OUTFIT: Casual Cutoffs

Jennifer of JasiferLionsClub and I trudged to Brooklyn for an event this weekend - what started out as a bust turned into a good time over paninis, lattes, shoes, and Swedes. 

Today is the last day for the Big Fat Summer Challenge hosted by Jen, and I'm pretty disappointed I didn't get to do the high-waisted bottom and bikini pieces. I made up for it by getting into a pair of "short shorts". I loathe shorts - my thighs are so hungry and munch them up as soon as they can. The constant tugging gets annoying, but the purpose of this challenge is to move outside of my comfort zone right? 

I can't wait until the Big Fat Summer Challenge Showcase this weekend -  a bunch of beauties in one place! I'd personally like to thank Jennifer for motivating and encouraging me all summer to explore my sense of style and push the envelope in plus size dressing. As girls with lumps and bumps, we are told (and subsequently believe) that we are not allowed to wear certain things. 

Girl, wear what you want.

Wear shorts. Wear bikinis. Wear heels. Wear bodycon. Wear a pretty, banging smile at all times - it's really the best accessory. 

Though the challenge is done, I urge you to continue to explore. Remember: Fashion is fleeting, Style is eternal. 

Shorts: cutoff DIY

Shoes: Old Navy

Necklace: Spring Shoes

Satchel: Lulu*s

Earrings: Catherine's

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HAIR: Milkmaid Braids How-To

It is hot, ya'll! With humidity at an all time high and temperatures blazing through the roof, I'm trying to find lots of ways to keep my hair off of my body. I searched around and found inspiration in a milkmaid braid tutorial. This milkmaid braid is for girls with locs, braids, and extensions - and honestly, just any lady with really thick hair. Check out my Youtube video below for the tutorial:

Would you try this look? What hairstyles are you doing for the summer?

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BEST DRESSED: Olympics Opening Ceremony Outfits 2012

Unless you've been under a rock, you've been indulging in the Summer 2012 Olympics in London, England. Last night's Opening Ceremony event was quite the dramatic event - while most watched for the theatrics, lighting of the torches, and stellar performances, fashionistas had their eyes peeled for the best Opening Ceremony outfits. My picks:

Netherlands. I'm not sure if it's my inclination for orange and cobalt (both together and separately), but this Netherlands uniform is sharp. Their uniforms were designed by Suit Supply - this look is so crisp, which is to be expected. These trenches, slacks, sheath dresses, flats, and brogues are to die for.

Belgium. Receiving mixed reviews, I can really appreciate Belgium's Olympics uniform. What's not to love? Peter pan collars, just-above-the-knee skirts, wonderfully tailored blazers and stripes are classics. The four buttons? Gorgeous.

Sweden. Call me crazy, but this laid-back Olympics uniform for Sweden is really a wonderful testament to their attitude about the Olympics - it's fun and it's sporty. I really enjoyed this look (most of the internet does not, haha).

Great Britain. As soon as I saw Great Britain's Olympic uniform, I couldn't stop saying "I NEED that jacket!". The host country's athletes couldn't stop smiling, which catapult this opening ceremony outfit into the stratosphere for me. This spirit is everything I love about style - these athletes are wearing these uniforms, the uniforms aren't wearing them! Stella McCartney did a wonderful job designing these.

Jamaica. Beau's home country, Jamaica represented in a major way during the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Hands down one of the best dressed countries, Jamaica's Olympic Uniforms were designed by Cedella Marley for Puma - daughter of Bob Marley. Their theme? "Buffalo Soldier". It really doesn't get any better than that. 

Romania. Look at him. Enough said.

San Marino. Though I'm not sure they received the memo that this was the Olympics and not a business trip, the ladies of San Marino look timeless in these belted white sheath dresses. Those bags are looking a bit heavy though, I'm sure they have a change of clothes in them. The icing on the cake for me are the peep toe heels with bows - very Jackie O.

Senegal. A great deal of countries donned their traditional garb, but Senegal did it the best with these beautiful yellow numbers - bright and full of energy!

What country's Olympic Opening Ceremony outfits were your favorites (and least favorites)?

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HUGE navabi Summer Sale x my feature!

I first fell in love with online plus-size retailer navabi about a year ago, rummaging through the webs for a fur vest. Since then, the German home-based site has offered a wide range and portfolio of designer curvy fashion. Most recently, they did a spectacular guerilla campaign during Berlin Fashion Week where a beautiful plus-sized model strut down the streets naked. Bold. Statements. Things I'm all about. 

