M.I.A.

I know, I know, I have been M.I.A. for a LONG time.

I had to take some time to get myself together, but during that time, I became a fashion writer for the Atlanta Examiner.

Please follow me on the Atlanta Examiner site at Click here

Back off my Lady

Even though the nit-picking of the nation's First Lady Michelle Obama's fashion choices have died down for a week, I have to address the scrutiny that she has received for not wearing sleeved clothing.

The First Lady showing her perfectly-toned arms has created so much fodder. Even the lady who does my eyebrow waxing said she thought she should have covered up during the President's recent Capitol Hill prime time press conference.

I thought she looked divine in the eggplant Narciso Rodriguez ensemble she wore. Purple is definitely her color.

Anyway, I think it is fantastic that she is toned, in shape and is daring with her fashion choices. I think also that people are just now realizing so many things. Black women are stunning...new style and trends in the White House are refreshing...and SO WHAT! I think we as a nation need to release the tight grip of tradition that we cling to, and accept that fashion is about making statements, turning heads and most of all being comfortable and having fun.

I have been pleasantly pleased with Mrs. Obama's fashions. I always wonder what she is going to wear next. I think she covers up when appropriate, and if it does not bother her, why does it bother US so much.

Aren't there more pressing matters to talk about???

(By the way, Mrs. Obama is wearing Michael Kors in her White House photo, Kai Milla in her green cocktail dress, Narciso Rodriguez in the third photo and a Jason Wu stunner in the fourth photo. All photos courtesy of Associated Press.)

For my fans...

If you would like to check out another blog I have on style in Atlanta, Click here

Oh the Oscars

So, this post is a month late, but fashionably late (wink).

My favorite looks at the Oscars (just off the top of my head)

1. Taraji Henson in Roberto Cavalli. She looked like a vanilla dream, and I loved the punch of color she had with her red clutch.



2. Anne Hathaway in I believe Armani Prive. Glamour!



3. Marisa Tomei in Versace. Those cuts, that asymmetrical design...just daring. What a comeback from her swashbuckling look at one of the last Awards shows!




4. Sarah Jessica Parker in her minty princess Dior Haute Couture gown. Did she not look dreamy?



5. A tie between Angelina in her black Elie Saab gown...



and Natalie Portman in her petal Rodarte.

Jennifer is Back...oh and a Grammy recap

We got a taste of her fabulousity during her rendition of the National Anthem at this year's Superbowl.

But, last night Jennifer Hudson rocked and slam dunked the Grammy's. What a comeback, if that is the appropriate word.

Unfortunately, I do not know at this moment what design she was wearing last night, but the black and white cocktail dress was stunning and so flattering. She also shook up her look with wearing blue pumps, taking a cue from our nation's First Lady Michelle Obama.

I also adored her shimmery, cap-sleeved sheath dress for her performance. I had to fight back tears. I don't know where that girl gets her strength from.



My other thoughts about the Grammy's:

I'm appalled by the allegations surrounding Chris Brown and the "accident" that Rihanna was involved in...hmmm.

I am kind of taken aback by some of the wins last night, but then again I have to remind myself that the Billboards determine the wins for the most part, I think.

M.I.A. really was to bold come out looking like a Smurf in her VERY pregnant state. I don't think I would have been gyrating and bouncing around on stage for millions of people to watch like that on my due date.

Kanye...Kanye...Kanye, I am really not digging this Full Force, 80s', throwback look now.

I really wish Jay-Z would keep her hair cut. I miss the "low-cut Caesar with the deep waves."

Whitney looked smashing...until she opened her mouth (sigh)

Where was my diva, Beyonce?

A random rant

Okay, now that the fanfare of the Inauguration has gone, I can now speak on the travesty that was a fashion faux pas.

What was hip-hop, swaggalicious, businessman and thug-turned-paparazzi-fave Jay-Z thinking?!!!!!

So-So SAGs

Sorry for the late blog on the 2009 red carpet of the SAG Awards. I was thrilled to see Meryl Streep win Best Actress and Sean Penn Best Actor.

