Southern Fashionista

Some Mammals May Have Been Harmed

2013-12-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

...while making these shorts? Idk. I should know where suede comes from...Uh, oh.

At lease I look cute?

The Fashionista

Boots And Leggings: Revisited

2013-12-23T04:57:00.000-08:00

Leggings and a blouse: comfy, dry, and cute. The nonprofit world is pretty casual which as you might suspect, is a huge disappointment.

The Fashionista

Not Your Average "Sweatshirt" Sweatshirt

2013-12-19T04:51:00.001-08:00

I don't wear sweats.

But when I do.

It's fabulous. Thanks Norma Khamali! <3

The Fashinista

Sweater Weather

2013-12-16T05:05:00.000-08:00

I reeeeallly had a great time with this over-sized sweater. Like, the level of chill this sweater afforded me was so amazing.You're right, I did wear an over-sized sweater, rain-boots, and leggings to work. Ann Taylor Loft occasionally suits my snugly sweater needs.

You can take the girl out of college, but can't take college out of the girl! (Oops!)

The Fashionista

Fashion in 1980: Michelle Beckles

2013-12-15T19:24:00.002-08:00

Guess what, this is my mom in 1980! She was in some fashion show with the original "Kanye West" glasses.

"Those glasses were around BEFORE Kanye West Mia! We were cool before Kanye." Fair point mom. The shades are from Commander Salamander in Georgetown...
Yeah, she was pretty cool in her heyday (Note, CS no longer exists but it's pretty punk. According to mom:
"We weren't PUNK in the 80s Mia, we were NEW WAVE! New Wave was classier.")
Read more about Commander Salamander here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/commander-salamander-washington?nb=1(I just like how the name sounds)

So here's the rundown:
Izod vest and polo shirt (popped collar, of course), Ralph Lauren knee socks and Izod shoes.

*Fun fact: My mom's name before she married my dad was Beckles (so If I did the whole Panamanian thing before I get married, my full name would be Mia Alyssa Beckles-Simms. It's a Hispanic thing. TMI much?)

Enjoy!
The Fashionista

Good Morning @Starbucks, I Love You

2013-12-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

How I begin my day: informed, caffeinated and planning for the day ahead WSJ layout-wise is probably my favorite of all the major newspapers.

Oh and Hazelnut Macchiato is my bevy of choice. Needless to say it's a very intense love affair.

Every.

Single.

Morning.

...it literally just occurred to me this is why I'm kinda chunky these days. My lover Hazelnut Macchitao makes it so worth it.

The Fashionista

"The Pirate Shirt" #Seinfeld

2013-12-10T12:26:00.001-08:00

Anyone remember the episode where Seinfeld wears the Pirate Shirt?

This is nothing like it.

Just thought the reference would increase my SEO ratings haha. Not to mention my Sam Edelman black wellies. First rainy day at the office! Enjoy!

The Fashionista

Skinny jeans never fit me. Problems abound.

A Slice of Life

2013-12-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

Or rather a scoop? It was one of those really bleak fridays where the mind just yells "BEN AND JERRY'S" and the body follows to satisfy that inner calling.

Ok, put simply I had my 90 day review and I've met most, if not all of my 12 month objectives in 90 days. Flying colors. But I was still a bit stressed out, even though I've become a meticulous workaholic.

So Ben and Jerry are always across the street to fix my inner craving. It's the next best thing to a shopping binge (and might I say less costly)!

SO OF COURSE I DOCUMENTED IT! Geez, who'd you think I am if I didn't!? BAHAHA!

The Fashionista

How to model Lemon and Mango sherbet:

Wait, how do I take my own picture? Gahh!!! Hmm...

I hope this tastes as sexy as I look with it!

Ah caught mid taste! Omg sooo goood! :D

Again, mid taste! Yummm haha

OMG this is so much icecream!?! Let's take another picture!

***Pauses to furtively consume the whole thing in 30 seconds***

Omg look at my life, look at my choices...what am I doing...

