Healthy Glow: Healthy Eating, La Mode & Ramblings

I love faux fur. When I walked into H&M 2 weeks ago I knew I had to get my hands on it. It was in my budget! It was the perfect accent to a simple casual Sunday outfit. 

What I Wore: 

• White Shirt: Old Navy
• Necklace: Present from my Mom
• Earrings: Present from my friend Joana
• Leggings: Walmart
• Boots: Kenneth Cole Reaction Skinny Love Black Leather Boot

I wore this outfit in this post too! Check it out!

Rapper Kanye West, a dabbler in fashion who recently completed a design internship at Fendi, is launching a collection of scarves incorporating artwork inspired by his album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” The limited-edition pieces will be sold exclusively at the Colette boutique in Paris and online at M/M (Paris). [Telegraph] 

Would you purchase a scarf designed by Kanye West?

Earrings: Forever 21 

Dress: LaVia purchased on a recent trip to Sax 5th Ave. 

Shoes: Forever 21 Strappy Leatherette Stilettos (5-inches or bigger is always better!) 

Dress: H&M

Necklace: DC Pearl Lady

Earrings: My Auntie’s shop in Ghana

Bag: Dooney & Bourke Large Lulu Bag

Shoes: Forever 21 Strappy Leatherette Stilettos (5-inches or bigger is always better!) 

I had such a great time with him!

Picture courtesy of H&M

According to H&M, this spring it is all about  flowing shapes, oversized sunglasses and platform heels (hasn’t it always been about platform heels?!)! Which outfit will you wear this spring?

ALLEN B. by designer Allen B. Schwartz, just released a fully affordable and vibrant collection for JCPenney. The line consists of spring looks. There is a broad mix of blouses, leggings, jackets, dresses, denim, from colored. Allen B. rounds out the collection with skinny cargos and maxi skirts.

My favorites:

The black and white striped jacket is a lot of fun. It would be a perfect light jacket for the cooler spring nights.

I am not a fan of the hat, but the dress and the sandals are a home run! The sandals would be a great addition to any shoe lovers collection. 

The sandals and the dress are flirty and fun. I would definitely have picked a different belt. 

All together this outfit is…interesting. I can tell that when separated these pieces have a lot of potential! 

What do you think of the Allen B. Spring 2011 Collection?

Check out the entire Spring 2011 lookbook here. 

My favorites:

Christian Siriano partnered with women’s wear retailer Spiegel on a 10-piece collection of party wear for Spring 2011.  The collection, (you can pre-order now!), is inspired by the Siriano’s high-end Spring 2011 collection. The price of each piece in the collection range from $49 for a draped blouse to $449 for knee length black cocktail frock constructed from voluminous layers of cascading petal-shaped flounces.  Sizing ranges from 2 - 18, so it is accessible to women of all shapes and sizes. 

picture courtesy Glamzon Diary

JCPenney just launched Call It Spring, a new accessories collection of men’s and women’s shoes, and handbags. The collection, which is currently available in JCPenney’s Manhattan store, will expand to 100 JCPenney stores nationwide and online at JCP.com this Spring and then to an additional 500 stores in the Fall. Right now, JCPenney is offering an exclusive online presale at JCP.com, so consumers can see the latest Spring looks and pre-order dozens of styles.

I am all about the top siders. I own some really great top siders by Ralph Lauren, but the JCPenny version looks a bit more sturdy. I guess I will have to go JCPenny and check it out for myself! I know, I know they are for men. But I would still look for these kicks in my size.

This is just an all around interesting shoe. The heel is perfect for running errands in. On top of that, the shoe is cute enough to transition from a day full of errands to a casual night out with your girls. 

These faux wooden sling backs would be great addition to any summer wardrobe! I have the perfect dress for it….

Perfect little purse to throw sling over your shoulder, stuff your sunnys in, throw in your deep pink lipstick, and your camera to document a perfect Saturday!

Cute little to go bag! From what I hear, it is all about loud, printed, crazy prints on bags this season.

It never hurts to have two of the same in different colors when the price is right! 

(From left to right) 1. Great casual shoe. It looks so comfy! 2. Yummy little dancing shoe. Also this shoe is a different spin on the “nude” trend. For us dark skinned women, it is just a fun peach colored shoe. 3. OMG, shoes. These are great “I’m trying to be like Beyonce but I don’t have $2,000 to do so ” shoe. 

This isn’t all of the looks, just my favorite. Generally, I like the line so far. What do you all think? 

I die. I just love the color blocking and the use of bright colors. Any women wearing Gucci next Fall/Winter will definitely having heads turning amongst the snow! 

How sick is the cranberry lip on all of the models?

Pictures courtesy of fashion bomb daily.

My Verdict: The color palette of Tadashi’s line is insane. 

About The Line: Embroidery, beading, ruffles and feathers embellished many of the dresses. Delicate necklines, one shoulder and A-line silhouettes were dominant in the collection.

Cooperative Suede Quarterstrap Wedge (In black)
$14.99(Was $48.00)
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Vasia by Ulla Johnson Isabel Blouse
$9.99 (WAS $58.00 and SOLD-OUT)
———————

Cooperative Lace-Up Sherpa Heel Boot
$19.99(Was $68.00)

———————
Silence and Noise Two Tone Full Length Skirt
$19.99(Was $69.00)

Have you ever ordered something online? I always go in with low expectations so I am not disappointed. Online shopping has such delayed gratification. You wait and wait to either be really happy or really disappointed only to have to return the ordered items. Well, if you are ever online shopping here are some tips to consider before purchasing your new clothing items. Thanks She FInds!

1) Always Check Sizing Charts: What J. Crew considers a size 6 is actually Banana Republic‘s size 4. This video series from Nordstrom will ensure you never return another pair of shoes. (Don’t forget your calf size!)

2) Google Customer Reviews: Customers all over the nation write in every day about how products really fit and appear in real life. Google first.

3) Shop Free Shipping & Return Sites: We love Zappos, Shopbop, Piperlime and ShoeBuy because they offer free return shipping! Without it, you’re looking to spend around $7 or more for insured shipping back to the warehouse where the damned thing came from. (Check out our full list of free shipping sites).

4) Beware of Boutiques: Smaller online boutiques typically only offer an exchange and/or store credit. Read the fine print — you might be buying an item that is final sale, in which case, you’re doomed. Best to re-sell on eBay.

5) Resolve to be Surprised: Still not sure what to size to go with on a gotta-have-it dress? Order one size larger and have it tailored to fit. While you’re there get all of your measurements taken at once and save the details in a text file on your computer for when you need your next shopping fix.

6) Denim Don’t: Only purchase denim online if you know your fit with that particular designer. It’s a tough material to tailor without puckering or ruining the $200 design job you paid for.

Psh. I don’t know how fashion bloggers do it (oh yeah they have their own photographers), but I these are the best pictures I could come up with. The self-timer is my friend! I may change my outfit, but this is what I think I may wear to a Brazilian night downtown. If I change you will be the first to know!

Outfit:

• Black skirt: from Express
• Necklace: Forever 21
• Earrings: A random beauty supply shop
• Shoes: Jessica Simpson (I actually ended up wearing my Micheal Kors, black patent leather 5-inch heels instead)!