TUESDAY'S FASHION OBSESSION: DAYTIME SEQUINS and CHIC CHEAP POLISH

You ever hear that whole old-school "after 5" rule... You know, the stuff you're not supposed to wear until evening hours... ie mini skirts, sky-high heels, and -- the focus of today's post -- SEQUINS.

Well, it's not the 90s, I'm not a senior citizen, and I barely like to follow "rules" so I decided to break out of that old hangup and embrace a little daytime sparkle.

And don't worry about those folk that will say "Who does she think she is all fancy during the DAY???" Your response, vibe, and presence should say, "I don't THINK-- I KNOW I'm FAB... so keeping chatting and admiring!" LOL

While I was out shopping, trying to turn around what had become a very annoying work week, I found this great cream/blush, floral-print sequin tee on sale at H&M for $15 (similar in color and shape to the one below. And no, the model does it NO justice. Just think of it as more fitted on me with floral print and better sequin layering). I know... ALLLLL that???  Yes, all that and all FAB. (I guess I should've taken a pic of the top! LOL! Maybe I'll take an outfit of the day pic when I wear it.)

 

It has a muted glamor about it and seems very versatile. Can't wait to pair it with some skinny crop pants or shorts or maybe even a pleated skirt. 

Rasheeda (of Love & HipHop ATL ... yet another #realityTV obsession of mine lately) wore one in last night's episode that was nice.

***(I can't vouch for the accessories though. Don't think the triple herringbones, the yellow drop earrings and that chunky cocktail finger candy was a good match, but I digress)***

Here are a couple more hot sequin tops on my wish list: 

 

Asos ; Telltale Hearts ;  Topshop; Asos

I have to shout out my gyal Sirita for being the queen of daytime sequins and vintage sequin tops. She would always wear them fearlessly and well, and I eventually got into it myself! So shouts to my FAB sis! 

Okay, so on to the next: Cheap chic polish. Doesn't it seem like the hood spots with the cheap/mani pedis have the BEST selection of colors that POP but not in the quality of the polish? It's usually that $1 polish that chips after ONE or TWO hand/dish/hair washing sessions? I hate it. I usually either bring my own polish or only go to the spots I know have Essie or Opi polish offerings. BUT, Wet & Wild has saved the day! 

Remember Wet n Wild used to be the cheap drugstore brand that teenyboppers and teens could rely on when you couldn't afford Cover Girl or Maybelline? (This was BEFORE the MAC days... I guess I'm showing my age a bit). Anywho, they have a $2 polish that, to me, is just as good as Essie (when it comes to the density, color hues and thickness of the polish.) 

I recently picked up their new MegaLast Salon Nail Colors and I LOVE THEM. Lately, I been obsessed with sherbert colors, (kinda over my usual obsession with hot/neon pink) and I def. love a brush that covers most of the nail with one swipe. That kind of brush makes your nails look like you actually got them done professionally because there's less likelihood of making a mistake when you only have to do one or two swipes on your nail to paint it and the shape of the tip is perfect for your nails.

 

Club Havana; On A Trip; Heatwave; Refresh-Mint

I'm crazy about On A Trip, Club Havana, and Refresh-Mint the most. Use a good top coat (try Beauty Secrets or Seche Vite) and it will literally look like you just came from the nail salon. I get many compliments, and though I do regularly get my nails and toes done, I can usually reply with  "Nah, haven't been to the nail shop in a week." LOL. 

**Again sorry about the photo quality... Gotta get into the digicam world like the rest of the bloggers! Soon come!**

Well that's it for me today. See ya at the next FAB post. 

Xisses Miss Jane.

TREND ALERT: LIP FAB! CAN YOU HANDLE COLOR?

Ok, ladies so I know you all have noticed a new ambiance of this blog and I gotta first start off by saying THANK GOD, I finally have help: NYC resident & FBF Miss Jane (You ROCK *kisses*).

I been so busy keeping up the updates on all my other social networks that I barely had time tp update this blog, but nevermind that! A sista got ammo & ready to aim and fire!

Today, I want to discuss the latest trends in makeup, which this summer is BOLD lips. Of course, I can hear ya'll now: Oh I'm too dark for color or it's NOT for me. Let me tell you to each her own but DON'T knock it 'til you try it! Makeup is NOT permanent and the fact that you're reading this gives you a cheat sheet to decide what will suite you best, so enjoy!


For starters, knowing your skin tone will help discover what shade looks most flattering, but hell, who has the time to swatch & research!? Make it easy for yourself and actually use the trial and error method.

Try it ON LOL! I personally have loved bright colors since I was able to wear makeup but that's me. For others, it's a delayed acquired taste. No worries! I'm an avid believer that seeing is believing & daring to be DIFFERENT should be a motto. I mean whats the worst that could happen? You actually like it, right?

