The Ooooooo-Weee! (More intense than a normal fashion fix, here's what has me feenin')

You Gets No Love

Sigh... Your girl was a little sad today. She didn't have a Valentine. (I know, I know... Girl Power! Love Thy Self, and all that. We single gals appreciate the pep talks about self love. After a while, though, it all sounds like blah blah blah.) I definitely love me, but it'd be nice to know someone of the opposite sex shares the sentiment. Anyway, date or not (usually not), I try to get myself a V-day gift every year, but this year I couldn't think of anything that wasn't mushy or cliche. I've already bought myself diamonds and perfume and chocolate and wine. A T-shirt that expresses exactly what I feel on the sappiest of days? Haven't done that yet, but I'm gonna have to grab one from loveislame.com. As my favorite celeb publicist (and cousin) said in her Sistah-girl email today, "Cupid can kick rocks!" Ok, Ok, I'm not that bitter, but I still think this tee is pretty cool, and I look forward to what people will say when I wear it.

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

Peace it Up

Some things never go out of style, and contrary to what Pres. Bush and all the other thugs of the world might say, peace is one of them... so is charity. Oh, and let's not forget self-sustainability. OmniPeace has joined forces with Millenium Promise in an endeavor to end extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa by the year 2025, and you can help the cause if you buy one of their tres chic tees, tanks or accessories. Either go to the OmniPeace site and score or cop one of the celeb favorites at Kitson. They even have chocolate bars!

Five, Six, Pick Up... (Fashion... in Living Color)

Cold, Goin' Mad...

I don't know about you, but I've got a case of the "Can't-wait-for-spring" blues. Yeah, Yeah, it's been a relatively mild winter, but everywhere I look, there are reminders of warmer weather. Stores are bringing in spring inventory, and all the fash-rags are telling us how to transition into the next season (the really high sedity ones are reporting on resort attire for those who can afford to escape to more temperate climes... uh huh I will one day when my pockets get right). The rest of us (especially those in windowless cubicles) have to do something to shake this S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder, duh) monkey off our back, though. I say we add a little brightness to our days with pops of color, whether it's a little accessory or an article of apparel. Here are five ideas I found that should help us all get a sunnier disposition.

Just a Touch ($)

A little goes a long way with punchy pigments, so if you're on the conservative side a belt or piece of jewelry may be enough for you. Added to neutral basics, they take you from hum-drum to hotness (and often without diving too far into your pockets). Try this "opposites attract" belt ($7.00) from Lulu's Fashion Lounge (or a bright skinny belt like this Gap one) with a khaki shirtdress, or pair Urban Outfitters' pink agate charm necklace ($38.00) with a white button-up and almost any bottom.
















For the Cool in Hue ($$)

For those who are a little more daring, a key accessory in a vivid shade should do the trick. Let Boutique 9's $135 "U and Me" pumps in dark pink patent perk up gray pants, or get carried away by a bright bag, like Steven by Steve Madden's $195 "Mosaic" in fuchsia.













All Bright with Me ($$$)

Some of us are just plain bold and enjoy standing out. If that's you, go for a simple shift in a stand-out shade, like this $460 indigo "Katen" sweater dress from Diane Von Furstenberg.



***P.S. - What song inspired today's title? Who was it by? Big props to the firs one with the right answer!

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might... (I Will One Day, When My Pockets Get Right!)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my coat."

Cold Chillin...

Baby, it's cold outside, but don't stay in and hide! I'm a summer bunny, so I'll take camisoles and sandals over coats and scarves any day. I live in the Northeast, though, and I've got bills to pay. Like most of you, my paper chase requires I brave the blustering winds. No matter how drab the weather, who wants to blend in? This weathered metallic leather anorak I found on Vivre.com would be a great way to stand out if I had an extra $695 laying around. By no means am I saying that's a bad price, but my family's too big for me to splurge with only a couple of weeks left til Santa visits.

The Ooooooo-Weee! (More intense than a normal fashion fix, here's what has me feenin')

On the Low, Though, Shhh...

