My Picks!

Left to right: Anja, $79.99, www.bakersshoes.com; Buckland, $69.99, www.bakersshoes.com; Top, $99, www.chineselaundry.com; Sunny Plain Mid Shaft Boot by Frye, $225, www.shopbop.com

Left to right: Flat High Leg Bow Boot, $170, www.topshop.com; Sabina Boot by Steve Madden, $160.90, www.endless.com; Lama, $49.97, www.aldoshoes.com; Pom Pom Boot, $79, www.spiegel.com

Here are a few of the best finds online. I’m torn between the brown leather pair from Topshop (notice the bow) and the scrunched up boots from Bakers (the button detail is so unique). I also threw in the Ugg-esque furry boots with the pom poms. See Kat Moss’ above, their so cute I can’t take it!

The Consolation Prize… Sort of?

Well Beyonce may never be on the cover of Vogue but she managed to snag the highly-coveted cover of the Sports Illustrated: swimsuit issue. Beyonce donned her very own House of Dereon bikini for the shoot and looks absolutely fabulous. She joins Tyra Banks to become the second Black woman (model or celebrity) to ever obtain a cover. Actually Tyra appeared on the cover twice. Once in 1996 (with Valeria Mazza) and in 1997 (alone). Congrats to Beyonce!

Sophia, Sophia

I was on my daily blog rounds and spotted this gorgeous bag on My Fashion Life. The Sophia bag from Alexandra Bee was actually designed with trendy mothers in mind. If you’re anything like me, you may already be, or are in the process of wondering how you’re going to maintain your sense of style while raising a child. Finances permitting, I fully intend to hold on to my personal style. It will of course have to evolve but hopefully I’ll still be keeping one eye on the fashion scene. That said, this bag provides the perfect beginning to a fashionista’s life avec children. The bag comes in two sizes, six shades, nine fabric choices and includes:

• Fully lined, water-resistant interior
• 2 large pockets for diapers or baby wipes
• 2 large interior pockets for water bottle, baby bottle and/or juice cup
• Large interior changing pad pocket with button closure (large Sophia only)
• Large zippered pocket to keep personal items safe
• 2 more interior pockets for miscellaneous items
• 3 leather easy-access pen/baby silverware pockets
• Elastic keychain holder
• 2 large exterior side pockets

As you can see from this photo the bag is now used by non-mothers. All those pockets come in handy when trying to organize your hectic, daily life. Visit AlexandraBee.com to see the different versions this bag comes in.

Mix or Match...

Above: Oval Ring, $15, www.alltherageonline.com; Flower Ring, $27.50, www.tiffany.com; Oval Ring, $2.80, www.forever21.com; Ring with Diamond, $89.99, www.target.com

Above: Ink Blot Painted Bangle, $14, www.urbanoutfitters.com; Stripy Wood Bangle, $18, www.frenchconnection.com; Polkadot Bangle, $8, www.monsoon.co.uk

Above: Bruges Ring, $98, www.anthropologie.com; Battered Wrap Ring, $24, www.monsoon.co.uk; Oval Catseye Ring, $20, www.monsoon.co.uk; 10K Yellow Gold Diamond and Amethyst Ring, $29.99, www.kay.com

Nail Colors (from top to bottom): Temptress; Very Petal; Pink A Dink; Highland Mist. Salsa; Sunset; Golden Pearl. Nougat; So Bright; Crystal Lilac and Oyster all $4.49 by No. 7 cosmetics by Boots.com. See “Lucky No 7” post.

If your lousy partner didn’t get you anything for Valentines Day, treat yourself. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend so go for a little bling. Alternatively you can embrace your funkier side and opt for something unique. Urban Outfitters and Monsoon (U.K.) have some great jewelry pieces. Above I picked my favorites and nail polish to match.

Note: Also see this “Perfect Match” post for more nail colors and see “Arm Candy” for some cute bracelets.

Alright Now!...

I guess pigs are flying somewhere over Manhattan! I’m so happy for Miss Hudson, this is going to be her year for sure. Annie Leibovitz took the pics and Andre Leon Talley was indeed involved and even wrote the article. Head over to YBF to see more pics from the shoot and get more info. What do we think of the cover and other photos? I think it could have been better actually but Annie still captured her beauty, inside and out. Apparently Jennifer is the first black singer on the cover and the third black female celebrity ever... Can anyone confirm?

Lucky No. 7

Left to right: Stay Perfect Foundation, $15.99; Stay Perfect Lipstick, $9.99; Stay Perfect Nail Color, $4.49; High Shine Lip Gloss, $7.99; Amazing Eye Pencils, $6.99; Stay Perfect Shadow Palette, $7.99; Maximum Volume Mascara, $8.99; Cream Blush Tint, $9.99; Stay Perfect Lip Lacquer, $7.99 all by No. 7 cosmetics

I’m so excited! Boots, the U.K.’s equivalent to CVS, is launching five of its best selling health and beauty brands here in the U.S. Starting next month, Boots will be available nationwide in more than 1,500 Target stores, and in April, over 500 CVS stores. Look out for the following:

1. “No. 7” – a high quality, but affordable, cosmetics and skincare brand. I used to use their Stay Perfect Foundation in Mocha until I moved to the U.S. and couldn’t get it anymore.

2. “Botanics” – a cosmetic, skin, bath and body care line, created using natural plant extracts.

3. “Time Dimensions” – an easy-to-understand anti-aging skin care system.

4. “Mediterranean” – a gorgeous smelling bath and body care range that uses organic ingredients including almond and olive oils, citrus fruits and fragrant herbs. Try their Mediterranean Almond Pistachio & Milk Body Butter… pure heaven!

5. “Feel the Difference” – a range of supplements and vitamins that cleanse, purify and revive your body and skin from the inside out.

Visit Boots.com to find your nearest Target and CVS stockists.

Style on the Go...

Thandie Newton arriving at the Orange British Academy Film Awards, at the Royal Opera House Sunday night in London.

Rihanna attending the Universal Music Grammy party held at The Palm Restaurant Sunday night in Hollywood.

Beyonce Knowles arriving at the Sony/BMG Grammy party held at the Beverly Hills hotel on Sunday in Beverly Hills.

India.Arie arriving at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 11, 2007 in Los Angeles.

So many events so little time! Gotta start off with Thandie Newton and her gorgeous champagne colored dress. I don’t know who the designer is but she worked the hell out of it. I guess there’s life after “Norbit.” Also notice the jewelry she has on… She gets an A+ from head-to-toe.

Rihanna opted for jewel green for this year’s Grammys – it emphasizes the natural color of her eyes. I love the cut of this dress, especially at the back (see beginning of slide show). I also love how Rihanna steered clear of the played out, long weave and went with an edgier cut instead. Tres chic!

I’m not to keen on the hair but the dress and make up is on point. Beyonce is definitely a pro when it comes to red carpet poses! She’s come a long way, remember those Destiny’s Child days? *shudders*

Lastly, I’m not a fan of the dress, or shoes for that matter, but India.Arie looks AMAZING! I’m bias to natural hair so I adore this look on her. I wonder if it’s hers or if she twisted in some natural hair? If it’s hair it sure grows quick!