Boutique Feature: RAD + REFINED

Last month I had the pleasure of attending the RAD + REFINED Pop Up shop at Room 86. I was actually just accompanying my friend to the event but I fell in love with the pieces that Jacqueline Rezak has to offer. Take a look at the site! You'll find fun brands like BLU MOON & WILD FOX COUTURE to name a few. The price range is from $22-$1600! Yes, you can find vintage pieces as high as $1600 bucks on the site. But they are worth it because they are authentic, trendy vintage pieces.

I was so impressed by the calendar feature on the website that allows you to book an appointment to try on pieces if you are in the LA area! Very cool and unique option!

Shop away ladies & let me know what you think about the site:

RADANDREFINED.COM

You can also follow them on twitter for constant updates! @RADANDREFINED

xo

LA Street Style: Vintage Mix

How adorable is Kayla Blackmon. She's a student at FIDM. But that's obvious by this well put together vintage chic outfit! What I love about the outfit is that 2 pieces that she has on are handed down by her grandmother.  I absolutely love that! Can you guess which pieces? Her outfit inspired me to dig out a fox stole my grand mommy gave me! Let's see how I rock!

Kayla's outfit: Vintage Blouse from her grandmother; Urban Outfitter skirt; American Eagle tights; Dolce Vita Bootie; Envelope Clutch from her grandma

xo 

SPRING 2012: TOP TRENDS

spring 2012 TOP TRENDS: 

1. neon colors mixed with prints 2. color blocking is going forward as a top trend 3. distressed denim continues strong 4. statement jewelry sets the stage

With SPRING 2012 fast approaching, many of us are gearing up for Spring Campaigns to highlight what's new & fresh for the season. On Monday, I had the pleasure of working with of few of my industry friends to bring the SUGAR SCOUT COUTURE and SOSNboutique's spring campaigns to life.

As stated in our previous Spring Makeup post, pop lip colors are going to be huge this season. Ladies gear up by getting your orange, tangerine & hot pink lips ready to add flair to any look.

Color blocking is one of the trends that we've watched grow over the past year. We decided to color block throughout the entire look vs. within an article of clothing. For example, in look 2 we added depth to the leopard dress by popping a HOT PINK shoe & nails with a RED/ORANGE lip.

If you follow my blog you know, DENIM is EVERYTHING!! We decided to show 4 ways to wear denim shorts: denim on denim, denim shorts with a long layered look & pumps, denim shorts with an oversized sheer woven and lastly, denim shorts with tights! Either way you decide to rock the look, DENIM SHORTS are a never ending trend.

What would a SPRING LOOK be without statement jewelry. This season we have added headpieces to our collection! In addition, our earring collection has grown to include more stone & chain combinations. Oh and don't forget arm candy! Cuffs & charm bracelets styled together are HUGE for spring!   

Thanks to the crew that helped bring this shoot to life! 

Studio & Styling: Jessica Matlock, You Be Your Best You
Photography: Mike Melendy
Makeup & Hair: Brandy Allen
Clothing: Something Old, Something New
Jewelry: Sugar Scout Couture

Thank you for viewing! I'd love to get your feedback.

xo

Fire Hot Spring 2012 Beauty Trend

The Statement Lip!

This post is courtesy of my sister-in-law, Mrs. @PaintedPrettyMU. Her makeup game is SICK! Whenever I need my face beat, she's the chick for the job. So, I'm sure you will enjoy her point of view. Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tira. MUAH!

Lipstick is back and bolder than ever! In shades of electric orange and hot pink, this trend was all over the Ready To Wear Spring 2012 runways and it pairs perfectly with all of the neon and prints we will be seeing this season.

How to: Pick your favorite shade of bright orange or hot pink lipstick, skip the shimmer to keep it modern and in the moment.

Keep the rest of the face simple and clean with light foundation or your favorite tinted moisturizer. 

You can lightly line the top lash line for day or add a bold winged liner for extra flavor at night. 


Top it off with a glossy black mascara and your favorite Sugar Scout Couture accessories and you are out the door! It doesn't get any easier than this to make a statement. 

Our Favs!

Mac Morange Lipstick

Nars Schiap Lipstick

Signed,

Painted Pretty MUA

LA STREET STYLE: Monster Menj

Vintage Levi Jacket,  H&M blouse, American Apparel leggings

boots: Aldo

hair tie: Monster Menj

My homegirl Menjia came by my boutique, Something Old Something New, on Saturday. She is so cute and stylish. We had a few minutes to catch up on fashion, mutual friends & of course our work! Menjia has a very distinct style. On saturday she managed a comfortable, vintage inspired look. I love her American Apparel leggings and the Aldo boots are my fav!! What do you think about @MonsterMenj's look?

COLOR COLLISION

Accessories by yomegz
Jumper by Abeyo Marqz
Shoes by Neurotica Heels

LA & NY Stylists & Press contact Joe eXclusive's DESTINATION 1610 STYLEHOUSE www.DESTINATION1610.com

Images shot at PORTFOLIO360 Melrose

Get 6" closer to Heaven!

Last night I had the pleasure to shoot an amazing shoe line, Neurotica Heels. These shoes are MAY-JOR!! Styles range from platforms, pumps, stilettos to wedges. The materials used are so creative & edgy giving you that added couture feel! The designer uses silks, swarovski crystals, french lace & stainless steel. Trust me, these designs are like nothing you've ever seen. Celebrities rocking Neurotica Heels include Tameka Tiny Harris and the R&B songstress Mya.

