A Diva State of Mind

Dwyane Wade made headlines this week when he was spotted wearing a Gucci double breasted polka dot suit jacket with ankle baring pants. This is a prime example of “when men wearing rolled up pants goes wrong.”

Guys, let this be a quick tutorial on how you can successfully wear rolled up pants during the spring/summer season. Your pants should not be tight like skinny jeans! There is debate over how high they should be rolled. You can check out an article on the art of rolling pants HERE which outlines how many inches pants should be rolled depending on style (jeans vs. khakis, etc).

Personally, I don’t think they should go higher than your ankle. Anything higher than that and you run the risk of looking like your clothes are too small or you’re wearing high waters (although some people want to achieve that look). Kevin Hart joked that D. Wade stole his suit and in this picture it looks like it! D. Wade’s thighs look like they are screaming for circulation and they just look too short!

If you’ve ever considered rolling up your jeans or khakis, check out the photos below for inspiration.

You can also check out Trey Songz’s photo spread in GQ Magazine for inspiration!

Here’s what the guys on Inside the NBA had to say about D. Wade’s satorial choice. Hilarious!

Solange Knowles looks HOT in the latest issue of Complex Magazine. She she shows off her fabulous body in bodysuits, crop tops and hot pants.

In her interview with Complex, Solange discusses her music, being a mom and more. Check out the full interview here.

Her remix to “Looks Good With Trouble” featuring Kendrick Lamar:

Fun Fact: Solange penned two hits for her sister Beyoncé, “Upgrade U” and “Get Me Bodied.”

Source: Complex Magazine

On Thursday, May 16, 2013, mila & fire will kick off a series of events with the launch of their contemporary summer collection & look book at retail therapy.  The event series will focus on the indie shopping experience, styling consultations and networking to build and grow local brands.

Along with happy hour specials and music by The Beard & The Fro, Kimee Brown of Neon V Magazine will provide a styling presentation and consultation incorporating mila & fire’s new summer collection.

Please check out this event and make sure you visit the Endless Touch vending table for the latest natural hair and body oils, body butter, lip balms and body scrubs (shameless plug for my friend’s company, I know)!

FREE ADMISSION!

At the end of 2012 I decided I was ready to change my hair again. After three years of short hair, I wanted to grow my hair out so I had the option to wear it curly or in top knots on hot summer days (getting my hair to that stage will probably take years)!  After talking to my hair stylist, she also told me I really didn’t need relaxers anymore so my last relaxer was in December. Let the process to grow my hair AND go natural begin!

In January I got braids. I wore those for two months and by the time I took them out, my hair was at the “in between stage.” It wasn’t really short and it wasn’t really long. The “in between stage” is the WORST so I thought I’d try getting a weave. Folks have testified that wearing a sewn-in weave helped their hair grow so why not give it a try?!

Day of weave installation

After doing some research and asking a thousand questions to friends and my hair stylist, I got a sewn-in a few weeks ago. When I see other women wearing good weaves, they look so natural. So I was hoping for the same result. Even though I had quality hair and the stylist did a great job with the installation, I didn’t FEEL like my weave looked natural. Once I stepped out in public, I immediately became insecure. Is the length of the hair too much? Does it look like I’m wearing a wig? People are probably looking at me and thinking ‘what is that on her head?’ These were the constant thoughts that ran through my head.

Part of the issue was that the stylist originally doubled up on some tracks which added extra volume.  After removing those pieces, the weave looked more natural but I was still uncomfortable.  I haven’t had hair past my shoulders since I was 8 or 9 years old so let’s just say walking around with long hair was an adjustment. Oh the tricks our mind plays on us when it comes to how we view ourselves!

2-3 weeks after installation

I’m not sure being uncomfortable with my weave is really a big deal, but the experience was definitely a lesson on how to deal with insecurities. My job as a personal stylist is to help women look and feel good about themselves; like so many women, I too sometimes don’t feel good about myself. We’re all a work in progress. It is natural for us to be insecure at times, but we can’t let our insecurities control us.  If you don’t think you’re beautiful, write “I am beautiful” on your mirror and recite it to yourself every day until you believe it. If you don’t like your current weight, decide today you are going to something to change it. If you’re insecurity is fueled by the messages you receive from folks around you, it is time to change your circle. If you’re struggle with insecurities, I challenge you to change your environment in order to turn those negative views into positive ones.

