The Verdict Is In: The Good Girl Finishes On Top

While I had fun being a bad girl and didn't look too bad doing it, I have to say that I've had more fun being good, and not to mention the boys seemed to really like the sexy little good girl outfit (there were quite a few boys playing around with the ruffles and asking to touch)! No matter how much fun it might seem like the bad girl is having, the truth is that it's so difficult and unnecessary to be bad.  I've found that the good girl, especially the one with the bad girl streak (duh, hello, did someone just call??), always ends up on top. 

Being bad requires you to be in such a mental space that it can be pretty draining to keep up with it.  I'm pretty no nonsense and bad azz when it comes to my kids and family and my career and my livelihood, but as I've matured and had a lot of varying experiences and what not I've grown to love being in a good and positive space. Now don't get me wrong, homie still don't play that, but I can walk away a lot quicker and easier than I could when I was growing up.  I may be rebellious in the sense that I make my own way and don't allow for different challenges to prevent me from getting to where I want to be, but I do understand that there is a way to go about getting to where you need to be and being bad can make things way more difficult than it really has to be.  And as much as I would agree that one can't be concerned with what other people think, I do strongly believe that it's important for you to be considerate of what you are putting out there... remember, your reputation is what other people think, while your character is who you are so be conscious that you don't allow your reputation to interfere with your character.  :-) 

Dress: BCBGeneration; Leather Clutch: Gap; Nude Pumps: Christian Louboutin; Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Silver Bangles and heart earrings: My mommy's

Click below for more photos and details on this look!!!

The Bad Chick

Why is being bad always more attractive? LOL.  I can't tell you why but I think the more riskier it is the more difficult it is for us to just walk away right?  I'm generally a good, little, wholesome, Christian girl (hahahaha) but every now and again I just have to act a good fool and totally show out.  And when I saw this dress, I thought 'this is a good way to act up without getting into too much trouble!'  Nevertheless, there's always trouble when a woman puts on a hot number and goes out in public.  I definitely had a little issue with one particular stalker (he really liked the dress, so he said 1785 times...sighhh) but otherwise I sure did have a lot of fun! My girls and I ended up having a great night eating good food, chatting, laughing and posing for flicks.  There's nothing like good friends to share your bad chick day with and to create memorable moments, almost more memorable than the dress.  Almost...

So I was a little reluctant to purchase this dress at first because I thought the style was a little too young for me with all the cutouts and carrying on, but I figured 1) I didn't look half bad in it, 2) it was my birthday, therefore, I could do whatever I wanted and 3) the cut outs were strategically placed to keep me from looking totally skank (and yes, there is a difference from a skank and a bad chick...not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good, as Run D.M.C. would say). Additionally, black always helps to keep things sophisticated and the longer hemline in the back kept the class.  By the way, this cut is very trend right now with the whole "hi-lo" concept which, is really not a new phenomenon as far as I'm concerned bc I've always loved it and rocked it but just referred to it by a different term... asymmetric cut from front to back. But I get it, fashion is about reinventing and remixing everything over and over.  :-)  These shoes are liked 3 years old and I swear I wore them 2 times total and then forgot about them but funny how they instantly came to mind when I was at the register buying the dress. Overall, I think the look worked! And you'd never know that I was turning 21 (for the 14th time) and I'm mom to 2 teenage brats...right?? Right (everyone say it together...lol)!  Stay tuned for the good girl look and the final verdict as to whether or not good girls finish first or if bad girls have all the fun.... 

Dress: Reverse; Shoe: Aldo; Jewelry: H&M, Mom's jewelry box; Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Click below for more photos from the "shoot" with my photographer/son, Brycen and the evening out with my honeeyz after the break!!! It's pretty photo heavy but whatever... we just having a little fun!

It's My BIRTHDAY!!

Good girl birthday outfit on the left and bad girl birthday outfit on the right....which do you honeeyz like the bestest?

