CHOP CHOP

Cream && gold earrings:: Forever 21

Gold chained necklace:: Forever 21

Acid wash denim vest:: Forever 21

Lavender ring:: Francesca's Collections

"Dawn of a New Era" racerback tee:: Urban Outfitters

Black studded bangle:: H&M

Black reptile leggings:: American Apparel

{Not pictured} Cheetah/Leopard flats:: Reflection Shoes

I just realized that this is officially

the last photo I have of myself pre-haircut!!!

YesYesYa'll!

I did it!: new haircut && everything! :)

I know you're probably thinking "Jeez, it's about time she got her hair done!" lol

But with money being pretty low,

I've been lacking in the fresh hair do department for a little while now.

It has been LONG overdue, but I'm back to my spunky self,

with flourescent fuschia bangs and mohawk! lol

Gold hoop earrings:: Forever 21

Gold chained necklace:: Forever 21

Electric yellow racerback tee:: Forever 21

Black sequined vest:: H&M

Small black purse with beaded detail:: Forever 21

Black studded bangle:: H&M

Destroyed denim jeans:: random store in NYC

Cheetah/Leopard flats:: Reflection Shoes

Class is in session

Schools in, yaaaay!! {unenthusiastic voice} lol

As much as I've been dying for school to start, I'm beginning to regret those thoughts now lol

Classes are officially underway and I'm already over it all hahahaha!

I mean, college IS all about higher education and whatnot,

but all in all,

I've only been looking forward to seeing all of my friends,

having those late night "study" sessions {or lack thereof lol},

and experiencing new things.

Yet as much as I complain about how dreadful Riverside is,

it feels good to be back.

On another note,

my friends from Major Hype had an event on Saturday

and invited me to join them.

They set me up with a few representatives from Vogue {yes, VOGUE!!!!}

who were interested in viewing my line.

After much constructive criticism,

I walked away with plenty of new knowledge about how I can take my

fashion designing goals to the next level.

As of now, I'm in the process of finalizing garments for a M.J. tribute/fashion show

that'll be at my school at the end of next month!

{I'll dish the details once they're finalized.}

So you know that includes plenty of sequins and bedazzling of things ;) lol

Dear Summer

When reading consistent tweets, blog posts, and articles about

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this year,

you tend to get a bit envious of all of the lucky fashion goers

that've been granted access to the industry's most anticipated event.

{..or maybe that's just me lol}

Not only have I been itching with anxiety to view all of the collections,

I've been looking forward to doing some serious shopping as the fall season arrives.

Here's a handful of items that I definitely have to have in my closet

by the time this summer heat ends.

On a little side note, I just moved into my new apartment!!!!

It feel sooooo good to have a place to call your own,

and this is definitely the greatest step I can take toward Mz. Independent Road lol

I'm STILL unpacking {even though I moved in on Saturday},

and I'm whipping up a handful of new creations for my line.

I can finally spread out and get to cuttin' && sewin', rather than being annoyed at my mom yelling at me for leaving patterns and fabric pieces in the middle of the living room floor lol

Once I get completely settled in, I'll give you all a peek into my humble abode :)

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION

Sheesh!

I feel like it's been FOREVER since I've last posted.

My laptop has been acting up lately,

so I haven't really been able to fill you all in on what's been going on!

A friend of mine recently contacted me about an opportunity to

put some pieces from my line in an upcoming short film.

After a few e-mails and meetings,

I was offered to contribute my pizazz to the movie!!!!

The short film is directed by Brandon Hammond, who back in the day played Big Mama's favorite grandson in the film, Soul Food, alongside Nia Long, Mekhi Phifer, Vivica A. Fox, and Vanessa Williams. The producer of the film {who will be acting in it as well} is the very funny & talented Jermaine Williams, who has played in numerous films such as

The Great Debaters, Stomp the Yard, && Fat Albert.

We all met last nite at the Cantina Lounge in Fullerton

{FYI the "kick it" spot for CSUF college kids}.

We talked about my goals for my line, how I got started with sewing&&designing,

and of course, we discussed all of the nooks && crannies of the film.

I can't speak too much about the plot because I highly doubt that I'm allowed to

dish ALL of the details lol,

but the gist of it revolves around issues that teens go through

during their high school experience.

Just reading the first scene from the script had me perk up in my seat! lol

I believe that filming begins this weekend, && I'm more than excited to be behind the scenes and see the final product of everything once it's all put together!

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD

I have the best friends EVER!

On Labor Day,

I headed to "the Riv" {aka Riverside}

to visit my amigas Cate && Brittany!

It was the first time I'd seen them all summer due to my crazy/busy schedule

full of interning at CLD, styling photo shoots, & working on my own line.

We did A LOT of catching up,

went to the mall for a lil' window shopping,

and took a dip in the pool.

As we enter our 3rd year of being college kids at UC Riverside,

I'm glad that I have these chicks around!

They keep me sane && laughing,

and I don't know where I'd be if I never stayed in the

"West Lo" dorms on the fabulous hall of B2 my freshman year :)

I loved Brit's outfit so I had to snap a quick pic of her.

