I Want That!!

Everyone has a personal style. The problem is achieving that looking within your budget...if you have one like me. I stumbled across pictures of Tracee Ellis Ross from Girlfriends. If I had to channel one particular character or person for whom I love all their clothes, it would definitely be Joan from Girlfriends. The mix of Boho Chic and classic styles are the only reasons I watched the show. Often I would watch the show on mute purely so I can check out the clothes.


Anywho, it got me to thinking about style icons. I feel like I am pretty consistent in what I like...it is either really classic or really bohemian...the mixing of the two is just the coup de grâce!

So for pure amusement and to give you an idea of what I love, I threw a bootleg montage of looks that I love! If I could have the wardrobe of Joan Clayton on Girlfriends and ALL of Lana Turner's clothes in Imitation of Life, you wouldn't be able to tell me nuffin!

...laa la la la...wait til I get my MONEY right...la la la la...you won't be able to tell me nothing right (a little Kanye West for you to get my point point across:)


I slipped in some pics of Lana Turner, Dorothy Dandridge and Beyonce'...I am not a huge fan of Beyonce's personal style because it involves way too much gold and studs but clearly her mama didn't style her this day...because that Purple dress is FIERCE and I worship it! And the Alicia Keys pic is strictly because that dress is SOO me! I love it!

Who is your style icon? Past, present, dead, alive, famous, friend or family?

I wish I could be this excited about writing papers for my grad classes...not to fret though because Oprah is going to call me any day to do a feature on me......she's just busy right now with those kids in Africa...but she's gon' call soon...as soon as she gets off the phone with Gayle?!?

Leave Comments

If you were trying to leave a comment on a blog before and wasn't able to...it was because I am a loser.

I was having technical difficulties but you can leave them now...I hope:)

By the way...I know this blog won't save the world or even save gas for that matter, it's just something to do.

I could be out smoking crack or stealing a husband or switching price tags on shoes because I can't afford them or anything for recreation but I figured I would talk about clothes instead:)

I got options baby! Smile...God loves you:)

P.S...I haven't read The Secret or The Purpose Driven Life but I think I know enough about both. Basically, the goal is to think of a goal, write the goals down and speak it into existence.

So here's my scaled down version of just that....I want to blog so well that people will love it, then somebody will know somebody that knows somebody that will know someone who will approach me about a book. Then the book will spun a career as a stylist and ultimately The Lifetime Movie network will buy the rights to my book which will spun a miniseries called God's Favorite Shoes. Then Oprah will call me and feature me as not only the book of the week but also on a Makeover show...

Basically, I'll be a black version of Candace Bushnell aka Carrie Bradshaw aka Sex in the City aka...PAID!

Ok...Ready, Set, Go!..............Amen!

HotLanta!!

So I finally made it to HOTLANTA! I will be honest, I was more focused on the shopping than I was touring the city.

I will say that the Martin Luther King Center needs to be upgraded and those King children need to stop pocketing all that money and pay for some lawncare up in that piece, they ought to be ashamed of themselves for letting the place go like it is....but I digress...

I read in my favorite magazine, Lucky Magazine, about all the places to find great boutiques and vintage stores in the ATL. Plus Atlanta just built not one but TWO...ah ah ah ah...(a little Count Dracula from Sesame Street humor)...H&M Stores. So I had to make it there.

The boutiques were in area called Little Five Points. Great Stuff! I discovered The Clothing Wharehouse that was this super organized and color coordinated store. The whole store was organized by color which made it very easy to find great clothes.

I stumbled across the Green Dress, the Blue and White Striped Dress and the Blue/Purple Flowered Dress there!! They looked to be all made in the 70's and I have no idea why but clothes cut back in the day fit me better...none of this European sizing crap of today:)

I fell absolutely in love with the Striped dress and I got it for 10 bucks because there were a few stains on there that I have to Pray to the Dry Cleaner GODS about getting out...but I have faith. The blue/purple dress fits like a dream...no alterations needed. I just have to find some cute belts for all the dresses..I'm thinking a cute Dark brown Wide buckled belt will do and a big Red one for the blue/purple dress.