So the big day is officially here and I couldn't be more excited!!! LOL.  Honestly, I've been having so much fun this entire month hanging out with my friends and celebrating to the ultimate extreme, today is just a small part of the whole picture! And trust me, it does NOT stop here! I'm keeping this celebration going until April 30th! Anyways, remember I mentioned that this year's theme is "Good Girl Gone Bad?" well it is and I've been having too much fun being good and too much fun being bad.  I'll let you know which girl had the most fun when it's all said and done.  For now, I'm just gonna keep the party going! In particular, I'm going to hang out at Marvin's in downtown DC tonight for a little fun, rooftop action, but I gotta keep it kinda simple (meaning just one-two cosmos max..lol) considering I have to work 10 hours and then meet with my personal trainer for my first real one-on-one session tomorrow.  I'll let you guys and honeeyz know how it all turned out.  In the meantime, I'm so grateful for another year, another day, and the ability to celebrate with some of my favorite people (this includes you guys) and I truly appreciate everything that I have been blessed with over the past year!! Ok, I gotta run and take a nap to gear up for Marvin's but I'll be sure to come back and see you guys tomorrow! :-) 


Love,


Lee 

Something old, Something new, Something borrowed and Something blue

They say when you are getting married that you should incorporate something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in your wedding ensemble.  I thought about that old saying after I decided to spice this outfit up with pops of blue accessories.  I also got to thinking of the significance of that saying and just marriage in general.  I was previously married for 8 years to my junior high boyfriend.  We were together for 14 years and had 2 fabulous kids and then we had one of the most ridiculously (and unnecessary) nasty divorces.  It's actually quite shameful but anyway, considering this old saying and the idea of marriage and weddings, the ever pressing question of remarriage entered my brain.  I'm often asked whether or not I would consider remarrying and people automatically assume that I wouldn't, considering the aforementioned ridiculous divorce, and the fact that I'm enjoying being single (maybe a little too much).  But the truth of the matter is, I'm absolutely looking forward to getting remarried and squeezing out another brat or 2... but when I'm good and ready!  I'm very much a commitment, stability kinda girl (hence the decade and half long relationship starting at the tender age of 13) with a dose of fun and crazy! But with all that said, I do love being in my own space right now and not having the responsibility of commitment and compromise...yes, it's a little selfish but again, I had all that responsibility for far too long, too early, with the wrong person and a sister is enjoying the time to be myself, to do what I want, come and go as I please, paint the walls whatever color I like, and all that good stuff.   It’s not just about being uncommitted that I’m loving, it’s the autonomy and the discretion,  learning and perfecting myself and seeing how I was built to endure, sustain and accomplish individually... knowing my worth and what I bring to the table. I’m not wilding out or acting crazy, I’m just taking care of me and only me for the first time in my adult life and I kinda deserve it and I'm having a ball doing it.  Will I be willing to give that up to sacrifice, compromise and agree with the best partner in the world…in a heartbeat! It’s always better to have a teammate…but it’s always detrimental when you have to carry someone or when you come to the table not whole.  I really believe that until I’m at the best that I can be, which requires some time with myself and some single chick experiences (yaaayy), that God is gonna hold on to the best partner for me.  And when that time comes, and I really don’t know when or where, I can say that I’m so much better than I was last year, the year before that and the year before that and I’ll be the best thing to happen to some lucky guy!! :-)

What I think is most significant about my desire to remarry at some point is that I didn't allow for a very negative experience and spiteful people to keep me from experiencing something honest and special down the line.  It’s not easy to move past disappointment or to get involved in a situation that was previously hurtful, but I’ve learned that I get to dictate my blessings and experiences, not someone else, and certainly not someone that I consciously made the decision to no longer share my life with.  Of course, past experiences are excellent resources for lessons learned and while I will remarry, this won’t be the same marriage (obviously, unless I want the same divorce…I think not)!! This final go around I will do my best to partner with someone who can keep up with me or even outpace my ambition, energy, drive, intelligence, courage, and curiosity and motivate me beyond measure…this will be my something new. And I’ll be sure that although I’m way better than I was the first go around, that I don’t lose myself. That I don’t totally compromise my personality and my character to accommodate someone who is just not at the same place (and never will be) that I’m at or who is not secure enough in themselves to allow me to be who I am.  I’ll continue to be the passionate, protective, loyal, fun, rebellious (in a good way) and optimistic woman that I am.  This will be my something old.  And I will be sure to find someone who’s style and confidence is so on point so much so that I fall in love over again, every time I see him.  A real man’s man that can handle business, protect me and stand up for me and what we believe in and who can hold it down and doesn’t constantly need his hand held and everything fed to him.  That will be my something blue.  

