Style Spotlight: Michelle Obama

There is no denying that this post is long overdue. Vanity Fair has already named Michelle one of their favorites on their "International Best-dressed List" and Vogue featured her as one of their "It Girls" in April. She's an obvious choice not just for her sense of style but the ease with which she wears her clothes. You never get the feeling she's trying to please anyone but herself. Some have questioned whether or not Michelle has a stylist but her people deny it...

“To the best of my knowledge, she does not use a stylist,” said Mrs. Obama’s spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, although she is known to have relationship's with a few designers and Chicago boutiques [Source].

Obvious comparisons have been made to Jackie Kennedy and even Barbara Bush (must be the pearls) but I'm just excited to see another type of black woman on my television screen and on magazine stands. My only frustration when composing this post was trying to find full-length photos of Michelle's outfits (as a personal plea to campaign photographers, we want to see the shoes!). I guess I'll have to wait until they make it into the White House. Then we'll be spoiled for choice with images of a classy, fashionable woman. After a few weeks of online digging I found some great examples of Michelle's style choices. You can view them below in the slideshow. I can't wait to see what she wears when their victory is announced!

A Brand New 'do

This morning when I got dressed in my new latex American Apparel leggings and Batman tee, I must have been feeling like a superhero - bold and brave. My regular visit to the hair salon resulted in this new, shorter, asymmetrical hairstyle. This is the shortest my hair has been since the age of five, when a hairstylist chopped my long locks way too short and I cried for a day. Luckily, no tears

A Sneak Peek At Target's GO International Private Label 3

Last night a quick walk through Target's Juniors department yielded a few new pieces from their third GO International Private Label collection. To my knowledge, this collection is supposed to debut on Sunday, August 31st. Since Target has a way of releasing some of the GO International collections a few days early, I wasn't surprised to see the new pieces. As they were mixed in with the Richard

Trend On The Rise - Body-con

One of this season's trickier trends to pull off is body-con. Although the Robert Palmer video girls worked the trend quite nicely in the classic "Simply Irresistible" video, the slinky silhouettes show off every curve and are undoubtedly unforgiving. So the conservative and modest side of my personality hesitated to try body-con pieces up until now. Thank goodness for undergarments that shape!

Back To School

Fortunately, I didn't have to wear school uniforms during my childhood. With much dread, I can imagine the boredom I'd have suffered from being limited to a dress code. That's probably why as an adult, I'm intrigued by school uniform-inspired pieces such as pleated skirts, jumpers, cardigans, shrunken blazers, and Peter Pan collar blouses. I hardly ever wore such pieces during my upbringing.

Register to Vote - NOW!!

Beyonce and Jay Z out-and-about in New York City on August 4th, 2008.

Alicia Keys wears her Barack Obama T-Shirt while at The Black Ball, July 10, 2008.

Halle Berry left a shopping center in Century City today proclaiming her love for Barack Obama via t-shirt with one that read Barack The Vote July 29, 2008.

Eva Pigford models the "Sunshine" Barack Tee priced $25 available at www.barackthevote.com

LisaRaye McCoy proudly shows her support for Barack Obama while out-and-about in Beverly Hills, California.

There is no excuse ladies. The countdown is on and whatever your political affiliations you must register to vote. Fear not. Registering doesn't take more than a few minutes of your time. Visit http://www.rockthevote.com/ to fill out the simple form. You'll need a printer to print out the form once you've filled it out electronically. Note that your "ID Number" is either your driving license or social security number. If you don't have either, put a zero in the field and you can proceed by clicking "Prepare Form". You must, however, indicate that you have neither a driving license or social security number on the paper form you print out. Then all you have to do is send it to the appropiate address and you're done!

For those of us who are not citizens (I'm British), we'll be showing our support via the ultimate statement - Fashion! Make like the ladies above and wear your point-of-view proudly across your chest. See below for where to buy the coolest Obama tees.

My Picks!

