Author: Kimberly West

Style+Life+Fashion is the brainchild of Kimberly West, a consultant, and on-air lifestyle expert. Although Kim started blogging as a hobby due to her love for Fashion, she quickly gained a loyal following as a respected industry expert and contributor for numerous fashion websites. She seeks to provide the latest trends as well as educate consumers about all aspects of fashion. Kim has hosted television segments as a fashion and lifestyle expert with ABC 33/40, WBRC Fox6, ABC2 News, Fox 45 WBFF, The List Baltimore, and WBAL News. Her fashion interviews include well-known industry experts such as Tai Beauchamp, Tomima Edmark, Julie Weiss, Clinton Kelly, Gianni Rich, Darius Gibbs, Dean Banowetz, and Lilliana Vazquez. In addition, she’s interviewed reality star Queensly Felix and R&B Artist, Keyshia Cole. She has also collaborated with online features for Glamour Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Macy’s, and worked to stream digital content and video for New York Fashion Week 2010.
Accessories /

Cynthia Rowley Presents an All-Female Comedy Show for FW23 #NYFW

Cynthia Rowley presented an all-female comedy show at Sony Hall on Monday, February 13th. The designer’s latest NYFW show took on a whole new format this season, featuring an immersive hour of stand-up led by some of comedy’s most renowned female voices, all dressed by Cynthia Rowley.

Fashion and comedy have always been a great escape, and there seems to be a collective zeitgeist toward the necessity for humor right now. A sense of humor has been a part of the brand’s DNA since the very beginning, and Rowley’s mission to express fearless fun that brings joy through each collection remains as strong as ever.

“I start each day with ten minutes of stand up,” says Cynthia Rowley. “I’ve long said I wish fashion were funnier. Not necessarily the clothes, but the attitude. After hosting a stand-up comedy night at my store in Montauk this summer with my friend and collaborator Seth Herzog (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Broad City, 30 Rock, Chappelle Show), it became clear to me that it was time to realize my long-standing dream to host so many of my favorite funny ladies on one stage.”

Featuring some of the biggest names in comedy, the all-star all-female cast included comedians Nikki Glaser (Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? on E!), Rachel Feinstein (Last Comic Standing, HBO’s Crashing), Arden Myrin (Netflix’s Insatiable, iHeartRadio’s Will You Accept This Rose podcast), Rosebud Baker (Emmy-award winning writer, one of Variety’s “Top Ten Comics to Watch”, writer for Saturday Night Live), Claudia Oshry (Disgraced Queen on Amazon Prime, co-host of The Toast podcast), Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live cast member since 2018), and Michelle Buteau (Netflix’s The Circle, Welcome to Beautopia).with host Esther Ku (MTV’s Girl Code, Wild ‘N Out, and Last Comic Standing) hilariously tying all of the performances together into one hour of non-stop laughs. In addition to the stars of comedy on stage, notable guests in attendance included Olivia DeJonge, Eve Jobs, Cooper Hoffman, Jane Krakowski, and Alan Cumming.

The clothes were designed with each performer in mind using references from the full collection (lookbook to come). Giant pastel paillettes, loads of sheer fabrics, and classically tailored pick-stitch pieces rendered in our signature sport fabric.

“I see fashion and comedy serving women in the same way. If you can be funny, you can feel confident. If you love what you’re wearing you feel confident. And if you can have both, even better.”

www.CynthiaRowley.com

@CynthiaRowley 

#CynthiaRowleyFW23

Michelle Buteau

Kit Keenan, Gigi Powers

Margo Oshry, Brigette Pheloung

Natalia Suarez, Dylana Suarez

Ego Nwodim

Amber Wang

Nikki Glaser

Jane Krakowski

Esther Ku

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Valentine’s Day With Mac Duggal: The Perfect Dresses

The infamous day of love, the date night of all date nights – Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. While chocolates and flowers normally symbolize the holiday, the true treat of Valentine’s is getting dressed up.
In a romantic relationship? Don’t have a boo? Prioritizing self-love? Mac Duggal has the perfect dresses, ready to fit any Valentine’s aesthetic.
‘Soft girl era’ unlocked with elegant dusty pinks and nude accents:
‘Barbiecore’ dreams come true with hot pinks and sleek black dresses:
Last but definitely not least, the classic ‘Lovecore’ reds, cut-outs, and bows (to remind them: who’s the gift):
Birmingham /

Civitas Celebrates First Anniversary with Free Event

Cheers to one year! Civitas restaurant and bar is marking its first anniversary with an evening of incredible wine and food Tonight, February 1st, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Enjoy top-notch wines from Rush Wines out of Irondale and delicious light bites from Civitas’ Chef Jamahl Payne. The event is free to attend, and guests are encouraged to continue the celebration with an intimate dinner, for which reservations are available from 5:00 pm.