Dress: Banana Republic Monogram; Wedges: Not Too Coy; Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs;  Necklace: Forever 21; Belt: Marshall's find (old); Spike Bracelet: BCBGeneration; Diamond Watch: Aqua Master

Dear Philly: I Miss You

Fur and Wool Coat: Andrew Marc; Heeled Hiking Boots: Tory Burch; Black Jeans: Mossimo; City, PHILLY

I'm a hardcore city girl to heart.  I thrive off the energy, the crowds, the busy-ness, the grit and the diversity.  DC is great in that regard and that's part of the reason I'm enjoying myself down here, but the reality is there is nothing like Philly. I was back in Center City Philly with my kiddies this past weekend to shop around for my son's 15th birthday gift (sneakers that cost too much darn money) and as soon as I set foot back in the city, I realized how much I miss it.  I miss everything about it... almost being ran over by a cab or the Septa buses; the smell of cheesesteak in the air; the universities and the students at every corner; the fashion...Philly has it for days; the culture; the hoods; the old money; the history; the architecture; the graffiti; the shopping selections; restaurants; masses of people and all that good stuff... I'm one of those people that needs a little bit of too much, a little bit of chaos, a little bit of disorganization and little bit of hectic in order to function and thrive. It's sort of like my drug and motivation...the City. Philly.

My big baby... 

This post is photo heavy...just me, the kids and the city....

"Mommy Luxe" Version of Kim K.'s Fab Look

I spent much of this past fall and winter, probably like many of you honeeyz, hunting for a fabulous fur vest.  A fur vest is always a great piece to have, and this past season they were in high demand (see my Style Crush HERE rocking various fur vests in the flyest ways possible).  I searched high and low for the perfect vest for weeks at a time and I thought I'd never find one.  For some reason every vest that I saw and sort of liked just wasn't fitting me right or working the way I envisioned.  But then a few weeks ago I finally came across a long faux fur vest by French Connection that I instantly was loving but was a little unsure about it because of the length (and partly bc I really wanted real fur... I know, shameful).  

Photo Courtesy: www.zimbio.com

While I was contemplating the purchase (I actually left the vest and came back for it a few days later), I recalled a picture of Kim Kardashian rocking a similar style vest and looking hawwt as usual.  I know she's a short little cutie like me so I figured if she could pull it off I could pull it off (yea, I just concluded without much reasoning at all that whatever Kim K. can do I can do just as well...yup)! Not only did Kim convince me, unbeknownst to her, that I should get the vest I also decided that I'd pair the vest similarly to how Kim rocked it.  The only difference is I happen to be a very busy woman, mom to two demanding brats (and I have a slightly more restrictive bank account than Kim has...lol) and therefore, can't be screaming out fabulosity and high end fashion all day every day (although I wouldn't mind being about that life at some point...lol).  So I decided to rock the look this weekend while running around with my Princess and I put a comfy, chic, mommy spin on it and came up with what I dubbed, "The Mommy Luxe" version of this Kim K inspired look. What do you honeeyz think of my toned down, kid friendly version of Kim's look? How do you busy honeeyz or mommy honeeyz stay chic and fabulous while maintaining all your many roles and responsibilities? 

Faux Fur Vest, French Connection; Long sleeve white tee (staple item), BCBGeneration; Suede Pointy Toe Wedges, Sam Edleman; Pouch/handbag, Gucci; Sunglasses, Balenciaga; Gold Ball Charm Necklace, H&M

Photo Courtesy: www.x17online.com. *How Fab does she look??!! Did it on em!

Strong Brows, Sexy Curls & A Hint of Mint!!

This past weekend was my get it all the way right weekend... hair, nails and brows done...yaayy! However, I switched it up a little and I'm happy I did.  I usually get my nails and brows done at Hollywood Nails in Wilmington, DE every 3-4 weeks by my favorite nail tech, Trinny; but it has become more and more apparent that I was gonna need a replacement or at least a backup.  I don't live in the Philly area anymore and although I'm up there bi-weekly to pick up my babies, my time is still really limited and beyond PRECIOUS (time is money, time is yours and you don't get it back)! The wait and the nonsense at Hollywood is at an all time high lately and I can't deal...(as Jay says, I'm impatient and I hate waiting).  The dilemma I faced in finding a replacement tech, is that I'm beyond particular about my brows and my nails...it's kinda mental.  LOL. But the reality is there is not only one place and one person from VA to PA that can do what I need them to do and do it right.  The only way I would find that person, is by trying someone else.  And that's where I lucked up at this weekend!!

