Dear Santa...

I think I've been a relatively good girl this year and for that reason, I;m hoping that Santa will be extra nice. I've narrowed down my wish list to four simple items. At the top of my list is the Gucci 'Seventies' bag. As I build my handbag collection, I'm moving towards classic pieces that I will hopefully be able to give to my daughter or grandaughter one day and this bad is exactly that. Next on my list is this tweed coat from Old Navy. The only problem is that it's sold out. I can't believe that I missed this. I'm hoping it will miraculously reappear on the website in my size. I also want this exclusive Ted Baker for ASOS bow bracelet. I'm obsessed with bows and glitter and this bracelet seems to have been made in bow and glitter heaven. Lastly, I'd really appreciate it if Santa brought me these Relika pumps by Christain Louboutin. I love the maryjane style. My list is pretty simple. I'm not greedy. Happy Holidays! :]

Tent Life Haiti: Photographs By Wyatt Gallery

Beauty can be found in the strangest of places. The earthquake in Haiti was one of the worst natural disasters that our generation and humankind as a whole has ever experienced. I think that it really hit home for me because I live here in Brooklyn amongst one of the largest Haitian immigrant communities in the United States. I have friends whose families were directly affected. Their pain transversely became my pain. I can never ever pretend to understand what it is like to loose your family or your home to such a catastrophic event but I can begin to try. As a social work student ( and more importantly as a human being) I think it  essential for us to strive towards helping our fellow men, foreign and local. Wyatt Gallery has always been one of my favorites. He's an American nomadic photographer who travels the world photographing various ethnic cultures. I first came across Wyatt a few years ago through his affiliation with Island People, a Trinidadian Mas Community. Wyatt travelled to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake and was able to take some spellbinding and heart wrenching photos of the tent community there. He compiled the photos into a remarkable book Tent Life Haiti published by Umbridge Books. The book also has narration by Haitian poet laureate Edwidge Danticat. I recently purchased a copy of the book on Amazon via Housing Works, an organization that raises funds for people her in New York City living with HIV/Aids. I was so excited about the whole project that I just had to share some of the images. I even found fashion inspired images in the book that leads me to believe that beauty can indeed come from the most unexpected places. Hopefully the exhibit will come to New York soon and I attend. I thin that it is important that we never forget about the suffereing that goes on around the world. I encourage you to take  a moment each day to appreciate all that you have especially in this holiday season.

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Winter Sparkle...

I kinda always knew that glitter and sparkle ran through my veins. I've been obsessed with the black sequin Toms for months and even almost bought them when I went to Miami this past October but seeing that I was already in danger of TSA and the airline kindly asking me to find some other means of getting back to New York because of the weight of my luggage I opted against it. I first saw these boots at DNA on Smith Street over the summer but the more I see them the more and more obsessed I get. UGG boots are my absolute fave and their recent sparkle collection has helped me to fall deeper in love. My favorite is the knee high black sequin pair with the purple sequin running a close second. I really am confused about which to get and I'm hoping my indecisiveness does not cause a repeat of the whole Jimmy Choo for UGG debacle in my wardrobe. Thee shimmery boot is perfect for the holiday season fashion with the added bonus of comfort. Hopefully I manage to get someone willing to take pics of me in outfits one day and I get to post with me in a pair. 

Anya's Tribe

Trinidad Carnival 2012 is fast approaching and even though I won't be on the road with Tribe this year I have to agree that they outdid themselves with this one. The carnival band had the pleasure of enlisting the talented Anya Ayoung-Chee to design a section for their 2012 presentation. Anya recently won "Projet Runway: Season 9" and her talent is becoming more and more indisputable. The costume is absolutely gorgeous ad quite possibly my all time favorite carnival costume. Being of the plus size persuasion, one has to choose carnival costumes very carefully. This costume not only brings carnival and fashion together but eludes the what seems to be commonplace nakedness of the tradition. I want!

Eki's Famous...

Ekiuwa Asemota has to be THE MOST talented jewelry designer of my time. No exaggeration. Her jewelry has a deep connection to the aesthetic of the African continent with its bright tones and chunky textures. I'm pretty sure she gets much of her inspiration from her native Nigeria. Each piece tells its own own story. Yesterday, I had the esteemed pleasure of obtaining one of her pieces that she made especially for my birthday. It's a chunky wrap bracelet from her "Unique Control" collection. I've been in lust for one of her pieces for quite some time so I'm super stoked to have this piece become a part of my wardrobe. You can visit her website www.ekisfamous.com to check out more of her jewelry.