I don't know why she was acting camera shy

because any other time,

she's posing away! lol

P.S.:: I've turned her into a F21 ADDICT!!!! hahaha

Black sunnies:: Forever 21

Black cardigan:: Forever 21

Multi-colored floral top:: Forever 21

Fuschia shorts:: Target

Brown thong sandals:: Forever 21

As soon as I seen these glasses layin' around,

I couldn't help but put them on! lol

Normally when you have bangs, there's an automatic part in your hair

that causes you to constantly have to swoooop that bang to a particular side.

I told Brit how I was getting bored with my hair

when she randomly suggested that I try making my

red-ish/pink bangs switch sides.

So I did....and I loved it!

I showed you all a few styles I may be going for when I get my hair done again,

and I thought I'd have to cut my bangs short,

yet I think I'll keep 'em the same length.

What do ya think??

Gold hoop earrings:: Forever 21

Gold chain necklace:: Forever 21

Vintage multi-colored crop top:: thrifted

Purple ring:: Forever 21

Teal bangle:: Forever 21

Black woven belt:: Forever 21

Ash grey/black skinnies:: Forever 21

{Not pictured} Red flats:: a gift from Brit!

Im KOOL like that

I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to have relationships

with soooo many fantastic people!

When you have an undeniable love for something,

it's very humbling when others can see your passion for your craft

from a mile away! lol

That's how I felt when my newfound friend/make-up artist Delia approached me for

an opportunity to help style a shoot for Exclusive Entertainment's Golden Girls

using designs from my line, Kooley Designs!

The Golden Girls are a group of hot tamales that represent Exclusive Ent.

Kristy, Shahde, Alyssa, Brittini, & Cristina

rocked every fit and the pictures turned out very well!

I was hoping that the photographer would've forked out waaaay more photos,

but until he does,

I can definitely work with these lol ;)

LAND OF THE FREE

Once again, I put Kev's so called "photography skills" to the test! lol

&& I'm all about "tellin' it like it T.I.-is" {as my grandma would say hahah},

so I must admit that he did a pretty good job.

Considering the fact that this beyond sweltering heat in Southern Cali makes me feel icky

when I have a buncha layers on,

I decided to keep it cool yet funky w/ my favorite cropped top.

Honestly, it didn't make much of a difference lol but hey, it was worth a try.

The weather actually didn't cool down until I got to Kev's house that night

after a lonnng day of interning at Chic Little Devil.

Stupid global warming :/

White U.S.A crop tee:: Urban Outfitters

Silver necklaces:: Forever 21

Black, silver-studded belt:: Forever 21

Red acid wash skinnies:: Forever 21

Black booties:: sum random store :)

P Y T

I have to start of by saying, "Well, we're movin' on up!!!" lol

i-D Magazine's September 2009 cover is such a breath of fresh air for me.

It's really been a long time coming for African Americans in many avenues of our society,

but especially in fashion.

The absence of the ethnicities and nationalities that our world has to offer

is very common on the runway, in magazines,

and in every other realm of the industry.

However, change has taken its course and credit is FINALLY being given where it's due! lol

I'm so thrilled that i-D chose the P.Y.T's

Jourdan Dunn, Sessilee Lopez, Arlenis Sosa, && Chanel Iman

to be the front face of the magazine.

Not to mention, the editorial spread on the inside of the mag is flabbergasting! haha

These photos definitely say a mouthful to all of those who have

doubted, shunned, && turned the other cheek

against the painfully obvious integrity that African Americans possess.

WAKE UP && SMELL THE OBAMA! hahahhahah

These are undoubtedly THE flyest, fiercest {and my favorite} models in the industry.

Congrats ladies!

Here's a video I found of a behind-the-scenes peek into the making of i-D's September cover.

A lil sumthin sumthin

Remember when I told you all about when I helped style the unique group, The Stunners?!?!

Well...{drum roll please lol}

Here's the photos!!!!!!!!!

Photographers Smallz & Raskind

{who have photographed the likes of Hayden Panetierre, Jada Pinkett Smith, Audrina Patridge,

supermodel Selita Ebanks, and more, more, MORE!}

did what they do best, && the girls look fantastic!

Major kudos to Hayley, Marisol, Tinashe, Lauren, && Allie

for being such a pleasure to work with! :)

AND, special thanks to Rebecca from CLD for asking me to help her out at the shoot.

EXTREME COUTURE

Okay, let's be real:

there's NO WAY in this world that I could've gone 2 seconds without posting about Rihanna's {excuse me} kick ass 20-pager in Italian Vogue!!!

This 21 year old fashion forward chick is definitely reigning supreme as she powerfully takes her place on the "Yeah, I'm the sh**" throne! lol

I can't even begin to describe the jolt of excitement that I felt when I first laid eyes on the cover over the weekend.

And now that the September issue is out&about, I felt like jumping up and down when I seen how phenomenal Steven Klein depicted the Barbadian beauty.

I'm speechless! lol

Any that any words that describe how she's lookin' in these photos is an understatement!

So, I'll shut up && let the pix do the talking. ;)