Start with using a darker shade around the lip. Back in the day, FAB divas used lip pencils, which is a no-no today for me. I say use a darker lipstick, which is more practical and less harsh looking. NOTHING worst than all your lipstick being gone and a hard lip line left standing. OMG #Truestory (*_#)

As you see, in this picture the lips are outlined with a darker, soft line by lipstick. (You can also use a thick lip pencil. You know, those chunky ones.)

luciesbeautyboxblog.blogspot.com

Afterward,  on the inside of your lips, apply the color you like. It could be a softer shade, let's say soft pink, or glitzy nude pink if you will ,should turn out like so below.

As you can see ladies this can be VERY simple if you follow this cheat trick , Let me know how it works out , I would love feedback & even picks of your new found Divatude in LipPOW. Enjoy. xoxo MJ

As a makeup artist, I'm always on the hunt for the BEST, so I apologize in advance for you ladies who are  Gospel MAC users.  I don't approve of all their selections for woman of color. I have tried their lipsticks and have fell in Love with Lady Ga Ga, but I will leave that explanation for another post. 

Here's some pics of me wearing Lady Ga Ga and Neon Pink from my collection. I havent been able to put it down and in fact, my coworkers always ask me why I'm not wearing it when I do decide to change it up. I love it for the high gloss and most definetly for its long-lasting wear. It's so highly pigmented. You can buy Neon Pink as well as other bright shades from my retail site www.shesfab.com.

Neon Pink

UV Neon Red

UV Neon Cranberry

Lime                                                                  MAC Lady Ga Ga

Gloss & Uv Lipstick sold online @ www.shesfab.com

UV Colors are available on my Website as individual or sets, as shown. They light up and are perfect for body art photo shoots. Buy online @ www.shesfab.com

Here are a few pics of makeup clients who chose the FAB and decided to take a chance on a BRIGHT, BOLD lip:

 

Honestly, NONE of these ladies would have EVER thought they could pull it off. So the proof in the pudding.

I would love to see pics of what you accomplished with today's post. Futhermore, I just wanna see you look FABulous! Who's got your back??? I do!!!!

Stay True Stay You Stay FABB, til next post.

*Kisses* XOXO MJ

FAB WEB STORE ALERT: UK'S AQUA BY AQUA

I love window shopping... on the Web. I can search and search and search to find items I've seen worn on TV, in a magazine ad or on everyday FAB divas for hours upon hours. Once I have something in my head that I'm crazy about, I will research all day and night to find it, especially if it's an item out of my budget. There's ALWAYS a more affordable version or option on the Web. I'm not one to go broke trying to look hot, especially not on MY OWN DIME *WINK.*

Well, I'd recently become a fan of fashion blogger and author of Style Is My Thing (whose blog I found after another blogger raved about her style. Can't remember that blogger's name or the name of her site but when I do, I'll link it.)

 

I absolutely fell in love with this skirt (well the whole ensemble, but the skirt in particular), and turns out it's by Aqua by Aqua, a UK designer and retailer. 

Think Asos mets Calvin Klein or Donna Karan but at affordable (Topshop-esque) prices. Many of the pieces are sleek, structured and simple but have a sexy allure or accent to them. 

 

 

 

 

FAB, right? Well, I have def. put some of these pieces on my wish list. And they're having a sale as well ;)

I might actually do these kinds of posts every Friday for fav Web retailers that aren't the norm. I know all the divas know about Asos and Forever 21 and Topshop and the like, but it's refreshing to shop elsewhere and be the only gyal at the party wearing what you're wearing. LOL!

Stay FAB.

Xisses Miss Jane

 

THURSDAY FASHION OBSESSIONS: DENIM TOPS & NEON SATCHELS

I love looking through dancehall party photos. It's a guilty pleasure. Love seeing the creativity and divaliciousness of FAB partygoers unafraid to express their fashion creativity, no matter who judges or dislikes it. And on one of my usual perusals, I saw a gyal in a cute cropped denim wrap top that had puffy cap sleeves. It was adorable and reminded me of my love of denim tops. 

I've always been a fan of wearing denim in the not-so-usual way, so denim tops are def. a fav of mine. I have a weakness for men who wear denim button-downs as well, since my earliest crush on one of the sexiest men to ever live, Bob Marley. (I tried to get an ex to get into that trend but he thought it was too country western for his tastes lol).

I happen to always have a denim top in my wardrobe, whether long-sleeved, cropped, a tank or a vest. They always add that casual sexy edge to a dress or skirt (which I'm most likely to be seen wearing). Back int the day I had a denim bustier that I wish I still had today. Gosh the things we take for granted in our youth. 

This top is from one of my fav boutiques in SOHO (and they prob have them elsewhere) called Necessary Clothing. I was surprised to find they have a Web store! I prefer the whole routine of going to Broadway and visiting every one of them (as if they have diff. things to offer LOL) but the Website is def. convenient and makes the clothes available to my FAB gyals nationwide. 

