Asymmetrical Cobalt Skirt > Striped Tee > What I Wore

I've been enjoying these last few days of summer... But NOT the heat. However, I have absolutely been enjoying my skirts, which I tend not to wear so much in the cooler months. Though I actually really like bearing my legs, I love that maxi skirts have been having a moment because, of course, they're so comfortable. For me, the asymmetrical skirt is the best of both worlds, since I get to flash a little knee cap and ankle and still have the flowing length I love. And I can't get enough of the dramatic way that the hi-low hemline catches the breeze and billows in the wind. DRAMA, honey!

Striped Tee x The GAP  > Asymmetrical Skirt x Some Random Downtown LA Store (here's a different option in a lighter shade of blue and here's another pretty one) > Sandals x Steve Madden (on sale here!) > Beaded Tribal Belt x Urban Outfitters > Brass Earrings x Peace Images (get them here!) > Tribal Beaded Bracelet x Forever 21

Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall!

Sigh…….of relief.  I typically love Summer, however due to the heat and the humidity this year in Los Angeles Summer was not my friend. I have never been so relieved to revel in the coolness of Fall so badly in my life. I wrapped my arms around Fall, picked Fall up and gave Fall a “I’m so happy to see you" hug. Fall may have suffocated in my bosom.  All of that to say, “I love Fall.” Fall brings in good cheer, jewel toned fashions, tall boots, shiny dresses, sweetheart necklines, peplum waist, and awesome coats.  What more can a girl ask for?

Miss Reke

My Summer Style 2012

Though temperatures are still sky high, as of this past Saturday, fall is officially upon us. The change in the seasons has got me feeling nostalgic. Unlike most clothes minded people, my favorite time of year is not fall and winter. Hey, blame it on the fact that I'm a California girl. I love the sunshine and everything that comes along with it. So it goes without saying that I will dearly miss my sandals, slouchy tee shirts [that do not require the assistance of a cardigan or jacket], and skirts in brights, tie dyes, and tribal prints. My plan is to winterize most of my summer wardrobe with the addition of layers and boots and tough it out until spring comes.

Lion Shirt > Color Blocked Leggings > Hot Pink Nikes > What I'm Wearin'

Do you have articles of clothing that you swear you love, but you hardly ever wear them? I'm so guilty of ignoring entire sections of my closet. This outfit is a perfect example. I never wear this shirt or these leggings, but when I do, I wonder why I don't put them on every other day. The sneakers, however, have gotten plenty of use. They're really the best pair I've ever owned.

T Shirt - Urban Outfitters (a cute alternative here) > Color Blocked Leggings - Ella Moss (similar idea here) > Sneakers - Nike

Ready for Red

Nothing says, "Jazzy Adult Woman" like a red lip. When I was younger, my mother used to keep a stick of red lipstick in her purse and whip it out when she was ready to get her groove on. And by "groove on", I mean, feather her hair, put on her finest, heavily shoulder padded frock, and go somewhere to sip a fine wine cooler. Hey, it was the 80's.

In more modern times, Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani have shown us how to properly rock a cherry pout with their trademark rouge lips. I especially love Gwen [more on that at another time!] and think she rocks red lipstick like no other, but until fairly recently, I didn't know how I felt about black women following suit. More importantly and specifically, I didn't know how I felt about red lips on my face. I have since come around.

But here's the thing... You have to be ready to wear red lipstick. I feel as though every time I think to put it on, I realize that I haven't done the proper "lip prep", and therefore it'll end up looking wack and slightly crack-head-ish. Any sort of color on the lips can highlight imperfections, like chapped, cracked areas. Doesn't sound cute, right? So let's get our lips ready to go red.

Step 1: Exfoliate

 I try to do it everyday in the shower with a tiny bit of St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub, since that's what I have available. Just put a pea sized amount on your index finger and move it around on your lips in little circles. Don't get any in your mouth. Yuck. Some beauty lines like Philosophy have specific products just for exfoliating the delicate lip area, but if it's not in your budget to baby your lips with a special sugar scrub, even a plain old wet washcloth will do the trick.

Step 2: Hydrate

Since red lipstick is something I hardly ever wear, I didn't invest much in the tube I got. It was literally probably like a dollar. The problem with this is that sometimes the formulations aren't as creamy as more expensive brands and probably not as emollient as you may like. I solve that problem by simply applying a tiny bit of lip balm before lining my lips. It helps the pencil glide, treats your newly exfoliated skin, and provides a soft, moisturized foundation for your color.

Step 3: Line and Glide

I line my lips with a red liner in a similar shade to the lipstick I'll be applying. Some women just use a nude liner, and that's fine, but I found that on me, I liked the look of matching liner better. Some women also use the liner on their entire lip and then apply the color on top to make it last longer. I personally don't, for no reason other than the fact that I'm lazy.

Step 4: Be Fierce

That's the easy part, right?

BEFORE

AFTER

My Style Icon

My style Icon is Solange. Why? Because she’s Solange. Ok, not because she IS Solange, but because she is who she is and does not care what others think of her. She exudes confidence, she is not trendy, she has a style of her own and she is not afraid of being herself. I admire her because she embraces who she is. I have always learned that nobody can do me better than me and Solange embodies that. Rock on Sol Angel.

