Ladi Like

Back To The 90s (Fashion)

2013-05-24T08:27:00.000-04:00

There is a saying that goes, "what's old is new again." This statement definitely rings true in the fashion world. Celebrities like Rihanna and brands such as DKNY have ushered in a resurgence in the popularity of items that many of us remember from yesteryear--chunky chains, overalls, oversized logos, and sweatshirts...basically everything from the 90s short of boomboxes and fanny packs (which I pray never return lol). As a child, I hated overalls (and never thought it was cool to just have one buckle unfastened) for functional reasons--what twisted individual would come up with clothing that makes it so hard for a child to get undressed to go to the bathroom?--but now I realize that with the correct fit and style, a pair of overalls can be just as stylish (gasp!) and flattering as a fly jumpsuit. Oh, and that DKNY t-shirt shown above--guess who has had that very same shirt (minus the signature and 2013 price tag) for about 15 years now? This girl!

What do you think? Are you pulling out your old 90's favorites, or waiting for this trend to pass?

Style Rut? Swap It Out!

2013-05-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

For me, getting dressed is more than just an act, it is a process that usually ends up with my closet looking like the aftermath of a natural disaster with shirts, shoes, and belts strewn about and several empty clothes hangers stacked on the floor. I hate to wear the same outfit the exact same way, so I'm always trying out new pairings to see what works. Sometimes simple swaps can change your drab, go-to outfit into something fab. Don't believe me? Just watch:

Simple Wardrobe Swaps by carmeme

A nude shoe always works, but a pop of color can breathe new life into a classic, simple look.

I'm always preaching the gospel of the chambray/denim shirt, but I love the juxtaposition of the casual top with a classic piece such as a black and white houndstooth pencil skirt. The chambray shirt allows you to get more miles out of your wardrobe by pairing with seemingly work-only items and taking them from work-to-play.

Sequins are usually reserved for evening wear, New Year's Eve, and other glam occasions, but pairing an ornate, embellished piece with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans creates an unexpected yet fun look--perfect for date night!

The next time you are having an "I have nothing to wear!" moment, pull two items from your closet that you have never worn together and TRY IT ON, you may fall in love with the look! Be sure to bookmark this page to keep these outfit ideas handy!

Sheer Maxi & RiRi Woo

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I don't own very many maxi dresses and skirts because they are not the most flattering for my short frame and often feel like a ton of fabric, but this one solves both of those problems. This skirt is pleated without being too bulky, and because it is sheer with a short opaque lining, I can still show off a little leg while still being covered up!

While my look is mainly black and white, I added a pop of color with my new Riri Woo lipstick! If you are a beauty addict or Rihanna stan, you know that Rihanna has an upcoming collection with MAC cosmetics and the first release was the Riri Woo lipstick, a retro matte red shade inspired by the popular MAC Ruby Woo lipstick. I am probably one of the few people who has never tried Ruby Woo so I can't compare the two shades, but I do love the Riri Woo! It is a gorgeous, flattering red shade with a matte finish, which I prefer to a gloss finish. As a warning, matte lipsticks show off every crack and peel in your lips, so make sure to exfoliate and moisturize your lips before wearing and you should be good to go!

Vest: Old Navy (I cut off the fraying at the sleeves) / Shirt: Dorothy Perkins (similar) / Skirt: JCPenney (similar) / Bag: Asos

Casual Jumpsuit OOTD

2013-05-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been obsessed with jumpsuits and rompers. I love the ease of throwing on one piece of clothing and ta-da...you have an outfit! This one is perfect for casual days, and days when I know I'm going to be eating a lot. I know I'm not the only one that has grubbing clothes! LOL!

Jumpsuit: Casual Couture (similar) / Shoes: Steve Madden "Hilite"

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear?

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style.

Kim may be the Kardashian that put the family on the map, but when it comes to style, Kourtney Kardashian is the star in my eyes. Kourtney is always chic, and not even pregnancy or being a busy mother of two seems to adversely affect her style. She pulls off the flowy, comfortable-yet-stylish mom-on-the-go look like a pro, and when she switches to mogul mode she oozes sophistication in classic, smartly tailored pieces with feminine details.