As usual I was in one of my favorite establishments, Bliss Elements Salon and Spa, Friday afternoon getting my hair all the way done (praise the Lord, b/c after I got my hair done the Friday before last, I took my Princess to the spa for the day in celebration of her 13th birthday (ummm yea, 13 at the darn spa...I didn't get there til I was in college but that's a whole other story!!) and I spent a little too much time in the sauna and clearly forgot I'm relaxer free b/c when I came up out of that joint my hair was all the way over before it ever even started)!  While I was there getting my hair all cute (how cute are those curls), my stylist kept suggesting I let the new aesthetician do my brows.  I was resistant at first (NOOOO!!), but he convinced me enough and she was such a sweetie pie and professional it wasn't that hard.  Well much to my surprise, she did the thang and I think I got myself a new brow girl!!!  Not only did she produce good results, but this experience was beyond expectation! It was straight up spa quality...I honestly felt like I was getting a lux facial when I was really only getting my brows..that good.  I say its an absolute do!! So check out Ms. JoVanna Butler, licensed aesthetician and new edition to the Bliss family. You pay a little more but you get a whole lot (including the convenience and value of my time) and you support black professionals and black business.  That's what I call Milk AND Honeey!! What do you honeeyz think about my fab brows? 

After I got my brows and hair all Blissed up, I was still left with the dilemma of getting these nails done.  They were looking a hot mess and the whole Valentine's Day theme I was rocking was sooooo beat down and over but again, Trinny was out of commission.  So I decided to give the nail salon across from my house here in the DMV another try.  I used them one other time last summer and I was less than happy, but the reality is everyone in even the best places aren't qualified to do nails (or at least mine!! lol).  So I went back and I went to a different person and I watched and directed her like a hawk...told u I was crazy.  And it all worked out just fine.  I went with a mint color and a splash of gold (you know I need that little extra).  I think they turned out awesome! Mint is the color of the moment and I'm still debating on a few clothing pieces to add to my wardrobe so i figured I could be in the moment by putting it on my nails.  This choice is an OPI color and I totally forgot the name but it had "grandma" and "apple" in the name somewhere.  :-)) 

For more candid pics of my curls, brows and nails click below!! :-)))

Brand New Vintage

Surprisingly, I haven’t yet hopped on the thrifting trend that everyone has been going crazy over.   I say surprisingly b/c I do love a lot of retro and vintage designs... the details, fabrics, bells and whistles can be so beautiful and intricately done.  I have a lot of pieces in my wardrobe that is very reminiscent of decades ago in terms of the colors, structure, patterns, and materials (to hammer this point home, I typically dream of everything Diana Ross is wearing in "Mahogany" and "Lady Sings the Blues").   I probably haven't completely jumped on the boat mostly because I’m so darn impatient.  I don’t like combing through racks and examining things in that kind of way that makes an official and effective thrifter.  I did give it a go a time or two… well sort of.  One time my BFF, Shan, and I made it to a consignment shop but I left with a pair of Rock and Republic jeans and a very current Covet dress…totally modern, totally nowhere near thrifting or vintage hunting, totally missed the point.  LOL.  Anyways, I’ll give it another go one day soon but for now I love finding retro pieces from today that remind me of the good old days of yesteryears, even though it's brand spanking new and made within the most recent season.  

