Celebrity Style Breakdown: Laila Ali High-Waisted Trousers

Laila Ali was seen on the red carpet wearing a simple, chic outfit.  Oftentimes, in the everyday world we seek to look polished but struggle with coordinating pieces.

Featured Photo from PeopleStyle.com

Her look for the T.J. Maxx, Maxx You Project Workshop can be achieved.  Laila has on a white sleeveless blouse, high-waisted pink trousers, and wrap-around belt.

She also selected neutral accessories for the shoes, earrings, and bracelet.

Purchase similar Trousers and Heels from Top Shop

Utility Peg Trousers
GLORIOUS Setback Leather Shoes

 

What I Wore: African Print Midi Flare Skirt and Accessories

I have not moved beyond the excitement centered around Essence Fest 2017.  The iconic “party with a purpose” is a must-attend experience!

When packing for such an event there are a few rules to consider.  Always plan for the weather in that region and review the itinerary in terms of walking.

I couldn’t cover the festival without packing my favorite African-Print (Ankara) midi skirt. Several people stopped and inquired about this particular piece. Here’s the secret:  it was purchased at a flea market in Alabama.

The style photo was taken in the New Orleans, Central Business District. Against my better judgement, I stood in the middle of street traffic to capture a decent shot.

Was this a little scary?  The answer is yes.  Was this mind-blowing?  The answer is definitely a strong yes!

 

Michelle Obama Cushie et Ocs Dress: ESPY Awards 2017

Last night, Michelle Obama looked stunning at The ESPY Awards 2017.  The former first lady’s known for having amazingly toned arms and the Cushie et Ocs Fall 2017 dress exemplified this statement.

Her sleek hair, tailored dress, and designer heels were the epitome of style during the event.  Michelle Obama presented the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to Timothy Shriver.

 

Stylist:  Meredith Koop

Dress:  Cushie et Ocs 

Makeup Artist:  Carl Ray

Hairstylist:  Yene Damtew

Sun Damage and Eye Health: Fashion Expert Zanna Roberts Rassi

It’s officially summertime, and the hottest accessory you can add to your wardrobe arsenal is sunwear. You may be surprised to know that while nearly 75 percent of Americans are concerned about the potential side effects of UV eye exposure, only about 21 percent say they always wear sunglasses.

Fashion expert and TV contributor, Zanna Roberts Rassi joins us with some tips to make sure our look protects our vision AND keeps us on trend.

 

Zanna Roberts Rassi is a British fashion editor, the senior fashion editor of Marie Claire US and a fashion correspondent for E! News.  She also appears on the reality television show Project Runway All Stars as a mentor to the contestants and consults for the American retail chain Target.

Body Shape Fashion Tips – Look Great All Year

It’s very difficult any time of year to show off your body.  One common issue is that a lot of us perceive that we don’t have an attractive body.  In the summer it can be a bit embarrassing to show off unflattering parts of our body. But we all have different body shapes, and the trick is about dressing for each body type. So whether you are an apple, a pear, an hourglass figure, or you’re rectangle-shaped there is something to suit you. So let’s go through them one by one:

Apple

The trick to pulling off style when you are apple-shaped is about picking the colors, prints or patterns to suit. Try dark neutral colors like black, navy, forest green, or charcoal gray. When wearing darker colors, try to keep them on the bottom when you combine them with lighter colors on the top. You can also try an all-over color such as what is called a monochromatic look; this instantly makes you look slimmer. The best types of prints to go for are subtle ones like stripes or polka dots as prints and patterns help to complement fuller figures when they are on the lower half of the body. So think about skirts that have this style and if you have wonderful legs, as many apples do, then you should show them off! Many apples have thinner legs, so if this is you, you should take advantage of this and invest in a good leg-shaving kit. And there are plenty you can find online such as 99Cent Razor; 99cent Razor is a “Dollar Shave Club” for women where you can find different styles of razors to suits your legs. But the trick is to highlight your attributes where you can.

Pear

If you have a pear-shaped body, there are many ways to highlight your features by doing any of the following. Adding colors from various ends of the spectrum works really well on the top half of a pear-shaped body, so it is worth experimenting. But the lower half of a pear shape is very curvy so you should go for darker shades to make the hips, thighs, and the rear look a bit slimmer. It’s best to avoid an all-over print when picking styles and patterns because it will draw attention to the larger areas of your body. It’s important to avoid fabrics that are heavy, such as leather and wool because they will add bulk to your body. The best thing to wear as far as accessories are concerned are scarves which will elongate your neckline, and when it comes to shoes, high heels will work great because they will make your legs long and more streamlined rather than just curvy.