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear? by carmeme

Can you picture Kourtney K rocking any of these looks? In your opinion, which Kardashian has the best style?

Peplum Talk (+ OOTD)

2013-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

I was a little late jumping on the peplum bandwagon but now I am a believer. The peplum is a curvy girl's best friend, hiding your tummy while accentuating the smallest part of your waist. For the not-so-curvy, an appropriately placed peplum can create an hourglass look by flaring out at the hip. The only enemy of the peplum is the wind...just like with a skater skirt, a sudden gust of wind can have you almost naked before you know it. There were many times throughout the day where I felt a draft on my back where the wind had raised my top.

Blouse: Philosophy (similar) / Jeans: Old Navy / Shoes: Old Navy (old) (similar) / Clutch: Asos / Necklace: unknown

Have you rocked the peplum trend yet?

Finally Rocking Prabal Gurung For Target + Style Me Friday Link-up

2013-05-10T19:20:00.001-04:00

Top: Prabal Gurung for Target / Pants: Apt 9 (Kohl's) / Clutch: The Limited / Shoes: The Limited

This blouse is one of the two items I bought from the Prabal Gurung for Target collection. Until this week, I have never worn either of my PGforT items. At first I wanted to let the hype die down...then whenever I thought about wearing this top (or the dress I got) I always found something else to wear that I liked better. I do like this shirt, but sometimes the pattern looks too summery, like a Hawaiian shirt. I can definitely see myself wearing this top with some cutoff shorts in the summer, but for now I paired it with a pair of red slacks. Now these pants...perfection, honey! Perfect fit, perfect length, and best of all, a size 10!!!

*I'm linking up with The Fashionista Next Door's Style Me Friday link-up! The inspiration this week was slacks!

Leopard & Lime OOTD

2013-05-09T00:02:00.000-04:00

Cardigan: Old Navy / Tank: Old / Jeans: Old Navy / Flats: Red Camel (similar-lo) (similar-high) / Bag: London Fog

Sweats + Bodycon (OOTD)

2013-05-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Sweatshirt: JCP / Skirt: Old Navy (similar) / Sneakers: Aldo (love these!)

If I don't have any plans, or if I am traveling, I am usually dressed down. A couple of weeks ago I traveled with my fiance' to visit his family so of course, I kept it casual with a sweatshirt, a stretchy skirt (to account for all the food I was planning to eat!), and some sneakers. That day I also ended up at a youth basketball game so my semi-sporty outfit was a cute option for that as well!

Black & White Bold Stripes OOTD

2013-05-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

Simple With Tribal Accesories OOTD

2013-04-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

Top: A.n.a. (similar) / Jeans: A.n.a. (similar) / Shoes: Skechers / Clutch: World Market (love this one!) / Watch: Fossil

The star of this outfit is this cute little tribal clutch. I got it during a gift exchange during the Bloggers Like Me (BLM) holiday brunch but it is from the eclectic home furniture/decor store World Market. I love going to World Market for home items (and wine tastings!), but they do carry some gorgeous global inspired beaded and stone jewelry. Check it out sometime if you're looking for something different!

What Would Teyana Taylor Wear?

2013-04-25T20:19:00.003-04:00

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style.

So...I'm a horrible blogger and I forgot to post this on the 15th! Oops!

Photos from Teyana's Instagram

This month I'm inspired by the gorgeous Teyana Taylor. I'm usually in awe of her always perfect curly hair, but her super fit body is hard to miss! Her style is tomboy chic with lots of boots, sneakers, hats, and athletic wear, but she does make sure to show off her womanly curves in body hugging jeans and 6-pack baring crop tops. She even has her own athletic shoe with Adidas (the funky metallic hightops are featured in this post)!

When it is time to hit the red carpet, she glams it up with bodycon dresses and skirts with slits and cutouts that are not for the faint of heart.

What Would Teyana Taylor Wear by carmeme

What do you think of Teyana's style?

