Paying Our Respect to Elizabeth Taylor

For those of you who don't know, we lost a beauty icon Wednesday due to congestive heart failure. Not only was she known for her amazing talent in the show biz, but we can also remember her for her timeless fragrances named after gemstone of which she treasured (White Diamonds being one of her most popular) and her stylish fashions. A star by age 12, Taylor was known for many motion  pictures. Some of her most admired works included Giant, Raintree Country, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Although she did not win an Oscar for these films, she did take home two in her lifetime from both Butterfield 8 (1960) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe? (1966). WIth a life full of love affairs, and constant limelight, Liz turned the attention to AIDS awareness, and limited her career to TV special guest appearances and small roles. In conclusion, Elizabeth Taylor was seen as an all-American beauty and people noticed her. And even in her death, she will still be remembered as a beautiful woman to went for her dreams and set her limits at the sky.

 

TOMS: Style Your Sole Event= Success!

March 5th I hosted a TOMS: Style Your Sole Party at Tradehome Shoes in Greenwood Mall (where I work). I included Fashion Inc. (the Design, Merchandising, and Textiles organization of which that I'm president of) and local artist (including my AMAZING mother, Vickie Hood, who basically ran the art tables) in the event. The whole purpose of this event was to further the One for One movement. For every pair of shoes you purchase from TOMS they donate a pair to a child in need. Not only do they give them shoes, but they enable them to go to school and protect them from infection and disease caused by not wearing proper footwear.


So amongst the madness I managed to go around and get some pictures of customers with their shoes, and the artist at work!

I have to say that the event was a HUGE success! And we can't wait to do it again!

DEV Does it Daring with HELLZ BELLZ Fashions

DEV's new music video for  "Booty Bounce" has not only exploited their amazing musical talent, but also a new and upcoming online retailer, HELLZ BELLZ. Founded by Lanie B. in 2005, HELLZ BELLZ focuses on fashions that liberate women everywhere. With inspiration from the bra burnings of the 1960s to the endless array of options in woman's clothing today, HELLZ BELLZ expresses to the masses their efforts to oppose sexual oppression. Their motto simply says it all: A Crime for all Seasons.

I simply love the Urban feel of each collection. It really expresses the idea that, "Here I am, I'm fabulous, and if don't like it.. get out of here", Which is much like the message of DEV's music. It pushes the envelope on day to day fashions and conveys a BOLD approach to fashion. So to sum it up: You must have whit and personality in order to wear this clothing! It's not intended for your quiet, "stand off in the corner" type. It screams "LOOK AT ME!" and portrays an independent, self-sufficient, go-getting demeanor. And yes, I LOVE it!

Some of my favorite looks from the site:

Buy it here!

This outfit consists of a gathered black skirt with exaggerated pockets. I love the gathering detail because it has the ability to enhance your hips, and the exaggerated pockets make you look smaller. Also, shoulder pads are a big trend right now. They also give a "skinny" illusion to the arms, which I love! I sported a similar look to a recent black and white party at Fluid Night Club here in Bowling Green:

**Me (left) and Michele (right) at Fluid Nightclub's Black and White Party on Feb. 25th**

There are no exaggerated pockets, but I do have the gathered side panels on my skirt and the same gathered detail on my blouse sleeve with an emphasized shoulder.

Another HELLZ BELLZ item I thought was amazing is their retro inspired, water resistant watch in black and yellow. It reminds me of the 80s and all the bold, plastic accessories that were in at that time.

 

Buy it here! 

The one thing that really kept me looking at this retailer is their prices. Not only are the fashions hip, and quality, but  much like Urban Outfitters almost anyone can afford to wear this stuff! I think a lot of retailers are realizing that people are pinching their pennies in order to stay cost efficient and withstand their standard of living. As a college student, I can relate to this concept very much! And I think it's great that retailers are noticing the middle class more and more!