Hourglass Figures

It’s not difficult when you have an hourglass body as they are naturally very curvy, so you can wear almost any type of color and there is not really much you need to avoid. There are colors like cream, white, and baby blue that can make your lower body look larger than it actually is, so be careful with this. It’s more important to wear prints or patterns that are not too busy; a lot of busier patterns of prints can make the bottom half look larger. Accessorizing an hourglass figure includes things like belts, size in tops, as well as skirts or dresses. They are all flattering to the hourglass figure. You can wear high heels or flat they as they are both flattering to the typical hourglass figure, but if your legs tend to be curvier, you may want to steer clear of shoes or boots that cut off down at the ankle.

Rectangles

Rectangles are generally quite “boyish” for a lot of us girls, but you can make your shape appeal by creating curves. The great thing about this body type is that you are essentially a blank canvas and you can add accessories and clothes that will add that necessary shape to your body. Choosing light and bright colors help your body to look bigger because they will reflect light; you could try dark colors that will outline the silhouette, but it will slim you down, so be careful! You can try bold prints and patterns because as you don’t have a curvy figure to break the silhouette up, it makes for a good figure.

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What I Wore: Hollow Lace High-Low Dress

This summer my family hosted a reunion and required everyone to wear white attire. I wasn’t sure if the midi dress I currently owned would measure up to the event.

For evening occasions, lace is always a perfect option because it’s elegant and chic. I purchased the Hollow Lace High-Low Dress because the straps where adjustable (due to height) and upper fit would compliment my petite frame.

The mirror belt elevated this look and helped to define my waist. This dress had a neutral tone slip which complimented my gold studded, nude heels.

The reunion party was memorable and my dress was appropriate for dancing, laughs, and all around fun!

Nude Studded Heels Comparison:  Macy’s | Lipstick:  GloGirl Cosmetics | Eyelashes:  Salon Perfect

 

Fashion Fun In The Sun: Outfit Ideas For The Warm Weather

Summer is a chance for fashion lovers to have fun with their look. Unlike autumn and winter, you don’t have to finish every outfit with a warm coat and a pair of boots to keep the wind, rain and snow out! Plus when the sunshine means everyone is out and about more often, there are more opportunities to be getting dressed up and playing around with outfits. Here are just a few styles you could try out over the coming months.

Featured Photo of Naomi Campbell during Paris Fashion Week 2017 from People.com

Girl Next Door

Sweet and girly, you can’t go wrong with a typical ‘girl next door’ style. Go with flowing sundresses with a cardigan or cropped denim jacket, sandals and a sun hat. A touch of mascara will make your eyes look bigger and more awake, and a swipe of pink blush and lipstick give you a natural looking rosy glow.

Festival Fashion

Relaxed bohemian looks are great in the summer. Even if you’re not attending a festival, it’s easy to take elements of the style and work it into a casual summer outfit. A floaty dress or some loose-fitting shorts with a vest is a good start. You’re not going to feel weird if you’re not at a festival knee-deep in mud, so go with some gladiator sandals or even a pair of cowboy fringed boots. Carry on the fringe theme with your bag, and then accessories with bohemian style jewelry. Feather earrings, stacked bangles and chunky cuff bracelets are all perfect. Finish with a flower crown, some aviator sunglasses and bronze/ neutral makeup.

Cute and Casual

Denim shorts, a plain tee or cami and a pair of converse make this the ideal summertime outfit when you’re out and about. Maybe you’re going to a theme park or doing some other kind of activity where a dress or skirt isn’t really suitable. Forget the handbag, go with a rucksack or cross body bag instead. Far more practical when you’re out and about and works well with the look. A baseball cap with your ponytail through the back, some aviator sunglasses and a swipe of red lipstick gives this the perfect ‘I look fabulous but without trying too hard’ look.