I also added this pic of the black flowered dress that I got here in Houston for 20 odd bucks and had it turned into a mini...One problem...it is Poly-Freakin-Esther and is flaming hot! Not hot as in I am too cute but Hot as in I need some mini-fans on me all times to rock this dress! But I will not let that deter me...there is a time and season for everything. Unfortunately Houston only has one season...HOT...so I have to wait til Feb to rock this joint...Oh but rest assured, I will rock it.

The whole point in my bantering about these finds is the simple fact that I KNOW no one will be running around with these same pieces and they were all ridiculously affordable.

I'll post pics of me actually wearing these outfits eventually...but first I must invest in a digital camera. These camera phone pics are a little embarrassing but I've got to start somewhere.

I really wish someone would pay me to style them or shop for them...That would make me seem less of a psycho and more of a "professional".

I am officially apologizing for the "boot-leggedness" of my pictures...My only tools are my camera phone and poor bathroom lighting.

So forgive me if you happen to see a roll of toilet paper lurking in the corners or even the reflection of my dog in some pics...I'm working with what I have until the Lord Upgrades me:)

...and if God is listening to meaningless banter tonight... I'd also would love a mannequin bust to display clothes...Amen

New...Again

So, I have always dabbled in thrift stores or "vintage" stores as I like to call them. Everything from the 80's are coming back in style anyway but I personally like the 50's, 60's, and 70's look. Well, anywho...I decided to dabble back into my few "secret" retro-vintage-thrift stores and came up with what I think are cute finds.

I hate wearing what everyone else is wearing and one way to avoid that is to dig out old clothes. I came across a few pieces for great prices and decided to update them. Actually, I can't take credit for that even..one of my friends gave me the great idea to alter clothes to update the look. So, I found a few great pieces and how them shortened. I traditionally am a lover of long "maxi" dresses but Houston's heat has me looking into anything that gives these legs some air. I also wanted to post a pic of how some things look one way on a hanger but have a whole different meaning on the body.

Ok. So the Khaki one with the belt was labeled as an 80's Khaki dress...It was much longer but I had it made into a Mini... I found my old trusty brown Obi inspired belt and threw on some espadrilles...and I have a whole new outfit for 11 bucks...well 22 bucks counting the ten for alterations. Notice how it looks so much different on the hanger than when I put it on...Little things like changing the length or changing buttons on a piece can make a world of difference.

I also posted some pics of shoes that would look great with my Vintage wear if I actually owned them:( A girl can dream)

Always try to find accessories that jazz up an outfit. Mix high end pieces with low end pieces (I don't have any High end pieces but if I did...best believe that I would mix it up.) Trust me there are some great finds in the resale shops...I actually am "living within my means" when I go there...I have no business shopping at anything other than Target and resale shops.

P.S....Disclaimer...I am not claiming to be the biggest baddest chick when it comes to clothes but everybody claims to be an authority on something or other...I figure I am an authority on what works for me) And it might just work for you. You can take it or leave it. If it helps...great...if it doesn't, then you can laugh at me on the inside. Either way, I wouldn't lose much sleep:)

P.P.S....If you happen to run into me in the street and I look like a buster...trust me when I say that I KNOW the rules even if I am slumming it that day:) Toodles

Things I love right now

Okay, So I have been searching for a suit because I'm trying to UPGRADE (as Beyonce' would say) my wardrobe. I haven't worn a suit in years and needed one badly. These two come from Banana Republic and the darker suit is quite pricey...according to MY dwindling bank statements but definitely worth every penny.

I love rocking a classic look with funky jewelry or something unexpected. For me, imagine rocking these suits with an afro puff (as I do) and hoop earrings and some fierce shoes!! I especially love pencil skirts on women with curves (obviously these models need to eat). I'll aspire to find pictures of real women on the streets of Houston who work all kinds of styles but right now I'm all about the classic yet slightly untraditional suit...Can't you just picture a metallic gold clutch with this!! LOVES IT!

