Fashion Finds: ALDO Edition

If you know me you know I love a good purse, and at an affordable price as well.  ALDO is my one stop shop when it comes to just that.  And you know I shop in ALDO way too much when after 5 months of not being in the store the sale associate recognizes me as that fashion blogger (that made me so happy).  Even though they are known for their shoes (hints the name aldoshoes.com) I recognize them for their handbags.  Quality, chic, trending bags for under $100, most of them being $50-60.  This trip to ALDO did not disappoint and I wanted to buy the whole store, from fringe to flare, pastels and neon colors, this season's bags are on point!

I picked up some great staples I feel can be incorporated into many outfits from this neon fuschia Badada wallet, this taupe Imaal satchel, the midnight black Nosis backpack, and last but not least this beautiful black and gold metal Guttilla necklace.  I wanted to get different things to accommodate my wardrobe the best and also the different outfits I might put together.  I'm telling you ALDO is the place to go, I just love everything about them!  Does anyone else love ALDO as much as I do?  Share your pics and comment on your favorite products from them, we will be having a giveaway exclusively for ALDO coming up very shortly!

And The Winners Are...!

Hey girls, gals, and guys!!! It has been a hectic weekend like I wish I could even begin to go into detail, but you guys don't want to hear about that, you guys want to hear about who won our Gift Card Galore!!!  We want to thank everyone who participated, with over 900 entries this has been the biggest giveaway thus far!  Ok, without further a due, DRUMROLL PLEASE...

THE WINNERS ARE

Alicia Szemon- $25 Bath & Body Gift Card

Nicole Dziedzic- $25 ASOS Gift Card

Thomas Murphy- $50 Urban Outfitters Gift Card

Amy Orvin- $50 Sephora Gift Card

and

Laura Mueller for winning the $100 Nordstrom Rack Gift Card

Congrats to all the winners!  And don't fret, we currently have a giveaway running right now for our OOTD Outfit Challenge, and we will have more coming up very soon, our next one being an Aldo Giveaway, so stay tuned!!!

DIY Saturdays!: Recycle That Old T-Shirt!

Alright beauties!  I honestly do not know if we have done this before on any DIY segment (probably have) but I have been inspired to do this!  So I'm downstairs in my basement finding clothes I can get rid of and I come across a lot of t-shirts I wore in high school and college. These are actually some cute and cool looking shirts and I just didn't want to part with them, so I decided why not revamp!!!  So for all of you revamp experts here are two DIY videos I love, one from Sandra Riley Tang and one from LeSassafras, on some different ways to revamp an old t shirt!  Let me know what you guys think, especially if you have your own way to revamp a t-shirt, and I will be posting my new creations here soon!

What to Bring to a Blogging Conference

Hey gals and guys! So I was prompted to do this post after finding out I was invited to attend the Go Blog Social Conference next weekend in Kansas City! This will be marked as my first ever blogging conference and I am so excited!  But in spite of my excitement I am very nervous because I don't want to be the dufus who doesn't bring the essentials.  Even though this is going to be a lot of fun, it is also a time to learn, make connections, and build on your blog especially if you consider it to be your business like myself and other bloggers do.  I've looked around at so many blogs and have found some great lists on what to bring to a blogging conference, check out ours below!:

Portable charger/back up phone battery

Each day of conference can go on for hours, ours specifically will start at 9am and won't end until 5/6pm.  You want to make sure your phone has enough battery life to capture each moment you need it to, including pictures, accessing social media, and even updating your blog while at the conference.  A battery bank is great, but they also require charging themselves, and depending on the one you purchase it doesn't help that much.  I suggest getting a phone case that charges your phone at the same time, or an extra battery, that way you can pop the dead one out and the charged battery in.

Notebook & pens

As I stated before, this is an opportunity to LEARN!  There are going to be many influential people who have offered their time to speak and teach their ways on how they became successful in the same field we all hope to be successful in.  I suggest bringing a cute notebook and taking handwritten notes, and also coming with general questions for each speakers.  Get as much knowledge that you can, you paid a lot of money to attend this conference why not use it to your advantage!

