Fashion Faux Pas: Ombre

As Fashion Week comes in and we're caught up trying to catch up with the Spring trends with the fall one coming up behind us, one thing's for sure: Spring is not all about florals and pastels anymore. So put away the mint green chinos and the pink floral sundress...there's a new boss in town: Ombre! Ombre is the artsy craft of color-dying cloths to create a dark to light (or vice versa) effect....think tye-dye but 10 times more chic! Ombre transcends from clothing to purses. Prada, Diane Von Furstenberg and Adam and Eve are all on the Ombre Bandwagon. Even Men's designers are doing Ombre suits for Spring!

But if you're not so sure how to rock Ombre, or not sure you want to splurge on an authentic Ombre piece, then try dual-tone pieces and light tye-dye. Still not feeling risky enough, stay safe and try 2 shades of the same color, wear a light blue top and darker blue skirt and see how you like it. Trust me, it'll be Fab Chic!

Fidelity: Wits, Faith, or Brainpower?

Some women believe it to be true that men are inherently unfaithful. Whether it is true or false, it is necessary to discover whether fidelity is feasible. Most men are known to have occasional flings, girlfriends, boyfriends, and spouses in other locations. And among the successful, yet weak-minded and impressionable, infidelity is contagious.

So how does one protect themselves from attack? Well that my friends is a matter of brainpower and prayer. In my recent travels, I noticed one man's plight to increase his chances at winning this "battle". He was a rather attractive, and successful gentleman in his mid-30's, who happened to be working on a business plan to improve the effectiveness of the Nigerian electricity system. After hours of working on this layout, he took a break. He opened a slide show of family pictures, presumably of his life back in the US, and began studying them intently. He had 3 elementary age boys, , and an astonishingly gorgeous wife, who appeared to be much younger than him. The photos revealed a large brick house in the suburbs and his wife's hair salon. His eyes lit up when a picture of his wife, boiling over with laughter, came onto the screen. He even giggled a bit when photos from a family trip to Disney World graced the screen. The pictures depicted the child-like essence of a family trip. After going through all the pictures in full, he replayed the entire set a second time. When he was done, he slowly repacked his laptop and stowed it away. He pulled out a small book that he had apparently just begun. The book was entitled, "Steps for Being a God-minded Man." An hour later, as I turned to indulge in a little reading, I glanced over and he was preparing to sleep. I reviewed all that I had just seen and it was confirmed; in the battle against infidelity and unfaithfulness the key is: trust, innovation, prayer, and God.

Eat Your Prunes and Listen to Your Elders

In a generation that shows little to no reverence for their peers, the wisdom gained from the older generation is completely nullified. However, I recently rediscovered the wonders of embracing the griot-like capabilities of my elders.

On a long bus ride to the DC metropolitan, I met a 74 year old retired civil rights fashion maven with a lot to say. I was instantly drawn to her fine leather pumps, wolford tights, black wool blend skirt, plum colored boat-neck sweater, rounded plum hat, and burnt-orange silk scarf which completed the ensemble. My outfit almost paled in comparison, and you could say I was a tad bit ashamed to be upstaged by this modern day "Coco Chanel".

Nonetheless, I asked her if she was enjoying the scenery and whether she had been visiting family in New York. She told me that her travels took her to New Jersey, and she made a brief stop in Manhattan. Her depiction of the "Empire State" made my eyes light up like a child in a candy store, and my enthusiasm almost had me foaming at the mouth. She spoke of a Manhattan I had yet to see. Upon completing high school, decades ago, she moved to New York City from our nation's capital.


She came in search of the perfect career and found her place in the civil rights field. She raved about marching in D.C. and serving in Vietnam as a secretary. She told me about her niece's quest for her professional niche in this unmerciful world. After 1 year out of the New School with 2 degrees and a plethora of prior experience, she still has yet to find a job. Her words to me were "the world could be a cruel cruel place to those who knew not what they need or quite where they fit in." She enlightened me with some of the best advice I've gotten thus far this year. I almost can't wait to have my next sit down with my own grandmother and prepare to be enlightened by her pearls of wisdom. But if she says anything as good as this, then it has to be true that God must be whispering into the ears of our seasoned veterans. The moral of this story: "Don't just respect your elders, talk to them, they know much more than you give them credit for."

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The Brooch: Move Over Kelly Croc Bag!

