DEAR DENISE

The 80s couldn't have produced a more daring fashionista

than The Cosby Show's Denise Huxtable.

Her outfits of choice for each episode always had me in awe,

and even at times a tad confused. lol

Ethnic printed turbans, overly ruffled tops, oxfords, and funky harem pants

all intermixed with a bit of androgyny are just the tip of the iceberg

of Denise's unpredictable style.

So thank God for Lisa Bonet, Bill Cosby, free spirits and fashion savvy imaginations!

via WhoWhatWear.com

And since we're on the subject of imaginations,

I conjured up a few looks that I think are Huxtable worthy.

Bess badlands baja tasseled suede poncho:: Net-A-Porter

Basic maxi skirt:: Topshop

Suede front-tie waist belt:: Asos

Diane Von Furstenberg octavia wooden wedges:: Net-A-Porter

Animal sequin headband:: Topshop

Spitfire removable lens sunglasses:: Asos

Pepe slit studded bag:: Asos

Retro style slinky style bracelet:: Asos

Draped tuxedo jacket:: Topshop

Snake & bead tunic:: Topshop

Horn button tapered trousers:: Topshop

Feather trilby hat:: Topshop

Leather heeled desert boots:: Asos

Oasis metal sheen graduated fringe necklace:: Asos

Chunky metal ring:: Asos

Felt boater:: Topshop

Netted charms necklace:: Forever 21

Elizabeth & James cheyenne printed silk shirt:: Net-A-Porter

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania philosophy wool plaid skirt:: Net-A-Porter

Black bamboo tights:: Topshop

Double welt stripe ankle socks:: Topshop

Hegyi platform mule buckle detail clogs:: Asos

Owl ring:: Urban Outfitters

Deena & Ozzy architectural reptile satchel:: Urban Outfitters

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

To make the workday a bit more interesting,

the visual merchandising team at my store decided to have dress-up days.

Although customers often look at us crazy for dressing out of the usual F21 norm,

their stares and awkward facial expressions are priceless.

Yesterday marked another creative theme:: 90s grunge.

Although not many of the other associates take part in looking like the

high school rebels that were infamous for smoking cigs and starting fights,

we visuals definitely looked the part.

From left to right: {Top} Jessica, me, Lauren, Nevia, Christina, Victor, Liz,

{Bottom} Joel, Raymond, & Sharon.

Going hand-in-hand with the grunge get up,

all that kept coming to mind was Nirvana and Courtney Love.

So here's hommage to the days where the combination of plaid, Doc Martens, mosh pits and sheep dog-like hair ruled the scene.

DIGITALISM IN CAIRO

Faux gold & black bamboo earrings:: H&M, Multi-chained necklace:: Forever 21, Digital printed shirt w/ back cutout:: Forever 21, Brown woven belt:: Hollister, Boyfriend jeans:: Forever 21, Brown heels:: Reflection

IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

This summer heat is a killer!

Though I'm a Cali girl and I love that it hardly ever rains, sleets, or snows,

there will be no complaints from me when the winter season hits.

While the temperatures in L.A. aren't all that bad,

the heatwaves here in the Inland Empire are unbearable!

Sunblock is almost a complete waste when you're in weather that's 100 degrees and up.

It's too hot to have clothes on, yet it's too hot to wear none at all lol

So on this scorching day since I can't walk around completely bare bodied,

I found a medium of semi-comfort.

Rope feather necklace {worn as headband}:: Forever 21, Navy tube top w/ florals:: Forever 21, Brown woven belt:: Hollister, Levi destroyed denim shorts:: Urban Outfitters, Brown sandals:: Forever 21.

RIDE OR DIE

Words can't express the way my heart almost jumped out of my chest when Kevin called

to tell me he spotted my hand-made bustier on Nicki Minaj

in the August 2010 issue of Black Men Magazine!

Yes ladies and gents, she's rockin' the hell out of my designs! lol

My speech was a bit flustered since I couldn't come up with anything to say,

so I just blurted out a scream of joy instead. lol

And the first chance I got, I rushed down to Barnes & Noble

to snag what came to be their last copy of the mag.

Ms. Harajuku Barbie herself looks quite fierce in her 20-page spread, toting guns and putting the medal to the medal on tricked-out motorcycles.

I must give a HUGE shoutout to my friend and amazing celeb wardrobe stylist Mr. Bradshaw for putting my clothes in good hands!

Aaaah! I'm still excited! lol

Now things can go nowhere but up!

Watch out!!!! ;)

Pictures via Nicki-Minaj.net

LIFE IS A BEACH

Out of a random act of spontanuity, Kevin & I headed down to Venice Beach for some fun in the sun. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and what better way to spend it people watching and grabbing a bite to eat at the Cali hotspot.

Zebra necklace:: Forever 21, Multi-chain necklace:: Forever 21, Green vintage shirt w/ holes:: Vintage vendor, Black strapless bodysuit {worn underneath}:: Forever 21, Leopard print shorts:: Forever 21, Brown woven belt:: Hollister, Brown heels:: Reflection.

LETS GET DOWN IN BARCELONA

Jessica Stam is hands down one of my favorite fashion models.

She's one of the few whose versatility makes her such an eye catcher.

And on top of that, she's GORGEOUS! lol

The Americana folks at Harper's Bazaar snatched her up for their August 2010 issue's colorful Spainish editorial, and with the help of photographer Alex Lubomirski and stylist Clare Richardson, las fotos son perfectas!

Pictures via Fashion Gone Rogue

LAST RESORT

Sometimes I feel like fashion gets a bit ahead of itself. There are so many seasons, at times I get lost in the array of collections and can't keep track! But hey, the more the merrier lol

While the Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer threads are somewhat predictable {in terms of corresponding with the weather}, resort seems to be the wildcard.

It's like that box of chocolates that Forrest Gump rants & raves about:

"you never know what you're gunna get."

While I do love piling on the dark layers in Fall and eventually stripping them off to reveal pops of color by the Summer's time, merging the two extremes together seems to have endless possibilities for a fashion fanatic alike myself.

There are so many designers that inspired me with their renditions of Resort 2011, but these were the collections that took the cake.

Sono.

Alexander Wang.

Michael Angel.

Miu Miu.

Tory Burch.

Emilio Pucci.

Proenza Schouler.

Pictures via Style.com