fashionton heights

cobalt

2012-02-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

I have to begin by showing you the brooch and bracelet my daughter made me.

I'm super gassed.

On to the actual post...

I really love cobalt blue and I might've ODed on it this time, but I couldn't help myself.

I know I got this skirt at a street fair in the Heights, but I don't remember where or when. All I know is that it's fantastic, it's one of those skirts that you can wear in a million different ways...even more than one dress style! My favorite outfit with it was while I was still pregnant, I wore it as a tube dress under my pearl vest with really cool gray tights and brown shoes and my 3/4 sleeve leather jacket...

I'll do it again for the hell of it one of these days.

I got this coat for very cheap at this store that used to be on St. Nicholas between W 179th St and W 180th St. My sisters and I found a lot of cheap and unique stuff in there...Anyway, the beauty of handing stuff down to your family and friends is that you still have access to it.

I gave this one to my cousin, but she spends most of her time in Albany, so I borrowed it for a couple weeks. It fits perfectly in to my current vibe...I'm feeling a bit like a grandma and in the mood for A-line skirts, cashmere sweaters, knee-highs and comfy shoes. I haven't even been in the mood to throw on stockings...this was the first time in a while. lol

Got a little breeze going...

puppets and books

2012-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday I got to take Kyami and my niece, Vyda, to a puppet show at Word Up Books.

The show is called, 'Alita the Show'. It's this awesome BILINGUAL puppet show.

To find out about it or bring it to your neighborhood, simply click here.

Kyami and Vyda before the show.

Word Up Books is such an awesome addition to our neighborhood and we should really work to keep it viable! Literacy is so important and encouraging our kids to step away from appliances and pick up a book and turn the pages will only feed their imaginations and increase their possibilities.

8

2012-02-21T07:00:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I fell in love.

Last week I was at renaREBORN for a shoot and saw these great pumps.

I picked them up, saw the $5 price tag got all excited and then saw the size 8,

this prompted me to put them down. I was heartbroken.

Then I thought, they have to go to someone I like, and is going to rock them the right way! lol

I remembered a friend that wears a size 8 and appreciates bright colors the way I do!

I sent her the pic asked if she wanted them and (of course) she said yes.

I took the shoes home and kept them in the bag because I was supposed to see her later that week...on Thursday, while cleaning up, I forgot what was in the little bag, checked it out and saw the shoes...this urged me to try them on. They're just soooo gorgeous!

I put one on...AND they ended up running a size smaller!!!!

Bad news for my friend...fantastic surprise for me!!!

I had to throw them on, especially since the temperature's been so permissive!

Look at them...red and navy on the outside...purple and green on the inside...yellow heel.

I love them for more reasons than their color scheme and texture.

I love them because back in 1999, my aunts pulled out about 7 or 8 pairs of shoes that they'd had since the '80s and NEVER wore!

Anyway, I did. I wore them so much I destroyed them and thus resulted in their destruction.

Now I have to go through my college party pics and see if I have any pics of those shoes.

The shoes were similar to these in design. A lot of "snake" and "gator", but in blacks and nudes.

All leather.

You've seen this parka before, I added my fox fur collar to it.

I simply safety pinned it to the collar.

Something made me do it asymmetrically...while doing my blog surfing yesterday I saw that a lot of the Fall/Winter lines are doing the same in their collections.

olivier green

2012-02-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

Olivier Green's F/W 2012 presentation was fantastic.

When watching him on Project Runway it was inarguable that he had impeccable craftsmanship.

His garments were always well finished and perfectly hemmed and this collection is no exception.

The clothing is contemporary and edgy.

His use of cosmic prints and leather add edge and spice to the neat silhouettes.

My favorite piece...leather leggings in front with the cosmic print on the back...to die for!

The designer...

The fashionable crowd...

See Cecilia Motwani of Project Runway?

Viktor Luna of Project Runway.

John Mark and Drew Krason of MPLStyle.com.

Yours truly.

A huge thanks to Drew Krason and Eric Acquaye for the photos!

transitioning already

2012-02-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

I was helping out at the Olivier Green show earlier this week.

This is me at work...lol.

