Ab Obsession

This weekend I tried on one of my belly dancing shirts, you know the midriff Indian shirts, to see how far along I have come in reaching my ab goals. I really want to be able to wear a high waisted skirt with a midriff shirt this summer. Right now my stomach still has a bit of fluff but I'm getting there. Would you dare to bare your belly? I think I'd be OK with it as long as my belly button wasn't showing.

Pretending for a moment that money was no object

Oh how I adore all of these shoes but seriously paying a house note for a shoe is freakin outrageous! I'm just saying! I honestly can't fathom paying $1000.00 for a freakin shoe unless I was bringing in some SERIOUS cash but then you have average Jane's saving up and going without basic necessities just to sport the same shoe as their idol Beyonce' and the likes. Why do people break the bank to own the same luxury items as a multimillionaire when they live in a low income apartment and ride the train to their jobs?



Does owning a luxury item create a false sense of reality and make you feel as though you are one in the same as the wealthy?



If I had the chance to 'make a wish' to walk in the shoes of a celeb I'd say forget the shoes, give me an unlimited airline ticket for a trip around the world. What about you? Pretending for a moment that money was no object, what would you want to experience if you could walk in the shoes of a celebrity?

Christin Louboutin Fishnet Slingback

Retail $835.00 USD

Charlotte Olympia Colorblock pump

Retail $895.00 USD

 Manolo Blahnik Something Blue

Retail $945.00 USD

Valentino Rhinestone Bow pump 

Retail $1195.00 USD

In my opinion you can still experience the euphoric state of mind blowing happiness with the purchase of luxury items within your means. Try shopping at a consignment store or go on the hunt at a thrift store for a second hand luxury bag or shoe. If you can't afford a trip to the South of France and bask on the beaches of St. Tropez save up for a trip for a tropical vacation closer to home. Hit up sites like Craig's list to purchase a new or barely used gadget you've been dying to own. 

There is no need to keep up with the Carter's, Sean & Beyonce', when you can have a perfectly luxurious lifestyle on your budget. 

Cheers to responsible spending $$$$$$$$

Pretty Polly

I've been seeing some really funky and cool tights worn on Chictopia and wanted to share with you lovely fashionistas! I know it's Spring almost Summer but sometimes you can get away with wearing a pair on a cool day like today in Atlanta. Enjoy here are my picks from Pretty Polly tights ♥

Strike a Pose

Here are some inspirational model poses for the inner model in you ♥

If Looks Could Kill

Pictures from the much-anticipated Costume Institute Gala honoring the late Alexander McQueen at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. www.sandrarose.com

I loved Beyonce & Jay Z's combination, they are such a lovely couple. 

Great dress for her shape! 

Lala & Carmelo Anthony

I swear marriage must make you dress better because her fashion game is way UP!

Kerry Washington

Lovely JLo

 

Her makeup was stunning!

The Sartorialist speaks on STREET STYLE

 http://www.style.com

Scott Schuman, also know as The Sartorialist, is one of the greatest shooters on the Street Style scene. I look forward to visiting his website/blog to see what fabulous shots he's captured in fashionable cities like New York, Milan, Florence and Paris. I love his vision and the captivating way he shoots his muses. I wonder what he is looking for when he patrols the streets, he has such a definitive eye. Nowadays there are many street style shooters picturing women from the ordinary walks of life and even themselves on a daily basis. Check out an excerpt from an article on Style.com below.

Now all it takes is a digital camera for anyone to become a blogger—even if her only subject is herself.

I’m not really a fan of personal style blogs—you know, the ones [on which] these girls just shoot their outfits and all this stuff. I haven’t seen one that I really like or that draws my attention every day. The good and bad of that is that most these girls only have a limited wardrobe; they don’t have many clothes to shoot and I don’t think most of them have come up with looks that are that interesting, that draw me.



However, I do think that it will leave a great social document for 100 years from now. A lot of these girls are just everyday girls from cities all over America and all over the world, and it will be great to be able to look back and say, “Wow, this is how real girls were kind of into that thing, dressed at that time.” And then maybe historically they’ll be able to pull out similarities. It seems like every girl, everywhere in the world, has a pair of denim cutoff shorts…but I don’t think it’s so much of a contemporary thing but what it will mean historically.

