Code Blue!

Blue hues never looked so good. Go from day to night with shades like royal, aqua, cobalt, and turquoise. Known for it's soothing properties, blue is great color to wear when just want to relax.

I Dig These Blues! by chocfashblog featuring Gucci bags

Item Details:
Splendid
Cotton modal maxi dress, $155, net-a-porter.com
Big Heart Tote, $1,490 EUR, mytheresa.com,
Behnaz Kanani peep-toe pump, $524 GBP, farfetch.com
Sanaa Lathan in Alberta Ferretti
Blue marella water filter jug, $16 GBP, debenhams.com
Blue Shell oval ring, $105 GBP, pebblelondon.com
Costa one-shoulder dress, $255 GBP, my-wardrobe.com
Blue twist bandeau top, $39 GBP, my-wardrobe.com,
Talullah Tu cuff bracelet, $16 GBP, talullahtu.co.uk
Sapphire screw-stud earrings, $359, Amazon.com
Blue Frill satin top, $28 GBP, missselfridge.com,
Charleston stretch twill shorts, $21.20, alloy.com
Halle Berry's sun-kissed look
Retro-Love sunglasses, $349 EUR, mytheresa.com,
Gucci blue crystal GG "Hysteria" bag, Bluefly.com
Chloé Leather Flat Pumps With Bow, $329 GBP, far fetch.com.

Go Mellow for Summer With Yellow!

Yellow is color that work for just about every skin tone. Whether you're cafe au lait or rich chocolate, sunny yellow makes you look chic for summer. Pair designer items with lower-priced ones for a unique look. Pair the Oscar de la Renta silk skirt with a $5 tee says tres chic! Love to match? Go for a phone cover like the Apple I-Phone silicone skin cover from PDAExtreme.com

Chocolate Sun by chocfashblog featuring Fendi bags

Item Details:
Swimsuit, Diane Von Furstenberg, $190, net-a-porter.com
Fold corner bag, Dorothy Perkins, $18,dorothyperkins.com
Patent-buckle platform heel sandals, $25.99, amiclubwear.com
Zac Posen silk-fitted dress, $2,325, net-a-porter.com
Smoked topaz bumblebee statement necklace, 1928.com,
Rafe New York "Rihanna" frame handbag, $375, piperlime.com
Flower ring, $14.99, modcloth.com
Rib vest top, $12 EUR, debenhams.com,
Oscar de la Renta silk-pleated skirt, $1,150, net-a-porter.com
Old Navy flip-flops, $3.50, oldnavy.com
Apple iPhone 3G silicone case, pdaextreme.com
Arden B, tiered-silk party dress, ArdenB.com Flower pin, $3.99, girlprops.com
Oscar de la Renta Origami open-toe slingbacks, $665, net-a-porter.com
Fendi sequined "Forever Boston" bag, $820, net-a-porter.com
Bright bead bracelet, $6 EUR, newlook.co.uk
Pacifica Brazilian Mango candles, $16, sephora.com.

Desiree Rogers & Valerie Jarrett cover Capitol File Magazine's Summer Issue

If you haven't heard of them by now, let me scold you. Two of the most powerful women in the White House, Social Secretary Desirée Rogers and Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, grace the cover of Capitol File magazine for their summer issue.

The New Orleans born and Harvard educated Rogers is a well-known socialite and business-executive in Chicago. Jarrett, who was born in Shiraz, Iran holds degrees from Stanford University and the University of Michigan.

The two longtime friends discuss their friendship, their focus, and what it's like to be a part of the most historical presidential administration of our time. Available at most newsstands or at: www.capitolfile-magazine.com.

Finding Your Signature Style

Style is not something most people are born with, it's something you acquire. If you're like me you were fortunate enough to have females in your family who had impeccable style, someone who turned heads. If you weren't so lucky, all is not lost. You too can develop your own personal sense of style make yourself fashion-magazine worthy...Or at least presentable for social events!

1. Avoid being too trendy. Wearing too many "in" items screams I-don't-know-what-I'm doing. When shopping, find one or two items you like and pair them with something classic or casual. Never buy every item that's on the mannequin. Use a few ideas to implement a few key looks into your wardrobe, but don't group all the trends together.

2. Find a signature color. Whether you like bright colors, pastels, jewel tones, or neutrals, find a color that complements you. Having a signature color makes it easy to shop for things you like and while you don't have to buy every item in that color, purchasing a few key pieces allows you to mix and match while maintaining your signature look.

3. Keep your head together.Your hair and face are just as important as the rest of you. A signature hairstyle/cut will complete any ensemble. If you're a huge makeup fan, consider a professional consultation to give you the perfect look. Every woman should at least wear lip color and mascara.

4. Put your best foot forward. Simple rules for shoes: Shoes can make or break an outfit. Cheap shoes will cheapen an outfit. Spend a little more money for a better fit. If you're on a modest budget check out stores like Nine West and Aldo. If you can splurge, go for comfort not appearance. Wearing the wrong shoe can be annoying not to mention painful.

5. Accessorize properly. Handbags and jewelry are essential to any outfit. If your clothing is dramatic, opt for subtle jewelry and vice versa. I love necklaces and cocktail rings so it is rare that you will see me without one of the two. But I also love bold earrings, and if I wear them, I leave the rest of the jewelry at home. You should have a handbag for every day use, as well as an arsenal for weekends and evening looks. Mixing and matching accessories can make the same outfit look brand new!

Nine West "Kwest" Platform $89

Comes in 6 Colors, 13 sizes, and 100 stares!

Visit NineWest.com for details!

Little Boys Should Never Wear Pink and Green!