Nowadays, everyone is trying to express their own individualized approach to 'fashion diversity.' We have brought back every style era from 20's swing, 70’s boho, 80’s retro chic and early 90’s “what were we thinking” fashions. But most of all, we have revived “the belt” from the deep dark abysses of vintage spots and thrift stores everywhere. After being bombarded with skinny belts, wide belts, high-waisted belts, sashes and various fashion do’s and don’ts, I must say it is time for a new leader in fashion,“the brooch.”

The brooch, a simple, yet very intricately detailed pin often in metal or porcelain, is an instant upgrade to any wardrobe. Some of the most gorgeous brooches are made of pearls, crystals, gold, rhinestones, colored glass and rare gems. I’m sure you remember it now, once worn by your grandmother and her friends to mid-afternoon tea party’s, but with many of our beloved designers and top fashion houses becoming a part of the movement, you’ll soon see that these aren’t your grandmother’s brooches!

Louis Vuitton created the most exquisite gold blooming flower brooch available to be pinned on the corner of your favorite jacket or sweater. Feeling a little more adventurous? Tie a colorful scarf over your hair, place this brooch on the side right above your ear and voila, an instant summer upgrade to the flower in your hair look.

Another fabulous addition to you spring wardrobe is this gorgeously colorful leather and metal Prada Bird Brooch. Stick it to the corner of a trendy white handbag for a colorful twist. But if you’re feeling more twisted? Pin it right in the middle of your favorite little red, v-neck dress, for an all eyes on you evening that’s guaranteed to have your date in a trance!

If you’re not looking to spend the upwards of your life-saving on a designer brooch, head over to your neighborhood Target or your most beloved Vintage and Thrift stores and I guarantee you’ll run into some fabulous finds!


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Fashion Faux Pas: Spring/Summer Neutrals

Being temporarily stationed in a tropical location does not make color your only outfitting option. When next you think of traveling to the tropics, be it Barbados or Victoria Island, St.Tropez or Trinidad and Tobago, make sure to pack some neutrals and earth tones to give your wardrobe an even balance. Vacationing in tans, burnt orange, greens, browns and even whites are colors for the cool. Literally. Neutral colors don't attract as much heat as their brighter counterparts and so you stay cooler longer.

Fashion houses, Chanel and Gucci have both designed ideal tans, creams and even powder blue pieces in everything from light cotton to linen to keep you cool in the heat of your holiday travels. The best traveling pieces, by far, are still seersuckers or linen shorts and pants with a crisp button down shirt (avoid heavy cotton and some polyester blends) paired with canvas sneakers or sandals. Women can dress it up with a nice beaded turquoise stones set and bejeweled flats.

While men can try seersucker's in a cropped trouser look, which Galliano has made into a hot item this year, and adorn the look with their favorite cologne and watch for jet-setting fun! Whatever your choice, make sure you stay fashionably comfortable.


Images:
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Iceberg
John Galliano

Feature: Moving Into "His Place"

Have you ever found yourself wondering what your partner really thinks about the fact that you've moved into his place? I mean sure he's most likely thrilled to be able to see you and get some on a regular basis. And of course, now that you're here he couldn't imagine how his place ever managed to have been anything but clean. Not to mention, his constantly overfed stomach holds you as its new master for eternity. But all that aside, did you ever think about what he thought before you moved in? A few good male friends of mine broke it down into laymen terms and it seems that we women are a bit mistaken when we tell our girlfriends, "Oh, he's thrilled I moved in, he said it makes life so much easier!"

But quite the contrary. From the male perspective, I quickly became informed that the type of woman that moves into a guy's place after a few short months of knowing him is either about to be kicked out by her landlord or has a temporary loss of determination for her goals and is replacing that loss with momentary love. In fact it's said that most women who lacked the love and presence of a prominent male figure in during childhood will strive consciously or subconsciously to replace that absence in their adulthood. Hence, the quickness to commit to any man that shows them enough attention. However, the search is never ending, not because men come and go, but because once that initial attention and time  diminishes, or becomes altogether nonexistent, the woman feels a sense of abandonment and will more than likely run into to the arms of the next man that can re-fill that void.

It took me back a bit to hear my male friends speak with such passionate disgust about sharing a space with a "Stage 5 Clinger". I mean here I was thinking most men always dreamed of having that "temporary housewife." As our conversation progressed I discovered that some men are comfortable with a woman who takes on the housewife role, but only if it fits into her own personal life plans. But when a woman has her own place to live and goals and dreams that were active just a few days prior, yet places herself in a housewife position, it is due to two things: 1.) she has lost sight of her dreams or her determination has dwindled and 2.) her partner is a jerk that indirectly (or directly) reinforces her role as a "temporary housewife." As they both attempted to explain further I came to finally understand (ok, ok, semi-understand) what men really think about women who move in after a few short months of dating: "She must be desperately seeking the male love and attention she was deprived of as a child, and for a short-time only, I'll be here to provide it."