Although it’s just hair, being reassured by friends and strangers that my hair looks nice was the affirmation I needed to accept and embrace my new look. After all, I spent a pretty penny on this hair and installation so it has to work for the next 2 months! As I continue on this journey to grow my hair out, don’t be surprised if you see long hair on me again this fall.

What are some things you do to help you overcome insecurities?

I am here for this!!! Target is teaming up with Phillip Lim to create a 100 piece collection that will hit stores September 15th in-stores and online. The fall collection will be for both men and women and will include apparel, bags, shoes and travel accessories. Prices will range from $19.99 to $299.99 for apparel and $19.99 to $59.99 for accessories.

I’m always curious how these collaborations come together. According to Lim:

“It was a courtship for five years, and what was exciting to me this time around is that they gave me the opportunity to do lifestyle instead of a capsule collection of dresses or blouses and something that might be diffused. It was the chance to really create a new concept of wardrobe and accessories to address the modern day citizen.”

I really hope the Target stores in the DMV provide a great selection of the collection. The Prabal Gurung for Target 2013 options in store were limited and the best pieces sold out online in less than 24 hours. I may just have to stay up online on Sunday, September 15th to make sure I get my hands on a fabulous 3.1 Phillip Lim piece!!

The Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Benefit Gala aka The Met Gala (or Met Ball) was May 6, 2013 in New York.  The annual event raises money for the Costume Institute and launches the spring exhibit. To date, the event has raised over $100 million. Each year, an exhibit is given a theme. This year’s theme is PUNK: Chaos to Couture.

One of the highlights of the gala is the red carpet. It’s always exciting to see what the attendees are going to wear. This is the one time where the outfit choices can be a little unexpected; after all the gala does support a Costume Institute. While the red carpet choices were fabulous (Amber Heard, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba and more looked stunning), there were a few people that stood out and embraced the punk theme or really embodied what I expect to see on The Met Gala red carpet.

Here are my favorites!

Anne Hathaway

Who is this woman and what has she done with Anne Hathaway?! Anne turned in her classic look for blonde hair and a vintage Valentino gown from 1992. HOT!!!

Nicole Richie

This is what I’m talking about. The theme is punk so why not go all out!? Nichole Richie arrived at the Met Gala in a white long sleeve Topshop gown and bleached white hair.

Miley Cyrus

Normally I’d hate this look but it works for the theme. Miley Cyrus showed off her punk style in a fishnet dress by Marc Jacobs and spiked blond hair.

 Madonna

On any other red carpet this would not work, but for the Met Gala, this Givenchy Haute Couture outfit is perfect! Should we be surprised that Madonna owned this theme? I mean, it is MADONNA!! All we need to do is take a trip down memory lane and look at some of her looks from the 80s/90s to know that achieving this look was not hard.

 Sarah Jessica Parker

If you’re going to show up at the Met Gala, you might as well show out! Can we talk about the Phillip Treacy Mohawk headpiece?! This masterpiece combined with the Giles Deacon gown and thigh high Christian Louboutin boots is perfect for the Met Gala! SJB will always be Carrie Bradshaw. I’m just sayin…

Rooney Mara

The white laced dress and strong shoulders paired with the dark lip is a great mix of femininity and edginess. Rooney wore a Givenchy gown and served as the co-chair of the event alongside Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci and Anna Wintour.

Minka Kelly

Minka Kelly looked great in Carolina Herrera.  Perez Hilton described this look perfectly; a combination between punk and Greek goddess.

Nina Dobrev

Leather and a corset; two must haves if you want to encompass punk into a look. This Monique Lhuillier look is not over the top edgy, but like Minka and Rooney’s outfit, it’s a nice mix of edginess and softness with the lace. And I love that there are lace pants underneath the skirt. Something very different than what we’re used to seeing on the red carpet. I’d wear this outfit for sure.

Jennifer Lopez

I was going to stop the list at Nina Dobrev but then I went through some pictures of the red carpet again. I don’t know if animal print is punk, but this Michael Kors dress is HOT! J.Lo added her own interpretation of punk with what looks like a Mohawk inspired hair style and smokey eyes.  This woman can wear anything!

What looks did you enjoy from last night’s Met Gala?

Source: PopSugar, Us Magazine and Radar Online

Source: www.fashionlovers01.blogspot.com

If you’re looking for a small change you can make to live a more healthy life, then this post is for you!

As we prepare for the spring/summer season, everyone is in workout mode! After all, we want to be pool and beach ready! Earlier this year I researched lemon water and found site after site discussing the benefits of starting your day with lemon water and recipes.

