AshleyJefferson.com

Guess What You Can Find In A Thrift Store: A Fox Fur Coat

2012-01-26T13:08:00.002-05:00

So, I went to a thrift store in PG County Maryland and guess what I found…A Fox Fur Coat! Yes! I was so excited! It was exactly the fox fur that I wanted (white, mid-length) but didn’t even think to buy for one reason or another. When I saw the price, I almost died. It was only $15! So of course I had to buy it.

The sleeves are just a little short and it is engraved with someone’s initials. But hey, who cares. I’ll wear extra long gloves. And no one will have to see the inside of the coat. HAHAHA!

Kim Kardashian, Rosa Acosta, Draya Michele and More Spotten Wearing Hair Chains. But Are They For Everybody?

2012-01-26T13:06:00.000-05:00

It seems like everybody is jumping on the hair chain bandwagon. Kim Kardashian was spotted a few days ago in LA wearing a golden hair chain while shopping with her buddy Joyce.

And a few of Hip-Hop’s favorite Video Vixens have teamed up with Haute Headz Hair to promote the spring 2012 collection of hair chains. Girls like Zena Foster, Rosa Acosta, Sheneka Adams and Basketball Wives of LA star Draya Michele are all models for the line.

Though some celebs seem to love their new accessory, I’m not sure how hair chains will look on the general public. Though hair chains are fabulous on some people, they can easily look like a hot mess on others. A poorly placed chain, the wrong hair style, or even an oversized head can cause a hair chain to look more like a construction workers helmet light. Not cute at all.

Ashley GaGa Interview: Andrea Archer Dishes On Life As A Makeup Artist, Working With Divo's And The Item She Can't Leave Home Without

2012-01-26T13:05:00.000-05:00

So, how do you know if you’re a makeup artist? Well, if you’ve ever studied the eyeshadow combinations on your Barbie dolls or even arched a few eyebrows in your high school cafeteria during lunch, you are probably a makeup artist.

That’s exactly how Andrea Archer knew she was a makeup artist. This Glam Diva has been playing with colors and arching brows since before she could drive. And those skills have led her to a very positive career.

In an exclusive AshleyGaGa interview, Glam Diva speaks with us about how she got into the business of beauty, what it’s like to work with diva’s and what makeup trends she would gladly see die.

When did you fall in love with makeup and how did you enter into the beauty industry?

My love affair with makeup dates back to about 8 years old! I would love studying the eye shadow combinations on my Barbie dolls. I also remember being fascinated with the makeup looks on the Soap Opera stars. Their makeup was always so perfect.

I unofficially entered the beauty industry by arching eyebrows for my closest friends in high school during our lunch breaks! My official start, however, was with Mary Kay Inc. shortly after the birth of my first child (she is now 9 years old). I fell in love with the way my clients always felt beautiful after our appointments. Later on, I decided to take a part time job at Macy’s at the Benefit cosmetics counter because I was just so in love with the art of transforming women’s viewpoint of themselves simply by teaching them a few key makeup tricks. After child #2, I took a short break from makeup, but I couldn’t stay away for too long. In 2006, I completed a Basic Professional Makeup certificate program at Il Makiage in NYC, and the rest is pretty much history in the making!

Who have you worked with so far?

Read More

More Behind The Scene's Footage Of My Rue 114 Shoot

2012-01-24T15:31:00.002-05:00

The images from my Rue 114 shoot are finally in and I can't WAIT to show you all the pictures!
The video above is an actual behind the scene's look at me and Allison (the other model) on set that day. We had such a blast!

Remember how I told you that the brownstone we were in was super dusty, which made it difficult for everyone to breathe? Well, thankfully the issue with the dust didn't come out in the photo's.

See more pics after the cut.

A Behind The Scenes Look At Joan Smalls In Chanel's Spring 2012 Campaign Shoot

2012-01-18T12:31:00.001-05:00

I couldn’t be happier for Joan. She’s such a stunning beauty. You probably see her all over the runways in NYC, Milan, and Paris and in almost every single Vogue you can think of. And I’m sure you’ve seen her in campaigns including: Gucci, David Yurman, and Estee Lauder.