I felt like playing with transitioning considering the temperatures have been pretty friendly for this time of year.

I teamed up one of my DVF dresses with my long vest.
You've seen the dress here and the vest here.

My sister got this scarf from Bluefly a couple years ago. It's DVF also.

Kangol cap.

j.o.c.n.y.c fall/winter2012

2012-02-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

I was able to see Jose Orellana's collection for Fall/Winter 2012.

Layers and tailored tops were all the rage.

The theme of the show was "Transeasonal"

which is fabulous for this unpredictable weather we're having.

The pieces are easily mixed and matched with his Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

Notice the shorts and long sleeve tops.

The outerwear was my favorite part of the collection.

Especially, that faux fur collar on the military green!

Some quick shots of the designer...

And now the fashionable folks in attendance...

This is John Mark, creator of the men's style site: MPLStyle.com.

I even did a little styling after the show.

Thanks to Eric Acquaye for the photos!

red olives

2012-02-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

Rainy day inspiration...

I actually like to wear color on rainy days.

There are some people that act like a rainy day is the end of the world and they'll cancel all their plans...that is not me! I love walks on rainy days. I appreciate them. There is less foot traffic and the weather is a little warmer because of the humidity. It's a win, win in my eyes.

Where's the color you might ask?

It's my red trench, I wore it over this outfit.

You saw it here.

You've seen this shirt here.

This sweater is from Beacon's Closet.

I got it three years ago, right around this time, while I was still pregnant. It was another sweater I used to cover my bottom...lol.

qipao

2012-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

This bag is another amazing vintage find. I found this beautiful, vintage Ferragamo at Beacon's Closet for $14. I bought it for my sister, but I use it from time to time. It was in mint condition when I got it, she uses it so much it's gotten some wear and tear over the years, but that only makes it more personal.

I couldn't wait to have this sweater again. lol. You'll see.

Bet you didn't know this style dress is called a cheongsam. It was created in the 1920's for upperclass women and socialites in Shanghai. Too cool. A few years back I bought a long cheongsam in red and gold (actually made in Shanghai!), but it didn't fit, so I gave it to my sister.

Then she gave it away and it's nowhere to be found. I'm so sad because I bet it would fit me now.

Anyway, I got this imitation for $4 on W 170th St and Broadway.

I loved the color of the fabric...all blues and olive/military greens, and a touch of cream.

bk

2012-02-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

Last week was a little crazy. I felt like Superwoman.

I did so much in so little time.

I had to lay low Saturday and Sunday.

I started this day out in a totally different outfit.

I was shopping for the new Juan Bago & O spoof: C.O.N.O. and as soon as I finished that I had to handle some family business. I managed to get it all done in about 3 hours and headed home to drop off my stuff. When I got home I felt compelled to try on the pants I bought while shopping for the video and loved them which only meant I HAD to throw them on immediately.

Can you believe these shoes are more comfortable than my Converse?

I actually changed in to them because I prefer them for walking.

They weigh like half an ounce, I swear.

I changed my entire outfit. The best part is I hadn't seen this shirt in months. I forgot I owned it 'til about two days before it came back in to my life. I thought about it like, "Who did I lend that to? Hmmmmm." I couldn't think of it, so I forgot about it, again.

Turns out I let my friend hold along with this black sweater while she was pregnant!

I actually got the sweater so it would cover my butt cause I loved me some tights when I was at the end of my pregnancy. I bought it off a clothing rack on Rivington St back in 2009. My friend was in my house talking about her butt showing in her tights and I was like...

"This will solve that problem!" I let her have the sweater for the Winter.

I missed it, I HAD to wear it.

This shirt was $1 at the first Iconicloset trunk show.

So, let me tell you about these pants. They were $7. I've complained about how I can't find jeans and I gave up on looking, well, I needed a pair of cheap animal print jeans for the video so I was walking along Fordham Rd. and found these for the video.

At first, I loved them cause of the price, but then I really loved them,

so I had to buy a pair for the video and a pair for myself.

In fact, they had another fatigue pair and I hesitated to get it then

I asked my friend to pick them up for me cause she lives in the area. lol.

They're actually from Charlotte Russe, I have NEVER shopped in one of those stores.

