...But Tonight, I'm Cleaning Out My Closet

AND JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEW YEAR, TOO!

As the New Year quickly approaches, many of us want to start it off 'fresh and new,' because it is a new year, right?? For the lot of us, this is the equivalent to second chances...the chance to finally get that 4.0 [g.p.a.] you've been aiming for, a new 'do (hairdo, that is) perhaps...or even a new outlook on life--resolutions, anyone?! But what about a new wardrobe...?

As you go through your closet...

You come across an old, beady sweater that your Aunt Velma gave you for your birthday several years ago. No question here. Toss it!

What about that old leather skirt? "Hmm...It's so cute. Too bad it doesn't even fit anymore." Toss it!

"This old jersey dress...what a joke!" TOSSED!



At the end of your tossing extravaganza, you realize that you have nothing to show for [it] but an empty closet and a pile o'plenty in the middle of your bedroom.

"So now what? I have all of these unwanted clothes...."

SWAP 'EM!!

Clothes swapping is the "eco-friendly way to be stylish," according to BBC Green--an alternative to throwing away unwanted clothes and buying new ones, ultimately reducing waste and saving energy. It's a way to recycle your wardrobe. You can still be fashionable without spending a dime! Who would've thunk it?! Swishing is the catchy new term used in place of 'swapping instead of shopping.' Gill Hart from suite101.com calls this latest fashion phenomenon the ethical answer to shopping. In its November 2007 issue, Marie Claire praises swishing for combining four of fashion's current obsessions, including "fast fashion, value for money, vintage and ethical consumerism in one guilt-free package" (Hart). Everybody wins! You can swap things that you don't wear, giving them to someone else who will, walk away with a new outfit, updating your wardrobe, and/or even turn unwanted items into cash. Things that aren't swapped can be donated to local non-profit homeless shelters and your favorite charities. Elle magazine even goes so far as to calling swishing " The underground party scene." Speaking of, why not throw your very own swishing party?!



Learn how to organize a swapping, or swishing, party here:

http://www.bbcgreen.com/Lifestyle-Family/Fashion/Clothes-swapping-parties

http://www.lifeorganizers.com/cm_articles/16_organize_a_clothes_swap_189.html

Don't have the time or the space to throw a party? No worries! You can even swap clothes online! The great thing about swapping online is that you can swap things with people from all different parts of the world, and you know what that means--EXCLUSIVITY!

Check out these sites:

http://www.swapstyle.com/

http://www.clothingswap.org/about.htm

http://www.bigwardrobe.com/

Just remember, swishing doesn't have to be for women's clothing only. You can swap anything, including but not limited to, furniture, books, baby's clothing, children's clothing, and even men's clothing. Thus, anyone can swap--even men! In these times of economic hardship, take advantage of penny-pinching outlets like these!

To learn more about swishing, check out:

http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/swishing_the_new_way_to_shop

http://www.swishing.org/

A Diva is the Female Version of a Hustler

Diva (dē'və) n., pl. -vas or -ve (-vā).

1: an operatic Prima Donna.

2: a usually glamorous and successful female performer or celebrity, ex. a fashion diva; especially : a popular female singer , ex. pop divas.

[et. from Italian diva "goddess," from Latin diva (same meaning); feminine of dīvus, god] (Merriam-Webster Student Dictionary).

Contemporary artists like Beyoncé [Knowles...or Carter], Mariah [Carey], and Mary J. [Blige] have all paved the way for girls all around the world. These haute couture hotties are known for more than just their designer duds. They weren't always sittin' on top of the world.

Take Mariah Carey, for instance. She certainly wasn't born with a silver spoon. In her hit single "Make It Happen," off her sophomore album, Emotions, Mariah recalls a moment "not more than three short years ago" when she was "abandoned and alone without a penny" to her name. Sometimes she couldn't even eat. In the song, she encourages her listeners to believe in themselves with accompanied prayer, using personal struggle to get the point across. Today, she serves as an inspiration to us all, living proof that tough times don't last for long.

Frank Micelotta Photoshoot

June 12, 1990

Then there's Mary J. Blige, also known as M.J.B. the M.V.P. And she is the most valuable player, indeed. Mary J. is more than the just the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul (as if that weren't enough). She's a STORYTELLER. Many hip-hop artists glorify the conditions of inner-city living. She rose above it--the drugs, the poverty, domestic abuse. What didn't kill her only made her stronger (and who isn't glad for that). Never blinded by her success or jaded by her turbulent past, Mary J. Blige has always been and continues to be true to herself.

Last, but not least, we have Bee--not yours truly, but the [Queen] Bee, Beyoncé (duh). She has every reason to feel like she's that (oops!), now doesn't she? Beyoncé has reached a level of success that most of us can only dream of at the young age of 27. She's not even 30 yet for crying out loud! And already she has countless Grammy's and over 75 million albums sold under her belt! That's not even the half of it...I could go on, but I'd need a separate blog for that! Even so, all that glitters is not gold...Beyoncé has paid the price for her fame. On the brightside, every cloud has a silver lining--through it all, Beyoncé has still managed to come out on top!

