Vogue Black

Okay I may be late to the game but I did not know that Vogue Italy had a website for all things black! Yay!!
I know their issue dedicated to Black models, designers etc back in 2008 was a big hit, but I had no idea it has spawned it's own website.

It's really refreshing to see a high end publication interview people of African descent who have  contributed gloriously to the fashion industry for decades, as well as newbies who are killin' it right now. Personally, I get tired of flipping through Bazaar, ELLE etc. and seeing women who look nothing like me.  Not that my sisters aren't ever featured, I would just like to see a more balanced approach. 

Enjoy Vogue Black if it's your first time.  A trip to Italy is on my bucket list. I've always heard they are more receptive to my skin tone so the fact that this was their idea makes total sense. I'm just sayin'....

http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black

What is Style?

Style is something that your born with. 

It's not necessarily related to fashion.

There's women who HAVE style and then there's women who FOLLOW fashion.

Every six months fashions change but style is something you are born with, it's constantly within the person.

quoted from Giovanni Battaglia, fashion stylist

My sentiments exactly Ms.Battaglia...

Culture and Style via The NY Times

I LOVE Brooklyn.  Not just because I was born and raised there but because of the transformation that has/is happening all around.  Over the last 10 years it's attracted even more stylish, eccentric, cultured individuals that have fostered a wealth of new businesses that I love.

The NY Times is doing a video series in its Fashion section entitled "Intersection: Where Culture Meets Style".  The first installment interviews a stylist on the corner of Dekalb & Carlton Avenues in BK.  I agree wholeheartedly with her take on personal style. Check it out...

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/05/07/style/100000001526767/intersection-where-culture-meets-style.html

Your working those stilettos girl!

Darn my back problems!! But if I could, I would wear heels every day. There's something about slipping into a high heeled shoe that gives a woman automatic confidence. Your posture changes, your chin rises upward, it's a beautiful thing.

I wore a pair of heels walking through NYC the other night and between the slanted streets and cracked sidewalks, I was a mess. I remember a time when I wore heels to work all day, then out to dinner and home afterwards with no problem!  I think that as we get older, we lose the muscle strength in our upper legs and core of our bodies.  That's the essence behind Jane Ambrose's high heel workout. Check it out...

I bet you if I started working out again, I'd regain my strut plus all the other benefits of exercise. 

I'm not committing to anything but we'll see...

My Style

It was B-E-A-Utiful in NYC this past weekend!  I thought bright colors were quite fitting.
And I must pat myself on the shoulder because I paid $5.00 for the skirt (Old Navy) and $10.00 for the blouse (vintage).  Sshhh dont tell anybody ;)

(Jacket is H&M and shoes are Michael Kors)
You can find similar ones here http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=Promo_Summer_Short_Suit&ProductID=2087532858&VariantID=
and here http://www.amiclubwear.com/shoes-heels-pf-megan-11orangepat.html

Maxi skirts in the warm weather.... TIMELESS.

Bring the Outdoors In With Flowers

My love affair with flowers began as a little girl.  I would enter any one's front yard and attempt to pick their flowers, AS IF I had permission.  There's something about their beauty that makes me smile.  And I'm sure it's the same for you.  That why I believe in having flowers or plants in your home at all times. 

You don't need design skills for your arrangements if you keep it simple, using the same flower type per vase.

Like my bathroom..

Or my kitchen..

My bedroom nightstand.. (baby's breath in a glass bowl is inexpensive and chic)

And on my living room end table, one large tropical leaf makes a big statement.

You can buy your vases from thrift stores or the home section in stores like Marshalls or TJMAXX.  And your flowers from your local flower shop or supermarket.

Bring the outdoors into your home.  Its good for your soul to look at natural beauty each day.
Home design trends change. But flowers in your home: TIMELESS.

An alternative to skinny jeans

I adore wide leg pants, always have.  One of my favorite outfits as a teenager was a polyester silk, black and silver print, palazzo pant jumpsuit, that my mom sewed for me. Similar to this one minus the sash.

My "go to" jeans are a pair of wide leg denim I bought from JCrew a couple of years back. Very similar to these...http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12330286&CAWELAID=1157729331


Well I've had a pair of wide leg trousers or dress pants on my wish list for a while now and guess what I found at Old Navy today! 

A pair just like these in a camel-ish color.  And the price was right...$3.41That Old Navy rack is so messy sometimes you don't want to be bothered, but have patience. They do a pretty good job of keeping sizes together, so go straight to your section with focus. I do an Old Navy sale rack drive-by about once every other month.   Usually for inexpensive accessories but their pants fit me pretty well (love my Old Navy corduroys).

My tip for today: Add a pair of wide leg pants to your closet. They're perfect for that in between event where you don't want to dress up, but your afraid to dress down. Check out these looks below.

Wide leg pants never go out of style, they're TIMELESS.

The Fashion Oscars

The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute hosts a Gala every year that has been nicknamed the "Fashion Oscars".  Celebrities of all types gather in their best attire, to be seen and photographed.  It reminds me of a King's Royal Ball.  What I appreciate most about this event, like the Oscars and Golden Globes is the formal attire.  I think celebrities should dress with class and distinction.  Awards shows and galas are not the time to wear a ridiculous costume, but a time to show off one's etiquette. 

Here are a couple of my faves from the event. 

Amber Heard.  Beautiful color, gorgeous rich fabric, tailored fit and pouf detailing in the back for a bit of drama.

Dianna Agron.  Classic tousled hair, nude lips, smoky eyes, ethereal dress in unexpected teal green. Delightful!

Love this dress on Jessica Biel, sssooo sophisticated!  Pale pink satin with emerald green embroidery, satin clutch, satin shoes.  I'm usually not one for "matchy-matchy" but for formal attire it's best to play it smart and subtle.  One wrong move can throw your whole joint off!

Last but most certainly not least, my girl Solange. I enjoyed her look MUCH better than her sisters. For the record, I'm not a Beyonce hater, but her dress was borderline sleazy to me. (I will not post it here, google it fuh yuhself!)  This yellow beauty complemented her coloring so well and the peplum and mermaid skirt gave her a lovely silhouette.  Check out her clutch and cuff....

See what I'm sayin'?!... Simple dress, stand out color, gorgeous accessories.  Solange almost always does it for me. 

And all of these dresses are what?  TIMELESS.

Timeless style is True style

Hear ye! Hear ye! Welcome one, welcome all to my new blog. A place where you'll enjoy the beauty of style and be inspired to live your authentic life.

I named this blog Timeless is Style not only because Style is Timeless was taken, by someone who's not even using it mind you! but I digress.. but because I've always been passionate about all things chic and stylish and would love to share my point of view with you all.

Timeless style is True Style because it doesn't follow trends. It doesn't allow the world's definition of "what's in" to dictate how you express yourself. It's practical because you invest in pieces that can be worn/used for all seasons, though in different ways. We are called to be a peculiar people. Besides who the heck wants to walk around looking like everyone else all the time???!! Okay maybe that's just me...

I've struggled with writing this blog because I've always wondered if caring about style was too self-absorbed. But I've since learned 1st- not to care so much about others opinion of me and 2nd- to trust the inherent gifts that God has given me and believe that they can be used to help others.

I promise to blog frequently, if you promise to read and comment often :)

For now, have a look at some examples of timeless, eclectic fashion pieces. Enjoy!