Top: Obama, $20, www.ragamuffinclothing.com; Barack Obama Picture, $16.50, www.democraticstuff.com; Barack Obama Signature Ladies Natural T-shirt, m, $20.08, www.shopbarackobama.com; Obama 08 Ladies Black T-shirt, $20.08, www.shopbarackobama.com

Bottom: NV Me Boy Beater, $20, www.barackthevote.com; Obey Obama Progress Tee, $28, www.urbanoutfitters.com; Team Barack T Shirt, $38, www.siralistairrai.com; Obama Hope Tee, $32, www.shopintuition.com or www.hopeshirt.com

I acknowledge that Obama mania is at fever pitch but it's not just hype, my love for him is REAL! To prove it I'm ordering my graphic tee ahead of time and I'll wear it proudly during his inauguration. Paired with denim capris, silver hoops and designer shades, there's no mistaking where my support lies. If you want to put your hard earned money to good use, order tees from official sites like http://store.barackobama.com. Any purchase is considered a federal contribution to the Obama Victory Fund.

Moto, Superhero, & Lace

A Sunday morning peek at Forever 21's new website arrivals yielded some encouraging results. I've been patiently scouring thrift stores for a leather motorcycle jacket with no luck. I thought it was only a matter of time before F21 would do their inexpensive version of the biker jacket. I spied a leather version on the site for about $150, and a more affordable knit version for $27.80. Rather

Vista Del Mar (View Of The Sea)

It's amazing how invigorating the salty ocean air can be, especially if you're recovering from a late night out. Something about the cool ocean breeze is refreshing and energizing. Although the wind and sun take their toll on my hair by giving it that wind-blown-surfer-girl-at-the-beach look, I seek protection from damage by throwing on a hat and lightweight scarf. Even when I'm peering out from

Coming Soon To State Street

Good news for lovers of Pinkberry's sinfully delicious frozen yougurt - they will be opening up soon on State St. in Santa Barbara, across from Paseo Nuevo. Yummm. © 2008 Fashion Trend Guide

Check Yourself!

Kelly Rowland and Rihanna make appearances in a winning combo of plaid/checked shirts and dark jeans.

Left to right: Midwest Plaid Shirt , $22.90, www.forever21.com; Tartan Silk Blouse, $34.80, www.forever21.com; Victoria Check Shirt, $79.99, www.fcusbuymail.com; Plaid Vest, $18.99, www.charlotte-russe.com

Left to right: Checker Plaid Shirt, $19.80, www.forever21.com; 3/4 Sleeve Check Shirt, $30, www.topshop.com; Plaid 3/4-sleeved ruffle-front top, $44, www.gap.com; Ruffle Front Shirt by Ivy, www.intermixonline.com

Lumberjacks are the last people you'd expect a fashionista to turn to for style inspiration but surprisingly a plaid/check shirt paired with jeans is a winning combination. Whilst some shirts in stores right now look like they came straight off a lumbrjack's back, others include feminine details like a nipped in waist, bows and frills. Whether you stay true to the shirt's origin or go with the updated interpretation, always, always wear with a pair of dark, indigo jeans. See the ladies above for instant inspiration.

WhoWhatWear

The wonderful ladies of WhoWhatWear have chosen me as one of their MySpace Muses. I'm honored and flattered! Click here to check it out.

The Supermelon

Many thanks to the lovely folks over at The Supermelon for choosing me for their "Real Style" feature today. I'm honored to be a part of this feature, joining the ranks of Rachel from That's Chic and Karla from Karla's Closet who were just featured. To read the interview, click here.

Inspired by Karen Walker

My interpretationAs I hurriedly browsed the handbag section of a local thrift store two weekends ago, my eyes landed on this paisley print bow tie. Since I've been on the lookout for bows and bow ties for a few months now, I wasted no time in grabbing it off the hook. While not in the same print, nor as oversized as Karen Walker's versions, it will add a preppy touch to my schoolgirl ensembles

Nadia Nour

Designers from Nadia Nour's Fall 2008: Modern Rustic Americana
What do you get when you cross a philosphy major with a innovator with a penchant for fashion? The answer is a Nadia Nour. A designer who creates flattering apparel that fits flawlessly and is constructed using all natural and select organic textiles. Nour's clothes are born of more than just a love of fashion. The Fall 2008 collection is called "Modern Rustic Americana" and is filled with bold colors, unique shapes and luxe fabrics. Created for women who defy trends, Nadia Nour apparel is designed to inspire a sense of self-assurance and vitality in the women who wear them. If anything stands out to you (and something should) you can find out where to buy her clothes here. Be sure to check out her other collections while you're on the site, they'll inspire you to step-up style quotient!