In this look, I did exactly that (I also did it HERE too), I wore current items that are an ode to back in the day.  This dress is from the Isaac Mizrahi for Target line and it was originally priced at $70 and I got it for….drum rolls please.... $7!! That’s right!!  It was stuck on a clearance rack somewhere and I stumbled on it by accident, and aside from the fact that it cost only $7, I was immediately attracted to the fabric, the way the dress moved, the pleating, tie waisted detail, the color, and the length (all of which screams Diana Ross as Billie Holiday).  Only issue is that it's actually too big. It's a medium and I really need a small but again, it cost $7 so I was not walking away from that thing!  Never mind the fact that I was likely in Target for laundry detergent, soap and lotion and managed to leave with a bunch of crap, including a cart full of clothes...does anyone ever make it out of Target with just the necessities? I never do.  Anyways, I figured with the tie waist and buttons down the middle I could manipulate it down to my size. This go around I paired the dress with giraffe print pony hair booties (animal print and pony hair is very vintage inspired).  Those shoes give the look that edge and kick I’m always needing.  And to go totally eclectic retro (and to keep warm), I added the navy blue polka dot and print scarf and a blazer, both from H&M.  The scarf is screaming vintage Hermes or Etro, except it cost me $10 and I bought it this past summer rather than in the 60's. LOL. The blazer helps to streamline the dress considering it's still really too big for me. What do you honeeyz think?  What tips do you honeeyz have for a modern chick trying to experience some thrifting bonuses?? What do you honeeyz gravitate to when you are trying to get an eclectic or retro look popping off?

Giraffe Print Pony Hair Booties, Luxury Rebel; Sunglasses, Christian Dior; Watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs; Rosegold Bracelet, BCBGeneration; Necklace, Tilly's; Leather Wallet, Mac and Jac ($20 at TJ Maxx); 

Just Me and My Peplum

There's nothing particularly special about this outfit... a simple black/grey speckled sheath dress with a cute little peplum, accessorized with a ribbon belt, black wool bolero, black tights and black pumps. Simplistic, modest and classic. But what I liked about these photos was the authenticity and candidacy of the pictures, the story behind the "shoot," the memories that were jogged when I saw the pictures, and the moment stole.  I took a walk on my lunch break with my favorite coworker/friend, Sadarie, and she shot me in different poses (with an iPhone no less) while we were just chatting, laughing and acting silly... just for a moment before we got back to being grown ups. It was a good time. Beautiful weather, hearty laughs. After we were done and I looked at these pictures, I instantly saw my mother when she was younger and I was just a kid.  I reflected on different memories in my childhood.  Just for a moment.  I smiled. Then I went back to work.  

So this post is not about fashion, but just about good times and good memories created and jogged with just a camera phone. On my lunch break, stealing a moment, with a friend.  That easy.  That simple. Not complicated. Not materialistic (except for that peplum though...how cute?? LOL). 

Dress DOWN Friday Turned UP!!

Just b/c the word "down" is included in the term doesn't mean you have to (or should) take it literal when it comes to Friday attire at work.  My whole philosophy about Dress Down Friday (and work in general) is that I don't have a choice about whether or not I have to go to work (somebody's gotta pay the bill; momma needs a new pair of shoes; babies need to eat...and all that); but I do have a choice about what I wear while working (to some degree). Since I love clothes and fashion, and a great outfit always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, there is no better time than dress down Friday at work to utilize clothes to turn me all the way UP!

Jeans, Rock and Republic; Blazer, Asos Black Label; Polka Dot Tie Shirt, LK Bennett London; Bag, L.A.M.B.; Watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs; Wooden Ring, H&M

*By the way I just saw this pic of Keri Hilson online today right before I drafted this post, courtesy of Concreteloop.com, and it looks like she and I were sort of on the same page today with the white blazers, button up dress shirts, and jeans.  :-) Go Keri! You look hawwtt, but of course! LOL.

Click below after the break to see the rest of my dress DOWN, turned UP photo shoot!!! :-)

C

1 Honeey, 1 T-shirt, 3 ways

Every now and again I have a lapse of judgement and lose my good old common sense for the love of fashion and design.  Well actually, it probably happens more frequently than every now and again but who's really counting?? Besides, there are those times when I luck up on an extraordinary deal that helps to balance out those moments of irresponsibility... right honeeyz?? I mean I'm thinking it should work that way!!  Anyways, I clearly bumped my head in the summer of 2010 and paid over $200 for this Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche logo T-shirt.  Yes, I know.  Shameful.  But I did try to find it for slightly less on Ebay but I lost all my bids b/c they were so popular, half the time going for even more than the in-store retail price, and it became increasingly clear to me that the only option I had was to fork over the money and secure my shirt!!  Right?? Right!!  What's done is done so I have decided to move on and actually wear the darn thing and that brings us to the whole point of this post... How to rock a cotton tee, particularly one who's cost is the equivalent of a small car payment, in different ways so that it's more than just your basic casual T-shirt.  Check out how I went from funky/fly, to casual chic, to tailored sophisticated with the same darn T-shirt...I think I may have got my money's worth! What do you honeeyz think?? 

