Shoppers Delight!

Solange Knowles on a recent trip to Barcelona

Left to right: ASOS Rose Print Full Skirt, $46.34, www.asos.com; Bold Floral Pleated Skirt, $17.80, www.forever21.com; Diesel Hibiscus Print Wrap Mini Skirt, $107.84, www.asos.com; Kimchi Blue Lady Bug Skirt, $58, www.urbanoutfitters.com
Left to right: Blurred Pansy Print Egg Skirt, $70, www.topshop.com; Short Floral Skirt by See by Chloe, $332.50, www.shopbop.com; Pleated Flip Skirt, $16.90, www.wetseal.com; Floral Print Bubble Skirt, $40 approx., www.missselfridge.co.uk

Summer is here and it's the only time of year when women over the age of 18 can get away with wearing a mini-skirt. Don't be conventional and wear just denim. Floral prints are in and oh-so-pretty. Take a cue from Solange Knowles (pictured above). She's paired a simple, white wife-beater with a playful, bright skirt to create summer's ultimate laid back 'n' chic look. Gladiator sandals and the perfect pedicure will complete the look.

See my related post on Twitter! - www.twitter.com/ILIKEHERSTYLE

Style Flashback: Phylicia Rashād

Every one's favorite TV mom has probably one of the most accomp- lished yet under- appreciated careers in Hollywood. She more than deserves a "Style Flashback" spotlight. Phylicia Rashād, aka Claire Huxtable, was born in Houston, Texas in 1948. She graduated from Howard University, where she later went back to teach drama. Rashād first became notable on the stage with a string of Broadway credits, including Deena Jones in Dreamgirls (she was Sheryl Lee Ralph's understudy until she left the show in 1982 after Rashad was passed over as Ralph's full-time replacement). Of course, Rashād is best known for her role as attorney Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. She played the no-nonsense mother of five for eight years then later returned to TV comedy in 1996 with CBS's Cosby. Her role in The Cosby Show earned her two Emmy Award nominations. In 2003, she was honored as Woman of the Year by the Harvard Black Men's Forum. In 2005, Rashād received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.) degree from Brown University. Most recently, Rashād became the first African-American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, for her role in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun. I saw this play on opening night and the scene where she discovers that Walter Lee has lost all the father's money brought me to tears. Nowadays you can catch Rashād plugging Jenny Craig diets during commercial breaks, but I personally love watching re-runs of her keeping the Huxtables in check. No one could keep 'em in line like Mrs. Huxtable!

Valerie Jarrett, Desirée Rogers and Susan Rice Strike a Pose

As well as the article below, I also discovered this article in the current issue of Washington, D.C.'s Capitol File magazine. Valerie Jarrett is President Obama's senior advisor (I'm sure you saw photos of her all over the country during the campaign) and Desirée Rogers is of course the White House's Social Secretary. Click here for full interview and more pics.

Below is Susan Rice. The current, and third youngest ever, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Rice is featured in the June 2009 issue of Vogue. You can click here for the full interview and more pics, but below is just a snippet. I don't know about you but I love reading about all these successful women, including Michelle Obama!

At 44, Rice is, in fact, the second-youngest U.S. ambassador to the United Nations since its inception in 1945. (Donald McHenry, appointed in 1979 by Jimmy Carter, was a hair younger.) But Rice is used to being the youngest person at the table. As someone who went to high school with her puts it, "She was always highly respected by adults and seen as a future force to be reckoned with." A Rhodes scholar who earned a doctorate in international relations at Oxford University, Rice joined President Clinton's National Security Council staff in 1993, at the tender age of 28. Within a few years she catapulted over several more senior staffers to become, at 32, the youngest-ever assistant secretary of State. Her accelerated résumé notwithstanding, she seems to be at the beginning of the public phase of what may very well turn out to be one of the more substantial careers in politics.

Desirée Rogers Covers Wall Street Journal Magazine

Desirée Rogers, the White House Social Secretary, covers the latest issue of Wall Street Journal Magazine. For those who don't know, she organizes all the social events at the White House - what an amazing job! She's an old time friend of the Obamas and has had some pretty high profile jobs prior to this one including Chief Marketing Officer for Peoples Energy (now Integrys Energy Group); President of both Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas; and she serves on several Boards. Click here to read the full interview and see photos from her first 100 days at the White House.

