Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Style in The USA

photo courtesy of American Apparel

For the longest, you couldn't get me to step foot in an American Apparel. My reasons were grossly ridiculous, I am not a hipster, and I don't pay a lot for cotton. Then one day I walked in and had fun, yes fun in an AA and from then on, I admired and respected AA. My most recent AA obsession is the Micro Mesh Gloria Deep-V Bodysuit in Hot Pink. Can we say revival of the 80's? Super Duper sexy, and fun. The first time I laid eyes on the black version I was in love, but the hot pink is fire and fun. What better way to be both sexy, funny and fashionable?


American Apparel Cotton Mesh Deep V Bodysuit $40

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Diary of a Beauty Product Junkie



Napoleon Perdis Blush Patrol Antique Rose #20


Hi my name is Lo' Diva and I am a beauty product junkie. As we speak I am hooked on Napoleon Perdis' Blush Patrol in Antique Rose #20. When I put it on I have the glow of an angel. I can't get enough of using it. Last year, it was all about Nars' Super Orgasm but I am sorry, I feel like a red carpet star mixed with an amazing photo shop artist. One sweep, you heard yes just one and I get an ethereal J.Lo like glow. Napoleon you have done it, you make one look like an angel. Thank you! If, you want to look like a Hollywood angel and to find out more info on Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics click here.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Let Your Ears Do The Talking!

I loooove a dramatic shoulder grazing earring, it's my m.o. Sometimes I plan my outfits around my earrings. A cute earring can be the greatest contributor to an outfit. Accessories are what truly defines your personality and well my earrings say, big, bold, brash and fake as all hell! Earrings just seem to find me whereever I go! I have an amazing beaded pair found on the streets of Milan and the must complex hoops ever, found around the corner from my house. My two main criteria, unique and cheap and one of my favorite spots is of course is Forever 21. Rarely do I pay more than $10 for a pair of earrings and I usually get thousands of compliments. Take a look at these pairs that I have got my eye on.

Linda Lacquer Earrings $4.80


These sleek vintage inspired drops are great for evening. They give a bold kick to an otherwise safe outfit. If you have a cropped locks or even a soft chignon, this pair will have a great stage to work with.




Rhinestone Pineapple Earrings $5.80

I love organic jewelry. Organic being that it represents something from the Earth. The pineapples above show you can have fun with fashion, the rhinestones add a campy twist.

Vivianne Jewel Earrings $5.80

These faux blings are real stunners. The colors are amazing a true throw back to glamour.

See guys all of these super great pieces are all under $6 and they look a helluva lot pricier. So head out and get a pair of bold earrings to let the world know you're not afraid to love fashion!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The New Denim

It's all about denim, chirped fellow blogger Ty, from World of Fly Girls. It use to be that denim was for lazy casual folks, or cowboys. Now every classic from the Birkin bag to the tuxedo comes in a denim form. Denim is acceptable for special occasions, okay dates and parties, not weddings but hey, I've seen it. While surfing the web, I ran across this really cool combo of perfection, fashion and denim at NY&Co.


NY&Co Refined Denim Jacket $59.95

This vest and jacket combo screams sleek. I maybe pushing it when I say it looks Savile Row but it does. The details and finishing are very Savile Row at NY&Co prices. The dark rinse and lightweight fabric makes it seem super elegant and a far cry from your 1980's denim. These are not novelty items, these are wardrobe staples so you will most definitely get your money's worth.
Here is a different view of the vest, it screams cute and fun and fashionable. I am loving NY&Co right now, can't wait to get my hands on these pieces.


Refined Denim Scoop Neck Vest

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Sunny Days Ashy Legs

I loathe what this time of the year does to my skin. When Spring is trying to break from Winter's oppressive air, my skin really suffers. I blame it on the change of weather sort of shocking my body. Animals shed their winter coats, maybe that's what I am doing. In order for one to prevent Ashy Larry status, I have found a sort of non sticky non greasy resolution to my Spring fever skin issue.






Yeah, that's a whole lot to say but it's the truth if your skin is feeling itchy, flaky and dry. La Roche, for short has become part of my daily routine. Formulated with the same moisture replenishing lipids found in human skin, it's a rich conditioning skin treatment that leaves no residue. Did you hear me, no greasy residue that causes those horrid stains on your clothes. Nor does it stay on top of your skin. Your skin drinks it up and goes to work. I've considered this product to be my savior. Now, I can transition into the Spring without worrying about my skin looking like I work in a bakery. Thank you La Roche, thank you!