I went once with my little sister and never again.

I think some of their stuff is overpriced for the cheap ass quality.

For example, these pants were $7 on Fordham Rd,

and had a $24.99 price tag from Charlotte Russe.

If you know it's cheap, then make sure you pay the LOWEST price.

I added an extra layer the next day. I wore the same outfit cause I didn't get enough of it the first day.

balls

2012-02-11T05:55:00.001-08:00

I was walking around on Riverside and W 90th St and I came across these cannon balls.

How often do you get to trample all over some balls!?

This was another $2 sweater I got last year.

I usually wear it bearing some skin, but I was going to work...

I took advantage and photographed this jacket.

Check it out...

Gotta love the buttons and the leather details.

One day I walked in to Beacon's Closet looking for a short gray jacket/coat that tied at the waist.

I walked out with this!

The most amazing thing is that it's made of this ridiculously warm microfiber. You'd think it's a thin jacket, but it actually keeps me coat warm! The other great part (at the time of purchase) is that each side of that leather tie you see was about five feet long, so i would wrap it around myself a million times and it would make a thicker belt at the waist. I stopped having the patience for the chic tie once I got pregnant so I cut off about four feet! lol. Now I only wrap it around once.

The last part that got me...that collar!

I love that it folds over in a darker gray.

patterned layers

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

I stopped to take a couple pics before I left to the J.O.C.N.Y.C. show.

I just wanted to make sure I took some pics in case I forgot to do so later.

I got inspired to see how many pattens I dare mix-n-match.

Am I the only one that thinks this works?

I felt the black in all the patterns tied it all together.

Plus all the gays at the show loved it! lol

So, I'm going to listen to them cause they looked friggin' good, too!

All the holes in this shirt didn't stop me from wearing it.

I tried to salvage it, but I could only do so much.

I love it too much to let it go.

It was one of those $1 finds at my favorite Washington Heights flea market.

You'll see how gorgeous it actually is, come Spring.

All my layers cover the sleeves and the cut of the skirt on the "dress."

You've seen this cardigan here.

This is one of my two (open-toe) pairs of shoes I love to wear with socks and stockings.

I've had them forever and right when I bought them I was excited to wear them with stockings.

They're soooo comfy. You've seen them a few times, but not with pants.

You'll see pics of the actual Fall/Winter 2012 collection soon.

emerald

2012-02-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

I hadn't worn this sweater in so long that when I reached in to my pocket I found a pacifier.

Kyami is turning 3 in 3 months and she hasn't used a pacifier since before she was 1!!!

It has these super loooong sleeves that I love. They come out of my coats and serve as muffs. lol

It also reminds me of that Vogue shoot I told you guys about for this post, cause the sleeves are so exaggerated. It's so cozy and warm or "toasty roasty" as my little one would say.

I got it from that donation years ago at my old job. Yet, another great donation to my wardrobe!

I especially like the sweater with this coat because the sleeves on the coat are 3/4 and the sweater's sleeves fall so nicely.

I like green, what can I say?!

I do have to fold the sleeves at times for practical use...lol

The more I write for this blog, the more I realize I haven't bought too much as of recent.

I had a few years where the shopping was incessant. There was always an excuse to go to Beacon's or any boutique I fell in love with in the L.E.S. and spend money on lots of stuff, but that's faded.

I was in search of creating a wardrobe that would actually keep me content and I've achieved it!

I challenge you to try it. Try to stop shopping for outfits for this event and that event and start buying garments that compliment what you already have and you can re-work again and again.

It saves so much money, believe me. Most importantly, it helps you search for classic and not trendy. Classic is always trendy.

gwb

2012-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Look at that sky!

I took these pics on that 63 degree day we had last week...the only problem was that the wind was too crazy at my original location, so I had to move to avoid breaking my camera.

The tripod kept flipping over every single time I set it!

Isn't the sky awesome here!? And that bridge!

Ok, so here it was a little calmer...

You saw these leggings last week.