Blazing the trail...

I'm currently OBSESSED with blazers!!! And the fact that they are everywhere this season does not help. I love pairing the jacket with boyfriend jeans, distressed jeans and fun skirts! I barely update my blog because I never have anyone to take pics of me in outfits so I've decided to just take pics of the stuff I buy until I can do better. Plus size fashion is difficult in itself and can become very boring but I've lucked up in the past few weeks with some really awesome blazer finds. For example, I found these awesome tweed Liz Lange for Target blazers at PrettyGirl for 6 bucks!!! I love them especially the patch elbow detail. Anyhoo...here are some of my most recent blazer purchases...

H&M Heather Grey Patchwork Blazer

ASOS Dusty Pink Blazer

Forever21+ Detroit Venture Blazer

Forever21+ Boyfriend Blazer

Liz Lange for Target Tweed Blazer (green) via PrettyGirl



Liz Lange for Target Tweed Blazer (brown) via PrettyGirl



$6 truly!!!

Maxed Out!

So today (Labor Day) marked the unofficial end to summer 2011. I was super excited because I finally got someone to take some pictures of an outfit that was cool enough to post. I've been reading a lot of chubby girl blogs and for some reason, most of the bloggers don't like maxi dresses. I'm not sure whether it is because they believe that the maxi is not flattering to the plus size body but I totally disagree. I love maxi dresses for plus size women. I attended the annual West Indian day parade here in New York City and I paired this maxi dress from ASOS with a vintage denim jean jacket from the Gap outlet. I accessorized with gold earrings that i got from a local street vendor for a dollar and Indian inspired sandals with crocodile detail and chunky bangles from Aldo.

10 Things To Do Before I Turn 30

Last night I did something I’ve always wanted to do. I hung out with my dad, uncle and my friend party hopping and I laughed until I pee’d myself. As I’m writing this, I’m remembering how old I thought 30 was when I was a teenager. But as I am fast approaching the big 3-0, I am realizing that 30 really isn’t that old after all and I have so much to live for. I want to get married, have kids, own a house and even own a successful business one day. So I’ve decided to make a list. A list of 10 things that I must do before I turn 30. I live in New York City. I moved here when I was 18 and haven’t done most of the things that twenty something girls dream of moving here and doing. I guess moving here was half the battle and while I’ve done and experienced some pretty awesome things, I’m just not satisfied. I have just over a month to complete my list and I will blog about them as I complete. I may be able to go more than one thing at the same time but I plan on having loads of fun doing them. Wish me luck!

10 Things To Do Before I Turn 30

1. Go to Las Vegas and stay at a fancy hotel

2. Get another tattoo

3. Eat at a really fancy restaurant

4. See a Broadway Show

5. Walk in high heels for an entire day

6. Read a life changing book

7. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

8. Go on a single girl trip alone

9. Own something Marc Jacobs

10. Laugh til I cry

Obsessed...

So as the fall fashion season becomes nigh, I've started to obsess over a few must have pieces. At the top of my list is the Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Huge Hobo. I'm sort of a hoarder by nature (handbag wise), and I carry just about my whole life in my bag including airfreshner, matches, wet wipes and a whole bunch of other nick nacks. I think that this bag will work with just about any outfit this season. I must have it!

Rainy Daze...

It’s been raining all weekend in New York and I put together the cutest outfit just now to run to McDonald’s. I know. I was pretty bored. I wanted to post about it but I actually had no one to take a picture of me which is usually the case. Try to visualize…I wore a leopard pink beret that I bought in London a couple years ago with a military green anorak from the Gap and a white petticoat (tutu). I used a green belt I got from Forever21+ to cinch my waist and add shape to my silhouette. I also wore Hunter rain boots and my favorite Betsey Johnson bag. Too bad I had no one to take full body pics…

Birthday Dreams...

My Style Icon Marilyn Monroe

It's Almost My Birthday! Yaaaaaaaaay! Not quite but I'm prepping...lol! Can't wait to share the experience. I'm getting like 3 cakes and there will be lots of pink, tutus, feathers and leopard involved!