Please excuse the fact that I look totally beat in the face but I took this picture (well Cierra took the picture and I just posed) 2 Saturdays ago after I drove 5 hours from MD to DE and back the day before, then got up at 5 am that Saturday morning, worked 10 hours straight, rushed home after that to take my 2 brats to the mall so I was beyond tired when she took this, but cute even still (so I think).  LOL!  This look is traditional casual but with the cardigan, bag, wedges and skinny jeans its not a sloppy, just rolled out the bed, worked 10hours casual look  but instead,  it's a nicely pulled together and cute casual look.  I even got a few prospects (this would be men showing interest) with this look (too bad my kids scared them all off.. they hate when guys try to kick it to their momma).   

Wearing w/YSL T-Shirt: Jeans, Joe's Jeans; Sweater, BCBGeneration; Bag, Marc Jacobs; Suede grey wedges, Sam Edleman.

This pic is from Summer 2010 and  is the first time I actually wore the T-shirt.  This day, I wanted to be comfortable but also cute/funky bc I was going to a family event or something of the sort and therefore, would be seen and had to be seen looking ca-ute! LOL.

Wearing w/YSL T-Shirt: Camouflage cargo pants, Abercrombie & Fitch; Sandals, BCBG Max Azria

Click Below for The Rest of Today's "Shoot" :-)))

BlackFashionBlogger Feature!!

Hello Honeeyz!!

I woke up this morning to find that Milk and Honeeyz has landed it's second major feature!! How exciting! We are featured on Blackfashionblogger.blogspot.com, an excellent, excellent platform dedicated solely to exposing and introducing black fashion bloggers to the blogosphere! I couldn't have been more happier to find this out.  Please, please support Blackfashionblogger.blogspot.com (Ms. Nika) because she has a wonderful resource not only for black bloggers but for the entire cyberspace b/c we are definitely in the building and as fashionable, savvy, creative, intelligent and witty as any other blogger!

Also be sure to check out my feature and comment and support Milk and Honeeyz!
http://www.blackfashionbloggers.blogspot.com/2012/02/introducing-lee-of-milk-and-honeeyz.html

Love,

Lee :-)

My hair + Michael Flagg + The Wand = Pure Bliss

I always get questions about my hair b/c my stylist, Michael Flagg of Bliss Elements Salon and Spa, is a beast (heyyy Mike)!!  More recently, I've been wearing my hair in a curly/wavy style that was achieved with one of Michael's own creations, "The Wand."  I know you honeeyz may have seen a commercial version of a similar tool but Mike actually created and designed this tool decades ago and unfortunately for he and I, he was discouraged by a trip to a patent attorney back in the day and never had the wand patented before others swooped in and duplicated the tool.  At that time, I was in high school somewhere dreaming of becoming an attorney but boy do I wish for their sake and mine that I was out of school and practicing b/c I certainly would have helped them patent the design and we'd all be rolling in the dough right about now!!! LOL.

Anyways, the wand is a hot tool with a cylinder type shape that is used to create a wave/curl/spiral type pattern with heat.  The look is similar to a wet and wavy style but super soft with lots of body.  You don't have to use a lot of product or worry about the crunchy dry look that sometimes comes with the traditional wet and wavy or rod set looks.  I decided to capture the unique process in photos during my trip on Friday so I could share with you honeeyz.  Be sure to check out the Bliss site where you can buy Pure Bliss products (ummm yes, honeeyz Bliss has their own product line which is created and produced by Mike and his wife, Sherell...amazing).  The products are genius! Check out the process below....

**First, I start out with a great wash, conditioner and then I'm under the steamer for 15-20 mins.  In addition to Pure Bliss products, Bliss Elements uses Kera Care (which I typically use for my wash and conditioner, unless I need a particular treatment) and Paul Mitchell products.   

Hey Steve!!! :-)  Steve is a style assistant at Bliss and he gives some of the best washes and massages out there! Sweet Baby Jesus!!!! LOL. 

As most of you honeeyz know, I'm 4 years relaxer free so when I get my hair washed it curls right on up!