I got this shirt for $1. Brand new! I got it on W 181st St between Broadway and Ft Washington from an Ecuadorian vendor at one of those summertime street fairs I adore. It definitely shines better in warmer weather with no jacket. It has a nice little brown wooden button at the collar and a high slit on each side. LOVE it!

ysl

2012-02-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yves Saint Laurent is one of the design houses that best defines elegance for me.

I've collected a few things here and there that I absolutely adore. One little thing that makes me love it a little more is that Y...lol. You've seen that navy bag I got at Beacon's Closet in mint condition with all the Y's around the bottom. You most recently saw it here.

You can't see it in this post and I'm actually using it here, after I left the house I realized I should've used my other YSL bag because the colors matched my outfit better, but it was too late.

All the YSL is coincidental, though.

I needed a small bag and that's one of my smallest bags that can fit my reading book.

I'm a nerd, so what!?

I'm wearing a YSL belt my bestie gave me.

She doesn't only shop for Iconicloset, she also shops for her loved ones! Lucky me!

Gotta love the vintage YSL cause I will NOT be paying for that shit off the rack!

Better detail of the belt. Tell me it's not absolutely beauteous!

leather

2012-02-03T04:31:00.000-08:00

I told you guys I was working in the Javits Center last week.

I stopped to take some pics of my outfits everyday before I went in because on most days I came out after dark. I found this little cut behind a brick wall that allowed me to do so knowing nobody was across the street watching me...lol.

You guys have seen this sweater before, I got it in the Heights, but right now I can't remember where,

I bet I told you here, the last time you saw it.

These leggings are from Armani Exchange, I got them two Novembers ago for a good price.

I went there looking for two very specific things for my sister and this was one of them.

A lot of stuff in there is sometimes tacky and overpriced in my opinion,

but you will find a few things that are well worth it other times.

The booties are Sam Edelman, I got them at a random shoe store on 3rd Ave a while back.

You can't see my favorite part. The inside is lined with this metallic leopard print.

I love to pair the leggings with this coat because of its' leather shoulder strips.

I feel like they help accent each other.

This is yet another coat from that infamous rack!

I think I might have like 4-5 more to show you, I hope I have time this Winter season.

This rope necklace was a gift from my aunt. She is Anthropologie's #1 customer. She lives in that store. She always finds the nicest stuff in there and the best part is she loves to give them away!

Actually, I wore this ring to a friend's bridal shower brunch and one of her friends asked me if it was from Anthropologie and I was like, "I'm glad you think so! I got it for $1 on the street."

So, that's the story with the ring.

chillin'

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was helping Mujus, the jewelry line I've been working with, set up for the

New York International Gift Fair at the Javits Center this past week

and the hours were long and so I dressed comfortably.

Due to the up and down of the temperatures

I had the chance to wear my fringed out suede jacket from London.

I wore it once before, but I didn't get the chance to take pics, so I made it a point to do so this time.

Tote bags have become my bag of choice. I can fit everything, I often have to take my laptop with me and a few things to keep me entertained on train rides, so, why not throw it all in one bag?!

I got this t-shirt from my boyfriend who was gonna get rid of it a few years ago.

I like t-shirts that cover my behind for leggings, so it comes in handy.

I paired it with my trusty houndstooth cardigan for layering purposes.

I didn't want to get caught out there if the temperature dropped 20 degrees all of a sudden!

I was waiting to cross the street to the Javits Center on 11th Avenue and met this guy and girl that were going to be exhibiting at the fair and he was wearing a suede jacket and green scarf, too!

Random, but cool.

Originally, I picked out my leopard print scarf, but then I noticed my leopard print earrings and went with those instead. I wanted to add a little pattern confusion, so that did just enough.

expensive taste

2012-01-31T04:47:00.000-08:00

I learned early in life that I gravitated toward expensive things in regular retail stores.

I later understood that it was feeding my search for quality.

I then learned that I was able to find this good quality for CHEAP,

thus began my obsession with thrift and vintage shopping.

Take this outfit, for example.

Had I purchased my scarf, coat, and bag in retail stores they would've cost thousands, literally.

Mink coats can run you upwards of $15,000

(like even $20-something thousand, in the wrong place...lol), this one was not.

I got it at a vintage shop in the L.E.S. on E. 7th St years ago.

