SizeAppeal.com

Above: April, $48, www.sizeappel.com

Left to right: Malin, $28; Aziza, $28; Alice in Mint, $29, all available at www.sizeappeal.com

So the other day my co-worker and I were having yet another frustrated conversation about how stores don’t carry pants wide enough for our hips or jeans big enough for our booty. Then my other co-worker yelled “shut the hell up” from down the hallway since none of us knew what it was like to be over a size 14 trying to shop at the local mall. Granted she had a point but what’s up with all the hostility? I’m just playin’! This sista is always dressed to impress. You would never know the trouble she goes through trying to find clothes that flatter her figure. It was her who suggested I do a write up on www.sizeappeal.com. She’s bought many of her summer items from this online store and I can tell you first hand that the stuff is cute! Now I have another place to complain about. Can a sista get that green dress in a size 8?!

A week or so ago I went to a Bridal Shower for my dear friend Amanda. It was a lingerie shower and I know that she loves vintage, so I made her this special gift. I took a navy blue vintage slip and added thin roping around the bust, an anchor patch to the center and red and white striped ribbon to the back. I found a little white dolls trunk and added some small vintage travel stickers. In a stack of vintage photographs was a photo of a woman sailing on a boat probably from the 1940's. I used it for a card and printed this message on the back:

"Marriage is an adventure, so pack your bags and get ready to sail away!"







Here are some lovely pictures I took at the shower hosted by my friend Janelle. I believe much of the lovely decor traveled with Amanda's "vintage extraordinaire" Mother from Arizona. Thank you for a beautiful afternoon!

Dresses that Twirl, the sequel.

When I wrote the first segment of "Dresses That Twirl" I was trying to make a short movie clip from some footage I took at our last photo shoot. I attempted to use iMovie for the first time and as with every other program I try to use, I am completely lost at the beginning. I feel like a survivor of Oceanic flight 815, or maybe just a viewer who's trying to figure out just what kind of game Ben and Charles Widmore are playing? Anyways, I am just not very good with computers. It took me several days of coming back to this to make it work and to figure out how to compress the file so I could put it on my blog for you to view. Everyday I have struggles and everyday I grow...I guess I can't complain. Sometimes I get dizzy and sometimes I fall down, but I always get back up and keep twirling! Enjoy Katie's video metaphor for my life.

Reach New Heights

Liya Kebede at a recent event in New York City.

Top: Dessire, $149.95, www.stevemadden.com; Whipped, $59.99, www.ninewest.com; Zanna, $49.99, www.bakersshoes.com
Middle: Charles by Charles David Luau Wedge, $114.95, www.endless.com; Matosinhos, $295, www.aldoshoes.com; Slingback cut-out wedge, $22.99, www.gojane.com
Bottom: Champyun, $79.95, www.stevemadden.com; Chain Sculptured Wedges by Alberta Ferretti, 4895, www.net-a-porter.com; Levett, $159, www.maxstudio.com

A sping/summer wardrobe must-have is a sturdy and versatile pair of wedges. I usually play it safe and get classic wedges or espadrilles that I can wear season-after-season but this year I may indulge in an edgier pair. Cut-out heels and curvy soles are what’s hot in the streets but if you don’t want to go too new age, pick a wedge with a crazy heel and more traditional straps. This staple shoe is taking a few risks this season. Why not join them?!

Hair Stories: Make It Shine

Amerie, Porschla Coleman and Jessica White brighten the red carpet with ultra shiny tresses.

1. Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Conditioning Wrap & Set Lotion, $4.99, www.walgreens.com; 2. Phytospecific Beauty Styling Creme, $24, www.sephora.com; 3. Platinum Silkening Gloss by Kenra, $12.35, www.brightonbeautysupply.com; 4. Tui Hair Oil, by Carol's Daughter, $18, www.sephora.com; 5. Tui Jojoba & Shea Butter Sheen, $17, www.carolsdaughter.com; 6. Silken Seal Liquid Sheen by KeraCare, $18.70, www.thebeautyauthority.com; 7. Silk Finishing Gel by Mizani, 411.49, www.mountainbeautysupply.com; 8. Serious Shining Spray by Elucence, 48, www.curlmart.com

