TODAY'S 1970's VINTAGE BOHO OUTFIT: dress, sandals, bag, necklace and earrings

This morning I am browsing Etsy for the perfect modern take on the 70's boho chic style. Here are my favorite items from my search:


This lovely vintage dress is from Etsy seller, thirteenleafclover and it's only $28!


This key necklace is so unique with clusters of polished rocks. Buy it for $28 at thevintagebungalow


This bag is AMAZING! Valhallabrooklyn sells gorgeous handmade leather bags at relatively low prices. This bag has already sold, but there are many great styles and custom orders are welcome.


I found these gorgeous vintage closed toe gladiator sandals at nstylevintage.


I have had my eye on these earrings for months now! They are hand crocheted and only $21.99. Find these and other styles at TaniaNovaCrochet.

High Drama!

A look from Bill Blass’ Fall 2008 ready-to-wear collection

Chanel Iman (in 3.1 Philip Lim), Eve (in Emanuel Ungaro) and Eva Longoria (in Marchesa) stop traffic in their dramatic outfits.

It’s not enough to just walk into a room looking fabulous. Nowadays your outfit has to shout it from the rooftops! The classic black dress is all good and well but when you really want to make a show, opt for something theatrical. Many of the Fall/Winter 2008 collections during New York Fashion Week were filled with high-neck collars, fanciful frills and dreamy chiffon ruffles. Bill Blass’ collection, for example, is the epitome of dramatic flair though if you’re not too sure you can get away with such an exuberant entrance look to Victoria Beckham and Charlize Theron who took this look to the streets. Try this Sheer Ruffle top by Wetseal.com. For those of you who love the attention, take a leaf out of Chanel Iman, Eva Longoria and Eve’s style books. They definitely know how to put on a show.

Work it Out

Mary J. Blige working out on Miami Beach, Florida on March 24th, 2008.

Venus Williams stretching before a workout last year.

Serena Williams of USA during the shooting of a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour global TV advertising campaign on May 12, 2008 in Rome, Italy.

Mel B post workout in Los Angeles California, September 3, 2007. There's still time people! Though the sun has started to rear it's head, we can still get a few good weeks of body toning exercise in before our summer vacay. With obesity among African American women at an all time high, there's no excuse for not squeezing in 3 half an hour workouts into your week. To brighten up a mundane workout session you can do at least one of two things: 1.) find something active that you love doing and doesn't feel like exercise (salsa, hip hop aerobics, yoga); 2.) look fabulous doing it! That's where I come in. Scroll down to get some ideas on how to look cute whilst in a sweaty funk!!

My Workout Picks!

Vest: Ribbed Tank Top, $6.50, www.wetseal.com; Hoodie: Stripe Tunic Hoodie, $39.50, www.delais.com; Sneakers: Puma Women's Complete Magnetist, $129.99, www.footlocker.com; Shorts: California Athletic Short, $10.80, www.forever21.com; Gym Bag: adidas Ultimate Rendezvous Duffel II, $60, www.ebags.com

Top: Nike Paris Tennis Tank, $55, www.nike.com; Skirt: Nike Control Pleated Women's Tennis Skirt, $41.99, www.nike.com; Bag: Nike Premium Shoulder Bag, $21.99, www.nike.com; Sneakers: Nike Free, $76.50, www.activa.com; Cap: Nike Feather Light Reflective Women's Golf Hat, $25, www.nike.com

Pants: Gray Yoga Pants, $30, www.laduchess.com; Hoodie: Halter Hoodies, $24.50, www.oldnavy.com; Top: Champion Powerlite Seamless Empire Tech Tank, $36, www.championcatalo.com; Headband: Vinyl Headband, $4.80, www.forever21.com; Sneakers: Asics Metallic Ultimate 81, $29.99, www.urbanoutfitters.com; Gym bag: Puma Women's Phantom Grip Bag, $64.99, www.footlocker.com

It goes without saying but pick the most appropiate outfit for your exercise of choice. Skirts and yoga don't go well together - we don't need to see all of that! Similarly, wearing pants to a tennis match may cause you to heat up prematurely. I'm a big advocate for looking good on and off "the field" so throw on a cute hoodie, grab your stylish gym bag and strut home with the new found energy your workout has given you!

I Like His Style!: Gavin Douglas

Gavin Douglas and a model at his Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection during London Fashion Week.

How many young designers can debut a collection in 2006 and by 2007 say that they’ve won a prestigious fashion award, secured a deal to sell their collection in U.K.’s most exclusive department store Harrods and have Tom Ford (savior of Gucci) take them out for a drink? Meet Gavin Davis, the U.K. designer who can claim all of the above. He’s clearly on the come up! With professional qualifications and training in the fashion and textile industry, Douglas is a dynamic, young designer who carefully researches, designs and crafts each individual piece of clothing, ensuring its uniqueness and quality.

In September 2006 Gavin Douglas won first place in the prestigious Fashion Fringe 2006 designer awards in London, England. As part of the award, Gavin won business, legal and technical support and development grants from the Centre for Fashion Enterprise and ultimately showcased his 2007 Spring/Summer collection at London’s Fashion Week.

Among his many achievements to date, his most notable are winning the Young Avant-Garde Designer of the Year award in 2004, showing in Caribbean Fashion Week 2005, Barbados Fashion Week 2006, Paris Fashion Week in October 2006, Brooklyn Fashion Week New York, taking part in the Black British Style Exhibition event and of course, getting Tom Ford to buy him a drink after Mr. Ford helped seal his fate as a judge for the Fashion Fringe award in 2006. I’m particularly proud of this designer because a.) he’s from Birmingham, U.K. where I spent most of my childhood and b.) his clothes are the epitome of eclectic chic.

Douglas doesn’t have a site up at the moment but you can view his latest collection here and see below for an interview with the designer. His line is currently available at Harrods and www.yoox.com.

This last weekend Jeff and I went to MOLA - Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. They have a permanent collection as well as a featured artist. It's a small museum, but it was recently remodeled and is very nice. The featured artist was Walter Goldfarb, a Brazilian artist who's work was divided into three sections. I enjoyed the multimedia aspect of his work. Many of the paintings had hand stitching that must have taken thousands of hours in total. I really enjoy artwork that is beautiful both far away and up close. Here are some images of both perspectives.













Here is a pic of Jeff and one of myself in front of the museum. You can tell which one of us has a better sense of humor. One thing I absolutely love about my husband, is how much fun he can make even the dullest things. Thanks for being you, babe!

Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige & Alicia Keys cover Essence...

Essence magazine's annual music issue is on stands and you can choose between three phenomenal covers featuring Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige & Alicia Keys - 3 of my favorite singers! The songstresses talk about their artistry, pressure from record label execs and keeping their sound relevant. Oh, and also be sure to check out my tiny feature on page 92 in the 'Work & Wealth' section. (Shout out to Jennifer for letting me know and Piper for hooking me up with the Essence writer :) I haven't even seen a copy yet but I'm super excited!