Monday, March 8, 2010

Spring Style The LWD

Counting down to Spring and wondering what you should add to your wardrobe? Well, the little white dress is a must have for your Spring/Summer Wardrobe. I know what you are thinking about white. Stop whining that white makes you look fat and it gets dirty quickly. Take those negative thoughts and keep in mind that white looks rich, it looks heavenly and it gives you depth. The Little White Dress was all over the runway and just like it's polar opposite, The Little Black Dress, it's versatility is what makes it a wardrobe necessity. Of course, I did a little research for you and found three LWD that will kick your Spring wardrobe up quite a few heavenly notches.



Florizia Special Occasion Dress $79

For your next special occasion this dress should be worn. It's fun and sexy without going overboard. Under $100 you can't go wrong with this LWD!

BCBG Long Sleeve Jersey $178

Jersey is a sexy fabric that drapes your figure so well. This long sleeve number can go from day to night and can go from Spring to Summer to Fall.



J.Crew One Shouldered Sheath$138

The shoulder is the new cleavage! This asymmetrical sheath screams Summer time shimmy.

The Little White Dress will really kick up your Spring wardrobe. I am hoping to see more white this coming Spring.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Are You A Size Nazi?


Recently, while shopping with a friend, she eyed a dress with lust, it was a size 42, a European 6 give or take. She really liked it, I really liked it for her. Always playing fairy fashion godmother, I told her to try it on, there was one more on the floor a 38 which is more like a 2. She is small, but she is no size 2 in European. For one, like me she has curves; hips, thighs ass as well as length, she's 5'7" muscle she works out and boobs a full B. Great body, sick body but this dress was straight and narrow. Going for a smaller size would be a joke so when she picked it up I let out a huge WTF? She was adamant about trying on the 2 because she always bought a 2 or a 4 in everything. I had to laugh out loud because I realized I was dealing with a Size Nazi. Yes baby, in my Mo'nique voice a Size Nazi. As in a person 99% of the time a woman who will only buy one size and one size only not giving to the fact size and cut really differs depending upon the retailer and designer.



I learned a long time ago that size more than age really is just a number. Don't get me wrong if you usually wear a 12 and you attempt to squash yourself into a 2 you're delusional, which is a whole other esteem issue. Honestly, when it comes to women's clothing sizing it's the wild wild west! Step into my closet and I have a sprinkling of 4's, 6's and 8's. I have a few tops in small, a bulk in medium and a few in size large. It's no big thing to me, a dress at Forever 21 is not going to be cut like a dress from Tahari and that Tahari dress is not cut like a dress from Donna Karan. I have dresses from all three and they vary in size in a major way.


Maybe it's my days working in retail that made not give a second thought on sizing. Retail was where I met my first Size Nazi. I learned that mass American retailers, size based on what is called Vanity sizing. Retailers like The Gap and Ann Taylor are known for vanity sizing which is really going a size down so that the buyer thinks she is smaller in size. So that size 10 is more like a size 12 woman, but who doesn't want to believe they are smaller even if it's only in one store. That same size 12 could be a size 14, or even 16 in Forever 21 or Joyce Leslie. Trend heavy stores with fast fashion are notorious for very random sizing. Their apparel doesn't go through major fit tests like Oscar de la Renta. Chances are mass retailers have one fit model for everything and they draft patterns off of one model. So slim jeans, coats, dresses are all cut off of the same person. The grade for error is high.


Let's not forget about where the clothes are manufactured and primarily sold. The difference between Made in USA and Made In China usually means go up a size or two or three if you really like it. In addition retailers that are found in Europe have different sizing than the US. Mango, Zara, TopShop and H&M you usually have to go up a size for. Let's be honest, Europeans are slimmer than Americans, they don't have corn dogs and Cheez Wiz!



I hope this posts saves you from bursting out in tears next time your in the fitting room. Sizing is a tricky thing and deep down you know your body. Your an individual, your body is unique. Don't get stuck on a number, it will cause for lots of heartache and the possibility of missing out on some pretty fly things because your stuck on a size. As for the Size Nazi, she went into the fitting room with the smaller size, never came out but showed up for dinner a few weeks later with that dress. I bet you she went back to get that size 42- How yo doin?