Opened in February of 2022, Civitas was started by Tonya Jones and her husband, Bryan Combs, hoping to unite the community through the power of food. Civitas means ‘for the citizens’ and provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere for Birmingham residents to enjoy.

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Valentine’s Go-To Outfit for All The Occasions

Whether it’s a hott Valentines, Galentine’s Date, or a cozy night in cooking with the BF, comfort yet style is a MUST.

La Peony’s Carolina Jumpsuit Fuchsia is the PERFECT Valentine’s Day outfit for any activity.

La Peony  – The Carolina Jumpsuit Fuchsia  – A fresh new take on fashion from female founders who proudly support Oaxaca’s women artisans

About La Peony (PEE-UH-NEE) Clothing:

Co-Founders Melony Huber and DeAnne Combs introduce a sustainably-sourced collection of timeless fashion pieces for women designed to “move with you through every stage of life.” Proudly working with Oaxaca-based female artisans, La Peony is a brand that uplifts the modern wardrobe and supports the lives of the skilled women who create the fabrics. Each piece nurtures the unique beauty in every woman while supporting a lifestyle of love for the planet. Ethically sourced in Oaxaca, Mexico, and made with sustainable dyes in Los Angeles, browse the complete line at LaPeony.com. Follow @La_Peony_Clothing on Instagram for style inspiration, behind-the-scenes artisan features, and brand updates. La Peony – Founded by women, made by women, for every woman.

Fashion /

Festive fashion: The best Christmas sweaters inspired by classic holiday movies!

A new study reveals the most popular Christmas sweaters inspired by Christmas movies, with sweaters themed from Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch being the most popular.

The research conducted by Boohoo analyzed the monthly US search volume for the Christmas movie-themed clothing to establish which Christmas sweater is the most sought-after this holiday season.

The Grinch

The most popular Christmas sweater from Christmas movies is inspired by none other than Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. Searches for the term ‘Grinch Christmas Sweater’ averaged at 4,000 times per month in the United States, proving how much fans are willing to be seen wearing a green Grinch-style sweater.

The Grinch first hit screens as a TV special on CBS in December 1966, which featured the green cartoon storybook character causing mayhem in the world of Whoville. Then, in the year 2000, Jim Carrey took on the role of the Grinch and brought Whoville to the big screens in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The most recent film within the Grinch franchise, The Grinch, was released in 2018 as an animated adaptation of the Christmas classic.

Die Hard

The second most popular Christmas movie sweater is worn by Karl Vreski, portrayed by Alexander Godunov, in Die Hard. Karl is the main antagonist’s right-hand man and the only character not killed by John McClane (Bruce Willis) in the movie. The Christmas sweater in question is a grey knitted number with ‘Now I Have a Machine Gun – HO HO HO’ written on the front, paired with a Santa hat.

Searches for ‘Die Hard Christmas sweater’ receive 3,200 searches per month, on average in the US. Many speculate whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie due to its action/thriller genre, which caused the writer to note that the film is set at a Christmas party during the holidays and features many Christmas songs, meaning it is a Christmas film.

Home Alone

The 1990 classic Home Alone places third in the rankings, which features a young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) who is accidentally left alone at Christmas time and faced with scaring off two burglars from breaking into his house. During the film, Kevin looks cozy in a few different winter knits, but the most iconic is the heathered red knit that surprisingly can hold his entire weight when he is hung on a coat hook. Despite the red knit not being the craziest of prints, it hasn’t stopped film fans from wanting to get their hands on a Home-Alone themed sweater for themselves.

Searches for ‘Home Alone Christmas sweater’ average 2,000 searches per month in the US.

Gremlins

Fourth place in the rankings goes to Gremlins, released in 1984 and follows the shenanigans and destruction forced upon the small town of Kingston Falls, by a horde of mischievous monsters. The comedy-horror, written by Home Alone director Chris Columbus, is an unusual tale for a Christmas movie but presents some of the most valued messages common in holiday movies, such as the importance of loyalty and kindness.