Side note...I am going to Jill Scott's concert in a few days and have contrived a wonderful outfit in my head. It consists of a gray pinstriped pencil skirt worn with a "wife beater" (isn't that just an awful name for an article of clothing!). Really, it's a ladies white tank top from Target...I love the Mossimo Tanks(pictured above) and how they fit. (The key to a good tank top is to make sure it is a long and lean cut...trust me, you'll thank me)

I am thinking I will rock one of my few designer shoes...correction...my ONLY designer shoes...my red/black Marc Jacobs pumps (pictured above), red bracelets, afro puff, big silver hoops and a red clutch. How does that sound? By the way, don't sleep on TARGET! One day, I'll go to Target and do a "schtick" on how to find pieces there...they are the poor girl's Neiman Marcus:)

Anywho, the outfit for the concert sounds great in my head but we'll see. I wish I had some PLUM heels, clutch and accessories...that would just set it off! I am a big believer in wearing a pop of color with everything. I hate "matchy match" type outfits...Yuck. We'll see about the "concert outfit" though because if my Spanx aren't cooperating, that pencil skirt will NOT be worn! Every woman should own Spanx...They saved my life!

(That should be title of Trina or Missy Elliot's next hit..."SPANX SAVED MY LIFE") If Lil Wayne is considered a lyrical genius rapping about Lolipops, I know the Spanx song would be a hit. Alicia Keys can sing the hook since I know she wears them...did you see her accidentally flash her Spanx at the BET awards a few days ago? If she has access to trainers and chefs and she still believes in a girdle...EVERY WOMAN SHOULD!

Anyway, I digress...you'll find out that I tend to do that quite often:)

Back to the Jill Scott concert...I'll post a picture of the outfit if I wear it. I conjure up ideas all the time in my head but they often only work on other people other than me!

I just recently bought a suit similar to the picture above and must find all ways to rock it! Everything in my closet must have the potential to be repurposed! I don't have money to throw away.

***Side note: A pencil skirt must narrow around the knees in order to be called a PENCIL skirt! Just so you know, I wear a size 12.. so I wouldn't tell you anything that would not flatter the curvy woman's body. Sure, a size 2 is probably an easier palet to work with but curves just makes the difference between a girl and a WOMAN's body...as Raheem Devaughn's song "WOMAN" plays in the background! LOL!

God's Favorite Shoes

First of all, let me clarify the title of my blog! I was really trying to think of a name and of course you have to think of something catchy. Well ultimately, this blog will be mostly about Clothes because I love them. I am broke as Brokeback Mountain but I'm in love with clothes...but I'll get to that later.

I thought for a while and knew that the title of my blog had to be catchy, somewhat witty and relatively short because everyone suffers from A.D.D. and/or a short attention span these days. I have a habit of only buying things that I LOVE...I don't buy shoes that I don't love and that got me to thinking...What if God had a favorite pair of shoes!?!?! What would they look like! If God were allowed to be vain for just 5 minutes, what would he grab out of a burning house!And voila...GOD'S FAVORITE SHOES was born!

This blog is primarily my own brainchild because I love to write and I love fashion...and to be quite honest...my life is a reality show! MTV should follow me around for one day with just an old school handheld camera and I guaran-darn-tee that there would be footage for a whole season. My friends are always telling me that I should write stories because I swear to you... there is always something going on with me and quite honestly...I think I am God's comic relief.

So my ultimate goal is to talk about my favorite things like Oprah but I'm just a younger, poorer...okay....alot poorer version of her...but don't expect any give aways! I can't even give me away these days.

So...in essence, I'll focus on clothes...things I love, things I covet, things I can't have, looks I am trying to achieve but also total randomness about me because trust me, my life orbits in random patterns.

I'll probably talk more about clothes than "fashion" because I'm not a namebrand snob but I do like nice things. I don't own very many namebrand items but the few I do own are worth worshipping!

I will also keep you abreast of my favorite things, favorite quotes and the like...we'll see how far the ride takes us!

(by the way...you will notice alot of these "..." because it's a habit and overall serves a great purpose. Plus, my whole life could be summed with "..." As a matter of fact, my tombstone should just read my Name and '...' because there is totally too much to explain!) Don't say I didn't warn you though:)