Last week, when my fam was here from "Tha A", they wanted to do the tourist thing in NY. Then a friend of mine came up from B-More to shop. I'm game for wearing heels to do almost anything, but with all the cracks and vents, New York streets are too treacherous for long treks in good shoes. As I got dressed, I realized the need for a fly pair of flat boots. I'm not into looking like a cookie-cutter teeny bopper (though I'm barely a day over 20, wink wink), so the 80's-inspired pointy-toed, slouchy boots don't do it for me. A pair of equestrian boots, though, is the perfect wardrobe addition for this clotheshorse. Unfortunately, riding boots (at least the cute ones) can cost a pretty penny. I gotta shout out Tia at Shake Your Beauty for her post on a party dress from Delia's, which, of course led me to a search of the site's shoe department. Gasp! These boots are only $67! Don't spill the beans, though or everybody'll be beat-biting, and we can't have that. So these will be our little secret... pinky swear?

Gangsta Heezeelz!!!

If you're a true music fan, you'll rock a t-shirt featuring your favorite act, right? Well, why should it be any different with fashion, or more specifically, footwear? This "Dressed to Kill" raglan from Hellz Bellz is the edgiest shoe shout out I've ever seen, and I'm lovin' it. I see it with gray or black skinny jeans and converses or ankle boots. I might even be funny and wear a denim mini and ballet flats with opaque tights. I like to keep folks on their toes like that. For only 48 smackeroos, you can get one of your own at Cultlist. Be forewarned, any chick who dares wear this tee better have enough attitude to carry it off. Not for the faint of heart (or foot), it screams "sex, murder and mayhem" (Hov is so quotable!). When you wear your heart on your heels, though, there's bound to be a little bloodshed, right?.

That New New for You You (Pat Field for Barbie)

Barbie Never Plays Out

When i was a wee stylista, my playmate/exemplar epitomized glamor, success and almost everything a girl could want. She was plastic, though, and her world was all for fake fake. (Dunno why we used to say it that way). The dollie days have ended, but thanks to Mattel's strategic partnerships, real-life fashion figures can still channel the eternally chic icon. First, there was the limited edition makeup colabo with M.A.C, and now there's the new fashion line from Patricia Field. (You know, the mind behind Sex and the City style.) Launched November 13 at Field's Manhattan boutique, "Barbie by Patricia Field", a collection of audacious apparel and accessories is comprised of two separate lines, "Barbie Luxe by Patricia Field" (Sold exclusively at Macy's East stores) and "Junior's Barbie Wear by Patricia Field" (sold at Hot Topic). Both lines,however are available at House of Field. So far my favorites are the "I Want My Dream House tee" and the vintage-inspired belted black satin dress.

Five, Six, Pick Up...

Turkey Day Dressing...

It happens every year... you ponder what you'll wear for the big gathering. You want to look cute, yet fam-appropriate. You also need something that will either accommodate or camouflage your post-dinner bulge. Instead of trying to undo the top button on your jeans without anyone noticing, this Thanksgiving, try rockin' an empire-waist frock. Here are five i found that will compliment most body types and fit a range of spending limits:

Bougie on a Budget ($): Wear this $22.80 mock-neck sweater dress from Forever 21 with a cardigan to keep your arms warm.


A Little Wiggle Room ($$): The layering options are endless with this $59.50 pleated denim shift dress from the Gap, and this $44.99 Isaac Mizrahi for Target merino wool turtleneck is a complete look on its own.

















Extra Dough to Throw ($$$): Do it demure in this $240.00 purple knit jersey dress from T-Bags or go girly with the "Lipgloss" ruffled dot dress from Joie. From Net-a-Porter and Nordstrom, respectively.















P.S.
Each of these dresses goes great with any of this season's footwear trends. Just make sure you wear opaque tights. Oh, and if you've decided that you're not doing any shopping until after Thanksgiving, I'm sure you can pair one of your dresses from summer with tights and a cardigan too.