Category: Clothing

Summer usually means ‘time to break out the shorts!’. I have seen a variety of shorts on the streets recently. Some have a length so scandalous I can’t help but raise an eyebrow, and some are even appropriate for work.

My summer essential shorts are bermuda shorts. They reach down to the knee and offer a whole lot more air transfer for my overheated self with none of that “look at what she’s wearing” to go with it.

Though there has been a pleasant breeze in the air recently, I have seen a lot of brow raising getups recently.
Is it just me or are us gals getting real bold with the lengths and colors of our shorts? I have even seen short shorts in the workplace.

If you feel good in ’em, more power to ya!

The following widget of styles of shorts that I’m lusting after is acting funky, so I apologize in advance if it doesn’t show up. It’s taken me almost all day and it still seems to want to poop out on me.

In any case. What’s your favorite style of shorts? What’s your summer staple?

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It’s a Gray Field…

PhotobucketBlack is the color that generally is worn most. In the winter it is of optimal choice for it’s simple ability to pull in light and retain warmth, it shows much less stains or dirt, and of course, it has a slimming effect. It’s no wonder that almost every person in the world has a pair of black pants or black shoes lingering around the household.

I remember the first time I had to go to a school event and our uniform included black pants. When someone said they didn’t have black pants, you could swear I was reacting to news about the earth not being round. If you don’t have ’em. Get ’em!

Being a New Yorker, I find that a lot of the city dwellers here often find shelter in the color black and sometimes dedicate their whole wardrobe to the color. If you’ve had a chance to make it to NYFW, you’ll find that many a fashionista is clad in all black.

I’ll admit that I’ve resorted to an all black wardrobe when too lazy to match things together. When you start buying too many of the same color, you even start to forget they could be paired with others. God forbid we forget ROYGBIV! Other times, I’m a punk. Who wants to risk their hard earned cash on a red sweater with rainbow polka dots, when a black version looks smarter for the long run? Sure, it’s safer than magenta, and will outlast any leopard print trend, but it becomes a monotonous and if I dare say, mundane, practice.

So wouldn’t Yaya be surprised that as soon as the first leaf fell off a tree, that there was a dime a dozen a New Yorker rocking the gray jacket, cardigan, and scarf (not necessarily all together though…).

Gray is equally as durable in outlasting trends y’all. Between white and black, all the shades are ones that can magically travel on through time and through wardrobe without dating your style. That’s just the color though.

If you are looking for something that will last more than a season, steer clear of super trendy embellishments (ruffles, feathers, ribbons, etc.) or cuts (asymmetrical, batwing sleeves, etc.) unless you have the confidence to wear it as if there was no expiration date in sight.

  • Gray works well in breaking up your closet collection and presenting a color variety in the selection.
  • The color works well as a complement to all light and dark colors (try to pair with a grape/burgundy color and a yellow/mustard color – each combo will look just as good!).
  • The deeper shades of gray are also equally as successful in creating a slimmer silhouette.


So what are you afraid of? Go try something gray now!

Check out some style options all under $100:

Mossimo at ShopStyle


What do you think about the color? Is this old news, or are you running out of the house to try it now?


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Printed Material

Photobucket Lunch time at work for me is usually a lot more about venturing out into the world of retail. Apparel and cosmetics find no shelter from my wandering eyes as my stomach does (or does not… we really don’t always mind) rumble along the way. This is the time when I usually slap on my headphones and explore everything. Sometimes, like an addict, I slip up and come back to work with goodies, to a side eye and a headshake from coworkers. But really, what do they know!? 🙂

My last trip to the Gap had me excited about the beginning of fall. A lot of stores jump the gun too early and start bringing fall merchandise out, as I barely wipe the sweat off my brow and pull my sunglasses off my face. It’s always hard to ignore future fantasies at full price, because even if the weather outside is hot, you don’t want to let a cute outfit slip by you. Am I the only one with the epic internal shopper’s struggle here? Don’t hide behind your computer screens!