Desirée Glapion Rogers is the descendant of a Creole voodoo priestess named Marie Laveau Glapion. The first time I meet her, she welcomes me into her East Wing lair—a rhythm and blues tune plays on a white iPod, a potted white orchid perches between two windows, fresh flowers sit on a heavy wooden desk. This is a woman who never sees a wilted bloom. The 49-year-old turns on just enough Southern charm to camouflage an aura of self-assuredness typically reserved for runway models or first ladies. Wearing a crisp white shirt, black patent flats and high-waisted navy slacks that would look terrible on almost anyone else, Rogers talks about her job as White House social secretary.

If there’s one thing Desirée Rogers and Desirée Rogers’ staff want you to know—and will keep reminding you until you get it—it’s that the president and Michelle Obama plan to open up the White House and once again make it the “people’s house.” They want to create an environment where average Americans might stop by and catch the first lady serving homemade huckleberry cobbler and caramel ice cream to students, tending to the vegetable garden on the South Lawn or watching the romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You” with her girlfriends. The president is, of course, meeting with foreign dignitaries. In one of the most visible roles in the Obama administration, Rogers is out to solidify the first family as one of the most memorable in presidential history, and the Ivy League–educated first lady, in particular, as the most popular mom-in-chief. [Read more]

Above: Rogers works down the hall from Michelle Obama, her friend of nearly 20 years, in the East Wing.

Off The Runway: Iman & Ubah

Just a quick post today. I wanted to share this video of Iman talking with emerging model Ubah Hassan about their home country and the role race plays in fashion. Share your thoughts after watching.

Joy Bryant

Joy Bryant attends the Earth Day event on the Mall on April 19, 2009 in Washington, DC.

During a recent appearance at the "Earth Day" festival, Joy Bryant went au natural and channeled her inner bohemian. Joy isn't afraid to experiment with her style and I love the way she attends high profile events make-up free. Don't be a slave to Hollywood, Ms. Bryant! For tips on how to steal her look scroll below...

Steal Joy's Style

Dress: Paisley Tunic Dress, $44.50, www.alloy.com

Boots: Minnetonka Moccasin, $80, www.piperlime.com

Belt: Jewel & Stud Trim Belt, $15.80, www.forever21.com

Necklace: Faux Pearl Cluster Necklace, $8.80, www.forever21.com

Jacket: Twill 3Q Jacket, $22.80, www.forever21.com

Though the bohemian-gypsy look isn't my thing, Joy has inspired me to try it out. While I may not be able to incorporate Ugg boots into my summer wardrobe (especially here in D.C.), the paisley dresses and hipster belts are doable. If you really want to take this look to a new level wear at least three different lengthed necklaces for a "I just don't care" vibe.

Best of the Rest...

Left to right: Oasis Paisley Print Dress, $78.15, www.asos.com; Pansy Print Corset Dress, $100, www.topshop.com; Ashley Floral Woven Dress, $24.80, www.forever21.com

These floral paisley dresses are perfect for summer and can be dressed up and down. Wear with heels, gladiator sandals or slouchy boots for three completly different looks. My favorite is the Corset Dress from Topshop. So chic!

Get 'Em Girls: Cocktails & Conversation

New York ladies join the Get 'em Girls and Michaela Angela Davis for the launch of "The Get 'Em Girls Guide to the Perfect Get Together". If you love hosting events for your friends and/or family, this book is full of perfect ideas. During the event, conversation, food and of course cocktails will be available in abundance. Visit www.getemgirls.com for more details.

When: Monday, May 18th
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Borders Books & Music, Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Zoe Saldana Covers Latina...

Zoe Saldana is on a non-stop publicity tour for her upcoming movie Star Trek and she made a quick pit stop on the cover of Latina magazine. The online version of Latina is pretty good. I encourage all to check it out here. For snippets of Zoe's interview read below...

ON HER OWN SEXY CONFIDENCE: “Look at me. I’m skinny, I have a big nose, no tits and no ass, but in a room full of beautiful women, I would still leave with the most gorgeous guy.”

ON SHOOTING STEAMY SEX SCENES WITH STAR TREK CO-STAR CHRIS PINE: “There’s nothing sexual about shooting a sex scene, you must know!” she says. “You are sweating your ass off under the lights, or you’re freezing. You’re hungry, or you’re bloated and gassy because they had pizza on the set that day.”