I’m not talking about the lemon water you make while sitting at a restaurant; a glass of water and 2 lemon slices.  The lemon water recipes I found require 1/2 or 1 lemon and 12 – 16 oz of water.

Here’s how it works:

*Squeeze 1/2 or 1 lemon in a glass. You can get a squeezer from Target or Walmart (I use 1/2 lemon)

*Fill the glass with water

*Heat the glass of water and lemon juice until warm or hot (like you would for hot tea)

*Drink first thing in the morning

I started drinking lemon water in the morning while getting ready for work a few months ago and I love it. Depending on how much juice you have it is a little tart, but the benefits are worth it.  Here are a few featured on healthyplanetblog.wordpress.com:

• Aids digestion – The warm water helps stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, and the lemon helps loosen any toxins in the digestive tract.
• Detoxifies the skin and body – As a natural diuretic, lemons help flush the body of any toxins by increasing the rate of urination. Their high vitamin C content also removes impurities from the blood, leading to clearer, more radiant skin. Yooo your rate of urination definitely increases. TMI I know!  
• Boosts immunity – Lemons are high in both vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds, and potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function and controls blood pressure.
• Helps curb the coffee habit – Healthier replacement.
• Helps with weight loss – Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps keep the body fuller, longer. They’re also a mild diuretic and very alkaline; alkaline bodies have been shown to lost weight faster

If you’re looking for ways to be more healthy, I encourage you drink lemon water! Due to the acid from lemons, you may want to drink with a straw to protect your teeth’s enamel. To seek the benefits of lemon water, it’s best that you use fresh lemons instead of the bottle lemon juice.

Over the past couple months, my friend Renee has been revamping her wardrobe; she recently lost weight so it was time to get rid of clothes that were too big and replace them with pieces that fit. However, like many women, she got stuck wearing pieces the same way. So last Saturday, I went over to her house and we spent 3 hours going through her closet creating new outfits; 2 casual looks and 22 outfits that she could wear to work.

Renee has a lot of color in her closet so I really wanted to focus on showing her how different color combinations worked together. Every time she tried on an outfit and stepped in front of the mirror she would say “I love this” or “I would’ve never put this together!” When I got home, she texted me and said “You changed my life!” That statement definitely moved me.  Being a personal stylist is about more than putting outfits together. It’s really about helping women feel good about the way the look. Loving the way you look definitely plays a roll in how you feel about yourself. It takes some time, but once a woman learns how to dress her body and put looks together, she becomes more confident and proud of her body.

Here are a few of the outfits created from her wardrobe.  She purchased items from Target, H&M, Old Navy and EXPRESS. If you’ve been in a style rut, hopefully these looks will provide some inspiration. Please excuse the quality of the photos.

Great look for a casual afternoon or evening out.

Add some interest to a black sheath dress with a colorful blazer and color block pumps.

This cap sleeve peplum is great for slimming the waist and creating balance between your top and bottom half.

One of our favorite looks. Love the color combination!

The color of the top doesn’t have to match the purple in the skirt exactly! As long as they are in the same family, it works!

Use statement jewerly and heels to make a jersey dress appropriate for work.

Dress up a jersey dress with a blazer and bad heels!

This skirt is navy and black. Yes you can wear those color together!

If you’re like Renee and feel like you need help putting outfits together, please contact me! I’m here to help you get full use out of your wardrobe. Believe me, you have more outfits in your closet than you think! Contact me at keri@adivastateofmind.com or 301-836-1451 to schedule a free consultation.

Last month my client Yanique contacted me because she was going to be featured in Bethesda Magazine for “The Up and Comers” feature. This article features movers and shakers in the Bethesda area who are making their mark before they’re 40.

The photo for the feature took place at her job so she needed help selecting an outfit from her wardrobe that said she was a CEO but also stylish.

After going through her closet and trying on a few looks, we opted for a purple sheath dress. A pop of color is more fun than black! I really wish the photo was full length so you could see her shoes! We paired the dress with a black skinny belt to help define her wait and a pair of black cap toe animal print pumps.  We completed the look with a black blazer.

Ladies, if you are the CEO of a company or a senior executive, you can wear color and print!  The key is to find balance. If you wear a dress in a bright color like purple or blue, pair it with a neutral blazer. Uplift a neutral dress with a patterned belt or pump. A good tailor is a must if you want to look sharp in the office!!

Yanique is the Presidet & CEO of the Consumer Health Foundation. Please check out her feature in Bethesda Magazine HERE.