Interview: Allison McGevna Talks Life As A Plus-Size Model, What She Can't Leave Home Without And Why It's Important To Love Yourself

2012-01-18T12:29:00.000-05:00

Allison McGevna, model, fashion reporter,pretty much does it all. Though you may be unfamiliar with the name, I’m sure you’ve seen Allison before doing her thing for Apple Bottoms, Baby Phat and Roca Wear, or between the pages of Sister 2 Sister, Jet Magazine, and Black Enterprise (to name a few). And if you think all of this success has gone to her head, you couldn’t be further from the truth. What I love most about Allison is her humility and willingness to help others. She’s such a down-to-earth chick.

Recently Allison McGevna, my newest model buddy, agreed to do an interview for AshleyGaGa.com. Her insight into the world of modeling on the other side of the scale, how she’d like to impact the world, and the importance of loving yourself for who you are, are priceless.

Big Jump-Start Question: What got you into modeling, how long have you been modeling and how did you get started?

I always wanted to model because I am a total ham in front of the camera, but I never thought it would be something I would be blessed to call a job for me.

I modeled as a child all through college, doing local shows and catalogs, but I didn’t begin pursuing it professionally until I started working for Baby Phat when I entered a model search they held [4 years ago.]. At that time, it was both a professional and financial blessing and one that, when I was initially submitting, I never thought I would get.

I got started after working as a fit model for Baby Phat after I entered a search. They called me in and offered me a job on the spot doing fit work for them. I worked my way up from fit to catalog to eventually getting to do web campaigns. From there, I started learning about getting an agent, getting professional photos done and becoming a professional model.

How To Become A Model Pt.1: Two Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Get Started

2012-01-11T12:56:00.000-05:00

So you want to be a model. Well, welcome to the pool of millions of other girls who want to be a model, too. Every morning, girls from all over the globe wake up with dreams of bright lights, fabulous clothes, glitzy runway shows, and makeup and hair in their eyes. And every evening, those same girls come home tired, dazed, and confused because no matter how hard they tried that day, they are no closer to their dreams than when they woke up. So, what’ s a girl to do? What can a girl to do between the time she wakes up and the time she goes to bed that will make her that much closer to her dreams?

In this new Ashley GaGa series “How To Become A Model” I’ll reveal to you the real deal behind Model World. I’ll explain to you all the secrets of how to find an agency, book your own gigs, and essentially, become a model.

Two Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Get Started

There are two things you need to think about before you begin striving towards a career in modeling and they are: 1) why do you want to be a model and 2) at what point in my life will I call myself a model. These are very important questions because they alone will help you determine how far along in this industry you will go. If you want to model for the love of the art then you probably will be a model for a major part of your life and if you call yourself a model at the appropriate time in your career, you will be taken more seriously. Your answer to both are crucial and will help to determine how smooth of a ride your journey towards modeling will be.

Get Those Toes Ready. Pierre Hardy Summer 2012 Collection Is OUT!

2012-01-10T18:25:00.000-05:00

Ladies, ladies, ladies. Get your feet ready now because the Pierre Hardy Summer 2012 collection is here! And girl, they have some seriously GaGa pieces. When I saw this line on their site, my jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Why are these shoes NOT in my closet right now?

Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester and Nicole Scherzinger (who just broke up with beer BF by the way) are all fans of his shoes. And I can see why. They are the perfect balance of style, architecture, and fierceness. Can I get an AMEN?!

See more at AshleyGaGa.com

Melanie Fiona Looks Great In Rolling Out Magazine

2012-01-10T18:23:00.000-05:00

Well, what do we have here?

It’s the beautiful Melanie Fiona doing an editorial-esqu shoot for Rolling Out magazine.

In the shoot, Melanie wears a white bow tied blouse and high-waisted pants designed by Sergio Hudson. Sergio is from Columbia, SC. And though some would consider that to be a small town, Sergio is really making his mark in the fashion world. His designs have been showcased on several of your favorite TV stars. Most notably Lisa Hartwell, who wear him often on the red carpet.

