Underwear as Outerwear.

Lace has gone from the bedroom to the dance floor to even the college classroom as a vital piece of a young woman's wardrobe in the form of full bloom lace tees, tanks & leggings. Recently the bandeau top [the tube shaped top that covers the "goodies] has re-arisen from a layering under piece to outerwear. With the fashion world transforming the bandeau from basic black to neon colors to jeweled & sequined pieces of bedazzled greatness. Lately I've been toying with the idea of taking on the undies as outies look, but in a classy way of course.

Forever 21, the budget fashionista's other best friend, has a few intimate pieces that I would love to try as outerwear. Possibly pairing these bra corsets with a simple black blazer, a pair of high waist leggings, jeans or (my fave) body-con skirts & of course a killer heel - or wedge.

Forever 21 - $10.80

Forever 21 - $7.80 [in Black & Pale Pink]



Forever 21 - $9.80



Forever 21 - $10.80


Below I have created basic blazer & bottoms that can be paired with these corset tops. I also added in a few jewelry pieces, shoes & other accessories. No look is ever complete without a touch of pink lipstick - muah!

       


"flashy."



The Duke of Welly-ington.

Rain Rain Go Away Come Again Another Day.

We've all sang this song one day or another, however lately we've replaced 'rain' with 'snow'. We can't always be house bound on those rainy & snowy days, so when you brave the storm to go to work, run errands or even for a simple shopping trip - do it Hunter style.



The Hunter name has been in existence in Britain since the 1800's. During WW-II Hunter saw its peak by creating sturdy rubber boots suitable for soldiers at battle in the gritty flood ridden trenches. By the end of the War, the rubber boot became a popular everyday shoe among British male & female factory workers.

During the 80's Hunter sparked a fashion ignition after Lady Diana Spencer - later Princess Diana - donned a pair of forest green Hunter Originals her engagement photos.  Since then Hunter has expanded its Wellie from the rainy stone cobbled streets of England to the paved city streets of New York.

 Hunter has again become popular but this time among fashionistas & hipsters alike with its addition of boots in various colors & textures. The Hunter rain boot combines three words [normally seen as unfashionable & undesirable] - endurance, water resistance, & durability and turns them a piece of rubbery goodness.

 

Friday Anthems - "Nasty Girl" Vanity 6.

Way before Lil Kim's Hardcore, Beyonce's "Naughty Girl" & Rihanna's "Rude Boy" existed Vanity 6.

A protege female group assembled by Prince that comprised of 3 women &was lead by the beautiful Vanity. The group sang songs that spoke unapologetically of sex behind a wild, new wave beats that blended pop, funk & R&B.

They also dressed the part, rocking big 80's hair, lace accents, leather, animal prints & bold colors. Their self titled debut album, released in 1984, consisted of sexual related lyrics & raunchy hooks, but amongst the raunchiness, existed the hit "Nasty Girl". From the beginning  the "Nasty Girl" seductively invites you in with "That's right, please to meet you still won't tell you my name"...& the rest is history.

To me "Nasty Girl" speaks of a woman's inner fantasy to shove the uptight executive suit, throw on an pair of American Apparel 'disco pants' & a lace bodysuit - no cami underneath - & go strolling for a man to give her one night of....well you know the rest. Of course some of us would never do this but, what we can do is blast this through our speakers while getting dressed for a Friday night out with the girls.

             

Get into this Friday anthem;

"Dance nasty girls. Dance".

Winter Romping Dreams.

All this snow on the ground has me missing the warm weather & those carefree summer days in my cutoff shorts, tanks, & gladiators.

Browsing online i came across this romper & dreamt a little about  'romping around' in this on a sunny 85 degree day with a little bit of breeze & a pair of killer sandals.



Victoria's Secret - Printed Romper $58.00

Summer, heres an ode to you. May we meet again soon.

Box Braids.

As a kid growing up in the Bahamas, I remember reggae artist Patra & her signature long box braids.

Then we all remember a young Janet Jackson  donning them alongside Pac, in the movie Poetic Justice. 

As a youngin' I couldn't wait for my turn to get the box braids, I will never forget wearing them long & then later bobbed. The process took about 6 hours, using a wide toothed comb, grease & 3-packs of kanekalon hair. Oh, and lets not forget whoever braided your hair had to leave out enough "baby hairs" for us to precisely slick down the edges with gel or JAM! Throughout the years us braid rocking sistas have turnt to other braided styles, one being the smaller more functional micro braids. Because those lovely box braids were heavy honey!

I just stumbled on a new pic of Solange rocking the box braids that Patra, Yo-Yo & Brandy made ever so popular & wondered how cool would it be if they made a comeback for 2011.



Miss Solo is definitely a "Queen of the Pack" always staying very true to herself but I'm not sure how many others could rock them as cool as she in 2011. Should be interesting to see. 

 Lawd-a-Merci.

Wedge'in.

Lately I've been wearing wedges on my clubbing nites & my despite my love for heels, my feet never cuss me out at the end of the night - they thank me. Since my wedge purchase I've been on the hunt for another pair....though I cannot afford these wedges, a girl can dream right?

MAURIE & EVE Fantasies Wedge in Leopard - $275

The main thing i love about these shoes is that it combines my current wedge obsession with my love for leopard. Plus a wedge in canvas gives it a different feel - a little sporty chic. #dreams.