Beyoncé at ABC Studio (2006)

So what do my three favorite ladies have in common?

Aside from the fact that the trio joined voices in 'Just Stand Up!', a fight for cancer....

Click on following link to see footage of this phenomenal collaboration

http://video.aol.com/video/just-stand-up-feat-mariah-carey-beyonce-mary-j-blige-rihanna-miley-cyrus-and-more/2301272

THEY'VE ALL POCKETED THE TERM 'DIVA'! "She ain't no diva!"

OH!! ...but they are...

Find out what makes a 'diva' a diva in the continuation, "A Diva is a Female Version of a Hustler, Part II."

Peek-A-Boots

The peep-toe boot featured here is by Jeffrey Campbell

Who ever said that fashion had to make sense????

A recent trend that has been hitting the map is the peep-toe boot and bootie.

::sigh:: So much has been said about the ever so controversial "peek-a-boot." Many fashion critics bash the peep-toe boot for lacking practicality.

I guess I see where they're coming from. Actually, I lied--I definitely see where they're coming from, and they are absolutely right! Who would ever waste their money on these things?! We are in a RECESSION, and I am not trying to spend money on a pair of peek-a-boots for the sake of fashion--just to be "in style," you know, keeping up with the Joneses. After all, I thought the point of wearing a boot in the first place was to keep ALL of your foot warm.

This 'fashionable' trend raises alot of questions. A boot that you can't wear when it's cold, or raining, or snowing?? I don't quite get it. So when is the right time to sport the peek-a-boot? I'll get to that....

This one's even got FRINGE! Hideous, right?

The reality of it is this...fashion doesn't have to make sense! Does it make sense to wear Uggs in the summer...with dresses...or in the rain?? NO. Does it make sense to wear shorts with tights? NOT REALLY. Does it make sense to wear knit hats/berets in the summer?? Ehh, it depends. (for the guys) Shorts with construction boots?? I'm sure you already know the answer to that. But either way, it's ALL been done...and some of these faux pas get the green light...others get the 'heave-ho.' I'll leave it up to you to decide which ones.

Moving on...if you MUST have this 'must-have,' and you need some advice on how to wear it, I would say...experiment...trial and error.... Most of these boots are manufactured in solid colors, making it easy for you to pair them up with your fall/winter fashion favorites. Depending on its style, I could see the peek-a-boot being worn in place of the peep-toe pump. As skeptical as these things make me, I must admit, they are très chic--combined with the sexiness and feminity of an open-toe pump plus the security of a boot.

Personally, I thought that the idea of the peep-toe boot was so dumb...

THAT I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A PAIR FOR MYSELF!!

Even Sarah Jessica Parker is getting in on the fun!! No pressure...well...maybe just a little....

Still not convinced?! Chloe--tell 'em somethin'!!

YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!!!

DON'T F*** W/CHUCK!

...NORRIS, that is...but do f*** with Chuck Taylor!

So who is Chuck Taylor, you ask...



Converse began producing the canvas and rubber sneaker, known under the "All-Star" label, in 1917. Its target market was basketball players. A year after its introduction, the "All-Star" became especially popular among high school basketball player (no surprise here) Charles Hollis "Chuck" Taylor. Chuck loved the design of the shoe so much, he sought a job at Converse after high school. He proposed changes that needed to be made to the "All-Star," adding to its success. From that point on, he became the spokesperson and salesman for the Converse "All-Star". One addition to the shoe that cannot go unnoticed is Chuck Taylor's signature on the ankle patch.



It's funny...growing up in my neighborhood, throughout middle school, junior high, and even high school, I never really saw anybody wearing Chuck Taylor's, or "Chucks" as I like to call them (that might have something to do with the fact that at every school I've gone to, there was a strict dress code--UNIFORM). But anyway, most of my peers were caught up in the Jordan phenomenon (nothing against Jordan's). Everyone rocked their Jordan's with pride. If you had a pair of Jordan's, "nobody could tell me NOTHING!" But wait, wait--not just ANY pair of Jordan's...you HAD to have the newest edition ('cuz you know a new style dropped like every month). If you were wearing anything other than a pair of Jordan's, you were out of the fashion loop. So I wasn't even thinking about Chuck Taylor..."Chuck WHO?!" But don't get me wrong, I would see a pair of Converse sneakers every once in awhile--maybe a pink pair here to match her pink bandana, or a blue pair there to match (you get my point)...but they weren't the most coveted shoe.


Whenever I thought of Converse (and I say "Converse", because at this time, I didn't know very much else about the brand), I thought of these long, ugly shoes that made your feet look big that nerds wore. I remember watching "Family Matters," seeing scrawny little Steve Urkel wearing a red pair of high-top Chuck Taylor's with his gym uniform as he was tormented by his classmates--appealing, huh? (yeah, right!)


Jesse McCartney at what appears to be the Teen Choice Awards.