Beats By Dr. Dre Collaborates With Oscar De La Renta To Create A Lux Set Of Headphones

2012-01-07T20:30:00.000-05:00

One more reason to believe that Hip Hop is taking over the world: Beats by Dr. Dre has now collaborated with Oscar De La Renta to create the worlds most stylist headphones. These uber lux set also double as earmuffs. Which make them perfect for winter listening. But they only come in one color, plum. If you’re all set to get a pair, make sure you have your dollars ready because you’ll need about 695 of them.

Jason Wu Is Coming To Target

2012-01-07T20:28:00.000-05:00

So, you’re in love with Jason Wu. But you can’t afford it. No worries. His lovely line is coming to Target in just a few more weeks.

You probably first heard about Jason Wu when he designed Michelle Obama’s gown for the inaugural ball. Since then, he’s been a hit with celebs and socialites with everyone from Kerry Washington to Iman sporting his feminine and heavenly gowns.

That's A Bangin' Body: Rihanna

2011-12-31T07:59:00.002-05:00

OK, Rihanna. We see you!

Rihanna was having a great time with family and friends over the holidays. The "Talk That Talk" singer was showing off all her "cake...cake...cake" while on the beach in Barbados. And while the most of us were covered up in coats and jackets during Christmas, Rihanna was showing off that bangin' body.

See, this is what milk does to you. And this is what a healthy body looks like. No, she's not the skinniest person on the block. The girl has T&A. And she looks fantastic. NOT emaciated. And you're not seeing any rolls here either. This girl is toned to a T. And her skin is flawless. I'm so loving it.

I would have gone for a different bra top though. This one is definitely flattening out her boobs. But hey, to each their own.

Check out more images after the cut.

On a side note:
Did anyone see those messages Rihanna and Chris Brown tweeted a few days ago.
Rihanna tweeted: "I'll always love you. #1Love"
Chris Brown Tweeted: "Love you more than you know."

Hmmm....

Draya From Basketball Wives Out And About

2011-12-30T16:39:00.001-05:00

I don't know if you all watched Basketball Wives: LA as much as I did. But I was totally in love with the show. So, when I saw on Necole Bitchie that Draya was out and about in Atlanta, I had to check out the post. I loved this girl on the show. She was always the most humble and really took a lot of flack from the girls in a very classy way. Yes, some say she's a gold digging jump-off. But at the end of the day, Draya handled the rest of those women with a sincere form of class. She was NOT the worst one on the show.

Anyway, that brings me to this photo, where Draya was spotted partying it up in Atlanta earlier this week looking like a street walker. I'm thinking, "What does she have on?" Those thigh high tights are not the business and should have been exchanged for some Trompe L'oeil tigts. That would have been much more impressive.

Check out some Trompe L'oeil below the cut. Because I know some of you are thinking "What the F' are those?"

And that uber mini skirt, which is very cute by the way, should have been paired with a fitted YSL shirt. Not a YSL T-shirt. That right there looks like a hot gangster mess. NOT Cute! I do like the hair, face, and shoes. And I won't comment on her being there with Young Jeezy. Just because they took a photo together doesn't mean they are "together."

That's all for now.

Love Always,

Ashley

Paula Patton in Pucci

2011-12-27T07:28:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Robin Thicke is working hard to promote her newest film, Mission Impossible- Ghost Protocol. And even though Tom Cruise is the star, Paula can carry all promotions by herself just off sheer beauty alone. Last week, Paula wore this multicolored, cocktail dress by Emilio Pucci to a premier event for the film. The dress is adorned with shimmers and feathers in a multicolored patchwork sort of way. Not my ideal dress, but to each their own.

She paired the frock with the usual Christian Louboutin pumps that all celebs wear when their stylist is short on ideas. FYI: Fendi still makes amazing heels. Oh, and YSL does too.

Christmas Nail Art

2011-12-26T12:13:00.000-05:00

Christmas may be over but I'm sure your manicure is still going strong, especially if you have a gel overlay or Shellac. I searched the net for my favorite Christmas nail art and this is what I found: silver glitter nails with small white peddles. I love this because it's not too Christmas-y and cheesy. Plus, it can last you well into the new year.

There were a few others that made my cut. Of course I had to throw in a french manicure, my favorite. LOL!