2 Chains (OOTD)

2013-04-25T00:02:00.000-04:00

Blouse: Forever 21 (similar 1) (similar 2) / Shorts: Mossimo / Shoes: The Limited / Clutch: Asos (similar 1) (similar 2) / Necklace: Melody Ehsani (love this one!)

Chunky gold chain necklace + Chain print sheer shirt= 2 Chainzzzzz!

Striped Pants OOTD

2013-04-22T00:02:00.000-04:00

Blazer: Old Navy (similar) / V-neck: Mossimo / Necklaces- Gifted / Pants: Dorothy Perkins (similar) (similar-plus size) / Boots: Steve Madden

I bought these pants on a whim from Dorothy Perkins several months ago and really had no idea what to wear with them. After staring at them in the closet and passing over them day after day, I finally threw them on before heading out for drinks. Next time I will be a little more daring with my outfit selection, but this time around I settled for neutral black and gray with a bold lip.

Global Prints OOTD (AKA My "Solange" Dress)

2013-04-18T00:02:00.000-04:00

Global inspired prints are a big trend for Spring and honestly, with stunning shapes and patterns combined with gorgeous, bold colors, what's not to love! We all know that Solange Knowles is the queen of prints so of course she was the first thing that came to mind when I found this gorgeous dress. I even rocked my puff/fro to channel my inner Solange for this look!

Dress: Flying Tomato / Sandals: NineWest (similar) / Clutch: Asos (similar)

Will you be rocking some global prints this Spring?

Chambray In The Club (OOTD)

2013-04-16T00:02:00.000-04:00

I tell ya'...this chambray shirt has not failed me yet. Last week, I decided at the last minute to go out to a hip hop beat battle and--like always--I looked in my closet and didn't think I had anything to wear. I rarely go out to clubs so sometimes I have to text my younger cousin to find out what the kids are wearing nowadays and make sure my outfit is maintaining the delicate balance of sophisti-ratchet. This time, I put my outfit together all by myself with no second opinion--aside from a quick headnod and "cool" from my fiance'. I started with this little bandage skirt I picked up from the junior section in J C Penney and on a whim tried on my favorite shirt. I figured, I've worn this chambray top everywhere else already, why not try it at the club? Gold accents, a red lip, and a pop of color clutch completed the look.

Shirt: TJ Maxx (old) / Skirt: B Wear (similar) / Wedges: Sole Society / Clutch: Steve Madden (similar) / Belt: Arden B / Necklace: Asos

BA STAR Natural Eye Shadow Palette Review (+ Discount Code!)

2013-04-14T15:33:00.001-04:00

I may talk a lot about hair and fashion, but I am a sucker for a good eye shadow palette. I love the convenience of complementary colors that fit right into my make-up bag or into my purse for some grab-and-go action. I recently received a smoky eye shadow palette from BA STAR, a company that specializes in performance make-up products for cheerleaders and dancers. Cheerleaders make a living by looking perfect, so I knew right off the bat that I had a quality palette on my hands!

It arrived in the mail well packaged with the actual palette sealed in plastic, wrapped in some fun zebra print tissue paper, and sealed in a plastic baggie. I was happy to see that there were no broken shadows and no loose powder within the palette!

I received the Natural Shadow Palette that includes 3 mineral shadows (bronze, cocoa, nude) and 2 gel glitter shadows in gold and crystal.

The mineral shadows were a dream to apply--smooth, highly pigmented, and blended very easily. The three colors complement each other well and created a nice neutral, bronzed eye look for me. I'm not going on the stage anytime soon so the glitter shadows are not my taste, but just from applying the glitter shades onto my arm I could tell that it only took a light swipe of the applicator brush to pick up a ton of glitter. The glitter shades really "popped" and the gel provided good staying power so they would definitely be perfect for the stage!