Then it gets kinda gross...

AHMNAHMNAM! EVERY DROP MUST BE CONSUMED BY MEEEE!!!!!

Mister and Misses Duck

2013-12-05T06:30:00.000-08:00

This I like to call my "Audrey Dress" Granted, there are many "Audrey" dresses in my closet: meaning black classic-cut dresses that pay homage to my favorite person of all time Audrey Hepburn.

She was such a classy lady! And this day I volunteered to read to 3 year olds in a Southeast DC school. After, we colored pictures of characters in the story.

One of them was of a duck. So I sat at the table meant for 3 year old bodies (and surprisingly I fit in the chair, go figure) and colored alongside the students. We worked furtively for a few minutes in silence, trading colors as needed for certain parts of our pictures. Of course I used this as a teaching moment asking for each crayon by color name, even though I only used yellow. Oh, and of course orange for his beak. Well, I could have given him a serious makeover with a green or purple beak but that might have given my present company the wrong idea about duck beaks. We can't have that!

After coloring my duck a vibrant yellow, I aptly named my new friend "Mr. Duck".

It piqued my neighbor's interest.

"MISTER!?!?! DUCK?!! That's MISTER DUCK!?!?!" Not an inside voice, but OK kiddo.

"Why yes, yes it is Mr.Duck! Do you like him? Hello Mr.Duck, how are you!?!" I held up my work proudly at arm's length to inspect it. Did I stay inside the lines? Check. Did I name my picture? Check. My neighbor took in my work critically. After a beat or two of silence, he piped up.

"If that's--if that's MISTER DUCK, then where is MISSES DUCK!" DUH! Why didn't I think of that myslef!?! Where IS she? Oh shoot, think fast, think fast!

"Y'know what, Misses Duck is on vacation from this picture!" His eyes widened. I continued, "Mister Duck had alot of work at the office so he couldn't take time off to go with her. Y'know how that is."

I saw the wheels turning as he struggled to absorb my statement. This kid probably thinks I'm a nut. He shrugged and returned to coloring.

And that is the story of Mister and Misses Duck

The Fashionista

Fatigued By Camo

2013-12-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

No camo doesn't make me tired, nor am I hunting. (Even though I have experienced manual-reload hunting firearms and I'm a rather good shot if you must know.) I love to reinterpret office wear. My friends, welcome to my non sequitur office wear and life. Well, if you've read this blog since it's inception over 3 years ago (yes, that long) you've come to know my nonsense first-hand.

Where was this going?

CAMO! OMG, ok... INDULGE! :)

The Fashionista

Ummm, what happened to my knees and feet? Posture, yikes!

Cyber Monday with @polkatheprinces

2013-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Cyber Monday, and this means one thing, and one thing only!

SALES!

I like sales, and I think you do too! Just for visiting this blog, I'll share a coupon code with you for FIVE PERCENT off your entire purchase when you shop our "Shop" tab, or just visit

www.polkatheprincess.com

The promo code is: POLKACYBERMONDAY

Not bad huh!? Especially when the stuff is so cute!

Stay shop and have a sparkly day!

The Fashionista

#MissDCUSA 2013!

2013-12-01T18:49:00.003-08:00

It just occurred to me, as I was leaving the pageant this evening, that I've competed in more pageants than I've watched. And I experienced the same highs and lows as competing. Both Teen and Miss categories competed and ohmigoodness, twice the fun! There were a few moments where I teared up, but didn't (because of course I couldn't ruin my makeup)! I LOVE LOVE LOVE being in the audience, I should do it more often!

Here are (a few) photos from this evening, hopefully you'll enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them!

The Fashionista

The X Factor winner Marcus Canty! He's dropping an album soon by the way! Haven't herad it yet but if it's anything like tonight's performance oh boy I can't wait! ;)

@PolkathePrinces does (Pink and) Black Friday

2013-11-29T12:50:00.000-08:00

Good evening! Hope your Black Friday shopping went well! I'm pretty sure I shopped my heart out. Shop till you drop? Nah, with me it's shop till you drop dead! I'M THAT INTENSE!