Seen all over campus, in every different style, complementing every kind of outfit, in every color that you could ever imagaine, it wasn't until I got to college that I started to appreciate Chucks. I never thought that I would have a shoe that matched with E V E R Y T H I N G until my Mom surprised me with my very first pair of high-top Chuck Taylor's...the classic black ones with white laces...so I was a little late, but so what! Since then, I've updated my Chuck collection a bit.... I like to call Chucks the "high-fashion" sneaker, because they look good with whatever you put on. Various celebrities have been spotted wearing Chuck Taylor's. This sneaker gives your ensemble a punk-rock edge. And Nickelback said it best: "We all just wanna be big rockstars."


I prefer the "lived-in" look. Some styles of the Chuck Taylor All Star are even designed that way...so it looks like you've worn them for years.... And let's not forget about price--Chuck Taylor's are some of the most inexpensive sneakers on the market. That makes it easier to stock up on every color and shade of that color--royal blue, navy blue, yellow, grey, maroon, fushia, purple...the list goes on! They can be worn in every season too...winter, spring, summer, and fall.


Rihanna on her video set.

It's no wonder the Chuck Taylor All-Star has been noted as the most successful basketball shoe in history.



I LOVE MY CHUCKS!!!!



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Check out these links if you're interested in purchasing the Chuck Taylor All-Star brand sneakers that are featured:

• http://store.delias.com/item.do?categoryID=1922&itemID=50405&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=


• http://store.delias.com/item.do?categoryID=1922&itemID=49910&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=


• http://www.converse.com/#productdetail

**Don't want to go through the hassle of online shopping? No need to worry! Most retailers carry the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star. Stop by your local shoe store.**

One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure

...Who says 'hand-me-downs' are a bad thing?! "One man's trash is another man's treasure" is a common phrase that has so much more meaning now, especially with today's failing economy. I knew what thrifting was before I even knew the meaning of "thrifting". I remember going with my Grandma to our local Salvation Army after school. I used to HATE going there. Everything looked old and dusty, and the place smelled funny. But I must admit, there were some interesting things being sold. The difference between us--she shopped for antique collectibles, and now I shop for fun fashion-finds. For those of you who still don't know or understand the meaning of "thrifting", thrifting is simply the act of shopping at a thrift store, or as the bourgeois might prefer to call them, vintage shops. I prefer "vintage shops" (I'm down with bourgeoisie--yeah, you know me!!). Many people are hesitant about thrifting, because most, if not all, of the items are second-hand (you might luck up and find an item that's brand new or has barely been used). I used to be one of those people. "Clothes that have already been worn...?? I'll pass!!" But hey, look on the bright side--the items are in relatively good condition and have been cleaned to perfection, good as new!

Does this dress look like it's been used? Well it has!

Not to mention, it's a great way to find designer pieces at a fraction of the cost. After all, fashion is about having an open mind. If it makes you feel any better, you can always match your "new" vintage skirt with your Silence & Noise tank top. You can find any and everything at vintage shops...cute tops, dresses, purses, earrings, you name it! ...and from every decade too! I personally love the 80's--dolman sweaters, over-the-knee boots...and even the early 90's!! (I'm an 80's baby and the 90's raised me).

As the old adage goes, "History repeats itself". This is no less true of fashion trends. To all of my fashionistas-in-training, as you plunder through the fancy digs at your new favorite thrift shop, you'll start to notice that the gorgeous blouse that you've got your hands on bares a striking similarity to the blouse that the mannequin is wearing in the display window of the trendy, high-end boutique down the street. Here's something else that you may also want to take into consideration: many vintage items have higher standards of quality. And remember, you're getting this high quality item at a lower price. This past summer, I bought a beautiful dress from this place called Cheap Jacks in mid-town. It reminded me of something that would be sold at Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie. The staff was extremely helpful and courteous, and it was easy for me to find what I was looking for, because the racks were grouped off by era/decade. This vintage shop even had a fitting room! Whenever you're in New York City, you should make your way to Cheap Jacks. They have a little something for everyone!

Find out who shops at Cheap Jacks!

http://www.cheapjacks.com/who_shops.php

Thrift stores are relatively inexpensive, and alot of them are downright CHEAP (in a good way) !! But beware, there are some high-priced vintage shops. Even so, just make sure that your wallet can take the plunge. I strongly encourage thrifting. It's a great way to save money--we could all use a bargain right about now. Most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to be uniquely stylish. At least you won't have to worry about anyone else wearing the same thing (don't you just hate when that happens?!). And for all of you last minute shoppers, "Christmas gifts, anyone??"

We have to support our thrift stores. They benefit our communities. I'll leave you with this...don't judge a book by it's cover. While it is true that some storefronts look like the rinky-dink set of "Sanford and Son", vintage shops have alot of hidden treasures just waiting to be found!


Suggestions:

**Cheap Jacks

• 303 Fifth Avenue (at the northeast corner of 31st St.)
• New York, NY 10016
• http://www.cheapjacks.com/

**Meeps Vintage Fashionette

• 2104 18th Street NW
• Washington, DC 20009
• www.meepsdc.com

**eBay (just type in what you're looking for in the 'search' tab and watch as the magic unfolds)

HAPPY HUNTING!!!!