My favorite style is the Leopard Paper Bag! This shoe is a platform with black studs & of course the paper bag detail that goes around your ankle. #SICK!

Leopard Paper Bag $115

The lego shoe is fun, playful & edgy.

Lego City $170

 This paper pump is dope too! Notice the detail of the stones! #psycho

 One fun design feature is that each custom heel has a base height of 6". Cop a pair..."Get 6" Closer to Heaven!"

www.myneuroticaheels.com

STYLIST IN LA & NY, SHOES CAN BE FOUND AT JOE EXCLUSIVE'S DESTINATION 1610 STYLEHOUSE http://WWW.DESTINATION1610.COM.

xo

LA STREET TREND: DENIM SHORTS

I've been in love with denim forever. Maybe it's a Cali thing, maybe it's not. But #LA chicks will wear denim in so many different ways. At an event last night, I noticed that DENIM SHORTS are still a hot trend. I predicted at the end of the summer that denim shorts would go forward, especially in LA. And it has!

See the cute ways they were styled:

Kenya Kirkland, Sugar Scout Couture

Distressed Denim Shorts from Something Old, Something New

Tory Burch fur boots

Jessica Matlock, Fashion Psychologist

Black blazer & Distressed Denim Shorts from Something Old, Something New

Oulabator Louboutin boots!

Tae styled her shorts with oversized knit top & pumps

Milan styled her shorts with tights & blazer! adorable!

How do you style your denim shorts? Or are you scared to rock them this time of year? 

xo

NAI VASHA COLETTE THOMAS: UNSKIN

Last night I had the honor to attend a viewing of Nai Vasha Colette Thomas' photography viewing. The show was amazing. I was overwhelmingly inspired.

I honestly walked into the room with the intentions of just supporting my friend. But, she completely captivated me with her true, honest & compelling words. Her message to the world is be truly authentic. We've heard these words before. But as I stood there and watched her remove her hat, wig, jacket and all her clothes those words had a completely new meaning.


We live in a world that holds us to unfair expectations. We strive to meet these expectations and we lose who we truly are. Some of us wear weaves to fit in. We buy expensive shoes for attention. We hang out with people who don't like us to be "in the circle". And by doing all of that..you lose yourself. Who are YOU? Are you being authentic?



      



Words from VASHA:

"Embrace your true identity
 Embrace who you are inside"

"Don't be who people expect you to be"

"unveil. unpeel. unclothe. bare.disrobe."

This girl is amazing! If you are interested in her work check out her site: jupiterpluvius.com
Also follow her on twitter: @nai_vasha
Instagram: naivasha

HOT NEW TREND: The Goddess Headpiece

How adorable is Byby owner & style guru, Jessica Matlock in Sugar Scout Couture headpiece and her Versace for H&M dress? Oh & her over the knee, black leather Monica Louboutins are MAJOR!

The headpiece is from our Spring '12 collection which embodies the essence of the Urban Goddess. She's all about glitz & glam but the gold chain gives her a strong urban edge. Headpieces are now available on our site www.OfficialSugarScoutCouture.com. Get yours now!

Goddess Headpieces are also available at L3boutique!

CYRCLE.

Lastnight, my good friend Jessica Matlock (ByBy Studio) & I, went to The Factory at Room 86. It was this cool mix of LA fashion + music + art. The room was filled with a bunch a creatives from fashion designers to web designers and of course Street Artist! 

I was so excited to meet the minds behind CYCLE. Back in October, I was introduced to their work at the Lab Art installation. I've been a fan ever since. The message behind their art is defiant, raw, non violent & STREET. The combination of graffiti, design & raw talent is what sets them apart. CYRCLE. WE NEVER DIE.

After chilling with them and looking at their site, I was totally inspired. I wondered how the street art culture has inspired fashion & style. Well, we see it everyday in the distressed denim, torn & destructed leggings, oversized printed tees...it's all around us. Today my mission is to seek out their murals & take in the art.

                                       

I shot this image at Lab Art last year:

Images below courtesy of www.cyrclebrand.com:

get inspired. check out their site: www.cyrclebrand.com And stay tuned. I will be visited their studio and posting pics soon!

"LA, LA Big City of Dreams"

Los Angeles inspires me in so many ways. The skyline is one of the best views in the Country. As a L.A. native, there are so many things from my child hood that are imprints.

The smell of the beach, the sunset, Mexican Food, distressed denim, comfortable Tshirts, the music, street art, the gangsta mentality, marijuana and Palm Trees are the things that remind me of Los Angeles. Marina del Rey on Friday night, Melrose on Saturday, Venice Beach on Sunday, the skating rink and of course Crenshaw Blvd. I didn't grow up on the "Westside". But I was raised in the affluent neighborhood of Baldwin Hills before BET made a television show. Late night Theo on 92.3 FM...

These feelings of endearment for LA overwhelm my heart as I look at the pictures I took as the sun rose on 1/1/2012, the 1st sunrise of the New Year. I'm so prepared for the success, hard work, surprises, growth & laughter that will come this year. Looking at the skyline just heightens my excitement. I had to share with you all!

People always wonder where I get my laid back Cali style, now you know...Y'all flew here, I grew here.

I used to wake up to this view everyday! I can appreciate it much more now that its not apart of my daily routine.

#iloveLA