Here are a few pictures from The Sartorialist. Enjoy!

Monokini's et. al

It's that time of the year ladies, Victoria's Secret swimsuit edition has arrived. I just love their sexy bathing suits and dresses for summer, they even have some cute shoes too. I bought my first swimsuit from them back in 2006 for my trip to DR and now every year like clockwork I check out their site to see what's new. Last year I had my eye on this salmon colored ruffled monokini below, but I refused to pay the asking price and guess what this year it is like half the price. I'm so stoked! My friend Nija also had her eye on it for Miami so you know I had to text her the good news ;0) I'm also in love with Fashion Banana's bandeau bikini from Free People shown here. 



Check out some of my favorites this season and shop VS for your VERY SEXY bikini!

Beach Babes

Speaking of the beach, what do you usually take with you on a tropical vacation? Do you buy special outfits for your beach attire or do you simply wear what you already have? Last time I went to Mexico I bought a few zip lock bags of accessories but I didn't wear them all and I had a ton of makeup lol. I like to wear the super bright tropical eye shadows and lip popping colors. My accessory bag was still handy though because I got dressed up for our dinner dates at night, which is when I did my makeup pizazz ☺. I think I will do the same this time around for the honeymoon. I even want one of those Just Married bikini's lol I think those are so cute! Here are some cute beach picturesque photos to get you in that vacation mood ☺ I'm trying to work up the nerve to go scuba diving on the coral reef, I'm kind of scared of sharks o-0 lol Surfs up!

http://blackfabulousity.tumblr.com

Shop your Shape ~ Plus Sized

Today's Shop your Shape series will focus on the Plus sized woman. It is important to know your shape and size no matter what figure you have. Plus sized women have a particular shape just like every other woman, they can have an hourglass, apple, pear, straight etc figure. I have recently discovered a few great blogs written by plus sized women for plus sized women. In particular, my favorite is Young Fat and Fabulous written by Gabby. This is her fabulously dressed below. Another great blogger for this size & style is Musings of a Fatshionista. One of my favorite YT make up artists also talks about plus size shopping, Montana Deleon

The pear shape plus size



Draw attention to your upper body with a scoop neckline, shoulder pads or embellished details. Pair a bright top with a dark bottom to minimize hips and thighs. Bootcut bottoms, wrap dresses, maxi dresses and A-line skirts all create a well-proportioned plus size silhouette. 

The apple shape plus size



Structured jackets, flared bottoms and A-line skirts balance your plus size silhouette. Plus size empire-waist tops and dresses both streamline your midsection and complement your curves.



The hourglass plus size



Accentuate your waistline with wide belts, wear wrap dresses, form fitting skirts and play up your legs and bust with a V neckline blouse.

 

The standard plus size 

 

Showcase your well-proportioned plus size curves with V-necklines and empire-waist silhouettes. Also pick plus size pieces that highlight your midsection with belts, smocked detailing and colorblocked accents. 

 

 

 

The full bust plus size  

 

Provide flattering separation between upper and lower body with defined-waist plus size pieces. V-necklines and solid colors flatter your décolletage while A-line skirts and bootcut bottoms create a balanced plus size silhouette.

 

 

 

 

The straight shape plus size  

 

Create the illusion of curves and draw attention to your midsection with banded waist tops, wrap dresses and tailored jackets. Graphic prints also add volume to your plus size look. 

 

 

 

In closing the most important thing no matter what size you are should be your health. Clothing & Fashion are fun but nothing looks better on your frame than an overall healthy body inside and out.  Some have said that 'big' girls shouldn't be seen sporting 'little' girls clothing. Nowadays everything comes in everyone's sizes and while this is true it is most certainly important to wear your size, that way you can be comfortable & stylish to boot! There are so many fashionable lines for plus sized women that there is no need to size down just because you want the dress. Standard sized women need to be reminded that they too can be culprits of not wearing the appropriate garment size, this goes for undergarments as well. Don't let your cups run over, get a professional bra measurement so your boobies can sit up and at attention in the proper size cups.



A few stores that carry stylish and fabulous clothing for plus sized women are:



Forever 21+

City Chic

Evans

New Look

Jibri

 As always Love for Self Love for Health ♥ 

Lipstick Diva