Check the other pics below the cut.

A Furry Little Kim

2011-12-26T11:28:00.001-05:00

So, I'm skimming through Necole Bitchie (who doesn't love her) when I come across this pic of the Queen B a.k.a Lil' Kim donning a pair of Louboutin Splash Fur slingbacks and a fur ball leotard from The Blond's 2012 Playboy Collection.

Now, for all of you who are unfamiliar with The Blonds:
The Blonds is the brain child of Phillipe and David Blond, who create some of the sickest costumes and gowns for your favorite celebs including Rihanna, Katy Perry, GaGa, and whoever else you can think of.

Now, for all of you who are unfamiliar with Christian Louboutin:

Where the F' have you been? Welcome back to earth.

Anyway,
I'm loving Kim's styling in this pic. The hair, flawless. The makeup (all that we can see of it), is on point. Her skin and the nails, brushed to a tee. Everything looks great. She looks like the barbie doll that she always wanted to be.

However,
What is up with those arms?! They are KILLING me. Why are they so thin? And those fur balls don't help at all. They make her look like a hairy spider (who's short of 4 legs.)

Here's a pic of the Blonds Leotard.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T08:50:00.000-05:00

From all of us who work so hard at AshleyJefferson.com,

Merry Christmas!

Sexy Chocolate In Green

2011-12-24T21:41:00.003-05:00

Now, wouldn't you love to see this bar of chocolate wrapped up under your Christmas tree?

I sure would! Lance Gross was spotted doing some holiday shopping at Nordstroms in Hollywood, CA. He was all smiles for the camera, as well. I just love his pearly whites and his relaxed, yet polished look. And the green shows well on his skin tone. Not many folks can pull that off.

If you want to give your guy the Lance Gross makeover I would

completely forgo the whole green concept. (Very few people can pull that off.) Instead, fit your guy in the Hunter Pass sweater from Abercrombie ( $300, Abercrombie& Fitch) and the Chi-Tight pants from Diesel ( Sale $227, Diesel.com). The white-T and boots to match should already be in his closet.

Love Always,

Ashley

Rihanna Get's Shellac'ed with CND

2011-12-24T15:54:00.000-05:00

Rihanna is pushing those stiletto nails so much so that they are almost just as famous as she is. Us Magazine posted a picture of her in Milan posing with CND VIP manicurist for Milan's Ladybird House Flavia Pitton.
Her nails are killer. You may know CND by the name of Shellac, the uber chip resistant formula that debut in 2010. But for those who don't know the brand: Shellac is a nail polish formula that is applied to your nails in a four-step process and set under a UV light. It's nothing like acrylic, yet your nails looks perfectly polished for about two weeks.
According to a CND rep:

"Rihanna was one of the very first celebrity fans of CND Shellac! She even wore CND Wildfire Shellac in the music video for Eminem's "I Love The Way You Lie,"

CND Shellac is some of the best polish available now. I love the variety of colors. But what I love most is that a Shellac manicure lasts at least 10 days before chipping. For this reason, I use Shellac all the time on my nails. Especially during the summer. I wish my makeup could last that long.

Love Always,
Ashley

Video: Kelly Rowland and Michael Buble Christmas Duet

2011-12-24T11:36:00.001-05:00

Earlier this week, Kelly Rowland and Michael Buble sang a wonderful rendition of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" for the TV special, Michael Buble: Home For Christmas. Doesn't kelly look stunning! And I love the way she sings the word "I." She's so underrated, here in the states.

Now This Is Strange: A Fake Louis Vuitton Bag

2011-12-23T09:06:00.001-05:00

Now this is strange, a worn down, fake, Louis Vuitton bag.

While getting a quick manicure somewhere in New York, I spotted this, a fake Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. But not just any fake. This one has been worn down to the lining!

I know that times are tough and that fake Louis Vuitton bags are more abundant than grass, but this is completely unacceptable. I mean, not only is this purse clearly a counterfeit. (You can tell by it's lack in shape and obvious quality.)But it's also completely worn down. The cheap pleather has actually worn completely off on the right side, only to reveal an ugly purple under lining and a hideous gray padding.

