Oxfords

Oxfords are a great style shoe. A lot of designers are making oxford inspired pumps. I bought my first pair from Bakers about a month ago, and they are extremely comfortable and of course fabulous. I found a few pair on Zappos and thought I’d share with my fashionable blog followers. Oxford flats or heels look really cute with skinnies or even stirrups. I bought a few trouser socks to wear with them also. Good luck in finding your perfect pair of oxfords. Smooches…AV

Michael Kors
Matisse
Sam Edelman
Via Spiga
Frye

Photos courtesy of Zappos.com

Look created on Looklet.com

Bib Me Baby

I have recently become obsessed with bib necklaces. They are currently the most popular accessory on the runway. They are usually a cluster of gems, jewels, fabric, or buttons at the center of a long or short necklace which sort of favors a baby’s bib…hints the name “bib necklace”. It can also be a made by a chaining method of beads or metals. The concept is that all the weight of the necklace meets at the breastplate. They are so charming, unique and bold…and we all know how I love bold. I own a few myself. The thing about this new crave is that you can do it yourself. There are plenty of online “do it yourself” guides on making this fashionable must have accessory. They come is different shapes, colors, sizes, and materials. Forever21 has a great selection of bib necklaces. Good luck finding yours…AV

Thick Silver Chain-link Bib w/ blue stones
Red and Black Rose Bib
Gold Bib w/ Black Stones
Coral and Turquoise Antique Bib
Black Ribboned Bid with Jewels

I am Relaxed

For those of you who insist on relaxing your hair I have a great product line for you. I have been using Silk Elements product for the past three years and I could not be happier. I have really thick, coarse hair and I have been relaxing my hair since I can remember. I have tried growing it out natural twice but didn’t have the patience. I choose to do my own relaxer, one because I have about a year of cosmetology training and I know what I’m doing and two because I can’t afford to really have a salon do it every 6 to 8 weeks. No-lyr relaxers causes calcium build-up which is harmful to your hair so you may want to invest in a clarifying shampoo to strip the hair of unwanted build-up (monthly).

Silk Elements has a long line of products that I have been satisfied with. I use the Olive Oil Coarse Relaxer, deep conditioner, heat protector, shampoo, and also the regular conditioner. I use to use the Regular Sensitive Scalp Relaxer but I found that the Olive Oil Coarse Relaxer provided more moisture. Because I have to relax my hair every 6 weeks like clock work I get my ends trimmed every 3 weeks. I have found that trims promote growth. I use to use a black rinse which I have recently shied away from because I want to retain as much moisture as I can. My hair does grow pretty fast, but I know the constant heat isn’t helping much. I have to shampoo my hair weekly because of the build-up from my flat-iron. I found that if I get a medicated conditioner treatment, roller-set my hair then wrap it each night I can go two weeks without having to shampoo my hair…so that my be an option for you. You can find Silk Elements products at Sally’s Beauty supply stores.

Moisture, moisture, moisture is sooo important in African American hair. I found a young lady by the name of Traycee

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Silk-Elements-MegaSilk-Relaxer/SBS-373312,default,pd.html

who was nice enough to post her growth process and regimen online for all to see and follow.

Leopards, Leggings and Platform Shoes

Look created on Looklet.com

I created this look for my equally fierce friend Betty the babe…I am still into the leggings…and I believe they can either make or break an outfit depending on sooo many things; fit, print, material, and what top is worn with them. You never want to wear a top that does not cover your backside…I consider that to be very unappealing…it is okay to wear a top that doesn’t hug ever curve…less formfitting shirts with an interesting shape create a nice balance…Oh and it’s always nice to get away from the “matchiness”, so mix it up a bit, have fun. Hope you like it Betty…AV

Goo goo 4 Gaga

Is it just me or is Lady Gaga hot? I love her. She’s so bold and daring and pretty much anything goes with her style but yet it’s consistent. She is like Betsey Johnson meets, Madonna, meets, Courtney Love. She’s sort of a fashion misfit but I love it. Her music is great and she’s so bad azz. Bright colors, dark colors, bold structures and eccentric fabrics. Obviously I’m not the only one who loves her…Gaga performed almost naked at Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 fashion show after party a few months ago, and I adore Marc Jacobs. AV

Bringing Bald Back

Ok…I am posting this because I love the fade on beautiful women. Not all women can pull this look off. You have to have strong feminine features in order to execute this look well, which I believe both Solange Knowles and Amber Rose have. I have cut my hair off twice, once in 2002, and again in 2004. I loved having this style haircut and it drove men absolutely nuts…that’s always a plus…LOL…I am contemplating doing it again very soon. My man has always been a fan of long hair and I’m constantly change my hair because I do hair and women who do hair experiment a lot with their own. If I decide to do so again I’ll be sure to post a picture, but this is me in 2002…Ashley Vonne.

My New/Old Sweater

On one of my secondhand shopping expeditions I came across this silk-wool blended sweater. It was clearly love at first sight. Besides the fact that it’s extremely soft, it has puff sleeves, broad shoulders, and draws in at the waist. The best part is that it was 3 bucks. I about fell out on the floor…lol…people sleep on (pay no attention to) the secondhand shops, Goodwill, and Salvation Army stores…Where do you think a lot of grandma’s, and old aunt Sally’s clothes go? I hope this inspires you to go checkout your local secondhand clothing stores. Vintage necklaces and other jewelry are my favorite finds….Smooches….AV

Pimple Peace

I’ve never really had an acne problem but like a lot of women I get an occasional break out from stress, the monthly visitor, or even the oils from my hair when worn in my face. So I’ve tried a lot of products to rid my pimple problem and about two years ago I discovered Clearasil Ultra Deep Pore Cleansing Pads. They are wonderful. I wouldn’t recommend using them if you have super sensitive skin because they may be too harsh. I have a combination of oily and dry skin so I only use the pads on my problem areas, which are usually the jaw line, or right around my forehead and hairline.

This product can be found at any major drugstore or Wal-Mart. It will run you around $7 or $8. This little container will last you a few months, if only used during breakouts. I have gotten rid of pimples in as little as two days. I tend to use a pad on the problem areas once before bed and again in the afternoon and 2 days later my skin is smooth again.

I’ve recommended it to friends and family and those who have tried it, have liked it. AV…Peace

5 Star Status Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson is simply amazing. I’m so proud that she was able to land on her feet after her divorce from Nick Lachey, and boy did she take off running. Shoes, handbags, clothes, fragrances, jewelry, with luggage and intimates on the way. She’s definitely a visionary with style. Her shoe game is ridiculous. Her merchandise is current, affordable and well-made. I recently purchased a pair of brown leather platform pumps from Macy’s for $45…HOT! Haven’t had a chance to wear them just yet…AV

Happy Pump Day!

Every woman loves shoes…me personally, I adore them. They are sexy, smart, mysterious, fun, expensive, and charming. Each pair has its own personality.

I consider myself an outfit architect when I construct a look and it’s only right to start from the foundation and work your way up. The perfect shoes…then the perfect pair of jeans to complement the shoes…followed by a nice top and accessories will pull your look together. I found some of the hottest pumps from a few of my favorite labels:

Sam Edelman
Cesare Paciotti
Missoni
Report
and of course L.a.m.b.

You can find of the shoes in this post on Zappos. Also feel free to visit the designer’s sites. Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo… Ashley Vonne