30 Before 30

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how I'd like to wrap up my 20's. At 26, I feel as if my early 20's flew by.  Graduation, moving back to NYC, living on my own, switching industries and making my mark on the fashion world are all things I'm proud of, but I still feel like I'm capable of so much more.  I want to leave my 20's with a bang so that when I'm older and married with kids, I can look back on this period of my life with no regrets.  This New Year's, instead of creating a list of resolutions, I'm challenging myself with a list of 30 life goals I want to achieve before my 30th birthday.  In no particular order, here they are:


1-Get closer to God and find a church home
2- Go on Safari in Kenya
3- Meet someone amazing, fall in love and work towards building a life together
4- Take an amazing vacation with all of my girlfriends
5- Volunteer consistently
6- Go ziplining
7- Train for and run in a marathon (Ok.. maybe a 10k is more realistic lol)
8- Complete a Ballet and African Dance Workshop at Mark Morris
9- Learn to swim
10- Learn to drive
11- Stop playing around and become completely fluent in Spanish
12 -Become debt free
13- Master my Kundalini practice
14- Instruct a Zumba class
15- Forgive everyone
16- Invest in a Burberry Trench
17- Treat myself to a really nice designer bag once a year
18- Expand my accessories/shoe collection
19- Grow my hair to BSL
20- Learn to Salsa and enter a competition
21- Kiss a dolphin
22- Take a photography class
23- Start my business
24- Take a trip to Senegal
25- Pole class :)
26- Organize an AIDS Walk with all of my friends
27- Improve my budgeting skills
28- Laugh more.  Stress less
29- Find a way to blend my two passions, fashion and philanthropy
30- Have an absolutely fabulous 30th Birthday Party

Friends & Family :)

Versace x H&M

 

---+--- duro olowu ---+---

 ---+--- duro olowu ---+---

A Mini NYFW SS 2012 Wrap Up

Once again, Fashion Week has come and gone.  From the excitement of Fashion's Night Out, to all of the shows, the magic of the tents, the fabulous parties and style stalking, (let's not forget about running in heels..lol)  I am entirely worn out. :)

This season, I took a more experimental approach and instead of following the greats, I checked out a lot of new up and coming designers.  I love new talent, and my role as a Buying Consultant has definitely provided me with entree to connecting with some really creative people.
Check out two of my favorites below:

Samantha Black/ Sammy B Designs
OMG I love her!  This season Elle.com promoted the Brooklyn-native, as one of THE designers to watch this season foor good reason.  Her Technicolor Dreams show was incredible. Ms. Black excellently blends sexy, feminine silhouettes with a bit of edge, pops of color and  LOTS of glam.  Her show was lots of fun too, with an appearance from DJ Solange and a runway walk (and slight stumble) from Angela Simmons.

Ingram Talley

Ms. Jakia Handy is so talented!  As a finalist in the Harlem's Fashion Row designer showcase, I really enjoyed her debut line, The Real Surreal.  It was a beautiful mix of watercolor prints and African patterns on contemporary shapes.  I thought she really captured the sophisticated, cultured girl, who isn't afraid to show off and embrace her background while looking fabulous.  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more from Ms. Handy. 

Yuna Yang SS 2012

Shop Online at Zara

Hey Dolls!

So as a few of you may know Zara is my absolute fave store.  They're always on trend with super affordable high quality pieces.  I probably visit at least once a week to check out their new merchandise.  Fortunately for me, I am pleased to announce that starting September 7 you can now shop ON LINE at www.zara.com!

Check out a few pieces below that I plan on picking up for Fall:

Looking forward to Fall..

Stylish Sisters

A Few of My Favorite Things...

We all know that Brights + Color Blocking have been around for a while now, but I'm happy to see a lot of designers transitioning the trend to fall.  Instead of the muted grays and cool blues normally associated with this season, many designers have been filling the runways with serious pops of  bright color.  I love this!  Who says you have to cool down just because of the weather?  See some of my favorite looks below...

Photos courtesy of Refinery29 and Style.com

Saks Joins the Cool Kids with Saks Fashion Fix

This morning luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue announced the launch of its new members only flash sale website www.SaksFashionFix.com.  The retailer is hoping to migrate event oriented shoppers to their full priced goods using cross-promotions.