Wait, that sounds really silly...

But I think you get my point, I love shopping.

You might too. However it is quite likely that you'll love shopping my new store Polka!

We're having a very very Pink and Black Friday so:

Stay, shop, and have a sparkly day!

The Fashionista

Pink and Black Friday With @polkatheprinces

2013-11-28T08:43:00.002-08:00

To those of you that know me on facebook and twitter, I've been advertising for my new online store:

Polka

www.polkatheprincess.com

And it's FINALLY HERE! :)

So get excited, the official launch is tomorrow (or tonight at midnight)! So keep your eyes peeled and your browsers poised for the pinkest, polka-dottiest website you've EVER seen.

And be sure to follow us at @polkatheprinces or my personal page @MiatheModel

Oh, and Happy Turkey Day! Or Black Thursday for my fellow shoppers out there! :)

The Fashionista

P is for Polo

2013-11-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

Jeans at work? I so did that! I so did!

The Fashionista

White House Black Dress

2013-11-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

So I had a meeting downtown on a Saturday and after track delays and riding a daily rental bike in 6 inch heels around North West DC decided to make it a touristy day!

Enjoy!

The Fashionista

I like this address...

Selfie!

Polka in Georgetown #polkadot

2013-11-25T11:51:00.000-08:00

Oh migosh! Look, warm weather clothes! This is from late August...

#PumkinChunkin Harvest Fun

2013-11-24T16:07:00.000-08:00

I'M BACK!

The corporate world sure has a way of sopping all your sparkle! Yes, I have a 9-5, and it's significantly more involved and taxing than I previously expected.

I still documented all of my outfits starting with this one form early spring! This is also the dress I mentioned in Summering In College Town

Enjoy!

PCI Pageant Expo #SequinSunday

2013-06-25T11:48:00.001-07:00

Hello world! I'm back! Yesterday I had the opportunity to enjoy Pacific Miss Asian American Beauty Pageant! Needless to say I loveeee pageants and I had a beautiful time! Here are some photos from the event! Enjoy!

These shoes are so neat!

(OMG DREAM!) I'd love to be a host! Sigh, some day, some day! But these two did a marvelous job! :)

Check out this pen at a vendor's table! They made it themselves! WANT!

Loveee this headband! Goes well with my new do'

One of my friends and I from Miss Maryland USA! Jin Lin did a beautiful job!

Neat shoes...

These are so gorgeous! Not Chanel, but still aesthetically arresting! :)

Um, WANT!

Mom, this is not an airport? Why the airport face?

Fabulous runs in my veins! Look and me and mamma!

THE FASHIONISTA

Girls Grow Up

2013-05-18T04:30:00.000-07:00

This was written for an essay contest a year ago (April 2012) enjoy!

“Y’know Mia, girls just don’t grow up to be mommies.”

I perked up, suddenly my car seat perch for window gazing and headband driving seemed less interesting.

“Really?” I squealed as my abnormally large eyes widened to consume my facial features. At four, my mother was my playmate, guardian, mentor and my best friend.

“Yes Mia,” and followed by highlighting the women in my life who maintain careers and are successful mothers at the same time. If they could do it, I could too.

What could be cooler than being like my mom and hanging out with me? After my four year old mind gave the thought little to no attention, I resumed my ribbon-headband driving with agitated enthusiasm. Little did I know that this small nugget of advice would carry me through the rest of my career.

From field hockey games and pageants to piano, dance and flute recitals, my mother has been there for me as my number one fan and supporter though all of my endeavors. And when it came to schooling and my journey to college, anything but success was not an option.

“If you’re going to be something you might as well be the best at it,” she says.

I was outfitted with a smartly fashionable wardrobe, color coordinated dorm décor, a laptop and textbooks, hours of last-minute advice, and enough produce to last me a few months.

