PURE NIRVANA

 Despite the bipolar weather, this past weekend was pretty sweet. Kevin and I headed over to Downtown L.A. to share a vending booth with some of my photography friends at the Artwalk. Aside from the fact that a pedestrian got hit by a car that had jumped the curb, it was a pretty cool day. I made a nice chunk of change at my Urban Legends Vintage booth and had tons of fun in the meantime. If I wasn't on my business woman tip, I would have taken tons of pictures of all of the swaggerific guys and gals that came by. As for all of you So Cal fashion lovers, my store will have a booth at the Inland Empire's very own Funky Fresh Flea in Riverside. I'll keep you all updated with the deets, so be on the lookout!

GRAND OPENING!!!! URBAN LEGENDS VINTAGE

After plenty of crazy nights and stress that would make most people yank their hair out, 

I am extremely proud to say that the time has finally come, ladies and gents:

Urban Legends Vintage is officially open for your shopping pleasure!

And in lieu of our grand opening, 

we're offering FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS to anyone in the U.S!

From custom-made denim cutoffs for the fashion savvy gals to rare vintage duds for the dudes,

Urban Legends is the place to make your wardrobe ultra-cool.

CLICK HERE to grab some dope threads before they're all gone!

Follow Urban Legends on Twitter and Facebook!

SUMMER SUMMER SUMMERTIME

It has been a strenuous task trying to find clothes that are cool--in a fashionable and beat the heat sense. 

I'm all for layering, but this summer heatwave that is currently scorching So Cal is trying its hardest to cramp my style. So as a tip for those of you who want to stay looking chic while not having to suffer from being drenched in sweat, I recommend pairing lightweight items with one another. This will make for awesome layering and will still leave you looking stylish. While sunscreen and plenty of water are both summer essentials, getting your hands on some colorful, airy items is a must this summer!

OUTTA HERE, OFF TO SOMEWHERE

Graduating college is quite bittersweet. While there's the burden of student loans and "real world" pressure to land a good job, there is also a heightened sense of excitement within me for what is to come. 

That dreaded mantra of a question, "What are you going to do now?", is all that I've been hearing 

these past few weeks since my tassel switched over from the right to the left. 

To be honest, I don't know what tomorrow holds.... and as stressful as this may be for some, I love it, because it leaves open the door of endless possibilities. The only blueprint of a plan that I have drafted is that I am moving to New York (pending my savings account significantly increases in the next few months). And from there, whatever happens happens. 

In the meantime, I've been chilling. lol I haven't been completely idle, considering that I've been hunting for jobs like crazy. But my day-to-day has primarily been spent trying out new foods, reading, and working on the launch of my own online vintage boutique. So as of now, I'm just living. Taking things as they come and using all of this free time on my hands to do the things that I've been dying to do is truly liberating. No more all nighter study sessions, lengthy and seemingly senseless readings, and all of the other things that college students have hovering over them. So it is farewell to the routine-ridden quarters as a student and hello to the unpredictably innovative days as a graduate. :)

SHE IS BETTER THAN HE

I love giving masculine pieces a feminine touch.

 It's always cool to flirt with the gender boundaries when it comes to fashion--sex change surgeries, mmmm not so much.

This So Cal weather is constantly fluctuating, so I decided to do it up with the layering

 and incorporate a few menswear-inspired pieces.

THAT GIRL'S GOT STYLE!:: SOLANGE KNOWLES

One of my biggest style/beauty/everything else inspirations is Solange Knowles, so you can imagine how excited I was to finally see her as Who What Wear's Girl of the Month! As a WWW intern, I got an early peak into the fashion closet to see all of the amazing Solange-inspired frocks, and I must say, I am very pleased with the selections of today's GOTM story!

No matter the scene, Solange always manages to turn heads. Whether rocking ethnocentric duds from Boxing Kitten, looking incredibly chic with a funky turban wrap--which has become her style staple and has caused a trend frenzy--or piling on layers that still show simplicity, Solange has got this entire fashion flair in the bag. She's extraordinarily daring and is a usual subject of high-brow critics....But you know what they say, if they're talking about you, you must be doing something right.