Surviving A Garage Sale

Having survived my first garage sale this weekend (hosting one, that is) I learned quite a lot. Although I shopped with my parents at a few garage sales during my childhood, I haven't shopped at or hosted any as an adult, so I'm quite the novice. After a few hours of rummaging through my closets in preparation for the sale and labeling everything with price tags, I felt prepared for a long, hot

Insider Shopping Tip

For those of you with an affinity for inexpensive cheap chic shopping site GoJane, I just learned that Friday at 5pm PST is the best time to check for new styles. Every week at this time, they update the site by adding approximately 120 new styles. So for you GoJane fans out there, now you'll know when to check for the latest merchandise. Happy shopping!

Weekend Wrap Up - Shopping and Trends

Shopping in Orange County is always a pleasurable experience for me, especially since I don't shop there as often as I'd like. With the endless selection of malls, thrift stores, fast fashion boutiques, and discounters, my only problem is deciding where to start. When I'm pressed for time, and only have a couple of hours to shop, I try to squeeze in a trip to South Coast Plaza due to its large

Branching Out With Style Detox

One of the perks of being a fashion blogger is hearing about new lines, online boutiques, sample sales, and fashion events. While it can also be overwhelming to receive hundreds of emails per month, I appreciate the fact that designers, boutique owners, PR firms, and marketing reps are reading Fashion Trend Guide and contacting me. (When I started this blog in February of 2007, I never imagined

Contest Alert

MyItThings is excited to announce its next Fashion Writing Contest! It might still be sweltering hot outside, but rest assured Fall is just around the corner and that means one thing to the fashionistas of the world: fabulous fall fashions! Time to bring the boots, coats and gloves out of storage and start layering. Tell us about your fall fashion trends: what you'll be wearing, how you'll be

Old Navy: Fall Collection

Above: Silk Ruffle Top $29.50 Denim Pencil Skirt $32.50, www.www.oldnavy.com/plus

Left to right: Flutter Sleeve Top $29.5o; Ruched Neck Dress $36.50; Color Block Top $26.50 all available at www.oldnavy.com/plus

So I've noticed that some of the comments left on previous "plus size" clothing posts have pointed out that the quality of the outfits online are not all that great. Well, Old Navy has stepped up and provided an appealing alternative for Fall. Old Navy Women’s Plus is offered exclusively online at www.oldnavy.com/plus and features the latest fashions designed specifically for sizes 16-30. The online store provides an expanded selection of fashion apparel that help customers go from work to weekend and day to night – all at affordable prices. See above for a few items from their latest collection. The site also provides $7 flat rate shipping on all orders and free returns by mail for any Women’s Plus clothes - great for when you change you mind about something like I do constantly! To get a sneak peak of the rest of their Fall collection click here. My favorites are their dresses and casual tops from the Jewel Box Colors line.

Weekend Warmup

Does anyone else find it challenging to buy fall jackets and cozy knits when the weather is uncomfortably hot and humid? During my weekend shopping excursion at Orange County's mecca of retail, South Coast Plaza, I found myself buying summer-y clothing in fall colors and prints. No matter how much air conditioning a store can blast from its vents, I'm still cognizant of the fact that the weather

On My Radar - An Interview With Sara Millionaire

With new fashion blogs popping up like weeds on the lawn of a foreclosed house, it's refreshing to see the work of an engaging, thoughtful blogger like Sara Millionaire of Waitin' Round To Be A Millionaire. On her blog, Sara documents her personal style and offers clever commentary on the latest trends. I first discovered her blog while poring through my referral logs and once I began reading, I

Who Says A Skirt Has To Be Sweet?