I also have been preoccupied with writing stories for a new gig of mine. I am the Atlanta Women's Style writer for the Atlanta Examiner.

Anyway, back to the SAG's. I was not in love with a lot of the looks this year, but I will say I am anxious to see what happens at the Academy Awards.

I noticed that there were a lot of one-strap dresses. I think First Lady Michelle Obama might have started that trend. There was also a lot of white dresses this time, which for me is always refreshing to see.

First up:

I liked Anne Hathaway, who was a vision in white. The Azzaro gown she wore was embellished with a crystal neckline and bodice. This Grecian look sure did turn heads. She also dazzled with her jewelry in where she wore a half a million dollar of Cartier diamonds. Way to bling it out!



I liked Penelope Cruz's look with the black Azzedine Alaia halter gown.



She seems to chose black often and it really is a great look for her. What made me take notice was her jewelry. I loved the touch of red in the Chopard diamonds that she wore.




I really liked Christina Applegate's red carpet look in the draped, emerald Emmanuel Ungaro gown. I really liked the add of the Lorraine Schwartz diamond chain. Sometimes going through a personal health issue, like breast cancer and a double mastectomy like she has, really shows a reinvention of oneself. In her case, she looks better than she ever has to me.



I am SO proud of this red carpet beauty, Academy Award-nominee Taraji P.Henson. She looked like a doll in the hot color of the evening white, donning a Herve Leroux gown. White Hot!



I think my favorite look of the night went to Kate Winslet. This girl is on fire lately snagging up all of the awards all the while looking stunning. Her pick of a electric blue, Narciso Rodriguez Gown and Chopard jewels was just breathtaking.




Other honorable mentions are Freida Pinto, of Slumdog Millionaire fame, in a soft, periwinkle Marchesa gown.




Finally...Teri Hatcher in a dreamy, creamy white Monique Lhuiller. The dress looked like a origami surprise.

Camelot revisted

Tuesday's inauguration fashions were like visiting the age of Camelot during Jackie O's and JFK's time, when fashions at the inaugurations looked like someone just stepped off a runway in Paris.

The morning started off with Michelle and Barack's grand entrance with Barack in what seems to be a lucky color in his suit and red tie. Was it just me or was he focused all day?

Michelle was just stunning in her daytime glam. Her gold Isabel Toledo eyelet dress coat had just the right shimmer effect and her empire waist dress and jeweled neckline was just exquisite. I loved the long leather olive gloves and the Kelly Green heels are winning me over, because her look is refreshing. I also applaud Mrs. Obama, or the First Lady for braving the brutal D.C. cold in her cute, but not warm coat and walking ALL day in those heels. Bravo!



Mrs. O dares to be different. She is re-introducing the world back to American designers, with Toledo and even how the little Obama girls were dressed.

Malia and Sasha were adorably age appropriate in their J.Crew wool coats. Malia's deep purple coat and Sasha's pink and orange, which is ironic given her fiesty personality. The girls looked like little dolls.




I also loved Jill Biden's look yesterday during the inauguration. Her fire-engine red coat screamed in a good way and it is refreshing to see a youthful, innovative style back at the White House.




The President and the First Lady were absolutely stunning at the Neighborhood Ball. I have not read a lot of reports on whether Michelle scored a 10 with her ivory, one-shouldered Jason Wu gown. The ecru chiffon one-shoulder gown with a ruched bodice, fluffy appliques, and sparkly beading by Wu, a New York-based native of Taipei, has gotten mixed reviews.




But, I thought it was spectacular. Michelle's jewelry was by Loree Rodkin, another American designer.



I loved the President's white tie-tux. Very classic, very elegant.

Dr. Jill Biden's dress was also a showstopper. Her red Reem Acra is a great signature look. You never go wrong with a red dress at a black or white-tie affair.

The keyhole bodice added a nice flair as well.




The Presidential and Vice-Presidential families clean up nicely don't we think?