So we furnished my room completely, hung my clothes in a much too small closet, and packed my produce away. My mother surveyed the room with her arms akimbo, obviously pleased with her work. We looked at each other as she smiled broadly. I knew it was time for my family to go.

I had slept away from home before at numerous field hockey and leadership camps, but this time I felt alone. With a roommate I just met, mastering college-level classes, and navigating a completely new town, I was concerned and bewildered. Without a word, my mother sensed my sentiment and drew me into a hug.

I felt like I was losing my best friend.

“Be nice to the other kids, ok?” We hugged, I began sobbing.

“Mia Simms, this is the first day of the beginning of the rest of your life. Don’t be so sad. It’s a new beginning, cheer up. Your future awaits you. Go and get it.” We drew apart, and I dried my eyes and feigned a brave countenance, just for her.

Through the all-nighters, exams, term papers, lost phones and boy issues, my mother has been the consistent beat of sanity to the melody that has become the soundtrack to my life. And I find that writing this essay at the conclusion of my Undergraduate studies here at Virginia Tech is all the more apt in its delivery. As I accept my diploma in 2012 and assume alum status to begin my career as a Social Media Manager and Blogger, I’ll always remember that girls just don’t grow up to be mommies.

Work at 8 a.m.? Lame.

2013-05-09T23:18:00.003-07:00

I really did have work at 8 a.m.!
Boo...
Overslept Thursday morning...forgot I had work. So I threw this on :P Not too shabby huh? Happy exams! :)

The Fashionista

Masquerade? Nah.

2013-04-28T18:13:00.002-07:00

So you've been invited to a theme party. Masquerade. And you regularly have an affinity for bling and shades. You and your date have a thing for black and white. Well, this happened to me. And there was NO WAY I was going to wear a masquerade mask to a informally formal function. When I say informally formal, I mean to say most guys wore khakis and most girls wore rompers. Needless to say, in this, I was rather overdressed.

Not my best pic, but you get the point.

The glasses of my date and I:

I think I'm onto something here. Bling accessories! :) And I had a DIY moment a glued sequins in less than 20 minutes! Finally those faux ray bans from promotional giveaways have a purpose in my life! :)

Grumpy Cat for Prada

2013-04-25T10:53:00.000-07:00

Grumpy Cat may be grumpy, but he does know fashion

The Fashionista

Sinfully Fashionable With #FMDS

2013-04-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what I like most about fashion shows, the fashion or people watching? More or less I'm watching the people, watching people.

Does that make any sense?

I love it. Fashion shows give me such a rush!

And fortunately for me I scored a front row seat (prime seating real-estate) and a swag bag! Which, thanks to our sponsors On A Whim, Chantilly Lace, Polished by Claire V., Mad Dog, etc. were filled with coupons and hygiene products! Thanks guys! :) And the pink tissue was a nice touch!

Ok, as a journalist, I'm not supposed to show partiality, but Kelsy Dominck's designs have inspired me ever since I modeled for her over 3 years ago.

This year, she won Best Senior Designer! And well deserved! This one's my favorite (because it's black, OBVS!):

And my favorite was hanging out with the models backstage beforehand! Especially my pageant sister Midori! (The currently reigning Miss Theta Iota also known as Miss Black and Gold!) And my favorite Priya!

My two seat neighbors were the Roanoke Times Street Style Blogger David Verde and my plus one Souleymayne who just happens to be starting a fashion line himself! OESU!

PAUSE! Can I pay homage to the show's title: Sinful: A Fashionable Affair? All the designs were/are sinfully delightful! I was pleasantly surprised at every turn! And without further ado, here's what you came for, THE CLOTHES! ENJOY!

THE FASHIONISTA

Click to enlarge:

I wore the same exact dress from Chantilly Lace 2 years ago! Blog post /photo

@Fashtagtv Look What I Did! #FASHTAGPouch

2013-03-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

Look what I did for a Marc Jacobs bag! OMG WANT!