ON HER DREAMS OF WINNING AN OSCAR: “You know that cover that Kate Winslet did for Vanity Fair recently, where she said, ‘You bet your ass I want that Oscar’?” Saldana asks. “Well, it’s the same with me. I’m not going to be like, ‘I just want to be known for my work.’ No, I want that golden statue on my shelf. Whether it happens or not, it will not determine the kind of substance that I feel I contributed. But I want it… Shoot for the stars and I’ll settle for a cloud.”

ON AVOIDING A HOLLYWOOD EGO: “You’ll never see me shopping on Robertson Boulevard or hanging out in super-public spaces like that. I’m fiercely territorial about my privacy. And I cannot follow a crowd,” she says. “I never want to get to the point where I’m walking a red carpet thinking, ‘I’m fabulous.’ At times, Hollywood is going to get the best of you, and you will wake up feeling overconfident. But I have too many people that keep me in check if I fail to do so myself.”

The issue will be out in June/July.

What Say We?... Yay or Nay

Rihanna attends "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2009 in New York City.

By now I'm sure you've all seen the Dolce & Gabbana suit Rihanna wore to the Met's Costume Institute Gala. Much like Estelle's attempt to be eclectic and cutting-edge on the red carpet this look just didn't translate once captured on film. I'm sure she looked "fierce" in person but I'm going to have to give the usually stylish Rihanna a "nay". I know puff-sleeves are all-the-rage right now, but this is overkill.

Have a Little Faith

Items from Faith 21's new line

Apparently 60% of women 18 or over are wearing size 12-plus, yet most fashion stores only stock items up to a size 12/14 max. With "plus size" fashion being an under served yet highly in-demand market, Forever 21 is stepping up to the plate and launching their new line called Faith 21 for women size 12 and over. As a side note I can't understand why being a size 12 is considered "plus size". I'm 5"9 and a size 8/10 and I'm a 'large' in Forever 21!! And let's hope the quality of this new line is a little better. I'd like to be able to put their clothes in the washing machine without fear of them disintegrating.

Anyway, this new line will feature items similar to other Forever 21 clothing lines, including flirty dresses, trendy tops, skirts, jeans and basics such as T-shirts, camisoles, tanks and leggings (see above pics for a sample). The target customer is age 15 to 29. Prices will range from $3.80 to $29.80. Look out for the launch later this month. The line will be available in some of the chain’s new or mall locations, but it will not be stocked at the Michigan Avenue flagship store, at least not immediately.

The Sleeves Have It

Beyonce arrives at the premiere of Cadillac Records held at The Egyptian Theater on November 24, 2008 in Hollywood, California.

Veronica Webb attends the opening night celebration of the New York City Ballet at David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln CenterNew York, November 25, 2008

Paula Patton arrives at 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center, Los Angeles on February 8, 2009

Puffed up sleeves seem to be all the rage these days. If you thought you'd left pink, frilly, puff-sleeved birthday dresses behind you think again. Now you can wear them in black for the after party. Take your cue from Beyonce, Veronica and Paula. They prove that any trend can be modernized. The sleeves definitely have it. See below for some inspiration.

My Picks!

Left to right: Chetta B Lace & Taffeta Dress, $525, www.saksfifthavenue.com; Juicy Couture Short Puff Sleeve Waisted Shell, $298, www.revolveclothing.com; ELLA MOSS Agnes Puff Sleeve Dress in Heather Grey, www.revolveclothing.com

Left to right: Lamé shift dress by Rue Du Mail, $2000, www.brownsfashion.com; Noreen dress coat by Beyond the Valley, $168, www.farfetch.com; Silk Puff Sleeve Dress, $42, www.forever21.com/twelve

Big isn't always better. So if you're apprehensive about donning voluminous sleeves, opt for dresses with subtler "puffs". This look is great for those who want to take a little risk with their style choices but not look too fashion conscious. My favorite has to be green dress from Forever 21's "Twelve by Twelve" line. For $42, you simply can't go wrong!

Video from Beyonce on the Vogue Shoot...

Beyonce Covers Vogue Magazine

Isn't this wonderful? Vogue has put Beyonce on the April 2009 issue of Vogue magazine making it two black women to be featured consecutively on the cover (last month was Michelle Obama). Look out for Bey on the cover of the iconic magazine's annual 'shape' issue looking nothing short of fabulous. The headline you'll notice reads, "Real Women Have Curves" - does this mean that Vogue is making a conscious effort to include more realistic images of women amongst its pages? I doubt it. But this is a nice gesture. Be sure to pick up your copy when it comes out next month.