Searches for ‘Gremlins Christmas Sweater’ average 1,250 searches per month in the US, proving just how popular the miniature furry beasts are and how much fans want to rock a green Gremlin-themed sweater this holiday season.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

The 1989 slapstick comedy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation places fifth in the rankings and is the third instalment in the National Lampoon Magazine’s Vacation film series. Searches for ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Sweater’ average around 800 searches per month in the US.

The film follows Father, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), wanting to give the perfect Christmas holiday to his family which turns out to become quite the task. The film’s budget is estimated to have been $28 million (£22 million) and ended up seeing $74 million (£62 million) worldwide gross.

A spokesperson from Boohoo commented on the findings: “Christmas movies are the ultimate way to get into the Christmas spirit. With office parties, family photos and Christmas sweater competitions taking place over this time of year, it is exciting to see just how many of our most iconic and beloved movies influence our Christmas wardrobes and how many people want to get their hands on a festive-themed sweater.”

Rank

Movie

Search Term

Monthly Searches in US

1

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch

Grinch Christmas Sweater

4,000

2

Die Hard

Die Hard Christmas Sweater

3,200

3

Home Alone

Home Alone Christmas Sweater

2,000

4

Gremlins

Gremlins Christmas Sweater

1,250

5

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Sweater

800
Accessories /

Shop This Year’s Footwear Trends With Famous Footwear

This year has flown by like no other and if you are scrambling to shop the latest trends for your loved ones I wanted to share with you a few of my favorites from Famous Footwear for following this year’s favorites but at a price that won’t break the bank, especially with their current BOGO deal!
It’s no secret the ankle slipper trend has hit breaking records this year. With being entirely sold out for the holidays everywhere else, get the Bearpaw Shorty Wateresistent Boot for the same look. As an added bonus, you won’t have to worry about water-resistant protection with it already built in.
Chunky loafers have also hit the streets fast and heavy. Compared to other options on the market from brands like Gucci and Givenchy, the Everyly Lug Bottom Loafer does the trick in spicing up your look to elevated heights.
A touch of western has gone a long way this year. Luckily the Dolce Vita Nikson Western Bootie has your back. Chic and on-trend, these are the perfect closet addition for all year.
Birmingham /

Give Hope to Children this Holiday Season with Food Donations

Do your part this holiday season and help children in your community! Selena Rodgers Dickerson, President of SARCOR, LLC, is hosting Hope for the Holidays. This annual event serves as a networking function for the local business community while providing a medium to bring easy-to-open, non-perishable food for children who rely on daily school meals and would likely go without regular meals during the holiday break.

This year’s goal is to provide resources for the i3 Academy Food Pantry. In addition, attendees will be given the option to provide easy-to-open non-perishable food items, Publix gift cards, or monetary contributions that can be used at the school’s discretion.

SARCOR strives to do its part to curb child hunger and bridge the gap so children can focus on being children for Christmas.

The event will take place on Tuesday, December 6th, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at i3 Academy on 230 49th Street N., Birmingham, AL 35212.

Who: Selena Rodgers Dickerson, SARCOR, LLC

What: Hope for the Holidays

When: Tuesday, December 6th, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Where: i3 Academy Elementary School Gymnasium Selena R. Dickerson is the president of SARCOR, LLC, located in Birmingham, Alabama. She strives to educate others on how to become successful business owners.

Her mission is to utilize her expertise to leverage strategic solution-based diverse, equitable, and inclusive initiatives through business endeavors, philanthropy, integrity, and spirituality.

Accessories /

Dressing For Cold Weather: 4 Trendy Fashion Tips That Everyone Should Know

Winter is almost here, it’s the time to give your wardrobe a makeover. Most people love the cool and trendy fashion that comes with summer and autumn as it gives many options to wear cute and stylish clothes. But when winter kicks in, we have to ditch all the cool outfits, and we run out of clothes for the cold weather.

Feature Photos from Vogue

Just because the temperatures are down doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the style and your overall look. It means you have to think more creatively about looking stylish yet comfortable in warm clothes. Achieving a stylish, modern look while preventing yourself from cold weather is possible.

