AV Crush: September

                 Its that time of year again; when the deceptively bright sun pays no homage to the surprisingly chilly winds once you step through your respective thresholds. Yes indeed fall is here. The season for layers and outrageous mixing and creativity. The space right in between covering everything up with a knee length coat and not being allowed to wear your toesies out. I am dying to stock my closet with this seasons essentials but being that my pockets have taken a bruisin' due to the double edged sword called rent, I guess its just window and online shopping for me. Anyways here are my September Crushes, that will hopefully magically appear in my closet right when I post this...a girl can always dream right??

Printed Peplum Skirt *Perfection*. Xenia.com.au

Obvi Ima #90's Baby. Hat. Nastygal.com

Mixed Media Saddle bag. *BANANAS*. Chictopia

Zodiac Bracelet. *#TeamLEO*. NastyGal

Havent Tracked Down the site yet.
*Self Explanatory*. 

Nike Dunk Leopard Sneakers. *The obssession is real lol*

Abby Dawn jacket (modeled by Kendall Jenner)

XXI

                For most young people there are usually 3 birthdays you look forward to; your 16th, your 18th, and your 21st. At 16 you get your license and can drive free of domineering, over cautious parents; at 18 your can legally get tatted, pierced, and stoned and don't have to worry about doing any of these things in secret anymore. But 21? That's the most celebrated, and hyped up birthday of them all! 21 is the perfect case in point for YOLO. Cause after 21 you can gamble, rent a hotel room, get access to the chicer cousin of the likes of Mr Rickys and Secrets (lounges like MAXBAR, and Shrine) and why of course kiss worries of gettin caught under aged drinking goodbye. Since I joined team XXI a month ago, I have pretty much exclusively concentrated on the last two. 
              However, much to my surprise the lounge scene that I thirsted for for so long is not exactly how I pictured it. Ive been to about 6 different lounges since bday and aside from the overpriced drinks, the hit or miss DJ's and the ehhh choice of men 'older men', the most eyebrow raising factor has been how people dress at these shindigs. In the fantasy of Brittanyland, everyone would be dressed like they are about to attend a fashion show. But what I've experienced thus far is quite the contrary. Now maybe its the lounges I been to or maybe its because I need to switch to places where there is actually a cover charge (not that I'm complaining about that #teambrokephibroke). Eitherway, the observation has struck a burning question in me; how do people in their 20's dress?
             If taking the leap into the Dubb Club and forever leaving your teens is such a big deal, shouldn't it come with a grown and sexy dress code? Shouldn't there be a distinct marker from someone who's 17 and someone who is 23? Of all the many forms of self - expression should your wardrobe not seek a fitting change to bring in decade number two? And if so, where do we find such models? Are the manuals handed out when we renew our licenses? Is it a soul searching process? or does it just naturally happen? Who is to say what's 'age appropriate' when the world is your oyster?
            Personally, my style has taken on a edgier yet more sophisticated look in this brave new world. I look at my style idols like Rihanna, Blake Lively and Adrienne Bailon and I feel so enlightened and empowered by their personal style. Its so fresh and individual yet you can tell they are just, free. And its the best kind of freedom. Creative expression through hair, makeup, and dress. That's the goal. I haven't figured out everything about who I am, who I want to be or how I want to be perceived. I haven't even figured out what companies to apply to when I graduate; but what I do know is on this journey to self discovery of my new 21 year old self. I want my appearance to journal the liberation of my soul, from the inside out. After all, that's what your 20's are for right?

Watch This

                Out of all the many accessories; watches have been one that I never cared for. I've had an aversion since I was younger and my dad (who mistakenly thought I was a boy) insisted that I wear them all the time and at the end of the day they would leave that yucky, discolored, sweaty, patch on my arm. *Shivers. However since the days when I tuned in to The Rachel Zoe Project and saw one of my icons wearing a chic men's watch, I've been on a hunt for my own. It sounds silly to say watches are making a come back because they are usually considered a classic piece, but lately I have noticed more ads and more celebs proudly sporting their time keepers. Here are a couple of my favorites: 

GUESS $85

G-Shock. 

Michael Kors. $250

Kate Spade. $250

Nixon. $75

AV Crush: July

                This month, my Aesthetic Value crushes are varied. From shoes to handbags, jewelry to one hot dress; I found that everything is very in the moment. And because I found all these things online shopping, I think its the truest testament to how you can get great style at your finger tips. Gone are the days when you must stand in long lines and get bruises from overstuffed shopping bags. Every last item is amazeballs (as Guiliana would say) and drool inducing. You've been warned...

