that extra sparkle

After recently visiting a handful of local vintage/thrift stores here in the Riverside area,

I realized that I have a newfound love for sequins.

Although many may associate sequins with those gaudy holiday sweaters

that old ladies seem to love, I beg to differ.

These days, sequins can add that extra chic sparkle to any fit.

I found a handful of my favorite finds that I plan on buying asap.

Here's a French Connection multi-colored, sequined dress that I bought a while ago from Marshall's {I know right! lol}. I was supposed to wear this dress this past New Year's but as you can see, it's still packaged && fresh. Despite the fact that this dress has been chillin' in my closet for a few months, it's probably my favorite item in my closet.

EGOtistical

This afternoon when browsing through my daily must-read sites on fashion, music, && gossip, I came across Beyonce's new video for her song entitled "Ego" from her latest album, "I Am...Sasha Fierce." Although her lyrics are a nothing but OBVIOUS metaphoric reference to her hubby Jay-Z's....well, ya know{lol}, I still love the song! As awkward as it is for me to think

about Hov's "ego" parts {which I'd rather not}, Beyonce amazes me once again with the fierce movements of her "too big" hair and "too long" legs; not to mention, the choreography is AMAZiNG {as always}. I especially liked the sparkled romper that managed to complement her hourglass figure and gave me flashbacks to American Apparel bodysuits that I've recently spotted and plan to one day explore.

VANITY SWAG

When?: Sometime this past week.

Where?: Thee dorm, headed to class.

Silver hoop earrings:: My mom lol

Silver multi-chained necklace:: F21

Black leather jacket:: local store, Styles 4 Less

White burnout tee/dress:: F21

Black rocker belt w/ silver studs:: F21

Black tights 'n boots:: F21

Busy as a bee

Sheesh!

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

I had 2 midterms last week && have been sewing like crazy in my dorm room for this upcoming fashion show that I am going to be featured in at the end of this month. These past few days have been sooooo hectic with school lately, but as always, I manage to pull everything together and get everything on my forever growing "To Do List" done at last!

Here's my agenda for this week, in no particular order

{&& today's only Monday! lol}::

-Submit my fashion column for the school newspaper for this week's issue

-Interview for a 944 Magazine fashion internship {fingers X'ed!}

-Bio homework

-Meet with my group in my environmental science class for our group project

-Spanish homework

-Sew, sew && do even more sewing!

-Find some fierce models for ANOTHER fashion show I'm going to be in at the beginning of next month

-Clean my room ..ugh

-Figure out what does it take to get a business license

-Meet with a local screen printing company to get quotes on a few of my t-shirt designs

-Get a car wash! haha..yea, the mobile dust bunny isn't really a good look .lol.

-Plan a "make your own t-shirt" program for the residents in my hall

whew!

Somehow, I'll finish all of this by the end of this week.

/s i g h/ the life of a multi-tasker! lol

VANITY SWAG

When?: Yesterday {Mother's Day! :) }, headed back to Riverside :/

Where?: En zi car.

Earrings && Necklace:: F21,

Indigo racerback burnout tank:: F21,

Braided multi-colored belt:: thrifty,

Vintage destroyed Levi shorts:: UO

{Not Pictured}:: Bronze tie-up Gladiator Sandals:: Target

VANITY SWAG

When?: Last Thursday, headed out the door to go apartment hunting

Where?: Thee dorm.

Straw Hat:: F21, Earrings && Bracelet:: F21,

Green Heart Pendant Necklace:: don't remember lol

Yellow 'n white pinstriped button-down:: F21, Vintage destroyed Levi shorts:: UO

Vintage bungee cord belt:: thrifty, Oversized brown clutch:: F21, Gold sandals:: don't remember {again..sorry!}

Match MET in Heaven

As much as I would have LOVED to be another one of the many who attended

The Costume Institute's "Model As Muse" Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in New York last night,

I guess all I can do is drool over the eye-popping fashions that many of the industry's finest struck poses in

along the red carpet.

Although I have dreams && aspirations of one day gaining enough stature within the fashion industry that

people are practically begging me to go to these extravagant events,

all I can do for now is remain in awe. lol ;)

I had to post what were {in my opinion} THE best looks that dared to hit the carpet at the Met Gala.