As a child, my grandfather told me that "girls are made of sugar and spice, and everything nice." For me, this calls to mind the image of an angelic child wearing a saccharin-sweet dress while laughing and playing in a lush field of flowers. As an adult, I have a soft spot in my heart for sweet and girly skirts and dresses. Take, for example, my favorite Luella-esque tiered floral skirt from

Sifting & Thrifting - Some Tips

What's a girl to do when she can't find what she wants at her usual cheap chic shopping haunts? Go thrifting, of course. It's easy on the wallet and on Mother Earth. Fortunately, I live in an area that has an abundance of vintage, thrift, consignment, and antique shops. It's only recently that I've grown to enjoy the addictive rush of scoring a great deal at a thrift store. My shopping strategy

Three Words...

...put a smile on my face today:Thakoon for Target!

Shea Moisture, Sheer Genius!

Left to right: Shea Moisture Coco Hibiscus Soap & Lotion Set, $12.99; Shea Moisture African Black Soap and Lotion, $12.99; Shea Moisture Raw Shea Wash & Lotion, $15.99 all available at www.target.com

Always on the look out for new and exciting beauty products, imagine my joy when Target were kind enough to send me their new Shea Moisture line. Shea Moisture is a distinctive array of bath and body products designed to address the unique skincare needs of African-American and Hispanic consumers. The Black Soap line will even your skin tone, the Raw Shea Butter will keep you moisturized and the Coconut Hibiscus will heal any skin irritants you have. The products vary from $12.99 - $15.99 but those prices you get two items! Visit www.target.com to test them out.

Understated

Lately I've been observing girls on the web and on the street who have an understated yet sharp sense of style. They don't rely upon bold prints, creative layering, edgy silhouettes, or unique use of color or proportion. Instead they utilize simple basics such as tanks, blazers, jeans, and leggings, and then they add accessories to lend their looks their own personal flair. Their style isn't one

Cubed

Sometimes the desire to shop at off-price retailers hits and I just can't resist. After all, who doesn't like a great deal? The chosen location for my latest discount shopping excursion was Marshalls, where they have a new in-store boutique called The Cube. Think of The Cube as a trend-driven shop within a shop reminiscent of a typical American department store, but with much better prices. It

The Oaks Mall To Welcome Nordstrom

Per my latest visit to The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks (just north of Los Angeles), a new Nordstrom will be opening on Friday, September 5th. This means no more driving into the San Fernando Valley or Santa Barbara to shop at Nordstrom, and the grand opening couldn't come at a better time for back-to-school shoppers. In addition to a new Nordstrom, the mall has been undergoing major renovations

Dear Mrs. Cruise...

While I don't call myself a diehard celebrity style-watcher, I couldn't help but notice the latest denim trend that you helped to ignite. I want to thank you for taking a fashion risk by pegging your jeans. Even though some people may not like it, I can appreciate your effort to do something different with your look (this also includes your edgy new haircut). While pegged boyfriend jeans give a

Geek Chic

My obsession with print-mixing continues, this time with a plaid button-front top and animal print cardigan. While plaid isn't one of my favorite prints (I prefer florals, stripes, and animal prints), I gave in to the fall D&G ads and bought a red plaid top and paired it with a pleated-waist mini. After slipping on some non-prescription glasses, I'm feeling a bit like a librarian or more

The Bow Blouse

One of my favorite collections for fall is Peter Som's debut effort for Bill Blass. So much so, in fact, that I was inspired to create my own southern California cheap chic version of his ladylike creations. My favorite pieces are the soft blouses contrasted against the floppy bows; it's very French chic meets Blair Waldorf/prim-and-proper-looking schoolgirl. To create my own look, I started with

Mixing It Up With Unexpected Print Pairings

Lately I've been intrigued by the mixing of patterns that I normally wouldn't pair together. For example, stripes with florals, plaids with animal prints, florals with animal prints, argygles with florals, and so on. If the color families and the proportions of the prints are in harmony, the possibilities are endless. My best tip for pulling this look off is to keep the rest of the ensemble