I came across some tees from Product(RED) that I was pretty impressed with. The designs were simple and not too exaggerated, but had a great message. This is after the fact that Product(RED) is a great campaign to begin with.

Some of who what wears of Product(RED):

“(RED) is a business model created to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund by teaming up with the world’s most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT) RED branded products. A portion of profits from each (PRODUCT) RED product sold goes directly to the Global Fund to invest in African AIDS programs, with a focus on women and children.

(RED) is not a charity. It’s a business model designed to create awareness and a sustainable flow of money from the private sector into the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Consumers buy (PRODUCT) RED, and at no cost to them, money is sent directly to the Global Fund.

Bono and Bobby Shriver created (RED) to engage the private sector in the fight against AIDS in Africa. Our partners include: American Express (UK only), Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, Gap, Hallmark, Starbucks, and Windows. Discussions are ongoing with other potential partners.

For its (RED) line, Gap has drawn design inspiration directly from Africa – its vibrant culture, architecture and people. So the clothes you wear can make a statement about who you are. Wear (RED) and save lives.“

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The tees that I liked were both saying the following message:

“What we collectively choose to buy or not to buy can change the course of this planet.”

The tees are no longer available on the Gap website, but are still on sale on the Product(RED) site here.

After tees with printed sayings burst onto the market, I grabbed up a couple obnoxious ones. Clearly, I just had to get one that said Kiss Me, I’m Jewish, and a few other silly and similar ones. Almost all of them have passed on to the Salvation Army, but graphic tees that incorporate sayings still have a get out of jail free card from me.

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I really appreciate these tees because they didn’t just rely on the message, or branding to sell themselves. There was evident graphic thought put into this, and they even added a variety of designs. The message translates into more than just buying the tee – it can allude to buying and being green as much as it does to supporting companies that in return give back to the planet and its inhabitants.

What do you think? Do you like these tees? How do you feel about clothing with sayings on them?


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Back to… (s)cool :)

It’s that time again. You know – when the sun hides a lot longer than it shines, and when you wake up in the middle of the night feeling a bit colder than when you went to sleep.

I thought up some ideas and put together a few options to take a peek at. Most of the items are $50 and under, so if you get the itch to shop – it won’t hurt too bad!

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Whenever long sleeves come into play, the button up top is the quintessential top that never does you wrong. There are many options for them and the color varieties are endless. The best thing about it, is that depending on what your environment is, you can snazzy it up for an outing, or down for your HR manager/professor.

http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid4724-679582-60&look=1146245&width=3&height=1&layouttype=0

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Ruffles are playful and will keep you from getting too glum as the weather gets colder and the darkness more abundant.

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Make use of the natural inspirations outside and around you. Take a cue from what is natural at this time of year in terms of colors and incorporate that into your wardrobe!

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Just because it’s warm, doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in sheer fantasies. Pick brighter colors layered over dark colors to keep yourself warmer, and to be kind to other people. Though really – if you’re like me and you don’t care so much what others care about your outfit, you should be putting your neon sheers over white tanks and keep the hope of summer alive.

And while you’re at it, going back to school or just back to cool in the fall, you need new makeup to renew your look right? What better way than to do it with the versatility of a palette?

Here are some under $20 versions!

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B001GSM2YW http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B002FOCYLM http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B001SA5YJS


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21 Reasons to Judge

Back with another courtroom puzzle.

Forever 21 originally started as an inexpensive clothing store that offered deals on the current trends. The store has grown equally in the past years as a bran as it has with the number of the locations they possess.

Now, to add to the men’s line, as well as sections of F21 such as Heritage 1981, Twelve by Twelve, etc. comes the new collection “Forever 21 Twist – the Cirque Collection“

Here are some images for the new line.

Click on the images to check out the rest of the lookbook and to shop the website!

But most importantly, my dear Ladies and Gents of the Jury –

What is your verdict for Cirque 21?

Maxi-mum Exposure

Does anyone remember when the maxi dress became the ideal and most coveted summer day to glam full outfit item?