From Louis V to Zac Posen && {of course} the honorary Marc Jacobs,

fashion once again made it a night to remember.

left: The dapper Proenza Schouler masterminds Lazaro Hernandez && Jack McCollough with the forever-fierce Raquel Zimmerman rockin' their design. right: Anne Hathaway looking gorgeous in Marc Jacobs.

left: Emma Roberts in a mermaid-like Atelier Versace dress. right: Flavia De Oliveira && Chanel Iman in Zac Posen.

right: Sessilee Lopez in Zac Posen {s i g h..I LOVE it!}.

left: Ivanka Trump sportin' a design of her very own.

left: Selma Blair wearing Marc Jacobs. right: 3's a charm with designer Rachel Roy {middle} pictured with Lakshmi Menon && Joy Bryant, all wearing her designs.

left: My FAV designer Phillip Lim pictured with Doutzen Kroes in one of his dazzling designs. right: Cleopatra's comin' at ya' in Tommy Hilfiger..oh wait, that's Katy Perry. lol

left: Leighton Meester's fit by Louis Vuitton is definitely gossip worthy. right: Elegant yet sassy, Kerry Washington looks amazing with Daniel Lalonde in Louis Vuitton.

left: Jessica Alba in blue hues designed by Jason Wu {Hey, that kinda rhymes! lol}. right: John Demsey with Hilary Rhoda, in Thakoon.

left: Gilles Mendel && Heidi Klum glowing in his design. right: Sasha Pivovarova makes peacocks look chic as she wears Giambattista Valli's design.

left: Opposites attract as Erin Wasson goes for the rocker chic look in Phi, while Lady Amanda Harlech keeps it classic in Chanel Haute Couture.

right: Elizabeth Hurley in an Elie Saab Couture dress.

left: Coco Rocha goes "Greecian Goddess" in Isaac Mizrahi's design.

right: idk who Alek Wek is wearing, but who cares?! She looks AMAAAZING! This is my favorite look of the night, hands down.

Agyness Deyn looks quite glamorous with the legendary Twiggy,

both in Burberry Prorsum.

VANITY SWAG

When?: This evening, headed for dinner && a movie w/ mi BF Kev

Where?: The Dorm. Duh!

Earrings:: My grandma, Necklace & Bracelet:: F21,

Mustard Cardigan:: Nordstrom, Abstract Printed Dress & Bronze Belt:: Francesca's Collections, Bronze Tie-up Gladiator Sandals:: Target

VANITY SWAG

When?:: Last night, headed for my lovely friend Dominique's bachelorette party

Where?:: my dorm room

Teal strapless top:: designed && made by yours truly :) , Belt:: F21, Fierce Leopard Pants:: H&M, Black strappy n' studded heels:: Reflections, Jewelry:: F21.

iNSPiRATiON

Thursday evening, I happened to check my e-mail and was notified that People Magazine's Jessica Herndon would be coming to my school to speak.

I grabbed my little red notebook {full of notes I've jotted down from encounters with fashion greats like Phillip Lim, Rachel Roy, Amy Astley & many more from my trip to Teen Vogue's "Fashion University" event this past Fall} along with an ink pen and rushed onto campus.

Jessica discussed her journey as a journalist and how she came to her esteemed position as a music writer for People magazine. As a former UC Riverside student, the bay area native knew that Los Angeles was the place to be to pursue her interest in entertainment. To get a jump start on her career aspirations, Jessica has interned & worked at various places, like that of MTV and Riverside's own Black Voice News. After finally landing at People Magazine, Jessica has covered countless concerts, attended a variety of listening parties, and is the red carpet go-to-girl for shows like MTV's VMAs, the Grammys, and the American Music Awards. She has interviewed some of my favorite celebs of the entertainment world like Victoria & David Beckham, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Chris Brown, Ne-yo, Will & Jada, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, and LL Cool J. The list of her accomplishments and celeb encounters goes on and on and on! lol

Jessica was a HUGE help to me in really putting into perspective where I want to be in the future and she exemplifies that at the dull, boring, and uneventful world of UC Riverside, there is hope beyond the belltower! :)

{I can kick myself for not bringing my camera with me to snap a flick of Jessica & myself, buuuut I didn't :/ }