All Black Everything and the Ballet

I'm very excited about this weekend because I will be attending the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater  show at the Kennedy Center! The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater was established in 1958 for the purposes of bringing African American cultural expression and American modern dance form to the forefront. The show encompasses a mix of ballet, jazz and a few other forms of modern dance.  This will be my first time attending a dance show of this magnitude.  I expect to be totally wowed for so many reasons.  I love the arts, I love new experiences and I love to be educated while entertained and I believe that it is extremely important to support African American initiatives to keep them coming and going.  From what I understand, every one and their mother and anybody who is somebody will be out for the show... including all the big wig politicians and the creams of the crop...possibly even my Black President.  Heyyyyy Barack!! :-)   

The Milk and Honeey Of It:

While  it's absolutely cool to kick it  and do the usual at times, it's equally as important to participate in things with substance and value and to expand your experiences.  Learn to operate outside of your comfort zone and expose yourself and children to new things. 

Bringing Sexy All the Way Back, literally. :-) 

Obviously, the question of what to wear to such an event was immediately on my brain after securing the tickets.  I decided that I wanted to wear something a little more sophisticated and dressed up than usual considering the occasion; however, I didn't want to compromise my sexy, comfort, and edge.  The first decision I made is that I would wear black b/c black makes it so hard to NOT be sexy, classy and sophisticated.  I ultimately decided on this BCBG black, jersey maxi-like dress.  The length makes it a little more formal than the usual dresses but the jersey keeps it fun and comfortable and adds more sexy (ask Donna Karan...jersey is the most forgiving and sexy material out there).  The added surprise in the back, the asymmetry of the cut at the bottom (shorter in the front and longer in the back) with the added slit in the front and back sealed the deal.  And to keep the edge, I paired it with a pair of rockin' booties as opposed to a classic pump or boot.  I think I got it! What do you honeeyz think of this look? 

Style @ Any Cost

I went to the mall this weekend with my kiddies and my daughter wanted to go into Forever21 for some jewelry.  I figured I could grab some tights while there (they have the absolute best tights).  But much to my glorious surprise, which happens quite often at F21, I ran into the cutest little dress ever and just had to have it!!  It blows my mind at the things you can find in F21!  The only gripe that I generally have with F21 is that the stores are usually too freaking big and way too disorganized and I end up just walking away. But this F21 in Annapolis Mall in MD is so ideal that I will absolutely be going back! It is really small and quaint in a very boutique type of way and it appears that they took the best of the best the company has to offer and stuck it in this small store to maximize the space (and my shopping experience).  I loved it and there were so many pieces I wanted to buy but the kids started nagging b/c it's "not fair" when I buy more for myself than for them or spend too much time in a store when they got other stores to get to (the nerve).  Keep in mind, there are a lot of affordable stores but there are very few that offer the quality, design and variety in exchange for the discount.  F21 is one of those few stores and I've said it before that style is about an ability to put things together and pull it off regardless of the cost and the name printed on the label.  Just pay attention to the design, execution and material used when shopping at a discount store bc there is definitely a difference between cheap (NO) and affordable quality (YES).  And balance things out by adding more expensive, luxurious or quality pieces with the less expensive things to keep the look from going cheap. Here, this dress only cost me $30 but it was paired with a $600 bag, $200 coat, $150 boots, and great quality and designer jewelry.

There are so many things that I love about this dress I kinda don't know where to begin.  I guess I'll just start with the details b/c that's usually what you have to forsake in exchange for a reduced price, but not with this dress and often not when you find any good pieces at F21.  The bottom half of the dress is pleated.  The material is light like a chiffon and it came with a full silk-like slip built in under the dress.  There are pretty little shiny buttons at the cuffs of the sleeves and along the top of the shoulders. Overall, it just has this old school, vintage, fun, girly but sophisticated look.  The maroon color with the rose pink/beige polka dots made it that much more attractive.  I was getting all types of compliments from women and all types of "hollas" from men.  It was one of those easy looks that everyone liked.  What do you honeeyz think of this? What items do you gravitate to for a look thats appealing to all (particularly you) and versatile for work and play?

More pics, details and commentary below!

