Lippie Love: I’m Ryan Kelley and I’m a lipstick lover.

As you may well know I’m kind of obsessed with lipstick. If I haven’t said it enough lip color is the perfect accessory. Your lippie makes your entire look live and breathe!

A basic nautical striped dress goes from sweet to sassy with a swipe of Kaior Harlem Knight.

Style Secret: For a statement lip color, a matte texture

trumps a glossy sheen. Less is more.

Glam up your girls night look with an electric pink shade. Milani offers their Violet Volt and NYC serves up a similar shade in #405 Blue Rose.

Style Secret: If the voltage on the electric pink is a bit too high, temper it with a dark pink or nude lip liner.

Experiment to find the perfect nude for your complexion. Ladies with deep skin tones like mine, give Milani’s Teddy Bare a shot. Nude looks boast major beauty in both matte and gloss.

Style secret: Going for a bold eye? Nude lips give balance.

Wanna be on trend for fall? Try dark, vampy lips. I’m going insane for Black Radiance’s #5023A and #5023B. A is reminiscent  of chocolate covered cherries while B is more like a dark chocolate.

My lippie love story is an ongoing affair. What are your favorite lipsticks? Are you trying new shades?

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GO ‘HEAD… SWITCH THE STYLE UP

Planning to let loose after work? Why not gather up the girls for a few happy hours? No need to go all the way back home to change out of your business suit (or wrap dress, oxford and pencil skirt) to alter your look. Start off with shedding your blazer and loosening just a couple of buttons on your oxford! Accessories are agents of change. Take full advantage of the opportunities they afford to transform from posh professional to party perfection. Switch your style up by swapping your bag, shoes and jewelry.

The first order of business is to drop that huge briefcase/laptop bag/tote/catch-all and opt for a sleek clutch. As gorgeous as your lap top bag might be, there is no room for it at happy hour! You and your bag could become public enemy #1 & #2 if it happens to whack someone’s Mai Tai.

Ring- Body Central

Clutch- BCBC Max Azria

(Tip: For a very on trend look carry a clutch in neon or animal print.)

Your work pumps are already unquestionably fly so leave them on!  The basic pump is a gorgeous back drop for a pair of heel condoms. That’s right, heel-condoms. Opt for dainty detail in lace, a bold bloom or flirty feathers. Clearly heel condoms have chameleon appeal that pleases personal style and fiscal fitness.

Images from http://www.theheelcondoms.com/

Your work jewelry will not shine at cocktail hour! Cocktail rings are increasingly popular and available in a variety of price points. YSL Arty Ring Collection is lust worthy while Forever XXI and H & M have affordable offerings. Exchange your standard studded earrings for a dangling, sparkling pair.

With these quick change tips you can arrive to happy hour fashionably early! Ready, Set, Re-Dresss!

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 Edited by Cheryl Y. Hunt

Affordable Accessible Easter Ensemble

I firmly believe that style does not have to break the bank. Affordable fashion is available in droves. Saving money does not have to mean sacrificing style!

 As we all know Target (say it with a French accent Tar-jey) continues to turn out lovely offerings, partnering with some of fashion’s biggest and most recognizable names. I’m still salivating over that blue floral print Jason Wu for Target pleated skirt! We can always count on Target for on trend and on budget selections! For example, my Easter dress this year! I love this frock because of its tiny tribal print and sweet ruffles. Interested to test the water of the mixed prints trend, I wore my favorite printed trench. I chose black suede platform sandals for their texture and comfort and an icy mint green bag for a bit of color.

Trench- H&M

 Dress-Target

 Belt-Vintage

 Shoes-Nine West

 Bag-Forever XXI

 Necklace -Aldo

 Sunglasses- Forever XXI

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Edited by Cheryl Y. Hunt

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

@Crrristen captured a few of my favorite things on film.

 

Sunglasses & earrings – Forever XXI

Cream button down top- H&M

Cream belt- Besty Johnson

Gray Purse Alice + Joy (thrifted!)

Jeggings- Target

Orange Peep Toe Pumps- BCBG Girls

SHOE MAVENS!

High heeled shoes are an attitude, a state of mind, a physical manifestation of all things womanly. Every time a lady puts on her heels she is asserting her femininity, proclaiming her womanhood and exhibiting the glory of her form. Heels are a girl’s best friend! Ok maybe she has two bffs, diamonds and heels but heels have been there with her from the dawn of her womanhood, walking the path of maturation with her.

All things considered, thou shall not half step when pursuing the shoe! Three fashionistas show us their shoe game! READY? SET! DRESSS!

Pam’s top priorities in her personal aesthetic are comfort and style. This makes these two pairs of heels her  favorites choices for casual Saturdays and dancing the night away.

Gray Booties- Target $40

Black Leather Sandals  by Nine West- DSW $50

Pamela , 23 years old

Cincinnati, Ohio

LaShaunda’s style is sultry with an edge. Her tan thigh high boots put a little extra pop star oomph in her strut. While her shimmering four inch pumps accentuate her height taking her to nearly six feet (which she adds, the men love).

Tan boots –Charlotte Russe $45.50

Navy Glitter Pumps- Bakers $90

LaShaunda, 29 years old

Atlanta, Georgia

Kerrie exudes chic sophistication in everything she wears. In her shoe closet each pair goes by name. The ladylike leopard pumps, nicknamed “the Eartha Kitts”, are a neo-classic and a must for every woman.  The black leather cuff and pointed heel boast both sexy and sassy on the sandals also known as the Matrix.

Leopard Pumps – Mossimo $29.99

Black Leather Sandals  – Gianni Bini  $89.00

Kerrie 37 years old

Cincinnati, Ohio

Tangerine Lipstick!

Images from mydamnblog.com

Solange in her photo shoot for Time Out New York Magazine wears a beautiful shade of tangerine on her lips!

Will you try this bold statement lip color?

Jump Start Your Style With Accessories!

Images from mydamnblog.com, giueseppezanottidesign.com, shopgoldie.com

You can elevate and personalize any look with the proper placement of a few complimentary accessories! Let’s start with a simple white t shirt and straight leg blue jeans, essentially a blank canvas ready to be transformed into a Jacob Lawrence master-piece!

Now, take a chic scarf tied in a loose knot below the collar bone for a sophisticated and polished look. Add a nicely tailored boxy blazer for a nod to the classic 50s silhouette.

That white t shirt has nine lives, so top it with a huge, colorful statement necklace that whispers globe trotter chic; think a midriff sweeping layer of necklaces in gold or an exaggerated collar boasting beads feathers or carved or wood! Temper this look with an athletic anorak in navy or army green and studded gym shoes (i.e. Giuseppe Zanotti – to die for!).

There are two important factors to shop by when searching for accessories. Always pick items that speak to your own personal style. If you don’t love it don’t buy it! You won’t wear it! Also remember not to go too “Ga-Ga”  and over accessorize, you want to make a statement, not be pronounced insane. You must maintain balance! Sure, go ahead, pile on the bangles in various shades and textures but let them be Diana Ross and all the other accessories act as The Supremes.