Personally, I'm not the type of woman that believes in living with my boyfriend, or any man for that matter before marriage, because of the practical and Christian standards I willingly hold myself to. Plus, if you have your own place, why pay rent in your apartment so you can live in someone else's place? Just be wise, what's good for the gander's not always good for the goose. With that said, women note this rule of thumb: always give yourself time to focus on your personal wholeness: physical health, spiritual balance, and emotional well-being. After all, no ring on your finger means he can kick you out anytime, and rock stars don't do homeless.


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Fashion Faux Pas: Leggings

In 2007 we all tried the virally contagious leggings trend. In 2008, lets try to not pair it with everything that has sleeves. Spunk up your favorite leggings with another crowd fav, "the booties." Maybe even try dressing it up with a strand of pearls, a nice tuxedo vest and long dress shirt. Masculine chic with an air or androgyny is heavily in this winter season, so why not. Our favorite budget-friendly spot, H&M, carries a great pair of leggings, tuxedo vest and poplin dress shirts, courtesy of Roberto Cavalli for H&M, all for under $100. Still not confident in your body type to do the leggings justice? Well a great pair of skinny jeans works just as well. So go on...get funky!

Live: From the Battlefield of the Democratic Presidential Campaign

"Disclaimer: I am currently a neutral, undecided voter. This is simply a statement of my observations and opinions."

As the Democratic Campaign Trail goes into "overtime and overload", the Battle of Words between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton becomes increasingly heightened and the Democratic citizens forget the War on Terrorism and focus on the "Trail of Tears Campaigner" and the "Senator for Change". The biggest issue that I currenlty have with the presidential campaign on the Democratic turf has nothing to do with race or gender but the pull that influential supporters of each candidate have on the democratic voter.

It's clear to see that this year holds the most promise for the possibility of breaking the long-standing "White Male President Syndrome" that America has been victim to for many decades past, hence making this the most interesting campaign year ever due to the diversity of the candidates. (I mean, its definitely a breath of fresh air versus the "Lesser of two evils" candidates last term....we see where that led to: George W.) But CNN, home of the '08 Presidential Campaign, has been following the polls closely and it seems that the interest that voters have for the diverse candidates and their respective messages doesn't translate in the votes. In my opinion, I wouldn't be surprised if we still ended up with another white male president, meaning that America's fear for difference and change would cause the Republicans to win the presidential seat anyway. And we all know that there's no diversity in their candidates.

Nevertheless, off my digression and back on track, I must say: again my problem is not with the race or gender of the democratic candidates but with their supporters. The two main supporters are Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. Now their choices of who to back seem rather understandable, yet I can't help but wonder if the candidates differed a little would the supporter sway. In retrospect, some say that the Bill Clinton that America has grown to love would choose a candidate like Barack Obama any day, if it wasn't for the fact that his own wife was running. Whereas, some people suggest that if Obama were a white male even with the same views, Oprah would default to Hillary Clinton, the woman's woman. In my opinion, these statements could very well be true, but in reality we'll never know. All we know is that former president Bill Clinton supports his wife as the future 1st man. (As he should, she stood by him through the Monica dilemma.) The Clintons have the potential to make history almost 3 times over: Hillary as the 1st Female President, Bill as the 1st Man of the white house and the Clintons as the 1st Family to dominate the white house for a total of 3 Presidential Terms; now who wouldn't want that power, respect and recognition? On the other hand, we also know that Oprah Winfrey continues to reign as the most influential (not to mention wealthiest) women of our time, and coincidentally, she backs Barack Obama. What does this mean? This means that over 1/2 of the female population (no, this is not an exaggeration), young and old, regardless of sexual preference or political conscientiousness, will be swayed towards voting for Oprah's new right hand man. (Move over Stedman!)

At the end of the day, it is true that in the Presidential Campaign, your supporters and backers make your campaign more successful , hence "they help win votes," but lets continue to stay focused on the response of the candidates to "the issues" and not be distracted by their billionaire backers and "influential" supporters....vote for the candidate, that's who's running, that's who you're electing, that's who will be in office.