Tablet

If you absolutely hate using paper and can't do away with technology, you can bring your tablet with you to take notes and stay up to date on your social media accounts, and then slide ii in your bag when you're done, just make sure it's charged up and ready to go!

Business Cards

This should be a given but I'll state it for this purpose.  There's no point of traveling and paying for this great experience if you can't gain the exposure you deserve.  Bring business cards with your updated information to pass out to other fellow bloggers and businesses that will be there.

Media Kit

I think this is a great idea.  A lot of people are not going to be accessing everyone's blogs until after the conference is said and done, and your media kit is probably embedded into your blog, or on your computer waiting to be sent in an email format.  While networking, media kits are a great way to show off your blog and it's success, and you can do so by typing up a cute organized one page template that everyone can have, maybe even attaching it to your business card in a pamphlet type style.  

Business card holder

If you don't have one of these you need to get one now!  At the conference you are going to get a lot of business cards handed to you and included in the gift bag if the conference provides one.  It would be such a shame to have forgotten a brand or blogger you had hopes of working with because you lost their business card.  I have one in a cute leather pink style from Office Depot that holds 150 business cards.  It's even sleek enough to put into my purse.  You can also purchase business card holder inserts that snap into your binder if you're rolling that way.

Planner

This is subject to one's preference, but it's nice to schedule some collabs while you're there with other bloggers.  Just so that you won't forget, a planner is great.

Snacks, gum, mints, and water-bottles

These are going to be some of the longest days you have experienced, so you want to be energized all throughout the day.  I suggest energy or granola bars, or snack sized pouches like Chex Mix, it's little mess involved and you won't go on in the day starving.  Also, make sure you have mints and/or gum in your purse at all times.  It's not a great first impression when your breathe hits before your appearance.  Lastly, make sure to stay hydrated with a water bottle or tumbler.

OTHER THINGS TO BRING

Comfy Shoes

Hand Lotion

Medicine

An extra bag (for all of your goodies you will get)

A gift for your roommate

Camera

Extension cords for the hotel room

Cash on hand

Deodorant and fragrance mist to freshen up

Emergency makeup kit

We would love to hear the tips you have for what to bring so we can continue to add to our list!  Comment below with your personal lists!

The Mind Behind the Gowns

Being an African American woman, it's fun finding out new things regarding our culture and society, so last month when I discovered the history of Ann Lowe I was thrilled.  Who is Ann Lowe you ask?  Well she is notably the first African American to be noted as a fashion designer.  She is most famous for designing the dress Jackie Kennedy wore when she married John F. Kennedy!

Born in Alabama, Lowe was the great grand-daughter of a slave and a plantation owner.  Her passion for fashion and sewing came from her mother and grandmother who both worked as seamstresses for the first families of Montgomery and other families in high society.  At 16 however Lowe's mother died, and at the time of her death she had been working on 4 ball gowns for Elizabeth Kirkman O'Neal, the First Lady of Alabama.  Using the skills she had been taught she finished the dresses herself, thus a legend was created.

Lowe married and had her son, and shortly after moved to New York City and attended the S.T. Taylor Design School and after graduation in 1919 she relocated to Tampa, Florida.  She opened up her salon "Annie Cohen" which was a success, and with her earnings she relocated back to NYC.  

She has designed many of gowns for many notable people including Olivia De Havilland when she accepted her award for best actress in To Each His Own (left), the Rocketfellers, the Du Ponts, and stated before, the wedding dress that Mrs. Kennedy wore when she married President Kennedy, who was mayor at the time.  

Her gowns, none the less, stand the test of time.  More importantly they show the detailing, effort, but more importantly her vision she had for her garments.  She designed for the privileged, upscale, higher society crowd, even stating "I love my clothes and I'm particular about who wears them. I am not interested in sewing for cafe society or social climbers. I do not cater to Mary and Sue. I sew for the families of the Social Register."