Miss Reke

Denim Shirt > White Skirt > What I'm Wearing

Despite everyone's acceptance of wearing white after Labor Day, it's not a practice that I generally participate in. Call me old fashioned, but I do like the idea of certain "fashion rules" -- You know, silk in the summer, tweed, corduroy, and velvet in the winter. I'm also the type of person that doesn't like for her food to touch on the plate, so there you have it. However, it has been so hot in Los Angeles for the past few weeks, that rules, whether they make sense or not, no longer apply. The triple digit daytime temperatures and hot, humid nights have defied all logic, so all bets are off when it comes to getting dressed!

Chambray Shirt - H&M (similar styles here and here) > White Skirt - C&C California (similar styles: here and here) > Tribal Beaded  Sandals - Bakers Shoe Store (a cute option here) > Belt - Urban Outfitters (I think this may be the same one. And it's on sale! > Earrings - BOHOFunk

Flesh Toned Fashion

Last week, I came across an article about a middle school honors student that was booted from class for wearing brown leggings. According to a school official, the leggings "too closely resembled her skin tone", making it appear as if the 11 year old was pant-less. And apparently, going to school without bottoms on is inappropriate. I never heard of such a thing. Well, thankfully No Pants Day is in June when school is out, so children all over the nation can celebrate... Or at least appear to.

But seriously, I actually faced a "to appear pant-less or to not appear pant-less" dilemma just a few days ago at the local Crossroads when I came across a cognac colored pair of shorts by Vince for just $18. EIGHTEEN DOLLARS! And I currently don't have any shorts (which is another discussion for another time), so I was really on the verge of slapping a twenty dollar bill down on the counter at the register like I was in a heated game of dominoes. But the thing that stopped me was the color. If I wore those shorts, I would look naked from the waist down, thanks to my highly melanated thighs. The top only look is not one that I am currently striving to achieve, therefore, I had to pass. I was sad.

However, there are instances in which flesh tones are appropriate and lovely. I, for one am a fan of the nude shoe, as it elongates the legs and adds a really modern touch to any look. Flesh tones are also a great option when you're working hard to "match" colors. Instead of struggling to make sure that separates or accessories are the same shade, just throw a flesh tone in the mix. It's pretty much a fool proof way to up the sophistication level of any outfit.

LA Fashion Week is on the Way

As New York Fashion Week came to a close, we shed a little tear, wrought with regret at the fact that we were not able to attend. Oh cruel fashion gods! Why hast thou forsaken us? [insert angry fist shaking toward the sky here]

But, hark! What is that I hear? Is it the approach of Los Angeles Fashion Week? Why, yes it is! Our heart has instantly mended... And swathed itself in fine (but affordable) cashmere. It also threw on a pair of heels for good measure.

To say that we're looking forward to a week's worth of back to back fashion shows and events in our own backyard is both stating the obvious and downplaying our excitement. We're ready to spontaneously combust and rain down in a confetti of colorful feathers and pyramid studs. It all goes down October 15th through 19th at venues all over downtown and Hollywood. We're ready to be inspired over here on the left coast.

Mommy, Where Do Style Babies Come From?

When I was a little girl, the concept of not knowing how to dress and look great was entirely foreign to me. How could someone not have style? How could someone be clueless and inept when it came to accentuating their best features, hiding their flaws, and greeting the world daily with a fresh look? It's basic, right?

Well, obviously, we all know it's not as basic as it seems. For those of us who love the art of adorning ourselves, even if it comes naturally, it does take a little work. And for our not so stylish counterparts, looking put together, sometimes with little time and money, is an even more daunting task. Now that I look back, I understand that my fashion aptitude was something that I inherited from my mother and she, from my grandmother, and likely goes back for generations. And in the same way that my mind doesn't do a very good job of processing mathematical equations, others may not know how to mix prints, color block, or accessorize. 

When I was a little girl, I had this one friend that would copy everything I wore. Well, maybe not everything... but more things than I was comfortable with. I think that's why our friendship fizzled. And it's not that I feel as though I'm the only person that can have anything. As my Mom always says, "They made more than one." But it was just weird, constantly meeting up in the same gear.

Years later, as a teenager, my ultimate dream was to work in this one store in the local mall. I went on to work at that store and a few more in my early adulthood. Oh, to be surrounded by apparel all day! Later in life, I held a key position with a Los Angeles based online retailer. After years with that company, I had a short stint with another. I'm always the most excited about fashion industry related work. One way or another I've always found myself in and around apparel, retail, and marketing, and have been perpetually drawn to it.

I am mainly a writer. Fashion has been my day job. I've utilized my writing ability in my 9 to 5 work and absolutely have penned my fair share of fashion blogs and articles. But it's always been to forward someone else's agenda, convey someone else's point of view, and water the seed of someone else's dream. Well, not anymore.

This is mine.

Well, actually, ours. This is, after all Reke and Nikki. I'm Nikki, by the way. Oh, and this is your blog, too. Let's all do this together. It'll be fun.

I blog over here. But here, we will talk about fashion. How to acquire it, preserve it, and evolve [with] it. We will talk about our deep, abiding love for it. We will DIY, we will thrift, we will style. To some, it may seem shallow, but as for you and I... We we don't care.