Memo 096: I'm ONE!!!

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 30, 2013

Subject: HUHC Outfit Recap: Sunday Brunch/Day Party
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Happy One Year Blogaversary to me!!

I'm super excited to be here and I'm so glad that you've been along for the ride. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for this blog. As a way to show my appreciation, I'm giving one of you lucky readers a gift! Click "More Werk" for the details.

On to the outfit...

This is my Howard University Homecoming look from the Sunday Brunch/Day Party. Yes, you read that right. There was a brunch immediately followed by a day party. I'm not sure to this day who played in the football game or who won but I did know the time and location of every party going on this past weekend! I felt that this look fit both of the occasions. It was girly enough for a Sunday brunch and jazzy enough for the day party! 

Blazer: Parker, Top: Tory Burch, Skirt: Devlin

Belt: Armani Exchange, Shoes: Zara, Clutch: Zara

Blazer: Parker, Top: Tory Burch, Skirt: Devlin

Memo 095: Photo Shopping

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 24, 2013

Subject: Subtle Color Block
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We live in the age of Insta-everything which means we literally need to be ready at the flash of a camera.

Some pieces actually look better in photos than in real life and vice versa. So, it's not a bad idea, especially if you're going somewhere with lots of photo ops (which is almost anywhere), to take a few pics before you head out just to see what the camera sees.

Take this look, for example. It looks good, right (and that's mostly due to the photographer)? Like, it's cool in the pics. It comes together nicely. But see it in person, I promise, it's a different situation. It's so much more luxe in real life. The quality of the fabrics is bananas. It's sheer, lace, silk, wool, and leather heaven.

So, my charge to you today, is take that camera phone out of your bag and snap some pics in the fitting room. 

Stay ready so that you don't have to get ready!

Top: Brunello Cucinelli, Bralette: H&M, Skirt: D&G
Photography: Elton Anderson

Hat: Zara, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Boots: Aldo, Gloves: Consignment
Photography: Elton Anderson

Memo 094: Quilted Softness

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 22, 2013

Subject: Constrained
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I don't know if I'm the only one but every time I get dressed, I want to create a new look. Now, I'm not here for the wear it once lifestyle but I do want to take familiar pieces and create something new.

Under time constraints, this can sometimes cause delays in the schedule. When I'm getting dressed my room looks exactly like someone invited twelve rambunctious children to have their way with my closet.

Anywho, this look came together in one of those time constrained situations. I love the way the textures complimented each other. The leather against the quilted pattern in the top...such a good idea.

Jacket: Blank NYC, Top: ASOS, Skirt: ASOS

Jacket: Blank NYC, Top: ASOS, Skirt: ASOS

Sunglasses: Marni for H&M, Belt: Zara, Clutch: Zara

Memo 093: Sitting Up in My Room

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 18, 2013

Subject: Dressed
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I make a lot of music references, don't I?

Music is the soundtrack to my life! Whatever I'm doing is that much more enhanced when there are some good groves playing in the background.

When the Marni for H&M collection debuted, I'm not sure what I was doing but I definitely wasn't where I was supposed to be...in line at H&M! I think this was one of my favorite collaborations from H&M. Luckily, I went in DAYS after the opening day and stumbled across this cutie. I'm not sure how it was still in the store but it was there and in my size! Thank you, Father God. No further questions asked...

Dress: Marni for H&M 

Necklace: David Aubrey and c/o Arthur and Livingston, Belt: French Connection, Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Memo 092: Check You Out!

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 15, 2013

Subject: All Plaid Everything
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So, it looks like plaid is in this season. I've been seeing the tartan print all over the place. Although, I'm not completely a fan of the red patterns (it reminds me of my grade school uniform), I did fall in love with these black, white and tan pieces.

Plaid all in my chain, plaid all in ring, plaid all in my watch. Don't believe me just watch!

Top: ASOS, Skirt: ASOS, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Shoes: Burak Uyan

Top: ASOS, Skirt: ASOS, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Shoes: Burak Uyan

Top: ASOS, Skirt: ASOS, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Shoes: Burak Uyan, Belt: BCBG

Memo 091: Boom Box

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 11, 2013

Subject: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Boom Sweatshirt - Look 3
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How 80s of me, I know. I couldn't resist. And it was completely by accident. I started with the Armani Exchange denim pageboy hat and the Melody Ehsani Queen of the Jungle Necklace just felt so right. We won't even talk about the skirt. Like, let's not even acknowledge it.

