High and Low

Convertible boot, Victoria's Secret, $149While flipping through the latest Victoria's Secret catalog, these boots by Colin Stuart caught my eye. I went in for a closer look and instantly thought, now why didn't I think of that? With such versatility, they might just be the ideal boots for transitioning from summer to fall or from winter to spring.

Blues News

Thank you to Nylon for including three photos of me in the latest online denim gallery. As a loyal Nylon reader and denim lover, I am truly honored and excited to be included in this feature.

Ashish, Ashish, Ashish

I'm not even on Twitter, but having stalked Topshop on Twitter, I found out that the Ashish wedges I've been lusting after would become available Wednesday, so I kept an eye out for them this evening. Given that Topshop headquarters is eight hours ahead of PST I theorized that the wedges would become available sometime around midnight, assuming the Brits start their workday at 8am. Fortunately,

Thigh High

If last fall's must-have footwear item was the ankle boot, this season's equivalent is the thigh high (or over-the-knee) boot. Eager to try out this trend, I've purchased two inexpensive pairs already - a flat pair in black faux leather, and a pair with a platform and 4" heel in black faux suede. After many hours of browsing various online stores to find the perfect pair, I've discovered a few

New Look News

As an envious fan of the British high street and its affordable, trend-conscious offerings, you can imagine my delight upon finding out that New Look now delivers overseas, notably to the U.S., Australia, and several European countries including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. During two recent trips to Europe, I stocked up at New Look on chiffon blouses, flat boots, and fun accessories.

Motorcycle Madness

Whether you opt to wear faux leather or the real thing, there's something undeniably cool about fall's biker-inspired pieces. A strapless dress takes on a whole new look when done in form-fitting faux leather. Skinny pants become more badass, and short shorts telegraph a tougher vibe. Put them on and you instantly feel strong, like you can harness the power of a superhero. The crew over at

Trend On The Rise - Bold Boots

Having seen some of the fall '09 boot offerings by Payless in such magazines as Nylon, Elle, and Marie Claire, I was enthusiastic to discover this morning that some new styles have just become available on their website. Admittedly, I haven't shopped much at Payless since the days of my youth, with the exception of some of their designer collaborations. With a soft spot in my heart for boots, I

Hair Stories: To Shave Or Not To Shave

Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez and Keyshia Cole all took the plunge and shaved one side of their head!

1. ConAirPro Moda Groom Single Speed Clippers, $79.99, www.groomers.com 2. Creme Of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo, Kiwi & Citrus, $3.99, www.walgreens.com 3. Kidada For Disney Couture Pocahontas Gold, $78.16, www.asos.com 4. John Hardy Baby Monkey Silver & Black Palm Wood Hair Brush, $52.50, www.jewelrygalboutique.com 5. Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade, $22.59, www.target.com 6. Orangewood Large Porcupine Boar Brush, $6.99, www.sallybeauty.com 7. scunci Classic Pins. $1.29, www.walgreens.com 8. Tui Leave in Conditioner, www.carolsdaughter.com

It used to be that the ultimate hairstyle statement for a woman was to shave your head bald (or close), but these days celebs have put their own twist on the avant-garde style. If your not sure that you, or your head shape, can pull off a completely shaved look, ease yourself into the style by going partially bald first. Cue Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez, Keyshia Cole, Raven Symone and the pioneer Kelis. They've all put their unique interpretation of the style by adding hair dye, patterns, track lines and even ultra girly curls on the side of the head still with hair.

If you're going to try this style be prepared. Stock up on bobby pins to stop your long sided hair from falling across the border. Also, invest in a good pomade to keep your shaved side neat and frizz free. As always, keep your hair healthy with a good conditioner like Carol's Daughter's Tui Leave-in and Creme of Nature's moisturizing shampoo. So come on ladies, do Grace Jones proud and get the clippers out!