I bought this dress on the corner of W 170th St and Broadway for $2 last week!

It's so cute, it has this seen of a village in Tuscany or a place like that.

It's more for summer, so you'll see those details later.

I feel the need to add a disclaimer for my hat:

My hat always tilts forward with my head, that's why it's standing up like that...lol.

It's usually pushed back, as you see below.

This merino wool scarf could easily cost you between $80-100 in the wrong store.

I got it for a percentage of $25 at the Housing Works warehouse sale, with the tags!

The same goes for the cashmere sweater I'm wearing over the dress...

I got that baby for free and it could've been a good $200!

This Prada bag probably cost about $5,000 when the collection was introduced and this also came from the Housing Works sale, for a percentage of $25. Even sample sale prices are steep for me, they're ususally between $500-800 and I'm not paying that for anything that's not rent/mortgage or a plane ticket.

Word to my motha.

knickerbockers

2012-01-30T14:03:00.000-08:00

The Knicks are gonna give me a heart attack this year.

I got this hat last year for a game we went to and this was the first time I wore it this year.

They lost their game that day, as they did the game I went to wearing it.

I'd say the hat is bad luck, but they lose all the time, so that says it all.

This down jacket is supposed to keep you warm in -20 degree weather. I got it from a friend who ordered it from Lands End online and then thought the yellow was too bright. She knows nothing is too bright for me. lol. I was happy to have it cause I wouldn't really go out of my way to buy a down jacket, but it definitely doesn't hurt to have one, especially a bright yellow one!

My scarf is a gift from Guatemala. I had such a nice one and Kyami lost it and

my friends brought me a replacement this summer.

People always stop me on the street to tell me they love these booties and I love how their eyes bulge out of their head when I tell them I got them for $0.50!

This sweater was my boyfriend's years ago and I scored it when he couldn't fit it anymore.

I love the cut and fit of it. Perfectly comfortable and perfectly warm.

My little "Pookie Wookie" couldn't stay out of the frame, so we took the pics together.

I wish I had her pants, but they don't come in my size!

"Pinky swear."

These two rings are plastic and metal colored, my sisters and I all got one of each years ago on the streets of Washington Heights for a $1.

And this is my Missoni bag from Beacon's Closet.

editorial

2012-01-23T07:33:00.000-08:00

This outfit reminds me of one of my favorite editorial shoots in Vogue. I know it's terrible I can't remember the issue or the name of the spread itself, all I know is that it was filled with huge knit sweaters and scarves and it made it to my list of favorites because I absolutely love ridiculously big sweaters and scarves for the winter time.

When I got dressed I automatically thought of the spread.

The neck on my sweater is super big and my pants are super baggy.

This is one of those crazy cold days we've been having.
I wore loose fitting, so I could lay on the layers.

These pants are actually "boyfriend" pants. They were my boyfriend's, but they stopped fitting years ago and he gave them to me. He got them centuries ago in an army store. I love the fit.

I love to have my pants completely drape over my shoe.

The neckline on my sweater is so big that I always wear my scarves inside this one.

I bought this blouse for a $1 on Broadway at the same store and at the same time I bought this blouse.
I think it's absolutely gorgeous.
A dear friend made me this necklace.

combat

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's been freakin' cold, man.

I peeped these cannons while I was taking my pics for the ginuwine post.

I thought I'd wait til I had a more appropriate outfit to do so.

I thought this one was perfect, well, because I'm wearing combat boots.

I actually left my house in my Wallabees, but the wind was so crazy I ended up changing in to these boots at my mom's. My sister and her friend have been sharing them for a while now. lol.

I was so glad they were still there cause my poor little ankles couldn't take it.

This was by 88th St and Riverside Dr.

I really love the west side of Manhattan because I think it's so historical and that in itself makes it really beautiful. I mean, I'm not the biggest patriot, but let's face it I was born and raised here because my parents thought it would be better for our family, so it's home and I do love it.

I'm sure I've mentioned before that I went to boarding school and something that always kept me connected to my Heights and the west side of Manhattan was the following...My high school was the Middlesex School. Yes, bring on the jokes of me being in the middle of all the sex...I still hear it!