Bangled...

I am a huge fan on bangles. I pretty much collect them wherever I go. I really like putting a whole bunch on at the same time and having a really chunky look that compliments my outfit. I wore these this week and I simply adored the combo!

'Lorna Simpson: Gathered'

Lorna Simpson believes that photographs tell a story far more complex than what the eye usually perceives. We all know that history sometimes becomes skewed depending on who is telling the story and who is receiving the information. Ms. Simpson explores this idea in an exhibit titled 'Gathered' currently running at The Brooklyn Museum. The work is a collection of photgraphs of African Americans that Simpson collected over a number of years. Each  photograph tells a distinct story that leaves room for imagination to run the gammet of possibities based on Simpson's premise. The exhibit discusses the idea that culture, very often, manipulates reality to the point that it blurs the line between what is real and what is untrue. It is up to the viewer to write their own story. 

If nothing else, it was quite fun to look at. 

 

                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                    

The Brooklyn Museum hosts an event called 'First Saturdays" on the first Saturday of each month where admission is free to patrons from 5pm to close. I really hope everyone can check out the amazing exhibt before it ends on August 21st.

RIP Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse

The world was shocked today with the announcement of the passing of talented soul singer, Amy Winehouse. Amy's story is a sad one indeed as her prowess as a singer was often over shadowed by her substance abuse. Drug addiction, in my opinion, stems from far reaching, underlying psychological turmoil rather than the need for pleasure. It is unfortunate that Amy was unable to overcome her battle. I think deep down inside we all wanted her to make it. May she rest in peace.


I found this really demure and pretty pic of Amy from what seems like her pre-drug/pre-tattoo era...

Heavy Metal!

As I had already mentioned, I had been planning my outfit for the Rihanna concert for weeks. I decided to post about my outfit today after my friend sent me some of the pics that she took with her camera. I really wanted to channel Rihanna's rockstar energy so I opted to wear mostlly black and incorporate metallics and edgy pieces of jewelry in my outfit. I found this Torrid T-shirt at one of my favorite thrift stores ReDress NYC then I built from there. I paired my tee with destructed shorts from Forever21+ and a black boyfriend blazer. My shoes are Keds which have to be one of my absolute favorite types of shoes. I think it worked pretty well. Here are some pics...

Rihanna T-shirt: ReDressNYC, Destructed Shorts:Forever21, Jewelry: Aldo, Blazer: Lane Bryant




Gold Metallic Keds

 

"Oh Baby I'm A Rockstar!"

So last night, one of my best friends Cash and I had the awesome opportunity of attending the New York leg of Rihanna's Loud Tour. I love Rihanna and I was in complete super-fan mode all day long and leading up to the event. I had even ditched work in order to get to the venue early. We had bought tickets when they first went on sale months ago and I had been planning my outfit for weeks. Finally we arrived and I was even more excited than I imagined. The venue screamed of this surreal rockstar energy that I soaked up moment by moment. I must say that I was really impressed by the whole event from start to finish. We immediately indulged in event freebies such as replica temporary star tattoos, Nivea creme samples and fan photos that will be posted on Rihanna's official Facebook fan page courtesy of her official tour sponsor Nivea. Newcomer J. Cole opened up the show and he did just as well a job that I expected him to do. Ceelo Green was originally scheduled to be the show opener but he disappointingly had to cancel because of schedule conflicts. After a bit of a wait, Rihanna finally emerged in all her superstar glory. She first came on in this AMAZING metallic blue mini wrap dress paired with a Max Kibardin custom patent color-block ankle boots and neon yellow hoop earrings to match. Her red hair complimented the outfit perfectly and I was in utter awe.

RiRi brought her badazz persona from set to set and outfit to outfit with a series of costume changes put together by her stylist Mel Ottenberg. The fabulous costumes included pieces by her stylist Ottenberg himself and the likes of some of mypersonal favorites such as Alexander McQueen, Jeremy Sccott, Adam Selman, Yves St. Laurent, and Dolce and Gabbbana Vintage. Rihanna proved once again that she is a fashion icon to be reckoned with and as she crooned out basically all of my favorite songs by her, I was barely able to contain myself. She went through renditions of her hits such as Disturbia, Shut up and Drive, Unfaithful, California King Bed, Man Down and Live Your Life. She even had an ode to the late, great Michael Jackson where she wore a black, tailored suit reminiscent of Michael's style paired with an oversized red bow on her collar that made me melt and feel all tingly inside.