As an aside, I liked the Queen of Soul's choice for her inaugural song. Her grey coat and pillbox hat complete with the rhinestoned bow was very festive and that is the best I have seen her in a long time.

The Golden Time of Day

What a refreshing surprise to see Lady O in her daytime glam.

I think Mrs. Obama looked gorgeous in her gold, sparkly brocade suit by American designer Isabel Toledo accented with the amazing long dress coat.

I liked the green gloves, but the jury is out on the green pumps.

Simply elegant...

Mrs. Obama stops fashion critics in their tracks

I know this is probably old news by now, but most fashion critics talked about Michelle Obama's black bell-sleeved coat that she wore during her husband's train ride on the Obama Express this past weekend.



I zeroed in on a hot trend that is going on with purse lovers everywhere.

Although Mrs. Obama's coat was very chic, especially with the long,purple leather gloves, I LOVED her black patent leather tote.

Everywhere I go these days, I see women carrying the classic black patent leather bag. In fact, I have to head out one of these days to find one for myself, since Santa did not bring it to me this year.

To see Mrs. Obama's patent leather bag, Click here

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

My latest guilty pleasure is warm, fuzzy socks. I have discovered socks by Juicy Couture and I love them.

The only thing that I have noticed is that the "one size fits all" does not fit all.





A few washings hopefully will loosen up these tight crew sock styles, otherwise my fuzzy sock-loving self will be head to T.J. Maxx, Ross, Marshall's and Target, which never seem to disappoint me.

A brief chat on the Globes

The theme for red carpet fashions is definitely deep shades of purple. So far, Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Anna Paquin, Rumer Willis, Hayden Pantierre, Kate Winslet, Debra Messing all are wearing the regal color.

Kate Winslet just picked up Best Supporting Actress. Yay! Ok, I digress.

I don't know what Drew Barrymore was thinking wearing a bird's nest on her hair.

I don't get how Bruce Springsteen won for Original Song in a Motion Picture over Miley Cyrus and Beyonce. Seriously!

Jennifer Lopez is wearing a fierce gold dress that is reminiscent of her famous Versace dress.

I am also noticing a lot of white for fashions. Beyonce, Eva Mendes, Sandra Bullock, Kate Beckinsale, Miley Cyrus also looked heavenly in their white dresses.

So far, Eva Longoria Parker is killing it with her daring red Reem Acra gown.

A Critic for the People

Tonight is the Golden Globes, so I have to recap the best and the brightest and the shameful fashions worn on the red carpet for the Critics Choice Awards and the People's Choice Awards.

First, the People's Choice Awards...

Carrie Underwood was definitely shining in a gorgeous floral Naeem Khan gown. I am noticing that she likes floral dresses and strapless choices, with demure trains. Very feminine, very soft, just right.



Queen Latifah, who played host for the Awards was striking in a spectacular iridescent purple gown by George Chakra. Way to create a spotlight. All hail the queen.



Marisa Tomei was definitely showing onlookers how to be a lady red as she slithered on the red carpet in smashing Donna Karan.



Teri Hatcher was sassy in her L.B.D. complete with sleek Christian Louboutin stilettos.



And, for the fashion disaster.

Kate Hudson in the turquoise Gucci dress. It reminded of something that you would see on the Brady Bunch. I did not like this one. She always has the power to redeem herself.



Now for the Critics Choice Awards,

Kate Beckinsale was spectacular in her glamorous deep violet number.



Anne Hathaway never disappoints on the red carpet. She looked exquisite in a Gianfranco Ferre yin yang dress.




Amanda Bynes got my attention donning a hot pink Herve Leger dress. I always say that when I get my girlish figure back, I want to wear one of those dresses.



Eva Longoria Parker was graceful in her Grecian look.





Now, on to the Golden Globes...

Bee-you-tiful!

Award season is approaching...but first I had to rave about my sister in my head Beyonce and her gorgeous, refreshing and stunning dress that she recently wore to the Notorious movie premiere in New York City.

I love this winter shade of green. A beautiful citrine almost. Yet, it still looks like a shade of olive.

What do we think?