While the industry can tend to turn a blind eye to the concept of diversity and shut out people of color who are overflowing with creativity, it's so awesome to see a trendsetter like Solange be able to transcend all boundaries! It is 2011, so you would think that racial ignorance would be diminished by now, but sadly, it still rears its ugly head. However, I'm so glad that Who What Wear isn't all about the color of your skin, but is more obsessed with the funky clamor of one's closet! In this industry, fashion is what we all have in common, regardless of anything else, and I'm so relieved that I work for a company who embraces that! :)

Bravo Ms. Sol-Angel! :)

THIS THING CALLED LIFE

For starters, I'd like to give a big HELLO to all of you new readers!!!!!

It wasn't until now that I actually realized I haven't posted anything in quite some time.

Online outlets like Twitter, Facebook, and even Blogger can cause us to get so caught up in the

 "who has the most followers" hype that we miss the point of it all....that is, if there is actually a point. lol

I've noticed lately that the blogosphere has gradually shifted from my outlet of expression to a burden,

where the organic drive to post whatever inspires me or comes to mind seems to suddenly be irrelevant.

Writing has never been this way for me, which is why I guess I've been on a bit of a hiatus.

I needed some time to breathe, to collect my thoughts and not get sucked into the tech-obsessed world that is such a huge part of our culture.

As crazy as it may sound, I've actually noticed a lot of personal growth that has occurred

 in this pull back from social media......and I like it. lol

I've had the opportunity to actually get things done!....even though my procrastination with homework is still a challenge I have yet to completely overcome.

I was surprised at the internal growth that resulted in me stepping away from my Macbook--and Blackberry.

The pressures surrounding the fact that I am graduating from college next month were the icing on the cake.

I've been searching like crazy to find a job, and have had no luck thus far.

But, optimism is key, which is why I've been strongly considering moving to NYC.

I'm in dyer need of a change of scenery. 

Don't get me wrong: I love California.

But I don't want to be that bitter granny who regrets never making the ballsy move to the Big Apple.

If I have kids--and even grandkids--I want to have remarkable stories about my youthful ventures,

even if they're all tales of incredible failure; at least I can say that I did it! :)

So that's where I'm at right now, getting things in order and going for the gusto.

Stay along for the ride.

W MAGAZINE: KALEIDOSCOPIC HIP POP EDITORIAL

Stylist, Lori Goldstein + W magazine = Stellarly fantabulous. {Yes, I just made that up. lol}

The crazy mix of textures and colors makes the model seem to pop right off the page. This topsy turvy editorial  is a perfect culmination of Spring fashion.

And although this spread is set to hit newsstands tomorrow, I figured I'd share my 

early scoop discovery with you!

CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE: SPRING/SUMMER BEAUTY LOOKS FOR WOMEN OF COLOR

I've been wanting to try my hand at experimenting with color combos that have been dancing around in my head all Winter, and what better time to give them a try than amidst this amazing Cali weather! I've been anticipating buying some new beauty products--lipsticks, nail polishes, and eye shadows in particular. I've never been much of a glamazon when it comes to make-up because I've always felt it should enhance your beauty rather than define it. However, I've always been a fan of the fabulousness of it all.

As a young woman of color, it's hard to find shades that appeal to my dark skin tone. Although I like mainstream beauty editorials, I do believe that at times, they can be a bit unrealistic and unable to cross cultural boundaries. If you're just as obsessed with fashion magazines as I am, this lack of universal appeal can be depressing and irritating at the same time. lol Yet oddly enough, when I spotted this editorial from Harper's Bazaar Singapore, I felt as if the make-up artist snatched some of my ideas right out of by brain when I wasn't looking! lol Although the  model, Rudi, is much more fairer skinned, her beauty looks are phenomenal and can work for women of all shades! Deep purples, bright pinks, and shimmery corals, all paired with sultry lux shades that vamp up the eyes. AAH! I can't wait to try them!!

HIDDEN ALLEYWAYS

After a long day of interning, I drove down this random alley in an effort to dodge the street traffic 

and discovered this great spot for a quick photo op!

Although there were a few sketchy prowlers that made their way by me as my camera was snapping away, 

I still managed to nab these awesome shots.

But once I caught a glimpse of the LAPD making their way toward me, I jumped in my car! lol

Not because I was afraid of them....but because I was afraid of hefty price of getting a ticket, 

since L.A. cops are known for being sticklers about giving ridiculously priced fines for photography.