**Next up, I get a fabulous blow dry and I'm back to straight hair without the chemicals. 

For the next steps and the final results click below!!

Featured Bombshell of the Day on FashionBombDaily.Com!!

Well Honeeyz, I was pleasantly surprised today to find that we landed our first major feature! And I mean truly surprised b/c I had no idea until I finally came up for air and checked my email and found a comment from a new follower (yaaayyyyy) congratulating and complimenting me on the feature! At this point I was in the car rushing down the highway from work in VA to get to DE in time enough to make my bi-weekly hair appointment (Lord knows I can't miss my appointment) and pick up my bday girl. So even after getting the good news there wasn't much I could do about it b/c I was only a quarter of the way through a 2.5 hour drive!! I had to drive in suspense waiting for an opportunity to see what photos were posted and the gist of the comments coming in (I think we all know that Fashionbomb's audience can be a little brutal at times).  In any event, we faired pretty well, not that we were looking for some form of approval b/c as I've said before, style is subjective and identical to each person.  I'm confident, secure, and authentic enough to be ok with how I chose to present myself in my style/outfit choices not to be dismayed, disappointed, or dis anything bc someone else thought otherwise.  But of significant importance, Milk and Honeeyz is out there and we've gained some valuable new friends inside and outside of the blog community withhe exposure and I couldn't have asked for anything more! Thank you honeeyz and thank you FashionBomb (Claire)!!

I would ask you guys and honeeyz to please support Fashionbombdaily.com and Claire (blog owner, style maven and power chick)!  Claire has done an excellent job with her site (an urban fashion site) and her brand. With it, she has created an extremely useful platform for fashionistas, bloggers around the world and set the model not only for black blogs/sites but for blogs and sites in general!! Also, if you have not already, please vote and comment on my feature at: http://fashionbombdaily.com/2012/02/17/fashion-bombshell-of-the-day-leonette-from-dc/.

Thanks again for everyone's support, welcome to all of our new followers and honeeyz! Now I'm gonna go to sleep after driving to and from for a total of 5 hours today, operating on as little as 5 hours of sleep, working a half day at full day speed, and having just a few hours left to catch some sleep before I have to report back to work on a Saturday for a 10-hour workday, only to race out of there by 430 and start the weekend of bday events for the Princess...yes all this is about to happen to me...siggghhh).  

Love,

Lee

Monochromatic Dramatic

Typically when you think of a monochromatic look you often associate that with plain, basic, simple and even boring.  However, that doesn't have to be the case.  Some of the most stylish, sophisticated and well put together looks are made of a monochromatic color scheme.  I've found that the best way to pull this off is by mixing textures and shapes and adding just a pop of color or umph via your accessory or your shoes so that although the color palette is similar from top to bottom, the look is nothing near boring or plain!  And with that I must digress (bare with me...this is a necessary digression so keep on reading....).  

In my new found love of blogging, which includes reading other blogs, I've noticed that a lot of honeeyz seem to be misconstruing the concept of fashion forward, savvy, unique and stylish with thrown together yet contrived looks of mixed patterns and colors.  Grabbing a plaid shirt, polka dot top, striped shoe, and layering it with an animal print jacket simply b/c these patterns and colors are not the same does not make it stylish per se.  Even Carrie Bradshaw, in all her unexpected and unique style, had a method to her madness and was able to put together some of the most memorable yet gorgeous looks with mixed patterns but it was authentic and there was a story and a concept behind the looks she put together. There was still a flow and consistency. That's the difference between looking like a clown and looking like a fly chick.  And I'm not saying there is only one way to be stylish.  I truly believe that style is original to each person and what they make of it and there is an individual art to it.  I am a huge fan of mixing patterns and textures but in an authentic way.  What I'm trying to say is I don't believe that merely mixing up unexpected non-matching patterns just bc they don't match is necessarily stylish; and at the same time, wearing classic cuts and pieces of subtle or neutral color tones is not inconsistent with being fly and stylish.  Some of the most trusted Style Stars, including Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Miranda Kerr, Gwen Stefani, Kim Kardashian, Olivia Palermo, Jessica Alba and the likes keep things very tailored, classic, and subtle but with a stylish twist that makes them the Style Stars that they are.  And even those who are more eclectic and daring like Solange Knowles (lovveeee this chick's style) and Rihanna, also do what they do with taste and strategy but have some of the best looks when they are simple and clean.  I just thought that was important to put out there and at the end of the day, you do what is natural to you and what you can wear comfortably. Don't feel bullied to be "unique" by putting together a bunch of stuff for the sake of being deemed fashionable and don't feel confined to the expected b/c you are afraid to be too daring.  

