Multi-Colored Dreams.

Ernesto Esposito - $483

As seen on Beyonce in September's issue of InStyle magazine

VMA Fashion Recap.

The Twitter world was buzzing last night with constant updates about MTV's Video Music Awards. 

Highlights of the night included Beyonce's introduction of her baby bump, Gaga as Jo Calderone, & Adele's 1st VMA performance which showcased her amazing vocals. 

This year celebs sashayed across a black carpet to show off their threads for the evening, and as usual there were some hits & some inevitable misses. 

Here are a few looks from last night that I loved, liked & could have done without with.

Loves

Beyonce; in Lanvin

Kelly; 

In Falguni & Shane Peacock & Christian Louboutin 

can't stress how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVEE  Kelly's dress!

 Demi Lovato; in Mandalay

Beyonce [performance look]

& last but of course not least....

 

Gaga aka Jo Calderone

  

Likes

Kim Kardashian 

Everyone knows I love Kim K. but this dress of hers was not a usual fave of mine.

However from the neck up she's gorge as usual.

 

 Jojo; in Marco Marco

...Could Have Done Without 

Selena Gomez 

[On the cusp of like & dislike..]

This Julien MacDonald gown, though beautiful, is a little too much for her small frame. I understand the edginess she was going for, but I'm not into it.

Nicki Minaj

I'm ALL for self expression, but seriously Nicki this is Harajuku'd out! 

Call the Harajuku Lover Gwen Stefani for better tips!

 Katy Perry; in Versace & Jimmy Choo

Another woman who I like but I'm not a fan of this "Polynesian Pin-Up" look.  

Kreayshawn

I'm still confused on how this girl got to the VMA's, but this 'fit has me even more confused. 

& tell Sha-Naynay I said hey next time she does your hair.

[all images are property of MTV & Getty Images]   

*** 

 Perhaps next year's VMA's will be more entertaining & have more surprises. 

 xo.

Fall into It.

With the dog days of summer almost over & fall quickly approaching, what better then a good shoe to step into the season with? The other day I ventured into Old Navy & rather surprisingly I ran into these babies. A sueded bootie with a rubber wedge? A match made in soles heaven! The bootie comes in three lovely fall-esq colors; Camel, Grey & Olive Green, and will fit almost any look. 

Last but not least the price is right plus they are on sale now!

(sale prices vary, in-store ONLY)

Wedge Into Em'

$36.10 - Old Navy

xo.

Welcome Back or Back Welcome?

So after writing a long spiel on how I was re-insipired to blog & a few posts; I went M.I.A again. 

What happened you ask? LIFE! This is the usual excuse.

I graduated college in May & have since been looking for employment & trying to enjoy my time off. Its been a good summer so far, got to catch up with friends & family, make up for much lost quality time with my boyfriend & also enjoy things I've had NO time to do in almost a year. Its been pretty lovely, despite the daunting reality of being a college grad & searching for a job amongst millions of others. 

Things shall be okay & will work out with time, only the lucky ones get dream jobs straight out of college.

Now about this blog...

I vow to start posting again, ranting about fashion & such. I want to change up a few things as well, so just stick with me during my "reconstruction phase" & I hope to excite you! Don't hesitate to follow me on Twitter in the meantime for my randomness - @VanitySixx.

xo.

An Ode to the Soundtrack.

What ever happened to the soundtrack?

You know, the movie soundtrack.

Soundtracks used to be glorious, compilation albums featuring all your fave artists with songs you loved, new tracks to match & classics as well. Now a days soundtrack success seems to only be limited to musical movies or the teeny bopper department - the Disney crew & I can't truly vibe with Miley, HSM kids (High School Musical) or the Cheetah chicks all day.

I want that old thing back.

As an ode to the soundtrack I wanted to point out some of my personal faves, from tracks to whole soundtrack albums.

Clap clap bravo.

***

New Jack City; "I'm Dreamin" - Christopher Williams.

This is one of my favorite movies, I remember screaming getting it on VHS as a bday gift (yes VHS) & yes i was old enough to handle the movie, anyhow, I love this song. Christopher, who also co-starred in the movie (Kareem Akbar), commanded attention from the start of the song - you know the 90s start lyrics shout before the beat drop thang, he also completely fit the 90s lightskin pretty boy persona as well. Ice T's "New Jack Hustler", "New Jack City" - Guy, & "I Wanna Sex You Up" - Color Me Badd also hold weight on the soundtrack, good ish.

Above The Rim; "Regulate" - Warren G. & Nate Dogg

Who doesn't know this song? Featuring a smooth sample from Michael McDonald, a young Warren G rapped while Nate Dogg added his iconic voice to the hook - RIP. The Above the Rim soundtrack also features "Anything" by SWV which is also a fave & the cassette version of this soundtrack featured 2Pac's "Pain" which on its own is amazing, heard at the start of the film.