Ann Lowe went on to retire in 1972, after some problems with bankruptcy and health issues, and died in 1981.  It would be amazing to have had a conversation with such a fashion icon, or to touch one of her gowns, but as of now the only memory we have of her ground breaking work are 5 designs currently stored at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  

Fashion Blog Roundup

K guys, as fashion bloggers we look to other bloggers and reading resources as a source of inspiration.  For this week, here are the five fashion blogs that I love, have newly discovered, or have had in the back of my mind as a great resource, check them out!

Style Chile

Moda Christia

Hipster Hijabis

Civilian Style

The Black Barcode

Which Shampoo is Right for You

So I'm in the shower washing my hair and the question came to mind "am i using the right shampoo"  There are so many shampoos now a days and for everyone's different hair type, it's important to use the correct shampoo.  Take a look at the different shampoos for each hair type!

Thick Hair

*Rich shampoos without harsh ingredients

*Frizz control

*Lots of natural oils and vitamins

Short Hair

*Choose a shampoo that will cleanse without stripping the hair of the natural oils

*Dry shampoos

Long Hair

*Silicon free

*A light weight shampoo that'll leave the hair light as a feather

Fine/Oily Hair

*Clear shampoos with thickening ingredients such as panthenol or wheat protein

*Look for clarifying shampoos

Damaged/Dry Hair

*Avoid clear shampoos

*Look for rich shampoos with ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate (stripping detergent)

*Shampoos with Shea butter are good for detangling and smoothing the hair

Curly Hair

*Rich shampoos without harsh ingridients

Coarse/Textured Hair

*Creamy shampoos

*Super hydrating shampoos

*Coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, and Shea butter are great for moisturizing the hair during cleansing

Color Treated Hair

*Color Protectant

*Helps prevent fading

Ground Breaking Historih!

I don't know what it is about Rihanna but when it means being the first and being the only, she's the center of it,  Literally a week after fronting the first ever digital magazine cover for AnOther Magazine (no really, the cover is digital!) Rihanna & Dior set to make fashion and cultural history,  As of Friday March 13th Rihanna was announced to be the spokesperson and front of Dior's new film and print campaign for their Secret Garden series.  This also means that Rihanna is the first African American spokesperson that Dior has ever had....ever.  If you're not too hip on fashion but are on cultural issues, this is pretty major in every way you can spin it.

No matter if you enjoy her fashion choices, questionable or not, there's no argument that Rihanna is a trendsetter non the less.  And for a fashion house as historic as Dior is to grant her this opportunity speaks volumes.  I am eager and excited to see how this campaign turns out and we can check this off as accomplishment taken in our culture.

Your Spring Break Outfit Guide!

I can't believe Spring Break is already among us.  I am low key jealous at all of my friends still in school who are down in Florida partying it up (lucky bastards).  But those pics have inspired me to do a Spring Break outfit guide!!!  So for those of you who are headed out for spring break activities next week, these 3 outfit choices will get you right for a week of fun and relaxation!

Spring Break 2 by akjapbae featuring vneck t shirts

Everyone knows Spring Break equals beach, fun, and neon colors.  These 6 swim suit options just spoke to me, from the colorful bandeaux strap bikinis to the sexy one pieces, these are sure to be a hit at the beach or resort.  Optional:  I personally love an oversized v neck to wear on top of your swim suit, especially walking to and from the hotel to the beach.  I prefer a white, black, grey, and of course neon v neck because once again, it's Spring Break.

Spring Break #1 by akjapbae featuring a high neck crop top

Obviously vacation equals site seeing and shopping, so for your trip to lunch or to the museum, this is a nice comfy outfit that is still very much fashionable.  A basic white crop top with a pair of distressed jeans are a basic yet popular outfit.  Converse's how some way come back into full force and so I prefer a low top pair, preferably a burgundy, white, navy, or grey color.  This simple bucket bag from Vince Camuto is small enough to carry around but big enough to store some city tokens you might pick up, and then simple yet chic jewelry pulls it all together.