This palette really impressed me and has seriously become one of my go-to palettes for a quick, everyday neutral eye. Using my Urban Decay Primer Potion, I was able to wear the eyeshadows a full workday with only a little creasing by the end of the day, but the colors still popped! Interested in getting this palette for yourself? Check out the BA STAR website for eye shadow palettes, other makeup products (including lashes, bronzer, and lip pencils), head bands, and much more! *Use the code BBSMOKY for 50% off your purchase*

*Disclaimer: I received this product complimentary from BA STAR via BrandBacker. The opinions expressed in this post are my own, and are in no way influenced by the brand or by BrandBacker.

OOTD: Bodycon & Combat Boots

2013-04-11T00:02:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been in a "dress" kind of mood where you don't care what the weather is like, or what you have planned for the day, you gon' wear that dress dog'gone it ?!?

(side note: Please tell me I'm not the only one who remembers that famous Fantasia quote "I'm gon' get that GED dog'gone it" from her reality show)

Well yeah, this was one of those days, but luckily for me the weather was pretty nice, and sunny. I bought this dress from ASOS about a year ago, but never wore it (well, actually I wore it once as a top) because everyone had it--on the blogs, in the clubs, I might have even seen it in a random music video once. Now that the appeal has died down and the dress has long been sold out, I

pulled it out to wear over Easter weekend. Normally I don't wear my combat boots with dresses, but I was participating in an Easter egghunt where money was involved so I had to be prepared! I actually like the look of taking a sexy, bodycon dress and adding some edge with a pair of flat boots and an oversized top.

Dress: Asos (similar) / Shirt: JCP / Boots: Steve Madden

White Jeans: Look 3 (of 3)

2013-04-08T00:02:00.000-04:00

Blazer: Old (TJ Maxx) / Shirt: A.N.A. / Jeans: Bisou Bisou / Necklace: Charming Charlie / Flats: French Follies

For the third and final look of my white jeans series, I took a break from my heels and rocked my white jeans with a pair of flats. I've had these cute little striped flats for a couple of years now, but this is my first time pairing them with a striped shirt! I guess this is my first ~~baby~~ step towards full out print mixing...Anyway, this is just a comfortable yet pulled together look that is relaxed enough for the weekend, but can also work for casual Fridays at the office!

Hope you enjoyed these 3 looks! Just because I'm done with the series does not mean you will not see these jeans again on the blog...actually, don't be surprised if you see them really soon :)

It Was A Good Day (OOTD)

2013-04-07T16:59:00.003-04:00

Just waking up in the morning, gotta thank God / I don't know but today seems kinda odd - Ice Cube, "It Was a Good Day"
Source

"It Was a Good Day" is one of those songs that always puts me in a zone. If it comes on in the car, I immediately want to turn the volume up to ignorant levels, let the windows and sunroof down, and ~~tie a black bandana around my head~~ set my cruise control at 25 mph. Today was one of those days that Ice Cube waxes poetically about in the song. No barking from the dog, no smog. A perfect 72 degrees, all sun and no wind. Grocery shopping at Target with no checkout lines. Dessert with the boo at Coldstone. Last but not least, i was gifted the cute little quilted crossbody bag I've been wanting from Asos. Hope you all are having a wonderful day as well!

Blouse:The Limted (similar) / Skirt: H&M purchased from Naturally Fashionable e-store (similar) / Flats: Mossimo / Bag: Nine West (love this printed one!) / Necklace: Asos / Watch: Invicta

Purple Skinnies + Florals (OOTD)

2013-04-03T07:28:00.000-04:00

Floral blouse: The Limited / Jacket: Old Navy / Skinnies: Old Navy / Flats: Mossimo

Rocking the hot spring trend (florals!) once again!

White Jeans: Look 2 (of 3)

2013-04-01T00:02:00.000-04:00

Jacket: The Limited (similar) / Blouse: New Direction (similar) / Jeans: Bisou Bisou / Wedges: Sole Society

I'm back with another white jeans look! This time around, I incorporated the black/white trend with a white snake print blouse, a studded cream blazer, and a super-comfortable pair of ankle strap wedges from Sole Society.

My Little Secrets Lace Front Wig: Initial Review

2013-03-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

Another day, another protective style!