Black hair can be dull and lack natural shine compared with other ethnic groups, but that doesn’t have to become the story of our lives. Encourage a natural state of glow by regularly conditioning your hair. Just slather on a crème conditioner after washing your hair in the shower and leave it on for ten minutes. Remember to rinse your hair afterwards with cool water to close the hair cuticles. For a little extra gloss after styling, avoid products with mineral oils. If you see it listed as one of the top three ingredients run for the hills! Products with a high mineral oil content are purely cosmetic and just sit on top of the hair shaft instead of nourishing it – which should be the objective. If you like using a particular product with minerals oils be sure to wash (and condition) your hair once a week. Silky smooth hair is only a healthy regimen away!

Street Style: The Satorialist

The original documenter of street style The Satorialist has been busy photographing the most stylish cities in the world. Never straying far from home, he always returns to New York where there is never a shortage of stylish women sashaying in this season’s (and next's) hottest trends. Though all his fashion picks/photos are inspiring, nothing delights me more than seeing the spring and summer outfits that are starting to pop up all over place. Just today I noticed a woman in D.C. dressed in a crisp, sleeveless, white shirt; a high-waisted navy A-line skirt; a brown leather belt wrapped high around her waist and 3 inch tan sandals – she looked fly and knew it! Above and in the slide below are some of the Satorialists' traffic-stopping sistas.

Estelle Covers Bleu Magazine…

U.K. singer and rapper Estelle grace the latest cover of Bleu magazine. I knew of Estelle almost 4 years ago when her music was still playing on underground radio stations in London. I’m really happy for her recent explosion into the U.S. market although I’m fascinated to see if her image will help or hinder her. She is after all the antithesis of the light-skinned, long haired beauties that are saturating the market these days. I with her much success!

Bleu magazine is a great publication for “urban” men. Think GQ for the sophisticated black man. I say visit the site, snoop around, then if you like what you see, recommend it to your male friends. This issue hits stands April 29th.

Credit: ConcreteLoop.com for photos.

The Cherry Blossom Girl

Two things bring a smile to my face this morning: a happy customer and a blog post about Salvage Life. Alix, otherwise know as "the cherry blossom girl" has a fabulous fashion blog. And she recently bought this dress from my shop. Alix lives in Paris, is a fashion school graduate and has her own line. Here is a quote from one of her readers, "The Cherry Blossom girl is one of the most exquisite fashion blogs for girls who love tea parties, believe in wonderland and wear pretty dresses on their search for it."

Style Inspiration: Out at Sea

Ciara attends a taping of BET's 106 & Park on July 18, 2007 in New York City.

Amerie and Kelly mix denim with this season's nautical trend.

¾ sleeve top: Aimee Keyhole Top, $13.80, www.forever21.com; Necklace: Wood Anchor Necklace, $8.90, www.forever21.com; Skirt: Rope Belt Pencil Skirt, $64, www.topshop.com; Heels: Letsey, $150, www.dune.co.uk; Hat: Nautical Stripe Newsboy Cap, $22, www.fredflare.com; Sneakers: Chuck Taylor All Satr Patent, $49.69, www.converse.com; Red pants: Multi Button Sailor Pant, $19.99, www.wetseal.com; Dress: Navy Stripe Bow Dress, $56, www.missselfridge.co.uk; Short sleeve top: Stripe V Neck , $9.99, www.charlotterusse.com; Sunglasses: Dita Xanadu Sunglasses, $350, www.shopintuition.com; Bag: Nautical Rope Bag, $26, www.alloy.com; Anklet: Anchor on 9inch Anklet, $5.99, www.girlprops.com; Shorts: High Waisted Sailor Shorts, $22.99, www.charlotterusse.com; White pants: Sound of Summer Trouser, $148, www.fcusbuymail.com; Espadrilles: Candyce Espadrille by Steve Maadden, $149.95, www.endless.com

Anchors away! The nautical trend that’s hit our favorite stores is here to stay (throughout the summer at least). Make like a sailor about to set sea with nautical stripes in navy blue or red; high-waisted, multi button sailor pants and shorts; espadrilles and rope detail accessories. Amerie and Kelly Rowland wore denim with their striped tops and added bright red shoes and accessories to finish the look off. Ciara on the other hand jumped straight into the trend with a sporty-nautical dress and gravity defying wedges. Get some inspiration from my picks above then plan your own trip out to sea!