Anyway, MX is located in Concord, MA. Concord of the battle of Lexington-Concord that started the Revolutionary War. It simply reminded me of Ft. Washington, Ft. Tryon Park, Inwood Hill Park and the VanCortlandt house (where President Washington stayed for some time during the war).

It's crazy to realize that people actually traveled by foot...

that all that land was treaded by the same soldiers that started up in Concord.
And this gave me a sense of comfort, you know?

Anyway, the west side is beautiful and has all these great forts and treasures that stood the test of time and you have to appreciate that.

The outfit...this tote bag fits my life, laptop included.

Combat boots from the army store on W 8th St. They were like $30 this summer so I got them.

Under I'm wearing my favorite sequin top, but you can only see a little of the bottom because it was too cold to let you see it! I layered it over some lacy lingerie...I didn't feel comfortable enough with the leggings and the sequin, I need to know my butt is completely covered.

No need to help the pervs be pervs.

See my tripod reflection?

It was the most thoughtful gift I got for Christmas!

It didn't make me tear like the Coco Chanel biography I got, but that's just because I'd had her in mind a couple days before and never spoke of it...then I got the book and cried a bit, lol.

You don't realize at times how much attention people (that love you) pay to your interests.

ginuwine

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

I had a meeting after working with Mujus, the fantastic, eco-chic jewelry line last week.

They just got a new shipment from Peru, I can't wait to see the new designs.

Anyway, I wanted to dress up a little for the meeting, but I wasn't going all out and I wanted to be comfortable because I was going to be working for six hours before that. So, pajama-wear it was.

You've seen this parka here.

I got it for $7.99 or something like that at a random discount store in the Heights.

I walked in to buy soap or something and grabbed the jacket, too.

This knit scarf might have been a blanket or something for somebody else.

I got it at Goodwill, it's handmade and super warm.

Washed it and it's kept me warm for years.

You've seen these pants (Zara) here and this vest here.
The blouse is a vintage silk Girgio Armani I got at El Mundo like three years ago.
I throw it on with ANYTHING.

Why Ginuwine?

The outfit reminded me of something he would've worn,

in front of a fan for one of his videos in the late '90s.

This sweater! Handmade in Ecuador. My sister got it at a street fair.

You can NOT go wrong with one of these in your wardrobe.

Guaranteed quality, guaranteed warmth.

nunchucks

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's actually feeling like Winter. This weather freaks me the hell out.

One day we won't know if we should expect snow or a beach day.

I've had this coat for a looooooong time. I got it when I used to work in Bushwick, first job out of college. My co-worker (also one of my best friends) and I used to shop on our lunch breaks.

I wonder if the store is still there, it was on Graham Ave. Same store I got the kimono seen here.

There are too many vintage options in Bushwick and Williamsburg for us not to take advantage of!
I actually changed the buttons on these sleeves, but I didn't catch them in any photo.

Simple leather gloves with gold studs, why not? They're Nine West.

Got them at Macy's years ago, on one of my personal shopping runs for my mom.

I love this picture cause all you see is the booties.
Another Tani purchase.
These are by F-Troupe. F-Troupe makes the CUTEST comfortable shoes, EVER!!!
It's a British shoe line, so you're probably better off looking for them in the city.
They're at Tani and Barney's for sure.

This pic is great, too cause the GUATEMALA is what shines.

Love this bag, it was a gift from two of my dearest friends from their trip to Guatemala this past Summer.

(He's Guatemalteco like one of my fav songwriters...Ricardo Arjona.)

Tell me this sweatshirt isn't hot!

I have an actual set of brass knuckles at home, but I keep them there because they're a weapon and I'm enough of a problem with my bare hands. I got them in Miami a while back.

The sweatshirt is from Beacon's Closet. I can't remember the designer and I'm not home as I write this post to go check the tag. The awesomeness shall do.

Layered over a denim button down from the Gap, $1, Washington Heights flea market.

Kyami was on the swings playing with her Godmommy, I took advantage to snap these pics.

in the hood

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Get it?! Hahaha.

The green coat, again.

I've been wearing these earrings a whole lot.

