Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Fancy Pants

I got in on the brocade pants trend. 




Holister jacket, Urban Outfitters tee, H&M pants, Converse sneaks

I'm petite but carry weight in the thighs like most of my brown sisters, and these pants were not friendly. I need stretch in my pants and that's just that! 


Still liked the look. I never took the bling off this jacket from NYE and I've been enjoying it. BTW, I've never lived in Brooklyn but I thought this tee was too cute :-) it reads "Dear Manhattan, You're ugly and I don't like you anymore. Sincerely Brooklyn" 


Can you believe it's the end of January already?! 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Birthday Love

I just had a Birthday! 


On my actual birthday I had to work, but my roommate made cupcakes! She's so sweet! 


 We and a little champagne and a lot of laughs. 

A week later I got together with my lady friends for a proper celebratory dinner.  


The gals!



The sweetie roommie did it again! With leopard print paper and gold candy pearls!


H&M turtleneck, Urban Outfitters skirt, Christian Louboutin booties 

Wilson leather jacket, H&M faux fur vest


David Burke Kitchen 

I had Lobster dumpling soup, and the Braised Short Rib.
Due to technical difculties I lost the pictures of my food. These are the dishes just not my pictures lol!
For more on the food at David Burke and yummy food is general check out my lady friend's new blog


Chocolate carmel fudge cake, so good! The candles were sparklers but they went out too fast! 



I'm so blessed to have seen another year and so thankful for all the love and well wishes I received! Thanks everyone!!


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Cleveland is the City Where I Come From So Ride Ride

Bone Thugz-N-Harmony lyric. If you don't know Bone Thugz please get hip
Some Pics I took while home for the holidays.


The scraps from a delicious Lobster Melt at Sarava in Shaker Square. I always forget to take a picture of my food BEFORE I eat it! But it always looks so tasty and I'm excited to eat it! 



My beautiful and charming dinner dates.

Brooks Brothers shirt, American Apparel dress, F21 leggings, Steve Madden boots, H&M necklace


DIY crop top, F21 skirt and blazer, Steve Madden shoes, Jypsea bag

Headed out for a night on the town and a stop at our old early morning breakfast haunt. 


Chicks in a bar


I made mac and cheese for Christmas dinner. It was my best one yet! Look at that bubbly and perfectly toasted cheese. Mmmmm, may need to make another batch...

Sweatshirt from my youth, Gap jeans, Sam Edelman booties

My Christmas get up.




My adorable little cousin. First saying "cheese" and then coaching me to "just keep running, we're almost there!" Little kids are the cutest! 


Bar antics, and bathroom flicks.





Trip to the Horseshoe Casino. They had a series of historical Cleveland Christmas window displays.


I even won on the slots!!


More friends in bar and bathroom selflies! 

Zara coat, MCM bag

It was great to lounge around and spend time galavanting around my hometown. I really miss driving....

Friday, January 18, 2013

Shiona Turini

"Born and raised in Bermuda, the Hampton University grad has been a style connoisseur since her days of bucking the dress code at her über conservative high school (she insisted on wearing cuffed high-waisted wide legged pants instead of the required skirts). Now a the helm of the accessories department at Teen Vogue, she gives readers the chance to ogle everything from Prada to Payless in her vibrant spreads"





"Though Shiona always had a flair for style, she didn't pursue fashion as a career until after college. She says, 'I graduated with absolutely NO fashion experience - not one internship. So, when I [finished my studies] and moved to New York, I interned at Yves Saint Laurent in the PR Department. I was there for almost a year as a full time intern but freelanced often at KCD (during the shows and when publicists would travel to Europe). Finally, a position open up and I was hired at Yves Saint Laurent as the PR Assistant.'" (source)



Love her. She gives some tips on breaking into the fashion industry here




Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Suit Up

Over the holiday I went with my friend Antoine to get a Made-to-Measure suit from Brooks Brothers. The sales associate Bryon was very helpful and very friendly. 




"Our Made-To-Measure offerings give customers a chance to be their own style makers. With our 'Markers' Made-to-Measure clothing, customers can choose from 1,5000 of the world's finest fabrics that have been specially hand selected by our team of experts, and have their own suit, sport coat and trousers precisely crafted and customized to their individual fit and style specifications." (source)   


I'm no expert in men's tailoring and Bryon was very good about explaining to us the nuances of fitting a men's sport coat. Because Antoine is athletically built the upper half of this sport coat fit nicely but the lower half of the pattern is where the adjustments will have to be made. 



There are soooo many suiting options!


This trip was suiting only, but Brooks also does custom shirting and ties. 


Fabric offerings. The fabrics are were things can get pricey. The basics start at $1,000 but other options can get you up to $3,000. Bryon suggested a basic grey for Antoine's suit. A grey suit is a great foundation for a multitude of shirt, tie, and shoe options. From white to purple to yellow the grey suit will win! 







There were many, many, measurements taken. I will admit I was a little jealous. I never get this much attention when shopping!



Lining options, the burgundy lining was my pick!


The final suit order. 


It will be several weeks before the suit is completed, and more fittings may be needed but I can't wait to share the finished product!