I’m not sure I remember the exact year, but I know that all I needed was to see one and I was hooked. Me. Hooked…

Now listen here y’all. Yaya is not a dress/skirt type of gal. Don’t let the collection of said items fool you.

Chiffon Maxi Dress Dereon Diva Long Dress click for zoom

Apple Bottoms $74.99 || Dereon $74.25 || C&C California $117

I know there are plenty of full figured, thick thighed, curvy, voluptuous and whatever else you like to call yourself women out there that are nodding their heads as they hear this: the friction of the summer doesn’t do a single kind thing to my lower half without pants or shorts to protect it. It means I don’t like sticking to meself while walking and will only put myself through such practices, when said practices will be minimal in time.

My summer uniform has and always will be a pair of bermuda shorts and most likely an obnoxiously bright colored top. Until the maxi. Call it what you may, but I think a woman looks like an earth mother goddess in them thaaangs & shoot everytime I put one on, I feel super snazzy. It’s the long gown effect without having a glitz and glamour night out.

click for zoom click for zoom

Dereon $59.00 || Alice & Olivia $385 || Adam $237.50


What else calls out to me about it?

The long flowy fabric (I find that the maxis out of jersey or jersey-like material are the most comfy) makes me feel like a female version of a hustla…

The item is one single item that completes my whole outfit for the day. I call that time efficient.

I don’t have to worry about if my shorts are showing from underneath or if it rises too much when I bend or sit. Nor do I have to walk around with red press marks from the chairs, benches, subways, and whatever else my legs tend to lean on.

BB Dakota-The Moxie Dress BB Dakota-The Garner Silk Habotai Maxi Dress click for zoom

BB Dakota $60.00 || BB Dakota #64.95 || Sheri Bodell $459

The length of the dress relieves the pressure of cutting up my feet with heels to be cute. The continuous straight line of the dress adds length and slims my frame. So I can rock those flats with nary a worry.

And above all else – every store has options for this rootin tootin type of dress in a variety of shapes: halter, tube top, v-neck, one shoulder, ruffled, boatneck, short sleeve, spaghetti strap – you name it – in different price ranges and color/pattern selections.

Now here is a case that needs no judging. This is a case solved all by itself.

If you are looking for affordable maxi dress, or any outfit to complete your summer day, sign up with Shop It To Me, so that they can send you personalized price and brand savvy alerts, so that you are never guilty of overspending.


How do you feel about this style?

Do you share a similar love affair?

Celebrity Collabo

There comes a time when being a Jack or Jane of all trades appeals to a person. When the call of creativity beckons so loudly, that no earmuff or headphone can block it out. It’s an occasional Obsession that takes over, and sometimes totally switches up your habits and work times and lifestyle to be polygamous to tasks rather than monogamous…

What the hell am I talking about? 🙂

When an athlete wants to become a performer, or an actor, or a designer, OR all of the above!

Enter: Alanis Morisette & Woody Harrelson.

Introduce: Reco jeans.

They are introducing the first batch of the recycled denim as a Dutch auction. Check out the details at Nylon Mag online here to hear the rest of the details & images.

Reco Jeans is being made available to the public for whatever price they are willing to pay, and they will use this information to put out the next collection…

I’m not too impressed with the image… but this is only judging by the cover.

Do you like that this type of auction is having you choose and using that as their marketing research?

Photo Credit: Craig NJ, Hometown Hollywood, NylonMag & Reco Jeans

MC Harem Pants

No that’s not a typo. MC Harem Pants!!

I’m always loved Harem pants, but instead of fully embracing the trend, I casually dip my nonjudgmental toes in the water as everyone dives right in.

I don’t believe you should ever immerse yourself in a trend you are not confident with. It will show – and you will look like a legitimate fool (legitimate b/c even your crazy behind will agree to such a verdict)!

So as I embark on an online window shopping adventure, to find something that’s more daring that what I have but not as foolish as Mr.Hammer… I leave you with double the inspiration for my current brave obsession.

and part deux

…But if I stumble… you won’t judge me, now will ya? 🙂