Style 101: Every Trend Is Not Meant For Everyone

Turbans were a pretty hot accessory in 2010 and earlier this year. If celebrity stylist, June Ambrose has her way, the turban reign will continue and become a staple accessory.

I will not be joining the turban revolution. I tried on a turban during one of my shopping trips last fall. Instead of looking chic and fabulous, I looked old. Going to play bingo at church old. Not cute. I couldn't snatch that turban off my head fast enough and I looked around to make sure no one witnessed my style failure.

Every trend is not meant for everyone. The sooner people understand what trends work for them and what trends work against them, a lot more personal style development can begin. Creating your signature style is the best thing you can do for yourself. Your personal style is your brand.  From the pictures we see of June Ambrose we know that her signature style is comprised of turbans, Status Sunglasses by Grey Ant, and her signature red lipstick, MAC Ruby Woo.

It takes a lot of confidence to walk out your door wearing gigantic sunglasses, sporting a bulbous wrap on your head, and bright red lips. You have to own it and be committed to the look. In addition to feeling secure, be prepared for the looks you are sure to get. If you decide to try June's trademark look, you better be able to sell it like Naomi Campbell on the catwalk. Head held high, strut down the street like theme music is playing with each step you take. Nothing less will be accepted. If you cannot picture yourself in the above scenario, please do not rush out and buy a bunch of turbans. They will collect dust and you will have wasted your money.

Miss Ambrose launched her turban line last month and in the May issue of Ebony magazine, she offers her turban styling tips. I think June wears her turbans well most of the time. There have been times where her turbans were so over the top and huge that I thought she took an extra large bath towel and fashioned it into something so odd that it was just the right mix of gaudy and stylish. There is an art to creating that mix and few people have mastered it. Do not try this at home kids...

Do you have the confidence to embrace bold trends like June Ambrose and make them a part of your signature style? What are some of your signature style must haves? Leave your answers in the comments section!

{{SIDE BAR}} Chrisette Michele hired June Ambrose as her stylist for her latest music release. I thought the purpose of hiring a stylist was to help develop your style not to look like the stylist's clone. Have the celebrity styling jobs stalled for Miss Ambrose and that's what prompted her turban store?


If you want your very own June Ambrose turban, click here


Put A Ring On It!

Did I really title this post with the chorus from the stupidest and most annoying song of 2008? Yes, I did. Please forgive me. Anyway, I love big cocktail rings and I usually wear one everyday. Although I have very small hands, I like a bold ring that screams "LOOK AT ME!!!!!"

Whenever I'm shopping, I take time to peruse the rings and end up buying a few. I once spent $60+ at Filene's Basement when I saw a table full of accessories marked down 70%. I think I bought nine rings that day. A stylish lady can never have too many cocktail rings, they add a little something to your look and can be quite the conversation starter.

Here's a few fun rings I found (I really like the animal styles):

My Look

Rings by Topshop
Diamond Rings at Max & Chloe

A Hip Timepiece: Flüd BoomBox Watch

My watch collection grows by at least two to three watches a year. I have a handbag fetish but watches are really becoming my new thing. Check out the BoomBox Watch in goldtone by Flüd.

I saw the Flüd BoomBox Watch in a Hip Hop Weekly magazine someone left on my hair stylist's chair last week. This watch is calling my name. I need this watch in my life.

This unique timepiece makes me want to rock an old school tracksuit, toss on furry Kangol, fold my arms, and pose all B-girl style with my lips twisted to the side... What? Too much?? Okay. Forget the Kangol, lol!

What do my stylishly hip readers think of the BoomBox Watch?

 For more information click here

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week Lauren Merkin Clutches

                      
This week’s Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week is the gorgeous Lauren Merkin clutch, Allie. This version of the Allie is a wine colored snakeskin with gold shimmer piping.

Lauren Merkin clutches were recently featured on Access Hollywood and it was love at first sight for me. I logged onto her website and fell more in love. My favorite bags are the snakeskin clutches. I think they add a little edge to a basic black dress or basic top and jeans.

Check out all of Lauren Merkin’s bags on her website: http://www.laurenmerkin.com/

Pink Velvet Designs Gunsmoke Bib Necklace

How haute, haute, haute is Pink Velvet's Gunsmoke Bib necklace? This is a bold statement necklace that deserves to be the centerpiece of your outfit.

Check out the rest of Pink Velvet Designs collection here.

Make It Last Forever {Protecting Your Pretty Costume Jewelry}

Today I want to share a tip on how to preserve silver tone, gold tone and other costume jewelry. Some people brush their jewelry with clear nail polish but I have found that the polish peels within a few months. Using a clear glaze like many craft artists use is the better way to go and will ensure that your pieces are protected and sparkling for years to come.

Supplies you will need:

• Sheet of wax paper
• 1 can of Krylon Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze

This project needs to be done in a well ventilated area or you can wear a mask. The spray has a pungent scent and it may aggravate allergies and asthma. Be careful!!

Gather all your costume jewelry and spread the wax paper out onto a flat surface. Shake the can of Krylon Glaze very well. Lightly spray the front and back of each piece of jewelry, then place on the wax paper. It won’t take long for the spray to dry but I suggest letting the jewelry sit overnight.

That’s all there is to it! Once your jewelry is completely dry, return it to it’s home in the jewelry box!

~Kim

Images courtesy of F21

Hump Day Haul

Happy Hump Day Guys!!!! My day has been pretty fabulous and I hope yours was too. I engaged in a little retail therapy today. Surprisingly I didn't buy any clothes (shocking), just accessories and some other cute stuff. Sometimes all you need are new accessories to enhance what you already have in your closet.

Without further hesitation... I present, my HUMP DAY HAUL. Enjoy and let me know what you think =)

Various rings from Forever 21 - sorry about the pic quality. I used my BlackBerry camera.

Another ring from F21, some notecards from Marshalls that were marked down to $1.50
(I REALLY need to write people, lol), Essie nail polish in Shorty Pants, the necklaces I got from F21.

Stella & Dot's Passport to Style

ast Thursday I went to Stella & Dot's Passport to Style Event at the very hip Dana Hotel. I love jewelry so this event had my name written all over it.

The event was a great introduction to Stella & Dot and I had the opportunity to chat with Liz Opie, a Stella & Dot Stylist based right here in Chicago. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings from Stella & Dot's latest collection were on display. The Palm Beach and Sayulita Mexico collections were my favorites which I believe is because I am long overdue for a vacation, lol!

Here are some of the pieces I was drooling over:

Pretty huh?

For more information and to place an order: www.stelladot.com/Liz

A Life of Style: Jewelry

This post is dedicated to a good friend who has her heart set on a very expensive 1 carat diamond pendant necklace which even on sale is totally out of her budget. She's prepared to go on a diet of Ramen Noodles and cereal in order to afford the necklace. Her goal is to make it her signature accessory. As crazy as the economy is, luxury purchases should be placed on the back burner until things turn around.

In an attempt to save my friend from a college undergrad diet, I found a few classic alternatives that are a little more wallet friendly:

QVC Diamonique 14k Gold 1ct Princess Cut Solitaire - $53.25

Return to Tiffany Round Tag Pendant in Sterling Silver - $100

Overstock 10k White Gold Diamond Double-heart Necklace - $89.99

Fabulous Clutches at Baghaus

Click image to enlarge.

To order go to Baghaus.