Now back to where I started... a dramatic yet monochromatic look... Here, I paired a leather A-line skirt of a plum/brown/maroon color with a more plum button down top of a polyester like material (yes, freaking polyester) and for that little piece of unexpected to add the drama I paired the look with some leopard pony hair knee boots and a navy and yellow scarf for outdoors layering.  I loved this look. Is anyone getting a Diana Ross in Mahogany vibe?? B/c I am and I'm loving it! 

A funny fact is that this leather is skirt is from the Gap. I purchased in the early 2000s during that magical era when the Gap put out phenomenon pieces.  It's a size 1 (yea I was nice and svelte back in the day) and I have to put it on over my head b/c this thing is not going over my butt! LOL.  

Leather and Cashmere - Baby It's Cold Outside

The weather in the Northeast is definitely trying it's damnedest to make looking cute a non-factor and warm a priority above all else.  But I think with the right pieces you can marry the two and come up with a warm AND cute look.  Cashmere is a sure bet for warm and comfy and this sweater design helps keep it cute.  You certainly don't have to look like your grandma for the sake of cashmere, provided you look for one with some design potential. I previously featured this sweater and all the detail behind it HERE.  These leggings are warm but fun, edgy and sexy.  They are described as "leatherette" (meaning faux leather) and they boast some cute details from the pockets, elastic stretch waistband, and the rock and roll piping in the front thigh and knee areas. I've worn them a few times in a few different ways and they always bring the right amount of edge and chicness. This was the first (and possibly the last before another long hiatus) purchase I've made at bebe in probably about 7 years or more. I saw these in the window and despite my hesitancy, I had to go in and check them out.  I'm glad I did b/c they turned out to be a great find and addition to my wardrobe.

Cashmere Sweater, Aqua; Leatherette Leggings, bebe; Bag, Marc Jacobs; Sunglasses, Balenciaga, Scalloped Black Pumps, Prada

Happy 13th Birthday Princess Cierra!

I'm wishing my Princess, Cierra Brianna, a happy 13th birthday today!! I don't know who is more excited about this day?? But I know I'm really amped up about it! It's so mind blowing to me to know that this little lady is now officially a teenager (either I'm getting old which is not obvious at all or I started too young, yea probably the latter)! It seems like just yesterday she was born, weighing in at only 2 lbs 12 oz. with the fears that her prematurity be the blame for lasting medical and developmental problems.  But she proved them all wrong (although she still spends a lot of her time in the blonde girls' wig...lol).   Aside from being a major crybaby, spoiled brat earlier on in life and then later transitioning into the cutest little, sweetest little, artistic little airhead we know, she had absolutely no complications or issues once she picked up some weight.  BUT GOD.

Today, she is a distinguished honor's student (this past marking period which ended about 2 weeks ago she earned 5 A's and 2 B's...that's my baby), informal animal rights activist (PETA here she comes...dragging her momma's blood splashed furs, leathers, and pony hair pieces with her),  star athlete, hard working, helpful, respectful, style savvy (see her style feature HERE) and genuine little sweet pea!  Her brother consistently refers to her as a goody goody (I always reply for her to keep at which is really code for, whatever you do don't wreak havoc on my life like your brother....sweet baby Jesus).  I love this little girl more than words can say for the obvious reason (she is mine) but also b/c she sincerely makes me better.  I've had to literally learn the importance of being more sensitive, considerate, hesitant, and compassionate just from being her mother and now I'm a better woman.  I've worked extremely hard because I want her to see the value of hard work, to understand that any and everything is doable, but also as a soon to be woman, that we too can make the world go around and if that's what she wants to do, she doesn't have to ever compromise her ambition, career choices and desires simply b/c she is a woman.  I'm forever grateful for her and extremely proud of her and happy to have shared the last 13 years with her! 

Happy birthday to my Princess!!! In her words, "we gonna do it big" this weekend! :-) 

The lashes get me every time. Whatever she wants... :-)