Dereon Fall 2008

Beyonce's second line Dereon has released a video with a preview to the Fall 2008 Collection. Though I'm not a big fan of either of her lines (House of Dereon and Dereon), I thought the video was worth sharing. Let me know your thoughts and if any of you have bought items from her collections what are they like? I must admit that they are some cute dresses on the House of Dereon site but none of them are less than $300 :(

Shopping Report - Fall '08

After a brief bout of fashion sickness (meaning that I was lacking fashion inspiration and was tired of seeing stale summer trends in stores), I'm feeling much better about adding some new pieces to my fall '08 wardrobe. Like many teens heading to the mall in August for back-to-school shopping, I spent some time browsing fresh, new merchandise. Unlike the teens, however, I didn't bring my mom.

Country Girl, City Shoes

I'm a little late on the popular SATC shoes, but I wasn't planning on buying them because they looked a bit uncomfortable. Over the past two months, I've admired many fashion bloggers, including Chelsea Rae, who make these sandals look absolutely divine. The more I saw them, the more I liked them, and after trying on a pair, I realized that the platforms make them easier to walk in. Sometimes the

Take a Leaf Out of Her Style Book: Dania Ramirez

Dania arrives for the Entertainment Weekly and Vavoom annual upfront party at the Bowery Hotel on May 13, 2008 in New York City.

Dania Ramirez attends Intermix's 3rd Annual 'VH1 Rock Honors' VIP Party at Intermix on July 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

Dania Ramirez arrives at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 held at Smashbox Studios on March 9, 2008 in Hollywood, California.

Dania arrives at the "InStyle Celebrates Grammy Salute to Fashion 2008" earlier this year.

Your high school days may be over but it's never too late to look like a prom princess. Let Dania Ramirez guide you. It's not hard to imagine her as Homecoming Queen - her style choices for the red carpet are always demure yet attention-grabbing. Whether you prefer prom dresses that stay true to their 1950s predecessors or shorter dresses with a full skirt and plenty of tulle, always look for a dress with pockets - they instantly bring the look into the 21st century.

My Picks!

Left to right: Jasley Strapless Floral Dress, $24.80, www.forever21.com; Bustier prom dress by Miu Miu, $2300, www.net-a-porter.com; Check Prom Dress, $56, www.newlook.co.uk; Vintage Prom Dress, $100, www.topshop.com

Left to right: Plain Prom Dress, $80, www.topshop.com; Sandra Tube Dress, $44.50, www.delias.com; Leaf it Out Dress, $89.99, www.fcusbuymail.com; Isaac Mizrahi for Party Dress Fandango, $44.99, www.target.com

If you prefer the modern interpretation of this dress the top row is for you. The shorter length, fuller skirt and details such as bows and pleats make this look fun and adventures. The downside is these dresses will date a lot quicker. Those of you who prefer the classic 1950s original, will cherish the bottom row looks for a lifetime. Whichever group you fall into this style flatters all shapes and sizes, so get out there and find the one for you!

Purple Rain

With temperatures in the upper 70s today (eek, I'm spoiled, because that's hot for where I live), I decided to put my beloved, oft-worn boots away and don my new Richard Chai tank tops with some skinnies and slash-front pumps. For a graphic effect, I layered the diagonal striped top underneath the vertical paintbrush/striped top and then added two necklaces - one short and one long. When it's hot

Michelle Obama Covers Ebony...

My excitement for this issue is immeasurable. Michelle Obama WILL be the next and First Lady and a very stylish and classy one at that! Get an early preview of her fabulous life in the upcoming issue of Ebony:

"Going beyond the surface view of poise, elegance, style and the utmost class, Ebony magazine unveils the real Michelle Obama: mother, wife, potential first lady and style icon. Take a rare look behind-the-scenes of Michelle’s life on the road to the White House and how she finds the necessary balance between managing the household with Sen. Barack Obama and joining her husband in pursuit of the most ambitious American dream. Plus, in an EXCLUSIVE interview, Michelle’s mother, Marian Robinson, reflects on her daughter’s childhood and transition to being one step away from changing her address from Chicago to Washington, D.C."

Be sure to pick up your copies ASAP!

