Officially a Size 3/4! Word.

Today on my lunch break I decided to go buy some work pants. I've been wearing jeans, slacks, and pants that are held up only by the saving grace of a belt. Not to mention my skinny jeans now fashion straight leg or boy-cut jeans. But anyhow, I ran into the most awesome problem ever: all the small pants were still too BIG for me! I was slightly agitated at first because I really have to let go of the leggings...I mean, I could wear them long after they go out of style, but come on. I'm an adult with a real job. Then it hit me, the realization of the fact that I am officially a "skinny mini", a "lepa" as is the term in my native tongue. I was thrilled. I ran through the store searching for size 6, then a 4, then a 2. A size 2...and it fit, a bit tighter than I prefer, but it fit!

What was my plan of action you ask? Simple: in February 2010 I decided that being overweight really is a problem...I even went as far as to call it a sin due to the greed and gluttony that I so easily gave in to. I just no longer desired to be a woman who lacked discipline and self-control, and I could see it in other areas of my life. So I got a trainer and changed my eating habits. I worked out 2 days a week, then 4- 5 days when I picked up momentum. I kept a food journal and counted calories daily. I lost 20 lbs in 4 months and then kept it up on my own. I had to learn to love working out so I could be motivated. And the best motivation is RESULTS. I also get a gym "fee reimbursement", every 6 months, from my job, and I've decided to use it to buy new clothes for my newly svelte physique. I'm glad that I became radical about my health and I'm really grateful for the men and women God put in my life to help me.

Now...I ....must...go...extinguish...the...kryptonite...the evil evil strawberry cheescake. Lol, I still have a ways to go. But glad to have gotten this far. :)

What helped me:

• www.cdc.gov
• www.self.com
• www.caloriecount.about.com
• www.mysportsclubs.com

Image: 
grandmary.org

Chelsea and Vera: Match made in Heaven

If I've ever seen a more beautiful dress...I'd be lying. Vera Wang did a number, as usual. Clinton's dress was a full silk organza ball skirt complete with train. And the rosette-like detailing proved to  actually be a raw-edged, laser cut swirl pattern. The skirt flowed from a diagonally draped bodice of silk tulle, and was accented by a swarovski embellished belt. I think it was a simple, yet elegant update on classic. And while I personally adore the birdcage veils, I think Clinton's veil choice perfectly compliments the strapless Wang number to a tee!

US Weekly reports that "for her reception, she changed into a silk tulle Grecian Vera Wang gown with criss-cross back and narrow grosgrain black belt".

Mind you my own cool mom of a mom, watched it on you tube and read that the wedding was reportedly over $5 million.What a wedding!

 Image: US Weekly

What's $15 and Chic All Over?

So, my co-worker ran into the $15 store, where everything is literally $15, marked down from $30-$100 per piece.Its a steal. From browsing the site, I can say that some things are not quite worth 15 bucks, but the things that are are really fab! I made myself a little shopping cart of seevral goodies and didn't even break $150. Sweet, right! Anyhow, check it out: http://15dollarstore.com/

Jeffrey Campbell = Dope Shoe Love

Jeffrey Campbell packs a dope shoe game. In laymen terms that translates as, “The renowned shoe designer, Jeffrey Campbell, designs some incredible footwear.” I could easily own 12 shoes in his lookbook, without hesitation. (Well if money were no object of course). I ran across a few pieces that in the initial viewing, I was utterly perplexed by, but later on I realized I could totally make it work. They're like "chic chaps". I feel like styling a photoshoot right about now.  Anyhow, enjoy the images.

Images:

www.solestruck.com

Fashion: Eye Candy

As Spring draws near, the colors go from bright to dull to dark and I personally am a fan of the neutrals. Therefore, for your viewing pleasure, I have compiled a visually enticing online-boutique displaying some of my favorite handbags this Spring. The designers have spoken. Consumers: "On you Mark...Get Set...Let's Shop!"

Which one is your favorite? Post a comment or link us to some other really awesome bags we may have forgotten.















Images:
NeimanMarcus.com

Designer Profile: Theo Courtnay

Theo Hackney, of Theo Courtnay NY, is among one of the incredible phenomenons known as an "Indie Designer." Although you may not yet find his designs in between the pages of your monthly Vogue or at your neighborhood Bergdorf Goodman (yes, everyone has a neighborhood BG, it just may go by the name of "Target"), but he can assure you that he has arrived and his Fall 2008 line is a clear indication of that!

Coming from a fairly stylish family, New York raised Theo Hackney, fell in love with the New York fashion scene at a ripe young age and became inspired by the fashion of the city itself. His story is the quintessential American-story, the celebration of life wrapped in high-living and quality lifestyles. His philosophy: the customer wears the clothes, the clothes don’t wear the customer. We were fortunate enough to score an interview with Theo during the hustle and bustle of NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 08.

What inspires you and how do you interpret that in the construction of your designs?

As an African American designer, I am inspired by the duality of the world that I live in. The culture that surrounds fashion is almost completely foreign, so I live for the rush of bridging the gap between that culture and my culture.

My inspiration comes from the women around me, the styles and fashion individuality of the different types of women in New York. I aim to create designs that appeal to the diverse Afro, Asian, Latin and European markets, all merged in, yet still relentlessly subtle.

Do you have a muse, and if so, who?
My muse is any woman who is at the top of her game and celebrating her life and her style in

her own way.

What other mediums inspire your collection?
Architecture definitely, the world around me, as well as military influences because I see your

style of clothing as a part of your daily attire, a uniform so to say. So I look at how the woman

fits the clothes and the clothes fit the woman.