The stage sets were just as amazing as the costumes and they provided the perfect backdrop for the performance. Rhianna interacted with the crowd the entire time as she grabbed cameras from fans and took pics of herself, gave lapdances and walked throughh the aisles giving hugs. At one point, she even got on the drums and played them herself. I danced and sang and screamed at the top of my lungs and just when I thought that it could not get ANY better and we were about to leave, she brought out the man himself, Kanye West!!! The crowd was in complete uproar. I myself could hardly breathe and I honestly don't remeber much about the concert after that. Rihanna's mom and grandmother were also in the crowd as she pointed out to us during her thank yous. The show ended with a burst of red, metallic confetti being sprayed into the crowd. It was amazing. Rihanna then finally made her exit looking as beautiful as ever, smilimg and waving to her fans. Totally EPIC!

Here's a few a few of my favorite pics from the night. We had such an amazing time!

Meiling's 'Last Train to San Fernando'

I'm Trinidadian. Born and raised. Meiling is an iconic Trinidadian fashion designer and one of those people whose sense of style is ethereal. I grew up in utter awe of her work from a very young age. In fact, she was the very first fashion designer I knew. I have two very distinct early memories of fashion, the first being watching 'Style with Elsa Klensch' at my grandmother's house and the other being Meiling. I was always a weird, quirky kid. My quirkiness extended into the realm of fashion where I was quite uncommonly interested in the minute and intricate details of clothing. It seemed absurd. I'd get so excited about new pieces and I never really felt as though people around me understood. But Meiling did and I fell in love with her. I hate to sound mushy and sentimental but I absolutely adore her work. I remember being a teenager and walking past her showroom wishing I could meet her. I never thought I could ever own one of her designs but dreams do come true and I was able to purchase one of her dresses last year. The long black and grey stained maxi dress is one of my most prized possessions and even though it was from a line she created for a local, inexpensive retailer I still loved it. I had bought piece of a dream. My grandmother passed away a few months ago and one of my fondest memories is sitting in her living room watching 'Style with Elsa' Meiling is enmeshed somewhere between my perfect childhood and a perfect reality. She's my fashion godmother and I think she is brilliant. My grandmother was the love of my life and in a weird way fashion keeps her memory alive for me. Meiling is lost somewhere in that diaspora. Last Friday Meiling launched her latest collection 'Last Train to San Fernando' and it lived up to every bit of my expectations times a million. And even though I was not fortunate enough to be there, I connected with the collection in an altruistic way. I waited breathlessly to look at the first images of the collection and when they finally appeared I was left awestruck. It was vintage, it was feminine, it was classic Trinidadian, it was island, it was my grandmother, it was beauty and it was brilliant. Sheer genius and I'm still in love after all these years. The collection took me to a very happy place, a good place indeed.

View the complete collection here:
http://trinidadlookbook.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/meilings-last-train-to-san-fernando/

Mod About You!

I had my nails done today at one of my favorite places here in Brooklyn. I've been obsessing over "Mod About You" nailpolish by OPI for a while now and was super excited when I came across the color again while picking out polishes today at the salon. I first tried the modly pale pink polish this past Memorial Day weekend just on my toes and I got so many compliments.  I didn't think that the color would look nice against my dark skin tone at first but I was totally wrong. It looked amazing and I fell in love with it. OPI is definitely one of my favorite nail polish brands because of the high-qualty, long lasting nature of the products and the whimisical names of the nail polishes. I am definitely "Mod About You!"

Bows on Toes!

I'm in L-O-V-E! I recently found what has to be my most favorite pair of flip flops EVER while browsing at Steve Madden. I'm an island girl at heart and flip flops are like lemons in lemonade to us... quite necessary! Summer is my absolute favourite time of year and you will rarely find me out and about without a pair of sandals or flip flops on. I utterly detest the winter for it's harsh, blistering cold especially here in NYC. These flip flop brought my sandal collection to life again this year! If you know me you know that I have a passion for all things pretty and whimsical and these adorable jellies are just magical!