Spring break 3 by akjapbae featuring a swimsuit bikini

  When it's all said and done, the best part of Spring Break is all of the crazy parties that go on. I love these three outfits for the simple fact that you can mix and match so if you decide to change up your outfits, everything still coordinates.  Floral and Aztec prints are very much in and probably will be for some time.  These bandeaux tops are a perfect sexy element for your night attire.  What's even sexier is this geometric front zip leather crop top, it just says "come try me if you dare".  With each of the bottoms, whether a pair of skinny black pants, a slim pencil skirt, or loose palazzo pants, you're going to stand out from everyone as not just being the typical college girl on Spring Break, but a sexy young thang ready to party! These outfits will having you winning the entire Spring Break week, so try them out!  Better yet let us see for a chance to win a $50 visa gift card!  Enter your Spring Break OOTD outfits into our OOTD Outfit challenge.  The 5 best OOTD pics displaying the best Spring/Summer trends will win!  Check out all of the details and submit your pic here, and can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

The Perception of Makeup: Covering Up Flaws or Creating a New Person?

When it comes to the subject of makeup there are so many different opinions.  But before tackling those opinions and maybe "stereotypes" what is the factual purpose and idea behind makeup?  Makeup whether you want to believe it or not is a true art form.  It is used in a variety of ways including consumer based, television, ads, films, and in many ways of abstract forms of art.  It takes lots of training, schooling, and hours or perfecting this technique in order for anyone to be called a true makeup artist.  More so on the consumer level makeup helps cover up flaws and accentuate our features.  It's a great way to look natural without showing the world a few minor "no nos" we don't want to reveal.

Recently however, there has been much debate over whether the utilization of makeup has gone to the extreme, transforming the entire face and possibly "tricking" others into believing in a whole new person that doesn't exist.  After seeing many before and after selfies, and numerous videos that you all probably have seen as well it's a very interesting debate.

I don't know if I have a clean cut opinion on this situation and here's why.  I do understand from manly a guy's perspective that they are tired of being tricked and bamboozled, I've known a few guys that it has happened to.  But at the same time men do not understand the weight we as women have on us to always maintain a flawless look, and most of it comes from the men who are complaining about being bamboozled by women who use makeup to their advantage and really for what the purpose of it is.  I don't know the experience of having to create a whole new face.  Not saying I'm perfect, beautiful, etc, but I use makeup with what I already have and just bring out those features in my face, and I'm lazy so I do the bare minimum anyway.  I personally hate when guys, however,  give this high standard they their chick can't wear makeup or what not but us wearing makeup is like a guy getting a hair cut.  And the fact is guys don't have to do NEARLY as much as women when it comes to getting ready and looking somewhat presentable, so to the guys, just shutup for once.

I think where the problem exists though is when people apply all of this makeup and act like the face they created is the face they were born with,.  Putting down others who may not look as depart but they themselves look worse once the makeup is washed down the drain.  Those are the people I have a problem with, and that's when I believe makeup is being abused and used as a tool of self gloat.

Is there really a measurement of what is too much makeup?  What do you guys think?  And I would love to hear a great convo between men and women on this matter because it's a topic of concern apparently for a lot of people, so let us know what you think!

Fashion Sense & Making Sense Of Fashion

Fashion sense is having the perception to identify when something is a current trend. Many people speak of fashion sense in the sense that it means to possess great style and/or good taste but that is definitely not true. Anyone can gain fashion sense if they just study magazines, shop in stores and look at what other people are wearing. That is what it means to have an "eye" for fashion. You are involved in the lifestyle of fashion and are able to identify it when it's in your presence.

While anybody can have fashion sense, not everyone makes sense of fashion. Fashion doesn't always make sense to us. We often have to use our perception of life to make sense of it. Fashion art isn't always wearable art but some people find a way to wear it. Spending thousands of dollars on a dress doesn't make sense for most people but it makes sense for some.

In order to make sense of fashion, you have to have a sense of style. Your personal style is about who you are and we are all different. So your sense of fashion will be different from everyone else's for the most part. People who don't have a sense of style are relying on their fashion sense to tell them how to dress. So learn who you are and allow your style to speak for you. This is how you'll learn to make sense of fashion.

Understand that we may all have fashion sense and we are all capable of making sense of fashion but only those whose sense of fashion is inspiring can make fashion sense.

Lady Stylistique

*Follow Lady Stylistique on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest!

ChiccTalk Episode 2 LIVE NOW!