What is your proudest moment in your career, and why?
I try not to look back on my career as much, I try to focus more on the here and now because

each moment is a new moment and in order to embrace that experience, you have to live in

the present.

Did you always dream of designing?
No, it was a natural evolution. I was always told I had a

great sense of style. I started with corporate retail

management then went on to personal shopping and fashion

styling.

How do you believe fashion has changed since you

started?

Do you still love it as much? Fashion is always changing. Its

about recreating the same thing in a new and innovative

way. I've always loved fashion but I have to battle with focusing on my creativity without

getting engulfed in marketability.

How do you begin your design process?
I get inspired by what I see around me, my environment, cultural influences, shoes and

sometimes fabric.

What will your brand be branching off to next?
Home design, accessories and shoes.

Do you have any advice for upcoming designers?
Do what you love to do and do it well, or don’t do it at all.

Theo Courtnay’s Fall 2008 designer women's wear collection is inspired by the “Luxe Life”, the people who are celebrating their early onset career success. Check him out on www.TheoCourtnayNY.com

Fashion Profile: House of Dagmar

Google.com has different themes to help personalize your iGoogle homepage. My theme is "House of Dagmar," and everyday I get to stare at the magnificently innovative designs of the Swedish fashion label and pretend, just for a moment, that instead of sitting at my computer desk working, I am dancing in a ballet studio simply stunning and glamorously dahhhlllling in Dagmar! So I decided to do a fashion profile on the fashion label. Enjoy!

*******
Since 2005, three Swedish sisters, Kristina Tjader, Karen Soderlind, and Sophia Malm have successfully launched and maintained House of Dagmar, a stellar fashion label that caters to the arty chic type. Each sister has had major exposure to the fashion industry, with previous experience working under top designer labels such as Christian Lacroix and H&M.

House of Dagmar incorporates colors from the 1920's and 1930's Art Deco period, with a feeling of femininity, trendiness, and quality that makes each garment glamorous and unique. The sisters claim that their late grandmother and seamstress, Dagmar, is the muse and inspiration of their collection. In keeping with the family tradition , many of the pieces in the collection have some hand-made detail that gives it an extra personal touch.



House of Dagmar has been recognized as the Rookie of the Year by the Swedish Fashion council in 2005 , Gen Art during NY Fashion Week 2007, and the Best Designer of the Year Award by Swedish Elle in 2006 and 2008.


Images from:
B/W of sisters
House of Dagmar

Fashion: Topshop, Kate Moss, NYC & Shiny !

Friday night and nothing planned? Do what I do and go shopping...okay "window" shopping if you insist on being accurate.

I rarely have the opportunity to shop till I drop and look at, try on, and touch everything my little heart desires. The reason being: I often go to the boutiques with women and men who cannot tolerate the constant back and forth of an avid window-shopper and fashionista like myself. So I take my own trips to Bergdorf' s, Saks, and Bloomingdales and I burn calories climbing up and down the escalators to each floor and toning up the muscles in my fingers by pushing endless buttons on the gorgeous gold elevator panels. Let me tell you, this beats out Tae Bo any day!


Anyhow, after walking the cold, dark streets of Soho, and strutting in and out of each boutique on Broadway, I finally made it to Topshop. I've seen the line in magazines and even browsed the collection online, but nothing beats the sea of shiny that awaits you once you enter the boutique in the flesh! I was entranced, mesmerized to say the least. I saw so many trinkets, baubles, sequins, glass beads, glitter, and sparkly embroidery that I was near blind. Not to mention the chains, lots and lots of chains, on handbags and booties and jackets and leather and dresses and blouses.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pieces in the collection and the overall design line was superb, with a little something for everyone. Kate Moss did an excellent job. My favorite floor was the main entrance level, and the Christopher Kane collection on the 2nd floor. Oh, how I love shiny.



All images from: Topshop. Click to Shop

Image of the Week

Alexander McQueen is a monster!!!!!!!!!!!! A brute beast!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean who comes up with such phenomenal shoes that the average person most definitely cannot afford AND most positively cannot walk in....unless you're trying to lose your life.







I'll be looking forward to the editorial spreads with these baby's in them! Til then..."I'll be dreaming..."

See the entire Spring 2010 Collection and highlights

Image of the Week

I love splashes of color, electromagnetic art, and phenomenal fashion photography. And I absolutely adore Jed Root's line-up of fantabulous fashion industry professionals. So of course I always go back there!

This is a peek at the portfolio of the fantastic Argentinian photog Diego Uchitel. Enjoy!







View more Diego at Jed Root

Fashion: Kiddie Couture

Designers and their "fabulous" children's lines. Gotta love it...I mean who wouldn't want their children wearing couture Dior and Baby Chanel? Lol, not quite. But here are some affordable (yes, the term is relative) contemporary designers to dress your kiddies in.

If I had children, I may consider it.

Aren't the kiddie models just cutie patooties! yes they are! ;) Enjoy:








Top to Bottom: Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Alice+Olivia, Juicy Couture, and Diesel

Find more at Bergdorf Goodman

Fashion: Whitney Eve 2009

I too was once a mindless victim of watching entrancing LA meets NYC 20-somethings on a show entitled "The City." And before that I loved the "wise" character of a girl named Whitney Port on MTV's 'The Hills'. So when I heard of her line, Eve and A, last year I checked it out and it wasn't quite my taste. However, her new line, Whitney Eve, caught my eye. I loved about 5 pieces or so from the line. And I wasn't surprised to see the buyers of shops like Revolt Clothing and Singer 22 chose the exact same 5 pieces. Kitson, gotta love them, but they always seem to break the mold...they're choices were a bit more interesting.

Anyhow, below are my favorite 3 pieces:








See the full collection: Whitney Port Website