The JC Effect

Lately it seems that my purchases run in cycles - one week I'll be obsessed with chunky rings, and when my hunger for jewelry is satiated, I switch to buying studded belts, then strapless floral dresses, and so on. So what's my latest item of choice? Shoes. My fondness for footwear knows no bounds. With cool weather on the horizon, I've been adding new boots and aggressive platform heels to my

I Still Got Chains On The Brain

In the spirit of adorning my various possessions with chains, I used two new toggle chain bracelets from Forever 21 to update my beloved old Alice + Olivia boots from Payless. As with my previous DIY boot chain mini-project, I took the easy road by using safety pins to attach the bracelets. Therefore, if I change my mind about adorning the boots with the chains, I can remove them easily and wear

Take a Leaf Out of Her Style Book: Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana attends the 'Star Trek' Germany premiere on April 16, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

Zoe Saldana arrives at Star Trek Los Angeles Premiere at the Graumans Chinese Theater in Hollywood CA on 4/30/2009.

Zoe Saldana sits front row at the Lela Rose Spring 09 Fashion Show

Zoe Saldana arrives for the UK Film Premiere of Star Trek at the Empire Leicester Square on April 20 2009 in London, England.

Zoe Saldana appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live on May 6, 2009.

Zoe Saldana and her stylist have had a busy summer. With the release of her summer smash "Star Trek" the Dominican diva had to come hard (and correct) on the red carpet. Naturally, Zoe delivered. Her style is simple. Pick a dress that will shine in its own right. Whether its large bows or bouncy frills, Zoe's dresses have people running to the internet to find out what she wore. To wear a dress with this much punch, you need confidence. See below for ideas on where to get YOUR shine.

My Picks!

Left to right: ASOS Parachute Dress, $82.76, www.asos.com; Tiered Halter Dress, $34, www.forever21.com; Animal Puff Dress, $100, www.topshop.com; Gardenia strapless wool dress by Azzaro, $2445, www.net-a-porter.com

Left to right: Karen Millen Rose Corsage Pencil Dress, $331.20, www.asos.com; Eliza J Ruffle Wrap Dress, $158, www.shop.nordstrom.com; Illusion Fringe Sequin Dress by Haute Hippie, $595, www.shopbop.com; From the Marchesa Spring 09 Collection

Whether it's a hot date, exclusive party or gala fundraiser, a head-turning dress is a fail-safe investment. All you need is one stand out detail to take an otherwise classic dress to a whole new level. Think oversized bows/flowers, excessive frills, sequins galore and voluminous shapes. Anything goes. Just be sure to pick a dress that flatters your shape. A-line dresses that cinch at the waist suit everyone.

Good Hair... The issue becomes public.

Trailer for Chris Rock's new docu-movie "Good Hair."
Yaya De Costa, Terri Seymour and Beyonce display some of the varying hair textures and styles in the black community.

Behind the scenes of the "Good Hair" movie poster photo shoot.

I cannot express how excited I am to see Chris Rock's new docu-movie "Good Hair" (out this October). This is long overdue... like 200 years! When I first saw the trailer I was unsure about how this was going to pan out. Will the movie really explore the hair issues in our community or will it be nothing more than a superficial mockery that just scratches the surface? I watched the trailer several times and concluded that Chris Rock is just trying to add some humor to a somewhat sensitive subject. I am confident the movie will be equally entertaining and informative.

That said, are we as black women ready to face the questions that will undoubtedly come from those outside our race. Movie critics at the Sundance Film Festival, where the movie won an award, lamented on how they had "no idea" that black women went through so much to "look good." I personally do not want nosy commuters asking me if my hair is a weave on the rush hour train to work! Either way, this will undoubtedly be a milestone in our history. The movie has a lot of money behind it and will me watched by millions. I just hope it lives up to the hype. I equally hope Chris Rock interviews some natural sistas in an effort to dispel the myth that natural hair is hard to maintain. Visit http://www.goodhairmovie.net/ for more information.

Kerry Washington Covers H Magazine

Be sure to catch Ms. Washington in the latest issue of "H" magazine. She's rocking a new look and hairstyle at this shoot and I must say she looks fab! You can read the full interview here, but below is a excerpt addressing her support for President Obama.

“I think it’s good that people are feeling so excited about our country right now and about our President because we are actually living in really tough times. And so I think this enthusiasm is really healthy because it’s going to allow us to all be a part of the solution — which has always been a part of his vision. I think he is an incredible leader. I think what he’s done just in the short time that he has been in office has been so inspiring. It’s pretty incredible. It makes me proud to be an American again.”