Hey guys! If you haven't checked out our new podcast yet then you need to head over to our Soundcloud page now, we just aired our second episode yesterday on how to dress (pt 2).  I think you guys will find it hilarious, I know I did!  And linked with this new episode don't forget to enter into our OOTD Challenge Contest! 5 winners will receive a $50 visa gift card!  Check out the rules here, good luck, and don't forget to subscribe and download our episodes!

Rebirth in More Ways than One

When it's spring, it's runway season!  I love this time of year because I get out the most, attending fashion shows, mingling with others, and just having a good time.  But it's more worth while when the event is for a worthy cause, which is what Rebirth is all about.  Rebirth: The Style of Fashion is a fashion show benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of St. Louis.  

LLS is a great and benefiting organization that helps out families who are going through the hardship of dealing with these life rendering diseases by funding research all around the world and providing free information and support services.  And with Rebirth, it's a new way for this organization to reach more people in regards to creating awareness about these blood diseases, especially when it hits our community the hardest.

Rebirth:  The Style of Fashion will be held May 9th 2015, 5pm,  at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown St. Louis.  Along with the fashion show there will be live performances by local and national artists (how exciting) and a DVD presentation featuring patients who have been assisted by LLS, an intricate part of the show.

What we are asking all of our readers and listeners from Mind of a Fashionista and ChiccTalk to is help us raise money for this worthy cause and organization.  Any amount helps so please don't feel obligated that you have to give a big amount.  Head over to the LLS fundraising page to contribute, and use our hashtag #MOAF when donating so we know it's from our wonderful readers!

For those of you who would like to advertise and sponsor, this organization is offering a great package in efforts for everyone to thrive.  Please contact Mood Swings Enterprises at moodswings_1@yahoo.com for more information.

Last but not least there will be a model call THIS SUNDAY March 22nd at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 1pm.  Please RSVP here and come ready to strut your stuff!

For more ticket info visit the Eventbrite page here and I hope to see you all there, don't forget to donate!!!

*this event is presented & hosted by Jon Erickque and Mood Swings Enterprises

OOTD Outfit Challenge!!!

So beauties, if you haven't already tuned in to our first episode of ChiccTalk (check it out here) then you missed a great discussion on some things we hate when it comes to how to dress.  Our next episode that airs tomorrow will cover the second half of that discussion, more so on how to dress in the newly found warm weather.  After thinking about it, we thought it would be cool to hold an OOTD Outfit Challenge (are you excited because we are geeked!).  Here are the details:

Submit a recent OOTD pic that captures a spring/summer look.

Photo must be at least 600x600, we have to be able to see the whole outfit, clear not blurry, and no nudity!

Once you have found or taken your pic submit it here to our OOTD Uploader.

Each submission (after approval) will be feature in our Recent Submissions page of our blog.

The top five outfits we choose will receive a $50 visa gift card to spend on those new spring/summer trends!

We are excited to see the oh so fabulous outfits you guys come up with for this Spring/Summer season.  Deadline is May 8th, good luck and happy snapping!!!

UPDATE!

So to make this contest more appealing, we have decided to one, only choose ONE WINNER, and said winner will receive a $100 gift card!!! The contest has also been extended to July 31st, so get your outfits submitted!

Follow #MOAF on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram, and follow ChiccTalk on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram for more contest updates

Lazy Chic: How to Still Be a Sexy Bum

Lazy Sexy Bum by akjapbae featuring a crew neck t shirt

If you recently have listened to our first episode of ChiccTalk then you know our debate about leggings vs. yoga pants.  I am all for yoga pants!  They are comfy, low maintenance, and you can wear it with anything, whether that is dressing it up with some boots and a blue jean shirt or dressing it down.  My preference is dressing it down because lets face it, most of us don't have the energy to dress up every day if we don't have to!  So if you're like me and a lazy fashionista, lazy chic is the way to go.  Getting a dope graphic tee which some yoga pants or joggers is something cute, fun, flirty, but COMFORTABLE!  When you match that with some unique sneakers and a cute mini back pack or over sized handbag, you have achieved the "I don't care I'm still cute look"!