Trend On The Rise - Acid & Stone Washed Denim

Once upon a time I declared that I would not revisit several trends from the '80s: neon, acid-washed denim, and stirrup pants. Given the cyclical nature of fashion and my weakness for trends, I've already fallen victim to neon. Now it's acid and stone-washed finishes that I fancy. Once a relic of my youth, this trend has reared its ugly head, and for some reason, I'm liking it more and more. Now

One Blazer to Go!

Thandie Newton attends the gallery opening party of Established and Sons, at Established and Sons on October 11, 2007 in London, England.

Naomi Campbell leaves after appearing in a Manhattan Criminal Court for assault charges on November 15, 2006 in New York City.

Vanessa Williams poses for a photo at the HomeAgain event launching 'Bring Pets Home' campaign at the Animal Haven in Soho on October 25, 2007 in New York City.

Sharon Leal attends Women's Health Magazine's Premiere 'Blue Issue' event at the Mondrian Hotel's Sky Bar Co-Hosted by Molly Sims and Rebecca Gayheart on October 18, 2007 in West Hollywood, California.

Yes I know we are still in the dead heat of summer but owning a tailored black blazer is a must whatever the season. Blazers can instantly turn a casual outfit into a sophisticated winner. Take style tips from the four ladies above who all invested in a fitted, black blazer and reaped the benefits on the red carpet. Whether your heading for a business meeting or just want to transform a favorite dress, blazers have you covered... literally!

My Picks!

Left to right: Linen SS Jacket, $24.80, www.forever21.com; Executive Career Blazer, $24.80, www.forever21.com; Satin Tuxedo Jacket, $32.99, www.charlotterusse.com; Stripe Blazer, $110, www.topshop.com

Left to right: Ellie Cord Blazer, $54.50, www.delias.com; Cropped One-Button Blazers, $39.50, www.oldnavy.com; Cotton blazer, $125, www.bananarepublic.com; Super 120s pinstripe three-button jacket, $240, www.jcrew.com

Congratulations on your decision to buy this wardrobe staple - now the fun can begin! Even though there are plenty of cheap blazers on the market, I suggest investing in the most expensive you can afford. It'll be worth it in the long run as it will last for years to come. Stores like J.Crew, Banana Republic, French Connection and even Ann Taylor Loft are fail safes. If you're on a budget try the Gap or department stores like Bloomingdale's which always have sales. If that still sounds too pricey you can always head to Forever 21 and co., they won't last as long but they're an instant substitute at a price no one can beat.

Taking Chai Home - Part 4

Although some of you may be thinking "enough of the Richard Chai for Target reviews already", I went back to another Target store for more. After speaking with the store operator/fitting room attendant by phone, who told me that they had a decent selection and that lots of people were trying the goods on, I had to go and have a look for myself. I spied a new item, the orange and violet graffiti

Another Taste Of Chai's GO International Collection For Target - Part 3

Since I'm oddly addicted to trying on the latest GO International pieces from Richard Chai, here is round 3 of my fitting room adventures. I visited the same store, hence the same horrible lighting. This time around, I tried on a few new pieces, but didn't buy anything. I apologize to those who have no interest in Target's GO collections!First up is the purple and ivory colorblock tie-front dress

A Review Of Richard Chai For Target - Part 2

I saved some of my least favorite pieces from Richard Chai's GO International collection for part 2 of my review. I didn't buy any of the items that you see below, although I'm contemplating buying the long cardigan in black if I can find it. The first dress that I tried on was the purple plaid cowl-neck dress. It's made of 100% polyester (it has a satin finish), and I was not crazy about the

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Press And Online Mentions

805 Living - July 2008 - C'est Manifique!Bonjour It's Jinah! - Richard Chai for TargetCustomized Girl Blog - Top 100 Fashion Blogs - News & Tips CategoryMeliasaurus on LiveJournal - Feb. 19, 2008New Minute News - Neon, Summer Fashion Trend 2007Pink Rock Candy - Rock Your StyleShop Diary - Richard Chai for Target Now OnlineSilje's Fashion - "Shopping List"Silje's Fashion -Vintage HeavenSo Fash'on