Accessory After the Fact

Some of my favorite pieces

An accessory is one who assists in the commission of a crime while not actually committing the crime.  Basically, one who lends support or generalized encouragement to the principal is an accessory. For example in the scenario where Ray Ray and dem pulled off a robbery of the corner store (again), Ray Ray would be the principal and dem would be the accessory if the extent of dem's participation was to help Ray Ray hide the stolen goods knowing full well the goods were stolen and the cops were looking for said goods and Ray Ray's said criminal @ss... while dem didn't go on the robbery spree, they offered some assistance after the crime was committed.  Make sense? LMBO!!! I'm a lawyer and goofy so I can't help it but that was so savvy right?

Ok, let's be for real though, you honeeyz know we ain't committing no crimes up over here bc there is nothing cute about a criminal but we are all about killing this style game right? Well, there is nothing like a true accessory to pull that crime off! I have many in my support system, but Jewelry is one of my ride or die accessories in this criminal enterprise otherwise known as styling.  Recently, I've kinda fell in love with metals all over again and unlike my younger days, I actually like to stick to my favorite pieces without feeling the need to constantly switch up for the sake of switching up.  One of my favorite things to do with my jewelry is to mix metals and styles... I've included pics so you can see for yourself, but first here's a tip to remember when rocking with your fav accessory, Jewels (and we ain't talking about the dip set rapper or Solange's son either):

"Please don't let nobody tell you that you have to stick with the same metal through and through b/c that's actually a M&H DON'T! And please don't let nobody tell you that you can't mix "casual" jewelry with formal jewelry.  You can do what you damn well please and the more funky the merrier.  Have fun blending, mixing and acting a fashionable fool!!"-M&H 

I'd have to say that despite owning several hawwt pair of earrings that these bornzy reddish hammered circle earrings get worn almost every day.  The metal matches my skin tone perfectly as well as just about anything you put on.  They stand out without being too complicated, flashy, trendy (um no BBW earrings jumping off on my watch) so I actually get away with wearing these to work too.  I feel naked without them. I got these from somewhere in Philly where all the best jewelry stores pop off!  

Silver and white gold is always so clean and classic no matter what's going on in the fashion industry.  Remember style before fashion; classic/timeless before trends; sophisticated before everything! With that being said, I love this watch.  It too has that modern, funky touch with the bangle band and the embossed signature Gucci g's but it's also very simple and classic all at the same time with the clean lines, clean detail and polished metal.  Kinda like understated flamboyance.  I told u guys (and honeeyz) that balance is THE key. :-)  The silver bracelet by BCBG compliments it perfectly. 

I Still Have a Dream

I'm wishing a Happy Birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today!!! Grateful that because of his dream and all he stood for I'm employed, I'm a home owner, I'm educated, my president is black, and my children's future is secured, among many other things!!! In his time, we couldn't vote; we barely could work and when we could it wasn't for equal pay; we had limited education and certainly were disadvantaged regarding higher education; we didn't own property; we couldn't hold political office and we barely could go out and patronize without being harassed or discriminated against.  Although we still have some ways to go, a lot has completely changed around thanks to Dr. King, his dream, his influence, his sacrifice and the entire civil rights movement.  I'm eternally grateful and I'm still dreaming.  I'm not done yet.

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.  That is why right, temporary defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." 

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Thanks to this day of observance, I'm home doing my favorite three things... Resting, Relaxing and Reflecting (R to the 3rd power, is what I like to call it).  I'm in the bed with all my gadgets, magazines and remote controls and I'm loving every bit of it!  Luckily, I was smart enough to take advantage of all the crazy sales held in celebration of Dr. King's birthday (so they said) and I completely lucked up at Tyson's Corner Mall, Bloomingdales to be exact!!! As you honeeyz know, my BFF and I are shopping fanatics!!  We were on the phone with each other all weekend giving updates on various sales in our two areas (me in the DMV and her in NJ).  She bought me two items I had been eyeing for some time (I'll show them when I collect them from her next weekend) that were crazy discounted in her mall (with no taxes might I add...love not paying taxes) and in exchange, I picked her up a few things, along with some of my own purchases, that were crazy discounted down here!  It makes my little heart just melt.  See for yourself! I even tried to style some of the looks to my liking so that you could get an idea of how I'd WORK it honeey! Keep in mind I'm still happily unmarried and therefore, home alone (and ducking calls for company from him, him, and him) and as such, can't take pics of myself in the new purchases so the pics are a little limited but use your imagination!  I snapped pics of  the clothes on a hanger (the best I can do, soon I'll commit to someone for at least the benefit of being my personal photographer) with some slight manipulating! Keep in mind I saved about 60-70% on each of these purchases, which made them a no brainer!  Happy looking honeeyz!!!