Wait, but the skirt was $20. Ok, I won't mention the skirt again. Hold on, but people left it in the store for WEEKS! Like, no one even wanted it. I'm done talking about it. For real this time, I won't mention the skirt again. 

One last thing, there were a few sequins missing from the front of the skirt BUT a few missing sequins should NEVER stop you from having something fabulous. 

Message: Get a good tailor in your life. Now.

Anyway, check out the video. It's poetry in motion.

Sweatshirt: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Skirt: H&M, Necklace: Melody Ehsani

Bag: Zara, Shoes: Burak Uyan, Rings: H&M

Memo 090: Ms. Boombastic!

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 9, 2013

Subject: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Boom Sweatshirt - Look 2
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Say me fantastic touch me on the back. He says I'm Ms. Ro...

You know the rest! 

Confession: I had to look up the lyrics. I understood not ONE word of what Shaggy was saying in Mr. Boombastic!

Moving on, I, clearly, love black and white paired with this sweatshirt. It's just so visually pleasing and it doesn't compete with the graphics on the sweatshirt. 

Ms. Roooooo....mantic!

Sweatshirt: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Skirt: ASOS
Photography: Elton Anderson

Scarf: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Clutch: Nasty Gal, Boots: Sam Edelman
Photography: Elton Anderson

Photography: Elton Anderson

Memo 089: Here Comes the Boom!

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 7, 2013

Subject: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Boom Sweatshirt - Look 1
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This Boom sweatshirt from the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collaboration was expected to be a pretty big hit. And it was!

Everybody and their mother's 2nd cousin has it. That's cool. I have it, too.

And I'll be featuring it here all week long just to give you some styling options outside of the suggested heather grey sweat pants.

So....here comes the BOOM!

Blazer: Zara, Sweatshirt: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Jeans: Johnny Handsome

Sweatshirt: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Jeans: Johnny Handsome,  Clutch: Nasty Gal, Booties: Versace

Jeans: Johnny Handsome, Clutch: Nasty Gal, Booties: Versace

Memo 088: First Look

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 3, 2013

Subject: Shoot w/Elton Anderson
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The week before last, my very talented and equally ridiculous photographer friend, Elton Anderson, called me on a Thursday requesting to do a shoot on the following Tuesday. Wait, what?!

I had to repeatedly remind him model, I am not. More importantly, I take my own photos and I'm not used to other people being around when I shoot. "Elton, I take like 250 shots and end up with maybe 12 that actually look okay."

It sent me into a MAJOR internal freak out session as he wanted to shoot 5 - 10 looks! "Elton, that's a MONTH's worth of blog entries!" After a little negotiation, we decided on 3 - 5 looks. This is the first.

Life lesson: Sometimes an opportunity can come along and you may not feel prepared for it. Do it anyway. The point may not be to be comfortable and prepared but to stretch you a little to help you grow.

Check out Elton's other work here: http://eltonanderson.com

Blazer: Parker, Dress: River Island, Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Photography: Elton Anderson

Clutch: H&M
Photography: Elton Anderson

Blazer: Parker, Dress: River Island, Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Photography: Elton Anderson

Memo 087: Allow Me To Re-Introduce My Top Knot!

To: All

From: Me

Date: October 1, 2013

Subject: Hello October!
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Ya'll know I couldn't let go of the top knot. So, I reinvented it for my short hair.

This is the first time I've worn my hair like this but if definitely won't be the last. I love having different hair options.

I've been continuing to shop my closet (*pats self on back*). The only new piece that I'm wearing in this look is the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target dress. Next to the "Boom" sweatshirt, it was one of my favorite pieces from the collaboration. You'll definitely see this dress a couple of times in the future. 

Trench Cape: H&M, Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Turtleneck: Zara, Belt: BCBG

Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, Turtleneck: Zara, Belt: BCBG

Clutch: BCBG, Boots: Sam Edelman, Double Cuffs