najeema

The Weekend...

2009-08-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

was full of delicious food and friends.

Shades of the (fashion) World

2009-08-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

Last week, when I saw the NYT article about the passing of Naomi Sims, I thought "who?"

I had never heard of her- perhaps this is due to my youth, but I feel like this is an issue that always dogs the fashion world. We all know who Janice Dickinson, Twiggy, and Lauren Hutton are. So why not their ethnic counterparts?

I looked up the other models that were mentioned in the NYT obit and after that I googled current ethnic models. Hopefully you know who these women are- I didn't know the majority of them. And that sucks.

naomi sims

dorothea towles

donyale luna

pat cleveland

lakshmi menon

liu wen

daul kim

kimanee wilson

arlenis sosa

Another Day, Another Dollar

2009-08-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

For the past few months, I've been working from home. But my company just moved into a new office, which means goodbye to working in my pajamas and hello to dressing for office life again. So I'm starting a series on dressing appropriately for work. I'm talking about business-casual outfits that aren't totally boring but won't get you sent to HR for a little chat.

My criteria for work-appropriate?

If you truly wonder if it's okay to wear to work, it likely isn't.
Accessories, including hair and makeup, are a great way to add personality to an outfit without major risk.
My caveat to the accessories idea? Super bright nail polish in off-beat colors (blue, yellow, green) on your fingernails doesn't work.
If your office allows denim, don't be the one that makes them change the rule by wearing denim that's too casual. Avoid anything ripped, bleach, frayed, embellished (which really? Unless it's studs or something equally bad-ass, hopefully you're avoiding embellished denim already!), and TOO TIGHT.
Undergarments should absolutely be unnoticeable. So no lacy bras underneath thin fabrics and no pantylines.

dress- zara, obi belt- lolli, shoes- aerosoles

This dress is really basic which means it can be dressed up for work in a variety of ways. I belted it so the top hung loosely. Then I realized that when I bent over my entire chest was on display. The quick fix was a tight black camisole- I have tons of these ranging from neutrals to neons for exactly this reason- they add color and coverage.

Since I walk to work and hate the idea of carrying an extra pair of shoes around, I went with low wedges. Wish I had them in black or dark brown- it would have matched much better.

It's a simple dress and basic shoes in neutral colors. So I went with red lips and big curly hair. And a really cool necklace "borrowed" from my mom. Felt slightly japan-ish with the red lips and obi belt and branch charm.

And I have to share this- my lovely makeshift tripod. It's a chair with a ladder on top and some books to keep the ladder in place. Necessity breeds creativity.

Links à la Mode : August 6th

2009-08-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Feminine Mystique

Edited by Debutante Clothing
The caliber of blog posts amongst the IFB members never ceases to amaze me. We run the gamut of style and fashion here. This week’s picks definitely appeal to the dueling femmes in me – the old fashioned gal and the powerful feminist. The debutante in me loved all the lovely posts about pearls including modern choices from Fashion Hippo, as well as the history of Mikimoto pearls by Fabulous Finds Gal. But nothing makes me clutch my pearls more than affordable Chanel looks by HiFashion. The feminist in me was thrilled to see smart posts about smart girls and smart fashion. Threadbared talks about academia and fashion, while 39th and Broadway explores the continuing inequality even within such a female driven industry like fashion. Enjoy!

Links à la Mode : August 6th

39th and Broadway: – Women are the backbone of the fashion industry, yet inequality reins supreme

A Few Goody Gumdrops: – lets out her inner rockstar with Alexander McQueen’s Skull Knuckle Duster Whipsnake Clutch in Red! To-Die-For!

A typical Atypical: – The Phenomena of “The Sale”

Debutante Clothing: – contributes back to school style for “Hot for Teacher” at Style Sample Magazine

Dramatis Personae: – reviews the B&Lu Femme Dress.

Fabulous Finds and Co. – Mikimoto Pearls – The Story Behind The Cadillac Of Pearls.

Fashion Hippo: – Modern Pearl Necklaces that aren’t your grandma’s pearls

Fashion Talk by Lovely Lovisa: – I am the Resurrection

fête à fête: – Get plumper lips with Givenchy Le Makeup’s new Gloss Interdit collection. Also, lip gloss giveaway to three lucky readers!

Hi Fashion – Coco avant Chanel – how to get the Chanel look for less

Individual Chic: – What makes a good ballet flat

Retro Chick: – Iconic British Union Jack style.

The Capitol Fashionista – Arise Magazine – the magazine that keeps you informed about what’s happening in Africa and around the globe.

The Coveted: – Review of the New Bobbi Brown Nude Collection with Video Tutorial

The Demoiselles: – Elle gets bombarded with subversive, negative advertising by Estee Lauder, and decides to take action.

The Fashion Planner: – shows you how to build your back to school wardrobe

The Recessionista: – Happy 80th to Jackie and Mad Men’s Casting Call for that 60’s look

Threadbared: – Pondering the mutual near-exclusivity of academic fashion studies and style blogs

Unfunded: – unveils Creative Recreation’s new women’s line.

Work Chic: – get 10% off Fit in Clouds foldable flats

You Know That I Could Use Somebody

2009-08-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

Somebody like you! Or, in your place a kitten who thinks my fingers are a tasty, tasty treat. This isn't a very exciting outfit, but it is work-appropriate.

shirt- urban outfitter, skirt- h&m, shoes- seychelles, necklace- j.crew

What's that white thing in the corner of the picture?

Chloe's cat tent! A gift from my mother (after I made her buy it).

brb...

2009-07-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

I gotta take care of some stuff. I'll be back to blogging in about 2 weeks. See you then!

Virtual Shopping Cart: Shop Ruche

2009-07-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

If I was shopping these days, I'd be buying these pieces from shopruche.

Current/Elliott Giveaway Winner is...

2009-07-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

Waffle! I'll be emailing you shortly! I hope you love them :D

Thank you to everyone who entered- I really hope I'll be able to do another giveaway soon.

Virtual Shopping Cart: Nasty Gal

2009-07-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who hates the name of this store? Janet Jackson would so not approve. Luckily, they have a great selection of vintage and new clothes. Here's what I want from nasty gal.

Later today, I'll randomly choose the winner of my jeans giveaway. Stay tuned!

Lime Green

2009-07-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't guess it from this picture, but I'm not especially crazy about green. I mean, grass is cool and I occasionally enjoy spinach. But in general, not a fan. I couldn't resist this bag when I first saw it last year. You can't tell, but I'm sweating like a pig in this picture. Really need to get an air conditioner, stat.

shirt- ali ro, shorts- express, shoes- seychelles, bag- marc by marc jacobs

Have you heard about Gamer? It's an action movie coming out soon and I am more excited than any 12-year old boy about it. It looks a lot like Running Man, only with hotter guys and better action scenes. Seriously, I can't wait.