I recently decided to try something new and purchase my first lacefront wig. I was very nervous and hesitant to start using lace fronts...we have all seen some horrible ones on MediaTakeout and even on some celebrities and if people who have millions of dollars can't get it right, how can little old me get one without looking crazy? I bit the bullet and bought one after realizing that the price would be comparable to what I would pay for a sew-in weave (hair + paying for the install) and, even if I didn't love the wig, it could still be my "work wig" to give my natural hair a rest during the week (and give me a few extra minutes of sleep in the mornings!)

After some YouTube research, I found an affordable wig vendor that had natural looking wigs. My Little Secrets offers lace front and full lace wigs in both curly and straight styles (I'm currently lusting over their curly hair options!). Their wigs-unlike some other brands I saw--look good on the mannequins, so I had high hopes for how they would look on my head. I purchased "Diamond", a 10-12 inch 100% Human Indian Remy lace front wig in color 1B and selected their Yaki texture. Here is a pic from the website:

My Little Secrets "Diamond" (source)

My Little Secrets also offers add on services such as adding combs, coloring services, knot bleaching (which apparently makes the lace hairline and parts look more natural), and adding hair to increase the length or density of their stock wigs. I chose to get the knots semi-bleached to make the wig look as realistic as possible. Because this is technically a coloring service to the "roots" of the hair, the website does mention that this process can compromise the hair, especially if you are ordering a wig that has already been dyed.

My only issue with the ordering process for the wig is the shipping. Most wigs ship within 5-6 business days, with an addition 4-8 business days added for the add on services (knot bleaching adds 8 days). On top of that, the vendor's business week is from Wednesday to Saturday instead of the standard Monday to Friday. I ordered my wig on February 28th...and it did not ship until March 20th. Thankfully, it was shipped through priority mail so I got it 3 days after it was shipped.

Now...for some pics:

Side view

lace front portion of wig

The wig comes with combs on both sides and in the rear. There is lace from ear to ear, with about a 3inx3in area of lace at the front that allows you to create a center or a side part.

I took a few pictures of the wig fresh out of the box, with the lace still attached. My Little Secrets does have an exchange program if you are not happy with your wig, but the wig must not be altered and the lace must not be cut so I wanted to make sure it was to my liking before cutting the lace. There were no defects, the wig actually came pre-curled/styled, and I was impressed with how natural the part and hairline looked--even with the lace still attached! The hair was really soft and had a natural, low-shine look. I noticed no shedding at all with running my hands through it and combing it with a wide tooth comb.

Final product, minimal styling

After cutting the lace, I curled the hair a little just to see how it would respond to heat styling. The hair curled easily and held the curls for 4 days of continuous wear. At night, I store the wig on a styrofoam wig head and in the morning I don't have to do anything to it. As for my real hair...I twisted it back into 4 large flat twists, pinned the ends up in the back, and hid my hair under a wig cap.

So far, I am loving this wig! It feels so good to literally spend less than 1 minute styling my hair, and I cannot believe how the part looks like my own scalp! I have to mention that if there is really strong wind the sides of the wig where the lace is may lift up if you don't glue it down (I do NOT use glue), but with combs on the side of the wig it is very secure (read: will not fly off!) and if you are worried about it you can use a couple of bobby pins by your ear.

What do you all think? Have you ever tried a lace front?

Work It: Black and White

2013-03-27T08:01:00.000-04:00

White Jeans: Look 1 (of 3)

2013-03-24T13:44:00.001-04:00

White Jeans are going to be a staple for me during the Spring. I love jeans and bright colors so I'm going to swap my dark denims for a lighter hue this season. White jeans are so versatile, and just look so clean and fresh paired with anything.

Blazer: Bisou Bisou / Jeans: Bisou Bisou / Tank: Old / Heels: Fergie "Olivia" / Clutch: Steve Madden (similar)

Over the next few weeks I will be showing off three of my favorite looks featuring my newest pair of white jeans. For this look, I paired my white jeans with an on-trend floral blazer.

I'm linking up with The Fashionista Next Door's latest Style Me Friday link up. The theme was white pants!