Gorgeously Glam

Maybe you have a garden party or barbecue to attend, a wedding or a day at the races? If so you’ll need a glamorous, dressy outfit which is still summer appropriate. Maxi dresses are a fantastic choice here. They look glamorous and dressy while flattering your figure. If it’s a slightly more casual affair, accessorize with a chunky belt, oversized sunglasses and a cropped denim jacket. If it’s a little more formal add some jewelry, some high-heeled wedges and a clutch bag. Smokey eye makeup and a dressier hairstyle will help to finish the look.

What are your go-to summer outfits? What sort of styles do you find yourself gravitating towards most over the summer months?

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The Contemporary Romper: Summer Fashion Statement

The contemporary romper is always up for debate.  Some say it’s the equivalent of a middle school outfit and others believe it’s a wardrobe staple.

Featured Photo from People.com

Wearing a romper can be a great choice. It’s both casual and dressy; worn with sneakers, wedges, or diamond studs.

To look amazing in a romper, it has to fit appropriately.  Rompers should drape nicely (on the shoulders) and taper to the waist.  Also, the sleeves should not extend beyond the wrist or pant length extremely short.

Rompers are fashionable, sexy, and comfortable.  Take a look at the option below:

Express.com

Tips to Success From Business Superstar Boss in White

Ready to be an entrepreneur on fire like the business superstar Boss in White? She’s got the best business story and advice that will be sure to turn your business into a powerhouse!

Born and raised in Beijing, Dese Enterprise CEO Yang Yang has years of experience globally that has contributed to her long-term success. Always dressed in gorgeous white, Yang Yang began her online empire with humble beginnings on eBay back in 2004 from her love of shoes. While working a second job waitressing, Yang Yang spotted a customer wearing eye-catching white fur boots which she fell instantly in love with. She scoured the web for her own pair, but could only find them wholesale, which meant buying a dozen pairs. Yang Yang’s entrepreneurial inspiration turned on, so she purchased the shoes wholesale, and then put the 11 other pairs on eBay. She sold out in a few days and made more money than at any of her other full-time jobs, and so began her online fashion passion.

What started as a one-woman show has grown into Dese Enterprise, which is comprised of AMIClubwear.comPinkbasis.com, and  Cuteshoesforsale.com. Throughout the growth of her multiple brands, Yang Yang maintains the youthful spirit of when she first ventured into the world of business.

Learn from the Boss in White’s own experience to set yourself up for success:

  • Best advice ever received: The best piece of advice Yang Yang received was from her parents when she was young — they told her not to worry about money or how much she was making. If she worked hard, she would be rewarded in the end.

  • Creating her brand: When Yang Yang first started her eBay shop, she named it AMI Style to mean “American Made International Style.” At that time, it was a great keyword for American made and for international sales. A few years later, she wanted to create her own line of custom-designed clothes and shoes, yet wanted to stay true to the AMI roots. At that time, there weren’t many sexy clothing websites and her style didn’t match any trending keywords. So, she created her own term “clubwear” and shorten her brand to “AMI Clubwear.”  Now 10 years later, if you Google the term, AMI Clubwear is at No. 1 with over 21 million results of competitors now using it.

  • Naming her business: Yang Yang chose the name Dese Enterprise because in Beijing “dese” is street slang for amazing, beautiful or unique. Find something unique that resonates with your business and develop it into your own.

  • Best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “Go for it!” You’ll find a million reasons for not starting your own company, but you only need one reason to do it. What inspired Yang Yang was her desire to create a better life for the future family that she wanted one day. For everyone this reason is different, so find yours and go for it!

 

What To Wear: AMI Clubwear Affordable Swimsuits

Buying the perfect swimsuit can be a difficult task.  There’s a conflict between looking our best and feeling comfortable.

AMI Clubwear has a wide selection of fashion-forward swimsuits. The online boutique’s a great option for vacation packing or water activities.

The Tribal Mesh Cut One-Piece (shown below) was an excellent addition to my swimwear wardrobe. It’s lightly padded with adjustable straps. Going to the pool or beach with my kids can be a daunting task without the outdoor attire.

Swimsuit:  AMI Clubwear | Denim Shorts:  Express

Take your swimsuit to the next level with denim shorts or wear a lightweight kimono.

Also, when purchasing swimwear don’t forget to choose the right cut for your body-type; find a color that compliments your complexion and consider the primary purpose or activity.  For example, monokinis are not encouraged for tanning.

Visit AMI Clubwear to purchase a stylish, affordable swimsuit.