Month: May 2015

Accessories /

Ann Taylor Memorial Day and Spring Trend Report 2015

Whether you’re hitting the beach, headed to a BBQ or going to a party this weekend – Ann Taylor has the must-have essentials for an effortless look that fits right in your tote. From the perfect pair of slide sandals to a classic shirtdress for an easy beach to brunch transition, Ann Taylor has you covered for a head-to-toe look.

image001

SPRING TREND REPORT 2015 –

Polka Dots

What’s always fun, super-luxe, and never out of style? POLKA DOTS! Punctuate your look and go for polka dots — big or small or mixed together, this happy trend goes everywhere and with anything!

 

 

Refined Stripes

Seriously flattering and super refined – stripes never go out of style. Every woman should have a key transitional piece in her wardrobe with a timeless stripe print for a feminine and moderate update.

 

 

Florals

Winter florals were all the rage, and they are popping into spring. What better way to jump into spring than with a fresh floral print to bring either a subtle taste, or bold pop of color into your wardrobe!

 

 

 

Mesh

A daring-and easy-way to bring textured contrast to your outfit, whether with a hint for a “peek-a-boo” look perfect for layering, or go all-in with playful skirts and hemlines.

Accessories

Finishing touches make all the difference. Grab one of these functional accessories, and complete your head-to-toe elevated look with a pop of color or statement piece.

DIY /

Homemade Salad Dressing: Lifestyle Tip and Summer Option

Two weeks ago I was preparing lunch and realized there was no salad dressing.  I instantly became upset because my salad was delicious and wanted the full experience.  My mind began to wonder and that’s when I created my own dressing!  Honestly, homemade salad dressing is a healthier option because there’s no added sodium or fat.  You can regulate the ingredients according to your individual diet.

Mandarin Salad - Favorite Salad Option
Mandarin Salad – Favorite Salad Option

My recipe started with the base ingredients such as olive oil, salt, pepper, Coleman’s mustard, parsley, and vinegar; there’s so much more to make your dressing appealing.  Homemade salad dressing can be prepared in less than 15 minutes and in larger quanities.  It’s also delicious with (other) afternoon snack options such as tuna, veggies, cheese, and crackers.

It’s almost summer which means we want quick healthy meals.  Consider making homemade salad dressing to compliment snacks, lunch, or dinner!

Quick Girl’s Classic Vinaigrette Dressing

 

1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar

 

1/4 teaspoon salt

 

1 tablespoon Coleman’s Mustard

 

 

1/8 teaspoon pepper

 

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

 

Preparation:

 

Combine ingredient’s in a bowl and whisk.  Don’t forget your salad dressing maker and other tools from Target!
Salad Dressing Maker
Salad Dressing Maker
Accessories /

Cannes Film Festival 2015 – Lupita Nyongo in Couture

The Cannes Film Festival 2015 began on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 with sought after International and American directors and stars. The fashion worn by celebrities (on the red carpet) was the center of attention! Leading ladies such as Karlie Kloss, Natalie Portman and Lupita Nyongo stole the spotlight.

Designer: Gucci

 

Designer: Oscar De La Renta

[youtube height=”720″ width=”960″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1R2x4kwzmQ&feature=em-upload_owner[/youtube]

 

View more photos here:  Baltimore Fashion and Style Examiner

Fashion /

Bra Fitting: How To Guide

If you’re in the market for a new piece of lingerie, be it out of necessity or just a pure want, there are some things you need to know before offering up your credit card. As any woman who has ever bought a bra knows, they’re one of the most difficult items to properly size yourself. It is possible though, if you abide by a few guidelines. Below are a few tips that can ensure that you’re know the best bra fitting possible before that trip to the store.

Print

The Cup

Your bra cups should be big enough to ensure there’s not any spillage at the bottom, over the bra strap, or on the sides. However, your breasts shouldn’t be swimming inside the cups either.