Juice, "Uptown Anthem" - Naughty By Nature

After seeing that typical old skool freeze frame movie cut of Q (Omar Epps) who could forget this playing while the credits rolled. Naughty By Nature gave Jersey status in terms of the rap game & who wouldn't wanna "break, bash, roll or smash" after hearing this. This still bumps. Besides "Uptown Anthem", EMPD's " "Juice (Know the Ledge)" is also a notable track from the Juice soundtrack.

Boomerang, "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" - Toni Braxton

Remember when Halle Berry told Eddie Murphy "Love shoulda brought your ass home last night!"? Well Toni channeled her pain alongside melody with this song. Babyface & LaFace Records ruled during the 90s, & as the soundtracks producer he used some of his top artists (TLC, Toni) to be featured.. "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men - that breakup song that makes you shed a tear - is also on this soundtrack.

Waiting to Exhale - 1995

Aretha, Patti, Chaka, Whitney, Mary on one album? Need I say more. This soundtrack, also a product of Arista/LaFace & Babyface, was epic. Whitney had everyone saying "shoop", Brandy had us mimicking her by slappin their hip in the mirror like she did in the "Sittin Up in My Room" video & Toni told us to "Let It Flow". I remember my grandma had this soundtrack, as a youngie I'd always sneak it into her cd player for a listen.

Purple Rain - 1984

Though this is Prince's album  based on the movie & not the typical soundtrack, this still deserves a shoutout on this list. "Darling Nikki", "I Would Die 4 U",  "When Doves Cry", "PURPLE RAIN"! Im done.

This Christmas - 2007

Ok, YES I know SURPRISED? Well come over to the mi casa after Thanksgiving & my fam plays this album over & over. I think I know it in & out. Though it has a the cheesey additive of B2K's version of "Jingle Bells", its a good soundtrack - the only one from the '00's I care for - that doubles as a Christmas album. Plus it has one of my all time fave Christmas songs "Sleigh Bellz" by TLC.

****

I have a few more but I'll save those for another post, I know your track'd out - lol.

What are some of your favorite movie tunes and/or soundtracks?

xo.

Want It: Boxing Kitten

When you hear the two words Boxing Kitten, what comes to mind?

Hm, maybe two cute little stray kittens fighting for scraps in the alley way of a restaurant. 

Well in this case Boxing Kitten is nothing of that sorts, in fact it is an fastly emerging fashion brand consisting of vintage inspired pieces made with beautiful hand made West African Ankara fabrics. 

The designer Maya A. Lake - Brooklyn born & Jersey breed (lovely combo) - started the line in 2006 & since then Boxing Kitten has been seen on the foxy booties of Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Rhianna & Solange [she's definitely a fan of the line & is always spotted looking hot in the pieces] & has also been featured in top fashion mags including W & Teen Vogue. 

I love Boxing Kitten's original mix, using West African fabrics to create vintage inspired looks with a modern twist. A few of the pieces scream Dorthy Dandridge, 1950's to some pieces giving me that 80's New Wave - padded shoulder vibe. I just love how Maya takes vintage, funky & original, pops it in the fashion oven & VOILA - out comes the sweet creations of Boxing Kitten.

Get into it...

Designer - Maya A. Lake sporting Boxing Kitten threads

From print ads to real life, the gorge Solange in Boxing Kitten

This jumper is by far one of my favorite pieces.

SB; Do you all peep the lovely Naima winner of America's Next Top Model Season 4 in the ads? Love her!

Fergie Ferg [& we love her long time]

 

Solange in a Boxing Kitten bustier - such a natural beauty!

To shop, peep the blog, check out press info & more swing over to the site - Boxing Kitten

xo.

Shearling.

So winter is finally over. Right? - Wrong!

Mother Nature - in her defense - would say, "well at least there's no snow on the ground"

 Anyways, we all need that one jacket that connects the matching dots between Winter & Spring. Something that is light, that keeps you warm during the early morning & night time breeze but yet nothing too bulky. Yes, light leathers scream early Spring, but what about something different.

Alas, the Shearling.

(photo - via Elle)

Though the Shearling is nothing new in fashion, nor a new trend, its definitely a look that is often ignored when shopping for an in-between seasons jacket. I noticed it being featured for Fall  2010 in the fashion mags but even ignored it myself. I thought it may look a little silly on me but the more I see it (& the more its going on SALE) I think it actually takes the standard flat collared pleatha' jacket & adds a funky vintage twist with the addition of the fleece.

In most cases the jacket surely reads Boho, but it can be worn with anything your little hearts desire; From skinny's to mini's to kicks to wedges!

The faux shearling combines a good mix between Winter & Spring without being too heavy or too bulky, enough to look cute during those sunny but windy days that we here in Jersey have been having lately.

Cop it.

Jou Jou - $28.99 (originally $69.00) - Macy's

Shearling Zip Jacket - $23.20 (60% off) - Nasty Gal

GUESS? - $43.99 (originally $148) - Macy's

[this version of the jacket is a little less Boho & more dressy Moto jacket]

Though I only shared the link to three all leather jackets  - you can have whatever you'd like; the look comes in various forms from suede, to denim to canvas each are paired with full fleece collars & lining.

Give it dance - Don't knock the shearling till you try it.

xo.