Right now, navabi is having a KILLER summer sale. I'm talking up to 70% off. I had the chance to pick some of my favorites and I'm sharing on the navabi blog today. 

Take a look at my picks and what I have to say about them, check out navabi's blog, and get to shopping!

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HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY: Eating Healthy on the Go

I'm a very, very, very busy girl. Maintaining my healthy eating habits is getting a lot harder as the mid-summer is kicking into gear. To me, it's so much easier to grab a slice of pizza or a nice tall glass of iced coffee than it is to stop at a fruit stand and grab a couple pieces of fruit (they all cost about the same, so shame on me). Thankfully I received an e-mail from Roufia Payman, Director of Outpatient Nutritional Services at North Duchess Hospital, and Topical BioMedics (they have a new partnership) about some healthy snacks I can take on-the-go. These are some of my picks from their advice along with some of my personal favorites:

- Trail Mix of your favorite snacks: I like to mix peanuts, pecans, almonds, craisins, and cheerios! Think dried fruits (not too many), nuts, and natural dry cereals.

- Granola Bars: Make sure to check the label to make sure it doesn't have any chemicals, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup. Also check for the fat and sugar content. My favorite brand of bars is KIND Bars (more specifically, the "Almond & Coconut").

- Nuts: I once heard a tip to put nuts in an Altoids case. It's exactly one serving, and it takes up little to no space in your purse!

- Popcorn: and no, I'm not talking extra buttery. Pop a bag of natural popcorn and throw it in a ziploc bag for a lightweight afternoon snack.

On-the-Go Tips:

- Avoid eating full meals in the car: it's better for your digestion, and you're not swerving trying to eat your food.

- DO NOT SKIP MEALS: and do not go four or five hours without eating. This keeps your energy level up, and keeps you from overeating.

- Mustard, please! If you absolutely must have a sandwich, opt for mustard and oil & vinegar instead of mayo and special sauces.

- Stay hydrated. Not only does water keep you cool, it flushes your system of toxins, curbs food cravings, keeps you from overeating, and helps with jet lag.

How do you keep healthy on-the-go? What are your favorite snacks to pack for the day? Share!

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DESIGNER WATCH: Yumnah Najah

I have a weakness for handpainted jewelry - especially when it's done right. Designer Yumnah Najah has mastered her talent. So much so, celebrities have caught wind and started to don Yumnah's latest collections. Estelle has become a regular customer, and Kyla Pratt wore a pair to spice up a night on the town 'fit.

My blogger girl Nubia of Nubia's Nonsense was the cover girl for the Yumnah Najah Spring/Summer 2012 Collection. Yumnah Najah's bohemian style was the perfect compliment to her eclectic nature.

Designer Yumnah Najah describes her jewelry as "Hand Painted...illuminating your bold and daring side". Agreed. As a woman with natural hair, there's nothing like a statement earring or necklace to make that hairstyle pop.

Some of my favorite pieces:

Blossoming Butterfly Oval Earrings

Deep Maze Earrings

Blue Skies Earrings

Elicity Gold Circle Studs

To take a look all Yumnah Najah has to offer, visit Yumnah Najah's site, Facebook, and Twitter.

Would you wear these handcrafted pieces?

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OUTFIT: Day-to-Night Tribal Life

Working in Education, I often need to play Clark Kent when I head out after 5 pm. I always look for transitional pieces that I can switch into to turn it up after hours. 

For my daytime look, I went with a sheer blouse. The shirt really mutes this fun tribal print skirt and multi-necklace look. When dressing for my job, I always think in layers. In the summer, it's a blouse; for the fall/winter months, I'm forever in a blazer. 

Accessories are a win-win when it comes to transitioning day-to-night looks. This gold three-layer necklace was a DIY project. Whenever I want to get funky, I just let the extra chain hang! Cosmetics can also transform a look - nudes and blush tones are great for the AM, and deep or bright hues pop for PM.

Last, but definitely not least, let your hair hang down! Have fun and enjoy yourself. Lots of people I know in bustling cities are managing dual lifestyles - business in the front, party in the back.

What are some ways you transition from day to night? Share, share!

*Checking Bodycon off my list for Big Fat Summer Challenge*

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TREND REPORT: Velvet

I am obsessed with all things velvet and lately it's all I've been seeing. Is anyone else ready for this weird summer weather to be over? I LOVE FALL FASHION.

Pieces from the Lands End Holiday 2012 Preview. Velvet dresses, velvet skirts, velvet shoes. The possibilities are endless. Check out the rest of the flicks from the collection here. 

Just tried out the Ciaté velvet manicure today with Tineey at Sephora Herald Square. I'm definitely feeling a DIY inspiration coming on.