Credit: Photo of Amerie from theybf.com

Dresses that TWIRL!!!

My mom has told me that when I was a little girl, I would refuse to wear a dress if it didn't "twirl." There is just something about a wearing a full-skirted dress on a beautiful summer day knowing that you can bust out a twirl whenever the moment calls for it. So this is for all the twirly girls out there!

Shops and the City…

I’m in the middle of planning my annual trip to the U.K. and one of my must-have travel items is a book by author Caryn Franklin called “Fashion UK.” Though it was published nearly six years ago, I still find it a valuable resource when looking for unique boutiques and local designers wherever I am in the U.K. The book details all noteworthy boutiques in regions including the south/London, the northeast and northwest of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It even features interviews from local and international designers on how they became successful. For my trip to Italy later this year I’m still on the hunt for a handy little shopping guide but I did discover two chic books about Paris and one on New York. I’ll be storing them for future shopping expeditions – one has to be prepared. I guess some were born to sightsee, others to shop!

Left to right: Chic Shopping Paris by Rebecca Perry Magniant; Paris Chic & Trendy: Designers' Studios, Hip Boutiques, Vintage Shops by Adrienne Ribes-Tiphaine; Shop New York: Downtownstyle by Meg Castaldo

Cash, Check or Charge?

Cash: Tiered Chiffon Dress, $27.80, www.forever21.com

Check: Black Tiered Silk Slip Dress by A.B.S., $225, www.bluefly.com

Charge: Strapless Silk Dress by Marchesa, $2550, www.net-a-porter.com

Whether it’s prom night, hen night or just a good ol’ girl’s night out, make an entrance with a flirty, sexy, mini dress with this season’s must-have tiered frills. Sharon Leal is already hip to the trend and now you can be too on any budget. The fuchsia dress is from Marchesa’s Resort 2008 collection – it’s simply to die for! If you don’t have two and a half thousand extra dollars floating around you can look just as stylish in the cheaper alternatives and if you love frills as much as I do, also check out this Tiered Ruffle Dress by Robert Rodriguez ($473) available at Nordstrom.

Farrah Fawcett, 1970's Dress

Ok, I just got the pictures from the last shoot and I absolutely love this one! Katie's looks just like Farrah, except with calmer hair. What do you think, does she exude the 70's vibe?

Here are some pics of Farrah that I found on the internet.

Make Mine A Mini!

Selita Ebanks attends a gala celebrating the @Murakami exhibition hosted by Louis Vuitton at The Brooklyn Museum, Thursday, April 3, 2008 in New York.

Top: Crystal embellished clutch, $973, www.net-a-porter.com; Hex Gold Bag, $44, www.monsoon.co.uk; Rafe New York Hayden, $295, www.piperlime.com
Middle: Tod's Boomerang Pochette, $1250, www.eluxury.com; John Lewis Black Patent Clutch, $50, www.johnlewis.com; Bunny Metallic Rosette Mini Bag by Loeffler Randall, $242, www.shopbop.com
Bottom: Cecile satin clutch by Jimmy Choo, $1795, www.net-a-porter.com; Zsa Zsa Beaded Bag, $56, www.accessorize.co.uk; Sparkle Box Clutch Ba, $40, www.oli.co.uk

Downsizing doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. This season travel light with vintage-inspired mini clutches that are bound to be the talk of any party. Let’s face it, all a girl really needs is her lips gloss, keys, cell phone and credit card and she’s set for the night. All the mini delights above can hold your essentials comfortably and won’t hinder your moves on the dance floor – nothing worse than trying to do the electric slide with a big ol' handbag! Selita’s jeweled box clutch inspired this post. I couldn’t find the exact one but my picks are equally as elegant.