Giving Back with Fashion

Last month, my beau and I attended the SEA Fashion A “More to Life” Benefit to End Human Trafficking benefit presented by JTS/The Set NYC. The event was hosted by Designer Racquel Mills, actress Brooke Parker, and Jerseylicious star Miguel Allure. The fashion was created by designer Jazmine Miller and makeup by various artists, including New York City based makeup artist Melinda Lombardi.

Make-up Artist Melinda Lombardi

The event was another example of how being apart of the fashion industry can open doors to benefiting others who aren't as fortunate as we are. Opening our eyes to issues such as human trafficking and sex slavery is the first step addressing and preventing these injustices from happening.

Model RivaJean

Spring Scarves1

Spring Scarves1 by thecollegebarbie featuring missoni

Printed scarve
openingceremony.us

Fendi
forzieri.com

Missoni
$225 - harveynichols.com

C Wonder c wonder
cwonder.com

I need to go shopping for Spring!

I know, I'm over here wishing for Spring when there is currently all kinds of snow falling down on the East Coast. If I draw the curtains and go online to shop for Spring clothing, can I pretend that it's warm outside?

I love blazers but I actually don't own very many. Since I just moved, I've been doing my own "closet editing" and I've found that after many years of working behind an office desk left me with one too many muted cardigans and not enough pastels. These jewel tones look lovely on my skin and the cut of a blazer is always great when paired with jeans or even a dress.

Blazers for Spring by thecollegebarbie featuring a boyfriend blazer

By malene birger
$755 - bymalenebirger.com

Dorothy Perkins boyfriend blazer
dorothyperkins.com

Chloé blazer
$1,805 - veryeickhoff.com

Ashley Pittman kimono jacket
$715 - net-a-porter.com

Moschino Cheap Chic single breasted jacket
$680 - flannelsfashion.com

Food Equals Love at NYC's Beauty and Essex

This past weekend I went to Beauty & Essex on the Lower East Side for a friend's birthday. It had been my second time to the venue so I wanted to try newer dishes. The last time I was there, the family rented out the first floor for a party.

The ambiance is lovely with couches and champagne in the restroom and a winding staircase to the second floor which was decorated with a pearl chandelier that covered the entire ceiling.

The Upstairs Lounge (courtesy of Beauty & Essex)

Mudslide Shots

As the six of us drooled over the menu, we finally decided to try a little bit of everything. The group favorite had to be their Lobster Mac & Cheese and the Lobster Tacos, which filled with sweet beer battered Maine lobster with red cabbage slaw on top. We were so sad to see the last one go that we ordered another round! Topped off the the Mudslide Shots for dessert, dinner was followed with a little drinks and dancing.

Now that I have been to Beauty & Essex one two separate occasions, I can see why the place is always packed to capacity and swarming with New Yorkers scrambling to get in.

Kim Kardashian's Vampire Facial

The whole Kim Kardashian vampire facial is straight up weird. It also shows you that some stars will do anything to remain youthful.

WOn a recent episode of Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Kim gets this "vampire facelift", which is intended to fight aging. Apparently she took about two teaspoons of her own blood which was spun in a centrifuge for 10 minutes to separate the platelets. The doctor then injected it back into her face using tiny needles. Watching Kim squirm, squeal and cry was enough to make anyone rethink the entire process.

Courtesy of Kim Kardashian

I've heard that there are different variations of the procedure. Some physicians even add fillers to assist with the final results. If you're interested, this entire ordeal will cost you 15 to 45 minutes and $1500 to $2500. This is being called "the most sought-after procedure after Botox and fillers."

So, would you do it?

Fashion News: BCBG Max Azria for Sale

BCBG Max Azria Group Inc is currently selling for a reported $1 billion. The company owns the BCBGeneration, Max Azria and Herve Leger lines started by Max Azria in 1989. The French designer assigned the acronym "BCBG" which is for the French phrase "bon chic, bon genre" which translates to "good style, good attitude." 

The company has been under severe financial pressure after shutting down their teen line Max Rave and trying to sell the entire company in 2010. With competition such as Saks Inc. and Nordstom, the company will have to revamp its management in order to stay afloat. Lubov Azria, Max's wife, is currently the company's Creative Director.

Photo Courtesy of BCBG.com

Favorite New Product!

These new CoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Lip Balm has got to be one of my new favorite things. I'm a bit obsessed to be honest. I was always looking for a lipcolor that could be worn everyday without looking harsh or too "made up" and this was a winner. I initially purchased these by accident but soon learned that they were brilliant buys. For only $8.99 at the local drugstore, these chubby balms provide tint, moisture and shine. The color is sheer but with several applications, you can really put a nice color on!

CoverGirl has even featured these in their Queen Collection, with richer colors that suit darker skin. I have a few photos below, but of course my sister snatched one. She instantly fell in love too. Check it out!

Mocha Twist 265

Soaked in Wine, Q850, Queen Collection

My hoarding in the early stages

Update & OOTD!

UPDATE! 

Birds flying high

Good afternoon! I've been feeling very blessed and accomplished these past few weeks. Now that I've let go of my baggage aka office life, I'm finally taking hold of what's important to me: more time with my loved ones, evolving my career and taking better care of myself.

In life, I've been cleaning/tossing/donating things in my apartment and focusing a lot more on healthier eating and a simplistic layout for my apartment. No more clutter!

Career wise, my second website is nearly completed! Just a few more tweaks here and there. Really exciting, because saying I'm a wardrobe stylist will translate so much better with a portfolio! Hellllo! I'm so blessed to working with such talented people who have allowed me to work and style for them. I've learned so much. Not everyone is that fortunate!

I also just completed my first piece for Mz. Mahogany Chic! I'm so honored again to be given these opportunities. Writing is something I have always wanted to pursue and even when others were encouraging me to do so, I doubted myself. Until you can encourage yourself to at least TRY to move outside your comfort zone and walk into the unknown, you will never truly feel in control. I certainly feel in real control of my life lately, and I'm so happy I made my own decisions!

Onwards and upwards people. Your life is yours!

New Store Alert! - SwapXXchange

Hey all!! So a few weeks ago, while looking for local boutiques to refer my clients to, I found a lovely store with an amazing concept.

SwapXXchange located in Montclair, New Jersey has redefined consignment or "un-consignment" as they like to call it. With over 2500+ items to chose from, for both women & men, they make it nearly impossible to walk out empty handed!

Whats the deal? Well, you bring in merchandise, they evaluate it & you either get:

- Money on the spot (30% of expected sales price)

- 50% store credit!

 

With the back walls papered up with magazine clippings and shopping bags from various designers and the cool music playing, the atmosphere makes it even easier to shop and enjoy! Even the fittings rooms are cool.

 

 

 

One of my many finds from this week at SwapXXChange

Alexander Wang Grey Sweater Dress, $19

Find more information at:
http://swapxxchange.com

Twitter: @swapXXchange