Plastic Island/Mcginn Sample Sale

In case the font on the flyer is difficult to read, the location is: 1385 E. 15th Street near S. Central Ave, Los Angeles, 90021. Parking is free. Take an additional 5% off fall merchandise if you print the flyer. Happy shopping!

Any Day Now...

...these Ashish for Topshop animal print wedges will be available. I first spied them on Nitro:licious and was oddly fascinated. Then the zebra pair showed up in a Volcom feature in the August issue of Nylon, paired unexpectedly with some bleached jeans, a denim vest, and a red plaid shirt. While some people may find them to be utterly hideous, I'm enticed and currently coveting a pair. I just

What Say We... Yay or Nay?!

Singer Solange Knowles Promote Samantha Thavasa & Disney Collection at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel on August 10, 2009 in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan.

The internet has been buzzing with the news/photos of Solange's new hair cut. Why did she chop all her hair off? Has she gone crazy? Did she do it because she's going bald underneath all that weave?! Sometimes there's no conspiracy. Nor no explanation needed. Here's a novel idea: maybe she just wanted a change. Either way, Solange has stepped out of her sister's shadow and displays the character and poise of a woman coming into her own. I say Yay to the hairstyle and, of course, the outfit. The jury is still out on the shoes...

Over The Top Knot

After spending an exorbitant amount of time browsing Asos this summer, I finally ordered these floral jeggings. Almost three (long) weeks later, they arrived on my doorstep. Having ordered from other websites based in the UK, I was expecting to receive my purchase in about two weeks or less, so I was quite disappointed in the shipping delay. Nevertheless, I still browse the site for new arrivals,

On Minmote

I'm honored and excited to see that Silje P., my favorite Scandinavian fashion blogger, whose blog and personal style I have admired and followed since the beginning, has featured me on her site. Thank you Silje! Unfortunately, I can't read Norwegian, but here's the rough translation of the interview:1. Why did you start to blog? Back in the days when I was active on MySpace, I used to

Fall-ing

Despite what the warm weather is telling me, summer is winding down. While I love the extra hours of daylight and the pleasant temperatures, I always look forward to the cooler nights of fall, when I can start transitioning into the new season by donning more layers and wearing my treasured boots and jackets. Below are some of my favorite cheap chic choices for fall that I've been eyeing this

3 Words

Rodarte for Target!My Target dreams are finally coming true. The Mulleavy sisters' creations for the mass retailer's GO International initiative lands in stores December 20th. There goes Target, giving me more reasons to spend money on clothing, as if my closet isn't overstuffed already. I simply can't wait for this collection, quite possibly the most exciting yet, and I have such high

Blacked Out

For enthusiasts of the Stolen Girlfriends Club bandage leggings of which Queen Michelle is a devoted fan, Bebe has a similar version with mesh insets and criss cross styling. I seldom shop at Bebe, however, I think they've upped their game in recent seasons. In fact, Bebe has quite a few offerings for fall which have caught my eye: feather skirts, chain-embellished vests, moto jeans, grommet

How To Wear Bleached/Distressed Denim

Denim. It's the cornerstone of my wardrobe and I just can't live without it. Luckily for denim lovers like myself, this wardrobe staple gets reinvented each season. Bleached, distressed denim is this season's answer to last summer's boyfriend jeans. Whether you decide to DIY or buy a pair that's already treated or tie-dyed, the look is a casual update with lots of attitude and a decidedly rock 'n

Be Inspired...

The Sartorialist's first book: regular edition is left and bespoke edition, right.

The Sartorialist, aka Scott Schuman, is finally releasing a book collection of his work. This coffee table style book will contain all of Schuman's hand-picked favorites. Expect to see famous fashion icons as well as innately fashionable passers-by off the streets. From Stockholm to Milan, London to New York, this book will showcase the most inspiring everyday fashionistas ever caught on film. The release date is scheduled for August 12th but you can pre-order the "Bespoke" edition at Amazon.com now.