I love the Simmons family. But Justine...the Chocolate Fashion blog says NO to this look on Diggy. I thought he was a girl at first and I watch the show! Pass. Maybe try blue and gold next time.

How to Bargain Hunt on the Web...And a Few Other Places

I would like to thank all my grandma Rosie, fashion magazines, my stylist friend ETS (who shall remain anonymous at the moment), and my Leo rising. I seem to have developed a list and keen sense for hardly every paying full price for anything. Thanks to the inside track with a variety of designer discount member only websites such as RueLaLa, Ideeli, Gilt, HauteLook, and TopSecret, I can find designer items at a fraction of the cost. For example, the La Perla "Song" bra which retails for $289, is selling for $79 on RueLaLa. HauteLook.com has the Chaiken "Audrey" dress selling for $90 compared to $198 retail. With a little more than half off, you can't lose. Stores like Target (nee Tarjaay) sell merchandise that is often quite similar to the designer duds. I found a dress at there for $22.99 and ran into a woman in Bellacures nail salon who paid five times that much from some designer boutique. Other than the belt loops, you could hardly tell them apart! Now don't get me wrong, I love designer clothes, but I am not a slave to them. If I can find something similar at a cheaper price, best believe I will snatch it up. My stylist friend ETS has the inside track on a top secret warehouse that sells designer merchandise for 15% of the retail price. Hello?? Can somebody say HUGE DISCOUNT!? So basically if the retail price of a Donna Karan dress is $500, you would only pay $75! Can you imagine? But yes, there is a $200 spending minimum, but at those prices, you can make yourself find stuff.

Sometimes, spending a little more money is worth it. Places like Off Fifth and Last Call, Saks and Neiman Marcus discount little sister stores respectively, offer a pretty good selection of clothes and accessories. The key is finding the jewels and ignoring the junk. Don't be fooled by people who say if it's not designer they won't wear it. Some designers make stuff I wouldn't burn in my fireplace, let alone wear. Pairing one designer item with a lesser known item is tres chic. Taking cues from those "Housewives of Fantasy Land" who think just because something is expensive it should be worn, I choose my clothing carefully. Loehmann's in Los Angeles is one of my favorite bargain places to shop. They also have discounts for their "card" holders. (See a sales clerk for details.) I get all my jeans there, and usually some that are very unique and durable for under $50. Their handbag, jewelry, and lingerie sections are great. I have yet to find a pair of shoes there that I like, but the mediocre selection doesn't keep me from going back and hoping.

Online I also frequent shops like Bluefly, Eluxury, and smart Bargains. The latter is not as exciting as the first two but every once in a while you find items that are nice and too good to pass up. I recommend trying to obtain a membership to the exclusive members only site though (send me a direct message for an invite from me), as they tend to have the BEST merchandise anywhere. (Be sure to check return/refund policies prior to buying just in case something doesn't fit.) As with any discounted item, be sure to check for flaws. Online most of the deals are overstock merchandise and perfectly fine. In stores you may find more irregular items, but if you have a tailor on speed dial, alterations should be a snap!

Recession or not, some of us are still breaking the bank to look good. Invest in key pieces and buy multiple items in bulk if you fall in love with the item. You can find some great designer discounts online and at retail stores if you don't mind a little research!


©2009
(Photo by Ariel Skelley)

How to Make a Statement With Necklaces

Bold statement necklaces are hot and the more, the merrier! Finding a single, fashionable necklace can be a hard task, especially when you desire a certain look. Thanks to stores like Forever Love, I can spend less than $20 on necklaces and get multiple looks! Wearing multiple necklaces is tres chic, but statement necklaces prove to be a bold move. Here's how to make them work.

1. Layer by size. Start small and go large. Give your neckline a "chain reaction" by piling on the necklaces to create a layered effect.

2. Be bold. The bolder the necklace, the hotter the look. Dainty necklaces may fair well for the cotillion but if you're trying to make a statement, center your look around one bold piece.

3. Go for the gold. Gold is bold. I have a tons of gold necklaces that I wear for cause and effect. The benefits of gold necklaces is that you can pair them with just about anything for a "warm" look. On film, they also photograph well.

4. If you wear a bold necklace, skip the big earrings. While some women like to match their earrings with their necklace and or bracelet, in this case less is more. You want to have a focal point and draw the attention to one area of your face.

5. Don't hang yourself. Long necklaces can be more trouble than they're worth. Avoid wearing necklaces that hang down to your waist. They can get caught on something and break.

6. Invest in great costume necklaces. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a variety of looks. Department and retail chain stores sell tons of necklaces at great prices, and often you can find them on sale. Select the ones that complement what you already have and the ones you can pair with other jewelry.

I Can't Walk in Flats

My closet bears more than 60 pair of shoes. About 45 of them are stilettos, pumps, or wedges. It is impossible for me to walk in flats. I feel as though I am taking twenty steps back in time when I do. Heels seem to thrust me forward as if propelling me to ascend to a higher place. Not that I won't wear flats, it's just that when I do it's terribly awkward and makes me wish they made a more comfortable high-heel, one that doesn't flop when I walk so I nearly break my neck. I wear an size 8 1/2 shoe, sometimes a 9 depending on the brand. It's weird to have to buy a size either too big or too exact. But what am I supposed to do. Being a Diva didn't say anything about wearing flats, well maybe, since the statuesque Michelle Obama made them more popular. Some dainty outfits may require a flat, a flip-flop, or even a tennis shoe. But at my best I function solely like my true self in heels. After all if you're heading to the top, don't you want the perfect heel to help you get there?

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