Wednesday Wake-Up!

“Always move forward. Don’t dwell on the past. Life is short and there’s lots to get done.” - Anna Wintour

Motivation

If you're not growing everyday, you're dying.

Step outside your comfort zone, grow into your Highest 




Potential. Fulfill your purpose!

21

T.G.I.F. (Thank God I'm Fabulous!)

Happy Friday Lovelies!

Here's a little spring fabulousness from Lanvin...

Fashion Networking Mixer!

Hello Ladies,

I am excited to announce the first Professional Girls Night Out of 2011, which will be held onApril 6^th at the Hill on 30^th and 3^rd !

PGNO  provides the opportunity for ladies to enjoy a night out in NYC while inspiring and encouraging each other’s creativity and growth. On the first Wednesday of every month women in the fashion and related industries come together  to network and build relationships in an uplifting, positive environment featuring a female designer, artist or corporate executive and non-profit organization with the goal of bringing attention to stellar individuals and a worthwhile cause…..but mostly an opportunity to mingle with friends and have a great time! J

This month will be accepting donations for Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) to raise funds for the disaster in Japan. We will have my Japanese friend who recently arrived in NY from Tokyo in attendance  to share her story with you. Additionally I will be showcasing a collection of Japanese inspired art including a Japanese kimono made out of recycled materials. We will love it if you can make it!!

The event starts at 7pm!

We will have  $3 draft Budweiser and Yuengling and $5 Appletini’s and well drinks as a special for all our guests.

Let me know if you have any questions and please invite your colleges and friends!!  

Please RSVP to: rsvp@pearlandcompany.com

If you are not able to attend the event, you can still visit their website at www.kidsdonations.orgto make a personal or corporate donation.

Please take a minute to check out the story from Lisa Estevez who attended the event back in November and now is working at Michael Kors! Networking is an amazing thing! -http://www.shoebizness.com/2011/03/from-the-retail-floor-to-the-corporate-office-by-lisa-esteves/

See you soon!

Label Launch: Anagram by Gary Graham

Anagram is the capsule collection inspired by pieces from Gray Graham's namesake line. Much like the name suggest, these pieces are re-arrangements of previous main line pieces using natural-washed silks and cottons. Check out a few pictures below: 

It's 2:30pm! Start Shopping NOW!

In my opinion, the best afternoon pick me up after a busy morning at work is a visit to a few of my favorite online sample sale sites. Gilt Groupe, Haute Look, Fashionism and Rue La La just to name a few, have undeniably altered the e-commerce apparel market. Sites such as these invite shoppers into an exclusive online enclave that thrives on the thrill and impulse of catching a limited time deal. With deep discounts, free membership and expansions into beauty, home, lifestyle and travel, flash e-tailers have concocted a formula that keeps consumers religiously coming back.

In the past month, HauteLook was acquired by Nordstrom for $180 million further establishing the company as a major e-tailer.  The future is here, bringing with it innovative expansions in e-commerce.  Major retailers are trading in bricks-and-mortar for bricks-and-clicks capturing billions of dollars in additional sales as people spend increased amounts of time online.

In the short term, flash e-tailing provides a great way for wholesalers to get rid of excess merchandise and increase online brand presence.  As a regular flash sale shopper I enjoy having convenient, discounted access to brands, products and services that I normally wouldn't be able to afford.  However, as a fashion business professional, I wonder how these companies ultimately affect the bottom line.

Some designers feel pressured to participate in these flash sales to keep up with competitors citing these "fire" sales as harmful to brand integrity and long term positioning.  One designer writes "To participate in this model is to condition existing and future customers to demand deep discounts. If you don't give it to them, they will go somewhere else."

What do you think? Does flash retailing hurt designers?  Are the discounts worth it?

By the way, check out this uber-cute LBD I bought today on Gilt Groupe by frock! by Tracey Reese. Tres chic, no?

Club Monaco - Spring 2011 Look Book

After a seemingly endless winter, spring has finally sprung, bringing with it some fabulous looks from Club Monaco!  Banking on it's tradition sophisticated casual wear, this collection expertly blends neutrals with crisp shades of navy and smoky grays onto flowy silhouettes. Check out a few of my favorite looks or the entire first delivery here.