The skirt I have on is actually a strapless maxi dress that I simply pulled down to my waist and rolled the top of. It's from Forever 21 (old). 

Here are some other great denim tops I have my eye on:

Necessary Clothing ; Zara; Asos ; Zara

Asos; Asos; Topshop; Topshop; 

#Random but am I the only one who believes oftentimes the product models do the clothes no justice? I think they should have real models in various sizes rock these looks in the product shots. Some items, if I were going by the photo alone, would not be enticing to me, but I've learned to visualize how I would look in something and what I'd put with it. It also helps to see other stars/bloggers who have similar body shape/style wearing the clothes. These hanger-size or teenybopper models just are not the biz for me. 

Anywho, denim will def. be part of my summer-going-into-fall wardrobe. Try pairing them with crop pants, flowy skirts, contrasting colored denim or even a formal maxi skirt and I even want to try and incorporate it into my work looks. The office has a business attire dress code, but why not sneak in a little denim under a blazer every now and then? 

Okay, moving on to my next obsession: neon structured satchels.

I saw a guy (heeeey boo) wearing an neon yellow satchel like the one above while I was on my lunch break. I'd fallen out of love with purses that have long straps because sometimes the straps can be annoying to handle (the purse can swing from every which way while walking the busy and oftentimes crowded streets of NY) and also I never liked the feeling of a strap across my chest (which doesn't look that great if your boobs are over a size B...which mine are). I'm one to carry short-strap bags (in that siddity, mid-arm, ladies-who-lunch, kind of way LOL).

BUT, I couldn't help but swoon at his bag and almost followed him more than three blocks just staring to get details in my head so I could look for the bag myself. LOL #FashionPsycho.

Here are a few I found online:

Asos; Asos; Cambridge Satchel Co.;  Loehmann's (Who the hell knew Loehmann's had a Web store? LOL... Guess I'm mad late on that... But again, I'm a gyal who loves the real-life shopping experience... I LOVE going to Loehmann's on my lunch breaks simply to look and try on shoes and bags... )

Okay I'm tired and fighting the sickies... Random ending but what more can I say.

Stay FAB ladies ;)

Xiss Miss Jane

WEDNESDAY FASHION OBSESSION: PEPLUM, LACE & EMBELLISHED COLLARS


So, I just recently began channeling my obsession with fashion inspirations via blog (thanks Monnica for the outlet). Much of this has been in my head (and flooding my FB timeline LOL) but I hadn't had a forum to really let it out. I've decided to come to you daily (or whenever the urge hits me) with my fashion obsessions.

Today, we'll start with lace, a hot current fabric and something I've loved since childhood. My Granny always had lace tablecloths and runners about the house, so I always saw it as part of being feminine and stylish, whether it's in intimates, lingerie worn as tops, pants, skirts or shirts. (Don't let the name Granny fool you. She is def. a chic diva, and has been for well, since I've known her---more than two decades.)


Anywho, I've also craved peplum lately, from tops to dresses to shorts.

After seeing my two fav fashion bloggers of the moment Just Patience and Atlantic Pacific wearing FAB peplum (and lace) pieces, I've def. been on the hunt.

I kept looking for that H&M sleeveless peplum number but no store had my size! I started to ask my Granny to make it and she laughs and says "Y'all didn't like it when I made those styles for you as kids!" LOL, Granny, kids don't know style!!!)

I knew I was not taking to ANYBODY'S sewing machine, and I hate waiting on pieces to be finished at a tailor, so I kept the search going.

After searching and searching, I finally found peplum galore with these Zara darlings:

White studded FAB; Red futuristic FAB ;  Lace ruby FAB;  Leopard wild FAB

I will be indulging in one of these by pay day!


You can pair pepulum tops with almost anything slimming and slinder or even a flowy or pleated miniskirt or hotpant/shorts. I like to wear them with cropped pants/jeans (another obsession) and flats or t-strap heels.

 
Switching FAB gears, I'm also NUTS about embellished collars. Just bought two sleeveless button-down shifts with sequin collars, one black with black sequins and one white with gold sequins. They were on sale for $10 at one of my fav little boutiques in SOHO, NYC (along Broadway. As usual, I can't remember the name. There are so many nice little spots that have affordable, chic fashions).

 I like to wear these buttoned alllll the way up (even in warmer weather). Never really bothers me because collars never fit my skinny neck tight anyway lol. I just love to show the structure and the glam of the collar. Add a bit more glam with some chunky or sparkly accessories. I love daytime bling and am kinda breaking out of a style rut myself so I try to take it to the limit nowadays with my style lately.

(BTW, the necklace is from H&M. I practically wear it every other day ... that's another obsession for another blog).

 
Here are a few online picks to check out as well:

Asos ;  Zara;  Asos ; Asos

 
Zara ; Asos;  Zara ;

Lace, embellished collars and peplum! Hey, wear them separate or all together for a FAB elegant look with a little edge.

Xisses Miss Jane