Here we will discuss some tips on how to dress for the winter season to look stylish and feel more warmth and comfort. So, let’s get into it:

1.    Layering Is The Key

Layering is important during the winter season. It is one of the most practical ways to dress for the cold weather. While layering can ruin your overall look, it can help you protect yourself from harsh winters. However, the key here is to find the trendier pieces of clothes and layer them so that you can stay warm and still look stylish.

If you are planning to store your summer clothes in the wardrobe, think again. According to experts, you can still wear a sleeveless dress from summer by layering it by wearing something underneath.

2.    Choose The Right Fabric

Choosing the right clothing material for winter is crucial as it helps you stay warm and still look stylish. While there are tons of fabrics for winter, know that not every fabric is created equal. For example, cotton is a natural fiber, but you should avoid it during this season. It doesn’t absorb moisture and insulates well.

Instead, you should consider going for the fleece fabric. It is one of the most popular fabrics which is known for providing warmth and comfort. For instance, you are going to the office during winter. In that case, you can consider wearing a luxe fleece cardigan which will make you look stunning while providing maximum warmth and comfort. It also comes with a removable tie-waist belt, fitted cuffs, and pockets.

3.    Don’t Overlook The Footwear

When dressing up for the winter season, it’s easy to overlook the importance of the right footwear.

For instance, if you wear a thin-material dress, wear ankle boots between 4-6 inches high. It protects your legs and ankles from cold weather and snow.

4.    Add Faux Fur To Your Outfit

Winter is the perfect time to add faux fur to your outfit. You can wear it with any dress, and it will help you achieve the modern, stylish look you desire for. Also, it will keep you warm throughout the day.

Summing Up

Dressing for winter can be exciting and challenging. The only challenge here is to stay warm while maintaining your elegant look. Remember, dressing for winter doesn’t mean giving up on the style. Instead, it is all about embracing a creative approach to stay warm and still look stylish.

Collaborative Post

Accessories /

Shop til’ you drop! AdaChic Designs’ Latest Collection Has the Perfect Holiday Handbags

The Holiday season is quickly approaching, and with it, AdaChic Designs’ latest collection! Whether you’re looking for holiday presents or additions to your winter wardrobe, AdaChic’s leather handbags are the perfect choice for authentic, sustainable, and socially conscious shopping. The new collection of carefully crafted and beautifully designed handbags featuring colors like coral, olive, burgundy, mustard, and more is set to launch tonight at 5:00 pm!

Each bag is handmade in Africa by local designers with local materials to elevate the African economy through revenue and job creation while uplifting the community of artisans. The company was started by Dr. Nichole Thompson with her cousin Meredith Lilly following Thompson’s trip to Africa with her daughter. The two cousins, being the first-born women in each of their families, decided to honor their Nigerian roots by naming the company “Adachic,” stemming from the Nigerian word “Ada,” meaning “first girl.” Since its inception, the company has made a lasting impact on Africans across the globe.

“We are very excited to announce the release of our latest collection, just in time for the Holiday season! From style and color to shape and feel, our team in Africa is carefully creating each bag to perfection. We hope you enjoy these new handbags as much as we loved designing them,” said Dr. Nichole Thompson, founder, and co-owner of AdaChic Designs.

For more information on AdaChic Designs or to stay up to date on the latest collection’s release, visit https://adachicdesigns.com/.

AdaChic Designs was birthed during a trip to Africa. The founder and co-owners, Nichole Thompson and Meredith Lilly, have an unwavering commitment to the elevation of the diaspora through economic development. The creation of high-end handbags serves as a catalyst for job creation and sustainable community investments. Each handbag is crafted by African artists, utilizing sustainable leather sourced in Ethiopia. The cousin owners are working to grow a sustainable workforce that amplifies Africa’s talent and natural resources.

Celebrity /

Jordin Sparks Carries Warmies While Wearing Losano

Singer and actress Jordin Sparks were spotted wearing a cozy Losano set while holding on to her son’s Dinosaur Warmies ($29.99, https://warmies.com/) and Baggallini All Day Backpack in Faux Shearling ($125, https://www.baggallini.com).

The American Idol and Dancing With the Stars alum accessorized Losano’s Monterey Hoodie ($179) and Monterey Joggers ($179, www.losano.com) with Paradigm’s Russell in Rust sunnies ($145, https://paradigmeyewear.com/) and Astrid & Miyu’s Crystal Hinge Hoops ($105, www.astridandmiyu.com).