I got this sweater at the same store as the coats. The sweaters were on a separate vintage rack for $2!
I wanted to wear these together from the moment we got all the stuff.
The weather didn't permit last year, so I finally got to wear it this Winter.

I got this scarf at American Place for like $4 this past Spring. You've seen these boots here with another sweater I got from the $2 vintage sweater rack.

long days

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

I had to work on the set of a video shoot last week and those days are at least 12 hour days usually.

So, I have to leave the house prepared for the day. Almost like I'm moving out. lol. I pack snacks, entertainment and then whatever I need for the actual styling of the shoot.

Here I am at 9 am on my way to work.

You've seen this coat here, it's vintage Woolrich. I got it at the famous coat store I am endlessly speaking of for $10. The Moschino bag you've seen here, it's from Iconicloset.

These booties are one of my fav flats EVER! I actually got a pair for myself while getting a pair for my best friend (and Iconicloset owner) in a metallic silverish-purple color. They didn't have my size in that color, so why not get it for my best friend on her birthday!?!

They are by Kelsi Dagger, but I got them on sale at Tani. They're on sale for $35.99 right now.

(There's also a newer design that's a mesh leather (!!!) and that comes in white....ooooohhhh!)

Have you checked out Tani? I'm telling you, it's worth your time.

This might sound silly, but my fav part of the bootie? The sole. Why? It has a dagger carved out. lol.

Here I am at 1 am, when I got home, after the shoot.

I had to take the pics because I love this blouse. It's vintage.

The night before I went to my cousin's house to pick out some jewelry she had that was fitting for the shoot I was working on. She is only 15 and makes the hottest edgy jewelry. So, I saw it fit for the video. While I was there I went through her closet (that she shares with her twin sister) and took a few blouses for myself. Why not!? This blouse was the first I spotted, so I grabbed it. The next day I find out it belongs to another cousin of ours! She was like, "How did you end up with my shirt!?"

I told you, endless wardrobes.

There are seven of us that can share shirts, it's split 3 and 4 for bottoms and shoes. lol.

I'm not sure you guys can spot the large velvet paisley detail on the blouse.

Total side-note:

You've probably noticed this dope ass Ganesha (Ganesh-the Hindi Lord of Success) painting in the background before. I got it from a friend, El Bowz. You can see more of his work by clicking on his name. The point is this mofo can do his thang and he was selling this piece at his last art show (it's about time he has another). When he does, I will tell you about it, not just cause he's my friend, but because his work is official AND he's from the Heights!

We re-did the entire living room to put it up.

One of the artists I was styling goes, "Ummm, that colorful shirt you're wearing, you're not going home with it, right?" And I'm like, "Of course not, I'm leaving it with you."

Love these earrings, I love black metal jewelry. These have a nice little chain link.

buttons

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

You saw this coat on a post earlier this week. The coat was missing two buttons and I decided to remedy that problem. I have a mean button collection...random, I know, but you'd be surprised at what switching up the buttons on a top layer can do. It's like a facelift.

The coat was missing the top and bottom buttons, the two middle were intact. I wanted to break them up, so I took one out and slid it down. Then I chose two buttons that would go with the coat, but that were different from the existing buttons. It's good to break up the monotony of things.

I have to take the pictures of my actual outfits indoors because I am not one to take my coat off outside unless it's at least 50 degrees.

Speaking of buttons, I added these buttons to this cardigan.

I got it for a $1 at a church bazaar and it had none.

And I got these thread spools on my necklace from the last time I organized my buttons!

OMG, I didn't even realize all these things before I named the post 'buttons.' Cool.

How you like my t-shirt?

The boyfriend printed it for me once I declared myself Kyami's Mami.

A little brooch action. From the rummage sale on E 86th St and Park Ave.

Now for the outerwear.

I borrowed my sister's white mink scarf...this was her gift from London.

Carrie Bradshaw had these booties (see here) for the first 'Sex and the City' movie. I was shopping at Unique Boutique with my bestie from Iconicloset and she picked them out because they were my size!

These are Sigerson Morrison for Target, Sarah's were just Sigerson Morrison. lol

I love them. Black suede, gold belt, low heel, but no sexy is sacrificed.

Plus, how perfect are they for this bag!?!