You can get a general idea of what size you should be looking for by following the fruit method. As explained by Adam and Eve, the letter of your lingerie is your cup size: A, B, C, D, and so on. Check below to find what piece of fruit your breast mirror most to find out which cup size you should be looking for.

Plum—AA or smaller

Lemon—A

Orange—B

Grapefruit—C

Melons—D

The Straps

Your bra straps are just as crucial to the integrity of your lingerie as anything else. In addition to the band and underwire, the straps help keep your chest supported and, more importantly, your bra in place.

Probably the most tell-tale sign that your bra isn’t fitting right is that your straps are sliding off your shoulders. The solution could be as simple as shortening them, but if they’re as tight as they go, you might need a replacement.

There isn’t an exact strap size you should look for in your next bra. But according to Cosmopolitan, as a rule of thumb, the larger the breasts the wider your straps should be. You also should make sure they’re not cutting into your shoulders. If they are, it means your underwire and band aren’t taking on the amount of support they should be.

8374556_fpx

The Band

Finally, your band needs to be tight, but not uncomfortably.  Fresh Pair states that 90 percent of your bra’s support should be achieved from a snug, well-fitting band. You should be able to fit one to two fingers underneath it, and it should sit level around your body from front to pack. As Fresh Pair notes: “If it rides up your back, it’s too big. If your straps are falling, it’s too loose.”

Finding a properly fitting piece of lingerie can make you feel beautiful, confident, and fully supported whether you’re hanging out at home or painting the town red. Just follow these tips before hitting the shops.

Guest Post

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Summer 2015 Survival Kit: Skin care, Drink Options, and BBQ Set

Summer is around the corner and we’ve compiled your SUMMER 2015 SURVIVAL KIT!

From the latest in skin care to refreshing drink options, milkshake machines and more, below are summer-perfect items to get you through every last sun shining day.

Coconut Oil For Beauty: While most people associate coconut oil with cooking, Extra Virgin Coconut oil actually has a variety of beauty uses and this trendy item can multipurpose as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, teeth whitener, shaving cream, and natural sunscreen. Moreover, most folks would agree that the right facial mask is one that contains coconut oil. Pure, unrefined, and cold pressed, this Extra Virgin Coconut Oil from Carrington Farms coconut oil comes in convenient, portable Paks, so it’s great for toting to the beach or a pool. As an added bonus, coconut oil has been shown to help prevent breakouts, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted blemishes. Priced at $9.99/8- 0.5 oz packets per box at select retailers and online at www.CarringtonFarms.com

unnamed (59)

Organic Beach Towels: In Turkey, where bathing has been raised to an art, khadi is the traditional choice for toweling. Coyuchi’s Mediterranean Beach Towels are traditional lightweight Turkish bath towels with a high/low weave for excellent absorption. Woven from yarn dyed organic cotton and edged in hand-knotted fringe. Cotton is 100% organic, and sourced and woven in Turkey. Priced at $68 at coyuchi.com

unnamed (60)

Travel Friendly Wine: VOGA Italia’s Baby Sparkling is a mini sized sparkling wine- perfectly portioned for one! With a unique screw top cap, you can easily open and reseal while enjoying a summer picnic lunch or day at the beach! For extra cute enjoyment, pop in a straw and enjoy. No glass needed. Priced at $5.99 at select retailers nationwide.

unnamed (66)

Hydrating Coconut Water: Coco Joy is naturally rich in nutrients and hydrating electrolytes and full of sweet flavor from all natural, pure coconut water made from 100% pure green coconuts that contain no added sugar and no preservatives. It’s gluten, lactose and dairy free and is the perfect cool companion to rejuvenate after a day spent under the sun. It delivers antioxidants, calcium and magnesium and has fewer calories, less sodium and more potassium than sports drinks. Coco Joy is brand new to the US and is available on Amazon.com. Priced at $1.90 for 8.40 fl. oz cans and $3.90 for 42 fl. oz. bottles.

unnamed (62)