Valentino.
Perfect Color. I adore Bows. Perfect Structure...
Need I say more??

$19.50. Urbanog.com
Color Blocking and a Mix of textures.
Simply Amazing.

$18.70 GoJane.com
These are so sugar and spice I love them!

$78. Nastygal.com
The high - low trend at its finest
and i like the vague bondage feel
very Fifty Shades of Grey ;)

$35 Lulus.com
Fringe and Pink. How can you go wrong?

$30. Asos.com.
The envelope clutch, so chic

Animal Infatuation

            Most trends I'll try out once.If I like them I'll incorporate them in my  wardrobe moderately. But no other trend like animal print has fit my style truer; specifically leopard/cheetah print. Maybe its a Leo thing (shrug). But despite my little brothers warning,"women who wear animal print have a higher rape rate", I just cant seem to cease my jungle fever. So in honor of it being officially Leo Season #TeamLeo I figured I would show off some of my favorites. =) 

Left to Right: hat, belt, white leopard earrings,
scarf, cheetah ring,
cheetah earrings, white leopard tank, cheetah canvas shoes,
leopard sun hat, leopard ballet flats. 

My Style Is Effortless

           Recently, I was upgraded from intern to employee at the boutique where I work at (guess all my retail experience is finally paying off ;). Effortless Style Studio is a gem that sales chic and sophisticated attire for the 'grown and sexy' crowd if you will. It has everything from accessories, to shoes, day wear or evening wear for men and women who like to be noticed. This boutique is not for the meek, every piece I get from here is an attention grabbing statement investment guaranteed. Owner Devona Dellahoussaye opened the boutique in 2009 on 87Th street and since then, the boutique has had another opening last weekend celebrating the second location on 39Th and Cottage Groove. Open Tues - Sat. 12 - 7pm http://www.facebook.com/EffortlessStyleStudio

Devona Dellahoussaye

Men In Print Too??

               Usually sporting a fierce feline or paralyzing python on your back or accessory was left to the curvier sex. But the days of the animal print craze being exclusive to just women are soon to be extinct. In this century, testosterone filled fashionistas are catching jungle fever too. I first noticed the subtle switch in numerous LMFAO videos. But I have to admit, I didn't pay their cheetahlicious pants any mind because I mean come on, its LMFAO! But I could no longer ignore the slow take over of men in print when come BET awards, not only was Hosea Chanchez wearing leopard Louboutins but Jaden Smith showed up in zebra print. Say what??!! 

Clearly men are trying to level the fashion playing field and make a statement that alpha males too can rock animal prints. You all know by now I'm all for a well dressed man, but animal print? I'm still trying to wrap my head around the concept of my Adonis feeding me grapes wearing blue cheetah print skinnies smh. What do you guys think? Is men in prints a hip hooray! or a boo go home roger??

Alice and Olivia in Wonderland

               I cant stress enough how much I love the contemporary design house Alice and Olivia. Every season I look forward to seeing what they come up with. Their line is so fresh and feminine; its chic with out being over stated or understated. I don't know how they do it, but im glad they do! Here are some of my favorites from their 2013 Resort collection:

#BETAWARDS

                   My opinions about the BET awards vary from year to year; usually depending on who host and the nominees. Its really hit or miss. Either way one thing I do love about the annual award show are the fashions. The statements celebs make on the red carpet are usually the talk of the town come Monday, whether good or bad press follows. In the spirit of trying to usher in some much needed good karma I will only address those whom I felt made a showstopping statement. Here are my favorites from last night: 

I feel like Melanie Fiona is often over looked as
a fashionista but this look deserves all the
praise from fashion bloggers everywhere

Bobby Valentino displayed the male take on the futuristic style

Letoya Luckett looks like a mix between Belle and Little Mermaid
in this Christian Siriano dress but its def a show stopper

Lola Monroe looks every bit an Egyptian goddess in this
My favorite look of the whole night

Monica in this chic monochromatic Alexander McQueen
sequined pant and blazer set

Eva the diva looks amazingly chic in this white dress
and neon orange pointy toes

IDK how I feel about men in leopard print, but
Hosea Chanchez looks deliciously metro in this
Paul Smith suit and leopard Louboutins

Marsha Ambrosia looks a tad Jetson in this
Ralph Rucci dress but its chic and futuristic
the red lips were a nice touch

I LOVE Tamar Braxton in this Lady Gaga -esq get up

I love LaLa Anthony in this jumpsuit by new designer
Lois London kudos to him for having his work on the red carpet!

Toccara looks like the queen of the jungle in this
animal print dress