Olive green pea coat by BCBG.  I love the color and the detail of this coat.  Looks great with browns and blacks. The pleating detail in the front and the back is beautiful.  You can rock this casually or dressed up. A perfect investment piece.  See below for my variation on this jacket by adding a pretty and colorful scarf. 

Heels, Heels, Heels...

Dream Closet on HIGH!!
Photo Courtesy: Nicky Hilton closet featured in past InStyle Magazine

Can you pay my heels, can you pay my luxury-heels??!!! LOL. Ok, I'm tripping and stealing Destiny Child themes just for an opportunity to talk abut shoes.  I love me some shoes!!! I buy shoes often but I always end up in the same pair over and over again.  I guess that's the whole Style versus Fashion thing.  You don't need quantity and trends for style.  Style is timeless and inherent and stays with the piece (or shoe) forever.  Fashion changes and doesn't necessarily mean stylish and timeless.  Here are a few of my favorite shoes over the past few years that I wear time and time again regardless of new purchases or what's going on in fashion. Happy viewing, and Honeeyz, please share with us your favorite go to shoe and why or your style theory?? Photos and commentary would be much appreciated!! 

BCBG Max Azria, Retail $300 - I love Max Azria and I have for years. It is one of my go to lines for everything from shoes, coats, clothing, accessories, etc... These were a birthday present to myself and a great addition to my collection.  2 years later and they are still one of my favorites.  They are extremely comfortable, high heel, great neutral color and diverse in textures and colors...elastic, wood heel, metallic patent leather, and suede. LOVE.

 More Heel Favorites After the Break... Click Below>>>>

Nailed It Again!!!

A few weeks ago...

As most of you honeeyz know, my manicures are one of my favorite accessories and also 1 of 25 "you look like a million bucks must haves."  I love to have fun with my nails and do something funky from time to time to keep things exciting!  Like many women, OPI brand is one of my favorite brands because it not only boasts great quality, but it has one of the most extensive lines in terms of color selection and designs.  But even still, I have to say I prefer Essie brand above all.  The only issue with Essie, which is actually made by OPI, is that it doesn't have as much of an extensive color selection but their quality far surpasses OPI.  They are a little more sophisticated and conservative with their colors but no one does a muted, or matte, or dark polish like Essie! I love it! And with age, I honestly prefer the more sophisticated colors that aren't as loud and ghetto fabulous as others.  What I absolutely can NOT do is the cheap corner store brands b/c as far as I'm concerned you can definitely tell the difference in the finish.  My manicurist tends to disagree with this theory and she sometimes tries to convince me to just grab any brand provided it has a color that I like. I never do. I can't. She says that it is more about the color than the brand of the polish that dictates the finish.  Again, I disagree.  At my hair salon, Bliss Elements, they carry CND's shellac polish in addition to OPI in their nail bar.  Shellac and other nail gel polishes (Axxium by OPI, Gelaxy, Nexium, Gelish, etc) are all the rage as of late.  Gel nail colors are intended to last longer, usually up to 2 weeks without chipping.  Many people love them but some complain that some brands don't last as long as they say and some people complain that it takes too much time and process and product to get the gel off.  I actually use a crystal acrylic overlay on my nails because I gnaw them down to nothingness when in their natural state.  The crystal overlay is followed by my polish choice and then a gel coat.  Crystal is less harsh and potent than straight acrylic.  It also looks way more natural on top of the nails, like a true overlay rather than artificial nails, which I really don't like.  The crystal overlay is a little more expensive but well worth it.  Anyways,  here are a few of my designs and color choices of  recent months.  I'll try to keep you honeeyz and guys updated with my nail fun and different designs and ideas I come across in my researching and perusing of sites, magazines, and other people's fingers (lol).   I hope you are willing to share your nail and manicure creativity with the rest of us honeeyz!!! We need ideas and collaboration!!!

Click below for more nail pictures!