It's bad enough that this bag is fake. But at what point can it go in the trash? How long should this bag of crap continue to show itself? And WHY would any woman want to carry this? I'd sooner carry a shopping bag than this.

If it looks this bad on the outside, only God knows how horrible it is on the inside.

My advice:

Stay away from the fakes.

Sometimes, you just have to let it go.

Love Always,

Ashley

Apps I Can't Live Without

2011-12-23T09:02:00.001-05:00

Yes, I'm pretty much addicted to my iPad. And yes, it's with me wherever I go. But it's not always easy to stay connected when you're on the move. That's why I always keep it with me. Continuously, it provides me with a stream of information, and fun, that I can't find anywhere. And at just over one pound and less than an inch thick, it fits well in my Bagdlye Mischka purse.

There are a few apps on my iPad that I love more than others and some that I simply cannot live without.

Check below the cut to see my absolute favorites.

1. Zite- Quite possibly one of the best news apps available simply because I can tailor it to my interests. I love how I can customize what I read. Plus, Zite notices my reading patters and suggests other material. The app is almost flawless in providing me with relevant articles.

2. Huffington Post- Though I can't really customize the Huff app, the vast selection of news is amazing. Especially their style and beauty selections. Additionally, I just love the layout. I always use this app just after I finish with Zite.

3. Uno- I have been in love with this game since I was a child. The whole match-the-number-to-the-color idea is extremely addicting. Plus, I'm really good. One good thing about this game: the computer is really fair! Unlike other games, if you play the computer, you can expect to have a pretty solid game.

4. Scoops- We all have to pass the time away at some point. And other times we just have to give our brains a rest. Scoops is definitely an addicting app that doesn't really require much brain power. Just a little time and a slight tilt of the wrist.

I know there are several other apps out there that are to die for. But these are the ones that I may die without. What are your favorites?

Video: A Dress Made Of Glass?!

2011-12-22T08:46:00.000-05:00

Designers are known for using silk and chiffon in their dress creations. But glass? That's something new. It seems like something only Alexander McQueen could have pulled off. And in a way, he did.

Sarah Burton, the Creative Director of the line, designed a dress with a glass bodice during for the fall collection that was inspired by McQueen.

Check the video below the cut:

In the video, Burton describes exactly how the dress was designed while also giving fans a rare look into the backstage happenings of the opulent runway show and store launch of Joyce, Beijing's equivalent to America's Barney's.

I wish I was this creative.

Love Always,

Ashley

Blacks In Vogue: 22 since 1892

2011-12-21T10:34:00.002-05:00

After publishing 1,575 issues, 425,00 images, and 100,00 articles, Vogue has finally released a complete digital archive of every issue since 1892. A one year subscription will set you back a whopping $1,575 (which is just $1/issue) but the information found within the digital pages are priceless.

One thing that cannot be appraised is the collection of Vogue covers that feature a black model. There are only 22 of them, which makes them all the more special.

Check out the a few images after the cut.

(Random thought: Would anybody be willing to put together a black version of Vogue!? I mean really though. I'm happy for the 22 black covers. But when you think about the other 1,552 issues…it may be time for us to do something for ourselves.)

You can check the rest of the 22 covers over at the Huffington Post.

Deals You Didn't Know About

2011-12-20T17:03:00.001-05:00

Christmas is in just a few days and you still have a few folks left on your list to purchase gifts for. The only problem is, your wallet is thinner than a slice of prosciutto. What's a girl to do? Well, first off, don't fret. There are a tone of things you can purchase from high end designers that will give off the appearance that you spent a ton of dough on its recipient.

Take Marc Jacobs for example. Right now, Marc by Marc Jacobs is offering a vast selection of necklaces at rock bottom prices. The cheapest one is just $7. That's right. I said $7! This Marc by Marc Jacobs Wishbone necklace is so cheap, you can buy one for each member of the family. Additionally, there are several other accessories and Marc by Marc Jacobs trinkets you can purchase for anywhere between $1-$10, including the Heart Compact mirror. Don't believe me, check out your nearest Marc by Marc Jacobs store to find out for yourself!

Love Always,

Ashley