Zara Basic Velvet Slipper, $35.90

Yiannis Karitsiotis Velvet Dress from navabi, $261.90

River Island Black Velvet Kitten Ear Alice Headband, £8

Velvet will forever be my favorite Fall staple. I'm glad it's taking a muted tone this year, though. Last year's jewel tones were fun, but the demure hues deserve the forefront. How do you plan to rock velvet this Fall? 

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BEAUTY: Multi-Color and Ombre Nail Palettes

Some call them Multi-color nails, other refer to them as Ombre. Either way, I've been having lots of fun with the trend this summer. In my Nicka K Eye Light Crayon post, a reader noticed my nails and asked how I came up with the colors. Honestly, finding colors and putting them in the right order is the hardest part of the multi-color/ombre nail trend. I like to think of objects/foods to create my palettes.

Palette 2 reminds me of orange sorbet! My biggest tip for creating palettes is to mix textures. I like to incorporate glitter and matte polishes to shake things up a bit. Another way to approach these palettes is to think of sunsets, sunrises, and depths of the ocean. Most importantly, have fun! 

Have you tried this trend? What palettes have you created?

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Cyber Bullying and "Fat": My Two Cents

A few of weeks ago, I saw a pretty disturbing post on Black Girl Long Hair about Chrisette Michele. What started as an innocent celebrity hair posting turned into a weight-bashing. My favorite of the comments:

"chrisette has packed them on. i saw a youtube video of her and she just looked not very good. she looked like a grandmom from waist down.

she’s young, in the spotlight and should be looking her best or better. not skinny but certainly having a more youthful looking body, imo.

i just don’t like seeing overweight bw, esp. when they don’t have to be."

I've seen too much of this on the internet lately, and with everyone having so much access this will not be disappearing anytime soon. I just wanted to give my two cents on the issue. We really need to evaluate how we approach health vs. body image. 

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HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY: Raw Food Diet

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know that I've started a change in my diet. I'm embracing vegetables, fruits, and fish for nourishment. For lack of a better term, I've begun a raw food diet. 

What started as a bet with a co-worker has turned into something that I cannot let go of. Once I realized I could eat this way and not feel malnourished, I knew that this was a feasible transition and one that could turn  into a wonderful habit. It's important to note: I am not pursuing this to lose weight, as I would not recommend this for that. I am doing it to feel better. I truly believe food is connected to mood!

For 11 days now, I've replaced rice and pasta with leafy greens, replaced bacon egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast with fruits, and replaced soda and juice with water. I can't even put into words how much better I feel - I'm a lot less fatigued, I'm focused, and I really just feel alive. 

There are many benefits to a raw food diet, which I will run through next week. The most important thing to remember when making this change is to not look at it as a DIET. This is not meant to be a crash fad. I've turned it into a learning experience, and in a week and a half I've really developed a new relationship with food that I never thought I'd have. 

Here's a sample, from Instagram, of the meals I've been having:

Left: A trip to the buffet - artichokes, beets, collard greens, olives, mango and beans. Right: tuna sashimi with wasabi and sriracha sauce, three bean salad with olives in beds of kale.

 Left: spinach and cranberries with nuts. Right: pink grapefruit with agave drizzle.

 Left: a refreshing water with strawberries, lemon, mint and stevia. Right: chilled berry salad with vanilla and agave.

 Left: pineapple and avocado with hot sauce. Right: chilled cucumbers with a homemade raspberry vinaigrette.

Left: tuna sashimi with kale and sriracha sauce. Right: seafood ceviche.

Have you ever tried the raw food diet? Any lifestyle changes that you've made? Share! 

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OUTFIT: Steve Madden x Delta Rae

Last night, I made my way to the Steve Madden store in LES for their Summer Concert Series. Delta Rae was performing (I'll post their performance of  "Bottom of the River", which is SICK acoustic). 

It was honestly too hot to wear clothes yesterday. NYC went through some kind of weird climate cluster-eff, where it was freakishly humid, blazing hot, then a monsoon hit?, then it was cool and breezy. Whatever, this summer sucks.

I opted for this one-hitter-quitter dress. It's black so you'd expect it to attract heat, but it's so lightweight and breathable - I usually throw it on when I head out to the beach. 

Ladies, we can wear heels too! Don't be afraid. Look for shoes with platforms to take some of the load off. Also remember, the chunkier the heel, the better you'll feel.

Dress: Random store in Harlem (again!)

Shoes: Payless (which really isn't letting me "pay less" anymore)

Ring: H&M

Earrings: Street vendor

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