconds to say “thank you” is time well spent! Nixing the “silent treatment” – we’re not sure who thought it was a better way
Are you still searching for the ideal holiday heel? Well I’ve happened upon this rose gold gem and think it’s ideal not only for the holidays but also for any dress-up occasion. The color is versatile. The styling is feminine and creates a longer, leaner leg. The heel height is manageable…and it’s leather! BOOM! Now, let’s party!
Washington, DC Metro Area
barnettm@blueprintforstyle.com
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