Portable BBQ Set: You’ve got the beverages, now what about the eats? Prepare a serious BBQ at your local park or favorite outdoor spot with All-Clad Stainless Steel BBQ Set. The set includes 4 grilling tools in a sturdy, metal carrying case for easy transport of tools to the grilling area. Priced at $119 at www.macys.com.

unnamed (63)

Milkshake Machine: Nothing’s better on a hot summer day than a creamy milkshake! Now with Omega’s milkshake makers you can bring the fun home! The extra-large Stainless Steel blending cup clicks on and off for ease-of-use and serving. The powerful motor and detachable spindle aerates mixtures into frothy, smooth textures for superior whipping results. Priced at $179.95- 399.95 at www.OmegaJuicers.com

unnamed (64)

Hot-Weather Ready Pillow: Get your beauty sleep…even on a hot summer night. JuveRest’s The Sleep Wrinkle Pillow’s contoured shape provides comfortable support and improved air circulation around your head keeping you cooler at night. Plus, its patented design minimizes facial wrinkles by promoting back sleeping and compression-free side sleeping. Priced at $179 at www.juverest.com

unnamed (65)

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

MeMoi Shapewear: Look 10 Pounds Lighter This Summer Season

Look trim, toned and 10 pounds lighter–INSTANTLY!– with MeMoi’s state-of –the-art SlimMe shapewear!

How is it that a mere inch or two around the midriff and hips can mean the difference between fitting into that slinky dress comfortably or having to “suck it in” all night, regretting those late night visits to the fridge?    Life is too short for regrets!  Especially when it is possible to fit into that dress and immediately look 10 pounds slimmer—no self-deprivation required!  MeMoi’s SlimMe Full Control Slip does the work for you.  This light compression shape wear flattens your middle and smoothes the lower body, holding in the areas that need it the most while still showing off those killer curves— it reshapes, tucks and tones instantly!   Gone are the days of uncomfortable, restrictive shape wear.  MeMoi’s Shapewear state-of-the-art design and fabrics mean looking fabulous and feeling carefree and confident CAN be a reality—for only $30.00!

MSM_118_black

 SlimMe’s Full Control Slip is:

  • Made from 90% Nylon and 10% Spandex
  • Tagless and seamless for maximum comfort
  • Available in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra large
  • Available in black or nude
  • Machine washable in cold water
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed

    •  

In business for over 20 years, MeMoi was founded on the principle that every woman is beautiful and deserves impeccable products.  Developed by top industry experts, MeMoi understands what a woman is looking for when it comes to shape wear, lingerie and undergarments, using only high quality fabrics and cutting edge techniques in the fabrication of their products.  It is their desire that women will fall in love with their ultramodern shape wear which provides dramatic results at reasonable prices.

Memoi-MSM125-black_large

Accessories /

Stevenson University hosted Fourth Annual Student Fashion Show: A Common Thread

Stevenson University hosted their Fourth Annual Student Fashion Show on Saturday, May 9, 2015.  The theme of this year’s show was A Common Thread.

IMG_3167 IMG_3166

There were five scenes for the fashion show: Garment Construction Studio Class: Children’s Wear and Casual Looks, Flat Pattern II Class: Tailored Styles, Draping II Class: We are One In Fashion, and Senior Studio I and II Classes: Senior Collections.  Designers for the Senior Collection exhibited their year long project.

I am excited to share that my Sorority Mentee Jocelyn Williams assisted with the production of the fashion show.  Jocelyn is a senior student that has been accepted into The Savannah College of Art and Design; with an internship at Lee Anderson Apparel Company and Under Armour.  Jocelyn also designed her own collection titled: Bitsy Botanicals.

IMG_3110

Additional supporters for the event where Baltimore Magazine, Baltimore Fashion Alliance, Gerber Technology, Mode Couture, Nordstrom, Under Armour, PLITZ Fashion Marketing, and The Baltimore Sun.  Overall, I enjoyed watching the show and seeing the eye-catching creativity and workmanship of the students!

IMG_3174 IMG_3173 IMG_3172 IMG_3109 IMG_3108